In the Know - December 1, 2023
December 1, 2023
Staff e-newsletter update: In the Know moving to Monday distribution
Beginning next week, In the Know will shift from its current Friday distribution to a new schedule, to be published Mondays. The e-newsletter is traditionally published almost every week during the school year and bi-weekly during the summer months. 📅
📩 Expect to see the next edition of the e-newsletter in your inbox on Monday, Dec. 11.
This adjustment is aimed at providing the Anoka-Hennepin Schools staff members with timely and relevant information, ensuring that staff are “in the know” about important updates, announcements, and highlights right at the start of their week. Questions or feedback? Email info@ahschools.us.
Contract negotiations next steps include Mediation set for January 3
Anoka-Hennepin Schools values the dedication of its staff members and it is the goal to improve terms and conditions for employees while working within tight budget parameters that maintain financial and operational stability for the district.
The negotiations process the district and Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota (AHEM) has included eight meetings to date. The last meeting was held Nov. 21 and AHEM filed for mediation with the Bureau of Mediation Services on Nov. 22. The first mediation session has been set for Jan. 3, 2024.
While conducting contract negotiations, the district aims to work collaboratively with bargaining groups in alignment with Policy 209, the negotiations code of ethics, which details guiding principles and practices in reaching agreements with Anoka-Hennepin employment contracts:
- Provide accurate, timely and complete information to employees and the general public.
- Respectfully and fairly participate in the negotiation process.
- Maintain support of the district, its schools and its staff.
- Make every reasonable effort to arrive at a responsible settlement for each contract.
💻 View the Negotiations webpage to view the status of current contract negotiations in Anoka-Hennepin Schools.
UnitedHealthcare December engagement toolkit: Stress and anxiety
To support Anoka-Hennepin School District employees, UnitedHealthcare has created a monthly engagement toolkit to support employee health and well-being.
The December engagement toolkit offers resources and content on topics related to stress and anxiety. Simplifying your life and resetting expectations can help ease stress and anxiety. Resources are listed below to help you look at stress-relieving ways to streamline your to-dos, think more positively and calm your mind.
🧘 Included in this month’s engagement toolkit:
- A live, one-hour training session on how to simplify your life.
- A worksheet to help streamline your to-dos to help reduce stress.
- An article on learning how to shift your thinking patterns to reduce stress and anxiety.
- A video about how to give yourself a break.
Employee 2023 W-2 and 1095-C forms will be available electronically; opt-out for printed copy
Anoka-Hennepin employee 2023 W-2 and 1095-C forms will be available for viewing, downloading and printing by logging into Skyward Employee Access.
Benefits of choosing an electronic copy:
- It will be ready earlier than printed copies.
- It is a safer method of delivery considering the documents contain sensitive data such as social security numbers.
- It can be accessed from anywhere you can log in to Skyward.
To access Skyward, first sign in to A-HConnect, then click "Skyward."
- To receive the W-2 electronically instead of a paper copy, please complete the opt-out form titled "Confirm W2 Delivery 2023" in Employee Access of Skyward.
- To receive your 1095-C electronically instead of a paper copy, please complete the opt-out form titled "Confirm 1095-C Delivery 2023" on your Employee Access of Skyward.
Employees have until Jan. 12, 2024, to change their preference to receiving their forms electronically. Communication will be sent out when 2023 W-2s are available electronically.
Please contact Payroll at extension 61050 or Payroll.Help@AHSchools.us with any questions.
Staff PD opportunity: Supporting American Indian Students in the Classroom
The Anoka-Hennepin American Indian Education Program is hosting seven virtual discussions on Supporting American Indian Students in the Classroom starting Nov. 1. The discussions will be held virtually using Google Meet from 6-8 p.m. on each date.
The discussions will be hosted by Benjamin Burgess, Ph.D. elementary American Indian Education advisor. The courses will focus on American Indian experiences within the educational system with a special emphasis on perspectives of Ojibwe and Dakota people of Minnesota.
💻 Join the virtual discussions on Google Meet. For more information, please contact Benjamin Burgess at benjamin.burgess@ahschools.us or 763-506-1172.
Where Wellness Matters: Attitude of gratitude
As the remaining fall days are winding down and winter is upon us, it’s also an important opportunity to pause and reflect on the abundance of things to be thankful for.
Much like the age-old riddle, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” this month’s wellness theme poses similar counterintuitive questions. Are happier people more grateful or do grateful people become happier?
Actually there is a poWErful connection between the two - Gratitude and Happiness! According to Psychology Today, “Gratitude is the antidote for toxic things that come into our lives. Simply put, gratitude fosters optimism, which strengthens hope.”
During busy or stressful times of our lives, it’s likely a challenge to be joyful, let alone thankful. This is all the more reason to practice and build habits of gratitude, in good and bad times, because it will lead to happiness. Chasing after the things of life we believe will create happiness, when in reality often do not. By focusing on others, expressing appreciation, counting our blessings, connecting with others, and contributing to the community, a harvest of positive health and relationship benefits will gather.
It’s a win/win! The two go hand in hand, working together in tandem, back and forth complimenting each other. Try practicing gratitude daily and see what happens!
- Journaling - Write or draw pictures of three things you are grateful each day.
- Verbalize appreciation to those around you regularly.
- Surprise someone by recognizing others in front of their peers.
- Be mindful of negative automatic thoughts/responses swapping them out with positives.
- Volunteer or donate to causes or organizations you care about.
Parent Education Series: First Parent Engage 360 event set for Tuesday, Dec. 5 at Coon Rapids High School
Join parents and guardians from the Anoka-Hennepin Schools community for information and resources to support the needs of students today.
The big picture: Anoka-Hennepin is hosting three Parent Engage 360 community and parent education events during the 2023-24 school year. These events aim to provide resources for parents and guardians to support their students and others in the community. Topics range from mental health, chemical health, internet safety, and more. Parent Engage 360 forum events are offered both in-person and in virtual formats and are free and open to the public.
🗣️🤝 What to expect: The first Parent Engage 360 event will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Coon Rapids High School auditorium and will feature author and co-founder of TILL360 Joe Beckman. Over the last 20 years, Beckman has spoken all over the world with one mission, to reclaim human connection.
Beckman is an engaging and dynamic speaker who combines humor, authenticity, heart, and soul that will help attendees find self-worth, resilience, confidence, joy, and human connection. Beckman is the author of Just Look Up Five Life-Saving Phrases Every Kid Human Needs to Hear. Attendees at this event have the chance to win one of four free copies of Beckman’s book.
🎧 Go deeper: For more resources, tune in to the award-winning Parent Engage 360 Podcast which is available on more of your favorite podcasting platforms. Listen to the podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio and Samsung Podcasts. To register and learn more about Parent Engage 360 events, please visit ahschools.us/parentengage360.
Colors collide and talents thrive at the Lincoln Elementary Arts Jam
The Arts Jam at Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts allows both students and staff the opportunity to showcase their artistic exploration and diverse talents. On Nov. 21, the first Arts Jam of the year had the school fully immersed in all areas of the arts.
The school integrates and infuses the arts into everyday learning, but the Arts Jam allows students to participate in four focused sessions where they can explore multiple areas of the arts, which include visual art, music, technical arts, literary arts and theatre. The activities allow students to try something new or gain a deeper appreciation for a specific area of the arts. 📸 View photos from the Lincoln Arts Jam.
💬 What they’re saying: Fifth grader Norah DeBiaso said, “We normally get to do a lot of arts, but today, we get to have a day focusing on just what our school is meant for.”
📽️ Hear from more students and see what the Arts Jam provides students.
🎨 A specialty school: Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts uses district established curriculum to teach reading, math, science, writing, social studies and health, but within that common curriculum, Lincoln teachers weave in artful strategies and projects to engage, deepen and strengthen student learning.
A new device at the JMS observatory opens more eyes to the universe
Thanks to new technology developed with the help of Jackson Middle School - A Specialty School for Math and Science (JMS) observatory coordinator Ron Schmit, the telescope in the school’s observatory is now accessible to more individuals.
🌙 Why it matters: When the observatory was constructed at JMS, the facility was equipped with a lift, allowing students in wheelchairs to access the telescope. Depending on the individual’s abilities, some may have not been able to experience the observatory to its fullest potential as the eyepiece on the telescope was not accessible.
Thanks to Schmit and the help of a colleague in the Minnesota Astronomical Society, the two developed a working prototype of a relay scope made out of two small telescopes pointed at each other. The first would take the image from the main scope and send it to a second telescope at the other end of a short pipe. The new relay scope attached to the main telescope via a tripod, allows anyone in a wheelchair to view the solar system.
🔭 JMS Observatory: Anoka-Hennepin is one of the few districts in the nation with an observatory. Teachers and students from all grade levels and schools across the district have utilized the facility to reinforce curriculum or view into space. The facility features a classroom area that includes a mini planetarium and video screens offering live looks into outer space.
The second floor of the facility, inside the dome, houses a fully rotational telescope that is operated by a remote control, offering a real-time look into the universe.
Did you know: The JMS observatory offers many public viewing opportunities throughout the year. Visit the JMS observatory to look at the moon, planets, stars and constellations, and anything else found in space. Public viewings are held at least twice each month, if clear, along with special event nights when something of interest is happening in the sky above. Learn more about the JMS observatory at ahschools.us/jmsobservatory.
🚀 Fly higher: Learn more about this project and hear from Ron Schmit on why this project meant so much to him, and the reaction of students who were able to access the observatory for the first time.
Bid now: Student-built raised garden beds up for auction
👩🌾 Two separate auctions are live:
- Three raised garden beds
- Made out of brown treated with sheet metal and deck screws.
- Size is about 6 feet long by 6 feet wide.
- Bidding starts at $185 and the auction ends Dec. 18.
- Three raised garden beds auction.
- Two raised garden beds
- Made out of brown treated with sheet metal and deck screws.
- Size is about 6 feet long by 4 feet wide.
- Bidding starts at $165 and the auction ends Dec. 18.
- Two raised garden beds auction.
- Additional student-built items currently up for auction: three student-built sheds, four student-built outdoor tables with seating and a student-built luxury chicken coop. View those auctions.
District to host Education, Employment, and Enlistment Palooza on Dec. 9 at Andover High School
Anoka-Hennepin career and college specialists from the district’s high schools have once again collaborated to host the Second Annual Education, Employment, and Enlistment Palooza on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 8:30-11 a.m. at Andover High School.
What to expect: The event will highlight a variety of college, career and post-high school planning options for all high school students and families. The format will include a mix of scheduled 40-minute sessions on focused topics.
Students and parents/guardians have the opportunity to sit in on sessions including nine different topics. The first sessions will be held from 8:30-9:10 a.m. with the second session to follow from 9:15-9:55 a.m. The fair will be open from 10-11 a.m. View the complete schedule.
Topics include:
- Pay Less for College.
- Labor Trends.
- How do I figure out what I want to do for a career?
- Trades and Apprenticeships.
- Military pathways panel.
- Lowering the costs of college while in high school.
- Why STEP might be a great option.
- Creative Careers.
- Recent grad student panel.
Plan your future: The college and career fair will feature 37 employers/apprenticeship representatives and over 40 colleges/universities and military recruiters. Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Anoka Technical College, Bemidji State University, Grand Canyon University, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and University of Wisconsin-Stout will all be offering students the option to apply and receive an admissions decision on the day of the event.
Seasonal concerts at district middle and high schools
If you are looking for local holiday entertainment, look no further than your school community. There are a variety of music concerts going on at district middle and high schools in December and January.
Providing choice, empowering minds: Anoka-Hennepin features six specialty and magnet schools at the elementary level
Anoka-Hennepin offers six specialty and magnet schools at the elementary level that are designed to provide families with additional choices at no cost. Students in kindergarten - grade 12 who live within the Anoka-Hennepin boundaries may apply to enroll at any of the specialty or magnet schools as an opportunity to explore interest areas in depth.
The specialty and magnet programs provide in-demand educational options such as the arts, science, technology, math, engineering and biomedical sciences (STEM/STEAM), as well as International Baccalaureate (IB).
Magnet schools
- Offered to students districtwide in partnership with the Northwest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD).
- Transportation is provided.
- The application window is open for the 2024-25 school year and closes Dec. 31, 2023.
Specialty schools
- Students may enroll at the specialty schools using an in-district transfer process.
- Families are responsible for providing transportation.
- Applications are accepted between Dec. 1, 2023 and Jan. 15, 2024 for priority consideration.
All the specialty and magnet schools are offering in-person tours upon request.
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This e-newsletter is published by Anoka-Hennepin Schools. It's sent to all Anoka-Hennepin staff on a weekly basis during the school year, excluding breaks (and periodically during the summer). Questions, comments or concerns about In the Know e-newsletter? Contact us.