In the Know - Feb. 3, 2023

Feb. 3, 2023

In 1976, the nation's bicentennial, President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since then each American president has issued Black History Month proclamations.

Throughout the month of February, district and school communications will showcase Black History Month recognitions and activities happening in our schools. With a district strategic priority of ensuring a safe and welcoming school environment, Black History Month communications aim at demonstrating the work being done in schools to maintain an environment of inclusiveness.

Nearly a century ago, prominent African-American historian and scholar Carter G. Woodson launched a vision to broaden the nation’s conscience and academic study of Black Americans. Over time, the idea grew acceptance and to eventually became recognized as Black History Month during February, a decision made to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass, leaders who both led efforts to end slavery.

Are you recognizing Black History Month in your school? Please contact the Communications and Public Relations department at comm.pr@ahschools.us with the details.

Employees of Anoka-Hennepin Schools have many resources available to support their mental and physical health. In the last month, information was provided weekly about some of the wellness and employee support programs available. More information about employee resources and important employee information are available on the Staff Intranet.

Wellness and support programs:

• Rally, a wellness program.
• Real Appeal, an online weight loss program.
• Optum, the district’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Self Care by AbleTo, a self-help app (Formerly Sanvello).

Additional resources for employees:

• Text messaging alerts for staff.
• 403(b) information.
• Employee Services.
• Insurance Department.

Four Anoka-Hennepin magnet schools have earned recognition from Magnet Schools of America (MSA) for their academic excellence, commitment to diversity and community engagement.

University Avenue Elementary School - Aerospace, Children’s Engineering and Science was recognized as a Top Magnet School of Excellence award winner which is the top merit award given to only a select group of magnet schools. University Avenue was one of just 24 schools nationally to earn this recognition, earning the award for the second straight year.

Anoka Middle School for the Arts, along with University Avenue, was named a 2023 Merit School of Excellence, while Evergreen Park Elementary - STEM School of Innovation and Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts each earned Merit School of Distinction honors.

MSA national merit awards are given to magnet schools that demonstrate a commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, successful desegregation and diversity efforts, and strong parent and community involvement. To be considered for a merit award, member schools must submit an application that is scored by a panel of educators.

MSA is a nonprofit organization that provides support and assistance to magnet schools across the nation and represents approximately 4,300 magnet and theme-based schools nationwide.

Employee 2022 W-2s are now available to print within Skyward Employee Access. Visit the Staff Intranet website for detailed instructions on how to print your W-2.

Please contact Payroll at extension 61050 or Payroll.Help@AHSchools.us with any questions.

Anoka-Hennepin is currently seeking teachers and paraeducators for early childhood, elementary and secondary Extended School Year and Targeted Services summer positions.

Paraeducators and teachers who are not available for working the entirety of the summer schedule are encouraged to still apply and reach out to the appropriate supervisor indicating your availability. Sub coverage is still needed in the summer and your availability may help to fill that need. Read details and apply online.

Last school year, the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation infused about $75,000 into district schools and programs. Now, the non-profit is gearing up for its largest fundraiser of the year. Watch this news story by NorthMetro TV.

The specialty program at Hoover Elementary School - Biomedical, Health Sciences and Engineering focuses on human body systems and the biomedical and technological systems that keep us healthy. In second grade, students become experts in the digestive system and on Jan. 30, those students participated in a unique learning experience.

Through a partnership with Minnesota Gastroenterologist (MNGI), students learned about digestion and the digestive system with the help of nurses from MNGI and a large traveling inflatable super colon.

Passion and talent were displayed during a student talent show at Champlin Park High School (CPHS) on Feb. 1 as students helped kick off Black History Month activities.

This was the first of a series of planned events at CPHS where students will have the opportunity to learn more about Black History Month. The talent show featured a number of performances, including traditional dance routines, Black History Month trivia and musical performances by students. View photos from the talent show at CPHS on Feb. 1.

On Feb. 2, the CPHS Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a live talk show “BSU Live” during second and third hours where BSU leaders interviewed staff of color to talk about the significance of Black History Month in their lives.

Students Jada Jones, Feener Emiru, Jasmine Monari, Aria Love, Nasra Ali interviewed Henry Galloway, Shanel Galea, Clark Sanders, Jamie Oliver, Jalen Giles, Roshonda White, and Student Services Assistant Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Darron Sherrill. Students Nicole Bosire, Alliyah Pahkala assisted in the production of the event. Photos by CPHS senior Jakarta Davis.

Student-athletes from Anoka-Hennepin’s five high schools (Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids) participated in events Feb. 1 marking National Signing Day. The regular signing period for NCAA Division I and II football began Feb. 1, while student-athletes outside of football began signing letters of intent Nov. 10, 2022, and can continue to sign until Aug. 1.

Congratulations to all of these student-athletes, and to those who will sign their letters of intent at a later time. Anoka-Hennepin is proud! Visit the district website to view a list of student-athletes who have signed letters of intent in 2022-23.

Thanks to partnerships with the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce, Connexus Energy, NTM Inc., and Dynamic Group; students at Anoka High School (AHS) made connections with local technical colleges, labor unions and employers, and experienced hands-on job skills in virtual reality scenarios in a mobile learning lab on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

“We want to give students a lot of options to explore what it may look like to work right away or discover real opportunities in the community to apply some skills that they may already have, as well as possible pathways to technical colleges or on-the-job training that will lead them to a career,” Colleen Neary explained.

Neary, the College and Career Specialist at AHS; and Jill Luoma-Overstreet, the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) curriculum integrator; partnered with the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce to bring the celebration to the school.

“It’s a community effort, and we want students to feel confidence around making a decision about their future,” said John LeTourneau, director of manufacturing for the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about the Trades Event at Anoka High School.

Did you know that around 34,000 Anoka-Hennepin students ride a bus to and from school each day? The district transportation services department works closely with partners to safely transport students using approximately 380 vehicles traveling more than six million miles annually. The district services more than 8,000 bus stops traveling to and from more than 60 school sites daily.

In the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast episode, host Liz Burgard is joined by transportation director B.J. Ison and transportation safety coordinator Jeff Mueller to learn more about what goes into safely planning a school bus route, where bus stops are located and much more.

The Blaine High School dance team recently had the opportunity to perform at halftime of the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida on Jan. 2. Learn more about this experience in a news story by NorthMetro TV.

Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high schools will host 2023 graduation ceremonies traditionally on the University of Minnesota campus to ensure adequate capacity for graduates and their families.

For the first time, graduation ceremonies will be held in the Maturi Pavilion, located at 1925 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis. In recent years, ceremonies were held at the 3M Arena at Mariucci, which will be under renovation and unavailable for this year’s ceremonies. Graduation ceremonies for the high schools are expected to return to the 3M Arena at Mariucci in 2024.

Ceremonies for Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high schools will be held Sunday, June 4. Anoka High School will hold its graduation ceremony at historic Goodrich Field in Anoka on Monday, June 5.

Families of high school seniors may expect additional details sent via high school email regarding parking, seating and accessibility accommodations.

• District to host hiring event for operational positions Feb. 15.
  
• Increased security in place to ensure safety at school events.
• Information sessions available for Grow Your Own Program offered through the University of St. Thomas.
  

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