Andover High School News & Events
July 12th, 2022
October 15, 2022
Homecoming 2022
Thank you to all our students, staff and community members for making this a safe and exciting Homecoming Week! As you can see from the pictures above, we had a lot of positive energy and smiles to share with all.
Important Calendar Dates
- October 18: Conferences 2:50-5:25 PM
- October 20-21: No School; MEA
- October 25: Orchestra Fall Concert (AUD) 7:00 PM
- October 27: Band Fall Concert (AUD) 7:00 PM
- November 3: Choir Fall Concert (AUD) 7:00 PM
- November 6: Daylight Savings Ends
- November 8: No School; Staff Development
- November 11: Veterans Day Assembly (GYM) 9:36AM
- November 11-13: Fall Play Opens
- November 14: Tri 2 Parking Permits Opens for Seniors 7:00 AM
- November 15: Tri 2 Parking Permits Opens for Juniors 7:00 AM
- November 16: Tri 2 Parking Permits Opens for Sophomores 7:00 AM
You can also view a District Calendar here.
Winter Sports Registration
Registration will be opening on Monday, October 17th for our Winter Sports. For more information on how to register, please click here. If you have any questions, you can email Deanna Palmer at Deanna.Palmer@ahschools.us.
Listed below are the start dates for the Winter Sports:
- Monday, October 24th - Dance Team Competition
- Monday, October 31st - Girls Hockey
- Monday, November 14th - Alpine Ski, Nordic Ski, Gymnastics, Boys Hockey, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball (Grade 9 only)
- Monday, November 21st - Boys Basketball (Grades 10-12) and Wrestling
- Monday, November 28th - Boys Swimming & Diving
Fall Musical Showcase
Looking to attend any of our Fall Concerts? You can purchase tickets ahead of time! Approximately one week before each concert, you will be able to purchase tickets in advance from our Activities Calendar. You can view our Activities Calendar at any time.
- The Orchestra Concert is being held on Tuesday, October 25th at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium.
- The Band Concert is being held on Thursday, October 27th at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium.
- The Choir Fall Concert is being held on Thursday, November 3rd at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium.
Cap and Gown Ordering Information
Order your cap and gown free of charge to all graduates from Jostens.
Seniors must go to this link to submit their cap and gown measurements electronically. The deadline for submission for the cap and gown will be December 15, 2022. Graduation announcements can also be ordered via the link below. The deadline will be December 15, 2022 for announcement orders.
How to order the free cap and gown:
1. Click on the link above
2. Scroll down to the Cap and Gown Section and select the Cap and Gown Unit - $0.00
Please go to this link to complete the registration or to order announcements (if you prefer to order through Jostens).
Please note: All seniors will receive a black/gold tassel with their cap and gown. You have an option to purchase an additional “Keepsake” tassel if you choose. Should you have any questions, please email Courtney Piekarski.
Yearbook Ads for Grads
Calling all Senior Parents! To submit your Ad for Grad (baby pictures/Senior recognition ad) to the yearbook, please go to the Jostens website to place your ad. The deadline to place an Ad for Grad is Tuesday, November 1st.
Order Your Yearbook!
Attention students and parents! Now is the time to order your 2022 - 2023 Yearbook! You can view details and ordering information through the Jostens website.
Veterans Day Assembly
Andover High School will hold its Annual Veterans Day program on Friday, November 11th starting at 9:36 am. Suggested arrival time is 9:20 - 9:25 am for coffee and treats. All Veterans and their families are welcome to attend this event along with our student body.
News from the Youth Services Coordinator
Veteran’s Day Assembly - November 11th
At this year’s Veteran’s Day assembly, the Andover Leos will be holding a freewill donation to benefit Haven for Heroes. Haven for Heroes, located in Anoka, provides a place of safety and refuge for Veterans and/or their family members who, for whatever reason, need assistance. If you are planning on attending, please consider supporting our Vets by donating to this amazing organization!
Powderpuff Football Game - Food Drive and Fundraiser
A huge “thank you” to all of those who contributed to the Leos’ food drive and fundraiser at this year’s Powderpuff game. Through your generous donations, the Leos were able to donate 250 pounds of food to ACBC Food Shelf. Additionally, $790 was raised to help support the work the Leos will be doing around sustainability this year.
Counseling Office Info
Stress Less - Change to Chill
With school, sports, and activities in full swing, it's common for students to experience stress. You may feel like you are being pulled in many different directions to perform at your best. Recognizing symptoms of stress may help identify the things in your life that are causing them. Visit this site to identify symptoms of stress and connect you with resources to manage stress.
Back on Track
Need to make up a class? See your counselor to register for credit recovery. You can see details here.
Attention PSEO Students!
Student Notice of Registration forms are available for Spring Semester PSEO. You will need this completed each semester for the college to allow you to register.
Please complete the top portion of the below PDF and turn it in to your counselor. These are only for students currently attending PSEO. We also have some forms in the Guidance Office if you need one.
Career Center News
These newsletters/updates come from the Andover High School College and Career Center. This resource is here for students and families to help guide all things “life after high school”. To learn more about the services provided by our College and Career Center, click here.
Advanced Placement Exam Update #2
The payment window for students currently enrolled in an AP course that are planning on taking the exam is now open (October 1 - November 1). Students in AP classes that start trimester 2 will have a later payment window opportunity.
As a reminder, all students must have registered for their AP exam by joining the My AP classroom using the directions previously shared here. Students must complete both steps (joining the My AP classroom and paying for the exam) in order to test.
For directions on how to pay, click here.
The AP exam schedule can be found here.
News from the Volunteer Coordinator
Chaperone needed for Second Harvest field trip
We are still looking for one additional parent volunteer to help chaperone a freshman field trip to Second Harvest Heartland. The field trip will take place on Tuesday, November 1st, and will go from 8:30AM - 3:00PM. The purpose of this field trip is to expose freshmen to service, and help fulfill their service requirement. One staff will be attending this field trip along with 25 civics students, and their teacher (Beth Holgrimson). Second Harvest requests that we have 1 chaperone per 10 kids so we are in need of another adult chaperone. Please email Cory.knapp@ahschools.us if you are interested.
Volunteers to help in kitchen during lunch
Looking for a great opportunity to get involved at your school? Child Nutrition is looking for volunteers to be an extra set of hands during the current staffing shortage. Volunteers will work one or more shifts helping with things like serving food, wiping tables, and other light duties. Click here If you are interested in learning more or want to sign up.
PACREE Meeting Schedule
Parent Advisory Committee for Racial and Ethnic Equity announces meeting schedule for 2022-23
Join parents and guardians of students of color from around the district for updates, discussion and action planning as part of the Parent Advisory Committee for Racial and Ethnic Equity (PACREE).
Increasing involvement from parents and guardians in education to impact educational outcomes and supporting a sense of belonging in school is the driving force behind PACREE. The group will hold a session covering a different topic each month in support of students and in alignment with the Anoka-Hennepin Equity Achievement Plan, a coordinated effort to promote high academic achievement for all students and eliminate predictable gaps amongst student groups. Visit ahschools.us/equityachievementplan for additional information.
Meetings will be held from 5:30-7:00 PM and will be offered in a virtual format on the following dates: Oct. 18, Nov. 15, Dec. 13, Jan. 17, Feb. 14, March 21, April 18, May 16.
For additional information and to get involved with PACREE sessions, please contact Darron Sherrill, assistant director of students services - diversity, equity and inclusion at darron.sherrill@ahschools.us or Rahmo Ali, cultural liaison, at rahmo.ali@ahschools.us.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 27
How to prepare for parent/teacher conferences
Parents and guardians may have recently been invited to sign up for the first round of parent/teacher conferences for this school year, and they may be wondering what to expect or how to prepare for conferences with your child’s teacher or teachers.
In the latest episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast, host Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin parent involvement coordinator; Nikole Wodash, Sunrise Elementary School assistant principal; and Jill Alton, Coon Rapids High School assistant principal, hope to answer what parents can expect from conferences, how to prepare, and ways that parents/guardians can work with their child’s teacher(s) in partnership to support success in the classroom.
Tune in to the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360.
The Parent Engage 360 Podcast aims to provide parents and guardians with knowledge from experts in chemical health, mental health, internet safety and more, as well as the tools needed to support their children. Anoka-Hennepin hopes that providing timely and helpful information through the Parent Engage 360 podcast series will strengthen the bond between school and home with resources parents and guardians can use and share with others.
Be aware of Tik-Tok “one chip challenge” on social media
A new social media trend is motivating activity called the “one chip challenge” is circulating across the nation and is in our community and schools. This activity causes a significant disruption and can result in illness for students who participate. It is not allowed at school.
The “one chip challenge” encourages students to eat one Paqui chip, which is an extremely spicy chip seasoned with carolina reaper and scorpion pepper. These chips are 400 times hotter than a jalapeno pepper. The challenge is causing disruption at schools across the country, with students reporting to school health offices feeling unwell due to the severe heat index of the chip and needing to be sent home due to illness after consuming the chip. Reactions may include vomiting, abdominal pain, severe burning sensation on mouth and lips and even difficulty breathing.
School is taking proactive steps to ensure students are not caught up in this and can avoid school discipline or causing illness of fellow students. It is the goal of Anoka-Hennepin Schools to keep students in school engaged in positive academic and social activities. Students who bring and distribute these chips to others during the school day are causing distractions that may face disciplinary consequences. Please visit with your student about this and discuss ways to appropriately respond to this type of social media information.
This e-newsletter is published by Andover High School. Questions, comment or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.