Andover High School News & Events
September 1, 2023
Focusing on Learning: Limiting Use of Cellphones in School
Principal Feine’s Video Message
A few weeks ago you received a message from the district welcoming High School families back to a new school year. (High School Welcome Back Message) In that message, it explained our renewed focus on limiting students' use of cell phones during the school year so that we can focus on learning and maintaining a safe environment for all of our school community. The impact of cell phones on students’ developing brains and their educational success is well researched; the negatives of using cell phones in the classroom far outweighs the positives. We will be reviewing our cell phone policy with students during the first week of school. It states that students are expected to turn their cell phones off or put them in airplane mode during class and store them in their backpack, pocket, or cell phone caddy provided by the teacher, unless their teacher has given authorization to use them for a specific instructional activity. Removing cell phone use from the classroom will increase student engagement and learning, limit the negative impacts of social media, and improve a student’s own mental health.
This link will take you to the full message with more information as well as passing time and lunch cell phone usage information.
Important Calendar Dates
- September 4: Labor Day; District Closed-No School
- September 5: Freshman Orientation Day
- September 6: First Day of School Grades 10-12
- September 18: First Late Start Schedule Day, Class starts at 8:30 AM
- September 25-29: Homecoming Week
- September 28: Picture Retakes (IMC)
- October 2: Academic Lettering Ceremony (GYM) 7:00 PM
- October 6: NHS Blood Drive
- October 11: PSAT for 11th Graders
- October 12: Last Chance Senior Photo During Lunches (IMC)
Trimester 1 Late Start Dates are listed here.
You can also view a District Calendar here.
Daily Schedules for September 4-8
Monday, 9/4: Labor Day - District Closed
Tuesday, 9/5: 1st Day of School for 9th Grade Only - Freshman Orientation Schedule
Wednesday, 9/6: All Grades Return to School - Assembly Schedule with Pep Fest
- Pep Fest @ 7:40 am
- 1st Hour Starts @ 8:30 am
- Student Parking Permit distribution during lunches in the Cafeteria
Thursday, 9/7: Assembly Schedule with Advisory
- Advisory @ 7:40 am
- 1st Hour Starts @ 8:30 am
Friday, 9/8: Assembly Schedule with Advisory
- Advisory @ 7:40 am
- 1st Hour @ 8:30 am
Andover HS - Best High Schools Ranking
Andover High School earned high National and metro-area rankings in 2023-2024 Best High Schools, which U.S. News released this morning. Here is your school’s updated U.S. News profile page, with details about its rankings: www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/minnesota/districts/anoka-hennepin-public-school-dist/andover-high-school-10667.
Important Phone Numbers
24-Hour Attendance Line:
763-506-8406
Health Services Office:
763-506-8504 or 763-506-8404
Attendance Expectations
Students are expected to be in school in attendance for all 5 periods every day unless a parent/guardian submits an approved absence. This includes our closed campus for lunches.
Absences/Early Dismissals:
- A parent/guardian should use the ParentVue app to report an absence or early dismissal before 7:30 AM. Absences and early dismissals can also be reported to our 24-hour attendance line at 763-506-8406.
- Andover High School uses an automated calling system to notify parents/guardians of their student's absence(s). If we do not receive prior notification from a parent/guardian about an absence, our automated calling system will contact you for more information.
Online Ticketing for Athletics and Activities
All five Anoka-Hennepin traditional high schools (Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids) have made the transition to online ticket sales for athletics and activities events. With the exception of boys and girls hockey, all ticket sales for events hosted by district schools will be online using VANCO Events, the official ticketing system.
Payment will no longer be accepted at the admission gate. Fans and spectators are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to a scheduled event and be prepared to show their confirmation email with QR code to be scanned upon entry to the chosen event. Fans may show a confirmation email/QR code on their smartphone or with a printed copy.
Adult (18-59) tickets for football games are $8 and other athletic events are $6. Students (K-12) are $6 for football games and $4 for other athletic events. Fans 60 and older receive free admission to all events.
Students from the hosting and visiting schools must be prepared to show student identification at events and middle school students and younger must be accompanied and supervised by an adult chaperone. Students from any other schools/non-participating schools must also be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
2023 Fall Activity Updates
Our goal is to provide a fun, safe and engaging opportunity for all students and families to support our high school athletes as they perform in football, band, dance and cheer.
Below we have more information on event policies and expectations, the District athletic sticker system being discontinued and transportation information for student-athletes.
Yearbooks
Now is the time to order your 2023 - 2024 Yearbook! You can view details and ordering information through the Jostens website here.
Order before Friday, September 22nd to save $5.
Seniors: 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 complete this is November 3rd.
Parking Permits
Parking permits for the 2022-2023 school year are live for purchasing with a limited quantity remaining. Please access SchoolPay to purchase a permit if needed. For those of you that have purchased a permit, they will be available for pickup during lunches in the Cafeteria on Wednesday, September 6th or Thursday, September 7th.
Below is a map showing the flow of traffic as well as the student parking area with permit for the 2023-2024 school year.
Counseling Office Information
Welcome Back!!
Please review your schedules carefully and be sure you have all of your required courses. If you notice errors, please connect with your counselor.
If you are requesting a change of any kind, changes are dependent upon open seats and are prioritized based on student need. Not all changes will be possible, but we'll do our best to work with you. Schedules with missing classes take priority at this time.
Thank you for your flexibility and understanding. *Please note, we will not be available to answer emails or phone calls over the Labor Day Weekend.
Connect with your Counselor here.
Career Center Information
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! The primary mission of the Career and College Specialist (CCS) is to professionally educate and effectively assist students as they navigate through high school and transition into their college and career experience. I look forward to being a built-in support for each student and family as we work together to meet your needs.
Eric Feigum, College and Career Specialist
Career Center Services
The college and career center is a resource for students to get support with all things related to figuring out life after high school. Here are just a few of the services the career center provides:
- Campus tours/college visits
- Financial Aid & scholarship help
- College planning
- Career tours with hands-on learning experiences
- Career planning
- Assessment and Interest Tests
- ACT Prep
- Interviews/Resumes
- Military Resources
- Much more!
Tech Protect: Device Protection Plan Available for Families with Students
Technology plays an important role in preparing students for life, and Chromebooks are utilized as a daily learning tool in Anoka-Hennepin middle and high school classrooms. Anoka-Hennepin students in grades 6-12 are assigned a Chromebook from the school district to ensure access to technology systems that support classroom learning. As careful as students and schools are, accidents do happen each year - and hundreds of Chromebooks are returned at the end of the school year with damages.
Secondary students at some grade levels will get to keep their Chromebook over the summer months, and families can enroll in the device protection plan for the upcoming school year (2023-24), now.
Students that qualified for free or reduced price meals in the current school year (2022-23) may receive the Device Protection Plan coverage, if they enroll - at no cost.
The Technology Protection Plan is optional; it is not required, however, by electing not to participate in the Protection Plan, families may be required to reimburse the school district for the replacement or repair of damaged Chromebooks assigned to their student/s. Damaged or broken screens may cost between $100 to $190 depending on parts needed; or the replacement cost for the entire device could be up to $410.
Families can opt-in to the Device Protection Plan by logging into A-HConnect, and selecting "My Student Information," and "Fees." Parents must select or decline coverage under the Device Protection Plan.
The plan cost is $20 per student or $60 per family per school year.
If the student qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals in the 2022-23 school year, the cost of the Protection Plan will be reduced to $0.
Repairs with the Protection Plan are subject to a $15 deductible.
Visit ahschools.us/techprotect for details.
View the Device Protection Plan flyer to learn more. (PDF)
Enroll in the device protection plan using Synergy.
Apply for Educational Benefits for the 2023-24 School Year
The state’s Free School Meals program to begin in 2023, families will still need to apply
to qualify for more educational benefits.
Starting Sept. 5, 2023, every student may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost during
the school year. The state’s Free School Meals program will cover the cost of one breakfast
meal and one lunch meal for every student daily, however the cost of a la carte items, such as
milk, other drinks, or extra meal items will not be covered. Students will need to have funds in
their meal accounts to purchase any additional food items.
If your family needs access to any other educational benefits available to your student, please
visit ahschools.us/freereduced to complete an application.
The enrollment window for the 2023 Applications for Educational Benefits begins Aug. 1, 2023.
Anoka-Hennepin asks that all families complete an online application to provide additional
school funding to support all students in the district. By filling out this application, your school
can earn funding and you can save money.
Educational benefits include:
- Athletics fees: Eligible students may qualify for fees to be waived or reduced.
- SAT, ACT, AP Fees: Students may be eligible for discounted fees for academic tests and some lab fees.
- Other high school activities: Students may qualify for discounts on speech, debate, theater, band and others.
- Additional benefits and cost savings: Chromebook device protection, Comcast Internet Essentials discount, Amazon Prime membership discounts, discounted bus fares with
- Metro Transit, Xcel Energy account assistance, discounts at museums and theaters.
This e-newsletter is published by Andover High School. Questions, comment or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.