Backpack Online - September 9, 2022
September 9, 2022
Smiles and chatter filled the halls as students began the 2022-23 school year
New Mississippi Elementary principal Rachel Grillo
New Jackson Middle School principal Joel Young
All high school students returned Wednesday
There was energy and excitement in the air as students returned to Anoka-Hennepin’s 40-plus sites on the first day of school Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Around 37,000 students brought laughter and smiles to schools around the district on the first day, and students were met with enthusiasm and excitement from teachers and staff ready for another great year in Anoka-Hennepin. District information services reported that student enrollment is in line with projections for the 2022-23 school year. The official enrollment report will be available in October.
New this year, freshmen and new-to-district students at Anoka-Hennepin’s five traditional high schools participated in a series of activities aimed at easing the transition to high school and building a foundation for academic success.
This new practice brought the first day excitement back on Wednesday, Sept. 7 as sophomores, juniors and seniors arrived for their first day of school and all-school assemblies kicked-off the school year with a lot of energy.
View photos of the first few days of school from schools across Anoka-Hennepin.
Anoka High School body slams adversity during first day assembly
Mike Farley, principal at Anoka High School - Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (AHS), typically starts each school year with an all-school assembly where he finds creative ways to deliver a theme for the year. Wrestling with the idea of overcoming adversity, Farley stepped into the ring to face it head on with a clothesline and a body slam.
Wednesday, Sept. 7 marked the first day of school for all students at AHS after Sept. 6 was used as a freshman and new student orientation day. This year, professional wrestlers were invited to the assembly to help drive home the message of overcoming adversity. The program finished with Farley getting into the ring to execute some wrestling moves before he delivered his message that finished with, “Let’s all strive to be our best self this year, be respectful of everyone in the Anoka Family and have a great year!” Read the full story about the first day assembly at AHS. View photos of the assembly.
A special message from the School Board
It's an exciting and hopeful time of year. Watch the video to hear the full message for #AHSchools staff members across the district.
Parent Engage 360 back-to-school podcast
Episode 26: Back-to-school with Dr. Kate Maguire
It is officially back-to-school season! In the latest episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast, Interim Superintendent Dr. Kate Maguire joins host Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin parent involvement coordinator, to discuss all things back to school.
Maguire began serving as interim superintendent in July and shares in this podcast what she has learned in just two short months at Anoka-Hennepin. With nearly 40 years of experience in education, Maguire provides tips and recommendations for parents and guardians to help their children have a successful start to the school year while also sharing about the district’s theme this school year, Live Well, Lead Well, Learn Well.
Tune in to the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360.
Community meetings for proposed boundary adjustments are set for September
With enrollment growth in portions of the district - Blaine, Champlin and Dayton - attendance boundary changes are needed to balance student enrollment to ensure operational efficiencies and quality education for all students. Anoka-Hennepin Schools is coordinating a process for public review and input into draft proposals, which would be approved by the school board in November and put in place for the 2023-24 school year.
Changes are being proposed at the elementary level in the Anoka, Blaine and Champlin Park clusters and at Roosevelt and Northdale Middle Schools in the Blaine High School attendance area. There are no other middle school or any high school attendance boundary changes being proposed.
Community meetings will allow interested persons to review draft proposals, discuss considerations with school and district leaders and provide feedback for the school board as new boundaries are finalized. These meetings will focus on the areas served with the high school boundaries where the meetings are hosted. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. with a brief presentation at the following dates and locations:
Wed., Sept. 14 at Champlin Park High School.
Thurs., Sept. 15 at Coon Rapids High School.
Tues., Sept. 20 at Anoka High School.
Wed., Sept. 21 at Blaine High School.
Thurs., Sept. 22 at Andover High School.
September is National Suicide Awareness Prevention Month
Collaboration with the community on public health issues, like suicide awareness and prevention, is essential. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to reinforce that suicide is preventable and an effort that benefits from a community-wide approach. Together, we can increase awareness, identify risk factors early, and provide collaborative support. When a student is struggling with their mental health, there is hope and help.
Anoka-Hennepin Schools delivers a wide range of supports to help students with their social and emotional needs, including partnerships with many community agencies. Schools provide a system of support for students that includes caring adults such as school social workers, mental health therapists, school psychologists, student achievement advisors, nurses and others to support the mental health needs of students.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or thoughts of hurting themselves, get help immediately. See these resources for how to access help. If there is an immediate mental health crisis, call 911 and ask for an officer trained in mental health. Help is also available 24 hours a day by calling or texting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or on the Crisis Text Line by texting MN to 741741.
Resources for parents/guardians:
What to Do if You’re Worried About Suicide
A parent’s guide to helping their child in distress. Published by the Child Mind Institute, an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.
Restricting Access to Lethal Means
Restricing access to the lethal means to commit suicide is considered an essential strategy for parents/guardians concerned about teen suicide risk. Anoka-Hennepin licensed support staff were trained in this strategy in spring 2020. Published by SAVE: Suicide Prevention Voices of Education.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota (NAMI MN) Suicide Prevention, Awareness, and Support Includes a listing of crisis supports including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or Text MN to 741741.
Resources for teens:
How to Talk to Your Parents About Getting Help
For teens, opening up and talking with a trusted parent/guardian is the first step to getting help. Published by the Child Mind Institute, an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.
How to Support a Friend With Mental Health Challenges: While Still Taking Care of Yourself
The Child Mind Institute provides information on how teens can support each other and their own mental health needs.
Traffic tips for the back-to-school season
The back-to-school season is a busy time for families, school staff and our communities. There is often more traffic congestion in this season, and it’s more important than ever for drivers to pay attention before and after school to keep families, students and staff safe. Visit our website for tips from the Anoka-Hennepin transportation department as a back-to-school reminder.
Thank you for your partnership in school traffic safety.
Coon Rapids High School to induct fourth Hall of Fame class
CRHS to welcome four new members to Hall of Fame
Coon Rapids High School (CRHS) will induct its fourth Hall of Fame class featuring two former standout student-athletes and two longtime coaches.
CRHS will recognize this year’s Hall of Fame inductees in a ceremony on Friday, Sept. 16. Inductees will be honored at a ceremony with friends and family in the CRHS cafeteria at 5 p.m. before being recognized prior to the Cardinals football game against Elk River High School. Kickoff for Friday’s game is set for 7 p.m.
To nominate someone for the CRHS Hall of Fame, visit ahschools.us/crhs and click on the activities tab. It is anticipated that the Hall of Fame induction will be an annual event, a process that will be dictated by nominations each year.
Meet the newest members of the Coon Rapids High School Hall of Fame: Don Timm, Jerry Coe, Trish Curtis and Digger Anderson.
Device Protection Plan available to students assigned Chromebooks
New this year, families have the option to enroll in the Device Protection Plan.
Families can opt-in to the Device Protection Plan when completing their back-to-school verification and pay for the coverage in SchoolPay.
- The plan cost is $20 per student or $60 per family per school year.
- If the student qualifies for reduced priced meals, the cost of the Protection Plan will be reduced to $10 ($30 for families). If the student qualifies for free school meals, the cost will be reduced to zero.
View the Device Protection Plan flyer to learn more. (PDF).
Enroll in the device protection plan using SchoolPay.
Apply for educational benefits for the 2022-23 school year
All Anoka-Hennepin families are encouraged to apply for the educational benefits program for the upcoming school year. A new application must be submitted each school year.
By completing this application, students may receive free or reduced fees for transportation, meals, academic, and co-curricular activities. Please visit ahschools.us/freereduced to set up, or log in to your SchoolCafe account and complete an application for free or reduced-price meal and other benefits. The educational benefits program not only ensures that students have access to nutritious meals, it also provides critical federal funding for schools.
As a reminder, the federal subsidy to provide free school meals for every student will no longer be available this school year. Only one application is needed per household. Please contact the child nutrition department with any questions or assistance at 763-506-1240 or staff.CnpEnrollment@ahschools.us.
Important update regarding transportation for 2022 fall activities
As experienced during the 2021-22 school year, the nationwide shortage of bus drivers continues to affect the availability of transportation services. Anoka-Hennepin transportation has been working diligently to ensure that bus routes to and from school and activities are covered. While the bus companies are making progress in adding drivers to address the shortage, we anticipate that there will be continued issues this fall. Anoka-Hennepin is committed to keeping planned athletic and activity events this fall season. The main goal is for student-athletes to continue to compete despite the driver shortage and transportation issues.
Upcoming events and important updates
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This e-newsletter is published by Anoka-Hennepin Schools. It's sent to Anoka-Hennepin families and community members who subscribe on a weekly basis during the school year, excluding breaks (and periodically during the summer). Questions, comments or concerns about the Backpack Online e-newsletter? Contact us.