Andover High School News & Events
October 15, 2023
Homecoming 2023
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 16: No Late Start; Classes begin at 7:40 AM
- October 17: Conferences 2:50-8:00 PM
- October 18-20: No School; MEA
- October 26: Band Fall Concert (AUD) 7:00 PM
- October 27: Final Picture Retake Day
- October 30: Orchestra Fall Concert (AUD) 7:00 PM
- November 2: Choir Fall Concert (AUD) 7:00 PM
- November 5: Daylight Savings Ends
- November 10: Veteran's Day Assembly (GYM) 7:40 AM
- November 10-12: Fall Play Opens
- November 13: Tri 2 Parking Permits Opens for Seniors 7:00 AM
- November 14: Tri 2 Parking Permits Opens for Juniors 7:00 AM
- November 15: Tri 2 Parking Permits Opens for Sophomores 7:00 AM
Trimester 1 Late Start Dates are listed here.
You can also view a District Calendar here.
Winter Sports Registration
Registration opened on Monday, October 9th for our Winter Sports. For more information on how to register, please see the below PDF. 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 23rd - Dance Team Competition
- Monday, October 30th - Girls Hockey
- Monday, November 13th - Alpine Ski, Nordic Ski, Gymnastics, Boys Hockey, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball (Grade 9 only)
- Monday, November 20th - Boys Basketball (Grades 10-12) and Wrestling
- Monday, November 27th - 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 Online Ticketing Page. You can view our Online Ticket Sales Page at any time. All concert ticket sales are cashless, therefore you must buy your tickets online.
- The Band Concert is being held on Thursday, October 26th at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium.
- The Orchestra Concert is being held on Monday, October 30th at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium.
- The Choir Fall Concert is being held on Thursday, November 2nd at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium.
AP Test Payment Deadline - November 1st
The AP test registration and payment deadline is fast approaching! Watch the slideshow to find out more about the registration process and how to get the payment submitted through SchoolPay.
The last day to register and pay is Wednesday, November 1st.
Trimester 1 Parent/Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, October 17th from 2:50 PM - 8:00 PM
The process to schedule a time to meet with your student’s teacher is the same utilizing MyConferenceTime. You have the option of meeting in person or virtually with the link that is provided in the confirmation email you receive after you sign up. Please SAVE the confirmation e-mail you receive. It will be the only communication that contains the link to meet with the teacher virtually.
News from the Volunteer Services Coordinator
Conferences are happening on Tuesday, October 17th. We are looking for "Grab & Go" type items for teachers to have a quick snack to eat between teaching and conferences. If you would like to donate, please sign up here: Andover HS Conference Food Donations. Please drop-off items or send items with your student to the school office on Monday, October 16th. Please label donations VSC. Thank you for your support!
If you have any questions, please contact Tina Huston, Volunteer Service Coordinator at tina.huston@ahschools.us
Veteran's Day Assembly
News from the Youth Services Coordinator
Veteran’s Day Assembly - Friday, November 10th
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 259 pounds of food to ACBC Food Shelf. Additionally, $673 was raised to help support the work the Leos will be doing to address the isolation and loneliness many senior citizens experience.
Drop in for Service!
In an effort to bring the spirit of service to Andover High School, Youth Service will be hosting a variety of fun and meaningful service projects during select late start Mondays. Service projects will take place right here at school; participating students will receive 1 service hour per session. Click here for more details on dates, times, and room location.
At this week's Drop in for Service, participants made treat bags and cards for People Serving People. People Serving People is the largest and most comprehensive emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness in Minnesota and is a dedicated leader in homelessness prevention. They also collected 14 Halloween costumes to be given to the children staying there.
Is your student looking for volunteer hours?
Join the Youth Service Google Classroom to see a list of upcoming volunteer opportunities in our community. Questions? Feel free to contact me at tammy.peterson@ahschools.us
Counseling Office Info
Every Meal Free Weekend Meal Program
Andover High School is excited to partner with Every Meal to offer a free weekend meal program to all of our students.
Every Meal is a nonprofit organization with a mission to fight child hunger through community and school partnerships. They strive to make a difference in children's lives by focusing on food gaps like weekends, school breaks, and summer when it is difficult to access food in school.
If your family is interested in enrolling in this program or you are looking for other community resources please contact our school social worker.
Robin Burge-Ross MSW, LICSW
763-506-8584
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.
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
October is College Knowledge Month
As Minnesota high school students think about applying to college, application fees should not be a barrier. There are many opportunities for students to apply to Minnesota institutions for free. Many colleges and universities never charge an application fee; sometimes this offer is limited to applications submitted online. Many colleges and universities waive application fees during College Knowledge Month (October). Some institutions use promo codes for their applications during this time. Here is a link to free college application opportunities during October.
Senior Parent Night for College Help
If you have a senior that is planning on going to some type of postsecondary education after high school and you have questions about that process, this event is for you. We will be hosting a fall workshop to go through the college application process, financial aid and scholarships, and much more! Registration is not required to attend.
- Tuesday, October 17th
- 5:00 - 6:00 PM
- Andover HS - IMC
Pay Less for College Event
This free workshop is designed to help parents find ways to work within the financial aid system to increase their eligibility for financial aid, reduce taxes, and find more efficient ways to pay for a college education.
Presenter Mike Branch, CFP of Focus Financial will cover:
Two Types of Aid: Need based and merit based
Three critical issues in college planning: taxes, control & financial aid scholarships, and loans & credits
Tax credits, tax free savings accounts, and other incentives
How to structure income and assets to maximize eligibility for financial aid
The four partners in planning: parent, student, school, government
Developing your recipe: GPA, class rank, ACT Score, EFC, unique abilities
Registration and more information can be found here.
College and Career Visits
These trips are open to all students to sign up and attend. Check back often, as these opportunities are added throughout the school year. Space is limited, sign-up today!
HBCU College Fair at Park Center High School
Tuesday, October 17th from 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Karl Benson, with 100 Black Men of the Twin Cities, is organizing HBCU College Fairs at Park Center High School on Tuesday, October 17th. All are welcome to attend.
Open House - University of MN Army ROTC
Wednesday, October 18 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM
All are welcome for this open house opportunity to meet with current students and instructors and participate in/observe ROTC training. See more information on the event flyer. RSVP to adejesus@umn.edu
News from the Volunteer Coordinator
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 working one or more shifts helping with serving food. Please email tina.huston@ahschools.us if you are interested in learning more or want to sign up.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 36: Parent Involvement in Schools
In the latest episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast, host Liz Burgard, district parent involvement coordinator, was joined by Coon Rapids High School principal John Peña and volunteer services coordinator Danille Callahan to discuss the importance of parent involvement in schools.
In the episode, Peña and Callahan discussed their experiences both as parents and in their current roles, and the importance of parents/guardians being involved in their child’s educational journey in a number of ways.
Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360. The podcast is also now available on Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeartRadio and Samsung Podcasts.
Volunteering and getting involved
Anoka-Hennepin values parent involvement in education and is committed to offering resources to meet the changing needs of parents and families. The district invites parents/guardians and community members to volunteer or participate on committees as a meaningful way to get involved with the district.
To learn more about becoming a volunteer in Anoka-Hennepin, please visit ahschools.us/volunteer.
If you are interested in joining a district committee, there are four committees in need of more members. Learn more about district committees.
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.
This e-newsletter is published by Andover High School. Questions, comment or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.