In the Know - March 8, 2024
March 8, 2024
2023-24 Above & Beyond Awards recipients to be honored April 3
๐ Fifteen outstanding district employees have been selected to receive the Anoka-Hennepin School Districtโs 2023-24 Above & Beyond Award, a program to recognize outstanding employees for innovation, creativity, caring and commitment.
The recipients are:
- Marta Biegler, Jackson Middle School, special education teacher (DCD and PI) and case manager.
- Melyssa Carlson, Educational Service Center, technology, technology facilitator.
- Cory Davis, Champlin Park High School, physical education teacher and coach.
- Amanda Eilertson, Champlin Park High School, academic intervention teacher.
- Lori De Jong, Lincoln Elementary, school office supervisor.
- Sheila Joslin, Oxbow Creek Elementary, school office supervisor.
- Mindy Meyers, Waapishki Kiisis Ikwe, Educational Service Center, American Indian Education Program Coordinator.
- Bich Lieu Nguyen, Educational Service Center, technology, instructional technology facilitator.
- Corinna Nunnery, Oxbow Creek Elementary, Adventures Plus, site coordinator.
- Ray Richardson, Educational Service Center, buildings and grounds, maintenance manager.
- Denise Schnabel, Evergreen Park Elementary, principal.
- Hannah Schrempp, Oak View Middle School, secondary reading teacher.
- Julia Stock, Brookside Elementary, teacher, grade 2.
- Penny Walsh, Riverview Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), parent and family educator.
- Coral-Lyn Wyman, Champlin Park High School, assistant principal.
Be alert, do not respond to "boss gift card scam" text messages
A number of district employees have received fraudulent text messages requesting they purchase gift cards. The messages say they originate from a person who says they are Cory McIntyre but these are not legitimate messages and employees or others should not respond. We are alerting all employees as a precaution and for your protection.
View steps to take if you receive a suspicious text message.
Appreciation of diversity workshop: The Asian American & Pacific Islander Experience and Fostering Student Success
The Appreciation of Diversity speaker series is offered in alignment with the Anoka-Hennepin Equity Achievement Plan, a coordinated effort to promote high academic achievement for all students and eliminate predictable and persistent gaps between student groups.
Gaining an understanding of the cultures throughout Anoka-Hennepin schools and the community is the focus of the series, a voluntary opportunity available to all staff.
The final workshop of the three-part series is scheduled for Saturday, April 13 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Educational Service Center in Anoka. Registration is free and available through the Learning Management System (LMS) in A-HConnect. Licensed staff will earn three hours of license requirement towards cultural competency training for each session attended.
Staff are encouraged to attend one, all, or a combination of the series.
Visit ahschools.us/equityachievementplan to view the entire plan and additional information.
๐ When: Saturday, April 13
โฐ Time: 8:30-11:30 a.m.
๐ Location: Educational Service Center (2727 N Ferry St. Anoka, MN 55303)
โ Registration Deadline: March 30 in LMS
About the event: This professional development opportunity will focus on elevating Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) student voices, and learning strategies to support our students and families in preparation for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May) and beyond. In collaboration with Asian Media Access (AMA), a community non-profit organization, Anoka-Hennepin educators will learn about the Cultural Intelligence Model, how AAPI students navigate bi-cultural settings, and how staff will experience performances by AAPI youth.
Incorporated in August 1992, Asian Media Access, Inc. (AMA) is a comprehensive, multimedia-based, community advocacy agency. AMA is dedicated to using multimedia arts and technology as tools for social betterment. By unleashing the creativity of youth through multimedia arts and channeling their risk behaviors and vulnerability into leadership potential, we create a community-based response to improve cross-cultural/generational understanding, challenge stereotypical beliefs, and build a society that values arts to inspire young peopleโs healthy transition into adulthood and improve the world around them.
Trusted Partner Scholarship Program with Saint Maryโs University
Anoka-Hennepin has entered into the Trusted Partner Scholarship Program with Saint Maryโs University of Minnesota providing special benefits for district employees and their spouses.
The Trusted Partner Scholarship program offers:
- Waived application fee along with expedited enrollment.
- $50 off per credit for bachelorโs programs.
- $70 off per credit for masterโs or licensure program, including Ed.S. degree.
- $90 off per credit for doctorate-level programs.
Couple those savings with:
- Quality online classes augmented by potential in-person Summer Institute experiences.
- Highly successful professors with first-hand teaching experience.
- Leadership development training and exercises are woven into each program.
This program was designed to help busy professionals push toward and reach their goals.
For more information and to learn more about what Saint Maryโs has to offer, visit the Saint Maryโs Partnership Scholarship program website.
Upcoming informational session for University of St. Thomas Work and Learn Program
Anoka-Hennepin and the University of St. Thomas (UST) have a partnership that provides hands-on experience to support success in future teaching careers.
The Grow Your Own and Work and Learn programs aim to recruit, prepare, retain and support highly qualified paraprofessionals and Tier 1 and Tier 2 teachers to become Tier 3 licensed special education teachers. The program offers an affordable, accessible and accelerated program to earn an Academic and Behavior Strategist (ABS) License and Masterโs degree in two and a half years.
UST is offering an informational session for those interested in the program on Monday, March 18 from 4-5 p.m.
โ Register for the March 18 informational session.
The UST School of Education may offer qualified students up to $8,000 in tuition support for Work and Learn cohorts starting in Spring 2024 and Summer 2024.
Highway 10 Gateway Project construction to begin Monday, Mar. 11
๐ Beginning next week, Anoka County, the City of Ramsey and MnDOT will begin construction on Ramsey's Highway 10 Gateway Project, just northwest of the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Service Center.
๐ฃ๏ธ Visit the Anoka County website to learn more about road closures and traffic impacts.
Apply for summer school positions
โ๏ธAnoka-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. On-call coverage is still needed in the summer and your availability may help to fill that need.
๐ป Visit ahschools.us/jobs to browse positions and apply online.
W-2s now available for printing
Employee 2023 W-2s are now available to print within Skyward Employee Access. Follow the instructions below to view/print the W-2.
Please contact Payroll at 506-1050 or email Payroll.Help@AHSchools.us with questions.
- Click on the Lock and Key, enter your username and password.
- Select the Skyward icon and go to Employee Access.
- Click on the W2/W2-C Forms icon within Employee Access.
- Under the W2 Forms heading, click the down arrow icon next to the W-2 year you wish to print a W-2 form for.
- Select one of the options to print your W-2 form from the menu.
- Print - Masked SSN: Selecting this option generates a PDF copy of the W-2 form that masks the first five digits of your Social Security Number.
- Print - Full SSN: Selecting this option generates a PDF copy of the W-2 form that includes your social security numbe
- Print the PDF.
Winners of the annual bus safety poster contest recognized at transportation department meeting
The Anoka-Hennepin transportation department held its 29th annual school bus safety poster contest this winter, which began during Winter School Bus Safety Week.
The winners were recognized at the district transportation safety committee meeting on March 6. ๐ธ View photos from the recognition program.
๐This yearโs theme was Driving Safely Into the Future. The transportation department invited students in all grade levels to submit their best artwork for the competition. Each school held its own poster contest, with one winner chosen from each grade level. The winning poster for each school was then entered into the district contest.
The objective of the contest was to encourage students to think about school bus safety, while also presenting an opportunity for discussion during school bus safety week. The winners are:
- Kaeto Evuleocha, kindergarten, University Avenue Elementary.
- Benjamin Vu, first grade, Jefferson Elementary.
- James Gala, second grade, River Trail Learning Center.
- Asher Dahl, third grade, Sunrise Elementary.
- Gianna Archer, fourth grade, Jefferson Elementary.
- Rosalyn Norton, fifth grade, Jefferson Elementary.
- Cameron Kelly, sixth grade, River Trail Learning Center.Fatima Muhamed, seventh grade, Northdale Middle School.
- Brielle Whitney, eighth grade, Oak View Middle School.'
- Emilio Ramirez Magana, ninth grade, River Trail Learning Center.
๐จ View the winning posters, which will be entered into the state competition and will be displayed in buildings across the district to continue the promotion of school bus safety.
CRHS engineering students showcase automated assembly line projects
Students enrolled in Scott Storrickโs Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) class at Coon Rapids High School - Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (CRHS) hosted a project showcase on March 4 to present their automated assembly lines.
Students created a short presentation outlining their projects for family, friends and community members before showing off their assembly lines to conclude the evening. The project included creating, designing, building and programming a working assembly line. Students were engaged in problem-solving throughout the project โ some even in the hours leading up to the showcase event โ to bring their ideas to life.
See each of the projects in action:
- ๐ฅ Peanut shell cracking assembly line.
- ๐ฅ Salad-making assembly line.
- ๐ฆ Water-powder mixing assembly line.
- ๐ Milkshake assembly line.
๐ธ View photos from the showcase event.
๐ฐ Read the full story.
In the News: Blaine High School carries on surprise tradition
Over the past 17 years, Blaine High School staff has continued a tradition of performing choreographed dance routines at school pep fests. Steve Drewlo, Kevin Overgaard, Rob Nick and Megan Schuelein reintroduced these dance routines during the winter pep fest this year. View the story from KARE-11.
Parent input opportunity: Attend Curriculum Open House on March 20
๐ Anoka-Hennepin School District families, students, staff, and community members are invited to review and provide feedback on five new curriculum options in the areas of secondary science and social studies. These new curriculum review options are in the areas of Physics, Biology, U.S. Studies - 7, U.S. History - 10 and World History - 11. ๐๏ธ Read more about each area of review.
The district will offer both in-person and virtual open house opportunities:
๐ค In-person: Wednesday, March 20 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Educational Service Center, 2727 N Ferry St., Anoka.
๐ป Virtual: March 20-27. Participants will be provided links and videos to review online. Register online by Monday, March 18.
Why it matters: As the district reviews and adopts new materials in courses, it involves students, parents, and the community as part of a comprehensive 41-step process. Current math, language arts, science, social studies, and health materials were all adopted after community engagement and public review of the materials, and future purchases will also be reviewed publicly before official adoption.
Winter sports and activities roundup
With the winter sports and activities season wrapping up, take a look at whoโs heading to state, and how they fared when they performed and played. Updates are available from:
๐ Girls basketball
๐คผ Wrestling
๐โโ๏ธ Boys Swimming and Diving
Community Ed hosts elementary volleyball tournament
๐Northdale Middle School was filled with excitement as Community Education hosted a district-wide elementary volleyball tournament. With 171 eager players and 15 teams representing 10 Anoka-Hennepin Schools, the event promised to be nothing short of thrilling. But what truly made the event unforgettable was the overwhelming support from over 400 enthusiastic spectators.
The well-organized tournament, completed in a brisk 4.5 hours, allowed each team the opportunity to play at least two games, ensuring ample time for everyone to demonstrate their skills and teamwork on the court.
Behind the scenes, the success of the tournament wouldn't have been possible without the hard work and dedication of Community Ed staff and coaches who offered their time and expertise.
As the final whistle blew and the last point was scored, it was clear that the true winners of the day were not just the top teams, but all that came together to celebrate good sportsmanship, teamwork, and camaraderie.
Community Education extends heartfelt gratitude to all participants, volunteers, and supporters who made this tournament a resounding success.
Chess tournament draws enthusiastic participants
โ๏ธChess enthusiasts from across the district converged at the Community Education Open Chess Tournament held on Saturday, March 2. With a remarkable turnout of 42 elementary and middle school participants hailing from 15 different district schools, along with representation from three schools outside the district and homeschoolers, the event showcased the vibrant chess community in the area.
The tournament, which attracted over 100 spectators, provided a platform for budding chess players to demonstrate their skills and strategic abilities. A total of 105 matches were played, ensuring that every participant engaged in five matches throughout the day. Despite the competitive atmosphere, the event was marked by camaraderie and sportsmanship, with players displaying resilience and strategic thinking in each game.
๐ท View photos from the tournament.
๐ Read more about the tournament and view tournament results.
Hamilton Elementary - School Spotlight
Hamilton Elementary is a small school tucked into a beautiful neighborhood in Coon Rapids. Our diverse student body is our strength and represents a wide variety of cultures with over 32 languages communicated by our families.
In the News: Blaine High School senior selected as NMTV student of the month
- Prepare to change your employee password in March and April.
- District to begin budget reduction and realignment process this spring.
- Applications open for AHEF's first round of grants for 2024-25 school year.
- UnitedHealthcare March engagement toolkit: Women's mental health.
- SupportingYoU an employee wellness podcast, has 34 episodes available.
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This e-newsletter is published by Anoka-Hennepin Schools. It's sent to all Anoka-Hennepin staff on a weekly basis during the school year, excluding breaks (and periodically during the summer). Questions, comments or concerns about In the Know e-newsletter? Contact us.