Backpack Online -September 23, 2022
September 23, 2022
Boundary changes: Review proposals, timeline and provide feedback
The district has a system in place to ensure students are receiving a high-quality education while maximizing the efficiency of the educational supports, programming and resources. By acting now, the district aims to equitably serve all students for years to come. Watch a three-minute video to get insight into the need for boundary changes, now.
District leaders explained initial attendance boundary change proposals for elementary schools and Blaine-area middle schools at community meetings held Sept. 14-22. A formal presentation of all proposals and initial feedback from the community will be presented to the School Board at its regularly scheduled meeting Monday, Sept. 26.
- View proposed boundaries.
- Learn more about the timeline for implementation.
- Read updates shared districtwide, and by community clusters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The school district is compiling frequently asked questions (FAQs) received from the community and employees related to the process for establishing new attendance boundaries for schools. Visit ahschools.us/boundaryFAQs to review a list of answers and explanations.
Feedback
Attendance boundary feedback is being formally collected at ahschools.us/boundaryfeedback. Families and community members are encouraged to complete the survey to ensure ideas, concerns and input are considered in future planning and discussions. The Anoka-Hennepin School District appreciates and values family and community participation in the boundary change process.
A total of 286 Anoka-Hennepin students named AP scholars
A total of 286 students from the five traditional high schools in Anoka-Hennepin Schools were named Advanced Placement (AP) scholars based on scores on AP course exams taken during the 2021-22 school year.
Anoka-Hennepin offers more than two dozen different AP courses to high school students which have been audited and approved by the College Board, a nonprofit organization of colleges, universities, secondary schools and higher education institutions focused on college readiness programs. Students who complete an AP course can take an optional exam and earn college credit, depending on their score on the exam and admission requirements at the college or university they attend. An AP exam score of 3 or higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) earns credit at many of the nation’s colleges and universities.
Learn more about AP Scholars and see who was recognized from Anoka-Hennepin high schools.
Community meetings for Superintendent Search input set for Sept. 27
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board is seeking community input as they begin the process of hiring a new superintendent. Community input meetings are set for Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at both Champlin Park High School and Coon Rapids High School. Stakeholders can select the meeting site that is the most convenient, they will both follow the same format.
Dr. Kenneth Dragseth and Dr. Antoinette Johns from the firm School Exec Connect will organize the meeting to determine the strengths, challenges, and the characteristics or skills to search for in the next superintendent. Additionally, anonymous written feedback can be provided to the consultants by completing a survey at ahschools.us/superintendentsearch. This information will be used to develop a profile of the desired skills and characteristics in the next superintendent. All replies will be anonymous. Please submit feedback by Oct. 4.
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board will conduct interviews and complete the superintendent hiring process by early December. The new superintendent will begin service with the 2023-24 school year.
New this year: Tech protect for families with middle school students
While accidents can happen, coverage is available when Chromebooks need repairs/replacement
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.
Over 28,000 Chromebooks are distributed to students the first week of school. 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.
New: Families have the option to enroll in the Device Protection Plan.
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 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.
Visit ahschools.us/techprotect to select or decline coverage on your school district-issued Chromebook.
National Suicide Awareness Prevention Month resources
September is National Suicide Awareness Prevention Month, a time to reinforce that suicide is preventable and an effort that benefits from a community-wide approach.
Are you or someone you love struggling with a mental health crisis? 24-hour mental health support is available in the Twin Cities Metro area by visiting justcallmn.com. Just Call is an online resource to help you find the support you need.
For those who need immediate support, you are not alone. 24-hour support is available by phone by calling or texting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or on the Crisis Text Line by texting MN to 741741.
Parents needed for special education advisory council
Join the district’s Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school year. A broad range of parents/guardians are needed, from those representing early childhood, all the way to elementary, middle school, high school, and transition-aged students - with a full continuum of student disabilities.
Those interested in participating in future meetings should complete an application either by completing a Google form, or by contacting Mary Esch at 763-506-1362, or mary.esch@ahschools.us. Parents/guardians who wish to be part of SEAC are asked to make an effort to attend all four meetings as council members. The application process will close October 10. Learn more about SEAC and what it means to be involved.
Coon Rapids High School welcomes fourth Hall of Fame class
(Left to right): Don Timm, Trish Curtis, Jerry Coe, Digger Anderson. Photo by David Bank Studios.
Coon Rapids High School (CRHS) welcomed its fourth Hall of Fame class featuring two former standout student-athletes and two longtime teachers and coaches.
Digger Anderson, Trish Curtis, Jerry Coe and Don Timm were recognized at a ceremony with friends and family at CRHS on Sept. 16 before being introduced prior to the football game against Elk River.
Congratulations to the 2022 Hall of Fame class at CRHS. Read more about all four of the inductees.
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.
School Board approves substitute pay rate increases
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board approved pay rate increases for substitute positions at the work session on Sept. 12. While the district continues to fill open positions each day, the greatest number of openings remains in operational, seasonal and substitute positions. Anoka-Hennepin is working diligently to fill vacancies across the district.
Anoka-Hennepin is seeking applicants for substitute positions in the following operational areas with hourly wage rates of:
- Child Nutrition - $15.30/hour
- Custodial - $16.50/hour
- Secretary/Clerical - $15/hour
- Paraeducators
- Bus - $16/hour
- Elementary, secondary, supplemental programs, ESL - $16.50/hour*
- Special Education, technology, COTA, Health - $17.50/hour*
- LPN, SPED-LPN - $23.50/hour
- School monitors - $16.50/hour
- Education Support Professionals
- Early Childhood Screener - $29.80/hour
- Job coaches - $16.50/hour
*Experienced substitutes who were paid a higher rate in 2021-22 will continue to be paid at that rate.
Substitute teachers can earn $180/day or a prorated amount for a half day assignment. Anyone with a bachelor’s degree is eligible to become a substitute teacher. For more information on how to become a substitute teacher, contact the Employee Services department at 763-506-1100 or email Debbie Richter at debbie.richter@ahschools.us.
Temporary or seasonal position pay rate increases:
- Custodial - $16.50/hour
- Clerical - $15/hour
- Weight room/camp non-certified - $16/hour
- Weight room/camp certified - $26/hour
- Transportation router - $26.02/hour
Whether you’re looking for part-time, full-time, or seasonal employment, Anoka-Hennepin has opportunities for any phase of your work life. Visit ahschools.us/jobs or call 763-506-JOBS for more information and to apply today!
WCCO-TV covers #AHSchools early childhood/childcare staff recruitment efforts
Upcoming Community Education opportunities for adults
Metro North Adult Basic Education will be hosting free community sessions to help those who are not familiar with services in their area understand what is available. The New Americans Academy will take place over seven weeks and will feature classes on fire and police, emergency medical services, the legal system, the library, healthy eating, adult education and more. The first session is scheduled for Monday, October 3. Get more information and to register.
The Parent Involvement office will be offering free workshops again this school year for PTO, booster club and other nonprofit members. The first, ‘Starting the Year Off Right’, will be held October 11 at the Educational Service Center in Anoka. Session topics will include the importance of meeting agendas, minutes, working as a team and much more! Visitwww.ahschools.us/ptoboosterworkshops to get more information about each session and submit your registration!
New Americans Academy
PTO, booster club workshops
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.
Upcoming events and important links
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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.