In the Know - October 13, 2023
October 13, 2023
Cybersecurity training for staff
As cybersecurity continues to be a growing concern for school districts nationwide, the Anoka-Hennepin technology and information department is launching cybersecurity training in conjunction with Cybersecurity Month for staff.
💻 District technology partnered with Infosec IQ, a cybersecurity training company, to conduct research last year. They concluded that 28% of Anoka-Hennepin staff clicked on links in test phishing emails (no sensitive data was collected during this test). Reducing our phishing email fail rate to zero is our goal with this training plan.
👨💻 Results from our recent phishing campaign indicate that we need your help to fortify our data security defenses and protect staff and student data. In partnership with Infosec IQ and in conjunction with Cyber Security Month, Anoka-Hennepin is launching a training course. The awareness plan includes:
- Security training course starting Oct. 9.
- Additional phishing simulations starting in December.
Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility and with these additional steps, technology hopes to educate our staff on the need to keep our data safe and secure.
All district employees received an email from AH Cybersecurity Notifications (CyberSecurity@ahschools.us) with the subject line “Start Your Security Awareness Training.” This is not spam. Included in this email is a required training course consisting of three short videos with two activities to complete. Please take the time this month to review and complete the training to improve your cybersecurity knowledge to protect yourself both at home and at work. Please complete the training by November 30, 2023.
In December, the district will continue to simulate phishing emails to determine how well staff are improving at identifying the conditions of an email designed to encourage unsafe behaviors. If staff interact with phishing emails, additional training may be recommended.
Please continue to read the weekly “In the Know” staff e-newsletter for updates on upcoming cybersecurity initiatives.
Supporting our students, staff and families during challenging times
As tragic events of violence are unfolding in Israel and Gaza, these events are also commonly a topic of discussion in our school communities and Anoka-Hennepin Schools stands ready to support students, staff and families in this challenging time.
The ongoing events in the Middle East are being covered in the media extensively, and it is understood that students and children have questions and may be seeking reassurance.
📄 Review resources for age-appropriate discussions and supports available in school.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognized in Anoka-Hennepin Schools
The State of Minnesota officially changed the historic Columbus Day Holiday to Indigenous Peoples Day this year and also established a direction for schools to offer one hour of information for students. Students in Anoka-Hennepin Schools received classroom presentations regarding indigenous people and tribes along with information on the contributions of well known current Indigenous persons.
Why it matters: Maintaining safe and welcoming schools and increasing academic achievement are strategic priorities of the school district. The recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day provides a stronger connection with Native American students and families to schools and increases knowledge of the history, present and futures of Native Americans with all students.
Did you know:
- Minnesota is the ancestral and contemporary home of 11 tribal nations.
- This is the first year of the Indigenous Peoples Day Holiday in Minnesota. Columbus Day remains on the calendar of Federal holidays.
- Anoka-Hennepin Schools coordinates an Indian Education program that serves hundreds of native american, alaskan native and Hawaiian students and families, now in its 50th year of operation.
The recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day in Minnesota and information sharing with students will become an annual event in Anoka-Hennepin Schools.
AHEF to raffle Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers tickets
🏈 The Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF) is selling raffle tickets for a chance to win one of two pairs of tickets to the Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers game on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 7:20 p.m. at U.S. Bank Stadium. Proceeds will benefit Anoka-Hennepin students, schools and the foundation.
🎟️ The winning tickets will be drawn on Friday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. at the AHEF office at the Educational Service Center in Anoka (you do NOT need to be present to win). Raffle tickets are $20 and can be purchased using check or cash only at the AHEF office.
For more information, please contact Tess DeGeest at 763-506-1105 or at theresa.degeest@ahschools.us.
Blaine High School earns bronze distinction in AP School Honor Roll program
College Board announced that Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science (BHS) has been named to the Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning a bronze distinction.
The AP® School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
2022-23 AP data at BHS:
- 245 seniors took at least one AP exam during high school.
- 144 seniors scored a three or higher on at least one AP exam.
- 2 seniors took five or more AP exams.
- 23 AP courses were offered.
- 47 AP sections were taught.
- 21 teachers taught AP.
Jason Paske, BHS principal said, "As the data shows, not only are our students enrolled in college prep courses, but they are succeeding, which is a huge compliment to the amazing staff and students at BHS and their commitment to ‘Being A Bengal!’"
Anoka High School celebrates five new Hall of Fame members
On Oct. 6, Anoka High School honored its sixth Anoka Tornadoes Hall of Fame class. The 2023 class celebrates the accomplishments of Jill (Jungling) Burcum (1986), Mary Jablonski (1970), Todd Manthey (1984), Arch Pease (1925) and Jill (Boo) Wolfe (2001). 🗞️ Read more about the new class.
Community members joined the 2023 class last Friday with a meet and greet reception at the Tavern 201 in downtown Anoka. Then at Goodrich Field, honorees were recognized on the field before and at halftime of the AHS football game where inductees received a plaque and took a picture as the Anoka Tornadoes Hall of Fame Class of 2023. 📸 View photos of the celebration.
The purpose of the hall of fame is to recognize individuals that have outstanding accomplishments at Anoka High School and to provide a link between the past school members and the future. To view the history of the hall of fame or to nominate, visit ahschools.us/ahshof.
District schools partner with local fire departments for Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 8 through Oct. 14, and many district elementary schools partnered with local fire departments offering opportunities for firefighters to discuss fire safety with students.
Anoka-Hennepin is proud of its partnerships with local police and fire departments and works to create safe and welcoming learning environments for all students.
Coon Rapids Fire Department visited students at elementary schools throughout the week, including at Hamilton Elementary School. 📺 Watch this news story by CTN Coon Rapids to learn more about this year's theme.
Evergreen Park engages students with heritage weeks
For the last three school years, Ashley Akwa, school social worker at Evergreen Park Elementary STEM School of Innovation, has organized heritage weeks throughout the school year.
Heritage weeks include lessons and activities to support learning about different cultures represented at Evergreen Park, including Hispanic Heritage, Native American Heritage, Asian American Heritage, Black History Month and more.
“It is important for us to hold these types of learning activities for our students because I want our staff and students to learn more about cultures that are in our building,” said Akwa. “I also believe it is important for students to be proud of who they are and where they come from.”
Hispanic Heritage Month began Sept. 15 and ends on Oct. 15, and the week of Oct. 9-13, students at Evergreen Park engaged in Hispanic Heritage Week. A part of that week included a visit from Maria Isa Perez-Vega, a state representative from St. Paul, whose lineage is Puerto Rican.
Students prepared questions for Perez Vega to learn more about her Puerto Rican heritage and learned more about the politician who has also starred as a hip-hop artist since she was a teenager.
“During these different heritage weeks, the students really feel like the stars of the building because they are the experts on their culture. Representation matters and I ask people like Representative Perez-Vega to meet with students so they can see that they can be whatever they want to be in life.”
In the News: BHS featured on NorthMetroTV for its participation in the Coats for Kids program
NorthMetroTV visited with members of the Business Professionals of America chapter at Blaine High School to talk about the 30th annual Coats for Kids drive, which runs until Oct. 21. Students, staff, and community residents are invited to drop off new or used coats of all sizes at BHS throughout the school day at the main entrance. The organization has a goal of collecting 600 coats this year. 📺 Watch the feature about the BHS Coats for Kids drive.
- Diane Gronewold, a district teacher for 36 years, has passed away.
- Anne George, former teacher and instructional coach, has passed away.
- Action of the School Board, September 25, 2023.
- Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 36: Parent involvement in schools.
- Staff may subscribe to receive emergency text message alerts.
- Submit artwork for the annual kindness poster contest.
- Highway 10 construction update.
- Minnesota Wild to hold Educator Appreciation Night on Oct. 19.
- Redeem your Rally® rewards before they expire.
- SupportingYoU an employee wellness podcast, has 34 episodes available.
- Suicide Prevention Training available in the district's learning management system.
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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.