Backpack Online - Feb. 10, 2023
Feb. 10, 2023
Interim Superintendent Dr. Kate Maguire celebrates “I Love to Read” month
Interim Superintendent Dr. Kate Maguire read to first graders at University Avenue Elementary School - Aerospace, Children’s Engineering and Science on Feb. 8 to help the school celebrate “I Love to Read” month.
Maguire read and interacted with two first-grade classes during her visit. She also shared a few books from her own collection that were signed by authors, to talk about who an author and illustrator are and how exciting it can be to meet the authors of their favorite books. Included in the group of signed books was one written and signed by her first grade teacher. View photos from her visit to University Avenue Elementary.
Schools across the district are participating in “I Love to Read”’ month activities to promote the importance of literacy and reading both in school and at home.
District to host hiring event for operational positions Feb. 15
The Anoka-Hennepin School District will host an in-person hiring event for operational positions Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 2-6 p.m. in the Erling Johnson Rooms A and B at the Educational Service Center (ESC), located at 2727 N Ferry St. in Anoka (enter Door 7).
Join us to learn more about employment opportunities and have a same-day, on-site interview for the positions listed below. Participants are strongly encouraged to begin filling out an application ahead of time at ahschools.us/jobs and come prepared to interview with hiring managers.
- Special Education Paras - Full-time (benefited positions); $17.50 to $20.40/hr and up depending on experience.
- Elementary Paras (recess/lunch attendants) - Part-time; $16.50 to $18.90/hr.
- Bus Paras/Assistant - Part-time, a.m. or p.m.; $16 to $18.40/hr.
- Custodians - Full-time, 2nd and 3rd shift (benefited positions); $16.50 to $16.80/hr.
- Custodians - Part-time; $16.50/hr.
- School Food Service - Part-time; $15.30/hr.
- Before and after-school child care (Adventures Plus) - a.m. or p.m.; $14 to $18.75 depending on experience/education.
The district is also seeking substitutes for any of the above positions on a part-time/casual basis.
For those interested in being bus drivers, the bus companies used by the district (Kottke’s and First Student) will be at the event.
Anoka-Hennepin has employment opportunities for any phase of your work life. Full-time, part-time and substitute positions are available, including flexible weekly schedules with hours ranging from early morning, mid-day, late afternoon or evening opportunities. Everyone plays a role in student achievement; help your community succeed by applying today!
Conference high schools join in concert for annual music festival at Andover
The 21st Annual Northwest Suburban Conference (NWSC) Music Festival was hosted by Andover High School this week. The event provided approximately 2,100 students from 14 area high schools the opportunity to spend two days with clinicians and working collaboratively and performing with students from other schools on Feb. 6 and 7. View photos from the Grand Finale Concert, Tuesday, Feb. 7.
Participating schools included the five traditional high schools from Anoka-Hennepin; Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids - in addition to others in the NWSC: Armstrong, Centennial, Elk River, Maple Grove, Osseo, Park Center, Rogers, Spring Lake Park and Totino Grace. Read the full story.
Blaine and Coon Rapids High School orchestra programs to be featured at state education conference
Anoka-Hennepin Schools' commitment to music education is taking center stage at the Minnesota Music Educators Midwinter Convention in February at the Minneapolis Convention Center Feb. 16 and 17. The Blaine and Coon Rapids High School orchestras have each been selected to perform as part of the program, giving the students an opportunity to perform for music leaders from across the state.
Congratulations to instructors Michael Hebert from Blaine and Michael Watson from Coon Rapids and to all district music teachers for promoting excellence for our students.
North Metro Television visited Blaine High School this week to learn more about how the orchestra is preparing for the upcoming event. Watch the video story.
Monroe Elementary students demonstrate use of technology at the Capitol
On Jan. 19, eight students from Monroe Elementary School - Mathematics, Science and Children’s Engineering spent the day at the Minnesota State Capitol building demonstrating computer science concepts through various resources used regularly by Monroe students.
As a specialty school, Monroe offers Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Launch curriculum, allowing students to explore engineering, computer programming and science concepts in a fun, engaging and collaborative way.
Through its PLTW partnership, Monroe received the opportunity to participate in “Coding at the Capitol,” where students demonstrated to lawmakers engaging hands-on coding activities using the following tools: Sphero Indy Cars, Mouse coding, Scratch Ju, Lego WeDo 2.0, Spheros and Scratch.
View photos of Monroe students participating in Coding at the Capitol.
Anoka High School’s Ted Mitshulis named KS95 Teacher of the Week
Ted Mitshulis, an art teacher at Anoka High School - Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (AHS), was named KS95 Teacher of the Week. He accepted the award from KS95 on-air talent Tricia ‘TJ’ Jenkins in front of his class Thursday, Feb. 9.
Mitshulis was nominated by a current student and was recognized on KS95’s Morning Show.
All the teachers who are chosen in KS95’s Teacher of the Week will participate in a dinner at the end of the school year wherein one teacher’s name will be randomly drawn to win $1,000 cash for herself/himself and $1,000 for their school.
Anoka High School Senior Enzo La Hoz Calassara testifies at state capitol
The Minnesota Legislative session has provided opportunities for students to provide testimony and information for lawmakers as they consider legislation.
Anoka High School senior Enzo La Hoz Calassara testified in support of a Youth Intervention Programs Grant to the House Public Safety Committee and Policy and Finance Committee in association with representatives from the Youth Intervention Programs Association (YIPA). Anoka-Hennepin has a long-standing relationship with YIPA, and Enzo shared information for consideration on behalf of that organization. While this opportunity is not directly connected to Anoka-Hennepin’s legislative efforts, it is aligned with the district goals to build capacity and to amplify student voice in decisions that impact their future.
Welcoming new kindergarteners to Anoka-Hennepin Schools
Elementary schools across the district are preparing to introduce incoming kindergarten students to schools with welcome events scheduled as soon as March. Families planning to send their children to kindergarten this fall can take steps now to stay informed of important events and information in preparation for the upcoming school year.
New families can let the district know of their plans as soon as possible by registering online. Families that have never logged into an Anoka-Hennepin parent/guardian account may follow the steps below:
Visit ahschools.us/enroll.
Click “Get started.”
(This step is required for families that don’t already have login credentials.)Expect to receive two emails in the next 36 business hours to complete the registration process. The emails you receive will provide you with the steps necessary to move forward with enrollment.
If you have questions, please reach out to 506HELP@ahschools.us or call 763-506-HELP (4357). We appreciate your partnership in preparing your child for a great kindergarten experience!
Bid now: Student-built ice house for auction
Anoka-Hennepin students from the Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP) want you to fish in comfort and style with a new ice house. An auction is live now for a student-built ice house, which is 6-feet wide, 8-feet deep and 9-feet high. The starting bid is $1,700.
The ice house features a 32-inch steel entry door with a locking knob, two 24-by-24-inch sliding windows and four ice fishing holes. The sale of the ice house benefits future hands-on learning opportunities in the school.
Act now! The auction is scheduled to close on March 2.
Additional district news
- 2023 graduation ceremonies for Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high schools to be held on University of Minnesota campus - Maturi Pavilion.
- As conferences for Trimester 2 get underway, listen back to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 27: How to prepare for parent/teacher conferences.
- New $225 substitute teacher rate at select sites and on Fridays now in effect through the end of the school year.
- Winter weather information.
- School Board votes to amend 2022-23 school year calendar.
Translate this message
To translate this information to another language, please click anywhere on the message to open it in a web browser and at the top of the page, select your language from the dropdown menu.
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.