CRHS Oct. 14 e-newsletter
October 14, 2022
Important Upcoming Dates
- No School- Fall break - October 20-21
- School picture retakes - October 25
- Parent-Teacher Conferences #2 - November 1
- No School- Staff Development - November 8
- No School- Thanksgiving Break - November 23-25
- End of Trimester 1 - December 1
- No School- Grading & Staff Development - December 2 & 5
Homecoming Week Highlights
CR Homecoming Royalty
Homecoming Cardinal Nation
Homecoming Football Team
Homecoming Parade
Homecoming PowderPuff Game
Homecoming Pepfest
No School- October 20-21
A friendly reminder that there is no school next Thursday October 20th and Friday October 21st.
Anoka-Hennepin Technology Protection Plan- New for 2022-23!
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 will be 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.
Late Start Schedule- Monday
*Upcoming Monday mornings with a Late Start Schedule: 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14
Just another reminder about our Late Start Mondays. On Mondays with Late Start, first hour will start at 8:30am on Monday. School buses and transportation will run at their normal times but students that can get a ride or walk to school don’t have to be here until classes start at 8:30am. Attendance will be taken as normal, so please be sure you’re able to be in your classes at 8:30am when planning your morning. Please assume there will be more traffic with CRMS school bus and parent drop off happening at that same time as well. Students that arrive prior to 8:30am will be directed to the cafeteria for supervised time. During this time, students may independently catch up on homework, study, or socialize with their friends.
School Entry Expectations
As a reminder, all students are expected to enter CRHS through Door #1 after school starts. Students entering after school starts will need to provide a student ID for entry. This ID can be in the form of your plastic ID card or your profile in the StudentVue app. We can also pull up your student page from Synergy at the security booth when you enter if you do not have a card or phone but know this will take additional time.
Also, a reminder that students are not allowed to open doors for entry of anyone! Please remind your classmates to enter through Door #1. If students are seen opening doors, consequences will be earned for violating building safety protocols. All entry is required through Door #1 to ensure Cardinal Nation remains a safe and welcoming school community for all of us!
Cardinal Activities Corner
Incredible Gospel Singer/Songwriter/Arranger Trey McLaughlin visits CRHS
On Wednesday, October 5 students from Coon Rapids, Blaine, Andover, and Champlin Park had the opportunity to learn from and work with gospel singer/songwriter/arranger Trey McLaughlin. During third hour, he gave an amazing lecture to CRHS music students as well as students from the Legacy Club, Majorettes Dance Team, and Black Student Union about the evolution of music brought by enslaved African peoples into popular styles. He also fielded questions about careers in music and who he’s gotten to perform with (he recorded backtracks for John Legend!).
During fourth hour, Concert Choir performed his arrangement of “Better Is One Day” with Trey accompanying at the piano. After a short learning session on that song, Trey led a group sing with CRHS music students and additional choral students from Blaine, Andover, and Champlin Park. He was charismatic, engaging, and it was such an honor to host this incredible artist at our school.
Trey McLaughlin at CRHS
Trey McLaughlin at CRHS
Trey McLaughlin at CRHS
Trunk or Treat followed by a movie in the Auditorium, Oct. 31
CRHS DECA - Cardinal Image
2022-23 Cardinal Yearbook "Ads for Grads"
Senior Parents-
Senior Year is an important milestone in many student's lives and it’s important to find creative ways to commemorate your student’s senior year, celebrate all of their hard work and accomplishments throughout their school career, and let them know that you love and are proud of them. A fun and easy way to do this is to place a recognition ad, or an “Ad for Grads”, in the 2022-2023 Yearbook. This is something that your student can look back on for years to come.
It is very simple to create an “Ad for Grad.” Just visit www.jostensadservice.com and you can begin creating your ad today using your favorite photos of your son or daughter and a personal message. You can choose any photos you like: a baby photo, a grade school photo, or just a photo of your student that you love--you can even take a picture of the photo you want to use and upload that image from your phone.
- Photos may be in color or black and white, and you pick the fonts and background.
- Ads are available in two different sizes, 1/4 page for $60 or 1/8 page for $40.
- The Ads for Grads deadline is January 13, 2023.
If you have any questions or need tips on how to upload the pictures you want to use, please email Kari Berg at karilee.berg@ahschools.us or check out this sheet from Jostens with FAQs.
Cardinals Winter Cheerleading Tryouts, Oct. 28
Volunteer Opportunities
Our Cardinal Volunteers play a big part in the success of our team here at CRHS. If you are interested in hearing about opportunities to share your time and talent, please consider filling out your Volunteer Application: CRHS Volunteer Application or email your Volunteer Services Coordinator, Danielle Callahan at danielle.callahan@ahschools.us
CRHS Booster Clubs are rocking and rolling! The Anoka Hennepin Parent Involvement Team is investing in your success by hosting a series of FREE workshops aimed at enriching our clubs with important information and networking opportunities. Check out the link below for more information and to register today!
PTO/Booster Workshop Flyer 2022-23
Student Information Verification Reminder
It’s important that each family completes the verification process each school year before the first day of November. Verification ensures that Anoka-Hennepin Schools has confirmed contact information for each student to ensure schools have access to emergency contact information and information releases for the safety of students.
Families may complete the verification on their own time, wherever it’s convenient. Even if families’ contact information has not changed, it’s important to log in to access a variety of other student information in the coming weeks, including class schedules and teacher assignments, attendance, school handbooks, and grades. High school students will not be able to enroll in sports/activities until the back to school form process is complete.
Login to A-HConnect to complete back to school forms for the upcoming school year.
- Parents/guardians can access back to school forms by clicking the lock icon and “Login” at the top right corner of any district or school website.
- Then, select, "My Student Information,"
- Then, select, "Online Registration,"
- Then, select, "22-23 Back to School Verification."
If you need help finding your login/password, call 763-506-HELP for assistance.
Cardinal Career and College Corner
College and Military Rep visits during lunches in the Cafeteria (11:10-1:15)
- Tuesday, October 18th - Bemidji and Bethany Lutheran
October - College Knowledge Month - Most MN Colleges waive application fees!
MN Colleges Waive Application Fees.
Seniors - Need help with your College Applications?
The CRHS Counselors and I would love to help you with your college applications. As you may already know, October is College Knowledge Month. There are several MN state university schools that are waving their application fees during the month of October.
Here are the details...
When: Monday, October 17th during Cardinal Time
- Where: LMC
- Time: 7:15 - 8:15am
- What to bring: Your smiley face, know the colleges you want to apply to and a charged Chromebook.
College Tours - MEA break is a great time to set up college tours!
More FAFSA Help through MN Office of Higher Education
Pay Less for College-Mike Branch: January 17, 2023. For more information click HERE
CRHS College and Career Center Website - There are a lot of students asking about college, military, trades and workforce. Check out my website! There are a lot of instructions on "how to"....send/request transcripts, letters of recs, write essays, scholarship opportunities, etc! Go to the CRHS homepage, hover over Support, click on Career Center - here
Horticulture Career Day - Rush Creek Golf Course
Anoka Hennepin students took to the greens on Rush Creek Golf Course to learn all about the ins and outs of horticulture and what it takes to maintain golf courses from course superintendents from across the metro area and even Iowa!
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.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 27: How to prepare for parent/teacher conf.
Parents and guardians may have recently been invited to sign up for the first round of parent/teacher conferences for this school year, and they may be wondering what to expect or how to prepare for conferences with your child’s teacher or teachers.
In the latest episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast, host Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin parent involvement coordinator; Nikole Wodash, Sunrise Elementary School assistant principal; and Jill Alton, Coon Rapids High School assistant principal, hope to answer what parents can expect from conferences, how to prepare, and ways that parents/guardians can work with their child’s teacher(s) in partnership to support success in the classroom.
Tune in to the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360.
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.
Be aware of Tik-Tok “one chip challenge” on social media
A new social media trend is motivating activity called the “one chip challenge” is circulating across the nation and is in our community and schools. This activity causes a significant disruption and can result in illness for students who participate. It is not allowed at school.
The “one chip challenge” encourages students to eat one Paqui chip, which is an extremely spicy chip seasoned with carolina reaper and scorpion pepper. These chips are 400 times hotter than a jalapeno pepper. The challenge is causing disruption at schools across the country, with students reporting to school health offices feeling unwell due to the severe heat index of the chip and needing to be sent home due to illness after consuming the chip. Reactions may include vomiting, abdominal pain, severe burning sensation on mouth and lips and even difficulty breathing.
School is taking proactive steps to ensure students are not caught up in this and can avoid school discipline or causing illness of fellow students. It is the goal of Anoka-Hennepin Schools to keep students in school engaged in positive academic and social activities. Students who bring and distribute these chips to others during the school day are causing distractions that may face disciplinary consequences. Please visit with your student about this and discuss ways to appropriately respond to this type of social media information.
Testing opportunities for students to earn a Bilingual/Multilingual Seal
Does your student speak two or more languages? Want to earn college credit?
Anoka-Hennepin students in grades 10-12 with a mastery of world languages can use that knowledge to earn special recognitions – World Language Proficiency Certificates or Bilingual/Multilingual Seals.
Additionally, college credit can be awarded to these students who attend or transfer to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and select other post-secondary institutions within three years of graduation from Anoka-Hennepin.
Fall testing dates are Nov. 15 and/or Nov. 17. The registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. Cost is $30 per assessment, or $10 if the student receives free or reduced-price lunch. Tests are administered at the high school.
To learn more about this opportunity, see the languages currently available, and register to take an exam, visit ahschools.us/bilingualseal.
Parent Advisory Committee for Racial and Ethnic Equity
Join parents and guardians of students of color from around the district for updates, discussion and action planning as part of the Parent Advisory Committee for Racial and Ethnic Equity (PACREE).
Increasing involvement from parents and guardians in education to impact educational outcomes and supporting a sense of belonging in school is the driving force behind PACREE. The group will hold a session covering a different topic each month in support of students and in alignment with the Anoka-Hennepin Equity Achievement Plan, a coordinated effort to promote high academic achievement for all students and eliminate predictable gaps amongst student groups. Visit ahschools.us/equityachievementplan for additional information.
Meetings will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. and will be offered in a virtual format on the following dates: Oct. 18, Nov. 15, Dec. 13, Jan. 17, Feb. 14, March 21, April 18, May 16.
For additional information and to get involved with PACREE sessions, please contact Darron Sherrill, assistant director of students services - diversity, equity and inclusion at darron.sherrill@ahschools.us or Rahmo Ali, cultural liaison, at rahmo.ali@ahschools.us.
Safe and welcoming environment at district athletic and activities events
The goal of co-curricular activities in Anoka-Hennepin Schools is to provide a fun, safe and engaging opportunity for students and community members to support high school students and student-athletes as they perform in sports, fine arts, and other activities.
The following guidelines are in place to ensure that all who attend a co-curricular activity experience a safe, welcoming and positive environment.
It is important to remember that athletic events are governed by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), and that student conduct at school and district events is governed by the Anoka-Hennepin Schools Policy Handbook.
Students from the hosting and visiting schools must be prepared to show student identification at events, and middle school students and younger must be accompanied and supervised by an adult chaperone. Students from any other schools/non-participating schools must also be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Backpacks and outside food or drink (if concessions are sold on-site) are not allowed.
Anoka-Hennepin prohibits the following at school events:
- Weapons.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- E-cigarettes / vaping.
- Tobacco products.
- Controlled substances.
For more information, please visit ahschools.us/eventpolicies. Spectators who are unwilling or unable to follow the rules, regulations, or directions from event staff may be asked to leave the event.
Anoka-Hennepin realizes the importance of athletics and activities in the communities it serves and wants to ensure participants, fans, and community members experience a positive environment at each event.
This e-newsletter is published by Coon Rapids High School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.