In the Know - June 9, 2023
June 9, 2023
Open enrollment period for health insurance benefits now open through June 13
The open enrollment period for health insurance benefits is May 30-June 13 with the effective date of September 1, 2023. Open enrollment materials were delivered to each employee’s building mailbox on Tuesday, May 30.
The Insurance Department held informational meetings about open enrollment for health insurance. A meeting was recorded for those unable to attend a meeting. Questions? Contact the Insurance Department at 763-506-1080.
Summer jobs available
The district is seeking candidates interested in summer employment for the Extended School Year programs at both elementary and secondary levels, including special education paraeducators, child care staff, custodians, secretaries and more.
More than 1,160 pounds lost: Real Appeal® helping Anoka-Hennepin employees
Since January, employees utilizing UnitedHealthcare benefits have had access to Real Appeal®, an online weight loss program, and in the first four months 167 members of the program have reported 1,162 total pounds lost.
Through April, nearly 400 people enrolled in the program and span an age range from early 20’s to 70-plus. Real Appeal is available to employees and eligible family members at no additional cost as part of your health insurance plan.
Want to know more? Real Appeal is hosting a webinar for current and potential members on June 21 with the focus on maintaining healthy habits during the summer.
Real Appeal testimonial from Chris S., an Anoka-Hennepin employee:
“After seeing my husband’s success losing over 30 pounds with Real Appeal, I knew I wanted to become a member. I enrolled and received my generous ‘Success Kit’ within days. Real Appeal gives you all the tools for success. My weekly online group sessions led by a coach have become something to look forward to. Tracking my eating and exercise has become a healthy habit and several Real Appeal recipes have become a weekly favorite. The scale is going in the right direction, and I am almost 15 pounds lighter! If you want to lose weight, achieve a healthier you, and see results - I highly recommend Real Appeal.”
Anoka-Hennepin and Allina Health present SupportingYoU podcast
Anoka-Hennepin and Allina Health partnered to provide district teachers and staff with a library of resources to support employee health and mental wellness.
SupportingYoU, an employee wellness podcast, has 34 episodes available now - featuring a range of topics from self-care fundamentals to the importance of gratitude.
Listen by visiting the website at ahschools.us/supportingyou.
Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
Anoka-Hennepin Regional High School
The district’s first graduation of 2023 was Wednesday, May 31 and celebrated 37 students from Anoka-Hennepin Regional High School. The graduation ceremony was held at Anoka Technical College.
Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School
On Thursday, June 1, families, friends and staff honored 111 students from Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School. The graduation ceremony was held at Anoka Technical College.
Andover High School
The Huskies celebrated 428 graduating seniors during a ceremony on Sunday, June 4 at Maturi Pavilion on the University of Minnesota campus.
Anoka High School - Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math
On Monday, June 5, at historic Goodrich Field, 530 seniors were celebrated as the class from Anoka High School.
Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science
In the largest Anoka-Hennepin graduating class of 2023, Blaine High School honored 755 seniors at Maturi Pavilion on the University of Minnesota campus Sunday, June 4.
Champlin Park High School - International Baccalaureate Programme
Friends, family and staff cheered on 740 graduates from Champlin Park High School during their graduation ceremony at Maturi Pavilion on the University of Minnesota campus Sunday, June 4.
Coon Rapids High School - Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering
Cardinal families, supporters and staff honored 435 graduates on Sunday, June 4 at Maturi Pavilion on the University of Minnesota campus.
Youngest Anoka-Hennepin graduates celebrate the end of preschool
There was plenty of pomp and circumstance for some of Anoka-Hennepin’s littlest learners.
Graduates of the Adventures Plus Bound program at Eisenhower Elementary School in Coon Rapids participated in a recent ceremony of their own. The group completed preschool and are now ready to conquer kindergarten.
Students and families experienced all the feels of graduation season. Sporting bright red caps and gowns, the group took part in a processional, performed songs, received diplomas and took plenty of photos.
Blaine and Champlin Park high school seniors named College-sponsored National Merit Scholarship winners
Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science (BHS) senior Adhithya Anandaraj and Champlin Park High School - International Baccalaureate Programme (CPHS) senior Maura Wahl have earned College-sponsored National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced June 7.
These scholarships provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.
Anandaraj will attend the University of Minnesota and plans to study computer engineering while Wahl is attending the University of Tulsa where she will study mechanical engineering.
College-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners announced June 7 are part of the distinguished group of more than 7,140 high school seniors who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth nearly $28 million. Earlier this spring, NMSC announced winners of corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards and National Merit $2,500 Scholarships.
In May, Andover High School senior Eleanor Fredine and Coon Rapids High School - Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering senior Jesse Co each earned $2,500 National Merit Scholarships.
28 graduating seniors recognized as Page Scholars
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is proud to announce that 28 graduating seniors were named Page Scholars by the Page Education Foundation.
Blaine High School totaled 13 Page Scholars, which was the most among district high schools.
The Page Grant is the Page Education Foundation’s scholarship program awarded to students of color who graduate from a Minnesota high school and plan to attend a Minnesota post-secondary institution. Students at all levels of academic achievement seeking to pursue a two or four-year degree at a Minnesota college or university who agree to complete annual service projects with children can qualify for a grant.
The grant specifically seeks students of color who are unlikely to pursue post-secondary education due to barriers, like lack of financial resources and average grades. On average, over 500 Page Scholars are selected to receive a Page Grant. Page Grants range in value from $1,500 to $2,500 annually. Subsequent grants are based on students’ academic progress and mentoring performance. Recipients of the Page Grant are called “Page Scholars.” View the full list of 2023 Page Scholars from Anoka-Hennepin.
Evergreen Park STEM School of Innovation students participate in first STEM Day experience
Evergreen Park Elementary - STEM School of Innovation began the implementation of its science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program during the 2020-21 school year and for the first time held a STEM day for students and staff to celebrate the end of the 2022-23 school year and their hard work and learning through challenges, activities and teamwork.
Kindergarten through second-grade students participated in activities on June 5 while third through fifth-grade students had their opportunity June 6.
The specialty focus at Evergreen Park is designed to build student capacity with 21st-century skills with a focus on voice, choice and creativity to increase student engagement. Read more and view photos from the STEM day experience at Evergreen Park on June 6.
16 Anoka-Hennepin educators earn master’s degrees through Work and Learn program, a partnership with the University of St. Thomas
Anoka-Hennepin and the University of St. Thomas have a partnership that provides hands-on experience to support success in future teaching careers.
The Grow Your Own and Work and Learn Program aims to recruit, prepare, retain, and support highly qualified paraprofessionals and Tier 1 and Tier 2 teachers on their journey 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 Master's degree in 2.5 years.
Sixteen Anoka-Hennepin employees participating in the Grow Your Own program recently graduated from the University of St. Thomas with master’s degrees and teaching licensure in special education through the Work and Learn Program. See a list of graduates and learn more about the program on the Staff Intranet website.
STEP students take fifth graders under their wing on flight simulator
Students taking Aviation II at Anoka-Hennepin Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP) handed the yoke over to a group of fifth graders May 26, as students from the Nebula program at Eisenhower Elementary School flew a space shuttle on a simulator.
The Nebula students visited STEP to wrap their study of Mars Colonization. The high school students taking the Aviation II course, which focuses on curriculum to help pass the private pilot knowledge test, worked one-on-one with the elementary students on the different controls within a cockpit and guided them through different flight and landing simulations. View photos of the experience Nebula students had at STEP.
Pete Groebner has been teaching aviation courses at STEP for 20 years and said nearly half of the students who take the Aviation II course end up pursuing a career in the field after high school. Both Gustafson and Drusko plan to attend flight school after graduation.
STEP offers two aviation courses and both can be used for college credit at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Read more about the STEP simulators.
2023 spring sports and activities round-up
With the spring sports and activities season wrapping up, here’s a look at who’s heading to state, and how they fared when they performed and played. Also included is information about post-season awards gathered by student-athletes and coaches.
The Anoka-Hennepin Mustangs qualified for the adapted softball state tournament in the PI division and earned the No. 2 seed. In the opening round, the Mustangs defeated Minneapolis South 18-7 earning a spot in the semifinals against the Dakota United Hawks.
Anoka-Hennepin battled the top seed from the south but came up short losing 14-5 to the eventual state champions in Dakota United. The Mustangs weren’t done yet, earning a 13-5 victory over the Rochester Raiders in the third place game to bring home some hardware.
For updates on boys and girls track and field, baseball, girls lacrosse and boys and girls golf, read the 2023 spring sports and activities round-up.
Summer programming for high school students relocated to Coon Rapids High School
The summer program for district high school students originally scheduled to be held at Regional High School (1313 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids) will be relocated due to failure of the HVAC/cooling system at the facility. The program will now be hosted at Coon Rapids High School (2340 Northdale Blvd, Coon Rapids).
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Transportation routes will be adjusted in the upcoming week, and families will receive postcards via postal mail by June 16, confirming route details.
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Brunch will be available for students at no charge.
Background
In November 2022, the School Board approved a permanent relocation of Anoka-Hennepin Regional High School to Sandburg Education Center in Anoka for the 2023-24 school year to invest in facilities owned by the school district, rather than in leased facilities such as the current facility the program has been operating in. The move is intended to improve student experience, leading to better academic outcomes while creating a safer, more supportive environment for students and staff.
The name of the program will change to Sandburg Regional High School. The school serves students grades nine through twelve coming from Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park, and Coon Rapids High Schools. The purpose of the program is to provide credit recovery and other structures that provide more supportive and flexible paths to graduation than students would find in their home high schools.
2022-23 school celebrations
Elementary schools celebrated 2022-23 this last week with fifth grade moving on ceremonies, end-of-the-year celebrations, the return of Class of 2023 graduates and many more fun activities! Wishing all district students, staff and families a wonderful summer!
Closing ceremony celebrates 151 years of Franklin Elementary
Following the annual track and field day at Franklin Elementary School on June 2, the school celebrated 151 years, as the site will be repurposed as a special education facility starting in 2024.
In addition to dancing and ice cream, principal Sheryl Ray, fifth grade teacher Don Gawreluk and members of the fifth grade class spoke to students and families in attendance. Ray was presented with a retirement gift from the staff. View photos from the celebration.
Mississippi elementary sends 5th grade students off to middle school in moving on ceremony
On the last day of elementary school on June 7, fifth grade students at Mississippi Elementary School participated in a moving on ceremony in front of parents/guardians, family and friends. Before the ceremony began, students walked the halls of the school one last time to the cheers of teachers, staff and students.
Also a part of the moving on ceremony, fifth grade students received their certificates of D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) completion from Coon Rapids Police Department officer Ryan Olson and acting Chief of Police Bill Steiner. View photos from the Mississippi Elementary moving on ceremony.
Champlin Park High School graduates visit Oxbow Creek
2023 Champlin Park High School graduates who attended Oxbow Creek Elementary School returned to walk the halls one more time in their caps and gowns to much applause from the Oxbow Creek students and staff. View photos as graduates made their way around Oxbow Creek.
Lincoln Elementary celebrates end of the year with Arts Crawl
On Monday, June 5, Lincoln Elementary School students celebrated the 2022-23 school year with an Arts Crawl. Each grade had an hour block of time to explore all the different stations. The stations were ran by local artists, community partners and teachers. View photos from the 2023 Arts Crawl.
Andover Elementary fifth grade students make their "Final Walk" to Sunshine park for moving on ceremony
A tradition at Andover Elementary School includes a moving on ceremony at Sunshine Park with parents/guardians and family members. Before students participate in their ceremony with classmates, they make their final walk to Sunshine Park through a line of kindergarten through fourth grade students, teachers and staff before finally hearing the roar of their parents and guardians welcoming them to Sunshine Park. View photos of Andover fifth graders making their way through the crowd.
- District to discontinue use of Screencastify August 1, 2023.
- Staff may subscribe to receive emergency text message alerts.
- Just in time for summer: Student-built outdoor structures now open for bidding.
- Highway 10 update: ramp from Ferry St. to westbound Hwy 10 is closed.
- UnitedHealthcare June engagement toolkit: Celebrating our differences.
- 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.