In the Know - January 8, 2024
January 8, 2024
Reminder: Staff may subscribe to receive emergency text message alerts
Staff members are encouraged to confirm that they are subscribed to receive text message alerts to stay "in the know." An emergency message could be sent to make staff aware of weather closings and delays, school emergencies and other important notices.
✅ Verify that you are subscribed: From the Skyward employee access screen, select “update phone number” icon and follow the on-screen instructions. Detailed instructions are provided for those who need them. Subscribers can opt out of the text messages by responding STOP to any message sent by the system.
🆘 For technical support: Email 506help@ahschools.us or call 763-506-HELP (4357). For more details, visit the Anoka-Hennepin Schools communications webpage to view important reminders.
Contract negotiations: Next steps include second mediation session with AHEM, set for January 19
Anoka-Hennepin Schools values the dedication of its staff members and it is the goal to improve terms and conditions for employees while working within tight budget parameters that maintain financial and operational stability for the district.
The negotiations process between the district and Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota (AHEM) has included eight meetings prior to mediation. The last meeting was held Nov. 21 and AHEM filed for mediation with the Bureau of Mediation Services on Nov. 22.
What's new: The District and AHEM negotiation teams met for 11 hours in mediation on January 3. The parties had meaningful conversations and gained understanding of each side’s position. At this time, both the union and the district still have considerable work to do to reach a settlement. Mediation will resume on January 19.
🤝 While conducting contract negotiations, the district aims to work collaboratively with bargaining groups in alignment with Policy 209, the negotiations code of ethics, which details guiding principles and practices in reaching agreements with Anoka-Hennepin employment contracts:
- Provide accurate, timely and complete information to employees and the general public.
- Respectfully and fairly participate in the negotiation process.
- Maintain support of the district, its schools and its staff.
- Make every reasonable effort to arrive at a responsible settlement for each contract.
📊 By the numbers: View the Negotiations webpage at ahschools.us/negotiations to view the status of current contract negotiations in Anoka-Hennepin Schools.
Apply now for summer school positions
Anoka-Hennepin is currently seeking teachers and paraeducators for early childhood, elementary and secondary Extended School Year and Targeted Services summer positions.
Paraeducators and teachers who are not available for working the entirety of the summer schedule are encouraged to still apply and reach out to the appropriate supervisor indicating your availability. Sub coverage is still needed in the summer and your availability may help to fill that need.
💻 Visit ahschools.us/jobs to browse positions and apply online.
Now open: Above & Beyond Awards nominations accepted through Jan. 22
📣 Do you know an Anoka-Hennepin staff member who goes above and beyond normal job expectations to ensure that students receive a high-quality education in a safe and nurturing environment? Maybe that person is a teacher, a custodian or a para? Maybe a school counselor or principal? Perhaps someone working in the cafeteria, or a nurse or a secretary?
👍 If you know someone who does amazing work for children, you’re strongly encouraged to nominate them for the Above & Beyond Awards. The Above & Beyond Awards involve students, staff, parents and community members in recognizing and honoring Anoka-Hennepin staff who consistently go that extra mile so students can be successful.
🗳️ Nominations are being accepted through Monday, Jan. 22, 2024.
💻 Visit the Above & Beyond Awards website, ahschools.us/aboveandbeyond, for a nomination form or to read additional information about the awards.
The program is a joint effort of the district and the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF). The 2024 Above & Beyond Awards ceremony will take place April 3 at the Educational Service Center (ESC).
Third free online educational class for employees is Jan. 30: Estate Planning Basics
A partnership between the Anoka-Hennepin Labor Relations and Benefits Department and Capital Street Financial Services, Inc. has led to the Anoka-Hennepin Financial Education Program. The goal of the program is to provide employees with practical knowledge, skills-building opportunities and resources they can use to manage their finances with confidence.
💵 Class information: Estate Planning Basics
🗓️ When: Jan. 30, 2024 - 5-6 p.m.
📝 What: General estate planning concepts and strategies are explained. Learn about wills, trusts, health care, directives, and other important documents and considerations for your legacy planning.
🔍 Learn more about the partnership and see dates for other classes.
Tickets for annual AHEF Northern Stars Celebration on sale now
Every year, the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF) hosts a fun, lively party called the Northern Stars Celebration, to celebrate the excellence that is our Anoka-Hennepin students, schools, and foundation.
"This is a great evening to celebrate how our fabulous and generous donors have benefitted our students, schools and community," said Board Chair and retired educator, Kim Allen. "The Anoka-Hennepin School District and our foundation impact the daily lives of more than 37,000 students and their families and we want to recognize and continue this combined success."
📅 When: Saturday, Feb. 10 from 5:30-9 p.m.
📍 Where: The Bunker Hills Event Center.
What to expect this year:
- Social hour with unique silent auction items to entice you and your friends.
- Live auction with exciting new experiences for you.
- A delicious dinner (chicken florentine, boneless beef short ribs, or saffron balsamic grilled vegetables).
- A special appeal to fuel innovation for our students and schools.
- An after program social hour to connect with friends .
Oxbow Creek Elementary - School Spotlight
Oxbow Creek Elementary School is the second largest elementary school in Anoka-Hennepin. Check out this school spotlight to learn more about what makes Oxbow Creek a great school!
📺 View the video.
Coming up roses: Anoka High School grad represents at national events as Minneapolis Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes
🌹 Last July, Claire Tembreull, a 2022 Anoka High School (AHS) graduate, was selected as the Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes by the Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassador Organization (AAO).
As the Minneapolis Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes, Tembreull has the opportunity to visit nearly 300 festivals and events across North America each year to foster relationships and promote the Aquatennial festival. One of those festivals is the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, Calif. Coined ‘America’s New Year’s Celebration,’ Trembreull was a visiting dignitary for the festivities where she watched the Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl Game and had behind-the-scenes access to all the happenings surrounding the historic celebration.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we got to meet so many incredible people,” Tembreull said. “It was cool to be a part of their long-standing festival in person.”
A pattern of service: Tembreull has a rich history of giving back to her community. She was named a 2022 Anoka Halloween Royal Ambassador and was actively involved in the LEOS Tornado Service Club at AHS, which included a special project with the City of Anoka her junior year. As a senior, she was awarded the Youth Citizens Scholarship from the City of Anoka for volunteering more than 1,000 hours throughout her high school career.
🗞️ Read the full story. Photo: Claire Tembreull (middle) is pictured with two Aquatennial princesses.
Superintendent McIntyre visits Coon Rapids High School for student roundtable discussion
On Jan. 5, Anoka-Hennepin Superintendent Cory McIntyre visited with students at Coon Rapids High School - Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (CRHS) for the third of many scheduled student roundtable discussions throughout the district.
Why it matters: Superintendent McIntyre values student voice in the decision-making process and in ensuring the district is providing a safe, welcoming, and positive school environment. So far, Superintendent McIntyre has met with students from Anoka and Blaine high schools and will also attend events at the remaining Anoka-Hennepin high schools in the coming months.
During the hour-long sessions, McIntyre and other school and district administrators aim to gather student perspectives on the high school experience. School Board clerk Jeff Simon; Dr. Josh Delich, associate superintendent for high schools; Nate Manaen, director of student services; and CRHS principal John Peña also attended the student roundtable discussion to hear from students.
📸 View photos from the CRHS superintendent roundtable.
What they’re saying: “When you think of a superintendent, you think of a shadowy figure that you hear of but never see, so to have that person in front of me, entertaining our ideas and being welcoming - helped me to see that leaders in the school system are genuinely on my side,” said Onyx Iweh, a senior at CRHS.
The big picture: Students shared how important it is to have positive role models and relationships with their teachers to create an environment where learning can flourish. There were also discussions around student groups, clubs, and activities on how those who are involved in specific groups might find a welcoming place with peers, and also how they can maybe isolate others by not being open to other groups.
Another topic was the importance of connection and how students who felt a stronger connection to their teacher, had stronger feelings of belonging and more of a positive environment in the classroom.
Priority application deadline for six specialty schools is Jan. 15
Anoka-Hennepin offers six specialty schools at all levels that are designed to provide families with additional choices at no cost. Students may enroll at the specialty schools using an in-district transfer process. The deadline for priority consideration is Jan. 15. Families are responsible for providing transportation to specialty schools outside of their assigned school.
The six specialty schools in the district are:
- Champlin Park High School - International Baccalaureate Program.
- Jackson Middle School - A Specialty School for Math and Science.
- Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy for Math and Environmental Science.
- Hoover Elementary School - Biomedical, Health Sciences and Engineering.
- Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts.
- Monroe Elementary School: Mathematics, Science and Children's Engineering.
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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.