In the Know - Jan. 20, 2023

Jan. 20, 2023

Principals and administrators from across the district gathered for the annual mid-year leadership workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 18, to hear updates from interim superintendent Dr. Kate Maguire, and other members of the school district’s cabinet. The group reviewed and discussed draft Strategic Priorities for the 2023-24 school year, which will be brought to the School Board for consideration at its meeting Monday, Jan. 23.

The Strategic Priorities process is a system that creates shared expectations for how resources are utilized along with a disciplined approach from governance to implementation. The district’s continuous improvement model is an essential element to match resources with decisions to achieve the School Board’s direction to meet the mission and vision for the district. Each year, the strategic priorities are informed by significant staff and community input, including survey responses that include feedback from thousands of stakeholders.

Additional updates regarding the district’s communication improvements, facilities, financial position and legislative priorities were shared.

Employee 2022 W-2s are now available to print within Skyward Employee Access. Visit the Staff Intranet website for detailed instructions on how to print your W-2.

Please contact Payroll at extension 61050 or Payroll.Help@AHSchools.us with any questions.

Optum, the district’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and WorkLife Services are available to employees utilizing UnitedHealthcare benefits at no extra cost.

Eligible employees have 24/7 access to EAP over the phone and online.

• Call 866-374-6061 for master’s-level employee assistance specialists which provide consultation, risk screening, advocacy, referrals and educational materials.
• Web services at liveandworkwell.com are available in English and Spanish and include self-help information, resource databases/directories, video programs, personal empowerment programs and thousands of articles.

Some of the EAP services available include:

• Face-to-face counseling.
• Financial coaching from experts.
• ID theft protection.
• Legal counseling and mediation services.
• Online EAP clinician visit certification.
• Sanvello - an app to address symptoms of stress anxiety and depression - anytime.
• Virtual visits.

WorkLife services include:

• Adult and elder-care support.
• Child and family support.
• Chronic illness and condition support.
• Convenience services.
• Educational resources.

If you know someone who does amazing work for the district, 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 rewarding Anoka-Hennepin employees and groups who consistently go that extra mile so students can be successful.

Nominations are being accepted for outstanding candidates through the evening on Sunday, Jan. 22.

A mileage rate of 65.5 cents per mile will become effective for reimbursable miles traveled on or after Jan. 1, 2023. This is a 3¢ increase from 2022.

Mileage forms are available in the staff Document Center. Be sure to report your mileage on the proper form (2022 or 2023 mileage) to ensure timely reimbursement. Please do not create your own mileage form, it slows down processing in accounting. Please note that any Special Education staff should work with Carrie Hayne to get an updated form.

Mileage reimbursement is meant to cover only those miles incurred which are required in fulfillment of the employee’s contractual duties AND which would exceed the employee’s normal daily commute to their regular place of work.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Accounting helpline at 763-506-1040.

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. Learn more about summer elementary school positions.

Members of the Champlin Park High School (CPHS) Unified Club gathered at Mississippi Gateway Park Jan. 18 for a morning filled with team bonding activities, including snowshoeing, making snow art and playing sports in the snow.

The Unified Club at CPHS aims to create a school climate where students with disabilities feel welcome and routinely included in, and feel a part of, all activities, opportunities and functions.

The Anoka-Hennepin transportation department is accepting submissions for the 28th annual school bus safety poster contest. The contest got underway during Winter School Bus Safety Week (Jan. 9-13). The district is inviting students at all grade levels to submit their best artwork for the competition. The winning posters from each school must be submitted to the transportation department by Feb. 3, to be eligible for the district contest.

This year’s theme is Safely Rolling to my Destination, and those words must be on the poster. The poster must also feature a yellow school bus or a portion of a yellow school bus. Posters must be on 11” x 17” or 12” x 18” (most submitted use the 11” x 17”) and can be horizontal or vertical.

The DECA chapters at Anoka (AHS) and Coon Rapids (CRHS) high schools achieved Thrive Level recognition in both the membership campaign and chapter campaign programs. The chapters will be commended at DECA’s International Career Development Conference (ICDC) held April 22-25, 2023 in Orlando, Fla.

AHS and CRHS were two of about 1,300 chapters internationally to earn achievement or thrive level through DECA’s chapter campaign program. Learn more about the recognition earned by both AHS and CRHS DECA chapters.

Students in Nebula, a school-within-a-school program for third through fifth grade gifted students at Eisenhower Elementary School, are utilizing elements from the NASA Mars 2020 mission to engage in enriched learning experiences that provide real world context to various coding and research skills.

Thanks in part to a Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF) grant for LEGO® kits, drones, robots, and a 3D printer, the students at each grade level have the opportunity to participate in a unique project. Learn more about the experience for Nebula students.

The appeals window is now open for students who do not meet the Nebula program selection criteria, or live outside the district, through Friday, Feb. 17. Students considered are those who consistently score in the 98-99 percentile in math and reading. For more information on the application process and to apply, visit ahschools.us/Nebula.

• School Board meeting set for Monday, Jan. 23.
• School Board votes to amend 2022-23 school year calendar.
• Tickets still available for annual AHEF Northern Stars Celebration.
• Increased security in place to ensure safety at school events.
  
• Next Grow Your Own Information Session set for Feb. 7.

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