(PRESS RELEASE) – It is the goal of Anoka-Hennepin Schools to return all students to school safely as conditions allow. It’s understood these are challenging times for the health and safety of students, employees and the community at large. Your support and understanding is appreciated as the district is working hard to provide a foundation of information to assist families for decision making in a quickly changing environment.
A variety of links are shared in the more information section. Be sure to check these out as details have been added, especially on both elementary, middle and high school instruction.
Thank you for your continued support of your student and our schools.
A/B Schedule assignments
Anoka-Hennepin first shared a learning preferences form with families on Aug. 3. About 75% of families responded by the Aug. 10 timeline, which has impacted the district’s ability to notify families regarding A/B designations today as originally shared. After the district has all parent information on Aug. 14, it can start working through these requests to address the following:
- Balancing the number of students in school,
- Setting capacities for the number of students on the bus, and;
- Ensuring students are provided the maximum amount of their desired courses.
It takes several rounds of data review by schools after parents/guardians provide their preference for returning to school. Please continue to be patient as the district works on the scheduling portion of the hybrid learning plan. An update on this will be provided by Friday, Aug. 21.
Once completed, parents/guardians will be able to find their schedule designation on the My Student Information app via A-HConnect.
Annual verification/back-to school forms needed now
All parents/guardians with students attending Anoka-Hennepin Schools are asked to complete an annual verification process, also known as back-to-school forms. Your participation in this process ensures the district has accurate contact information such as address, phone number(s), email addresses, and medical information for your student(s) and other important information. The entire process can be completed in about 10 minutes. Please go to the My Student Information app via A-HConnect. You will be prompted by a splash screen to complete the process.
Step-by-step instructions are also available at ahschools.us/forms.
Calendar changes, orientation/welcome week Sept. 8-11
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board will consider adjustments on the school calendar to reflect the hybrid learning format at its Monday, Aug. 24 meeting.
This recommendation adds an orientation week for all students the first four days of the school year. From Tuesday, Sept. 8 until Friday, Sept. 11, students will experience a number of activities to prepare for the school year ahead which could include one-on-one meetups with teachers, sixth and ninth grade transition events, district-provided technology pick-ups, and other activities. Each school is currently developing a plan and will share details with students and families as they’re available. Parents/guardians should anticipate that there will be no hybrid or distance learning during this first week nor will student transportation be available.
With the adjustment the first week of the school year, the first day of learning is Tuesday, Sept. 15. Current data suggests that elementary students will begin the year in the hybrid format. The data is inconclusive for middle and high school students. In order to provide time to review the data, there is a chance the distance learning format would be considered to start the year for middle and high school students with a transition to hybrid learning at some point. Remain alert for more on calendar adjustments in the coming weeks.
Child care
Hybrid child care registration will open after families receive their in-person learning day assignments. Child care will be coordinated by Anoka-Hennepin Community Education.
Child care openings for Tier I critical workers will be prioritized based on state executive order. If Community Education is able to serve all families of Tier I critical workers, hybrid full-day child care enrollment will be opened to additional families who need or want care, with a full-day care fee. (Child care for Tier I critical workers would be provided at no charge for the school-day. Before- and after-school care would be offered to Tier I critical workers for an additional fee.)
Families that have an existing 2020-21 school year contract with Adventures Plus will still be able to register for before- and after-school care on their child’s assigned in-person learning days. Learn more, read child care FAQs on the Anoka-Hennepin COVID-19 website.
For questions about Adventures Plus or Tier 1 emergency child care options please contact adventuresplus@ahschools.us.
Face covering policy
Face coverings are required at all Anoka-Hennepin schools and program sites following a state order. Review the expectations for face coverings in school at ahschools.us/facecoverings.
The School Board will consider a policy on face coverings at its Monday, Aug. 24 meeting. As schools aim to create a culture of health and safety, students who refuse to wear face coverings would be reminded of the rule, offered a temporary face covering and then offered distance learning if it becomes an ongoing issue. Stay tuned for further details on this.
More information
Two new infographics detail What Does a Hybrid Learning School Look Like? and What Does a Hybrid Learning Classroom Look Like? – check them out.
Health and safety: Schools are currently evaluating each classroom space to verify space and the ability to meet safety guidelines. Review updated information on air quality and cleaning procedures. Additional FAQ at ahschools.us/COVID-19safety.
The Return to School Roadmap was updated Aug. 13, ahschools.us/COVID-19guidebook. Refer to this guidebook for details on the district’s safe reopening plan.
Details on the elementary, and middle and high school instruction have been added to the guidebook and learning page of the COVID-19 website.
Answers to a variety of questions are available on the FAQ page at ahschools.us/COVID-19faq.
