The wearing of masks or face coverings remain strongly recommended but not required in Anoka-Hennepin Schools, as county case rates in our school communities have dropped below 50 per 10,000. The school district will continue to track and share absence rates by school, but these numbers will not be used for determining mask mitigation strategies while county case rates are down. This message is the last expected district-wide notice regarding mask wearing. Additional messaging, if necessary, will happen at the school level. 

Masks and face coverings will continue to be required on student transportation due to a federal rule not under the authority of the school district. Masks also remain required at Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School as it is located on the college campus.  

Anoka-Hennepin Schools continue to maintain a comprehensive approach to ensure schools are safe and open. Review additional information on the district’s masking requirements and data from all district schools online at ahschools.us/safeandopenstatus.

Questions: health@ahschools.us

As COVID-19 cases continue to decrease at the county level and student absences are reducing or being maintained, masks will not be required for students or staff in Anoka-Hennepin Schools for the week of Feb. 14-18. 

Review additional information on the district’s masking requirements and data from all district schools at ahschools.us/safeandopenstatus.

Important notes:

• Masks/face coverings are strongly recommended at all Anoka-Hennepin Schools. 
• No cost N95 mask distribution continues at local pharmacies. 
• Students returning to school at all sites following a five-day quarantine will be required to wear a mask for an additional five days, consistent with district and CDC guidelines. 
• The district will update website information and send an updated message each week on Fridays regarding the masking requirements for the following week.  
• Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School requires face coverings/masks on the college campus.
• These guidelines only apply during the school day and do not apply to evening and after-school activities.
• Adventures Plus before-and-after-school child care, early childhood programming and district volunteer programs will follow the same guidelines as the K-12 buildings. 
• Face coverings/masks remain required on student transportation. This is a federal requirement and not a rule under the authority of the school district.  

COVID-19 testing and vaccinations 

• The district continues to provide at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen testing for students at no cost. Please contact the health office at school to request a test kit. To date, Anoka-Hennepin has provided over 25,000 kits to families. 
• Anoka-Hennepin staff are being provided with KN95 masks and COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home tests.  
• COVID-19 vaccinations and testing for students are not required by the school district.
• Order four free at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests per family at www.covidtests.gov.
• Locate and make an appointment at a no-cost community testing location online at mn.gov/covid19/get-tested. Walk-in service may also be available. 
• Order a no-cost at home saliva test offered by the State of Minnesota at learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of-minnesota.
• Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map or the vaccines.gov website to find locations and set appointments.  
• Walk-in or make an appointment at one of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination sites.

Questions: health@ahschools.us

Anoka-Hennepin Schools is using an updated metric that monitors high community COVID-19 transmission and factors school absences to drive decisions regarding masking for students and employees. Face coverings/masks continue to be strongly recommended for all students ages 2 and up by both the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Using the updated metric, face coverings will be strongly recommended, not required for all persons at all grade levels in the district, unless both the following conditions are met: 

• Positive COVID-19 case rates are above 50 per 10,000 at the county level; and,
• Student absences as measured during the week, mid-week, are double the two-year monthly average for this month at school sites and over 30% at alternative sites and special programs. 

Although county-level case rates exceed 50 per 10,000 across the district, student absences at the mid-week level are double the two-year monthly average at one school site for the current week. Students and staff will be required to wear face coverings/masks at the following school for the week of Feb. 7 - Feb. 11:

• Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts

Review additional information on the district’s masking requirements and data from all district schools at ahschools.us/safeandopenstatus.

 

Important notes:

• Masks/face coverings are strongly recommended at all Anoka-Hennepin Schools. 
• No cost N95 mask distribution continues at local pharmacies. 
• Students returning to school at all sites following a five-day quarantine will be required to wear a mask for an additional five days consistent with district and CDC guidelines. 
• The district will update website information and send an updated message each week on Fridays regarding the masking requirements for the following week. 
• Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School requires face coverings/masks on the college campus.
• These guidelines only apply during the school day and do not apply to evening and after school activities.
• Adventures Plus programming and district volunteer programs will follow the same guidelines as the K-12 buildings. 
• Face coverings/masks remain required on student transportation. This is a federal requirement and not a rule under the authority of the school district. 
• Face coverings/masks remain highly recommended for children ages 2 and up enrolled in early childhood programs. Masks continue to be required for early childhood staff while our youngest learners cannot be vaccinated.

COVID-19 testing and vaccinations

• The district continues to provide at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen testing for students at no-cost. Please contact the health office at school to request a test kit. To date, Anoka-Hennepin has provided over 25,000 kits to families. 
• Anoka-Hennepin staff are being provided with KN95 masks and COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home tests. 
• COVID-19 vaccinations and testing for students are not required by the school district.
• Order four free at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests per family at www.covidtests.gov.
• Locate and make an appointment at a no-cost community testing location online at mn.gov/covid19/get-tested. Walk-in service may also be available. 
• Order a no-cost at home saliva test offered by the State of Minnesota at learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of-minnesota.
• Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map or the vaccines.gov website to find locations and set appointments. 
• Walk-in or make an appointment at one of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination sites.

Questions: health@ahschools.us

Anoka-Hennepin Schools is using an updated metric that monitors high community COVID-19 transmission and factors school absences to drive decisions regarding masking for students and employees. Face coverings/masks continue to be strongly recommended for all students ages 2 and up by both the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health. Using the updated metric, face coverings will be strongly recommended, not required for all persons at all grade levels in the district, unless both the following conditions are met:

• Positive COVID-19 case rates are above 50 per 10,000 at the county level; and,
• Student absences as measured during the week, mid-week, are double the two-year monthly average for this month at school sites and over 30% at alternative sites and special programs. 

Although county-level case rates exceed 50 per 10,000 across the district, student absences at the mid-week level are double the two-year monthly average at seven school sites for the current week. Students and staff will be required to wear face coverings/masks at the following schools for the week of Jan. 31 to Feb. 4: 

• Eisenhower Elementary
• Hamilton Elementary
• Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts
• Ramsey Elementary
• Sand Creek Elementary
• Anoka-Hennepin Regional High School
• Compass 

Important notes:

• Masks/face coverings are strongly recommended at all Anoka-Hennepin Schools. 
• N95 mask distribution has begun at-no cost at local pharmacies. 
• Students returning to school at all sites following a five-day quarantine will be required to wear a mask for an additional five days consistent with district and CDC guidelines. 
• Review additional information on the district’s masking requirements and data from all district schools at ahschools.us/safeandopenstatus.
• The district will update website information and send an updated message each week on Fridays regarding the masking requirements for the following week.  
• Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School requires face coverings/masks on the college campus. 

COVID-19 testing and vaccinations 

• The district continues to provide at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen testing for students at no-cost. Please contact the health office at school to request a test kit. To date, Anoka-Hennepin has provided over 20,000 kits to families. 
• Anoka-Hennepin staff are being provided with KN95 masks and COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home tests.  
• COVID-19 vaccinations and testing for students are not required by the school district.
• Order four free at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests per family at www.covidtests.gov.
• Locate and make an appointment at a no-cost community testing location online at mn.gov/covid19/get-tested. Walk-in service may also be available. 
• Order a no-cost at home saliva test offered by the State of Minnesota at learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of-minnesota.
• Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map or the vaccines.gov website to find locations and set appointments.  
• Walk-in or make an appointment at one of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination sites.

Questions: health@ahschools.us

Distribution of COVID-19 at-home rapid antigen tests and KN95 masks is anticipated to begin Wed, Feb. 2 at school sites in Anoka-Hennepin Schools.  

KN95 masks: Available through the school office supervisor to all employees including substitutes, itinerants, community education and others. Those assigned to work in the Educational Service Center (ESC) may collect masks from the Purchasing office. Over 15,000 masks are available at this time, an average of two per employee. Staff may use a properly fitting mask/face covering of their choice, although the CDC has updated guidance to wear a KN95 or N95 mask.  

At-home rapid antigen tests: Now available for employee use. Rapid antigen tests are distributed through the health services office at each school as supplies are available. Tests will be limited to one per staff member per week until the supply is gone. At this time, the district has approximately 10,000 tests available, which provides results in approximately 15 minutes. Staff do not have to demonstrate symptoms to get a test. Tests are intended for rapid testing should symptoms appear. Employees are also encouraged to order up to 4 free at-home tests through the federal government at covidtests.gov. 

Anoka-Hennepin will continue to offer Vault COVID-19 saliva testing for employees on Mondays. Tests may be picked up at the health services office at each school site.

COVID-19 testing and protective masks are provided at no-cost to employees and offer an important layer of protection to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the school setting.

(01/25/2022) Anoka-Hennepin Schools will utilize a metric that monitors high community COVID-19 transmission and factors school absences related to illness to drive decisions regarding masking for students and staff. A resolution approved by the school board on Jan. 24 rescinded the previous guidance that required universal masking for all students K-6, which means that the directive is no longer in effect. In addition, it was announced that masks will be recommended, not required, at all school district middle schools through the end of this week. This change applies to both students and staff. 
 
Starting January 31, 2022, the following guidelines will be in effect in Anoka-Hennepin Schools: 
 
Face coverings/masks

• Face coverings/masks are recommended and not required for all persons at all grade levels in the district, unless the spread of COVID-19 is above 50 per 10,000 at the county level and student absences at the mid-week are double the two-year average at the school site. 
• Face coverings/masks are required at sites that meet this criteria for the following week. 
• At the school level, the following percentage of student absences would be used as an indicator for universal masking: 
  
  • Elementary: Above 8%
  • Middle school: Above 11%
  • High school: Above 13%
  • Alternative programs: Above 30%
• These guidelines only apply during the school day and do not apply to evening and after school activities
• Adventures Plus programming and district volunteer programs will follow the same guidelines as the K-12 buildings. 
• Face coverings/masks are required on student transportation. This is a federal requirement and not a rule under the authority of the school district.
• Face coverings/masks remain highly recommended for children ages 2 and up enrolled in early childhood programs. Masks continue to be required for early childhood staff while our youngest learners cannot be vaccinated. 

Communication and notification

• At the district level, Anoka-Hennepin will maintain a dashboard to indicate the status regarding masking requirements in the district at ahschools.us/safeandopenstatus. 
• The ahschools.us/safeandopenstatus website will be updated weekly on Thursdays with data from that week and notification will follow. 
• Parents/guardians will be notified by email and text message regarding any change in masking guidance.
• Parents/guardians at the elementary level will continue to be notified by email if three or more students in a classroom have a positive case of COVID-19.

Health and safety protocols 

• District staff have been offered KN95 masks since mid-January. Over 15,000 KN95 masks have been distributed. 
• The district will maintain enhanced air quality standards, hand sanitizer stations, encourage hand washing, and continue enhanced cleaning methods as strategies to protect students and staff.
• Students and staff with confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be asked to quarantine or isolate and will be limited to household members based on recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health. Please notify health service at your students' school if symptoms or positive tests for COVID-19 occur. School will not conduct contact tracing initially unless circumstances require. 

Vaccinations and testing

• COVID-19 vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 are not required by the school district.
• The district continues to provide at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen testing for students at no-cost. Please contact the health office at school to request a test kit. To date, Anoka-Hennepin has provided over 20,000 kits to families.  

Anoka-Hennepin remains committed to providing a safe environment at school while ensuring in-person learning can continue throughout the end of the school year. Thank you for your attention to this message.

(01/07/2022) Following direction from the Minnesota Department of Health, Anoka-Hennepin Schools updated guidance regarding 5-day isolation and quarantine for COVID-19. The following guidelines are now in operation with Anoka-Hennepin Schools:

Anoka-Hennepin Schools will require a 5-day isolation (positive case) and quarantine (unvaccinated exposure to a positive case) for students and staff. 

Students and employees returning to school after the 5-day period will be required to wear a face covering/mask for five additional days. Persons who are unable to wear a face cover will remain in isolation or quarantine for the full 10 days. 

This change from the current 10-day isolation and quarantine period follows approval from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), which is aligned with CDC guidelines for shortened isolation for asymptomatic and mildly ill people.  

Reporting positive cases, quarantine and isolation:

• Anoka-Hennepin Schools will ask students and/or staff with confirmed cases of COVID-19 to quarantine or isolate for 5 days from the positive test date if asymptomatic, or from the day of first symptom. Members of the same household that are close contacts and are unvaccinated or not had a positive test more than 2 weeks ago but less than 90 days will be quarantined for 5 days.
• Please notify health service at your students' school if symptoms or positive tests for COVID-19 occur. School will not conduct contact tracing initially unless circumstances require.
• Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to stay home for a minimum of five (5) days from the time symptoms started and/or the time they tested positive for COVID-19. They may not return to school until after that time and symptoms must be improving.
• Students in quarantine or isolation will follow traditional methods to make-up work or assignments unless instructed otherwise by their teacher. Virtual or online learning should not be expected. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to work directly with their child’s building principal or teacher(s) to make arrangements. All students must complete required work or assignments.

(08/23/2021) Anoka-Hennepin Schools understands that parents/guardians, students and staff value clear communication and as much advance notice as possible regarding school and how the district will mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on school operations. Under any circumstance, Anoka-Hennepin remains committed to providing instruction five days per week throughout the entire school year. Please read this update carefully as it includes a modification to the district’s back-to-school plan that will be in effect when school resumes on Sept. 7.

In July, the district explained that the wearing of face coverings/masks will be recommended this upcoming school year and not required, an action that follows Minnesota Department of Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. At it’s Aug. 23 meeting, the school board modified the district position by approving a resolution requiring universal indoor masking for all persons in a school setting in grades K through 6, and for sixth grade students under conditions linked to high case rates of COVID-19.

Important details of the masking requirements section of the Anoka-Hennepin COVID-19 mitigation plan include:

• Universal indoor masking for all people in a school setting grades K through grade 5, and for 6th grade students inside the school building, and for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors in K-5 school settings and 6th grade classrooms regardless of vaccination status when the COVID-19 case levels are greater than 15 per 10,000 as communicated by the Minnesota Department of Health on the Weekly Case Rate by County of Residence data report.
• Sixth grade students are defined as classrooms where the entire classroom is composed of sixth grade students.
• Anoka-Hennepin will monitor and provide any necessary updates to mask requirements on Fridays following the publication of the weekly report.
• Masks for students in Grades 7-12 remain strongly recommended, not required and will be revisited in the event that county level data continues to climb.
• The resolution linking masking guidance to county level COVID-19 numbers is in place for the entire 2021-22 school year

The last several months have shown that mitigating the transmission of COVID-19 in our schools and communities requires a layered approach. The use of face coverings/masks is one strategy along with increased air filtration, enhanced cleaning and sanitation, 3 feet of social distancing when possible and other strategies in place to ensure students can attend school in person five days a week as planned.

The modification to link face coverings/masks to public health data for 2021-22 was made by the school board after a review of district, county, state and federal COVID-19 information and the district's COVID-19 preparedness plan. Anoka-Hennepin remains committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for staff, students and the community.

Anoka-Hennepin will continue to prioritize protecting the health and safety for staff and students and monitor any impact of COVID-19 on school operations. The following guidance is being provided now to families in advance of the school year to support planning decisions about the upcoming year.

Learning formats

• All students will return to in-person learning five days a week with the exception of those who have enrolled in the Anoka-Hennepin Virtual Academy. Learn more at ahschools.us/virtualacademy.
• Programs such as distance learning, the A/B hybrid learning format, and staff development days to prepare for learning format shifts will also not be offered during the 2021-22 school year.

Face coverings/masks

• Face coverings/masks are recommended for all persons regardless of vaccination status. This guidance applies both inside buildings or in outdoor settings.
• Universal indoor masking for all people in a school setting grades K through grade 5, and for 6th grade students inside the school building, and for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors in K-5 school settings and 6th grade classrooms regardless of vaccination status when the COVID-19 case levels are greater than 15 per 10,000 as communicated by the Minnesota Department of Health on the Weekly Case Rate by County of Residence data report. Updates are posted at ahschools.us/covid-19.
• Face coverings/masks are required on student transportation. This is a federal requirement and not a rule under the authority of the school district.
• Face coverings/masks for athletics and activities are under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).

Health and safety protocols

• The district will maintain the enhanced air quality standards and use of the Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization system, hand sanitizer stations, encourage hand washing, and continue enhanced cleaning methods as strategies to protect students and staff.
• Social distancing of 3 feet will be expected as conditions allow. There are no group size limits (assemblies, concerts, etc). This will continue to be monitored and could change based on conditions in the school setting.

Vaccinations and testing

• COVID-19 vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 are not required by the school district.
• Options for COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in community locations and through individual medical providers will continue as a recommendation.
• Anoka-Hennepin will continue to work with county and state public health partners regarding voluntary vaccination and testing programs.

Reporting positive cases, quarantine and isolation

• Anoka-Hennepin Schools will ask students and/or staff with confirmed cases of COVID-19 to quarantine or isolate for 10 days from the positive test date if asymptomatic, or from the day of first symptom. Members of the same household that are close contacts and are unvaccinated or not had a positive test more than 2 weeks ago but less than 90 days will be quarantined for 10 days.
• Please notify health service at your students' school if symptoms or positive tests for COVID-19 occur. School will not conduct contact tracing initially unless circumstances require.
• Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to stay home for a minimum of ten (10) days from the time symptoms started and/or the time they tested positive for COVID-19. They may not return to school until after that time and must be symptom free.
  The Minnesota Department of Education, Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently do not require quarantine for those students or staff who were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
• Students in quarantine or isolation will follow traditional methods to make-up coursework unless instructed otherwise by their teacher. Virtual or online learning should not be expected.
• Parents/Guardians are encouraged to work directly with their child’s teacher to make arrangements. All students must complete required coursework.

Communication and notification

• Anoka-Hennepin will maintain the ahschools.us/covid-19 website as a portal for information with links to data and health and safety guidelines.
• Parents/guardians at the elementary level will be notified by email if three or more students in a classroom have a positive case of COVID-19.

Other frequently asked questions

• Student meals will be provided at no charge for the second consecutive year due to a program funded through the federal government. High school students will need to use their student identification card for meals.
• Volunteers will be able to support teachers and schools in limited circumstances. Face covering requirements will be the same as those of staff in the building.
• Adventures Plus face covering requirements will be the same as those of staff in the building for both students and staff.
• Visitors at the elementary school level will continue to be limited until students are eligible for vaccinations.
• Field trips and travel for school programs will be restored. Details will be shared by schools and program coordinators based on the situation.

This information is based on current guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education as of mid-August and guidance could change based on further direction.

Visit ahschools.us/covid-19 for additional information regarding the back-to-school plan and additional information from Anoka-Hennepin Schools.

After a year with multiple learning format changes, enhanced health and safety protocols, and other impacts to the school day, Anoka-Hennepin Schools is preparing to welcome students back to school for the start of the 2021-22 school year on Tuesday, Sept. 7. 

Anoka-Hennepin will continue to prioritize protecting the health and safety for staff and students and monitor any impact of COVID-19 on school operations. The following guidance is being provided now to families in advance of the school year to support planning decisions about the upcoming year. 

Learning formats

• All students will return to in-person learning five days a week; those requesting distance learning need to enroll in a K-12 virtual academy online school option now offered in Anoka-Hennepin. The A/B hybrid learning format will also not be offered in 2021-22. 
• Students will not be able to move between in-person and distance learning/virtual programs with the same freedom as they experienced last year. The elementary and middle school virtual academy online school programs are a full-year commitment for students. Learn details of the high school program or to register at any level visit ahschools.us/virtualschool. 

Face coverings/masks

• Face coverings/masks are not required for either students or staff but are recommended for those not vaccinated. This guidance applies both inside buildings or in outdoor settings.
• Face coverings/masks are required on student transportation. This is a federal requirement and not a rule under the authority of the school district. 

Health and safety protocols 

• The district will maintain the Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization system and enhanced air quality standards, hand sanitizer stations, encourage hand washing, and continue enhanced cleaning methods as strategies to protect students and staff.
• Students and staff with confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be asked to quarantine or isolate and will be limited to household members based on recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health. Please notify health service at your students' school if symptoms or positive tests for COVID-19 occur. School will not conduct contact tracing initially unless circumstances require.
• Social distancing is not required; no group size limits (assemblies, concerts, etc). This will continue to be monitored and could change based on conditions in the school setting. 

Vaccinations and testing

• COVID-19 vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 are not required by the school district. 

Other frequently asked questions

• Student meals will be provided at no charge for the second consecutive year due to a program funded through the federal government. High school students will need to use their student identification card for meals.  
• Volunteers will begin to serve in school settings although the timeline has yet to be established. 
• Visitors at the elementary school level will continue to be limited until students are eligible for vaccinations. 
• Field trips and travel for school programs will be restored. Details will be shared by schools and program coordinators based on the situation. 
• Families who need alternate bus stops for daycare, or that are enrolled in Adventures Plus in the upcoming school year must complete a daycare transportation request form by July 30 to ensure school bus service the first day of school.

This information is based on current guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education as of mid-July and guidance could change based on further direction.   

Register now: Let us know you’re coming to school

Families who are returning their students to Anoka-Hennepin this fall are asked to complete online “back to school” verification now to aid the district in providing staffing for the upcoming year. Parents/guardians can log into the “My Student Information” program on A-HConnect to complete the forms, accessible via the lock and key on the upper right corner of the ahschool.us website. Contact 763-506-HELP (4357) for technology assistance, username or password help or other program questions.  

(03/12/2021) As Anoka-Hennepin ends trimester two and approaches spring break, thank you once again for your continued support of our schools. 

With almost 80% of students returning to school in person, regular weekly updates will discontinue. The district will only send communications when pertinent information needs to be shared.

The following topics will be shared in this week’s update:

• Key dates for trimester three.
• Middle and high schools asynchronous day switch set for week of April 12.
• MDH suggests COVID-19 tests to keep schools open.
• Registration open for virtual school, open houses set.
• No distance learning meals available March 15 or 22; date and time change for next pickup.
• March 12 Gov. Walz announcement: Schools will share plans for spring activities and events after spring break. 

Make sure to check out the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website as an additional resource. 

Key dates for trimester three

After spring break, trimester three begins. Please be aware of the following dates as Anoka-Hennepin continues in-person learning for elementary schools and returns to in-person learning for middle and high schools:

• Monday, March 22 is a staff planning day for all schools, no school for students.  
• Tuesday, March 23 is a staff development day for high schools, no school for high school students only. Elementary and middle school students return to school. 
• Wednesday, March 24, high schools will return to school.
• Monday, March 29, asynchronous learning day (Hybrid C) for high school students and no school for all other students. 
• Monday, April 5 is a staff development day for all schools, no school for students. 

 

Middle and high schools asynchronous day switch set for week of April 12

Middle and high school students attending school four days per week will be switching those days of in-person attendance starting the week of April 12. Starting that week, the asynchronous learning day (Hybrid C) will be switching from Mondays to Fridays, with the exception of the week of May 31 (Memorial Day), until the end of the school year. Students will attend school on Friday, June 4 in person that week. It’s anticipated that this is the final calendar adjustment for the school year, but please remain alert for possible additional changes as the school year continues. 

MDH suggests COVID-19 tests to keep schools open

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) suggests students and parents/guardians get tested for COVID-19 every two weeks in order to limit virus spread and keep schools open. Visit the state’s testing locations website or reach out to a health care provider for details. 

Registration open for virtual school, open houses set 

For the 2021-22 school year, families interested in continuing virtual learning can do so via the Anoka-Hennepin virtual school options. Registration is open now with virtual open house opportunities March 23 and April 8 for those wanting to learn more.   

No distance learning meals available March 15 or 22; date and time change for next pickup

With spring break set for March 15-19, distance learning meals will not be offered on March 15 or 22. Meals for distance learning students for the week of March 22 will now be picked up on Friday, March 26 at a new time of 3:30-5:30 p.m. at district high schools. Visit ahschools.us/COVID-19meals for more information.

 

March 12 Gov. Walz announcement: Schools will share plans for spring activities and events after spring break

Anoka-Hennepin is reviewing the Governor’s announcement today in relation to how it impacts spring activities such as prom, graduation and musical programs. Additional information will be shared by your student’s school after spring break when more details are finalized.

Update 36 is the final scheduled communication 

With the majority of students returning to school in person, regular weekly updates will discontinue. Anoka-Hennepin will only send communications when pertinent information needs to be shared. Thank you for your attention to this information and your ongoing support of your student(s) throughout this school year.

As the calendar changes to March, our schools too are shifting to even brighter days. It’s been a year since the pandemic started and at Anoka-Hennepin more and more students are entering our schools on a daily basis since the shift in learning last spring, with even more middle and high school students expected soon. 

The following topics will be shared in this week’s update:

• Middle and high school asynchronous day switched from Monday, March 8, to Friday, March 12; no school March 23 for high school students; other calendar notes.
• Middle and high schools: in-person learning compared to hybrid learning.
• MDH suggests families get tested for COVID-19 regularly to keep schools open.
• Quarantine length shortened for school and activities. 
• No distance learning meals available March 15 or 22; date and time change for next pickup. 
• Registration open for Anoka-Hennepin’s virtual schools next school year. 

Make sure to check out the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website as an additional resource. 

Middle and high school asynchronous day switched from Monday, March 8, to Friday, March 12; no school March 23 for high school students; other calendar notes 

As Anoka-Hennepin continues to adjust to challenges related to the pandemic, changes for middle and high school students are necessary.

Middle and high school asynchronous day switched from Monday, March 8 to Friday, March 12. Anoka-Hennepin will switch Monday, March 8 and Tuesday, March 9 to Hybrid A days while Wednesday, March 10 and Thursday, March 11 will become Hybrid B days. Friday, March 12 will be an asynchronous day. No school for high school on Tuesday, March 23; Asynchronous learning day (Hybrid C) for high school only on Monday, March 29. The middle school and elementary schedules remain unchanged. 

 

Key dates following spring break

The three Mondays following were previously scheduled staff planning or development days, including, Monday, March 22, 29 and April 5. 

• Middle school students will start in-person learning on Tuesday, March 23 and high school students will start with full in-person learning on Wednesday, March 24. Please remain alert to additional changes to the school calendar as the school year continues. 
• On Monday, March 29, elementary and middle schools will have staff development as planned and high schools will have an asynchronous day (Hybrid C).
• Refer to the print-friendly K-12 calendar for more information. 

 

Middle and high schools: in-person learning compared to hybrid learning 

A new resource is available for middle and high school families preparing for in-person learning to start trimester three. A chart now shows the differences between hybrid and in-person learning for day-to-day activities like transportation, movement between classes and lunch. Take a look. 

MDH suggests families get tested for COVID-19 regularly to keep schools open

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) suggests students and parents/guardians get tested for COVID-19 every two weeks in order to limit virus spread and keep schools open. Visit the state’s testing locations website or reach out to a health care provider for details. 

Quarantine length shortened for school and activities

The Illness and Quarantine Guidelines have been updated for person B2, a close contact of someone who is not living in the same household. Essentially, the quarantine length has shortened in some cases. Please take a look at the infographic for more information. Contact your school nurse for specific questions regarding quarantine length.

No distance learning meals available March 15 or 22; date and time change for next pickup

With spring break set for March 15-19, distance learning meals will not be offered on March 15 or 22. Meals for distance learning students for the week of March 22 will now be picked up on Friday, March 26 at a new time of 3:30-5:30 p.m. at district high schools. Visit ahschools.us/COVID-19meals for more information.

Registration open for Anoka-Hennepin’s virtual schools next school year

The enrollment window is open for families interested in continuing virtual learning for their student(s) next school year. Anoka-Hennepin is planning now for virtual schools for students in grades K-12, with classes to begin in fall 2021.  

To register/enroll, parents/guardians should access the virtual school enrollment form. Registration will continue through Friday, April 16.

Anoka-Hennepin will conduct virtual open house events to provide an overview of the schools, answer questions and help parents/guardians and students determine if this option is the right fit for their educational needs. Virtual open houses will be 60 minutes in length or shorter and be held at the following dates and times, select the link to confirm a spot at the open house.  

• 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23. 
• 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 8.
• 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 8.   

The virtual online schools will offer the Anoka-Hennepin curriculum, provide student support services and follow district policies for in-district transfers, open enrollment and student performance standards. Computers will be provided to students who need them and learning will be supported by an enhanced technology platform. There is no additional cost to attend the virtual online schools in Anoka-Hennepin. For more information regarding online learning visit ahschools.us/virtualschool or email virtualschool@ahschools.us.

Taking a look at Anoka-Hennepin since the start of 2021, middle and high schools are now in their second successful week of hybrid learning and elementary schools in their sixth successful week of in-person learning. Some middle and high school students will start in-person learning, four days a week, next week with all having chosen this learning model expected the week of March 22. Distance learning will continue to be the learning model choice for thousands of students. The district continues to encourage students to attend school in person. 

The following topics will be shared in this week’s update:

• Setting the expectations for temporary distance learning transitions and school closures.
• Why has Anoka-Hennepin decided on a four day week for middle and high schools? Why can’t middle and high schools follow the five day week like elementary schools?
• Final days: Opportunity to update trimester three learning model for middle and high school families.
• Calendar changes to address concerns related to the pandemic.
• MDH suggests families get tested for COVID-19 regularly to keep schools open.
• CDC recommends no travel amid COVID-19.
• District virtual online schools starting up in the 2021-22 school year; take interest survey TODAY for more info later.

Make sure to check out the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website as an additional resource. 

Setting the expectations for temporary distance learning transitions and school closures

An update of the MN Safe Learning Plan provides new language and direction to assist with decision making for possible schoolwide transitions to distance learning or closing school. An important change now emphasizes the use of school-level health data and staff capacities in addition to county level health data when making decisions about learning models or operating school. Managing schools becomes much more localized under this approach, reducing the expectation of a districtwide distance learning transition or closure and leading to two scenarios most likely to happen regarding learning model shifts or closures. 

When would an entire school shift to distance learning?

A decision to transition an entire school to distance learning will be considered if student or employee confirmed cases of COVID-19 or influenza-like illness impact the ability to offer school in person. To limit exposure and control spread, students will attend school in the distance learning format for a 14 day period. The school will announce the transition details with parents/guardians providing as much time as possible to allow for planning. 

The MN Safe Learning Plan now includes language the district will reference for decision-making: 

If a school is operating in an in-person or hybrid learning model and “the number of students and school staff who are absent or who are sent home with influenza- or COVID-19-like illness reaches approximately 5% of the total number of students and staff in a school within a single week,” schools should reach out to their Regional Support Team and are strongly encouraged to discuss whether a transition to a more restrictive learning model is necessary.

Please consider that the 5% threshold is a starting point for discussion and schools may be able to operate, depending on circumstances. The district will exhaust all other options prior to making a decision to move to distance learning.  

Temporary closure due to staff capacity issue

With a substitute teacher pool that is smaller than previous years and an increasing number of districts reopening and hiring substitutes, schools are starting to be challenged to find substitute teachers during the pandemic and may be in a situation where unfilled staff absences limit the ability to offer school in either the in-person or distance learning format. In this situation, a school or limited number of schools may be closed for the day and students will have a non-school day, similar to a traditional “snow day.” If a day is cancelled in this manner, employees may be reassigned to provide needed support in another district building for the day. This is likely a one day closure and school will resume the next scheduled day unless other notice is sent. The district will use this as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted. 

While the district cannot predict if and when these scenarios may impact schools, parents/guardians are encouraged to be aware and prepared to take action should these actions be deemed necessary. Please also know that a notice would come from the school principal with specified date(s) if either of these situations were to happen. This message is simply to bring awareness. 

For additional information and answers to frequently asked questions on Anoka-Hennepin’s pandemic response visit ahschools.us.COVID-19.

Why has Anoka-Hennepin decided on a four day week for middle and high schools? Why can’t middle and high schools follow the five day week like elementary schools? 

Anoka-Hennepin has received questions on why elementary schools have five days of full in-person learning and middle and high schools four days. Every metro area school district is using some modified schedule or calendar adjustment to accommodate in person and distance learning. Some districts have shortened each school day by up to an hour, this is not an option in Anoka-Hennepin as it would also shorten our elementary school schedule unnecessarily. Like most districts, Anoka-Hennepin has planned for the four day week.  

The following information is provided to explain this decision:

• All Minnesota school districts are required to offer distance learning to families for the entire 2020-21 school year.
• Currently there are over 10,000 distance learners in Anoka-Hennepin.
• At the elementary school level, almost all teachers are licensed to teach every grade level and subject. This allows for the district to assign a large number of teachers to distance learning classes for groups of students for the full school day. Almost all elementary teachers either teach only in person or only distance learning.  
• At the middle and high school level, the fourteen unique departments require teachers to hold one of almost 40 unique licenses. School districts are required to assign an appropriately licensed teacher to every course. Combining this with the over 200 unique courses offered at five separate school sites each trimester, the district is not able to schedule separate distance learning and in person courses for students and maintain student schedules as families expect.
• With the goal of keeping all students in the courses they enrolled in last spring, the district is running the regular trimester three schedule and offering distance learning synchronously.  
• Teaching distance learners and in-person students at the same time is significantly more challenging than teaching in either format separately. For this reason, the state requires districts to provide additional prep time equivalent to 2.5 hours per week. The remainder of the time on asynchronous days is used to provide additional support for distance learners and any student who is struggling or needs support. 
   

Final days: Opportunity to update trimester three learning model for middle and high school families 

With the move to in-person learning four days per week for middle and high schools in March, parents/guardians will be given an additional week to contact their school and share if they still want to keep their student in distance learning. 

Data from trimester one suggests that students attending in person are much more likely to be successful academically and receive social or emotional support. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to choose the in person option for their students. Distance learners will experience a higher percentage of asynchronous learning. In some cases, students that maintain the distance learning option may be rescheduled to other teachers in order to manage class sizes and maximize safety protocols at school. 

In response to this information, middle and high school students will be scheduled in person, parents/guardians that still prefer the distance learning model should contact their school and share this option. Sorry for the inconvenience of an additional call, but the district wants to make sure parents/guardians are informed before committing to a learning model. 

Calendar changes to address concerns related to the pandemic: Middle and high school asynchronous day switched from Monday, March 8, to Friday, March 12; no school March 23 for high school students; other calendar notes

As Anoka-Hennepin continues to adjust to challenges related to the pandemic, changes for middle and high school students are necessary. 

Middle and high school asynchronous day switched from Monday, March 8 to Friday, March 12

Middle and high school students will start their week in person on Monday, March 8. To ensure district operations, Anoka-Hennepin will switch Monday, March 8 and Tuesday, March 9 to Hybrid A days while Wednesday, March 10 and Thursday, March 11 will become Hybrid B days. Friday, March 12 will be an asynchronous day. Individual schools may have additional planning direction for employees based on this action. Details will be shared in individual messaging at the school level.  

No school for high school on Tuesday, March 23; Asynchronous learning day Monday, March 29

At the Feb. 22 meeting of the Anoka-Hennepin School Board, a change in the high school schedule was approved. This action makes Tuesday, March 23 a professional development day for high school students only and students will not come to school. The professional development day set for Monday, March 29 has been changed to an asynchronous learning day (Hybrid C) day for high school.

Key dates following spring break

Spring break is scheduled from March 15-19. The three Mondays following were previously scheduled staff planning or development days, including, Monday, March 22, 29 and April 5. With the transition to in-person learning, Monday, March 22 remains the same. Tuesday, March 23 is now a professional development day, but for high schools only, elementary and middle schools will have school. On Monday, March 29, elementary and middle schools will have staff development as planned and high schools will instead be asynchronously in session. Monday, April 5 remains the same. Refer to the print-friendly calendar for more information. 

Middle school students will start in-person learning on Tuesday, March 23 and high school students will start with full in-person learning on Wednesday, March 24. Please remain alert to additional changes to the school calendar as the school year continues. 

MDH suggests families get tested for COVID-19 regularly to keep schools open

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) suggests students and parents/guardians get tested for COVID-19 every two weeks in order to limit virus spread and keep schools open. Visit the state’s testing locations website or reach out to a health care provider for details. 

CDC continues to recommend no travel amid COVID-19 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends no travel at this time. Anoka-Hennepin will continue using the following guidance for students and employees regarding coming to school that includes monitoring your symptoms and not coming to school if you’re sick. COVID-19 tests are recommended for those who demonstrate symptoms. Students and employees who still choose to travel should continue to monitor their health and get tested. Visit the CDC website for more information. 

District virtual online schools starting up in the 2021-22 school year; take interest survey TODAY for more info later 

For students and families who want to continue virtual learning next school year, Anoka-Hennepin will offer formal elementary, middle and high school virtual online programs. A high school program, StepAhead Online, has existed since 2014. 

Program details, information sessions and applications for the school will be available this spring as plans are finalized. Families that are interested in learning more at that time are asked to fill out the interest form by today, Friday, Feb. 26.

Anoka-Hennepin continues the pathway to returning more middle and high school students back to in-person learning. The following topics will be shared in this week’s update:

• Middle and high schools plan for more in-person school, hybrid model phasing out.
• Opportunity to update trimester three learning model for middle and high school families. 
• Options for struggling learners to return to school more frequently prior to March 22. 
• District virtual online schools starting up in the 2021-22 school year; take interest survey for more info later.

Make sure to check out the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website as an additional resource. 

 

Middle and high schools plan for more in-person school, hybrid model phasing out

The recent updates to the MN Safe Learning Plan include new guidance for middle and high schools. While school districts are still encouraged to consider county level COVID-19 cases as a starting point, schools are now encouraged to also use local metrics like the percent of cases among staff and students in a given school. This plan also allows schools to operate classrooms with a recommended three feet of social distancing and lunchrooms with less than three feet of social distancing. Staff are still strongly encouraged to maintain six feet of social distancing as much as possible, noting that this will be challenging in some spaces. Staff are also encouraged to use two face coverings or a face covering and a face shield. These continue to be recommendations, not requirements.

Using this guidance, and including the downward trend of county COVID-19 cases, Anoka-Hennepin Schools is planning to bring students back to school in person four days per week starting the week of March 22. Trimester three will begin with in-person learning and not operate in the hybrid model. 

Why is the district unable to offer a five day a week return? The answer to this question is based on requirements set in place by the Minnesota Department of Education. In August, all parents/guardians were informed that distance learning would be an option for the entire 2020-21 school year. The language from the MN Safe Learning Plan is highlighted below:

“All school districts and charter schools must offer an equitable distance learning option to all families who choose not to attend in-person learning due to medical risks or any other safety concerns. Families are not required to provide documentation of risk.”

The school district cannot mandate all parents/guardians return to school for trimester three. In addition, in November, all Minnesota school districts were required to provide additional time for any teacher that has students both in person and online. The following language is from Executive Order 20-94:

“A school district or charter school must count 30 minutes per day for teacher preparation to provide instruction to students in distance learning or a distance learning or hybrid learning model, as instructional time toward meeting the minimum hours required by Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 120A.41. This teacher preparation time is for students receiving instruction in distance learning or a distance learning or hybrid model.” 

As long as the district has families choosing distance learning, middle and high school teachers will need this additional time to support those students. Throughout this school year, Anoka-Hennepin has been providing this time all at once on Mondays, and asking teachers to use the remainder of the day to connect with distance learners. For this reason, one day per week will be set aside for additional preparation time, asynchronous instruction and support for the nearly 10,000 students attending school in the distance learning model. 

Note that some districts are offering “distance learning in school” five days a week. Some of these districts keep their students in the same classroom all day and offer instruction online. These districts are not required to provide the additional preparation time since teachers are only teaching in one format, distance learning. Based on feedback from parents/guardians throughout the year, Anoka-Hennepin is choosing to minimize online learning in school as much as possible, and to have students follow their schedule and work directly with teachers as much as possible. 

 

Opportunity to update trimester three learning model for middle and high school families

With the move to in-person learning four days per week in March, parents/guardians will be given an additional week to contact their school and share if they still want to keep their student in distance learning. Data from trimester one suggests that students attending in person are much more likely to be successful academically and receive social or emotional support. All parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to choose the in person option for their students. Distance learners will experience a higher percentage of asynchronous learning. In some cases, students that maintain the distance learning option may be rescheduled to other teachers in order to manage class sizes and maximize safety protocols at school. In response to this information, middle and high school students will be scheduled in person, parents/guardians that still prefer the distance learning model should contact their school and share this option. We apologize for the inconvenience of an additional call, but want to make sure parents/guardians are informed before committing to a learning model. 

 

Options for struggling learners to return to school more frequently prior to March 22

The district is aware that there are some students that can’t wait until mid-March to receive additional support. Middle and high school parents/guardians who have students at risk of failing or in need of more frequent socio-emotional support are encouraged to reach out to school administration to determine if four days per week starting March 1 is an appropriate option. 

 

District virtual online schools starting up in the 2021-22 school year; take interest survey for more info later 

For students and families who want to continue virtual learning next school year, Anoka-Hennepin will offer formal elementary, middle and high school virtual online programs. A high school program, StepAhead Online, has existed since 2014. 

Program details, information sessions and applications for the school will be available this spring as plans are finalized. Families that are interested in learning more at that time are asked to fill out the interest form by Friday, Feb. 26. 

The schools will offer the Anoka-Hennepin curriculum, provide student support services and follow district policies for in-district transfers, open enrollment and student performance standards. Computers will be provided to students who need them and learning will be supported by an enhanced technology platform.

Next week our district will be welcoming back additional middle and high school students. 

Barring significant changes, update 33 will be shared early March, at the end of trimester two. However, new information is expected to be shared in the days ahead. The district will share any such updates as soon as it becomes available. Please continue to reach out to your student’s school if you have any questions or concerns. 

The following topics will be shared in this week’s update:

• Students all in: Remaining middle and high school grades return in person Feb. 16 in hybrid model.
• COVID-19: Needlepoint bipolar ionization clears the air for safety. 
• With no school on Presidents Day, distance learning meal pick up will instead take place on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
• District virtual online schools starting up in the 2021-22 school year; take interest survey for more info later.

Make sure to check out the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website as an additional resource.

REMINDER: Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 15: no school for students or staff. 

 

Students all in: Remaining middle and high school grades return in person Feb. 16 in hybrid model

Students in grades 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 will return to in-person learning in the hybrid model starting Tuesday, Feb. 16 with Cohort A. This does not include those who selected distance learning for trimester two. Students assigned to A days will come to school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Students assigned to B days will come to school on Thursdays and Fridays.

Updated bus schedules are now available to all middle and high school families in the My Student Information application via A-HConnect. Please note, a minimal amount of changes were made. 

 

COVID-19: Needlepoint bipolar ionization system provides new safety layer  

As students return to school facilities they’ll have visible reminders of social distancing, face covering wearing, hand hygiene and systems in place to protect their health and maximize safety. Since leaving for distance learning in November, Anoka-Hennepin has installed needlepoint bipolar ionization systems at all district owned buildings. Should COVID-19 be present in a school facility, the system will eliminate 99.4% of the virus within 30 minutes (92.6% within 15 minutes and 84.2% within 10 minutes). Learn more on how the bipolar ionization system works (three minute video). 

Anoka-Hennepin has met or exceeded all health and safety measures recommended and required in the MN Safe Learning Plan and involved employees, union leadership and community members in COVID-19 planning and mitigation since May 2020. 

Follow COVID-19 laboratory confirmed person(s) in Anoka-Hennepin at ahschools.us/COVID-19tracker.

 

With no school on Presidents Day, distance learning meal pick up will instead take place on Tuesday, Feb. 16

During a five-day school week, families picking up distance learning meals typically do so on Mondays at district high schools. With school being out on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 15, families are asked to instead pick up distance learning meals on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at district high schools. Go to ahschools.us/COVID-19meals for more information.

 

District virtual online schools starting up in the 2021-22 school year; take interest survey for more info later 

For students and families who want to continue virtual learning next school year, Anoka-Hennepin will offer formal elementary, middle and high school virtual online programs. A high school program, StepAhead Online, has existed since 2014. 

Program details, information sessions and applications for the school will be available this spring as plans are finalized. Families that are interested in learning more at that time are asked to fill out the interest form by Friday, Feb. 26. 

The schools will offer the Anoka-Hennepin curriculum, provide student support services and follow district policies for in-district transfers, open enrollment and student performance standards. Computers will be provided to students who need them and learning will be supported by an enhanced technology platform.

 

NEXT UPDATE: Update 33 is programmed for Friday, March 5.

Thank you for your continued support of our schools as the district continues a phased, “rolling start” approach to returning to in-person learning over the weeks ahead. 

The following topics will be shared in this week’s update:

• COVID-19: Isolation, first 48 hours are key for quarantine decisions.
• Trimester three learning format change window open now, closes Feb. 12.
• Grade 9 students to return in person through the hybrid learning model on Feb. 9; grades 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 on Feb. 16.
• With no school on Presidents Day, distance learning meal pick up will instead take place on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
• Use the bus app for real-time transportation information.

Make sure to check out the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website as an additional resource. 

COVID-19: Isolation, first 48 hours are key for quarantine decisions

Anoka-Hennepin’s protocols and procedures follow direction from the Minnesota Department of Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which directs that should a person be exposed to another with COVID-19, within the first 48 hours after, the ability to develop symptoms and infect others is extremely limited. The incubation period to exhibit symptoms and become infectious to others for COVID-19 is published at 2-14 days by the CDC.  

While the district health services will complete contact tracing and notify students and staff of the need to quarantine or take other action most likely in much less time, there is no need to require immediate quarantine to improve safety. 

From an operational perspective, this means that during this first window of time students may continue their regular routine at school that day at no greater risk than others in the building. Parents/guardians are not called to come to school and transport students and they’re allowed to stay in classrooms and return home as planned without jeopardizing their health or the health of others. 

Follow COVID-19 laboratory confirmed person(s) in Anoka-Hennepin at ahschools.us/COVID-19tracker.

Trimester three learning format change window open now, closes Feb. 12 

The window for parents/guardians of Anoka-Hennepin students to change learning models for trimester three is open now through 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12. Schools communicated the process to request a learning model change this week with parents/guardians.  

Please review these planning parameters and actions parent/guardians can take to select a new learning format:

• Parents/guardians who desire to change learning formats should contact the main office at school to coordinate the transition by 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12.   
• Phone and email contacts are listed at the bottom of each school’s website at ahschools.us.
• Middle and high school students are strongly encouraged to attend school in-person.  
• Students will remain in their current learning model unless a parent/guardian contacts the school office for a change. 
• Schools notified parents/guardians directly with this information on Thursday, Feb. 4.
• Although unlikely, the district still needs to collect learning model preferences in the event schools are not in the same model for the entire trimester due to potential changes in the MN Safe Learning Plan guidance.  
• Parents/guardians can switch learning formats to distance learning at any time during the trimester by contacting the school to make the request. 

Please contact the main office at the school your student attends if you have questions or need additional support.  

Grade 9 students to return in person through the hybrid learning model on Feb. 9; grades 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 on Feb. 16

Ninth grade students will return to in-person learning using the hybrid learning model with Cohort A students on Tuesday, Feb. 9, while in-person learning using the hybrid learning model for students in grades 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 will start Tuesday, Feb. 16 with Cohort A. This does not include those who selected distance learning for trimester two. 

Updated bus schedules are now available to all middle and high school families in the My Student Information application via A-HConnect. Please note, only small changes are expected.

 

With no school on Presidents Day, distance learning meal pick up will instead take place on Tuesday, Feb. 16

During a five-day school week, families picking up distance learning meals typically do so on Mondays at district high schools. With school being out on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 15, families are asked to instead pick up distance learning meals on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at district high schools. Go to ahschools.us/COVID-19meals for more information.   

Use the bus app for real-time transportation information

With the predicted cold weather, parents/guardians are encouraged to use the bus app for real-time transportation information. Any significant delays will be shared directly with parents/guardians via the AHlert notification system. Refer to the district’s dressing for cold weather webpage for more tips.

Thank you for your continued support of our schools as the district continues a phased, “rolling start” approach to returning to in-person learning over the weeks ahead. 

The following topics will be shared in this week’s update:

• Grade three, four and five to return to in-person learning Monday.
• Sixth grade students return to in-person learning in the hybrid model Tuesday; ninth grade to follow Feb. 9 and grades 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 on Feb. 16; no school for all high school students on Feb 5. and Feb. 8.
• Quarantine/isolation process updated this week.

Make sure to check out the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website as an additional resource. 

Grade three, four and five to return to in-person learning Monday

Anoka-Hennepin schools will build on the “rolling start” return of elementary students to in-person learning with the return of students in grades three-five (3-5) on Monday, Feb. 1. As a reminder, this full-time in-person learning transition only applies to students that selected the hybrid learning format for trimester two. Elementary students that chose distance learning for trimester two will remain in that format for the second trimester, through Friday, March 12. Parents/guardians will have the option to select preferred learning models for the third trimester in mid-February. Please remain alert for details on that process in a future communication. 

When elementary students return in-person, they may notice some changes from school in the hybrid format at 50 percent capacity in the fall. View this document that demonstrates some of the differences. 

Updated bus schedules are now available on the My Student Information application via A-HConnect. Small changes are expected for some families with the change in bus capacity limits.  

What learning format is assigned to your student? Parents and guardians can confirm their requests for learning formats for trimester two on the My Student Information application via A-HConnect. This feature allows for viewing of the learning format type, not the ability to request a change in learning formats. 

Before-and after-school child care is available at all elementary schools. Adventures Plus is now accepting registrations for the remainder of the school year. Space is available at all elementary schools. Learn more.

Sixth grade students return to in-person learning in the hybrid model Tuesday; ninth grade to follow Feb. 9 and grades 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 on Feb. 16; no school for all high school students on Feb 5. and Feb. 8

The MN Safe Learning Plan allows students in kindergarten to grade six to return to in-person hybrid instruction. As a result, Anoka-Hennepin will be returning students in sixth grade to in-person learning using the hybrid learning model the first week of February. District middle school instructional and support staff will utilize Friday, Jan. 29 and Monday Feb. 1 for planning so there will be no school for all middle school students, including students who will continue with the distance learning model. Cohort A will begin the in-person portion of their hybrid learning on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Be alert for additional information and details in communications provided from schools. 

Ninth grade students will return to in-person learning using the hybrid learning model the second week of February. District high school instructional and support staff will utilize Friday, Feb. 5 and Monday Feb. 8 for planning so there will be no school for all high school students, including students who will continue with the distance learning model. Cohort A will begin the in-person portion of their hybrid learning on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Be alert for additional information and details in communications provided from schools. 

Anoka-Hennepin continues to monitor public health data and work with the Minnesota departments of education and health on a plan to return all middle and high school students back to in-person learning. Anoka-Hennepin plans to begin in-person learning using the hybrid learning model for students in grades 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 starting Tuesday, Feb. 16. This does not include those who selected distance learning for trimester two. 

Anoka-Hennepin Regional High School and Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School students will return to in-person learning in the hybrid learning model starting Tuesday, Feb. 2. Previous announcements included a decision to transition to full in-person learning. That direction has changed in order to align with other high school formats in Anoka-Hennepin.

Updated bus schedules are now available to all middle and high school families in the My Student Information application via A-HConnect. Please note, only small changes are expected.

Guidance in the MN Safe Learning Plan continues to be revised. Please remain alert to updates and continue to check the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website for more information. 

Quarantine/isolation process updated this week

Anoka-Hennepin continues protecting the health and safety of students and the employees who serve them by isolating persons with COVID-19 and directing quarantine and distance learning for those in close contact. The district is following Minnesota Department of Health protocols. 

Staff and parents/guardians are reminded to keep themselves or student home if they’re sick. Person(s) with illness will be immediately removed from school.

Staff who are in close contact with a laboratory confirmed COVID-19 person(s) will receive notification from their principal/site supervisor or nurse, as well as any direction on temporary moves to distance learning. Parents/guardians who have students that are close contacts will receive a phone call, email and text from the principal or a direct phone call from the nurse to make them aware of their student’s contact with a laboratory confirmed COVID-19 person(s) as well as a temporary change to distance learning and the need to take action to monitor their student for symptoms. 

Staff and parents/guardians who have students that are not determined to be a close contact to a person with COVID-19 are not considered at a higher risk to the general population and should not expect to receive communication. 

The district continues to get questions from staff and families about travel related quarantine. Guidance is expected to be received from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The district does not have a recommendation currently, but expects to provide an update as new information is available. Those who travel should monitor their health conditions carefully and get tested if they suspect they’re infected.  

Follow COVID-19 laboratory confirmed person(s) in Anoka-Hennepin at ahschools.us/COVID-19tracker.

Thank you for your continued support of our schools as the district begins a phased, “rolling start” approach to returning to in-person learning over the weeks ahead. 

The following topics will be shared in this week’s update:

• Elementary in-person learning begins with more students to return Feb. 1. 
• Middle and high schools: Sixth grade students to return in hybrid learning model on Feb. 2, other grades mid-February.
• Middle and high schools: Current plan is to return Grades 7-12 starting Feb. 16.
• Quarantine/isolation: Process looks different with more students in person.
• School Zone flashing signs are undergoing maintenance.

Make sure to check out the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website as an additional resource. 

Elementary in-person learning begins with more students to return Feb. 1

Anoka-Hennepin schools will build on the “rolling start” return of elementary students to in-person learning with the return of students in grades three-five (3-5) beginning on Feb. 1. As a reminder, this full-time in-person learning transition only applies to students that selected the hybrid learning format for trimester two. Elementary students that chose distance learning for trimester two will remain in that format for the second trimester, through Friday, March 12. Parents/guardians will have the option to select preferred learning models for the third trimester in mid-February. Please remain alert for details on that process in a future communication. 

When elementary students return in-person, they may notice some changes from school in the hybrid format at 50 percent capacity in the fall. View this document that demonstrates some of the differences. Additional details will be shared in Update 30, shared Friday, Jan 29. 

Updated bus schedules are now available on the My Student Information application via A-HConnect. Small changes are expected for some families with the change in bus capacity limits.  

What learning format is assigned to your student? Parents and guardians can confirm their requests for learning formats for trimester two on the My Student Information application via A-HConnect. This feature allows for viewing of the learning format type, not the ability to request a change in learning formats. 

Before-and after-school child care is available at all elementary schools. Adventures Plus is now accepting registrations for the remainder of the school year. Space is available at all elementary schools. Learn more.

Middle and high schools: Sixth grade students to return in hybrid learning model on Feb. 2, other grades mid-February

The MN Safe Learning Plan allows students in kindergarten to grade six to return to in-person instruction. As a result, Anoka-Hennepin will be returning students in sixth grade to in-person learning using the hybrid learning model starting the week of Feb. 1. District middle school instructional and support staff will utilize Friday, Jan. 29 and Monday Feb. 1 for planning so there will be no school for all middle school students, including students who will continue with the distance learning model. Hybrid Cohort A will begin in-person learning on Feb. 2. Be alert for additional information and details in communications provided from schools. 

Students at Anoka-Hennepin Regional High School and Anoka-Hennepin Technical High School will transition from hybrid to in-person learning, four-days a week starting Feb. 2. Details have been provided to those students directly by the school in another message. 

Middle and high schools: Current plan is to return grades 7-12 in hybrid learning model on Feb. 16

Anoka-Hennepin continues to monitor public health data and work with the Minnesota departments of education and health on a plan to return middle and high school students back to in-person learning. As the data is trending currently, Anoka-Hennepin plans to begin in-person learning in the hybrid learning format for all remaining students in grades 7-12 starting Tuesday, Feb. 16. This does not include those who selected distance learning for trimester two. Additional information will be included in Update 31, which will be shared Friday, Feb. 5.

A few notes on the hybrid and distance learning models:

• On-site academic support may be available in school buildings. Parents/guardians or students can review available options and determine a plan for support by contacting their school counselor directly.   
• Mental health and social-emotional support is available. Students benefit from a system of mental health and social-emotional support. School social workers, school counselors, mental health therapists and other caring adults are trained and available to provide support. Parents/guardians and students should contact their school social workers and/or school counselors to review options.  
• Meals will continue to be served to students in distance learning. Please note that the process for picking up distance learning meals changed on Jan. 4. Refer to the COVID-19 website for details. All meals will continue to be free until federal funding is exhausted.   

Guidance in the MN Safe Learning Plan continues to be revised. Please remain alert to updates and continue to check the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website for more information. 

Quarantine/isolation: Process looks different with more students in person

Anoka-Hennepin health staff works with the Minnesota Department of Health to recommend quarantine or isolation for staff and students to protect public health. As students return to in-person learning with full classrooms schools should prepare for more classroom or program level decisions on quarantine.

When a student exhibits COVID-19 symptoms that would warrant isolation and potentially testing or a student tests positive for COVID-19, the school district will begin contact tracing for that student.

Since elementary students are organized in classrooms or pods that are socially distanced at a minimum of three feet, in many cases contact tracing will not be possible and decisions about quarantine will impact the entire class. Communication will be with the impacted staff and students and their parents/guardians and will not likely escalate to the school or district level. Should you hear of a student or staff member having COVID-19 and you haven’t been contacted through contact tracing, you’re considered at no higher risk than any other person and you should continue with your regular routine.  

The district continues to get questions from staff and families about travel related quarantine. We are waiting for additional guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The district does not have a recommendation currently but expects to provide an update as new information is available. Those who travel should monitor their health conditions carefully and get tested if they suspect they are infected.

 

School Zone flashing signs undergoing maintenance in Anoka County, temporarily not in use

Reducing speeds when students are present around schools helps keep it safe for all involved. A system of advance warning yellow flashing signs and end school zone signs work in cooperation with radar speed feedback displays to ensure motorists slow down and maximize safety. Anoka County is currently upgrading the yellow flashing signs with improved capability, and they will be out of use until the project is programmed to be completed in February. Law enforcement has been made aware of the situation. 

All other elements of the student school safety program remain in effect including trained crossing guards and traffic controllers and the advance warning and end school zone signs. This signage issue only impacts Anoka County locations, systems in Hennepin County will continue to operate as expected. 

Anoka-Hennepin Schools operates a system of safety to protect students that includes school zone signage, crossing guards, traffic controllers, bus tracker app, and bus safety information shared with students. Visit ahschools.us/transportation.

(01/15/2021) Thank you for your continued support of our schools as the district begins a phased, “rolling start” approach to returning to in-person learning over the weeks and months ahead. 

 

This update includes: 

• Elementary: In-person learning begins on Tuesday, more grades added on Feb. 1
• Middle and high school: Grade 6 to return in hybrid model on Feb. 2, no school for middle school on Jan. 29 and Feb. 1, work continues on other grades
• Mask up: student leaders need your help to stay in the game
• AHschools.us website has new look

 

Make sure to check out the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website as an additional resource. 

 

Elementary: In-person learning begins on Tuesday, more grades added on Feb. 1 

School will welcome students to in-person learning in a rolling start, beginning with kindergarten-grade two (K-2) students on Jan. 19 and students in grades three-five (3-5) beginning on Feb. 1. As a reminder, this full-time in-person learning transition only applies to K-2 students that selected the hybrid learning format for trimester two. Elementary students that chose distance learning for trimester two will remain in that format for the second trimester, through Friday, March 12. Parents/guardians will have the option to select preferred learning models for the third trimester in mid-February. Please remain alert for details on that process in a future communication. 

 

When elementary students return in-person, they may notice some changes from school in the hybrid format at 50 percent capacity in the fall. 

 

Plastic face shields and plexiglass barriers will be available for all staff that want them for small group instruction as they are a recommended, but not required strategy. 

 

Health and safety of students and staff will remain as a top priority. New air filters were installed in all buildings over the holiday break and a bipolar ionization system is now in place to provide significant air quality improvements, including the removal of 99.4% of COVID-19 should it be present in a school facility. Please review this document that outlines the key differences between school in the hybrid this fall and in-person learning model this winter/spring. 

 

Health office staff in schools will be closely monitoring conditions and should COVID-19 cases rise in a school, Anoka-Hennepin will rely on a pre-established protocol for disease outbreaks, similar to the seasonal flu, along with input from the Minnesota Department of Health, to determine if a brief transition back to distance learning is needed.  These staff will take a lead role in contact tracing, quarantine guidance and communication.  The district has also created additional supports for building staff in the event there is a larger issue at any site.

 

Digital day calendar returns to regular rotation as students return to in-person learning. A modified calendar used during the hybrid and distance learning model to direct days that students have specials like art, music and physical education is no longer in effect. Please review the calendar to prepare. 

 

Return materials, be prepared. Students should bring any items they brought home with them to participate in distance learning back to school as in-person learning begins. This includes classroom supplies, books, folders and other items that were picked up and brought home in November.  

 

Special education. Students receiving special education services in a setting three or four model will begin to return to in-person learning with a gradual phase in plan. The first phase of students returning will begin Jan. 19, depending on grade level and intensity of need. This includes early childhood special education (ECSE) and transition (Bridges and Pathways). Additional details were shared with special education families late December. 

 

Preschool and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) students will be able to return to school Tuesday, Jan. 19, with students attending their traditionally scheduled class days. (The program will no longer follow a hybrid schedule.)

 

Updated bus schedules are now available on the My Student Information application via A-HConnect. Small changes are expected for some families with the change in bus capacity limits.  

 

What learning format is assigned to your student? Parents and guardians can confirm their requests for learning formats for trimester two on the My Student Information application via A-HConnect. This feature allows for viewing of the learning format type, not the ability to request a change in learning formats.

 

Meals will continue to be served to students in distance learning. Please note that the process for picking up distance learning meals changed on Jan. 4. Refer to the COVID-19 website for details. All meals will continue to be free until federal funding is exhausted.   

 

Before- and after-school child care is available at all elementary schools. Adventures Plus is now accepting registrations for the remainder of the school year. Space is available at all elementary schools. Learn more.

 

Middle and high schools: Sixth grade students to return in hybrid learning model on Feb. 2, work continues to return other grades

The Minnesota Safe Learning Plan allows students in kindergarten to grade six to return to in-person instruction. As a result, Anoka-Hennepin will be returning students in sixth grade to in-person learning using the hybrid learning model starting the week of Feb. 1. District middle school instructional and support staff will utilize Friday, Jan. 29 and Monday Feb. 1 for planning so there will be no school for all middle school students, including students who will continue with the distance learning model. Hybrid cohort A will begin in-person learning on Feb. 2. Be alert for additional information and details in communications provided from schools.

 

Anoka-Hennepin continues to work with the Minnesota departments of education and health on a phased approach to bringing middle and high school students back to in-person learning with the goal of returning students as soon as allowed. This means select grade levels would return to school with more and more returning over time. Likely, middle and high school students will restart in the hybrid learning model. Such a transition would only apply to students who selected the hybrid learning format for trimester two. Those that chose distance learning would remain in that format until the end of trimester two, Friday, March 12. Once the district has confirmed this plan it will be communicated widely via an email and website update.   

 

Special education. Students receiving special education services in a setting three or four model will begin to return to in-person learning with a gradual phase in plan. The first phase of students returning will begin Jan. 19, depending on grade level and intensity of need. This includes early childhood special education (ECSE) and transition (Bridges and Pathways). Additional details were shared with special education families late December. 

 

Compass Programs and TPP students will return to full in-person learning beginning on Tues., Jan. 19. 

 

A few notes on the hybrid and distance learning models: 

• On-site academic support may be available in school buildings. Parents/guardians or students can review available options and determine a plan for support by contacting their school counselor directly.   
• Mental health and social-emotional support is available. Students benefit from a system of mental health and social-emotional support. School social workers, school counselors, mental health therapists and other caring adults are trained and available to provide support. Parents/guardians and students should contact their school social workers and/or school counselors to review options.  
• Meals will continue to be served to students in distance learning. Please note that the process for picking up distance learning meals changed on Jan. 4. Refer to the COVID-19 website for details. All meals will continue to be free until federal funding is exhausted.   

 

Mask up Anoka-Hennepin: Student-athletes seek support as activities resume 

High school students involved in athletics and activities took the proactive step to send an important message to the student body and community to “keep them in the game” by limiting community spread of COVID-19. Please review their work in this Mask Up Anoka-Hennepin video message.

 

AHschools.us website has new look

District and school websites now have a new look and a goal to provide visitors with an improved experience, highlights include:  

• An updated site map prioritizing key content, which was structured using a variety of data sources including staff, student and parent/guardian feedback. 
• More simplified, purposeful information. 
• Fewer pages to sift through with the use of a mobile-friendly menu style on subpages. 
• Consistent experience across all devices with increased interactivity. 
• Similar experiences by all visitors, including those who are disabled or non-English speaking. 
• A new website dedicated to staff and retiree-only information.  

 

Website work since December 2019 has included research, design and site map updating. Content is currently being consolidated and will continue into the new year.   

 

The School Board prioritized making a plan for Anoka-Hennepin communications and branding through a 2019-20 strategic priority. 2014 was the last time the district debuted a new look to its websites.

Thank you for your continued support of our schools as the district begins a phased approach to returning to in-person learning over the weeks and months ahead. 

This update includes: 

• Learning updates for district preschools and elementary schools.
• Online elementary to be offered fall 2021. 
• Work underway to return middle and high schools to in-person learning.
• Distance learning an option to replace weather-related closures. 
• Community Education to resume recreational activities, aquatic programs.

Make sure to check out the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website as an additional resource. 

Learning updates for district preschools and elementary schools

Kindergarten through grade two students (K-2 hybrid) are returning to full-time in-person learning, five days a week on Tuesday, Jan. 19. District instructional and support staff will utilize Thursday, Jan. 14 and Friday, Jan. 15 for planning so there will be no school for all elementary students, including students who will continue with the distance learning model. See the updated calendar. 

As a reminder, this full-time in-person learning transition only applies to K-2 students that selected the hybrid learning format for trimester two. Families that prefer to change from in-person learning to distance learning are asked to notify their school by the end of the day (Friday, Jan. 8). A note, elementary students that chose distance learning for trimester two will remain in that format for the second trimester, through Friday, March 12. Parents/guardians who have questions or want to request changes between learning models should contact their school directly.      

Health and safety measures will remain in effect for the full in-person learning format, however, there are some important differences between hybrid and full in-person: 

• Students will attend school five days a week. 
• Classroom capacity limits do not apply. Elementary students will be in school at the same time and buses will run at full capacity.
• Every effort will be made to maintain physical distancing to the extent possible. Updated recommendations for in-person elementary learning encourages a minimum of three feet of separation. 
• Clear barriers may be present between students and teachers in individual or small group instruction settings when physical distancing cannot be maintained. 
• Staff will be wearing face coverings. Face shields may also be utilized (not required). This is a change from the Dec. 18 communication based on updated guidance in the MN Safe Learning Plan. 
• Students will continue to wear face coverings and also wear them for indoor physical activity. 
• Specialist lessons, e.g. art, explorations, may take place in each student’s home classroom or in the specialist room. Physical education, however, will continue outside of a student’s classroom or if weather permits, outside the building. 
• Every other week, school employees will have the opportunity to take a COVID-19 test. 
• The district installed fresh all filters in building HVAC systems over the winter break and will change them again over spring break. 
• Bipolar ionization systems are now present in all Anoka-Hennepin owned school facilities to eliminate the COVID-19 virus in buildings and further improve air quality. This system essentially removes 99.4% of COVID-19 and other viruses in buildings, if it should be present. Take a look at bipolar ionization at Anoka-Hennepin through this video. 

Guidance in the MN Safe Learning Plan continues to be revised. Please remain alert to updates and continue to check the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website for more information. 

Should COVID-19 cases rise in a school amongst staff or students, Anoka-Hennepin will rely on a pre-established protocol for disease outbreaks, similar to the seasonal flu, along with input from the Minnesota Department of Health, to determine if a brief transition back to distance learning is needed. 

Students in grades three through five (3-5) are scheduled to return to in-person learning on Monday, Feb. 1.

Special education setting three and four students will begin to return to in-person learning with a gradual phase in plan. The first phase of students returning will begin Jan. 19, depending on grade level and intensity of need. This includes early childhood special education (ECSE) and transition (Bridges, Jan. 19 and Pathways, Feb. 1). Additional details were shared with special education families late December. 

Preschool and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) students will be able to return to school Tuesday, Jan. 19, with students attending their traditionally scheduled class days. (The program will no longer follow a hybrid schedule.)

Updated bus schedules will be available starting Thursday, Jan. 14 on the My Student Information application via A-HConnect. Small changes are expected for some families with the change in bus capacity limits.  

Meals will continue to be served to students in distance learning. Please note that the process for picking up distance learning meals changed on Jan. 4. Refer to the COVID-19 website for details. All meals will continue to be free until federal funding is exhausted.   

Before- and after-school child care is available at all elementary schools. Adventures Plus is now accepting registrations for the remainder of the school year. Space is available at all elementary schools. Learn more.

Online elementary to be offered fall 2021

For those students and families who want to continue online learning at the elementary level next year, Anoka-Hennepin is developing a formal online elementary school which is set to begin operations in the fall of 2021. Program details, information sessions and applications for the school will be available this spring as plans are finalized. 

Approval of the online elementary follows a detailed application process which is aligned with International Online Association for K-12 Learning (INACOL) standards and coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Education. The school will offer the Anoka-Hennepin curriculum, provide student support services and follow district policies for in-district transfers, open enrollment and student performance standards. Computers will be provided to students who need them and learning will be supported by an enhanced technology platform.  

Anoka-Hennepin is an experienced online learning provider. The district currently operates comprehensive online learning options with the STEPAhead Online High School and COMPASS Online programs. Research to determine additional online program offerings at the middle and high school levels is under consideration.   

 Families interested in exploring the online elementary for next school year should remain alert for additional information provided as soon as April of this year. The online elementary is set to begin in the 2021-22 school year and become an ongoing learning option. Please email info@ahschools.us with any questions or requests for additional information. 

Work underway to return middle and high schools to in-person learning

Anoka-Hennepin is working with the Minnesota departments of education and health on a phased approach to bringing middle and high school students back to in-person learning with the goal of returning students as soon as allowed. This means select grade levels would return to school with more and more returning over time. Likely, middle and high school students will restart in the hybrid learning model. Such a transition would only apply to students who selected the hybrid learning format for trimester two. Those that chose distance learning would remain in that format until the end of trimester two, Friday, March 12. Once the district has confirmed this plan it will be communicated widely via an email and website update.   

Special education setting three and four students will begin to return to in-person learning with a gradual phase in plan. The first phase of students returning will begin Jan. 19, depending on grade level and intensity of need. This includes early childhood special education (ECSE) and transition (Bridges, Jan. 19 and Pathways, Feb. 1). Additional details were shared with special education families late December. 

A few notes on the hybrid and distance learning models: 

• On-site academic support may be available in school buildings. Parents/guardians or students can review available options and determine a plan for support by contacting their school counselor directly.   
• Mental health and social-emotional support is available. Students benefit from a system of mental health and social-emotional support. School social workers, school counselors, mental health therapists and other caring adults are trained and available to provide support. Parents/guardians and students should contact their school social workers and/or school counselors to review options.  
• Meals will continue to be served to students in distance learning. Please note that the process for picking up distance learning meals changed on Jan. 4. Refer to the COVID-19 website for details. All meals will continue to be free until federal funding is exhausted.   

 

Distance learning an option to replace weather-related closures

When snow or cold weather limits the ability to provide student transportation and staff travel to and from school, the learning in Anoka-Hennepin Schools may continue through distance learning. This could include all students E-12, including special education. Communication about these decisions will happen similar to how school closure information was shared in the past. As weather events are predicted, students, staff, and parents will receive advanced notice in order to ensure appropriate supplies are brought home to allow remote learning.  

The Adventures Plus school age care program will be closed for such an event. 

Decisions about facility rentals and activities and athletics will be made based on the circumstances of the day and will be communicated by the district at that time using the district website, social media, email and media outlets. 

This option has become a possibility as students and staff have experience connecting through technology with the distance learning model. 

For answers to frequently asked questions on winter weather and school closures, please visit ahschools.us/weather. 

Community Education to resume recreational activities, aquatic programs

Anoka-Hennepin Community Education will resume recreational activities for youth, including aquatic programming at Roosevelt Community Pool. Community Education has continued to offer a variety of in-person enrichment opportunities for people of all ages and abilities this school year following health and safety guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and MDE. Read more, browse programs and register online.

 

Thank you for reviewing the information included in this update. While this update may answer many of your questions, know that details are continuing to be worked on. Make sure to check out the frequently asked questions area of the COVID-19 website as a resource. 

Thank you for your continued support of our schools. 

This update includes: 

• Learning updates for district preschools and elementary schools.
• Learning updates for district middle and high schools. 
• Athletics, activities and facility rental updates.
• Confirmed with COVID-19? Please contact the school nurse.
• Variety of resources available; check out the FAQ webpage.

Learning updates for district preschools and elementary schools

Kindergarten through grade two (K-2 hybrid) students are allowed to return to full-time in-person learning, five days a week, starting Tuesday, Jan. 19. The district will follow the updated Minnesota Safe Learning Plan guidance and use a “rolling start” system to phase in additional grades as conditions allow. 

This transition only applies to K-2 students that selected the hybrid learning format for trimester two. Families that prefer to change from in-person learning to distance learning are asked to notify their school by Friday, Jan. 8. A note, elementary students that chose distance learning for trimester two will remain in that format for the second trimester, through Friday, March 12. Parents/guardians who have questions or want to request changes between learning models should contact their school directly. 

Transitional days are needed to complete this change. District instructional and support staff will utilize Thursday, Jan. 14 and Friday, Jan. 15 for planning the return to full in-person learning. There will be no school for all elementary students, including students who will continue on with the distance learning model. The following Monday, Jan. 18, the Martin King, Jr. holiday, is a non-school day for all students throughout the district. The district is providing this information with as much advance notice as possible to assist parents/guardians with planning for child care needs for these days.  

Health and safety measures will remain in effect for the full in-person learning format, however, there are some important differences between hybrid and full in-person: 

• Students will attend school five days a week.
• Classroom capacity limits do not apply. Elementary students will be in school at the same time and buses will run at full capacity.
• Every effort will be made to maintain physical distancing to the extent possible. Updated recommendations for in-person elementary learning encourages a minimum of three feet of separation. 
• Clear barriers may be present between students and teachers in individual or small group instruction settings when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Staff will be wearing both face shields and coverings.
• Students will continue to wear face coverings and also wear them for indoor physical activity.
• Specialist lessons, e.g. art, explorations, will take place in each student’s home classroom or if weather permits, outside. Physical education, however, will continue outside of a student’s classroom.
• Every other week, school staff will have the opportunity to take a COVID-19 test.
• Ionization systems are now present in all schools to eliminate the COVID-19 virus in buildings and further improve air quality. 

Should COVID-19 cases rise in a school amongst students or staff, Anoka-Hennepin will rely on a pre-established protocol for disease outbreaks, similar to the seasonal flu, along with input from the Minnesota Department of Health, to determine if a brief transition back to distance learning is needed. 

Students in grades three through five (3-5) are scheduled to return to in-person learning on Monday, Feb. 1 assuming the K-2 startup is successful. 

Special education setting three and four students will begin to return to in-person learning with a gradual phase in plan. First phase of students returning will begin Jan. 19 depending on grade level and intensity of need. This includes early childhood special education (ECSE) and transition (Bridges and Pathways). Return dates and more details will be shared with parents/guardians the week of Dec. 21. 

Preschool and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) students will be able to return to school Tuesday, Jan. 19, with students attending their traditionally scheduled class days. (The program will no longer follow a hybrid schedule.)

Meals will continue to be served to students in distance learning. All meals will continue to be free until federal funding is exhausted. 

Child care schedules will shift in this learning model change. Traditional before- and after-school child care contracts in place through Adventures Plus for the 2020-21 school year will be effective Tuesday, Jan. 19 for students in grades K-2, and Monday, Feb. 1 for students in grades 3-5. Families who were originally enrolled in Adventures Plus before- and after-school care will receive an update with more detail. Families that have been enrolled in District Emergency Care will receive email updates from Community Education with information regarding the last scheduled day of child care. 

Learning updates for district middle and high schools

Middle and high schools will continue to remain in distance learning and return to in-person learning as conditions allow. Learning models are dependent on public and school-level health data and guidance from the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan. Middle and high schools are now different in their approach to returning to school compared to elementary schools. 

On-site academic support will be available in school buildings during the time schools are in the distance learning format. Parents/guardians or students can review available options and determine a plan for support by contacting their school counselor directly.   

Mental health and social-emotional support is available. Students benefit from a system of mental health and social-emotional support. School social workers, school counselors, mental health therapists and other caring adults are trained and available to provide support. Parents/guardians and students should contact their school social workers and/or school counselors to review options. 

Special education setting three and four students will begin to return to in-person learning with a gradual phase in plan. First phase of students returning will begin Jan. 19 depending on grade level and intensity of need. This includes early childhood special education (ECSE) and transition (Bridges and Pathways). Return dates and more details will be shared with parents/guardians the week of Dec. 21. 

Meals will continue to be served to students in distance learning. All meals will continue to be free until federal funding is exhausted. 

Athletics, activities and facility rental updates

Athletics, activities and facility rentals will resume Monday, Jan. 4 in alignment with state health and safety guidelines. 

The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) shared these athletic changes: 

• Gymnastics, girls and boys basketball, girls and boys hockey, wrestling, boys swimming and diving, girls and boys nordic skiing and girls and boys alpine skiing may begin in-person practice.
• The dance season may resume in-person practice sessions.
• Adapted floor hockey may begin its training season.

Athletic registrations started at district high schools yesterday. Please refer to the registration page under the activities menu on your school’s website for details. 

 

Some Community Education programs will also be able to make schedule adjustments in alignment with the updated guidance, including Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), preschool, Adventures Plus school-age child care, Community Schools enrichment classes and recreation activities, and middle school recreation samplers. Read more on the community education website. 

Confirmed with COVID-19? Please contact the school nurse 

The need to monitor positive cases of COVID-19 within the school community continues. 

Parents/guardians and employees with confirmed cases of COVID-19 are asked to contact the school nurse. This information helps with school planning and ensuring health and safety within the school community. On site staff are also still required to report to school nurses when they’re placed on quarantine. This does not include students who are asked to quarantine due to exposure. 

Visit ahschools.us/COVID-19 for additional information on Anoka-Hennepin’s COVID-19 plan. 

Variety of resources available; check out the FAQ document 

A variety of district and community resources are available to families from emotional and behavioral supports to technology supports. Visit ahschools.us/COVID-19resources for details on these topics and a number of others.

Also, check out the frequently asked questions section of the COVID-19 website for more information.

Guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education and Governor’s office today provided a plan to allow elementary students to return to school in person and resume school athletics and activities in January. The purpose of this message is to share the information the district has at this time and the schedule for future information updates. Changes at Anoka-Hennepin will include:

• Kindergarten through grade two students are allowed to return to full-time in-person learning, five days a week, starting Tuesday, Jan. 19. The district plans to follow this guidance and use a “rolling start” system to phase in additional grades as conditions allow.
• Students in grades three through five are scheduled to return to in-person learning on Monday, Feb. 1 assuming the kindergarten through grade two startup is successful.
• Middle and high schools will continue to remain in distance learning and return to in-person learning as conditions allow. Learning models are dependent on public and school-level health data and guidance from the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan.
• Special education setting three and four students are expected to return to in-person learning in January. More information will be shared on this later.
• Athletics, activities, Community Education opportunities, and facility rentals will resume Monday, Jan. 4.

Students who are in distance learning by choice are not impacted by this announcement.

 

Anoka-Hennepin’s goal remains bringing students and staff back to school safely as conditions allow.

 

More information will be shared Friday to help answer your questions. Overall, families should expect a phased approach to the return to school. Please look for a message after 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18.

 

The ebbs and flows of this school year have no doubt been challenging. Know that every effort is being made to make these transitions go as smooth as possible. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding, and your hard work to keep your student connected to school.

(11/24/2020) Thank you for all you’re doing to keep your students connected to our schools. Your continued hard work and flexibility is truly making a difference in this challenging time. Please make sure to take the time to rest and reenergize this Thanksgiving weekend, and stay safe and healthy.

This week’s updates include: 

• Trimester two to start in distance learning. 
• Calendar reminders.
• Confirmed with COVID-19? Please contact the school nurse.
• Community Education enrichment classes continue; temporary closure on recreational activities.
• Communication protocols follow a system: principals/leaders, all-staff, community. 

Continue to refer to ahschools.us/COVID-19 for the latest information. 

Trimester two to continue in the distance learning format

In October, the school district made a commitment to let families know about the learning format for trimester two by Nov. 24.  Based on the fact that elementary, middle and high school students are currently in distance learning, the decision has been made that Anoka-Hennepin Schools will begin trimester two in the distance learning format for all students preK-12. The trimester begins on Dec. 8. The decision is in alignment with the MN Safe Learning Plan regarding concentrations of COVID-19 positive cases in the community along with projected trends. The impact of COVID-19 on teachers and support staff employees is also a factor in the decision. 

 

State and county public health officials and the Anoka-Hennepin COVID-19 Data Advisory Team recommend that district students remain in distance learning under these conditions to protect public health. An executive order limiting in-person athletics and co-curricular activities also remains in effect through Dec. 18. Note that many student activities in middle and high schools are still continuing virtually.  

The MN Safe Learning Plan directs schools to consider distance learning at the elementary level when the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases exceeds 50 per 10,000 within the county (or counties) and 30 per 10,000 at the middle and high school levels. Local data is also a consideration the state recommends, and local district data shows that confirmed employee COVID-19 cases exceed 50 per 10,000. Review both county and school information on the Anoka-Hennepin COVID-19 Data Tracker. 

 

The district is prioritizing options to bring select students back for in-person learning during the time that schools are in distance learning. This could include bringing middle and high school students that struggle with distance learning back into school as soon as early December. In addition, the district is considering options to bring preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade students back into school, possibly before other students would be allowed back in person through the hybrid model. An update on these options will be provided in December. 

 

Thank you for your support and understanding. Please review additional information on the Anoka-Hennepin COVID-19 plan at ahschools.us/COVID-19.  

Calendar reminders

Anoka-Hennepin students will not attend school Nov. 25 to 27 for the Thanksgiving break. Trimester one ends on Friday, Dec. 4 and students will not attend school on Monday, Dec. 7 or Monday, Dec. 14. Review district calendars online at ahschools.us/calendar.

Confirmed with COVID-19? Please contact the school nurse 

As students transition to distance learning and staff members teach from remote locations, the need to monitor positive cases of COVID-19 within the school community continues. 

Parents/guardians who have students with confirmed cases of COVID-19 are asked to contact the school nurse. This information helps with school planning and ensuring health and safety within the school community. On site staff are also still required to report to school nurses when they’re placed on quarantine. This does not include students who are asked to quarantine due to exposure. 

Visit ahschools.us/COVID-19 for additional information on Anoka-Hennepin’s COVID-19 plan. 

Community Education enrichment classes continue; temporary closure on recreational activities

Anoka-Hennepin Community Education has made program modifications to align with new state guidance released Nov. 19. A limited number of enrichment classes for youth will continue to be offered, following health and safety recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Sports and athletic activities including aquatics and community use of school facilities have been placed on a statewide closure through Dec. 18. Executive Order 20-99 prohibits recreational practices, group workouts, games, tournaments and competitions. 

Community Education recognizes the importance of staying active and connecting with others. Browse safe opportunities in our community, online at discovercommunityed.com. Programs are now offering online recreation and fitness opportunities for adults, and enrichment classes for all ages either online or in person. Make and take activity kits for students will also be available beginning in December. 

Communication protocols follow a system: principals/leaders, all-staff, community

Providing timely and accurate information is essential at all times, and particularly important for parents and guardians to navigate the issues surrounding school and COVID-19.  Since many community members expect that staff will be able to answer questions about these communications, the district shares these messages with leaders and staff first, then the community.  

Anoka-Hennepin Schools sends COVID-19 related updates via email and text to parents/guardians using the AHlert system. These updates are numbered and sent when information about learning model changes or other important announcements are necessary. The updates are translated in Spanish, Hmong, Arabic, Somali, Russian and Vietnamese for those who requested language translations through the My Student Information system via A-HConnect. Updates are also posted on school and district websites, Backpack Online e-newsletter the district Facebook page.

As the district moves to distance learning, the need for weekly district updates using these protocols are likely to decrease. Please continue to reference the district’s COVID-19 website, along with the Backpack Online e-newsletter and individual school e-newsletters for updates and information.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools will transition special education programs to the distance learning model starting Monday, Nov. 30. The action follows a significant and growing community spread of COVID-19 cases above the state-recommended guidelines and a growing number of school employees, students and programs being directly impacted by COVID-19 isolation and quarantine.

It’s understood that distance learning creates new challenges for students and families. Know that health and safety for students, staff and the community remain at the forefront of decision making.

This action is taken in consultation with district health officials and will continue until further notice. Students and programs included in this transition to distance learning include:

• Early childhood special education (ECSE) and elementary school hybrid students who receive special education services attending River Trail Learning Centers, or receiving services in DHH, DCD, LAUNCH and EBD center-based programs.
• Middle and high school hybrid students who receive special education services attending River Trail Learning Centers, Bridges and Pathways or receive services in DCD, LAUNCH, and EBD setting III programs. 
• All students who receive special education support on Day C.
• All special education evaluations will be completed virtually during this time.

The MN Safe Learning Plan directs schools to consider distance learning at the elementary level when the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases exceeds 50 per 10,000 within the county (or counties) and 30 per 10,000 at the middle and high school level. Although the district was prioritizing its most vulnerable students beyond these benchmarks, community spread is quickly soaring quite far from these levels. Review both county and school information on the Anoka-Hennepin COVID-19 Data Tracker. 

 

Schools need your help. Please continue to follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommendations as an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and get students back to school in person: 

• Wear a face covering following CDC and MDH recommendations.  
• Practice social distancing guidelines, and stay home when you are sick.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol content.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough into the inside of the elbow. Dispose of tissues immediately. Wash hands afterwards.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.

Every effort will be made to make this change go as smoothly as possible. Thank you for your understanding and support as schools take the steps necessary to protect the health and safety of students, employees and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools will transition district elementary schools to the distance learning model starting Monday, Nov. 30. COVID-19 cases are above the state-recommended guidelines for having elementary students in person and the current trend shows a rapid escalation in both Anoka and Hennepin counties. In addition, this action follows a growing number of school employees and contractors being directly impacted by COVID-19 isolation and quarantine. Looking at the weeks ahead, Monday, Nov. 23 and Tuesday, Nov. 24 will instead be preparation days for the elementary transition, no classes will be held. School will not be held on Nov. 25-27 also, following the original schedule. There are no changes to the middle and high school schedule with this announcement. 

This news is understandably challenging for elementary hybrid learning families, and not a change Anoka-Hennepin was hoping to make. Please know, health and safety of students, staff and the community remain at the forefront of our decision making. 

The MN Safe Learning Plan directs schools to consider distance learning at the elementary level when the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases exceeds 50 per 10,000 within the county (or counties). Anoka-Hennepin middle and high school students transitioned to distance learning Nov. 4 amid the 30 per 10,000 recommendation. Local data is also a consideration the state recommends, and local district data shows that confirmed employee COVID-19 cases exceed 50 per 10,000. Review both county and school information on the Anoka-Hennepin COVID-19 Data Tracker. 

The school district recently charged a COVID-19 Data Advisory Committee with reviewing state, county and local data to make recommendations in this area. Unfortunately, with the current county data significantly above the recommended amounts for in-person learning, and staffing issues across the district, Anoka-Hennepin couldn’t wait for the committee to create a model that used primarily local data. During this timeframe, many neighboring districts will be making similar transitions using the same rationale. The committee plans to continue to meet and analyze local, county and state information, and when warranted, discuss the possibility of safely moving back to in-person learning, Anoka-Hennepin’s main goal.

The district is prioritizing options to bring select students back for in-person learning during the time that schools are in distance learning. This could include bringing middle and high school students that struggle with distance learning back into school as soon as early December. In addition, the district is considering options to bring preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade students back into school, possibly before other students would be allowed back in person through the hybrid model. An update on these options will be provided in December.  

Early childhood special education (ECSE) and elementary school hybrid students who receive special education services attending River Trail Learning Centers, or receiving services in DCD, LAUNCH and EBD center-based programs may continue to attend on their Cohort A or B day. ECSE center-based programs may continue to attend one day per week. Students eligible for Day C support will attend on Mondays as designated on the district calendar. 

Middle and high school hybrid students who receive special education services attending River Trail Learning Centers, Bridges and Pathways or receive services in DCD, LAUNCH, and EBD setting III programs may continue to attend on their Cohort A or B day. Students eligible for Day C support will attend on Mondays as designated on the district calendar. 

Our child care staff are working to continue serving students of Tier 1 critical workers. Families currently receiving child care on their hybrid distance learning days will receive an email update from the child care program. Families needing child care as the school district transitions to the distance learning model may apply for the district child care program beginning Friday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m., if all or both parent/guardian’s occupations fall into a Tier I critical worker category (per Executive Order 20-94, updated Nov. 5, 2020).  Registration will close at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17. View details about the District Emergency Care program, and apply online at ahschools.us/DistrictEmergencyCare.

Meals will continue to be provided during distance learning. Please visit the child nutrition website for instructions on how to order. A note, families that already placed orders under hybrid learning meals for any weeks after next week, should cancel and place new orders under the distance learning area instead. All meals are now free for students until the end of the school year, June 10, or until funding is exhausted.

Middle and high school activities and athletics are still being managed on a case-by-case basis. These voluntary options for students are offered under the guidance of the Minnesota Department of Education and with the assumption that at any point, COVID-19 related illness or quarantine could cause the activity to go virtual for a period of time, as has been happening throughout the fall.  

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and Preschool programs will transition to distance learning with elementary schools. Participants enrolled in those programs will receive an email update from ECFE/Preschool with details related to their specific classes in the coming days.  

This decision also suggests that trimester two will start in distance learning for all students preschool through grade 12, unless there is a significant drop in county level cases or other data or guidance is available that suggests otherwise. Another communication will be sent by Nov. 24 about trimester two learning models.  

Please continue to follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommendations as an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and get students back to school in person: 

• Wear a face covering following CDC and MDH recommendations.  
• Practice social distancing guidelines, and stay home when you are sick.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol content.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough into the inside of the elbow. Dispose of tissues immediately. Wash hands afterwards.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.

Every effort will be made to make this change go as smoothly as possible. Thank you for your understanding and support as schools take the steps necessary to protect the health and safety of students, employees and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A big thank you goes out to our Anoka-Hennepin families and community members for remaining flexible in this challenging time. Our teamwork is what’s really making learning possible and keeping students connected to our schools. 

Please take a few minutes to read through this week’s updates, including: 

• Provide feedback on the local COVID-19 data points Anoka-Hennepin should consider for learning model decision making.
• Executive Orders 20-94 and 20-95 being reviewed for action.
• Calendar reminder: Monday, Nov. 23 and Tuesday, Nov. 24.
• County and district data shared in COVID-19 tracker.

Continue to refer to ahschools.us/COVID-19 for the latest information. 

Provide feedback on the local COVID-19 data points Anoka-Hennepin should consider for learning model decision making

The Minnesota Department of Education has directed school districts to use local data to measure the impact of COVID-19 at the school level in addition to county-level data. Anoka-Hennepin is reaching out to parents/guardians with a brief survey to collect feedback and considerations for possible data points (Arabic, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese). Information collected will be reviewed and analyzed by the district's COVID-19 Data Advisory Committee. Recommendations will be shared publicly with the School Board and community.   

The Minnesota Department of Education’s Safe Learning Plan (downloads PDF) and Planning Guidance for Minnesota Public Schools (downloads PDF) serve as resource guides to schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, but does not identify which specific local data school districts should use or thresholds to incorporate when making decisions about learning models. Thank you for providing your feedback and ideas to help our schools make decisions that are consistent with community expectations.

Survey link (Arabic, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese - change browser language instructions).

Executive Orders 20-94 and 20-95 being reviewed for action

Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-94 and Executive Order 20-95 which directs the Commissioner of Education to take action in guiding school districts. The order includes 12 directives including special education, transportation, child care for Tier 1 workers, face coverings, and time for teacher preparation. The order was issued Nov. 5 and the district is currently reviewing the information to determine if any changes are needed to district programming. The state set a Nov. 30 deadline for implementation of these directives.

 

Calendar reminder: Monday, Nov. 23 and Tuesday, Nov. 24  

Students will attend school Monday, Nov. 23 or Tuesday, Nov. 24. Please refer to the updated calendar online. Elementary and distance learning students in hybrid Cohort A will attend school Monday, Nov. 23, while elementary and distance learning students in hybrid Cohort B will attend Tuesday, Nov. 24. Adventures Plus school-age care will remain open for non-school day care on Wednesday, Nov. 25 for families that pre-register. 

The district will announce the learning model that will be used when school resumes for the second trimester by Nov. 24. 

These changes are understandably challenging for families. Thank you for being flexible and understanding. Stay tuned to ahschools.us/COVID-19 for the latest information.

County and district data shared in COVID-19 tracker

Anoka-Hennepin continues to monitor county and district level health data. That information can be viewed online at ahschools.us/COVID-19tracker.

Thank you to all our Anoka-Hennepin students, parents/guardians and community members for remaining patient through this challenging time.  

Please take a few minutes to read through this week’s updates, including: 

• District takes action to create localized metrics for COVID-19.
• Reminder: no school for all students Monday, Nov. 2 and Tuesday, Nov. 3.
• Middle and high school students transition to distance learning on Nov. 4.
• County and district data shared in COVID-19 tracker.

Continue to refer to ahschools.us/COVID-19 for the latest information. 

District takes action on creating localized metrics to determine learning models

Earlier this week, the Minnesota Department of Education provided school districts across Minnesota guidance to use localized metrics to measure the impact of COVID-19 at the school level in addition to county-level data as part of the decision making process. Anoka-Hennepin has been sharing initial local data online using a COVID-19 tracker, but additional data points should also be considered as part of the process. 

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board is turning to the community for assistance, taking action to collect perspectives from citizens and local leaders. A COVID-19 Data Advisory Committee composed of parents/guardians, local community and staff leaders, and public health experts will convene to offer recommendations and rationale for localized data to guide decisions about the amount of in-person learning for elementary, middle and high school students for the school year. The expanded dashboard and recommendations will be shared publicly with the School Board and community. 

 

The Minnesota Department of Education’s Safe Learning Plan serves as a resource to guide schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The document prioritizes the health and safety of students and staff and offers systems to manage district learning formats. The MDE plan encourages districts to use county-level health information as a key data point for decisions on learning formats. The MDE plan does not does not identify which specific localized metrics should be considered by school districts when making decisions about learning models.  

Follow-up communication from MDE in late October does identify possible data points, but is not specific on what metrics should be used or the process for developing and monitoring their use. This committee will meet each week after the county level data has been released and continue until there is stability in the learning model, and as needed in the future when data warrants a review. 

Reminder: no school for all students Monday, Nov. 2 and Tuesday, Nov. 3 

A couple of reminders on some upcoming changes in the Anoka-Hennepin learning schedule. 

Students kindergarten through grade 12 will not attend school Monday, Nov. 2 or Tuesday, Nov. 3. Please refer to the updated calendar online. During these two non-school days, hybrid child care will not be offered. Adventures Plus school-age care will remain open for non-school day care on Tuesday, Nov. 3 for families that pre-registered.

Elementary students in hybrid Cohort A will attend school Wednesday, Nov. 4, while elementary students in hybrid Cohort B will attend Thursday, Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov. 6. Middle and high school students will transition to full time distance learning Wednesday, Nov. 4.

These changes in the learning schedule are due to election day, an already predetermined non-school day, as well as preparation for the move to distance learning at the middle and high school levels. Elementary schools will be preparing for some staffing transition and working on hybrid lesson planning during this time.  

These changes are understandably challenging for families. Thank you for being flexible and understanding. Stay tuned to ahschools.us/COVID-19 for the latest information.

Middle and high school students transition to distance learning on Nov. 4

On Thursday, Oct. 29, both Anoka and Hennepin county health officials recommended that the district move middle and high school students into distance learning based on countywide transmission of COVID-19 and the increasing trend of cases in both counties. While the Minnesota Department of Education has begun advising districts to consider local data also, there currently is no data available that counters this recommendation, Anoka-Hennepin will stay with the decision to transition middle and high school students to distance learning starting Wednesday, Nov. 4. 

County and district data shared in COVID-19 tracker

Anoka-Hennepin continues to monitor county and district level health data. That information can be viewed online at ahschools.us/COVID-19tracker. 

Thank you to parents/guardians and community members for remaining flexible and your continued support of our schools. 

Please take a few minutes to read through this week’s updates, including: 

• Middle and high schools move to distance learning Nov. 4; elementary schools remain in hybrid learning (no school for students PreK-12 on Nov. 2nd or 3rd)
• County and district data shared in new COVID-19 tracker
• Sign up for Backpack Online e-newsletter for future COVID-19 updates by email

Continue to refer to ahschools.us/COVID-19 for the latest information. 

Middle and high schools move to distance learning Nov. 4; elementary schools remain in hybrid learning

County level data has reached a threshold warranting a shift to distance learning at district middle and high schools. Following guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health, County Health Officials, and the Minnesota Department of Education, Anoka-Hennepin’s COVID-19 planning team reviewed multiple data points, and supported a move to distance learning at the middle and high school level. Concentrations of COVID-19 positive cases, projected trends and staffing attendance were also shared as considerations.  

Giving consideration to parents/guardians’ desire for advance notice, and to support this transition for students and employees, this change will take place the week of Nov. 2. Please note that this plan for transition was shared with and supported by health officials.  

Anoka-Hennepin will transition middle and high school students in the hybrid learning format to distance learning starting Wednesday, Nov. 4 through the end of trimester one, Friday, Dec. 4. School will not be held for all students PreK-12 on Monday, Nov. 2 or Tuesday, Nov. 3 in order for schools to prepare. 

High school co-curricular athletics and activities will cease starting Nov. 2 following Minnesota State High School League guidance. Current after-school programs coordinated by Anoka-Hennepin Community Education in middle schools will wrap-up this week. Community Education coordinators are working to provide modified recreational and enrichment opportunities for middle school students following Minnesota Department of Health Stay Safe MN Guidelines. More details will be shared next week from Anoka-Hennepin Community Education.    

Elementary students will remain in their chosen learning format, whether that be hybrid or distance learning for the remainder of trimester one. However, the hybrid calendar will have a slight change. No school will be held in-person or virtually on both Monday, Nov. 2 and Tuesday, Nov. 3. Cohort A will attend school in-person Wednesday, Nov. 4, while Cohort B will attend school in-person Thursday Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov. 6. Hybrid child care will be closed on Monday, Nov. 2. Adventures Plus school-age care will remain open for non-school day care on Tuesday, Nov. 3 for families that pre-registered.

Trimester two choices continue to be collected. As the 2020-21 school year continues, the possibility for learning model shifts remains. The district is looking for this information ahead of time for a smoother, quicker transition process. Learn more in these articles: elementary families, middle and high school families. The learning format(s) that will start trimester two for elementary, middle and high schools will be announced no later than Tuesday, Nov. 24. 

Please continue to visit ahschools.us/COVID-19 for the latest information.

 

County and district data shared in new COVID-19 tracker

Anoka-Hennepin continues to monitor county and district level health data. That information can now be viewed online at ahschools.us/COVID-19tracker. 

Sign up for Backpack Online e-newsletter for future COVID-19 updates by email 

General COVID-19 updates will be shared via: 

• School and district websites 
• District social media, including Facebook and Twitter 
• Backpack Online e-newsletter 

If you’re still interested in receiving emails, please sign up for Backpack Online, the district’s parent/guardian and community e-newsletter via ahschools.us/BPO. 

More impactful COVID-19 updates, for instance, a change in the learning format, will continue to be shared through all communication outlets, including AHlert email/text.  

Please reach out to comm.pr@ahschools.us with any questions or concerns on communication.

It’s been a busy week at Anoka-Hennepin schools. Students in elementary, middle and high school, attended school in the hybrid learning format. A lot of hard work went into making this week another successful one by all – staff, students and parents/guardians. Parents/guardians, thank you for your continued partnership. 

Please take a few minutes to read through this week’s updates, including: 

• Middle and high school students start in hybrid learning 
• Health data continues to be monitored for potential learning shift for elementary students
• Is my student well enough for school?
• Haven’t completed back-to-school forms? Please complete now
• Sign up for Backpack Online e-newsletter for future COVID-19 updates by email

Continue to refer to ahschools.us/ReturnToSchool for the latest information. 

Middle and high school students start in hybrid learning

Middle and high school students started the week in hybrid learning. This comes, as planned, two weeks after distance learning kicked off the 2020-21 school year Sept. 14.

There were lots of new things to learn, but everyone worked courageously to make it a positive start. Check out the district’s Facebook page for the week’s excitement. WCCO and CCX also captured the week’s sights and sounds. 

Refer to the Return to School website for a full list of Anoka-Hennepin’s health and safety measures in the hybrid learning format. 

Health data continues to be monitored for potential learning shift for elementary students

Anoka-Hennepin continues to monitor county level health data to determine the possibility of transitioning elementary level programs to the full in-person learning model from the current hybrid model. County level data, specifically in Anoka County, demonstrated an increase in COVID-19 numbers this week. The district has postponed any decision for enacting this format change on Monday, Oct. 19. 

District planning teams are meeting each week to review data and provide recommendations. Planning for a possible transition will continue in regards to student transportation, school facilities, instruction, child nutrition, and child care should health conditions warrant a change. The district will provide a two-week notice in the event of a learning format change. Please note, any change would only impact current elementary hybrid students. Distance learning students would remain in that learning format until the end of trimester one. 

For more information on the Anoka-Hennepin Return to School plan please visit the ahschools.us/ReturnToSchool website.

Is my student well enough for school?

If your student is sick and exhibiting any symptoms of a sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, headache, muscle pain, fever, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or chills, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest people stay home and not go to school until 10 days from the start of symptoms, and no fever for 24 hours, and feeling better. They should be limiting exposure to others outside of your home and community. You will want to check with your medical provider if you feel the symptoms are not COVID-19 related for care and an alternative diagnosis.

For more information, check out the infographic, Can my child go to school today? and the district’s screening tool. 

Haven’t completed back-to-school forms? Please complete 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) as well as 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 available at ahschools.us/forms.

Sign up for Backpack Online e-newsletter for future COVID-19 updates by email 

Starting next Friday, Oct. 9, general COVID-19 updates will be shared via: 

• School and district websites 
• District social media, including Facebook and Twitter 
• Backpack Online e-newsletter 

If you’re still interested in receiving emails, please sign up for Backpack Online, the district’s parent/guardian and community e-newsletter via ahschools.us/BPO. 

More impactful COVID-19 updates, for instance, a change in the learning format, will continue to be shared through all communication outlets, including AHlert email/text.  

Please reach out to comm.pr@ahschools.us with any questions or concerns on communication.

A successful week two of learning has taken place. Students and staff are starting to get settled into their learning processes and procedures for the 2020-21 school year. Parents/guardians, thank you for all your hard work and dedication in making this possible.

Please take a few minutes to read through this week’s updates, including: 

• Middle and high school students to start hybrid learning next week 
• Health data, learning formats under review as schools continue in hybrid learning format; possible elementary change on Oct. 19
• Distance learning how-to videos available in other languages 
• Federal funding temporarily provides free meals; continue to fill out free/reduced applications during this time
• Sign up for Backpack Online e-newsletter for future COVID-19 updates by email

Continue to refer to ahschools.us/ReturnToSchool for the latest information. 

Middle and high school students to start hybrid learning next week 

Middle and high school students will start the week of Sept. 28 in the hybrid learning format. This comes, as planned, two weeks after distance learning kicked off the 2020-21 school year Sept. 14. 

Students in cohort A will be in-person Tuesday and Wednesday, and follow with online learning Thursday and Friday. Cohort B students will start with online learning Tuesday and Wednesday, with their in-person instruction Thursday and Friday. Refer to the 2020-21 hybrid learning calendar for a more detailed schedule.  

District schools have been preparing for the arrival of students through the establishment of health and safety measures. Check out the full list of health and safety measures at ahschools.us/COVID-19safety, along with some videos explaining them. 

Health data, learning formats under review as schools continue in hybrid learning format; possible elementary change on Oct. 19

As Anoka-Hennepin continues to operate school in the hybrid learning format, the district is monitoring trends in public health data and considering a transition to in-person learning for elementary students. Due to the numerous planning actions that impact student transportation, school facilities, instruction, child nutrition, and child care, the soonest this transition could be implemented at the elementary level is Monday, Oct. 19. The decision to transition has not been made final. As soon as this decision is final, it would be communicated to all impacted families two weeks in advance.

Anoka-Hennepin will continue to monitor county level data over the next several weeks which could impact the learning model transition. District planning teams will meet every week to review data and provide updates as necessary. The move only impacts students currently attending school under the hybrid model and does not impact students in the distance learning program.

 

The Minnesota Safe Learning Plan provides direction for school districts to choose learning models for elementary, middle and high school students separately using the number of COVID-19 cases per 10,000 by county over a 14-day period. Data from early August to most recently support a move to have all elementary students attend school in-person and middle/high school students remain attending in the hybrid learning format. Districts can operate in more restrictive models than the data allows and must offer distance learning for any student who requests it. 

 

Minnesota Safe Learning Plan model 

The recommended policy options based on 14-day case rate range per 10,000 people

• In person learning for all: 0 to less than 10
• Elementary in-person, middle/high school hybrid: 10 to less than 20
• Both hybrid: 20 to less than 30
• Elementary hybrid, middle/high school distance: 30 to less than 50
• Both distance: 50 or more

Actual data by county

Anoka

• July 26-Aug. 8: 19.03
• Aug. 2-15: 19.83
• Aug. 9-22: 19.11
• Aug. 16-29: 18.97
• Aug. 23-Sept. 5: 18.22
• Aug. 30-Sept. 12: 17.36

Hennepin

• July 26-Aug. 8: 22.17
• Aug. 2-15: 19.76
• Aug. 9-22: 19.49
• Aug. 16-29: 19.21
• Aug. 23-Sept. 5: 16.88
• Aug. 30-Sept. 12: 14.91 

State guidance doesn’t provide a timeline or expectations for transition time between learning formats and infection rates are only one factor to consider. The 30-member COVID-19 district steering committee, which includes district and union leaders, has discussed a two to three week transition time for moving from the hybrid learning format to full in-person (elementary only), along with the impacts of sunsetting hybrid child care for children of Tier 1 workers and reinstating Adventures Plus before-and after-school care for students and families. Factors such as leave requests and staffing availability were also highlighted as significant factors in determining the ability of the school to transition and operate in any learning format. 

  

Anoka-Hennepin has stated that it’s the goal of the district to return students to in-person learning as conditions allow. Health data will continue to be monitored along with factors involved with transitioning to determine an orderly plan should conditions allow. For more information on the Anoka-Hennepin Return to School plan please visit the ahschools.us/ReturnToSchool website. 

Distance learning how-to videos available in other languages  

How-to videos in relation to distance learning tools and technology are now available in other languages. Check them out. 

Middle and high school students and parents/guardians: 

• Google Classroom overview (English) 
• Google Classroom for families (English, Arabic, Hmong, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese)
• Students: Navigating Anoka-Hennepin Google Classrooms (English) 
• Students: Customizing Gmail notifications (English) 

Elementary school students and parents/guardians: 

• Logging into Seesaw (English) 
• Logging into Google Classroom (English) 

Federal funding temporarily provides free meals; continue to fill out free/reduced applications during this time

Anoka-Hennepin’s child nutrition department is continuing its participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program aimed to provide nutritious meals to students. All meals are free for students until Dec. 31 or until funding is exhausted. The USDA is providing the financial resources for the program.

Anoka-Hennepin is still encouraging families to fill out the free/reduced meal application as it’s unclear if the USDA program will last until its intended end date, Dec. 31. There are also a lot of other educational benefits received by students who qualify. 

Please go to ahschools.us/2020Meals for information on the district’s procedures for accessing meals both in-person and to-go. 

Sign up for Backpack Online e-newsletter for future COVID-19 updates by email 

Starting Friday, Oct. 9, general COVID-19 updates will be shared via: 

• School and district websites 
• District social media, including Facebook and Twitter 
• Backpack Online e-newsletter 

If you’re still interested in receiving emails, please sign up for Backpack Online, the district’s parent/guardian and community e-newsletter via ahschools.us/BPO. 

More impactful COVID-19 updates, for instance, a change in the learning format, will continue to be shared through all communication outlets, including AHlert email/text.  

Please reach out to comm.pr@ahschools.us with any questions or concerns on communication.

It was a great start to the first week of learning. There were lots of new things to learn, but everyone worked courageously to make it a positive start. Thank you parents/guardians, for helping make this possible and being a partner in your student’s education. 

This week’s updates include: 

• Videos on health and safety measures
• Is my student well enough for school? 
• Average school bus passenger counts
• Sign up for Backpack Online e-newsletter for future COVID-19 updates by email

Continue to refer to ahschools.us/ReturnToSchool for the latest information. 

Videos on health and safety measures 

Anoka-Hennepin staff assigned to ensure health and safety measures provide an overview of district operations in a series of videos. Anoka-Hennepin follows the Minnesota Department of Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines regarding safety measures in school. 

Check out the new videos talking about a few of these health and safety measures:

• Handwashing (elementary only) 
• Face coverings (elementary only)
• Cleaning/disinfecting 
• Meals processes 
• Air ventilation and filtration

A full list of Anoka-Hennepin’s safety measures, along with an FAQ, are at ahschools.us/SafetyMeasures.

Is my student well enough for school?

If your student is sick and exhibiting symptoms of a cold, such as a sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, headache and body aches, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest people stay home and not go to school until symptoms have run their course. This means limiting exposure to others outside of your home and community. 

In the event that your student has flu-like symptoms, such as a fever or chills beyond those of a common cold, the MDH and CDC suggest not returning to school until 24 hours after a fever (with no fever reducing medications), and no sooner than ten days after the first symptom, and symptoms have improved – whichever is longer.

For more information, check out the infographic, Can my child go to school today? (updated Sept. 17) and the district’s screening tool (updated Sept. 17). 

Average school bus passenger counts

In the hybrid learning format, students will ride with about 50% of the capacity of a school bus. The maximum number of riders is 34 students as a result. Visit this webpage for the average school bus passenger counts for traditional morning routes. 

Sign up for Backpack Online e-newsletter for future COVID-19 updates by email 

Starting Friday, Oct. 2, general COVID-19 updates will be shared via: 

• School and district websites
• District social media, including Facebook and Twitter 
• Backpack Online e-newsletter

If you’re still interested in receiving emails, please sign up for Backpack Online, the district’s parent/guardian and community e-newsletter via ahschools.us/BPO. 

More impactful COVID-19 updates, for instance, a change in the learning format, will continue to be shared through all communication outlets, including AHlert email/text.  

Please reach out to comm.pr@ahschools.us with any questions or concerns on communication.

(09/11/2020) The energy from students and staff filled the hallways throughout the welcome/orientation events this past week. Students are ready to return to school, and learn! 

Just a reminder, elementary students are starting school next week, on Tuesday, Sept. 15, in the hybrid learning format. Cohort A will be in-person Tuesday and Wednesday with Cohort B learning online; then on Thursday and Friday Cohort B will be in-person with Cohort A learning online. Middle and high school students will start in distance learning next week, Monday, Sept. 14, and transition to hybrid learning Monday, Sept. 28. Refer to the calendar for a visual representation of learning formats and cohort days.  

This week’s updates include: 

• Is my student well enough for school?
• Distance learning how-to videos
• Free meals to be offered while federal funding available
• A look into cleaning and disinfecting 
• Face coverings: process for face shield accommodation or exemption

Continue to refer to ahschools.us/ReturnToSchool for the latest information. School supply lists and more are also on district and school websites.

Is my student well enough for school?

If your student is sick and exhibiting symptoms of a cold, such as a sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, headache and body aches, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest people stay home and not go to school until symptoms have run their course. This means limiting exposure to others outside of your home and community. 

In the event that your student has flu-like symptoms, such as a fever or chills beyond those of a common cold, the MDH and CDC suggest not returning to school until 24 hours after a fever (with no fever-reducing medications), and no sooner than ten days after the first symptom – whichever is longer.

For more information, check out the infographic, Can my child go to school today? and the district’s screening tool. 

Distance learning how-to videos  

A variety of how-to videos in relation to distance learning tools and technology have been created. Check them out. 

Elementary school students and parents/guardians: 

• Logging into Seesaw 
• Logging into Google Classroom

Middle and high school students and parents/guardians: 

• Google Classroom overview 
• Google Classroom for families 
• Students: Navigating Anoka-Hennepin Google Classrooms 
• Students: Customizing Gmail notifications 

Free meals to be offered while federal funding available

Anoka-Hennepin’s child nutrition department is continuing its participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program aimed to provide nutritious meals to students. Starting Monday, Sept. 14, all meals will be free for students until Dec. 31 or until funding is exhausted. The USDA is providing the financial resources for the program.

Please go to ahschools.us/2020Meals for information on the district’s procedures for accessing meals both in-person and to-go. 

Anoka-Hennepin is still encouraging families to fill out the free/reduced meal application as it’s unclear if the USDA program will last until its intended end date, Dec. 31. There are also a number of other educational benefits received by students who qualify. 

Disinfecting and cleaning schools  

Check out this video on cleaning and disinfecting processes at Anoka-Hennepin. More information at ahschools.us/SafetyMeasures. 

Face coverings: process for face shield accommodation or exemption

Face coverings is one of the district’s health and safety protocols and a strategy required by a state order and School Board policy. 

Please complete this form (Spanish) to inform your school/site that your student, due to a medical condition, is interested in wearing a clear plastic shield instead of a face covering or requests an exemption entirely.

The 2020-21 school year starts next week with a welcome/orientation week, Sept. 8-11. Schools have sent communications regarding the activities that will take place from opportunities to meet one-on-one with teachers to technology pick up. Please reach out to your school with any questions or concerns on this. 

Please take a few minutes to read through this week’s updates, including: 

• Important dates: First week of learning, Sept. 14-18
• Face coverings: process for face shield accommodations or exemptions 
• Ventilation systems and exchanged/filtered air 
• In-person and to-go meal options
• School bus safety operations 

Continue to refer to ahschools.us/ReturnToSchool for the latest information. School supply lists and more are also online.

Anoka-Hennepin is looking forward to seeing you next week. Let’s have a great start to the 2020-21 school year! 

Important dates: First week of learning, Sept. 14-18

All students will start their 2020-21 learning journey the week of Sept. 14. Elementary students will start Tuesday, Sept. 15. That week, students in cohort A will be in-person Tuesday and Wednesday, and follow with online learning Thursday and Friday. Cohort B students will start with online learning Tuesday and Wednesday, with their in-person instruction Thursday and Friday.

Middle and high school students will start their instruction Monday, Sept. 14. These students are in the distance learning format for that week and the following week, Sept. 21-25 so they’ll be online all five days. 

This an updated visual representation of the 2020-21 hybrid calendar. 

Face coverings: process for face shield accommodation or exemption

Anoka-Hennepin’s goal is to safely operate schools, while promoting a culture of health and safety amongst students and staff. The district’s health and safety protocols help to guide this work. 

Face coverings is one of the district’s health and safety protocols, which is backed by the state and a School Board policy. As a result, face coverings are required by all who enter district schools or facilities. The coverings can be paper or disposable, cloth, scarf, bandana or religious. Clear plastic shields are also allowed under certain conditions. Temporary removal of coverings to eat or participate in activities are acceptable.

Please complete this form (Spanish) to inform your school/site that your student is insterested in wearing a clear plastic shield instead of a face covering or requests an exemption entirely.

Ventilation systems and exchanged/filtered air

Anoka-Hennepin is committed to having safe air circulate at all schools/sites. For almost 20 years, the district has continued to invest in updating the technology, either ventilation or air filtration systems, in all district facilities. Most of the focus has been to increase the amount of outside air circulated through school sites. 

A little background, ventilation systems ensure there is at least 20% outside air in schools/sites at any given time. Filtration systems clean both outside and inside air continuously. They don’t allow any air to bypass the filter and filters are changed three times per year. Air is cleaned at high industry standards with MERV-11 filters and above at all locations.  

 

Every room in each school/site, at a minimum, has its full volume of air exchanged at least seven times per hour. Most rooms exchange the air more frequently.

 

To ensure all students and employees enter the school buildings with fresh air in place, all air systems are now being purged daily beginning two hours before occupancy as one more step in ensuring clean, exchanged air for all schools/sites. More information on air quality is on the Return to School website. Also, check out the infographic.

In-person and to-go meal options 

The child nutrition program is dedicated to providing high quality, nutritious meals to the students in Anoka-Hennepin. Check out the details on in-person meal procedures and to-go options during hybrid learning. 

School bus safety operations

The Anoka-Hennepin transportation department is committed to getting students back and forth to school safely. Industry standard sanitation systems, reduced capacities, and safety-oriented boarding and unboarding procedures have a focus on maintaining health and safety on the bus. In the hybrid learning format, students will ride with about 50% of the capacity of the bus/vehicle. Check out details on the safety measures being added, how the various types of buses will operate and route plans. 

School is set to start in a little over two weeks. Anoka-Hennepin is looking forward to connecting with you and your family soon. 

This week, teachers new to Anoka-Hennepin began their educational journey with the district. Read more on the event. 

Below are a few updates on: My Student Information: A/B designation, chosen learning format and transportation; Educational benefits through child nutrition’s free/reduced application; and translation updates. 

Thank you for your continued support of our schools. 

My Student Information: A/B designation, chosen learning format and transportation 

Earlier this week, families received notice to check for their student’s A/B designation. Parents/guardians were instructed to go to My Student Information app via A-HConnect. Check out the step-by-step guide. Review the new hybrid calendar. 

An important note, all families received an A/B designation - both hybrid and distance learners. The district’s technology platform needs to provide a designation for all students so distance learning students can ignore this designation. Your choice of distance learning or hybrid has been added next to the A/B designation in the My Student Information app. Please review and confirm the type of learning, hybrid or distance learning, your student is set to start the school year in. 

At this point and time, changes may not be possible to the A/B designation. At any time of the year, however, students can move from hybrid to distance learning. Changes from distance learning to hybrid for trimester one will be considered and approved based on space available, both in transportation and facilities, and staffing. Please contact your school for questions or concerns on your student’s A/B designation or learning format. 

 

Details on transportation are on their website. Any transportation inquires should be directed to transportation@ahschools.us.

Educational benefits through child nutrition’s free/reduced application

Anoka-Hennepin encourages all families, including both hybrid and distance learning families, to complete an online application for educational benefits. By completing the application, students may receive free or reduced meals, free or reduced fees for athletic, academic, and co-curricular activities. 

Households may also receive free or discounted fees from cable and internet providers. School districts may receive additional state and federal funding.

For the meal portion of the educational benefits, specifically, meals will be available to pre-order for student take home or parent/guardian pick up for distance learning days – whether that be three days or five days of the week. Hybrid students would also receive free/reduced meals on their in-person days.   

Applications can be completed online by visiting ahschools.us/freereduced. Families can also request an application from Anoka-Hennepin Child Nutrition by calling 763-506-1240.

 

Translated information helps connect with families 

Ensuring strong connections and with all families is a goal for Anoka-Hennepin Schools. The district does provide translated communication options to serve as many families as possible. 

Return to School/COVID-19 website: The entire Return to School/COVID-19 website is translated via Google by selecting the Translate button on the upper right hand corner. Users can easily toggle to another language within the tool. The same feature is available on all district and school websites at the bottom right. 

District messages: AHlert messaging has also been shared in the district’s top language, Spanish, for families that have requested that in the back-to-school forms process. The communication and public relations department plans on sending out additional messaging directly to families requesting Spanish and other top languages in the coming days.  

Please note that while Google and AHlert’s translate tools are considered top of the line resources, they’re not 100 percent accurate; translation errors do occur.

Translated Return to School Guidebook: Spanish, Hmong, Arabic, Russian, Vietnamese, Somali. 

Minnesota Department of Education's Safe Learning Plan for families and educators is available online: English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, and Karen.

Language line: Families can contact the school where there student attends and hold conversations with a translator by requesting the language line.

Anoka-Hennepin announced that school will begin in the hybrid learning format with an option for full distance learning. This notice does not change the learning format chosen by families – whether that be hybrid or distance learning. Parents/guardians with questions or concerns on their student’s chosen learning format should reach out to their school. 

Thank you for being patient as Anoka-Hennepin worked through the complex process of creating hybrid learning schedules. Student A/B schedules were created with the purpose of balancing the number of students on buses, in schools and in classrooms. It was also designed primarily to keep children living in the same household in the same cohort. The ability to alter the assigned days is limited. With the A/B schedule, hybrid learning students attend school in-person two days a week. Generally speaking, the scheduled days are consistent, except during holiday weeks or scheduled breaks. View the new hybrid calendar for a full listing of Cohort A and B days.   

• Students in Cohort A attend school in-person on most Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 
• Students in Cohort B attend school in-person on most Thursdays and Fridays. 

 

Families can now view their student’s Cohort A or B designation on the My Student Information app via A-HConnect. Once logged in click Student information from the menu on the left hand side. There you’ll see a field underneath the contact information called Attend_Day with either an A or B listed. The A or B letter refers to either a Cohort A or Cohort B in-person schedule. Families with multiple students will need to click the drop-down menu on the top, select another family member, and then click Student information once again. Step-by-step directions are available online.

If families have questions about the A/B scheduled days assigned to their student(s), they should contact their assigned school(s). Please reach out to 506help@ahschools.us with questions on username or password credentials, or other A-HConnect items.

A quick glance at the first weeks of September: 

• Sept. 8-11: Schools will coordinate orientation activities for students at all levels. There will be no instruction during this week and student transportation will not be in operation. 
• Sept. 15: First day of instruction for all students. Elementary schools will begin in the hybrid format, middle and high schools will begin in the distance learning format. 
• Sept. 28: Middle and high schools will begin in the hybrid learning format. They will use the first two weeks of distance learning to prepare students for learning in the hybrid model. 

 

Thank you for being a partner with us in your student’s education. 

Face coverings required in schools

Face coverings are required at all Anoka-Hennepin schools and program sites following a state order and by approved district policy. Schools aim to create a culture of health and safety, so students who refuse to wear face coverings will be reminded of the rule, offered a temporary face covering and then extended distance learning if it becomes an ongoing issue. Employees are asked to wear a face covering at all times, unless in an enclosed office setting or partition at least face level. This means employees participating in meetings or conversations with six feet of distance, should still be wearing a face cover. Employees that are presenting to a group, may use a face shield as an alternative. Review the expectations for face coverings in school at ahschools.us/facecoverings.

Hybrid child care

Child care registration under the hybrid learning format will open tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 8 a.m. Students must be in kindergarten - age 12, attending in-person learning in the hybrid learning format, in order to utilize hybrid child care. Spaces may be limited, and Tier 1 critical workers will be prioritized. Families must be registered by Aug. 30, in order to start care on Sept. 8.

Families can register for before- and/or after-school care on your child’s in-person learning days, and full-day care on your child’s distance learning days. View child care FAQs. Register online. Call 763-506-1400 or email adventuresplus@ahschools.us for assistance.

(08/24/2020) Anoka-Hennepin Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year in the hybrid learning format following discussion and direction from the Anoka-Hennepin School Board at their Aug. 24 meeting. Preparations since late spring and guidance from the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan and public health data led to the decision. 

Elementary students will start the year, Sept. 15, in the hybrid learning format, and middle and high school students will start in the distance learning format for the first two weeks, Sept. 15-25, and then follow with a switch to hybrid, Sept. 28.

 

Students will maintain the ability to choose the distance learning format at all levels. Those who desire to change from hybrid to distance learning should contact the school their student attends to make the arrangements.  

The School Board also approved an updated calendar reflective of the hybrid learning format. All students will have an orientation/welcome week Sept. 8-11. Activities that week will include such items as transition events for kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade students, meet the teacher conferences for students and families, technology distributions and more. Parents/guardians or others will be needed to transport students to school for these events as student transportation will not be available.

A quick glance at the first weeks of September: 

• Sept. 8-11: Schools will coordinate orientation activities for students at all levels. There will be no instruction during this week and student transportation will not be in operation. 
• Sept. 15: First day of instruction for all students. Elementary schools will begin in the hybrid format, middle and high schools will begin in the distance learning format. 
• Sept. 28: Middle and high schools will begin in the hybrid learning format.

 

Technical issues prevented viewers from streaming the meeting live online, however, it was available live on cable channel 18. The recorded version of the meeting will be replayed on cable channel 18 and viewable on the district website, beginning Tuesday, Aug. 25. The district regrets this unforeseen situation and apologizes for any inconvenience this caused. 

School administration will continue to monitor COVID-19 health data and community health conditions. It’s the goal of Anoka-Hennepin to return all students to school in-person as conditions allow, while protecting the health and safety of students, employees and the community. 

Parents/guardians should refer to additional information on the start of the school year provided by the school their student attends. The district is planning to share A/B designations for students later this week. 

Please continue to refer to ahschools.us/COVID-19 for an overview of the district's Return to School Roadmap and the latest information.

Anoka-Hennepin is continuing to work hard to prepare for the return of students for the 2020-21 school year. Every effort is being made to ensure safety is at the forefront of learning. Our district continues to stay connected with public health officials, following expert advice and best practices to provide the safest environments possible. 

Next week, teachers will return to school to prepare schools and classrooms as scheduled. They’ll organize their lesson plans and participate in professional development. Doing so, will enable our schools to provide each and every Anoka-Hennepin student an excellent educational experience this year, whether that’s in the classroom or online. 

Thank you again for your patience during this challenging time. Our positive collaboration is helping to make strides every day. 

 

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School Board to hear and discuss start to 2020-21 school year

At its Monday, Aug. 24 meeting, the School Board will consider: 

• Recommendations for starting the 2020-21 school year. 
• Calendar adjustments reflective of the hybrid learning format. 
• A policy on face coverings. 

Tune into the live broadcast at 6:30 p.m. Monday, on cable channel 18 or go to ahschools.us/SBstream. 

Recommendation for 2020-21 school year learning format

The overall planning that has taken place to prepare for the start of the 2020-21 school year will be shared and Superintendent Law will then state the latest local data and the district’s learning format recommendations for elementary, middle and high school students. 

 

Calendar adjustments to support hybrid learning model

The school calendar consideration is reflective of the hybrid learning format. It adds an orientation/welcome week for all students the first four days of the school year, from Tuesday, Sept. 8 until Friday, Sept. 11. This week of activities will include items such as transition events for kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade students, meet the teacher conferences for students and families, technology distributions and more. Parents/guardians or others will be needed to transport students to school for these events as student transportation will not be available. 

The first day of learning for all students is set for Tuesday, Sept. 15 with elementary students in the hybrid learning format and middle and high school students beginning in distance learning and transitioning to the hybrid learning format on Sept. 28. 

Face coverings policy

Face coverings are required at all Anoka-Hennepin schools and program sites following a state order. As shared in the proposed policy, schools are aiming to create a culture of health and safety, so students who refuse to wear face coverings will be reminded of the rule, offered a temporary face covering and then extended distance learning if it becomes an ongoing issue. Review the expectations for face coverings in school at ahschools.us/facecoverings.

 

Return to school events 

All return to school events that were previously scheduled before Sept. 8, including sixth and ninth grade transition events and school open houses, have either been canceled or postponed. Many schools will move them to early September or to the orientation/welcome week (Sept. 8-11, pending School Board approval). Schools will be sending out more detailed information on updates to these happenings. Stay tuned. 

 

A/B Schedule assignments 

A tremendous amount of work has gone into creating the A/B schedule assignments this week. The complex process involves school employees reviewing individual student schedules alongside transportation and other family schedules to ensure the A/B designations will work for all. Once completed, parents/guardians will be able to find their student’s designation on the My Student Information app via A-HConnect. Families will receive notice next week that the information is available to view. Thank you for being patient. 

 

Child care

Care will be prioritized for Tier 1 critical workers with children in kindergarten through age 12. If you are a Tier I critical worker, you can submit your proof of employment by emailing a copy of your work ID badge that includes enough information to determine eligibility or a letter from your employer stating that you qualify as a Tier 1 worker to adventuresplus@ahschools.us. Include parent name/job title, child name/grade, and the school the child attends. Submitting proof now will speed up the process once hybrid child care registration opens. 

Registration for hybrid child care will open once families receive their A/B schedule assignments. Non-Tier 1 families may also be able to receive hybrid child care on distance learning days if space is available after Tier I families have been placed. 

More information and FAQs about child care are online at ahschool.us/COVID-19. For additional questions about child care, contact adventuresplus@ahschools.us.

 

More information

The Return to School Roadmap was updated Aug. 20. Refer to this guidebook for details on the district’s safe reopening plan.

For additional information, including health and safety measures, learning details and FAQ, visit ahschools.us/COVID-19.

Included is an update on the start of the 2020-21 school year, specifically, information on the A/B schedule assignments, back-to-school forms, calendar changes, child care, health and safety updates, and a face covering expectations and policy. 

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.

Face coverings are required by all who enter district schools or facilities, including all students K through 12, following the direction of a July 22 state order. Anoka-Hennepin Schools invites students to wear their own face coverings that follow the guidelines, and the district also has a supply of face coverings at school.

The use of face coverings is part of a system of protection and is an important aspect of maintaining a culture of health and safety among students and staff, which includes using social distancing, hand hygiene, and all the health and safety protocols in place.

Expectations for students: Face coverings can be paper or disposable, cloth, scarf, bandana or a religious face covering. The covering should cover the nose and mouth completely, should not be overly tight or restrictive, and should feel comfortable to wear. Face coverings are not required for children under age five and should not be placed on anyone under age two, anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance, or anyone who cannot tolerate a face covering due to a developmental, medical, or behavioral health condition.

Expectations for employees, vendors and the public: Employees are required to wear a face cover that covers their mouth and nose while working. It is more critical if they are in situations where they cannot maintain at least six feet between themselves and others or when they are in the presence of others for more than 15 minutes, regardless of physical separation. Employees are required to wear a face cover while working in the presence of members of the public. All vendors and visitors to school facilities are required to wear a face cover within the guidelines. If needed, the district will provide face covers for visitor use.

Use of plastic face shields: CDC guidelines do not recommend the use of face shields, a clear plastic shield that covers the forehead, wraps around the chin, and wraps around the face, for normal everyday wear or as a substitute for cloth face coverings. Under certain conditions, a face shield can be used as an alternative for those who can’t wear face covers due to medical or other conditions or those who need the visibility of facial expression and lip movements for speech perception. Once that need is no longer present the person would be expected to return to the use of a face cover.

Temporary removal allowed: Temporary removal of coverings to eat, participate in activities or just take a short break are also acceptable. Anoka-Hennepin will follow the directions from the Minnesota Department of Health, see page 7 of their planning guide for direction on face coverings in schools. Parents/guardians with questions about use of face coverings at school should contact the school their student attends for additional information or view the the FAQ page on the district’s COVID-19 website.

It is the goal of the district to safely operate schools, promoting a culture of health and safety among students and staff using face coverings and all the health and safety protocols in place.

Anoka-Hennepin encountered a technical error in yesterday’s email message. Student names and identification numbers for parents/guardians to utilize in sharing their child(ren)’s 2020-21 learning preferences were not included as planned. Technicians worked to fix the issue overnight and you’ll now see that information in the Aug. 4 email sent. You can also find student identification numbers anytime in the My Student Information app via A-HConnect (directly under each student’s name) or by reaching out to your child(ren)’s school(s).

 

In order to plan school for hybrid learning and the potential move to other learning formats, please share your family’s intentions for your child through the questions on this form by Monday, Aug. 10 (student ID needed to fill out this form can be found in My Student Information app via A-HConnect, or your Aug. 4 email). A note, messages are being sent to parents/guardians for each school-age child attending an Anoka-Hennepin school since specific information is needed for each child enrolled. Please make sure to submit one response for each child and note that only one parent/guardian needs to complete the form for each child. 

 

An updated Guidebook is at ahschools.us/COVID-19guidebook. Answers to frequently asked questions have been added to ahschools.us/COVID-19faq. 

 

Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. Thank you for your flexibility, patience and understanding.  

Parents/guardians can assist Anoka-Hennepin Schools plan for the 2020-21 school year by providing preferences for each child attending school in the district. 

As shared late last week, the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan (English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, and Karen) allows schools to open in one of three formats depending on localized COVID-19 cases over 14 days and other operational factors that impact the district’s ability to deliver educational services. Based on recent health data and trends, Anoka-Hennepin plans to open in the hybrid learning format, a model that uses a combination of in-person school and learning at home. Every attempt will be made to keep households on the same schedule during hybrid learning. Please know that the district will continue to evaluate the most current COVID-19 case data for Anoka and Hennepin counties to guide decision making on any learning format changes. The district may change learning models throughout the school year as a result. 

In order to plan school for hybrid learning and the potential move to other learning formats, please share your family’s intentions for your child through the questions on this form by Monday, Aug. 10 (student ID needed to fill out this form can be found in My Student Information app via A-HConnect). A note, messages are being sent to parents/guardians for each school-age child attending an Anoka-Hennepin school since specific information is needed for each child enrolled. Please make sure to submit one response for each child and note that only one parent/guardian needs to complete the form for each child. 

It is understood that parents/guardians need additional information to make decisions. To assist in answering the questions presented, a Guidebook now provides additional information about the 2020-21 school year in Anoka-Hennepin. You’ll find information on learning, health and safety, transportation, and more. Check it out at ahschools.us/COVID-19guidebook.  

Information and answers to frequently asked questions, including the district’s expectations for face coverings, are also at ahschools.us/COVID-19. 

Please reach out to health@ahschools.us with any questions or concerns. 

Thank you for taking the time to respond and your ongoing support of your student and our schools.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools is planning to start the 2020-21 school year in the hybrid learning model, a system that uses a combination of in-person school and learning at home. The direction follows guidance from state leaders on July 30. 

The Minnesota Safe Learning Plan (English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, and Karen) allows schools to open in one of three formats depending on public health data, specifically COVID-19 cases by county over 14 days. Using an initial review of the most recent data and the trends in the number of cases in both Anoka and Hennepin counties, Anoka-Hennepin is planning to open schools in the hybrid model at 50% capacity for all preschool through 12th grade students. Please know that the district will continue to evaluate the most current data on COVID-19 cases to guide decision making on any learning format changes. Anoka-Hennepin parents/guardians will also have the option to select distance learning for their student(s).  

 

In a hybrid learning model, Anoka-Hennepin kindergarten through 12th grade students will attend school in-person two days per week and through the virtual learning model three days per week. Specific days for each student and family will be known no later than Friday, Aug. 14, as the district balances transportation and classroom needs.

Look for additional information on Monday, Aug. 3, about the hybrid and distance learning models along with a parent/guardian form to provide preferences for learning models and to determine needs for technology, transportation and other items. More information and answers to frequently asked questions are at ahschools.us/COVID-19. Reach out to health@ahschools.us with any questions or concerns.

Guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Health and Governor’s office provides learning options for the 2020-21 school year. Anoka-Hennepin’s planning teams will need time to compare this new guidance with the school scenarios that have been under development before more detailed information can be provided. 

Here is an overview of what is currently known:

• Decisions on the format of school will be based on localized health data, specifically COVID-19 cases, over a 14-day period.
• The learning format for the start of the 2020-21 school year will be announced at a later date, alongside timely health data. 
• Schools may change between in-person, hybrid, and distance learning throughout the year. Such a change would be based on guidance from health officials and state agencies.
• Families will have the option to request distance learning under any learning format.  

 

Parents/guardians will be asked to share their intentions for trimester one of the 2020-21 school year. Details on how to submit this information will be shared Monday, Aug. 3 via AHlert and other regular communication outlets. 

Anoka-Hennepin’s first priority continues to be protecting the health and safety of students, employees, families and the community at-large. Our schools are working closely with public health officials to ensure a high level of health and safety for all. Even though in-person learning may be offered, face coverings and other measures will be in effect to ensure the safest school possible for students and staff. District safety measures show that classroom spaces and day-to-day operations will be different than in prior school years. 

More information and answers to frequently asked questions are at ahschools.us/COVID-19. Reach out to health@ahschools.us with any questions or concerns.

It’s understood that these are challenging times for all and our district is proceeding with decisions about the future with full knowledge of the impacts they may have on our families and community. Anoka-Hennepin remains committed to staying in communication with you and maintaining strong connections through this situation. Thank you for your patience, understanding and adaptability as our schools do the best they can to support your student’s learning needs, as well as your ongoing support of our schools.

The following information is provided as an update to a July 22 message on face coverings. 

In response to the new guidance that came out yesterday from Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Anoka-Hennepin Schools is updating its message in regards to students providing their own face coverings. The district will provide face coverings to students who request and/or need them. This same system will be in place for employees. Personal face coverings may also be used. 

 

The state order requires mandatory wearing of face coverings indoors, with some exceptions, beginning on Saturday, July 25. The MDH guidance on school districts providing face coverings pertains to a return to school under either the in-person or hybrid models in the fall. Programs currently in operation, such as Adventures Plus school-age care, will receive additional information directly from those programs.  

 

Look for more detailed guidance on how to acquire a face covering from the district soon. Visit ahschools.us/COVID-19 for the latest information.

Face coverings are required indoors at all Anoka-Hennepin Schools facilities in alignment with a July 22 state order to control the spread of COVID-19, and protect the health and safety of employees, students and the community. This order begins July 25 and covers all persons including employees, kindergarten through grade 12 students, visitors, and vendors, and will continue until further notice.

Anoka-Hennepin Community Education will provide additional information on how the state order impacts Adventures Plus school-age care and its operation later this week.

Settings that face coverings are expected to be used include: time spent with other people, in hallways, riding on school transportation, as well as public areas such as restrooms. Social distancing, keeping at least six feet between yourself and others, is considered the best way to protect yourself and others. The face covering is not a substitute for social distancing. 

The wearing of face coverings is part of a system of health and safety protections that include social distancing, hand hygiene, limiting building access, and other strategies in operation at Anoka-Hennepin Schools. Compliance with the cloth face cover wearing order is voluntary. Thank you for your compliance with this request.

 

FAQ on cloth face coverings

Do I have to wear a cloth face cover outside?
The recommendation is to wear a cloth face cover in workplace settings on school property or around students in a work environment. Outside spaces are not considered part of this order. 

Why is this being done now?
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is following a state order signed July 22. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance does recommend wearing of cloth face coverings. A message to inform employees and the community is being sent now in response to the state order. 

What happens if myself or others don’t wear a cloth face cover?
The order to wear a cloth face cover is a directive from the state government and there is an expectation that all citizens will follow this direction to provide maximum protection for community health and safety. This is a voluntary compliance program and there are no fines or penalties involved in not wearing a cloth face cover. However, since school employees work in confined spaces and are at an increased risk for COVID-19, compliance by all leads to improved workplace health and safety for all.

Planning for the 2020-21 school year continues in Anoka-Hennepin Schools following guidance shared June 18 by the State of Minnesota to develop contingency plans based on three learning scenarios: in-person, hybrid model with 50% capacity, and distance learning. Anoka-Hennepin’s 30-member cross-functional leadership team and support committees continue to refine options within each of these formats. Direction of which format will be in place when school resumes is expected to come from the State of Minnesota the week of July 27. 

 

Once direction is provided from the state, Anoka-Hennepin Schools will share additional details and collect information from parents/guardians regarding their students' return to school. It’s understood that while some desire students to return to school in-person full time, there are others who would prefer distance learning. School planning will allow for parent/guardian choice on distance learning regardless of the format chosen by the state. Please understand, state leaders, not the School Board, superintendent or principal, will make that decision on the learning format. It’s also likely that the district will be moving between learning formats as the school year advances, depending on conditions. 

 

Consult the ahschools.us/covid-19 website as a resource and remain alert for email communications that will include directions for providing important information regarding school format choice and transportation needs that will assist in back-to-school school planning. 

 

Please send any questions or concerns to health@ahschools.us.

As planning for the 2020-21 school year, guidance shared June 18 by the State of Minnesota provided some direction for decision making. School districts, including Anoka-Hennepin,  are developing contingency plans based on three scenarios constructed by state agencies: fully in-person, hybrid and fully distance learning. Anoka-Hennepin has formed a 29-member cross-functional leadership team to coordinate planning and preparation in advance of further direction. 

 

The state agencies and leadership, not the school board, superintendent or principal, will determine which of the three formats will be used for school in the fall. Anoka-Hennepin will be prepared for that decision, which is expected the week of July 27. The district will share additional information on how the chosen format impacts Anoka-Hennepin students and families as soon as possible after that date, likely within five days. It’s acknowledged that everyone would like information sooner, and your patience and understanding is appreciated as district leaders prepare plans to ensure students and staff remain safe and that students receive the highest quality education available. The following further explains the three planning scenarios constructed by the state: 

 

Scenario 1: In-person learning for all students. In this planning scenario, schools should create as much space between students and teachers as is feasible during the day, but will not be held strictly to enforcing 6 feet of social distancing during primary instructional time in the classroom. Activities and extracurricular programming should continue to follow the Guidance for Social Distancing in Youth Sports.

 

Scenario 2: Hybrid model with strict social distancing and capacity limits. In this planning scenario, schools must limit the overall number of people in school facilities and on transportation vehicles to 50% maximum occupancy. Sufficient social distancing with at least 6 feet between people must occur at all times.

 

Scenario 3: Distance learning only. Students receive instruction off-school sites, but schools may also be open to provide emergency child care or other functions. It’s likely that the format of Distance Learning will be modified with improvements from what has been learned from the spring. 

 

Anoka-Hennepin parents and guardians will have a choice in planning decisions regarding their child’s return to school settings, depending on the format selected. The district will need data on the number of students who plan to attend school to assist with logistics such as transportation, food service and ensuring physical distancing requirements. 

 

If you have not yet taken the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Distance learning survey, please follow this link. The survey will close on June 30. Your input will help them and us! 

 

Please consult our ahschools.us/covid-19 website as a resource and stay tuned for additional Anoka-Hennepin communications regarding the return to school in the weeks and months to come. Please send any questions or concerns to health@ahschools.us. 

As the school year comes to a close, Anoka-Hennepin schools continue to prepare options that may be necessary when school resumes in the fall. Unless otherwise directed by the state of Minnesota or other government agency, school will begin as planned on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

It is understood that employees, students and their families have many questions regarding a return to in-person school. As plans develop, the district will seek feedback from teachers and district staff along with the community to provide the best possible decisions. Protecting the health and safety of all involved will be the first priority. Contingency planning for a variety of potential scenarios will continue to make sure the district is prepared should state and/or federal guidelines provide direction that does not allow all students to return to school full-time. 

The district is committed to communicate decisions that impact school as far in advance as possible to allow for ample planning time, but it may be late July or August before information can be shared. Please remain alert for messaging regarding the start of school over the summer months.

Anoka-Hennepin is proud of our efforts to continuously improve. Each year the district utilizes student assessment data, survey data from students, parents/guardians, staff, and the community, graduation rates, and other measures to identify areas for improvement. Working with internal and external experts, the district prioritizes time and resources to address the areas of greatest need. 

 

Now that a “normal day” of school has been replaced by a virtual, distance learning format, there are new sources of data to consider. Student access to instruction and student engagement are two areas of focus. One thing that hasn’t changed, school is about learning. Teachers and students are responding to the challenges of the new distance learning format and finding a way to make it work. While it’s understood that this system is new and each student may react differently, work is happening to refine and improve with a focus on moving students forward. 

 

Late April, in an effort to learn more and improve, the district offered a survey opportunity to middle and high schoolers as well as teachers. The feedback leaned more positively for both groups. Just over 71% of students reported they were satisfied with their distance learning to some degree (7% extremely satisfied, 32% satisfied, 32% moderately satisfied). Also, 78% of students reported they were satisfied with their teacher connections to some degree (14% extremely satisfied, 33% satisfied, 31% moderately satisfied). And just over 83% of teachers reported they were satisfied with distance learning to some degree (7% extremely satisfied, 42% satisfied, 34% moderately satisfied). 

 

During this time of forced innovation, when so many are impacted by a sense of loss, an energy and focus on what can be done is alive and well in our schools. Motivated staff and students are finding new ways to get the job done. While classrooms have been temporarily replaced by kitchen tables, the effort and drive of students to succeed perseveres. Personal connection and interaction between teacher and student has changed, but should not be lost during distance learning. 

 

Thank you all for your continued support of our schools and your great efforts to make the end of the school year a successful one. 

 

David Law, superintendent 

Anoka-Hennepin Schools will host virtual commencement ceremonies for the 3,000 graduates from the five traditional high schools in the district following the direction received by the State of Minnesota today.  

Anoka-Hennepin Schools has been preparing for virtual ceremonies and in-person options in anticipation of this direction and is prepared to present a high quality virtual graduation experience for the students of the Class of 2020 and those who support them. State guidance also encouraged districts not to reschedule ceremonies to a later date due to the uncertainty of social distancing guidelines. 

Virtual commencement ceremonies will be held at dates and times already scheduled on the calendar and will include the same elements as a traditional in-person ceremony. Graduates will hear their name called as part of the diploma presentation and have the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishment. Traditional caps and gowns will be distributed to allow for commemorative photos. In addition to the ceremonies, each high school will coordinate photo opportunities using a decorated stage on their school campuses for graduates and family members. This opportunity will be staggered over several days during the week of graduation to allow families adequate time and comply with safety expectations. Additional information on this option will be shared with graduates as details are finalized.  

Commencement ceremonies will be produced in cooperation with local cable programming partners QCTV, CTN, North Metro TV, and CCX Media. Ceremonies will be shared live on the cable channels in their communities and streamed on their websites along with school and district media outlets. Additional information on outlets to view the ceremonies will be shared prior to the events. 

Commencement ceremonies are scheduled at the following dates and times: 

• Andover: 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 7.
• Anoka: 7 p.m. on Monday, June 8.
• Blaine: 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9.
• Champlin Park: 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 7.
• Coon Rapids: 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 7.

 

Anoka-Hennepin has produced a frequently asked questions webpage, ahschools.us/graduationFAQ, to answer questions and provide information about the graduation ceremonies. Should you need additional information please email graduation2020@ahschools.us.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools is enacting adjustments to the district calendar to accommodate distance learning modifications, the return of technology items and distribution of materials.

Distance learning engagement and catch-up days

Anoka-Hennepin has established one day per week, four days total in the calendar, to support individual student needs for distance learning. Distance learning engagement and catch-up days are set for Wednesday, May 13, Wednesday, May 20, Wednesday, May 27 and Friday, June 5. 

New instruction will not be provided on these days but rather the time will be used to assist students who are struggling and support time concerns for parents/guardians who are supporting their students. Teachers may monitor progress, communicate with students individually or in small groups to offer support, and potentially offer additional learning opportunities for students who need them.   

Last day of school  

The final day of new instruction for seniors is Thursday, May 28. Seniors may return to distance learning on Friday, May 29 to complete coursework, but it is not a required school day. 

The final day of new instruction for students in kindergarten through grade 11 is Thursday, June 4. Students may return to distance learning on Friday, June 5 to complete coursework, but it is not a required school day. 

Return of district technology/personal property pick-up 

The end-of-year calendar needs to be adapted to facilitate the return of Chromebooks used for instruction during distance learning. 

Seniors will return district Chromebooks and other technology and pick up graduation items such as their cap and gown on Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2. Additional information will be provided to seniors as it becomes available. 

Students in kindergarten through grade 11 will return district Chromebooks and other technology on Monday, June 8 and Tuesday, June 9. Additional information on the return locations and times along with possible personal property pick-up at schools will be shared as it becomes available.

Dear parents/guardians,

All of us have all been experiencing a much different spring than what was anticipated. Here at Anoka-Hennepin, our district has and will continue to remain focused on supporting our students even with the end of the school year quickly approaching. 

Finishing strong is an important attribute to learn for any situation and it’s particularly important during times of uncertainty. This can be a time when character and integrity develop and a time for students to build their personal pride and gain the sense of satisfaction that comes with a job well done.  

When it was learned that school will continue in distance learning to the end of the school year, our focus remained on our students. What is the next decision that needs to be made in their best interest and development? One of those important decisions involves a change in grading practices for the third trimester. This decision is the result of feedback from multiple stakeholders and represents a desire to motivate students while also maintaining a level of fairness for those students not as prepared for this new style of learning. Thank you for reviewing these practices at ahschools.us/tri3grading. Should you need further clarification or have questions, please reach out to your school principal for support. 

Additional decisions will need to be made in the weeks ahead regarding the many year end celebrations and graduation ceremonies. Your schools will do their very best to honor traditions by creating plans with the hope to host these events in-person, while also preparing for the possibility of honoring achievement in a virtual format. No matter the format, the focus will remain on students and their outstanding accomplishments during their time with Anoka-Hennepin Schools. This situation continues to be monitored and the district is committed to communicating decisions in advance to provide time necessary for planning. 

Students and staff enter the last month of the school year better prepared and ready to face any challenge that awaits. Now is a good time to focus on a strong finish and build on all that has been gained throughout the course of the school year. I remain optimistic for the future of our students and committed to do all that is possible to ensure their future success. 

David Law, superintendent

What has been anticipated for some time has happened: a state order to close schools through May 5 has been extended through the end of the 2019-20 school year. Distance learning programs will remain in place for students and will follow the regular school calendar through the final day of instruction for the school year, Tuesday, June 9. 

The announcement from state leaders provides time for parents/guardians and educators to plan and make decisions for the weeks ahead. Our district is grateful for relationships with various state, national, and community partners as well as with parents/guardians to navigate the challenges that accompany this unusual situation. 

Anoka-Hennepin’s first priority continues to be protecting the health and safety of students, families and the community at-large. Our schools will work closely with public health officials to make the best decisions to ensure a high level of health and safety for all. The district is also committed to doing its best to support students and those who support them during this time. Our schools are determining whether the many events on the calendar may be postponed or provided in a virtual format. Please look for communication directly from your school(s) on these. 

Anoka-Hennepin will continue to provide meals to students and school-age child care for emergency workers needing it. A variety of district and community resources are also available to families from emotional and behavioral supports to technology supports. Visit ahschools.us/COVID-19resources for details on these topics and a number of others.

It’s understood that these are challenging times for all and our district is proceeding with decisions about the future with full knowledge of the impacts they may have on our families and community. Anoka-Hennepin remains committed to staying in communication with you and maintaining strong connections through this situation.  

Thank you for your ongoing support of your student and our schools. I’m proud of our resolve and positive approach to make the best of our situation and look forward to what we can accomplish together in the future. 

David Law, superintendent

 

Frequently asked questions

When does the 2019-20 school year end? 

School will end as scheduled on Tuesday, June 9 for elementary, middle and high school students. 

How will grading be done for trimester three?

Anoka-Hennepin aims to maximize student achievement during this distance learning time while also holding students harmless from a potential change in grade due to the new structure. The district is reviewing options and will communicate regarding the policy once proposals are finalized.

In the meantime, school work will continue to be assessed.

Are all activities canceled? 

Cancelations continue to remain in effect for all before- and after-school activities as well as facility rentals.

 

High school spring athletics and activities follow the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) guildelines, which now state that the remainder of the season has been canceled. This includes all participation in MSHSL events including, but not limited to, practices, tryouts, scrimmages, contests and competitions as well as postseason tournaments.

What about events such as prom, graduation and other end-of-the-year celebrations? 

Future events must comply with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state guidance with regard to the number of participants and proximity. This includes all district-sponsored events including prom and commencement ceremonies along with facility rentals. Some events and recognitions have the ability to be conducted virtually using live streaming technology. Schools will share details once such events are finalized. 

Anoka-Hennepin is truly aiming to provide the best possible completion to the school year for all students.  

Does the cancelation include summer school?

The district is working with the Minnesota Department of Education on summer school programming and is currently reviewing options. Plans will be shared with families once finalized.

There are still belongings of mine at school, how do I get them?

Each school will establish a time for picking up remaining personal belongings, including medication, later this spring. Please stay tuned to your regular school communications for further directions on this. 

What about items lent from school, including Chromebooks, library books, athletic uniforms, etc.?

The high schools will hold a school drop off event for all their school and cluster elementary and middle schools (similar to the Chromebook pick up). Please return any school items, such as Chromebooks, library books, athletic uniforms, or other items during this time. 

 

Note: Materials collections will now be held at individual schools instead of centrally at the high school locations. Additional information on dates and times regarding the return of technology, library books, athletic uniforms and other materials will be provided directly from the school of attendance. Updated May 5, 2020.

Will fees be reimbursed? 

Yes. The Anoka-Hennepin finance department is coordinating the refund of fees. Fees paid electronically will be reimbursed in that same fashion. Fees paid by check or cash will both be paid by check and sent to parent/guardians’ homes via U.S. mail. 

• Meals: Unused lunch balances will remain in student accounts until utilized. If a refund is preferred, please reach out to the child nutrition department at staff.cnpenrollment@ahschools.us. A refund voucher is also available online. A special note, account balances can be donated to other accounts, e.g. a senior student giving their account balance to a sibling.
• Athletics and activities: Due to complexities in athletic and activity fees, a plan for each activity is being developed and will be communicated when available.   
• Parking permits: Multi-term permit holders will receive a partial refund of their fees and trimester three parking permits will be reimbursed in their entirety. 
• Adventures Plus school-age care and Community Education classes: Community Education has been contacting participants individually since school and programs were canceled in March. Participants have been able to choose to receive credits on account or refunds. Credits on account may be applied to future classes or activities through June 2021, and would help to keep Community Education stable during this unprecedented time. Anoka-Hennepin Community Education values the relationships that we have built in our communities and hopes to continue to count on the support of our communities in the future. Families with Adventures Plus child care contracts for the 2019-20 school-year will be canceled automatically, and families will not be billed for care the remainder of the school year.

 

Will meals continue to be distributed? 

Meals will continue to be offered to school-age children through the end of the school year, Tuesday, June 9, as detailed at ahschools.us/COVID-19meals.

Once school concludes, meal access will be consolidated and continue. Locations for meal distribution may be different than they are now. Details will again be shared at ahschools.us/COVID-19meals.  

Will District Emergency Child Care continue? 

District Emergency Child Care will continue to be offered for Tier 1 and 2 workers as directed by the state order, which is currently until the end of the school year, Tuesday, June 9. 

What about Adventures Plus school-age care scheduled for this summer?

Adventures Plus has not yet received guidance from the state in regard to if and how schools may offer summer programming, however, our team continues to develop plans to offer summer child care dependent upon state health guidelines and direction from the Minnesota departments of education (MDE) and health (MDH), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding COVID-19.

The Adventures Plus school-age care summer program has closed summer registration. Future program details will be shared with families who are registered for the program as the circumstances evolve.

Are other summer Community Education programs canceled?

The safety of our community is our top priority. At this time, Community Education will not offer most summer programs for youth, adults and families. Visit discovercommunityed.com or ahschools.us/COVID-19_CommEd for specific program updates. 

Community Education is currently offering programs via online platforms through Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), preschool classes, adult learning and adult basic education (ABE). We will continue to monitor guidance from the Minnesota departments of education (MDE) and health (MDH), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine if and how we can continue to offer limited online and/or outdoor programming over the summer months. 

Can students, families and community members utilize district facilities during this school closure extension? 

District facilities are closed and cannot be rented at this time. 

Any activity on school property is not district sanctioned or supervised, other than emergency child care, student meals, learning materials distribution and the operational support of these activities. 

Playgrounds, specifically, are closed entirely to the public. 

I haven’t registered my soon-to-be kindergartener for the 2020-21 school year. How do I go about doing that? 

Kindergarten online registration is open for the 2020-21 school year.  

Please utilize the registration information sent via U.S. mail and/or email. Families that have not received this information should reach out to acshelp@ahschools.us. Once these details are gathered, families can begin the registration process online at ahschools.us/enrollment. 

What about next school year, 2020-21?

Currently, Anoka-Hennepin is planning for in-person learning to resume next fall. This situation could change depending on direction from the State of Minnesota. The district is monitoring the situation closely in conjunction with the Minnesota departments of health and education, with the goal to finalize and communicate the plan for the start of school by late summer. 

Will students be held back or retained this fall, the 2020-21 school year?

Students will be held harmless in this new learning structure. Holding students back, known as retention, will not be administered to any student solely because of their learning or work in trimester three of this school year.

What was said weeks ago regarding distance learning remains true today as we complete week three, our teachers and students continue to improve. Moreover, this community is responding with a sense of purpose, providing the assistance necessary for our students and each other during this time of great need. 

The supportive and caring nature of parents and guardians is a key factor for our students as teachers, administrators, and employees in all facets of service in our organization have felt an outpouring of support from the community. It’s making a difference. One strong example of community support is found in the $25,000 raised following a call for help from the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation to support internet hotspots so that all students have online access to learning. Just today I’m proud to report that each of our high schools have identified less than five students without internet access, and we’re working on moving to 100 percent next week. 

Our teachers and students have also stepped up to fill gaps and solve problems. Healthcare workers will benefit from a coordinated effort in our schools to produce personal protective equipment, filling a key need in our society. At the same time our schools are supporting child care for emergency workers and serving over 5,000 meals a day for students. 

Students have demonstrated support and care for our seniors citizens, coordinating a letter-writing and connection campaign for those isolated seniors and others in the community. These examples are amongst the thousands of caring and selfless actions taken to support others. Continue to check in with our district’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for more of these great examples.

Like you, our schools await direction from the state regarding the future of distance learning and the potential to return to school, or the likelihood of conducting any of the hundreds of events planned for the weeks ahead. No matter the direction, it’s our goal to support our seniors in the Class of 2020 to ensure they have the best possible finish to their education with us as we also work to support the needs of all students throughout the district. 

Our commitment to you is to provide timely and accurate updates to keep you informed, and to maintain and strengthen your trust in us. Thank you for remaining positive and optimistic for the work we do to support your student. 

David Law, superintendent

As the second week of distance learning concludes, there are many positives to celebrate. 

One of our core values as a school district is to listen to feedback from the community to monitor satisfaction with services provided and determine any changes needed to improve those services. Last week, middle and high school parents/guardians had the opportunity to provide feedback on distance learning thus far. About 70% of the 2,800 respondents said they were satisfied with distance learning, with about that same amount saying the homework load is appropriate. These results are strikingly similar to questions regarding homework in the annual parent/guardian survey Anoka-Hennepin has done annually for several years. The numbers provide confidence that teachers are connecting with students in a way that is similar to what they have in the classroom. Elementary school parents/guardians will have a similar opportunity to share feedback next week. Stay tuned for those results. 

Several examples of how learning is looking for Anoka-Hennepin students can be seen right on the district’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. Some of the highlights have included a high school band practice, a fourth grade class working on an assignment to spread kindness, and even masks being made with a high school 3-D printer. Make sure to check all these great stories out. And staff and community members alike, please continue to share this good news with us. 

The number of families serviced with Anoka-Hennepin’s meal and child care programs continue to climb as well. More than 5,300 meals are now being provided. For emergency child care, hundreds of students are being cared for as their parents/guardians are providing essential services to protect the health and safety of the community.   

Looking forward, there are several events like graduation, spring sports and prom that normally occur in May and June. At this point, the Governor, the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League have not made any decisions about that window of time. As soon as the district receives guidance for activities in those months, families will receive communications from the district and their schools regarding these and other events. 

Our staff and families are doing a fabulous job at making the best of this challenging situation. Please continue to push forward, your hard work is truly making a difference for our students. 

Stay tuned to ahschools.us/COVID-19 for the latest information. 

Superintendent David Law

Today marks the end of our first week of distance learning. It’s hard to grasp the changes we‘ve all experienced in just a few weeks. This has been an unprecedented team effort by all of us in Anoka-Hennepin and there are so many reasons to thank each and every student, parents/guardians and employees for pulling together to support our students. Thank you!

As kitchen tables and living rooms have turned into classrooms, students and those who support them, have experienced education like never before. Our school system has worked equally hard to provide the support to make it happen. In just five days of distance learning, 20,000 video conferencing sessions were conducted, 3,000 classroom hubs were created by teachers and 80,000 digital documents were created by staff and students a day. Keep in mind that all this activity took place using current district resources, computer equipment and systems the district already owns. 

Along with distance learning, our district has met the challenge of the state’s directive for child care for emergency workers and a student meals program. Our schools have supported hundreds of families of Tier 1 and Tier 2 workers so they’re able to provide essential services to protect the health and safety of the community. Nearly 4,000 students a day are receiving lunch and breakfast at over 30 locations throughout the community in our student meals distribution plan, an effort which continues to adjust to meet needs and serve as many families as possible.  

We understand the significant challenges the state’s stay-at-home order and social distancing directives have placed on all of you. While our schools are still at the beginning of the distance learning period, we’re off to a strong start with a resolve to continually improve. Our students benefit from your support, and we all look forward to what can be accomplished for their benefit in the weeks to come. 

Sincerely, 

David Law, superintendent

Anoka-Hennepin families, 

 

Beginning Monday our schools will operate under a distance learning model of education as part of a comprehensive effort to ensure the personal health and safety of all citizens. Our teachers, staff and community have risen to the challenge over the past week to provide confidence and optimism that we can create the best possible outcomes for our students. 

 

Thank you for your cooperation, patience and support as we transition to distance learning. Our schools will be working to maintain connections and provide communications in this new environment. Student learning and the momentum of positive energy for our students must continue. Along with this voicemail, an email will be sent that provides more detailed information about distance learning. Please know that this is a new process and we will likely make adjustments to improve our service along the way.  

 

Thank you for your attention to this message and your ongoing support of your student and our schools. 

 

David Law, superintendent

Anoka-Hennepin Schools 

-------------------------------------

March 27 updates

 

Schools closed, distance learning in effect through May 5: A state order has closed school buildings and enacted a distance learning model of education for all students through May 5. Students should not come to school during this time. All school district activities, events and community rentals are canceled until at least Tues. May 4.

 

School office hours: Beginning Monday, every district school will have limited in-person hours of service, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Schools will continue to be reachable by phone and email during their regular business hours. 

 

Technology and internet access: Anoka-Hennepin has offered Chromebook devices to students who need them, grades four through 12. For those with technology at home, a desktop, laptop or iPad with internet speeds of three Mbps or higher is recommended. Kindles, Nooks or iPhones are not considered personal learning devices. Options for low-cost internet access are provided at ahschools.us/DistanceLearningFAQ. Anoka-Hennepin coordinated a chromebook distribution for students grades 4-12 from March 25-27. Students who missed that distribution and require a chromebook for distance learning should contact the main phone number at their high school to make arrangements to secure a Chromebook. 

 

Technology help questions can be shared with your student’s teacher, school’s technology paraeducator or by contacting at: 506help@ahschools.us or 763-506-HELP.

 

Distance learning: Distance learning is intended to provide instruction without requiring students to be working at the same time or in the same location.  The goal is to provide comparable activities with enough flexibility and support to meet the unique needs of each student and family. 

Students in kindergarten through grade three will use a blended digital/packet-based system. The materials provided included guidelines for daily activities that allow parents and students to work through the materials and ask for support as needed.  

Some families in grades four and five have opted to have packet driven instruction similar to the K-3 students.  For these families, their instruction will be similar to the explanation above.  

Students in grades four through 12 will primarily be receiving instruction through technology.  This instruction will be a blend of teacher communication, student interaction, student activity and teacher follow up.  For different grade levels and classes, this might be daily communication, or weekly check ins.  

Please note that the teachers and curriculum will continue, the method of delivery is simply changing. Review the distance learning plan online.

For all students, inquiries are welcome anytime of the day, however, established office hours are as follows: 

• From 9-11 a.m., Tuesday through Friday. 
• From 1-3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

District emergency care: Anoka-Hennepin will continue to offer child care for Tier 1 emergency workers, at no cost, at elementary schools in compliance with the state order.  Child care for Tier 2 emergency workers will open soon. The District Emergency Care program is open to children in kindergarten through age 12. Care during school-day hours is free of charge to eligible families. Before-and after-school care is available to families at an additional charge.

    

Community education programs, including Adventures Plus school-age care: All community education programs serving adults and youth, including facility rentals, will be closed through Tuesday, May 4, following the state order. Review community education program updates at ahschools.us/COVID-19_CommEd.

Expanded access for student meals: Anoka-Hennepin is expanding “grab and go” meals for students age 18 and under to 36 locations in the district starting Monday, March 30. Food will be distributed from school buses located in various district parking lots. Students will receive lunch and breakfast for the following day. No identification or registration will be required in alignment with program guidelines. More is on the COVID-19 website.

 

How can you help? 
Please continue to practice healthy habits to limit the spread of disease:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol content.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough into the inside of the elbow. Dispose of tissues immediately. Wash hands afterwards.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.
• Practice social distancing guidelines, and stay home when you are sick.

 

Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website or by calling the MDH information line at 651-201-3920 or submit questions via email to health@ahschools.us.

Anoka-Hennepin is moving to distance learning starting Monday, March 30, following a state order to extend schools across Minnesota through Tuesday, May 5. Students should not come to school during this time. The order may be extended by the state, but if it’s allowed to expire, students would discontinue distance learning on and return to the classroom on Tuesday, May 5. 

 

In Anoka-Hennepin’s distance learning plan, students in grades four through 12 will conduct school using computers and the Google classroom online learning management platform. Kindergarten through third graders, special education students and some fourth and fifth graders, will use a blended online/paper format. Teachers have been preparing to move to the distance learning model over the past eight days school has been closed. 

 

Parents who have students in grades four through 12, who do not have access to technology at home to complete distance learning and still need technology, please continue to pick up Chromebook devices. In order to ensure the maximum number of students in need are able to borrow technology, please only pick up these items if needed. Pickups for packets and personal belongings will continue as planned. Our schools will remain open until Friday to complete this process. Call your school by Friday afternoon if you need to make alternate plans.

 

Anoka-Hennepin remains committed to providing the best distance learning experience for students. Visit the COVID-19 website for news, information and resources. The district will again be reaching out with additional details on how distance learning will operate, including its structure, each student’s expectations, and who to reach out to for technology help, prior to its start on Monday.

The week ahead is important planning time for our schools, students and families.

 

Work continues on our distance learning plan, schools are supporting child care needs for emergency workers, and providing nutritional support for students. Time and effort, and a spirit of pulling together for the common good, have been in large supply in our school communities. Over the past week Anoka-Hennepin’s efforts have:

• Prepared 13,000 Chromebook computers for student distance learning needs and surveyed students kindergarten through grade 12 on technology needs at home.
• Registered over 500 students for emergency child care at 26 school sites.
• Created five initial student nutrition drop-off sites that will be expanding significantly in the near future.
• Established a framework for distance learning using Google Classroom and a digital platform for students grades four through 12, as well as a blended paper/digital model for grades preschool through grade three.

 

The safety and personal health of students, employees and the community our district serves must be protected as the obligations of the state order are met. To do so, district sites will be reducing the number of people in our buildings and following the social distancing guidelines to assemble in groups of 10 or fewer people as recommended. Please take this time to prepare for an extended school closure with a distance learning model of education.

 

It’s understood that there is strong interest in learning the plan for school starting March 30. That information will be shared by Wednesday this week.

 

Make sure to view the COVID-19 website for information.

 

Thank you for your attention to this message and your ongoing support of your student and our schools.

David Law, superintendent
Anoka-Hennepin Schools

------------------------------

March 22 updates

 

Schools closed by order through March 27: All students attending Anoka-Hennepin schools are excused from school by state order through Friday, March 27. This week, work will continue to finalize plans for students’ distance learning and district operations.

 

Plan now for an extended school closure: Additional information regarding the plans for distance or in-person learning March 30 and after will be shared when they are confirmed. The goal is to provide additional information by Wednesday this week.

 

Technology and internet access: Distance learning could begin for your student next week. Anoka-Hennepin will provide Chromebooks to students who need them, grades four through 12. Look for information on technology distribution in a message from your student’s school later this week. A listing of approved personal devices such as a desktop, laptop or iPad, with internet speeds of three Mbps or higher is recommended. Kindles, Nooks or iPhones are not considered personal learning devices. Options for low-cost high speed internet access and computers are provided at ahschools.us/DistanceLearningFAQ.

 

Distance learning: 13,000 Chromebooks at all five high schools were removed from mobile carts and prepared for distribution. Preparation at additional schools is happening this week. Distance learning for students in grades four through 12 will primarily be provided via computer with an internet connection. Students in kindergarten through grade three will use a blended digital/paper-based system. Please note that the teachers and curriculum will continue, only the method of delivery is changing.

 

District emergency care: Anoka-Hennepin is offering child care for Tier 1 emergency workers, at no cost, at elementary schools in compliance with the state order. More information: ahschools.us/DistrictEmergencyCare.

 

Community education programs, including Adventures Plus school-age care: All community education programs serving adults and youth, including facility rentals, will be closed through Friday, March 27, following the executive order from the state of Minnesota. Review community education program updates at ahschools.us/COVID-19_CommEd.

 

Activities, events and facility rentals: All school district activities, events and community rentals are canceled until at least Friday, March 27.

 

Medications: Parent/guardians that need to pick up medication from school within the next few days can come to school to pick them up from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, March 23, and from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. Parents/guardians that can wait to pick up medication may choose to make a single trip to school to gather any necessary personal belongings at the full school pick up time. Note that students are not able to pick up their own medications.

 

Personal items: A previous message noted that personal items in school could also be picked up on Monday and Tuesday at school. That notice was premature. The only items to be picked up on Monday and Tuesday are medications. A separate announcement about picking up school supplies and personal items will come later directly from your school.

 

Emergency student meals: Anoka-Hennepin is providing “grab and go” meals for students age 18 and under at no cost starting on Tuesday, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Food will be distributed from school buses located in various district parking lots. Locations include Andover Elementary School, Anoka High School, Coon Rapids High School, Blaine High School and Jackson Middle School - A Speciality School for Math and Science. Only students present will receive a meal, but no identification or registration will be required in alignment with program guidelines. Students will receive lunch and also breakfast for the following day. This program will significantly expand to additional sites starting next week. More is on the COVID-19 website.

 

Plans under development that will be communicated in the future:

• Pick-up of personal and other items at school, look for notice from your student’s school next week.
• Distance learning plan and the distribution of Chromebooks and other technology devices.
• Student support services, mental health and counseling support.
• Plans for school on March 30 - either distance or in-person learning.
• Continued emergency care for emergency workers after March 27.
• Additional locations for emergency food distribution.

 

How can you help?
Please continue to practice healthy habits to limit the spread of disease:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol content.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough into the inside of the elbow. Dispose of tissues immediately. Wash hands afterwards.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.
• Practice social distancing guidelines, and stay home when you are sick.

 

Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website or by calling the MDH information line at 651-201-3920 or submit questions via email to health@ahschools.us.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as the planning continues to best serve our students and community during this unprecedented time in history. This message covers the need-to-know information for parents/guardians for the week of March 23-27 in response to a state order to close schools. 

Please read this message carefully and consult ahschools.us/covid-19 for additional information and answers to frequently asked questions. This situation is quickly developing and your attention to this matter is essential.

 

Anoka-Hennepin is taking action to protect the safety and personal health of students, employees and the community it serves. Operational guidelines are in place for any person who comes to district buildings for their own protection and the safety and health of others. These include:

• Following guidelines for social distancing with other individuals.
• Maximizing deployment of work-from-home for employees and distance learning for students.
• Organizing in groups of 10 or fewer people when meeting in person.
• Ensuring the safety and security of all aspects of our school system.
• Practicing personal hygiene recommendations such as covering your cough, washing your hands and staying home when sick.

 

Schools closed March 16-27: All students attending Anoka-Hennepin schools are excused from school through Friday, March 27. Work will continue on Monday, March 23, to finalize plans for students’ distance learning and district operations. Additional information regarding the plans for distance learning or in-person school after March 30 will be shared when they are confirmed.

 

Emergency child care: Anoka-Hennepin is offering emergency child care for emergency workers, at no cost, at elementary schools. The state order directs the district to provide child care services to families of school-age children for Tier 1 health care workers and emergency personnel. Emergency care is being offered for children in kindergarten up to age 12 who qualify, at no cost, starting Monday, March 23, and continuing through Friday, March 27. The original registration period closed on March 18. To request this service, please complete this form as soon as possible, and program administrators will be in contact to discuss options.

 

Community education programs, including Adventures Plus school-age care: All community education programs serving adults and youth, including facility rentals, will be closed through Friday, March 27, following the state order from the state of Minnesota. Review community education program updates at ahschools.us/COVID-19_CommEd.

 

Activities, events and facility rentals: All school district activities, events and community rentals are canceled until at least Friday, March 27.

 

Medications: Parent/guardians that need to pick up medication from school within the next few days can come to school to pick them up from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, March 23, and from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. Parents/guardians that can wait to pick up medication may choose to make a single trip to school to gather any necessary personal belongings at the full school pick up time. Note that students are not able to pick up their own medications.

 

Personal items: A previous message noted that personal items in school could also be picked up on Monday and Tuesday at school. That notice was premature. The only items to be picked up on Monday and Tuesday are medications. A separate announcement about picking up school supplies and personal items will come later directly from your school.

 

Emergency student meals: Anoka-Hennepin will offer “grab and go” meals for students age 18 and under at no cost starting on Tuesday, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Food will be distributed from school buses located in various district parking lots. Locations include Andover Elementary School, Anoka High School, Coon Rapids High School, Blaine High School and Jackson Middle School, A Speciality School for Math and Science. Only students present will receive a meal, but no identification or registration will be required in alignment with program guidelines. Students will receive lunch and breakfast for the following day. More is on the COVID-19 website.

 

Plans under development that will be communicated in the future:

• Pick-up of personal and other items at school, look for notice from your student’s school next week.
• Distance learning plan and the distribution of Chromebooks and other technology devices.
• Student support services, mental health and counseling support.
• Plans for school on March 30 - either distance learning or in-person.
• Continued emergency care for emergency workers after March 27.
• Additional locations for emergency food distributions.

How can you help?

Please continue to practice healthy habits to limit the spread of disease:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol content.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough into the inside of the elbow. Dispose of tissues immediately. Wash hands afterwards.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.
• Practice social distancing guidelines, and stay home when you are sick.

Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) website or by calling the MDH information line at 651-201-3920 or submit questions via email to health@ahschools.us.

 

There's no question that it will take the adaptability of students and the support of those who support them to provide the best outcomes for them. Thank you for your attention to this message and your ongoing support of your student and our schools.

Anoka-Hennepin is committed to timely and accurate information regarding district planning in response to the state order to close schools through March 27. This is a quickly developing situation and your attention to this matter is essential. Please review all items carefully and thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Schools closed March 16-27, 2020: All students attending Anoka-Hennepin schools are excused from school through Friday, March 27. Staff will report as usual starting on Monday, March 23, to finalize plans for distance learning and district operations, which are scheduled to begin on Monday, March 30. Information regarding staff duties will be shared as the district learns more about family technology capabilities from home, and district emergency care needs of health and emergency workers in our community.

 

Distance learning help: Parents and guardians are asked to complete a brief survey regarding technology resources and internet access availability for students in grades 6-12. This information will be used to assess the district needs to provide technology for students. Students in grades kindergarten-5 will not require digital devices to complete learning plans at this time. Complete the middle and high school distance learning form. 

 

Technology distribution for distance learning: Details regarding the distribution of district Chromebooks will be shared once the distance learning survey information has been collected in its entirety. 

 

Emergency child care: The state order directs the district to provide child care services to families of school-age children for health care workers and emergency personnel. Emergency child care will be offered for children in kindergarten up to age 12 who qualify at no cost starting Monday, March 23 and continuing through Friday, March 27. Please complete this form as soon as possible, and no later than 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 to assist the district in assessing need and providing staff and space to provide this service. Complete the form.

 

Community education programs, including Adventures Plus school-age care: All community education programs serving adults and youth, including facility rentals, will be closed through Friday, March 27, following the executive order from the state of Minnesota. Review community education program updates at ahschools.us/COVID-19_CommEd.

 

Adventures Plus school-age care will still be provided for families who enrolled in the program to receive non-school day care Tuesday, March 17. Care will not be available for families from Wednesday, March 18 through Friday, March 27.

 

Activities, events and facility rentals: All school district activities, events and community rentals are canceled. 

 

Medications and personal items: Students, parents and/or guardians can come to school to pick up medications and personal items from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, March 23, and from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24.

 

Student meals: A plan to provide meals under the state order will be communicated as soon as it is finalized. Service will begin as soon as possible as soon as possible but no later than Monday, March 30. 

 

Student support services, mental health and counseling support: A plan is being developed to support students at home. This includes such items as chemical health, emotional and behavioral health, mental health, wellness and counseling services. An update will be shared later this week. 

 

How can you help? Please continue to practice healthy habits to limit the spread of disease:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol content.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough into the inside of the elbow. Dispose of tissues immediately. Wash hands afterwards.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.
• Practice social distancing guidelines, and stay home when you are sick. 

Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website or by calling the MDH information line at 651-201-3920 or submit questions via email to health@ahschools.us.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools, and all schools from across Minnesota, are temporarily closed by state order through March 27. The decision was shared on Sunday, March 15. 

Anoka-Hennepin will provide additional information regarding what this temporary closure means to staff, families and community members by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 16. Consider the following:  

• Students and staff in Anoka-Hennepin are currently on spring break. This order essentially extends the Anoka-Hennepin spring break for one week to allow for planning.
• Anoka-Hennepin will create and share a plan for continuity of education and essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan will include additional information on distance learning and responsibilities of school employees.
• This order will be put into effect in Anoka-Hennepin Schools immediately. 

Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website or by calling the MDH information line at 651-201-3920 or submit questions via email to health@ahschools.us.  

More information: ahschools.us/covid-19, which includes an FAQ page.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools is on spring break, with classes resuming on Monday, March 23. 

Community members have been contacting the district with questions about school closures or school event cancelations. Please understand that schools would close for health-related concerns based on the recommendation of the Minnesota Department of Health. Note that information about COVID-19 cases must be confirmed by MDH before the school can act on them.  

The district is constantly monitoring new information and will be providing additional messaging as soon as possible by no later than Friday, March 20. The district will be continuously monitoring this situation up until the planned return of students and staff on March 23 and is committed to informing staff, students and the community immediately if and when any decision to cancel or postpone school or school events is made. 

Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website or by calling the MDH information line at 651-201-3920  or submit questions by email at health@ahschools.us.  

More information: ahschools.us/covid-19. Check out the frequently asked questions page as well.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools is committed to timely, ongoing communication regarding decisions that impact school in response to the quickly developing nature of Coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Community members have been contacting the district with questions about school closures. Please understand that schools would close for health-related concerns based on the recommendation of the Minnesota Department of Health. If any recommendations occur, they are likely to be local in nature and not state- or country-wide. In fact, it could be school or community specific direction provided.

Anoka-Hennepin is closely monitoring this situation and is following expert guidance from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minnesota Department of Health and county public health. This situation is developing and decisions may be made quickly. Anoka-Hennepin is committed to informing staff, students and the community immediately if and when any decision to cancel or postpone school or school events is made. Please consult ahschools.us/covid19 as a resource.

Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website or by calling the MDH information line at 651-201-3920 or submit questions by email at health@ahschools.us. Check out the frequently asked questions page as well.

Thanks for your ongoing support as we pull together to support our schools and communities.

David Law, superintendent
Anoka-Hennepin Schools

Anoka-Hennepin Schools is monitoring the respiratory illness novel (new) coronavirus or COVID-19 closely. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) take the lead on decisions regarding school closures or other impact on schools that could result from outbreaks of contagious conditions. The district is also following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in a district-wide effort coordinated by the health services coordinator. These organizations and our local authorities are connected with major health organizations, enabling access to up-to-date information.

 

Prevention and protection for students, staff and visitors
Anoka-Hennepin Schools has activated a 25-member pandemic planning team to coordinate operations and a prevention system, an effort led by the district’s health service coordinator Cindy Hiltz, MS, RN, PHN. This team has reviewed district practices with the goal of limiting introduction and spread of COVID-19, novel (new) COVID-19 during the school day. The prevention system includes:

• Use of hospital grade disinfectant in common areas such as bathrooms, drinking fountains and railings, an industrial grade product that effectively kills viruses left on surfaces. 
• Preparing food service operations to limit student touch of utensils and food products with bare hands. Additional information will be shared should these strategies be placed in operation.
• Reviewing all student trips to international and domestic locations to comply with CDC guidelines regarding travel advisories. 
• Daily monitoring of student and staff illness to coordinate efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 with state and federal public health agencies. 

Actions students, staff and visitors can take
Students, staff and visitors to district facilities play an important role in limiting exposure to contagious conditions by practicing common sense prevention behaviors: 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. More on handwashing instruction.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
• No facemask use is recommended for well people in the U.S. currently.
• No preparation steps for parents/guardians or staff are being advised regarding school closures at this time.
• Stop the spread of germs resource.

In the event that COVID-19 becomes an issue that impacts the school day, schools will use the communications systems in place to widely share information with the public and staff.

 

The district will coordinate with state and county resources on an infectious disease mitigation plan if it is deemed necessary. This plan uses both public health and school nurses as part of the response plan.

 

Anoka-Hennepin Schools is prepared to take action to protect the safety of students and staff.

School closures
Decisions to close schools are made by the Minnesota Department of Health. The district will share information about closures using email, text, phone, social media and website methods used for weather closures. 

This is a good time to plan ahead for alternate plans for child care, work and activities should schools or workplaces need to close. 

Resources

• Minnesota Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization: What is coronavirus

Information for kids

• Goats and Soda: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus
• Child Mind Institute: Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
• National Association of School Psychologists/School Nurses: Talking to Children about COVID-19

 

Do you need more information or have a question?

Parents and guardians are asked to coordinate requests for information with the school nurse where their student attends or by email at this address health@ahschools.us. Check out the frequently asked questions page as well.

The district has been receiving requests for information regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and understand staff, parents, and students may have questions and concerns regarding the disease. Anoka-Hennepin Schools has a coordinated management planning effort to guide action steps in situations such as a COVID-19 outbreak or other community health events.

 

The district health services coordinator is monitoring this situation and will provide guidance on potential next steps, if needed.

District officials are in contact with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and district and school protocol will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

 

At this point, the recommendation is as with other respiratory infectious viruses such as influenza.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. More on handwashing instruction.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
• No facemask use is recommended for well people in the U.S. currently.
• No preparation steps for parents/guardians or staff are being advised regarding school closures at this time.
• Stop the spread download.

In the event that COVID-19 becomes an issue that impacts the school day, schools will use the communications systems in place to widely share information with the public and staff.

The district will coordinate with state and county resources on an infectious disease mitigation plan if it is deemed necessary. This plan uses both public health and school nurses as part of the response plan.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools is prepared to take action to protect the safety of students and staff.