July 2, 2025

🔍 Looking for back-to-school information? Visit the back-to-school webpage at ahschools.us/bts for supply lists, open houses, news and more.

• The first day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 2 for students in new to the district and students in grades 1-6 and 9.
• Students in grades 7, 8 and 10-12 start school on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
• 📆 View the district calendar.

Families of K-12 students were notified of login changes in June in order to access student information. This includes grades, attendance, fees, class assignments for the upcoming school year, and more. If you have not logged into your parent portal account since the end of the 2024-25 school year - take action now to have your account ready for the upcoming school year.

1. Find your parent/guardian activation email, which was sent from synergy@ahschools.us on June 23 or June 24. The activation email includes instructions on how to access the enhanced ParentVUE portal. Follow the prompts.
   Note: Families may receive an email for each child enrolled in Anoka-Hennepin Schools; however, you are only required to take action once.
   
   

2. If you didn’t receive an activation email, reach out to acshelp@ahschools.us or contact 763-506-HELP.
   
   

This change enhances the security of student information and makes it easier for families to stay connected to their child’s education.

• Select your own username and password.
  Previously, these were assigned using a formula using names and parent IDs.
  
  

• Update your settings - anytime, anywhere.
  Families can access their accounts and make updates from mobile devices or computers. There is no longer a need to call the district office to make changes during business hours.

Activating your account ensures you will be able to be involved at the start of the school year:

• Get teacher assignments and class schedules.

• Monitor academic progress, assignments and tests.

• Submit student absences.

• Pay fees for meals and/or activities.

• View your student’s grades and report card.

• Find transportation information, if applicable.

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board approved the 2025-26 district budget at its regular meeting on Monday, June 23 on a 4-2 vote with Directors Matt Audette and Linda Hoekman voting no.

Why it matters: Budget approval means the district will maintain operations and all actions necessary to prepare for the 2025-26 school year.

Timeline: School district budgeting is done on a continuous basis with initial approval and budget amendments as needed throughout the school year.

• The budget process began in Nov. 2024, which takes into account certified pay 2025 levy, the legislative policy session, and enrollment projections made at the start of the calendar year.
• From Feb. to Apr., district staff reviewed staffing and developed department and site budgets prior to the School Board’s preliminary review.
• The School Board previewed a draft preliminary budget at its May 19, 2025 meeting for further refinement prior to approval at the Jun. 23 meeting.
  
  

Go deeper: The largest of the six funds that comprise the budget is the $675 million general fund, along with five other funds, including food service, community service, capital projects, debt service and the trust fund for a total of $780,156,454 in total expenditures.

• Health of the fund balance: With the approval, the district fund balance is programmed to be maintained at 8.5% - while it is below the School Board policy of 10% of general fund expenditures.
• Reductions and realignment: The budget also incorporates $9 million in Phase 2 budget reductions, reducing 300 central office and administrative positions along with operational reallocations.
  
  

See it yourself: Anoka-Hennepin School Board meetings are shared online and on cable television. Review the budget presentation and approval from the June 23 meeting.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools serves 13 communities in Anoka and Hennepin counties that now include an estimated population of 255,645 as verified by the School Board at its June 23 meeting.

Why it matters: The population estimate is used in calculations in funding formulas and aid programs provided through the state of Minnesota. Continued growth also serves as an indicator of community appeal and viability.

New record: The 255,645 population is the highest total in the history of the Anoka-Hennepin School District since the district which was formed in 1952.

Go deeper: The Anoka-Hennepin School District enrolls more students than any other in the State of Minnesota. 🔍 Read more details on the district website.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the SUN Bucks program, an income-based food support program that provides families with $120 per eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out for the summer.

Families who are not yet eligible can still apply for the benefits through Aug. 31, 2025. Visit ahschools.us/freereduced to complete an online application.

Eligibility: School-aged children between the ages of 7-18 whose households participate in specific public assistance programs (SNAP, Medicaid) or children who have an approved Application for Educational Benefits to receive free and reduced-price benefits through the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program.

Benefits: Eligible children get $120 on a SUN Bucks EBT card for the summer to spend on approved groceries.

💻 Learn more about the SUN Bucks program.

🍎 The Anoka-Hennepin School District will participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) this summer. Meals will be provided to all children 18 and under at no cost.

🥗 Summer meals: Meals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis at 16 sites across the district. The program will start on Monday, June 16. Meal availability and serving times vary from site to site and are subject to change. Review a list of sites and meal times for more information.

Children must be present to receive a meal. Meals will be served inside school buildings and meals must be eaten on site. Parents accompanying their children may purchase a meal. Adult breakfast is $3.50 and lunch is $5.50. Exact change is required, and no checks will be taken. 💻 Learn more about the Summer Food Service Program.

💼 The Anoka-Hennepin School District will host a summer hiring event from 1-5 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, at the Educational Service Center (ESC), located at 2727 N Ferry St. in Anoka. The hiring event will take place in the Erling Johnson rooms. Please enter Door 7 at the ESC.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools has employment opportunities for any phase of your work life or experience. Full-time, part-time and substitute positions are available, including flexible weekly schedules with hours ranging from early morning, mid-day, late afternoon, or evening opportunities.

💻 View types of positions available.

❓Questions? Visit ahschools.us/jobs or call 763-506-JOBS for more information.

Summer academic programs began June 16 at more than a dozen school sites with the district serving nearly 3,400 students designed to support learning:

• Enhanced options are available for K-12 students, multilingual (EL) students and students pursuing credit recovery to graduate. Targeted services are offered to eligible K-8 students to build academic, organizational and social/emotional skills.
  
  
• Courses support high school students who might experience a longer timeline than their peers to stay on pace to graduate in four years; and credit recovery opportunities are offered to students meeting eligibility at both Sandburg Regional and Technical High Schools.
  
  
• The school-age child care program, Adventures Plus, is hosted at 15 sites for over 2,200 students.
  
  
• Community members of all ages seeking additional enrichment opportunities for the remainder of the summer may browse community education offerings and register online: ahschools.us/communityeducation.

💵 Each year, Anoka-Hennepin’s Compass Program hosts a financial literacy simulation where students gain hands-on experience learning about personal finance management.

Middle school students enrolled in the AVID program participated in the simulation at the Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP) campus on April 24. Students also had the opportunity to tour the STEP campus and learn more about the program.

💳 The simulation, called Mad City Money, gives students a new identity for the day, including details about their job, family size, income, and debt. Students visit nine stations to purchase real-life necessities—from homes and transportation to food, clothing, home items, and even discretionary spending like luxury cars, vacations, or entertainment. 💻 Learn more and view photos of the financial simulation.

🐅💙📣Jefferson Elementary School is now the home of the Tigers, after unveiling its new logo during an all-school assembly held on Thursday, June 5. Cheerleaders were accompanied by two Bengal tiger mascots from neighboring Blaine High School to harness spirit and pride from the school community. 🎸 The event hit a high note with a traditional performance from Glen Everhart, parent of Jefferson student alums, who broke out his guitar to the tune of "The Eye of the Tiger" upon cheers with the much anticipated announcement.

• CommUnity pride: The new logo connects to schools in the Blaine community, reflective of the Blaine High School blue Bengal tiger, aiming to instill pride in the school community at an earlier stage in the students’ experience.
  
  
• ⭐ All-star traditions: The new tiger logo has a star on its left eye, a nod to the school's history, incorporating tiger stripes and a star element from the school’s former flag logo.
  
  

School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) representatives, staff and a student leadership club engaged in focus groups throughout the year to draft three rounds of logo designs, working to determine the best design for the school’s future. Finally, all students and staff voted during the last week of school, approving a Tiger mascot and logo. The planning committee considered various factors, including the school's history and the branding of schools in the Blaine community that students will attend in the future.

📷 View photos from the school assembly held June 5.

Students in Anoka-Hennepin's Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP) spent the 2023-25 school years constructing a three-bedroom home that recently sold for over $16,700 more than the minimum bid required, which covers the materials cost of the project, and allows Anoka-Hennepin to offer the same project to students next year.

For over 25 years, STEP has been empowering students with hands-on skills in carpentry, electrical, siding, and more. The program provides relevant education to prepare students for the high tech, high skill workplace of the 21st century.

🚌 Eight Anoka-Hennepin students took first place, and one placed second in the 2025 Minnesota Bus Safety Poster Contest. All nine students have been invited to attend a Minnesota Twins game as guests of the Minnesota State Patrol to be recognized for their outstanding work.

Amina Muhamed, a first-grade student at McKinley Elementary School, and Maria Shinto, a fourth-grade student at Madison Elementary School, were both named division winners and have advanced to the 2025 National Bus Safety Poster Contest.

🛑 This year’s theme was Safety First—Safety Always. The transportation department invited students from all grade levels to submit their best artwork for the competition. Each school held its poster contest, and one winner was chosen from each grade level. The winning poster from each school was then entered into the district contest. 🖼️ Visit the district website to view the posters.

Anoka-Hennepin Community Education offers a variety of youth programs/classes/camps over the summer, ranging from sports, arts and craft, musical theater, robotics and more! Most programs will be held at Anoka Middle School. Programs are open to all families.

🌞 View the 2025 summer flyer or browse all classes online.

Anoka High School's Maddy Freking was named the Star Tribune's inaugural All-Minnesota Player of the Year in flag football after leading the regular season of the new league, sponsored by the Minnesota Vikings, in passing yards (2,381) and passing touchdowns (53). Read more about Freking, who will attend the University of St. Thomas next fall and play softball.

Officer Alex Arnsdorf is a School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to Blaine High School, just 15 years after he graduated from the school. His time at the school as a student may have concluded in 2010, however, he's now making a difference within the school community professionally.
🚔 Watch the video to learn more.

KARE-11 met with Eisenhower and Nebula student, Sloan Peterson, as she prepares to compete in the International Braille Challenge; joining another #AHSchools student, Mila Halling from Madison Elementary School. The two students recently succeeded at the state Braille Challenge.

👩🏻‍🍳View the video from KARE-11 to learn about Peterson's prep in the kitchen and how it prepares her for life.

• Thursday, July 4 - District closed.
• Monday, July 14 - Regular School Board meeting.

📆 View the district calendar online.

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