Cyclone Chronicles
Here is an easy opportunity for you to help lift up our teachers on the day of Conferences. They are not able to leave after the school day ends and before conferences start so this will be a time for them to recharge before the evening starts. Here is the link to sign up to donate treats! There is a tab at the top for each campus. Fred Moore is the one that opens first, Washington is the next tab. Thank you for considering.
Sidetracked by Diana Harmon Asher
If middle school were a race, Joseph Friedman wouldn't even be in last place--he'd be on the sidelines. With an overactive mind and phobias of everything, he struggles to understand his classes, let alone his fellow classmates. So he spends most of his time hiding out in the Resource Room, a safe place for kids like him.
But then, on the first day of seventh grade, his Resource Room teacher encourages him to join the school track team, where he meets Heather, a crazy-fast runner who isn't going to be pushed around by anybody.
With a new friend and a new team, Joseph finds himself off the sidelines and in the race for the first time. And the funny thing about running is, once you're in the race, anything can happen.
Find this and other great books in your library.
The AMSA Fall Book Fair is open in the Washington campus library until October 14, including the evenings of parent-teacher conferences. Set up your student e-wallet and preview featured books on our Book Fair website.
Along with casting votes for candidates for office this fall, ballots for voters in Anoka-Hennepin and across Minnesota will include a question that, if approved, would adjust the Minnesota Permanent School Fund to increase revenue for education without increasing property taxes.
What is it? The Permanent School Fund was formed when Minnesota became a state in 1858 as proceeds from land provided from the federal government were directed to fund public education for children as included in the state constitution. A change or amendment in the constitution requires a statewide vote.
Why it matters: The majority of revenue to operate Anoka-Hennepin Schools is provided by taxpayers at the state, national and local level. Permanent School Fund revenue is generated through timber sales, mining, land leases, and other resource activities generated by the 2.5 million acres of land and 1 million acres of mineral rights managed through the fund.
The question: The ballot question would increase the funding allocation from the PSF to 4.5% of proceeds, up from the current 2.5% allocation. For Anoka-Hennepin, this would result in an estimated $33 increase in per-pupil funding or $1.2 million annually. If not approved by voters, the fund would remain at its current allocation level, the land would remain in trust and operations would continue in their current format.
Go deeper: The ballot question was authorized by the Minnesota Legislature following a 134-0 vote in the House of Representatives and strong bi-partisan support in the Minnesota Senate. This action followed a recommendation from a non-partisan task force assigned to study and recommend updates to the allocation formula with the goal of providing a sustainable funding source to support Minnesota’s children in alignment with the original purpose of the fund.
Vote: In order to gain approval for a Minnesota constitutional amendment, a majority of all voters participating in the election would need to vote yes. If a voter leaves the question blank, it counts as a no vote.
Learn more: Detailed information is available at https://www.mnpsfamendment.org/.
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OFFICIAL BALLOT LANGUAGE
“Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to increase the funding going to all school districts from the permanent school fund, which is a fund that supports school districts without raising individual income or property taxes, effective July 1, 2027?”
Voters who bypass voting on the ballot measure are considered “no” votes.
New technology tool available for families: GoGuardian Parent
Technology plays an important role in preparing students for life, and Chromebooks are utilized as a daily learning tool in Anoka-Hennepin middle and high school classrooms. Students in grades 6-12 are assigned a Chromebook from the school district to ensure access to technology systems that support classroom learning.
As part of Anoka-Hennepin Schools' commitment to student safety and well-being, an optional technology tool is now available for district families at no charge, “GoGuardian Parent.” This application provides parents with insights into their child’s online activity within their school-managed accounts and devices.
Features include:
Review of browsing history.
Blocking of specific websites during out-of-school hours.
Pause internet access on demand during out-of-school hours.
Scheduled times to pause internet access during out-of-school hours.
Participation in GoGuardian Parent is optional. Anoka-Hennepin Schools respects parental rights and provides this tool as an additional resource for families who wish to utilize it.
Read instructions to get started.
