AFSA PreK-12 Family Update
6/27/2025
How are we meaningful to our students and families? This is the question of week 28 of Words With Wakefield. Many have heard the phrase and I have probably already used it in my messages. AFSA's motto is "A place to fit in and stand out." We allow our students to find a place of belonging while giving them a chance to show their true selves. This is true for myself, I am not a typical administrator and trust me, I have my quirks. Working at AFSA allows me to be myself and showcase my educational philosophies. I dedicate myself to the students and staff here at AFSA, and I wouldn't be able to do so without being in this environment.
AFSA’s uniqueness allows us to connect with all of our students, families, and staff. Our staff helps create an environment where all of the students' diverse interests and hobbies flourish. There is always someone available to help with homework, play a game of basketball, participate in D&D, organize a flag football game or want to help Bill in the kitchen. We have a place for everyone. So, why the lime green tutu? I like to look good when cleaning up a spill. :) Actually I am preparing for our Activation Weeks Dress Up Days! Continue reading the Family Update for details.
Farm and Community Service Day is Friday, September, 26th! FCSD is a unique feature of AFSA. It is a day where all of the high school students and staff head out into the surrounding communities to help local businesses and organizations with a variety of projects. This day not only helps the businesses but it also builds relationships with our surrounding communities, builds friendships, and students learn new skills. Students also earn their needed volunteer hours for graduation.
Hot lunch will not be offered on Sept. 26th but there will be bagged lunches available. No pre-ordering is necessary. We do give out water bottles and gloves to students. We have a limited supply of gloves so if you have work gloves at home that you could send with your student that would be great.
Please help make sure your student is prepared for the day:
Dress appropriately for the weather and working outside
Long sleeve shirts help keep bugs and ticks away
Wear clothing that can get dirty and/or wet
Bring work gloves (the school has some gloves)
Bring a water bottle - STAY HYDRATED - DRINK WATER
Wear sunscreen and bug spray (The school does not provide sunscreen or bug spray and students and staff are not allowed to share their sunscreen or bug spray with others)
VERY IMPORTANT - Wear close toed shoes - NO SANDALS or CROCS
Students must keep shoes on at all times
Thank you for your help!
Join us at AFSA Elementary on Thursday, October 2nd from 4:00-7:00 p.m. for a night full of safety fun! The Little Canada Fire Department and Ramsey County Sheriff's Department will be joining us along with the White Bear CERT, Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts, Martial Arts Club and more! There will also be free treats!
We invite you to join us for our Annual AFSA Potato Hug on Saturday, October 4th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at AFSA High School! The event is open to the public so invite friends and family!
The Hug is a showcase of student projects, school offerings, and community involvement. This event provides students the opportunity to be vendors and sell their products created for their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). Each project is an opportunity for students to demonstrate professionalism, develop entrepreneurial skills, and showcase their hard work.
Not only do we have students selling their creations but we also have a baked potato bar, a student art show and more!
Students in grades 7-12 interested in participating in this year's Potato Hug as a vendor need to fill out a registration form and pay the $5 student vendor fee. Sign up form is attached or click here to access the forms online and get more information. Forms (with all signatures) and fee are due no later than September, 26th.
Calling all artists! Students in grades PreK-12 are invited to submit their artwork for the Annual Potato Hug Art Showcase! Artwork can be drawings, paintings, sculptures or whatever students have created! The top 3 art pieces will receive a special prize! Artwork should be submitted to the front desk at either the elementary school or high school by September 26th. Students may submit up to two pieces of artwork. Please make sure artwork has student's name on it.
Please contact Ms. Forliti stephanieforliti@afsak12.com with any questions.
See you at the Hug!
The Potato Hug would not happen without all of our amazing volunteers! We are looking for volunteers to help with the welcome desk, kitchen servers, cashiers, and hall/room monitors for the 2025 Potato Hug on October 4, 2025.
Please - Click here to sign up.
Questions? Please contact Stephanie Forliti.
Picture Day was Wednesday, September 17th at both the elementary and high school. If you still would like to order photos please go to www.strawbridge.net and enter in the code for your students school.
- Elementary Code: FM475116
- High School Code: FM475114
Retake day is coming up November 6th, 2025.
Save the date! All ages welcome!
Zero Gravity Spirit Night (fundraiser) Friday, October 24th
More information coming soon!
The AFSA Martial Arts Club is beginning our 25-26 season this Monday, September 22nd! All students grades 7-12 are welcome to join, no prior experience is needed. Class runs every Monday after school from 3:15-4:15 (students will need a ride home). Students who attend will learn practical self-defense, a blend of traditional Taekwondo and Kung Fu, and cardio and conditioning exercises. We will also be hosting guest instructors from the wider martial arts community, running our annual testing and showcase in early spring, and competing in the Owatonna Open Spring Championships. The first class is free to try, after which the cost is $30 for the tri or $90 for the year. For more information or any questions, please email Mr. Bode at jbode@afsak12.com.
AFSA Pre-K-12th grade families need to fill out the following paperwork each school year.
- Emergency Contact and Permissions form - This form gives us emergency contact information and permission for all field trips, media use and technology use needed during the year. THIS MUST BE SIGNED FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY FIELD TRIPS!
- Application for Educational Benefits - Provides families additional benefits and helps AFSA qualify for grants and funds from the department of education.
Additional forms that may be needed:
- Medication Authorization form - This form is needed for all medications your student will need during the school day. Doctors signature may be required please see form for details. Medication and form can be dropped off at the Back to School Picnic.
- Parking Permit - For student drivers who will have a car at school.
All forms listed above are attached to this newsletter, can be found on the website and paper copies are available at both the high school and elementary school front offices.
Completed forms may be dropped off at the buildings during school hours or Elementary (PreK-6) forms can be emailed to jhamilton@afsak12.com and high school (grades 7-12) forms can be emailed to kbarbour@afsak12.com
Calling all 8th-12th graders! Join more than 1300 young leaders from around the state this January to debate the issues that are important to you. Youth in Government (YIG) is a hands-on civic learning program where students in grades 8-12 become legislators, lawyers, judges, lobbyists, journalists, or cabinet members and spend four days running a state model government. Young people in YIG aren’t spectators; they elect their own leaders, debate their own ideas, and support policies and laws that highlight their values.
Boys Volleyball Club: The Boys Volleyball Club for students in 7th-12th grade starts September 22 after school from 3-5 p.m. This Club meets on Mondays September 22 - October 13th. Contact Ms. Vorwald if interested in joining!
Boys Baseball Club: The Boys Baseball Club for students in 7th-12th grade starts September 16 after school from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. This Club meets on Tuesdays September 16 - October 7th. Contact Ms. Vorwald if interested in joining!
- 9/22 AFSA VS. Twin Cities Academy at TCA (690 Birmingham St. St. Paul) - 5:00 and 6:30 p.m.
- 9/24 AFSA VS. Community of Peace at home - 5:00 and 6:30 p.m.
- 9/25 AFSA VS. Groves Learning Academy (3200 Highway 100 South St. Louise Park) - JV only 5:00 p.m.
For all AFSA sports teams each student athlete must fill out the following Google form. Included in the Google form are links to all required sports forms. These forms can also be found on our website. Contact AFSA's Activities Director, Amanda Vorwald with any questions.
Join us at Culver's in Little Canada (2880 Rice Street Little Canada)for our 2025-2026 Culver's fundraising Nights! Take your family out to dinner and support AFSA at the same time! AFSA FFA Alumni receives 10% of all food purchases from 5-7 p.m.
- October 21, 2025
- November 18, 2025
- December 16, 2025
- January 20, 2026
- February 17, 2026
- March 17, 2026
- April 21, 2026
- May 19, 2026
Thank you for supporting AFSA FFA! Special thank you to the Little Canada Culver's for their continued support of AFSA! Money raised goes towards FFA activities for all students.
Did you know AFSA participates in Box Tops for Education? Join other families in supporting AFSA through Box Tops for Education! You can find Box Tops on hundreds of products throughout the store. Download and use the app to snap a photo of your receipt within 14 days of purchase. Make sure to choose AFSA High School when scanning in your Boxtops. Your Box Tops earnings are identified and automatically updated online. To check out all of the products and learn more about the Box Tops for Education app please go to BTFE.com. Attached is the September bonus offers.
You can also find this information on our website just click here.
Girl Scouts:
Watch confidence bloom with every new experience and challenge! Girl Scouts nurtures kindness, courage, and leadership. Grades K-12 are invited to join now for $45! See attached flyer for more information.
The school directory is a great way for AFSA PreK-12 families to stay in touch! Click here if you are a current AFSA PreK-12 family and would like to be added to the 2025-2026 school directory. The directory will be emailed out to all participating families. If you have been in past directories you will still need to sign up this year to be included. Questions? Please contact Ms. Forliti
