AFSA Charter School Family Update
6/27/2025
A true test in week 47 of Weekly Words with Wakefield. To be completely honest I haven't thought about what I was going to write about in this week's message until now. I was thrown a curveball early this week that changed up my normal routines being a school leader. As educators we face many obstacles and challenges in our day that they become second nature to us. That is until your home routine collides with your work routine.
I had to deal with a personal family emergency this week that was not a part of the normal obstacles that come with my job. I was in and out of the office trying to support my family and my school family. I became frustrated with myself thinking I was letting people down. It finally hit me that when I was needing to leave school my staff had my back. No one called or needed anything from me, they just supported me and picked up my slack. That's what we do at AFSA, we support each other. Educators have an impact that reaches beyond the classroom walls, even for those they might not be teaching. When someone is down, struggling, or facing a challenge educators are there to support and pick you back up.
I wanted to say how proud I am of my team and appreciate all they do. Remember to take time to thank your teachers and school staff. They are not only facing the obstacles that come with education, but also navigating issues that come up in the game we are all playing called life! #educatorsrock!
Help spread the word about AFSA! Now Enrolling for 2026-27! AFSA's Enrollment lottery deadline for 2026-27 applicants is February 1st. Siblings and family members of current staff or students have priority in the enrollment lottery to fill placements available for next year. After February 1st, applications will be processed on a first come, space available basis. Students entering kindergarten from AFSA's PreK class need to re-apply for the school-age program (they are not automatically enrolled.) Students in grades K-11 are automatically enrolled for the upcoming year.
Get ready for summer at the AFSA Charter School Gearing up for Summer Community Night! Join us Thursday, March 5th from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at AFSA High School (100 Vadnais Blvd Vadnais Heights) for a free night of family fun!
Stop by for food, games, face painting by Libby Lu, crafts and activities. Learn about fun summer opportunities in our area for students and families. We are excited to have the Eggroll Queen, City of Vadnais, MN DNR Rangers Program, Ramsey Co Sheriff, Children's Performing Arts, Libby Lu, City of Little Canada, Ramsey Co Recycling, Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts, City of Shoreview, Ramsey Co Park and Rec, AFSA Auto and more joining us!
This is also an open house and presentation night. Students are presenting a variety of projects they have been working on and staff will be available to answer questions and give tours of the high school. See you there!
Literacy Night is coming up March 19, 2026 4-7 p.m. at AFSA Elementary! Join us for a night of literacy related activities, games and the chance to meet a Scottish Highland heifer!
That's right! Don't miss your chance to meet a very special guest from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.! Ruby Sunday will be joining us! She is a 2 month old CHA Scottish Highland heifer. She is very curious about the world around her and can't wait to meet you!
Do you have any friends or family interested in learning more about AFSA? This special night is also an open house night. Staff will be available to answer questions and give tours.
We must have a minimum of 10 trees reserved/ordered to receive any! We only need 3 MORE to get to our minimum order amount! So, please pass this on to friends and family. Trees will be available for pick up at AFSA High School around Earth Day.
This spring, we are thrilled to announce our participation in Neighborhood Forest's 17th Annual Free Tree Program as part of our Earth Week celebrations this April!
Neighborhood Forest is a nonprofit organization that has helped more than 310,000 children across North America plant their very own trees since 2010 — inspiring environmental stewardship through the joy of planting and growing trees.
How to Participate:
There are three ways to get involved this spring:
Register your child to receive a free tree to plant at home
Purchase trees to plant this spring if you don’t have a child participating (Buy One, Fund One!)
Donate to fund trees in our community — $5 helps place a tree in the hands of a child
Registration is open now through March 15
Trees (6–12 inches tall) will arrive around Earth Day (April 22)
The tree species will be announced in early April. Neighborhood Forest aims to provide native and/or fruit-bearing, depending on our region.
Other products that are purchased by you will be fulfilled by Neighborhood Forest.
AFSA Auto is up and running! This school based enterprise business is now taking reservations for car detailing. Come and get your car detailed by amazing students and support the AFSA Agriculture Department and FFA.
To reserve a time please scan the QR code below or click here.
AFSA Auto Detailing Package Description and Prices:
- Basic $20: Simple interior wash with interior spray and wipes, normal full interior vacuum, pet hair removal
- Basic + $35: Simple interior was with interior spray and wipes, scrub down seats with interior brushes, normal full interior vacuum, pet hair removal
- Premium $45: Deep interior wash using interior soap with brushes, scrub down with interior brushes, full interior wet vacuum and normal vacuum
- Deep $60: Interior steam with deep scrub with rough and soft interior brushes, deep steam seats with shop vacuum, Full interior wet vacuum and scrub with brushes, pet hair removal, seat restorer and dash restore
Students and parents interested in finding out more about AFSA's spring sports should attend our AFSA High School Spring Sports meeting on March 5, 2026 at the high school from 6:00 -6:30 p.m. This is also our Gearing Up for Summer Community Night! Community Night runs from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
This year we are offering the following: baseball, softball, and boys volleyball. There will be information about the season and expectations. Any questions please contact our Activities Director, Ms. Vorwald.
TODAY - February 13th is the LAST DAY to PLACE AN ORDER FOR HEGGIES!
Support AFSA Athletics with your PIZZA purchase! Starting January 12th through February 13th. AFSA Athletes are holding a Heggies Pizza fundraiser to raise money for all AFSA Athletic teams! Pizzas are large (12") and range in price from $12 - $15.
Choose from the following:
- Double Cheese
- Sausage
- Pepperoni
- Sausage & Pepperoni
- Sausage & Mushroom
- Inferno
- Deluxe Combo
- Six Pack
- BCB (Bacon Cheeseburger)
- Chicken Alfredo
- Breakfast Pizza
- El Jefe
- Italian Beef
- Cauliflower Crust Sausage & Pepperoni
- Cauliflower Crust Margherita
- Cauliflower Crust Chicken Alfredo
- Cauliflower Crust Uncured Pepperoni
To purchase pizzas find an AFSA athlete or you can scan the QR code. Any questions please contact our Activities Director, Ms. Vorwald, avorwald@afsak12.com. Thank you for your support!
AFSA Varsity Girls Softball is seeking a Head Coach for this spring season (March 16–mid/late May). Responsibilities include leading daily after-school practices, completing the MSHSL head coach course, coaching games, and supporting student-athletes through skill development, encouragement, and positive leadership that reflects the AFSA community. This is a paid coaching position.
If you’re passionate about working with students, love the game, and want to be part of a supportive school community, we’d love to hear from you!
Questions or interested? Please contact our Activities Director, Ms. Vorwald, avorwald@afsak12.com.
LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS FEBRUARY 25TH!
It's almost time for Model United Nations! MUN is a program for students in grades 7-12 where they form country groups and debate international issues with other students from around the state. To learn more and to register just click here . Contact Laura Nelson with questions.
We are opening up the Ecuador trip to any students who will be 13 by May 1, 2027! We've had a meeting with students and families. We are planning a fundraising meeting for after break.
We're still registering all students for Ecuador. In order to secure your child's spot at Camp Ecuador, you will need to fill out the application here and use booking code 13635 , as well as, pay the $557 deposit spots are still open, but not guaranteed. Don't let this incredible opportunity slip them by; invest in a life defining expedition for your student!
For Camps International related questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to kjerstin@campsinternational.org . For AFSA specific questions, you may contact Laura Nelson or Amber Forbort at AFSA.
We are looking for input on menu items that students would like to see. All AFSA students can submit suggestions. Just click here or scan the QR code on the attached flyer. You may just get a special menu shout out and even be the first in line on your special lunch day!
The AFSA Elementary yearbook for 2025-2026 is on sale now! Elementary yearbooks are $15.00! Order yours today! On sale now through April 24, 2026. To place an order for the AFSA Elementary yearbook 2025-2026 click here.
AFSA High School yearbooks for 2025-2026 are on sale now! Yearbooks are $45 until March 1, 2026 when they go up to $55. Last day to purchase a yearbook is May 24, 2026.
Click here to place an order for the AFSA High School 2025-2026 yearbook!
Senior Submissions: The last day to submit the baby photo, senior photo and family message is Sunday, March 15, 2026. If we do not have your seniors submissions by then they will not be included in the yearbook.
Seniors who have not yet submitted the following please do so by March 15th.
Baby Picture
Senior Picture
Family message of congratulations or encouragement
To submit the above information, please click here. If you have any problems uploading the items you can email them to stephanieforliti@afsahighschool.com.
Ticket Information:
Each graduate is encouraged to invite family members and friends to celebrate this momentous accomplishment! AFSA provides 4 free tickets to each graduate. Any additional guests will need to purchase a ticket for $10. Children 5 and under are not required to purchase a ticket. Tickets are on sale now through June 3, 2026. Tickets can be purchased in the high school office (cash or check only) or click here to purchase tickets online. Tickets will also be available to purchase at the door the evening of the ceremony (cash or check only). Purchased tickets may be picked up at Bethel at the door starting at 5:45 p.m. the day of graduation. (Each graduates 4 free tickets will be given to them at the Senior picnic.)
Graduation is Friday, June 5, 2026 at Bethel University - Benson Hall (3900 Bethel Drive St. Paul, MN 55112-6999). Doors open to guests at 5:45 p.m. the ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. Upon arriving at Benson Hall check in at the AFSA ticket table. Tickets are not refundable.
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.
- 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.
The AFSA Parent and Family Group meets monthly to organize and implement fundraising and community building events, collaborate with school staff and leadership on school improvements, and provide an opportunity for AFSA parent/family connections and relationship building.
How to Get Involved
AFSA Parent and Family Group meetings are generally held the 2nd Monday of each month at 4:30pm at AFSA High School. Meetings are open to all AFSA PreK-12 parents/families and staff.
Next Meeting:
Next Meeting March 9, 4:30 p.m.
If you can't make it in person to the next meeting feel free to join by Zoom:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77062606964?pwd=HZhhE1AYPucAdwbgaC2Lp9CPbMvBqD.1
Meeting ID: 770 6260 6964
Passcode: 4YLSgY
If you can't make it to meetings but still want to be involved, please reach out to: afsaparentgroup@afsak12.com or watch for volunteer opportunities!
Communications
Please join us on Slack and/or Facebook for news, volunteer/supply needs, and connection!
2026 Canadian Days Student Button Design Contest
It’s time for the annual Canadian Days Student Button Design Contest. The Canadian Days mascot, L.C., is inviting students who live in Little Canada or are enrolled in a school located in Little Canada, from Kindergarten through 8th grade to submit a button design. The winning design will be printed on this year’s button. The button contest entry form is available for download on our website at Button Design contest (canadiandays.org). It is also attached to this newsletter.
The contest is open now through March 5, 2026. Entry forms may be turned in at the elementary school office or Little Canada City Center, 515 E Little Canada Rd. The Canadian Days Committee will judge the entries and winners will be notified at their school, by phone, or by email.
2026 Nature Walk Summer Volunteer Program at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Como Zoo Nature Walk Summer Volunteer Program is looking for summer help. This volunteer opportunity is for young people entering 8th- 12th grade in Fall 2026. Their primary role will be to learn and share knowledge of plants and animals at Como through a conservation lens. This is a great opportunity for young people who love wildlife and are building their public speaking skills. Deadline to apply is April 6, 2026. For more information and to apply please click here or see attached flyer.
Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth
Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY) is now accepting applications for its summer sessions. The high school program, Expand Your Mind, offers academic enrichment, the opportunity to experience life on a college campus, and a way to connect with peers from across the Twin Cities and beyond who share common interests. Students select from over 20 STEM, humanities, and fine arts courses and can stay in the dorms at Macalester College or attend as a day student. Need-based financial aid is available. This is a great opportunity for bright and motivated young people to explore their passions and meet their people.
City of Little Canada Upcoming Events:
Little Canada Coffee with a Cop: Meet and engage with Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office Deputies! We have two upcoming Little Canada Coffee with a Cop events: February 26 at Qamaria Coffee (4 PM).
Little Canada Community Ambassador Program
The City of Little Canada’s new Community Ambassador Program helps strengthen community connections. Community Ambassadors are residents who volunteer to share city information, support community events, and help bring neighbors together. Apply online.
Met Council State Fair Volunteers Wanted
The Metropolitan Council Environmental Services hosts the “Oh Poop!” exhibit in the Eco Experience building at the State Fair. This fun and interactive exhibit helps fairgoers learn how wastewater is treated in our region and why it matters for public health and the environment.
This opportunity, previously reserved for staff, is now open to students who have an interest in environmental science or STEM and who are comfortable communicating and engaging with the public.
Volunteers will:
- Engage with fairgoers in a fun, interactive setting
- Build communication, teamwork, and public engagement skills
- Earn volunteer hours that may count toward graduation requirements or strengthen resumes and college applications
Training and on-site support are provided to ensure students feel prepared and successful in their roles. Although the volunteering takes place during the summer, students are encouraged to complete the interest form now. 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 first 2025-2026 directory was emailed out yesterday to all participating families. Updates will be emailed out throughout the year as we have additional families participate. If you have been in past directories you will still need to sign up this year to be included. Questions? Please contact Ms. Forliti
