Welcome Back to Aitkin High School!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back! We are so happy you are here!

We are a week into the school year, and things are off to a great start! It has been wonderful to see our students back in the building, reconnecting with one another, and jumping into their classes and activities.

We have a busy first month ahead with many events and opportunities for students and families to be involved. Volleyball, football, cross country, and tennis seasons are underway, and we’re excited to cheer on our Gobblers! All Aitkin High School students receive free admission to home games, and we hope to see you supporting our teams.

Congratulations to the Aitkin Anglers for placing 2nd and 8th out of 79 teams in the state tournament!

College in the Schools (CIS) Friday Work Days

Students enrolled in a College in the Schools (CIS) course will have Fridays designated as work days. On Fridays, CIS teachers will be available to students during their regularly scheduled CIS class period. Students may use this time to meet with their teacher for additional support, ask questions, complete assignments, or work independently.

Students may leave the school grounds during their CIS class period on Fridays. If a student plans to leave campus but will be returning to school for another scheduled class, we ask that they sign out in the high school office before leaving and sign back in when they return. This is important so that we know who is on campus in the event of an emergency.

Homecoming

Looking ahead, Homecoming Week will be the week of September 21st, with home games and activities throughout the week. The Homecoming Dance will be Saturday, September 26th at 7:30 p.m. Please see the information below for additional details.

Gobbler Pride

At AHS, we remain committed to our Gobbler Pride expectations of Respect, Responsibility, and Character, both in the classroom and at school events. Thank you for reinforcing these values at home and helping us create a positive school community.

Cell Phone Reminder

We also want to remind families of our cell phone expectations:

Grades 7–8 follow the Away for the Day policy. Phones are turned off by 8:20 a.m. and may be turned back on at 3:20 p.m. It has been so refreshing to see our 7th and 8th graders engaging in conversations, playing games, and connecting with one another during lunch and in the hallways!
Grades 9–12 must keep phones off during class. Phones may be used before and after school, between class periods, and at lunch. Phones may not be used during class time, including during bathroom breaks.

If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call the high school office at 218-927-2115, ext. 3500, and we will get a message to them.

Thank you for your partnership as we begin this school year together. We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events and celebrating another year of growth, learning, connection, and Gobbler Pride!

Take care,

Ms. DeMars
Principal, Aitkin High School

Meet Our New Staff

Welcome Mary Morem - ISD#1 Superintendent

I am truly excited and honored to be your superintendent and to be part of this incredible community. I believe strongly that lifelong learning is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and one another. There is nothing quite like watching the twinkle in someone’s eyes when they suddenly “get it”, a challenge is overcome, or they discover something they never knew they could do. Those are the moments that make education so meaningful.

I have been fortunate to experience those moments throughout my life and thirty plus years in education. My husband of 37 years and I have three adult children, and now five grandchildren. Watching each of them learn, grow, discover their strengths, and find their own paths has been one of the greatest joys of my life. It has reinforced for me that every person has unique gifts and incredible potential when they are given the opportunity, encouragement, and support to grow.

I also believe that life in a small rural community is a gift. There is something special about knowing your neighbors, showing up for one another, celebrating successes together, and caring about the future we are building for our children and families. I feel incredibly blessed to be part of this Aitkin Community and proud to be a part of Minnesota.

As we begin this journey together, I look forward to building strong relationships, strengthening our partnerships, listening to our community, and creating opportunities for every student and staff member to thrive. I believe our greatest accomplishments will come when we work together, communicate openly, and recognize that we all have an important role to play.

Most of all, I am looking forward to getting to know you, learning alongside you, and celebrating the many successes both big and small, that make our schools and our community special.

I am excited to be the new superintendent of Aitkin Public Schools.

Welcome Gus Sanford!

Gus Sanford graduated from Dakota State University (Madison, SD) with a K-6 Elementary & K-12 Special Education degree. He is thankful to have been granted the opportunity to return home to Aitkin where he was born and raised and start his teaching career.

Welcome Lauren Pankow!

This is my 3rd year teaching band, and I absolutely love it! I’ve had the opportunity to teach elementary and intermediate bands, and I’m excited to continue my journey with high school band. Marching band kept me busy throughout most of the summer, and I’m looking forward to a great year of making music together!

Homecoming Candidates for 2026:

Congratulations to the following students for being selected as Homecoming Candidates for 2026:

9th grade: Paityn Hawkins and Cole Kaiser

10th grade: Lily Robb and Peyton Gully

11th grade: Kate Boyd and Karson Hasskamp

12th grade: Atlanta Hagman, Grace Hunter, Kacie Kaiser, Gabriella Price, and McKinleigh Ukutegbe

Eliot Christensen, Nolan Dotzler, Gavin Fanjoy, Parker Fulton, Jack Jacobson

Encourage

Encourage is a free college and career planning program designed to help students explore opportunities after high school. It provides streamlined resources for students and educators, making it easier to connect academic goals with future pathways.

Reach: Serves about 1 million students each year
Network: Used across 5,000 school districts and 13,000 high schools in all 50 states
Access: Available online, and as a free app on both iOS and Android

Encourage gives students access to college, scholarship, and career tools all in one place.

Aitkin High School students in grades 8-12 will fill out a short survey that will then connect them with these resources.

AHS Daily Schedule Link

Daily Announcements Link

Student/Parent Handbook Link

Free Meals this Year

All students in grades K-12 will receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each day. If students would like to purchase an additional meal the cost is $3.25 for breakfast and $5.30 for lunch.

We are a Peanut and Nut Aware District

To keep all of our students safe, we ask that you do not bring in any items that contain nuts or peanuts.

Attendance is Important!

A missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn. We understand that students are sick or need to miss school for certain events/activities. If your child is going to be absent, make sure to call 218-927-2115 ext. 3500 or email tfoss@isd1.org

Attendance letters are sent out once students have missed more than 3 days of unexcused absences. The Tardy Policy (these will be cumulative through all periods) will be as follows:

4 tardies = 1 hour of after school detention

8 tardies = 2 hours of after school detention

12 tardies = 1 half day of in school suspension

16 tardies = 1 full day of in school suspension

September is Suicide Prevention Month.

Digital Tools

Aitkin Public Schools uses a variety of digital tools to support student learning. Technology vendors and software are utilized to support work as we help all students develop the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world.

We have an inventory of our curriuclum, testing, and assessment tools posted https://home.isd1.org/. and include an outline of the student data elements within each tool. This list is maintained and communicated annually to all families at the start of the school year.

Please reach out to Jason Roos (jroos@isd1.org) for additional questions regarding specific digital tools used in classrooms.

Sincerely,

Mary Morem,

Superintendent of Aitkin Schools

Bullying Policy Link

AHS Student Flu Vaccine Clinic Information

Dear Parents/ Caregivers,

Aitkin County Public Health will be offering flu and COVID vaccinations to students at Aitkin High School on Monday, October 5th. Parent/ Guardian consent is required for any student to be vaccinated. Students will be pulled out of class to be vaccinated. Please scan the QR code on the attached flyer or use the link below to register. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Brea Hamdorf at Public Health at 218-927-7256 or brea.hamdorf@aitkincountymn.gov

https://aitkincountypublichealth.as.me/AHSstudents

Brea Hamdorf, RN, PHN

Disease Prevention & Control / Family Health/ CSUP

Aitkin County Health & Human Services

Phone: 218-927-7256

Work mobile: 218-851-9035

Fax: 218-927-7262

2026-2027 District Calendar Link

Aitkin High School Contacts

Please contact the high school with any questions you have.

Tharcia Foss - High School Secretary - 218-927-2115 tfoss@isd1.org

Carol Brick School Nurse - 218-928-8281 cbrick@isd1.org

Jim Henrickson - Dean of Students/Activities Director- 218-927-7125 jhenrickson@isd1.org

Alan Hills - Secretary to AD - 218-927-7122 ahills@isd1.org

Michelle Alcox - Transportation Director - 218-429-0241 malcox@isd1.org

Sammy Croatt - Grades 7-9 High School Counselor scroatt@isd1.org

Meredith Sander - Grades 10-12 High School Counselor msander@isd1.org

Lisa DeMars - Principal - - 218-927-7113 ldemars@isd1.org

Website: https://home.isd1.org/high-school.html
Location: 306 2nd Street Northwest, Aitkin, MN, USA
Phone: 218-927-2115
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AitkinPublicSchools/

AHS Update

September 2026

Welcome Back to Aitkin High School!

Meet Our New Staff

Welcome Mary Morem - ISD#1 Superintendent

Welcome Gus Sanford!

Welcome Lauren Pankow!

Homecoming Candidates for 2026:

Encourage

AHS Daily Schedule Link

Daily Announcements Link

Student/Parent Handbook Link

Food Service

Free Meals this Year

We are a Peanut and Nut Aware District

Attendance is Important!

September is Suicide Prevention Month.

Digital Tools

Bullying Policy Link

AHS Student Flu Vaccine Clinic Information

2026-2027 District Calendar Link

Aitkin High School Contacts

Welcome Back to Aitkin High School!

Meet Our New Staff Meet Our New Staff

Welcome Mary Morem - ISD#1 Superintendent

Welcome Gus Sanford!

Welcome Lauren Pankow!

Homecoming Candidates for 2026:

Encourage

AHS Daily Schedule Link AHS Daily Schedule Link

Daily Announcements Link Daily Announcements Link

Student/Parent Handbook Link Student/Parent Handbook Link

Free Meals this Year

We are a Peanut and Nut Aware District

Attendance is Important!

September is Suicide Prevention Month. September is Suicide Prevention Month.

Digital Tools

Bullying Policy Link Bullying Policy Link

AHS Student Flu Vaccine Clinic Information

2026-2027 District Calendar Link 2026-2027 District Calendar Link

Aitkin High School Contacts

Meet Our New Staff

AHS Daily Schedule Link

Daily Announcements Link

Student/Parent Handbook Link

September is Suicide Prevention Month.

Bullying Policy Link

2026-2027 District Calendar Link