Compass Programs: News and events

It is with great honor and excitement that I welcome you to a new school year as the Principal of Compass Programs. As we begin the 2026–27 school year, I am filled with anticipation for all that lies ahead. The arrival of new and returning students and their families brings fresh energy, new possibilities, and a renewed sense of purpose to our learning community.

Compass Programs are designed to meet the unique academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs of students from across our district. Our goal is to help each student make meaningful academic progress, develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate challenges, and build a strong foundation for future success. We are committed to providing individualized support, guidance, encouragement, and opportunities for every student to grow.

Restorative practices continue to be an important part of all Compass Programs. We believe in building strong relationships and creating a sense of belonging through community building, open communication, accountability, and conflict resolution. These practices are at the heart of what we do and help us create a positive, respectful, and supportive environment where every student feels valued, heard, and empowered to succeed.

As we begin this new school year, I look forward to partnering with our students, families, and staff to make 2026 - 2027 a year of growth, connection, and achievement. Thank you for being an important part of the Compass Programs community.

Please refer to the information below for important dates, upcoming events, and helpful information as you prepare for the new school year. On behalf of myself and the entire staff, I can say, we are excited to welcome you back and look forward to a wonderful year together!

Stephanie Diaz-Celon

Open House Information

Our Open House Wednesday, September 2nd from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Please plan to meet the teachers, walk through the building to find your students' classes, and locate your locker. We are all excited to see you!

Class Schedule

Schedules can be picked up during Open House at the check-in table or viewed online through A-HConnect. Please walk through your schedule, find your classrooms, and talk with the teachers. If you have specific questions or concerns to discuss with an administrator, please call to schedule an appointment for another date.

Lockers

Student locker information will be printed on schedules or available online through A-HConnect. Students can find their locker and practice opening.

Lunch Accounts

Money may be deposited in student lunch accounts for additional food during Open House. For your convenience, any questions regarding lunches may be addressed by representatives from Child Nutrition. They will be located in the cafeteria/gym 6. Students may put money into their accounts any day thereafter. Reminder: breakfast and lunch are free this school year.

Complete back to school forms online

It’s time to get ready for the upcoming school year! Families may complete back-to-school forms online:

Visit ahschools.us
Select “login” from the menu.
Select “family login.”
Proceed to complete back-to-school forms for the 2026-27 school year.

It’s important that each family completes the verification process and the online back-to-school forms before the first day of school. Verification ensures that each student’s school has confirmed emergency contact information and releases for the safety of each student.

What’s in it for you: Even if families’ contact information has not changed, it’s important to log in to access a variety of other student information in the coming weeks, including:

Class schedules and teacher assignments.
Transportation information, if relevant.
Receive additional educational benefits, discounts and reduced fees.
High school students will not be able to enroll in fall activities until the back to school verification process is complete.

Anywhere, on-the-go: Families may complete the verification on their own time, whenever it’s convenient. If you prefer to utilize the ParentVUE mobile app to access your student’s information, please note that the app has been updated. Read more about downloading the updated version of ParentVUE.

Questions? Contact your child’s school for assistance.

Class Schedule

Schedules can be picked up during Open House at the check-in table or viewed online through A-HConnect.

Bus information available online starting August 31

Student bus information will be available in ParentVue at the end of August. This information includes the student’s bus route numbers, bus stop locations, and approximate bus arrival times.

Please make sure your child knows, or carries this information with them. Keep this information written down at home in case of an emergency. During the year, if significant route changes occur, messaging will be sent via email. ParentVue is updated nightly to reflect the same updates. Posted times are always approximate and subject to change. Everyday, make sure your student is at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled pick up time.

If you believe the information posted online is incorrect, please update your student’s ridership status and/or alternate address within your child’s online back-to-school forms. You can also verify your student’s bus information at open house or with the main office at your child’s school.

Apply for educational benefits for the 2026-27 school year

All Anoka-Hennepin families are encouraged to apply for the educational benefits program for the 2026-27 school year. A new application must be submitted each school year.

The enrollment window for the 2026-27 school year begins Aug. 1, 2026.

Although school meals are still available at no cost, your family may still qualify for other educational benefits. If your family needs access to educational benefits available to your student, an application can be completed by visiting ahschools.us/freereduced.

Anoka-Hennepin asks that all families complete an online application to provide additional school funding to support all students in the district. By filling out this application, your school can earn funding and you can save money.

Educational benefits include

Athletics fees: Eligible students may qualify for fees to be waived or reduced.
SAT, ACT, AP Fees: Students may be eligible for discounted fees for academic tests and some lab fees.
Other high school activities: Students may qualify for discounts on speech, debate, theater, band and others.
Additional benefits and cost savings: Summer EBT, Chromebook device protection, Comcast Internet Essentials discount, Amazon Prime membership discounts, discounted bus fares with Metro Transit, Xcel Energy account assistance, discounts at museums and theaters.

Only one application is needed per household. Please contact the child nutrition department with any questions or assistance at 763-506-1240 or staff.CnpEnrollment@ahschools.us.

Free school meals program information

Every student may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost during the 2026-27 school year. The state’s Free School Meals program will cover the cost of one complete breakfast meal and one complete lunch meal for every student daily, however the cost of a la carte items, such as milk, other drinks, or extra meal items will not be covered. Students will need to have funds in their meal accounts to purchase any additional food items.

Resources

Educational benefits flyer [English]
Educational benefits flyer - Translations
Educational benefits informational video

Review the 2026-27 Student Policy Handbook

The 2026–27 Policy Handbook is now finalized. Staff and families can access both the electronic version, which includes language translations and ongoing updates, and the PDF version by visiting ahschools.us/about/handbook.

Chromebooks/device protection plan

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 careful as students and schools are, accidents do happen each year - and hundreds of Chromebooks are returned at the end of the school year with damages. Optional Technology Protection Plans are available to families with students assigned a Chromebook. Families can opt-in when completing their back to school verification, and pay for the coverage in SchoolPay. Visit ahschools.us/TechProtect to learn more.

First day of School is Tuesday, September 8th

All Compass students will start the 26-27 school year on Tuesday, September 8th. We look forward to seeing all of our students on Tuesday!

Compass Mid-level Program Schedule

Homeroom - 7:25 - 7:35
Breakfast - 7:35 - 7:48
Advisory - 7:48 - 8:08
Period 1 - 8:10 - 9:00
Period 2 - 9:02 - 9:52
Period 3 - 9:54 - 10:44
1st Lunch - 10:46 - 11:11
Period 4 - 10:46 - 12:06
2nd Lunch - 11:41 - 12:06
Period 5 - 12:08 - 12:58
Period 6 - 1:00 - 1:50
Dismissal - 1:50

Compass Online Program Schedule

7:35 - 10:35 AM session
Breakfast at 7:35 - 7:48
10:50 – 1:50 PM session
Lunch at 11:41 - 12:06

SchoolSupplies

6th - 9th Grades

Notebooks and Pocket Folders OR a Binder system with loose-leaf paper
2 composition notebooks
Pencil pouch with: 12 #2 pencils
4 dry erase markers
highlighter
colored pencils (10 or more colors)
erasers
Wired headphones/earbuds (not Bluetooth capable)

10th - 12th Grade

Pencils #2 pencils
Pens
One folder and one notebook
Wired headphones/earbuds (not Bluetooth capable)

Supplies Donation

Thank you for considering donating if your family is in a position to do so. Donations help us provide for families in need and ensure enough supplies for each classroom. All donations can be brought to the front office.

Tissues
Whiteboard markers
Pencils
Items from school supply basics list (pencils, pens, notebooks, folders, etc.)

Assistance with Supplies

If your family needs assistance with providing school supplies to your child, please reach out to our school social workers, Elizabeth Hummel or Julie Beaufeaux, via phone/email elizabeth.hummel@ahschools.us or julie.beaufeaux@ahschools.us.

Absences

Call the Attendance line at 763-506-3207 or submit online via the ParentVue app. Absence reporting is available 24 hours through either option.
If you do not know your login information for ParentVue, please call the Help Desk at 763-506-HELP (4357) for assistance.

Late Arrivals

Call the Attendance line at 763-506-3207 or submit online via the ParentVue app.

Early Dismissals

Call the Attendance line at 763-506-3207 or submit online via the ParentVue app. Please allow a minimum of a half day advanced notice.
A slip will be given to the student to excuse them from class. By providing this advanced notice, the attendance office will have your student ready to meet you at the designated time. This minimizes classroom disruption and gets you to your appointment on time!

Medical Documentation

If your student’s absence involves a doctor, dental, or mental health appointment, a note from the clinic is highly encouraged. After 10 absences, documentation is required.
Students may drop this note off at the attendance office, or the clinic may fax it to 763-506-3203 (Attention: Attendance). Parents may also upload via the ParentVue app.

Truancy Laws

Minnesota State Statute (120) requires that children attend school each and every day and every class period. If a student misses a school day, or part of a school day for legitimate reasons, a parent or guardian must notify the school, or this will be considered an unexcused absence towards truancy.

Photo ID Required

All Anoka-Hennepin schools require photo I.D. to enter secured buildings.
Upon building entry, please meet your student at the attendance office, where you will be asked to present your photo I.D. an additional time.
Students will only be released to parents/guardians listed on student records.

AH Cell Phone Policy

Personal Electronic devices are not needed from 7:30 am - 1:50 pm

Devices should not be seen or heard
If a communication need arises, ask a staff member to use a phone
Violations of the policy may result in the device being turned into the office
Repeated violations will require a parent/guardian meeting

Compass Programs is committed to maintaining a safe and engaging learning environment

Visitor information

Anoka-Hennepin Schools utilizes a multi-layered approach to protect the safety of students and staff. Parents, guardians and volunteers are welcome to visit the school, most commonly with a pre-determined appointment. Plan to bring your driver’s license with you when visiting the school or picking up your child. Children are only allowed to visit with or leave school with the parent/guardian or emergency contact provided when each family completes the back-to-school verification forms.

When to keep your student home

Many students and parents are frequently concerned about when students should stay home or attend school. In general, if a student has had a fever of 100 degrees or more, the student must stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal without fever-reducing medication. If a student has vomited or had diarrhea, the student must stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.

If a student has had any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with your family physician before sending the student to school. If a student is ill, please call the school Attendance line daily at (763)506-3207 to report their absence.

If you are concerned about other diseases, please visit the district Health Services website and refer to the ‘Is My Child Well Enough for School’ document located under Infectious diseases.

Medications

A small supply of non-prescription medication can be kept in the front office with a parent/ guardian permission slip. If the over-the-counter medication is utilized on a routine basis, office staff will require a medical provider’s order. OTC medications may also be kept in the front office to be given by the office staff.

If it is necessary for prescription medication to be given during the school day, a permission slip signed by the physician AND parent/ legal guardian is required. The unexpired prescription must be sent in the original bottle/package labeled with the student’s name, medication name, directions for use and dosage, doctor’s name, and phone number of the pharmacy.

All prescriptions must be kept with health services. Exceptions may be made for emergency prescriptions such as asthma, anaphylaxis, and diabetes. These medications would require a school nurse assessment of the student’s skills to self-administer, as well as parent and doctor written permission to self-carry noted on the permission slip.

Forms are available online at https://www.ahschools.us/domain/491 under Medications and in the school health service office.

Physical Education Modifications

If a student has a medical concern that limits their participation in a physical education (phy. ed.) class, a note from a parent/guardian must be brought to the office before the school day begins. Office personnel will be able to issue a modification or excuse for a maximum of three days.

If a longer modification is needed, a physician’s note will be required with specifics on the length of the limitation. We encourage parents/guardians to request partial participation in physical education when possible so the student can experience some benefits from exercise and conditioning.

Immunizations

State law requires proof your student has been immunized.

The Minnesota School Immunization Law (MS 121A.11) requires all students to provide proof of vaccine preventable disease immunizations to enroll or remain enrolled in school. There are exceptions to the immunization rules. The state law does allow a process for parents/guardians to file a legal exemption to immunizations for medical reasons or conscientiously held beliefs. The conscientious objection must be notarized and turned in to the student’s Health Service office at his/ her school.

The form is available on the district website or from the health service office at your student’s school. More detailed information about immunizations is available in the Anoka-Hennepin School Handbook.

Ways to Help Your Child Do Well in School

Share a positive attitude about school and learning.
Create a study space for your child to complete projects and homework. Help your child develop organizational skills.
Help your child learn good social skills.
Talk about bullying; encourage your child to tell an adult about any bullying they experience or witness.
Learn school policies, expectations, and communication systems.
Talk to your child about peer pressure.
Encourage your child to get involved in extracurricular activities.
Check your child’s academic progress online (A-H Connect).
Be actively involved in the school community.
Stay connected with your child.

Note from Our Leader Note from Our Leader

Open House - Wed., September 2 Open House - Wed., September 2

Important Back-to-School To-Dos Important Back-to-School To-Dos

Getting Ready for the First Day Getting Ready for the First Day

School Supplies & Support School Supplies & Support

Attendance Matters Attendance Matters

Student Expectations & Policies Student Expectations & Policies

Health & Wellness Health & Wellness

How Families Can Support Student Success How Families Can Support Student Success

Trimester 1 Important Dates Trimester 1 Important Dates

Closing / Contact Information Closing / Contact Information

Note from Our Leader

Open House - Wed., September 2

Important Back-to-School To-Dos

Getting Ready for the First Day

School Supplies & Support

Attendance Matters

Student Expectations & Policies

Health & Wellness

How Families Can Support Student Success

Trimester 1 Important Dates

Closing / Contact Information