AFSA PreK-12 Family Update
6/27/2025
Bee ready for Week 29 of Words With Wakefield. It is a beautiful Friday morning and the school is silent and empty. No, we did not lose your students, they are all at various locations performing community service. Twice a year we dedicate a whole day for our students and staff to perform community service outside at local farms, gardens, parks, camps, and nature centers. This is just one of the many ways we are different from other schools.
AFSA has been around for more than 20 years, and over that time we have created programs, spaces, events, traditions, and opportunities that separates us from other schools. A student gets to experience a strong hands on education while getting opportunities to learn about agriculture and its impacts on our world. Did you know that Minnesota’s agricultural industry is the second largest employer and economic sector in Minnesota? There are a lot of misconceptions around agriculture and science, which we will have to address another time during Wakefield’s Words.
Back to why we are so awesomely different. AFSA has a greenhouse, classroom on the roof, numerous community events, every student is an FFA member, Terms, outdoor learning spaces, staff that know every student by name, and we still make all our school lunches in house! I am pretty sure that no other 2nd grade classroom took 20 plus educational field trips in one year because ours did. This message could go on for pages, but just trust me that AFSA offers so much on top of a great education.
I did not spell Bee wrong, just zoom in and then you will see my cleverness.
Photo was taken at the Maplewood Area Historical Society. Just one of of our 19 locations for FCSD.
Many of you may already know the news that one of our retired employees, Lynne Kaufenberg, passed away earlier this Month. Per her wishes she did not want a formal obituary, memorial service or celebration of life.
Lynne worked in the kitchen and was an awesome person to work with. This week students and staff had the opportunity to write messages to her family. The students loved her and that is the only proof you need to know how much she meant to the AFSA community.
Today our 7th-12th graders headed out to 19 different locations to volunteer their time to help at local ag related businesses, city parks and more. It was a beautiful day to get out and help.
Thank you to the following for letting us come out and help!
- Blueberry Fields of Stillwater
- Kreugers Christmas Tree Farm
- Hobby Farm
- YMCA (Camp St. Croix)
- Eagle Eye Farm
- Whitepine Berries
- Rising Sun Farm
- Dodge Nature Center
- Carpenter Nature Center
- Gibbs Farm
- Frogtown Farm
- Anoka County
- MN Fresh Farm
- Urbans
- Maplewood Area Historical Society
- Urban Roots
- City of Little Canada
- City of Vadnais Heights
Watch our social media for more photos from today's FCSD!
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, City of Little Canada, City of Vadnais Heights 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! Event flyer is attached to this newsletter. Please help get the word out about this one of a kind event!
LAST CHANCE STUDENT VENDORS - DEADLINE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH:
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, 29th.
LAST CHANCE ARTWORK - DEADLINE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH: 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 29th. 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.
There will be a staff and student flag football game afterschool Friday, October 3rd 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Kohler Park. Students in 7th-12th grade are invited to play. Students should contact Ms. Vorwald or sign up through the QR code.
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!
- 9/29 AFSA VS. Avail Academy High School (755 73rd Street Northeast, Fridley) - 5:30 and 7:00 p.m.
- 10/1 AFSA VS. Hiawatha at home - 5:00 and 6:30 p.m.
- 10/2 AFSA VS. MN State Academy for the Deaf - V 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.
Dear AFSA Class of 2026 Seniors and Families,
We hope you are all off to a great start in your senior year! The graduation committee is excited to watch the senior class continue to grow and learn throughout the year. We are also excited to be a part of planning this memorable event for AFSA’s Class of 2026. Please read this letter carefully and make note of times, dates and requests.
Graduation will be held the evening of Friday, June 5, 2026 at Bethel University in Arden Hills. Directions and details, including ticket information, will be sent home later in the school year.
Keepsake Gown/Cap/Tassel:
The cost for the keepsake gown/cap/tassel is $25.00 per student. Families can purchase the keepsake gown/cap/tassel online here or pay with cash/check in the front office. Last day to purchase is December 19, 2025.
Graduation Details and Submissions:
Seniors need to submit their Diploma Name, sizes for shirt and gown. We also need the following from each senior by December 19th, 2025:
Baby Picture
Senior Picture
Family message of congratulations or encouragement
To submit your senior's information, please click here. If you have any problems uploading the items you can email them to afsamedia@afsahighschool.com
Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Thank you!
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