🐾

September 5, 2025 - Issue 2

September

22 - LifeTouch School Picture Day

23 - No School - Rosh Hashanah

24 - SWHS Homecoming Assembly 9:40am

25 - Walk in Your Child’s Shoes (Curriculum Night) 5-6:30pm

Stay in the know. Check our Anthony Events Calendar often.

⚽ Soccer Game Schedule

Dear Students, Staff, and Families,

Thank you for making our first week of school a tremendous success! Your enthusiasm and dedication have truly set a positive tone for the year ahead. We are grateful for the warm community spirit that has welcomed everyone back to school.

This year, we’ve been fortunate to enjoy cooler weather, which has made learning even more enjoyable temperature-wise. Remember, dress in layers as the weather fluctuates. We are going outside for recess unless it rains or there's inclement weather.

Overall, it has been wonderful to see everyone reconnecting and engaging in teaching and learning. As we embark on this exciting journey together, let’s continue to support one another and create memorable experiences. Here’s to a fantastic school year filled with growth, learning, and collaboration!

Warm regards,

Principal Vue

Students will be getting their photo taken during their Social Studies class on September 22, 2025 (retake is November 6 in the morning).

All students and staff are required to get their photo taken regardless if they choose to purchase photos. For safety and security, we need to have a recent photo of students on file.

Pictures can be ordered online anytime: https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch

Anthony's Lifetouch code: EVTXHBCXB

Students must have a media release on file in order to be included in the school yearbook. Pretty much all our students have a media release on file, but if your child does not, feel free to complete the linked form here and turn it into the main office.

Join Our Safety Patrol Program!

We invite students to participate in our School Safety Patrol Program, designed to assist pedestrians at our key crosswalks located at 58th & Irving and 57th & Irving. This program offers a valuable leadership opportunity for students to contribute positively to the community. Plus, it's a fantastic addition to your resume!

Students must be available in the morning from 8:15-8:40am or 3:15-3:30pm. If students ride a bus, they need to make arrangements with their family in order to participate.

Applications are due September 12. An official Safety Patrol will take place during Advisory at 8:45am on Tuesday, September 16 in room 102. Link to apply: https://forms.gle/n85aZWWLYoZERiot9

If interested, see Mr. Jacob or Admin. Thanks for helping make our school safe!

It always shocks some students to learn that teachers in most classes aren't just deciding on their own what to teach, that we have standards established at the state level that we are expected to address in our classes. Minnesota has a process for periodic standard revisions and updates. Our social studies standards are nearing the full implementation of new standards in the 2026-2027 school year. Last year, students in 6th grade Minnesota Studies classes saw what we considered a soft rollout of some of those new standards.

While many of our standards did not change significantly and Mr. Olson and Ms. Ricks covered many topics that have been long time building blocks of the 6th grade curriculum, last year for the first time at Anthony students in 6th grade had lessons on topics like the economics of offshoring and overseas production. They learned new things about tribal constitutions and dug deeper into our state constitution. We also dug into modern topics like climate change and its impact on us locally and on local issues like housing policy and the Minneapolis 2040 plan. We also got deeper into our juvenile justice system. We are excited to continue to bring those new topics and more into our classes this year. There are highly relevant standards on tariffs and the separation of powers that we were not able to get into last year that we are excited to get to this year.

This year in 8th grade Individuals and Societies classes we will be exploring the geography, economics, and history of the World’s seven continents. We will start with the geography basics then work our way around the globe from the America’s, to Africa, to Europe & Russia, to Oceania and Antarctica, and then Asia. We will analyze global issues and build geographic, communication, and research skills.

The research project for 8th grade World Studies is Model United Nations. Students will explore the history, function, and structure of the United Nations followed by research of a country and the global issue of refugees. At the school conference on Friday April 17th, students will collaborate, negotiate, and create peaceful resolutions. We will send out a request for volunteers closer to the events.

Contact your student’s World Studies teacher if you have any questions.

Welcome back Anthony families!

I'm so excited to get back to making music with the wonderful students in Anthony choirs! Students have already started singing as we build our routines and get to know each other. The first two weeks of school we'll focus on practicing healthy singing technique and building confidence to sing with a clear, strong sound. I have already heard many excellent voices, and I love hearing what music students listened to over the summer!

Thank you, as always, for your strong support of the arts in your child's education!

Coach Henning

Volunteer Opportunities at Anthony that fit every schedule!

Lost & Found Curator

Take charge of the left behind items - sort/organize/throw away to make this area useful. 2-3 times a year donate unclaimed items.

Time commitment: 1-2 hrs every other week or once a month with 2 curators, very flexible.

Parent Social Event Planners - Per grade level

Plan 1 event for your child's grade level parents to meet, greet, and build community. PTA will provide funding - idea to be presented to PTA before finalizing.

Family Day Planning Committee

Help plan and coordinate volunteers for Anthony's End of Year Family Day event that takes place on May 21, 2026.

General Volunteer

Can't commit now? Get on the list to be notified when one-time events need volunteer shifts need to be filled or items to be donated. (i.e. Voting Day, Family Day, Model UN, etc.)

Sign up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054EADA82CAAF5C07-56840617-20252026#/

Questions - email Madelyn at anthonyPTAvolunteers@gmail.com

Thursday, September 25 from 5-6:30pm

Also known as "Curriculum Night". Hope you can join us!

Hello everyone!

I’m Amy Hawkins, and I’m super excited to start my second year as a social worker in MPS, and my first year here at Anthony Middle School. My own journey started when I graduated from Metro State University back in 2007, when I also got my License. Since then, I’ve had all kinds of jobs helping people, most of the time as a Social Worker, and sometimes as a Teacher’s Assistant when I needed a bit of a break. Most recently, I have discovered the perfect blend of my passions, serving students and families but within an educational setting.

My favorite part about being a School Social Worker is getting to know all the students and being someone who supports them; and providing a safe place for them whether they’re having an awesome day or a tough one. Middle school is a big deal—it’s full of changes, choices, and chances to figure out who you are. I’m here to listen, help, and cheer you on every step of the way.

A few things I love are my pug Junnie; she is 5 years old. I love gardening outdoors in the summer and trying to keep things alive inside during the winter! I love all things that are glittery and shiny, playing games, music, watching game shows on TV and taking walks in nature. My favorite food is cheese pizza, and I love sweets!!

I’m really looking forward to getting to know and working with the students, families and staff here at Anthony, and I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you do together this year. Thanks for making me part of your beautiful team!!

My Best,

Amy M. Hawkins, LSW

School Social Worker

Anthony Middle School

Hi Anthony families!

Please use this Google form to refer your child for support from Ms. Kailey (school counselor) or Ms. Amy (social worker), or to request assistance from us with a family need. We look forward to working with you all!

Link: https://forms.gle/ciRPJJ78prkZC2bU8

As an IB World School, Anthony Middle School routinely offers many common accommodations that are requested through 504 Plans and IEPs. Please note that students do NOT need a specific to receive these as formal accommodations - these are simply typical practices across all classrooms at Anthony:

Anthony students are encouraged to bike to school; however, it is recommended that they use a strong lock to attach their bikes to our provided racks. Generally, a steel U-lock or steel chain-style lock will discourage thieves. Also, please remind your students to actually use the lock. In a recent check, staff noticed that several bikes had attached locks that were not being used. The Kryptonite Evolution and Kryptonite Keeper are good examples of locks that, according to published tests, stand up to thieves.

Environmental Health & Safety at MPS is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning and working environment for students, staff, and the community who enter our buildings. These documents give you more details about our building environment.

ALL ABILITIES ARE WELCOME! LEARN TO SKI TO RACE!

7TH-12 GRADERS!

Complete the NEW ATHLETE INQUIRY FORM for more information!

Even though breakfast and lunch are free for all students, it's still important to apply for the Application for Educational Benefits (AEB) if your household qualifies.

Each approved application brings additional funding to Anthony and Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), allowing your child to access free or reduced fees for after-school activities, athletic programs, and field trips.

Key benefits of completing the AEB form include:

Funding for All Schools: The AEB form is not just for meals. While meals are currently free due to MN State legislation, the benefits extend far beyond that.
Increased Funding: Completing the AEB form helps generate millions of dollars for MPS, benefiting students and families directly. Schools that meet specific criteria qualify for Title I and additional compensatory funds.
Support Services: This year, while Anthony did not receive Targeted Funding, we are grateful for the Compensatory Funds, which help maintain our support staff, including our Social Worker, Counselor, and Student Support Coach.

Remember, a new application must be submitted each year, with only one application needed per household.

Click HERE to apply for Educational Benefits and to learn more about how this application supports Minneapolis Public Schools.

Parents and Guardians, we encourage you to report an absence of any kind using the Anthony Attendance Form. This form helps us keep quick and accurate records of your student's absences as reported by a legal guardian. You may also continue to send written notes with your student if you prefer that method. We strive to have documentation for each absence whenever possible.

Once you have filled out the form or written a note, tell your student to come to the Main Office and we will issue a green pass. This process: builds independence, reduces classroom disruptions, and ensures your student is ready for pick up in a timely manner. A parent will not have to come into the school to sign the student out if they have a leave early pass.

For more on the full attendance policy, including excused✅ versus unexcused❌ absence categories, see our Anthony Handbook.

You may reach out to Julie.Robertson@mpls.k12.mn.us, Office Assistant, for more details 612-668-3240. Website Contact - Anthony Middle School.