FOCUS on Anoka-Hennepin - Aug. 2025

August 6, 2025

Open house dates are available on the back-to-school website.

📆 View the 2025-26 school year calendar.

• Sept. 2: The first day of school for students grades 1-5, 6 and 9; and students new to the district.
• Sept. 3: All other grades start school.
• Kindergarten: Welcome week schedules are communicated to families by schools.

The school district distributed the Back to School FOCUS e-newsletter to all district families on July 30 as a resource to prepare for the upcoming school year. More information specific from each school is sent in August.

Fun fact: In 48 hours, the back to school e-newsletter was viewed over 46,400 times by district families. (92% viewed on a mobile device.) 📱

Between the lines: Community surveys confirm that 70% of community members and families reported that the primary source of school and district news comes from print newsletters, district e-newsletters and websites.

Families of K-12 students were notified of login changes in June in order to access student information. This includes grades, attendance, fees, class assignments for the upcoming school year, and more. If you have not logged into your parent portal account since the end of the 2024-25 school year - take action now to have your account ready for the upcoming school year.

1. Find your parent/guardian activation email, which was sent from synergy@ahschools.us on June 23 or June 24. The activation email includes instructions on how to access the enhanced ParentVUE portal. Follow the prompts.
   Note: Families may receive an email for each child enrolled in Anoka-Hennepin Schools; however, you are only required to take action once.
   
   

2. If you didn’t receive an activation email, reach out to acshelp@ahschools.us or contact 763-506-HELP.
   
   

This change enhances the security of student information and makes it easier for families to stay connected to their child’s education.

• Select your own username and password.
  Previously, these were assigned using a formula using names and parent IDs.
  
  

• Update your settings - anytime, anywhere.
  Families can access their accounts and make updates from mobile devices or computers. There is no longer a need to call the district office to make changes during business hours.

Activating your account ensures you will be able to be involved at the start of the school year:

• Get teacher assignments and class schedules.

• Monitor academic progress, assignments and tests.

• Submit student absences.

• Pay fees for meals and/or activities.

• View your student’s grades and report card.

• Find transportation information, if applicable.

🍂 Registration for fall high school athletics and activities began Aug. 1 and fall sports begin on Aug. 11, so don't wait, get registered early!

✅ Make a plan to complete your student’s back-to-school verification by logging into ParentVue. This step must be completed before registering for a fall sport or activity. Beginning June 23, parents/guardians were required to create a new username and password to access student information, including grades, attendance, fees, registrations and class assignments for the upcoming school year. Learn more about the new parent portal login process for families.

Don’t forget that you must have a current sports physical on file at your student's high school. View free sports physical opportunities. Download a blank sports physical form. Translated forms are available at mshsl.org/health-and-safety. Physicals are good for three years, but must be valid through the entire season (for the fall, they must be from Nov. 30, 2022 or newer). SchoolPay will not allow you to register if the date of the previous physical expires on a date during the participation season.

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board is a six-member, nonpartisan elected body whose representatives are selected from election districts every two years. Three seats will be up for election November 4 – districts three, four and six. Community members living within those districts who are interested in serving on the board must file for election between July 29 and August 12 by 5 p.m. Members serve four-year terms.

On the ballot:

• District Three includes Champlin and the portions of Dayton within the district plus the northwest section of Coon Rapids. This seat is currently held by Kacy Deschene who was elected in 2021.
  
  
• District Four includes the portions of Nowthen, Ham Lake and Oak Grove located within the district plus a large share of Andover and the northeastern section of Ramsey. This seat is currently held by Matt Audette, who was elected in 2021.
  
  
• District Six includes northern Coon Rapids and southern Andover. This seat is currently held by Jeff Simon, who was elected to his first full term in 2013.
  

🔍 Verify your election district using the Minnesota Secretary of State polling place finder.

📍View the map of election districts for the Anoka-Hennepin School District.

Filing for School Board
School Board candidates must be eligible to vote and 21 years of age or older. Candidates must also have been a resident of the specific election district for 30 days before the general election and must not have filed for any other office.

Persons interested in running for the board must file an Affidavit of Candidacy in person at the Anoka County Elections Office, 2100 Third Avenue, Suite 16, Anoka, and pay a $2 filing fee no later than August 12 at 5 p.m. For information about candidate filing, voter registration or the election process, contact the Anoka County Elections Office by email at elections@co.anoka.mn.us or by phone at 763-324-1300.

📰 View the full story, including details about Election Judges.

All Anoka-Hennepin families are encouraged to apply for the educational benefits program for the 2025-26 school year. A new application must be submitted each school year.

The enrollment window for the 2025-26 school year began Aug. 1, 2025. Although school meals are still free, 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.

🔍 Learn more about educational benefits and complete your application online.

📚The School Board recently approved a $4.5 million investment in elementary literacy instruction following a multi-year review process that included significant public and teacher participation and feedback.

Why it matters: The action is aligned with Minnesota’s READ Act (Reading to Ensure Academic Development) which aims to have every student reading at or above grade level and to meet the needs of multilingual and special education students in reaching their reading goals.

Between the lines: The literacy plan is based on evidence-based “science of reading” platforms.The approved plan involves three-different curriculum programs, CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts for all grades, Bridge2Read for Kindergarten to Grade 3 and Functional Morphology for Grades 4 and 5. Curriculum upgrades were selected based on data and perspectives from 400 Anoka-Hennepin teachers including Special Education, Multi-Lingual, classroom teachers, and Literacy specialists along with student perspectives.

📖 Read the full story on the district website.

Action of the School Board provides brief summaries of Anoka-Hennepin School Board meetings. View the latest Action of the School Board from July 14, 2025.

For agendas, meetings and minutes visit ahschools.us/schoolboard.

Bethany Brunsell, a 1994 graduate of Blaine High School (BHS), was named the first female fire chief for the City of Golden Valley in March 2024, becoming one of just three female fire chiefs in the state.

🚒 Although firefighting wasn’t her first calling, she climbed the ranks from a paid-on-call firefighter to chief in 14 years of service.

🎻 Brunsell grew up in Blaine and attended Sand Creek Elementary School, where she was first introduced to the viola in fifth grade. After considering switching to the flute and joining the band in sixth grade, she realized she had the talent and passion for playing the viola and continued with it at Roosevelt Middle School. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher and was inspired by BHS orchestra teacher Ed Schaefle to pursue a career in music education.

📖 Get the full story about Bethany's journey.

Andover High School (AndHS) graduate Jaxon Knutson and Champlin Park High School - International Baccalaureate Programme (CPHS) graduate Noah Johnson have earned College-sponsored National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced July 14.

These scholarships provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.

Knutson will study medicine at Case Western Reserve University and Johnson will study materials science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 💻 Learn more about the NMSC scholarship awards.

🌞 Summer months in Minnesota offer Anoka-Hennepin students, families, teachers and staff a snapshot of time to enjoy outdoor activities from time on the lake, biking, playing sports, and most importantly, some time to relax. In between all of the ball games, fishing trips, day camps and everything in between, taking the time to sit down and enjoy a good book can slip away.

📚 At Andover Elementary School, principal Mark VanVoorhis and media specialist Kari Ecklund turned a water cooler conversation into reality by opening the two libraries to students on Wednesdays so reading and learning can continue throughout the summer.

💻 Read more and view photos of students and families enjoying the summer library hours at Andover Elementary.

Northdale Middle School (NMS) School Resource Officer (SRO) and the Coon Rapids Police Department Detective Ryan Olson, is officially the first-ever police officer to earn the prestigious Catalyst certification. Throughout the process of obtaining the certification, educators and coaches learn practical strategies to effectively manage behavior while prioritizing connection.

Why it matters: Olson's initiative began with a desire to better support students. He was invited to the Catalyst program by NMS instructional coach Dr. Elizabeth Keeling.

• Cafeteria impact: Olson first earned his lunchroom certification last fall, realizing the strategy of staffing placement in the space to set expectations for behavior and respect.

• Classroom connection: At NMS, he visits health and ELA classes to share information about chemical and alcohol use and social media safety. “His ability to connect with students…creates a fun, joyful, and welcoming learning environment where students get to be themselves and share openly,” Keeling said.

• Beyond the badge: As an assistant coach for Andover High School's hockey and lacrosse teams, Olson also applies the communication skills he’s gained from the Catalyst training to improve communication, understanding and participation with players.
  
  

The success of this partnership at NMS has been a team effort among the school staff, serving as a unique and powerful example of how law enforcement and staff can work together to create a positive and productive learning environment and a positive school culture. 📖 Read the full story.

🎶 The Anoka-Hennepin School District has been recognized with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) for the 11th time. The honor recognizes a district’s outstanding commitment to music education.

Anoka-Hennepin was one of nine school districts in Minnesota and 935 nationally to earn the award in 2025.

NAMM is a non-profit organization that aims to advance participation in music-making for all ages by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. 💻 Learn more about the recognition.

Dr. Lewis Finch, the third superintendent in the history of the Anoka-Hennepin School District, passed away on July 16 at the age of 87.

Finch served as superintendent from 1975 to 1990, a time of community and enrollment growth which included the highest enrollment in District history with over 40,000 students in the Anoka-Hennepin School District.

Significant achievements during his tenure include:

• Securing voter-approved funding and construction for Champlin Park High School, Oak View Middle School, the first Oxbow Creek Elementary School, Andover Elementary School, building additions at Monroe Elementary and Coon Rapids High School as well as the Educational Service Center, Staff Development Center, and Bell Center.
• Expanding curriculum and programming to serve students with special needs, establishing a curriculum review process and calendar for curriculum renewal, creating an office of student assessment and program evaluation, and initiating a parent involvement program that is still in service today.
• Serving as a statewide leader, defining policy and securing funding for schools as the President of the Minnesota School Administrators Association.
• Following his work in Anoka-Hennepin, Dr. Finch ended his distinguished career in education as Iowa’s Superintendent of the Year, serving in the Cedar Rapids School District.

Dr. Finch is the longest-serving superintendent in the 73-year history of the Anoka-Hennepin School District, following founding superintendent Morris Bye, who served from 1952 to 1964; and Erling Johnson, who followed and served until 1974. In honor of his contributions, the District’s staff development center was dedicated in honor of Dr. Finch.

A celebration of life ceremony is planned for Saturday, August 16 at First Lutheran Church, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at a time to be determined.

While reporting on new legislation aimed to support districts with substitute teacher shortage, KSTP connected with Anoka-Hennepin Schools substitute teacher, Jessica Koehler, who shared more on her journey to getting involved as a substitute and how the work makes a difference in her life. 📺 Watch the story.

🏠 Students in the district’s construction careers program saw their work pay off when the home they built sold for $16,700 above its cost. The house was built by students through the district’s Building and Construction Careers program, part of the Secondary Technical Education Program.

🔨 Read more about the process and the program from ABC Newspapers.

Try something new! Have fun! Make new friends! Registration for fall youth classes and activities is now open! This includes middle school sports. Anoka-Hennepin Community Education offers a variety of enrichment classes and recreational activities for students in grades K-8 to explore what they are most interested in. Classes are offered after-school, in the evening and over the weekend — enhancing academic and social opportunities outside of the traditional school day.

Browse classes and register online.

• Monday, August 11 - School Board work session.
• Monday, August 25 - Regular School Board meeting.
• Monday, Sept. 1 - District closed.
• Tuesday, Sept. 2 - First day of school for grades 1-6 and 9.
• Wednesday, Sept. 3 - All grades report to school.

📆 View the district calendar online.

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