Anoka-Hennepin has a long history of fostering student character development through instruction and policy; The Anoka-Hennepin Harassment, Violence, and Discrimination Policy - 413.0 states, “The district shall implement violence prevention and character development education programs to prevent and reduce policy violations. Such programs may offer instruction on character education including, but not limited to, character qualities such as attentiveness, truthfulness, respect for authority, diligence, gratefulness, self discipline, patience, forgiveness, respect for others, peacemaking, and resourcefulness.” In 1993, Core Values were adopted by Anoka-Hennepin and our work around student social and emotional skills supported those Core Values. Anoka-Hennepin Schools character development program focuses on personally responsible Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons to develop skills for risk prevention, individual success and personal well-being. Transformative SEL is not the form of SEL used in Anoka-Hennepin Schools' lessons.

The implementation of the Anoka-Hennepin Portrait of a Graduate has highlighted the importance of building characteristics of successful community members, scholars, and leaders. 
 

Instructional materials review

Policy 603.0 allows parents and the community to review curriculum and instructional materials offered in Anoka-Hennepin Schools. Parents may request that specific instructional resources be excluded or restricted for their child and that the school provide reasonable alternative instruction. 

Parents/guardians who would like to review instructional materials and/or request alternative instruction should contact their child’s principal. The principal will coordinate with the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department to arrange to have materials available and prepared for their review.

Character Strong “Curriculum to Help Students Be Life Ready”

PurposeFull People is Character Strong’s PreK-fifth grade social and emotional learning and character development curriculum. The curriculum teaches 9 character traits (Empathy, Cooperation, Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courage, Gratitude, Honesty, and Creativity) while developing social skills, executive functioning skills, and emotional regulation.  

Character Strong’s sixth through eighth grade curriculum focuses on engagement, belonging and well-being by teaching students emotional understanding and regulation, empathy and compassion, values and purpose, goals and habits, and leadership and teamwork. Character Dares are an opportunity for students to put character into action between lessons.
  
Schools Implementing Character Strong

Adams Elementary, Andover Elementary, Brookside Elementary, Champlin Brooklyn Park Academy, Crooked Lake Elementary, Dayton Elementary, Eisenhower Elementary, Evergreen Park Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Hamilton Elementary, Hoover Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Johnsville Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Madison Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Mississippi Elementary, Monroe Elementary, Oxbow Creek Elementary, Rum River Elementary, Sand Creek Elementary, Sunrise Elementary, Wilson Elementary, Anoka Middle School for the Arts, Coon Rapids Middle School, Jackson Middle School, Northdale Middle School, Oak View Middle School, Roosevelt Middle School, Compass midlevel program.

Leader in Me “Comprehensive Model That Builds Leadership and Life Skills”

Based on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the Leader in Me model empowers students with leadership and life skills to be more effective, more goal oriented, and more successful. Students learn how to apply the following 7 habits of leadership: be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand - then to be understood, synergize, and sharpen the saw.  

Schools implementing Leader in Me

Morris Bye Elementary, Ramsey Elementary, University Avenue Elementary 

Instructional materials review

Policy 603.0 allows parents and the community to review curriculum and instructional materials offered in Anoka-Hennepin Schools. Parents may request that specific instructional resources be excluded or restricted for their child and that the school provide reasonable alternative instruction. 

Parents/guardians who would like to review instructional materials and/or request alternative instruction should contact their child’s principal. The principal will coordinate with the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department to arrange to have materials available and prepared for their review.