Anoka-Hennepin Community Education realizes that families are determining the best preschool options for their child, and has preschool programming plans under all three of the possible learning models and schedules that the district could transition to the school year progresses, based on health and safety recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Read more about safety protocols in place for early learning programs.

• When the school district is operating under an in-person learning schedule, Anoka-Hennepin Preschool programs will follow its original calendar and schedule. Teachers, staff and students will follow additional health and safety protocols for preschool.
  
  
• When the school district is operating under a hybrid learning schedule, Anoka-Hennepin Preschool programs will offer some in-person classes. Schedules will be determined and communicated soon.
  
  
• Class sizes will be lower based on calculations of our classroom sizes, the space required to maintain social distancing, and the number of students enrolled. Teachers, staff and students will follow additional health and safety protocols for preschool.
  
  
• For preschool programs that provide bussing, schedule modifications will be made. Watch for additional updates from Anoka-Hennepin Schools Preschool once the school district shares its revised calendar for the hybrid learning schedule.
  
  
• When the school district is operating under a distance learning model, Anoka-Hennepin Preschool programs will offer opportunities for children to connect with their teachers online.
  
  
• Our teaching staff and curriculum coordinator have prepared for distance learning and lesson plans are in place to provide the educational experiences needed for your child’s development. All of our preschool classrooms will be using the SeeSaw app to share learning experiences, communicate with children and parents, and to develop academic and social-emotional skills with your preschooler.
  
  
• While preschool programs are conducted in a distance learning model, your account will be credited for 50% of your tuition. When in-person learning resumes, your tuition will return to the rate specified at the time of enrollment.
  
  
• Families will receive additional information so you can meet your teachers and we can provide your family with necessary learning materials.

We know that scheduling and format is an important factor in making the best decision for your child. Anoka-Hennepin Preschool will continue to share program updates as we continue planning and working to provide safe and reliable preschool options for our families in these unique times. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we prepare for the 2020-21 school year. We appreciate your support of Anoka-Hennepin Schools Preschool and Anoka-Hennepin Community Education. If you have any questions, please email preschool@ahschools.us or call the Anoka-Hennepin Schools preschool office at 763-506-1500. 

Anoka-Hennepin Community Education realizes that families are determining the best educational options for their family, and has ECFE programming plans under all three of the possible learning models and schedules that the district could transition to the school year progresses, based on health and safety recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Read more about safety protocols in place for early learning programs.

State guidance provides learning options for the 2020-21 school year. Our planning teams have plans in place for operating under in-person, hybrid and distance learning scenarios throughout the year, based on guidance in the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan, which allows schools to open in one of three formats depending on public health data, specifically COVID-19 cases by county over 14 days.

Using an initial review of the most recent data and the trends in the number of cases in both Anoka and Hennepin counties, Anoka-Hennepin is planning to open schools in the hybrid model at 50% capacity for all preschool through 12th grade students. Please know that the district will continue to evaluate the most current data on COVID-19 cases to guide decision making on any learning format changes.

As families consider enrolling in Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) programs this fall and later this school year, we wanted to share that Anoka-Hennepin Community Education and ECFE will operate in alignment with the Anoka-Hennepin School District as you plan for the year ahead: 

• When the school district is operating under an in-person learning schedule, ECFE programs will follow its original calendar and schedule.
  
  
• When the school district is operating under a hybrid learning schedule, ECFE programs will offer in-person classes on their scheduled days.
  
  
• We have decreased class sizes to maintain social distancing. We have provided additional time between our classes for rotating materials.
  
  
• Class sizes will be lower based on calculations of our classroom sizes, the space required to maintain social distancing, and the number of students enrolled.
  
  
• When the school district is operating under a distance learning model, Anoka-Hennepin Preschool programs will offer opportunities for children to connect with their teachers online.
  
  
• Our teaching staff and curriculum coordinator have prepared for distance learning and lesson plans are in place to provide the educational experiences needed for your child’s development, along with continued parent education. Our ECFE classes will be using Parentopia, an app for parenting education. We will offer live circle times to attend, along with videos to watch at your convenience to engage your child in a variety of learning experiences and to develop academic and social-emotional skills.
  
  
• A reduced rate will be charged for distance learning classes, as outlined online and in our fall catalog. If you paid for in-person classes, your account will be credited appropriately.

We know that scheduling and format is an important factor in making the best decision for your child and your family. Anoka-Hennepin Community Education and ECFE programs will continue to share updates as we continue planning and working to provide safe and valuable resources for families in these unique times. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we prepare for the 2020-21 school year. We appreciate your support of ECFE programs and Anoka-Hennepin Community Education. If you have any questions, please call the ECFE office at 763-506-1275.