Choose your preferred communication methods with AHlert

Anoka-Hennepin families now have the ability to choose their preferred communication method(s) for receiving automated messages. The service is being provided through a program called AHlert and will share items such as principal updates, lunch account balances and winter weather closings. 

Families can choose whether they’d like to receive phone calls, text messages, email, or a combination of the three. Follow these step-by-step directions in the AHlert program to get started:

1. Login to A-HConnect and select the AHlert icon.
2. Once you’ve reached the AHlert screen, select the “calling preferences” link on the right-hand side.
3. Check or un-check the “active” box to enable or disable delivery devices. 
4. Click the “save changes” button on the bottom left.

Note: If there is not a cell phone number listed in the system for you or the phone number or email shown is incorrect, please contact your child/children’s school(s).

Families will still be able to receive winter weather-related school closing and other emergency information through the venues they’re familiar with (website, e-news, social media); this service is simply an addition to these regular communications.

If you signed up to receive text notifications sometime in the last two years (called Weather Alert in 2013-14, AHlert in 2014-15), you’ll need to re-subscribe using the directions above.

As always, call 763-506-HELP (4357) with questions.

• Viewing/listening to messages and managing delivery devices
• AHlert frequently asked questions

A school emergency can take a number of forms including an environmental event such as a chemical spill or gas leak; a weather emergency such as a tornado warning; or an intruder in or near the school.  The nature of a school emergency dictates what emergency response protocol school officials will put in place to ensure the safety and well being of students and staff.  

Anoka-Hennepin Schools utilize the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation.  The SRP is not based on individual scenarios, but on the response to any given situation. The premise is simple - there are four actions that can be performed during an emergency situation:

LockOUT - Secure the perimeter

Schools are put on lockOUT to safeguard students and staff within the building based on activity in the surrounding area, not in the school or on school grounds. During a lockOUT, school staff move all students and activities inside and ensure the building is locked while learning continues inside the school with minimal classroom interruption or distractions. All doors are locked and no one can leave or enter the building without police or district approval. The school day operates as normal, unless the lockOUT interfere with release times.  

LockDOWN

building is put into lockdown if an active threat is identified INSIDE the school.  During a lockDOWN, all students and staff are trained to get behind a locked door - Locks, Lights, Out of Sight. The expectation is that classroom doors are locked and secured, lights are turned off, and students and staff move to a location away from hallway windows and doors. Students are encouraged to remain quiet. Students and staff are released by district or emergency personnel only.  We also train for self-evacuation. 

Evacuate

In the event of certain building emergencies such as a fire, gas leak or unsafe situation near the school affecting release times, students and staff are moved to a safe assembly location. 

Shelter 

Students and staff are instructed to take safe shelter in designated areas inside the school to protect them from hazardous materials or severe weather. 

Preparation is the key to effective response in case of an emergency. Drills help our staff and students respond quickly, calmly and safely to a number of situations. All schools are required to conduct 11 drills annually:

• 5 fire drills
• 5 lockdowns
• 1 tornado  

Stay home 

Parents are advised not to come to the school. By arriving at the school you may be endangering yourself or your child. School district personnel and First responders will be working hard to control the situation and protect your children. Law Enforcement will be focused on the important task of keeping your child safe. 

Stay informed

School district personnel will provide information as soon as possible. Some situations take time to verify accurate information. School district personnel will be in communication throughout the situation and will communicate in several different ways: Phone, text message, email, district web site, or local news media. Please do not call the school as you will most likely not get an answer or you could be pulling staff away from the emergency situation. 

Be ready

In case a reunification is necessary, you'll be informed of when and where to pick up your child. Please bring a photo ID and be patient in the process of connecting you with your child. The process takes time and it's important to stay calm. The reunification process protects both the safety of students and provides for an accountable exchange of custody from the school to a recognized parent or guardian. 

Hold off on calling or texting your student 

Parents will be notified with updates on the situation in a timely manner. When it's safe to do so, students will be allowed to text their parent(s) during a crisis, if applicable. You should NOT call or text a student's cell phone during a crisis unless you've heard from them first and you know it's safe to text back. You may be placing your child at risk. Students are trained to stay out of site and quirt during a Lockdown. A phone ringing or vibrating could alert an intruder to the student's location. 

Make a plan 

Talk to your children about school safety. Review as a family how you will communicate, where you will go and safety steps during an emergency. 

Resources 

Ready.gov: Make a family plan 

Each emergency situation will have a different action and notification procedures. However, the following guide outlines the general communication process and how parents will receive information during the four emergency situations - containment, lockdown, evacuation, and shelter in place.  

Lockout 

• Ongoing school actions: monitoring.
• How will you know: initially contacted via the AHlert communication system (voicemail, email and/or text, depending on your preferences). Further communication, as needed, if the situation impacts daily operations. 
• Please remain at home/work until receiving further communication. 

Lockdown

• Ongoing school actions: active with district and emergency responders. 
• How will you know: initially contacted via the AHlert communication system (voicemail, email and/or text, depending on your preferences). Updated communications as situation progresses and as needed. 
• Please remain at home/work until receiving further communication. Do not call the school, district or your child. 

Evacuate

• Ongoing school actions: active with district and emergency responders. 
• How will you know: initially contacted via the AHlert communication system (voicemail, email and/or text, depending on your preferences). Updated communications as situation progresses and as needed. 
• Please remain at home/work until receiving further communication. Do not call the school, district or your child. 

Shelter

• Ongoing school actions: active with district and emergency responders as needed. 
• How will you know: initially contacted via the AHlert communication system (voicemail, email and/or text depending on your preferences). Further communication, as needed, if the situation impacts daily operations. 
• Please remain at home/work until receiving further communication.

As a result of an evacuation, students may need to be reunified with parents through a controlled release at the school or a reunification at a new location. We want to reunite students with families as soon as possible, however these situations often take time and planning to ensure you and your child are safely reunited. We will work with police and fire agencies to determine when it is safe to do reunification.  

Students will be released to parents/guardians who are documented as emergency contacts and who present a picture ID. Reunification is a process that protects both the safety of the student and provides for an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized custodial parent or guardian. Please be patient.

Until reunification site information is announced, your role is to stay home, stay informed and be ready.  Reunification will not begin until all students are relocated to the site in their designated assembly areas.  

After you receive reunification site information, your role is to:

• Bring your picture ID (driver’s license, military ID, passport).
• Proceed to reunification site, park in designated area.
• Follow signs to “Check in” area.
• Complete reunification card.
• Follow on-site instructions to be reunited with your child.

Each building has a visitor management system that checks visitors against the national sex offender registry and a site do not enter list. All visitors are requested to provide government identification for check-in. 

How will I receive emergency messages from my child’s school?

• All communication will come via the AHlert communication system (voicemail, email and/or text, depending on your preferences).  Please take the time to make sure you are set up to receive communications.  

Are all exterior doors locked during the school day?

• Yes.  After arrival and prior to dismissal, exterior doors will remain locked during the school day.  All visitors must check-in at the main door of the school with a valid ID.

What is the difference between a lockout and a lockdown?

• A lockout occurs when there is a threat or hazard outside of the school building or in the immediate neighborhood.  Exterior doors remain locked and school continues as usual.  
• A lockdown is called when there is a threat or hazard inside the school building.  

Do all schools have security cameras?

• All secondary and specialty programs/schools have security cameras.  Some elementary schools have cameras.

Are School Resource Officers (SROs) in all the schools?

• SROs are assigned to all secondary schools.  The SROs also maintain relationships with our elementary schools through informal and formal programs.

What kind of drills do you do and how often are they conducted?

• State law requires each school to conduct 5 fire drills, 5 lockdowns, and 1 tornado drill throughout the academic year.  Schools may choose to do additional training.

What can parents do if they hear about a threat or see something suspicious?

• If you or your child hear or see something that is suspicious or threatening - contact the school or 911 immediately. 

Safety is our first priority in extreme winter weather

The safety of all students is the first priority when determining if schools should stay open in extreme winter weather. 

The decision to close school is a serious one, and it affects many working families who would have to take a day off of work or find day care on short notice. 

Where can I get information on school closings due to weather?

The district will share information about school closings in a variety of ways. In the list below, the first five communication vehicles are the quickest ways to be alerted:  

• Phone, text or email message from AHlert system (for Anoka-Hennepin parents/guardians only; access by logging into your A-HConnect account and then clicking on the AHlert icon)
• District and school websites. 
• District and school social media pages (e.g. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).
• Media outlets including WCCO, KSTP, FOX 9, KARE 11, CCX Media, WCCO radio and Star Tribune newspaper. 

How cold does it have to be to close school?

In making this decision, district officials rely on the National Weather Service's warning system. If the National Weather Service issues a "wind chill warning" stating that exposed skin can become frostbitten in less than 15 minutes, then the district will likely make a decision to close. If a wind chill advisory is in effect, students who are properly dressed for the weather should be able to walk to school or wait for the bus without risking frostbite. Keep in mind, students are not expected to wait more than 15 minutes for their bus to arrive. Check out the new bus app for real-time route information.

What if I am concerned about the weather and school is in session?

In case of very extreme winter weather, parents/guardians have the final decision on whether or not to send their children to school. If school is open, students are expected to attend. However, if parents/guardians feel their children would be in danger they can choose to keep them home. The absence will be excused if the parent/guardian calls to report it prior to the start of school. If the school is not contacted, the student will not receive an excused absence. Students who are already in school will not be excused if they choose to go home.

Appropriate dress for cold weather

Take a look at the following tips: 

• Wear several layers, the layer of air between each piece of clothing acts as extra insulation. 
• Wear clothing that insulates, shields and breathes. Wool and polypropylene are good insulators.
• Outer layers should be wind and waterproof. 
• Wear wool socks and well-fitting waterproof boots. 
• Wear a hat to prevent heat loss. 
• In most cases, mittens are warmer than gloves.
• In extreme cold, cover all areas of exposed skin.

School bus safety tips for winter weather

Winter weather can be challenging for Anoka-Hennepin’s students due to extreme cold temperatures and snowy conditions.

Students should dress appropriately for cold weather and wear heavy jackets, hats, mittens or gloves, and boots.

In addition, students should be on time at the bus stop, at least five minutes prior to their regular bus routes scheduled time. However, sometimes buses will be late due to weather road conditions, and in those cases, students are not expected to wait more than 15 minutes for their bus to arrive. If possible, parents should drive their children to school if their bus is more than 15 minutes late.

If a bus is running late – our bus companies do their best to alert the school and the Transportation department. Parents/guardians can now check where their student's regular bus is in real-time through the FirstView bus app. 

Other tips for students:

• Students should wait for the bus several feet further back off the road in a safe place. The roads can be slippery.
• Use the handrail when boarding and exiting the bus to prevent slips and falls on icy steps.
• Keep head and limbs inside the bus windows to prevent frostbite and other injuries.
• Before crossing in front of the bus, wait for an “all clear” from the driver. Cross 10 feet in front of the bus so the driver can see you as you cross.
• Don’t play on snow piles at the bus stop — you could slide into the street.
• Don’t try to retrieve personal items from under the bus that may have fallen — the driver can’t see you.
• Don’t push or shove when getting on or off the bus.
• Don’t chase the bus or grab the bus when it’s moving. 

Tips for parents and guardians:

• Parents should keep their car windows clear of frost, ice and snow.
• Parents should use extra caution in school zones and at bus stops, especially where snow piles exist.
• If a student misses the pick-up, don’t try to catch the bus at another stop. Drive the student all the way to school.
• Don’t follow buses too closely with your car — they make frequent stops.
• Always stop for red flashing signals on a bus.

How does the district determine if it is safe to operate buses?

District transportation staff members drive roads and check with bus company staff, local city and county public works staff between 4 and 5 a.m. to determine if streets are open and buses can get through. Staff also check forecasts from the National Weather Service and consult with other school districts who may be experiencing the same or similar weather.

In a district of Anoka-Hennepin's size, more than 170 square miles, it would be difficult for the district to maintain a site to track conditions across the system. Parents should assume that unless school is called off, school buses are running.

I heard that Anoka-Hennepin never closes for weather related problems. Is this true?

No. Typically, when Anoka-Hennepin has closed school, the conditions were extreme (including heavy snowfall, massive blowing and drifting of snow, as well as ice - conditions that kept buses from running). Here are some recent examples:

• March 2, 2007 (due to wind chill). 
• Feb. 29, 2012 (due to ice and snow). 
• March 5, 2013 (due to heavy snowfall and unplowed roads in several areas). 
• April 19, 2013 (snow, ice and unplowed parts of the district).
• Jan. 6, 2014 (Gov. Dayton ordered schools statewide closed due to extreme cold weather).
• Jan. 7, 23, 27 and 28, 2014 (due to extreme cold weather).
• Feb. 21, 2014 (due to heavy snowfall overnight).
• March 5, 2018 (due to snow).
• April 16, 2018 (due to snow).
• Jan. 28, 2019 (due to snow).
• Jan. 29, 30 and 31, 2019 (due to extreme cold weather).
• Feb. 12, 2019 (snow and unplowed parts of the district). 
• Feb. 20, 2019 (due to heavy snowfall). 
• April 11, 2019 (due to snow, ice, wind).
• Dec. 21, 2022 (due to extreme cold, blizzard conditions, hazardous travel)
• Jan. 3, 2023 (heavy snow)
• Mar. 25, 2024: (unplowed roads and sidewalks impacting morning travel)

Does the district lose money if school is closed?

No. The district does not lose state aid if school closes for weather or other emergencies. State revenue is based on the number of students enrolled in school, not on the number of days in school.

Will elementary students be allowed outside for recess when it is 25 below zero?

No. The guideline for keeping children inside for recess will be zero degrees or 10 degrees below zero wind chill. Accommodations for children with special medical needs can be made with the Health Services office; written documentation from a doctor will be required.

Are student crossing guards allowed out in cold weather?

Yes. School staff check student-crossing guards to ensure that they have warm and proper clothing to be out in cold weather.