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Connecting with families: Tools for clear communication in Anoka-Hennepin

Tool icon(09/15/2025) Strong connections with students and families is a conduit to learning and success in school. Review the tools available to teachers and school staff, and be informed about tools used by school and district administration to ensure clear communication this school year.

  • Classroom tools: Teachers, support staff and coaches may utilize Synergy or Google emails, phone, ReachMyTeach* emails and two-way text messages, personal meetings or conferences to communicate with families. Some preschool and elementary school classes may also use the Seesaw app for interactive family assignments.

  • School tools: Each school principal and e-news contact sends official school e-newsletters and emergency messages using Smore and Mass Notification.

  • District tools: The Anoka-Hennepin Schools Communication and Public Relations department sends a monthly e-newsletter to all families in the school district, the FOCUS e-newsletter. The district utilizes Mass Notification and Smore to send the FOCUS e-newsletter and emergency messages and communication to all families.

  • Multilingual tools: Anoka-Hennepin Schools welcome center works to coordinate real-time translations with families upon request. Tools available include interpretation services, the language line phone number, and Lexikeet video conferencing.

Why it matters: Clear communication for families has been a strategic priority in Anoka-Hennepin Schools in recent years, and communication tools authorized meet translation criteria for audiences with multilingual, visual or auditory accessibility tools. (Including official district and school websites, e-newsletters and mass communication tools.)

Staff use and future forecast: Beginning in the fall of 2023, select schools in Anoka-Hennepin Schools piloted the Reach My Teach tool. In 2024, Anoka-Hennepin Schools was awarded a two-year grant to continue using the tool across the district. While teachers and support staff may access and use the tool, the tool is currently in an evaluation stage. The District will evaluate usage and impact to determine continuation to the 2026-27 school year.


Ready to go? Contact the building technology contact at your site for assistance in getting set up in ReachMyTeach.