Winter break calendar modifications: Actions to address staffing shortages and mental health needs for school communities.
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is taking action to address the impact of staffing shortages on district operations through a series of calendar modifications for the 2021-22 school year. With over 200 unfilled positions and a shortage of temporary help, every position in the district has been impacted. These changes will allow custodial, clerical, child nutrition, para-educator, transportation, counselors and social workers, administration, child care, and instructional staff the opportunity to catch up on essential work to support our students. We’re taking action now to support student learning opportunities through the remainder of the year.
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board has supported a plan to modify two school days for the upcoming winter break. The district has added an additional districtwide closure date and a staff planning day as part of the calendar modification plan. These dates were selected after reviewing staffing trends over the past few years and critically the last two months. These calendar modifications are in addition to internal actions to streamline work and prioritize essential activities in our schools. These modifications are intended to support district operations and student learning while attempting to minimize the impacts on families.
The following days are impacted by these calendar modifications:
- Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021: No school for students, district closed.
- Monday, Jan. 3, 2022: No school for students, staff planning day.
The district is also considering limited dates between February and May that may be transitioned from in-person days, used for asynchronous learning or non-school days, or used for staff planning to support the challenges faced due to a shortage of staff. These spring dates will be finalized and presented to the School Board for approval as soon as possible. Anoka-Hennepin Schools will continue to monitor this situation and will provide additional updates as necessary.
Adventures Plus non-school day care will be available for currently enrolled Adventures Plus families on January 3. Additional registration information will be sent by the Adventures Plus office. High school co-curricular athletics and activities will proceed as planned unless students are notified otherwise; middle school co-curricular programming will not be held on these days.