(05/28/2024) The Anoka-Hennepin School Board took action to amend four days in the 2024-25 school year to ensure district teachers are well prepared to meet requirements of a newly approved state reading program.

The big picture: Minnesota’s Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (READ Act) requires Minnesota schools to satisfy teacher professional development requirements for reading instruction. Changes in the calendar are necessary at the elementary, middle school, River Trail Learning Center (RTLC) at L.O. Jacob and Two Rivers Transition Program at Franklin. The high school calendar was not amended.

Four dates are changing to allow time for READ Act professional development to include:

• Friday, October 4 would move from a K-12 school day to teacher professional development at the elementary level only. No school for elementary students. Middle school and high school students will attend school.

• Monday, October 7 would move to a teacher professional development day at the elementary and middle school level along with RTLC and Two Rivers Transition Program. No school for elementary and middle schools, RTLC and Two Rivers Transition Program. High school students will attend school.

• Friday, December 20 will change from a K-12 school day to a teacher professional development day at the elementary and middle school level, RTLC and Two Rivers Transition Program. High school students will attend school.

• Friday, January 17 will change from a K-12 school day to a teacher professional development day at the elementary and middle school level, RTLC and Two Rivers Transition Program. High school students will attend school.

The bottom line: The professional development effort is consistent with a school board strategic priority to increase proficiency in literacy. The professional development includes approximately 1,800 teachers across all schools.

Go deeper: Review the updated 2024-25 K-12 calendar, along with other district calendars at ahschools.us/calendar.