COVID-19: March 27 update
Anoka-Hennepin families,
Beginning Monday our schools will operate under a distance learning model of education as part of a comprehensive effort to ensure the personal health and safety of all citizens. Our teachers, staff and community have risen to the challenge over the past week to provide confidence and optimism that we can create the best possible outcomes for our students.
Thank you for your cooperation, patience and support as we transition to distance learning. Our schools will be working to maintain connections and provide communications in this new environment. Student learning and the momentum of positive energy for our students must continue. Along with this voicemail, an email will be sent that provides more detailed information about distance learning. Please know that this is a new process and we will likely make adjustments to improve our service along the way.
Thank you for your attention to this message and your ongoing support of your student and our schools.
David Law, superintendent
Anoka-Hennepin Schools
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March 27 updates
Schools closed, distance learning in effect through May 5: A state order has closed school buildings and enacted a distance learning model of education for all students through May 5. Students should not come to school during this time. All school district activities, events and community rentals are canceled until at least Tues. May 4.
School office hours: Beginning Monday, every district school will have limited in-person hours of service, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Schools will continue to be reachable by phone and email during their regular business hours.
Technology and internet access: Anoka-Hennepin has offered Chromebook devices to students who need them, grades four through 12. For those with technology at home, a desktop, laptop or iPad with internet speeds of three Mbps or higher is recommended. Kindles, Nooks or iPhones are not considered personal learning devices. Options for low-cost internet access are provided at ahschools.us/DistanceLearningFAQ. Anoka-Hennepin coordinated a chromebook distribution for students grades 4-12 from March 25-27. Students who missed that distribution and require a chromebook for distance learning should contact the main phone number at their high school to make arrangements to secure a Chromebook.
Technology help questions can be shared with your student’s teacher, school’s technology paraeducator or by contacting at: 506help@ahschools.us or 763-506-HELP.
Distance learning: Distance learning is intended to provide instruction without requiring students to be working at the same time or in the same location. The goal is to provide comparable activities with enough flexibility and support to meet the unique needs of each student and family.
Students in kindergarten through grade three will use a blended digital/packet-based system. The materials provided included guidelines for daily activities that allow parents and students to work through the materials and ask for support as needed.
Some families in grades four and five have opted to have packet driven instruction similar to the K-3 students. For these families, their instruction will be similar to the explanation above.
Students in grades four through 12 will primarily be receiving instruction through technology. This instruction will be a blend of teacher communication, student interaction, student activity and teacher follow up. For different grade levels and classes, this might be daily communication, or weekly check ins.
Please note that the teachers and curriculum will continue, the method of delivery is simply changing. Review the distance learning plan online.
For all students, inquiries are welcome anytime of the day, however, established office hours are as follows:
- From 9-11 a.m., Tuesday through Friday.
- From 1-3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
District emergency care: Anoka-Hennepin will continue to offer child care for Tier 1 emergency workers, at no cost, at elementary schools in compliance with the state order. Child care for Tier 2 emergency workers will open soon. The District Emergency Care program is open to children in kindergarten through age 12. Care during school-day hours is free of charge to eligible families. Before-and after-school care is available to families at an additional charge.
Community education programs, including Adventures Plus school-age care: All community education programs serving adults and youth, including facility rentals, will be closed through Tuesday, May 4, following the state order. Review community education program updates at ahschools.us/COVID-19_CommEd.
Expanded access for student meals: Anoka-Hennepin is expanding “grab and go” meals for students age 18 and under to 36 locations in the district starting Monday, March 30. Food will be distributed from school buses located in various district parking lots. Students will receive lunch and breakfast for the following day. No identification or registration will be required in alignment with program guidelines. More is on the COVID-19 website.
How can you help?
Please continue to practice healthy habits to limit the spread of disease:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol content.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough into the inside of the elbow. Dispose of tissues immediately. Wash hands afterwards.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces.
- Practice social distancing guidelines, and stay home when you are sick.
Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website or by calling the MDH information line at 651-201-3920 or submit questions via email to health@ahschools.us.