(10/23/2020) Thank you to parents/guardians and community members for remaining flexible and your continued support of our schools. 

Please take a few minutes to read through this week’s updates, including: 

• Middle and high schools move to distance learning Nov. 4; elementary schools remain in hybrid learning (no school for students PreK-12 on Nov. 2nd or 3rd)
• County and district data shared in new COVID-19 tracker
• Sign up for Backpack Online e-newsletter for future COVID-19 updates by email

Continue to refer to ahschools.us/COVID-19 for the latest information. 

Middle and high schools move to distance learning Nov. 4; elementary schools remain in hybrid learning

County level data has reached a threshold warranting a shift to distance learning at district middle and high schools. Following guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health, County Health Officials, and the Minnesota Department of Education, Anoka-Hennepin’s COVID-19 planning team reviewed multiple data points, and supported a move to distance learning at the middle and high school level. Concentrations of COVID-19 positive cases, projected trends and staffing attendance were also shared as considerations.  

Giving consideration to parents/guardians’ desire for advance notice, and to support this transition for students and employees, this change will take place the week of Nov. 2. Please note that this plan for transition was shared with and supported by health officials.  

Anoka-Hennepin will transition middle and high school students in the hybrid learning format to distance learning starting Wednesday, Nov. 4 through the end of trimester one, Friday, Dec. 4. School will not be held for all students PreK-12 on Monday, Nov. 2 or Tuesday, Nov. 3 in order for schools to prepare. 

High school co-curricular athletics and activities will cease starting Nov. 2 following Minnesota State High School League guidance. Current after-school programs coordinated by Anoka-Hennepin Community Education in middle schools will wrap-up this week. Community Education coordinators are working to provide modified recreational and enrichment opportunities for middle school students following Minnesota Department of Health Stay Safe MN Guidelines. More details will be shared next week from Anoka-Hennepin Community Education.    

Elementary students will remain in their chosen learning format, whether that be hybrid or distance learning for the remainder of trimester one. However, the hybrid calendar will have a slight change. No school will be held in-person or virtually on both Monday, Nov. 2 and Tuesday, Nov. 3. Cohort A will attend school in-person Wednesday, Nov. 4, while Cohort B will attend school in-person Thursday Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov. 6. Hybrid child care will be closed on Monday, Nov. 2. Adventures Plus school-age care will remain open for non-school day care on Tuesday, Nov. 3 for families that pre-registered.

Trimester two choices continue to be collected. As the 2020-21 school year continues, the possibility for learning model shifts remains. The district is looking for this information ahead of time for a smoother, quicker transition process. Learn more in these articles: elementary families, middle and high school families. The learning format(s) that will start trimester two for elementary, middle and high schools will be announced no later than Tuesday, Nov. 24. 

Please continue to visit ahschools.us/COVID-19 for the latest information.

County and district data shared in new COVID-19 tracker

Anoka-Hennepin continues to monitor county and district level health data. That information can now be viewed online at ahschools.us/COVID-19tracker. 

Sign up for Backpack Online e-newsletter for future COVID-19 updates by email 

General COVID-19 updates will be shared via: 

• School and district websites 
• District social media, including Facebook and Twitter 
• Backpack Online e-newsletter 

If you’re still interested in receiving emails, please sign up for Backpack Online, the district’s parent/guardian and community e-newsletter via ahschools.us/BPO. 

More impactful COVID-19 updates, for instance, a change in the learning format, will continue to be shared through all communication outlets, including AHlert email/text.  

Please reach out to comm.pr@ahschools.us with any questions or concerns on communication.