(12/17/2021) The Anoka-Hennepin School Board reviewed and approved emergency revisions to the 2021-22 school year at its last meeting of the year, Dec. 13, as a strategy to address system needs related to staffing shortages that impact school operations and allow custodial, clerical, child nutrition, para-educator, transportation, counselors/social workers, administration, child care, and instructional staff the opportunity to catch up and better prepare for essential work to support our students.

The calendar revisions involve five days in the 2021-22 school year:

• Wednesday, Dec. 22 is now an emergency school closing day. 
• Monday, Jan. 3 will transition to a staff planning day, no students. 
• Friday, Feb. 18 will transition from an in-person learning day to:
• Elementary school (K-5): Staff planning day, no students.
• Secondary schools (6-12): Asynchronous learning day.
• Monday, Apr. 18 will transition from an in-person learning day to:
• Elementary school (K-5): Staff planning day, no students.
• Secondary schools (6-12): Asynchronous learning day.
• Friday, May 13 will transition from an in-person learning day to:
• Elementary school (K-5): Staff planning day, no students.
• Secondary schools (6-12): Asynchronous learning day.

Asynchronous learning days are days that school is not held in-person, rather, students are able to work on assignments remotely. Students do not report to school on staff planning days. View the calendar online at ahschools.us/calendar. 

Dates of school-year calendar revisions were selected after reviewing staffing trends over the past few years and critically, the last two months. These calendar modifications are being made 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.  

Adventures Plus non-school day care will be available for families currently enrolled in the Adventures Plus school-age care program at select school locations Apr. 18 and May 13. Additional registration information will be sent by the Adventures Plus office prior to those dates. The program will be closed Feb. 18 for staff planning. 

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.

Schools have averaged 60 to 140 unfilled teacher vacancies during the month of November and the school district is faced with chronic understaffing of over 200 positions, which are trends that are expected to continue. For information about hiring events, job opportunities, or to apply online, visit ahschools.us/jobs.