Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week is April 22-26, 2019
(4/22/19)Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week is April 22-26, 2019. Anoka-Hennepin Schools appreciates all that afterschool professionals, such as school-age child care program staff; and coordinators, programmers, instructors and coaches, do to support our schools, students, staff and our communities.
The National AfterSchool Association (NAA) estimates that 10.2 million children participate in afterschool programs each year, and an estimated 850,000 professionals make a difference in the lives of those children.
Community Education plays a critical role in helping young people grow from children to teens. Youth-focused programs provide more than just education or entertainment - they contribute to a safe and healthy community by providing youth people with engaging activities and opportunities to help them learn and grow:
- Activities and enrichment: Each elementary and middle school in the Anoka-Hennepin School District has a Community Schools office which coordinates a wide variety of courses, clubs, camps and clinics to enhance your child's academic and social experiences while away from school. Families are welcome to enroll in enrichment opportunities offered at their child's school or at any school, districtwide. Activities are offered after-school, in the evening and on the weekend.
- Athletics: Anoka-Hennepin Community Education coordinates a variety of recreational and athletics opportunities for youth from ages three to eighteen.
- School-age care: Adventures Plus is the Anoka-Hennepin School District's school-age child care program, offered to all families in the school district and provided at each elementary school (with transportation for Evergreen Park families to care at Monroe Elementary). Care is available before- and after-school, and on non-school days which include winter, spring and summer breaks. The Adventures Plus program aims to develop the whole child by providing age-appropriate learning experiences and opportunities using a theme-based curriculum with activities that include arts, crafts, dance/movement and drama; literature and music; sports; cooking; science discovery; sensory and outdoor play; field trips; opportunities for homework assistance.
- Swimming: Swimming and water safety is a skill that children will use for life. Community Education offers swimming lessons, recreational swim and lifeguard training to support youth with a wide range of skill levels at Roosevelt Community Pool in Blaine.
- Youth service: Anoka-Hennepin Community Education coordinates youth service activities and projects at the five traditional high schools in the school district. A Youth Service Coordinator at each high school coordinates meaningful leadership and service opportunities, trips and projects benefiting the community.
"We recognize that the programs offered after-school support students during the school year and all year long," said Michelle Trelstad, director of Anoka-Hennepin Community Education. "We appreciate the work our staff do this week, and all year long, to support youth and build collaborative partnerships in our schools to enhance our neighborhoods and communities."
Learn more about Anoka-Hennepin Community Education programs, activities and classes.