Communicating with families
As your child enters high school, communication with the
school is even more important than in elementary or middle
school. This is because high school age children are making
important decisions that can have lasting impact on their
lives. Don’t hesitate to call the school if you have questions
or concerns. In general, for questions related to emotional
issues, grades and course schedules, contact your child’s
counselor. For questions related to discipline and concerns
about your child’s behavior, contact your child’s assistant
principal. If you have questions about your child’s performance in a particular course, contact the teacher. Students
are assigned to a specific counselor and assistant principal
based on the first letters of their last name.
● Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled once each
trimester. Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend, feel free to contact
your child’s teachers for a phone conference.
● Parents/guardians can access a variety of data
about their students using a secure website called
A-HConnect. Usernames and passwords will be
mailed to all parents before school starts. For help
call 763-506-HELP (4357).
● Principals provide a brief update on important school
news to parents regularly through ParentLink automated phone calls and more in-depth information in
regular e-newsletters put out every two weeks.
● Each high school maintains a website with information
on school activities and events.
● Many teachers have web pages with news and
information about their classes, including class
assignments. Teacher web pages are accessed
through the school’s website.
● Some high schools have electronic newsletters.
Subscribe to these through the link on the school
or district website.
● Get news and information about the school district in
a variety of formats. Visit the A-H Newsroom for links
to district news publications: www.anoka.k12.mn.us/
ahnews.
Opportunities for parent involvement
At school
At home
● Each high school has a volunteer services coordinator
who links parents with volunteer opportunities. These
include such things as chaperoning a field trip or dance,
shelving books in the media center, arranging display
cases and bulletin boards, serving as a guest speaker,
coaching a Destination ImagiNation creative problem
solving team, and many more. For more information,
call your school’s volunteer services coordinator.
What can I do to help my child adjust
to high school?
● All schools have either a formal parent-school
organization or schedule group parent meetings.
Parents are encouraged to attend these meetings.
● Many co-curricular activities have active parent
booster groups.
● Be interested in and enthusiastic about your child’s
move to high school.
● Encourage your child to participate in freshmen
orientation. It alleviates a lot of anxiety for students.
Orientation typically includes an opportunity for
students to get their course schedules in advance,
tour the school, follow a mock schedule, find their
lockers, get their lunch PIN, meet staff and student
leaders, and learn about clubs and activities.
● Your child may express worry about coping with the
increased demands of high school or about not fitting in,
or seem lonely and unhappy. Listen carefully, be supportive and encouraging. Reassure him or her that it is
normal to feel confused or unsure. As students become
familiar with high school and get involved in schoolwork
and activities, these feelings usually go away.
● Be involved in your child’s education. Research shows
that when parents are involved, their children do better
in school. Attending parent-teacher conferences, monitoring your child’s homework, and attending school
events are a few of the many ways to show your child
that school is important.
6
(continued on page 7)