PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE PAGE 2
Anoka-Hennepin COVID-19
pandemic response
By-the-Numbers
COVID-19: School buildings close,
distance learning begins, events
canceled or become virtual
18,000
Number of Chromebooks computers
distributed to students for distance learning.
These devices were removed from mobile
carts and prepared for at-home use for
individual students. Anoka-Hennepin students
benefit from a voter approved technology
levy which provided the funding necessary to
provide these resources for students.
$37,500 / 200
The Anoka-Hennepin Educational
Foundation (AHEF) launched an urgent
campaign for agility funding the week of
March 23, raising $37,500 in two weeks
with donor pledges and a foundation match
program. Funds provide over 200 wireless
access points for students who lack access
for distance learning. Donations to the agility
fund are still needed. Details are on AHEF
website at ahef.us.
20,000
When schools turned to distance learning
to make the teacher to student connection it
resulted in 20,000 video conferencing sessions in
the first week alone, a number which continues
to evolve. Distance learning connections are
made using existing district resources with the
google classroom learning management system
and Chromebook computers.
14,000
Anoka-Hennepin child nutrition and
transportation departments partner on the
student meals program during distance
learning, serving an average of 14,000 lunches
and breakfasts per day at 36 school and
community locations. The program is on pace
to deliver over 500,000 meals for students
during the distance learning time.
268
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is providing
District Emergency Care in school facilities
to an average of 268 students per day to
support emergency personnel in healthcare,
law enforcement and other emergency worker
categories. The program is offered at no-cost
through the state directive and aims to ensure
the workforce that supports the COVID-19
response is available to support others in
need. n
An executive order closed schools and enacted
distance learning across Minnesota for the
remainder of the 2019-20 school year as a strategy
to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and ensure
the health and safety of citizens. The April 30
announcement brings certainty and provides time
for parents/guardians and educators to plan and
make decisions for the strongest possible finish to
the end of the current school year.
Anoka-Hennepin’s first priority will continue to
be protecting the health and safety of students,
employees, families and the community at-large.
The district will work closely with public health
officials to make the best decisions to ensure a high
level of health and safety for all.
The State of Minnesota provided guidance that
prohibits in-person graduation ceremonies and the
district is planning virtual commencement events
in cooperation with local cable partners QCTV,
CTN, North Metro TV and CCX Media. Schools
will provide communications and updates for yearend
events and other important information for
students. Information will be posted on school and
district websites.
Review program updates and answers to
frequently asked questions and for the most
up-to-date information at ahschools.us/covid-19.
Calendar and programming updates
Distance learning engagement and
catch-up days
Anoka-Hennepin has established one day per
week, four days total in the calendar, to support
individual student needs for distance learning
through the end of the school year. Distance
learning engagement and catch-up days for
kindergarten through grade 12 students are set
for Wednesday, May 13, Wednesday, May 20,
Wednesday, May 27 and Friday, June 5. Teachers
will use time these days to assist students who
are struggling while supporting time concerns
for parents/guardians who are supporting their
students. Teachers may monitor progress,
communicate with students individually or in
small groups to offer support, and potentially
offer additional learning opportunities for students
who need them.
Last day of school
The final day of new instruction for seniors is
Thursday, May 28. Seniors that need additional
time to complete schoolwork should use Friday,
May 29 to complete coursework.
The final day of new instruction for students in
kindergarten through grade 11 is Thursday, June 4.
Students may return to distance learning on Friday,
June 5 to complete coursework, but it is not a
required school day.
Return of district technology/personal
property pick-up
The end-of-year calendar needs to be adapted
to facilitate the return of Chromebooks used for
instruction during distance learning.
Seniors will return district Chromebooks and
other technology, and pick up graduation items
such as their cap and gown on Monday, June 1
and Tuesday, June 2. Additional information will be
provided to seniors as it becomes available.
Students in kindergarten through grade 11 will
return district Chromebooks and other technology
on Monday, June 8 and Tuesday June 9. Additional
information on the return locations and times along
with possible personal property pick-up at schools
will be shared as it becomes available.
May 20
Student engagement/catch-up day.
May 27
Student engagement/catch-up day.
May 28
Last day of new instruction for Seniors
June 1/2
Chromebook technology return for Seniors.
June 5
Last day of school for students in
Kindergarten to Grade 11.
Student engagement/catch-up day.
June 8/9
Chromebook technology return
Will student meals continue to be distributed?
Meals will continue to be offered to school-age
children through the end of the school year. Once
school concludes, meal access will be consolidated
and continue. Locations for meal distribution may
be different than they are now. Details will again be
shared at ahschools.us/COVID-19meals.
Will District Emergency Child Care continue?
District Emergency Child Care will continue to be
offered for Tier 1 and 2 workers as directed by the
state order, which is currently until the end of the
school year.
What is the status of facilities during this
school closure extension?
District facilities are closed and cannot be rented
at this time. Any activity on school property is
not district sanctioned or supervised, other than
emergency child care, student meals, learning
materials distribution and the operational support
of these activities. Playgrounds, specifically, are
closed entirely to the public.
What about next school year, 2020-21?
Currently, Anoka-Hennepin is planning for
in-person learning to resume next fall. This situation
could change depending on direction from the
State of Minnesota. The district is monitoring the
situation closely in conjunction with the Minnesota
departments of health and education, with the goal
to finalize and communicate the plan for the start
of school by late summer. n