reflect in the online balance. An automated phone call is made
weekly when a student's account balance is negative.
Families who have an A-HConnect account but have forgotten their
password should call the district office at 763-506-HELP (4357) to
reset it. Passwords can also be reset on the A-HConnect website,
ahconnect.anoka.k12.mn.us and click “forgot my password.”
When requesting a new A-Connect account, parents must fill out
the account request form and return it to their child’s school with
a picture ID for verification purposes. The same account can be
used for all children in a household. Once the account is setup, a
message will be sent to your email address (or home address if
you do not include an email address).
Apply for free or reduced-price meals
Students have the opportunity to receive school breakfast and
lunch at no cost if their family income meets the free or reduced
price guidelines or if you qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assis-
tance Program (SNAP) or Minnesota Family Investment Program
(MFIP) benefits, but not medical assistance. Applying for the pro-
gram is important even if you do not want your child to participate.
Schools receive additional funding for educational programs
based directly on the number of students who qualify for the meal
benefits. These funds are used to provide additional educational
support and opportunities for students in every school.
Applying for the program is easy, simply go to ahschools.us/
freereduced. A new application needs to be completed each
school year. If you qualify for free or reduced price meals you
may receive waived or reduced fees for sports or other activities.
Information provided on the application is kept confidential.
To have an application sent to you call the Child Nutrition office
at 763-506-1240. Applications are also available in Spanish.
If your household circumstances change anytime during the
school year or if you are new to the district, you may request
an application by calling 763-506-1240. Applications are also
available at the school office or you can complete an application
online at ahschools.us/freereduced.
Unpaid meal account charges and
debt collection procedures
Please see page 61 for procedures for unpaid meal account
charges and debt collection.
Special diet accommodations
Dietary accommodations are governed by state and federal regu-
lations. Lactose reduced or soy milk is available to students with a
written request from a parent/guardian. The written request can
be submitted to the cafeteria supervisor at the student’s school.
All other modifications require a completed diet modification
request form signed by a licensed Doctor of Medicine (M.D.),
Clinical Nurse Practitioner, Osteopathic Dr. (D.O.) or Physicians
Assistant (P.A.C.) and a parent or guardian. The form can be
found at ahschools.us/dietform. Fax the completed form to the
CNP office at 763-506-1253 or mail it to 2727 N. Ferry St.,
Anoka, MN 55303. Requests may take up to 10 days to be
accommodated. Additional time may be required at the beginning
of the school year or for very complex diets.
2019-20 School Handbook
ahschools.us/policies
Homemade food and snacks
There may be special occasions for students to share snacks
with the class. Food provided by parents or guardians to a class-
room should be consistent with the district’s wellness policy, see
page 56. Please send only pre-packaged snacks to school for
class events; an ingredient list must be available if needed.
Homemade food cannot be handed out to children. Schools
may serve students only foods obtained from sources approved
and inspected by federal, state or local regulatory authority.
Providing healthy food options to classrooms
The district wellness policy is part of an effort by the federal
government to encourage more healthy eating and exercise
during the school day. The policy is designed to promote nutri-
tious choices for any food that students may encounter during
the school day, from the cafeteria to the classroom. To meet the
goals of the district’s wellness policy, parents and guardians
should think of healthy options when they want to bring food to a
classroom. You may ask, what’s the harm with a cupcake, cookie
or piece of candy, etc., once in a while? The occasional treat is
not the problem. Unfortunately, sugary, fat-filled and generally un-
healthy treats have become the norm rather than the exception.
Most sweet treats are high in fat, high in sugar, and low in
nutrients. In addition, prepackaged sweets and treats are high in
trans-fats and preservatives; many nutrition experts recommend
limiting consumption of these kinds of fats and additives.
Ultimately, we want our students to have more choices than just
sweets. Regular exposure to nutrient rich foods makes it easier
for children to learn how to make healthy choices. We want to
teach children that the healthy choice is the better choice.
Here is a list of suggestions for healthy snacks to provide to
Anoka-Hennepin classrooms. Check with your child’s teacher
or the school nurse before bringing food with nuts or other
potential allergens. Pre-packaged, individual portions of the
foods listed below also are great snacking ideas anytime.
• Instead of soft drink/pop: 100 percent juice, flavored water
(no sugar added), low-fat or non-fat plain or flavored milk.
• Fresh fruit assortment
• Dried fruit and 100 percent fruit snacks.
• Vegetable portions with low-fat dip.
• Whole-grain crackers with cheese.
• Pretzels, low-fat popcorn, rice cakes, bread sticks, graham
crackers and animal crackers.
• Low-fat pudding, low-fat yogurt.
• Low-fat breakfast or granola bars (look for brands low in
sugar, too).
• Trail mix or cereal mix (whole-grain, low sugar cereals with
dried fruits, etc.).
Healthy classroom celebration snacks are available from the
Child Nutrition program. We offer fun, healthy foods including
fruits, vegetables, low/non-fat dairy and whole grains. It's the
convenient way to buy fresh, healthy snacks for your child's class
- no more worrying about last minute trips to the store!
Contact the Child Nutrition site supervisor at your child's school.
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