Frosty Days

While preparing for the frosty days of winter and the approach of the new year, I reflect on the programming we offered and am so thankful for a supportive community and an amazing team. Annandale and the surrounding townships continue to be committed and engaged with community education programs.

As we step into this promising new year, we encourage you to check out the offerings we have through Annandale Community Education. Whether you are a young learner embarking on a new journey or an adult pursuing a long-held passion, we have remarkable offerings! Our team is committed to providing creative and innovative opportunities that enhance and support individuals in all stages of life. As always if you have suggestions for offerings or if you would like to share your talents with our community and teach a class, please let us know!

We invite you to discover opportunities to acquire new skills, pursue hobbies, and ignite passions. We look forward to embarking on this journey of learning and exploration with you in the new year and empowering every generation to learn and thrive.

Happy Holidays!

Tiffany Grube, Community Education Director

Mark Your Calendars

Monday, December 9 - AHS Conferences
Monday, December 9 - AMS Conferences
Monday, December 9 - AHS Choir Concert
Thursday, December 12 - 6th Grade Band Concert
Friday, December 13 - Early Childhood Screening
Monday, December 16 - AHS Jazz Tunes & Treats
Monday, December 16 - School Board Work Session
Monday, December 16 - School Board Meeting & Truth in Taxation Meeting
Monday, December 16 - AMS Parent Advisory Council
Thursday, December 19 - AES All Pro Dads
Mon., December 23 - Wed., January 1 - No School: Winter Break
Thursday, January 2 - Classes resume
Monday, January 6 - 8th Grade Registration
Monday, January 6 - School Board Organizational Meeting
Wednesday, January 8 - AES Unity Day
Friday, January 17 - Last Day Of Quarter Two

CMAB Awards Teaching Artist Grant to Area Artist

In November the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded Teaching Artist Dan Gruhlke of Monticello $2,000 in support of “1,000 Words Through the Eyes of Kindergartners” residency at Annandale Elementary School. The residency will provide the opportunity to engage students in teaching photo composition techniques with point-and-shoot cameras culminating in a student juried photo exhibit displayed in the school hallways. Dan will begin his work in Annandale the week of December 9, 2024 and the project will be completed by the end of January 2025.

The Teaching Artist Grant (TAG) is available to artists who complete the CMAB Teaching Artist Roster Program and are listed on CMAB’s Teaching Artist Roster. The goal of the program is to support local artists in sharing their knowledge, skills and process with learners throughout the region. Funding for the TAG program is provided by the McKnight Foundation. More information about the Central MN Arts Board Teaching Artist Roster can be found by visiting: www.centralmnartsboard.org/teachign-artist-roster

School Board Updates

At the last board meeting, Rick Pullen, Director of Business Services, informed the school board that we had a clean audit and that based on the report and the current financials, we would need to look at adjustments/reductions starting at $700,000 for the 2025-26 school year. The board was also informed that this is a negotiating year for our bargaining groups which will need to be considered when deciding on adjustments/reductions from our budget.

There was also a discussion regarding the original 2024-25 budget and the projected deficit spending of $500,000. Since state and federal funding is directly tied to enrollment, any decrease in enrollment will increase this deficit. Districts must maintain a certain level in their fund balance (saving account) per board policy. When a district dips below what the policy requires they must show how they plan to build it back up.

Given this information, the school board requested that administration present a list of adjustments equaling $1.2 million at the December 16 board meeting. The board also made it clear that this does not mean that the district is looking at a reduction of $1.2 million for next year's budget. They would like to see what this looks like and the possible impact it would have on our students, staff, and families. The board will not be making decisions on any reductions/adjustments at the December meeting. Click here to continue reading.

We invite the public to join the next school board work session on...

Monday, December 16 at 6:00PM in the AES Media Center.

A link to join the meeting virtually will be available soon on our 2024-25 school board meeting schedule: www.isd876.org/sbmeetings

Annandale Community Ed (ACE)

Our Winter/Spring Catalog will be coming out electronically by the end of December!

Gymnastics Open Gym (Ages 5+)

Open Gym is a place for anybody ages 5+ to come work on their gymnastics skills. With our gymnastics coaches supervising it is a great area to ask for help with certain skills and spend time with friends! Stations will be run with students to help work on their gymnastics skills. On Fridays there will be an option for pizza!

Fridays: January 17, 24, 31 from.6:15pm - 7:45pm

View Offerings

Annandale will host it's first cheer competition, Heart of the Frozen Lakes Cheer Invitational on January 11. Doors will open to the public at 8:30AM. Let's fill the stands and cheer for those who cheer for us!

Pictured: Our K-1 cheerleaders learning how to safely do the pyramid!

Annandale Preschool

As part of Kampsen Berg's English 10 course, students do a focused study on communication and public speaking skills. One skill they research is the art of read aloud. After learning about the research behind the importance of reading aloud to children, students choose a children's book, plan and practice the best methods of read aloud, and then are hosted by our preschool to test out their skills! It is a highlight of the quarter!

Early Childhood Screening helps identify children who may benefit from district and community resources to assist in their personal development. Early Childhood Screening is required by MN law before a child can enter into Kindergarten and is preferred at ages 3 and 4, however it can be administered between the ages of 3 - 5. Early Childhood Screening may link you to learning opportunities, such as pre-kindergarten programming, Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), learning scholarships, Head Start, Early Childhood Special Education (ESCE) and other needed health opportunities. We suggest that children have their screening done in the district that they reside in. Files can then be sent to Annandale Elementary School if they are going to be attending Kindergarten here. Please contact Dana Pearson at danapearson@isd876.org or call at 320.274.3058 ext. 4191 to get scheduled.

Annandale Elementary (AES)

Congratulations to our Elementary C.A.R.E.S. Students of the Month for November!

Front Row: Logan Bondhus, Greta Manuel, Ryder Mooney, Sawyer Schramel, Howard Chi, Waylon Schaufler. Middle Row: McKenna Field, Gradyn Eastling, Allie Dockendorf, Franny Trattles, June Cochran, Rose Martin. Back Row: April Riper, Sawyer Olson, Roxy Hultgren, Madilyn Mares, Brycen Burggraff.

Essential Five for Frosty Days

For optimal snow fun, please send the Essential 5 (hat, boots, coat, gloves, snow pants) with your child each day. The Essential 5 not only keep students warm but also keep their clothes dry and clean. Students without the Essential 5 will still be allowed outside on the paved areas. We ask that parents help reduce the lost and found inventory by labeling Essential 5 items with the student's initials, homeroom teacher, and school year.

Annandale Middle School (AMS)

AMS Conferences on December 9 from 4:00 to 7:00PM. If you have not already done so, families are encouraged to sign up for a time slot using the appropriate grade-specific Sign-Up Genius links below:

Change to Power Hour: Starting the week of December 9, Power Hour will be offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week from 3:00-4:00PM rather than Monday through Wednesday. We allow up to 12 students each day so our supervising staff can help students with questions on their homework. Students are able to sign-up the day before via the link in Google Classroom.

Pictured: Cardinals United

Join us for the Parent Advisory Council meeting on December 16 from 5:30-6:30PM in the Media Center. Your partnership is vital as we share our mission, programs, and achievements.

Important Dates

December 9 - AMS Conferences 4:00-7:00
December 12 - AMS 6th Grade Band Concert
December 16 - AMS Parent Advisory Council
December 20 - 6th Grade Ski Trip @ Powder Ridge
December 23 - January 1 - Winter Break - No School
January 2 - Classes Resume

Annandale High School (AHS)

As part of our high school's dual enrollment option with St. Cloud State University, high school students enrolled in the Introduction to Psychology course visited the SCSU campus. While on campus, they participated in a lecture and activity with our SCSU partner professor. This year's professor, Dr. Daren Protolipac, guided the class through an activity on motivation.

In addition to the benefits of the increased academic rigor, it is also a great opportunity for our students to visit a college campus and learn college level coursework in a smaller class setting with the support of a familiar high school teacher.

In 2023, Annandale high school collectively earned about 1,000 college credits. Students account for over 300 registrations in different offerings in the areas of English, Math, Science, Business, World Language, and Social Studies. A full listing will all the college courses offered will be sent to students and their families before winter break in our registration guide.

The AHS Food Drive took place November 18 through the 21. AHS students dropped donations off at the table in the Commons first thing each morning. The top three SSR classes won prizes for the most donations collected. Congratulations to this year's winners; Mr. Tengwall's, Prof. Koplitz's, Mr. Klaverkamp's and Mr. Spark's classes! All together the school donated a total of 23,241 pounds of food including bonus foods and cash donations! Pictured are student council members Paityn Rutz, Avery Seagraves, Brooke Peterson, McKenna Elness, and Charlotte Wolff.

Annandale Activities

Fall Play Concluded in November

On November 22 & 23, Annandale High School Theater Department presented, Game of Tiaras, a bloody, bloody tragic comedy in two acts with apologies to Shakespeare. They held three outstanding performances and received lots of laughs.

We'd like to share a big round of applause for the entire cast and crew, as well as for the director, Mrs. Weis!

Cardinals Sign Collegiate Letters of Intent

Congratulations to Gavin Wang on signing with North Dakota State University with the intent to play Football, Sal Wirth on signing with the University of Minnesota with intent to run Cross Country, and Nathan Klatt on signing with St. Cloud State University with the intent to Wrestle.

This is an exciting milestone in their careers. Their hard work and dedication have truly paid off. Wishing them all the best as they take on this new chapter at their respective schools!

Upcoming Home Events:

Dec. 9 - AHS Choir Concert, 7pm
Dec. 10 - Gymnastics vs. Watertown-Mayer/Mound Westonka, 6pm
Dec. 12 - Wrestling Triangular vs. Albany & Ogilvie, 5pm
Dec. 13 - Boys Basketball vs. Albany, 7pm
Dec. 14 - Gymnastics Home Invite, Noon

Sal Wirth Qualifies for Foot Locker Nationals!

Congratulations to Sal Wirth on placing fifth at the Foot Locker Cross Country Regional in Kenosha, WI recently and for also qualifying for Foot Locker Nationals! Nationals will be on December 14 in San Diego, California.

EMAIL US