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A common after school routine for many of us is to ask our child, “how was school today?” At our house, a typical response is something like “good,” and then we may move on without really digging for more. But, on occasion (and I am trying to do this more) I ask a question or two that requires more than a one word answer.
Sometimes I ask questions that revolve around their general school day. For example, “What was the best part of your day?” Other times I try to gauge how things are going with their teachers with, “What teacher taught you something interesting today and what was it?” There are also times I will use the question as a reminder of expectations to build character, such as, “What was something you did today to help somebody?” These questions activate our child’s brain and trigger them to reflect on their day, check in with their emotions, and require them to debrief their day’s activities.
Our children long for connection even though it may not seem like it at times. By asking questions that will engage them to talk more, we learn, build a stronger connection, and gain a unique looking window into their world. My challenge to you and to myself is to try to ask engaging questions that require our children to respond with more than a one word answer.
-Jon Klippenes, Annandale Elementary Principal
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Monday, September 9 - AHS Picture Day
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Wednesday, September 11 - AES Unity Day
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Tues., Sept. 17 & Wed., Sept. 18 - Vision Screening for Grades 1, 3, & 5
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Monday, September 23 - School Board Meeting
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Friday, September 27 - Early Childhood Screening
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Sunday, September 29 - Homecoming Powderpuff Games
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Monday, September 30 - Homecoming Coronation
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Friday, October 4 - Homecoming Pepfest(s)
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Friday, October 4 - Homecoming Game & Tailgating
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Saturday, October 5 - AHS Homecoming Dance
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Monday, October 7 - AES Picture Day
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Monday, October 7 - AMS Conferences
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Monday, October 7 - AHS Conferences
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Mon., Oct. 7 - Fri., Oct. 11 - AMS Scholastic Book Fair
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Mon., Oct. 7 & Tues., October 8 - Preschool Picture Day(s)
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Wednesday, October 9 - AHS Picture Retakes
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Friday, October 11 - AMS Picture Day
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Vision Screening at AES
We will be holding Vision Screening on
Tuesday, Sept. 17 and Wednesday, Sept. 18 at AES for all 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade students. Please be sure to have your children bring their eyeglasses for their screening.
Any parents that do not want their child screened should notify their teacher in writing by Monday, September 16.
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Application for Educational Benefits
It is extremely important, for all families to apply - even if you're unsure whether you'll qualify! Applicants may be eligible for reduced activity fees, Chromebook Insurance, plus Annandale Public Schools receives additional funding from the state based on applications.
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On November 5, 2024, Annandale Public School voters will be asked to increase the district's general education revenue by $750 per pupil for a 10-year term with an inflationary factor.
If this operating levy is not approved, the district will need to make significant budget reductions, which are likely to include (but not limited to) the following; staffing reductions, increase in class sizes, reduction in programming for students (including secondary electives & intervention programs), reduction in student access to educational technology, increases in fees for facility use by the community, and increases in student activity fees.
If the levy is approved the district has a plan that includes five levy specific goals. Goal One: Maintain existing programming and class sizes that best support learning. It is critical that we maintain our class sizes and retain our effective programming for students at Annandale Schools. Smaller class sizes allow for more relationship building and one-on-one personalized instruction. Diverse program options mean we are able to meet the needs of our entire student population and prepare them for college, career, and life. Click here to continue reading about the district's levy goals.
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Annandale Community Ed
Our fall catalog has arrived! Please click on the image to view.
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CardinalOne Protection Plan
While this plan is not required, it's important to know that households that elect not to enroll will be accountable for damages to their child(ren)'s device(s). The plan costs $25 per student, per school year (2nd through 12th grade) and must be purchased within 30 days of the start of school. Students that qualify for Educational Benefits will get the fee waived. To qualify for this savings, current Educational Benefits paperwork MUST be on-file. For more information, click here.
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Annandale Elementary (AES) | |
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We have had a great start to the school year! Below are a few reminders for the upcoming year.
New this year! Cell phones and smart watches are not allowed in class or to be used in school from 7:50 AM - 2:50 PM. If a message needs to be given to your child, please contact the front office and we will communicate with your child. Keeping cell phones and smart watches out of the classroom helps minimize distractions.
Pick Up and Drop Off Students can be dropped off as early as 7:40 AM at AES. Students are able to go to their class at 7:50 AM and the school day starts at 8:15 AM. Student dismissal begins at 2:50 PM and all students will be dismissed from class by 3:00 PM.
If you are using the pick up/drop off lane in front of the school, please make sure to stay in your car as you drop off and pick up. If you would like to get out of your car to get your child, please use our parking lot to park your vehicle and drop off or pick up your child.
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Unity Days
We are excited to stand together again to promote Unity Day! Unity Day has been recognized in the United States since 2011. To participate in Unity Day individuals, schools, and communities wear orange to unite against bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion! This year National Unity Day is Wednesday, October 16, 2024. However, we strive to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion throughout the year. To assist in this, we celebrate Unity Day every 1st Wednesday of the month, in addition to National Unity Day. We encourage you and your child(ren) to join us in the celebration of Unity Day by wearing orange. Grey Duck Screen Printing and Apparel has kindly partnered with AES. For those that are interested, apparel can be purchased through their website. Order deadline is October 31.
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Annandale Middle School (AMS)
We are off to a great start at the middle school!
To ensure a successful year, the AMS staff have spent time ensuring students know what is expected. If you have not done so, please review the Student Handbook with your child to help support our building wide expectations. Together, we will continue to provide opportunities and support to maximize your child’s potential!
Attendance Reminder: When a student is going to be absent from school, the parent/guardian is required to call or email the school attendance line at amsattendance@isd876.org or 320-274-8226 Ext. 2603 by 9:00 AM to explain the reason for the absence.
Student Dismissal: Classes dismiss at 3:00 PM. Students will need to leave the building by 3:15 PM unless they are in a school sponsored activity. The office is open until 4:15 PM daily.
Tackle Cancer Bracelets will be sold from 7:50-8:05 AM in the middle school front entrance for $1 September 9 - 13. All money made from the sale of bracelets will be donated to The Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund.
Save the Date: Friday, October 11 is AMS picture day
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Thank you to Dan Zahler and Zane Schaefer for creating and donating the artwork displayed in the front entrance of the middle school! Your time and talents are appreciated! | | |
The Middle School Scholastic Book Fair will open Monday, Oct. 7 for students to preview items during the day. That night during the AMS conferences it will be open from 4-7 PM for families to browse and make purchases. The fair will remain open through Friday, Oct. 11 and students will be allowed to make purchases before school and during their assigned class time. | | |
Annandale High School (AHS)
On Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 AM our Class of 2025 woke early to watch the sunrise together. This tradition marks the start of their senior year... the year of "lasts" but also the start of a new adventure! They shared donuts, juice, laughs and words of inspiration. They will gather again at the end of the year for the Senior Sunset to bid farewell.
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English 12 Seniors started off the their year with their last, first day of school photo session. | |
Parents interested in getting involved? We value parent input and invite you to attend and participate in our AHS Parent Advisory Council. We meet at 6pm on September 16, November 11, January 13, and April 14 in the AHS Media Center.
Attendance Reminder! Any students that need to leave during the school day must have their parent/guardian send a note, an email, or call. No texts. See the Student Handbook for excused reasons to leave school.
Save the Date: AHS picture day is September 9.
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Single Game Tickets The link for online tickets for any game (home and away) will be available on the Activity Calendar. Find the game you wish to attend and click on the "TIX" icon. The link will usually be posted a day or two ahead of the event. There will also be notes for away game tickets if any is provided to us.
Activity Passes Activity passes are only available online. Click here to purchase. Once you are emailed your electronic pass with the QR code, we suggest you screenshot it and have the passholder keep it on their phone. You can also print them off if you prefer. Passes can only be used by the person whose name is on the pass. They are good for all regular season HOME events.
LIVESTREAM District activities will be utilizing Hudl as our live streaming partner. New this year: The yearly subscription price is $10 per account which will give you access to all Annandale home HUDL livestreams for the 2024-25 school year.
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Tackle Cancer & Pink Out 2024!
To show our support and raise awareness, we encourage everyone to wear pink to these events:
- Tackle Cancer Football Game - Friday, September 13
- Pink Out Volleyball Game - Tuesday, October 1
Let's unite as a community to support a great cause and cheer on our teams! We appreciate your involvement and look forward to seeing everyone in their pink.
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Upcoming Home Events
- Home Cross Country meet on Tues. Sept. 10 @ Southbrook Golf Course
- Home Volleyball vs. Dassel-Cokato on Thurs. Sept. 12
- Home Girls Tennis vs. Hutchinson on Thurs. Sept. 12
- Home Football vs. Delano on Friday, Sept. 13 (Tackle Cancer Night and CAF Hall of Fame Celebration)
- Home Volleyball vs. Maple Lake on Tuesday, Sept. 17
- Home Girls Tennis vs. New London-Spicer on Thursday, September 19
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