You Can Make A Difference

I hope this edition of Cardinals News finds you well as you navigate through this crazy winter with short days and few opportunities to enjoy our outdoor winter activities. This time of year can be challenging for many of our students as they hit the midpoint of the school year and are dealing with the stressors of academics, being stuck inside, or friendships that might not be going as planned. This is when our students are in most need of a supportive and compassionate learning environment.

At Annandale High School we take pride in creating strong relationships with our students. These relationships nurture a positive learning environment where staff make it a priority to create meaningful connections with each of their students. Recognizing and addressing mental health issues is crucial for the overall success and happiness of all of our students. This is not just for those students who we typically identify as isolated or lonely. This can be students who are academically successful, participating in activities, and seem to have many friends. Click here to read full article.

Steve Scherber, High School Principal

Mark Your Calendars

Monday, February 5 - AHS Registration Conferences
Mon., Feb. 5 - Fri., Feb. 10 - AHS Snowcoming and AMS Spirit Week
Monday, February 5 - AMS Conferences
Monday, February 5 - AHS Band Concert
Monday, February 5 - PSEO Parent/Student Meeting
Wednesday, February 7 - AES Unity Day
Thursday, February 8 - Kindergarten Round-Up
Saturday, February 10 - AHS Semi-Formal Winter Wonderland Dance
Monday, February 12 - AMS Band Concert
Monday, February 12 - Safe Communities of Wright County
Wednesday, February 14 - Signing Day (Collegiate Level of Play)
Friday, February 16 - NO SCHOOL & Cardinal Kids Club Closed
Monday, February 19 - NO SCHOOL: Staff Development Day
Thursday, February 22 - AMS After the Bell Last Day
Friday, February 23 - Early Childhood Screening
Monday, February 26 - AHS Conferences
Monday, February 26 - School Board Meeting
Wednesday, February 28 - Cardinal Buddies Last Day
Monday, March 4 - AHS Choir Concert

Emergency Delays And School Closure Procedures

In the event of a school closure due to inclement weather or any other emergency, the first two days will be NO SCHOOL for all students. Teaching staff will use these as professional days. For school closures after two days, we will utilize eLearning. Additional information regarding eLearning is available here: isd876.org/elearning

Our families will receive an email and an automated phone call from the district if there is a delay or closure. It will also post to our website and to all of the major television stations. Our goal is to try to make this decision as soon as possible to give families ample time to make arrangements. Questions or concerns can be directed to our District Office: 320.274.5602.

School Board Appreciation Month

Annandale Public Schools' students benefit every day from the leadership and vision of our school board members. February is Minnesota School Board Recognition Month, so please take time to thank these dedicated school leaders. School board members devote hours of their time each week to provide leadership for our school district!

Community Education

Annandale Community Education provides opportunities for our communities and surrounding areas! Find something that suits you by browsing our online catalog of classes, camps, trips, and more!

Browse Community Ed Offerings

Annandale Elementary News

In February, to celebrate Children's Dental Health Month, 1st and 2nd graders will have the opportunity to enter a drawing to win an electric toothbrush. Each grade will have one winner. This giveaway is sponsored by the Dental Health Program of Wright County. Students received a brushing chart and instructions in their take home folders the last week of January for any who wish to participate.

Our math committee is trying something new to promote math fact fluency called Math Madness. Students in grades 3-5 have been earning points for their team by completing math facts at home. Students are using tracking sheets with blank Cardinal heads that the students color in when they complete 50 facts. In order to score points for their team, students must have 10 Cardinals (500 facts) completed by Monday morning. Each week teams will advance. If a class loses, they join another class to become a supporting team. The winning teams for each grade level will be in the championship game against a highly efficient math fact high school student. Winning teams and their support teams will earn gym time for our next indoor recess! Math Madness will be three weeks in length.

Middle School Minutes

The middle school is excited to welcome our families into the building for our winter conferences on Monday (2/5/24) from 4-7pm. Winter conferences are open-house style, so no appointments are necessary. This is a great opportunity for our families to discuss grades from 2nd quarter and learn about the start of our 3rd quarter classes.

This week we celebrated our staff and students during our monthly Cardinal Cash Drawing assembly. In addition to recognizing students who demonstrate integrity, respect, and positive attitudes during our assemblies, we also celebrate the unique talents of our students and staff. This month, we highlighted our robotics class. Three of our students in Mr. Schaunaman’s class demonstrated how they programmed their robots to both race around the gym and play a game of freeze tag for the staff and student body.

Spirit Week -

Monday - Pajama Day
Tuesday - Socks and Crocs/Sandals
Wednesday - Soccer Mom vs. BBQ Dad
Thursday - Activity Day: Wear something that represents your activity (Ex: Jersey)
Friday - Country vs. Country Club

High School Happenings

Snowcoming Week - Monday, February 5 - Saturday, February 10.

All outfits must be school appropriate.

Monday - Class Color Day: Seniors - Pink, Juniors - Red, Sophomores - White, Freshman - Black
Tuesday - Socks & Crocs/Sandals
Wednesday - Soccer Mom vs. BBQ Dad
Thursday - Activity Day: Wear something that represents your activity (Ex: Jersey)
Friday - PJ Day

Saturday, February 10 will be the AHS Semi-Formal Winter Wonderland Dance. Ticket sales will be held February 5th-9th for $5. Tickets at the door will be $7. Snacks will be provided. Enjoy a night full of dancing and fun with friends!

Our high school Unified PE class will once again be braving the cold and doing the Cool School Polar Plunge this year on Friday, March 1, at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. Click here to see all the plungers from Annandale High School, just a word of encouragement, or a even donation! Thank you so much for all your support!

Our newest Seniors of the Week are Avery Nathe and Owen Utsch! Avery and Owen show what it takes to be a Senior of the Week, a good work ethic, a super attitude and a BIG Cardinal Spirit! What’s the big deal about being Senior of the Week? They get the prime, upfront, BEST parking places!

Cardinal Activities

It is hard to live in Annandale and not know the cheer team or someone associated with it. The program has found a resurgence since coaches Sarah Onstad and Melissa (Missy) Hardin started to build our fall sideline team growing the team to over 30 girls with 3 levels including a highly successful cheer camp this fall with over 80 elementary aged girls. Click here to continue reading.

One Act Play Places 1st in Sub-Section

Help us honor our seniors that will continue to play competitively at a collegiate level by attending our Signing Day Ceremony on Wednesday, February 14, at 7AM in the AHS Gym.

Cardinal Of The Week 1/22

Ethan Sladky (Boys Hockey)

Cardinal Of The Week (1/29)

Piper Stodola (Girls Hockey)

Cardinal Athletic Foundation

We are so thankful to have great concessions for our home events, but we are in desperate need of more volunteers to help out. It is a great way to meet people, have fun, and support our programs. 100% of proceeds go back into our student activities. Many hands make light work so please consider signing up to take one shift.

CONCESSIONS VOLUNTEER

Annandale to host first annual "Battle for the Bolt". Annandale has a proud tradition of wrestling and that has continued with the ANML cooperative team. We are excited to partner with Maple Lake to host a premier team tournament hosted at Annandale High School. We will also host a stand alone JV and Girls division tournament at Maple Lake High School which will run similar to a varsity tournament. The teams attending this year include: STMA, ANML, Perham, Willmar, Holdingford, Rocori, and NLS. Interested in volunteering for concessions or as an event worker? Please reach out.

For up-to-date activity schedules, click here. Be sure to follow us!

PO Box 190, Annandale, MN 55302

Phone: 320.274.5602 | Fax: 320.274.5978 | www.isd876.org