Encouraging Positive Coping Skills

School Social Workers are licensed mental health professionals that work to address the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students. We collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to identify and assess students who may need some extra assistance, such as those facing challenges at home or school, struggling with mental health issues, or experiencing social difficulties. We implement intervention strategies and service individuals, groups, and classrooms. School Social Workers also work to refer families to resources to help students overcome obstacles and thrive in the school environment.

During challenging times, it's essential to equip our children with healthy coping skills to navigate life's ups and downs. Encouraging positive coping skills not only helps them manage stress but also fosters resilience and promotes emotional well-being. Click here to continue reading.

We hope you and your family have a great rest of the school year!

Kaitlyn Marschel (Elementary School)

Olivia Braun (Middle School)

Lori Steffen (High School)

Mark Your Calendars

Monday, May 6 - Special School Board Meeting
Monday, May 6 - AMS Band Concert
Wednesday, May 8 - AHS Band Concert
Wednesday, May 15 - AHS Choir Concert
Friday, May 17 - 8th Grade Service Learning Day Adventure
Monday, May 20 - AES Fun and Fitness
Monday, May 20 - AMS Parent Advisory Council
Monday, May 20 - AMS Choir Concert
Monday, May 20 - School Board Meeting
Friday, May 24 - Graduation
Monday, May 27 - Memorial Day-No School
Thursday, May 30 - Last Day of 4th Quarter

Introducing Annandale's New High School Principal

We would like to introduce Charlie Bakker, our new high school principal. Charlie will begin his work for the 2024-25 school year this summer after our current principal Steve Scherber retires on June 30th. Charlie came very highly recommended from parents and colleagues at both St. Michael-Albertville, where he was a high school teacher and Assistant Principal and also from Princeton where he has been for the past four years as their Middle School Principal. Charlie has also coached football, track, basketball, mock trial and speech. Click here to continue reading.

AHS Mock Crash

Many people were involved in the huge endeavor of creating a Mock Crash on Wednesday, April 24. Annandale juniors and seniors witnessed the re-enactment of a two car motor vehicle crash involving a distracted driver and the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt. An crash like this would truly be a LIFE CHANGING event for all involved. It is our hope that this simulation showed students the importance of using seatbelts, while also bringing attention to the consequences of distracted and impaired driving. We also believe this program helps civilians understand the services provided to our communities by law enforcement, fire and rescue, and EMS. We hope this will help strengthen our resolve to make the right choice before getting behind the wheel. Currently, we plan to bring this program back every two years, so every high schooler has the opportunity to take part. Thank you to everyone involved in the simulation and thank you Wright County Safe Schools for partnering with us.

ANNANDALE 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!

You can browse our summer catalog electronically here!

Visit Our CE Website

Annandale Elementary News

Change for the Upcoming Year! This summer will be the first year AES will not be having a Back to School Day in August. Parents will be able to look up their child's teacher on Tuesday, August 6 via the Parent Portal. Information regarding Open House(s) will be shared with families at a later date via Parent Portal messenger and also announced in upcoming newsletters, on our school website, and our social media platforms this summer. Any School Toolboxes (school supplies) that have been ordered will be available for pick up during our open house days.

High Schoolers Read Aloud With First Graders Annandale High School English 10 students learn a variety of skills for public speaking. A recent speech assignment pertained to 'read-a-loud' skills. The first part of the assignment required the students to read articles on the importance of reading out loud to children. They then learned read-a-loud skills and practiced reading to each other. Finally, the high schoolers ventured to the 1st grade and read to a small group of students. These special guests were able to enjoy a snack while listening to AES 1st graders practice their reading skills! It was a full circle moment and our high school students were just as excited as our elementary students. Thank you to our high school students and faculty for making this possible!

Middle School Minutes

On Tuesday, April 30th, we held our monthly Cardinal Cash Assembly. During the Cardinal Cash events, we take time to celebrate students who have been recognized by staff for demonstrating respect, integrity, and positive attitudes. This month, in addition to recognizing our drawing winners, we showcased the 8th graders on our robotics team. Marissa (senior on the robotics team) and Mr. Dickinson were kind enough to bring the robot over to the middle school. Lucas and Jacob, AMS students on the robotics team, demonstrated how the robot could shoot out rings by shooting them into the crowd of students and how it could pick the rings up. They also shared details of their recent trip to Houston, Texas, where they competed in the Worlds Robotics competition!

Pictured: Our 8th Graders having a fabulous time at the dance! The 8th grade dance included a photo booth, dinner, trivia, dancing and prizes.

High School Happenings

Pictured Above: April High School Students of the Month

On Tuesday, April 30, our 9th grade students had the opportunity to tour the Automotive Technology Department at the Wright Technical Center in Buffalo. The Automotive Tech instructors shared how they help train students with state of the art, industry equipped automotive shops and machinery. Mr. Mike Bieringer also highlighted the different machines they use within both year 1 and 2 of their program.

Our newest Seniors of the Week are Maya Benson and Jax Stedham! Maya and Jax 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!

Our High School Scholarship Program was held on Wednesday, May 1. Guests enjoyed the night celebrating the hard work of our seniors. Emotions were high while attendees listened to stories from our donors honoring loved ones by giving scholarships to our students. It was also a night where local businesses and civic groups proudly awarded our students scholarships culminating from a year-long fundraising effort on their part! In the end, there were 99 scholarships and over $172,000, awarded to our seniors! Absolutely incredible...this program is a great reminder of what our community and school district does to support our students and our future. A special shoutout to Jamie Schlafke, Jill Wrobble, the Scholarship Committee, and many others for making this program possible. Congratulations to our Class of 2024 - another milestone complete!

Cardinal Activities

Nest Builder 2024-25

Have you noticed some cool visual and facility upgrades around the school? New scoreboard, signage, college Cardinals board, etc. This is all thanks to our many local business that have supported the Nest Builder Campaign. In the first year of the campaign over 25 businesses signed on to support the betterment of our facilities for our kids and we are looking forward to growing our Nest Builders during the 2024-25 school year. Please reach out to Activities Director, Sam Lepa, slepa@isd876.org if you are interested in joining our Nest Builders.

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PO Box 190, Annandale, MN 55302

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