News and events - February 3, 2023

February 3, 2023

• February 7: Trimester 2 Parent-Teacher Conferences- Evening #2
  

• February 16: CRHS Orchestra @ Minneapolis Convention Center

• February 20: No School- Presidents Day
• February 21: No School- Staff Development
• March 9: Last Day of Trimester 2
• March 10: No School- Grading Day
• March 13-17: No School- Spring Break
• March 20: No School- Staff Development
• March 21: First Day of Trimester 3
  

The remaining Late Start Mondays for CRHS in Trimester 2 are on the following days: 2/6, 2/13, 2/27

The Coon Rapids High School Concert Orchestra has been invited to perform for the MMEA Midwinter Clinic in Minneapolis, MN. CRHS submitted an audition recording in May 2022 with only a few groups selected to perform each year. The Concert Orchestra are doing a varied program of music from 4 different continents, and a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

Convention Theme: “The Rhythm of Equality”

CRHS Concert Orchestra Performance Theme: "Diverse Composers for a Diverse Orchestra"

Date: Thursday, February 16

Time: 2:15 PM (50 minutes)

Location: Ballroom A at the Minneapolis Convention Center

The Coon Rapids High School chapter of the National Honor Society will soon be accepting new members. Current sophomores and juniors who have both a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or better AND a cumulative weighted GPA of 3.5 or better received an invitation to apply and instructions in their school email accounts on Friday, February 3. Applications need to be submitted by 4:00pm on Friday, February 24, 2023. Students selected for membership will be notified by April 6, and an induction ceremony is planned for Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 7:00pm.

See more information about NHS at Coon Rapids High School HERE.

The Coon Rapids Community Scholarship application process will be taking place over the month of February. Qualifying seniors will be sent an email with further information to sign up for an application session. At least one virtual option will be given. Sessions to complete the application take about 30 minutes. This is an opportunity seniors do not want to miss! Last year close to 200 scholarships were given out to recipients totaling close to $230,00! We have an amazing and generous community that supports Coon Rapids seniors!

Seniors planning to attend ANY post-secondary institution next fall may apply. Financial need is not a factor and scholarships are awarded based on academics and school/community involvement.

If you have questions, please contact Ms. Corneil-Smith in the Counseling Office at 763-506-7128 or julia.corneilsmith@ahschools.us

CRHS yearbooks are on sale now! Order your 2023 yearbook today through Jostens.com. Supplies are limited and once they sell out online, they are GONE.

Questions? Email Kari Berg at karilee.berg@ahschools.us

Senior Parents-

Senior Year is an important milestone in many student's lives and it’s important to find creative ways to commemorate your student’s senior year, celebrate all of their hard work and accomplishments throughout their school career, and let them know that you love and are proud of them. A fun and easy way to do this is to place a recognition ad, or an “Ad for Grads”, in the 2022-2023 Yearbook.This is something that your student can look back on for years to come.

It is very simple to create an “Ad for Grad.” Just visit www.jostensadservice.com and you can begin creating your ad today using your favorite photos of your son or daughter and a personal message. You can choose any photos you like: a baby photo, a grade school photo, or just a photo of your student that you love--you can even take a picture of the photo you want to use and upload that image from your phone.

• Photos may be in color or black and white, and you pick the fonts and background.
• Ads are available in two different sizes, 1/4 page for $60 or 1/8 page for $40.
• The Ads for Grads deadline is February 17, 2023.
  
  

If you have any questions or need tips on how to upload the pictures you want to use, please email Kari Berg at karilee.berg@ahschools.us or check out this sheet from Jostens with FAQs.

PSEO Informational Meeting February 7th during Parent Teacher Conferences

All students interested in participating in the PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options) next year, must attend the PSEO meeting during Parent Teacher conferences on Tuesday, February 7th at 5:30pm In the Auditorium. Family members are welcome to attend. We'll cover info on PSEO, how to apply, & details about how PSEO relates to high school graduation. An Anoka-Ramsey Community College representative will be presenting about PSEO from the perspective of the colleges. In the meantime, please check out the PSEO information on our website.and complete Steps 1 and 2 on the TO DO list. IF you are already in the PSEO program this year, you do NOT need to attend-just connect with your counselor on your plan for next year.

If you have further questions please contact your specific counselor.

From the Coon Rapids High School Counseling Office

**LAST CALL FOR DONATIONS** Has your schedule not allowed you to volunteer but you still really want to help out? This may be just the opportunity for you! We will be hosting a “grab and go” conference meal for our staff on Tuesday, February 7th. Many donations are needed for this to work (as well as a few volunteers). Also, if you know of a local restaurant that would love to spoil our staff with some free goodies please let me know! Check out the Sign up Genius for more information

Conference Meal Sign Up

Ditch your winter boots for some dancing shoes and come chaperone the Snow Daze Dance! The dance will be held on Friday, February 10th and we are looking for a few snazzy volunteers to help staff keep an eye on things. This is a fantastic opportunity to support our students in a fun, unstructured environment. Plus you can show off your awesome dance moves, much to the delight of your CR student :)

Snow Daze Chaperone Sign Up

Volunteers are an incredible asset to the students here at CRHS. Let’s make sure your impact is recorded and recognized. By filling out your volunteer application you are doing your part to keep our students safe while enriching their lives through extracurricular activities. You can access this year’s volunteer application here:

CRHS Volunteer Application and Criminal Record History Release Form or email your Volunteer Services Coordinator, Danielle Callahan at danielle.callahan@ahschools.us (or call (763) 506-7130)

Class of 2023 Seniors and families:
Purchase your Class of 2023 yard sign in support of the Senior All Night Party. The first set of signs will be ready for pick up on December 12th and must be paid in full prior to pickup. If you have any questions on payment, please email audra.hyatt@ahschools.us.

The School Social Work Department maintains a small food shelf to assist families in crisis. Food is organized in small care packages and sent home in backpacks and cinch sacks. We are particularly in need of nonperishable ready serve meals. Some examples include Canned Raviolios, Packaged Pasta Meals, Stew, Chili, Ramen Cups, Soup Cups, Mac and Cheese Cups, Compleats. Snacks such as granola bars, breakfast bars, and snack crackers would also be appreciated. The list of all our current needs can be found at this link: CRHS Food Shelf and Compassion Fund Needs.

The Cardinal Compassion Fund is used to help students and families facing crises. Checks can be written to AHEF with Carinal Compassion Fund identified as the recipient in the memo line. Checks can either be dropped off in the main office or mailed to CRHS, Attn: Lana Matthews, 2340 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.

If you have questions or if you and your family need assistance, please contact Kristen Patton at 763-506-7133 or kristen.patton@ahschools.us or Emily Gustafson at 763-506-7153 or emily.gustafson@ahschools.us

Come to Cafe Zupas for a house-made meal and the CRHS Senior All Night Party will earn up to 25% back! Mark your calendars and order your favorites on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, from 4pm-9pm. Mention the CRHS SANP to the cashier if order in restaurant or enter Fundraiser 25 if ordering online or via the Cafe Zupas app!

College and Military Rep visits during lunches in the Cafeteria (11:10-1:15)

• Wednesday, February 8th - All Military Branches

Scholarships for our Seniors!

1. Career Center Website for advice and scholarships - here

2. Complete FAFSA application - here

3. Page Grant Scholarship - here (Jan 1st - April 1st)

College Dollars & Sense: Personal Finance for Life After High School
The Minnesota Council on Economic Education (MCEE) is now accepting applications for the tenth annual College Dollars & Sense: Personal Finance for Life After High School, a personal finance-based college-readiness program for high school students. College Dollars & Sense is a free week-long program held virtually via Zoom with participating students receiving a $100 stipend. The 2023 program has two virtual program options: June 26th and July 17th. Applications are due by April 30, 2023 - 60 students accepted for each of the two offerings. For more information - here

NACAC Virtual College Fairs

Our Spring 2023 NACAC In-Person & Virtual College Fairs start in a few weeks! Don't miss the opportunity for you and your students to connect with hundreds of colleges all in one place. You can find the full schedule below - here

CRHS College and Career Center Website - There are a lot of students asking about college, military, trades and workforce. Check out my website! There are a lot of instructions on "how to"....send/request transcripts, letters of recs, write essays, scholarship opportunities, resumes, etc! Go to the CRHS homepage, hover over Support, click on Career Center - here

Anoka-Hennepin Student Handbook and Policy resources

• Testing opportunities for students to earn a World Language Proficiency Certificate or Bilingual/Multilingual Seal
• Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 30: Transportation safety and winter weather