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Backpack Online - May 19, 2023
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May 19, 2023
2023 Graduation information
Anoka-Hennepin will hold graduation ceremonies for Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high schools Sunday, June 4 at Maturi Pavilion on the University of Minnesota campus. Anoka High School will hold its graduation ceremony Monday, June 5, at Goodrich Field.
Sunday, June 4 - Maturi Pavilion
- Champlin Park High School - 10 a.m.
- Blaine High School - 1 p.m.
- Coon Rapids High School - 4 p.m.
- Andover High School - 7 p.m.
Monday, June 5 - Goodrich Field
- Anoka High School - 7 p.m.
For more information about graduations, including links for live coverage, please visit the district website.
MetroNorth Chamber supports Blaine High School students in business competitions
The Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter at Blaine High School - Center for Mathematics, Engineering and Science (BHS) has experienced a lot of success at the regional, state and national levels. A partnership with professionals at the school and in the community has sharpened the skills of the students and enabled them to reach high levels of success.
One of those connections is with the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce. Holly Boisjolie is the BHS BPA advisor and has helped foster a relationship with Chamber President Lori Higgins. Through this partnership students have gained industry experience by presenting at events, learned about internship and career opportunities and gathered advice, guidance and mentors.
“Supporting and interacting with local students is integral to our mission,” Higgins said. “We want students to know that there is a vast network of business and community leaders who want them to succeed, and that by working together we will continue to have not just a strong business community but a strong and vibrant community overall.”
Learning from Higgins about how a chamber of commerce works, BHS juniors Dorcas Aroloye and Silas Murangiri earned a state title in the team category of Presentation Management at the Minnesota BPA State Leadership Conference to advance to the national conference where the team placed second. Read more about the partnership.
Law enforcement partnerships and preparedness are tools to enhance safety
We believe that all students learn better when every student is in a safe and supportive learning environment. Anoka-Hennepin Schools first priority is the safety of its students and staff, and everyone plays a role in keeping schools safe. Community partnerships are one tool that the district utilizes to ensure safe and welcoming schools.
The school district works to clearly communicate potential safety issues with families as soon as possible. The school district partners with local law enforcement agencies in the event of emergencies, and also works regularly to establish positive and productive relationships between school resource officers, school and district staff, students and their families; and to create a sense of familiarity within school communities.
A school emergency can take a number of forms including an environmental event such as a chemical spill or gas leak; a weather emergency such as a tornado warning; or an intruder in or near the school. The nature of a school emergency dictates what emergency response protocol school officials will put in place to ensure the safety and well being of students and staff.
Preparation is the key to effective response in case of an emergency. Each school has a safety plan, referenced in at least 11 drills throughout the year to help staff and students respond quickly, calmly and safely to a number of situations. Read the full article, published in the FOCUS print newsletter sent to all community members in the school district.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast: A districtwide approach to school safety
The latest episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast is the second of a two-part series focused on school safety. In Episode 32 Part 2, host Liz Burgard was joined by Anoka-Hennepin Chief Operations Officer Greg Cole and Tim Fournier, the district’s Security & Emergency Operations Manager to learn more about the district’s approach to school safety.
Anoka-Hennepin Schools' first priority is the safety of its students and staff, and everyone plays a role in keeping schools safe.
In this episode, parents/guardians and community members can learn more about improvements that were made districtwide thanks to the 2017 Fit for the Future referendum, where voters approved the plan to address facility needs to create safe and secure learning environments for students and staff. You will also learn more about the district’s safety plan, including the terminology LOCKOUT, LOCKDOWN, and more on safety procedures and practices.
Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360. The Parent Engage 360 Podcast is also now available on Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeartRadio and Samsung Podcasts.
Champlin Park High School senior headed towards a career in cybersecurity
Over the last three school years, the International Baccalaureate Programme at Champlin Park High School (CPHS) has been creating more opportunities for students to shine.
One of those ways is through the career-related pathways, which is giving students options to explore careers in the culinary, medical, cybersecurity/IT, educational, architecture and construction, design and fabrication, communication and transportation fields.
Mya Benson, a senior at CPHS, has taken advantage of that opportunity and is setting herself up for a potential career in cybersecurity. A self-described “techy,” Benson could always see herself working in the tech industry, but it wasn’t until she completed a reflection project in her Personal and Professional Skills II class that she really saw it become a reality. Read more about Benson and her plans to work in the cybersecurity field.
District receives Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for 21st straight year
The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) awarded Anoka-Hennepin Schools the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (COE). ASBO International’s COE recognizes districts that have met the program’s high standards for financial reporting and transparency. The school district earned the Certificate of Excellence for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended 2022. This marks the 21st straight year to earn the recognition.
To be considered for the award, school districts must submit their Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for review by a team of financial professionals who provide feedback to improve future documents. Districts whose ACFR complies with all key program criteria are eligible for the award. Anoka-Hennepin Schools posts its ACFR annually on the district website with annual reports and evaluations.
Families gather for annual Arts Fest at Anoka Middle School for the Arts
Anoka Middle School for the Arts welcomed community members and families to its annual Arts Fest at both the Washington and Fred Moore campuses May 11. The evening showcased all the creative and artistic work of the students during the 2022-23 academic year with displays, performances, demonstrations and more.
The two-hour event is hardly enough time to experience all both campuses have to offer, as the evening highlighted more than 50 stations featuring:
- Musical and dance performances by individuals, teams, after school-programs, the school band/jazz band and choir groups.
- Creative writing readings.
- Raku firing and ceramics demonstrations.
- Interactive English, math, science, social studies and technical arts activities.
- A multicultural fashion show.
- And endless displays of student art and quilting projects.
Middle school students selected for state honor choir program
Each academic year, the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota (ACDA-MN) selects a special honor choir. Their mission of this program is to provide enriched singing opportunities for students in middle school.
Eleven students from Jackson Middle School - A Specialty School for Math and Science and three students from Anoka Middle School for the Arts were named members of the 2023 ACDA-MN State Honor Choir program.
Sixth graders performed with the All-State Choir on April 29 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, Minn. Seventh and eighth graders performed with the All-State Choir on May 6 at the same location.
This opportunity is open to all students who want to audition. The students worked before and after school hours to prepare their music for the event. More than 2,400 students audition each year for placement into the honor choir program with over 950 selected. View the list of Anoka-Hennepin students and staff selected.
2022-23 spring sports and activities round-up
Adapted bowling
The Minnesota State High School League adapted Bowling tournaments for autism spectrum (ASD), cognitive impairment (CI) and physical impairment (PI) divisions was held May 12 at Bowlero in Brooklyn Park. A total of 37 students competed for Anoka-Hennepin. There were 13 top 10 finishes. Visit the district website for individual results from this year's adapted bowling competition.
Putting the 'U' in Community Education: Evie's Story
When eighth grade student Evie Jones hits the track, she is listening while she runs. Listening to cheers from her family, encouragement from the stands and helpful information from her guide.
Evie was born with a rare condition that took her vision when she was a baby. But being blind doesn’t stop Evie from doing the things she loves. She is in her second year of track and field at Northdale Middle School through Community Education. She runs 60M and 100M races, as well as throws shot put. Evie’s guide, Judy Heichert runs alongside her using a tether. Thanks to Judy, Evie is able to get the complete track and field experience.
“I really love it. I enjoy it,” said Evie. “I’m the speedster.” Evie is also a goalie in a blind hockey league and plays several musical instruments. Read the full story on the Anoka-Hennepin Community Education website.
Students from the district high schools compete at HOSA state conference
Students from Anoka-Hennepin high schools attended the Minnesota Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) State Leadership Conference April 5-6 in St. Cloud, Minn.
HOSA-Future Health Professionals is a global student-led organization with the mission of empowering members to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience.
At the state conference, 57 different competitions tested the knowledge and skill of the attendees. A total of 15 Anoka-Hennepin students earned a top five finish at state. The top three in each category qualify for the HOSA International Leadership Conference June 21-24 in Dallas, Texas. HOSA only allows students to compete in one event at nationals, so some individuals and teams who finish outside the top three may still earn a spot at nationals.
A total of 19 students from Blaine High School (BHS), who are pictured above, attended the state conference and were awarded the Minnesota HOSA Chapter of the Year. Elaine Phan earned a spot on the 2023-24 State Officer Team, as she was selected as president-elect. View a full list of district students who placed at the state conference.
Andover High School holds annual multicultural showcase
Andover High School held its annual multicultural showcase event May 16. Students performed three times during the school day, and once in the evening for community members and parents/guardians.
Students performed traditional dances and sang songs representing a number of nationalities during the event. The show featured three student hosts, performances, and concluded with a fashion show.
Tech protect: Enrollment for the 2023-24 school year is now open
If the student qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals in the 2022-23 school year, the cost will be reduced to $0
Technology plays an important role in preparing students for life, and Chromebooks are utilized as a daily learning tool in Anoka-Hennepin middle and high school classrooms. Anoka-Hennepin students in grades 6-12 are assigned a Chromebook from the school district to ensure access to technology systems that support classroom learning. As careful as students and schools are, accidents do happen each year - and hundreds of Chromebooks are returned at the end of the school year with damages.
Secondary students at some grade levels will get to keep their Chromebook over the summer months, and families can enroll in the device protection plan for the upcoming school year (2023-24), now. Families can opt-in to the Device Protection Plan by logging into A-HConnect, and selecting "My Student Information," and "Fees." Parents must select or decline coverage under the Device Protection Plan.
The plan cost is $20 per student or $60 per family per school year. If the student qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals in the 2022-23 school year, the cost of the Protection Plan will be reduced to $0. Repairs with the Protection Plan are subject to a $15 deductible. Visit ahschools.us/techprotect for details.
Additional District News
- School Board meeting set for Monday, May 22.
- Parent Attitude and Satisfaction Survey available online until June 16.
- Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 32 Part 1: School Resource Officers working in partnership with Anoka-Hennepin schools.
- Universal School Meals program to being in the fall of 2023.
- New $225 substitute teacher rate at select sites and on Fridays now in effect through the end of the school year.
- School Board votes to amend 2022-23 school year calendar.
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This e-newsletter is published by Anoka-Hennepin Schools. It's sent to Anoka-Hennepin families and community members who subscribe on a weekly basis during the school year, excluding breaks (and periodically during the summer). Questions, comments or concerns about the Backpack Online e-newsletter? Contact us.