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Backpack Online - April 7, 2023
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April 7, 2023
Above & Beyond Awards recipient profiles
Anoka-Hennepin Schools has a tradition of involving students, families, community members and staff members in recognizing and honoring employees that consistently go that extra mile so students can be successful. During the month of April, the 2023 Above & Beyond Awards recipients will be featured. Learn more about the Above & Beyond awards.
Above & Beyond Award recipient: Billie Davis-Fehr
Billie Davis-Fehr, a special education teacher at Monroe Elementary School - Mathematics, Science and Children’s Engineering, has been recognized as a 2022-23 Above & Beyond Awards recipient. Davis-Fehr is in her seventh year of making a difference in the lives of her students at Monroe.
“The most important element of my teaching is creating relationships with my students,” Davis-Fehr said. “This is the most difficult part of my job and it lays the foundation to letting me help them with all of the skills that are difficult for them.”
Davis-Fehr has learned in over 14 years of teaching that it takes a village to support a student in special education and she sees it as her responsibility to give her students access to that education both in school and outside through all means necessary. Davis-Fehr hopes that by helping create positive outcomes for her students will give them one more reason to try something new or difficult. She keeps a drawer full of notes from former students, staff and parents thanking her for her time and efforts and uses them as a reminder to keep going and help every student. Read more about Davis-Fehr.
Above & Beyond Award recipient: Lana Johnson
Lana Johnson, a third grade teacher at Ramsey Elementary School, has been recognized as a 2022-23 Above & Beyond Awards recipient. Johnson is continually making Ramsey Elementary an extra special place for both students and staff to learn and grow.
“I see each student as an individual,” Johnson said. “I see each family as valued. I see every classroom as an extension of my own family. I am honest, loyal, and compassionate with all of my students and their families.”
Johnson has worked for six years in Anoka-Hennepin and previously worked at Eisenhower Elementary School.
For her students, she has a weekly activity where the class ‘travels’ to other parts of the world. In the hallway outside her classroom is a huge laminated, white airplane that shows where the students traveled. This activity has not only given her students knowledge about other countries, but helps other students from outside the United States feel welcome at Ramsey. Read more about Johnson.
Above & Beyond Award recipient: Rachel Jorgensen
Rachel Jorgensen, a work-based learning teacher at Anoka High School, has been recognized as a 2022-23 Above & Beyond Awards recipient. Her commitment to building up the students to prepare them for life after high school is being celebrated after being nominated by one the students she serves.
“As a coordinator of work-based learning, I have the unique opportunity to work with students, families and community business owners to support students in transitioning into the world of work,” Jorgensen said. “I am constantly networking in all of my interactions, both within the school day and on the evenings and weekends. As a resident of Anoka, I am grateful to live and work in this wonderful community. This gives me a chance to represent our school and students well, leveraging relationships to bolster lifelong student success.”
Jorgensen has worked in the district for 17 years in a variety of roles. After eight years working in special education at Coon Rapids Middle School, she served as a Q-Comp Peer Evaluator for three years before moving into her current role. Read more about Jorgensen.
Anoka-Hennepin student playing professional soccer with MNUFC2
*Photo courtesy of Minnesota United.
Leo Conneh is a student in Anoka-Hennepin’s Virtual Academy and plays professional soccer with Minnesota United Football Club’s reserve team (MNUFC2). Conneh not only made his debut with the team March 25, but scored a goal and registered an assist.
“It was one of the best moments of my life, but I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today if it wasn’t for the amazing people in my life who support me,” Conneh said. “Getting my first goal and being able to contribute to the team in my debut felt amazing.”
MNUFC2 participates in MLS NEXT Pro, which is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway.
Following Conneh’s debut, he was named MLS NEXT Performer of the Opening Matchday. He was also interviewed for an episode of the “Sound of the Loons” podcast, where in addition to talking about his debut, cites his mother and his family as his driving motivator. Listen to the podcast (interview with Conneh starts at about the 39 minute mark).
Conneh has been playing soccer since he was 5 years old and has been a member of the Minnesota United Academy for three years. In 2021, Conneh was a Class 3A All-State selection for Champlin Park High School. He is one of just a small handful of players still in high school that are in the academy who have played up with MNUFC2. He said he balances his schedule by having training in the morning and utilizing the rest of the day to complete school work.
Anoka Middle School student returns lost wedding ring
Kare 11 reporter Boyd Huppert visited Anoka Middle School for the arts las week to learn how Bridget Anderson, an eighth-grade student at the school, let her good instincts lead her to do the right thing - shine.
Watch the latest "Land of 10,000 stories," to see how Anderson played a role in returning a lost wedding ring - also a family heirloom - to a local newlywed couple with the help of local police and community involvement.
Blaine High School - School Spotlight
Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science uses a growth mindset to propel students forward and offers opportunities for students to make a difference. Learn more about Blaine High School in the latest spotlight video.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast now available on more platforms!
The award-winning Parent Engage 360 Podcast is now available on more of your favorite podcasting platforms! Listen to the latest episode and many more on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible, Spotify and iHeartRadio. The Parent Engage 360 Podcast is also available on Samsung Podcasts or online at ahschools.us/parentengage360.
The Parent Engage 360 Podcast aims to provide parents and guardians with knowledge from experts in chemical health, mental health, internet safety and more, as well as the tools needed to support their children. Anoka-Hennepin Schools realize the importance of parent engagement in maximizing student success. We hope that providing timely and helpful information through the Parent Engage 360 podcast series will strengthen that bond between school and home with resources parents and guardians can use and share with others.
Champlin Park High School's Dr. Liz Keeling up for national teaching award
CCX Media visited Champlin Park High School last week to meet Dr. Liz Keeling, an English Language Arts and French teacher at the school, currently in the running for a national teaching excellence award from the National Education Association Foundation.
Eagle Bluff Nature Center brings wildlife to Evergreen Park
On March 23, the Eagle Bluff Nature Center visited Evergreen Park Elementary: STEM School of Innovation to teach students in kindergarten, first and second grades about reptiles.
Students learned about reptiles that are native to Minnesota, including two snakes named Fox and Bryan, and a turtle named Tuttle. As a part of the STEM curriculum at Evergreen Park, students in kindergarten, first, and second grade learn all about animals in their third-trimester STEM integration lessons. View photos of students interacting with wildlife.
In those lessons, students learn about habitats and adaptations before conducting an animal research project.
“This opportunity allowed our students to learn more about animals in Minnesota that they may not have seen or known about,” said Caitlin Meyer, curriculum integrator at Evergreen Park. “It was a perfect connection for all grade levels to their spring animal integration lesson.”
Chueyee, a kindergartner at Evergreen Park said: “My favorite part was the snake. It was cool to see a big snake at Evergreen Park.”
“I liked seeing some of my favorite animals at school,” said William, a second-grade student.
The STEM program and design process at Evergreen Park provides opportunities for students to think critically while involving hands-on learning.
District Indian Education program annual powwow another success
The Anoka-Hennepin Indian Education program co-hosted its annual powwow on Saturday, April 1 at Champlin Park High School (CPHS) and despite the heavy spring snowfall, attendees showed up in numbers.
The event saw over 1,200 visitors at CPHS and guests were entertained by over 100 dancers in regalia, 20-plus vendors and community organizations, music, dancing, food and more.
Anoka-Hennepin co-hosted the event with Indian Education programs from Elk River Area Schools, Fridley Public Schools, Roseville Area Schools and St. Michael-Albertville Schools.
Swing into spring with a student-built pergola swing
Students in the Blaine High School (BHS) construction program have built four pergola swings, which are open for bidding. Sales benefit hands-on learning opportunities, so the school may continue funding future student-built projects.
The frame of the pergola swings are 8-feet wide, 4-feet deep and 8-feet tall. The size of the chair is 6-feet wide, can fit three people and features a flip down beverage holder. The swings are made entirely out of brown treated lumber and deck screws.
The starting bid for each chair is $600 and the auction ends April 19 for three swings and April 24 for the other.
View the auction for pergola 1. (Auction ends April 24)
View the auction for pergola 2.
Education, employment and enlistment fair and financial aid session set for 4/22
Opportunity for families to explore options for students to pursue after high school
Career and college specialists from across the school district have collaborated to provide families with the opportunity to explore a variety of college, career and alternate pathways to pursue after school. The group will present the first “Education, Employment, and Enlistment Spring Spectacular” on Saturday, April 22 from 8:30-11 a.m. at Blaine High School (BHS).
The format will include a mix of scheduled 40-minute sessions on focused topics at either 8:30 or 9:15 a.m. The college and career fair opens at 10 a.m. Nearly 40 higher education institutions from the region, 30-plus employers, and multiple military branches will be in attendance.
Families can learn more about financial aid by attending a FAFSA and MN Dream Act help session at the event. The free financial aid session will feature professional assistance in completing the FAFSA or the MN Dream Act. A brief financial aid overview will run from 8:30-8:45 a.m., followed by time (8:45-10 a.m.) to work on filling out financial aid forms and asking questions.
Register now for summer youth programs!
From arts and crafts, to sports, theater, language, and engineering, Anoka-Hennepin Community Education offers a class or camp to engage and delight youth of all ages.
Browse summer opportunities and register.
The summer months are a perfect time for children to try new things, stay active, have fun, make friends! Choose from a variety of youth programs and activities scheduled to take place in June, July and August.
Here are just a few:
- Intro to E-Sports
- Monster High Musical Theater Camp
- Sports of All Sorts Multi-Sports Camp
- Glow-in-the-Dark Engineering
- Cooks in the Kitchen
- Robotic Pet Lab
- Babysitting: American Red Cross Certified
- Archery and Outdoors Camp
Programs are open to all families, and most will be held at Roosevelt Middle School in Blaine. Depending on the activity, some classes will also be held at off-site locations. Programs are available for children in preschool to grade eight.
Additional District News
- Universal School Meals Program to being in the fall of 2023.
- Action of the School Board, March 27, 2023.
- Say it Again extended hours set for April 13.
- 2023 graduation ceremonies for Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high schools to be held on University of Minnesota campus - Maturi Pavilion.
- Ready for kindergarten? See how to prepare and register.
- 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.