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Backpack Online - October 13, 2023
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October 13, 2023
Blaine High School earns bronze distinction in AP School Honor Roll program
College Board announced that Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science (BHS) has been named to the Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning a bronze distinction.
The AP® School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
2022-23 AP data at BHS:
- 245 seniors took at least one AP exam during high school.
- 144 seniors scored a three or higher on at least one AP exam.
- 2 seniors took five or more AP exams.
- 23 AP courses were offered.
- 47 AP sections were taught.
- 21 teachers taught AP.
Jason Paske, BHS principal said, "As the data shows, not only are our students enrolled in college prep courses, but they are succeeding, which is a huge compliment to the amazing staff and students at BHS and their commitment to ‘Being A Bengal!’"
District schools partner with local fire departments for Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 8 through Oct. 14, and many district elementary schools partnered with local fire departments offering opportunities for firefighters to discuss fire safety with students.
Anoka-Hennepin is proud of its partnerships with local police and fire departments and works to create safe and welcoming learning environments for all students.
Coon Rapids Fire Department visited students at elementary schools throughout the week, including at Hamilton Elementary School. 📺 Watch this news story by CTN Coon Rapids to learn more about this year's theme.
Calling all artists: Submit artwork for the annual kindness poster contest
As a part of October’s National Bullying Prevention campaign, Anoka-Hennepin is excited to participate in the 20th annual kindness poster contest.
🎨 The district invites students at all grade levels to submit their best artwork for the competition. Each elementary and middle school will select one winning poster for each grade level, K-8, and each high school will select one winning poster from grades 9-12 to advance to the district-level judging contest.
This year’s kindness poster contest theme is Make Kindness your Purpose, and those words must be on the poster. All participants will help create and spread kindness messages in their schools through this competition.
Anoka High School celebrates five new Hall of Fame members
On Oct. 6, Anoka High School honored its sixth Anoka Tornadoes Hall of Fame class. The 2023 class celebrates the accomplishments of Jill (Jungling) Burcum (1986), Mary Jablonski (1970), Todd Manthey (1984), Arch Pease (1925) and Jill (Boo) Wolfe (2001). 🗞️ Read more about the new class.
Community members joined the 2023 class last Friday with a meet and greet reception at the Tavern 201 in downtown Anoka. Then at Goodrich Field, honorees were recognized on the field before and at halftime of the AHS football game where inductees received a plaque and took a picture as the Anoka Tornadoes Hall of Fame Class of 2023. 📸 View photos of the celebration.
The purpose of the hall of fame is to recognize individuals that have outstanding accomplishments at Anoka High School and to provide a link between the past school members and the future. To view the history of the hall of fame or to nominate, visit ahschools.us/ahshof.
Evergreen Park engages students with heritage weeks
For the last three school years, Ashley Akwa, school social worker at Evergreen Park Elementary STEM School of Innovation, has organized heritage weeks throughout the school year.
Heritage weeks include lessons and activities to support learning about different cultures represented at Evergreen Park, including Hispanic Heritage, Native American Heritage, Asian American Heritage, Black History Month and more.
“It is important for us to hold these types of learning activities for our students because I want our staff and students to learn more about cultures that are in our building,” said Akwa. “I also believe it is important for students to be proud of who they are and where they come from.”
Hispanic Heritage Month began Sept. 15 and ends on Oct. 15, and the week of Oct. 9-13, students at Evergreen Park engaged in Hispanic Heritage Week. A part of that week included a visit from Maria Isa Perez-Vega, a state representative from St. Paul, whose lineage is Puerto Rican.
Students prepared questions for Perez Vega to learn more about her Puerto Rican heritage and learned more about the politician who has also starred as a hip-hop artist since she was a teenager.
“During these different heritage weeks, the students really feel like the stars of the building because they are the experts on their culture. Representation matters and I ask people like Representative Perez-Vega to meet with students so they can see that they can be whatever they want to be in life.”
Supporting our students, staff and families during challenging times
As tragic events of violence are unfolding in Israel and Gaza, these events are also commonly a topic of discussion in our school communities and Anoka-Hennepin Schools stands ready to support students, staff and families in this challenging time.
The ongoing events in the Middle East are being covered in the media extensively, and it is understood that students and children have questions and may be seeking reassurance.
📄 Review resources for age-appropriate discussions and supports available in school.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognized in Anoka-Hennepin Schools
The State of Minnesota officially changed the historic Columbus Day Holiday to Indigenous Peoples Day this year and also established a direction for schools to offer one hour of information for students. Students in Anoka-Hennepin Schools received classroom presentations regarding indigenous people and tribes along with information on the contributions of well known current Indigenous persons.
Why it matters: Maintaining safe and welcoming schools and increasing academic achievement are strategic priorities of the school district. The recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day provides a stronger connection with Native American students and families to schools and increases knowledge of the history, present and futures of Native Americans with all students.
Did you know:
- Minnesota is the ancestral and contemporary home of 11 tribal nations.
- This is the first year of the Indigenous Peoples Day Holiday in Minnesota. Columbus Day remains on the calendar of Federal holidays.
- Anoka-Hennepin Schools coordinates an Indian Education program that serves hundreds of native american, alaskan native and Hawaiian students and families, now in its 50th year of operation.
The recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day in Minnesota and information sharing with students will become an annual event in Anoka-Hennepin Schools.
In the news: BHS featured on NorthMetroTV for its Coats for Kids participation
Additional district news
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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.