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Backpack Online - October 6, 2023
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October 6, 2023
Sunrise classroom addition now in operation
An eight classroom addition at Sunrise Elementary School in eastern Blaine is up and operating and serving the needs of kindergarten students while providing space for additional enrollment growth.
Why it matters: Anoka-Hennepin voters approved the construction of Sunrise Elementary in Blaine with the Fit for the Future referendum in 2017. Unanticipated enrollment growth in the attendance area led to boundary adjustments and a 200 student addition, increasing building operating capacity to 1,200 students. The addition allows all Sunrise students to return to Sunrise following a one-year, temporary boundary adjustment for kindergarten students.
Two kindergarten classrooms have moved into the new classrooms where the addition has extended the kindergarten wing of the school. View photos of the new addition.
🌅 Learn more about Sunrise Elementary at ahschools.us/sunrise.
World renowned drummer Massamba Diop shares his talent with district students
Massamba Diop is a master of the tama, a talking drum from Senegal, West Africa, known for its ability to replicate the sounds of human speech. Diop was in residency with the Champlin Park High School (CPHS) World Drumming class Oct. 2-6 and also shared his passion with two district elementary schools.
To bring the experience to the community, the CPHS World Drumming class will perform with the Heart and Soul Drum Academy on Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in the CPHS auditorium. Tickets will be available at the door for $5 per person.
During his residency in Anoka-Hennepin, Diop has shared his talents and engaged elementary students at Evergreen Park Elementary - STEM School of Innovation in Brooklyn Center and Wilson Elementary School in Anoka.
📸 View photos from the experience at Wilson Elementary.
Diop’s music can be heard throughout the soundtrack of the major motion picture Black Panther, a Marvel Studios film. This opportunity was made available thanks to a partnership between CPHS music instructor Steve Lyons and the Heart and Soul Drum Academy.
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.
Coon Rapids High School welcomes four new Hall of Fame members
Coon Rapids High School (CRHS) welcomed its fifth Hall of Fame class in school history on Sept. 29. The 2023 Hall of Fame class featured three former standout students and one longtime coach and administrator.
Semhar Araia, Dan Dehnicke, Lonnie Dupre and Logan Shore were recognized in a ceremony and on-field introduction prior to the football game against Anoka at Cardinal Stadium.
To nominate someone for the CRHS Hall of Fame, visit ahschools.us/crhshof. It is anticipated that the Hall of Fame induction will be an annual event, a process that will be dictated by nominations each year. Learn more about this year's CRHS Hall of Fame class.
Blaine High School BPA Coats for Kids drive underway
Members of the Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter at Blaine High School (BHS) are conducting its 30th annual Coats for Kids drive, which runs until Oct. 21. Students, staff, and community residents are invited to drop off new or used coats of all sizes at BHS throughout the school day at the main entrance.
Last year BHS exceeded expectations and collected more than 800 coats for the cause. In the previous 29 years, Blaine BPA has collected close to 14,000 coats for children. This year the organization has a goal of collecting 600 coats.
Coats for Kids was founded in 1986 to ensure that local community children in need would have access to warm coats each winter. Since then, they have collected and donated more than 463,500 coats to help keep children warm. The donated coats are cleaned by Pilgrim Dry Cleaners, and distributed out to local charities, churches and schools.
Clean out those closets or go shopping for those in need and drop off coats at BHS before Oct. 21. Community members looking to arrange a drop off can contact Holly Boisjolie, BPA Advisor, at 763-506-6540 or holly.boisjolie@ahschools.us.
Community works together to make Andover Elementary PTO event a success
Each year, the Andover Elementary School parent-teacher organization hosts a large community event that serves as its main fundraiser. Students seek donations and then walk laps around the school’s track. Families are encouraged to walk too.
There’s also a huge inflatable obstacle course, commemorative key chains with special paw charms to hand out, awards to be given, photos to be taken, in addition to music, food trucks and fun.
To help with the volunteer need, team members from the Minnesota Blue Ox Junior A’ hockey club out of Coon Rapids made a quick breakaway and came through in a pinch. The hockey players didn’t just hang out in the neutral zone, they got right in on the action — passing out charms and cheering students on as they crossed the finish line.
Save the Date: Hiring event on Oct. 12
District to host hiring event for non-teaching positions Oct 12. at Anoka High School
The Anoka-Hennepin School District will host an in-person hiring event for non-teaching positions Thursday, Oct. 12 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Anoka High School. The hiring event will take place in the main commons area of the school located at 3939 Seventh Ave. N in Anoka (Enter Door 1).
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is a great place to live and work. Our communities work together to provide residents with safe and friendly neighborhoods, high-quality schools, a wide range of business and economic opportunities, beautiful parks and abundant recreational activities.
Join us to learn about employment opportunities and have a same-day, on-site interview for various positions. Participants are strongly encouraged to begin filling out applications ahead of time at ahschools.us/jobs and come prepared to interview with hiring managers.
📢 What we offer: Eligible employees may enroll in a comprehensive benefits package.
- Health, hospitalization, dental insurance.
- Life and supplemental life insurance benefits.
- Long-term disability plan.
- Opportunities to participate in flexible benefits plans such as health savings and dependent/child care savings accounts.
- Professional development opportunities.
Everyone plays a role in student achievement; help your community succeed by applying today!
Visit ahschools.us/jobs or call 763-506-JOBS for more information.
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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.