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Backpack Online: Dec. 22, 2022
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December 22, 2022
Elementary students serve as holiday helpers with local public safety officers
Anoka-Hennepin Schools values partnerships with local law enforcement and public safety departments in efforts to maintain a positive school culture and climate. Last week, partners from the Blaine Police Department; Spring Lake Park, Blaine, Mounds View Fire Department; Allina Health Emergency Medical Services; and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office joined other local agencies to host the annual Heroes & Helpers event at Target in Blaine. They partnered with students from a number of area elementary schools - including Johnsville, Madison, Sunrise and University Avenue elementary schools - to help shop for toys for families in need.
The Heroes & Helpers event is a community-oriented undertaking where police officers, state troopers, deputies, firefighters, and EMS personnel from Blaine, and surrounding areas pick up students at school for shopping, gift wrapping and pizza. Students ride in emergency vehicles for the event. View photos from the Heroes & Helpers event.
Surprises for students
Blaine Police Chief Podany was in attendance at Sunrise Elementary School.
Rides in emergency vehicles
Blaine police officers picked up students from University Avenue Elementary School.
Wrapped with a smile
Revisiting Anoka-Hennepin Schools stories of 2022
Mississippi Elementary School second grade students pitch slime businesses
Students in Shawna Feist’s second grade classroom at Mississippi Elementary School recently completed a four-week-long project where students created a slime business.
Feist, whose sister teaches at Rogers High School and is the DECA advisor, has partnered with high school students from Rogers for the last 16 years on special projects.
This year, students had to create, market, and advertise their own slime business. The fourth and final meeting with the high school students saw the elementary students making a sales pitch for their newly created product in front of their classmates.
The second graders then voted on various parts of the project for which students made the best sales pitch, the best packaging, the best logo, and the best-looking and smelling slime.
Check out this video to learn more about the partnership and the fun that was had on pitch day.
Above & Beyond Award nominations accepted through Jan. 20
Do you know an Anoka-Hennepin staff member who goes above and beyond normal job expectations to ensure that students receive a high quality education in a safe and nurturing environment? Maybe that person is a teacher or a custodian or a paraprofessional? Maybe a school counselor or principal? Perhaps someone working in the cafeteria, or a nurse or a secretary?
If you know someone who does amazing work for children, you’re strongly encouraged to nominate them for the Above & Beyond Awards. The Above & Beyond Awards involve students, staff, parents and community members in recognizing and rewarding Anoka-Hennepin employees and groups who consistently go that extra mile so students can be successful.
Nominations are being accepted for worthy candidates through Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.
Check out the Above & Beyond Awards website, ahschools.us/aboveandbeyond, for a nomination form or to read additional information about the awards.
The program is a joint effort of the district and the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF). The 2023 Above & Beyond Awards ceremony will take place March 29 at the Educational Service Center (ESC).
Two Anoka High School seniors receive full four-year college scholarships
Anoka High School - Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (AHS) seniors Awa Cisse and Enzo La Hoz Calassara have each earned a full, four-year scholarship worth more than $200,000 through QuestBridge National College Match.
More than 17,900 applicants nation-wide were considered with only 1,755 named to the matched list. Cisse was matched with Carleton College and La Hoz Calassara was matched with Dartmouth College. Learn more about the QuestBridge scholarship program.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 29: Stay Above the Line
Sportsmanship and positivity in school activities and events
Sportsmanship is everybody’s business, and Anoka-Hennepin Schools and the Northwest Suburban Conference (NWSC) are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all at athletics and activities events.
In the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast episode, host Liz Burgard is joined by two high school seniors to learn more about the “Stay Above the Line” initiative. Coon Rapids High School senior Eleanor Defoe and Blaine High School senior Kendall Stadden both represent their schools as Bleacher Captains. Bleacher Captains will be visible at all NWSC-sponsored activities to help promote a positive environment and respectful behavior and cheers for all players, fans, opponents and game personnel.
In this episode, both Defoe and Stadden share insights into what it is like at a high school sporting event both from the spectator and student-athlete perspectives. Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360.
Join us in supporting student athletes and schools, Stay Above the Line
Promoting sportsmanship and a positive environment is a priority and our school communities expect respectful behavior and cheers for all players, fans, opponents and game personnel. Join us in supporting student athletes and school communities, watch the video to learn what it means to stay above the line. Join us in supporting Anoka-Hennepin student athletes and schools, share the video with your friends, family and neighbors.
Read more about increased security in place to ensure safety at school events and activities: www.ahschools.us/safegames
MSHSL recognizes Blaine High School senior with sportsmanship honor
Blaine High School senior Ella Hilger is not only “staying above the line” as a bleacher captain this year, she also just earned recognition with the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) as one of the Most Valuable Teammates.
The dance team member earned the honor for displaying a positive influence, exemplifying leadership and sportsmanship, and for being respectful, reliable and supportive of others. Read more about the Most Valuable Teammate award.
School Board votes to amend 2022-23 school year calendar
The last day of school for elementary students will now be Wednesday, June 7, while secondary students will have their last day Thursday, June 8
The School Board approved a change to the district calendar at its December 12 meeting, converting June 8 to a non-student contact day at the elementary level. There will be no change to the schedule at the secondary level. The last day of school for elementary school students will be Wednesday, June 7, while the last day of school for secondary students will remain Thursday, June 8.
This change will allow elementary staff additional time to prepare for transitions that will occur from the current school year to the next, including the closing of Franklin Elementary School and boundary changes across the district.
Putting 'U' in Community Education: Andover High School youth service program
Students in Andover High School’s Leo Club finally got to celebrate their good work.
The student-led youth service group won regional awards in both 2020 and 2022, but the pandemic and other travel mishaps prevented the group from participating in a national competition or attending the prestigious awards ceremony.
The latest Putting ‘U’ in Community Education video introduces members of the Andover High School Leo Club. Hear about their service work, their big trip to New York and all the hurdles they had to jump to get there.
Upcoming events and important updates
- Action of the School Board, December 12.
- New $225 substitute teacher rate at select sites and on Fridays now in effect through the end of the school year.
- Safety is the top priority in extreme winter weather.
- Let's Talk About it: Holiday season and chemical health.
- Specialty and magnet school application deadline approaching Jan. 15.
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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.