Backpack Online - April 21, 2023
April 21, 2023
Above & Beyond Awards recipient profiles
Above & Beyond Award recipient: Jen Peña
Jen Peña, the licensed school nurse at Blaine High School, has been recognized as a 2022-23 Above & Beyond Awards recipient. Peña has used her position as a caregiver in the school to be a resource for both students and staff during a difficult time for healthcare professionals.
“My community includes every person who walks in the school door,” Peña said. “I have been very busy these last few years supporting my students, families and staff. I use my position as a school nurse to support students' learning by attending to their unmet physical and mental health needs. Every interaction I have is shaped by my motto that asks, ‘Is this what’s best for students?’”
Peña has worked in the district for 13 years serving students at each grade level at Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts, Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy, Evergreen Park Elementary: STEM School of Innovation, and Oak View Middle School. In addition to being on a variety of school teams that support students, she has volunteered her time outside of school hours to be an advisor for the student Gay Straight Alliance club. She is intentional when communicating with students visiting the health services office for daily medications to build relationships with them, and provide a safe and welcoming space for all. Read more about Peña.
Above & Beyond Award recipient: John Peña
John Peña, who has spent 17 years as an administrator in Anoka-Hennepin, his last two as the principal at Coon Rapids High School - Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, has been recognized as a 2022-23 Above & Beyond Awards recipient.
“I am honored and humbled to be nominated and selected for this award,” Peña said. “As an administrator I have the opportunity to impact students and staff in a meaningful way, I do my best to make it positive. Being surrounded by awesome colleagues that have mentored and been great role models for me while in Anoka-Hennepin has been a blessing. The best part of receiving this award is that I get to share this night with my wife as she is also a recipient.”
Since joining the Coon Rapids community, Peña has been spreading his positive energy and strengthening the school’s connection to the community as a whole. To celebrate the start of the 2022-23 school year, Peña invited members of the community, including faith-based partners, the Lions Club and Coon Rapids police and fire departments to greet students in the morning in an effort to encourage them while starting the new school year. Read more about Peña.
Above & Beyond Award recipient: Molly Schuster
Molly Schuster, a paraeducator at Oxbow Creek Elementary School has been recognized as a 2022-23 Above & Beyond Awards recipient. Her primary role is to serve as a recess para for one of the largest elementary schools in the district, but she is still always asking, ‘How can I help,’ which has led her to being an important and impactful member of the Oxbow Creek community.
“It has always been my goal as an employee of the school who also lives in our community to be a positive voice for the kiddos and a good example of kindness.” Schuster said. “My role at Oxbow Creek is to create a safe and fun space for students to play. When I am outside, my goal is to work with students to build social skills and teach them how to work together, solve problems and use their words to tell people what they need.”
Schuster has worked seven years in Anoka-Hennepin and her roles have grown each year. She often serves as a special education substitute, works once a week in the media center and manages the books in the school's Little Free Library. This year she has also helped kindergartners with handwriting and fifth grade teachers with preparing materials for class. On her own time, Schuster has painted rocks with messages of kindness and left them around the playground for students to find. Read more about Schuster.
Extending appreciation to staff members with over 25 years of service
A long-standing tradition of the school district, Anoka-Hennepin held its annual employee recognition event April 19. The event was held at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center.
The annual event recognizes employees who have contributed 25, 30, or 35 years to Anoka-Hennepin, impacting the lives of thousands of students. Based on the five year increments, nearly 100 staff members were recognized at this year’s event. Overall, 595 staff members met the criteria of recognition with over 25 years of service to the district. The staff member with the most time at Anoka-Hennepin was noted as 47 years of service.
Also recognized at this year’s event were the 2023 Above & Beyond award winners.
The event featured remarks from Interim Superintendent Dr. Kate Maguire and School Board chair Marci Anderson. Congratulations to all recipients and thank you for your years of dedication to the Anoka-Hennepin School District.
School Spotlight: Andover High School
Flint Hills Family Festival coming to Anoka Middle School for the Arts April 27
A partnership with one of the leading U.S. performing art centers will bring a free art experience to Anoka Middle School for the Arts (AMSA) April 27. The Flint Hills Family Festival is presented by the Ordway.
This community pop-up event is open to the public and runs from 6:30-8 p.m. at the AMSA Fred Moore Campus Auditorium. The first hour features interactive art making with visual artist Jimmy Longoria. The project is called "Bouquet of Color" and will be using 3M materials. The event wraps up at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by Ensō Daiko, a loud, energetic performance group that combines music, dance, culture and pure athleticism. View a flyer for the event.
For more than 20 years, the Flint Hills Family Festival has brought communities together through the power of the arts, welcoming over a million students, teachers, and families since its conception in 2001. School week is May 30-June 2 and the Family Festival is June 2-3.
In the news: Coon Rapids High School senior recognized at pep fest
The school song was played by students' whose instruments were adorned with glow sticks for a 'neon' pep fest.
Principal Peña recognized Jayden Caffey upon the request of students wanting to express appreciation for his efforts to capture school memories the past four years.
The Coon Rapids High School spring pep fest also featured the school robotics team, with a special demonstration.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast
Episode 32 Part 1: School Resource Officers working in partnership with Anoka-Hennepin schools
The latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast is the first of a two-part series focused on school safety. In Episode 32 Part 1, host Liz Burgard sat down with Champlin Park High School principal Mike George and City of Brooklyn Park Police Officer and School Resource Officer (SRO) Andy Dickman to learn more about the role of the SRO in Anoka-Hennepin and their vital role in safety, building relationships and getting people comfortable in talking with law enforcement.
Anoka-Hennepin coordinates SROs in 12 schools across the district and maintains relationships with local law enforcement. These partnerships play a vital role in protecting the safety of students and staff districtwide.
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.
Stay tuned for part two of this episode, where Burgard will visit with Greg Cole, Anoka-Hennepin’s chief operations officer and Tim Fournier, Anoka-Hennepin’s security & emergency operations manager, to learn more about the district’s approach to school safety and improvements that have and continue to be made around the district to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Tomorrow: Education, employment & enlistment fair and financial aid session
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. Learn more about the college and career fair, and financial aid events.
Minnesota Wild fitness program visits Jefferson Elementary
Jefferson Elementary School was visited by special guests on Monday, April 17, as the Minnesota Wild Faceoff For Fitness school assembly program was in the building.
The program’s goal is to help students understand the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle, and learn more about the sport of hockey through a partnership with the Wild.
The assembly featured former Wild forward Stéphane Veilleux, Olympic gold medalist Hannah Brandt, Minnesota Wild mascot, Nordy, and the Wild in-arena announcer. During the event, the representatives from the Wild revealed a donated set of street hockey equipment to the school. View photos from the visit.
Jefferson Elementary physical education teacher Deanna Evans worked to get the program to the school.
Other district schools have also joined the program and had visits from the Wild organization this school year.
Additional District News
- School Board meeting set for April 24, 2023.
- Universal School Meals program to begin in the fall of 2023.
- 2023 graduation ceremonies for Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high schools to be help 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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