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Backpack Online - March 24, 2023
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March 24, 2023
Universal School Meals program to begin in the fall of 2023
Last week, the Minnesota Legislature approved and the Governor signed a bill providing “Universal School Meals,” which means every student may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost starting in the fall of 2023. The program will cover one breakfast and one lunch for every student, however ala carte and other meal choices will not be covered.
Families will need to continue purchasing meals for their students for the remainder of this school year, as the new bill will not forgive or pay for any meal debt accrued before Sept. 2023. If your family needs immediate assistance with free or reduced-priced meals, or access to other educational benefits (such as high school athletics and activity fees; ACT, SAT and AP fees; Comcast internet and SNAP membership discounts; Xcel Energy account assistance and more), please visit ahschools.us/childnutrition to complete an application.
The district’s child nutrition program is working to provide details for all families in preparation for the 2023-24 school year. Stay tuned to your back to school communications for specific details about this benefit for your family in the summer of 2023.
Two district high school seniors named U.S. Presidential Scholars candidates
Eleanor Fredine, Andover High School; and Adhithya Anandaraj, Blaine High School; are two of approximately 5,000 students recognized nationwide
Two Anoka-Hennepin Schools high school seniors were named as candidates of the 2023 United States Presidential Scholars Program.
Eleanor A. Fredine from Andover High School and Adhithya Anandaraj from Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science were two of 5,000 students selected nationally. Candidacy is based on outstanding performance on the ACT Assessment or the College Board SAT test.
Later this spring, the Commission on Presidential Scholars will narrow the candidates, and name up to 161 distinguished graduating high school seniors as U.S. Presidential Scholars.
Being selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar is one of the highest honors our nation’s high school students may receive. The program was established to recognize some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments related to their academic success; leadership; service to their schools and communities; exceptional talent in visual, creative and performing arts; and demonstrated ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields.
U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments during the online National Recognition Program each June, when the top Presidential Scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion.
Congratulations to Eleanor Fredine and Adhithya Anandaraj!
Eleanor Fredine
Andover High School senior.
Adhithya Anandaraj
Blaine High School senior.
Athena Award winners announced from all five district high schools
Five female student-athletes — one from each of Anoka-Hennepin’s five traditional high schools — have been recognized for their hard work both in the classroom and on the playing field or court.
The Athena Award is given to one senior female athlete from each participating school who has distinguished herself in special individual athletic achievement or superior achievements in one or more sports.
This year’s Anoka-Hennepin Athena Award winners are:
- Andover High School (AndHS): Ella Boerger.
- Anoka High School (AHS): Brooklyn Jones.
- Blaine High School (BHS): Kendall Stadden.
- Champlin Park High School (CPHS): Paige Kalal.
- Coon Rapids High School (CRHS): Kennedy Martinson.
The student-athletes will be recognized at the 51st annual Minneapolis Athena Awards luncheon on Friday, May 5 at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center.
Congratulations to all five outstanding Anoka-Hennepin student-athletes. Read more about each Athena Award winner.
Johnsville Elementary’s Lisa Humble named KS95 Teacher of the Week
Lisa Humble of Johnsville Elementary School, has been selected as a KS95 Teacher of the Week. She accepted the award in front of her fifth grade class March 7 from KS95 on-air talent “Hutch.”
“I am so incredibly humbled by this nomination and so honored to have impacted the life of my student,” Humble said. “The words that were written brought tears to my eyes. I will remember this forever. However, all teachers are so well-deserving for the work they do to serve children and our communities. Teaching is not just a career it is a passion, shaping the minds and hearts of the future.”
A former student at Johnsville herself, Humble is a Blaine High School graduate and has been a teacher for 20 years with 12 of them in the district. Nolawi Gibe, a former student, nominated her for the award.
“Mrs. Humble is a teacher who has taught me independence and resilience are the key ways to succeeding in life and set the foundation, and building blocks for the future of my education. If it wasn't for her I probably wouldn't be challenging myself as much as I am in high school right now. I haven't really had a chance to thank her for it, but I feel like this is my opportunity to do so. Teachers truly want to see their students succeed in life, and Mrs. Humble made that crystal-clear.”
School spotlight: Coon Rapids High School
Coon Rapids High School - Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering has caring and dedicated staff that strives to bring new and innovative experiences into the classroom. Watch the new video, highlighting Coon Rapids High School, to learn more about the staff, students and the school.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 31: Body image and eating disorders
There are many factors that may impact the way we feel about ourselves and the way we show up each day, and one of these factors that impact many, including students is body image.
Adults and teens alike are presented with body image media on a daily basis through various forms of traditional and social media which can have a mental and physical impact on an individual. In this episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast, Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin's parent involvement coordinator, hopes to connect parents and guardians with resources if they suspect their child may be experiencing body dysmorphia or even eating disorders.
The most common types parents might hear or think about are anorexia or bulimia. But there is so much more that can affect a person's life when it comes to eating disorders, and that can often be referred to as disordered eating, which may include restrictive eating, compulsive eating or irregular or inflexible eating patterns.
Burgard was joined by Dr. Heather Gallivan, clinical director at Melrose Center and Anoka-Hennepin licensed school nurse Jessica Patterson, to learn more about how parents can support their children if they are experiencing body dysmorphia and/or eating disorders and how schools can help connect families with support.
Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360.
Melrose Center provides care for all types of eating disorders and has helped guide thousands of people toward recovery using evidence-based treatment. As a resource for anyone experiencing eating disorders or those that might be caring for an individual experiencing eating disorders, Melrose Center hosts a podcast titled Melrose Heals a resource. Listen to the Melrose Heals podcast on Spotify.
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 hopes that providing timely and helpful information through the Parent Engage 360 podcast series will strengthen the bond between school and home with resources parents and guardians can use and share with others.
2022-23 winter sports and activities roundup
With the winter sports and activities season wrapping up, here’s a look at who’s heading to state, and how they fared when they performed and played. Also included is information about post-season awards gathered by student-athletes and coaches. Visit the district website for updates on adapted floor hockey, PI division and boys basketball.
Student-built sheds cover storage needs
Community members may participate in auction, benefitting future hands-on learning
Need more space? Anoka-Hennepin students have you covered! Students from Champlin Park High School built three 8-foot wide by 4-foot deep sheds, which are now open for bidding. Sales benefit hands-on learning opportunities, so the school may continue funding future student-built projects. The starting bid for each shed is $900.
Act now! The auctions are scheduled to close on Wednesday, April 12. Read more and make a bid on a student-built shed.
Andover High School's youth service club strives for sustainability
The Leo Youth Service Club from Andover High School is taking on a lofty project. The group will host a tree planting event on April 29.
Students say the purpose is to offset the school’s annual energy consumption and make the community more sustainable. The group hopes to plant 250 saplings throughout the City of Andover which would offset the building’s carbon emissions from electricity and gas last year. Residents can go online to order free saplings that will be planted in their yard on the day of the event. They also have an option to pick up the saplings to plant themselves.
Orders must be placed by April 5. Andover residents can choose from paper birch, chokecherry or red maple trees. Volunteers are also needed to help plant trees around the community on the day of the event.
The Leo Youth Service Club provides students with meaningful leadership and volunteer opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. Anoka-Hennepin Community Education coordinates the youth service activities and projects at each high school.
Preschool information night
Anoka-Hennepin Schools to host Preschool Information Night
Parents or caregivers who are considering preschool for their children are invited to attend Preschool Information Night. Families will have the opportunity to talk with teaching staff about the different preschool programs, the curriculum, and classrooms so they can find the best fit for their child. This FREE event is scheduled for Monday, March 27, 2023, from 4:30 – 6 p.m. or 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Educational Service Center in Anoka. Pre-registration is encouraged. Learn more and register for Preschool Information Night.
Additional district news
- School Board Meeting set for Monday, March 24.
- 2023 graduation ceremonies for Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high school 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.
- Safety is our first priority in extreme winter weather.
- 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.