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Backpack Online - March 3, 2023
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March 3, 2023
Announcing recipients of 2022-23 Above & Beyond Awards
Thirteen outstanding district employees have been selected to receive the Anoka-Hennepin School District’s 2022-23 Above & Beyond Award.
The recipients are:
- Billie Davis-Fehr, Monroe Elementary, teacher, special education (ASD).
- Lana Johnson, Ramsey Elementary, teacher, grade 3.
- Rachel Jorgensen, Anoka High School, teacher, work based learning.
- Sarah Kisiah, Northdale Middle School, teacher, English, AVID support teacher.
- Dominic Krebsbach, Monroe Elementary, teacher, grade 4.
- Sarah Lindbo, Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy, teacher, grade 2.
- Jennifer Peña, Blaine High School, licensed school nurse.
- John Peña, Coon Rapids High School, principal.
- Molly Schuster, Oxbow Creek Elementary, paraeducator, elementary.
- Jacob Southmayd, Dayton Elementary, teacher, special education (ABS).
- Minh Strusz, Hoover Elementary, principal.
- Bill Underwood, Educational Service Center, teaching and learning specialist, special education technology.
- Jacque Weidner, Lincoln Elementary, teacher, special education (SLD)
The 2023 Above & Beyond Awards ceremony to honor these 13 exceptional employees will take place Wednesday, March 29 at the Educational Service Center (ESC). Read more about the Above & Beyond Awards.
Two district educators named semifinalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year
Of the eight Anoka-Hennepin educators named candidates for the 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award, two have been selected as semifinalists.
Wendi Delmore, a second grade teacher at McKinley Elementary School, and Lisa Neaderhiser, a special education teacher (EBD) at Jackson Middle School - A Specialty School for Math and Science, are among 33 semifinalist candidates for the award statewide.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to be nominated and recognized for doing what I truly love to do,” Delmore said. “I honestly can't believe this is happening.”
“To be nominated and advance on to the semifinals is such an incredible honor,” Neaderhiser said. “I have been an EBD teacher for half of my life. When I accepted the nomination and began my reflection on my career, I looked back on my journey with a smile and a full heart. I have been doing something that I truly love. I am so honored to be recognized along with all of these amazing educators. Being a teacher in the Anoka-Hennepin School District has been the highlight of my career.”
This year’s program will name the 59th Minnesota Teacher of the Year, celebrating the tradition of excellence in teaching in Minnesota. Eligible candidates include pre-kindergarten through grade 12, Early Childhood Family Education and Adult Basic Education teachers, from public or private schools.
The 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be announced May 7 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.
Team from Northdale Middle School wins 2023 Battle of the Books competition
The Battle of the Books traveling trophy was up for grabs March 2 at the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Service Center. The annual competition challenges middle school students to prove their knowledge and understanding of literature.
Teams of students first compete within their middle school community, with the winners advancing to a district-level Battle of the Books competition. The annual competition promotes reading and comprehension of literature in a fun and engaging format. A total of 19 teams representing all six middle schools battled to prove they learned key concepts from 25 books chosen for this year’s competition.
The winning team, who chose the name of “The Book Travelers,” was Margaret Phillips (7th grade), Kingston Vang (7th grade), and Lincoln Vang (8th grade) from Northdale Middle School led by Battle of the Books coordinator Jess Leighton, a sixth grade teacher. Learn more and view photos from the annual Battle of the Books competition.
Graduate spotlight: Anoka High School graduate living out passion for advocacy
Richnetta Parker, a 2016 graduate of Anoka High School (AHS), is driven by lived experiences to be an advocate for refugee and underrepresented communities both locally and internationally.
Both her parents came to the United States as refugees from Liberia and eventually settled in Anoka.
“Seeing what my parents experienced has really led me to wanting to be an advocate for immigrant communities, families and students,” Parker said. “I’m super passionate about uplifting the rights of refugee communities. My family and my community is what grounds me in the work I do.”
After graduating from Augsburg College where she majored in political science and had a minor in international relations, Parker became a program assistant for the International Justice and Women’s Human Rights Program at The Advocates for Humans Rights. Read more about Richnetta, her selection to the Governor's Office Young Women's Cabinet and her future plans.
West African dance and drum group visits Sand Creek Elementary
Titambe, a West African dance and drum ensemble, visited Sand Creek Elementary School Feb. 27 to provide students with an engaging and educational program to close Black History Month celebrations at the school.
"Our students were engaged and connected to the music, dance, and culture,” said Sand Creek principal Paul Anderson.
During the assembly the students learned about the different instruments, the national flag of Ghana, some of the language and were able to ask questions. At the end, the students learned the moves to a traditional dance. Read more, view photos and a video from the assembly.
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 girls hockey, gymnastics, wrestling and boys swimming and diving.
Andover High School's Ella Boerger named Ms. Hockey award winner
Andover High School senior forward Ella Boerger was named the 2023 Ms. Hockey award winner, presented to the top female hockey player in the state, at the annual banquet on Feb. 26, capping off an outstanding four-year career for the Huskies.
In the 27 years of the Ms. Hockey award, no Northwest Suburban Conference (NWSC) player had earned the award, until former Husky Peyton Hemp earned the highest honor in 2021.
Not only is Boerger in elite company at her own high school, but her name will also forever go down as being one of the all-time greats in Minnesota girls' high school hockey. Boerger was among five finalists named for the top award and accepted it alongside Edina High School’s Uma Corniea who was named the senior goalie of the year.
“It was such an honor to be up with those big names (other finalists),” Boerger said. “I was just kind of surprised. I can’t thank my teammates, my coaches and my family enough.” Learn more about Boerger's career at Andover and her future plans at the University of St. Thomas.
District Indian Education program hosts Indigenous Winter games event
For the first time, the Anoka-Hennepin Indian Education program hosted Indigenous Winter Games for students, families and community members on Feb. 18 at Hoover Elementary School in Coon Rapids.
Anoka-Hennepin partnered with Dan (Oneida Nation) and Susan Ninham (Red Lake Ojibwe Nation) who facilitated traditional games and activities for families.
The day started with a community smudging circle where guests talked about their relationships with relatives and the importance of starting things off in a good way.
Moving indoors, participants learned how Native American traditional games and contests often come from life skills needed to support traditional subsistence practices. Outdoors, participants learned about the Creators Game (traditional lacrosse), double ball, and snow snake. Learn more about the Indigenous Winter games and view photos from the event.
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.
Community Education registration
An engaging line up of spring classes and activities!
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education values the opportunity to bring high-quality educational programs to the community. Registration for adult enrichment and early childhood classes opened this week.
- Adult Learning classes focus on technology, money, creativity, hobbies, home improvement, health, fitness and more. View the Spring 2023 Adult Enrichment catalog or browse spring classes online.
- Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) works to support parents/caregivers and to strengthen and empower families. View the Spring 2023 Families catalog or browse classes online.
In the news: (Star Tribune) AMSA student's good instincts shine
Anoka Middle School for the Arts (AMSA) student Bridget Anderson demonstrated kindness and responsibility, after spotting a shiny object on the ground while enjoying a walk in Anoka with her mother. By doing the right thing, she was able to return a lost wedding ring (also a family heirloom) to a local newlywed couple with the help of local police and community involvement. Read the full story from the Star Tribune. (Subscription may be required.)
Additional district news
- Catch up on the latest School Board meeting in Action of the School Board.
- 2023 graduation ceremonies for Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high schools to be held on University of Minnesota campus - Maturi Pavilion.
- Ready for Kindergarten? See how to prepare and register.
- Testing opportunities for high school students to earn a World Language Proficiency Certificate or Bilingual/Multilingual Seal.
- Student-built ice house auction - starting bid is $1,200.
- 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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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.