Attention district staff: The 2009 Summer Institute will be held at Andover High School, 2115 Andover Blvd., Andover, from Aug. 3 through 6 and Aug. 10 through 13.

Teachers can login to My Learning Plan to view their schedule for Summer Institute: http://www.mylearningplan.com . There are some special sessions that will be held at off-site locations. Please consult your My Learning Plan schedule or check with your building principal for details. Para-educators should check their print out schedule or call Liz Gundlach at 763-506-1174 for schedule information.
 
For Hamline credit forms, No Pay forms and other information, please visit the Summer Institute Web site at: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/summerinstitute.

Attention parents/guardians: Some transportation contracts that were mailed out this week had incorrect student information printed on them. If your contract has the wrong student name on it, please cross off the incorrect information and write in your student's information before returning it to the transportation department. You do not need your student's edulog number. If you have questions, call the Transportation Department at 763-506-1125. Thank you for your patience with this situation.

Kindergarten centers, middle school and STEP open houses are Tuesday, Sept. 1. Elementary and high school open houses are Wednesday, Sept. 2. Check with your child's school for individual school open house times. Listed below are general time periods in which open houses events will most likely occur.

Tuesday, Sept. 1:

• Kindergarten Centers: 4 to 5:30 p.m.
• Middle School: 6 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 2:

• Elementary: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• High school: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Action of the School Board (ASB) provides brief summaries of Anoka-Hennepin School Board meetings for staff and the general public in PDF format. PDF copies of the June 1 and 22 meetings are available to download at: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/actionsb.
 
Summaries of the June 1 and 22 meetings are also available to download as podcast episodes in the Anoka-Hennepin Podcast Network (AHPN) section online: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/ahpodcast.
 
Complete minutes of School Board meetings are published on the district's Web site at: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/schoolboard and in the school district's legal newspapers:

• Anoka County Union
• Blaine Life
• Coon Rapids Herald
• Champlin Dayton Press
• Brooklyn Park Sun-Post
• Brooklyn Center Sun-Post

From the Minnesota Department of Education: 

Minnesota children who are both under age 8 and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches tall must be in a child safety seat or booster seat, effective July 1. Under the booster law, children cannot use a seat belt alone until they are age 8 or 4 feet 9 inches tall - whichever comes first. To ensure child safety, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) recommends parents keep children in a booster based on their height, rather than their age.

DPS has materials available to download and distribute at: http://www.buckleupkids.state.mn.us, including a flier explaining the law, frequently asked questions and more. See the June 25 DPS press release at: http://www.dps.state.mn.us/comm/press/newPRSystem/viewPR.asp?PR_Num=899.

Booster seats lift a child up allowing for proper seat belt fit - the lap belt low and snug across the hips and the shoulder belt snug across the middle of the chest. Typically children around age 4 and more than 40 pounds are ready for a booster, upon outgrowing a forward-facing child safety seat.

"Boosters are common sense safety tools to ensure children are riding as safe as possible in a vehicle," said Heather Darby, DPS child passenger safety coordinator. "Children that are shorter than 4 feet 9 simply aren't tall enough to use a seat belt alone; if they do, a belt may do more damage than good in case of a crash."

DPS reports only 30 percent of Minnesota children use boosters. In the last five years in Minnesota, 2004-2008, 18 children passengers ages 4 to 8 were killed in crashes and 3,047 were injured. Child passenger safety officials say the importance of boosters is underscored by death and injuries associated with poor seat belt fit - including ejection, internal decapitation and serious abdominal damage.

Darby said children are not ready to ride in a seat belt alone until they can sit with their back against the vehicle seat, knees bent completely over the seat and feet touching the floor. Darby said a sign that a seat belt does not fit properly is if the child wraps the shoulder belt behind them to avoid the belt rubbing against their neck.

New podcast episodes have been added to the Anoka-Hennepin Podcast Network (AHPN) Web section. The award-winning AHPN is the official district podcast and reports on the latest news and events from around Anoka-Hennepin in periodical podcast episodes.

Two AHPN episodes recapping the May 11 and 26 and June 1 and 22 School Board meetings have been added. View these episodes at: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/ahpodcast. Click on:

• Episode 13, Vol. 02 for May 11 and 26 meetings
• Episode 14, Vol. 02 for June 1 and 22 meetings

Sunnyvale, Red Brick, Benson, Lake Netta, Soderville. If you were an elementary student in the Anoka-Hennepin School District in the early 1950's you may have attended one of those schools. They were among the nearly dozen schools the district closed in the 1950's at the beginning of a new era.

By a vote of citizens on April 8, 1952, the Anoka-Hennepin School District formed from the consolidation of 26 school districts in Anoka County and five school districts in Hennepin County. Each of the tiny districts supported a small schoolhouse, most with just one classroom.

When citizens voted overwhelmingly to consolidate, they realized that the rural schoolhouses, though often charming in appearance, could no longer meet the needs of a rapidly growing student population. It was clear they had to close. The district grew from fewer than 4,000 students its first year to more than 40,000 by the late 1990's to become the largest district in Minnesota.

The district is once again facing a new era, one of steady decline rather than growth, due primarily to changes in the birth rate. According to state demographer Tom Gillaspy, enrollment is expected to decline statewide for the next 20 to 30 years and Anoka-Hennepin is expected to experience a decline mirroring the state average.

The School Board has begun planning for changing conditions. Last fall, it appointed the Discovery Team to investigate the issues most critical to the success of the district in the areas of demographics, educational programs, and money and buildings, and then report findings and alternatives for action to the board. After an in-depth study, the team suggested the district close schools due to declining enrollment and establish a citizen/staff committee to help with the process.

In response to that recommendation, the School Board appointed the Facility Use Task Force in April to "study capacity of schools, enrollment projections, future program needs, staffing ratios, transportation costs and student support service costs to make recommendations toward the goal of using facilities and district resources efficiently."

The 30-member team of citizens and staff has a rich mix of expertise, with city and county officials, parents and other citizens, teachers, principals and other staff representing the various communities of the district. "The members are intensely interested in this task. They bring a real seriousness and concern. They want good solutions and a positive outcome," said Linda Rodgers, parent involvement coordinator who provides staff support to the team along with Chuck Holden, director of administrative services. Co-chairs for the task force are Tom Miller, who also co-chaired the Discovery Team, and Dave McCauley, who has served as both a city councilman and a county commissioner. Pat Stearns, a professional facilitator who volunteered as facilitator of the Discovery Team, is also facilitating the task force.

Thus far, the task force has been looking at enrollment history, trends and forecasts. They have also been developing an extensive list of criteria to consider in recommending schools for possible closure. These include such factors as location of the school in its community, surrounding traffic patterns, parking availability, potential for other uses - educational or community - and many more.

"The School Board's goal is that buildings that are closed have a thriving purpose and not be boarded up to detract from a community," said Rodgers. "Having city and county expertise on the task force is very helpful in that aspect."

Holden stressed that a number of staff resource committees have formed to provide information and other support to the task force. These include facilities/operations, demographics and transportation, community and government collaboration, special programs, and finance and staffing.

The Facility Use Task Force is expected to make recommendations to the School Board in late August. The School Board will hold public meetings to give citizens information and an opportunity for input before decisions are made. You can follow the work of the task force through the district Web site at: www.anoka.k12.mn.us/facilityusetaskforce.

Roosevelt Middle School has been featured in the 2008 National Network of Partnership Schools book "Promising Partnership Practices" published by Johns Hopkins University.

The school hosted an Internet Safety Night to teach the parents and students about staying safe on the Internet. Administrators and parents developed the event in response to an increase in cyber-bullying.

About 75 students and parents attended the presentation. All those attending received information from Mediawise, a national institute on media and family. A presentation for parents and students was followed by an interactive tutorial, with parents using the school's computers to search the Internet with the filters off and learned about the hazards that are just a click away.

The speaker, local college professor Peggy Kendall, has written a book about the challenges of raising children in the age of MySpace and instant messaging. Evaluation forms revealed that parents were very happy with the presentation and said they learned a lot that would help them monitor their children's Internet usage.

Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts was included in the 2007 volume of the book for the school's Classroom Coordinators program. The coordinators are parents who shared school news with other parents, helping new families and working with teachers and staff. There is one coordinator for each classroom, a parent or guardian of one of the students.

Also in the 2007 edition was a write-up about the Family Partnership for Math and Reading program, which included math games, math and literacy tip cards and conversation starter magnets for parents. The tip cards were also translated in the district's top five non-English languages: Spanish, Russian, Hmong, Vietnamese and Arabic.

In 2006, Riverview Specialty School for Math and Environmental Science was recognized for its Partnership Action Team folder. The folder was distributed to each student and was filled with information, ideas and announcements for parents. The idea was to help increase parental support, since it directly affects student achievement.

The same year, Morris Bye Elementary was included in the book for its Power Hour healthy school initiative. Power Hour was an after-school program designed to improve the health of students and their families through better nutrition and increased physical activity.

The NorthWest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD) June newsletter is now available to download in the district's Document Center: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=233661&fileitem=55362&catfilter=11714.

NWSISD is a collaborative effort of the Anoka-Hennepin, Brooklyn Center, Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose, Elk River, Fridley, Osseo and Rockford school districts formed to meet the requirements of the Minnesota Desegregation Rule. Funding for specialty schools and programs is through a combination of desegregation funding from the state and federal government, as well as NWSISD. One of the goals of specialty schools is to encourage racial integration in the district. Specialty schools are part of the district's plan for meeting state and federal desegregation laws.

Morris Bye Elementary School students learned what it's like to be an author after a visit from award-winning children's book author and poet Judy Young on May 4. Young recited poems, talked about her books and inspired students in each grade level at the school to be better writers.

In anticipation of Young's May 4 visit, Morris Bye students wrote poems about friendship in anticipation of Young's visit. The poems were written on a leaf budding on a friendship tree and were displayed on classroom doors.

Young received the 2009 Storytelling World Honor Award for her book "The Lucky Star" and the 2008 Mom's Choice Gold Award for her book "R is for Rhyme."

Girls from Riverview Specialty School for Math and Environmental Science and Monroe Elementary for Math, Science and Children's Engineering participated in a Girls in Science - Saturday Science Camp held Feb. 21 at Bethel University.

The fifth grade girls who attended learned about careers in math and science from women who work in those fields. They participated in hands-on activities related to engineering and life science, and watched demonstrations by Aveda scientists.

"I liked working in different groups, interacting with the professors and students from other schools, and especially the hands-on activities that we got to take with us," said Annee Lorentzen, a Riverview student.

Speakers included professors of biology and chemistry at Bethel University and a veterinarian from the University of Minnesota. "My favorite was the fingerprints because I am really interested in that kind of science," said Areeg Abdalla, a Riverview student.

Riverview and Monroe elementary schools and Bethel University sponsored the event. The students attended for free courtesy of a district talent development grant funded by the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation.

The goal of the Girls in Science programs is to help girls envision careers in math and science and close the gender gap in science test scores. Past programs have included a visit with astronaut Sally Ride and a similar Saturday science program for third-grade girls.

Riverview received a $5,000 grant this spring from Honeywell Hometown Solutions to support future Girls in Science Saturday camps and other environmental programs to support the school's curriculum. 

When Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts teacher Jefferson Fietek set out to rewrite the story of Pinocchio, he wanted to include more moments of the original tale written by Carlo Collodi.

What he hadn't anticipated was the way that conversations with his own 13-year-old son would become integrated into the script.

"I saw so many parallels between our lives and the book," Fietek said. "I was struck by how many family moments are universal." Some of the discussions between Pinocchio and Geppetto, his woodcarver father, and Pinocchio and the Blue Fairy were drawn from his real discussions with his own son.

In Fietek's adaptation, the basic story is the same: a wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy. His distractions in pursuit of his goal are more numerous and complex in the Fred Moore performance than in the Disney adaptation.

Fietek began writing the script three years ago at a Puppeteers of America International Puppetry convention. He was inspired by discussions of the many great moments from the original book.

"I was disappointed by the moments that didn't come into the Disney story," Fietek said. He couldn't include it all in his story though, because the original story is really too dark for children. He did restore some original elements, like the shark that swallows Pinocchio.

The cast included 34 students, with another 20 behind the scenes. Fietek said he couldn't have fit any more students onto the stage. After auditions, Fietek said he did some script changes to more closely fit the students who auditioned for the roles. Some characters he had written out were put back in because there was a student who fit perfectly.

Fietek was concerned about how his middle school cast would react to his newly-conceived Pinocchio, but he said there are many elements that are fun for students and parents: magic, humor and lots of fun. "Some of the students said it was a little bit like the humor in Shrek," Fietek said. There were six performances in April, and Fietek said the students really stepped up to make it a great show.

Photo caption: A student gets his makeup done for a performance of Pinocchio at Fred Moore Middle School for the
Arts. 

Jackson Middle School eighth-grader Cody Baird knows there are three kinds of answers you could give when confronted with a question in the Geography Bee: wild guesses, educated guesses and for sure answers. When it came time to answer the final question in the Minnesota Geography Bee, he was sure he had read it in a book somewhere.

The question: "Where is Sandro Botticelli's painting "The Birth of Venus" on display?" The answer: Florence, Italy. The winner: Cody Baird.

He outlasted 102 other state finalists to win a $100 prize, an atlas and a trip to Washington, D.C., May 18 through 21. There, Baird competed against other state winners for a chance at a $25,000 scholarship.

"I just decided to study it," Baird said. "It looked fun - something real and very useful. I started with state capitals."

Rita Beckman, who teaches geography at Jackson Middle School and runs the school geography bee, said there are many kinds of questions in a geography bee.

"It's a lot more than locations. Cody is an avid reader, and that comes into play," Beckman said.

Baird said he studies a lot of different sources to learn his geography trivia. He likes the quizzes on the National Geographic Web site and other similar sites.

This year was Baird's second trip to the state bee. He also qualified as a fifth-grader at Oxbow Creek Elementary School.

By Amanda Squire, Editor-in-Chief of Rebel Times newspaper and orchestra principal violist

The Champlin Park Concert Orchestra, made up of 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students, performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 10 as part of the National Invitational Orchestra Festival.

The once-in-a-lifetime road to Carnegie Hall started in Champlin Park's parking lot early on April 7. There, a charter bus waited, along with the 35 accomplished musicians - many blurry-eyed and tired from packing the night before. A few dozen parents were on hand for the send-off, as was Champlin Park Assistant Principal Jill Alton. "Rebels, off you go to New York. This is an awesome opportunity. I know that you will make us proud," Alton said.

Nearly six months earlier, Judy Blomgren, Champlin Park orchestra director, told the students she had sent in an audition tape for the festival. In response to this announcement, Jessie Carlson, a senior cellist in the concert orchestra said, "It would be an amazing opportunity, but I didn't think we would actually be selected to play. There was such a small chance."

When Blomgren received the call that the orchestra had indeed been selected, she asked several times, "Are you sure?" The next day she shared the news with her students. Immediately plans got underway to make the trip possible.

There were no school funds available for this opportunity, so students sold coffee, cookies, and pastries in an effort to raise the money for this trip. They also held a free benefit concert on April 4 to raise additional money.

After 23 hours of driving, the students arrived in New York City. In the days leading up to the performance, the students saw a Broadway show, visited the American Museum of Natural

History, took a ferry ride to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, and saw many other sights in the city. They also fit in a last minute rehearsal at Montana Studios, the same studio where many music greats have rehearsed - from rock legend Led Zeppelin to pop princess Brittany Spears.

On Friday, Champlin Park's concert orchestra found itself backstage, poised for its Carnegie Hall debut. After a final run through of their music, they received the signal to go on stage. Nicole Amegashie, a senior who plays second violin, said that walking on the stage at Carnegie Hall was "like what walking into heaven would look like, with its white walls accented with gold paint."

For 30 minutes, these musicians stole the spotlight. Raising their bows on the final note, the hall in turn rose to give the group a standing ovation.

"It was a pretty awesome stage to display the cumulative efforts of many hours of practice and preparation," said Cameron Hixson, senior cellist.

Following the performance, a reception awaited the students along with several of the students' parents who made the trip to New York as a surprise for their son or daughter. "I didn't want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity," said Dallas Hixson, Cameron's dad, who arrived in New York City just hours before the performance.

Directly after leaving the stage, junior and the lone bassist for this trip, Jade Wallat, along with two friends let out an enormous shout of relief while hugging and jumping up and down outside the historic hall. Similarly, other students released their excitement with tears of joy and phone calls home.

"It was kind of a 'wow' moment. I can't even put it into words," Amegashie said.

The following morning, students boarded the bus again for their long ride home. After all, Monday morning was back to school again.

Andover High School senior Elise Mead was pretty shocked when she found out she got the highest possible score on the ACT - a 36.

"I thought I did better the first time," Mead said. She topped the charts on her second attempt.

"I checked it online during school. I was so excited; I thought I'd seen it wrong. I checked it again and then called my mom."

It might have been a surprise to Mead, but not to her favorite teacher, Jessica Askew. Askew teaches Advanced Placement U.S. history and AP government and politics at Andover High School, and she says Mead is "amazing" as a student.

"She's very serious and very challenging in that she's very curious and wants to probe and question and won't rest until she gets the answer," Askew said. "She raises the bar for others in the class. She's great in class discussions, incredibly bright and thoughtful."

In turn, Mead said Askew's classes were the best she's had at Andover. "She's amazing," Mead said. "I'm pretty sure she has the book memorized. I had her politics class during the election and she was in a frenzy about the whole thing."

Mead keeps busy outside the classroom too. She served as president of Andover's National Honor Society chapter and competed in Math League. Mead also does volunteer work, including volunteering at Summer Institute.

She has competed on the school's cross country and track teams for the past two years, something that she came to late, but has loved.

"It's been so great," she said. "There's only five seniors this year, it's a young team with so much energy."

Mead is looking forward to attending Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, this fall, where she has a full scholarship. She chose Cornell because of their standing on the list of "Colleges that Change Lives" and academic reputation. She is planning on pursuing a pre-medical program. Askew looks for Mead to do whatever she sets her mind to.

"I can't wait to see what she does and nothing would surprise me," Askew said. "Elise is charting her own path. She's going to burst out of the mold."

Blaine High School Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science (CEMS) had nine teams designated as finalists in the 2008-09 Internet Science and Technology Fair (ISTF). ISTF is the 21st century science fair that:

• Challenges students to use information technology tools to discover and explore the future of science and engineering,
• Provides science, math and computer teachers with a means to integrate the Internet and research methods into their curricula, and
• Offers scientists and engineers working within corporations, federal/state agencies and academic research centers an opportunity to invest their time on-line as technical advisors who become "digital mentors."

From October through February of each year, student teams apply technology to real-world problems when they participate in the ISTF. As a team, students use ISTF Content Guidelines that are based on national science content standards (1996) developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Teams work with a practicing scientist or engineer who acts as the team's online technical advisor. Teams publish their final research reports in a Web page format that is then judged against other teams from the United States and other participating countries. Top teams receive certificates of award from the National Medal of Technology and Innovation at the U.S. Department of Commerce's Patent and Trademark Office.

Projects from finalists are grouped into seven categories: energy, environmental quality, information and communication, living systems, manufacturing, materials and transportation.

Each team from Blaine consisted of four students. Team projects varied from applications in passive thermal imaging, to wireless communications and telecom/data routing. Teams were assisted by teachers Jennifer Birkmeier (business) and John Bayer (industrial technology).

Listed below are team members and Web sites:

Anti Collapse Crew
Team members: Madison Estuesta, Wes Marchand, James Perona and Tobey Thomas
Team Web site: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/projects/projects.php?sectionid=34995&
 
Team WiEnergy
Team members: Gary Braun, Courtney Bye, Stephan Egbujor and Adam Reckseidler
Team Web site: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/projects/projects.php?sectionid=35017&

Virtual Heroes
Team members: Andrew Dessellier, Lizz Johnson, Joey Kubischek and Tim Stefczak
Team Web site: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/projects/projects.php?sectionid=35004&

Lost & Found
Team members: Jean Diaz, Brittany Fussy, John Gregornik and Kirstin Peters
Team Web site: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/projects/projects.php?sectionid=35008&

Liz L. Suz J.
Team members: Linda Amaya, Lizzy Bruder, Joey Fritz and Suzi Hickey
Team Web site: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/projects/projects.php?sectionid=35003&

Unburned Marshmallow
Team members: Dylan Fazel, Ben Setterholm, Sophia Stembridge and Tony Vang
Team Web site: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/projects/projects.php?sectionid=35001&

Team Zoom Zoom
Team members: John Abrahamsen, Joshua Thesing, Yaia Yang and Dan Zarling
Team Web site: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/projects/projects.php?sectionid=35009&

Recon Wireless
Team members: Eric Case, Matt Dankers, Jeff Landin and Nate Skalsky
Team Web site: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/projects/projects.php?sectionid=35006&
 
Los Diablos De Computados
Team members: Brandon Bauer, Will Hempel, Melanie Lee and Rachel Quaday
Team Web site: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/projects/projects.php?sectionid=34993&

 Fifth grade students and teachers at Andover Elementary School collected 10 boxes of food and $300 in monetary donations at the school's annual Showcase event on May 7. The collection was donated to the Anoka County Food Shelf.

Students and staff also collected a total of $1,353.98 through participation in the Adopt-an-Acre Program. Through the program, participants can adopt an acre at $50 per acre. Andover will be able to adopt approximately 27 acres of critically endangered habitat in the countries of Columbia, Ecuador and Peru.

This spring, Eisenhower Elementary School families decided to support Taylah Manners and her family by participating in the annual March of Dimes fundraiser. Taylah was born at 24 weeks gestation and weighed one pound, six ounces. Thanks to support from March of Dimes, she is now a healthy, happy 3-year-old and was an ambassador in March of this year.
 
The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Eisenhower students, staff and families raised a total of $1,546.96 in two weeks. School staff said that wonderful stories of giving were heard in the hallways of Eisenhower. One student gave his entire "life savings" of $27.04 to the cause. Another student asked all of her relatives and neighbors for support and collected more than $50. The parents of another student collected $97 at their place of employment.

McKinley Elementary School students and staff collected $1,373.74 during the school's "Penny Week" event held June 1 through 5. The funds were donated to the Alexandra House Shelter.

Mississippi Elementary School students learned about how to make a difference and the importance of giving to others on Wednesday, April 29. The school's 440 students, along with staff, 21 students from Coon Rapids High School and 75 parents, grandparents and community volunteers, packaged meals to send to Haiti through the Kids Against Hunger Program.

Kids Against Hunger, a program of Feeding Children International, is a non-profit organization based in New Hope, Minn. The program packages and ships highly nutritious, life-saving meals to starving and malnourished children in developing countries and the United States.

Mississippi packed a total of 63,700 meals and raised a total of $2,245 to help feed starving children around the world. The school exceeded its totals from 2008, in which 56,000 meals were packaged and $2,000 was raised.

"Everything we did was a part of a bigger, more amazing day than we could have imagined," said Mississippi Principal Mark Hansen. "We did make the world a better place! I wish everyone could have the opportunity to experience this event."

Band students from Champlin Park High School participated in a jazz improvisation clinic on May 7, led by MacPhail Center for Music Instructor Greg Keel. The clinic was held at Champlin Park and coordinated by band program director Sieglinde Grivna. Grivna won the clinic after signing up for a drawing during a Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) conference.

During the clinic, Keel demonstrated a blues solo with a rhythm section play-along track and then did some call and response with students using the blues scale. Keel also discussed scales, chords and improvisation techniques and ideas with students. The clinic ended with a short demonstration from Keel on the ease in learning the three basic types of scales for jazz improvisation.

Click on the following link to view this item as a video podcast episode in the Anoka-Hennepin Podcast Network (AHPN) page: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=238352&fileitem=54804&catfilter=16288.

Educating for Character is part of Anoka-Hennepin's curriculum and is taught in all district schools. The program's five core values: respect, responsibility, appreciation of diversity, integrity and compassion are taught in the classroom throughout the school year and then reinforced and supported through a variety of activities. The goal is to help students develop strong values that they will carry into adulthood.

Sixth grade students in Toni Chipka's "Pride Class" at Oak View Middle School have embraced those core values through participation in an ongoing service project that helps make new students and their families feel welcomed to the district, one winter hat at time.

Chipka and her students have been knitting winter hats for the past two years during their daily Pride Class time. The hats, once completed, are then donated to Anoka-Hennepin's Family Welcome Center. The project began in 2007, when art teacher Toni Chipka was looking for a service project for her students to participate in.

"In the past, I had my students involved in 'Random Acts of Kindness.," said Chipka. "It was such a worthwhile activity and I believe it really impacted them and how they treated others. I also had my students make cards for patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy. I wanted to find a way to bring happiness to others."

The way to help others came from Chipka's connection to Delta Kappa Gamma, a women's educators organization that donates a multitude of items to Anoka-Hennepin's Family Welcome Center, such as school supplies and airbeds. Through Delta Kappa Gamma, Chipka learned of the Family Welcome Center's need for warm winter hats and decided that her Pride Class students would knit hats for new students and their families coming through the Family Welcome Center.

"I decided that knitting hats in Pride Class would be another wonderful opportunity to involve my students," said Chipka. "It's an opportunity for them to give of themselves and think about the needs of others."

Students use a circular loom to make the hats, so the technique is easy to learn according to Chipka. In the past two years, approximately 600 hats have been completed and donated.

Each of the hats created are different and feature a wide variety of bright colors and interesting patterns. The yarn that Chipka and her students use is all acquired from the Freecycle Network (freecycle.org), which hosts a Web site where users can recycle items that are no longer needed, rather than throwing them away. Chipka put out a request for yarn on the site and received hundreds of skeins from all over the Twin Cities area.

The hats are a hit at the Family Welcome Center. The center is the district's registration center for all new incoming second language learners their families. The center also performs assessments and assists by providing the necessary items to help students and families get a great start in the district.

The center works with approximately 1,200 students a year and their families. Many of these families are coming from warm areas, like Africa, and don't have the necessary cold weather clothing for Minnesota winters. The hats also serve as a nice welcome present to Anoka-Hennepin. New students and families love the hats, said Michele Sorman, English as a second language intake specialist at the center.

Sorman initially thought she'd be able to give a hat to each new student when Chipka first contacted her. She was pleasantly surprised at the amount of hats Chipka and students presented to her at the first donation event.

"It wasn't until I came out that I realized the project she had going here," said Sorman. "I think the first donation of hats she gave us was maybe 75 to 100 hats the first time. I was thinking maybe she had 30 hats to give, so I was like 'oh my gosh!' I just can't believe it. It was incredible."

The hats are also a hit with Chipka's students. Many of them said that the project was pretty cool. They like giving back to others and have come to enjoy it. Some of them also said that they are going to continue to knit this summer and try to recruit some of their friends to knit as well.

Oak View parents think the project is great as well and are pleased with what it's teaching their children. Chipka said that parents are happy that the class is involved in a service project. At parent/teacher conferences, parents are able to see hats that their child is knitting.

The project is gaining momentum with other Oak View students who are not in Chipka's "Pride Class." Students have volunteered their time before and after school and during study hall to knit hats because they want to be involved. Chipka's mother, two sisters and her daughter were so touched with the project that they have also joined in looming hats as well.

For Chipka, there are many great aspects about the project: students learning to give to others, working together and building teamwork, seeing photos of students and families from the Family Welcome Center wearing the hats and the excitement of when a student finishes a hat in class.

"Perhaps I am 'old fashioned,' but I sincerely believe that all students should be involved in an ongoing commitment of helping others," said Chipka. "It is a great opportunity to make something with their own hands and to feel proud of their contribution to a need that we take for granted; simply, a warm hat to wear."

Sarah: On May 20, Chipka and her Pride Class invited Michele Sorman over to accept one of the last donations of the school year. Chipka and the students counted each of the 131 hats created during second semester and then packaged and prepared them for transport to the Family Welcome Center. For Sorman, the experience was touching, and a reminder of what compassion is all about.

"The lesson that she's teaching here is really something," said Sorman. "It warms my heart, really, and I'm not the direct recipient of the hats. These kids never get to see the families that get the hats. They don't get to see the smiles. I get to see all of that. I just feel complete gratitude to their class. To provide that experience to me, it's really great."

Action of the School Board (ASB) provides brief summaries of Anoka-Hennepin School Board meetings for staff and the general public in PDF format. PDF copies of the March 23, April 13, April 27, May 11 and May 26 meetings are available to download at: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/actionsb.
 
Summaries of the March 23, April 13, April 27, May 11 and May 26 meetings are also available to download as podcast episodes in the Anoka-Hennepin Podcast Network (AHPN) section online: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/ahpodcast.
 
Complete minutes of School Board meetings are published on the district's Web site at: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/schoolboard and in the school district's legal newspapers:

• Anoka County Union
• Blaine Life
• Coon Rapids Herald
• Champlin Dayton Press
• Brooklyn Park Sun-Post
• Brooklyn Center Sun-Post

The Anoka-Hennepin Child Nutrition Program is participating in the Summer Food Service Program and working with other community organizations to make summertime meals accessible for students. Meals will be provided at the following sites to all eligible children free of charge. Children who are part of household that receive food stamps or benefits under the Food Distribution Program on Indian reservations (FDPIR) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible for free meals in one of the district-sponsored programs.

Students can receive free meals at this site with no pre-registration:

Peace Lutheran Church: Mondays through Thursdays, June 29 through Aug. 27. Meals served from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, 20 Northdale Blvd N.W., Coon Rapids. Program Coordinator: Pastor Nancy Bence, 763-757-4459.

Students participating in the following programs will receive meals as a part of the activity programming. Pre-registration is required for both.

Celebrate Summer Program: Mondays through Thursdays, June 22 through 30. Meals served from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Lincoln Elementary, 540 South St., Anoka. Program Coordinator: Debbie Hagberg, 763-506-3145.

Youth First: Mondays through Thursdays, June 22 through Aug. 26. Meals served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at sites in Ramsey, Anoka and Andover. Program Coordinator: Heidi Geiss, 763-421-8530.

For more information contact the program coordinators listed for each site or the Child Nutrition Programs office at 763-506-1240.

Acceptance and participation requirements for the programs and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

New podcast episodes have been added to the Anoka-Hennepin Podcast Network (AHPN) Web section. The award-winning AHPN is the official district podcast and reports on the latest news and events from around Anoka-Hennepin in periodical podcast episodes.

A colorful service project connecting Toni Chipka's "Pride Class" at Oak View Middle School and the district's Family Welcome Center is highlighted this month with audio and video ( Note for iTunes subscribers: This file is formatted with chapter markers for playback in iTunes and on iPods ). Five AHPN episodes recapping the March 23, April 13 and April 27 School Board meetings have also been added.

View these episodes at: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/ahpodcast. Click on:

• Episode 09, Vol. 02 for Oak View Middle School service project
• Episode 10, Vol. 02 for March 23 meeting
• Episode 11, Vol. 02 for April 13 meeting
• Episode 12, Vol. 02 for April 27 meeting

The spring 2009 issue of the Focus Newsletter is now available to download as a PDF in the district's document center: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=233661&fileitem=54053&catfilter=18072.

The Focus Newsletter features news and photos from around the district. It's published three times a year and is mailed to all Anoka-Hennepin residents.

The schedule for all middle schools in the Anoka-Hennepin School District will be studied this fall for change beginning in 2010-11 when a new high school schedule will go into effect.

In May the School Board approved a new trimester schedule with five class periods per day for the high schools. Elementary schools are already on a trimester schedule. Because of the need to align with the elementary and high school schedules, only trimester schedules will be studied. The choice will be in the number of periods per day - five, six or seven.

Having all schools on a trimester schedule will eliminate potential conflicts for families that would have been likely if their children were on different schedules. In addition, it will save on costs for transportation and other central services.

The process used to review middle school schedules will be based on that used for the high school schedule. A large Middle School Schedule and Requirement Committee will meet in September and October. The committee will include teachers representing each department, administrators and parents.  A number of task forces with specific interests will convene to provide input on the potential schedules. In addition, public forums will be held to give all parents, students and staff and opportunity to comment. All the input will be summarized and presented to the School Board in early October for a decision by mid-October.

The early decision is necessary in order to prepare registration materials and conduct student registration early enough for the staffing process to occur within required timelines.

Parents interested in serving on the Middle School Schedule and Requirement Committee or the Parent Task Force should contact Linda Rodgers, parent involvement coordinator, 763-506-1282, or at: Linda.Rodgers@anoka.k12.mn.us.

The Coon Rapids High School Destination ImagiNation team "Melonie and the Maniacs" took the top prize at the DI World Finals, held May 20 through 23 at the University of Tennessee. Their  "A New Angle" entry made of balsa wood supported 955 pounds of applied weight before collapsing. The 16.28-gram structure had the best ratio of weight to weight supported in the competition.

This challenge focuses on structural engineering and construction, asking students to create a two-part, angled structure and see how much weight it will bear in proportion to the structure's weight. The DI World competition included teams from each of the 50 states and more than 40 countries.

To qualify for worlds, the Coon Rapids High School team swept the competition at the state contest, with the nearest competitor supporting less than 200 pounds while Coon Rapids' entry supported nearly 900 pounds.

The following students qualified to participate in the national FCCLA-HERO leadership conference, held July 12 through 16 in Tennessee. Students were selected at the Minnesota Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA-HERO) state competition, held on April 20 and 21 in Brooklyn Park. The theme for this year's state event was "We're All in This Together."

CHAMPLIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
Kathie Brier, Chapter Service Project
Amanda Flynn, Entrepreneurship
Amanda Freeman, Entrepreneurship
Kassie Vonbusch, Entrepreneurship
Advisors: Lori Brumbaugh, Kathy Suski

COON RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL
Paige Crosby, Community Service
Corissa Duffy, Illustrated Talk
Melissa Elsen, Job Interview
Jessica Johnson-Quade, National Programs
Chelsea Olson, Community Service
Heather Rohrer, Applied Technology
Cassie Ruha, National Programs
Advisor: Karen Sherga

SECONDARY TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
Elle Abeler, National Programs in Action
Jordan Cobb, Culinary Arts
Donovan Ek, Culinary Arts
Julie Kosak, Life Event Planning
Breanna Puumala, Life Event Planning
Ashley Stich, Fashion Construction
Chris Xiong, Culinary Arts
Advisor: Marge Humbert

Minnesota FCCLA-HERO held its first state leadership conference in the spring of 1971. The focus of FCCLA-HERO is to provide leadership opportunities for students in service occupations programs. FCCLA-HERO lets students learn and develop practical, real-world skills and talents - keys to success whether they are entering the work force directly after high school or going on to post-secondary education.

The following students placed in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) adapted bowling tournament for students with physical impairments (PI) and cognitive impairments (CI) on May 15:

COON RAPIDS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Jasmine Gomez, second place, Girls' CI singles

ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL
Victoria Price, third place, Girls' PI singles; third place Girls' PI doubles
Emily Raffensparger, third place, Girls' PI doubles

COON RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL
Scott Clark, second place, Boys' PI doubles
Corey Kuphal, second place, Boys' PI doubles

Adapted soccer is one of four sports MSHSL sponsors for athletes with disabilities. Adapted soccer is conducted in the fall, adapted floor hockey is conducted in the winter and adapted softball and bowling are conducted in the spring.

Elementary and middle school students reflected on the meaning of Memorial Day during special events at Franklin Elementary and Oak View Middle School on May 21 and 22, respectively.

Franklin Elementary School's celebration on Thursday, May 21 included musical performances from students and staff, reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and poems and a visit  from armed forces veterans.

Oak View Middle School's celebration on Friday, May 22 included performances by the choir, band and orchestra, as well as student readings of published and original poems, plus commentary. Oak View School has celebrated Memorial Day every year since the school opened in 1996.

Educators Jefferson Fietek, (theatre-dance teacher) and Benjamin Lacina (curriculum integrator) at Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts were among the six individuals and one foundation recently recognized by the Ordway Center their contributions to arts education at the annual Ordway Center Liaison Appreciation Event on April 24.

The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading not-for-profit performing arts centers. The event honored the work of these and other artists who have furthered the mission of Education and Community Engagement programming at the Ordway. It is a celebratory occasion for teachers and community contacts whose job it is to coordinate the more than 45,000 students and educators who attend performances and participate in workshops and residencies with the Ordway each year. 

Awards are given in the areas of:

• Philanthropy, for outstanding financial or in-kind contributions to the betterment of the Ordway's Education and Community Engagement programs
• Vision, for the creation of new programs, innovations or enhancements to existing programs Community Commitment, for dedication, over a period of time, to the support and/or advancement of Community Engagement programs
• Education Service, for leadership and participation which has led to inventive learning for students in or through Ordway programs.

Fietek and Lacina received the Community Commitment award for their work as advocates and leaders in theater for young audiences through Young Artists Initiative and Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts.

The Education Awards were established in 2006 through the initiative of Ordway Center Education Advisory Committee Member Thomas Gale to honor the contributions of individuals and institutions that have furthered the mission of the Ordway's education and community engagement programs. Individuals and organizations from any artistic, educational, or cultural field are eligible, including individual artists, professional administrators and teachers, volunteers, philanthropists and partnerships or leadership teams. 

A selection committee comprised of seven members read and evaluated the nominations. Selection committee members were drawn from professionals working in the fields of the arts, education and civic engagement, from Ordway's Education Advisory Committee, Ordway's Cultural Advisory Council, and from parents or guardians of students who are active arts participants. 

Winners were truly touched by the recognition of their work in arts education programs, said Lacina. "We have to be advocates for the arts and advocates for the kids. They need us to do that. These awards help bring visibility to the incredible impact of the programs that we know make a difference in their lives."

Information on how to nominate award candidates, and lists of past award winners, can be found online at: http://www.ordway.org/education/awards/.

SECONDARY TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (STEP)
Academic/Activity Awards and Recognitions
First Robotics Team
Catepillar Pavement Products (non-school related group contributed $10,000 or more to STEP First Robotics Team )
Instructor: Mike Hilber  

Minnesota Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA-HERO)
State competition
Elle Abeler, bronze medal, National Program in Action; National competition qualifier
Jordan Cobb, bronze medal, Culinary Arts ; National competition qualifier
Donovan Ek, bronze medal, Culinary Arts ; National competition qualifier
Julie Kosak, silver medal, Life Event Planning ; National competition qualifier
Breanna Puumala, silver medal, Life Event Planning ; National competition qualifier
Ashley Stich, first place, Fashion Construction ; National competition qualifier
Cher Yang, first place, Floral Design Career Demo; third place Cake Decorating
Chris Xiong, bronze medal, Culinary Arts ; National competition qualifier
Advisor: Marge Humbert

Minnesota Prostart Teacher of the Year, Minnesota Restaurant Association
Marge Humbert, teacher

Skills USA
State competition
Tricia Bancroft, first place, Medical Math, National competition qualifier
Brie Gincola, second place, Criminal Justice
Jake Johnson, secondary state officer; third place, Crime Scene Investigation
Brian Nielson, first place, Automotive Service Technician (National competition qualifier); second place, Safety
Tim Snyder, second place, Computer Maintenance Technician; second place, Related Technical Math
Advisors: Ron Brogaard (information technology), Chuck Edstrom (automotive), Brian Fanning (computer programming),  Walt Filson (law enforcement, applied math),  Dick Holden (law enforcement),

After more than a year of study, the Anoka-Hennepin School Board approved a new high school schedule May 26 that will divide the school year into trimesters of five classes per day rather than the current quarter-based schedule of four classes per day. The new schedule will go into effect in fall 2010.

In choosing what is commonly called the "5 by 3" schedule, board members said they viewed it as a compromise between the current schedule and the other schedule studied extensively, which was a trimester schedule with six classes per day, also known as the "6 by 3".

"From my point of view, the 5 by 3 still allows considerable choice. You gain quite a bit - two additional weeks of instruction time in basic classes, the highest amount of total hours of instruction per year, the most total hours of direct instruction per day by teachers, and you are going to reduce costs for the schedule without changing class size," said Board Chair Tom Heidemann.

Board member Marci Anderson said the process of studying and getting input on schedules has been a monumental effort. "Mike and I have been working on this for a year and a half. I love the 4 by 4, but I think the 3 by 5 is a happy medium," she said. Anderson and board member Michael Sullivan serve together on the Secondary Task Force, the group of teachers, board members and administrators that recommended study of high school schedules for possible change.

Consideration of changing high school schedules was prompted by a number of factors including concerns about limitations of the four-period day and the belief that the schedule puts some students at a disadvantage when taking state tests and college entrance exams. There was also a desire to incorporate current research on the relationship between student schedules and student achievement to ensure that students have the greatest opportunities for success in school and in life. In addition, the four-period day schedule is more costly than others because it requires more teachers, therefore it may not be sustainable as the district continues to deal with state funding shortfalls.

The High School Credit Requirement and Schedule Committee of staff and citizens reviewed research on high school schedules, listed desirable elements of a schedule, studied nine different schedules and hybrids and listed the positives and negatives of each. They provided input to the Secondary Task Force, which made recommendations to the full board. The School Board then selected the schedules to be studied further.

Staff calculated cost differences and found the five-period schedule would save $1.2 million annually in staffing costs and the six-period schedule would save $1.9 million. However, a one-time investment of $1.2 million would be needed for additional textbooks, materials and other costs for the five-period schedule and up to $4.3 million for the six-period schedule.

The current four-period day schedule, also known as the "4 by 4," was adopted in the early 1990's in response to a desire to give students opportunity to take more elective courses and to provide time in each class period for more in-depth study. The five-period schedule does not allow students the opportunity to take as many elective courses as the four-period schedule, but it allows for more than the six-period.

"I feel the 5 by 3 is strongest. If offers a compromise between all the aspects of the 4 by 4 and the 6 by 3," said board member Kathy Tingelstad, who moved adoption of that schedule. She said her previous experience in the Minnesota Legislature taught her there will always be people who are happy with a decision and those who are unhappy. "This will be a compromise…it will be easier to implement and it has several good qualities," she said.

Board member John Hoffman said he favored the 5 by 3 schedule when he learned that changing the staffing ratio from 25.2 students per teacher to 27.2 would mean that some classes in a four-period day would be as large as 40 or more students in required course such as math, social studies or English. The increase in the student-to-teacher ratio will occur next year as the result of the need to eliminate teaching positions due to a state funding shortfall. If it is necessary to further increase the ratio by another one or two students in following years, the impact will be even greater.

Staff simulated the creation of a high school master schedule using student registration data from a current high school class and factoring in increases in the student-to-teacher ratio. They found that the four-period schedule would result in elimination of a number of courses that typically have low enrollments in order to keep class size in required courses from becoming too large. This would mean that a number of small remedial courses as well as advanced courses such as Advanced Placement Physics or levels three through five of world language courses would likely be eliminated. When this happens, juniors and seniors often can't find courses they can take that fit their schedules. As a result, they must take a study hall.

Board member Michael Sullivan expressed concern about the fact that many students would have no option but to take a study hall if the four-period schedule remained. "For me, that was a real 'aha'," he said. He was also concerned that information on the impact of the ratio increase was not available until late in the process.

Superintendent Dennis Carlson explained that when the study started, the ratio was 25.2 students to one teacher. The new staffing ratio was established in March in response to indications from the legislature that a state funding increase was unlikely and a funding cut was a distinct possibility. "Now that the legislature has completed its work, we know where we are and cost is a factor," said Carlson.

Sullivan said he hoped that "in the intervening year, something will happen to allow us to save as much as we can in terms of the quality education in this school district." He asked the board for an opportunity to vote in the future on the possibility of investing the money saved with the five-period schedule into hiring additional teachers to partially offset the effect of increasing the student to staff ratio.

Board members thanked the Secondary Task Force and the High School Credit Requirement and Schedule Committee for their work.

Now that the schedule has been determined, staff will move ahead with considering modifications in credit requirements. The High School Credit Requirement and Schedule Committee has already provided input on requirements that will now go to the Curriculum Advisory Council.

Click here to view the high school credit requirement and schedule committee Web section. Special district Web sections, like this one are also available to view. To access, hold your mouse over the "District" tab and click on the "General Information" link. From there, look for the "Special Sections" link in the left-hand index and select the desired section.

Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts (FMMS) will be collaborating with visual artist Atsuo Okamoto of Tskuba City, Japan. The school is part of the World Pavement Project, a sub-project of the World Turtle Project by artist Atsuo Okamoto. Local artist and FMMS parent Alyssa Baguss connected the school with this project.

Okamoto has hand cut a large block of white granite into pieces and sent them to different locations around the world. FMMS will install eight stone pieces in a pathway outside the school. They will be in the ground for about five years, then sent back to Japan, to be reassembled with the other stone pieces from around the world. Okamoto's final work will showcase the effects of different environments from around the world.

The stone pieces will be installed prior to the school's "FredFest" event on Thursday, May 21. A formal unveiling will occur later that day at 5 p.m.

Born in Hiroshima, Okamoto completed the master's program in sculpture at the Tama Art University and is an alumnus of Stone Carving and Sculpture Symposia Germany, Japan, Holland, Sweden, New Zealand, and Korea. His work has been widely exhibited and collected throughout Japan and Europe. His enigmatic work encourages viewers and participants to rethink assumptions about time and place.

Attention A-H Newsroom readers! Anoka High School's Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) program needs your help!
 
As part of National Youth Traffic Safety Month held each May, National Organizations for Youth Safety and the Allstate Foundation are hosting the 2009 Act Out Loud: Raising Voices for Safe Teen Driving contest, a national teen-led and school-based activism competition to help spread the word about safe teen driving.

Anoka SADD was selected as one of the top 20 teams to participate in the contest, based on the team's commitment to conduct several safe teen-driving activities within school and community. Each of the top 20 teams has documented its project with blogs, photos and videos. Go to: www.actoutloud.org to vote, view team blogs, photos and videos. Anoka High School's videos are also available to view at: www.teendriver411.com. 
 
The team that receives the most votes will receive a $10,000 prize from the Allstate Foundation to go to the team's local organization to assist with continuing local youth traffic safety efforts. Second and third place will receive a $5,000 prize and a $3,000 prize, respectively. Voting is open through Friday, May 22. You can vote once per day.

Click on the following links to read more news about Anoka High School SADD in the A-H Newsroom:

Anoka High School featured on KARE 11's What's Cool In Your School segment
http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/whatsnew/default.php?sectiondetailid=233410&itemID=24931

Anoka High School SADD named 2008 National Rural Youth Traffic Safety Month Award winner
http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/whatsnew/default.php?sectiondetailid=233410&itemID=23788

Anoka High School student wins national award
http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/whatsnew/default.php?sectiondetailid=233410&itemID=21371

The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation Inc (NATEF) recently recertified the Anoka-Hennepin Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP) automotive program as an official Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) automotive technician training program.

In March, a team of evaluators assessed the STEP automotive program, curriculum, facilities and equipment, teacher qualifications and business/college/community partnerships. The results indicated that the program meets the criteria of high quality in the areas of brakes, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance and suspension and steering. 
 
"We commend your staff for maintaining your program's standards, and continuing to meet the industry's requirements," said William A. Kersten, NATEF president. "The explosion in automotive technology makes your high quality automotive training program more valuable than ever."
 
Congratulations to STEP automotive instructors Chuck Edstrom and Bob Loring for their excellent work!

The following Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) students from Blaine High School placed at the Minnesota HOSA leadership conference, held March 23 through 25 in St. Cloud. First, second and third place winners from the state competition qualify to compete in the National HOSA competition in Nashville, Tennessee from June 24 through 27.

HOSA is a National Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) endorsed by the Department of Education and the Health Occupations Education Division of the Association for Career and Technical Education. HOSA provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for secondary, postsecondary, adult and collegiate students enrolled in health occupations education programs. HOSA has three competitive events during the year, in which students compete in health-related categories like medical spelling and terminology.

Robert Armstead, first place, Medical Spelling
Valentine Awasom, second place, Extemporaneous Speaking
Chelsea Banken, first place, Career Health Display
Danielle Francen, third place, Medical Spelling; third place Career Health Display
Jenna Jorgensen, first place, Career Health Display; third place, Medical Photography
Zainab Khatoon, first place, Researched Persuasive Speaking; third place, Prepared Speaking
Carly Saben, third place, Career Health Display

The following Blaine High School students also served as state officers this school year:

Derrick Throndsen, president
Josh Mitchell, vice president
Zainab Khatoon, president-elect

Two Anoka-Hennepin middle school students recently participated in the DMM Optimist District Oratorical contest held on May 1 in Fargo, North Dakota, and placed in the top two spots.

Mac Rasmus, seventh grader at Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts, placed first in the boys' contest and will receive a $1,500 scholarship after graduation. Wakpor Ighovojah, eighth grader at Northdale Middle School, placed second in the girls' contest. Both students gave a four to five minute presentation on the topic, "For me, optimism is…"

The contest included contestants from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Manitoba, Canada.

Ighovojah and Rasmus both advanced to the DMM Optimist District competition by winning their respective contests at the North Suburban and Zone 4 Optimist competitions.

Optimist Clubs conduct positive service projects aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. Club members are best known in their communities for their upbeat attitudes. Optimist International sponsors three contests to provide college scholarships for students.

Grandma's house, the cabin, a neighborhood creek and a bedroom closet. What could these assorted places have in common? They were all favorite places of elementary-aged children, as described in fond detail by entrants in the 2009 Anoka-Hennepin writing contest. The theme for this year's contest was "My Favorite Place."

It appears that many students in the district regularly escape T.V. and computers, said Phyllis Haensel, contest coordinator.

"For nearly three fourths of the entrants, the favorite place is somewhere outdoors, for reasons of natural beauty, freedom from the constraints of indoor activity, and the many sporting opportunities available," said Haensel. "Others love the familiarity and coziness of their own bedrooms, and a few even love to relax under their beds!"

The contest is open to students in grades one through five who live or attend school in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. Prizes are awarded to first place ($25), second place ($20) and third place ($15) winners in each grade level (grades one and two are combined). Honorable Mention winners each receive $5.

The winners of this year's contest are:

GRADES ONE AND TWO
Ian Skinner, second grade, Eisenhower Elementary School, first place      
Stevey France, second grade, Eisenhower Elementary School, second place  
Brainna Cruise, second grade, Eisenhower Elementary School, third place
Brady Nordin, first grade, Andover Elementary School, honorable mention
Max Gutenberg, first grade, Andover Elementary School, honorable mention
Amanda Li, second grade, Wilson Elementary School, honorable mention

GRADE THREE
Sphynex Scheller, Eisenhower Elementary School, first place
Jacob Dinkel, Eisenhower Elementary School, second place
Emma Wardour, Andover Elementary School, third place
Rylee Thompson, Eisenhower Elementary School, honorable mention
Nikolas Erickson, Eisenhower Elementary School, honorable mention
Karah Stangret, Andover Elementary School, honorable mention
Anna Hjelmberg, Riverview Specialty School, honorable mention
Willy Kron, Andover Elementary School, honorable mention
Beau Mares, Eisenhower Elementary School, honorable mention

GRADE FOUR
Emma Symanski, Sorteberg Elementary School, first place
Celeste Hofste, Hoover Elementary School, second place
Destiny Larson, Eisenhower Elementary School, third place
Grace Beckman, Andover Elementary School, honorable mention
McKenzie Stevens, Sorteberg Elementary School, honorable mention

GRADE FIVE
Victoria Cole, Wilson Elementary School, first place
Hope Feist, Andover Elementary School, second place
Samantha Rolfson, Eisenhower Elementary School, third place
Andrew Bialon, Hamilton Elementary School, honorable mention
Sophia Curtis, Andover Elementary School, honorable mention
Rachael Youngren, Andover Elementary School, honorable mention

Marlene Colvin, Marilyn Eisenschank, Phyllis Haensel, Jackie Osterud and Sandy Perkerwicz served as judges for this year's contest.

First and second place winners received their awards at luncheon as guests of the Coon Rapids Rotary Cub on May 11. The Coon Rapids Rotary Club and the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation co-sponsor the contest.

The following students placed in the 2009 state bus safety poster contest, sponsored by the Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation. The theme for the state contest was "Cross in View, it's the Right Thing to Do."

State contest entries were divided into 12 categories (kindergarten, first grade through eighth grade, and special needs students: kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade and seventh and eighth grades). A total of four posters were then selected from the first place category winners to represent Minnesota in the national school bus safety poster contest.

2009 STATE CONTEST WINNERS
Second grade: David Rudenko, Dayton Elementary School, third place
Third grade: Daphne Moua, Monroe Elementary School, first place
Fifth grade: Angelena Levchenko, Wilson Elementary School, first place
Sixth grade: Sofia Dzyubanyuk, Coon Rapids Middle School, first place
Seventh grade: Matthew Lentner, Epiphany School, first place
Eighth grade: Megan Furrow, Epiphany School, first place (will compete in national contest)

Several Anoka-Hennepin high school students received Gold and Silver Key awards and Awards of Merit in the 2008-09 Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards competition.

The Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards program (MSAA) is a statewide regional affiliation of the national Scholastic Art Awards program, which offers early recognition of creative teenagers and scholarship opportunities for graduating high school seniors.

MSAA program is open to all Minnesota students in grades 7 through 12. A total of 1,147 artwork entries and 121 portfolio entries were submitted this year. Of those, 54 Gold Key and 121 Silver Key entries were selected for an exhibition at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). Merit Awards were given to 132 entries and 53 portfolio entries. Selected Gold Key artwork continues on to the national competition in New York.

In addition to Gold and Silver Keys, scholarships and other honors are awarded in the Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards program, including scholarships to MCAD and its programs. Five Gold Key Award winners are to represent Minnesota's "Best of Show" in the national competition. One of these winners is selected as Minnesota's "American Vision." Selected Gold Key Award winners are also selected for merchant awards.

Student works was on display in the MCAD Concourse Gallery in January and February. MSAA Gold Key and Silver Key images are available to view online at: http://flickr.com/photos/msaa/sets.


ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL
Silver Key Award
Laura Mead, grade 10, drawing

Merit Award
Holly Hapka, grade 11, drawing

Instructor: Bree Nieland


ANOKA HIGH SCHOOL
Silver Key Award
Alyssa Benson, grade 11, painting
Caitlin Eisel, grade 12, photography
Ashley Holm, grade 12, drawing
Deb Turney, grade 12, painting

Merit Award
Michaela Chorn, grade 12, painting
Marisa Collette, grade 10, painting
Cierra Lidtke, grade 11, painting

Instructors: Diane Gronewold, Kevan Nitzberg


CHAMPLIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
Gold Key Award
April Dammar grade 10, drawing
Martha Engwall grade 9, drawing
Alex Ostman, grade 11, drawing
Tou Ger Vang, grade 11, sculpture

Merit Award
Rebecca Dearing, grade 9, sculpture
Emma Irsfeld, grade 10, drawing
Alyssa Matykiewicz, grade 11, sculpture
Chehvang Vang, grade 10, sculpture
Ana Maria Vasquez, grade 12, ceramics and glass
Thao Vu, grade 12, photography
John Wallace, grade 12, sculpture

Instructors: Ellen Hoffman, Dolly Ptak


COON RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL
Silver Key Award
Carolynne Beede, drawing
Raquel Hermansen, painting
Rachel Kraft, painting
Nick Miller, ceramics
Melanie Povlitzki, painting
Stephinie Rentz, mixed media
Alyssa Stienke, ceramics
Connie Yang, ceramics

Merit Award
Melanie Povlitzki, eight piece portfolio
Alyssa Steinke, ceramics

Instructors: Sarah Hjelmberg, Susan McLean-Keeney

Monroe Elementary School - Mathematics, Science and Children's Engineering, recently collected $3,822 to contribute to Heifer Project International (HPI), an organization which pools funds for animals to be given to villages in need.

The service project, lead by second-grade teacher Joan Campe, involved the entire school, said Principal Rose Wippler. Each classroom could choose what they wanted to purchase, once funds had been collected. Monroe purchased a total of 16 beehives, 16 flocks of chickens, 14 flocks of geese and ducks, 10 goats, five trios of rabbits, two water buffalo, one Heifer cow and one pig to contribute to communities in need.

The school had a culmination celebration earlier this month.

The Minnesota Education Foundation recently named Marjory Humbert, food occupations teacher at Anoka-Hennepin's Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP), the recipient of the 2009 Minnesota ProStart Educator Excellence Award.

The Educator Excellence Awards recognizes exceptional high school educators who use the ProStart program in their classrooms. The ProStart program is a two-year curriculum designed to teach high school students the management skills needed for a career in the restaurant and foodservice industry.

Each state restaurant association ProStart coordinator is asked to nominate the state's leading educator who has demonstrated a commitment to their students and to the ProStart program. The winning teachers have employed innovative techniques to motivate their students to learn and participate in mentored internships to prepare them for a career in the industry.

"Our ProStart educators are on the front lines preparing students for exciting careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry," said said Ashley Folsom, Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation's ProStart Coordinator. "Marjory Humbert is a truly outstanding educator, and is a model for all other ProStart educators in Minnesota. She has been recognized for her passion to encourage students to strive for excellence in serving others through culinary education."

The ProStart program encompasses approximately 60,000 students and 1,600 teachers in 47 states, territories and districts. A total of 34 Minnesota schools have the curriculum in place. The career-building program was developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and is managed nationally by National Restaurant Association Solutions. The Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation manages the program in Minnesota.

STEP has been with the ProStart program from the beginning and was one of the first schools to offer the curriculum to students. 

Humbert will join 31 other top educators in Chicago for the National Restaurant Association Solutions ProStart Educator Excellence Awards on May 15 and 16.

The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association (MESPA) recognized Deborah Shepard, principal of Rum River Elementary School, with the 2009 MESPA Division Leadership Achievement Award in late March. Principals are responsible for a school's instructional, school culture and resource leadership. The award honors principals whose exemplary leadership and sustained efforts have made noteworthy contributions to the operation of effective school learning programs - improving education, their communities and their profession.

In nominating Shepard, Cheryl Kortuem (principal of Crooked Lake Elementary School), said, "Deborah has demonstrated excellent principal skills, always basing her decisions on what is best for students. She has provided the changes needed in her school in order to provide a high quality-learning environment. Deborah has been consistent in her building with establishing rigor and high expectations not only for students but also staff. She uses creative problem solving and a sense of humor when faced with difficult situations."

"Deborah displays many areas of strength," said Kortuem. "She is well-organized, creative and always treats children and adults with respect. Deborah is presently working on her dissertation for her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She deserves this award and is a role-model and mentor for her colleagues."

In her principalship, Shepard follows the philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson: "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social situation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

Shepard includes among her most significant career accomplishments: Teacher of the Year, her first principal job and having her school make the "greatest gains" list (second in the state) in the area of math in relation to the MCA II tests.

Past honors and recognition received by Shepard include: MESPA division president, president-elect; Educational Advisory Committee division representative; Teacher of the Year; Anoka-Hennepin Elementary Principals' Association, treasurer and elementary principal representative on paraeducators negotiations.

MESPA members selected 12 of their peers to receive the 2009 MESPA Division Leadership Achievement Award. Shepard was nominated by her North Suburban division colleagues. 

MESPA is the professional association of Minnesota's elementary and middle level principals. With the vision to "be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education" and a statewide membership over 950 principals, MESPA has represented Minnesota's principals since 1950. MESPA is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and its 29,500 members nationwide.

The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

Marci Boettcher, Business and Marketing teacher at Andover High School, was recently awarded the Minnesota Marketing Teacher of the Year at the state Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Leadership Conference in Minneapolis.

Boettcher is the local advisor of the DECA chapter at Andover High School. Boettcher was nominated by her colleagues in the state. One nominator said of Boettcher: "Marci's membership numbers have increased tremendously throughout the past five years; a testament to her passion for Marketing Education and DECA. Andover High School students have attended and competed at district, state, and national levels of DECA Competition as well as served in leadership roles; including a state officer." 

Another nominator wrote, "She loves teaching business and marketing classes, she loves DECA, and she loves the students. She holds the students to high standards because she has high expectations for them. She has also traveled with her students to Orlando, Florida and New York City to attend Marketing and Management workshops."
 
DECA is a local, state, and national organization, made up of students and advisors, which enhances the education of students with interests in marketing, management or entrepreneurship. DECA assists students in developing business and leadership skills as well as provides community services through local, state, and national activities and competitive events.

DECA promotes marketing education as well as the growth of business, community and education partnerships in our global economy and is geared toward the interests of future leaders in marketing, merchandising, and management.


Photo caption: Marci Boettcher with her Minnesota Marketing Teacher of the Year plaque.

For the 13th year, the Anoka-Hennepin School District recognized excellent teachers through its Teacher Outstanding Performance Award program.

Great teachers have an ability to connect with students in a way that inspires learning and achievement. They motivate students to learn by setting high expectations, giving them creative challenges and by using humor. They make even reluctant students want to come to class and learn.

These are some of the qualities that parents and students found in the teachers they nominated for Teacher Outstanding Performance (TOP) Awards this year. Of more than 40 teachers nominated, seven winners were selected for recognition during a ceremony April 29 at the Anoka-Hennepin Learning Center. Each TOP winner received a $200 check from the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation.

Initiated through a three-year grant from the Medtronic Foundation, the TOP Awards program is in its 13th year. It is funded through the Anoka-Hennepin School District and the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation.

The TOP Award program is designed to involve parents, students and community members in recognizing exemplary teachers and to reward teachers for their efforts. TOP Award winners are selected based on nominations and applications from nominees, which are reviewed by a committee of parents, community members and district administrators.

2009 TOP AWARD WINNERS
Karen Gfroerer, kindergarten, Andover Elementary School
Jonathan Kell, mathematics, Blaine High School
Dominic Krebsbach, fifth grade, Riverview Specialty School
Bryce Lastine, career and technical education work coordinator, Blaine High School
Sabrina Olson, band director, Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts
Leanne Trandem VanSanten, fourth grade, Johnsville Elementary School
Kim Wiczek, first grade, Washington Elementary School


Karen Gfroerer, kindergarten, Andover Elementary School
Karen Gfroerer is a graduate of Anoka High School. She received her bachelor's degree from the College of St. Benedict, in St. Joseph, Minn., and her Master's degree in information media from St. Cloud University. She has been teaching for 15 years, all of them in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. She spent one year at Oxbow Creek Elementary and six years at Champlin Elementary before coming to Andover Elementary.

Karen is a member of the literacy and sunshine committees at Andover and has been a member of the school's technology and budget committees. At the district level, she is an ILA teacher leader and has been a member of the MSTL. Outside of school, she is a volunteer with Elk River youth hockey and at her church, Grace Lutheran.

The parent who nominated Karen for the award praised her ability to help each kindergartener feel special and learn at his or her own level. "The most important give Mrs. Gfroerer gave was a continued love of school to our daughter. We are very grateful that Mrs. Gfroerer is using her given talents to be a great teacher and role model to her students."

Karen's personal statement: "Learning is in a constant state of change. I think for me to be an effective teacher I need to be aware of how my students learn and then be flexible and adjust my instructional techniques to meet their needs. Students also need to feel safe in their learning environment so they will feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes, because some of the best learning comes from our mistakes."


Jonathan Kell, mathematics, Blaine High School
Jonathan Kell is a graduate of Hudson High School, Hudson, Wisc. He received his bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and his Master's degree in teaching and learning from Saint Mary's University.

Jonathan is a member of the PLC committee and a cooperative learning coach at Blaine High School. He also coaches sports at BHS, serving as the freshman soccer coach and assistant coach for the varsity hockey team. He is also an elementary age volunteer and small group leader for third-graders at Eagle Brook Church.

The two students who nominated Jonathan for the award praised his creativity in helping all of his students learn. "He always found a way to help students learn," one student wrote. "He made learning fun by letting us all work together in groups and he would sometimes turn some of the things that we were learning into a game." Another student appreciated his enthusiasm: "He gets really excited about teaching us fast easy tricks and saying how cool they are. When he realizes something new about a problem he gets excited and compliments us."

Jonathan's personal statement: "As a teacher, I want to make a difference in the lives of my students. I feel I can do this through building a rapport with them and genuinely caring about each student and their learning. In my classroom, I strive to create a positive learning environment built around respect that encourages social interaction and active participation."


Dominic Krebsbach, fifth grade, Riverview Specialty School
Dominic Krebsbach graduated from Minot High School and received his bachelor's degree in elementary education from Minot State University. He is working on his Master's degree at Concordia University, St. Paul. This is his ninth year of teaching and his second year at Riverview. Before coming to Anoka-Hennepin, Dominic taught in the Red Lake, Minneapolis and Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school districts. Dominic is the grade-level representative to the RSC and a member of the student success team at Riverview.

The parent who nominated Dominic praised his passion and emotion towards his students and the enthusiasm with which he approaches teaching. "Because of his compassion in and out of the classroom, our daughter's self-confidence soared, her leadership skills took off, and her passion for math skyrocketed," she wrote. We are forever thankful to have been a part of his first year at Riverview Elementary."

In his first year at Riverview, Dominic turned the construction of the new I-35W bridge into a dynamic experience for his students. He and his students got an inside look at the bridge-building process and each student designed a recycled glass tile that is now part of the permanent structure. "Mr. Krebsbach turned an ordinary lesson into a once-in-a-lifetime experience," she wrote.

Dominic's personal statement: "Teaching is the greatest job in the world. It is my task to show my passion for my work and my affection for those I work with. Find what you love, and then find a way to do it for the rest of your life."


Bryce Lastine, career and technical education work coordinator, Blaine High School
Bryce Lastine is a graduate of Wausau High School, Wausau, Wisc. He received bachelor's degrees from Bethel College and the University of North Dakota and his Master's degree in special education from St. Cloud State University.

Bryce began teaching in Anoka-Hennepin in 1976 at Sandburg Middle School and also taught at Northdale Junior High before moving to Blaine High School, where he has taught for 16 years. Before coming to Anoka-Hennepin, he taught for a year at Wibaux Elementary and High School in Wibaux, Mont. He has 33 years of teaching experience.

The community member who nominated Bryce applauded his work with special needs students and his commitment to their success. "He teaches students how to handle situations outside in the real world. He teaches [them] how to handle situations in the work force and everyday life. Bryce's dedication to students at this school is something that all should take a look at and use him as an example."

In his application, Bryce talked about his philosophy toward his students: "I follow some real simple rules: I treat people the way that I would like to be treated. I don't look at people's past mistakes and give up on them. I am willing to give people another chance at success. As a work coordinator, it is my goal to prepare my students to be lifelong learners. This will help them to become productive members of their community."


Sabrina Olson, band director, Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts
Sabrina Olson is a graduate of Spring Lake Park High School. She received her bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She has taught at Fred Moore for three years. Before that she taught for 15 years in the St. Louis Park School District.

Sabrina was a two-time Golden Apple award winner in the St. Louis Park School District. She plays the French horn in the Northern Symphony Orchestra.

A student who nominated Sabrina enjoyed her enthusiasm for and knowledge of music. "She taught me how to be a better musician and she always told me to try and do my best in everything I do and to put my whole heart into it." A parent nominator applauded her dedication to the tough middle school age group and her relationships with the students to inspire them to achieve. Another student put it simply: "She's awesome … I don't know, she's just cool."

In her application, Sabrina said that she enjoys making her band room a place where kids meet in the morning and afternoon to meet up with friends. She also wants her band room to be welcoming to students of all educational levels. Her band has received many honors including participation in the IDS Center's invitation-only Holidays Under the Glass Concert Series. The students also give "community service concerts" and service projects.

Sabrina's personal statement: "I can't imagine a more rewarding career than teaching, where one person has the opportunity to positively impact so many young lives."


Leanne Trandem VanSanten, fourth grade, Johnsville Elementary School
Leanne Trandem VanSanten is a graduate of Robbinsdale High School and received her bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She earned her Master's degree in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and a specialist degree in administration from the University of St. Thomas. She has taught at Johnsville for 26 years. She has taught in the district for a total of 35 years.

Leanne is currently the lead teacher at Johnsville and the Johnsville Action Group grade-level representative. On the district level, she has led several special education committees and served summer school site leader for three elementary schools. Her community activities include Down Syndrome Foundation volunteer and Vacation Bible School leader.

The parent who nominated Leanne commented on her experience and firm commitment to what a child could do. "She would get so excited that each of her students was learning and achieving the goals she had set for them. Mrs. VanSanten not only taught my child math, reading and academics, she taught her compassion, to always build others up and believe in yourself. … I wish she could be my daughter's teacher again this year and all the way to 12th grade."

Leanne's personal statement: "It is the student-teacher relationships that matter the most. Students are amazing, miraculous creations with limitless potential. When teachers believe in students, get to know them personally, and make them feel loved and special, that is the conduit that jump-starts them to believe they can accomplish anything!"


Kim Wiczek, first grade, Washington Elementary School
Kim Wiczek is a graduate of Anoka High School and received her bachelor's degree from St. Cloud State University. She has done graduate-level work at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and Hamline University. Kim has taught in Anoka-Hennepin for 18 years and at Washington Elementary for 17 years. She also taught one year at Andover Elementary.

Kim has served in several building-level capacities, including current positions as the lead teacher on the discipline committee and site-based council grade-level representative. In the past, she has served as site council president, building union representative and social committee representative. She has also served on the building hiring committee for two administrator searches.

The student who nominated Kim praised her encouragement and caring: "She loved to decorate the room with projects we did. She really helped me read and write. She was kind to everyone, and she cared."

Kim's personal statement: "Teaching is a very challenging and rewarding job every day. I look forward to the hugs and smiles from all the students and I take great pride and joy to see the progress and success of each and every one of my students as they grow. It is such an important job for our future."

"

Elise Mead, a senior at Andover High School, was recently named as a semifinalist in the 2009 Presidential Scholars competition. Mead is one of approximately 560 semifinalists to advance to the final round of competition. Up to 141 students will eventually be named Presidential Scholars.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of President Lyndon B. Johnson to recognize and honor some of the Nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. The Presidential Scholar Award is one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

Students have the opportunity to become Presidential Scholars based on two paths of accomplishment: an academic component (ACT and SAT scores) and an arts component (participation on the youngARTS program). The majority of the scholars are selected on the basis of broad academic achievement. Approximately 20 additional students are selected on the basis of their academic and artistic scholarship in the visual arts, the performing arts, or creative writing.
 
To be considered further, candidates must submit candidacy materials, including essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports, and transcripts. Candidates are evaluated on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and an analysis of their essay.

For more information on the Presidential Scholars program, visit: http://www.ed.gov/programs/psp/index.html.

At the Minnesota State Destination ImagiNation tournament, held at Chaska High School this past Saturday, April 18, Anoka-Hennepin had six teams participating (two high school and four elementary.)  Destination ImagiNation is a creative problem-solving competition in which teams vie to create an original, workable solution to a given problem.

One district team, the Coon Rapids High School "A New Angle" challenge team, won first place with their structure, which held nearly 900 pounds of applied weight before collapsing. This was the state record for the event, as all of the other structures held less than 200 pounds. This challenge focuses on structural engineering and construction, asking students to create a two-part, angled structure and see how much weight it will bear.

Coon Rapids now advances to the Global Finals Competition, which will be held at the University of Tennessee on May 20 through 23. There will be teams from each of the 50 states and more than 40 countries, including Korea, Turkey, England, Portugal, China, and Poland.

Blaine High School also placed in one the top three spots at the state tournament, taking third place in the "A New Angle" category.

A total of 31 students from Anoka-Hennepin middle schools competed in the North Suburban Optimist oratorical contest on March 31. Students had to speak on the topic, "For me, optimism is…"

Wakpor Ighovojah (Northdale Middle School) won first place in the girls' contest, followed by Nicole Olson (Jackson Middle School) in second place and Rachel Spiering (Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts) in third place.

Mac Rasmus (Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts) won first place in the boys' contest, followed by Matthew Lerdahl (Northdale Middle School) in second place and Devin Denzer (Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts) in third place.

Ighovojah and Rasmus advanced to the Zone 4 Optimist oratorical contest on April 4 and competed against students from St. Cloud. Both Ighovojah and Rasmus won their respective contests and advanced to the District Optimist oratorical contest held May 1 and 2 in Fargo, North Dakota. Both students will compete against students from other clubs in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Manitoba, Canada for a $1,500 grand prize.

Optimist Clubs conduct positive service projects aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. Club members are best known in their communities for their upbeat attitudes. Optimist International sponsors three contests to provide college scholarships for students.

Franklin Elementary School students and staff participated in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's "Pennies For Patients" Program. The school was able to collect $1,507.27 during the school's annual drive in February.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $550.8 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.

Hoover Elementary School students recently participated in the American Heart Association's "Jump Rope for Heart" fundraiser. Jump Rope For Heart is a national educational fund-raising program that is sponsored by the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

Jump Rope For Heart engages elementary students in jumping rope while raising funds to support lifesaving heart and stroke research. Students ask friends and family for donations and receive thank-you gifts based on the dollars they raise.  This educational program teaches physical fitness and promotes the value of community service to students and their families. It shows students that they can contribute to their community's welfare.

Physical fitness events were held on March 26 and 27 during regular physical education classes at Hoover. All Hoover students participated in continuous jump rope and hula-hoop activities for the entire 30-minutes class period, said Ryan Weber, physical education teacher.

Hoover raised $1,960.50, which equals to about 40 lives saved (at $50 to save a life), said Weber. Kathy Nelson's third grade class collected the top amount with $423. The top two earning students were second grade student Samantha Caminati, with $205 collected and third grade student Logan Severson with $200 collected.

In addition to helping save lives and working to get physically fit, Hoover students have been learning about resting heart rates versus active heart rates through the use of pulse stick heart rate monitors.

"We have been talking about the benefits of an active heart rate and how raising your heart rate to a healthy active level helps keep your heart, body and brain healthy," said Weber.

Students were able to see for themselves the benefits while participating in the fundraiser event exercises. Students recorded their heart rates before and after completing a turn at the jump rope and hula-hoop stations set up.

"They were able to see a difference in their resting heart rate at the beginning of class compared to their active heart rate during the course and end of class," said Weber. "The kids had a great time working towards a great cause."

Rum River Elementary School students learned about how to make a difference and the importance of giving to others on Thursday, March 19. The school's 995 students, along with staff, parents and 130 community volunteers, packaged meals to send to Haiti through the Kids Against Hunger Program.

Kids Against Hunger, a program of Feeding Children International, is a non-profit organization based in New Hope, Minn. The program packages and ships highly nutritious, life-saving meals to starving and malnourished children in developing countries and the United States.

Rum River packed a total of 80,780 meals and raised more than $8,000 to help feed starving children around the world. Students raised money for the event (to cover the cost of ingredients and travel) by performing chores or donating a part of their allowance, said Renee Blue, Rum River kindergarten teacher. Families and staff also contributed to help raise funds.

"Students truly understood the importance of their work and took pride in knowing they were making a significant difference in the lives of others," said Deb Shepard, Rum River principal.

Blue's Kids Care Club, consisting of second, third and fourth grade students who meet once a month to work on community service projects, worked to make promotional posters and spoke to students and others about the program. Some students also trained to be leaders during the packing event.

When presented with the idea of participating in the program, Rum River students immediately took it to heart and began promoting and raising money right away, Blue said.

After presenting to Rum River's parent group, Blue decided to see how her kindergarten students would react and showed a video of food being delivered in Haiti.

"I would never have thought it would touch five year olds hearts so much," said Blue. "The next day a child brought in a dollar and handed it to me. Puzzled, I looked at him and said, 'What is this for?' With a gleam in his eyes he said, 'You know Mrs. Blue, for the starving children. I did chores last night and got a dollar.' How heart warming that was!"


Photo captions: [Upper right] A group of Rum River students contemplate how much more food is needed to meet the packing weight requirement. [Lower left] Rum River students work to fill food packages to be sent to Haiti. Photos courtesy of Amy Reed and Melyssa Carlson, Rum River Elementary.

Artwork was selected from students Anna Belchner, Dane Hall, Jackson Odegard and Marissa Winterlin to represent Andover Elementary School at the Art Educators of Minnesota annual art show at the state capitol. An open house was held on Feb. 22 to recogn ize the students, their families and teachers. The artwork was on display through March 6 in observance of Youth Art Month.

April 19 through 25 is both Minnesota Volunteer Recognition Week and National Volunteer Recognition Week. It is an ideal opportunity to express appreciation to all volunteers in a public forum.

Anoka-Hennepin has a proud history of volunteerism. Volunteers assist in the classroom, workrooms and on the athletic fields. They chaperone fieldtrips, athletic events and proms. They lead school-based and district-wide parent group efforts and participate on decision-making committees. They assist in English as a Second Language (ESL), collect data from kindergarten students on their pre-reading skills, sew costumes for plays, organize special projects with students and complete marathons of clerical work.

According to Sue Archbold, volunteer services supervisor, the range of opportunities available to students expands greatly because of the dedicated, trained volunteers who teach in the following areas: challenge math, picture presenters, challenge reading and other enrichment programs. Extra-curricular academic activities such as Destination ImagiNation, robotics competition, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Fair, spelling bees and geography bees depend on the work of volunteers.

"Volunteers benefit the students they work with directly, those they greet in the hall, and those who see them at work," said Archbold. "Search Institute has identified nurturing adults outside of a child's nuclear family as an important positive influence in that child's development."

In Anoka-Hennepin, more than 9,000 active volunteers reported 167,00 hours of work during the last school year. Independent Sector's Giving and Volunteering in the United States assigned a dollar value of $3,147,873 to their contribution of unpaid service to the district. Give thanks to the volunteers at your child's school today!

The Anoka-Hennepin Child Nutrition Program has decided to resume serving peanut products, including peanut butter. Our suppliers have assured us that their products are safe. We have not had any problems with any of our peanut products to date. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Child Nutrition Program at 763-506-1240.

Two of Anoka-Hennepin's specialty schools have been recognized nationally for their outstanding work this year by Magnet Schools of America (MSA).

Evergreen Park World Studies Elementary School received the top MSA rating of National School of Excellence. It was one of 53 schools nationally to receive this honor. This award recognizes commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, successful desegregation/diversity efforts and the consistent delivery of quality services to all stakeholders.

This is the second time that Evergreen Park has been recognized by the MSA. The school was previously named as a MSA National School of Distinction in 2008. 

Riverview Specialty School for Math and Environmental Science was recognized as a National School of Distinction. It was one of 74 schools nationally to receive this honor. This award recognizes innovative instruction programs that promote equity, diversity and academic excellence for all students through public school choice programs.

MSA's mission is to provide leadership for innovative instructional programs that promote equity, diversity and academic excellence for all students in public school choice programs. Both schools will be honored at the MSA annual convention in Charlotte in April.

Anoka-Hennepin's new mathematics curriculum, Everyday Mathematics (which was adopted last fall), is making its mark in the district's 29 elementary schools. So much so, it has students and teachers "spiraling" toward success.

Everyday Mathematics is a rigorous, high-level program that is designed to help students prepare themselves for the more challenging mathematics required in today's world. It operates on a spiraling philosophy, in which students are exposed to concepts and ideas multiple times before they have mastery of it.

The program was developed by the University of Chicago School of Mathematics Project, which grew out of concern that the nation was failing to provide students with an adequate math education.

Everyday Mathematics will help students prepare to meet increased graduation requirements in math. Students in the class of 2015 and beyond must:

• Successfully complete Algebra I by the end of grade 8
• Successfully complete Algebra II (or its equivalent) before graduation (in addition to current requirements of Algebra I, Geometry, and Probability and Statistics) and
• Successfully complete either chemistry or physics for biology.

It uses different components that work together to help students not only develop new skills, but to help them retain information they learned earlier in the year, said Shana McNamara, fourth-grade teacher at McKinley Elementary School.

"With our previous math curriculum, we'd have a single unit on multiplication that would be rather extensive, and then we'd stop studying multiplication for pretty much the rest of the year," said McNamara. "With Everyday Mathematics, students are briefly introduced to a concept. We then talk about the fundamentals of it and move away for a little bit. We review it periodically and then we'll come back and discover a bit more about it on a deeper level."

With Everyday Mathematics, students have a predictable, everyday routine. Teachers may begin the lesson with a mental math activity that studies basic arithmetic and a math message for students to consider that relates to the day's main lesson.

Students also work on one or two topics through individual partner work, and in small and large group activities doing hands-on, paper and pencil activities. Math lessons also include daily discussions and summaries of math concepts, brief review problems and math games.

Teachers are finding that students are retaining more information using Everyday Mathematics than compared to previous years using different mathematics curriculum programs.

"Prior to Everyday Mathematics, I could tell when a student had mastered a concept," said McNamara. "However, they had gone so long without using it that when we'd come back to it, they had lost those skills and had to almost start over again. Now I can see that students are maintaining their understanding of things so we can pick up right where we left off on a topic and explore further."

Everyday Mathematics also exposes students to higher-level concepts much earlier than in the past and provides opportunities for students to revisit topics.

"Students like the fact that they know they have more opportunities to come back and study a topic," said McNamara. "So if there's something that they're not quite grasping yet, they know we're going to have more opportunities to learn it and that they haven't missed their only chance."

Teachers are seeing some encouraging results at this point in the school year.

"This year I see my kids willing to try harder things because they're there," said Sarah Puglisi, third-grade teacher at McKinley Elementary School.

"The rigor of this math curriculum I think is at a higher level than our previous curriculum. Kids are being presented with even higher material than state standards. Seeing the confidence in my kids this year as they try some of these big things is pretty neat!"

Lauren Smith, student at Monroe Elementary School - Mathematics, Science and Children's Engineering, recently placed first in the Minnesota InvestWrite essay competition.

The contest is sponsored by the Foundation for Investor Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the level of investor awareness across the country. The contest is an extension of the group's Stock Market Game, which helps students to understand the stock market and its role in the American economic system.

Students who participate in the Stock Market Game are invited to submit an essay to the contest. Students apply knowledge of math, language arts and business to actual savings and investments principals in writing the essays.
Smith was honored with a plaque, certificate and T-shirt at an awards ceremony at the Carlson School of Management on the University of Minnesota campus.

The following students were named winners at the district's annual middle school spelling bee, held at Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts auditorium on Friday, Feb. 20:

Zac Sorenson, Roosevelt Middle School, first place
Cole Birklid, Sandburg Middle School, second place

Each of the district's seven middle schools had one representative participating in the bee. Sorenson and Birklid advanced to the 2009 Seven County Metro Regional Spelling Bee on March 14. The event was sponsored by the Minneapolis law firm of Lockridge Grindal Nauen and held at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul.

A total of 43 students from across the metro area competed in the regional event. A student from Valley View Middle School emerged as the top speller and advances to the National Spelling Bee in May.

Four teams from the Anoka-Hennepin School District were winners at the North Metro Regional Destination ImagiNation creative problem-solving tournament March 21 at Blaine High School. They advance to state competition April 18 at Chaska High School.
The Destination ImagiNation program helps students build important, lifelong skills, such as problem solving, teamwork and divergent thinking.

Approximately 100 teams of K-12 students competed in the North Metro regional tournament. They competed in five different problems and three age divisions. The following is a list of Anoka-Hennepin teams that placed first through third in their category during the North Metro Regional DI tournament March 21. Teams with an asterick advanced to the state tournament:

A NEW ANGLE (ARCHITECTURAL CHALLENGE)
Elementary level
*Madison Elementary School, second place
Franklin Elementary School, third place

Secondary level
*Coon Rapids High School, first place
*Blaine High School, second place

PRIVATE DI (IMPROVISATIONAL CHALLENGE)
Elementary level
*Morris Bye Elementary School, first place
*Jefferson Elementary School, second place

VIDIO LIT HITS (THEATRICAL, LITERATURE CHALLENEGE)
Elementary level
*Riverview Specialty School, first place

INSTINCT MESSAGING (PERFORMANCE CHALLENGE)
Elementary level
Jefferson Elementary School, third place

Middle level
Roosevelt Middle School, third place

OPERATION COOPERATION (ENGINEERING CHALLENGE)
Elementary level
Oxbow Creek Elementary School, third place

The Anoka-Hennepin Mustangs adapted floor hockey team for students with physical impairments (PI) recently completed its season with 10 wins and two losses and a third place finish at the state tournament.

Anoka-Hennepin defeated Rochester in the opening round and was defeated by Dakota United in the semi-finals in overtime. The Mustangs defeated Brainerd for third place.

Adapted soccer is one of four sports the Minnesota State High School League sponsors for athletes with disabilities. Adapted soccer is conducted in the fall, adapted floor hockey is conducted in the winter and adapted softball and bowling are conducted in the spring.
Anoka-Hennepin previously won the state adapted floor hockey championship in 2008 and 2007.

Superintendent's Column: April
By Dennis Carlson, superintendent

"How old are you?" the boy asked. "Sixty-one," I said.

"How long does it take to do your hair?" The girl who asked was a beautiful African-American with cornrow braids in her own hair. "Not as long as it takes you to do yours," was my response. 

"Do you like President Obama?" another student asked. "Yes, I do," I said and went on to say that I hope to meet him someday in my role as superintendent of Minnesota's largest school district.

As I was speaking to them I got a lump in my throat and my voice started to quiver. These were fifth graders at Evergreen Park Elementary School in Brooklyn Center, which is our most diverse school with over 70 percent students of color. As I was talking to this class filled with students of all colors and nationalities I realized that their futures were profoundly impacted by the events in November and our Presidential election. These students, who have come from families all over the world to our schools to be educated, now can see clearly the possibility of themselves as future leaders. 

I had been invited to Evergreen Park to read to students as part of "I Love To Read Month," on Dr. Seuss Day. I had chosen to read Green Eggs and Ham, as it was a favorite of mine to read to our two girls when they were young. I had read it so often that I would get bored with the repetition and change the words - I would say, "Not in a box, not with a bear!" Our girls would say, "No Dad, not with a fox!" These fifth grade students knew the phrases so well that towards the end of the story they were reciting the words of Dr. Seuss aloud with me - very fun. In each of the schools I visit I try to spend some time with students.  It is the best part of my job as superintendent.

Our school district is experiencing significant change in many ways. Our immigrant population is rising as our enrollment is falling. We have lost many teachers, support staff, and administrators to retirements and now we are laying off nearly 140 teachers due to declining enrollment and insufficient revenue. Thankfully, the President's stimulus package will provide funds that will allow us to hire back some teachers and support staff.

Regardless, we expect financial challenges and further cuts will be with us for the next three to four years as the nation finds its way out of the current financial crisis. In November, we will need to ask voters to renew a levy expiring this year. Enrollment decline means we will need to close some schools. Each school is an integral part of a city and a neighborhood, a place that holds memories that mean a lot to the students and families who have gone there. None of this is easy.

So, why does a happily retired public school administrator, working in the private sector as an educational consultant, come back to take on these challenges with new unforeseen problems around the next corner? It may help you to understand my decision if I share with you where I come from and a bit about my background. 

My parents were Scandinavian dairy farmers who settled the land between Aitkin and McGregor.  Yes, there were two Norwegian bachelor farmers just down the road from us - we bought cream from them. Because my parents came through the Great Depression, they viewed education as a must for my brother, my sister, and me and made it clear we were each going to college. To make ends meet and pay for that education my dad also worked on the railroad for over 19 years.  Both mom and dad worked the farm 365 days a year, milking the cows twice a day. No vacations, no sick leave, and no time off - I don't ever remember a babysitter. I do remember seeing the satisfaction of hard work and productivity, but as a youngster, the work seemed endless. Our social and spiritual life revolved around the Fleming Methodist Church; it was really an ecumenical house of worship since it was the only one close enough for busy farmers. 

How my parents paid for we three to go to college still amazes me. I can remember my dad saying the money from the milk check would not cover the feed bill at Boyer's Store. My parents had a survival work ethic that came from the Great Depression years. It was passed on to us kids early, and we knew that if you did not make yourself useful around the farm you didn't have much value. My dad and mom worked on the farm until they were well into their sixties. Whenever I feel really tired in the morning or weary of the work ahead, I think of what they did for us kids and I say to myself, "I think I can do this."

I still feel I have contributions to make to this community and the good people who live here. It is an honor and a privilege to do this work that I love. We will get through these tough times, as our hard-working parents did, by each contributing and doing our part. It will mean some sacrifice but the end result is worth the effort. Through all of these changes and challenges, our district's mission remains the same - we will educate all of our students so that they can have a successful future.

One day last week I started my day by going to the Arts and Academic Expo at Park View Early Childhood Center in Champlin. I wrote positive comments to some of the students about their projects, talked to the other volunteers, including grandparents - with whom I joked about potential judging bias - and then visited with a few of the kindergarten students. They beamed as I praised their projects in photography, painting, and writing. There were volcano science projects, various construction projects with all kinds of materials, and their stories in many written and visual forms. Principal Marilyn McKeehen then led me on a tour of the building and I visited with more students, teachers, parent volunteers, office staff, a retired librarian, and a student teacher from Minneapolis. Park View is like all of our schools - filled with colorful, vibrant classrooms of students who are delightful - energetic, hopeful, happy, and thrilled to have a conversation with you. Visit a school, talk to the students and staff. If you do, you will understand why I came back to Anoka-Hennepin to do this job.

1997 Coon Rapids High School grad finds mammals in the remotest places

Anyone who thinks there's nothing new under the sun should talk to Kristofer Helgen. Helgen has discovered about 100 new species of mammals previously unknown to science.

He knows it's surprising to many people to think about new species of mammals, but Helgen said there are many types of animals that haven't been named.

"It's easier to imagine new species of insects or flowers, but the truth is there are areas of the planet that are so little-explored," Helgen said. "There are still opportunities to find birds and mammals that no one has given a scientific name to."

Helgen said his favorite classes in school were AP European History and geography and history. He was also interested in math and active in the orchestra.

However, he has always had a passion for animals that goes back to his earliest childhood. When he was young he was "phenomenally interested" in National Geographic. "That was how I knew there were people out there that did this sort of thing, and that was what I wanted to do," Helgen said. "My post-high school life has been trying to become one of those lucky few."

After graduation, Helgen enrolled in Harvard University where he met Tim Flannery, a professor from Adelaide University. Helgen later moved to Australia and completed his doctorate with Flannery as his advisor. While he was there, he began participating in New Guinea biodiversity surveys, going to remote tropical areas and documenting what he found there. "A common outcome of those expeditions is finding new plants and animals," Helgen said.

He completed his Ph.D. in 2006 and accepted a postdoctoral research position at the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of Natural History. After a year, he was named a curator. He is the youngest curator at the museum.

Many of his discoveries have come not in the field, but in specimen storage rooms of museums around the world.

"For every new species I find in the field, I find two or three more by studying historical samples in museums," Helgen said. "There are vast numbers of species stored from past centuries. There is so much material and a limited number of experts, it just hasn't been possible to study them all."

One of his discoveries was an animal called the striped bandicoot. Helgen describes a bandicoot as a marsupial rabbit. In 2004, he described a new species with a distinctive striping pattern. He discovered them by fieldwork and studying specimens he discovered in museums, but only four samples existed in the whole world - they were in Honolulu, Hawaii; Port Moresby, New Guinea; Jakarta, Indonesia, and Berlin. He found that the species existed only in one specific mountain range in New Guinea.

The process of discovering new species is not a quick and easy one, but Helgen believes it is all worth it.

"It takes many years, it is long work. But to me, it's the most rewarding thing in the world to find something and name a new species that no one has ever named before," he said.

Helgen left the country on Feb. 13 for another expedition to New Guinea. First he will join a BBC expedition to a gigantic extinct volcano crater containing an isolated mountain forest. The second half of the expedition will take him to an isolated mountain range on New Britain, an island near New Guinea.

Photo captions: (Upper right) Kris Helgen with field assistants in Papua New Guinea. (Lower left) Kris Helgen with wolf and thylacine skulls at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Helgen is the curator of mammals at the Smithsonian, the youngest curator in the museum's history.

The Anoka-Hennepin Community Education Athletics Department is seeking people interested in coaching for the following after school spring athletic teams:

Jackson Middle School
Contact Sandy at 763-506-5212
1)  Baseball coach
2)  Track starter

Oak View Middle School
Contact Nancy at 763-506-5612
1)  Baseball coach
2)  Other activities

If you or someone you know is interested in these after school coaching positions, contact the person listed for each school.

Parents and guardians of Anoka-Hennepin students can now access more information about their student's Child Nutrition account than ever before.

The new online account management system will not only allow parents to view account balances, but also receive e-mail notifications of low balances, make payments with a credit or debit card or direct bank account withdrawal, and view a student's purchase history for the preceding 90 days.
 
A service fee of 4.29 percent will be added to each online payment. This covers the cost of processing the transaction and is paid to the company that handles the transaction.
 
Parents/guardians will be able to view meal purchase history and receive e-mail alerts when the balance reaches a certain level even if they choose not to make payments using the system. The e-mail alert level is determined by the account user.
 
The Anoka-Hennepin meal system is a pre-paid system. All meals and ala carte items are paid for by money deposited in an account before meals are served.

The new online lunch account management services can be accessed from the district Web site: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us. Click on the Parents menu item and select "My Student." Choose "Child Nutrition" from the left menu. Click here to view a tip sheet about the new services in the district's online Document Center.
 
An A-HConnect account is required to use the new services. Families who have an A-HConnect account but have forgotten their password should call the district office at 763-506-HELP (4357) to reset it.
 
Families needing a new account must fill out the account request form available at their child's school and return it to the school with a picture ID for verification purposes. The same account can be used for all children in a household. Once the account is set up, a message will be sent to your e-mail address or home address if you do not include an e-mail address.

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board has selected three potential high school schedules to study further before choosing one for use in all district high schools beginning in fall 2010. These three potential schedules will now be shared with a number of groups for more input. In addition, each high school will hold a meeting to give parents and students an opportunity to comment.

Meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Wednesday, April 29, 7 p.m. at Blaine High School,  12555 University Ave. NE, Blaine
• Thursday, April 30, 7 p.m. at Coon Rapids High School, 2340 Northdale Blvd., Coon Rapids
• Tuesday, May 5, 7 p.m. at Champlin Park High School, 6025 109th Ave. N, Brooklyn Park
• Wednesday, May 6, 7 p.m. at Anoka High School, 3939 Seventh Ave. N., Anoka
• Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m. at Andover High School, 2115 Andover Blvd. NW, Andover

The high school schedule and credit requirements have been under study throughout the year by a large committee of staff and citizens plus the smaller Secondary Task Force of teachers and two School Board members. The committee developed comprehensive criteria for judging schedules and used those criteria to evaluate nine possible schedules. It sent its evaluation to the task force, which worked with the School Board in selecting three for further consideration. Criteria included such things as providing flexibility, maximizing student achievement, minimizing scheduling conflicts, aligning with testing, limiting stresses, creating a cost efficient model, and more.

One of the three schedules remaining under consideration is the current four-period day divided into four quarters per year - also know as a "four by four" schedule. The other two are trimester schedules, one with five periods per day (five by three) and one with six periods per day (six by three).

Review of the high school schedule is in response to several factors, including the district's financial challenges and growing recognition that the four-period day may not best meet the learning needs of students. "We have done a cost analysis, however, at this point cost is not the only factor in selecting a schedule," said Bruce Borchers, Associate Superintendent - Secondary.

In a four-period day, a traditional full-year course is condensed into a semester and a semester course is condensed into a quarter. This can lead to gaps in a student's learning. For example, a student might take Spanish I in his first semester as a freshman and not be able to schedule Spanish II until the second semester of his sophomore year, which would mean the student would go for approximately one year without further instruction in the language. There is also some evidence that similar gaps in mathematics learning may make it difficult for some students to do well on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment II (MCAII), which is a state math test used to determine if a school makes Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind Law. Beginning next year, a portion of the math test will be used as the GRAD test, which students must pass to earn a diploma.

The current schedule is more expensive to operate than the other two schedules remaining in consideration. Changing to a five-period trimester schedule would save approximately $1.2 million annually and the six-period trimester schedule would save approximately $1.9 million per year.  While the district would save money in staffing costs with the five- or six-period schedules, a change to either would require an initial investment of up to $4 million in textbooks, depending on which schedule is chosen.

A review of literature related to high school schedules and student achievement seems to indicate that students from traditional schedules or extended period (60 minutes or longer) schedules performed better on college admissions tests, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests and state achievement tests. However, at present, there is no body of literature or study which definitively says that one schedule is better than others for student achievement overall.

The School Board is expected to make a final decision on the schedule in late May. Once that decision has been made, the task force will wrap up work on credit requirements and make recommendations to the board. The number of credits required will depend, in part, on the schedule selected. Each department has had the opportunity to present information on potential requirements in its area of study.

Detailed information is available on the district Web site at: www.anoka.k12.mn.us/hsschedule.

New podcast episodes and video segments have been added to the Anoka-Hennepin Podcast Network (AHPN) and Schools in Focus pages, respectively.

Five AHPN episodes recapping the January, February and March 9 School Board meetings have been added to the district Web site. Click here to view the AHPN Web page. Click on:

• Episode 04, Vol. 02 for Jan. 12
• Episode 05, Vol. 02 for Jan. 26
• Episode 06, Vol. 02 for Feb. 9
• Episode 07, Vol. 02 for Feb. 23
• Episode 08, Vol. 02 for March 9

Three video segments from the latest episode of Schools in Focus, the district's monthly TV news program, have been added to the district Web site. Click here to view the Schools in Focus Current Year Archive.

Everyday Math: All Anoka-Hennepin elementary schools began using a new mathematics curriculum this fall called Everyday Mathematics. This segment shows what Everyday Mathematics is all about and how the program challenges and empowers student to truly understand mathematics.

School Readiness Preschool: The School Readiness Preschool program implemented Creative Curriculum, which guides classroom instruction. The curriculum includes a new assessment tool that tracks academic success of preschoolers preparing them for kindergarten.

Dr. Roger Giroux Discussion: The career of long-time Superintendent Roger Giroux, who retired on Dec. 31, 2008, is discussed.

Three formats are available to view in: Windows Media, QuickTime and RealPlayer. Segments from the 2007-08 school year are available to view online here .

Click here for Schools In Focus cable television broadcast times and dates.

Forty-three Champlin Park High School students were among the 1.8 million who gathered on the National Mall on Jan. 20 to witness the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

The group took a whirlwind four-day trip to Washington, D.C., for the experience of a lifetime. Juniors Per Lundmark and Dan Wattenhofer said the experience was amazing and the atmosphere on the National Mall was electric.

"Everyone was tired from getting there, but they were so excited," Wattenhofer said. "Everyone was so keyed in to what was going on."

Lundmark and Wattenhofer said they were concerned that the huge crush of people heading for the Mall might get out of control, but they said it was calmer than they thought it would be. "Two million people is a lot of people," Lundmark said. "You don't realize that until you're in it."

Even though they couldn't see the new president in person, there were big screens set up at intervals on the Mall. The tickets were in different places - one group was up closer, the others back near the reflecting pool.

Champlin Park social studies teacher Matt Anderson said the crowd was a "true picture of America", with people from all backgrounds and racial groups.

Anderson said the trip was not a relaxing vacation for the students, but well worth it. "Our group walked probably six miles [on Jan. 20], our feet hurt," he said.

There were moments they will always remember. For Wattenhofer, it was the whole crowd saying the Lord's Prayer with Pastor Rick Warren and hearing President Obama's inauguration speech. "It was powerful," he said.

"It was history in the making," Lundmark said. "The gravity of it didn't hit me until later, how lucky we were to see that."

"It was the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and it seemed like there was a real feeling that this was his dream come true, in some ways," Anderson said. "Someone told me, 'Rosa Parks sat, so Martin Luther King could walk, so Barack Obama could run.' It made me feel good about our country."

Planning for the trip began last spring, before anyone knew who the candidates would be. In retrospect, Anderson said, it was a blessing that they started so early. Once the election had been decided, it would have been impossible to plan such a trip.

The group did a lot of touring in their short time in the nation's capital. They saw Mount Vernon, the National Archives, Arlington National Cemetery, the Supreme Court and the Capital. They met with Rep. Erik Paulsen, who helped them secure some of their inauguration tickets.

Anderson said he was so glad to give the students this experience. Not only the inauguration, but to see Washington, D.C.

"Our driver was talking about what it was like on 9/11, he worked at the Pentagon," he said. "It was all this history, and it was a whole different perspective on what we try to teach in the classroom."

All of the students in the group kept a journal and made their own online picture albums and shared them with the others to find the best shots.

"I wanted them to journal so they don't forget the details," Anderson said. "Every year a president gets elected, this year will come up. This was so personal to so many people. There was a lot of emotion."


Photo caption: Champlin Park High School students gather near the Capitol with Rep. Erik Paulsen. The group traveled to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration on Jan. 20.

It's testing time in Minnesota and free online study guide materials are now available to help students prepare for the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA). Practice tests in reading for students in grades three through eight and 10, and practice tests in math for students in grades three through eight and 11 are available online at: http://www.ppnie.com through the Pioneer Press Newspaper in Education (NIE) program.

Teachers, parents and students can access test materials. Each grade level will be organized in a convenient PDF format to print.

New this year is an additional study guide, the GRAD, designed to help high school students prepare for required graduation tests in both reading and writing. A team of staff members from the Anoka-Hennepin, St. Paul and North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale school districts wrote the guide, including Oak View Middle School English teacher Olivia Bastian.

NIE is designed to enhance learning through the use of the newspaper. The readership program encourages students to use the most current textbook around and to think and analyze current events in the world around them. Specific NIE activity guides help teachers use the newspaper to enhance their lessons and meet their state standards. NIE is available to elementary, middle and high schools and can be integrated into every subject area (i.e. math, science, language arts, history, music, etc.)

The Anoka-Hennepin Math and Science summer enrichment institute is an opportunity for a limited number of students going into grades 6 through 12 to explore areas of mathematics and science not generally taught in existing courses. Students will be asked to think differently about math and science as they investigate new concepts and activities.

The following courses will be offered this summer. Visit: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/summerstem for complete course descriptions and other information.

Fishing the Boundary Waters (June 15, 16 and 18 through 22)
Freshwater Diving and Fish Studies (June 15 through 19)
Pathfinder: Space Adventure (June 18 through 22)
Fishing Minnesota (June 22 and June 23 through 26)
All About Horses (July 6 through 10)
Marine Biology (July 14 through 21 or July 21 through 28 or July 28 through Aug. 4)

Questions about course offerings can be directed to Nancy DuBois at 763-506-1075 or Randy Smasal at 763-506-1135.

Registration is due by May 2. Register and pay online for institute classes at: http://www.discovercommunityed.com (click on available courses and then click on Math and Science summer enrichment institute).

Bill Morris of Decision Resources had good news for the Anoka-Hennepin School Board as he presented the latest survey results to board members at the Dec. 9 meeting.

Overall, he said many of the results that are related to financial issues showed the expected results, with residents expressing slightly more concerns about district spending and levies than in a survey two years ago. Morris said that is predictable in these economic times and since a property tax levy was just approved last year.

"This is a very good report," he said. "The key is that numbers didn't go down as much as expected and in many, many issues, those numbers actually went up. It's all the more impressive given gale-force winds the other way."

The 2008 survey is the most recent in a series of surveys, which were also conducted by Decision Resources in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

The latest survey shows that most parents believe that Anoka-Hennepin schools provide ideas for ways to help children (82 percent) provide a safe learning environment (99 percent) and provide a respectful learning environment (96 percent). Morris said that all three of those numbers are very high, especially in relation to other metro school districts.

Decision Resources' survey also included questions about possible budget cuts in the coming years. Residents responded that to cope with declining enrollment, the district should close schools and/or adjust boundaries (59 percent). Thirty-four percent said the district should seek revenue to keep schools open.

As to where the budget cuts should come, those surveyed most supported reducing district administration (72 percent) and reducing school administration (56 percent). Closing schools was favored by 37 percent and increased high school fees by 36 percent.

Residents were also surveyed about their sources of information about the district. Seventy-six percent of residents said they received at least some of their information from the Focus on Anoka-Hennepin newsletter. Morris said this was clearly the top number among metro school districts.

Other top sources of information included local weekly newspaper articles (66 percent), the community education catalogue (48 percent), daily newspaper articles (41 percent) and the district Web site (40 percent). Morris noted that the percentages for the district Web site and Backpack Online (28 percent) have been climbing, while viewership of Schools in Focus has been declining, reaching 9 percent this year. Podcasts as a source of information were on the survey for the first time this year, and 9 percent of those surveyed said they got at least some information from them.

Eighty-seven percent of residents said they felt the amount of print information they received from the district was "about right" compared to 81 percent two years ago. Three percent said they received "too much" information.

This year's survey also included a survey of parents who live in the district but do not send their students to Anoka-Hennepin schools. Morris said the results of that portion of the survey revealed some strategies for the district to pursue in attracting these families to the district.

He said the most losses seem to occur in transition years - before kindergarten, before middle school and before high school. "That's where you're losing them, that's a key trouble spot," he said of students in grades seven through nine. He said that it seems the district could increase enrollment by 10 to 15 percent by getting more information about schools into the hands of parents.

Other key strategies included considering a character development curriculum, using "customer recovery practices" among parents of seventh through ninth-grade students and mailings to parents of 3 and 4-year-olds emphasizing the district's strengths.

Riverview Specialty School for Math and Environmental Science was recently named as one of the top three finalists for the Junior Master Gardener (JMG) National Groups Service and Achievement Award.

JMG annually recognizes individuals and groups that exemplify excellence through hard work, personal achievement and service to the community. The National Group Service and Achievement Award is given to the group that has best demonstrates increased knowledge and appreciation for horticulture and environmental concepts, and has provided leadership and volunteer service to the local community.

Riverview students work closely with master gardeners on a variety of projects and learning opportunities throughout fourth and fifth grade, said Kari Rock, principal.

Riverview was also recognized as the JMG Group of the Month for March 2009. The following excerpt is from the March JMG national newsletter.

Riverview's "River Raccoon Junior Master Gardeners" began in 2003 with a small group that has since grown to more than 150 hard-working fourth and fifth graders. What began as an interest in the JMG program has evolved to become a part of the culture on the campus.

Meeting regularly throughout the school year and more often in the spring, the group has been involved in the development of garden space across the school grounds. The campus even includes a rain garden the catches the run off from the parking lot. The program's growth is seen in the expansion of classrooms utilizing JMG materials. JMG is working in six classes at Riverview and has been incorporated in other aspects of the school's program as well.

The Raccoons also value leadership and service. Past projects include the following: a clean up project at a nearby park, fruit baskets prepared for a local homeless shelter, gathered and delivered food nearby food pantry, participated in beautification projects, and held plant sales to donate funds for environmental non-profits. Last year 48 students earned their Junior Master Gardener certification - a new school record.

"We are thrilled that our students work is being recognized," said Rock. "It is amazing the amount that the students learn about gardening and can apply by being a part of this program." 


Photo caption: A Riverview Specialty School student documents his thoughts in a journal while working in one of the school's gardens.

Congratulations to winners of the district's 2008 anti-bullying poster and essay contests. The annual contest challenges students to create a poster or write an essay that shows what they can do to stop bullying in their schools. This year's theme was "Stand Together Against Bullying." The contest is open to all Anoka-Hennepin students.

One winning essay and poster is selected from each grade at each school to compete in the district-level contest. District winners were recognized by the School Board earlier this fall.

POSTER WINNERS
Kindergarten: Brennen Wall, Rum River Elementary School
First Grade: Ryan Pham, Johnsville Elementary School
Second Grade: Becca Sharon, Johnsville Elementary School
Second Grade: Savannah Schmalz, Washington Elementary School
Third Grade: Gwen Hughes, Mississippi Elementary School
Fourth Grade: Jordan Fleek, Johnsville Elementary School
Fifth Grade: Mitchell Ashburn, Dayton Elementary School
Fifth Grade: Colten Lanoue, Ramsey Elementary School
Sixth Grade: Leanna Nguyen, Coon Rapids Middle School
Seventh Grade: Kate Roth, Oak View Middle School
Eighth Grade: Charlotte Kuntz, Coon Rapids Middle School

ESSAY WINNERS
Third Grade: Bailey Mikulak, McKinley Elementary School
Fourth Grade: Ben Gjerde, Dayton Elementary School
Fifth Grade: Alexis Herrmann, Mississippi Elementary School
Sixth Grade: Christina McManus, Northdale Middle School

Posters and essays will be posted at a later date on the Student Services Department Web site.

The Community Education School Readiness Preschool Program is gearing up for new classes to start this summer. Summer Preschool is for children who will go to kindergarten this September. Fun summer activities will focus on readiness skills to help children enter kindergarten with more ease and confidence.

The Summer Preschool Classes meet at four sites:

• Anoka-Hennepin Learning Center Preschool located at 2740 Wingfield Ave. N., Anoka
• Blaine Preschool located at Blaine United Methodist Church 621 - 115th Ave. N.E., Blaine
• Champlin Family Place located at Champlin Plaza Mall, 12443 Champlin Dr. in Champlin
• Coon Rapids Foley, located in the Head Start Building, 9574 Foley Blvd. in Coon Rapids

The six-week session starts June 23 and ends July 30. Days and times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 to 11:30 am. A 12:30 to 3 p.m. class is available at the Anoka site only.

Children who have not had any preschool experience will receive registration priority. Children who have been to preschool are welcome as space allows. 

Parents are responsible for transportation. A sliding fee scale based on family size and income is available to help pay tuition. Registration for the classes will be accepted by phone.

For more information, call 763-506-2480, TTY 763-506-7865, or visit the district web site: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/ce. Click on the School Readiness link in the left index.

The Anoka-Hennepin Community Education School Readiness Preschool Program has openings for the 2009-2010 school year. Children who are will be three or four by Sept. 1, 2009, are eligible for fall preschool classes. To register, call 763-506-2480. 
 
School Readiness Preschool offers classes for 3, 4 and 5-year-old children at 13 locations in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. Two- and three-day-a-week classes are held mornings, afternoons and early evenings. A sliding fee scale is available based on income and family size. Parents are responsible for transportation.
 
Children have fun as they prepare for kindergarten at School Readiness Preschool. They learn readiness and social skills in a classroom set up for hands on play. The instructors guide them through a daily schedule that includes large and small group activities, snack time and choice time at learning centers.
 
For more information, call 763-506-2480, TTY 763-506-7865, or visit the district Web site: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/ce. Click on the School Readiness link in the left index.

University Avenue and Washington elementary schools both recently participated in the American Heart Association's "Jump Rope for Heart" fundraiser.

Jump Rope For Heart is a national educational fund-raising program that is sponsored by the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

Jump Rope For Heart engages elementary students in jumping rope while raising funds to support lifesaving heart and stroke research. Students ask friends and family for donations and receive thank-you gifts based on the dollars they raise.  This educational program teaches physical fitness and promotes the value of community service to students and their families.  It shows students that they can contribute to their community's welfare.

University Avenue raised $1,100 during the week of Feb. 9 through 13. Washington raised $2,180 in February. Tina St. Martin's second grade class at Washington collected the top amount with $467. Student Evalyn Beall collected the most for an individual at Washington.

Anoka-Hennepin Future Educators Clubs collected more than 1,300 books for children during a January "I Want to Read" children's book drive. The drive benefitted children throughout the Northwest Suburban Integration School District, comprised of the Anoka-Hennepin, Brooklyn Center, Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose, Elk River, Fridley, Osseo and Rockford school districts.

Blaine High School
Class of 1990
The Blaine High School Class of 1990 is looking for classmates. Please e-mail your updated e-mail address, phone number and address to: blaineclassof1990@yahoo.com. We are also looking for volunteers to begin planning this summer. Please let us know if you are interested in planning.

Susie Schachel-Prather
Jennifer Wolfe-Barger

Class of 1994
The Blaine High School Class of 1994 15-year reunion will be held on Aug. 29 at Brook Hall (located next to Blainbrook Bowl) at 7:30 p.m. Please help us in getting the word out to classmates! If you are in contact with anyone who is not on facebook.com, invite them to join or forward us their contact information at: blaineclassof94@comcast.net (or look up Jaymi on facebook). More information (i.e. updates, ticket information, etc.) is coming soon. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Class of 1999
The Blaine High School Class of 1999 10-year reunion will be held on Aug. 14 at the Courtyards of Andover at 7:30 p.m. Visit the Blaine Class of 1999 facebook.com Web page or contact Amie Novak at: amie.novak@co.anoka.mn.us for more information.

Reunions are organized by members of the graduating classes, not by schools or the school district. If you would like to publicize a reunion for an Anoka-Hennepin school, send an email to Mary Olson, communications and public relations director, at: Mary.Olson@anoka.k12.mn.us or call 763-506-1111.

The evening of Feb. 19 was sparkling with sounds, movements and colorful performances at Madison Elementary School. The excitement stemmed from the school's first multicultural night event, attended by Madison students, parents, community members and staff. Many Madison parents came dressed in cultural attire for the event.

The event was held to showcase the diversity of the school and surrounding area and featured performances from the following groups and individuals:

• Bethany Russian Orchestra
• Liberian Nine Four
• Hmong Butterfly Dance Troupe
• Ghanaian Storytelling
• Ojibwa Dancers
• Hip Hop Dancers of Champlin Park High School
• The Korean Drums
• Sons of Norway Vikings

The Bethany Russian Orchestra is made up of members (including some Madison students) who work to preserve their culture while becoming members of American society. Languages spoken by members include Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian, Moldavian and English.

The Hmong Butterfly Dancers are a synchronized dance troop with lavish costumes and incredible tumbling skills, noted Sandy Perkerwicz, Madison media specialist. "They did two dances that wowed the crowd!"

The Hip Hop Dancers of Champlin Park High School (formed last fall) demonstrated "stepping," a high-energy fusion of African and African American music. The Korean Drums troupe performed two synchronized, traditional Korean dance and drum numbers. Madison parent Paul Oduro recited a traditional Ghanaian tale.

The Ojibwa Dancers of Minnesota featured Madison second grade teacher Vicky Prince and her entire family. The Liberian Nine Four featured Madison students who demonstrated a traditional school recess game played in Liberia. The event also featured vendors that showcased Hmong, Inca, Norway Vikings and Native American crafts.

"It was great to get such a mixture of cultures in one place," said Perkerwicz. "Many of these groups have family connections to Madison." Brenda Murphy (Madison ESL teacher) and Jennifer Aeshilman (Madison social worker) coordinated the event. Principal Susan Donovan emceed the event.


Photo captions: (Top right) Members of the Hmong Butterfly Dancers enter the gymnasium. (Bottom left) Members of the Korean Drums Troupe perform a traditional Korean dance and drum.

Riverview Specialty School for Math and Environmental students danced in the New Year during a dance residency with professional dancer Christopher Yaeger in January.

During the week-long residency, Riverview students learned the techniques of folk, line and ballroom dances. Students had the opportunity to test their new dance skills at Riverview's Family Dance and Silent Auction event on Feb. 20.

Yaeger has more than 20 years of dance training and performance experience worldwide. He directs his own dance ensemble, C. Street Dance, which celebrates American social dances from ragtime to early rock and roll.

Approximately 430 people attended the Riverview dance and auction event, which also featured a family photo booth, tattoos, bandanas and a pizza dinner.

"Students enjoyed teaching their families the dances they learned through the dance residency," said Sue Schmitz, parent. "Riverview families are already looking forward to next year's dance!"

When Crossroad Alternative School Assistant Principal Nancy Chave was greeting students on Nov. 5, she was met with something unusual - several of the boys who were coming in the doors were wearing dress shirts, ties and even full suits. When she asked them why, the answer brought tears to her eyes. They had dressed up in honor of the new president, Barack Obama.

In a letter to the Pioneer Press, which she directed to the new president, she said, "When in my 22 years in education have I ever witnessed such pride and patriotism? I wanted to share this joy-filled moment in the hope that it will impress upon you the caliber of students we are working with and the impact you have had on their lives."

The nine students who turned up in suits that morning are part of the school's Thursday morning men's group. They talk about money and relationships and academics. But during election season, the young men's thoughts turned to politics. Shortly after the election, they reflected on what it means to them.

"All of us, we listen to rap and say I want to grow up and be a rapper," said Corderall Farrell. "Now I could grow up and be president. That's real cool."

"When he speaks, it's real powerful," said Davon Bryant. And inspiring, said Marcus Spraggins: "He makes you believe you can do it. He makes you believe that someone who is from the south side of Chicago can grow up to be president."

One of member of the group, Mike Nordick, was a fervent supporter of Sen. John McCain. He worked in the candidate's field office and wore his button proudly to school. But on the day after the election, he donned his suit for the new president. "He's our new president," Nordick said. "I'll support him."

"You know where my heart is," he told the group. "The day after the election, I came to school and thought, I'm going to get [teased]. But people didn't."

They all appreciated the historic nature of what they had seen in this election. "It was exciting that we were able to see history," said Paris Hughes. "A lot of things are not big enough to make the history books. This is something people will talk about forever."

Not only is it history for the country, it is life-changing for these young men."This man is changing lives, and he ain't even president yet," said Daniel Khotsombath. "I want to try extra hard. Maybe be a doctor."


Photo caption: Members of the Crossroads Alternative High School men's group (pictured with Assistant Principal Nancy Chave) don their fancy duds in honor of President-Elect Barack Obama.

Action of the School Board (ASB) provides brief summaries of Anoka-Hennepin School Board meetings for staff and the general public in PDF format. A PDF of the March 9 meeting is available to download at: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/actionsb.
 
Selected summaries are also available to download as podcast episodes in the Anoka-Hennepin Podcast Network (AHPN) section online: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/ahpodcast.
 
Complete minutes of School Board meetings are published on the district's Web site at: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/schoolboard and in the school district's legal newspapers:
 
• Anoka County Union
• Blaine Life
• Coon Rapids Herald
• Champlin Dayton Press
• Brooklyn Park Sun-Post
• Brooklyn Center Sun-Post

The Anoka-Hennepin transportation department has reviewed ways to make bus routes more efficient, saving the district money without sacrificing student safety. "We have declining enrollment and declining funds, but the number of square miles and street miles are the same," Keith Paulson, Transportation Director said.

Under the new plan, routes have been streamlined and bus stops have been combined, resulting in some students walking one or two blocks further to their neighborhood bus stops. This will save time, since the buses will have fewer stops and will be able to complete their routes more quickly and efficiently without compromising student safety. 

The distances to the bus stops will remain the same for kindergarten and elementary students: .1 miles for kindergarten student only routes and .2 miles for K-5 elementary student routes. There will be a slight policy modification in the distance for secondary students from .3 to .4 miles.  When routing, Transportation staff will lean more towards the outer home-to-stop distances.  

The savings would be significant. Paulson estimates that the changes will allow the district to eliminate about 12 routes without reducing the number of students served, a savings of about $600,000 a year. "This would help us adhere to the board directive of keeping budget cuts away from the classroom," Paulson said.

If you have a question or comment regarding the change, you can submit your input through a feedback form on the district Web site: www.anoka.k12.mn.us/contacttransportation. Click here to download a PDF containing frequently asked questions on this topic.

Coon Rapids High School class of 2006; engineering student, University of Tulsa

Maria Holland didn't dream of engineering as a career path when she was a student at Coon Rapids High School. It wasn't until she got out of the labs and into the field that she found her calling: sustainable energy engineering.

"Once I saw what I could do with it, I decided I really wanted to go in sustainable energy," Holland said. "That's what's really affected where I'm headed."

The turning point for her was in rural northeast China, in Jilin province. Holland traveled there last summer, and again this year, with Engineers Without Borders' Sustainable Energy for North East Asia (SENEA) project. Although she was there for only eight days last year, she describes it as a "pretty life-changing trip."

"Most people who went on the trip have changed areas of study if not majors or life paths," she said. She changed from an engineering/physics major to mechanical engineering and hopes to pursue a Master's degree in sustainable energy after she graduates from the University of Tulsa.

She was probably headed for an English major, she said, until she took physics in high school. But at that point, she didn't like the hands-on aspects of science. Holland said that is ironic, since mechanical engineering is the most hands-on engineering discipline.

This summer, she traveled to Jilin province for two months to help with the construction of a biogas digester. The biogas digester produces energy from manure and biogas can be used for electricity production, cooking, space heating and water heating. Methane in biogas can be concentrated to the same standards as natural gas.

Holland described the biogas digester as an eight cubic meter hole in the ground with a container constructed of brick.

The project also includes construction of three wind turbines, a passive solar oven and a greenhouse with a moat. The system will sustainably power a residence for a shepherd and his animals. The group uses simple designs that can be reproduced by the local people. Unfiltered coal is the primary source of power in the province, which causes widespread respiratory illness when it's burned inside.

Holland didn't know any Chinese when she started traveling to China, but this summer she developed what she calls "functional" Chinese.

"I had a crew of five Chinese men; I had to be able to get them to understand what I wanted to build," Holland said. "At first there was lots of grunting and pointing. By the time I left, I could make myself understood."

This spring, Holland was awarded the Goldwater Scholarship, the premier award for recognizing students pursuing careers in science, mathematics and engineering. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board for up to $7,500 a year. Since she is a sophomore, she can receive the scholarship for two years.

Holland said she already has a full scholarship at the University of Tulsa but hopes to be able to use the scholarship for educational opportunities outside her regular classes. Aside from the financial benefits, Holland said the scholarship is prestigious and will hopefully help her on her graduate school applications.

Her application for the Goldwater Scholarship was based on her work in China with SENEA and she hopes to return in 2009 to continue working on the project.

Eisenhower Elementary School was recently recognized by the University of Minnesota Center for Reading Research for its improvement in reading. The Center has annually recognized 20 Minnesota elementary schools for their significant improvement in reading (as measured by state tests and Adequate Yearly Progress status) since 2005.

Schools that were recognized this year had previously missed state goals but made them during the school years 2006-2007 and 2007-08. The schools were honored in a special ceremony on Feb. 12 for their achievement.

The University of Minnesota Center for Reading Research conducts applied research on reading and research on teaching approaches that facilitate reading instruction. The focus is on conducting research that supports teachers, particularly those who teach students of poverty and students from diverse backgrounds. The Center addresses problems and issues in reading that require creative and powerful research efforts.

"We believe the students' achievements, as measured in the state tests, are a direct reflection of the focused work accomplished by our teachers over the past few years," said Eisenhower Principal Sharon Engel.

"The instructional approach our district has supported and maintained within our elementary schools, which incorporates the use of SMART goals, instructional coaching, professional conversations through PLCs, and instruction relevant to each student, has been pivotal to our work at Eisenhower. We look forward to what our students and teachers will continue to accomplish together."

Andover High School student Elise Mead was featured on KARE 11's "Academic All-Star segment" on Feb. 17.

View the KARE 11 video segment and text online at: http://www.kare11.com/life/community/schools/academic/academic_article.aspx?storyid=539711&catid=65.

School Board members unanimously approved a three-year superintendent contract for Dennis Carlson. The contract begins July 1 and includes an annual salary of $170,000. It also allows up to $17,000 to be paid to Carlson each year as a performance incentive. The benefits package is the standard district administrative benefits package. There are no severance provisions, although Carlson may receive pay for unused personal leave.

The salary is exactly the same as that of former superintendent Dr. Roger Giroux, who retired in December. The performance incentive amount is $3,000 less than what was in Giroux's contract, and the benefits package is the same. Carlson can be paid for up to 10 days of unused vacation time each year.

"If you compare to other superintendents, this is not a high-paying superintendent position," said Board Chair Tom Heidemann. "This superintendent will have voluntarily accepted a pay freeze on top of the cut we gave ourselves. We understand the budget issues and so does our superintendent."

Carlson thanked the board for the opportunity to serve the district. "I look forward to a great three years," he said. "We are staffed with capable people at all positions and will be a good team."

Click here to read more about Dennis Carlson.

Before the end of the current school year, parents will be able to use a new tool to help track their children's meal purchases and balances.

Currently, parents and guardians can use AHConnect to access a student's balance and the date the student last ate a meal. The new online account management system will not only allow parents to view account balances, but also receive e-mail notifications of low balances, make payments with a credit or debit card or direct bank account withdrawal, and view a student's purchase history for the preceding 90 days.

A service change of 4.29 percent will be added to each online payment. This covers the cost of processing the transaction.

Parents/guardians will be able to view meal purchase history even if they choose not to make payments using the system.

The Anoka-Hennepin meal system is a pre-paid system. All meals and ala carte items are paid for by money deposited in an account before meals are served.

An AHConnect account is required to use the new services. Families who have an AHConnect account but have forgotten their password should call the district office at 763-506-HELP (4357) to reset it.

Families needing a new account must fill out the account request form available at their child's school and return it to the school with a picture ID for verification purposes. The same account can be used for all children in a household. Once the account is set up, a message will be sent to your e-mail address or home address if you do not include an e-mail address.

The winter 2009 issue of the Anoka-Hennepin Focus Newsletter is now available to download as a PDF in the district's document center: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=233661&fileitem=48727&catfilter=18072.

The Focus Newsletter features news and photos from around the district, It is published three times a year and is mailed to all Anoka-Hennepin residents.

The NorthWest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD) February newsletter is now available to download in the district's document center: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=233661&fileitem=48728&catfilter=11714.

NWSISD is a collaborative effort of the Anoka-Hennepin, Brooklyn Center, Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose, Elk River, Fridley, Osseo and Rockford school districts formed to meet the requirements of the Minnesota Desegregation Rule. Funding for specialty schools and programs is through a combination of desegregation funding from the state and federal government, as well as NWSISD. One of the goals of specialty schools is to encourage racial integration in the district. Specialty schools are part of the district's plan for meeting state and federal desegregation laws.

The NorthWest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD) has changed its application process. As of March 1, NWSISD will accept applications to magnet schools (also known as specialty schools) year-round.

This change will affect the following Anoka-Hennepin specialty schools: Evergreen Park World Studies Elementary School (An IB Primary Years Programme), Monroe Elementary School for Mathematics, Science and Children's Engineering, Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts and Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science. These schools are open to all other districts that make up NWSISD, in addition to all Anoka-Hennepin School District students.

The former application window, which typically started in November and ran through Jan. 15, will now stand as a "priority application period." Students who apply before Jan. 15 will have the greatest chance of being placed in a specialty school. An initial lottery will be run about a week after the "priority application period" closes.

The NWSISD application can be downloaded at: http://www.nws.k12.mn.us/magnet_schools/forms_and_applications.php or in the district's online document center (http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/documentcenter), click on the "Specialty Schools Document Center" folder.

The Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation (MAEF) announced last month that 23 schools had been selected as recipients of the 2008 Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation School Spotlight Award, including two Anoka-Hennepin elementary schools: Morris Bye and Wilson.

The award program was established in 2005 to identify schools that demonstrate academic excellence through significant gains in student achievement. It shines a spotlight on a school's curriculum, instruction, assessment and staff development that addresses student needs and works toward success for all. All Minnesota schools that participate in Minnesota's statewide assessments are eligible to apply.

"We know we have excellent schools in Anoka-Hennepin," said Dennis Carlson, interim superintendent. "It is always gratifying when an outside statewide group acknowledges that and recognizes them. Congratulations to the leadership and staff at Morris Bye and Wilson Elementary Schools - exemplary student achievement comes from strong building leadership and sound instructional practice - well done!"

The Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation (MAEF) is a non-profit organization that promotes academic excellence in Minnesota public and nonpublic schools and communities through public-private partnerships. MAEF advocates, promotes and recognizes academic excellence in all Minnesota elementary and secondary students, schools and communities.

Ed Schaefle, orchestra teacher at Blaine High School, was named the 2008 Minnesota Outstanding String Teacher of the Year, last fall by the Minnesota String and Orchestra Teachers Association (MNSOTA).

MNSOTA is the state affiliate of the national organization, American String Teachers Association (ASTA), which promotes excellence in string and orchestra teaching and playing.

MNSOTA honors educators and organizations that have made a significant contribution to string music in Minnesota with four annual awards: Master Teacher: Studio, Master Teacher: School Orchestra, Meritorious Orchestra Program and Community Service.

Schaefle, who also leads the successful district Summer Strings program, received the Master Teacher: School Orchestra award, which is presented to a meritorious teacher from a school program. Schaefle was noted for his vast contributions to teaching music to students, his mentoring of colleagues and offering his expertise to the community. He was nominated for the award by colleague Michael Watson, string teacher at Coon Rapids High School.

Schaefle, who has won multiple teaching awards including a 2003 Anoka-Hennepin Teacher Outstanding Performance (TOP) Award, was recognized at an awards luncheon last fall.

Tiffany Weeks, Adventures Plus special needs coordinator, was recently named as the recipient of the 2009 Minnesota School-Age Care Alliance (MNSACA) Award of Excellence.

MNSACA works to promote quality out-of-school time programs and support the leadership and development of out-of-school time professionals. It has approximately 750 child/youth-focused professionals who provide care for school-age children and youth in school, park, home and agency settings during out-of-school hours.

The Award of Excellence is presented annually to an individual, organization or agency who:

• Has had a significant impact on the field of care and education for school-age youth through their support; and/or
• Has had a significant impact on public awareness of the impor¬tance of quality care for school-age children; and/or
• Has had a significant impact on the quality of care for school-age children through their vision and leadership.
• Has demonstrated extraordinary care and professionalism while directly working to care for school-age children; and/or
• Has developed new program ideas that have provided a model for others working in the field.

MNSACA also honors one member each year with the "Distinguished MNSACA Member" award.

"I am very honored to receive this award from MNSACA for my work with students who have disabilities," said Weeks. "I view it as an opportunity to highlight the importance of inclusion in Adventures Plus, and how much inclusion benefits the program as a whole."

Weeks was nominated for the award for crafting child first initiatives for full inclusion of children with special needs in the district's 29 Adventures Plus sites, said Julie Morris, site coordinator for Rum River Adventures Plus. Weeks also created a "Special Needs Handbook" for program staff, assembled sensory binders for sites and continues to work on policy integration for health issues including diabetes and life-threatening allergies.

"Tiffany has that special something that is in-tune with kids," said Lanette Hess, Adventures Plus site coordinator. "She is focused, goal oriented, and when she sees needs she finds a way to meet them."

Dennis Holt, director of secondary curriculum and instruction, was awarded the 2008 Administration Support Award by the Minnesota Technology Education Association.

The award recognizes administrators for their commitment and support to a technology education program. The award was announced at the MTEA recognition banquet held
last fall.

Mike Lindstrom, executive director of SciMathMN, said Holt has been very active in supporting the technical education curriculum at Anoka-Hennepin, especially in embedding mathematics into the technical curriculum. He attended the technical education leader meetings, listened to concerns and provided advice.

"He has the strong respect of the technical education teachers in the district, and they credit Denny for his role in keeping technical education healthy and strong in Anoka-Hennepin," Lindstrom said.

The North Suburban Technology Education Association nominated Holt for the award.
The NSTEA includes nine school districts in the north metro area.

Holt has had a long career with Anoka-Hennepin. He came to Anoka-Hennepin in 1974 as a math teacher at Coon Rapids High School, then taught math at Coon Rapids Junior High from 1975 to 1992. He moved to Champlin Park High School when it opened in 1992, where he taught until 2002. He taught at Andover High School for two years before moving to the Educational Service Center as a Teacher on Special Assignment. He became the director of secondary curriculum in 2006. Holt received the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics in 1993.

A team of citizens and staff completed an extensive study of major issues facing the district and presented its report to the School Board Feb. 23.

The Discovery Team's report will be available online by the time this newsletter reaches homes. It outlines key findings and alternatives for action related to the charge the board gave the team: "Investigate the issues that are most critical to the success of the district in the areas of demographics, educational programs, and money and buildings. Report findings and alternatives for action to the School Board by the end of February 2009."

The team's work was divided into three phases: changing demographics, educational programs, and money and buildings. At the conclusion of each phase, the team reported progress to the School Board.

During its six-months of study and deliberation, the 21-member team steeped itself in information about its key topics through a number of presentations and study of other work before stating findings and developing alternatives for action.

During the demographic phase, the team heard from the state's leading experts, State Demographer Dr. Tom Gillaspy and Professor Myron Orfield of the Institute on Race and Poverty, University of Minnesota. It also studied the work of John Carpenter of Excensus, a firm that has done extensive work specifically on Anoka-Hennepin enrollments.

The team developed five demographic findings that served as a backdrop for the remaining phases. Click here for demographic findings.

The district's three associate superintendents, Bruce Borchers, Michelle Langenfeld, and Mary Wolverton, presented a comprehensive overview of the district's educational programs. In addition, Diana Menster-Sullivan outlined Community Education programs for the team. After a great deal of discussion and debate, the team arrived at six broad educational program findings focusing on how demographics impact educational programs. Click here for educational program findings.

David Buck, director of business services, provide an overview of district finances for the team and Chuck Holden, director of administrative services, presented information on district facilities. In addition, Jerry Soma of Anoka County and Jamie Halpern and Rex Holzner of Hennepin County discussed county facilities and their needs. Representatives of a number of cities within the district also attended and participated in discussion. Click here for findings on money and buildings.

After completing its findings, the team developed a number of broad alternatives for action, each addressing one or more findings. It then selected eight primary alternatives for action. Click here for primary alternatives for action.

Click here for the full report, which includes all alternatives for action the team considered.

Superintendent Dennis Carlson said the report would be used to identify strategic directions for the district and Board Chair Tom Heidemann said it will serve as a framework for decisions the board will need to make relative to facilities and budget issues.

The following is a list of students and staff recognized by the School Board at the Feb. 9 meeting for their accomplishments during the 2008-09 school year.

BLAINE HIGH SCHOOL
Sports - State Competition and Recognition:
State competition: Football, second place, class AAAAA
David Ackerman
Matt Arford
Douglas Arias
Jarrod Baadsgaard
Schuyler Behnke
Tony Book
Austin Brandon
Kevin Buchman
Max Chapman
Sam Chase
Aaron Courtright
Luke Couwenhoven
Justin Craft
Ryan Dainty
Tanner Davenport
Wade Davidson
Jeff  Davlin
JP DeRungs
Dallas Edeburn
Jake Edeburn
Brad Eisenschenk
Patrick Ewumi
Zach Fisher
Kyle Foster
Zach Frischmon
Travis Gavin
Sam Gemmill
Troy Gemmill
Kevin Gillund
Philip Glubke
Alex Grems
Brian Groska
Cody Hedstrom
Christian Hintz
Braden Horning
Tyler Huhne
Codie Hultman
Lawrence Jackson
Matt Jacobson
Jake  Jensen
Deven King
Derek Kleve
Eric Kline
Jordan Kosminskas
Kyle LaCoe
David Leafblad
Alex Lecy
Sean Lejonvarn
Mike Leslie
Jack Liesch
Justin Marshall
Ryan Marsolek
Tyler Mason
Nick Mataya
Jeff McDonald
Brent Meyer
Jimmy Mitchell
Nick Moeller
Matt Molitor
Nathaniel Mortenson
Chad Mueller
Matt Nickeloff
Giang Nguyen
Paul Ollila
Brandon Pearson
James Peterson
Nick Proehl
Cody Puchalla
Jonathon Rivera
Dan Robel
Nick Rusin
Tobi Saporu
Zach Schirmers
Brian Schmidt
Nick Schorn
Steven Schumacher
Kjetil Sollie
Jake Sparre
Sam Stark
Di-Jon Starr
Joe Stearly
Mike Thai
Gavin Tufte
Bryce Vee
Jesse Veloske
Patryck Wallenbecker
Alvan Washington
Michael Werdien
Alex Wesdorf
Stephen Williams
Chay Willis
Joe Winter
Evan Wirtz
Derek Yochim
Nathan Zaffke
Head Coach: Shannon Gerrety
Assistant Coaches: Doug Heruth, Rick Swanson and Steve Guider


CHAMPLIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
Advanced Placement Scholars
Rebecca Arneson, AP Scholar
Lynn Bixler, AP Scholar with Distinction
Casey Cavin, AP Scholar with Honor
Joseph Delgehausen, AP Scholar with Honor
Alexander Ditter, AP Scholar with Honor
Melanie Ditter, AP Scholar with Honor
Alana Eason, AP Scholar
Megan Feil, AP Scholar with Distinction
Cooper Foyt, AP Scholar with Honor
Kayla Gronli, AP Scholar with Honor
Emmamarie Haasl, AP Scholar
Christopher Ho, AP Scholar with Honor
Kai Jacobson, AP Scholar
Zachary Johnson, AP Scholar
Brian Kapphahn, AP Scholar
Lisa Karst, AP Scholar with Distinction
Brianna Klaras, AP Scholar
Emily Lindholm, AP Scholar
Simone Medhanie, AP Scholar
Thomas Mohr, AP Scholar with Distinction
Ryan Nelson, AP Scholar with Honor
Rebecca Neumann, AP Scholar with Distinction
Michael Norman, AP Scholar
Arielle Oglesby, AP Scholar with Honor
Victoria Okuneye, AP Scholar with Distinction; National AP Scholar
Nolan Otremba, AP Scholar
Emily Parupsky, AP Scholar with Honor
Paul Pasterik, AP Scholar with Honor
Atmananda Persaud, AP Scholar with Honor
Carrie Pfeifer, AP Scholar with Honor
Maria Pham, AP Scholar with Distinction
Caleb Pheneger, AP Scholar with Distinction
Nickolas Sanches, AP Scholar
Eric Scholl, AP Scholar with Distinction
Jared Sells, AP Scholar with Distinction
Charles Smith, AP Scholar
Nathan Sullivan, AP Scholar
Amy Tierney, AP Scholar
Vincent Truong, AP Scholar with Honor
Leah Van Beusekom, AP Scholar
Jack Van Thomme, AP Scholar with Honor
Vincent Wong, AP Scholar
Cha Xiong, AP Scholar
Alexander Zuercher, AP Scholar


Minnesota State Fair
Individual Exhibits; Sculpture, grade 11
Rebecca Sullivan, first place

Technology Education: Clocks - wood frame, grade 9
Nicholas Joyce, first place
Carly Reiter, second place
Anna Saxon, third place

Technology Education: Clocks  - wood frame, grade 10
Ethel Nash, first place
Max Oliver, second place
Cody Poirier, third place

Technology Education: Clocks - wood frame, grade 12
Esther Bangura, first place

Technology Education: Large furniture, grade 11
Zach Wolff, first place
Randy Paquay, second place
Brian St Claire, third place

Technology Education: Large furniture, grade 12
Nolan Otremba, first place
Genuine Rosenberger, second place

Technology Education: Small furniture, grade 10
Alyssa Matykiewicz, first place
Ethel Nash, second place

Technology Education: Small Furniture, grade 11
Alex Jensen, first place

Technology Education: Woodworking, grade 9
Lucas Keehr, first place

Technology Education: Woodworking, grade 10
Alyssa Matykiewicz, first place

Technology Education: Woodworking, grade 11
Zachary Longmore, second place

Technology Education: Woodworking, grade 12
Esther Bangura, first place


COON RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL
2008 Coon Rapids High School Marching Cardinals
Lynae Arechiga
Rebecca Beauregard
AJ Bennett
Chantel Bernstrom
Haley Berscheid
Tiffany Castor
Kelby Claflin
Ashley Dahl
Cortney Davis
Rachel Davis
Andrea Deerberg
Michael Finney
Casey Freund
Brian Frost
Lucas Golliet
Caitlynn Happke
Sean Haugen
Jacob Jansen
Josh Jansen
Brett Kimble
Jared Kimble
Jacob King
Paige Knealing
Malyn Kuntz
Corey Langlois
Paige Larson
Kelsey Lysford
Carl Madden
Elise Madden 
Andrew Middlebrook
Hannah Miller
Johnathan Miller
Alissa Nordstrom
Kelly Olson
Heather Pierson
Cody Robertson
Austin Sapp
Kurtis Schuchard
Alicia Schutz
Richard Schwantes
Jason Smith
Abby Standaert
Michael Thaisen
Paul Thao
Bryan Thompson
Sadie Thompson
Jourdan Vivier
Stephanie Vogel
Rachel Volkmuth
Chris Wacek
Michelle Wallace
Elias Youngbloom
Director: Michael Reed
Assistant Director: Matthew Kettelhut
Color Guard Director: Carissa Staples

Student Managers: Calyssa Chock and Kaylyn Nelson 

Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts "Classroom Coordinator" program was recently featured in an article highlighting partnering for student success on the Web site educationworld.com. Education World is an award-winning online resource for educators. Read the article online at: http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/partners/partners048.shtml.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Choose Respect groups from Coon Rapids, Northdale and Centennial middle schools attended the 2009 Action Day to End Violence Against Women and Children at the Minnesota State Capitol. Students wore bright, neon colored shirts with the logo "Choose Respect-Give it, Get it" on them, so they were able to stand out in the large crowd gathered at the Capitol, said Jessica Mesna, Coon Rapids Middle School school counselor.

Choose Respect students had their pictures taken on the Capitol steps, met with legislators, and participated in the rally held in the Capitol rotunda. Coon Rapids' group met with Senator Debbie Johnson and State Representative Jim Abeler. Students had the opportunity to read letters they had written to the legislators, asking them to take a stand against teen dating violence and domestic violence in Minnesota. Students also had their picture taken with Representative Abeler.

Choose Respect is a partnership between the Alexandria House - Violence Prevention Program and three middle schools in Anoka County (Coon Rapids, Northdale and Centennial). Each school has an after school group co-facilitated by Alexandra House staff and a teacher or guidance counselor from each school. Choose Respect works to raise awareness about healthy and unhealthy relationships, and promotes respect toward all people. Choose Respect group members are also peer educators, sharing what they have learned by performing skits, commercials, making posters, bulletin boards, bookmarks, announcements and games.

Three University Avenue Elementary School students were named winners in the 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. essay and poster contest, sponsored by the Governor's Commission on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration and the Council on Black Minnesotans. The students participated in the contest as part of a class project.

Samual Carl, a student in Kristi Lode's class, won first place in the third-grade level poster contest. Angela Birr and Dunia Tesfaye, students in John Wippler's class, won first place and second place respectively in the fifth-grade level poster contest. Carl and Birr each received a Gateway Desktop Computer as a prize. Tesfaye received a $50 cash prize.

The contest works to promote the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The poster contest portion is open to students in grades three through six. The essay contest portion is open to students in grades seven through 12. This year's theme was "Education: American Dream or Public Crisis," an examination of an American education.

Contest winners and their families were recognized at the Martin Luther King Jr. rally and celebration held at Central High School and Concordia University in January.

The following students are the first place winners of the district's 14th annual Bus Safety Poster Contest. The theme for this year's contest was "Cross in View, it's the Right Thing to Do." Students had to design a poster that best illustrated this theme. The winners will receive awards and have their photos taken at the district Transportation Safety Meeting on March 11.

"The creativity, design and the messages the students displayed were exceptional," said Jeff Mueller, transportation safety coordinator. "It truly illustrates that the staff at our schools are teaching, promoting and reviewing the important rules of riding the school bus safely."

2009 CONTEST WINNERS
Kindergarten: Jenna Larsen, Peter Enich Kindergarten Center
First grade: Rachel Main, Johnsville Elementary School
Second grade: David Rudenko, Dayton Elementary School
Third grade: Daphne Moua, Monroe Elementary School - Mathematics, Science and Children's Engineering
Fourth grade: Alyssa Wagner, Wilson Elementary School
Fifth grade: Angelena Levchenko, Wilson Elementary School
Sixth grade: Sofia Dzyubanyuk, Coon Rapids Middle School
Seventh grade: Matthew Lentner, Epiphany School
Eighth grade: Megan Furrow, Epiphany School
Ninth grade: Jeff Borell, Anoka High School

The winning posters will be available to view online at a later date when the electronic versions become available.

The following students were awarded medals for their projects at the Anoka-Hennepin Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Fair, held on Jan. 17.

High school medalists
Andover High School
Rhiannon Anderson - "Twin personalities"
Becca Arend - "How do solar storms affect the Earth's magnetic field?"
Madeline Bittner - "Brain vs. Gender - Does gender affect the perception of visual stimuli?"
Tyler McLaughlin - "Who are better problem solvers?"


Anoka High School
Chase Baumgartner - "Nuke or no nuke?"
Bailey Deters - "Does the size of a container alter a seed's growth?"
Amanda Guimont - "Can primary children with various levels of ability express their words and feelings with art when words fall short?"
Rachel Hedin - "Effects of types of headphones on decibel levels and hearing loss"
Kala MacDonald - "Eyewitness testimony: Do males or females have more accurate testimonies?"
Rebecca Olson - "First impressions"
Benjamin Sjodin - "Lung capacity"
Michael Spiering - "Does the amount of CO2 a plant gets affect how much it grows?"


Blaine High School
Christopher Anderson - "Plant growth of spinach in different soils"
William Anderson - "Geometric shapes and air resistance"
Sherah Head - "The effect of pine needles on Rhapis Excelsa"
Trent Hensler and Dallin Ingalls - "Bridge truss"
Shannon Lee - "Does music affect plant growth?"
Josie Melgren - "Stroop effect"
Jeremy Miller - "Elastic potential energy - the rubber band"
Zachary Slama - How common is MRSA in the community?"
Nicole Voit - "Effect of acid rain on germinating seeds"


Champlin Park High School
Brittany Askelin and Mariah Frigaard - "How many bacteria can we kill?"
Nicholas Beauchene and Philip Tierney - "Are deafness genes restrained to a certain chromosome?"
Ryan Bennek and Greg Martinetti - "Musical pitch and temperature"
Rebecca Dearing - "Fear in the heart"
Spencer Dorf - "Does a dog's side affect its aggression?"
Iraina Edwards - "Obesity linked in higher risk of obesity in children and adults"
Kendra Fallon - "Can humans tell the difference between yawning and other mouth movements?"
Mary Haasl - "Likin' lichens"
Benjamin Irsfeld - "Callin'em in"
Emma Irsfeld - "Nature's grip on color"
Viktoriya Khrystotodorova and Jessie Welton - "Lichen appearance in cold weather"
Andrew LaChance - "Recoil of a gun"
Cody Lessard - "Soccer equipment vs. ball speed"
Maarisa Lilley - "Eye contrast sensitivity"
Laura Lomauro - "What's the right amount?"
Corryn Lyons - "The effect of temperature on intonation of the French horn"
Cassia Mullin - "How does atomic structure of a chemical affect the wavelength of its emitted light?"
William Rice - "The effect of radio/cell phone waves on bean plants"
Marchiniak Ross - "Effect of music on concentration and memory"
Karin Sather - "Fertile waters: Searching for a way to re-use our over fertilized bodes of water and reduce phosphorus pollution"
Sam Schaust and Shane Young - "Do dogs catch human yawns?"
Katie Sievers - "Bias in a photo lineup"
Travis Sigafoos - "Learning styles: Substantiating the theory of learning styles using the results from data analysis of VAK surveys to individual learning style assessments and utilizing learning styles to enhance educational development"
Karlee Szeliga - "The Stroop effect"
Paul Taplin - "Who's gone sour?"
Kyle Thorstad - "Which type of directions are the best?"
Sophia Tracy - "Competition between Tenebrio Beetles"
Kayla Tureson - "Sweet yeast: Which sweeteners are most effective in the bread dough rising process?"
Garrett Van Tuyl - "Does how much you weigh affect how hard you shoot a hockey puck?"
Beth Walsh - "Breakfast: The most important meal of the day?"
Jana Wilie - "The influence of bad/good information on a person's wish to travel to a certain place"
Vance Xiong - "Cell phone use more than a watch"


Middle school medalists
Coon Rapids Middle School
Cassie Brown - "How long does it take for a Life Saver to dissolve in liquid?"
Haele Freeman - "Music's effect on heart rate"
Dalton Friedeck - "Deer attractants"
Nicole Holle - "How does the amount of time you brush your teeth affect how clean your teeth become?"
Allyssa Hyde - "Go muffins"
Jordan Kassa - "Sight seeing signs"
Sara Kleba - "Eliminating bacteria"
Anthony Kramer - "Is liquid or gas fuel more efficient?"
Raymond Twumasi - "Temperature and viscosity"


Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts
Jason Brumbaugh - "What is the relationship between different types of bats and how far they can hit a ball?"
Rachael Graske - "Does the way you observe information affect how well you remember it?"
Abby Hastings - "Do different types of flour affect the growth of mealworms?"
Emily Keis - "What effect does different environments have on lungs?"
John Kraemer - "What is the effect of wing length on the efficiency of a glider?"
Darian Obermeier - "What is the relationship between studying pictures or words?"


Jackson Middle School
Andrew Aakre and Cody Haala - "Windy windmills"
Adeel Ahmad - "Sugar and acidity in liquids"
Cydney Cassem - "Do plants with magnets in their pot grow faster than those that don't have magnets in their pot?"
Nico Castro - "The music effect"
Will Croteau - "What is the effect of sight, sound, and background on the volume of speech?"
Brendon Disrud - "To enhance your flora"
Christian Dube - "Arrow design"
Nathan Dupre - "Cool roofs"
Sydney Goodman - "The addition of Lumbricus Terrestris"
Anthony Gunter - "Is it really real?"
Samuel Hause - "What effect does oil have on the physical properties of water?"
Aaron Herman - What metal is the most hydrous ferric oxide resistant?"
Kate Jansen - "Grey water and grass"
Jackie Johnson - "How does pH affect the time it takes for Creon 10 to break up?"
Jordan Jonassen and Connor Klemenhagen - "Hybridizing turf grass species"
Alec Leabo - "Metal corrosion"
Flore Muange - "Got juice?"
Annis Nusseibeh - How does a liquid's acidity affect another's when mixed?"
Isaac Parupsky - "Burning time of wood"
Reid Schuerman - "Insulation"
Jacob Sherwin - "Ash vs. Maple may the best wood win"
Brittany Sorg - "Got cottage cheese?"
Matthew Steenerson - "Compost vs. weeds"
Annika Williamson - "Which click has a nice picture?"
Jessica Willis - "Which is 'best'?"
Shannon Yurick - "Poison kiss"
Niko Zona - "A hover above"


Northdale Middle School
Erika Rossow - "Chocolates"


Other
Danielle Thornton - "Think fast!"


Oak View Middle School
Emily Blake - "How does the type of Tylenol pill affect how long it takes to dissolve?"
Susie Burgeson - "How does music affect my fish's behavior?"
Meredith Carstens - "Music type vs. test performance"
Katie Fourniea - "How does the brand of gum affect the amount of time the flavor lasts?"
Katelyn Holmquist - "Which stain remover - Oxiclean, Spray 'n' Wash or Shout - gets the best results with tomato stains?"
Jonathan Mullen - "What type of bridge truss is strongest and why?"
Kiersten Rades - "Living healthy - is it worth it?"


Roosevelt Middle School
Austin Stangler - "Wood vs. aluminum bat"


Sandburg Middle School K
atie Springer - "And the beat goes on: Caffeine's effect on Daphnia"


STEM Fair special award winners
Fantastic Photography
Anna Bartolec, Champlin Park High School
Dalton Friedeck, Coon Rapids Middle School
Nicole Holle, Coon Rapids Middle School
Ben Irsfield, Champlin Park High School
Spencer Pasno, Jackson Middle School
Samantha Scheel Anoka High School

Ingenious Idea
Kathryn Johnson, Andover High School
Jordan Kassa, Coon Rapids Middle School
Cassie Meyer, Jackson Middle School
Katherine Raab, Oak View Middle School
Ricky Rojas, Champlin Park High School
Joseph Zwolski, Champlin Park High School

Great Enthusiasm
Dylan Anderson, Champlin Park High School
Erin Clarkin, Fred Moore Middle School Center for the Arts
Kate Jansen, Jackson Middle School
Ekow Nana-Kweson, Coon Rapids Middle School
Josh Posterick, Blaine High School
Hawi Tilahune, Coon Rapids High School

Best Board
Rachel Ganion, Oak View Middle School
Viktoriya Khrystodorova, Champlin Park High School
Andrew LaGrange, Jackson Middle School
Kayla Lindgren, Champlin Park High School
Jonathon Mullen, Oak View Middle School
Jessie Welton, Champlin Park High School

Dedicated Scientist
Matt Krych, Jackson Middle School
Megan Lein, Champlin Park High School
Nearyroth Meh, Coon Rapids Middle School
Cassia Mullin, Champlin Park High School
Joseph Murphy, Coon Rapids Middle School
Amanda Ramdeen, Champlin Park High School

Photo caption: An Oak View Middle School STEM Fair participant demonstrates his work to a judge on Jan. 17.

"

New leader looks forward to bringing staff, community together

Dennis Carlson, Anoka-Hennepin's newly-selected superintendent, knows that he has what many might consider an unenviable position right now, but he has what he considers to be the best job in the district.

"There's no place I'd rather be than here at this place and time," he said. "This is the highlight of my professional life. Even given all the challenges we have, I have confidence we can meet the challenges."

Board Chair Tom Heidemann said leadership and connection to the district were some of the primary criteria weighed by the board.

"The board looked at Denny as a proven leader, one who has a great depth of knowledge of the district, is very connected to the community and is committed to improving student achievement districtwide for all students," Heidemann said.

Carlson is looking forward to helping the district's staff, parents, students and teachers weather the storm the state and nation are now in.

"The main thing is offering experience and guidance through some of the most difficult years we will have to face," Carlson said. "If everyone does their part we can get through this and maintain a quality school district."

At the last school board meeting, the board cut $15.8 million from the district budget, and in the next few months, the district will be beginning discussions about closing schools and a fall levy campaign. The Minnesota Legislature will end its session in the spring.

"These are all major initiatives to go through with our citizens," Carlson said. "We have a lot to go through in a short time, and the stakes are high."

As superintendent, part of his job is putting a human face on the district's needs for local, state and federal officeholders. "In these times, our federal and state governments need to understand that we need a greater, not a lesser commitment to education," he said.

Building relationships in the community and state is one of the strengths that Carlson brought to the table, Heidemann said. "The superintendent is the face of the school district to the community, along with the school board," he said. "Having the superintendent be involved in community organizations and be known by community members make communication that much easier."

Carlson agrees that communication is one of the keys to success for the Anoka-Hennepin district.
"We need to build trust throughout the district," Carlson said. "The bulk of that can be done by being honest and following through on what we say."

Carlson emphasized the need to hold down expenditures in the district, although he acknowledged that is difficult with nearly 80 percent of the budget tied up in salaries and benefits.

"We need to be very purposeful. We can't afford any waste, we need to eliminate things that don't work," he said. The district has been soliciting cost-saving advice from employees and community members, and will be looking at opportunities to save money.

Even with all these challenges, Carlson is confident that Anoka-Hennepin has the most important resource in place already: the people.

"We have a good mix of staff who have been here a while as well as new staff members," he said. "It's a group that will serve the district well. We have people who can take a fresh look and ask the right questions and create new options to consider."

"I feel so fortunate to work with the people I work with; people who are passionate about education."

Though some things may have to change in the next few years, Carlson knows of one thing that should not change: Anoka-Hennepin's commitment to educating all children and including all families.

"I'm very proud of the history of this district and how we've appreciated all students and all kinds of diversity," he said. "We want to continue to honor all groups and realize the need to be inclusive when we look at issues like school closings."

In its service of 13 very different communities, the district works with students and families with varying needs, which presents both a challenge and a great opportunity.

"We serve families that have a lot and a little. People who lean to the left and the right. We serve people who have strong values and believe in a variety of religions and we serve the kids who walk in the door and their parents," Carlson said. "That's a proud heritage and one we'll continue, even though times are tough."

Dennis Carlson
•   Started his career as an art teacher in Mercer, Wisc., in 1969
•   Community education director in Glencoe and Elk River, Minn., before coming to Anoka-Hennepin
•   Community education director in Anoka-Hennepin from 1986 through 2003
•   Assistant Superintendent from 2003 through 2008; retired June 2008
•   Interim superintendent since longtime superintendent Dr. Roger Giroux retired in December 2008

For more details on the district's budget and the School Board decision regarding these cuts, click here . 

Reduction plan for 2009-10 budget
These reductions have been approved by the School Board and will be incorporated into the budget for the 2009-10 school year. Note: FTE means full-time equivalent. One FTE is one full-time employee.


REDUCTIONS IN CENTRAL SERVICES

REDUCTIONS AT SCHOOL LEVEL