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BACKPACK ONLINE 2003-04 ARCHIVE |
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| 6/18/04 |
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Backpack #37 - Medtronic science grant, Board recognizes Lions donations, staff and student successes |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
In this issue:
1. Medtronic Foundation awards Anoka-Hennepin $256,000 grant for science teaching
2. Swimming lessons, open and lap swimming available at Roosevelt
3. Rum River students raise 8,000 in diabetes walk
4. Oxbow Creek students are masters with words
5. Board recognizes contributions from local Lions Clubs
6. School Board honors students and staff…continued
1. Medtronic Foundation awards Anoka-Hennepin $256,000 grant for science teaching
The Medtronic Foundation has awarded the Anoka-Hennepin School District a $256,196 grant for extensive training of science teachers in elementary and middle schools. This is the largest grant to date that the Anoka-Hennepin School District has received from the Medtronic Foundation.
“The generosity of the Medtronic Foundation over the years has been invaluable,” said Superintendent Roger Giroux. “This grant will raise the level of science teaching, and will create new opportunities for Anoka-Hennepin students. The ripple effect is that the whole community benefits from students and graduates who are highly skilled in science.”
The Science and Technology Are Rewarding (STAR) grant will fund a project to increase student achievement in science, especially closing the learning gap for students of color and students in poverty. To do this, 60 science teachers from grades six through nine will receive specialized trained this summer in a week-long session from the Science Museum of Minnesota. Next summer, 120 elementary teachers will attend a similar training.
“We are delighted to help Anoka-Hennepin Schools build a science program that shows how intriguing and rewarding science can be,” said Penny Hunt, Vice President of Community Affairs and Executive Director of the Medtronic Foundation. “Medtronic believes that a good foundation in science is great preparation for life, no matter what your career. Partnering with Anoka-Hennepin also offers Medtronic a special opportunity to reach out to children in a community that is home for many of our employees.”
The teacher training sessions will focus on “inquiry-based” teaching, and teaching Minnesota’s new Academic Standards. “Inquiry is a way of teaching that is supported by research, that is very student-centered, and very hands-on,” said Randy Smasal, teaching and learning specialist in science.
In addition to the training, the grant pays for time for science teachers to collaborate and discuss how they are using inquiry strategies in their classrooms. Teachers who participate in the training will share their expertise with others in their school. These teacher leaders also will assist the district in writing curriculum that meets Minnesota’s new Academic Standards in science.
“It’s a great way to get our teachers knowledgeable about the science standards,” said Smasal. “This training will reach a lot of our staff.”
The Medtronic Foundation has contributed more than $430,000 to Anoka-Hennepin School District 11 since 1994 for a variety of projects.
2. Swimming lessons, open and lap swimming available at Roosevelt
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education offers four sessions of American Red Cross summer swimming lessons at Roosevelt Middle School swimming pool, 125th Ave. NE, Blaine, MN 55434.
Sessions consist of eight lessons which meet Tuesday through Friday the first week and Monday through Thursday the second week.
• Session 1, Tuesday, June 22 through Thursday, July 1; register by phone June 14, 4 to 7 p.m. or June 15, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Session 2, Tuesday, July 6 through Thursday, July 15; register by phone July 2, 4 to 7 p.m. or July 5, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Session 3, Tuesday, July 20 through Thursday, July 29; register by phone July 16, 4 to 7 p.m. July 19, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Session 4, Tuesday, August 3 through Thursday, August 12; register by phone July 30 4 to 7 p.m. or Aug. 2, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Current customers may pre-register for the next consecutive session on the last day of the session. All other registration is by phone only. To register by phone please call 763.506.5980. Several operators take calls during phone registration. After registration is over please call the pool or come in when the office is open to inquire about available openings. Registration continues until classes begin or fill.
Lesson Fees
• For those five years and over by Sept. 1, 2004, “New 2004” Learn to Swim Levels at $57.50
• For those from six months through four years, “New 2004” Parent and Child Aquatics Program at $43.25
• Private lessons for all ages, $20.00 per half hour lesson (must schedule four to eight lessons)
Open Swimming Schedule at Roosevelt Pool
Hours: Monday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Additional hours Tuesday and Thursday, 7:15 to 8:45 p.m.
Open Swim Fees
• Child $2.75 (infant through age 17 years)
• Adult $3 (18 years and older)
• Senior Citizens $2.75 (65 years and older)
Adult Lap Swim
Fees: One adult admission or one swim coupon
Hours:
• 5:15 to 6:10 a.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• 6:20 to 7:15 a.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• 4:15 to 5:10 p.m., Monday, Wednesday
• 7:15 to 8:10 p.m., Monday, Wednesday
3. Rum River students raise $8,000 in diabetes walk
The students of Rum River Elementary raised over $8,000 in their first ever Walk for Diabetes for the American Diabetes Association. More than 830 students as well as staff participated in the walk June 3. The emphasis of the event was to raise awareness of the disease. The students walked between one and three miles for the event and all classes participated. Because of their efforts, the school will receive money towards the purchase of athletic equipment to improve physical fitness. The students who helped organize the event are in Carolyn Larsen’s fifth grade class, Beth Howard, Desiree Hetrick, Lauren Novak, Connor McMahon, and Michael Wilson.
4. Oxbow Creek students are masters with words
Two students representing Oxbow Creek Elementary School won highest honors in the WordMasters Challenge, a national language arts competition entered by over 240,000 students annually. The competition consists of three separate meets held at intervals during the school year.
Competing in the difficult Blue Division of the Challenge, fifth graders Sommer Walters and J Mo both earned perfect scores in the year's third meet, held in April. In the entire country only 371 fifth graders earned perfect scores.
Other students at the school who also achieved outstanding results in the meet were third graders Cody Baird, Nicole Olsen, Tim Ross, and Jackson Bauer; and fifth graders Karin Sather, Michael Bauer, Kate LaChance, Carly Reiter, Hannah Fuher, and Kayla Tureson. The students were coached in preparation for the Challenge by Karin Schmidt and Rebecca Lundberg.
The WordMasters Challenge is an exercise in critical thinking which first encourages students to become familiar with a set of interesting new words (considerably harder than grade level), and then challenges them to use those words to complete analogies expressing various kinds of logical relationships. Working to solve the Challenge analogies helps students learn to think both analytically and metaphorically.
5. Board recognizes contributions from local Lions Clubs
The School Board recognized the contributions from Lions Clubs in the Anoka-Hennepin community over the past year during the June 14 meeting. More than 20 schools received funds from the Lions for books, ongoing training in Lions Quest, summer programs, eye exams, glasses, clothes for children, activities, student scholarships, and peer mediation.
6. School Board honors students and staff
This is the fourth and final list of students and staff who were honored by the School Board in May and June. Students qualify for recognition by winning first, second or third place or equivalent honors in a state competition and/or by qualifying for a national competition. Staff are recognized for working with award winning students, winning a state honor, or being elected president of a state professional organization or to the board of a national organization.
(Earlier lists of awardees in Backpack Online are archived on the district Web site by clicking on this link: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/dept/dept.php?sectionid=15434 )
Andover High School
• Girls’ Basketball team, third place finish in the state tournament, Steph Perez, Melissa Larsen, Nicole Campion, Katie Theisen, Chelsea Greenwald, Rochelle Sather, Danaqa Storm-Reff, Sam Medcalf, Mari Korton, Ashley Dillon, Mollie Wisner, Kristin Sears, Brook Budziak, Katie Rodewald, Teddi Dormanen, Sara Scardigli, Brittany Randall, Val Livingston, Carly Scheer, Kirsten Hengstler and Mel Shidell.
• Dance Line, second place finish in the state tournament, Ciarra Banack, Rachel Burke, Ashlie Demmer, Kelly Daugherty, Allye Ekman, Mindy Elmore, Michelle Emmerich, Cortney Fildes, Emily Haisley, Michelle Holman, Robyn Klimczak, Kelley Kovich, Sam Lazarz, Jacci Mikkelson, Alicia Nelson, Jenna Nelson, Sara Pearsonj Kali Pendzimasj Kelly Putnam, Holly Richgals, Jenna Schrapp, Courtney VanLokeren, Shannon Wagner and Michelle Zuleger.
• Amber Russel and Manal Alam, placed in the top 10 out of 350 in E-Commerce Role Play test score in the DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) competition
Anoka High School
BPA (Business Professionals of America)
• Lisa Elavsky, served as state Historian
• Pat Graham, second place in Banking and Finance at state
• Sarah Soucie, fifth place in Legal Office Procedures at state, fourth at nationals
• Jeanne King, first place in Word Processing at state
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FCCLA/HERO (Future Career and Community Leaders of America/Home Economics in Related Occupations)
• Rosemary Yang, state vice-president membership
DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America)
• Kim Kelley, Marketing Educators of Minnesota’s Marketing Student of the Year
HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America)
• Taylor Bleichner, first place state Pathophysiology, third place Medical Terminology
• Jessica Hunter, HOSA state vice-president
Skills USA (formally VICA)
• Jessica Lafine, state officer
Champlin Park High School
BPA (Business Professionals of America)
• Lindsey Goodholm, first place, Basic Office Systems and Procedures
HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America)
• Caitie Gotchnik, first place, Medical Spelling
• Brittany Mckeever, Faustina Lai, Beatrice Gilbert, Caitie Gotchnik, third place, Problem Solving
• Debbie Soukaseum, second place, Medical Math
• Trista Schultz, Faith Sirma, Melissa Law, first place, Medical Reading
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FCCLA-HERO FCCLA/HERO (Future Career and Community Leaders of America/Home Economics Related Occupations)
• Nicole Stay, Bethany Heck, Tiffanie Taylor, Gold Medal, Chapter Showcase Manual
• Tiffanie Taylor, served as FCCLA-HERO state officer:
• Maggie Fortman, first place, Bulletin Board and FCCLA-HERO state officer
• Susan Schweikert, first place, Creativity Unlimited and Storytelling
• Amelia Kampa, first place, (tie) Flannel Board Storytelling and Gold Medal Focus on Children, national qualifier
• Holly McNellis, first place, (tie) Flannel Board Storytelling and first place, Toys and Table Games
• Amy Tasky, gold medal, Chapter Service Project Manual, national qualifier
• Lindsey Greenlun and Nicole Dibley, gold medal, Chapter Service Project Display, national qualifier
• Michelle Whitlock, silver medal Chapter Showcase Manual, national qualifier
• Emily Carlson, Erin Dickmeyer and Stephanie Myslajek, silver medal Chapter Showcase Display, national qualifier
• Kristin King, gold medal Early Childhood, national qualifier
Coon Rapids High School
BPA (Business Professionals of America)
• Ashley Bennet, state place ment, Interview Skills
• Morgan Barklind, national, BPA Torch Award
• Jenna Gazelka, third at state, Advanced Accounting, national qualifier
• Kristi Hendrickson, first at state, Administrative Support Research Individual, finalist at nationals
HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America)
• Jamie Jacobson, Whitney Leighton, Leah Applegren, Rhea Theisen, first place, Creative Problem Solving
• Alex Ozerkov, first place, Medical Terminology
• Amy Stanescu, second place, Medical Terminology
• Brandi Ruh, fourth place, Medical Terminology
• Erica Benesh, Ashlee Luniewski, Heather McKown, fourth place, Community Awareness
FCCLA FCCLA/HERO (Future Career and Community Leaders of America/Home Economics in Related Occupations)
• Jessica Hanratty, first place, Interactive Bulletin Board
• Ashley McBroom and Jessica Hanratty, first place, gold, national qualifier, Applied Technology
• Christa Joslyn, second place, Cake Decorating, Scholarship Winner
• Sara Zachman, third place, Health Research Paper
• Nina Lee, honorable mention, Health Research Paper
• Carrier Kohanek, second place, Career Demonstration
• Sara Fierst, second place, Children’s Snack
• Ginny Nelson, third place, Total Look in Cosmetology and People’s Choice Award; honorable mention, Career Demonstration
• Sara Erickson and Kristi Syverson, gold, first alternate to nationals.
• Sara Fierst, silver, third alternate to nationals, Focus on Children
• Nina Lee and Sara Zachman, bronze, Focus on Children
• Clarita Kinnunen, bronze, Focus on Children
• Carrier Kohanek and Christa Joslyn, bronze, second alternate to nationals, Chapter Showcase Display
• Charlotte Dordan and Ashley McBroom, first place, gold, national qualifier, Illustrated Talk
• Lisa Hoang, silver, second alternate to nationals, Illustrated Talk
• Kristi Syverson and Sara, silver, Illustrated Talk
• Jennifer Dienert, silver, national qualifier, Interpersonal Communication
• Allie Lenton, Shooting Star Award
DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America)
• Kyle Porter, first place, in Sales Demonstration
• Scott Steiskal, second place, Technical Sales Representative
Blaine High School
• BPA (Business Professionals of America)
• Angela Gray, state President BPA, first place in state for Community Action Book
• Julie Jackson, first place in state and nationals for Chapter Media, first place in state, fifth place in nationals for Administrative Support Team
• Lauren Nikkola, second place state, fifth place in nationals for Interview Skills
• Mark Weinmann, first place state and nationals for Chapter Media, third place in state for Graphic Promotion Design, first place in state and fifth place in nationals for Administrative Support Team
• Michelle Jacobsen and Emmy Schmel, first place state and fifth place in nationals for Administrative Support Team
HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America)
• Elizabeth Gigler, first place in Veterinary Assistant, national qualifier
• Amanda Krostag, third place in Medical Spelling
• Bridget O’Brien, second place in Medical Spelling
• Drew Maurine, third place in Medical Math, national qualifier
STEP: Secondary Technical Education Program
FCCLA/HERO (Future Career and Community Leaders of America/Home Economics Related Occupations)
• Kim Bartel, first place, cake decorating;
• Ian Glommen-McCloskey, first place, Sandwich Preparation, Specialty Sandwich
• Jessica Joly, Jamie Cota, Leea Atheosen, Ally Beck, Matthew Ernest, Kelly Nelson, Silver Medals, culinary arts
• Ian Glommen-McClosky, first place, Jessica Matsche, second place, and Kim Bartel, third place, culinary arts
HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America)
• Karisa Smida, second place, CPR and First Aid
• Anthony Strafaccia, second place CPR and First Aid and Extemporaneous Speaking
• Laura Keeney, first place, Career Health Display; second place, Extemporaneous Health Poster
Anoka-Hennepin Staff recognitions
• Linda Wolski, Rum River Elementary School kindergarten teacher, is president of the Minnesota Kindergarten Association (MKA)
• Jane Roundtree, Program Supervisor of the Anoka Hennepin's ECSE program, is president of the Council for Exceptional Children – Division of Early Childhood.
• Lois Albers, lunchroom supervisor at Hamilton Elementary School, was honored for saving the life of a student who was choking in the school cafeteria.
• Haseenaa Hamzawala, teaching and learning specialist for diversity, received the Excellence in Education Award presented by Tolerance Minnesota, which is a program of the Jewish Community Relations Council.
• Shelley Ogden, teacher on special assignment for Title I, is president of Executive Board for Minnesota Association of Administrators of state and Federal Education Programs (MAASFEP). She also served as the sixth Congressional District Representative for four years.
• Deb Boros, Mississippi Elementary School second grade teacher, was elected national president of the Society of Elementary Awardees for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. |
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| 6/11/04 |
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Backpack #36 - Blaine High School ninth best in nation, Budget news, technology plan, students recognized and more! |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
In this issue:
1. Blaine High School debaters - ninth best in the nation!
2. School Board to discuss proposed budget Monday
3. New technology plan focuses on student success
4. School Board honors students and staff…continued
1. Blaine High School debaters - ninth best in the nation!
Congratulations to the Blaine High School Debate Team that competed in the first of two national tournaments the last week in May. In a field of over 150 of the best teams in the country, Billy Magnuson and Tim Edstrom rose to the top, taking a ninth place finish. They lost only to the eventual tournament champion at the Catholic Forensic League’s Grand National Tournament. The team is now headed for the National Forensic League tournament in Salt Lake City.
2. School Board to discuss proposed budget Monday
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board will review a proposed budget for the 2004-05 fiscal year during the regular board meeting June 14. This budget will be the second to include revenue from the five-year referendum levy approved by voters in November 2002. This revenue will be used to maintain current programs without cuts and to continue paying for 100 teaching positions added last year with referendum levy dollars.
While many districts in the metro area are planning to approve budgets with large cuts for next year, Anoka-Hennepin is not cutting programs supported with state and local dollars, despite the fact that the state legislature did not provide any funding increase to offset inflation, this year or next year. In planning the referendum levy, the board had counted on a state increase of approximately 1.5 percent each of those years.
The proposed budget will reflect a 40 percent decrease in federal funds for the Title I program, which provides extra help in reading and math for elementary students who need a boost. The federal government announced this reduction for Anoka-Hennepin in March. As a result, the School Board eliminated the positions of one full-time and 23 part-time Title teachers and 79 part-time Title paraprofessionals for next year. All of these positions have been funded with federal dollars. This funding loss will eliminate the extra help many students have been receiving. As a result of the funding cut, the Title I program in Anoka-Hennepin will be restructured to use the remaining dollars most effectively to help students learn.
Watch for an update on the budget proposal in the next Backpack Online. The board is scheduled to adopt next year’s budget June 28.
3. New technology plan focuses on student success
The School Board approved the new district technology plan, Decision Framework for Technology - 2004 through 2007 and Beyond, last month and the plan has now been submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education as required by law.
“The plan provides a structure to examine where we are and what we must yet accomplish,” said Patrick Plant, director of technology, adding that it meets and exceeds all state and federal requirements for school district technology plans.
He stressed that the focus of technology in the district is student success. Improving and expanding student access to computers through more robust machines and infrastructure is critical to student success. It allows for delivery of some curriculum, accommodates the demands of the district’s new Measures of Academic Progress testing, provides access to rich online resources, and allows students to demonstrate their learning. These demands are straining current resources.
Another priority is providing training, technology support and up-to-date equipment for teachers so they have tools to help meet the needs of each student.
The new plan presents a range of options to consider in determining levels of technology for students and staff. It outlines three levels of technology – essential, effective and exemplary – and presents a range of options for funding purchase of needed equipment and providing support services.
Development of the options was based, in part, on district results of the nationally validated enGauge online technology survey of staff, parents and students conducted earlier this spring. In addition, each department was asked to outline their technology goals and indicate how they link to the district’s new mission statement.
The complete plan is available on the district Web site at http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=86299&fileitem=12400&catfilter=5733 (Click on the link or paste it into your web browser.)
In presenting the technology plan, Plant also reviewed progress on items from the previous plan, 2001-2004. The following have been accomplished:
• implemented School Center web sites at the district level and at all schools and Backpack Online electronic newsletter
• implemented SASIxp Student Information System
• upgraded special education teacher computers
• installed middle school Industrial Technology labs (to be completed by 2005)
• upgraded media center management system
• initiated first step of technology support model
• added efficiencies to voicemail and phone system
• implemented Web-based administrative applications
• coordinated school office computer lease purchases
Progress on some recommendations from the 2001-04 plan has been minimal because of funding constraints related, in large part, to failure of the technology bond question on the ballot in fall 2002. Only modest security, virus prevention and efficiency improvements were made and plans for a fiber optic network were put on hold. Other district projects were cancelled or put on hold to patch together enough funding for essential classroom computers, which meant that only inexpensive, less effective entry level computers could be purchased. Additional computers needed to improve student access were made on a school-by-school basis when funds were available.
In addition to the items in the 2001-04 plan, the district took action on a number of other technology-related items in response to new needs or opportunities. One of those was development of the Elementary Electronic Progress Reporting system (EEPR), which is now being used by other districts, yielding royalties to Anoka-Hennepin.
4. School Board honors students and staff…continued
This is the second part of a long list of students and staff who were honored by the School Board May 24, in the second of two spring award nights. Students qualify for recognition by winning first, second or third place or equivalent honors in a state competition and/or by qualifying for a national competition. Staff are recognized for working with award winning students, winning a state honor, or being elected president of a state professional organization or to the board of a national organization.
(Earlier lists of awardees in Backpack Online are archived on the district Web site by clicking on this link: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/dept/dept.php?sectionid=15434 )
• Matt Bennett, Northdale Middle School, third place in State Level Reader's Digest Word Power Challenge
• Nai Kaleema, Blaine High School, Outstanding Supreme Court Member Award in Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government
• Molly Kriesel, Coon Rapids High School, third place at state level in AATG National German Test; teacher, Judy Zewers
• Giao Hong, Coon Rapids High School, third place in national French essay competition sponsored by Vistas In Education student travel organization; teacher, Ann Collins
Speech and Debate Awards
Coon Rapids High School
• Scott Steiskal, Premier Distinction recognition from the National Forensic League with 1,503 career speech, debate, and Student Congress points
• Myles Wagner, Minnesota's Coach of the Year for debate, Distinguished Service to Debate for the State of Minnesota, and president of the Minnesota Debate Teachers Association
Blaine High School
Qualifiers for National Forensic League tournament Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament:
• Tim Edstrom
• Billy Magnuson
• Cortney Jones
• Spencer Burke
• Teacher/coach: Peter Gokey
Art Awards
Oak View Middle School
• Katy Bursaw and Sam Gable, selected for Middle School Art Exhibit at the Perpich Center for Arts Education:
• Carley Colvin and Rose Larson, selected for Art Educators of MN Youth Art Month Capitol Art Show
• Teacher: Tony Chipka
Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards:
Andover High School
• Nicholas Gluesenkamp, Gold Award Winner at state, Minnesota Clay Award Winner and Silver National Award
• Teacher: Mary Schmitz
Anoka High School
• Michelle Redberg, Silver Key
• Allison Rogne
• Blaine High School
• Steve Beebe, Silver Key
• Brianna Hicke, Silver Key
• Chelsea Breuhl, Silver Key
• Rusalana Velichko, Silver Key
• Kyle Rynerson, Silver Key
• Jason Reed, Silver Key
Blaine High School
• Steve Beebe, Silver Key
• Brianna Hicke, Silver Key
• Chelsea Breuhl, Silver Key
• Rusalana Velichko, Silver Key
• Kyle Rynerson, Silver Key
• Jason Reed, Silver Key
Coon Rapids High School
• Angela Hodges, Gold medal; Silver award as a national finalist
• Phillip Leighton, Silver Key
• Rene Sobiech, Silver Key
• Nikolay Montik, Silver Key
• Matt Paola, Silver Key
• Teachers: Sarah Hjelmberg, Ann Phillippi, Sue McLean-Keeney
Secondary Technical Education Program
• Josh Bagley
• Dave Mahmarian
• Jason Reed
• Josh Schnack
• Kyle Rynerson
• Teacher: Heidi Riedesel
2004 Minnesota State High School Visual Art Competition Award Winners
Anoka High School
• Chong Huynh, Excellent, Drawing
• Michelle Redberg, Excellent, Print Image
• Kyle Borgwarth, Superior, Judge's Choice, Print Image
• Miriam Blaylock, Excellent, Painting
• Bailey Svetlin, Excellent, Drawing
• JoAnn Olson, Superior, Judge's Choice, Painting
• Marie Heglund, two Superiors, Judge's Choice, Sculpture
• Art teachers: Kevan Nitzberg, Katie Williams, Ted Mitshulis
Blaine High School
• Kaylee Emens, Judges Choice/Superior, Creative Portrait
• Katie Murray, Excellence Award, Self Portrait
• Danielle Brand, Superior, Self Portrait
Congressional Art Competition
• Juliana Mills, Blaine High School
• Teacher: Pat Undis
State Fair Art Winners
Coon Rapids High School
• Matt Paolo, first Place, Portrait
• Kyle Robbins, 1st Place, Drawing
• Jody Prady, 1st Place, Ceramics
• Jody Prady, Grand Prize for 10th Graders, Ceramics
• Shawn Bennett, 1st Place, Oil Crayon Drawing
• Miranda Morrow, 1st Place, Portrait, 2003 Graduate
2004 Merit Scholarship Program
Anoka High School:
• Lindsay Erickson, finalist
• Jocelyn Strohmayer, semi-finalist
• Eric Becker, commended student
• Joseph Blomer, commended student
• Veronica McGovern, commended student
• Sonja Pederson, commended student
Blaine High School
• Audra Hilse, finalist
• Matthew Levere, finalist
• Nicole Skurich, finalist
• Chris Engelmann, commended student
• Brandon Hollar, commended student
Coon Rapids High School
• Ryan Vanasse, commended student
Look for more names of winning students and staff in the next issue of Backpack Online. |
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| 6/04/04 |
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Backpack #35 - World DI champs, School Board approved International Baccalaureate program, Superintendent's Column, students recognized by School Board |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Lincoln Elementary team wins world championship in Destination ImagiNation
2. School Board approves International Baccalaureate program
3. Superintendent’s Column: The Joys of Summer
4. School Readiness Preschool openings at all district high schools
5. Former Madison student completes drinking straw chain in attempt to break Guinness World Record
6. Plan to attend parenting conference Oct. 16
7. Hoover students join hands to help others
8. Bell Center fifth in state in Pennies for Leukemia drive
9. School Board honors students and staff May 24
1. Lincoln Elementary team wins world championship in Destination ImagiNation
The Destination ImagiNation team from Lincoln Elementary in Anoka took first place in the elementary division for The Plot and the Pendulum challenge at Destination ImagiNation Global Finals, May 29, in Knoxville, Tenn. In this event, students had to create a theatrical presentation of two original stories that began the same way, but split along the way and had different endings. The team also had to invent a "plot diverter," a pendulum that signaled the pivotal event for the stories. Singing, and using props and sets they designed, the Lincoln team told two stories about raising corn. In one story, depicting life on the farm, corn is grown to make corn bread. In the other story of life in the city, corn is used in a factory to make processed food.
Destination ImagiNation (DI) is an extra-curricular activity that encourages creativity, problem solving, teamwork, thinking skills, presentation skills, improvisation and confidence building. DI has elementary, middle level, high school and collegiate divisions, and each year the national DI organization releases several themes or problems that student teams work on during the year. Teams develop creative solutions and then present them in competitions. Teams from across the United States and a dozen countries participated in Global Finals this year.
The Lincoln team also won a Renaissance Award, which is given for outstanding skill in the areas of engineering, design, or performance. Team members are Jessica Ktytor, Alyssa Muckway, Anna Loe, Rachel Hegstad, Ashley Bartz, Emily Kerfeld, and Hailey Smith. Team managers are John Dicken and Barb Loe.
Two other highly accomplished Anoka-Hennepin Destination ImagiNation teams competed in Global Finals this year. A Coon Rapids High School team took seventh place in their division for the GuessDImate challenge. In GuessDImate, teams built a structure of wood and glue. They had to estimate how many pounds of weight it would hold before breaking. They also had to create and present a theatrical performance that included breaking the structure. Members of the Coon Rapids High School team are Pam Widell, Sophie Albarran, Alex Heilman, Vanessa Fortier and Nicole Sullivan. They are coached by Beth Widell.
The Blaine Cluster Team, made up of students from Northdale and Roosevelt middle schools and University Avenue Elementary, also competed in GuessDImate at Global Finals in the middle level division. Members are Kayla Sawyer Olmschenk, Kristen Degross, Sasha Buchner, Nate Estrada, Hayley Gifford and Travis Gavin. The team is coached by Tina Estrada.
2. School Board approves International Baccalaureate program
Anoka-Hennepin will begin the process to bring the rigorous and prestigious International Baccalaureate program to the district. The School Board gave its support for International Baccalaureate at its May 24 meeting. “I have been on the board for 15 years, and I think we first started talking about this program 14 years ago and have discussed it since at many sessions,” said Board Chair Michael Sullivan.
The effort to bring International Baccalaureate to Anoka-Hennepin began in earnest in 2002 when a task force of district and school administrators addressed issues regarding advanced learners. In the last two years, the district modified its system for awarding weighted grades and graduation honors, expanded classes and teacher training for honors courses, expanded Advanced Placement and College in the Schools offerings, and began encouraging more students to take advanced courses.
The International Baccalaureate program will further expand the options for advanced learning. International Baccalaureate is recognized around the world for its high standards of teaching and learning. Only a handful of schools in Minnesota offer IB programs, which range from primary years to high school. Board members Tom Heidemann and Jerry Newton noted that local chambers of commerce are highly supportive of the International Baccalaureate program. “I have heard loud and clear from our business community that this is a priority for our community,” said Heidemann.
Throughout the next year, Anoka-Hennepin will apply for participation in the IB high school program. Champlin Park High School is being considered as the initial location. Before coming to Champlin Park, Principal David Brom had experience with IB as principal at Cooper High School in New Hope where he successfully introduced IB. International Baccalaureate will likely be open to students from all district high schools, and once established it may be expanded to other schools. If the IB program unfolds according to schedule, pre-IB courses would be offered in fall 2005 and the district could issue its first diplomas for the two-year college preparatory curriculum in 2008.
3. Superintendent’s Column: The Joys of Summer
The graduates of 2004 will be moving on to another phase of life and a school year comes to an end for Anoka-Hennepin. We congratulate the senior class of 2004. Thank you parents and guardians for supporting your sons and daughters. Thank you for sharing these wonderful young adults with us. The Anoka-Hennepin School Board and I extend our thanks as well to our staff for valuable and effective work. The teaching and learning of our children must remain the highest priority of our community and we are grateful to all who make a child’s success a part of their personal responsibility. If you attended any of the school events this year at all you have seen for yourself the accomplished learning of our students. The children are a joy to be celebrated every day.
It has been a good year with some significant milestones. We have initiated an all day/everyday kindergarten program in several of our schools. Our first specialty elementary school, Riverview Specialty School for Environmental Science and Math reached capacity enrollments with a waiting list. This year Andover High School will award diplomas to the school’s first graduating class. We have increased our course offerings in our middle schools and high schools. The Secondary Technical Education Program on the campus of the Anoka Technical College continues to grow, as do our college preparatory, advanced placement courses. We continue to welcome new students to our schools and we have expanded our programs to welcome those who are new to our country and assist in the learning of English.
The federal mandates encompassed in “No Child Left Behind” continue to develop. Minnesota Standards continue to evolve with a great deal of debate. The measurement of learning in the skills areas continues to be a focus for federal, state and Anoka-Hennepin efforts. We are developing computer-based communications for staff, students and the general citizenry on many aspects of school district operations. Staff and parents will have more immediate access to information that can assist in the education of their children and the management of communications with their school and school district.
Limited funding is an issue that will be with us for several years to come. We are grateful for the operating levy approved by Anoka-Hennepin voters two years ago. Without that levy the programs and courses of this school district would not be possible. Future state resources appear to be in doubt and the assumptions for our long-term costs and revenues will be greatly challenged by the lack of increase in state support. The loss of Minnesota’s federal funding to other states greatly increases the pressure on Anoka-Hennepin to reduce programs for some of our students with the greatest learning needs.
All this having been said, the Anoka-Hennepin Schools serve a community that values success for children and, with your help, we will continue to meet that expectation with excellence.
Summer is a great time for most of us. Those who live in the north are particularly happy with warmer weather and longer daylight. It is also our most popular time for family vacation and relaxation. Summer is also a great time for families to “talk and teach” and “listen and learn”. It is also a great time for young people to reflect on future hopes and dreams. Schools out but the libraries are open. Books can be read without assignments and nature provides a great learning lab. Television is more boring than usual and hopefully less of a distraction. Have a safe and enjoyable summer.
4. School Readiness Preschool openings at all district high schools
All five Anoka-Hennepin High Schools will offer School Readiness Preschool classes this fall. In addition to providing a quality preschool experience for children, these sites serve as learning labs for high school students enrolled in Child Development and Childcare Occupation classes. The high school students have opportunities to observe and interact with children in the preschool under the supervision of qualified early childhood staff.
School Readiness Preschool offers classes for three, four, and five year old children at ten more locations in the Anoka-Hennepin district. Two- and three-day-a-week classes are offered mornings, afternoons and early evenings.
Openings still remain for School Readiness classes throughout the district. A sliding fee scale in available based on income and family size. For more information, call (763) 506-7650, TTY (763) 506-7865, or visit the district web site: http://anoka.k12.mn.us/ce. Click on the School Readiness link in the left index.
5. Former Madison student completes drinking straw chain in attempt to break Guinness World Record
For Ben Hiltner, the last straw was No. 30,298, and it could earn him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Hiltner is a 1992 graduate of Blaine High School and former Madison Elementary School student who returned to his elementary school to create the world’s largest, unbroken straw chain. It took Hiltner 33 hours to connect the approximately 3-1/4 miles (17,219 feet) of plain drinking straws. As Hiltner explained to Madison students during a presentation on May 24, he had always been fascinated with world records. Completing a straw chain was a record he could break, and it was a feat that allowed him to use his mathematical skills. Hiltner is a computer instructor at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Hiltner built the chain in loops inside the gymnasium at Madison May 24 and 25, and during the day, students could check on his progress. “He really involved the students,” said Cindy Hitt, principal at Madison. “When they asked how long it would take him to finish, he would help them figure it out using math. The students are still talking about it, [the straw chain] really became a Madison project.” Madison school, located in Blaine, got involved because Hiltner needed an indoor location to construct the chain. He thought his former elementary school would be an appropriate spot, and Principal Hitt agreed to let him use the gymnasium. As Hiltner told students, “Madison got me off to a really great start.” He also urged students to take advantage of what they learn, because they do not know what they will accomplish in life and what knowledge will be helpful.
Every Madison student will receive from Hiltner a straw used in his chain. Photos and video recordings of Hiltner’s chain were made as he worked, along with a final measurement taken by local police. This information will be sent to Guinness World Records headquarters in London along with statements from witnesses. Hiltner’s feat must be verified, which will take several weeks. If his attempt is accepted, Hiltner will take his place in the Guinness World Records, replacing Crossings Community Church of Oklahoma City, which pieced together a 14,825 feet straw chain on April 29, 2001.
6. Plan to attend parenting conference Oct. 16
Mark your calendar for the second annual parenting conference, “Survivor: Parenthood,” sponsored by Anoka-Hennepin Parent Involvement Oct. 16, at the Anoka-Hennepin Staff Development Center, 2727 North Ferry St., Anoka. Choose from more than 12 speakers on a variety of parenting topics. For information and registration call 763-506-1278.
7. Hoover students join hands to help others
Hoover Elementary School received a $250 Points of Light Youth Outreach Grant for its Join Hands Day project last month. Hoover’s project was one of only two awarded grants in Minnesota. Nationwide, 81 projects were selected from among 166 applicants for funding.
On Join Hands Day young people and adults built relationships while they worked on projects to improve their own communities. Hoover’s student council chose to use their grant money to make May baskets to take to a local nursing home. Students also filled 100 backpacks and canvas bags with school supplies and personal needs items that the Anoka-Hennepin Family Welcome Center will distribute to immigrant families new to the community.
Students received help from area churches, parents and community residents. Groups that partnered with Hoover include South Anoka County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Coon Rapids Police, Coon Rapids Target, Girl Scouts and Coon Rapids Lions. Join Hands Day is sponsored by America’s Fraternal Benefit Societies in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network.
8. Bell Center fifth in state in Pennies for Leukemia drive
Bell Center came in fifth in the state in donations for schools its size this year for the Pennies for Leukemia collection. Health teacher Sarah Svedberg connected the donation drive with her curriculum by teaching a unit on leukemia. Her classroom made posters and “thermometers” for each class to measure donations. For three weeks students collected pennies (and other coins and paper money). Homerooms competed against each other for a pizza party. In the first week Bell Center met its goal, by raising more than $400. All together, $752 was raised for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
9. School Board honors students and staff May 24
The students and staff listed below were honored by the School Board May 24, in the second of two spring award nights. Students qualify for recognition by winning first, second or third place or equivalent honors in a state competition and/or by qualifying for a national competition. Staff are recognized for working with award winning students, winning a state honor, or being elected president of a state professional organization or to the board of a national organization.
All State Choir
Jackson Middle School
Angela Benge, Jackson Middle School
Carly Grandner, Jackson Middle School
Eeva Hyytinen, Jackson Middle School
Anna Hyytinen, Jackson Middle School
Nick Nyland. Jackson Middle School
Kaitlin Wuollet, Jackson Middle School
Lindsey Dammar, Jackson Middle School
David Macht, Jackson Middle School
Lydia Morgan, Jackson Middle School
Kirsten Williams, Jackson Middle School
Juliann Klemenhagen, Jackson Middle School
Brittany Anderson, Jackson Middle School
Jenna DeFeyter, Anoka High School
Jessica Hennek, Anoka High School
Jeremiah Alto, Anoka High School
Katelyn Beahen, Anoka High School
Andrew Harten, Anoka High School
Sarah Beck-Esmay, Anoka High School
Brooke LaBrie, Blaine High School
Charity Reitmeier, Anoka High School
Grant Scherzer, Anoka High School
Ryan Vanasse, Coon Rapids High School
Stephanie Schliesman, Coon Rapids High School
Teachers: Kari Lace, Jackson Middle School; Sue Zemlin, Blaine High School; and Rick Geiger, Coon Rapids High School
North Central American Choral Directors Association Honor Choir
Brooke LaBrie, Blaine High School
Kate Kirch, Blaine High School
Dan Brant, Blaine High School
Daniel Segura, Blaine High School
Kristy Solheim, Champlin Park High School
Minnesota All-State Orchestra
Lindsay Trapp, Anoka High School
Zachary Scanlan, Blaine High School
Kim Peitso, Blaine High School
Laura Knutson, Coon Rapids High School
Teachers: Ed Schaefle, Blaine High School; Michael Watson, Coon Rapids High School
Minnesota All-State Band
Lauren Chuba, Anoka High School
Lucas Ollanketo, Blaine High School
Aaron Sandborn, Blaine High School
Josh Johnson, Blaine High School
Coon Rapids High School
Emily Powell, Coon Rapids High School
Louise Buckley, Coon Rapids High School
Teachers: Scott Vogel, Coon Rapids High School; Bruce Olson, Blaine High School
Minnesota State Science Fair
Coon Rapids Middle School
Carole Braschayko, Discovery Channel winner, DragonFly TV Communicator Award, and Top Junior Chemistry Project Award
Brandon Cree
Peter Hansen
Katie Schneider
Kellee Wojtowicz
Teachers: Cheryl Sill, Jennifer Mitchell
Fred Moore Middle School
Cody Brazil
Juliana Kuta
Isaac Peterson, Top First Year Student Award
Teachers: Jamie Larson, John Jacobson, Margaret Prugh
Jackson Middle School
Leslie Kravitz
Leah Richman
Teachers: Carla-Rae Lange
Oak View Middle School
Katie Twedell, Duxbury Press and Winona State University Award and Top First Year Student Award
Teacher: Marc Angell
Sandburg Middle School
Joy Bertzyk
James Coughlin
Jessica Hanson
Dan Jacobson, DragonFly TV Communicator Award
Teachers: Janelle Paulson, Steve Bryan
Anoka High School
Katherine Beckwith
Teacher: Kris Bakkum
Champlin Park High School:
Nandini Dasgupta, Duxbury Press and Winona State University Award
Richie and Ryan Huyhn, Top First Year Student Awards, International Science and Engineering Fair
Kenny Kapphahn, Top First Year Student Award
Abbey Davison, Top Senior Behavioral Sciences Paper
Katie McGraw, Top Senior Behavioral Sciences Paper
Soha Abd-Alla
Anne Doerring
Caitlin Iverson
Jeremy Iverson
Dan Lobello
Brian Nevison
Michelle Pochucha
Nate Sather
Tina Willers
Teachers: Kevin Molohon, Sue Glennon, Randy Smasal
Coon Rapids High School
Alina Muellerleile, International Science and Engineering Fair
Amanda Bryan, International Science and Engineering Fair
Amber Kirk, International Science and Engineering Fair
Thai Doan, Youth Science Leadership Camp Award, International Science and Engineering Fair
Bethany Rein, Top Senior Gerontology Project
Alyssa Anttila
Karina Desjardins
Thomas Fox
Rachel Kane
Amber Kirk
Chelsea Lyons
Madicken Munk
Colton Mehrhof
Stephanie Olson
Maddie Peek
Mike Theisen
Teacher: Gary Alexander
Perfect scores on MN Basic Standards Tests
Coon Rapids Middle School
Colton Chase
Douglas Donaldson
Peter Hansen
Brittany Klingl
Jessica Olson
Adam Vaughn
Jackson Middle School
Steven Benton
Daniel Burns
Elizabeth Hoium
Angela Neslund
Amanda Palmer
Northdale Middle School
Christine Golliet
Grant Syverson
Oak View
Allison Goetsch
Jordan Marshall
James Ostrander
Geoffrey Schmalzer
Sandburg Middle School
Joshua McElmury
Derek Messer
St Cloud State University Math Contest
Coon Rapids Middle School
Peter Hansen, grade 8, top 5 percent
Angela Wittrock, grade 7, top 5 percent
Anna Dejong, grade 7, top 10 percent
Tony Raeker, grade 7, top percent
Jackson Middle School
Nick Karp, 8th grade, top 5%
Eric Scholl, 8th grade, top 10%
Lisa Karst, 8th grade, top 10%
Stephanie Koch, 8th grade, top 10%
Alex Ditter, 7th grade, 1st place
Christopher Ho, 7th grade, 2nd place tie
Tori Okuneye, 7th grade, 2nd place tie
Adam Weimerskirch, 7th grade, top 10%
Atmanand Persaud, 7th grade, 10%
Caleb Pheneger, grade 7, top 5 percent
Grade 7, 1st Place team
Oak View Middle School
Michael Capp, grade 8, third place
Kevin Capp, grade 7, top 5 percent
Blake Gust, grade 7, top 5 percent
Jared Grove, grade 7, top 5 percent
Kelsey Hoegh, grade 8, top 10 percent
Prescott Weis, grade 8, top 10 percent
Spencer Bliss, grade 7, top 10 percent
Elise Mead, grade 7, top 10 percent
Sandburg Middle School
Zachary Erickson, grade 8, first place tie
Derek Messer, grade 8, top 5 percent
Andover High School
Benjamin Hoegh, 9th grade, 1st Place
Jeremiah Hoegh, 9th grade, top 5%
Grade 9, 1st Place team
Anoka High School
Patrick Hawk, 11th grade, 2nd place tie
Morgan Elfelt, 10 grade, top 10%
Zach Nelson, 9th grade, 2nd place tie
Joseph Tuttle, 9th grade, top 5%
Grade 12, 3rd Place team
Grade 10, 3rd Place team
Grade 9, 3rd Place team
Blaine High School
Tim Wolf, 9th grade, top 10%
Joe Wax, 11th grade, 1st place
Billy Magnuson, 11th grade, 2nd place tie
Joe Wax, Billy Magnuson, Chris Spartz,1st place team, 11th grade
Paul Hinrichs, Champlin Park High School, has qualified to compete in thte National Science Chemistry Olympiad through his exceptional performance in the state qualifying test.
American Invitational Mathematics Competitions, advanced to national level, Matt LeVere, Chris Spartz, Nathan Pikus and Joe Wax, all of Blaine High School
Scoring over 100 on the American Math Exam, Jason Ackerman, Annelise Herbst, and Ben Wood, all of Coon Rapids High School
Staff awards
Bruce Phelps, choral director at Anoka High School, recipient of theOutstanding Music Educator Award for 2003-04 from the National Federation of High Schools
Eric Waldoch, selected as Outstanding Middle School Technology teacher for Minnesota by the International Technology Education Association
So many outstanding students were honored by the School Board May 24 that we couldn’t list them all here. Look for more names of winning students and staff in the next issue of Backpack Online. |
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| 5/21/04 |
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Backpack #34 - MCA test results, world record straw chain, students recognized by School Board |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. District meets or exceeds state averages on MCA tests
2. Indian Education 30th Anniversary open house today
3. Former Madison student returns to attempt to break World Record
4. Band Finale June 1 at Coon Rapids High School
5. L.O. Jacob Elementary builds community
6. Oak View students win honors in Junior Duck Stamp competition
7. Notable Coon Rapids High School students: Urban Journalism, BPA, HOSA, FCCLA-HERO
8. School Board honors students and staff May 10
9. Anoka Boys’ Basketball team named Academic State Champions
1. District meets or exceeds state averages on MCA tests
Anoka-Hennepin fifth- and seventh-graders scored well above state averages this year on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA). Third-graders scored at the state average. Results from the MCAs, taken by students in March, were released on Wednesday, May 19.
Third, fifth and seventh grade students were tested in math and reading. Fifth-graders also took a writing test. MCAs test student ability with high academic standards. Tests are scored on a 1-through-5 scale, with 3 indicating success on grade level material. A score of 1 indicates minimal ability at the grade level, and 5 indicates superior knowledge based on grade level material.
“Overall, we are pleased to be maintaining the progress we have made,” said Laurie Resch, director of elementary curriculum, instruction and assessment. “Anoka-Hennepin schools continue their strong commitment to academic excellence.”
Even though the district performed generally better than the state average, the No Child Left Behind Act requires schools to continually improve their tests scores. Minnesota uses MCA scores to measure progress under No Child Left Behind.
“Results from a new district test this year, the Measures of Academic Progress, gives us a great deal of information about student needs,” said Resch. “This will help us to design specific staff development opportunities as we continue to implement our Blueprints for Literacy and Math.”
Release of this month’s MCA scores included no information related to Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), the measure of school performance required by No Child Left Behind. State officials have said that Minnesota schools’ AYP performance will be released in late summer.
To download a chart of districtwide MCA results click on the link below:
http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=83945&fileitem=12399&catfilter=5421
Note: The document you download contains two pages. Third grade scores are on page one; fifth and seventh grade scores are on page two.
2. Indian Education 30th Anniversary open house today
Today (May 21), the Anoka-Hennepin Indian Education Program celebrates its 30th year with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Educational Service Center, 11299 Hanson Blvd. N.W. Visitors can view displays of Indian Education activities and programs in rooms 111 and 133 and enjoy cake and refreshments. Look for a story about Indian Education in the spring issue of Focus on Anoka-Hennepin, which will be mailed to all district residents next week.
3. Former Madison student returns to attempt to break Guinness World Record
Ben Hiltner, a former Madison student, now a computer class teacher at the Science Museum, will be trying to break a Guinness Book of World Records for the longest straw chain May 24 and 25 in the Madison school gymnasium. Students will attend an opening program on Monday at 9:30 and classes will be able to walk through and see his progress. Learning activities are planned in conjunction with the project. Families will be able to view Ben’s work the evening of May 24.
4. Band Finale June 1 at Coon Rapids High School
The Finale Band Concert, featuring all Coon Rapids High School curricular bands, is Tuesday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. This year’s final band concert is a Pops concert, with the theme, Movies and Musicals. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for students and seniors; they may be purchased before and after school hours in the instrumental music office at Coon Rapids. Coon Rapids High School is at 11600 Raven St. N.W. in Coon Rapids.
5. L.O. Jacob Elementary builds community
Students at L.O. Jacob Elementary have participated in year-end service projects in their school and community as part of the school’s Building Community theme. Kindergarten classes collected pennies to buy pencils for schools in Africa. Grade 1 created a Peace Garden by L.O. Jacob’s school sign on Coon Rapids Boulevard. Grade two collected pennies to help pay for a seeing eye dog for a visually-impaired person. Grade three students visited residents at Park River Estates Care Center. Grade four classes helped clean up around the Coon Rapids Dam, and grade five cleaned up around the school.
6. Oak View students win honors in Junior Duck Stamp competition
Oak View Middle School seventh graders Joe Buchman, Melanie Lehnen, and Megan Leitschuh received honorable mention awards from the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge for artwork on their Junior Duck Stamp Competition entries.
7. Notable Coon Rapids High School students: Urban Journalism, BPA, HOSA, FCCLA-HERO
Coon Rapids High School freshman Tina Morgan was one of 16 Twin Cities students chosen to attend the two-week Urban Journalism Workshop at the University of St. Thomas. Students interact with working print and TV journalists throughout the program to learn about journalism, explore career possibilities, and produce writing which appears in a special pull-out section of the Star-Tribune this summer.
Recently, Coon Rapids High School students Kristi Hendrickson and Jenna Gazelka competed with 5,000 other students in Cincinnati at the National Business Professionals of America (BPA) competition. Kristi received an award as a finalist in the area of Individual Administrative Support Research. Morgan Barklind could not attend, but she received a National Torch Award for her participation in many school and community activities.
The following Coon Rapids High School students received top honors in the recent state Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) conference:
Jamie Jacobson, Whitney Leighton, Leah Appelgren and Rhea Theisen, first place, Creative Problem Solving
Alex Ozerkov, first place, Medical Terminology
Amy Stanescu, second place, Medical Terminology
Brandi Ruh, fourth place, Medical Terminology:
Erica Benesh, Ashlee Luniewski and Heather McKown, fourth place, Community Awareness
Students in Child Care Occupations and the Internship program at Coon Rapids High School won many awards at the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA-HERO) State Leadership Conference this spring. Congratulations to:
Jessica Hanratty, first place, interactive bulletin board
Christa Joslyn, second place, cake decorating, and scholarship winner
Sara Zachman, third place in health research paper
Carrier Kohanek, second place in Career Demonstration
Sara Fierst, second place in children's snack
Ginny Nelson, third place and People's Choice Award in Total Look in Cosmetology.
The following students qualified for the National FCCLA-HERO Conference or are alternates: Jessica Hanratty, Ashley McBroom, Sara Erickson, Kristi Syverson, Sara Fierst, Nina Lee, Sara Zachman, Clarita Kinnunen, Carrier Kohanek, Christa Joslyn, Charlotte Dordon, Ashley McBroom, Kristi Syverson, Sara Erickson, and Jennifer Dienert.
8. School Board honors students and staff May 10
Students and staff listed below were honored by the School Board May 10 in the first of two spring award nights. Students qualify for recognition by winning first, second or third place or equivalent honors in a state competition and/or qualifying for a national competition. Staff are recognized for winning state honors or being elected president of a state professional organization.
Rachel Karnis, 5th grader, Morris Bye Elementary, winner of the State D.A.R.E. poster contest
Shree Sanyal, 4th grader at Morris Bye Elementary School, State Fire Safety Poster Contest winner
Kyle Massey, Champlin Park High School, Minnesota State Championship in wrestling; third place at national tournament
Mike Maresh, Champlin Park High School, all-state linebacker, winner at State and National Wrestling Tournament
Danielle Maresh, Champlin Park High School sophomore, National Regional Womens Choir and All-State Choir
Matthew Jorgensen, Champlin Park High School senior, one of two winners in a five-state region in the national poster scholarship program of Arts Institutes International
Eric Williams, grade 10, 2004 Congressional Art Show, his work will hang in the congressional office building for a year representing Minneosta. Pastel drawing of a tiger
Perfect scores on Minnesota Basic Standards Tests in both reading and math:
Gina Foschi, Fred Moore Middle School,
Darbi Mueller, Roosevelt Middle School
Brianna Nelson, Roosevelt Middle School
Lucas Wax, Roosevelt Middle School
St. Cloud State College Math Competition
Tim Snyder, grade 7, top 5 percent, Fred Moore Middle Schol
Lars Watts, grade 7, top 10 percent, Fred Moore Middle Schol
Lucas Wax, grade 8, third place, Roosevelt Middle School
Matthew Ziebol, grade 8, top 5 percent, Roosevelt Middle School
Reed Bell, grade 7, top 5 percent, Roosevelt Middle School
Ryan Platz, grade 7, top 10 percent, Roosevelt Middle School
Fred Moore Middle School Students selected for Allstate choir:
Christina Roushar, Heather Cobb, Ian Moore, Johana Teigen and Meghan Mueller
Champlin Park High School National Merit Scholarship Finalists
Hannah Bolt
Alethea Ebb
Paul Hinrichs
Kaitlin Lindsey
Erin Phillips
Champlin Park High School National Merit Commended Scholars:
Sara Kosciolek
Sarah J. Nelson
Destination Imagination creative problem solving competition state winners
Lincoln Elementary School, The Plot and the Pendulum, first place at state, competing in Global Finals:
Jessica Ktytor, Alyssa, Muckway, Anna Loe, Rachel Hegstad, Ashley Bartz, Emily Kerfeld, Hailey Smith
Coach John Dicken and assistant Barb Loe
Blaine Cluster Team, GuessDImate, first place at state, competing in Global Finals
Kayla Sawyer Olmschenk – Northdale Middle School
Kristen Degross - Roosevelt Middle School
Sasha Buchner- Northdale Middle School
Nate Estrada – University Avenue Elementary School
Hayley Gifford - Northdale Middle School
Travis Gavin - Roosevelt Middle School
Coach Tina Estrada
Coon Rapids High School, GuessDImate, first place at state, competing in Global Finals, Pam Widell, Sophie Albarran, Alex Heilman, Vanessa Fortier, Nicole Sullivan, Coach Beth Widell and assistant Tim Sullivan
Johnsville Elementary School, Cartoon DImension , winners of the state Renaissance Award for creative and outstanding use of materials: Emma Christensen, Brandon Kesler, Jake Andersen. Danielle Dobesh, Blake Herbeck, Alyssa Brezinsky; Coach Gaelen Kesler and assistant Kathy Christensen
Linda Rodgers, parent involvement coordinator, serves as president of the
Minnesota Council on Family Relations
Bonnie Hagelberger, Monroe, grade one teacher, elected to the board of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Pat Murray, principal of Johnsville Elementary School, elected president of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association
Bonnie Johnson, principal of University Avenue Elementary School, winner of the State Leadership Award from the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association
Dennis Carlson, assistant to the superintendent-director of district services, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota Community Education Association
Minnesota School Public Relations Association Awards
Silver star award in the multi-media video category for Schools in Focus Cable Program, Karen George, Brett Johnson, Craig Holje, Mary Olson
Silver award in the programs/projects/campaign category for Discover Community Education, Karen George
Gold award in the programs/projects/campaign category for marketing of fee-based kindergarten program, Diana Menster-Sullivan, Marilyn McKeehen, and Mary Olson
9. Anoka Boys’ Basketball team named Academic State Champions
Anoka High School Boys’ Basketball Team was named Academic State Champions by the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association. Jesse Huser was named to the Academic All-State Team, and David Zeller received an honorable mention for Academic All-State. Team members will be recognized by the School Board May 24. In addition to Huser and Zeller, team members are Jon Miller, Steve Goldman, Ryan Doheny, Justin Murphy, Ryan Adams, Adam Walch, Josh Squier, Josh Niedenfuer, Robbie Slinkman, Dan Aleckson, Darrick O’Brien, Jake Britton, Eric LaBelle, Tony McLean, Mark Setterberg, Mike Finkowski. Coach is Paul Broberg
Look for more names of winning students in the next issue of Backpack Online. |
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| 5/07/04 |
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Backpack #33 - Annoucements, student wins national art award, Andover HS students honor senior citizens & more |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Vehicle fun for preschoolers tomorrow
2. Last weekend for high school theater productions
3. Teen drug and alcohol use discussion for parents at Jackson May 10
4. Planting for the Future celebration at University Avenue School
5. Science Expo Night at Riverview May 20
6. Andover High School spring concerts coming up
7. Annual Pop and Pie Concert May 21 at Coon Rapids High
8. Coon Rapids High “Bravo” choral concert May 24 through 26
9. Bell Center students collect school supplies for Nicaragua
10. Anoka-Hennepin students, staff raise money for diabetes
11. Andover teams clean up community
12. Champlin Park students win at HOSA conference
13. Coon Rapids High School student wins national art award
14. Riverview School celebrates Children’s Day
15. Andover High School students honor senior citizens
16. Community members share career information with Oak View students
1. Vehicle fun for preschoolers tomorrow
The Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program of Anoka-Hennepin is sponsoring Vehicle Day Saturday, May 8, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Park View Early Childhood Center in Champlin. Children will get to talk with the drivers and explore 15 to 20 vehicles, ranging from garbage trucks to fire trucks, and racecars to Model Ts. While focused on children up to five years old, the event is open to all children accompanied by an adult. Families may register ahead by calling the ECFE office at 763.506.1275. Tickets are also available at the event. Cost is $1 per child, no charge for adults. Park View is at 6100 109th Ave N., Champlin.
2. Last weekend for theater productions
Singin’ in the Rain at Andover High School
May 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinee May 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students, call 763.506.8491. Special deals: On Mother’s Day, May 9, buy one regularly priced ticket and mother’s ticket is free. May 7 is an American Sign Language interpreted performance. Andover High School is at 2115 Andover Blvd. NW.
Godspell at Anoka High School
May 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinee May 9 at 2 p.m. in the school auditorium. Tickets are $10 reserved, $8 general admission. Call 763.506.6439. On Mother’s Day, May 9, buy one regularly priced ticket and mother’s ticket is free. Anoka High School is at 3939 Seventh Ave. N.
Bye Bye Birdie at Blaine High School
May 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. The performance on May 7th will be ASL interpreted. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for students and senior citizens. For tickets call 763.506.6666. Blaine High School is at 12555 University Ave. NE.
The Crucible at Champlin Park High School
May 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and May 9 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Mothers' admission is free on Sunday, May 9. Tickets are available one hour prior to show times; seating is general admission. The May 7 performance will be ASL interpreted. Champlin Park High School is at 6025 109th Ave N., Brooklyn Park.
Footloose at Coon Rapids High School
May 7, 8, and 9. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performance at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Call 763.506.7291 to reserve tickets. Coon Rapids High School is at 2340 Northdale Blvd.
3. Teen drug and alcohol use discussion for parents at Jackson May 10
Jackson Middle School Counseling Corner will present a discussion of teen drug and alcohol abuse Monday, May 10, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Jackson Community Center. Featured speaker is Police Liaison Officer Bob Penne, who will discuss recent trends in adolescent drug use, warning signs of substance use and abuse, how the school addresses substance use by students, and community resources for parents. Parents from throughout the district are invited. For more information call 763-506-5325. Jackson Middle School is at 6000 109th Ave. N., Champlin.
4. Planting for the Future Celebration at University Avenue School
Students at University Avenue will plant trees and shrubs to create outdoor learning areas on the school grounds Tuesday, May 18. Each class will plant one or more trees and shrubs throughout the day beginning at 9:30 a.m. The day will end with a celebration a 2:25 p.m.
Many trees have been donated by the Tree Trust but students have been raising funds to purchase more. When the outdoor learning areas are complete classes at every grade level will be able to visit the learning labs to study trees, composting, plant care, birds, butterflies, prairie lands, and flowers. The area will feature an amphitheatre and an ornamental tree trail.
Volunteers are needed and donations are appreciated. Items still needed are 100 empty 5-gallon ice cream buckets, bags of Quikcrete, four regular and four soaker hoses, a rake and funds to purchase additional trees.
For information or to make donations contact Belinda Green, assistant principal, at 763.506.4560. University Avenue Elementary is at 9901 University Avenue NE in Blaine.
5. Science Expo Night at Riverview May 20
Riverview Specialty School for Math and Environmental Science will hold a Science Expo family night Thursday, May 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. Activities include a sale of plants grown by students, Physics Force program from 6:15 to 7 p.m., and exhibits from school partners including live animals from Animal Productions, Three Rivers Park District, Shingle Creek Watershed, Wild Birds Unlimited, and Journey North-Monarch Butterfly Study. Riverview School is at 21400 93rd Ave N., Brooklyn Park.
6. Andover High School spring concerts coming up
Andover High School musicians will present the following concerts:
Band Spring Concert, Thursday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.
Choir Spring Concert, Tuesday, May 25, 7:30 p.m.
Orchestra Spring Concert, Thursday, May 27, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for all concerts are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Andover High School is at 2115 Andover Blvd.
7. Annual Pop and Pie Concert May 21 at Coon Rapids High
The Coon Rapids High School concert band and concert orchestra, directed by Scott Vogel and Michael Watson, will perform in the annual Pop and Pie Concert Friday, May 21, 7:30 p.m. The selections performed this year relate to the theme “The Sea,” and brief student skits and acts introduce each number. After the concert, the audience is invited to join the musicians in the cafeteria for a slice of pie. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for children and seniors. Tickets are available for sale from 7:15 to 7:45 a.m. and 2:30 to 2:50 p.m. at the auditorium ticket booth, or in the school cafeteria during the student lunch hour during the week of May 17 through 21. Community members may also purchase tickets via mail. Send payment and request to CRHS Pop & Pie, 2340 Northdale Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Tickets ordered in advance will be held at a will-call table in the auditorium lobby.
8. Coon Rapids High “Bravo” choral concert May 24 through 26
The Coon Rapids High School choirs, directed by Erica Kragness and Patrick Geiger, will perform in their annual “Bravo!” show Monday, May 24 through Wednesday, May 26, 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. “Bravo!” is a variety show featuring performances by all curricular choirs, Vision, and auditioned soloists and small ensembles. Tickets are $2 for students and $4 for adults; available in advance through a choir student and at the door.
9. Bell Center students collect school supplies for Nicaragua
Students in Bell Center's Club BEST are collecting school supplies to send to Leon, Nicaragua, which is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, in an effort called "Stuff the Suitcase with School Supplies, Students Helping Students." This is an outreach service project in conjunction with Project Minnesota/Leon. The supplies will be taken to Leon in June by Minneapolis high school students and chaperones in a church youth group. Donors have the opportunity to include self-addressed postcards in hopes of receiving a note from students at the schools receiving the supplies.
10. Anoka-Hennepin students, staff raise money for diabetes
Jackson Middle School students and staff raised approximately $16,691 in the annual School Walk for Diabetes of the American Diabetes Association in early April, the largest amount raised by any school in Minnesota and fourth largest in the nation. The mission of the School Walk is to raise awareness of the importance of exercise and healthy living as ways to control weight, improve health and help prevent diabetes and promote community spirit. Students raised money through pledges for walking they did during health and physical education classes. The event was co-sponsored by health service and the physical education and health department. Approximately 2,200 Jackson students participated this year. Sixth grader Amake Nwaokolo will receive a medal for raising $265.00, the top amount raised by one student. For their efforts Jackson’s physical education department received a $2,500 gift certificate for sports equipment from US Games.
Roosevelt Middle School students also participated in the School Walk for Diabetes during physical education and health classes. Together students and staff raised $11,201.29, the third largest amount in Minnesota.
11. Andover teams clean up community
The Andover High School Swimming and Diving Teams picked up garbage along Andover Boulevard from Crosstown Blvd. to Hanson Blvd. as members of the Adopt-a-Highway program. They also cleaned up the grounds at Andover High School on a blustery April Saturday. Earlier in the year they held a Swim and Dive-Thon, raising $3,800. Participating athletes performed 100 dives or swam 100 laps to raise money to help cover expenses for the young team.
12. Champlin Park students win at HOSA conference
Eight Champlin Park High School teachers were winners at the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) state conference this spring. Congratulations to Caitie Gotchnik: first place in Medical Spelling; Melissa Law, Trista Schultz, and Faith Sirma, first Place in Medical Reading; Debbie Soukaseum, second place in Medical Math; Faustina Lai, Brittany McKeever, Beatrice Gilbert, and Caitie Gotchnik, third place in Creative Problem Solving.
13. Coon Rapids High School student wins national art award
Angela Hodges, a junior at Coon Rapids High School, recently won a silver medal in the 2004 national Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. Hodges, whose ceramic pot entry earned a gold medal in an earlier state competition, was encouraged to enter the national competition by her ceramics teacher, Sarah Hjelmberg. Thirty thousand finalist entries were evaluated at the national level in March. Hodges is one of approximately 1,100 students in the country to win a national award this year.
14. Riverview School celebrates Children’s Day
Riverview Specialty School for Math and Environmental Science celebrated the diversity of the school on “Children’s Day” May 4. The event was the culminating activity of a yearlong focus on multicultural activities. Flags of 33 different countries were unveiled and the entire school joined in “Song For The Children, “ a song celebrating the differences and similarities between children. As each flag was unveiled, a child said hello in the language of the country.
15. Andover High School students honor senior citizens
Andover High School Key Club hosted its first annual "Seniors Prom" May 3 to honor community members who are age 55 and older. Approximately 30 guests gathered at the high school for a dance and light refreshments. Thanks to the generous donations of several local sponsors, the festivities were provided at no cost to the guests. Students and staff thoroughly enjoyed meeting their guests and dancing with them throughout the night. The students were also thrilled to crown the prom king and queen, two residents of the Farmstead in Andover. Students are already we looking forward to next year's event.
16. Community members share career information with Oak View students
Oak View Middle School hosted its third annual Career Day April 22, national "Take Your Child to Work Day." Sixty community members shared information about their careers with students, including a cosmetologist, DEA agent, engineer, nurse, travel agent, deputy sheriff, and artist. Students were able to attend four different presentations throughout the morning. If you would like to talk with students about your career contact Mary Richardson at mary.richardson@anoka.k12.mn.us or 763.506.5622. |
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| 4/30/04 |
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Backpack #32 - Events announced, student in state Geography Bee |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Arbor Day festivities and Expo tomorrow at Ramsey School
2. It’s theater season in Anoka-Hennepin high schools
3. Roosevelt Middle School presents musical comedy
4. Hear practical advice on parenting children, toddlers to teenagers
5. Teen drug/alcohol use discussion for parents at Jackson May 10
6. District student competed in State Geography Bee
1. Arbor Day festivities and Environmental Expo tomorrow at Ramsey School
Ramsey Community School and the City of Ramsey are sponsoring the 28th Annual Tree Sale and 12th Annual Environmental Expo Saturday, May 1 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school, 15000 Nowthen Blvd., Ramsey. There will be exhibits and demonstrations. Participants include the Raptor Center, Bell Museum, Wargo Nature Center, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Bring the family for the fun, games and educational exhibits. Shop for yard and garden. For more information call Jill Smith, 763.506.4012, or Bruce Bacon, 763.433.9813.
2. It’s theater season in Anoka-Hennepin high schools.
Four of the district’s five high schools have opening performances of their spring productions tonight, the fifth opens next week:
Singin’ in the Rain at Andover High School
April 30, May 1, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees May 2 and 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students, call 763.506.8491. Special deals: On Mother’s Day, May 9, buy one regularly priced ticket and mother’s ticket is free. May 7 is an American Sign Language interpreted performance. Andover High School is at 2115 Andover Blvd. NW.
Godspell at Anoka High School
April 30, May 1, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees May 2 and 9 at 2 p.m. in the school auditorium. Tickets are $10 reserved, $8 general admission. Call 763.506.6439. Special deals: senior citizens 62 and older pay half price at the Sunday shows. K-12 students pay half price on April 30 with a student I.D. On Mother’s Day, May 9, buy one regularly priced ticket and mother’s ticket is free. Anoka High School is at 3939 Seventh Ave. N.
Bye Bye Birdie at Blaine High School
April 30, May 1, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. The performance on May 7th will be ASL interpreted. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for students and senior citizens. For tickets call 763.506.6666. Blaine High School is at 12555 University Ave. NE.
Footloose at Coon Rapids High School
April 30, May 1,2 7,8, and 9. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Call 763.506.7291 to reserve tickets. Coon Rapids High School is at 2340 Northdale Blvd.
The Crucible at Champlin Park High School
Friday, May 7, Saturday May 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 9th at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Mothers' admission is free on Sunday, May 9. Tickets are available one hour prior to show times; seating is general admission. The May 7 performance will be ASL interpreted. Champlin Park High School is at 6025 109th Ave N., Brooklyn Park.
3. Roosevelt Middle School presents musical comedy
Roosevelt Middle School will present a three-act musical comedy, Pirate Island, on May 6 at 3:15 and 7 p.m., and May 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $2 for students and $4 for adults. Roosevelt is at 650 NE Main St., Blaine.
4. Hear practical advice on parenting children, toddlers to teenagers
Come to an evening packed with solid practical advice for parents of children from toddlers to teenagers with Barbara Coloroso. She will discuss the keys to good parenting, six critical life messages, power struggles, discipline, keeping your cool, and much more at “Kids Are Worth It! Parenting with Wit and Wisdom,” Thursday, May 6, 7 to 9 p.m. at Fred Moore Middle School, 1523 Fifth Ave. S., Anoka. The cost is $5 per person
Coloroso is an internationally recognized speaker and author in the areas of parenting, teaching, school discipline, non-violent conflict resolution and reconciliatory justice. Her latest book, is “The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School – How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence.”
For more information and registration please call Anoka-Hennepin Parent Involvement at 763-506-1278. Childcare is not available for this event.
5. Teen drug and alcohol use discussion for parents at Jackson May 10
Jackson Middle School Counseling Corner will present a discussion of teen drug and alcohol abuse Monday, May 10, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Jackson Community Center. Featured speaker is Police Liaison Officer Bob Penne, who will discuss recent trends in adolescent drug use, warning signs of substance use and abuse, how the school addresses substance use by students, and community resources for parents. Parents from throughout the district are invited. For more information call 763-506-5325. Jackson Middle School is at 6000 109th Ave. N., Champlin.
6. District student competed in State Geography Bee
Last week Backpack Online congratulated four students for participating in the state Geography Bee. Unfortunately, one student was omitted. Congratulations also to Kate Christopherson, grade 8, Roosevelt Middle School for advancing to the state event. |
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| 4/23/04 |
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Backpack #31 - High school spring theater, meeting with Rep. Ramstad's office, Superintendent concerned over Title I cuts |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Andover High School presents Singin’ in the Rain April 30 to May 9
2. Anoka High School presents Godspell April 30 to May 9
3. Blaine High School presents Bye Bye Birdie April 30 to May 8
4. Footloose opens May 1 at Coon Rapids High School
5. Run and Walk for Literacy set for May 1
6. Special events: Oxbow Creek and Andover Elementary Schools
7. Meeting May 12 on Title I cuts with Congressman Ramstad’s office
8. Superintendent’s Column – Concern over Title I cuts, state funding
9. Say ‘thanks!’ to a school volunteer
10. District students competed in State Geography Bee
11. Anoka High School students advance to State History Day May 2
12. Champlin Park High School student wins poster competition
13. Three DI teams win state championships, advance to Global Finals
1. Andover High School presents Singin’ in the Rain April 30 to May 9
Andover High School presents Singin’ in the Rain April 30, May 1, 7, and 8 ay 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees May 2 and 9 at 2 p.m. Singin’ in the Rain is a zany, light-hearted romantic comedy about the early days of talking movies, when a movie studio scrambled to salvage the career of its chipmunk-voiced silent picture star. The MGM classic film has been faithfully and lovingly adapted by Broadway legends Betty Comden and Adolph Green from their original award-winning screenplay. The director of Andover’s production is Ann Johnson. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students, call 763.506.8491. Special deals: On Mother’s Day, May 9, buy one regularly priced ticket and mother’s ticket is free. May 7 is an American Sign Language interpreted performance. Andover High School is at 2115 Andover Blvd. NW
2. Anoka High School presents Godspell April 30 to May 9
Anoka High School will present Godspell April 30, May 1, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees May 2 and 9 at 2 p.m. in the school auditorium. Godspell is the modern retelling of the gospel according to Matthew with music, mime, comedy and slapstick. Music for the show includes rock, gospel, and ragtime, and the hits "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord" and "Day by Day." The director is Mark Milbauer. Tickets are $10 reserved, $8 general admission. Call 763).506.6439. Special deals: senior citizens 62 and older pay half price at the Sunday shows. K-12 students pay half price on April 30 with a student I.D. On Mother’s Day, May 9, buy one regularly priced ticket and mother’s ticket is free. Anoka High School is at 3939 Seventh Ave. N.
3. Blaine High School presents Bye Bye Birdie April 30 to May 8
Blaine High School Theatre and Music Departments will present the popular musical Bye Bye Birdie April 30, May 1, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. The performance on May 7th will be ASL interpreted. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for students and senior citizens. For tickets call 763.506.6666. Blaine High School is at 12555 University Ave. NE.
4. Footloose opens May 1 at Coon Rapids High School
Coon Rapids High School Theatre Department is presenting the 1980's rock musical Footloose. Performance dates are April 30, May 1,2 7,8, and 9. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Call 763.506.7291 to reserve tickets. Coon Rapids High School is at 2340 Northdale Blvd.
5. Run and Walk for Literacy set for May 1
The annual Bill Gallagher Memorial 5K Fun Run and Walk for Literacy is set for Saturday, May 1 at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. Registration starts at 8 a.m., the wheelchair event at 9 a.m., the 5K run at 9:20 a.m., and the walk at 9:40 a.m. Cost is $14 for adults, $5 for students, or $30 for a family if registered April 21 or before. After April 21 the cost is $19 for adults, $8 for students, and $40 for a family. All registered participants receive t-shirts and kids receive a free book.
Sponsored by the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation, the event honors the late beloved Principal Bill Gallagher, who actively promoted literacy for over 30 years. For information and registration form call Barb Winfield at 763. 506.1107.
6. Special events: Oxbow Creek and Andover Elementary Schools
Andover Elementary School’s annual Showcase will be held Thursday, May 6, 6 to 8 p.m. Activities include: AHEF Certificate Sales, Art Fair, Battle of the Books, Ice Cream Social, Music Demonstrations, Physical Education Demonstrations, Technology Demonstrations and Volunteer Appreciation. Everyone is welcome to attend. Andover Elementary School is at 14950 Hanson Blvd.
The community is invited to attend a free Art Fair and Ice Cream Social May 11, 6 to 8 p.m. at Oxbow Creek Elementary School, 6505 109th Ave. N. Brooklyn Park.
7. Meeting May 12 on Title I cuts with Congressman Ramstad’s office
The Parent Legislative Team of Anoka-Hennepin will host a meeting with Mike Hagenson, Deputy District Director of Congressman Jim Ramstad's office. The topic for the evening is the recent 40 percent cut in Title I funding to Anoka-Hennepin students.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 12, at 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Staff Development Center of the Anoka-Hennepin Learning Center, 2727 North Ferry Street, Anoka.
Parents and citizens are encouraged to participate! For more information call Linda Rodgers at 763.506.1282 or email linda.rodgers@anoka.k12.mn.us
Superintendent’s Column – Concern over Title I cuts, state funding
By Dr. Roger Giroux
Last month, we reported on the reduction in federal funding for basic skill instruction. Even though the government insists that “No Child Left Behind” is well funded, this Superintendent disagrees. We lost forty percent of our federal Title I funding for remedial programs and there is little chance that it will be back. The money was sent to other states based on a new calculation of need. Minnesota in general, and districts like Anoka-Hennepin in particular, lost much of the funding intended to assist with learning disadvantages related to income and socio-economic status. We have the same number of students with needs this month as we had back in March (the number is larger). We have a great many more with needs from the subgroups that benefited from these funds than we had in 2000 when the database for the new distribution was established.
There is some expectation that we will accomplish as much learning without the money as we accomplished with the money. That simply isn’t going to happen. (Apparently there is a reversed logic for many states and districts other than Minnesota because their funding increased.) We will do our best and we will accomplish much, but the removal of this money from our community in the face of increased demands for performance under “No Child Left Behind” is simply unjustified.
We have three remedies for the loss of federal support. We can go without the needed funding and let the schools face increased probability of being labeled as not making adequate progress. We can reduce what we spend on other students and redirect the money to make up for the funds withdrawn from us by the federal government. We can add the loss to the amount local taxpayers are asked to consider as a local tax proposal to fund the education of their children. In the short run, this year and next, the best we can do is patch. We cannot make up the loss and it appears very unlikely that the revenue will be reinstated.
There are always two sides to every issue and I realize I am only presenting my view. Nevertheless the debates of the coming elections should include a healthy discussion of “No Child Left Behind.” The debates in our federal legislative districts should include discussion of federal education funding in Anoka County and the northern third of Hennepin County as compared to the rest of the country.
The discussion of education should go beyond federal funding issues. It appears that Minnesota state funding will remain basically unchanged again this year. All of us should ask our state leaders for the mission, vision, goals and objectives for Minnesota’s schools. Parents of students now in school should ask candidates for a clear picture of the schools their children will be attending in the next three, five, ten and twelve years. We should all ask if the curriculum would remain comprehensive. What part of educating our children will be transferred to fees and the ability of each parent to pay? Will a limited definition of “core education” supported by the state make quality education available only to those who can afford it? If there is a “new public school” for our children in our vision of the future, how will we transition to the new reality? How will we protect the children now in our schools from damage as we move from a tax supported public education to something else? Slogans and broad concepts are abundant during an election. Specific programs that impact children are usually left to a post election discussion. We need to advance that agenda and discuss the specifics at the time we vote.
9. Say ‘thanks!’ to a school volunteer
Anoka-Hennepin schools are honoring many people during National Volunteer Recognition Week, April 18 through 24. More than 6,700 people share their time and talent as volunteers for the school district. During the last school year parent and community volunteers recorded over 148,000 hours of work in schools. They work in a variety of areas ranging from classroom assistance to leading school-based and districtwide parent efforts. The value of their contribution of unpaid service to the district is more than $2.4 million, according to Independent Sector’s Giving and Volunteering in the United States. If you would like to volunteer call your local school or Sue Archbold, volunteer services supervisor, at 763.506.1585.
10. District students competed in State Geography Bee
Four Anoka-Hennepin students competed in the State Geography Bee April 2 at Macalester College after qualifying at their school. Congratulations to:
Rachel Hegstad, grade four, Lincoln Elementary School
Joe Jensen, grade 7, Fred Moore Middle School
Michael Comroy, grade 6, Oak View Middle School
Paul Kohler, grade 8 Sandburg Middle School
11. Anoka High School students advance to State History Day May 2
Five Anoka High School students were finalists at the Metro Regional History Day Fair April 1 at Augsburg College and will go on to compete at the State History Day May 2nd at the University of Minnesota. Congratulations to:
Tzvetelina Pramatorov, Individual Media
Katie Hiatt, Individual Exhibit
Jenna Kang, Individual Exhibit
Anna Rathbun and Ashley Swenson, Group Media
12. Champlin Park High School student wins poster competition
Matthew Jorgensen won second place and a $2000 scholarship in the Arts Institutes International National Poster Scholarship Program. He was one of two students to win an award in the five-state region. Participants created original compositions on the computer using the Art Institutes International logo and following the theme of what art adds to our lives.
13. Three DI teams win state championships, advance to Global Finals
Three teams from Anoka-Hennepin School District 11 won championships at the State Destination Imagination (DI) creative problem-solving tournament April 10 at Blaine High School. They will represent Minnesota at the DI Global Finals competition in Knoxville, TN May 24 through 29. A fourth team won a special award at the state competition but does not advance to finals.
Lincoln Elementary School, Anoka, won the elementary division in the problem called The Plot and the Pendulum. They had to create a theatrical presentation featuring two original stories that begin the same way but have different endings. They also had to create a “plot diverter” with a pendulum that set the different stories in motion. Team members are Jessica Ktytor, Alyssa Muckway, Anna Loe, Rachel Hegstad, Ashley Bartz, Emily Kerfeld, and Hailey Smith. Coach is John Dicken.
Two teams won in a problem called GuessDImate, in which they were challenged to design, build and test a structure of wood and glue. They also had to guess the amount of weight the structure would hold and create and present a story with guess or estimation as the central theme.
The Blaine Cluster Team, made up of students from Northdale and Roosevelt Middle Schools and University Avenue Elementary School, won the middle level division. Members are Kayla Sawyer Olmschenk, Kristen Degross, Sasha Buchner, Nate Estrada, Hayley Gifford and Travis Gavin. The team is coached by Tina Estrada.
Coon Rapids High School won the secondary division. Members are Pam Widell, Sophie Albarran, Alex Heilman, Vanessa Fortier and Nicole Sullivan. They are coached by Beth Widell.
A team from Johnsville Elementary School, Blaine, won the Renaissance Award for their creative and outstanding use of materials in the problem called Cartoon DImension. Coached by Gaelen Kesler. team members are Ben Ziebol, Emma Christensen, Brandon Kesler, Jake Andersen, Danielle Dobesh, Blake Herbeck and Alyssa Brezinsky. |
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| 4/17/04 |
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Backpack #30 - Concerts, students win at math event, School Board news & more |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Elementary student artwork on display at Northtown through April 21
2. Roosevelt students’ art on display through April at Borders Books
3. Coon Rapids High School presents orchestra concert Apr. 26
4. Arbor Day festivities, Tree Sale and Environmental Expo at Ramsey School May 1
5. Roosevelt Middle School presents musical comedy May 6, 7
6. College Fair at Andover High School May 6
7. Hear practical advice on parenting children, toddlers to teenagers, May 6
8. Ramsey students present Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs May 12
9. Andover High School students compete in state speech meet
10. Coon Rapids High School students win at state HOSA event
11. Forty Anoka-Hennepin students win at St. Cloud math contest
12. School Board News
A. Student parking fees increased
B. School Board eliminates some teaching positions
1. Elementary student artwork on display at Northtown through April 21
Art created by talented Anoka-Hennepin elementary students will be displayed through April 21 at Northtown Mall. The exhibit is near Best Buy and Entrance No. 3. Northtown Mall is at the junction of County Road 10 and University Ave. NE.
2. Roosevelt students art on display through April at Borders Books
Roosevelt Middle School Artwork is on display at Borders Books in Coon Rapids. The work will be on display until the end of April and then returned to school for display at the Arts Extravaganza May 26. Some of this work has also been displayed at the State Capitol or the Perpich Center for the Arts as part of the March Youth Art Month Celebration.
3. Coon Rapids High School presents orchestra concert Apr. 26
The Coon Rapids High School Concert Orchestra and Cardinal Strings, both under the direction of Michael Watson, will perform in a Senior Concerto concert Monday, April 26 in the school auditorium. This concert features several outstanding senior musicians as soloists. These include Megan Carlson in Mozart’s Piano Concerto in F Major, Matt Carey in Eccle’s Sonata in G, Emily Powell in Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, Rich Newton in Capuzzi’s Concerto in G Major for bass and orchestra, Rene Sobiech in Kabalewski’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Vanessa Fortier in Telemann’s Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, and Kristen Swallow in selections from Bach’s Cello Suite #3.
Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students and seniors; seats are reserved. Purchase tickets through orchestra students or at the door. Coon Rapids High School is at 2340 Northdale Blvd.
4. Arbor Day festivities, Tree Sale and Environmental Expo at Ramsey School May 1
Ramsey Community School and the City of Ramsey are sponsoring the 28th Annual Tree Sale and 12th Annual Environmental Expo Saturday, May 1 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school, 15000 Nowthen Blvd., Ramsey. There will be exhibits and demonstrations. Participants include the Raptor Center, Bell Museum, Wargo Nature Center, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Bring the family for the fun, games and educational exhibits. Shop for yard and garden. For more information call Jill Smith, 763.506.4012, or Bruce Bacon, 763.433.9813.
5. Roosevelt Middle School presents musical comedy
Roosevelt Middle School will present a three-act musical comedy, Pirate Island, on May 6 at 3:15 and 7 p.m., and May 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $2 for students and $4 for adults. Roosevelt is at 650 NE Main St., Blaine.
6. College Fair at Andover High School May 6
Andover High School is hosting a College Fair Thursday, May 6, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria during spring conferences. This event is open to all high school students and parents in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. This is a great opportunity to talk with representatives from many colleges, universities, community colleges, trade schools and military organizations. Andover High School is located at 2115 Andover Blvd.
7. Hear practical advice on parenting children, toddlers to teenagers
Come to an evening packed with solid practical advice for parents of children from toddlers to teenagers with Barbara Coloroso. She will discuss the keys to good parenting, six critical life messages, power struggles, discipline, keeping your cool, and much more at “Kids Are Worth It! Parenting with Wit and Wisdom,” Thursday, May 6, 7 to 9 p.m. at Fred Moore Middle School, 1523 Fifth Ave. S., Anoka. The cost is $5 per person
Coloroso is an internationally recognized speaker and author in the areas of parenting, teaching, school discipline, non-violent conflict resolution and reconciliatory justice. Her latest book, is “The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School – How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence.”
For more information and registration please call Anoka-Hennepin Parent Involvement at 763-506-1278. Childcare is not available for this event.
8. Ramsey students present Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs May 12
Ramsey Elementary School fourth and fifth graders will present Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs May 12, 7:30 p.m. This performance is free and open to the community. The students will also present several daytime performances for the school. Ramsey School is at 15000 Nowthen Blvd.
9. Andover High School students in state speech meet April 17
Students from Andover High School are representing the district at the Minnesota State High School League State Speech Competition April 17 at Centennial High School. They are Erin Bakken in Poetry, Amanda Schilling in Humorous Interpretation, and Josh Swoyer in Creative Expression. Ashley Stroud is second alternate to state in Prose.
10. Coon Rapids High School students win at state HOSA event
Congratulations to Coon Rapids High School students who were winners at the state competition of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) this spring.
Winners are:
Creative Problem Solving, first place, Jamie Jacobson, Whitney Leighton, Leah Appelgren and Rhea Theisen
Medical Terminology, first place, Alex Ozerkov; second place, Amy Stanescu; fourth place, Brandi Ruh
Community Awareness, fourth place, Erica Benesh, Ashlee Luniewski, and Heather McKown
11. District students win big at St. Cloud math contest
Forty Anoka-Hennepin students were winners at the annual mathematics competition sponsored by the departments of mathematics, statistics, and computer science at St. Cloud State University. Students from across Minnesota competed March 30 to answer a number of tough math questions. (See samples at the end of this story.)
“Overall, Anoka-Hennepin students did a fabulous job. They represented our district admirably as top notch math performers and conscientious students,” said Julie Blaha, math teacher at Jackson Middle School.
Individual Awards
First Place:
Joseph Wax, grade 11, Blaine High School
Benjamin Hoegh, grade 9 Andover High School
Zachary Erickson, grade 8, Sandburg Middle School, tie
Alex Ditter, grade 7, Jackson Middle School
Second Place:
Bill Magnuson, grade 11, Blaine High School, tie
Patrick Hawk, grade 11, Anoka High School, tie
Zach Nelson, grade 9, Anoka High School, tie
Christopher Ho, grade 7, Jackson Middle School, tie
Tori Okuneye, grade 7, Jackson Middle School, tie
Third Place
Lucas Wax, grade 8, Roosevelt Middle School
Michael Capp, grade 8, Oak View Middle School
Top 5%: Jeremiah Hoegh, grade 9, Andover High School; Joseph Tuttle, grade 9, Anoka High School; Peter Hansen, grade 8, Coon Rapids Middle School; Matthew Ziebol, grade 8, Roosevelt Middle School; Derek Messer, grade 8, Sandburg Middle School; Nick Karp, Jackson Middle School; Kevin Capp, grade 7, Oak View Middle School; Caleb Pheneger, grade 7, Oak View Middle School; Tom Snyder, grade 7, Fred Moore Middle School; Angela Wittrock, grade 7, Coon Rapids Middle School; Bell Reed, grade 7, Roosevelt Middle School; Blake Gust, grade 7, Oak View Middle School; Jared Grove, grade 7, Oak View Middle School
Top 10%: Morgan Elfelt, grade, 10 Anoka High School; Tim Wolfe, grade 9, Blaine High School; Eric Scholl, grade 8, Jackson Middle School; Kelsey Hoegh, grade 8, Oak View Middle School; Lisa Karst, grade 8, Jackson Middle School; Prescott Weis, grade 8, Oak View Middle School; Stephanie Koch, grade 8, Jackson Middle School; Adam Weimerskirch, grade 7, Jackson Middle School; Atmanand Persaud, grade 7, Jackson Middle School; Spencer Bliss, grade 7, Oak View Middle School; Anna Dejong, grade 7, Coon Rapids Middle School; Elise Mead, grade 7, Oak View Middle School; Lars Watts, grade 7, Fred Moore Middle School; Ryan Platz, grade 7, Roosevelt Middle School; Tony Raeker, grade 7, Coon Rapids Middle School
Team Awards
Grade 12, Anoka High School, third place
Grade 11, Blaine High School, first place
Grade 10, Anoka High School, third place
Grade 9, Andover High School, first place; Anoka High School, third place
Grade 7, Jackson Middle School, first place
After the exam, students chose from a variety of activities including an open gym, planetarium show, demonstrations, exhibits, bowling, billiards, table tennis, video games, and lunch.
St. Cloud Math Contest sample test questions
Grades 7 and 8: There are 10 red, 5 green, and 7 yellow balls in a box. What is the minimum number of balls to be taken out (without replacement) in order to guarantee that at least one green and at least one yellow ball will be taken out?
Grades 9 and 10: Five million dollars in $20 bills weigh about 550 pounds. What is a good estimate for the weight of twenty million dollars in $100 bills?
Grades 11 and 12: The longest side of a certain triangle is 4 cm less than the sum of the other two sides. Twice the shortest side is 9 cm less than the longest side. What is the absolute difference between the middle-sized side and the shortest side?
12. School Board News
A. Student parking fees increased
The School Board approved an increase in student parking fees April 1 that will go into effect for the next school year. Semester fees were set at $50 per quarter, an increase of $10. The daily rate increased by $2 per day, an increase of $1. (Because of limited space for semester permits at Coon Rapids High School, the daily rate there will remain at $1.) The rate increase was needed to cover the costs of maintaining the lots and providing security. Rates had been unchanged for several years.
School Board eliminates some teaching positions
The School Board eliminated approximately 78 full-time equivalent (FTE) licensed teaching positions and approximately 87 FTE non-licensed positions. The cuts are due to a variety of factors including a reduction in federal funding for Title I, a reduction in state funding for some Community Education programs, and anticipated enrollment changes –200 fewer elementary students, 60 fewer middle school students and 300 more high school students. In addition, a number of positions were eliminated because they were funded with dollars available for this year only. The position cuts also reflect students’ choice of courses at the middle and high school levels. Most of the non-licensed positions eliminated were paraprofessional positions funded with Title I dollars.
Linda Fenwick, human resources manager, noted that no teachers will be placed on unrequested leave of absence as a result of the position cuts. |
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| 4/02/04 |
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Backpack #29 - Sen. Dayton addresses funding cuts, School Board news, TOP teachers & more |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Enjoy spring break, April 5 – 9
The district’s central office will be open April 5-7, closed April 8 and 9
Today's edition includes:
1. Sen. Dayton addresses Anoka-Hennepin’s funding cuts from Senate floor
2. Run and Walk for Literacy set for May 1
3. District hosts national bullying prevention video teleconference
4. Outstanding Anoka-Hennepin teachers to receive TOP awards
5. School Board highlights:
A. Bond refinancing saves district taxpayers $1.3 million in interest
B. Link Crew helps ninth graders feel at home in high school
6. Downloadable calendars posted on Web site
1. Sen. Dayton addresses Anoka-Hennepin’s funding cuts from Senate floor
Since the announcement last month that Anoka-Hennepin Schools would lose approximately 40 percent of their federal Title I funding – approximately $1.1 million – school district representatives have been working with state and local legislators to find additional resources. Title I funding provides extra help in reading and math for elementary students who are below grade level and is especially critical as the district works to meet the goals of the federal No Child Left Behind law.
Dale Zellmer, Director of Federal Programs for the district, spoke with U.S. Senator Mark Dayton Thursday in Washington, sharing the importance of Title programs and the impact the cut will have on the district’s ability to meet the needs of students. He estimates that approximately 1,400 fewer Anoka-Hennepin students will not receive the extra help they need in reading or math as a result of the cuts. He also shared with Sen. Dayton letters from families describing how Title programs have helped their children.
Immediately following this discussion, Sen. Dayton spoke from the Senate floor about the funding cuts and their effect on Minnesota and Anoka-Hennepin.
Here is part of the text of Sen. Dayton’s speech, taken from the April 1 Congressional Record:
“One of the school districts, Anoka-Hennepin, is going to experience a 40-percent reduction in funding for title I programs at the same time the number of children eligible for title I is going up. Now, how can we say that there is no child going to be left behind under this program, and that it is adequately funded, when a school district such as that is going to experience a 40-percent reduction in funding? How is it that two States in the Nation--Massachusetts and Minnesota--are going to see a reduction in funding while the overall program nationwide is going to receive a $1 billion increase?”
2. Run and Walk for Literacy set for May 1
The annual Bill Gallagher Memorial 5K Fun Run and Walk for Literacy is set for Saturday, May 1 at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. Registration starts at 8 a.m., the wheelchair event at 9 a.m., the 5K run at 9:20 a.m., and the walk at 9:40 a.m. Cost is $14 for adults, $5 for students, or $30 for a family if registered April 21 or before. After April 21 the cost is $19 for adults, $8 for students, and $40 for a family. All registered participants receive t-shirts and kids receive a free book.
Sponsored by the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation, the event honors the late beloved Principal Bill Gallagher, who actively promoted literacy for over 30 years.
For information and registration form call Barb Winfield at 763. 506.1107.
3. District hosts national bullying prevention video teleconference
Anoka-Hennepin will be a host site for a national bullying prevention video teleconference on Monday, April 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Staff Development Center, 2727 Ferry St. North, Anoka. The event is intended for educators, leaders of youth organizations, law enforcement officials, justice groups, health and safety professionals, and others in the community committed to bullying prevention.
This town-hall style discussion will include officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools. Participants will be able to learn about effective bullying prevention, create meaningful discussions between schools and the community, and ask questions of national leaders regarding bullying prevention.
To register, contact Cheryl Dugan at 763.506.1159. For more information, contact Karen Dahl at 763.506.1168.
4. Outstanding Anoka-Hennepin teachers to receive TOP awards
Twenty Anoka-Hennepin teachers are being recognized through the Anoka-Hennepin Teacher Outstanding Performance (TOP) Awards program for outstanding efforts in educating students. Teachers are nominated by students, parents, and community members. To be considered for the award, they must also complete an application.
A selection committee of parents, students, principals, and Anoka-Hennepin Education Foundation representatives review the nominations and applications to select 20 individuals who will be recognized for their outstanding work in the classroom. The 20 winners are then interviewed by the committee to select four who receive grants for projects at their school.
This year nearly 100 teachers were nominated and more applications were submitted than any other year in the eight years of the program.
This year’s Teacher Outstanding Performance Award winners are:
Marc Angell, Science, Oak View Middle School
Deb Baarsch, Social Studies, Andover High School
William Bauer, Social Studies, Fred Moore Middle School
Scott Birklid, Science, Anoka High School
Renee Blue, Kindergarten, Rum River Elementary School
Deb Cordes, fifth grade, Monroe Elementary School
Deb Day, first grade, Rum River Elementary School
Nancy DuBois, Math, Fred Moore Middle School
Angela Folch, Social Studies, Blaine High School
Jessica Grams, Family and Consumer Science, Crossroads Alternative High School
Sandra Gutzwiller, Math, Jackson Middle School
Richard Johnson, fourth grade, Monroe Elementary School
Paul Kelley, Math, Anoka High School
Constance LaTendresse, sixth grade, Jackson Middle School
Susan Nordby, Kindergarten, Park View Early Childhood Center
Joseph Scheller, third grade, Oxbow Creek Elementary School
Steven Tucker, Special Education - EBD, L. O. Jacob Elementary School
Amy Vatne Bintliff, English, Crossroads Alternative High School
Leslie Witucki, fifth grade, Champlin Elementary School
Roxie Stone, third grade, Evergreen Park Elementary School
These 20 teachers each receive a $600 professional development award. Four of the twenty will receive an additional $1,000 grant for a school-based project. Grant winners will be announced during the recognition event.
The Anoka-Hennepin Teacher Outstanding Performance Awards are a joint program of the Anoka-Hennepin School District and the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation.
5. School Board highlights
A. Bond refinancing saves district taxpayers $1.3 million in interest
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board saved taxpayers approximately $1.3 million in interest when it approved the sale of $18,945,000 in general obligation refunding bonds March 22. The district was able to get a lower rate on these bonds than when they were sold in 2000 to pay for building projects including Andover High School and Rum River and Oxbow Creek Elementary Schools. In addition, the board authorized the sale of $14,890,000 in general obligation alternative facility bonds to pay for a variety of facility improvement projects.
B. Link Crew helps ninth graders feel at home in high school
When freshmen entered Andover and Anoka High Schools on the first day of school in September they were greeted by juniors and seniors who helped them make a positive transition to high school and put them on the road to academic success. This year both schools began Link Crew, a highly successful national program of Learning for Living Inc. that is built on the belief that students can help students succeed.
“The enthusiasm that was generated by this program has translated to the other high schools and, starting next year, all of our high schools will put this program into place,” said Associate Superintendent Leila Redin when introducing the topic to the School Board March 22.
Linda Anderson, principal at Anoka High School, said she was impressed with the program after seeing it in action at an Illinois high school notable for winning National School of Excellence awards and offering many innovative programs.
Anoka and Andover staff members received extensive training in Link Crew curriculum, which they then taught to juniors and seniors who were selected for the program through an application process.
After completing two four-hour training sessions, Link Crew leaders are able to help new students learn such things as school expectations, traditions, appropriate behavior, good study habits, and how to get involved in co-curricular activities. They welcome the freshmen on the first day of school and then continue to meet with them throughout the year for academic and social activities. For example, when it came time for freshmen to take their first big high school exams, Link Crew sponsored a “cocoa and cram” session. They set up tutoring tables before and after school, served cocoa and helped students prepare for tests.
Freshmen say the program is helpful because it creates a welcoming atmosphere and makes them feel respected by upperclassmen. “I really think Link Crew does a good job of bridging the gap between freshmen and upperclassmen,” said Colleen Johnson, freshman at Andover High School.
The program is a positive experience not only for 9th graders, but also for their Link Crew leaders. “It helped me become a better person,” said Nicole Anderson, junior at Andover High School. “As I began to grow as a leader, I became more confident speaking in front of any group. I know I can and have made a difference.”
The schools have analyzed data to see if Link Crew has made a difference that can be reflected in numbers. Bill Kron, assistant principal at Anoka High School, compared first semester data from last year’s and this year’s ninth grade classes. He said the number of students on the honor roll increased and the number of stress related visits to the health office decreased 19 percent. There were also small reductions in truancy, tardiness and disciplinary incidents, and a five percent reduction in the number of students failing a class. “None of the changes are due to Link Crew alone, but it has definitely been part of it,” he said.
Board member Tom Heidemann said he walked into Anoka High School on opening day when Link Crew was welcoming students. “The energy I felt was absolutely incredible,” he said. “My son was a freshman and he had nothing but positive things to say for the transition to the school.”
Dr. Redin noted that Sandburg Middle School is trying the middle school level program of Learning for Living, Inc. this year and other schools may consider it as well.
6. Downloadable calendars posted on Web site
You can now download the 2004-05 school year calendar from the district Web site, www.anoka.k12.mn.us. A number of versions are available to meet your specific needs:
• Grades 1-12
• All-Day-Every-Day Kindergarten/Kindergarten Plus
• All-Day-Every-Other-Day Kindergarten
• Grades 1-5 Digital Days
• Student Contact Days
• Staff Contact Days |
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| 3/26/04 |
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Backpack #28 - School Board news, Andover girls' basketball 3rd in state, Destination ImagiNation & more |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Oxbow Creek Arts and Academics Expo March 30
2. College Fair at Blaine High School
3. Speaker to provide practical parenting advice May 6
4. School Board highlights:
A. Technology initiative to bring parents closer to Anoka-Hennepin schools
B. Volunteers play key role in kindergarten language arts study
5. Student success from around Anoka-Hennepin
A. Andover girls’ basketball team places third in state
B. Local teams going to Destination ImagiNation state competition
C. Blaine Boys’ Basketball in state tourney
D. Anoka BPA students win at state conference
6. Students making a difference
A. Peter Enich Kindergarten Center
B. Blaine High School
7. CRHS teacher named Debate Coach of the Year
8. Rumor watch
9. Correction
1. Oxbow Creek Arts and Academics Expo March 30
The Oxbow Creek/Park View Talent Development Committee will host the 4th Annual Arts and Academics Expo "Celebrate Your Brilliance" Tuesday, March 30, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nearly 600 students from Park View Early Childhood Center and Oxbow Creek Elementary School will display their projects or perform during the Expo. Emphasis is not on competition but on personal excellence. Community leaders from Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Dayton along with students from Champlin Park High School will judge projects. The intent is for students to receive quality feedback to both encourage and challenge them in their chosen area. All entries are acknowledged for their achievement with a certificate. The public is invited to attend. Oxbow Creek School is located at 6505 109th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park.
2. College Fair at Blaine High School
Blaine High School will host its Third Annual College Fair on Friday, April 16, 7:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the school’s fieldhouse. More than 100 colleges from Minnesota and the Midwest will be represented. Juniors and sophomores will attend the fair during class periods one and two. This is a great opportunity for students and parents to network with college admissions representatives. All parents and community are welcome to attend. Please enter through the Fieldhouse door. Blaine High School is at 12555 University Avenue.
3. Hear practical advice on parenting children, toddlers to teenagers
Come to an evening packed with solid practical advice for parents of children from toddlers to teenagers with Barbara Coloroso. She will discuss the keys to good parenting, six critical life messages, power struggles, discipline, keeping your cool, and much more at “Kids Are Worth It! Parenting with Wit and Wisdom,” Thursday, May 6, 7 to 9 p.m. at Fred Moore Middle School, 1523 Fifth Ave. S., Anoka. The cost is $5 per person
Coloroso is an internationally recognized speaker and author in the areas of parenting, teaching, school discipline, non-violent conflict resolution and reconciliatory justice. Her latest book, is “The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School – How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence.”
For more information and registration please call Anoka-Hennepin Parent Involvement at 763-506-1278. Childcare is not available for this event.
4. School Board highlights
A. Technology initiative to bring parents closer to Anoka-Hennepin schools
Anoka-Hennepin is breaking down one of the last barriers between schools and parents: the ability to know in an instant how a student is doing in school. A new technology initiative will allow Anoka-Hennepin parents and guardians to use the Internet to get quick answers for the most common questions about their students.
The School Board discussed this project with district staff at its March 8 meeting. Working with partners in the public and private sectors, Anoka-Hennepin will provide parents with one on-line location to learn, for example:
• How is my child doing in school?
• Did my child complete assignments for his/her class? What were the grades for those assignments?
• How did my child do on state and district standardized tests?
• How much is in my child’s lunch account?
• Is my child eligible for bus service? What is my child’s bus route?
The on-line system for parents and community, called A-HConnect, is one of three technology initiatives, all of which are related. A-HConnect links all of the information collected by the district and provides one point of access to it. It will be secure and password protected so that information about students is restricted to parents and district staff who are permitted to view it.
“We will have working prototypes of the key elements of this system before the end of the school year,” said Georgia Kedrowski, assistant technology director. It will be tested during the 2004-05 school year and expand progressively over time to include departments such as transportation, student information, child nutrition, curriculum and instruction, and others.
In addition, teachers will have new software to make it easy to sort and filter student data and view a student’s educational history. Among the features of the software, teachers will be able to create reports comparing performance of their students with other classres, other schools and the district.
Behind A-HConnect and the software for teachers is a powerful data analysis system. This analysis tool will allow schools and the district to create real-time reports on student performance. Teachers and staff will be able to make decisions on improving student achievement using the most current data available. The entire initiative is the culmination of five years of work to standardize and format information collected about students, said Patrick Plant, director of technology.
“When I’m out in the community, I hear from people that we need to run schools more like a business and that’s what we are doing with this,” said Boardmember Tom Heidemann. “We will be able to see that the dollars that we are investing are going to improve student instruction. We’ll be able to prove that we are going in the right direction. We are becoming even more efficient.”
The district’s computer infrastructure must be upgraded to realize the full benefit of this system, said Boardmember Dan Cook. Heidemann agreed and said that in addition to classroom computers, technology includes servers and wires that connect the entire system.
B. Volunteers play key role in kindergarten language arts study
Early literacy skills are critical to a child’s success in school. Collaboration between Anoka-Hennepin kindergarten teachers and volunteers provided teachers with good data about their students’ skill development in reading to ensure that each child leaves kindergarten prepared to read. Collecting this information for each student takes a lot of time, leaving less time for teachers to teach. To solve this problem, the district’s Volunteer Services Coordinator connected with the district's teaching and learning specialists for literacy to create methods for volunteers to collect data one-on-one with students. In addition, a University of Minnesota graduate student collaborated with district staff, researching the new project, and advising the work based on her study.
A pilot program was initiated in 2002-03 at Park View Early Childhood Center. Volunteers were recruited and trained to observe and record the skills of each kindergartner in letter identification, concepts about print and phonemic awareness. After volunteers collected this data, teachers used it to identify letters or concepts on which to focus in their classrooms, and whether small group or whole class instruction was needed.
This the program expanded to nine other district schools and included about 60 volunteers. Because of this collaborative project students received timely, individual instruction based on their needs and volunteers learned more about the literacy curriculum in addition to working one-on-one with students.
5. Student success from around Anoka-Hennepin
A. Andover girls’ basketball team places third in state
Andover High School Girls’ Basketball team placed third in class 3A at the state tournament March 20 after defeating Worthington, 59-50. This is an outstanding accomplishment considering this is only the second year Andover High School has existed. One comment overheard from the parent of an opposing team at the state tourney: “Between your fans and the band, you really have school spirit.”
B. Local teams going to Destination ImagiNation state competition
The following teams will advance to the state Destination ImagiNation creative problem solving tournament on Saturday, April 17 at Blaine High School:
Elementary Level
Lincoln Elementary, Second Place, The Plot and the Pendulum
Morris Bye Elementary School, first place, Upbeat Improv
Franklin Elementary School, second place, Upbeat Improv
Johnsville Elementary School, third place, Cartoon Dimensions
Middle Level
Blaine Cluster Team, first place, GuessDImate
Northdale Middle School, first place, middle level, Cartoon Dimensions
Secondary Level
Coon Rapids High School Team B, first place, secondary level, GuessDImate
Coon Rapids High School Team A, second place, secondary level, GuessDImate
Coon Rapids High School, Card Toons, second place
The teams earned a place at the state tournament by winning at the North Metro Regional Tournament March 13, also at Blaine High School. Teams are coaches by community volunteers and district staff. State registration fees for the teams will be paid by the Anoka-Hennepin Education Foundation.
Eligibility for state competition is based on level and the number of competitors in each division. The following Anoka-Hennepin teams were also winners but do not advance to state competition:
Franklin Elementary, Cartoon Dimensions, third place
Northdale Middle School, GuessDImate!, third place
C. Blaine Boys’ Basketball in state tourney
Blaine High School Boys’ Basketball Team played in the first round of the state tournament on Wednesday, March 24. The team lost to Chaska High School, 58-42.
D. Anoka BPA students compete at state conference
Sixteen students from Anoka High School participated in the state Business Professionals of America conference March 11to 13 in Minneapolis. Pat Graham placed second in Banking and Finance; Jeanne Kang placed first in Word Processing; Sarah Soiuce placed fifth in Legal Office Procedures. Graham, Kang and Sojuce have qualified to participate in the national BPA conference in Cincinnati, April 28 to May 2. In addition, Lisa Elavsky place fourth in Prepared Speech; and Danielle Anderson placed ninth in Keyboarding at the state conference.
CRHS’s Fox named as region finalist in Triple “A” Award
Julie Fox, a senior at Coon Rapids High School was named as a Region 4AA finalist in the Minnesota State High School League’s Academics, Arts, and Athletics (Triple “A”) Award. This award honors high school seniors who have a “B” or better grade point average and who participate in state high school league-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities. Fox is the current president of Coon Rapids’ National Honor Society, captain of the Science Quiz Bowl, captain for both volleyball and softball, and a member of the concert band.
Triple “A” Award recipients are selected by a multi-level process involving nomination from a high school and selection as a region finalist. From the region finalists, four award recipients (a girl and a boy from both a Class “A” and Class “AA” school) will be named at a banquet in Minneapolis on Saturday, March 27. Each of the four award recipients receives a four-year $1,000 scholarship.
Students making a difference
Peter Enich Kindergarten Center
Peter Enich Kindergarten Center students and families donated over 600 pounds of food to the ACBC Emergency Food Shelf in Anoka. All contributions will be matched by Minnesota Foodshare, doubling the efforts of the kindergartners!
Blaine High School
Students in the Blaine High School Work Program collected pennies during February for the Pennies for Patients campaign. Students collected $2,449.77, which was sent to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
CRHS teacher named Debate Coach of the Year
Myles Wagner, English teacher and speech/debate coach at Coon Rapids High School, has been named Minnesota Debate Coach of the Year, which is awarded by debate coaches of Minnesota.
8. Rumor Watch
Rumor: A Blaine High School student was given detention by the principal for calling a radio station to state his opinion about the value of a particular staff position.
Fact: The student did express his opinion to a radio station, but was not given detention for doing so. In fact, Principal Norm Hande met with the student and assured him that he had the right to express his opinion on radio. Hande also explained the job responsibilities of the staff position and suggested the student meet that particular person. The issue was later discussed on a talk radio program. The discussion included several inaccuracies.
9. Correction
When compiling Backpack Online last week, I accidentally selected the rough draft rather than the edited version of the Superintendent’s Column. As a result, the names of U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and Minnesota Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke were misspelled. I apologize for this error and any confusion it may have caused. |
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| 3/19/04 |
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Backpack #27 - Upcoming Schools in Focus, i-SAFE for Internet safety, math competitions and more! |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
1. Students perform with Northern Symphony Orchestra March 21
2. Monroe students present Charlotte’s Web
3. Schools in Focus brings school news to your television
4. Parents, i-SAFE your children for Internet safety
5. Math competition (including a challenge for Backpack readers!)
6 Sixth graders in State Science Fair
7. CPHS student selected for National choir
8. AHS students successful at state DECA conference
9. Andover in State Girls Basketball Tournament
10. District team in State Adapted Floor Hockey Tournament
11. Fred Moore students contribute to food shelf
12. Andover High School presents Singin’ in the Rain April 30 to May 9
13. Anoka High School presents Godspell April 30 to May 9
14. Superintendent’s Column – concern about federal funding reduction and state error in test analysis
15. Math challenge answers
1. Students perform with Northern Symphony Orchestra March 21
The Northern Symphony Orchestra will perform Sunday, March 21, at 4 p.m. in the auditorium of Anoka High School. This will be a side by side concert with some of the finest all-conference orchestra musicians from Anoka-Hennepin’s five high schools. The concert includes music from the Czech Republic, Spain, Finland, and England. Conducting is Michael Halstenson. Tickets are $8 for adults, children under age 18 are admitted free. Anoka High School is at 3939 Seventh Ave. N.
2. Monroe students present Charlotte’s Web
Monroe Elementary Talent Development Parent Group presents "Charlotte's Web," Friday, March 26 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 27 at 2 and 7 p.m. This 90-minute production is a modified musical based on the story by E.B. White. Students in grades three through five make up the cast and the technical crew. Tickets are available at the door, $4 for adults and $2 for students. All seats are general admission. Monroe Elementary School is at 901 Brookdale Drive N., Brooklyn Park, just west of Highway 252.
3. Schools in Focus brings school news to your television
Watch Schools in Focus on cable TV for news about the Anoka-Hennepin School District. The current edition of Schools in Focus, airing through March, features reports on high school math, swimming lessons offered through Community Education, and a School Board discussion of the district’s new mission and vision statements. In April, School in Focus will feature stories about artists-in-residence programs, the Destination ImagiNation creative problem-solving program, and issues related to high school athletics.
Broadcast times for the cable station in your community are:
Coon Rapids: channel 15, daily at 3 a.m., 7 a.m., 11 a.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m.
Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center: channels 12, 16, 19 and 20, call 763-533-8196 (Northwest Community Television) or click to www.nwct.org for specific times.
Blaine, Ham Lake: channel 15, Wednesdays, 9 p.m.
Anoka, Ramsey, Andover, Champlin: channel 15, Tuesdays 3-4 p.m., and at unspecified times between midnight and 9 a.m.
Dayton: channel 15, call 800-581-0081 (Charter Cable Communications) for specific times.
If you don’t have cable service, check out a VHS videotape copy of Schools In Focus for home viewing. They are available at each Anoka-Hennepin school.
4. Parents, i-SAFE your children for Internet safety
Parents and guardians are invited to a meeting on Internet safety, Monday, April 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Oak View Middle School. i-SAFE America, a federally funded Internet safety education foundation, will present valuable information on how you can keep your family safe online. The meeting is open to the entire community. Oak View Middle School is at 15400 Hanson Blvd., Andover.
5. Math competition
Blaine student competes in State Math League tournament
Last week’s article regarding Andover High School’s team competing in the State Math League Tournament should have mentioned that Joe Wax of Blaine High School also competed as an individual contestant.
Middle School Math League – do you know as much math as these middle school students?
Anoka-Hennepin middle schools compete in a district Junior High Math League, which is modeled after the senior high league. Students participate in five meets between October and February. Scores are recorded at each meet and then totaled at the end of the season.
High scorers were Zach Erickson, Sandburg Middle School; Michael Capp, Oak View Middle School; and Christopher Ho, Robbie Hines, and Kyle Jensen from Jackson Middle School.
Think you’ve got what it takes to match wits in the Junior High Math League? Try these questions, which were actual questions used at this year’s Junior High Math League meets. Answers are at the end of this edition of Backpack Online.
1. How many cups are in 3 quarts and 1 pint?
2. There are two pairs of numbers that have a Greatest Common Factor of 5 and a Least Common Multiple of 30. One pair is 5 and 30. Find the other pair.
3. To change °C to °F, you can use the formula F = (9/5)C + 32. Solve for C.
4. When the side of a cube is increased by 20 percent, by what percent is the volume increased?
District students in State MathCounts competition
The Oak View Middle School team and two individuals from other district middle schools will compete in the state MathCounts competition March 19 and 20 at the Radisson Conference Center in Plymouth. Team members are Kevin Capp, Michael Capp, Ryan Hickey, and Alex Sage. In individual competition are Lucas Wax of Roosevelt Middle School and Christopher Ho of Jackson Middle School.
More math success
Blaine High School students Matt LeVere and Rexxi Prasasya earned high scores in the American Mathematics Competition. The AMC sponsors math contests for middle school and high school students and participates in international math competitions. LeVere, along with Chris Spartz, Nate Pikus and Joe Wax also qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination next week. From the AIME, students can qualify for the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO).
6. Sixth graders in State Science Fair
Several sixth graders qualified for the State Science Fair March 28 to 30 in St. Paul. A recent change in State Science Fair rules allows sixth-graders who won premium awards at regional competition to participate at the state level. From Anoka-Hennepin, those sixth-graders are
Carol Braschayko and Brandon Cree, Coon Rapids Middle School;
Cody Brazil and Julian Kuta; Fred Moore Middle School; and Dan Jacobson, Sandburg Middle School
7. CPHS student selected for National choir
Dannielle Maresh, a 10th grader at Champlin Park High School, was selected for the National Honors Regional Women's Choir.
8. AHS students successful at state DECA conference
Anoka High School senior Kim Kelley was awarded the Marketing Educators of Minnesota's Marketing Student of the Year at the DECA state development conference, March 7 9 in Minneapolis. Kim plans on pursuing a business degree at St. Thomas next year. Anoka students who finished in the top eight in their respective events included Norm Betland, Maria Weis, Shawna Debeltz, Jared Craft, Jon Basher, Caitlin Fitzpatrick, Colleen Meyer, Kim Kelley, Jenna Kostelecky, Kirsten Berg, and Natalie Held. More than 1,300 students attended the conference.
9. Andover in State Girls Basketball Tournament
The Andover High School Girls’ Basketball team competed in the Minnesota State High School League State Girls Basketball Tournament this week. The team beat Hill-Murray on Wednesday, 36 to 35, but lost Thursday to Willmar, 53 to 39.
10. District team in Adapted Floor Hockey Tournament
The Anoka-Hennepin School District team is participating in the Minnesota State High School League Adapted Floor Hockey Tournament this weekend. The team faces the South Suburban team Friday, March 19 at Stillwater Area High School.
11. Fred Moore students contribute to food shelf
Fred Moore Middle Schools recently donated 1800 food items and $150 in cash and checks to the Anoka County food shelf. The school’s Key Club members sponsored the event.
12. Andover High School presents Singin’ in the Rain April 30 to May 9
Andover High School presents Singin’ in the Rain April 30, May 1, 7, and 8 ay 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees May 2 and 9 at 2 p.m. Singin’ in the Rain is a zany, light-hearted romantic comedy about the early days of talking movies, when a movie studio scrambled to salvage the career of its chipmunk-voiced silent picture star. The MGM classic film has been faithfully and lovingly adapted by Broadway legends Betty Comden and Adolph Green from their original award-winning screenplay. The director of Andover’s production is Ann Johnson. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students, call (763) 506-8491. Special deals: On Mother’s Day, May 9, buy one regularly priced ticket and mother’s ticket is free. May 7 is an American Sign Language interpreted performance. Andover High School is at 2115 Andover Blvd. NW
13. Anoka High School presents Godspell April 30 to May 9
Anoka High School will present Godspell April 30, May 1, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees May 2 and 9 at 2 p.m. in the school auditorium. Godspell is the modern retelling of the gospel according to Matthew with music, mime, comedy and slapstick. Music for the show includes rock, gospel, and ragtime, and the hits "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord" and "Day by Day." The director is Mark Milbauer. Tickets are $10 reserved, $8 general admission. Call (763) 506-6439. Special deals: senior citizens 62 and older pay half price at the Sunday shows. K-12 students pay half price on April 30 with a student I.D. On Mother’s Day, May 9, buy one regularly priced ticket and mother’s ticket is free.
Anoka High School is at 3939 Seventh Ave. N.
14. Superintendent’s Column – concern about federal funding reduction and state error in test analysis
A little over a month ago I had the opportunity to meet with United States Assistant Deputy Secretary of Education, Ken Meyer. The meeting was held at the Minnesota office of Senator Norm Coleman and the topic was No Child Left Behind. About twelve school districts were represented. A week later I met with United States Secretary of Education Rod Paige at the invitation of Minnesota Commissioner of Education Cheri Pierson Yecke and again, about twelve Superintendents discussed No Child Left Behind. The initiative of No Child Left Behind comes with opportunities and problems. Both the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary listened here in Minnesota and elsewhere and are making changes in the expectations and timelines of the federal mandates. Both the Secretary and the Mr. Meyer assured us that in their view No Child Left Behind is adequately funded.
It is now a little over a month since that meeting. On Friday we were informed that a rework of the funding formulas for a major federal program called, for short, Title I would change the distribution of funds to the states and subsequently to the school districts. The staff of the Minnesota Department of Education has told us that Massachusetts and Minnesota are two states that lost the most significant amount of money in the transition. We were also informed that Anoka-Hennepin would lose forty percent of the 2.6 million dollars from these funds. In fairness to this report the specifics of the decrease in funding isn’t in our hands.
Why is funding reduction significant? It’s significant because these are a major part of the funds that we need to assure that “No Child Is Left Behind.” It’s significant because basic funding formula from the State of Minnesota for all of our children has been limited for two years and will remain limited for at least next year. It’s significant because late in our preparation for next year we will have to rearrange our programs for students needing remedial education to insure they are not “Left Behind”. We will have to reduce the number of staff available for that purpose and we will have to rearrange programs for all students to meet the mandate with the loss of these funds. It’s significant because the new formula (which we have not yet seen) has affected two states, Massachusetts and Minnesota more significantly than the other forty-eight. It’s is significant because the change affects the children of large part of Anoka County and northern Hennepin County more than children elsewhere in the country. It is significant because the number of children requiring additional help in Anoka-Hennepin is increasing. It is significant because the number of children needing help in learning English is increasing in our district dramatically. It is significant because the number of children from lower incomes, deserving of a quality public education who would have qualified for help under this federal law, will qualify no longer.
A month ago this information would have made for a more purposeful Minnesota meeting with Secretary of Education Paige and with Mr. Meyer. We appreciate the support of Senator Coleman and Secretary Yecke for our children we encourage them to invite Secretary Paige and Mr. Meyer back to Minnesota to continue the dialogue.
This past week or so we were also informed by the Minnesota Department of Education that there was an error in the analysis of last set of testing data for No Child Left Behind and the list of schools not qualifying as making adequate progress was understated. There is also discussion of the timely disclosure of the error to the public and the schools. It has been suggested by critics of the testing program that the administration of the tests should be postponed for two years. I disagree with that conclusion. We need to continue with the testing program without interruption. We need to correct for the error in analysis and move on. We need to increase our investment in the development of Minnesota’s program to measure student progress.
Comparative test measures allow for focus for school programs and better communication to parents on achievement. The Minnesota testing program needs to continue to develop within the areas we now measure and not expand until that work is done.
The Minnesota testing program now basically addresses reading and math. It measures the achievement of a class or grade of students (third grade for example) in one year and compares that score to the achievement of the third grade class of a year before. The program needs to compare the progress of students as a cohort, year to year as a measure of continuous progress. It needs to compare third grade scores for a cohort to their fifth grade scores not just this years fifth grade to last years fifth grade. The testing program also needs to add information to individual student progress for parents and teachers as the students move through the grades. These needs aren’t a rationale for scrapping the program but an outline to improve the program.
Postponing the testing only feeds the critics of public education who claim our commitment to accountability is always “tomorrow”. Our commitment to accountability in Anoka-Hennepin is “now”. Our teachers are effective and committed professionals. Our students are talented and eager learners. Our parents have high expectations and we share their commitment to fulfilling those expectations. Our citizens are supportive and we are grateful for that support. This community has no intention of “leaving a child behind”.
Federal officials, if you can’t fund us, tell us early so we can protect our children from the redistribution of funding to other states. State officials; complete the development of measures in reading and math before moving on. Increase the resources to get that job done well and open up the process of measurement to greater public scrutiny. The sunlight creates trust, avoids error and allows everyone to assist in “leaving no child behind”. Anoka-Hennepin officials, teachers, parents, students and community the job of not leaving any parent’s son or daughter behind just got tougher. Frankly, we have always had that job and we never expect to fail. Thanks for your good work.
15. Math Challenge Answers
Here are the answers to Junior High Math League sample questions from above:
1. 14
3 quarts x 4 cups/quart = 12 cups
1 pint x 2 cups/pint = 2 cups
12 cups + 2 cups = 14 cups
2. 10 and 15. Greatest Common Factor of 5 , therefore 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 are possible.
Least Common Multiple of 30 = 2 *3 *5, there fore 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30 are possible.
So the possible values are 5, 10, 15, 30.
3. C = 5/9(F-32) or C = (5/9)F – (160/9)
4. A. 72.8 percent
If the side of a cube = 1, the volume is 1(cubed), which = 1.
If the side of a cube = 1.2, the volume is (1.2)(cubed), which = 1.728 . (0.728/1)*100 = 72.8 |
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| 3/12/04 |
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Backpack #26 - Upcoming school concerts and plays, ACT presents Pippi, state competitions, student honors |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
March 12, 2004
Today's edition includes:
1. Honors Orchestra concert at Oak View Middle School, March 16
2. Coon Rapids High School band concerts, March 18 and 26
3. Jackson Middle School presents “Emperor’s New Clothes,” March 19
4. Sandburg Middle School’s all-school musical, March 18 and 19
5. Drug awareness program for parents at Anoka High School, March 29
6. For parents: Speaker at Jackson Middle School on surviving teenage years
7. ACT presents “Pippi Longstocking” at Fred Moore Middle School
8. University Family Fun Night open to community March 19
9. State competitions for Anoka-Hennepin students
10. CRHS Speech/Debate team accomplishments
11. 363 Sorteberg students awarded medals for reading
12. Jackson Middle School raises $9,000 for Gillette Children’s Hospital
1. Honors Orchestra concert at Oak View Middle School, March 16
The Anoka-Hennepin Honors Orchestra will perform a concert at Oak View Middle School on Tuesday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. Chosen by audition, the orchestra represents some of the best musicians in grades seven through nine in the district.
The 70-member orchestra is directed by Mike Halstenson from Anoka High School. There will be a reception after the concert. This project was made possible by a grant provided by the Anoka-Hennepin Education Foundation (AHEF) and a donation of folders from All Strings Attached music store.
Directions to Oak View: From Highway 10, exit on Hanson Boulevard go north to school at 15400 Hanson Blvd.
2. Coon Rapids High School band concerts, March 18 and 26
Coon Rapids High School’s annual Spring Band Concert is Thursday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature performances by the Cardinal, Varsity, Symphonic, and Concert bands. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students and seniors. Seating is reserved, call for reservations, (763) 506-7175.
The Concert Band will perform a lyceum concert with the Mesabi East High School Band on Friday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coon Rapids High School auditorium. Admission is free.
Directions to Coon Rapids High School: From Highway 10 west, exit on Hanson Boulevard, turn left (south) off of the exit, turn right on Northdale Boulevard, school is 1/2-mile on the left on Northdale.
3. Jackson Middle School presents “Emperor’s New Clothes,” March 19
Jackson Middle School presents its sixth grade musical, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” Friday, March 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $2 for adults, $1 for students, $5 for a family. The production is at Jackson in the Jaguar Gym 1 (lower). For more information call 763-506-5200.
Directions to Jackson: Highway 610 west, take the Noble Avenue exit and turn right (north) on Noble, go to 109th Avenue, turn left, school is 1/2-mile on the right.
4. Sandburg Middle School’s all-school musical, March 18 and 19
Sandburg Middle School presents its all-school musical, “Getting to Know... The King and I," an adaptation of the “The King and I,” March 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $3 at the door and the show will be in gym. For more information call 763 506-6000 or 506-6069. Sandburg is at 1902 Second Ave. S. in Anoka.
5. Drug awareness program for parents at Anoka High School, March 29
A program for parents on drug awareness will be held at Anoka High School March 29, 7 p.m. in the media center as part of the Parent Advisory meeting. The school’s police liaison officer will discuss warning signs of drug abuse and show a display of drug paraphernalia. Drug treatment and rehabilitation will also be discussed. Parents from all of the district’s schools are welcome to attend. Anoka High School is at 3939 Seventh Ave. N. For information call 763-506-6200.
6. For parents: Speaker at Jackson Middle School on surviving teenage years
Jackson Middle School's Counseling Corner will have a speaker on "How to Survive the Teenage Years” on Monday, March 29, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Topic areas for this workshop include avoiding power struggles, giving appropriate choices, setting enforceable limits, helpful one-liners, and winning the homework battle. The event is open to all. For more information call 763-506-5200.
Directions to Jackson: Highway 610 west, take the Noble Avenue exit and turn right (north) on Noble, go to 109th Avenue, turn left, school is 1/2-mile on the right.
7. ACT presents “Pippi Longstocking” at Fred Moore Middle School
A cast of 40 young actors in grades four through eight will present “Pippi Longstocking” March 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and March 20 at 2 p.m. at Fred Moore Middle School. Students from 18 different Anoka-Hennepin schools are working with professional staff of Anoka Children’s Theater to prepare this classic story of a young girl and her misadventures.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children (18 and under), and can be reserved by calling (763) 506-5012. Fred Moore Middle School is in Anoka near the junction of Fifth Avenue and Washington.
8. University Avenue Family Fun Night open to community March 19
University Avenue Elementary School PTO will hold its annual
Family Fun Night Friday, March 19 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event is open to the entire community. University Avenue School is at 9901 University Ave. N.E. in Blaine.
9. State competitions for Anoka-Hennepin students
Below is a compilation of students who are or will be in state competitions and tournaments.
Science Fair
Based on projects presented at the Regional Science Fair, Coon Rapids High School students Amanda Bryan, Thai Doan and Amber Kirk qualified for the International Science Fair, May 9 to 15 in Portland, Ore.
The following students have qualified for the State Science Fair, March 28 to 30 in St. Paul:
Anoka High School: Katherine Beckwith, Marie Boo
Champlin Park High School: Soha Abel-Alla, Nandini Dasgupta, Abbey Davison, Anne Doerring, Richie Huynh, Ryan Huynh, Caitlin Iverson, Jeremy Iverson, Kenny Kappahn, Dan Lobello, Katie McGraw, Brian Nevison, Michelle Pochunda, Nate Sather, Tina Willers
Coon Rapids High School: Alyssa Anttila, Amanda Bryan*, Karina Desjardins*, Thai Doan, Thomas Fox, Amber Kirk*, Alina Muellerleile*, Madicken Munk, Stephanie Olson, Maddie, Peek, Bethany Rhein, Mike Theisen
Coon Rapids Middle School: Peter Hansen, Katie Schneider, Kellee Wojtowicz
Fred Moore Middle School: Isaac Peterson
Jackson Middle School: Leslie Kravitz, Leah Richman
Oak View Middle School: Katie Twedell
Sandburg Middle School: Joy Bertzyk, James Coughlin, Jessica Hanson
* Denotes winners of special awards. Kaila Velarde did not qualify for the State Science Fair but she won a special award.
Gary Alexander, Coon Rapids High School science teacher, was named Outstanding Science Teacher.
Math League
The Andover High School Math League team competed in state competition March 8 at Eagan High School. The team is composed of ninth graders Ben Hoegh and Jeremiah Hoegh, 11th graders Katie Bennington, Jack Borchardt, J.R. Dreyer and Josh Murdy, and 12th graders Eric Ofstad and Jack Osterberg. Out of 38 teams in state, Andover finished 23rd.
Dance Team
Andover High School Dance Team placed second in state in the jazz/funk category for class AA schools on Feb. 27.
Wrestling
Cousins Mike Maresh, 215 lbs. weight class, and Kyle Massey, heavyweight, from Champlin Park High School, won state titles in wrestling last week. Both were undefeated for the season and were named to St. Paul Pioneer Press 2004 All-State Wrestling Team.
From Coon Rapids High School, Jason Adams, 112 lbs., placed second in state, Ryan Adams, 125 lbs., placed third, and P.J. Mack, 135 lbs., placed second.
The following wrestlers from Anoka-Hennepin high schools qualified for the state tournament and were not mentioned in the previous edition of Backpack Online.
• 103 lbs: Fuechy Vang, Coon Rapids High School
• Heavyweight: Mark Zimmerman, Coon Rapids
Swimming and Diving
The following Anoka-Hennepin students were in the state swimming and diving competition and were not mentioned in the previous edition of Backpack Online: Grant Smith, Anoka High School, 200-yard freestyle; Tim Bendtsen, Anoka, 50-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke; Sean Luck, Anoka, 1-meter dive; Seth Miezwa, Blaine High School, 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle; Jamie Dayton, Blaine, 200-yard IM; Troy Gubbins, Coon Rapids High School, 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly (8th place); Coon Rapids 200 yard relay team, (A.J. Lee, Matt Zdon, Troy Gubbins, Ryan Vanasse); Coon Rapids 200-yard freestyle relay team, (Kyle Nelson, Ryan Vanasse, Matt Zdon, Troy Gubbins).
10. CRHS Speech/Debate team accomplishments
Coon Rapids High School Speech/Debate team members Dan Bordwell, Justin Smith, Scott Steiskal, Amanda Bryan and Dave Rothsetin have been chosen for the National Congress Debate as Alternates.
Myles Wagner, Speech/Debate Coach at Coon Rapids High School has been elected President of the Minnesota Debate Teachers Association.
11. 363 Sorteberg students awarded medals for reading
All Anoka-Hennepin Schools work hard to encourage students to read. Here is an example of a special program at one elementary school.
A total of 363 students and staff from Sorteberg Elementary School will receive medals for their participation in the school’s “Books & Beyond” program, sponsored by the Sorteberg Parent Teacher Organization. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Coon Rapids High School on Thursday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m.
“Get in the Game! Read!” was the theme for the school’s reading program. Kindergarten through second grade were given a goal of 90 minutes of reading per week, and third through fifth grades were asked to read 120 minutes per week. Students attaining the weekly goal received prizes that fit the program’s sports theme. In addition, students were given an optional “brainteaser” problem to complete in order to win a special prize. Students read a total of 264,964 minutes over the course of four weeks.
12. Jackson Middle School raises $9,000 for Gillette Children’s Hospital
Jackson Middle School raised over $9,000 for the Coins for Kids charity benefiting Gillette Children's Hospital. Students from the school’s Star Serve organization were responsible for the coin drive, and were featured on KS95 and KARE 11. |
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| 3/04/04 |
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Backpack #25 - Sports news, student honors, advice on parenting |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Anoka Children’s Theater presents “Pippi Longstocking” March 19, 20
2. Financial Aid and College Planning Workshop at Blaine High School March 25
3. STEP Career Center open to public
4. Multicultural Festival April 22 at Coon Rapids Middle School
5. It’s tournament time for winter sports
6. Bridges students volunteer for Touched By Cancer
7. Champlin Plaza Alternative School student named Minnesota Student of the Year
8. BPA students competing at state conference
9. Students selected for music honors groups
10. Students participate in Character Education and anti-bullying efforts
11. Ramsey Elementary certified as Parent Involvement School of Excellence
12. Hear practical advice on parenting children, toddlers to teenagers
1. Anoka Children’s Theater presents “Pippi Longstocking” March 19, 20
A cast of 40 young actors in grades four through eight will present “Pippi Longstocking” March 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and March 20 at 2 p.m. at Fred Moore Middle School. Students from 18 different Anoka-Hennepin schools are working with professional staff of Anoka Children’s Theater to prepare this classic story of a young girl and her misadventures.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children (18 and under), and can be reserved by calling (763) 506-5012. Fred Moore Middle School is in Anoka near the junction of Fifth Avenue and Washington.
2. Financial Aid and College Planning Workshop at Blaine High School
Blaine High School will sponsor a financial aid/college planning workshop, "The Value of a College Education...And the Reality of Paying for It," Thursday, March 25, 7 to 9 p.m. in the IMC. The workshop is open to all parents of students in grades eight through 12.
The workshop is designed to help parents find ways to work within the financial aid system, increase their eligibility for financial aid, reduce taxes, and find more efficient ways to pay for a college education. Presenter Mike Branch of Focus Financial Network will cover many areas:
Two Types of Aid: Need Based and Merit Based
Three Critical Issues in College Planning: Taxes, Control and Financial Aid
Scholarships, Loans and Grants
Tax credits, tax free savings accounts and other incentives
How to structure income and assets to maximize eligibility for financial aid
The Four Partners in Planning: Parent, Student, School, Government
Developing Your Recipe: GPA, Class Rank, ACT Score, EFC, Unique Abilities
To reserve a seat please call Barb Rice at Blaine High School, 763-506-6548. Blaine High School is located at 12555 University Ave. NE, Blaine, at the corner of University and Hwy. 242.
(Note: This is the same workshop that was offered at Champlin Park High School last month.)
3. STEP Career Center open to public
The Career Center at the district’s Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP) will be open to the public the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month through May, from 6 to 8 p.m. Information is available about hundreds of careers, post high school planning, college admissions, ACT and SAT testing, and financial aid. STEP is located on the campus of Anoka Technical College, 1353 Highway 10 West. Contact Pam Durand 763 433-4030 for more information.
4. Multicultural Festival, April 22 at Coon Rapids Middle School
Coon Rapids Middle School invites the public to their free Multicultural Festival April 22, 5 to 8 p.m., to recognize the diversity that comes together to make up their school community. The celebration will feature food, music, dancing, games, and crafts from cultures around the world and the community. Attendees will also be able to visit booths and displays from around the world and participate in cultural games and dancing. There will be a nominal charge for food items.
Community members are invited to participate as presenters. Please call Lisa Reyes, Multicultural Advocate, at 763-506-4991 if you have an organization, an idea, or cultural objects that can contribute to the festival.
Coon Rapids Middle School is at 11600 Raven Street. From Highway 10 go south on Hanson Blvd. to Northdale Blvd., right on Northdale to Raven St., left on Raven to the school.
5. It’s tournament time for winter sports
Anoka-Hennepin students and teams compete at state tournaments during late-February and March. Here is a round-up:
Swimming and Diving
The following Champlin Park High School students will be competing in the State Swimming and Diving Tournament, Thursday, March 4 through Saturday, March 6 at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center: Erik Goettlich in 100-meter butterfly 100-meter back stroke and 400-meter freestyle relay; Jordan Mobraten, Anthony Straffacia, and Aaron Manzke in the 400-meter freestyle relay.
Wrestling
The following wrestlers from Anoka-Hennepin high schools qualified for the state tournament. They are listed in order of weight class:
• 103: John Sundgren, Blaine
• 112: Jason Adams, Coon Rapids, and Jacob Dietchler, Anoka
• 119: Matt Curtiss, Coon Rapids, and Luke Sundgren, Blaine
• 125: Ryan Adams, Coon Rapids, and Lucas Murray, Anoka
• 130: Travis Mortenson, Coon Rapids
• 135: P.J. Mack, Coon Rapids
• 160: Ross Murray, Anoka
• 171: Dusty Iverson, Anoka
• 215: Mike Maresh, Champlin Park
• Heavyweight: Kyle Massey, Champlin Park, and Mark Zimmerman, Anoka
Gymnastics
The following students competed in the State Gymnastics Tournament, Feb. 27 and 28 in St. Paul.
Blaine High School:
• Stephanie Krebs, all-around competition
• Chelsea Brunkow, uneven parallel bars
• Nicole Romashko, uneven parallel bars
Coon Rapids High School:
• Maren Lodge, all-around competition
• Amy Hedberg, balance beam
• Sam Trainor, floor exercise
Andover High School
• Kristina Petrich, balance beam and floor exercise.
Girls’ Hockey
Anoka High School Girls’ Hockey team won the Consolation Final against South St. Paul, 2-1 in second overtime. Anoka dealt South St. Paul only its second loss in 89 consecutive games.
The following students were named to the All-State Team by the Girls’ Hockey Coaches Association: Stefanie Ubl, Blaine; Kala Buganski, Anoka; Kristina Bunker, Blaine; and Erin Seman, Anoka.
Information about sports in Backpack Online
Due to the large numbers of teams and levels of play, Backpack Online limits reports to varsity teams and individual varsity athletes who qualify for state tournament competition. We apologize for any omissions.
6. Bridges students volunteer for Touched By Cancer
Students from Bridges students recently volunteered to work on behalf of Touched by Cancer Inc., a non-profit organization that publishes books of stories by and about cancer patients and survivors. Bridges is a program of Anoka-Hennepin Special Education for students ages 18 to 22 who are working on life skills and vocational training. Students helped stamp return addresses on envelopes for mailings and assembled easel displays. Special Education Teacher Nancy Belpedio is editor of Touched By Cancer in her free time, and arranged the volunteer work. Thank you to Bridges students!
7. Champlin Plaza Alternative School student named Minnesota Student of the Year
Jessica Stoddard, student of Champlin Plaza Alternative School was named Minnesota Student of the Year at the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs annual conference, Feb. 18 and 19. Jessica was honored at the evening banquet attended by 560 educators from around the State of Minnesota. Jessica's nomination was submitted by the Champlin Plaza Alternative School staff. The criteria for this honor are: exceeds expectations at school/work/community; demonstrates integrity and sensitivity; is innovative in developing new programs and ideas; and consistently helps students and staff members. After Jessica graduates this spring, she plans to attend Minot State University to earn a degree in computer web site development and design.
8. BPA students competing at state conference
The following Anoka High School students in the Business Professionals of America (BPA) qualified to compete at the state conference, March 11 to 13 in Minneapolis: Lisa Elavsky, Nathan Klich, Sarah Soucie, Pat Graham, Kim Walters, Nick Wilson, Gina Talarico. Laura Case, Sergei Voznyuj, Amanda Larson, Travis Grabow, Miranda Hammerness, Samantha Lucas, Allison Boreen, Heather Hart, Jennifer McDermid, Andy Carnes, Tim Hoppenrath, Emily Dhein, Jeanne Kang, Leah Hauff, Noelle Maki, Pat Nash, Danielle Anderson.
9. Students selected for music honors groups
Two Anoka-Hennepin students were selected through taped audition to play in honor bands of the Minnesota Band Directors Association. They are Stephen Struwve, an 8th grade tuba player at Fred Moore Middle School, and sophomore Anna Rathbun of Anoka High who plays euphonium, which is a brass instrument similar to a tuba. Recently they performed at the Music Educators Convention at Wayzata High School.
10. Students participate in Character Education and anti-bullying efforts
Anoka-Hennepin Schools continue efforts to teach the district’s Core Values and to focus on ending bullying in schools and communities. Here are some examples of what two schools have done recently:
Sandburg Middle School seventh-grade students participated in Youth Frontiers’ Courage Retreat on Feb. 3 and 5, at Zion Lutheran Church. Anoka High School students helped lead small group sessions. Because middle school can be a difficult time for young people, the retreat helped students to examine their fears, to commit to the virtue of courage, to ease their transition into adolescence and to make their school a better place. At the end of the retreat each student was given the opportunity to share thoughts about themselves, their classmates, and how the retreat topic influenced or will influence their daily lives. This program reinforced core values of respect and compassion, part of Anoka-Hennepin’s Character Education effort.
Morris Bye Elementary School fourth graders participated in Youth Frontiers Kindness Retreat on Feb. 6. This all-day retreat provided an opportunity for students to understand and embrace the values of kindness, courage and respect through modeling and practice. This retreat teaches students to stand up against unkindness and bullying by promoting a positive school environment in classrooms, hallways, cafeteria and on the playground.
11. Ramsey Elementary certified as Parent Involvement School of Excellence
The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has certified Ramsey Elementary as a Parent Involvement School of Excellence. This certification recognizes schools that uphold the highest standards in parent involvement. As part of the certification process, Ramsey formed a team made up of the principal, teachers, parents, students, and representatives from the community. The team completed a self-assessment for the National PTA.
Ramsey’s Parent Involvement activities for 2003-04 include the following: Open House, Guys ‘N’ Kids Breakfast, Fall and Spring Book Fairs, New Family Welcome, Legislative Team, Fall and Spring Community Picnics, Conference Suppers, Staff Appreciation, and Spaghetti Dinner/Book Swap.
Congratulations to Ramsey staff and parents for their commitment to community involvement!
12. Hear practical advice on parenting children, toddlers to teenagers
Come to an evening packed with solid practical advice for parents of children from toddlers to teenagers with Barbara Coloroso. She will discuss the keys to good parenting, six critical life messages, power struggles, discipline, keeping your cool, and much more at “Kids Are Worth It! Parenting with Wit and Wisdom,” Thursday, May 6, 7 to 9 p.m. at Fred Moore Middle School, 1523 Fifth Ave. S., Anoka. The cost is $5 per person
Coloroso is an internationally recognized speaker and author in the areas of parenting, teaching, school discipline, non-violent conflict resolution and reconciliatory justice. Her latest book, is “The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School – How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence.”
For more information and registration please call Anoka-Hennepin Parent Involvement at 763-506-1278. Childcare is not available for this event. |
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| 2/27/04 |
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Backpack #24 - Students in state competition, School Board highlights & more |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
1. District represented in state competition – Dance Team, Girls’ Hockey
2. Coon Rapids Choir to perform at regional convention
3. STEP Career Center open to public
4. Adult Learning offers variety of classes
5. Garage sale to benefit children’s fund
6. School Board highlights
• District increases advanced offerings in the high schools
• Preliminary budget presented to School Board
1. District represented in state competition
Dance Team
Andover, Blaine and Coon Rapids High Schools are competing in the State Dance Team Competition this weekend at the Xcel Energy Center. Blaine placed second in jazz and third in high kick and Coon Rapids placed first in high kick and third in jazz in the Division 3AAA competition. In Division 2AA Andover placed first in jazz and third in high kick at the section competition.
Girls’ Hockey
Congratulations to the Anoka Girls’ Hockey Team for winning their third consecutive Section 4AA Hockey Championship. They advanced to the state tournament, losing to Elk River 5-3 in quarterfinal play yesterday. The girls’ team played a consolation semifinal this afternoon, but results were not available at the time this newsletter was prepared.
2. Coon Rapids Choir to perform at regional convention
The Coon Rapids High School Concert Choir will travel to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to perform as one of only four high school choirs at the North Central Region Convention of the American Choral Directors Association. The Coon Rapids choir will perform March 4, 7:45 p.m. at the Washington Pavilion Concert Hall. The choir, which consists of sophomores, juniors, and seniors, will perform a 25-minute long program, including music of various time periods and styles to showcase the talent and versatility of the singers.
“This is a huge honor for our choral program,” said Director Patrick Geiger. “When you are selected to perform at this convention, you are held up as a model program, and you represent more than 1000 programs in the six state region.”
The upcoming performance will be the school’s first regional performance experience, but it comes in a line of other successes over the past few years. In 2000, the Concert Choir performed at the annual state convention for the Minnesota Music Educators’ Association. In 2001 the school’s top women’s choir, “Bel Canto,” was selected to perform at the state ACDA convention. Concert Choir also performed at the state ACDA convention in 2002.
3. STEP Career Center open to public
The Career Center at the district’s Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP) will be open to the public the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month through May, from 6 to 8 p.m. Information is available about hundreds of careers, post high school planning, college admissions, ACT and SAT testing, and financial aid. STEP is located on the campus of Anoka Technical College, 1353 Highway 10 West. Contact Pam Durand 763 433-4030 for more information.
4. Adult Learning offers variety of classes
Anoka Hennepin Adult Learning offers a wide variety of enriching classes and educational programs for adults. Here are just a few of the many upcoming classes:
• Mortgage Freedom (March 20 or April 20)
• Preserving Your Family Heritage (March 13)
• Landscape Design (March 20)
• Bike Tour in Lanesboro (May 15)
The goal of Adult Learning is to coordinate opportunities for adults to learn new skills, develop their interests and connect with others. To view the complete Adult Learning catalog go to http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/ce (the bottom left corner has catalogs to download link). Or call 763-506-5766 for more information.
5. Garage sale to benefit children’s fund
Hamilton Elementary School will hold its 7th Annual Children's Sunshine Garage/Craft Sale on Saturday, March 13, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds from the sale go to the Children's Sunshine Fund, which provides school supplies for students who wouldn't have them and essential clothing such as socks, underwear and winter boots for students when necessary. The fund also purchases stuffed animals and books for students who are out of school on extended illnesses or have had surgery, and small stuffed animals to comfort students who are grieving. Don't miss this great sale – lots of participants and a wide variety of merchandise! Hamilton School is at 1374-111th Ave. NW, Coon Rapids.
6. School Board highlights
District increases advanced offerings in the high schools
Associate Superintendent Leila Redin reported to the School Board February 23 that new Advanced Placement (AP) courses will be taught in the district’s high schools next year. Now that high school registration has been completed, schools report enough students have enrolled to go forward with new courses in AP Calculus 1 and 2, AP Statistics 1 and 2, AP Psychology 1 and 2, plus AP U.S. Government and Politics. “This gives us a quick start to introduce more rigor into our high schools and better prepare our students for college,” said Superintendent Roger Giroux.
Peggy Martin outlined training planned this summer for teachers of AP courses as well as the College in the Schools courses offered by Anoka-Hennepin high schools.
Dr. Redin and David Brom, Champlin Park High School principal, reported on the timeline for the district’s potential participation in International Baccalaureate (IB), a very challenging program for high school juniors and seniors. They invited the board to be represented at an introductory seminar on IB in March. Under the timeline, the board will discuss district participation in the IB program in April and make a decision about pursuing application for IB in May. If the district applies and is accepted for the IB program, the first round of IB diplomas would be conferred on graduates in 2008.
Preliminary budget presented to School Board
David Buck, director of business services, presented a preliminary budget for 2004-05 which shows a revenue increase of $8.3 million, from $325.9 million to $334.3 million. The increase is due primarily to recognizing the full amount of the 2002 referendum levy, which is now in its second of five years. Buck explained that a portion of the referendum levy revenue taxpayers paid the first year had been placed in reserve to help carry the district through the last years of the levy to offset inflation. No increase in state funds are expected for next year and declining enrollment, primarily in elementary schools, will result in a loss of approximately $1.4 million in general education revenue.
Expenditures for next year are expected to increase by $10.3 million from $330.4 to $340.7 million, an increase of 3.11 percent. The district expects to spend more than it will receive next year, creating an operating deficit of over $6 million. The deficit can be covered with reserves remaining in the general fund. Buck reminded the School Board that the 2002 referendum levy proposal was developed with the assumption that the state would provide a 1.5 percent increase the first two years of the levy, and a three percent increase the remaining three years. If this had happened, the district’s expenditures and revenues would balance next year.
The business services department will continue to refine the budget before the board adopts it in June. |
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| 2/20/04 |
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Backpack #23 - I Love To Read Month, Superintendent's Column, New foundation to provide science field trips, & more |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
1. Best-selling author to appear at Andover High School
2. Champlin Park High School presents Disney Dazzle
3. Anoka High School presents winning one-act play in benefit performances
4. It’s I Love to Read Month
5. Special bookmarks available
6. Superintendent’s Column – taking lessons from business
7. Students of former AHS teacher Lyle Bradley to provide science scholarships for today’s students
1. Best-selling author to appear at Andover High School
Robert Alexander, best-selling author of “The Kitchen Boy” will participate in a discussion and book signing at Andover High School on Wednesday, February 25, at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public and is part of the Andover High School Read ‘n Feed Bookclub, which is currently reading “The Kitchen Boy.” A student ensemble will also perform a traditional Russian piece. The author’s appearance is being held during “Read Across Andover Week,” which was proclaimed by Andover Mayor Mike Gamache as February 19 through 26. Andover High School is at 2115 Andover Blvd. NW
2. Champlin Park High School presents Disney Dazzle
Champlin Park High School Theatre Department presents Ovation 2004, Disney Dazzle. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Champlin Park auditorium. Seating is general admission, $7 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. Purchase tickets at the door. Please join us in celebrating seven decades of Disney music! For more information call 763-506-7000.
3. Anoka High School presents winning one-act play in benefit performances
Anoka High School students will perform "Four Saints in Three Acts" by Gertrude Stein, which was their entry in last week’s State One Act Festival, plus 32-1/2 Hilarious Skits during special benefit performances Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Tickets for this School Sound System Benefit are $6. For information call 763-506-6200. Anoka High School is at 3939 Seventh Ave. N., Anoka.
4. It’s I Love to Read Month
Many Anoka-Hennepin Schools are celebrating I Love to Read Month now with a variety of activities designed to promote reading. The more children read, the better readers they become. Parents can help their children improve their reading skills by finding ways to encourage them to read. Here are some ways you can make reading a part of your home:
Set a good example. If you want your children to be readers, let them see you reading – books, magazines, newspapers.
Take time for reading. Turn off the television and get out the books for a family storytime. Choose a book the whole family will enjoy and take turns reading aloud. Make it a point to set aside one night of the week for family reading time. Your family will soon look forward to family storytime.
Offer a lot of reading choices. Keep books and magazines at hand. Take regular trips to the public library and help your child find books of interest. Encourage your child to read a variety of books – both fiction and non-fiction.
Subscribe to a daily newspaper and encourage your children to read it. At the dinner table ask them to share news of the day. It’s a good way to make sure your children are understanding what they read and it can broad their awareness of current events.
5. Special bookmarks available
The school district produced some colorful, informative bookmarks to distribute to students during I Love to Read Month. One set features some of the poster winners from the district’s Anti-Bullying Poster contest plus some simple tips on what students can do if they are being bullied. The other set includes literacy tips. One bookmark, intended for parents of preschoolers, includes for raising readers. A bookmark for kindergarten through grade two students includes tips for good readers, and the bookmarks for students in grades three through five includes tips for choosing books. Extras are available of both sets. If you would like some, call Marie Stockinger, 763-506-1014 or send an email to Marie.Stockinger@anoka.k12.mn.us
6. Superintendent’s Column – taking lessons from business
Last week Allen Greenspan reported on the state of the economy to the United States House and Senate. During the questioning, he was asked to comment on the state of K-12 education in the United States. He fell back on a mantra that is quite common in business circles. We are not the most competitive country on international tests of math and science. Little is offered to elucidate on the nature of that comparison or those tests. It was sufficient just to note their existence. Many years ago, our failure to have the first satellite in space caused then President Eisenhower to bemoan the deficiencies in our math and science education. The answer was the National Defense Education Act. The gap in the space race was closed long before the NDEA had effect. Nevertheless, the Act funded a new United States federal level commitment to education and to math and science.
Several years ago I had the opportunity to attend two consecutive meetings with the executives of Microsoft. Fifteen to 20 superintendents from around the country attended. The sessions lasted three days and I attended two years in a row. We spent several hours each day with each of several of Microsoft's top executives. During the first visit, Bill Gates also joined us for an end of the day discussion. I want to make several points about the sessions.
First, relative to the math and science theme, eight years ago Microsoft was acquiring top talent from India and sending software development to Ireland because they were the source of the talent needed. Secondly, the Microsoft sessions with Superintendents weren’t borne out of a criticism for public schools. They could have accomplished that end without investing their time. The sessions were a generous sharing of corporate perspective and technique on everything from human resources management, including their very competitive talent search programs, to research and product development, including voice and face recognition. The chief financial officer discussed cost implications of alternative product delivery models. Marketing and product development spoke to the speed with which technologies were changing and the challenges of developing the best product and getting it to the consumer in the least time possible. The sessions focused on their techniques, programs and experiences. There were dialogues and we had opportunities to talk about the conduct of public business as well. I’d like to offer a few thoughts based on the Microsoft discussion from eight years ago combined with some of my own thoughts on the challenges faced by Minnesota schools today.
There is great competition for the best talent in the world and there is an increasing reliance on human resources from other countries to satisfy that talent need. In many incidences, our universities were the source of the training for much of that foreign talent. There appears to be a need for increased performance in science, math and technology within the schools of the United States for the sake of maintaining a competitive edge. However, many of the other “competitive countries” do not provide for a universal education. Part of their advantage is the fact that they don’t educate everyone or allow for a universal educational success. They screen, track and limit at early ages. In the United States, our mission is to teach every child, considering their abilities or disabilities and ensuring they are included. This commitment to universal free education is a foundation of our government, economy and way of life. As we attempt to provide for our best students, we must provide for all of our students. As a side note, I’m not sure that our current commitment to skills testing at the fact based, drill and practice level, will do much on the higher levels of competition noted by Chairman Greenspan in his presentation last week. As the United States competes in the global marketplace, our technological advancements must be used to give our public school students an advantage.
In the private sector, technology and competition eliminated the time needed for old models of market and product testing. Competitive companies, in order to stay ahead of the advances in technology, have to substitute greater risks for the want of time. Sometimes they lose. That’s part of the risk. Public schools aren’t allowed to lose. We must meet the goal of “No Child Left Behind.” That aside, it takes years for research in learning to become practice in our schools. Perhaps a new sense of urgency will spark the funding needed to reduce that gap.
We also can make greater use of consumer opinion to judge our past success and assess our planning. We need to improve our use of focus groups and survey research to gather expert and consumer opinion. We need to continuously assess parent/student needs and satisfactions.
Microsoft management exhibited a great deal of adaptability. They are a team responsible for the success of the entire enterprise. They must change quickly and their comfort zones seem to be challenged daily. School districts today are feeling a great deal of pressure to perform to standards from outside their control. There is a healthy skepticism surrounding those standards and their relationship to the mission of our schools. That questioning aside, standards are only the beginning of the pressures facing the schools.
Technologies will continue to improve and offer new opportunities for accessing learning. Communications technologies are shrinking the daily world of all of us. We will be expected to use those technologies to communicate with our parents and public on a far more frequent and timely basis. We will be expected to use technologies that parents and students can access for information or task accomplishment. Paying bills, authorizing sick leave, reporting absence from school, reviewing student progress, monitoring assignments, accessing instructional material, scheduling classes and perhaps even taking home instruction to reinforce the work of the day is emerging from new technologies. The educational enterprise that succeeds will adapt and use technology as an important tool for learning and communicating.
7. Students of former AHS teacher Lyle Bradley to provide science scholarships for today’s students
Between 1965 and 1985 hundreds of students traveled west during summer vacation with Anoka High School science teacher Lyle Bradley to research and dig fossils. The large diplodocus dinosaur skeleton at the Science Museum of Minnesota was discovered and partially excavated by Bradley's students. Field trips organized by Bradley's students eventually spanned six weeks in the summer, and similar experiences were initiated at Coon Rapids and Blaine High Schools. Now a group of former field trip participants have formed the Bradley Partnership in Science Foundation to fund hands-on science experiences for Anoka-Hennepin high school students and to continue the legacy started by Lyle Bradley.
The fledging foundation’s first grant of $1,000 was given to Crossroads Alternative High School to partially fund a field trip to the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minn., organized by Crossroads science teacher Randy Bauer. The field trip for about 24 students was the culmination of a course on outdoor winter environments, said Bauer. “We have labs and outdoor experiences,” he said of the trip, which was Feb. 18 through 20. “It’s full of pretty intense learning.”
With tight school budgets, there are fewer opportunities for students to do hands-on work in science, said Tom Strewve, a Western field trip alumni and organizer of the Bradley Partnership in Science. He said that working directly in the field exposes students to what it is like to be a scientist. Strewve estimates that of the 300 former field trippers he has contacted about 60 percent work in a science-related field. Eventually, members of the foundation want to offer students at Anoka-Hennepin schools the same kind of field trips they took to the Western United States for paleontology.
Lyle Bradley, now retired from teaching, remains in contact with many of his former students and field trip participants. He said that the most rewarding part of the field trips was seeing what students are capable of. Said Bradley, "Some of the finest teachers I have had have been students." |
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| 2/11/04 |
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Backpack #22 - 2004-05 School Calendar, District mission & vision statements, Anokain state One Act competition, Students in state skiing competition |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. 2004-05 school calendar approved
2. Mission and vision statements adopted
3. Anoka High School in State One Act Festival, Feb. 12 and 13.
4. Students qualify for state Alpine and Nordic Ski Meets
1. 2004-05 school calendar approved
The School Board approved the calendar for the 2004-05 school year February 9. The board chose from two alternate calendars presented by the calendar committee January 26 with no recommendation. Under the approved calendar, the 2004-05 year begins after Labor Day on September 7 and the final day is June 9. Winter break starts on Dec. 23 and runs through December 31, with school resuming on January 3, 2005. Spring break is a full week, March 21 to 25, with school resuming on March 28. Key dates and days off are listed below.
2004-05 Calendar
Sept. 6 Labor Day
Sept. 7 School Opens
Oct. 21-22 Teachers’ Convention, no school
Nov. 5 Staff development, no school
Nov. 11 End of Quarter 1
Nov. 12 Staff planning, no school
Nov. 15 Beginning of Quarter 2
Nov. 24 Conference conversion day, no school
Nov. 25-26 Thanksgiving break
Dec. 23-31 Winter break
Jan. 3 School resumes
Jan. 17 Martin Luther King Day, no school
Jan. 26 End of Elementary Quarter 2
Jan. 27 Elementary staff development/planning, no school K-5
Jan. 27 End of Secondary Quarter 2
Jan. 28 Staff planning, no school
Jan. 31 Beginning of Semester/Quarter 3
Feb. 21 President’s Day, no school
March 21-25 Spring Break
April 7 End of Quarter 3
April 8 Staff planning, no school
April 11 Beginning of Quarter 4
May 30 Memorial Day, no school
June 9 Final day of school/End of Quarter 4
2. Mission and vision statements adopted
Since September the School Board has been working on mission and vision statements for the district. At its February 9 meeting, the board approved the two statements. The mission statement identifies beliefs and practices in the district at this time. The vision statement is the direction set for the district. The next step is to develop goals to further the mission and achieve the vision. The mission and vision will be shared with schools and community for discussion. Schools will have the opportunity to consider how their goals contribute to the mission and vision.
Mission Statement: It is the primary mission of the Anoka-Hennepin School District to effectively educate each of our students for success.
To fulfill this mission the School District is accountable for…
• providing a caring, highly trained and effective staff who use research-based best practices
• providing learning opportunities that meet the individual learning needs of each student
• monitoring student achievement to maximize each student’s learning
• promoting high achievement for all students
• acknowledging parent’s roles as their children’s primary educators and partnering with them to increase student success.
• improving connections with the community to foster public involvement with and understanding of our educational programs
• providing a safe and respectful learning environment.
• using all resources efficiently and effectively
Vision Statement: It is the vision of the Anoka-Hennepin School District to be a public school system of excellence, with high quality staff and programs and successful graduates.
3. Anoka High School in State One Act Festival, Feb. 12 and 13
Anoka High School will represent Region 4AA in the State One Act Festival, February 12, 13, at The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium at the College of St. Catherine, 2004 Randolph Ave. in St. Paul. Anoka students will perform "Four Saints in Three Acts," by Gertrude Stein.
The troupe will perform that play and 32-1/2 Hilarious Skits at the Anoka High School Sound System Benefit, Friday and Saturday, February 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The cost for the benefit performance is $6. Information: (763) 506-6200.
4. Students qualify for state Alpine and Nordic Ski Meets
The following students qualified for the state Nordic and Alpine Ski Racing Meets, Thursday and Friday, Feb. 12 and 13 at Giant's Ridge Ski Resort in Biwabik, Minn.:
Nordic:
Craig Hertz and Brian Anderson of Andover High School,
Lindsey Erickson, Kristine Dalheimer and Kevin Heglund of Anoka High School
Pam Sorenson of Blaine High School
Kaitlin Lindsey and Sarah Nelson of Champlin Park High School
Maddie Peck of Coon Rapids High School
Alpine:
Kevin Landwehr of Blaine High School |
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| 2/06/04 |
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Backpack #21 - Student wins national poster competition, Internet safety class, Classes offered by Integration District |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. CRHS student wins second place in national School Bus Safety Poster Contest
2. Students collect soup for food shelf through Souper Bowl
3. Schools join national network
4. Teaching Kids to Be Safe and Savvy Internet Users
5. CRHS Winter Classic Colorguard Show set for Feb. 14
6. Financial aid and college planning workshop at Champlin Park High School
7. Northwest Suburban Integration School District offers family programs
8. Learn to defend yourself
9. Garage sale to benefit children’s fund
1. CRHS student wins second place in national School Bus Safety Poster Contest
A ninth-grader at Coon Rapids High School was named the second place winner in the 2003 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest, Division III: Grades 6-8. Irina Artemenko was an eighth-grader at Coon Rapids Middle School last year when she created the award-winning poster for the theme “Shh … Railroad Crossing.” Competition is open to all students in kindergarten through eighth grade as part of National School Bus Safety Week, which is the third full week in October.
Artemenko’s poster earned top honors in the district and state bus poster contests for her grade level division, qualifying her for the national competition. The best school bus safety posters from around the country competed in the national competition, sponsored by the National Association for Pupil Transport. NAPT awarded Artemenko a $250 savings bond for her second-place poster, which can be viewed at NAPT’s Web site, http://www.napt.org/SBSW/posterwin2003.htm.
2. Students collects soup for food shelf through Souper Bowl
Students at Evergreen Park Elementary School brought in 294 cans of soup for their Souper Bowl Lunch the Friday before the Super Bowl football game. The cans of soup will be donated to the Brooklyn Center Food Shelf. The school’s Child Nutrition staff organized the event. They encouraged students to deposit their cans of soup in a box on their way to lunch and to wear their favorite football team colors.
3. Schools join national network
Morris Bye, Lincoln and Riverview Elementary Schools have joined the National Network of Partnership Schools. This network promotes parent and community partnership in meeting schools' goals for raising student achievement. All three schools sent teams comprised of school staff, parents and community members to the first district Partnership Training on January 20. Congratulations to Anoka-Hennepin's Partnership Schools!
4. Teaching Kids to Be Safe and Savvy Internet Users
Many parents think because their children are using the Internet independently, the children are the experts. Parents and staff members are invited to learn rules and tricks of finding information safely on the internet in a free hands-on class Monday, February 9, 7 to 8 p.m. in the Staff Development Center at the Anoka-Hennepin Learning Center, 2727 Ferry St. N., Anoka. Explore the valuable eResources available through the Anoka-Hennepin School District at no charge. The class is offered by the Anoka-Hennepin Parent Involvement. Presenter is Anne Schroeder, Anoka-Hennepin Media Specialist. To register or for more information call 506-1278. CEU's are available for staff.
5. CRHS Winter Classic Colorguard Show set for Feb. 14
Winter colorguard units from eight schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin will kick off Valentine’s Day with an afternoon of colorful competition at the Coon Rapids High School Winter Classic guard show February 14, 3 p.m. in the high school field house. Colorguard performances combine dance and motion with elaborate flag, rifle, and sabre spins and tosses to express the mood and emotion of the selected music. Performances are judged in the areas of movement, technical execution, expression, and overall visual effect.
Musical choices for groups competing in 2004 range from a dramatic reading of a letter from a soldier who died at Bull Run to Mozart’s Requiem. This year, Coon Rapids performs to the music, “Amazing Grace,” by Ani DeFranco.
Admission to the show is $7 for adults, $5 for students (with ID) and seniors. Children ages six and under are admitted free. Spectators may also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win cash and prizes. Show proceeds will benefit the CRHS winter Colorguard program. Coon Rapids High School is at 2340 Northdale Blvd.
6. Financial aid and college planning workshop at Champlin Park High School
Champlin Park High School will sponsor a financial aid/college planning workshop called "The Value of a College Education and the Reality of Paying for it,” Feb. 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the south lecture hall. The workshop is designed to help parents find ways to work within the financial aid system, increase their eligibility for financial aid, reduce taxes and find more efficient ways to pay for a college education. It is presented by Mick Endersbe, a nationally recognized expert in financial aid and college planning who has spoken at numerous Twin Cities high schools and has been featured on WCCO radio and KARE 11 TV.
To reserve a seat, please contact Pam Baker at Champlin Park, 763-506-6844. The high school is located at 6025-109th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park. From Hwy. 610, exit on Noble Parkway, turn north, follow Noble to 109th Avenue, turn left, school is one-quarter mile on the left.
7. Northwest Suburban Integration School District offers family programs
The Northwest Suburban Integration School District #6078, which is made up of seven member districts including Anoka-Hennepin School District 11, is offering the following programs for families:
Parents Helping Parents discussion group
Parents and primary caregivers of students in kindergarten through grade 12 are invited to participate in a proactive and supportive discussion to help students succeed in school. Topics include parent/child communication, discipline and attention. Other topics to be chosen by participants. Snack and childcare provided.
This program is offered at:
Verndale CEC, 2829 Verndale Ave. N., Anoka February 10 and March 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Jefferson Elementary School 11331 Jefferson St. NE, Blaine, February 17 and March 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Family Book Club
This unique book club allows parents and children to share books with perspectives of the world's cultural communities. New books will be discussed each month. The club will also have opportunities to hear from local authors, story tellers and media specialists. Snack provided. This program is intended for children in grades four through eight and their parents and primary caregivers.
The program is offered at Verndale CEC, 2829 Verndale Ave. N., Anoka, February 9 and March 8, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Other locations are available within the Anoka-Hennepin School District.
For more information and to register for these programs call Lori at (763) 422-0851.
8. Learn to defend yourself
The Anoka Hennepin Community Education Department is offering a self defense class Saturday, March 13, 9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. How do most "real-life" attacks/abductions start? How can distance, body language and tone of voice be used to avert a potential attack? These questions and more are addressed in the first half of the workshop, with discussion on both acquaintance and stranger situations. During the second half, receive information and practice with useful and down-to-earth, physical self-defense techniques. Instructor works with Minneapolis Community Crime Prevention. Take this class with a teenager you care about (14 or older), or best friend or all by yourself. Don't just think about what you would do, learn it, practice it, and be prepared!
Fee is $24 singles or $39 pairs. To register for this workshop or for more information, please call the Anoka-Hennepin Adult Learning office at 763-506-1286.
9. Garage sale to benefit children’s fund
Hamilton Elementary School will hold its 7th Annual Children's Sunshine Garage/Craft Sale on Saturday, March 13, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds from the sale go to the Children's Sunshine Fund, which provides school supplies for students who wouldn't have them and essential clothing such as socks, underwear and winter boots for students when necessary. The fund also purchases stuffed animals and books for students who are out of school on extended illnesses or have had surgery, and small stuffed animals to comfort students who are grieving. Don't miss this great sale – lots of participants and a wide variety of merchandise! Hamilton School is at 1374-111th Ave. NW, Coon Rapids. |
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| 1/30/04 |
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Backpack #20 - Cold weather concerns, bullying prevention, parenting seminar, students adopt graduate serving in Iraq |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
1. Cold weather questions and answers
2. One Act Play Festival at Andover High School
3. Financial aid and college planning workshop at Champlin Park High School
4. Bully-prevention efforts continue
5. Parenting with Wit and Wisdom featuring Barbara Coloroso
6. African Family Night at Evergreen Park Elementary School
7. University Creek Alternative Program students “adopt” graduate serving in Iraq
1. Cold weather questions and answers
Q: How cold does it have to be to close school?
A: There is not a temperature at which the district automatically closes school. Many factors are considered. Typically, when Anoka-Hennepin has closed school the conditions were snow and ice – those that kept buses from running. In 1994, then-Gov. Arne Carlson ordered schools closed due to extreme wind chill temperatures.
Q: Why didn’t you close school when it was 25 below zero?
A: Even though it is very cold, businesses remain open, government offices remain open, and most school districts in Minnesota, including all those in the metro area, are open.
The decision to close school is a serious one, and it affects many working families who would have to take a day off of work or find day care in short notice. Some families do not have these options and their children may be left home alone. As the third-largest school district in Minnesota, home to more than 200,000 residents and 41,000 students, many families and businesses are affected when Anoka-Hennepin closes school.
While this weather is extremely cold, it is not unheard of in Minnesota. Many times it has been this cold in the state and school still has been in session. By dressing children properly, parents/guardians can protect against the effects of cold weather.
Q: What if I don’t want my child to go to school today, even though school is in session?
A: Parents/guardians have the ultimate decision on whether to send their child to school. Parents can choose to keep their children home because of the weather, and their children will have an excused absence for the day.
Q: Doesn’t the district lose state money if school is closed for weather?
A: No, this is NOT true. The district does not lose state aid if school closes for weather or other emergency.
Q: Will elementary students be allowed outside for recess when it is this cold?
A: No. The guideline elementary schools use for keeping children inside is 0-degree temperature or wind chill.
Q: Are student crossing guards allowed out in this weather?
A: School staff check students crossing guards to ensure that they have warm and proper clothing to be out in this weather.
A school year of extremes…
As we fielded calls from parents and reporters today, we were reminded that earlier this year, September 8, we received calls asking if the district was closing schools or canceling outdoor recess and other activities because of extremely hot weather!
2. One Act Play Festival at Andover High School
Andover High School will be the host to this year's One Act Festival. Participating high schools are Anoka, Andover, Champlin Park, and Coon Rapids. The festival will be Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door. Andover High School is at 2115 Andover Blvd. N.W. From Highway 10, exit on Hanson Boulevard, go north Andover Boulevard. Turn west, school is approximately one mile on the right.
3. Financial aid and college planning workshop at Champlin Park High School
On Feb. 17, Champlin Park High School will sponsor a financial aid/college planning workshop called "The Value of a College Education and the Reality of Paying for it." It will be in the south lecture hall from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The workshop is designed to help parents find ways to work within the financial aid system, increase their eligibility for financial aid, reduce taxes and find more efficient ways to pay for a college education. It is presented by Mick Endersbe, a nationally recognized expert in financial aid and college planning who has spoken at numerous Twin Cities high schools and has been featured on WCCO radio and KARE 11 TV.
To reserve a seat, please contact Pam Baker at Champlin Park, 763-506-6844. The high school is located at 6025-109th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park. From Hwy. 610, exit on Noble Parkway, turn north, follow Noble to 109th Avenue, turn left, school is one-quarter mile on the left.
4. Bully-prevention efforts continue with CLIMB Theater
District schools are continuing to work on preventing bullying. One way some schools have raised awareness of bullying is through performances by CLIMB Theater of Inver Grove Heights. CLIMB’s performances and classes focus on bullying behavior – what it is, why some people bully, and what to do about it – even if you are not the one being bullied. CLIMB has performed at schools including Crooked Lake, Franklin and Monroe elementary schools. An upcoming performance is at Morris Bye Elementary School on Feb. 13. CLIMB will perform “BUD and the Bully,” an interactive performance for kindergarten, first and second graders. Third, fourth and fifth graders will see “The Ride of Your Life.” For more information on the district's efforts to prevent bullying go to the district's Web site at www.anoka.k12.mn.us
5. Parenting with Wit and Wisdom featuring Barbara Coloroso
Come to an evening packed with solid practical advice for parents of children from toddlers to teenagers. Barbara Coloroso will discuss the keys to good parenting, six critical life messages, power struggles, discipline, keeping your cool and much more.
Parenting with Wit and Wisdom is Thursday, May 6, 7 to 8 p.m. at Fred Moore Middle School. The cost is $5 per person
Barbara Coloroso is an internationally recognized speaker and author in the areas of parenting, teaching, school discipline, non-violent conflict resolution and reconciliatory justice. She is the author of two international bestsellers: “Kids are worth it! Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline” and “Parenting Through Crisis: Helping Kids in Times of Loss, Grief and Change.” Coloroso's latest book is “The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School—How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence.”
For more information and registration please call Anoka-Hennepin Parent Involvement at 763-506-1278. Childcare is not available for this event. Fred Moore is at Fifth and Washington in Anoka. From Main Street in Anoka (Highway 242), go south on Fifth Street to the school, which is on the right.
6. African Family Night at Evergreen Park Elementary School
Parent involvement is an important part of the Anoka-Hennepin School District. One example of this was African Family Night, Jan. 23 at Evergreen Park Elementary School in Brooklyn Center. This was an opportunity for parents, teachers and primary caregivers to talk about issues related to student education at Evergreen Park. Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center are home to many new immigrants from West African countries.
During this event families discussed issues of special concern for their children such as the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program, and how to contact and discuss matters with teachers. The Northwest Suburban Integration District also presented information on programs it offers for students and families. Parents were invited to participate in school activities and to take advantage of volunteer opportunities.
7. University Creek Alternative Program students “adopt” graduate serving in Iraq
Students at University Creek Alternative Program have "adopted" one of their own. Matt Klein graduated from University Creek (home high school Coon Rapids) in fall 2002 and is currently stationed in Iraq. Students bought Matt a 1,200-minute phone card, and sent it to him along with photos, letters and greetings right before Christmas. Matt and current University Creek students have stayed in contact during the school year.
University Creek is a program is for at-risk students ages 16 and older. University Creek is one of three storefront programs for high school students, along with Crossroads Alternative High School. The storefront program is an extension of the Anoka-Hennepin School District, but students from all districts are welcome. The program focuses on academics, but also has a major focus on community involvement. |
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| 1/23/04 |
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Backpack #19 - Limited HS credit make-up, technology survey, help with math, Superintendent's column |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
1. Spring break trips to be discussed at parent meeting
2. Give input on technology use in schools
3. Help your child with mathematics
4. Superintendent’s column – thoughts on science fairs and learning
5. Legislative changes limit opportunities for credit make-up
6. Correction
1. Spring break trips to be discussed at parent meeting
All parents in the district are invited to learn about issues related to high school students taking trips during spring break. How safe is your child on spring break trips? What laws apply when students leave the country on trips? Mischelle Baker will speak on the tragic death of her son, Travis, while on spring break in Florida. This discussion will be part of the Parent Advisory meeting Monday, Jan. 26, 6:30 p.m. in the media center at Anoka High School, 3939 Seventh Ave. N., Anoka.
2. Give your input on your school’s technology
You are invited to offer your opinions about the use of technology at your child’s school. A simple online assessment called enGauge is available for all members of the Anoka-Hennepin community, including parents/guardians, students, staff and community members.
The assessment seeks to identify issues of need in the areas of student use of technology, staff development, software, and hardware. Results will help guide decisions on how to best use technology to support student learning. The school district will use the information from the survey as it develops a new technology plan, which must be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education this spring. The Department of Education has endorsed this assessment to help districts gather input for their technology plans.
To access enGauge, go to the Anoka-Hennepin Web site, www.anoka.k12.mn.us and click on the enGauge logo.
3. Help your child with mathematics
Parents and guardians are familiar with the need to read to their children. It helps foster literacy and a love of books. Many parents and guardians know that math skills are important, but the thought of working everyday on mathematical literacy may seem difficult. Most people just do not know where to begin. It is important to spend time talking with children about math, but it takes effort to see and talk about the numbers around us. Periodically, Backpack Online will provide tips for working on math skills at home.
The most important thing parents and guardians can do regarding mathematics is to be positive. Parents/guardians should never be discouraging, even if they had trouble with math in school. Everyone can learn math. Teachers have many strategies for teaching and learning mathematics.
Here are some simple ideas for working on math at home:
• put price tags on groceries at home, have children choose and add up the cost of the groceries, then use money to make correct change;
• while in the car, look at the digits we see on street signs and license plates and practice adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing;
• from a deck of playing cards, use cards one (ace) through nine, deal four cards and work on combinations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Make it a game to see who can get the highest score or who can complete the most calculations in three minutes.
4. Superintendent’s Column – thoughts on science fairs and learning
I attended our district high school and middle school science fair last Saturday. The program heralded the nature of the exhibition:
Welcome to the 2003-2004 Anoka-Hennepin School District Science and Engineering Fair.
In a subset the organizers defined purpose:
All scientists and science educators agree that the process of inquiry is a vital preparation for the 21st Century. What you will see today is the essence of that process. Student presenters, be proud of your accomplishments!
The program outlined the criteria by which the projects were to be judged: creative ability, scientific thought or engineering goals, effectiveness, skill and clarity. Each criterion was further defined by specific expectations.
For the better part of the morning more than 400 high school and middle school students presented, explained and then defended their projects. They then stood for questions from their judges. I take pride in the work of these young people, their teachers and their parents and I’ll tell you why.
Learners of any and all ages are engaged in the highest form of learning when they stand for a public test of what they know and what they can do. Participants in science fairs, art fairs, musical and theatrical performances, speech and debate tournaments, school publications, athletic competitions, student government, business fairs and a host of other forums are engaging in meaningful and realistic learning. The young people of our schools, from their earliest years, are analysts, problem solvers and creators.
We want students to master the foundations of their courses but we also want them to know that mastery of content is a beginning, not an end. When a student creates or discovers knowledge, explains it, defends it, links that bit of knowledge to the learning of others (especially those who have come before), and presents a vision of how that knowledge, skill or creativity relates to his or her world, then we know for certain that student is learning.
We have stated my support for the essential foundations of learning and of our need to measure what we teach. We make no excuses in the face of comparative test scores by student, school or district. We also recognize that we can only measure a few content areas on a universal basis and then only on the limited medium of paper and pencil testing. Our measurement of learning will continue to improve and measurement is essential to our success as public schools. As essential as those measurements may be, however, we must be equally committed to higher level learning which does not lend itself so easily to numeric comparison.
If we have a failing in our national debate on education, it is a failing by the test enthusiasts to articulate their appreciation for and commitment to higher levels of learning independent of tests; and the failing of test detractors from integrating measured foundations of learning into their visions for our students. Balance seems to escape us.
Not all of the students at our science fair achieved outstanding assessments from the judges. Nevertheless, participation was a mark of achievement.
We are grateful to the students for their work. Thank you teachers who make this kind of an event a priority. Thank you for your time. The science fair reflects the excellence of your daily work. Thank you parents for your support of your sons and daughters. Time is precious these days and yet you found it possible as a parent to support your child. Keep encouraging their participation. Judges and volunteers, thank you as well. Your work helps to create learning excellence.
As a closing note, I would like to relate these thoughts on learning in a public forum to athletic competition and other events. The next time you attend a school sporting event and you watch our athletes perform, tell me if you don’t witness creativity, skill, problem solving, risk-taking, public judgment and standing for the criticism of ones peers and superiors. The next time you attend any of our student events, athletic or otherwise, look for the learning, the pursuit of excellence and celebrate the education of our young people.
5. Legislative changes limit opportunities for credit make-up
Minnesota high school students now have very limited opportunities to make up courses they fail. As one of its budget cutting measures, the Minnesota Legislature reduced funding for credit make-up. School districts now receive funding to provide each student the equivalent of only 1.5 make-up credits in a single year.
Lynn Salisbury, principal for Crossroads and other high school alternative programs in Anoka-Hennepin, urges teachers and counselors to stress with students the importance of passing courses the first time they take them. “In the past, the state put no limit on the number of credits a student could earn in a year beyond the regular school day through evening classes and/or summer school. Now students will be allowed to make up the equivalent of only 1.5 credits per year, “ said Salisbury.
In order to give current high school students who have failed several courses a better opportunity to graduate with their class, Anoka-Hennepin is using some reserve funds to phase in the reduction:
This year only the district will allow current seniors to make up four credits.
This year only the district will allow current juniors to make up three credits.
The district will allow current freshmen and sophomores to make up 1.5 credits.
Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, Anoka-Hennepin high school students will be able to make up only the 1.5 credits per year allowed under the new, reduced level of funding.
A student who fails too many courses to make them up under this new limit will need to return as a “super senior” or fifth year high school student to complete high school and earn a diploma.
6. Correction
An item in the last Backpack Online about the generosity of Oak View Middle School’s students and families indicated that the Family to Family network is an initiative of Anoka County. Instead, the Family to Family network is coordinated through the Early Childhood Family Education Program of Anoka-Hennepin Community Education and staff from Peter Enich Kindergarten Center, with help from Anoka Covenant Church and other volunteers. Over 145 families were served this holiday season through the generosity of Anoka-Hennepin staff members, community groups, school groups, businesses, individual families and other donors. |
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| 1/16/04 |
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Backpack Online #18 - District science fair, practice state tests, catalogs available for adult/teen classes |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
1. Public welcome to District Science Fair Jan. 17
2. District students compete in State Debate Tournament
3. Practice for math, reading tests on state Web site
4. Coleman is Academic All-Star
5. New catalog of adult and teen learning opportunities in the mail
6. Oak View students brightened holiday for seven families
7. Adams School receives Target reading grant
1. Public welcome to District Science Fair Jan. 17
Hundreds of young scientists from Anoka-Hennepin School District 11 will present the results of their research at the district’s annual Science Fair tomorrow, January 17 at Anoka High School. Projects will be judged 9 to 11:30 a.m. with public viewing from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and awards presentation at 12:30 p.m.
The public is welcome to attend. Anoka High School is at 3939 Seventh Ave. N (from Highway 10, exit on Seventh Avenue, go north, school is on the left).
2. District students compete in State Debate Tournament
Several Anoka-Hennepin students will compete in the State Debate Tournament, which is the Minnesota State High School League’s longest-running event. Marking its 103rd anniversary this year, the tournament will be held at St. Paul Academy and Summit School today and tomorrow, Jan. 16 and 17.
Two teams from Blaine High School will be among the 18 two-person teams competing in policy debate, Cortney Jones with Leah Steinke and Tim Edstrom with Bill Magnuson. They will debate the topic: "Resolved: That the United States federal government should establish an ocean policy substantially increasing protection of marine natural resources." The qualifying teams are the first- through third-place finishers from the six section tournaments.
Dan Bordwell and Pam Widell of Coon Rapids High School and Dan Jones of Champlin Park High School will compete in Lincoln-Douglas Debate on the topic: "Resolved: A government’s obligation to protect the environment ought to take precedence over its obligation to promote economic development." As it occurred when Lincoln and Douglas debated more than a century ago, this event pits individual against individual. Bordwell and Widell are among 24 students from 17 schools who qualified by placing are the first- through fourth-place finish in section tournaments.
3. Practice for math, reading tests on state Web site
Students can practice for the Minnesota Basic Skills Tests by going to the Minnesota Department of Education Web site at http://www.education.state.mn.us/html/intro_bst_prac_tests.htm
The math test will be administered between Feb. 3 and 6 and the reading test Feb. 5 or 6. All eighth grade students take both tests. Students in grades nine through 12 who have not already passed the tests will also take them at that time. Students must pass these tests before graduation.
4. Coleman is Academic All-Star
Anoka High School senior Pat Coleman was selected as a KARE 11 Academic All-Star. Pat has a perfect grade point average and is tied for first place in his class. He is an officer in the National Honor Society and Student Council and is captain of his football, wrestling and baseball teams. He was featured on KARE 11 news and on the “Whatever” show in December.
5. New adult learning opportunities available through Community Education
The 2004 Winter/Spring Anoka-Hennepin Adult Learning Class Catalog has been mailed to each home in the school district. It contains a complete listing of all the new and on-going classes for adults and a new category, JUST-4-TEENS. Check it over for great enrichment classes, crafts, cooking, technology training, trips and tours, personal improvement classes, golf lessons and more.
Some of the most popular Adult Learning classes are available for teens only. For the artistic teen try Drawing 101. Jam to today's tunes with Instant Piano. Stay in shape with workouts just for teens in Kickboxing, Step & Circuit Training plus Teen Weight Training and a Yoga/Pilates class - today's hottest fitness craze. Complete details on all the JUST-4-TEEN classes at 763-506-5766.
Classes in the brochure run from late January through June. Please call 763-506-5766 for information on the classes or for a brochure.
6. Oak View students brightened holiday for seven families
Oak View Middle School students and families donated gifts and contributed money to purchase gifts and groceries for families in need during the holidays. Profits from the Halloween Activity Night sponsored by the Student Senate and an eighth grade “ penny war” that netted $500 were added to the holiday fund. The donations sponsored seven families through the Family to Family network of Anoka County. Students met with some parents to do the shopping at Riverdale stores, purchasing gifts and gift certificates for the various families. They met again to wrap items with donated paper and ribbon.
7. Adams School receives Target reading grant
Adams Elementary School, Coon Rapids, received a Target Grant for Early Reading Success to promote family and school partnerships in reading. The $5,000 award will fund a Parent Lending Library and other literacy items. |
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| 1/09/04 |
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Backpack Online #17 - Superintendent's column, school lunch beef is safe, high school registration, holiday generosity |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Beef for school lunch program is safe
2. Champlin Park Marching Band first place in Hollywood competition
3. Registration for kindergarten OPTIONS must be postmarked by Jan. 10
4. Sandburg Middle School Student Expo Jan. 15
5. High school students: consider taking challenging courses
6. College financial aid information session at ARCC Jan. 31
7. Students, families demonstrate generosity during the Holiday season
8. Superintendent’s Column – reflections on student learning
1. Beef for school lunch program is safe
None of the ground beef recalled recently because of potential exposure to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) – also known as “mad cow disease” – had been purchased for the National School Lunch Program. The United States Department of Agriculture issued a statement saying it is “confident in the safety of the beef supplied to schools.” The department purchases all of the commodity beef, pork, poultry, fruits, and vegetables for the National School Lunch Program.
2. Champlin Park Marching Band first place in Hollywood competition
Champlin Park High School Marching Band won first place in a mass band event and competition at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, Calif., Nov. 29. The band's show, called “The Elfman Zone,” featured selections from the movies Nightmare Before Christmas, Planet of the Apes, Edward Scissorshands and Spiderman. The band competed with nine other bands from around the world. The following day the band played Celtic Carol in the Hollywood Christmas Parade, which followed a three-mile route down Hollywood Boulevard and along Sunset Boulevard.
3. Registration for some kindergarten OPTIONS must be postmarked by Jan. 10
This is a reminder to families with children who will start kindergarten this fall that registration applications for the fee-based All-Day-Every-Day Kindergarten and Kindergarten Plus options must be postmarked no later than Saturday, Jan. 10. Registration for All-Day-Every-Other-Day Kindergarten, which is the kindergarten program provided for all kindergarten students in the district at no cost, and the Adventures Plus childcare program occurs in the spring. If you did not receive mailings about kindergarten options and you have a child eligible for kindergarten in fall 2004, call the school district at (763) 506-1030 to get your child’s name on the database for future kindergarten mailings.
4. Sandburg Middle School Student Expo, Thursday, Jan. 15
The public is invited to Sandburg Middle School’s Second Annual Student Expo, Thursday, Jan. 15, 6 to 8 p.m. More than 700 of the school’s 925 students are participating in the expo, which will include nearly 1,500 exhibits and presentations about what they’re doing in school. This World’s Fair-style event features a scale-model of the solar system, a presentation about explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, a rainforest tour, band and orchestra performances, art displays and much more. In addition, the finals of Sandburg’s spelling and geography bees will be held at this event. The expo is voluntary and all Sandburg students can participate.
“We spend so much time going to hockey games and celebrating piano recitals, but students spend most of their time in school. This is an opportunity to celebrate what they’re doing everyday in school,” said Lisa Silmser, Sandburg English teacher and an organizer of the Student Expo. For more information contact the school at (763) 506-6000.
5. Important message for high school students: Consider challenging courses when registering for classes
High school students, are you planning to go to college? Do you need scholarships to help pay for it?
College admissions officials and scholarship award committees place value on the kinds of courses that students take. The classes you choose in high school can make a difference. Students who seek out classes that are challenging have a better chance to be admitted to the school of their choice and are better candidates for scholarships. Plus, accepting challenges and taking risks are characteristics of successful people everywhere.
When you register, consider honors, Advanced Placement or College in the Schools courses. If you never thought about taking one of these classes before, talk to a teacher or talk to a counselor. There are courses available in many interests and subject areas. Depending on the requirements, you can take as many or as few of these courses as you would like.
Of course, competition for some schools and programs is tight and taking the right courses is not a guarantee for admission. College officials also consider grades, standardized test scores such as ACT and SAT, involvement in school clubs or activities, and volunteering outside of school. By starting to plan now you can give yourself a great advantage. Be sure to talk to a counselor. They have many resources and good advice.
6. College financial aid information session at ARCC Jan. 31
Students interested in post-secondary education and their families are welcome to attend Financial Aid Super Saturday January 31, 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the gymnasium at the Coon Rapids campus of Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC). The event will include tips on completing federal financial aid application forms and information on scholarships and sensible borrowing for college. Financial Aid staff will be ready to help and federal and state financial aid forms will be available. The event is free and no preregistration is required. Call 763-422-3410 for details.
7. Students, families demonstrate generosity during the Holiday season
Students, staff, and families from Champlin and Dayton Elementary Schools collected enough food and money during the month of December for their “Making Spirits Bright” holiday project to help 37 families in the community.
8. Superintendent’s Column – reflections on student learning
We close the year 2003 with a great many reflections. Anoka-Hennepin continues to advance learning for our students. We have proceeded with plans for increased Advanced Placement and College in the Schools courses in our high schools. The Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP) flourishes on the Anoka Technical College campus. We are also considering the International Baccalaureate, a very challenging, internationally recognized curriculum. Our talent development program has been given a new beginning in our elementary schools. We will expand our all day, every day programs for kindergartners with choices offered through Community Education. Parents of middle school students will have more choice in directing the education of their children. Our programs for developing math, reading and writing skills are strengthened at all levels.
There is a good deal of satisfaction to be derived from improvement and advancement. Change often comes with some controversy. In the public arena, however, controversy is often non-productive. Instead of contributing to improvement, the noise of controversy can distract from the organization’s mission, focus and improvement. Financial worries can often produce the distractions that reduce the value of learning time. The voters of Anoka-Hennepin approved a levy in 2002 that allows this school district to serve its students productively, without interruptions, without budget reductions. We are grateful for the public support and we work daily to provide meaningful return on the public’s trust. We also work daily to effectively use the tax dollars we receive.
Social studies curriculum is very much in the news as we close 2003. The Department of Education's draft of proposed standards has elicited considerable comment. Within the last few weeks, the social studies curriculum of Anoka-Hennepin was featured in an article of analysis on the proposed social studies standards. I don’t believe there is a single answer to the standards question. I would like to offer a reflection and a suggestion.
Like many of you, I read a lot of history. I particularly like presidential history. Abraham Lincoln is now dead for close to one hundred and forty years. During the next year hundreds of articles, books and studies will be written and published about this single president. Not all of this material will be new and indeed the historical “facts,” events and people surrounding his life will change very little. Yet, the history of his life and presidency is subject to continuous, new discovery. With the experience of each new day, the meaning of our history is reinterpreted.
The debate centering on state standards for social studies focuses at least in part on which “facts” need to be taught and committed to memory as required learning. The selection of the facts dictates their value and their interpretation. Unlike many other curriculum areas, social studies courses leave much room for selection and interpretation, all within the bounds of remaining a supporter of the democracy and the republic. There seems to be a universal understanding of the most general events and facts needed to define the history of America and yet, when we move from the general to the specific, we trip over the detail. One person’s Franklin Roosevelt is another person’s Ronald Reagan.
Perhaps we established school boards as a means of allowing citizens to focus the discussion as close to home as possible. Perhaps standards in some curriculum areas like humanities and similar fields of study are best left to local citizens through their local elected officials. Guidelines might be appropriate, but beyond guidelines, why not let the school boards select, adopt, assess and test. Frankly, we will do more to broaden our understanding of the past and less to interpret by mistake if we broaden the governmental base for selection and adoption.
Anoka-Hennepin uses a three-year study and adoption process for these kinds of decisions and we exercise that process every six to eight years. The process includes citizen input as committee members and as testifiers at public meetings. There is ample opportunity to hear different points of view. There is also a point of decision when the Board ultimately adopts the curriculum and selects materials. Why assume that a single process at the state level will function better than a school board based process. At this point, a broader guideline with limited required content at the state level, combined with existing processes for adoption of curriculum and textbook at the local level, is perhaps a more productive way to proceed. |
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| 12/22/03 |
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Backpack Online #16 - Holiday generosity and more |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Oxbow Creek fundraiser to fight diabetes to be featured on WCCO
2. Students, families demonstrate generosity during the Holiday season
3. More district students selected for honors choirs
1. Oxbow Creek fundraiser to fight diabetes to be featured on WCCO
The fundraising efforts of Oxbow Creek Elementary School will be featured on WCCO-TV, channel 4, Christmas Day during the 5 or 6 p.m. broadcast. During Candy Canes for a Cure, students rallied around a fellow student and helped sell 4,000 candy canes. The school made a $1,200 profit, which will be donated to help fight juvenile diabetes. See the full story on TV on Dec. 25 or read about it in an upcoming Backpack Online.
2. Students, families demonstrate generosity during the Holiday season
Here is a sample of the many activities ways gave to others during the holiday season:
Evergreen Park Elementary School, Brooklyn Center
Evergreen Park Elementary students recently collected socks for people in need. Their first Drop Your Socks day yielded 503 pairs of new socks. Most were donated to Mary's Place and to the Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP).
Hamilton Elementary School, Coon Rapids.
Students at Hamilton Elementary School raised over $800, which was used to purchase food for local families, plus some books and games, too. The school also contributed 11 boxes of food and toys for the Anoka County Christmas Project, which helps needy families around the county. Many students earned the money they contributed by doing chores for their families and neighbors. To celebrate their successful collection, the Splatter Sisters, musicians who are very popular with children throughout the metro area, performed for the students.
Monroe Elementary School, Brooklyn Park
Families at Monroe Elementary School donated 2,132 pounds of food to CEAP. This will help feed an estimated 143 people. CEAP was especially grateful for the peanut butter, pancake mix and syrup. The food drive was organized by the Monroe Student Council.
Rum River Elementary School, Andover
The fifth grade students from Rum River Elementary School organized a food drive for Anoka County Christmas Committee Inc. The students handled all the communication necessary for the food drive, including promotion, coordination, and organizing and boxing food for delivery. They collected 4,174 items over a period of five days, with different themes for each day. The collection included canned food, boxed meals, staples, cereal, and cash of $1245.82.
Oak View Middle School, Andover
Oak View Middle School participated in an all school food drive to help support the Anoka County Brotherhood Council Food Shelf. Each homeroom class collected a variety of items and then brought the items to the main office. Oak View’s goal was to collect enough items to “trap” Principal Diane Steffen in her office.
Blaine High School BPA helps Children’s Hospitals
Blaine High School Business Professionals of America (BPA), a student internship and service organization, collected a record breaking $6,262 during its Sixth Annual Teddy Bear Challenge. Conducted in conjunction with Children’s Hospitals, the money was used to buy teddy bears for children in the hospital during the holidays. BPA students sold paper teddy bears during lunch shifts. Buyers wrote their names on them and BPA students them hung the paper bears in the school commons area. Any individual or group donating $25 or more became part of the special Gold Bear Club. This year there were well over 200 Gold Bears. This is one of BPA’s biggest projects of the year. BPA students conduct more than a dozen service projects in the community and school every year. This holiday season the BPA students also helped with the school food drive and participated in a holiday caroling project at a local senior care facility.
3. More district students participated in honors choirs
An earlier Backpack Online included an article about choir students selected by audition to perform with the Junior High State Honors Choir, Anacrusis November 12 at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi. The article should have mentioned students from Jackson Middle School: Brittany Anderson, Lindsey Dammar, Juliann Klemenhagen, David Macht and Lydia Morgan; and Champlin Park High School students, Matt Bolt, Kim Lupo, Kirsti Schmidt, and Tashina Schumacher.
Enjoy a wonderful Holiday Season! |
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| 12/09/03 |
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Backpack #15 - Kindergarten choices, Good deeds, academic champions & more |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
1. Holiday entertainment at schools
2. New program choices available for kindergartners next fall
3. Good deeds by Anoka-Hennepin students
4. Roosevelt students recognized for kind acts
5. Students elected to state offices
6. Congratulations to Academic Champions
7. Tonic Sol-Fa performs for scholarship fundraiser Jan. 17
8. Stomach flu symptoms reported, proper hand-washing prevents spread
1. Holiday entertainment at schools
Coon Rapids High School music, theater performances this weekend
• Coon Rapids High School Music Department will present Behold the Marvel of this Night Thursday, Friday and Saturday Dec. 11, 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for students/senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Please enter door #13 for performances.
• Coon Rapids High School Theater Department presents Santa's Christmas Tree Sunday, December 14 at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available the day of the performance at Coon Rapids High School. Please enter door # 13.
Coon Rapids High School is located at 2340 Northdale Blvd.
Have a Cup of Christmas Tea with Tom Hegg
Anoka-Hennepin Adult Community Education will sponsor A Cup of Christmas Tea with Tom Hegg on Friday, Dec. 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Anoka-Hennepin Learning Center. Hegg, who is the author of numerous “Peef” books and the popular A Cup of Christmas Tea, will join us for a special holiday tea by reading his touching story of holiday spirit and unexpected joy. He will also share some of his other works and allow time for book signing. For more information on The Cup of Christmas Tea Event call 763-506-1286. Fee is $23 fee for this program and pre-registration is required as space is limited. The Learning Center is at 2727 N. Ferry Street, Anoka.
Kwanzaa celebration at Wilson School
The public is invited to attend Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture, Thursday, Dec. 18, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at
Wilson Elementary School, 1025 Sunny Lane, Anoka. This free celebration includes performance by Edupoetic, an energetic poetry group that uses song and instrumentation to tell a story based around the theme of Kwanzaa. Participants can also sample soul food, play African drums and make African art. The event is sponsored by Anoka-Hennepin Community Education and the North West Suburban Integration School District #6078, which includes Anoka-Hennepin. RSVP by calling John Warren (763) 422-0851. (RSVP requested but not required to attend.)
2. New program choices available for kindergartners next fall
Next fall parents of all Anoka-Hennepin kindergartners will have several choices of kindergarten programs for their children. In addition to the current All-Day-Every-Other-Day program, which is available at no cost for all students, parents may choose from two new programs in which students attend school for a full day every day. These choices are offered through Anoka-Hennepin Community Education for a fee to offset costs not covered by state and local tax revenue. In addition, Community Education will continue to offer the Adventures Plus childcare program for students.
Parent meetings will be held:
• Tuesday, Jan. 6, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Peter Enich Kindergarten Center, 2740 Wingfield Ave., Anoka. Enter through door 11; meeting in gymnasium.
• Thursday, Jan. 8, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Park View Early Childhood Center, 6100 109th Ave. in Champlin. Enter through door 1; meeting in cafeteria.
One new choice, Kindergarten Plus, combines the district’s kindergarten program with a daily childcare component. Students spend half their day with a kindergarten teacher and half in another classroom with two Community Education Kindergarten Plus staff. The Kindergarten Plus staff support the learning experiences students have in the kindergarten classroom. This will be offered at four schools, but is open to all students in the district.
In another choice, All-Day-Every-Day Kindergarten, students spend the entire school day with a kindergarten teacher. Learning opportunities are expanded because children are in school more days than children who attend All-Day-Every-Other-Day Kindergarten. This program is more structured than Kindergarten Plus. This will be offered at three schools, but is open to all students in the district.
Adventures Plus childcare is available for students in All-Day-Every-Other-Day Kindergarten on the days they are not in kindergarten. In this program, Adventures Plus staff use a curriculum designed to supplement the kindergarten program. It includes activities such as arts and crafts, sports, cooking, games, music, science discovery and more.
Before and after school childcare is also available through Adventures Plus.
Information and registration forms will be mailed in early December. Registration must be postmarked by Jan. 10. For more information about kindergarten choices call Marilyn McKeehen at 763-506-3925.
3. Good deeds by Anoka-Hennepin students
Blaine High School
Six Blaine High School students who have special needs made crayon kits for children in shelters during part of their school day. Christina Smith, a representative for Learning for Life, broke down the job into small tasks so all students were able to help recycle old crayons into shiny, new ones with carrying cases and coloring pages. The students were excited to be involved in a community service activity that helps others.
Transition Plus, Anoka
Transition Plus students collected and delivered 188 pounds of food to the Anoka County Brotherhood Council food shelf and is currently collecting gifts for the Adopt A Family program. Students also volunteer at local nursing homes and the Salvation Army. Transition Plus is a program for students with special needs that helps them make a transition from school to independent living.
Johnsville Elementary School, Blaine
Johnsville School is once again participating in the "Little Angel" project it developed a number of years ago to brighten the holidays for a third grader who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In memory of the student, a special Black Hills spruce was planted on school grounds and each year the third graders sponsor a collection of pennies, nickels, and dimes to help families in need. They purchase gift certificates from the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation that the families use to buy food for a special meal, gifts and winter clothing.
Jefferson Elementary School, Blaine
The Jefferson Student Council organized a food drive that resulted in a contribution of 4,333 canned items for the Anoka County Food Shelf.
4. Roosevelt students recognized for kind acts
Roosevelt Middle School is emphasizing the importance of being kind and thoughtful by catching students doing a good deed. In the first three months of the school year, over 60 students have been recognized for doing little things to make their school a safe environment, perpetuating respect, responsibility, honesty and integrity. Students have been recognized for acts such as turning in found money, sitting with a new student at lunch, helping to pick up dropped worksheets, and much more. Most students don't know that they have been noticed making a difference until they are summoned to the office by Principal Melissa Doerr to be congratulated for their thoughtfulness. A letter of recognition is sent home to students’ parents and their names are entered into a drawing held at the end of the quarter. Special thanks goes to Community Pride Bank in Ham Lake for awarding $50 savings bonds to each of the three winners selected for first quarter.
5. Students elected to state offices
Several Anoka High School students were elected to state offices by their student vocational organizations. Jessica Hunter will serve as vice president for Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) and Rosemary Yang will serve as vice president of membership for Family, Career, Community Leaders of America – Home Economics Related Occupations (FCCLA-HERO). In addition, Jessica LaFine has been selected as a state officer for Skills USA-VICA but the organization has not yet designated specific titles to its officers. As reported earlier in Backpack Online, Lisa Elavsky was elected historian for Business Professionals of America.
6. Congratulations to Academic Champions
The Coon Rapids High School Volleyball Team was named Section 4AA Academic Champions for 2003-2004. This recognition is given to the team in each sport whose collective grade point average is highest among teams in the section.
7. Tonic Sol-Fa performs for scholarship fundraiser Jan. 17
Tonic Sol-Fa will present an evening of comedy, pure vocals and family fun Saturday, January 17, 7 p.m. at Blaine High School auditorium. The New York Times described this a capella sensation as a "vocal kaleidoscope, unique to the human voice." The concert will benefit the Blaine Community Scholarship Association. Tickets are $12; all seats are reserved. To order call 763-506-6666. For more information call Mike Broos at 763-506-6622. Blaine High School is at 12555 University Avenue NE.
8. Stomach flu symptoms reported, proper hand-washing prevents spread
Some Anoka-Hennepin schools are experiencing higher then normal absence rates. Students and staff are symptoms of a stomach flu with fever, headache and stomachache, diarrhea and vomiting. Cynthia Hiltz, Anoka-Hennepin school nurse consultant, says proper hand washing technique is the best way to prevent spread of this illness.
Proper hand washing technique recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
• Use soap and running water.
• Rub your hands vigorously as you wash them for 10 -15 seconds.
• Wash all surfaces (including backs of hands, wrists, between fingers and under fingernails).
• Rinse will and leave the water running until after drying your hands.
• Dry hands with a single use towel.
• Turn off facet using a paper towel.
The CDC recommends hand washing at these times:
• Before and after eating.
• After using the bathroom.
• After contact with body fluids or changing diapers.
• After handling raw meat, poultry or fish.
• After touching animals.
• After blowing your nose.
• After coughing or sneezing on your hands.
• Before and after treating wounds or cuts.
• Before or after treating a sick or injured person.
• After being in a crowded public space.
• After handling garbage. |
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| 12/02/03 |
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Backpack #14 - Superintendent's column, Good deeds by A-H students, & more pick books for children using MAP results, |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
1. Anoka High School presents "Annie"
2. Good deeds by Anoka-Hennepin students
3. Pick the right books for your child using MAP test results
4. Champlin Park students elected to FCCLA-HOSA state offices
5. Superintendent's Column - Snow days and other topics
1. Anoka High School presents "Annie"
Anoka High School presents "Annie," - the popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20 and 2 p.m., Dec. 14. Tickets are $10 for reserved seating, $8 for general admission. Tickets for K-12 students are half-price on opening night (Dec. 12). Senior citizens tickets are half price on Dec. 14.
For tickets or for questions, call Anoka High School's ticket office: (763) 506-6439.
2. Good deeds by Anoka-Hennepin schools
All Anoka-Hennepin schools are helping those in need in some way this holiday season. Many schools collect goods for food shelves and organize volunteer activities after school. Encouraging and helping students to give to those in need promotes compassion, a core value of Anoka-Hennepin's Character Education program. Here are what a few schools have done so far:
Champlin Park High School
Champlin Park High School recently completed its week-long food drive. As part of the effort, Champlin Park's Symphonic Band and Concert Choir challenged each other to see who could bring in the most food items per person. The losing class was to perform a musical selection for the other classroom blindfolded while wearing earplugs. The competition was fierce and ended in a tie. Each class member managed to bring in 35.4 items (Symphonic Band brought in 3,009 items with 85 students and Concert Choir brought in 2410 items with 68 students). With a food drive goal of 8,500 items, the band and choir (153 students) managed to collect 63 percent of the school goal. In total, Champlin Park students collected 8,519 food items.
Coon Rapids High School
Coon Rapids High School students in National Honor Society (NHS) organized a school-wide food drive and collected a total of 6,104 pounds of food for Anoka County CEAP. The effort far surpassed last year’s collection of 1,600 pounds.
On Nov. 23, NHS students made or collected donations of pies that were given out in Thanksgiving baskets by St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Blaine. NHS students also will participate in an Adopt-A-Family program that provides holiday gifts for a needy family in an Anoka County Transitional Housing Unit. In addition to buying gifts, NHS students also will ring bells for the Salvation Army collection site at Cub Foods near the junction of Hanson and Northdale boulevards. The student group will provide volunteers to cover weekday evening shifts and weekend day shifts from Nov. 28 to Dec. 13.
With more than 190 students, NHS is one of the largest organizations in Coon Rapids High School. Students are inducted based on academic achievement, teacher recommendation, and commitment to the four characteristics emphasized by NHS: character, leadership, service, and scholarship.
Hoover Elementary School, Coon Rapids
Hoover Elementary School was host to the Salvation Army on Nov. 17th. The Salvation Army brought its mobile "canteen" unit to the school. A representative from the Salvation Army talked with members of the student council and their parents about how the Salvation Army responds to disasters. Members of Hoover student council rang the Salvation Army collection bell in front of school every morning through Nov. 25th.
Monroe Elementary School, Brooklyn Park
Fifth-grade students of Deb. Cordes at Monroe Elementary School provided their fellow students an opportunity to Drop Their Socks for those in need. Students were invited to drop new adult or child socks into a "Socks Box" as they went to lunch. A total of 1,682 pairs of socks were collected. The socks will be donated to Caring and Sharing Hands, the Missionaries of Sister Jean, CEAP, and some will be kept at Monroe.
Mrs. Cordes and Cindy Kopacz, child nutrition program site supervisor, organized the event, and many parent volunteers helped students collect, count, and sort the socks.
3. Pick the right books for your child using MAP test results
Parents/guardians, are you looking for books for your child? Promote reading by providing books to motivate your child to read - books that are not too easy or too difficult. If your child took the MAP test you can see what books match your child's reading level. You will need your child's MAP results and access to the Internet. All second- through eighth-grade students took the MAP test this year.
• Go to the "For Parents" section of the Anoka-Hennepin Web site and click on "Lexile Framework": http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=159495.
• Click on the link "Lexile Framework for Reading." The Lexile Framework has analyzed nearly 40,000 books for reading level. Based on how a student performed on the MAP test, the Lexile Framework can help identify appropriate books.
• Find your child's Lexile Range on the MAP reading test results. Use the Quick Book Search tool or the click on the "Book Search" tab.
• How to use Lexile Range: If a child's Lexile Range is 850-950, look for books for independent reading with a Lexile of 800-900 (50 points below to the middle of the Lexile Range). For guided or shared reading with that child, consider books with a Lexile of 900-950 (top 50 points of Lexile Range). Books with a Lexile over a child's range may be difficult or frustrating.
• Please note that Lexile numbers do not take into account age or grade level, they are based on ability. A child may be able to read at a higher level, but that may not mean he or she is ready for books with advanced subject matter. A child with a lower reading level may not appreciate books that are immature or designed for younger children. Use your judgment or talk to the Media Specialist in your school.
4. Champlin Park students elected to FCCLA-HOSA state offices
Twenty-one Champlin Park High School students attended the conference for Family, Career, Community Leaders of America - Home Economics Related Occupations (FCCLA-HERO) on Nov. 4. Two students were elected to statewide offices for the organization - Tiffanie Taylor, first vice president, and Maggie Fortman, vice president of finance and parliamentary law.
During the conference members participated in a presentation on consumer food safety by the Minnesota Department of Health, and attended various workshops.
5. Superintendent's Column - Snow days and other topics
By Superintendent Roger Giroux
The holiday season is upon us, as is the snow. With every storm warning and impending blizzard, thousands of young people hope with all their hearts that the Superintendent will call off school. “Where is that snow day!” “This guy hasn’t got any heart.” “Anoka-Hennepin never closes.” “I’m walking to school and he’s driving around in a four wheel drive.”
This last weekend we were barraged with warnings of an impending blizzard. It wasn’t for certain but it looked like a foot of snow headed right for our driveways. As early as last Wednesday, I could feel the silent lobby asking for the odds that school wouldn’t be in session sometime during the next week. The snow came and went (what there was of it) and by Monday morning, the streets were clear. Drat!! It’s always on a weekend, never on a school day.
Until I had this job, I was one of those who wondered just how a snow day was declared. Who decides, and how is the decision made? During my student teaching days in Lewiston, Minnesota, I was amazed to hear that the Superintendent and Chair of the School Board drove through the district early in the morning of a possible snow day and together they made the decision. Now, if you have ever traveled the bluffs along the Mississippi, you know how treacherous those roads can be. I often wondered what happened if the Superintendent and School Board Chair got stuck. No cell phones in those days and the farmhouses were a fair bit apart. Could you imagine missing a snow day because those rummies drove into a ditch?
The technology has improved since then and we have access to cell phones that can put us in touch with highway departments, the sheriff’s office, and mobile units from our own bus companies as well as staff from neighboring districts. Computer systems let us monitor the weather just like the guys on television. The meteorologists have vastly improved systems for gauging the timing and intensity of storms, and while the systems aren’t perfect, the forewarnings help us to prepare.
Deciding to close or stay open is based first on safety. We use all that we have at our disposal to assess the danger presented by a storm. We also drive the district on snow days for a first hand experience with sidewalk and street conditions. Snow and cold are a part of Minnesota winter life and, for the most part, we work and live in that environment. Minnesota doesn’t close for the winter. We aren’t frivolous with our snow days but we don’t sacrifice safety either.
Parents and others are asked to consider the decision that the district has to make for the safety of our children, and also the decisions that parents have to make for the safety of their children. The district is 174 square miles in size and the weather, traffic and walking conditions in one part of the district may not be same in the entire district. We will close when conditions warrant. If parents think it is unsafe for their children to come to school because of the conditions in their neighborhood, even though district schools are open, they are encouraged to exercise their own judgment and use an excused absence due to weather.
On other topics, I wanted to include a few additional comments in this article on actions taken by the School Board this November. Next year, we will increase the number of all day or extended day kindergarten classes offered in the district. This is a pilot program designed to determine the feasibility of an all-day, every day, extended day kindergarten experience on a fee for service basis.
The School Board has also approved a middle school schedule that will increase parent and student electives at grades seven and eight. The redesign of the schedule will allow for more challenging opportunities for instruction in reading, writing and math for the advanced student and more help for students who have not yet mastered the basic skills. Students and parents will also have more course choices and fewer requirements.
The weighted grade system for high school programs has been revised. The district has also revamped its honors course designation. The Board also approved new graduation requirements that reflect recent legislation. These types of changes will be phased into the high schools to ensure continuity and fairness for current students.
We will also be increasing our advanced placement course offerings, our College in the Schools courses and we are considering offering the International Baccalaureate program. Our middle school programs will better prepare students for these types of advanced courses. |
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| 11/20/03 |
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Backpack #13 - Superintendent's column, middle school proposals, Anti-bullying contest |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Students help stock food shelves
2. Latest news on middle school proposals.
3. Anti-Bullying Contest winners
4. Superintendent's Column
5. More students in statewide honors choirs
1. Students help stock food shelves
Jackson Middle School students collected more than 8,000 food items for local food shelves. The drive was organized by the school's STAR SERVE, an organization for school and community service.
Oxbow joined "Stuff a Truck Food Drive" in cooperation with County Market in Champlin. Oxbow students brought food items to school November 4 to 14. The school goal was 3,000 food items. The school raised 10,064 items. Since 1988, the Oxbow school community has donated 89,593 items for local food shelves.
These are just a few of the many Anoka-Hennepin schools involved in food drives this time of year. These efforts promote compassion, a core value of Anoka Hennepin's Character Education program.
2. Latest news on middle school proposals
Proposed changes in the middle school program for next year were presented to the School Board on November 10. The board is considering changes in order to strengthen the middle school program and to provide choices for parents and students.
The proposal before the School Board included comments from teachers and parents. Teachers asked that the process be slowed down and the current program maintained, and they expressed concern for students spending less time with some allied arts classes. For the most part, parents responded favorably to the options for advanced learners, the additional support options for struggling students, and the opportunity for students to earn high school credit for some courses. Both teachers and parents were concerned about changes that would reduce the amount of physical education required in middle school in light of problems associated with obesity.
At a scheduled School Board work session on November 18, Associate Superintendent Dr. Lelia Redin and middle school principals presented a second proposal that incorporated suggestions from the November 10 meeting. To see charts illustrating first and second middle school proposals go to the Anoka-Hennepin Web site here: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=155676. (If this link is not active, cut and paste it into your address bar.)
Board members discussed the second proposal and made additional suggestions. A range of proposals are being prepared for the board to consider at its regular meeting November 24
3. Anti-Bullying Contest winners
The brightly colored posters and interesting essays created by winners of the district’s anti-bullying poster and essay contests have been posted on the district Web site. To view the work of talented Anoka-Hennepin students and see the list of winners, go to this link: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=158733. (If link is not active, cut and paste it into your address bar.)
4. Superintendent's Column
Whenever I’m to speak to an audience in another community, I usually take some time to walk their streets and neighborhoods, read their local papers, and drop in on the local coffee shop. Hopefully, I can find some relationships between local issues and the topic I’ve been asked to address. Several years ago, I was preparing to address a dinner meeting of school business officials in Toronto. During my walk, I came across a realty lawn sign that advertised a virtual tour of the home on the Internet for foreign buyers. It was still early in the information/technology revolution so this source of information was impressive.
That evening, I spoke to my fellow business officials and asked the audience to reflect for just a minute on what that type of information technology advance might mean for public schools. I later wrote an article on the same subject. That was less than ten years ago and as I look back on my comments and my writing, I realize that even as I wrote my thoughts had been outdated by yet further technological advances. Technology is advancing dramatically and our human relations, concepts of self and our concepts of the world in which we live are changing just as quickly.
With the advance in the technology and communications, many of you may also notice a greater reliance on the individual for decision-making as well as task accomplishment. The other day, I bought groceries at a self-managed checkout counter. I scanned the items, scanned the coupons, put my currency in the machine, received my change, bagged my groceries and took them to my car.
I haven’t seen the inside of a bank in years. What I can’t do on-line with our computer, I accomplish at a cash machine or a bank center in the grocery store. People can take out a mortgage in one-tenth the time, with little ceremony, a minimum amount of involvement with a banker and never see the inside of a bank.
Have you been to the doctor lately? I’ve noticed a lot less direction from the physicians. Instead, we’re given options and scenarios. We discuss alternative treatments and medicines and ultimately I, the patient, choose and prescribe within the parameters the doctor has offered. Ultimately, I’m responsible for the choice. We’re not staying in hospitals very long either. What had been an in-hospital procedure can now be done at a doctor’s office. The patient at home now does treatments that once required a nurse working under a doctor’s supervision.
Everything from the removal of our trash, to the paying of a bill, to the purchase of an airline ticket, to the sending of a letter, to the purchase of a house, to the management of our health has been transformed by technology and has increased the responsibility of the individual. The individual, more than ever, is empowered to make the choice, accomplish the task, do the work and is responsible for the consequences. This is only the beginning.
Those of us in the public schools are deeply immersed in the successful teaching and learning of the child that sits in front of us. This is exactly where we need to be. As we go about that good work we are keenly aware of the changing expectations for the public schools. Those expectations for change are driven by public policies and center on costs, outcomes and accountabilities. I would suggest to my colleagues, to parents, to students and to the public that the technology revolution lags behind in our schools but economic forces will bring technology change about quickly. With that change, we will see greater access to knowledge and also greater parent/student responsibility for some levels of learning. There will be greater choice and there will be greater involvement in the actual task of learning.
Teachers will always be in high demand and the ability to teach will be recognized and valued more than ever. Successful learning drives an ever-increasing demand for greater learning. Teaching is a profession requiring skill, talent and a gift of human rapport than can only be enhanced by emerging technologies.
I’m suggesting that the attention of the public schools, now focused on public policy, also needs to focus on technology and the emerging changes in the greater community surrounding our schools.
5. More district students selected for honors choirs
The previous Backpack Online included an article about choir students selected to perform with statewide honors choir November 12 at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi. The article should have mentioned students from Sandburg Middle School. Natasha Foley, grade 6, will sing with the Elementary Honors Choir and Nina Gobernatz, grade 8, will sing in the Anacrusis Choir. |
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| 11/14/03 |
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Backpack #12 - National math scores, honors choirs, BPA offices |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Champlin Park presents 42nd Street this weekend
2. Have a ball raising funds for educational programs at Northern Stars Ball
3. Minnesota students top the nation in national math test, Anoka-Hennepin students included in test group
4. District students selected for honors choirs
5. District students elected to state BPA offices
6. Blaine loses state quarterfinal to Moorhead, 28-27
1. Champlin Park presents 42nd Street this weekend
Champlin Park High School students will present 42nd Street, a musical comedy, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 16 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens.
2. Have a ball raising funds for educational programs at Northern Stars Ball
Tickets are still available for this year’s Northern Stars Ball. The ninth annual fund-raiser returns to the Marriott City Center in downtown Minneapolis Nov. 22 with the theme, An Enchanted Evening. The Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation and the Anoka Technical College Foundation jointly sponsor the ball. The Anoka-Hennepin Foundation uses its funds to finance talent development grants to provide creative learning experiences for students in Anoka-Hennepin schools.
Festivities begin with a silent auction and social at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. A short program and live auction begin at 8:30 p.m. with dancing to the sounds of TKACH to follow. A jazz group from Roosevelt Middle School and a string ensemble from Andover High School will also perform that evening.
Tickets are $65 for an individual, of which $30 is tax deductible. Call now to purchase tickets, 763-506-1107.
3 Minnesota students top the nation in national math test, Anoka-Hennepin students included in test group
Results from the 2003 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed that the math achievement of Minnesota eighth graders is the highest in the nation, according to a statement released yesterday by the Minnesota Department of Education. The difference between Minnesota and all other states is statistically significant; Minnesota scored 291, followed by Massachusetts and North Dakota with 287. Fourth grade math performance placed the state in the top group of eight states, with Minnesota’s score of 242 topped only by New Hampshire with a score of 243.
Minnesota students’ reading scores at both grade levels were among the top performers nationwide. Minnesota’s fourth grade reading score of 223 was topped by eight states, with the highest score at 228. Minnesota’s eighth grade reading score of 268 was topped by six states, with the highest score at 273.
Anoka-Hennepin students were among those tested, but individual school and district results are not available. The test is given to a representative sample of students in each state. In Minnesota, 3,500 students took the fourth grade test and 2,600 students took the eighth grade test.
“We can be proud of our education system when it continues to produce such outstanding results,” said Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke. “Congratulations are in order for the students and teachers who put Minnesota at the top of the nation in eighth grade math.”
This was the first year every state was required to take the NAEP math and reading exams, which will now be given every two years.
District students selected for honors choirs
Choir students from several Anoka-Hennepin schools were selected by audition to perform with statewide honors choirs November 21 at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi. The event is sponsored by the Minnesota Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
Singing with the Elementary Honors Choir are sixth graders Meghan Mueller and Johanna Teigen of Fred Moore Middle School.
Singing with Anacrusis, the Junior High Honors Choir are Heather Cobb and Ian Moore, grade 7, and Christina Roushar, grade 8, of Fred Moore Middle School; Nicole Olson, grade 9, Anoka High School; and Patrick Keyes, grade 9, Blaine High school.
District students elected to state BPA offices
Two Anoka-Hennepin students were recently selected for state leadership positions at the State Fall Leadership Conference of Business Professionals of America (BPA), an organization for students exploring business careers. Angela Gray, senior at Blaine High School, was elected 2003-2004 state BPA president. This was the second year in a row that a Blaine student was elected BPA president. Lisa Elavsky, Anoka High School, was elected state BPA Historian. Over 500 students attended the fall conference where they had the opportunity to hear speakers on a wide variety of business and professional topics and elect officers.
Blaine loses state quarterfinal to Moorhead, 28-27
Blaine High School football team lost to Moorhead 28-27 in overtime last week in the Class 5A state tournament quarterfinal. Except for that loss, Blaine was undefeated for 10 games in the 2003 season. Congratulations to the team and coaches for a great season.
2003 - 2004 adult winter and spring recreation athletics
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education Adult Athletics Department offers adult recreational athletic leagues for Anoka-Hennepin District 11 residents. Athletic opportunities for the winter 2004 season include adult volleyball, basketball, and broomball leagues. Leagues will be offered for men’s, women’s, and co-rec teams. Registration is underway now with the leagues beginning in late December or early January.
Upcoming athletic events for the spring 2004 include adult softball, kickball and tennis leagues. Registration will begin in late February or early March with leagues beginning as early as late April. For more information on any of this leagues give Marv Johnson Jr. a call at 763-506-1267. |
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| 11/11/03 |
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Backpack #11 - BHS Veteran's Day, Prep Sports, Anoka Children's Theater, Baby Boomers' attitudes |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Blaine High School honors veterans
2. Franklin students donate items for soldiers’ gift boxes
3. Prep Sports Tournament Update – State swim meet
4. Swim lessons offered at Roosevelt Pool in Blaine
5. Roosevelt Pool open for community use – other district pools closed
6. Anoka Children's Theater presents world premiere of "Dreams of a Cobbler's Son"
7. Substitutes needed for school cafeterias
8: Of interest: Baby Boomers view public education positively
1. Blaine High School honors veterans
The importance of attitude became apparent for students at Blaine High School as they heard from Ken Porwoll, a Bataan Death March survivor, at the school’s recent 6th Annual Veteran’s Day program.
Porwoll illustrated the critical role attitude played in his survival by introducing the students and staff to those who were on the march with him. Many stories centered on the tremendous obstacles that were overcome by soldiers determined to survive.
Blaine High School staff, students, and community members who have served or are serving in the military were recognized at the event. The Blaine High School Faculty and Student Men’s Ensemble performed at the program. The Coon Rapids Army Recruiting Station provided the color guard and the Blaine Police Explorers also participated.
Following the program, Porwoll joined two social studies classes to further discuss his experiences on the Bataan Death March.
2. Students donate items for soldiers’ gift boxes
Fourth graders in Nancy Kipp’s class at Franklin Elementary School donated a shopping cart full of items that will soon become part of holiday gift boxes for U.S. soldiers in Iraq. When the Champlin /Dayton Press newspaper published a list of items needed for soldiers’ gift boxes, Kipp saw the story and knew her students would help. Sharon Cooper of Champlin, mother of a soldier stationed in Iraq, is putting together the gift boxes. Sandy Lee, another Champlin mother of a solider, thanked students for their contributions. “It means so much,” she said.
3. Prep Sports Tournament Update – State swim meet
Anoka-Hennepin high schools will be well represented at the Minnesota State High School League swim meet November 13 through 15 at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. The following students qualified for state competition at the sectional meet last weekend:
Andover High School: Brittany Jumer, diving champion
Anoka High School: Lindsay Erickson, 100 backstroke
Blaine High School: Alison Schirmers, 200 Individual Medley and 100 Breaststroke; Amy Kingman, 100 Butterfly; Danielle Seaman, Jodi Stilson, Randee Cardinal, Alison Schirmers, 200 Freestyle Relay; Danielle Seaman, Brittney Huff, Randee Cardinal, Alison Schirmers, 400 Freestyle Relay
Champlin Park High School: Elizabeth Halet, 200 and 500 freestyle events.
Coon Rapids High School: Kelsey Berkeland and Sam Trainor, both in diving, and Melissa Kollodge, 100 yard freestyle
Information about sports in Backpack Online
Due to the large numbers of teams and levels of play, Backpack Online will limits reports to varsity teams in section quarterfinal play or better and individual varsity athletes in state tournament competition. We apologize for any omissions.
4. Swim lessons offered at Roosevelt Pool in Blaine
The Roosevelt Pool in Blaine is the only school district pool open for community use. Register for youth swim lessons on Monday Nov. 17 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday Nov. 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. by calling 506-5980, then press "0" for operator.
Lesson Schedule
M/W lessons begin W Nov. 19 and end W Dec. 17 No Lessons on W Nov. 26
T/Th lessons begin TH Nov. 20 and end TH Dec. 18 No Lessons on TH Nov. 27
Sat lessons begin SAT Nov. 22 and end SAT Dec. 12 No lessons on SAT Nov. 29
“Learn to Swim” youth lessons are for children at least 5 years old and cost $43.25 for Saturday morning (four, 65 minute lessons) and $53.25 for weeknight (eight, 40 minute lessons).
Infant, Preschool Aquatic Program “IPAP” lessons are for children 6 months through 4 years old and cost $26.75 for Saturday morning (four, 35 minute lessons) and $40.00 weeknight (eight, 30 minute lessons).
5. Roosevelt Pool open for community use – other district pools closed
There have been significant changes to the community education aquatics program. The school board’s budget decision for fiscal year 2002-03 eliminated the middle school instructional swim program and operated a limited number of pools for high school competitive swimming seven months of the year. Last November, local voters turned down a levy question to reopen district pools for middle school instruction and community use.
Community education restructured aquatic offerings and now offers fee-supported year-round aquatic services only at the Roosevelt Community Pool in Blaine. “We continue to look at future opportunities for community pool use, particularly youth swim lessons at Jackson Middle School pool in Champlin,” said Reid Mortensen, program supervisor.
Roosevelt Pool offers:
Open Swim on T/Th 7:30-8:45 pm and Sat 1:30-3:30 pm
Adult Lap Swim on M/W 7:30-8:30 pm
Swim lessons and exercise classes.
Call 763-506-5980 or www.anoka.k12.mn.us/ce and click on Aquatics.
6. Anoka Children's Theater presents world premiere of "Dreams of a Cobbler's Son"
Forty-four students from Anoka-Hennepin schools, grades four through eight, will be singing and dancing in a production of "Dreams of a Cobbler's Son: A Musical Fantasy on Young Hans Christian Andersen." This is the world premier of this original musical. The show offers insight into the life of a child who is often ridiculed and bullied by his peers - a major focus in the district this year.
The musical follows the adventures of young Hans Christian Andersen as he struggles to deal with being different from other kids and face the fact that his father is dying. The audience journeys into his imagination as he takes us to the worlds of the stories he will later write. Some story highlights include voyages into the realms of "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Emperor's New Clothes" and "The Steadfast Tin Soldier." It teaches lessons in friendship, creativity, individuality, being positive and the importance of family. " 'Dream's of a Cobbler's Son' " has something for all ages and is one of those works that will move you to tears and also make you laugh," said Jefferson Fietek, playwright, director and Coon Rapids High School graduate.
Performances are Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at Fred Moore Middle School Auditorium, 1523 Fifth Ave. S., Anoka. Ticket prices are $6 for adults, $3 for youth 18 and under. For more information contact Fred Moore Community School, (763) 506-5012.
7. Substitutes needed for school cafeterias
Anoka-Hennepin School Cafeterias are currently hiring substitutes to work on an on-call basis. This is a perfect job for parents of school-age children, as work is generally available only when children are in school, and you can choose the sites and days you want to work. Most substitute positions begin after 9:30 a.m. and end by 2:30 p.m. These positions can also be a great stepping-stone to a permanent food service position.
If you are interested, or need further information, please call Lynn in the Child Nutrition office at 763-506-1245. She will arrange for you to attend an informational session lasting about 90 minutes that is required before beginning to work.. No experience is necessary, but you must have a High School diploma or GED.
8: Of interest: Baby Boomers view public education positively
How do members of the Baby Boom generation who graduated from public high schools view their own high school days in comparison to those of their children? To find out, a nationally representative sampling of 1,000 baby boomers with at least one child who is currently attending or recently attended a public high school, were asked to reflect on and compare their own high school experiences with their perceptions of how their children are faring in school today.
Among the highlights from these telephone interviews:
Boomers reported a great deal of satisfaction with their high school education.
The majority believe children today receive a better education than they did.
The boomers were more satisfied with their own high school teachers than with high school teachers today.
The majority of boomers would go back to high school if given the chance.
Problems that were major when boomers were in high school remain major problems in high schools today.
The telephone survey of 1,000 boomers currently between the ages of 39 and 57 was conducted in July 2003 by Marketing and Research Resources Inc. All analyses were conducted by AARP's Knowledge Management - Strategic Issues Research staff. |
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| 11/04/03 |
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Backpack #10 - Incumbents elected, Prep Sports & more |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
Today's edition includes:
1. Incumbents returned to School Board
2. All parents invited to hear speaker at Anoka High School Parent Advisory
3. Anoka High School Theatre presents Charley’s Aunt in November; football team appears in selected shows
4. Prep Sports Tournament Update
5. Blaine students attend HOSA fall assembly; Johnson elected state historian
1. Incumbents returned to School Board
Voters returned incumbents Tom Heidemann, Dan Cook and Scott Wenzel to the Anoka-Hennepin District 11 School Board November 4.
• In Election District 1, Heidemann received 568 votes to the 159 votes for his opponent, Ken Nichols.
• Cook, who ran unopposed in District 2, received 356 votes. There were 26 write-in votes for that seat.
• In Election District 5, Wenzel received 405 votes. His challenger, Angela “Angel” Visker, received 138 votes.
All three board members will serve four-year terms.
2. All parents invited to hear speaker at AHS Parent Advisory
Establishing credit for a teenager, transition from high school to college, and renegotiating the roles of parent and teen in college age students will be discussed at the Parent Advisory meeting Monday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m. at Anoka High School media center. Wendy Baker of Rasmussen College will be the guest speaker. All parents are invited to attend. Anoka High School is located at 3939 Seventh Ave. North.
3. Anoka High School Theatre presents Charley’s Aunt in November; football team appears in selected shows
Anoka High School will present the hilarious comedy, Charley’s Aunt, Nov. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. Dazzling vaudeville songs highlight this ever-popular play, directed by Brian Sherman. The school’s football players will perform a dance in the production on Nov. 7, 8 and 14. Reserved seating is $8; general admission is $6. Senior citizens get tickets at half-price for Sunday matinees; students get tickets at half-price on opening night. For information and tickets call 763-506-6439. Ticket office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 3 to 5 p.m. Anoka High School is located at 3939 Seventh Ave. North.
4. Prep Sports Tournament Update
• The Anoka High School volleyball team plays in the first round of the state tournament against Eagan High School on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 9 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
• Blaine High School football team plays in the first round of the state tournament against Moorhead on Friday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. at Blaine High School, 12555 University Ave. N.E.
5. Blaine students attend HOSA fall assembly; Johnson elected state historian
Eight students from Blaine's Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) internship and 19 Medical Career members participated in the HOSA Fall Delegate Assembly October 29 and 30. During the two days students had the opportunity to tour Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and to talk with people in the medical field courtesy of Allina Medical. Other activities included meeting HOSA members from around the state and voting for their state officers. Blaine's HOSA Internship president, Sarah Johnson, was elected State HOSA Historian.
Blaine HOSA members from Medical Careers classes attending the Fall Delegate Assembly were Mike McCarty, Drew Maurine, Nicole Parson, Sarah Herschberger, Deyanira Fernandez, Amy Kim, Jill Morin, Jamie Flores, Danielle Smith, Socheata Chap, Amanda Krostag, Kendall Stephenson, Bridget O’Brien, Shannon Mistelske, Dave Ramsey, Shante Washington, and Sara Rader. HOSA Internship students at the Fall Delegate Assembly were Rise Smith, Ashley Stolp, Melanie Dosmann, Ann Ayash, Emily Kriesel, Chelsea Kuss, Sarah Johnson, and Karen Luis. |
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| 11/03/03 |
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Backpack #9 - Board Election, Prep Sports |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
1. School Board Election November 4
2. Prep Sports Tournament Update
1. School Board Election November 4
Just a reminder that tomorrow is election day in Anoka-Hennepin School District 11. Three board members will be elected to four-year terms on the School Board.
Candidates are:
Election District One (city of Anoka and the portions of Ramsey and Andover located within the district)
Tom Heidemann, incumbent
Ken Nichols
Election District Two (a portion of Coon Rapids and the portion of Blaine located within the school district)
Daniel Cook, incumbent, unopposed
Election District Five seat (portions of Coon Rapids and the portions of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and Fridley within the Anoka-Hennepin School District)
Scott D. Wenzel, incumbent
Angela “Angel” Visker
For information on where to vote click here or paste the following URL into your browser address bar: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/whatsnew/default.php?sectiondetailid=100123&itemID=5066
Voting questions? Call 763-506-1037.
2. Prep Sports Tournament Update
Blaine defeated Champlin Park, 31-17, on Friday for the Class 5A Section 7 football championship. Blaine plays in the first round of the state tournament at against Moorhead on Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at Blaine High School, 12555 University Ave. N.E.
Katie Anderson of Blaine High School placed third in the Class AA state girls cross-county meet on Saturday with a time of 14:23.
The Anoka High School volleyball team plays in the first round of the state tournament against Eagan High School on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 9 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Information about sports in Backpack Online
Due to the large numbers of teams and levels of play, Backpack Online will limits reports to varsity teams in section quarterfinal play or better and individual varsity athletes in state tournament competition. We apologize for any omissions. |
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| 10/31/03 |
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Backpack #8 - Middle school proposal: rumors & facts, sports, computers donated to Monroe |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
October 31, 2003
1. Middle School proposal: an overview
2. Middle School proposal: rumors and facts
3. Prep Sports Tournament Update – GAME TONIGHT!
4. Monroe Elementary receives 105 donated computers
1. Middle School proposal: an overview
A proposal to improve the middle school program in the Anoka-Hennepin School District has been under discussion throughout the month of October. The School Board is expected to make decisions on the middle school program in late November.
Here are highlights of the proposal:
Meets individual student needs
The middle school proposal was developed to strengthen the program by creating greater flexibility to meet individual needs of students.
• It provides extra reading and/or math courses for students who need help in these areas.
• It provides advanced courses in English and/or mathematics for students who excel.
• It gives eighth grade students the opportunity to earn high school credit in math and world language.
Retains allied arts courses and elective choices
• It continues required and/or elective courses in art, music, physical education, health, industrial technology, family and consumer science, world language, and business applications.
• It changes sixth grade quarter courses in health, art and industrial technology to semester courses in either sixth or seventh grade.
• It gives parents and students more choice in determining the child’s elective courses.
Provides more opportunity for teachers to develop relationships with students
• It gives teachers of allied arts courses greater opportunity to develop relationships with students because they will have them in class for a semester rather than a quarter.
Helps schools meet the challenge of the new accountability measures
• It will help schools ensure student success in reading, English, math and science to meet the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind law.
• It will improve student performance on state achievement tests.
Retains effective components of middle school:
• Organization of students into teams
• Advisement or “home room” times
• Continued support for young adolescents at a sensitive time in their development.
2. Middle School proposal: rumors and facts
Topics that prompt much discussion frequently generate rumors. Here are some rumors and misconceptions that have been circulating in the school district.
Rumor: The decisions about the middle school program have already been made and the changes will begin second semester this school year.
Fact: Decisions have not yet been made. Throughout the month of October, the middle school team gathered input from staff and parents. It is now analyzing and considering modifications in the proposal. Considerations for changes in the proposal, based on recent input, will be presented to the School Board November 10. The School Board may take action on the proposal November 24.
Rumor: Music, art and physical education will be eliminated in middle school next year.
Fact: The middle school proposal retains all of these areas. Under the current proposal a semester of physical education and music would both be required in grade six and students could choose to take these courses in seventh and eighth grade; a semester of art would be required in grade seven and elective in grade eight.
Rumor: All allied arts courses would be eliminated if the current middle school proposal is approved and the middle school will no longer be an exploratory program
Fact: All allied arts courses remain and students will have more elective choices. Students will continue to have required and/or elective courses in art, music, physical education, health, industrial technology, family and consumer science, world language, and business applications.
Rumor: No teachers or parents had input in development of the proposal.
Fact: Staff and parents had several opportunities to provide the input that was used in creating the proposal. The input opportunities included surveys and focus group discussions with staff, parents and students.
Rumor: About 150 middle school teaching positions will be cut even though the district said no cuts would be made for five years if the levy passed.
Fact: The district is not cutting middle school teaching positions. It added 100 positions overall this year, with 60 of those allocated to the middle school level. There may be changes in how middle school teaching positions are allocated – for example, there may be more teaching positions devoted to reading or math, and fewer devoted to other subject areas. The teaching positions added as a result of the levy will remain place throughout the five years the district receives levy revenue.
Rumor: A single low test score in reading or math will mean a student will be required to take an extra math or reading course and thus miss an opportunity to take an allied arts class.
Fact: At least three pieces of information will be used in deciding if a student will take a remedial math or reading class: all available test data, teacher recommendation, parent recommendation.
Prep Sports Tournament Update – GAME TONIGHT!
Anoka High School Volleyball team is the Class 3A Section 4 champion after defeating the team from White Bear Lake Area High School 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-15) on Oct. 30. The team goes on the state tournament , which begins at on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 9 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Katie Anderson from Blaine High School is competing in the Cross Country Class AA state meet on Saturday at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Class AA girls run at 11 a.m. She has run the fastest time in the state (14:01) prior to this weekend's state meet.
Football teams from Blaine High School and Champlin Park High School are in the Class 5A Section 7 championship TONIGHT, 7 p.m. at Blaine High School, 12555 University Ave. N.E.
Information about sports in Backpack Online
Due to the number of Anoka-Hennepin students involved in sports, Backpack Online reports only individual students in state tournament competition and teams in section quarterfinal play or better .
We apologize for any omissions.
4. Monroe Elementary receives 105 donated computers
This year Monroe Elementary received 105 used Apple iMac computers from Life Time Fitness. The computers outfitted an entire computer lab and three classrooms prior to the start of school this fall.
When Life Time upgraded computers at 15 local sites, Brent Zempel, who works in information technology for Life Time, helped facilitate a donation to Monroe. Zempel lives in Brooklyn Park; he and his wife have two children who attend Monroe. Life Time made the donation to the Brooklyn Park school because its first facility was in that city.
On short notice this summer, Monroe's Parent Teacher Organization raised $13,000 needed to prepare the school's labs and classrooms for the computers. Keyboards were also purchased. Thank you to Life Time Fitness and Monroe PTO!
The Anoka-Hennepin School District can accept donations of used computers if the technology compatible with existing equipment. Guidelines on donated, used, or refurbished computer equipment are on the Anoka-Hennepin Web site, http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us. Click on "Administrative Departments," then click on "Technology" then click on "Other Policies and Guidelines." From there you can download a PDF of the guidelines. |
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| 10/28/03 |
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Backpack #7 - Transportation tips, sports news, Fit Kids message |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
October 28, 2003
1. Elementary parent meeting Wednesday, Oct. 29, on middle school changes
2. Transportation safety tips for adults and students
3. Sports section tournament results and upcoming games, including one tonight!
4. Anoka High School Theatre presents Charley’s Aunt in November
5. Students, staff recognized for their work
6. Fit Kids message
1. Elementary parent meeting on middle school changes
All parents of elementary age students are invited to learn about a proposal for changes in the district’s middle school program. The meeting will be held Wednesday, October 29, 7 p.m., at Fred Moore Middle School Auditorium, 1523 Fifth Ave. S., Anoka. Fliers announcing this meeting were sent home to parents of fourth- and fifth-graders, but all elementary school parents are welcome to attend.
The proposed changes will provide more flexibility and choices to fit each child’s individual needs:
Students who need additional help in reading and mathematics will be able to receive a “second scoop” by taking an extra reading and/or math course.
Students who excel in reading and/or mathematics will take advanced courses.
Students will continue to have required and/or elective courses in art, music, physical education, health, industrial technology, science, family and consumer science, world language, and business applications.
Eighth grade students will have the opportunity to earn high school credit in math and world language so they can take more challenging work in high school.
Parents are welcome to comment on the proposal during the meeting or by contacting the principal at the middle school serving their neighborhood.
The middle school team will review all the comments made by parents and staff as they develop a final proposal to present to the School Board November 10. The Board is expected to take action on the proposal November 24. If approved, the changes will be implemented for the next school year.
2. Transportation safety tips for adults and students
With the end of daylight savings, it is darker during commute times. Drivers need to pay special attention for students who are walking to school or waiting at bus stops. Here are some reminders for drivers:
Remember to obey signs and indicator lights on school buses. Watch for students who have exited the bus.
Be aware of the areas where students might be present, such as near a school or on residential streets.
Yield to school crossing guards and to pedestrians in crosswalks.
This also is a time to be aware of school bus safety. Research shows that school bus transportation is safe, even safer than cars. Most school bus-related injuries and death occur as pupils were entering and exiting the bus -- not in a crash.
Here are some safety tips from the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org) that parents/guardians can review with their children:
Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and the street.
Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to enter.
When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten giant steps away from the bus. Keep a safe distance between you and the bus. If you can touch the bus, YOU ARE TOO CLOSE. Also, remember that the bus driver can see you best when you are away from the bus.
Be aware of the street traffic around you. Drivers are required to follow certain rules of the road concerning school buses, however, not all do. Protect yourself and watch out!
When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and avoid roughhousing or other behavior that can lead to carelessness. Do not stray onto streets, alleys or private property.
For even more information, check out these transportation safety Web sites: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety: http://www.aaafts.org, National Association for Pupil Transportation: http://www.napt.org, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
3. Sports section tournament results and upcoming games
Some Anoka-Hennepin high school teams are in section tournament play this month and have a chance to advance to the state tournament. Below are recaps of recent games and details on upcoming games.
Volleyball
Class 3A Section 4, Quarterfinals, Oct. 25
Anoka defeated Irondale - 18-25, 29-27, 23-25, 26-24, 22-20
Coon Rapids defeated Andover - 25-20, 25-9, 22-25, 25-20
The Class 3A Section 4 semifinal match between Anoka and Coon Rapids is this evening, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m. at Irondale High School, 2425 Long Lake Rd. in New Brighton.
Winner of that semifinal plays the winner of the match between North High School and White Bear Lake Area High School in the Class 3A Section 4 finals on Thursday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m. at Stillwater High School, 5701 Stillwater Blvd. N. The Section 4 champion advances to the state tournament, which begins on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Football
Section 7 Class 5A Semifinals, Oct. 25
Blaine 42, Anoka 15
Champlin Park 40, Elk River 17
The Section 7 Class 5A championship between Blaine and Champlin Park is Friday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m. at Blaine High School, 12555 University Ave. N.E.
Winner advances to the state tournament, which begins Friday, Nov. 7. The Section 7 champion plays at home in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament. State semifinal games and the Prep Bowl will be at the Metrodome in Minneapolis on Nov. 14 and 22.
4. Anoka High School Theatre presents Charley’s Aunt in November
Anoka High School will present the hilarious comedy, Charley’s Aunt, Nov. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. Dazzling vaudeville songs highlight this ever-popular play, directed by Brian Sherman. Reserved seating is $8; general admission is $6. Senior citizens get tickets at half-price for Sunday matinees; students get tickets at half-price on opening night. For information and tickets call 763-506-6439. Ticket office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 3 to 5 p.m. Anoka High School is located at 3939 Seventh Ave. North.
6. Students, staff recognized for their work
The following students and employees were recognized by the School Board at its Oct. 27 meeting.
The Champlin Park High School Marching Band, under director Steve Lyons, was named Grand Champion of the 2003 Minnesota State Fair Marching Band Competition. This is the sixth year in the last seven years the Marching Rebels have earned this title, more than any other band in state fair history.
The following Champlin Park High School students won first place and sweepstakes awards at the Minnesota State Fair for woodworking projects. Their instructors were Geoff Olinyk and John Prigge.
Ryan Reider, grade 10, first place for small furniture and first place plus sweepstakes award for eight-foot oak pool table
Jessie Aich, grade 9, first place, mantle clock
Dana Johnson, grade 10, first place, mantle clock
Devon Carter, grade 11, first place, mantle clock and small furniture
Joey Hoversten, grade 9, first place, small furniture
Jordan Freitas, grade 9, first place, furniture-mixed woods
The following Champlin Park High School students won first place and sweepstakes awards at the Minnesota State Fair for art projects. Their instructors were Dolly Ptak and Ellen Hoffman.
Lacey Sizer, grade 12, acrylic paintings, two first prizes and one grand prize; sculpture, first prize
Sushilla Christiansen, grade 12, collage and 2-D paper, first prize
Brittany Drury, grade 12, clay sculpture, first prize
Krystine Bazinet, grade 12, pastel drawing, first prize
Jordan Anderson, grade 11, charcoal drawing, grand prize
Alison Sigafoos, grade 11, drawing - mixed media, first prize
Matt Jorgenson, grade 11, drawing - mixed media, first prize
Eric Noecker, grade 9, clay sculpture, first prize
Alex Godding, a Coon Rapids High School student, won a first place award at the Minnesota State Fair in the welding category for a tandem trailer he built. His instructor was Jon Trost.
The following Coon Rapids High School drafting students won first place awards at the Minnesota State Fair for drafting projects. Their instructor was Andre St. Louis.
Adam Wolfe, grade 11, architectural drafting
Mike Artemenko, grade 10, architectural drafting
Josh Yonkee, grade 9, architectural drafting
Matt Wenger, grade 12, two first place awards, architectural drafting
Abby White, grade 12, architectural drafting
Sam Hellerud, grade 9, mechanical drafting
Eric Pearson, grade 11, mechanical drafting
Chris Freitag, grade 11, mechanical drafting
Matthew Peterson, grade 10, mechanical drafting
Matt Holland, grade 12, mechanical drafting
Nathan Hawkinson, grade 10 technical illustrating
Jesse Max, grade 12, grade 10 technical illustrating
Nathan Elliot, grade 11, technical illustrating
The following students were first prize state winners in the State Bus Poster Safety Contest; they also represented Minnesota in the National Bus Poster Safety Contest.
Sarah Higgins, grade 5, Dayton Elementary School
Abby Boisjolie, grade 6, Epiphany School
Katrina Pauley, grade 7, Coon Rapids Middle School
Irina Artemenko, grade 8, Coon Rapids Middle School
Dawn Kendrick, Bell Center
The following staff members were winners of Bus Safety Committee Awards for the past school year:
Oct. 2002 Randy Krogstad
Nov. 2002 Linda Bies
Dec. 2002 Linda Sakariason
Jan. 2003 Colettee Beaver
Feb. 2003 Kae Legg and Bonnie Weller
Mar. 2003 Dawn Kugler
Apr. 2003 Jan Blager
May. 2003 Wayne Thorsland
Darla Scales, district legal assistant, was named Office Professional of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Educational Office Professionals (MAEOP). Nominated by 17 of her colleagues for this state award, Darla was recognized for outstanding service to the school district for 27 years as well as active involvement in her professional organization. She is a past president of MAEOP. In recognizing Darla, her supervisors pointed out that they “constantly receive positive comments from members of other school districts and governmental agencies, including opposing legal counsel, professional mediators, and arbitrators on how pleasant it is dealing and working with Darla.”
Paul Cady, district legal counsel, is among a group of top Minnesota attorneys recognized as a Super Lawyer for 2003 in the August/Sept issue of Minnesota Law and Politics and the August issues of both Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Monthly. He is the only school district attorney selected for recognition in the category of in-house legal counsel. Other attorneys designated for recognition in that specialty represent corporations such as Target, Medtronic, Ceridian, and Lawson Software.
7. Fit Kids message
The following “Fit Kids” message was prepared by Anoka-Hennepin School District physical therapists in observance of National Physical Therapy Month in October:
Sometimes kids complain about “Growing Pains”, – what exactly does that mean? Generally these “pains” occur around the joints. They are perfectly normal. The aches and pains are caused because children’s muscles are stretching to keep up with their bone growth. A gentle message or a warm soak in the tub will help alleviate the aches. These pains often occur at night, so children may need to wear warmer pajamas or use an extra blanket to help relax their muscles.
(Excerpt taken from “Fit Kids” Vol.1, Issue 1, APTA, 1993) |
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| 10/25/03 |
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Backpack #6 - School Board election, ACT presents world premier musical, sports news, Prudential Awards & more |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
October 25, 2003
1. School Board election is Nov. 4; candidate meetings on cable TV
2. Roosevelt Middle School's fall play, "Spy TV"
3. Bell Center Club BEST collecting "hotel" amenities for charity
4. Anoka Children's Theater presents world premiere of "Dreams of a Cobbler's Son"
5. Sports section semifinals - football and volleyball Saturday evening
6. Fit Kids message
7. Prudential Spirit of Community Awards - deadline Oct. 31
8. Parents invited to participate in Special Education Parent and Community Advisory Committee
9. Nominations for Teacher Outstanding Performance Award now online
10. Tickets still on sale for the Northern Stars Ball, Nov. 22
1. School Board election and election meeting broadcast
Elections will be held November 4 for three four-year terms on the Anoka-Hennepin District 11 School Board.
In Election District One incumbent Tom Heidemann, Anoka, is challenged by Ken Nichols, also of Anoka. District One includes the city of Anoka and the portions of Ramsey and Andover located within the district.
In Election District Two, incumbent Daniel Cook, Blaine, will run unopposed. This district includes a portion of Coon Rapids and the portion of Blaine located within the school district.
Two candidates are running for the Election District Five seat, incumbent Scott D. Wenzel, Brooklyn Park, and Angela “Angel” Visker, Coon Rapids. District Five includes portions of Coon Rapids and the portions of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and Fridley within the Anoka-Hennepin School District.
A candidate meeting hosted by the League of Women Voters is being rebroadcast on local cable stations. Schedules are as follows:
North Metro Cable TV, which serves Blaine and Ham Lake on channel 15 will air the program:
Oct. 25 at 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 at 9 p.m.
Oct. 27 at 1 p.m.
Northwest Community Television, which serves Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center on channel 19 will air the program:
Oct. 29 at 10 p.m.
Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
For other programming schedules in other areas, call your cable provider.
2. Roosevelt Middle School fall play
Roosevelt Middle School's fall play, "Spy TV," will be presented on October 28 at 3:15 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $1.50 if purchased before school, or $2 at the door. For more information call Roosevelt at (763) 506-5800.
3. Bell Center Club BEST collecting "hotel" amenities for charity
Bell Center's Club BEST is a service and fundraising group that is collecting unused hotel sized amenities such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste and conditioner. These items will be donated to Sharing and Caring Hands. Bell Center students go to Sharing and Caring Hands several times a year to help serve food to the poor and homeless. To date, Bell Center's Club BEST (which stands for Beneficial, Educational, Service, Team) has collected and donated 480 amenity items. If you have items to donate, please send them to Bell Center, Club BEST, Attn: Deb McPeck, 1374 Northdale Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids.
The purpose of Club BEST is to provide an opportunity for high school students at Bell Center to be contributing, supportive members of the community. The club has been in existence five years. For more information contact Bell Center at (763) 506-1900.
4. Anoka Children's Theater presents world premiere of "Dreams of a Cobbler's Son"
Forty-four students from Anoka-Hennepin schools, grades four through eight, will be singing and dancing in a production of "Dreams of a Cobbler's Son: A Musical Fantasy on Young Hans Christian Andersen." This is the world premier of this original musical. The show offers insight into the life of a child who is often ridiculed and bullied by his peers - a major focus in the district this year.
The musical follows the adventures of young Hans Christian Andersen as he struggles to deal with being different from other kids and face the fact that his father is dying. The audience journeys into his imagination as he takes us to the worlds of the stories he will later write. Some story highlights include voyages into the realms of "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Emperor's New Clothes" and "The Steadfast Tin Soldier." It teaches lessons in friendship, creativity, individuality, being positive and the importance of family. " 'Dream's of a Cobbler's Son' " has something for all ages and is one of those works that will move you to tears and also make you laugh," said Jefferson Fietek, playwright, director and Coon Rapids High School graduate.
Performances are Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at Fred Moore Middle School Auditorium, 1523 Fifth Ave. S., Anoka. Ticket prices are $6 for adults, $3 for youth 18 and under. For more information contact Fred Moore Community School, (763) 506-5012.
5. Sports section semifinals - football and volleyball Saturday evening
It's tournament time for high school sports. In football, Anoka High School is at Blaine High School, 12555 University Ave. N.E, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. in the class 5A section 7 semifinal game. The winner plays the victor of the game between Champlin Park High School and Elk River High School, which is also at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Champlin Park, 6025 109th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park.
Volleyball teams from Andover and Coon Rapids high schools face off in the section 4AA quarterfinal 6 p.m., Saturday Oct. 25 at Coon Rapid High School, 2340 Northdale Blvd. In the same section, Anoka High School faces Irondale High School in a quarterfinal match. Time and location of that match were not available when this edition of Backpack Online was published.
6. Fit Kids message
The following “Fit Kids” message was prepared by Anoka-Hennepin School District physical therapists in observance of National Physical Therapy Month in October:
When someone tells you to sit up straight, what does that mean? Good sitting posture starts from the bottom up. Make sure you feet are flat on the floor, your shoulder should be back against the chair, and your head should be held straight. There should be a space between the back of the chair and your lower back.
One sitting position to avoid using excessively is “w”-sitting (sitting with the hips rotated inward, knees bent and bottom positioned between the feet). Overuse of this position during the growing years can lead to straining of the muscles and joints of the hips and knees.
(Excerpt taken from “Fit Kids” Vol. 1, Issue 1, APTA, 1993)
Look for the next “Fit Kids” message on Growing Pains coming soon!!
7. Prudential Spirit of Community Awards - deadline Oct. 31
Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals are looking to award outstanding youth volunteers the prestigious Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Students in grades 5-12 who have volunteered to improve their communities over the past year have until October 31st to apply. Local honorees will be selected in early November and the top two in each state will be awarded $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and a trip to Washington, D.C. Additional cash prizes will be awarded to the top student volunteers.
Contact your middle or high school principals for a nomination form. They're also available at http://www.principals.org/awards/prudential.cfm and http://www.prudential.com/spirit or by calling 1-888-450-9961.
8. Special Education Parent and Community Advisory Committee
Special Education Parent and Community Advisory Committee is a mandated advisory committee that meets monthly to discuss issues in special education. It is a parent-driven group, and half of those attending must be parents/guardians. Meetings are designed to discuss topics of concern and to improve the systems that affect students. Meetings are the second Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the Staff Development Center, on Ferry Street two blocks north of Highway 10 in Anoka. Light supper is provided as well as free childcare. If interested, you must register beforehand. For more information, leave a message for the parent volunteer co-chairs, Rebecca Rooker and Darlene Blomberg at (763) 506-1485, or register by contacting the secretary for the special education department, Mary Gale at (763) 506-1362.
9. Nominate online a teacher for Teacher Outstanding Performance Award
Nominate an excellent teacher for recognition in the Teacher Outstanding Performance (TOP) Award program of Anoka-Hennepin School District 11. You can now nominate a teacher online. Go to the Anoka-Hennepin's Web site at http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us. Scroll down to the article on the TOP award and follow the link provided. Nominations will be accepted through Monday, December 5.
All licensed preK-12 Anoka-Hennepin School District teachers are eligible. Teachers who have already been named TOP award recipients are no longer eligible. The selection committee will consider nominees who demonstrate characteristics such as sensitivity, knowledge, creativity, leadership, enthusiasm and more.
TOP grant information and nomination forms are available in all Anoka-Hennepin schools, at the Educational Service Center in Coon Rapids, and at the Anoka-Hennepin Learning Center in Anoka. Nominees will be notified and asked to complete an application form. A selection committee will choose the winners.
For more information or to receive paper nomination form, call your local school or Anne Roseland, (763) 506-1551.
10. Tickets still on sale for the Northern Stars Ball, Nov. 22
This year’s Northern Stars Ball, An Enchanted Evening, returns to the Marriott City Center in downtown Minneapolis. Festivities for the ninth-annual event are scheduled for Nov. 22 with a silent auction and social at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. A short program and live auction begin at 8:30 p.m. with dancing to the sounds of TKACH to follow. A jazz group from Roosevelt Middle School and a string ensemble from Andover High School will also perform that evening.
Tickets are $65 for an individual, of which $30 is tax deductible. For ticket purchase and more information contact the foundation office at 763-506-1107.
The ball is jointly sponsored by the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation and the Anoka Technical College Foundation. The Anoka-Hennepin Foundation used its funds to finance 13 talent development grants to provide creative learning experiences for students in Anoka-Hennepin schools. |
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| 10/10/03 |
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Backpack #5 - Career nights for students, help with homework, nominate teacher for TOP award |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
October 10, 2003
1. Dance team show at Blaine High School Saturday
2. Register now for parenting conference Oct. 25
3. STEP career center open to public Tuesday nights
4. Help your child with homework
5. Fit Kids message
6. Nominate a teacher for Teacher Outstanding Performance Award
7. Survey Finds America’s Youth Optimistic about the Future
1. Dance team show at Blaine High School Saturday
Dance teams from 14 high schools, including all high schools in Anoka-Hennepin School District 11, will participate in the Seventh Annual Dance Show at Blaine High School on Saturday, October 11, 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Blaine High School is at 12555 University Ave. NE, Blaine.
2. Register now for parenting conference Oct. 25
Parents, guardians, caregivers and all who care about children are invited to Parenting To Make A Difference, a day-long conference on the world's most important job: parenting. The conference is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., in the Staff Development Center at the Anoka-Hennepin Learning Center.
The author of "Raising Non-Violent Children in a Violent World," Dr. Michael Obsatz, is the keynote speaker. He will talk on “Giving Kids the Tools for Success.” Participants can choose from 15 sessions on a variety of topics such as Understanding Adolescents, Bullying, Raising Financially Responsible Children, Surviving Homework, and more. The cost is $25 and includes all three workshop sessions, the keynote speaker and lunch. Scholarships are available. To register or for more information call Pam Naegele at 763-506-1278. The Learning Center is at 2727 North Ferry St., Anoka, two blocks north of Highway 10 on Ferry Street.
3. STEP career center open to public Tuesday nights
The career center at the district’s Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP) will be open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. on selected Tuesday evenings. You will find catalogs and applications from two- and four-year colleges, both public and private, as well as other specialized schools in Minnesota. Also available is information about occupations, programs of study, financial aid, careers in the military, nontraditional employment, writing resumes, ACT, SAT, etc. Additional career related information is available on the Minnesota Career Information System, which is accessible on the Career Center Computers. During first semester the Career Center will be open Oct. 7, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, Dec. 16, Jan. 6 and Jan. 20. ) STEP is located at 1353 W. Highway 10, Anoka, next to Anoka Technical College.
4. Help your child with homework
Help your child to make a schedule and put it in a place where you'll see it often. Writing out assignments will get him used to the idea of keeping track of what's due and when. If your child is not yet able to write, write it for her until she can do it herself. This is just one of the tips available on the web site of the U.S. Department of Education. The Helping Your Child publication series includes the following titles: Helping Your Child Become a Reader, Helping Your Child with Homework, Helping Your Pre-School Child, Helping Your Child Succeed in School, Helping Your Child Through Adolescence, and Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen. To download these publications, go to http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/hyc.html.
5. Fit Kids
The following “Fit Kids” message was prepared by Anoka-Hennepin School District physical therapists in observance of National Physical Therapy Month in October:
Has anyone ever told you to stand or sit up straight? You may have started standing or sitting straight, but began to slouch while standing in line for lunch or while working hard on your computer project. Good posture (position of your body) is more than good looks. Good posture will let your body move more quickly and easily. When posture is good, your muscles and joints work well together. In order to have good standing posture, stand straight and imagine a line that runs from your forehead to your chin, down to your chest and then to your belly button. You have good standing posture if you can run a line straight down from your head to your belly. Pretend you’re a puppet and someone is pulling your head neck, and back up to the ceiling to make you tall. This suggestion is useful for people of all ages. (Excerpt taken from “Fit Kids” Vol., Issue 1, APTA, 1993)
Look for another “Fit Kids” message on Sitting Posture in the next Backpack Online.
6. Nominate a teacher for Teacher Outstanding Performance Award
Nominate an excellent teacher for recognition in the Teacher Outstanding Performance (TOP) Award program of Anoka-Hennepin School District 11. Nominations for TOP awards will be accepted through Monday, December 5.
Teachers must be nominated by students or parents. All licensed preK-12 Anoka-Hennepin School District teachers are eligible. Teachers who have already been named TOP award recipients are no longer eligible. The selection committee will consider nominees who demonstrate characteristics such as sensitivity, knowledge, creativity, leadership, enthusiasm and more.
TOP grant information and nomination forms are available in all Anoka-Hennepin schools, at the Educational Service Center in Coon Rapids, and at the Anoka-Hennepin Learning Center in Anoka. Nominees will be notified and asked to complete an application form. A selection committee will choose the winners.
For more information and a nomination form call your local school or Anne Roseland, (763) 506-1551.
7. Survey Finds America’s Youth Optimistic about the Future
Despite September 11th, SARS, war in Iraq and other heavy issues, America’s youth refuse to let negative events dishearten their world perspective. Three-quarters of the high school students polled in an annual survey produced by the Horatio Alger Association say their outlook is hopeful and optimistic. Part of the answer may be the high levels of personal support and encouragement that they are receiving at home and at school. According to the study, teenagers give an A+ to their teachers and administrators.
Here are some other findings from the poll:
Students credit parents with providing them with a strong foundation and support system. Seventy-four percent said they get along extremely well with their parents.
Although the teenagers said they spend 69 percent of their time with friends, 50 percent said they would spend more time with their family if possible.
Eighty-eight percent of the young people believe college is very important for future success.
This may account for why 42 percent of the respondents — up 26 percent since 2001 — pointed to academic pressure as the number one stress for them, compared to social, family or financial pressures.
Today’s young adults are self-reliant with 50 percent citing their own experience as their role model for future career paths.
Source: Horatio Alger Association at http://www.horatioalger.org. |
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| 10/06/03 |
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Backpack #4 - Superintendent's column, coats drive at BHS, Fit Kids message |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
October 6, 2003
1. Meet the Candidates Forum reminder
2. Superintendent’s Column by Roger Giroux
3. Anoka High School Choirs hold garage sale fundraiser
4. Coats for Kids drive underway at Blaine High School
5. Fit Kids message
1. Meet the Candidates Forum reminder
This is a reminder of the Meet the Candidates Forum tomorrow evening, Tuesday, October 7, 7 p.m. at the Educational Service Center, 11299 Hanson Blvd., Coon Rapids. You are invited to hear Anoka-Hennepin District 11 School Board candidates in a discussion sponsored by the League of Women Voters. Following opening statements, candidates will respond to questions from the League and the audience. The forum will be broadcast on cable television after the event. Call your local cable station for times.
Candidates are:
• Election District One - incumbent Tom Heidemann and Ken Nichols. District One includes the city of Anoka and the portions of Ramsey and Andover located within the district.
• Election District Two - incumbent Daniel Cook will run unopposed. This district includes a portion of Coon Rapids and the portion of Blaine located within the school district.
• Election District Five - incumbent Scott D. Wenzel and Angela “Angel” Visker. District Five includes portions of Coon Rapids and the portions of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and Fridley within the Anoka-Hennepin School District.
2. Superintendent’s Column by Roger Giroux
It has been a horrific two weeks for those of us in Minnesota. Tragedy involving young people has come to us from all sides. When I started this article, I was pre-occupied by the discovery of a pipe bomb next to a large apartment complex directly across the street from Coon Rapids Middle School. The device was detonated and there were no injuries or loss of life. It was terrible, but not as terrible as it might have been. Police, teachers, school administrators and students all worked quickly and well to keep everyone safe.
Within a day or so of the bomb incident, we were informed of the loss of lives in the off-campus student housing fire at the University of Minnesota. The morning I began this article, we were told of a five-year old boy who had been shot and killed as young intruders forced their way into his Duluth home. By evening, word had reached all of us that two high school students had been hit by gunfire at Riccori High School. One student had died, and the other was in serious condition.
It is now Sunday, September 28, 2003 and I join my neighbors in mourning the death of four young people in a train/car collision at the Ferry Street railroad crossing in Anoka. The victims included past students and one current student of Anoka High School.
It is difficult to imagine the pain of loss by the immediate family and friends of all of these young souls. We pray for them. We extend our sympathy. We grieve. There is a feeling of helplessness when so many people in Minnesota experience so much loss in so short a period of time. During these immediate hours and days, perhaps the less said the better. We will heal as best we can and move on. We will resolve to find ways to help avoid tragedies, and we will renew our commitment to securing the safety and well being for the youngest members of our community.
When I heard of the tragedy at Riccori High School, I also heard of commentary (perhaps very premature) of the role that bullying might have played in those events. I don’t want to talk about that specific event. It has too much weight of its own and I know nothing of what happened.
I do want to suggest to all of us that the way we teach our children to behave toward each other, and all other human beings, is key to the safety and health of our communities and our schools. “Bullying” is a difficult word because it can mean so much that it loses meaning. It’s the repeated unkind act, the verbal and sometimes physical abuse, the cheap putdown, the act of exclusion, and the cliquishness that sometimes pulls us together but also keeps us apart. It’s the priggishness of language meant to tell people how important we are and unimportant they are. It’s the political climate that places value on sound bite rather than thought. It’s the greed that ruins our capitalistic system. It’s mass media’s idealized human body and demeaned human soul. People have been treating people badly for thousands of years, and we have become good at teaching it to our children.
I had hoped to devote this article to the activities and programs launched in Anoka-Hennepin to reduce instances of bullying. Let me assure you that this work is underway and will be emphasized in our schools throughout October, which is Turn Off the Violence month in Minnesota. Another time and another article will be more appropriate for the details of our work to end bullying in our schools and communities. Today, I just want to think about my behavior and what I can do to treat others with respect. Perhaps you will join me in a little silent thought. Thanks for hearing me out.
3. Anoka High School Choirs hold garage sale fundraiser
Two Anoka High School choirs are hosting a multi-family garage sale Saturday, October 25, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Anoka High School Field House. The sale will include clothing, small appliances, tools, collectibles, knick-knacks, office supplies, audio equipment, and more. Refreshments will also be available. The concert is a fundraiser for a choir performance tour in Hawaii. Next spring the Anoka Concert Choir under the direction of Bruce Phelps and the Select Womens’ Choir under the direction of Michelle Hayes will tour Hawaii, performing in high schools, singing on the USS Arizona stationed in Pearl Harbor, participating in Hawaiian music clinics, and visiting local attractions. “This is a fantastic opportunity for the kids to be exposed to the Hawaiian music culture, to do some travel outside continental US, and to have some fun,” said director Bruce Phelps. Anoka High School is at 3939 Seventh Avenue N.
4. Coats for Kids drive underway at Blaine High School
Students in Blaine High School’s Business Professionals of America student group are now collecting coats to distribute to families in need. Blaine High School was the very first school to organize itself as a drop-off site for the S.A. Coats For Kids Drive. In the past nine years, the students have collected well over 3,000 coats. Last year alone they collected 583 coats, going door-to-door throughout the community and collecting at their places of work. Although they accept coats of any size, they prefer children’s sizes. If you have a coat you would like to donate, you may drop it off at Blaine High School, 12555 University Ave. NE, or call instructor Randy Hemstad at 506-6540.
5. Fit Kids
The following “Fit Kids” message was prepared by Anoka-Hennepin School District physical therapists in observance of National Physical Therapy Month in October:
When most people think of a physical therapist, the picture of a therapist working in a clinic with someone who has a sports injury or walking with a patient in the hospital comes to mind. In the Anoka-Hennepin School District, physical therapists work with students who have physical disabilities. We help students learn functional skills like walking or using their wheelchairs. We train staff in how to best assist students with disabilities. We provide various kinds of equipment and assistive technology to help students make the most out of each and every school day.
Look for the next “Fit Kids” message on good standing posture in the next Backpack Online. |
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| 9/26/03 |
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Backpack #3 - Safe schools, middle school proposal, teachers contract settled, Rumor Alert |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
September 26, 2003
1. Anoka-Hennepin schools are safe schools
2. Meet and hear candidates for School Board, Oct. 7
3. Proposal to improve middle school program is under discussion
4. Anoka-Hennepin teachers, School Board reach contract agreement
5. Remember, tickets are on sale now for the Northern Stars Ball, Nov. 22
6. Nominate a teacher for Teacher Outstanding Performance Award
7. Rumor Alert
1. Anoka-Hennepin schools are safe schools
The shooting at Rocori High School this week was a troubling event for all schools in Minnesota. Students and families may be wondering about the safety of their school. Let us assure you that the staff of Anoka-Hennepin does its best to ensure that schools are safe.
Here are some thoughts to keep in mind:
It is a fact that children are safer in school than just about anywhere else. Schools are supervised and secure.
Each Anoka-Hennepin school has a crisis plan that is updated before school starts every year. These plans have been in place for several years and they are designed to respond to a variety of different emergencies.
Our district works very closely with law enforcement officials on all issues that may affect student safety.
Our schools' crisis plans work. On Sept. 18, Coon Rapids Middle School had to evacuate because an explosive device was discovered on property near the school (it was not on school property). Students and staff followed the evacuation plan in the school's crisis manual and the evacuation went very smoothly. After an hour, students returned to school and finished the afternoon with a modified schedule. Principal Michelle Langenfeld complimented the students on their maturity and cooperation during those unusual circumstances.
We are making our schools safer with a new district initiative to prevent bullying. “We want to send a clear message to our students, our staff, and our community that bullying is not okay. This is nothing new – what is new is the emphasis on eliminating bullying in our schools,” said Superintendent Roger Giroux.
The district’s anti-bullying efforts will be most visible in October to tie in with Turn Off The Violence Month in Minnesota. The district has prepared informational brochures for students and parents and is sponsoring student essay and poster contests. In addition, the district’s Schools in Focus cable television program will feature a segment on bullying. Watch for more details in Backpack Online and on the district Web site.
2. Meet and hear candidates for School Board, Oct. 7
The League of Women Voters' forum for candidates for the Anoka-Hennepin School Board is 7 p.m., Tuesday Oct. 7, at the Educational Service Center, 11299 Hanson Blvd., Coon Rapids. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Candidates will make opening and closing statements, respond to questions prepared by the League of Women Voters, and respond to questions from the audience. The forum will be re-cast on cable TV after the event. Call your local cable station for times.
Five candidates, including three incumbents, are seeking election to the School Board Nov. 4. Three of the board’s six seats are up for election to four-year terms.
In Election District One incumbent Tom Heidemann, Anoka, is challenged by Ken Nichols, also of Anoka. District One includes the city of Anoka and the portions of Ramsey and Andover located within the district.
In Election District Two, incumbent Daniel Cook, Blaine, will run unopposed. This district includes a portion of Coon Rapids and the portion of Blaine located within the school district.
Two candidates are running for the Election District Five seat, incumbent Scott D. Wenzel, Brooklyn Park, and Angela “Angel” Visker, Coon Rapids. District Five includes portions of Coon Rapids and the portions of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and Fridley within the Anoka-Hennepin School District.
Information on polling places is available on the district Web site. Or for more information call 763-506-1000.
3. Proposal to improve middle school program is under discussion
A proposal to improve the middle school program in the Anoka-Hennepin School District is now under discussion. Parent meetings on the proposal will be held at all middle schools during October to provide information and give parents an opportunity to comment.
The proposal was developed to strengthen the middle school program by creating greater flexibility to meet individual needs of students. It provides extra reading and/or math courses for students who need help in these areas as well as advanced courses in English and/or mathematics for students who excel. It also gives eighth grade students the opportunity to earn high school credit in math and world language.
Students will continue to take required and/or elective courses in art, music, physical education, health, industrial technology, family and consumer science, world language, and business applications. Parents and students will have more choice in determining which of these courses a student takes.
Under this proposal, successful elements of the middle school program will remain. For example, students will continue to be organized in teams and continue to meet in daily advisement or “home room” time. Teachers will continue to work toward developing strong relationships with students to support them at a sensitive time their development.
Input from parents and staff will be considered, shared with others, and reflected in the final proposal that will go to the School Board in November. Watch for more details in Backpack Online and the district Web site in the coming months.
4. Anoka-Hennepin teachers, School Board reach contract agreement
On Sept. 22 the School Board approved a two-year contract for Anoka-Hennepin's 2,700 teachers. A tentative agreement had been reached in August. The agreement calls for an average salary schedule improvement of 2.5 percent the first year and 1.2 percent the second year, and approximately 2.75 percent over two years to cover the increased cost of health benefits. Teachers with family coverage will need to pay more out of pocket to cover the full cost of their health insurance. “We are pleased that we reached an agreement early. This allows teachers to devote their full attention to students at the start of the school year without the distraction of an unsettled contract," said Superintendent Roger Giroux.
5. Remember, tickets are on sale now for the Northern Stars Ball, Nov. 22
This year’s Northern Stars Ball, An Enchanted Evening, returns to the Marriott City Center in downtown Minneapolis. Festivities for the ninth-annual event are scheduled for Nov. 22 with a silent auction and social at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. A short program and live auction begin at 8:30 p.m. with dancing to the sounds of TKACH to follow. A jazz group from Roosevelt Middle School and a string ensemble from Andover High School will also perform that evening.
Tickets are $65 for an individual, of which $30 is tax deductible. For ticket purchase and more information contact the foundation office at 763-506-1107.
The ball is jointly sponsored by the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation and the Anoka Technical College Foundation. Created in 1990 as a 501 (c) (3), non-profit corporation, AHEF’s mission is to create, revive and maintain educational opportunities that are otherwise impossible due to financial constraints. The ball raised more than $50,000 last year, which was divided equally between the two foundations. The Anoka-Hennepin Foundation used its funds to finance 13 talent development grants to provide creative learning experiences for students in Anoka-Hennepin schools.
6. Nominate a teacher for Teacher Outstanding Performance Award
Nominate an excellent teacher for recognition in the Teacher Outstanding Performance (TOP) Award program of Anoka-Hennepin School District 11. Nominations for TOP awards will be accepted through Monday, December 5.
Teachers must be nominated by students or parents. All licensed preK-12 Anoka-Hennepin School District teachers are eligible. Teachers who have already been named TOP award recipients are no longer eligible. The selection committee will consider nominees who demonstrate characteristics such as sensitivity, knowledge, creativity, leadership, enthusiasm and more.
TOP grant information and nomination forms are available in all Anoka-Hennepin schools, at the Educational Service Center in Coon Rapids, and at the Anoka-Hennepin Learning Center in Anoka. Nominees will be notified and asked to complete an application form. A selection committee will choose the winners.
For more information and a nomination form call your local school or Anne Roseland, (763) 506-1551.
7. Rumor Alert
Rumor: I heard that art, music and physical education will be eliminated in middle school next year. Is this true?
Fact: No. The middle school program proposal does not eliminate art, music and physical education. Students will still be required to take these courses in some grades and they will be able to choose electives in these courses. In general, there will be more opportunity for parent and student choice.
“The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.” Diogenes Laertius |
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| 9/12/03 |
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Backpack #2 - School board election, hearings on state standards, Rumor Alert! and more |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
September 12, 2003
1. Five candidates file for School Board election
2. Two band field show competitions this weekend
3. Victim assistant specialist to speak to parents
4. State hearing on proposed standards Oct. 9 at Coon Rapids High School
5. Two district teachers served on science standards committee
6. Anoka-Hennepin School Board member appointed to budget task force
7. Fall Community Education Adult Class Catalog now available
8. Annual Champlin Park Craft Sale
9. Rumor Alert!
1. Five candidates file for School Board election
Five candidates, including three incumbents, have filed for the Anoka-Hennepin District 11 School Board election on Nov. 4. Three of the board’s six seats are up for election. Newly elected members will serve four-year terms.
In Election District One incumbent Tom Heidemann, Anoka, is challenged by Ken Nichols, also of Anoka. District One includes the city of Anoka and the portions of Ramsey and Andover located within the district.
In Election District Two, incumbent Dan Cook, Blaine, will run unopposed. This district includes a portion of Coon Rapids and the portion of Blaine located within the school district.
Two candidates are running for the Election District Five seat, incumbent Scott Wenzel, Brooklyn Park, and Angela Visker, Coon Rapids. District Five includes portions of Coon Rapids and the portions of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and Fridley within the Anoka-Hennepin School District.
Information on polling places will be available soon on the district Web site. For more information call 763-506-1037.
2. Two band field show competitions this weekend
Rebel Classic Field Show at Champlin Park High School
The 11th Annual Rebel Classic Invitational Field Show will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, 5:30 p.m. at Champlin Park High School. Eighteen bands will participate in this event. They represent the following high schools: Andover, Ankeny (Iowa), Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park, Coon Rapids, Dowling (Iowa), Eastview, Grand Rapids, Hastings, Irondale, Marshall, Minnetonka, Overland Park (Kansas), River Falls (Wisconsin), Rosemount, South St. Paul, Winona-Cotter. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for seniors and students.
Located in northern Brooklyn Park, Champlin Park High School is at 6025 109th Ave. From Highway 610, exit at Noble Parkway and go north to 109th Avenue, then turn west to the school. For information call the school at 763-506-6800.
Sounds of Pride Field Show at Blaine High School
The Blaine Marching Bengals will present their third annual Sounds
of Pride Field Show Competition Sunday, Sept., 14, 2 p.m. at the Blaine High School Stadium. All five Anoka-Hennepin School District high school marching bands will participate in this event (Andover, Anoka, Champlin Park, Coon Rapids and Blaine). They will be joined by two out-of-state competitors, Grand Rapids, MN and Ankeny, IA. Ticket prices are $6 for adults, $4 for students and senior citizens.
Blaine High School is located at the northeast corner of Highway 242 (Main Street) and University Avenue. For more information contact Kat Dalager, Blaine Band Booster President, at kat.dalager@comcast.net or 763-767-9093.
3. Victim assistant specialist to speak to parents
Kelly Nicholson, victim assistant specialist for the Anoka County Victim Sexual Assault Program, will speak at the Anoka High School Parent Advisory meeting Monday, September 22, 7 p.m., in the school IMC. Her topic is date rape. Pam Leindecker, media generalist for Anoka High School, will also present information on the databases available for student use. All district parents are invited to hear these speakers. The school is located at 3939 Seventh Ave. N., Anoka.
4. State hearing on proposed standards Oct. 9 at Coon Rapids High School
The Minnesota Department of Education is holding a series of 14 hearings around the state on proposed academic standards for social studies and science. A hearing is scheduled in Anoka-Hennepin School District 11 at Coon Rapids High School auditorium, Thursday, Oct. 9, 7 to 9 p.m.
The proposed standards were prepared by the Academic Standards Committees appointed earlier this summer by Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke.
Drafts of the Standards are available on the state department Web site at
http://education.state.mn.us . Members of the public may comment on the standards directly through this Web site or attend one of the 14 hearings.
Coon Rapids High School is located at 2340 Northdale Blvd., Coon Rapids. From Highway 10 exit at Hanson Blvd., go south to Northdale Blvd., turn right and go approximately four blocks.
5. Two district teachers serve on science standards committee
Jody Anderson, fourth-grade teacher at Ramsey Elementary School, and Laurie Peterman, Andover High School science teacher, serve on the Minnesota Academic Standards Committee for science.
Members of the committee were chosen by Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke, Minnesota Department of Education, for their expertise, passion for academic excellence and commitment to the committee’s workload. The committee is a cross-section of parents, teachers, business people and representatives from higher education, with representation from rural Minnesota and the Twin Cities metropolitan area. More than 600 people applied to be on the science and social studies standards committees.
The 41-member committee met throughout the summer to develop the academic standards for science to replace those in the Profile of Learning, which was repealed by the Legislature earlier this year. A draft of the science standards is now before the public for comment. Following hearings, the committee will produce a final document to forward to the Legislature for consideration next year. Standards for math, English and reading already have been adopted.
6. Anoka-Hennepin School Board member appointed to budget task force
Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed Tom Heidemann, member of the Anoka-Hennepin School Board, to the K-12 Finance Reform Task Force. The 20-member task force has already begun work on developing a plan to overhaul the state’s system for funding Minnesota schools. The Governor wants a system of funding that is “understandable, fair and places greater emphasis on results,” he said.
The state provides a basic amount of per pupil funding that is the same for all school districts. In addition to the base funding, however, districts also receive categorical funding for a number of specific purposes and special circumstances. Districts can also go to their citizens to raise additional revenue through voter-approved levies. The end result is large differences in the amount of revenue the state’s 345 school districts receive to educate each student. The governor has asked for a funding system that is fair, that addresses greater needs for “at-risk” students, that provides accountability for student performance, and that is easy to understand and evaluate.
Heidemann, an engineering manager at Honeywell, has been on the School Board since 2000 and presently serves as board clerk.
7. Fall Community Education Adult Class Catalog now available
The fall Anoka-Hennepin Community Education Adult Class Catalog was mailed to each home in the school district August 30. It contains a complete listing of all the new and on-going classes for adults, including new daytime classes. You will find adult learning classes, crafts, cooking, new technology classes, trips and tours, personal improvement classes, golf lessons and new daytime classes. Classes are scheduled from late September through December. Please call 763-506-5766 if you need additional information on classes or if you did not receive your brochure in the mail.
8. Annual Champlin Park Craft Sale
The annual Champlin Park High School Craft Show will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Browse, shop and delight in the thousands of hand-crafted gifts, furnishings, garments and accessories for all. Beat the holiday rush and do your shopping now. Champlin Park High School is at 6025 109th Ave., Brooklyn Park. For more information call 763-506-1270.
9. Rumor Alert
Rumor: The school district is planning to change attendance area boundaries for middle school students living in a portion of Andover.
Fact: There are no plans to change middle school attendance boundaries at this time. Boundary changes occur only after an extensive process that involves parents in decision making and includes opportunity for input through public hearings. Boundaries for the district’s middle and high schools seldom change. In recent years, changes have been made only when a new school opens and boundary changes are necessary to create an attendance area for the school. |
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| 8/28/03 |
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Backpack Online #1 - School starts, expecting high student achievement, tickets on sale for A-H Foundation ball and more |
Anoka-Hennepin School District 11
Backpack Online
August 28, 2003
1. School starts Sept. 2 - Links on the A-H Web page to help you prepare
2. Tickets are on sale now for the Northern Stars Ball – a fundraiser that supports Anoka-Hennepin students
3. Expecting high achievement for ALL students
4. Look for latest edition of Schools in Focus on cable TV
5. Congratulations to winners of state bus poster contest
6. Andover teacher wins grant from Target Corp. for creating literacy bags
1. School starts Sept. 2 - Important links on the A-H Web page
It's that time of year once again. School starts next week on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Elementary and middle school supply lists are posted on the main Anoka-Hennepin Web page, www.anoka.k12.mn.us. Look for the link near the top of the page. Schools' start times are approximately 15 minutes earlier this year. You can find a link to the new school hours on the Anoka-Hennepin Web page.
2. Tickets are on sale now for the Northern Stars Ball
The Knights of the Roundtable, Robin Hood, and Friar Tuck are just a few names associated with the theme for the 9th Annual Northern Stars Ball, An Enchanted Evening. Because of the large crowd expected to attend, this year’s event returns to the Marriott City Center in downtown Minneapolis. Festivities are scheduled for Nov. 22 with a silent auction and social at 6:00 p.m. and a palate-pleasing dinner at 7:30 p.m. A short program and live auction begin at 8:30 p.m. with dancing to the sounds of TKACH to follow. A jazz group from Roosevelt Middle School and dinner music provided by a string ensemble from Andover High School also will for the evening.
The ball is jointly sponsored by the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation and the Anoka Technical College Foundation. Created in 1990 as a 501 (c) (3), non-profit corporation, AHEF’s original mission was to create, revive and maintain educational opportunities that were otherwise impossible due to financial constraints. More than $50,000 was raised last year, which was divided equally between the two foundations. The Anoka-Hennepin Foundation used its funds to finance 13 talent development grants to provide creative learning experiences for students in Anoka-Hennepin schools.
Tickets are $65.00 for an individual, of which $30.00 is tax deductible. “Why not gather a group of friends and purchase a table for 10,” says Foundation Director Bruce Frank. For ticket purchase and more information contact the foundation office at 763-506-1107.
3. Expecting high achievement for ALL students
In preparation for the school year, Anoka-Hennepin teachers and administrators have been training this summer on classroom strategies to increase student learning. Leadership teams from each school met in early August to discuss what can be done in classrooms to respond to the challenge of No Child Left Behind. NCLB requires that schools and districts are judged on the performance of nine subgroups: all students, poor students, students with limited English skills, special education students, white students, black students; Asian students; Hispanic students and American Indian students.
"You have a lot of power in making sure that every child will learn," said Associate Superintendent Lelia Redin to the NCLB leadership teams. "All of us have to come up with strategies that are going to help kids be successful." As part of continuous improvement, each school must implement a plan to raise student achievement using data and research-based strategies.
In late August, teachers and administrators had back-to-school workshops with Larry Bell, a former high school teacher, who now helps other teachers close the achievement gap in their classrooms. Having high expectations for students will transcend race, ethnicity, economics and religion, he said. He cited the example of the "thousands of 90/90/90 schools" – schools with 90 percent poverty, 90 percent diversity and 90 percent of students at or above grade level on standardized tests. Bell described practical advice for creating a culture of high expectations. It takes inspiration and motivation to get students to achieve. "Students will work for you when they know how much you care," said Bell. He worked with teachers on identifying and using classroom strategies to reach and teach every child. Using these strategies can improve how one manages a classroom and teaches a subject, but ultimately teachers have to build relationships and expect that every student is capable of success, said Bell.
4. Look for latest Schools in Focus on cable TV
The season debut of "Schools in Focus," Anoka-Hennepin's TV news magazine, will broadcast on local cable stations this September. Find out more about the 100 teaching positions that were added to schools this year; take a look at the importance of co-curricular activities offered in district schools; and learn how Anoka-Hennepin handles indoor air quality issues. Broadcast times vary by cable provider. Contact your cable provider to find out when "Schools in Focus" will be aired in your area.
5. Congratulations to winners of state bus poster contest
Bus Safety Posters created by Anoka-Hennepin students were not only first place winners for their grades at the state level, but went on to represent Minnesota in national competition this summer. The poster contest is sponsored by the Minnesota School Bus Safety Committee. The theme for this contest was "Shh … Railroad Crossing." The posters were created by:
• Sarah Higgins, fifth-grade, Dayton Elementary
• Abby Boisjolie, sixth-grade, Epiphany School
• Katie Pauley, seventh-grade, Coon Rapids Middle School
• Irina Artemenko, eighth-grade, Coon Rapids Middle School
• Dawn Kendrick, Bell Center
Congratulations to these students for their work!
6. Andover teacher wins grant from Target Corp. for creating literacy bags
First grade teacher Heather Cotter of Andover Elementary received a $2,000 grant from Target Corp. for creating Literacy Bags for her classroom. The grant allows Cotter to create Literacy Bags for all Andover first-grade students. Bags include a book, direction sheet, parent involvement information and an evaluation form. The book and its instructions are based on the district's first-grade curriculum. |
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