In the Know - March 3, 2023
March 3, 2023
Announcing recipients of 2022-23 Above & Beyond Awards
Thirteen outstanding district employees have been selected to receive the Anoka-Hennepin School District’s 2022-23 Above & Beyond Award.
The recipients are:
- Billie Davis-Fehr, Monroe Elementary, teacher, special education (ASD).
- Lana Johnson, Ramsey Elementary, teacher, grade 3.
- Rachel Jorgensen, Anoka High School, teacher, work based learning.
- Sarah Kisiah, Northdale Middle School, teacher, English, AVID support teacher.
- Dominic Krebsbach, Monroe Elementary, teacher, grade 4.
- Sarah Lindbo, Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy, teacher, grade 2.
- Jennifer Peña, Blaine High School, licensed school nurse.
- John Peña, Coon Rapids High School, principal.
- Molly Schuster, Oxbow Creek Elementary, paraeducator, elementary.
- Jacob Southmayd, Dayton Elementary, teacher, special education (ABS).
- Minh Strusz, Hoover Elementary, principal.
- Bill Underwood, Educational Service Center, teaching and learning specialist, special education technology.
- Jacque Weidner, Lincoln Elementary, teacher, special education (SLD)
The 2023 Above & Beyond Awards ceremony to honor these 13 exceptional employees will take place Wednesday, March 29 at the Educational Service Center (ESC). Read more about the Above & Beyond Awards.
Two district educators named semifinalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year
Of the eight Anoka-Hennepin educators named candidates for the 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award, two have been selected as semifinalists.
Wendi Delmore, a second grade teacher at McKinley Elementary School, and Lisa Neaderhiser, a special education teacher (EBD) at Jackson Middle School - A Specialty School for Math and Science, are among 33 semifinalist candidates for the award statewide.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to be nominated and recognized for doing what I truly love to do,” Delmore said. “I honestly can't believe this is happening.”
“To be nominated and advance on to the semifinals is such an incredible honor,” Neaderhiser said. “I have been an EBD teacher for half of my life. When I accepted the nomination and began my reflection on my career, I looked back on my journey with a smile and a full heart. I have been doing something that I truly love. I am so honored to be recognized along with all of these amazing educators. Being a teacher in the Anoka-Hennepin School District has been the highlight of my career.”
This year’s program will name the 59th Minnesota Teacher of the Year, celebrating the tradition of excellence in teaching in Minnesota. Eligible candidates include pre-kindergarten through grade 12, Early Childhood Family Education and Adult Basic Education teachers, from public or private schools.
The 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be announced May 7 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.
District technology and information department launching email phishing training for staff
As cybersecurity continues to be a growing concern for school districts nationwide, the Anoka-Hennepin technology and information department is currently engaged in an email phishing training campaign for staff.
District technology has partnered with Infosec IQ, a cybersecurity training company, to conduct research over the last several weeks and concluded that 28% of Anoka-Hennepin staff clicked on links in test phishing emails (no sensitive data was collected during this test).
Results from our recent phishing campaign indicate that we need your help to fortify our data security defenses and protect staff and student data. In partnership with Infosec IQ, Anoka-Hennepin is launching Cyber Security Awareness Month during the month of March. The “March Madness” plan includes:
- Security training.
- Additional phishing simulations.
- Google two-factor verification.
- Password changes.
- Removal of local admin rights on computers.
Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility and with these additional steps, technology hopes to reduce our phishing email fail rate to zero.
In the next several weeks, all district employees will receive an email from AH Cybersecurity Notifications (CyberSecurity@ahschools.us) with the subject line “Start Your Security Awareness Training.” This is not spam. Included in this email is a recommended training course consisting of four short videos. Please take the time this month to review and complete the training to improve your cybersecurity knowledge to protect yourself both at home and at work. Please complete the training by March 31, 2023.
Going forward, the district will continue to simulate phishing emails to determine how well staff are improving at identifying the conditions of an email designed to encourage unsafe behaviors. If staff interact with phishing emails, additional training may be recommended.
Please continue to read the weekly “In the Know” staff e-newsletter for updates on upcoming cybersecurity initiatives, including Google 2-step verification and password changes.
2022 1095c forms available for download
The 2022 1095c forms have been generated and are available for employees to download through Skyward employee access. Any employee that did not complete the submission request to receive the form electronically will receive their form in the U.S. mail this week. Please contact Labor Relations at extension 763-506-1178 or tamara.cardinal@ahschools.us with any questions.
AHEF Grant Applications now open for 2023-24 school year
The Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF) has opened the first round of grants for the 2023-24 school year (grant application). Grant awards typically range between $200 and $7,000 depending on the scope and depth of the proposed project.
Applications close on March 31, 2023, with funds available after July 1, 2023, for implementation in the 2023-24 school year. Questions about the grant process should be directed to Tess DeGeest at 763-506-1107 or via email at Theresa.degeest@ahschools.us.
Suicide Prevention Training available in the district’s learning management system
In August of 2016, MDE required 1 hour of Suicide Prevention for licensed staff. In an effort to support Anoka-Hennepin staff in this requirement for licensure, Anoka-Hennepin Schools has developed an online training for secondary and elementary staff. To maximize the district’s commitment to preventing suicide and supporting families and students, this same training is also offered and suggested for all employees.
What is involved in the training:
- The online training program includes video overviews from district staff and an interactive training provided by Kognito, an interactive program offered at no cost through the State of Minnesota.
- All instructions for completing the training are included with the training materials online.
- A Powerpoint is available throughout the training program for consultation, follow up, and future reference.
- The deadline to complete the training is May 1, 2023.
How do I access the training materials?:
- Access district’s Learning Management System (LMS) via your ahconnect account to view the training program.
- There are two versions of the training, one for elementary and one for secondary. Employees at those levels should take the appropriate training. Employees outside of these work areas are encouraged to complete either training program.
- Contact 763-506-HELP (4357) or email 506help@ahschools.us for technical support for accessing materials in the LMS.
How long is the training? When can I take it?
- It should take one hour complete.
- Employees would should find time within their normal schedule to complete the training.
With the understanding that public health issues, like suicide awareness and prevention, benefit from a community wide approach. Anoka-Hennepin employees can reinforce that suicide is preventable. Together, we can increase awareness, identify risk factors early, and provide collaborative support. When a student is struggling with their mental health, there is hope and help.
Reference the state statute: 122A.187 Subd. 6
Highway 10 update: Ferry Street Bridge closed beginning mid-March
A major portion of the Highway 10 Anoka Project begins mid-March, 2023, as construction begins on a new Single Point Urban Interchange at Ferry Street in Anoka. To facilitate work, the bridge will be removed and detours put in place for the duration of the project. Completion is expected by Dec. 1, 2023. Employees and visitors to the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Services Center should plan accordingly as routes could be modified by detour during this time. Northbound access to Ferry Street will be eliminated from Highway 10 during the construction period. Follow posted detours or view the detour map.
Minnesota United FC to host educator appreciation night
Minnesota United FC is hosting an Educator Appreciation Night at Allianz Field in St. Paul on April 15 against Orlando.
The night includes discounted tickets to the April 15 game, a Minnesota United cooler bag and access to an on-field postgame experience to take a penalty kick.
Visit this link for information and to purchase tickets for the Minnesota United FC educator appreciation night. Act fast, a limited number of ticket purchasers will be able to participate in the Post-Game Shot on Net experience.
Team from Northdale Middle School wins 2023 Battle of the Books competition
The Battle of the Books traveling trophy was up for grabs March 2 at the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Service Center. The annual competition challenges middle school students to prove their knowledge and understanding of literature.
Teams of students first compete within their middle school community, with the winners advancing to a district-level Battle of the Books competition. The annual competition promotes reading and comprehension of literature in a fun and engaging format. A total of 19 teams representing all six middle schools battled to prove they learned key concepts from 25 books chosen for this year’s competition.
The winning team, who chose the name of “The Book Travelers,” was Margaret Phillips (7th grade), Kingston Vang (7th grade), and Lincoln Vang (8th grade) from Northdale Middle School led by Battle of the Books coordinator Jess Leighton, a sixth grade teacher.
Read more about the competition and view photos from the event.
Watch a re-play of the livestreamed event.
Graduate spotlight: Anoka High School graduate living out passion for advocacy
Richnetta Parker, a 2016 graduate of Anoka High School (AHS), is driven by lived experiences to be an advocate for refugee and underrepresented communities both locally and internationally.
Both her parents came to the United States as refugees from Liberia and eventually settled in Anoka.
“Seeing what my parents experienced has really led me to wanting to be an advocate for immigrant communities, families and students,” Parker said. “I’m super passionate about uplifting the rights of refugee communities. My family and my community is what grounds me in the work I do.”
After graduating from Augsburg College where she majored in political science and had a minor in international relations, Parker became a program assistant for the International Justice and Women’s Human Rights Program at The Advocates for Humans Rights. Read more about Richnetta, her selection to the Governor's Office Young Women's Cabinet and her future plans.
2022-23 winter sports and activities roundup
With the winter sports and activities season wrapping up, here’s a look at who’s heading to state, and how they fared when they performed and played. Also included is information about post-season awards gathered by student-athletes and coaches. Visit the district website for updates on girls hockey, gymnastics, wrestling and boys swimming and diving.
Andover High School senior Ella Boerger named Ms. Hockey award winner
Andover High School senior forward Ella Boerger was named the 2023 Ms. Hockey award winner, presented to the top female hockey player in the state, at the annual banquet on Feb. 26, capping off an outstanding four-year career for the Huskies.
In the 27 years of the Ms. Hockey award, no Northwest Suburban Conference (NWSC) player had earned the award, until former Husky Peyton Hemp earned the highest honor in 2021.
Not only is Boerger in elite company at her own high school, but her name will also forever go down as being one of the all-time greats in Minnesota girls' high school hockey. Boerger was among five finalists named for the top award and accepted it alongside Edina High School’s Uma Corniea who was named the senior goalie of the year.
“It was such an honor to be up with those big names (other finalists),” Boerger said. “I was just kind of surprised. I can’t thank my teammates, my coaches and my family enough.” Visit the district website to learn more about Ella's career at Andover and her future plans.
District Indian Education program hosts Indigenous Winter games event
For the first time, the Anoka-Hennepin Indian Education program hosted Indigenous Winter Games for students, families and community members on Feb. 18 at Hoover Elementary School in Coon Rapids.
Anoka-Hennepin partnered with Dan (Oneida Nation) and Susan Ninham (Red Lake Ojibwe Nation) who facilitated traditional games and activities for families.
The day started with a community smudging circle where guests talked about their relationships with relatives and the importance of starting things off in a good way. Moving indoors, participants learned how Native American traditional games and contests often come from life skills needed to support traditional subsistence practices. Outdoors, participants learned about the Creators Game (traditional lacrosse), double ball, and snow snake.
Read more and view photos from the Indigenous Winter Games event at Hoover.
West African dance and drum group visits Sand Creek Elementary
Titambe, a West African dance and drum ensemble, visited Sand Creek Elementary School Feb. 27 to provide students with an engaging and educational program to close Black History Month celebrations at the school.
"Our students were engaged and connected to the music, dance, and culture,” said Sand Creek principal Paul Anderson.
During the assembly the students learned about the different instruments, the national flag of Ghana, some of the language and were able to ask questions. At the end, the students learned the moves to a traditional dance. Read more, view photos and a video from the assembly.
Community Registration open
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education values the opportunity to bring high-quality educational programs to the community. Registration for adult enrichment and early childhood classes opened this week.
- Adult Learning classes focus on technology, money, creativity, hobbies, home improvement, health, fitness and more. View the Spring 2023 Adult Enrichment catalog or browse spring classes online.
- Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) works to support parents/caregivers and to strengthen and empower families. View the Spring 2023 Families catalog or browse classes online.
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This e-newsletter is published by Anoka-Hennepin Schools. It's sent to all Anoka-Hennepin staff on a weekly basis during the school year, excluding breaks (and periodically during the summer). Questions, comments or concerns about In the Know e-newsletter? Contact us.