In the Know - December 22, 2022

December 22, 2022

Do you know an Anoka-Hennepin staff member who goes above and beyond normal job expectations to ensure that students receive a high quality education in a safe and nurturing environment? Maybe that person is a teacher or a custodian or a paraprofessional? Maybe a school counselor or principal? Perhaps someone working in the cafeteria, or a nurse or a secretary?

If you know someone who does amazing work for children, you’re strongly encouraged to nominate them for the Above & Beyond Awards. The Above & Beyond Awards involve students, staff, parents and community members in recognizing and rewarding Anoka-Hennepin employees and groups who consistently go that extra mile so students can be successful.

Nominations are being accepted for worthy candidates through Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.

Check out the Above & Beyond Awards website, ahschools.us/aboveandbeyond, for a nomination form or to read additional information about the awards.

The program is a joint effort of the district and the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF). The 2023 Above & Beyond Awards ceremony will take place March 29 at the Educational Service Center (ESC).

Matt Brain, currently serving as principal at Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy (CBPA), has been named interim director of employee services for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year as Bobby Royal has left the organization. Brain has a strong familiarity with Anoka-Hennepin Schools having served as principal at CBPA, assistant principal at Wilson Elementary School and as admin intern and teacher at Evergreen Park Elementary School. He is expected to begin in this new role following the winter break. An announcement regarding the principal position at CPBA will be shared when details are finalized.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools are committed to creating experiences that showcase the talents of student athletes in an environment that promotes healthy competition. Promoting sportsmanship and a positive environment is a priority and our school communities expect respectful behavior and cheers for all players, fans, opponents and game personnel. Join us in encouraging fans and school communities to stay above the line at games and events.

View this new video illustrating what it means to stay above the line, how our student athletes compete and how our communities support our schools.

Anoka-Hennepin staff who are interested in earning some extra money can get behind their home team! High schools are in need of extra help at extra-curricular activities and events. Positions range from site manager, ticket seller, bleacher supervision, buildings and grounds support and transportation drivers. Rates are between $55-110 depending on the duties. If interested, reach out to the activities secretary of the high school(s) that you are interested in supporting:

• Anoka High School - Donna Spiczka, 506-6380

• Andover High School - Deanna Palmer, 506-8409

• Blaine High School - Molly Gamble, 506-6706

• Champlin Park High School - Marcy Burnevik, 506-6902

• Coon Rapids High School - Jacque Lacy, 506-7307

Blaine High School senior Ella Hilger is not only “staying above the line” as a bleacher captain this year, she also just earned recognition with the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) as one of the Most Valuable Teammates.

The dance team member earned the honor for displaying a positive influence, exemplifying leadership and sportsmanship, and for being respectful, reliable and supportive of others. Read more about the Most Valuable Teammate award.

Be sure to follow Anoka-Hennepin on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a look back at 2022. Over the next 10 days, we’ll be revisiting the district’s top stories from 2022.

As these stories demonstrate, 2022 was another fun-filled and exciting year for Anoka-Hennepin schools.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools values partnerships with local law enforcement and public safety departments in efforts to maintain a positive school culture and climate. Last week, partners from the Blaine Police Department; Spring Lake Park, Blaine, Mounds View Fire Department; Allina Health Emergency Medical Services; and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office joined other local agencies to host the annual Heroes & Helpers event at Target in Blaine. They partnered with students from a number of area elementary schools - including Johnsville, Madison, Sunrise and University Avenue elementary schools - to help shop for toys for families in need.

The Heroes & Helpers event is a community-oriented undertaking where police officers, state troopers, deputies, firefighters, and EMS personnel from Blaine, and surrounding areas pick up students at school for shopping, gift wrapping and pizza. Students ride in emergency vehicles for the event. View photos from the Heroes & Helpers event.

Anoka High School - Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (AHS) seniors Awa Cisse and Enzo La Hoz Calassara have each earned a full, four-year scholarship worth more than $200,000 through QuestBridge National College Match.

More than 17,900 applicants nation-wide were considered with only 1,755 named to the matched list. Cisse was matched with Carleton College and La Hoz Calassara was matched with Dartmouth College. Learn more about the QuestBridge scholarship program.

Students in Andover High School’s Leo Club finally got to celebrate their good work.

The student-led youth service group won regional awards in both 2020 and 2022, but the pandemic and other travel mishaps prevented the group from participating in a national competition or attending the prestigious awards ceremony.

The latest Putting ‘U’ in Community Education video introduces members of the Andover High School Leo Club. Hear about their service work, their big trip to New York and all the hurdles they had to jump to get there.

• School Board votes to amend 2022-23 school year calendar.
• Action of the School Board, December 12.
• Anoka-Hennepin and Allina Health present Supporting YoU, and employee wellness podcast.
• Appreciation of Diversity workshop series for staff to begin Feb. 11.
• Increased security in place to ensure safety at school events.
• Information sessions available for Grow You Own Program offered through the University of St. Thomas.
• Employee 2022 W-2s will be available electronically; opt-out option for printed copy.

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