Backpack Online - March 10, 2023
March 10, 2023
Three 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, three have been selected as semifinalists.
Wendi Delmore, a second grade teacher at McKinley Elementary School, Johanna Mueller, a fourth grade teacher at Hamilton Elementary School, and Lisa Neaderhiser, a special education teacher (EBD) at Jackson Middle School - A Specialty School for Math and Science, are among 44 semifinalist candidates for the award statewide.
On March 1, Education Minnesota announced 33 semifinalists before discovering a data error, resulting in 11 more educators being named semifinalists on March 7. Read a quote from each semifinalist and learn more about Minnesota Teacher of the Year.
District students shine at Destination Imagination state competition
Seven teams representing Anoka-Hennepin Schools competed at the Destination Imagination state competition at Coon Rapids Middle School March 4. Four teams advanced to the Global Finals which will be held May 20-23 in Kansas City, Mo.
Teams gathered from around the state and competed in various challenge topics consisting of science, fine arts, improvisation, engineering and community service.
Over 150,000 students participate in Destination Imagination, and only the top one percent of teams qualify for the Global Finals. Teams that finished first or second in state competition advanced to the Global Finals.
State competition results:
Engineering Challenge
- Rum River Elementary - 1st place.
- Madison Elementary - 3rd place.
Improv Challenge
- Rum River Elementary - 1st place.
- Rum River Elementary - 2nd place.
- Rum River Elementary - 3rd place.
- Rum River Elementary - 4th place.
Community Service Challenge
- Northdale Middle School - 1st place.
Anoka-Hennepin also had two primary teams compete, one each from McKinley and Rum River elementary schools, with students in grades K-2 performing in the Early Learning Challenge.
Congratulations to all teams for their hard work and best of luck to the teams competing at Global Finals.
CRHS engineering students showcase assembly line projects
Students enrolled in Scott Storrick’s Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) class hosted a project showcase on March 7 to present their automated assembly lines which they created in class.
Students created a short presentation outlining each of their projects for family, friends and community members before showing off their work to conclude the evening. The project included the creation, design, building and programming of a working assembly line. Students were engaged in problem-solving throughout the project to get their ideas to come to life.
The projects included a coffee assembly line, which used a robot to pour and stir coffee and creamer into a cup. Another group was working to create an assembly line to ensure a 100% field goal percentage using a paper football. The next assembly line created the perfect pop tart, including putting the ingredients on the tasty treat and packaging. The final project was a LEGO® truck assembly line, making the building of LEGO hands-free.
Watch these videos to see each of the projects in action:
Coffee and creamer assembly line.
Football kicking assembly line.
Sunrise teacher Pauline Engebretson named KS95 Teacher of the Week
A teacher in the district for 24 years, Pauline Engebretson of Sunrise Elementary School, has been selected as a KS95 Teacher of the Week. She accepted the award in front of her third grade class Tuesday, March 7 from KS95 on-air talent “Hutch.”
"I am honored to be recognized as a KS95 Teacher of the Week,” Engebretson said. “Fortunately, I am surrounded by a wonderful class and a third grade team that brings out the best in me everyday. This award is the best motivation to be even better. Thanks to all who have made this job so rewarding!"
She was nominated by a former parent who commented, “She strives to individualize every student and make it the best year possible in a difficult environment. She embraces each child, even during quarantine, in her special way. Air hugs anyone!”
View a photo gallery from the plaque presentation and listen to her on-air interview.
Andover High School boys' hockey set for state semifinals
The Andover High School boys’ hockey team defeated Lakeville South 5-2 behind a hat trick from senior Gavyn Thoreson to advance to the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Class AA semifinals. The Huskies (22-6-1) will now play No. 1 seed Minnetonka at 8 p.m. on March 10 at the Xcel Energy Center.
Friday’s game will be televised live on KSTC-TV Channel 45, and streamed online for free at kstp.com/45tv/prep45. Visit the MSHSL tournament website for more information.
Lakeville South netted a powerplay goal just 41 seconds into the second period to take a 1-0. Thoreson answered with his first goal of the night at the 8:17 mark of the second period to start a flurry of goals by the Huskies.
Thoreson assisted on a goal by Ben Doll before tallying his second goal of the night at the 13:32 mark of the second period to send the Huskies into the second intermission with a 3-1 lead.
The Cougars came out fast in the third period and made it a one-goal game just 56 seconds in.
Andover’s Brooks Cogswell tipped in a shot from the point with just over six minutes remaining in the game to give his team a two-goal lead and Thoreson completed the hat trick nearly five minutes later to send the Huskies to a 5-2 victory and into the semifinals for the second straight season.
Andover is making its fourth straight Class AA state tournament appearance. The Huskies won their first state title in school history in 2022.
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 wrestling, boys swimming and diving, boys hockey and adapted floor hockey, PI division.
Preschool information night
Anoka-Hennepin Schools to host Preschool Information Night
Parents or caregivers who are considering preschool for their children are invited to attend Preschool Information Night. Families will have the opportunity to talk with teaching staff about the different preschool programs, the curriculum, and classrooms so they can find the best fit for their child. This FREE event is scheduled for Monday, March 27, 2023, from 4:30 – 6 p.m. or 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Educational Service Center in Anoka. Pre-registration is encouraged. Learn more and register for Preschool Information Night.
2022-23 Above & Beyond Awards recipients to be honored March 29
Thirteen outstanding district employees have been selected to receive the Anoka-Hennepin School District’s 2022-23 Above & Beyond Award. The 2023 Above & Beyond Awards ceremony to honor these 13 exceptional employees will take place Wednesday, March 29 at the Educational Service Center (ESC).
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).
Community Education registration
Community Education offers a line up of engaging classes and activities this spring!
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education values the opportunity to bring high-quality educational programs to our 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.
Additional district news
- Catch up on the latest School Board meeting in Action of the School Board.
- 2023 graduation ceremonies for Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high schools to be held on University of Minnesota campus - Maturi Pavilion.
- Ready for Kindergarten? See how to prepare and register.
- Testing opportunities for high school students to earn a World Language Proficiency Certificate or Bilingual/Multilingual Seal deadline is March 24.
- Student-built ice house auction - current bid is at $1,225.
- New $225 substitute teacher rate at select sites and on Fridays now in effect through the end of the school year.
- School Board votes to amend 2022-23 school year calendar.
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