In the Know - April 21, 2023
April 21, 2023
Above & Beyond Awards recipient profiles
Above & Beyond Award recipient: Jen Peña
Jen Peña, the licensed school nurse at Blaine High School, has been recognized as a 2022-23 Above & Beyond Awards recipient. Peña has used her position as a caregiver in the school to be a resource for both students and staff during a difficult time for healthcare professionals.
“My community includes every person who walks in the school door,” Peña said. “I have been very busy these last few years supporting my students, families and staff. I use my position as a school nurse to support students' learning by attending to their unmet physical and mental health needs. Every interaction I have is shaped by my motto that asks, ‘Is this what’s best for students?’”
Peña has worked in the district for 13 years serving students at each grade level at Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts, Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy, Evergreen Park Elementary: STEM School of Innovation, and Oak View Middle School. In addition to being on a variety of school teams that support students, she has volunteered her time outside of school hours to be an advisor for the student Gay Straight Alliance club. She is intentional when communicating with students visiting the health services office for daily medications to build relationships with them, and provide a safe and welcoming space for all. Read more about Peña.
Above & Beyond Award recipient: John Peña
John Peña, who has spent 17 years as an administrator in Anoka-Hennepin, his last two as the principal at Coon Rapids High School - Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, has been recognized as a 2022-23 Above & Beyond Awards recipient.
“I am honored and humbled to be nominated and selected for this award,” Peña said. “As an administrator I have the opportunity to impact students and staff in a meaningful way, I do my best to make it positive. Being surrounded by awesome colleagues that have mentored and been great role models for me while in Anoka-Hennepin has been a blessing. The best part of receiving this award is that I get to share this night with my wife as she is also a recipient.”
Since joining the Coon Rapids community, Peña has been spreading his positive energy and strengthening the school’s connection to the community as a whole. To celebrate the start of the 2022-23 school year, Peña invited members of the community, including faith-based partners, the Lions Club and Coon Rapids police and fire departments to greet students in the morning in an effort to encourage them while starting the new school year. Read more about Peña.
Above & Beyond Award recipient: Molly Schuster
Molly Schuster, a paraeducator at Oxbow Creek Elementary School has been recognized as a 2022-23 Above & Beyond Awards recipient. Her primary role is to serve as a recess para for one of the largest elementary schools in the district, but she is still always asking, ‘How can I help,’ which has led her to being an important and impactful member of the Oxbow Creek community.
“It has always been my goal as an employee of the school who also lives in our community to be a positive voice for the kiddos and a good example of kindness.” Schuster said. “My role at Oxbow Creek is to create a safe and fun space for students to play. When I am outside, my goal is to work with students to build social skills and teach them how to work together, solve problems and use their words to tell people what they need.”
Schuster has worked seven years in Anoka-Hennepin and her roles have grown each year. She often serves as a special education substitute, works once a week in the media center and manages the books in the school's Little Free Library. This year she has also helped kindergartners with handwriting and fifth grade teachers with preparing materials for class. On her own time, Schuster has painted rocks with messages of kindness and left them around the playground for students to find. Read more about Schuster.
Extending appreciation to staff members with over 25 years of dedicated service to the district
A long-standing tradition of the school district, Anoka-Hennepin held its annual employee recognition event April 19. The event was held at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center.
The annual event recognizes employees who have contributed 25, 30, or 35 years to Anoka-Hennepin, impacting the lives of thousands of students. Based on the five year increments, nearly 100 staff members were recognized at this year’s event. Overall, 595 staff members met the criteria of recognition with over 25 years of service to the district. The staff member with the most time at Anoka-Hennepin was noted as 47 years of service.
Also recognized at this year’s event were the 2023 Above & Beyond award winners.
The event featured remarks from Interim Superintendent Dr. Kate Maguire and School Board chair Marci Anderson. Congratulations to all recipients and thank you for your years of dedication to the Anoka-Hennepin School District.
Reminder: Staff may subscribe to receive emergency text message alerts
In a recent safety situation impacting schools in the Champlin Park cluster of schools April 19, 2023 - text message notifications were sent to staff members at Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy and Jackson Middle School who had subscribed to receive text message alerts. This was the second instance that the district utilized emergency text message alerts in Anoka-Hennepin history.
At this time, just over 3,500 of approximately 7,000 Anoka-Hennepin employees have updated communication preferences in Skyward to receive emergency notifications via text message. These messages will include weather closings and delays, school emergencies and other important notices.
Verify that you are subscribed: From the Skyward employee access screen, select “update phone number” icon and follow the on-screen instructions. Detailed instructions are provided for those who need them. Subscribers can opt out of the text messages by responding STOP to any message sent by the system.
For technical support: Email 506help@ahschools.us or call 763-506-HELP (4357). For more details, visit the Anoka-Hennepin Schools communications webpage to view important reminders.
Employee surveys: provide feedback, shape the furture
Anoka-Hennepin Schools benefit from employee feedback loops to inform and shape services and programs. Over the next few weeks, employees may have the opportunity to complete surveys to provide input on special education programs, employee health insurance for those involved with the district plan, attitude and satisfaction, and others.
Important points about employee surveys:
- Employee surveys are anonymous and are not traced back to individual employees.
- Employee surveys are voluntary.
- Maximizing participation helps provide the most accurate information to consider for decision making.
Surveys are distributed by email and allow employees to provide feedback as time allows. Each survey will include information about who to contact regarding any concerns regarding the individual survey.
Thank you for your consideration of completing surveys to help the district move forward.
Last Day: Online store for Anoka-Hennepin Schools apparel open until April 21
An online store to purchase Anoka-Hennepin branded apparel and accessories is now open through Friday, April 21. Items will be customized with the Anoka-Hennepin Schools logo through BSN Sports.
Orders will be delivered to the Anoka-Hennepin Schools Educational Service Center (2727 N. Ferry Street, Anoka) for pick-up from the district warehouse. Items will not be shipped to sites. Apparel will arrive 5-7 weeks after the store closes. Email notifications will be sent to staff when orders are ready for pick-up.
Note: District funds may not be used for purchases. This opportunity is available for staff members who wish to enhance their wardrobe with Anoka-Hennepin Schools apparel and accessories.
NEW EPISODES: Anoka-Hennepin and Allina Health present SupportingYoU podcast
Anoka-Hennepin and Allina Health partnered to provide district teachers and staff with a library of resources to support employee health and mental wellness.
SupportingYoU, an employee wellness podcast, has 34 episodes available now - featuring a range of topics from self-care fundamentals to the importance of gratitude.
Listen by visiting the website at ahschools.us/supportingyou.
Summer Jobs
Anoka-Hennepin is currently seeking teachers and paraeducators for early childhood, elementary and secondary Extended School Year and Targeted Services summer positions.
Paraeducators and teachers who are not available for working the entirety of the summer schedule are encouraged to still apply and reach out to the appropriate supervisor indicating your availability. Sub coverage is still needed in the summer and your availability may help to fill that need. Read details and apply online.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 32 Part 1: School Resource Officers working in partnership with Anoka-Hennepin schools
The latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast is the first of a two-part series focused on school safety. In Episode 32 Part 1, host Liz Burgard sat down with Champlin Park High School principal Mike George and City of Brooklyn Park Police Officer and School Resource Officer (SRO) Andy Dickman to learn more about the role of the SRO in Anoka-Hennepin and their vital role in safety, building relationships and getting people comfortable in talking with law enforcement.
Anoka-Hennepin coordinates SROs in 12 schools across the district and maintains relationships with local law enforcement. These partnerships play a vital role in protecting the safety of students and staff districtwide.
Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360. The Parent Engage 360 Podcast is also now available on Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeartRadio and Samsung Podcasts.
Stay tuned for part two of this episode, where Burgard will visit with Greg Cole, Anoka-Hennepin’s chief operations officer and Tim Fournier, Anoka-Hennepin’s security & emergency operations manager, to learn more about the district’s approach to school safety and improvements that have and continue to be made around the district to ensure the safety of students and staff.
School Spotlight: Andover High School
Andover High School prides itself on students excelling in Academics, Athletics and the Arts, striving to create opportunities for all students. Learn more about Andover High School in the latest school spotlight video.
In the news: Coon Rapids High School yearbook photographer honored at pep fest
Coon Rapids High School senior Jayden Caffey, who is normally behind the camera snapping pictures for the school's yearbook, found himself with the camera pointed at him during an all-school assembly April 14. Caffey has captured over 50,000 photos during his time at CRHS and can be seen hard at work at just about every event or activity at the school. The students and staff at CRHS wanted to thank him for his contributions and honor him for his time and commitment. Learn more about Jayden in this story by CTN Studios.
The school song was played by students' whose instruments were adorned with glow sticks for a 'neon' pep fest.
Principal Peña recognized Jayden Caffey upon the request of students wanting to express appreciation for his efforts to capture school memories the past four years.
The Coon Rapids High School spring pep fest also featured the school robotics team, with a special demonstration.
Minnesota Wild fitness program visits Jefferson Elementary
Jefferson Elementary School was visited by special guests on Monday, April 17, as the Minnesota Wild Faceoff For Fitness school assembly program was in the building.
The program’s goal is to help students understand the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle, and learn more about the sport of hockey through a partnership with the Wild.
The assembly featured former Wild forward Stéphane Veilleux, Olympic gold medalist Hannah Brandt, Minnesota Wild mascot, Nordy, and the Wild in-arena announcer. During the event, the representatives from the Wild revealed a donated set of street hockey equipment to the school. View photos from the visit.
Jefferson Elementary physical education teacher Deanna Evans worked to get the program to the school. Other district schools have also joined the program and had visits from the Wild organization this school year.
- Dr. Robert Blaine, former Anoka-Hennepin employee, has passed away.
- School Board meeting set for Monday, April 24.
- Highway 10 updates: Ferry Street Bridge closed, roads and ramps closed.
- Event April 27: Flint Hills Family Festival, presented by the Ordway, coming to Anoka Middle School for the Arts for free pop-up event.
- Suicide Prevention Training available in the district's learning management system.
Translate this message
To translate this information to another language, please click anywhere on the message to open it in a web browser and at the top of the page, select your language from the dropdown menu.
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.