Backpack Online - October 28, 2022
October 28, 2022
District enrollment remains steady, elementary-age students impacting growth
Anoka-Hennepin’s 2022-23 school enrollment report shows an overall increase of 11 students from the 2021-22 school year. Officially, this year’s K-12 enrollment is 36,617 students.
The elementary grades 1-5 count drove the enrollment, as an increase of 132 students over projections at those grade levels was reported.
Johnsville Elementary School saw the largest increase in enrollment due to the influx of kindergarten students from Sunrise Elementary School. Last February, the School Board approved a recommendation for a one-year temporary boundary adjustment due to rapid enrollment growth at Sunrise. Johnsville has an enrollment of 678 students, 126 over projections.
Dayton Elementary School, which is also an area of the district experiencing rapid growth, saw the second-highest leap in enrollment, coming in at 702 students, 95 over projected. Andover Elementary School has 1,189 students, 76 more than projected and Mississippi Elementary School has 434 students, 34 more than projections.
At the secondary level, Roosevelt Middle School saw 72 more students enrolled than projected and Oak View Middle School came in at 31 over projected with an enrollment of 1,277. Blaine High School, with 2,986 students, and Champlin Park High School, with 2,997 students, came in over projected totals for the school year.
Champlin Park High School senior Paige Kalal named 2022 Class AAA Ms. Soccer
Champlin Park High School (CPHS) senior Paige Kalal recently wrapped up her illustrious soccer career for the Rebels by earning one of the highest awards possible in the state. Kalal was named the 2022 Class AAA Ms. Soccer award winner by the Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association (MSHSSCA).
CPHS girls soccer advanced to the Section 5AAA championship game this season, dropping a 1-0 heartbreaker to Mounds View High School on Oct. 18. Prior to the start of the MSHSL state tournament, Kalal was recognized by the MSHSSCA at an awards ceremony held Oct. 20.
“I am extremely honored to receive this award,” Kalal said. “I was both excited and nervous to accept the award in front of everyone. It means a lot to me. I don’t necessarily look for awards or personal recognition, but it was very rewarding.”
Kalal, who began playing soccer in the local recreation league at six years old, turned into a four-time all-state selection for the Rebels who has earned four letters and was named a team captain her junior and senior seasons.
A dynamic player for the Rebels, Kalal finished the 2022 season with 17 goals and 11 assists, recording four game-winning goals. For her career, she totaled 73 goals and 46 assists, which included a 28-goal campaign as a junior in 2021.
2022-23 fall sports and activities roundup
With the fall 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 student-athletes and coaches earned.
Boys’ soccer
The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) 2022 State Class AAA Boys Soccer Tournament will be held Oct. 25-Nov. 4. The quarterfinals were held at neutral sites with the semifinals and championship games being held at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
The Andover High School boys’ soccer team won the Section 7AAA Championship Oct. 18 to earn a berth to the MSHSL Class AAA state tournament. The Huskies defeated Blaine High School 1-0 in the section final, earning their fourth trip to the state tournament in school history.
Andover earned the No. 5 seed and opened the state tournament by defeating No. 4 seed Edina High School 1-0 on Oct. 26. Senior Paul Aminga scored off of a corner kick in the second half. With the win, the Huskies improved to 15-2-2 on the season and advanced to the MSHSL Class AAA state semifinals. Andover will play top-seeded Wayzata High School on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 8 a.m. at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Visit the MSHSL website for scores, schedules, and ticket information.
Girls’ soccer
Anoka-Hennepin had two teams advance to section championship games. Champlin Park High School (CPHS) advanced to the Section 5AAA championship game and lost to Mounds View High School 1-0. Blaine High School earned a trip to the Section 7AAA final before dropping a heartbreaker by penalty kicks to Centennial High School, 2-1.
CPHS senior Paige Kalal was named the 2022 recipient of the Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association (MSHSSCA) Ms. Soccer award. She was also named to the association’s all-state first team.
Girls’ tennis
The MSHSL Class AA Girls Tennis Individual State Championship will be held Oct. 25-28 at Baseline Tennis Center on the University of Minnesota campus.
Champlin Park High School (CPHS) senior Alex Repplier qualified for the Class AA state tennis tournament as an individual. Repplier started her tournament squaring-off against Eagan’s Cassandra Li on Thursday, Oct. 27.
Rock Your School event at Brookside Elementary enables rockin' fun learning
Teachers at Brookside Elementary School banded together to deliver their content with bravado Oct. 19, as the school participated in Rock Your School, a worldwide event designed to energize educators, engage students and celebrate learning.
For the third year in a row, Brookside teachers and staff transformed the school into an extra fun and engaging learning environment and got creative with their lesson plans. Each grade level had a theme, ranging from a full carnival in first grade to camping and an outdoor theme in third grade. View photos from the Brookside Rock Your School event.
Community Education receives 2022 Outstanding Project Award
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education received a 2022 Outstanding Project Award from the Minnesota Community Education Association (MCEA) at the school board meeting on October 24. The award was given in recognition of the Future Leaders program, a partnership between the Adventures Plus school-age care program, Anoka-Hennepin Schools Student Services department and the Anoka County Job Training Center.
The Future Leaders program exists to create employment opportunities and job training for Anoka-Hennepin high school students. The program seeks to help recruit and retain staff of color and others who, for various reasons, may face barriers to employment. The Anoka-Hennepin Student Services department helps select high school students to be a part of the program, who in turn support the before- and after school child care program, Adventures Plus.
The Future Leaders program was recognized with the award for meeting the principles of Community Education by highlighting the importance of lifelong learning, diversity and inclusivity, and community enrichment.
Putting 'U' in Community Education: Tre's Story
Community Education provides lifelong learning for all. That’s why we'll be sharing stories of all the different ways people interact with Community Ed. Whether it be as an adult learner, a middle school student, a preschooler, an employee, a volunteer, or a parent. We want YOU to see yourself in our community…and in the stories we tell.
Tre’s Story
The latest Putting ‘U’ in Community Education video from Anoka-Hennepin Community Education highlights the success of the Future Leaders program. The video features Anoka-Hennepin graduate and staff member Tre’ Rundles, who started as a Future Leader and is now working as a site coordinator for Adventures Plus.
Meet Tre’ and learn more about his career by watching this short video.
High school chemistry and elementary science curriculum open house coming up
Anoka-Hennepin School District families, students, staff, and community members are invited to review three new curriculum options and provide feedback. The district will offer both in-person and virtual open house opportunities in November.
These new curriculum options are in the areas of high school chemistry, high school honors chemistry, and elementary science.
Open house information
In-person: 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov 17 at the Educational Service Center, 2727 N Ferry St., Anoka.
Virtual: Nov. 17-23. Participants will be emailed links and videos to review online. Interested participants must register online by Monday, Nov. 14.
The review committee will present recommendations to the School Board for approval in June 2023. Pending approval, the new curriculum will be implemented for the 2023-24 school year. Learn more about the new curriculum options.
Upcoming open house dates for specialty and magnet schools
Anoka-Hennepin offers 12 specialty and magnet schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels and are designed to provide families with additional choices at no cost. Students who live within the Anoka-Hennepin boundaries may apply to enroll at any of the specialty or magnet schools.
The specialty and magnet programs provide in-demand educational options such as the arts, science, technology, math, engineering and biomedical sciences (STEM/STEAM), as well as International Baccalaureate (IB).
The specialty and magnet schools are hosting information nights/open houses for families to learn more about the programs offered. Most schools are also offering in-person tours upon request. View the full list of school offerings and open house or tour information.
Upcoming in-person and virtual open house/information nights
High schools
Nov. 14 - 5:45 p.m. - Blaine High School - More information and sign up
Nov. 16 - 6-8 p.m. - Anoka High School - LMC/Makerspace
Dec. 6 - 6:30 p.m. - Coon Rapids High School - Auditorium
Dec. 13 - 6-7 p.m. - Champlin Park High School - South Lecture Hall
Dec. 15 - 6-8 p.m. - Anoka High School - LMC/Makerspace
Jan. 5 - 6-7 p.m. - Champlin Park High School - South Lecture Hall
Middle schools
Dec. 14 - 6 p.m. - Anoka Middle School for the Arts - Click to join the virtual Magnet Info Night
Elementary schools
Nov. 1 - 6-7 p.m. - University Avenue Elementary - Explorations Lab
Coming soon to district mailboxes: Fall 2022 FOCUS newsletter
The fall issue of Anoka-Hennepin Schools' FOCUS newsletter arrived at district households last week. Mailed to all residences within the school district, the FOCUS newsletter is listed as a top resource for community members to learn more about their local schools.
Among this edition's features are results from the 2022 annual community survey, information on boundary changes, notable student and staff accomplishments, completed and upcoming renovation projects, and a graduate spotlight on 1999 Coon Rapids High School graduate Todd Archbold, who currently serves as the CEO of PrairieCare.
Additional copies are available at school sites for new families or staff and families who do not reside in the Anoka-Hennepin district. It can be viewed via the district's website at ahschools.us/focus.
World language testing opportunities available for students
Students can earn a World Language Proficiency Certificate or Bilingual/Multilingual Seal
Anoka-Hennepin students in grades 10-12 with a mastery of world languages can use that knowledge to earn special recognitions – World Language Proficiency Certificates or Bilingual/Multilingual Seals.
Additionally, college credit can be awarded to these students who attend or transfer to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and select other post-secondary institutions within three years of graduation from Anoka-Hennepin.
Fall testing dates are Nov. 15 and/or Nov. 17. The registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. Cost is $30 per assessment, or $10 if the student receives free or reduced-price lunch.
To learn more about this opportunity, see the languages currently available, and register to take an exam, visit ahschools.us/bilingualseal.
New this year: Tech protect for middle, high school students
Technology plays an important role in preparing students for life, and Chromebooks are utilized as a daily learning tool in Anoka-Hennepin middle and high school classrooms. Anoka-Hennepin students in grades 6-12 are assigned a Chromebook from the school district to ensure access to technology systems that support classroom learning.
New this year, families have the option to enroll in the Device Protection Plan. Learn more about the Technology Protection Plan - and select or decline coverage.
Upcoming events and important links
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This e-newsletter is published by Anoka-Hennepin Schools. It's sent to Anoka-Hennepin families and community members who subscribe on a weekly basis during the school year, excluding breaks (and periodically during the summer). Questions, comments or concerns about the Backpack Online e-newsletter? Contact us.