AHTHS students experience
college and career on a new level
Colleen Neary earns
Rising Star Award
Above & Beyond Award
nominations being accepted
Roosevelt Middle School
wins national award
page 2
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page 6
page 7
FOCUS
ANOKA
-
HENNEPIN
SCHOOL
DISTRICT
ON ANOKA-HENNEPIN SCHOOLS
Three Title I schools earn top designation
from state; six more earn celebration status
FALL 2015
We’re off to a
strong start
By Superintendent
David Law
As superintendent of
schools I get
the opportunity to talk
with a range
of community
members, teachers and staff,
elected officials and others
who are interested in our
schools. Over the first several
weeks of this school year, I
have had numerous people
tell me just how strong the
start of this school year has
been.
Students at Adams Elementary School in Coon Rapids, some of whom are pictured here jumping ropes during a physical education class last
school year, are considered high-flyers by the Minnesota Department of Education. Adams was named a Reward School earlier this year —
the state's top designation — in large part because of student academic success.
Want a good example of leadership in public education?
Look no further than Anoka-Hennepin’s elementary schools.
Three district elementary schools have received the highest
designation in the state's accountability system, and another
six schools ranked in the next highest category, according to
data released by the Minnesota Department of Education
(MDE) Sept. 1.
The top ranked schools, known as Reward Schools, are
Adams and Eisenhower elementary schools in Coon Rapids;
and Madison Elementary School in Blaine. Schools need to
be among the top 15 percent of ranking-eligible schools in
Minnesota to be labeled as Reward Schools.
Dr. Mary Wolverton, associate superintendent for elementary
education, said she and the rest of the district administration
is proud of the achievement of the schools. “The consistent
success in increasing student academic performance while
reducing the achievement gap is testimony to our focus on
yielding great results for our students,” she said.
The rankings are part of the state’s Multiple Measurements
Ranking (MMR), which measures schools that receive Title I
funding from the federal government. The funds are used to
provide help and resources in math and reading for students
attending schools with high percentages of poverty. In
Anoka-Hennepin, all Title I funding is directed to elementary
schools so no middle or high schools are eligible.
Schools ranked in the next 25 percent, known as
Celebration Eligible Schools, are Hoover and Mississippi
elementary schools in Coon Rapids; Lincoln and Wilson
elementary schools in Anoka; Jefferson Elementary School
in Blaine; and Monroe Elementary School in Brooklyn Park.
They are eligible to submit applications to the MDE to be
among the top 10 percent selected for recognition later in
the year as Celebration schools.
In addition to having nine schools with high MMR rankings, Anoka-Hennepin doesn’t have a single school rated as
a Focus School by the MDE, which are schools ranked in the
bottom quartile by the state.
continued on page 2
A FREE event for families!
Save the date!
Sat., Jan. 22 I 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Keynote speaker:
Chef Marshal O’Brien will host seminars,
demonstrations and tastings
“Foods to reduce stress,” and
“Put the Delicious in Nutritious”
Additional sessions offered:
• Outdoor winter activities
• Square-foot gardening
• How to make the most of fitness
apps on your smartphone/Fitbit
• Family yoga
• Family book swap
Jackson Middle School I 6000 109th Ave. N • Champlin
Sponsored by Anoka-Hennepin Community Education and Park Dental
www.anoka.k12.mn.us/communitywellnessday
There is little disagreement
that a positive start in school
is good for students and
builds momentum for their
future, and is great for our
district.
The number of people
excited about school this year
is both encouraging and consistent with data regarding
public perception of our
schools. Since community
input is valuable to decision
making, every year, the district conducts a professional
survey of the community,
done by The Morris
Leatherman Company, to
measure performance and
satisfaction in key areas.
This year’s feedback
demonstrates a growing
appreciation in the educational quality and choice provided
in Anoka-Hennepin schools.
Survey data reported that
continued on page 4
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