Anoka-Hennepin Schools 2727 N Ferry St . Anoka , MN 55303 anoka . k12 . mn . us
If requested , this newsletter will be provided in an alternative format for individuals with disabilities or in another language for individuals whose primary language is not English . A minimum of three days notice is needed . Please call the Family Welcome Center at 763-506-7928 to request an alternate format or language .
Non-Profit Org . U . S . Postage
PAID
Anoka , Minnesota Permit No . 40
ANOKA-HENNEPIN SCHOOL BOARD
VOL 31 NO 3
Focus is a service for residents of the Anoka-Hennepin School District published to keep them informed about the investment in their public schools and students . The Anoka- Hennepin School District serves more than 38,000 students and a population of 234,308 residents in 13 communities : Andover , Anoka , Blaine , Brooklyn Center , Brooklyn Park , Champlin , Coon Rapids , Dayton , Fridley , Ham Lake , Nowthen , Oak Grove and Ramsey .
Board Chair Tom Heidemann
District 1 : Andover , Anoka , western Coon Rapids , Ramsey 763-506-4795
Vice Chair Marci Anderson
District 2 : Blaine , eastern Coon Rapids
763-433-4150
Treasurer Bill Harvey
District 3 : Champlin , southwestern Coon Rapids , Dayton 763-506-7743
Communication and Public Relations department Jim Skelly , director Kay Villella , assistant director Derrick Williams , communication specialist Courtney Markuson , communication specialist Janet Kimmel , communication assistant Heather Peters , Community Education communications coordinator
Elaine Guse , graphic designer , Print Shop and Design department Sue Austreng , community contributor
Anoka-Hennepin School District 2727 N Ferry St . Anoka , MN 55303 763-506-1000
Visit our website at anoka . k12 . mn . us
Make Anoka-Hennepin part of your social media
facebook . com / anokahennepin
twitter . com / ahschools
youtube . com / anokahennepin
Director William Fields
District 4 : Andover , Ham Lake , Nowthen , Oak Grove ,
Ramsey 763-506-5847
Director Nicole Hayes District 5 :
Brooklyn Center , Brooklyn Park , south / southern Coon Rapids , Fridley 763-433-4151
Elected officials are listed here by the Anoka-Hennepin School District for informational purposes only .
Superintendent – David Law 763-506-1002 david . law @ ahschools . us
Clerk Jeff Simon District 6 : southwestern
Andover , northern Coon Rapids
763-506-7742
Anoka-Hennepin School District , in compliance with current statutes and regulations , and in recognition of its obligation to provide equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons within its jurisdiction , affirms that it will not discriminate on actual or perceived race , color , creed , religion , national origin , sex / gender , marital status , disability , status with regard to public assistance , sexual orientation , age , family care leave status or veteran status .
Upon request , Anoka-Hennepin will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals ( staff , students and their families , and community members ) with disabilities so they can participate in the district ’ s programs , services and activities . Individuals with disabilities should notify the American with Disabilities Act coordinator or contact their building principal if they have a disability requiring special assistance or services and , if so , what services are required . This notification should occur as far in advance as possible of the school-sponsored function , program or meeting . Students who are disabled consistent with the definitions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 will be identified , evaluated and provided free and appropriate public education , regardless of the severity of their handicap .
All applicants and employees seeking employment with Anoka-Hennepin , will receive equal opportunities . This applies to all areas of employment including hiring , discharge , promotion , compensation , facilities , or privileges of employment .
Graduate spotlight
Blaine graduate hits funny bones , cracks ‘ em up across the country
Andy Erikson loved high school – and that ’ s no laughing matter !
Lessons taught by her “ really cool , really smart ” Blaine High School ( BHS ) teachers tickled her ribs during her high school career and put her on track for the career in stand-up comedy that she enjoys today .
Perhaps the highlight of Erikson ’ s comedy career occurred last fall , when the 2005 graduate appeared on NBC ’ s Last Comic Standing . Finishing in the top 5 , she toured the country doing stand-up comedy and launching her career on the national level .
Erikson also released a live stand-up comedy album called Standing Unicorn . A Los Angeles resident since 2014 she continues writing her own laugh lines and doing stand-up at clubs and colleges and recently auditioned and won a part on a television show . ( Erikson is prohibited from revealing the show on which she will appear until after it has aired .)
“ I auditioned , read a few lines – just did it a couple different ways and got called the next day . I got it ,” she said .
While she readies “ take one ” on the television stage , Erikson is doing some screen writing and hopes to blend her creative comic talents .
“ I ’ m trying to balance comedy and acting and think it would be really cool to have my own sit-com someday , something along the lines of New Girl or something like that ,” she said .
Laughing all the way while pursuing performance and seeking the spotlight on bigger stages , Erikson said it was during her high school years — and the ensuing search for her true self — that truly honed her creative craft .
Teachers taught her that laughter lightens the load , she said , and cracking a smile can crack even the toughest task , relieve anxiety and soften stressful situations , too .
Last fall Andy Erikson was named one of NBC ’ s Last Comic Standing top 5 comedians . Here she performed on tour at the Fox Tucson Theatre . Photo by Mary Andrews .
“ All my math teachers were super funny . They ’ d tell these silly jokes and kind of balance out the serious subject — math — with lighter fare . My art teachers were all very encouraging and very expressive , too , but my AP history teacher , ( Garnet ) Towne , and
FALL 2016
Andy Erikson , 2005 Blaine High School graduate and 2015 Last Comic Standing top-5 comedian , last year released her first live stand-up comedy album , Standing Unicorn . Photo by Christina Gandolfo .
my European history teacher , ( Roger ) Dahl , probably had the biggest influence ,” Erikson said .
The comedian tells the story of wanting to drop out of AP history when she found out how much homework was involved .
“ I came to class the first day and told Miss Towne I was going to drop ( the class ). She wouldn ’ t let me ! I ’ m crying , I ’ m telling her , ‘ It ’ s going to
“ continued on page 4
I loved high school . I was very active in school . It was a great time .
Andy Erikson , BHS graduate
”