Fit for the Future Task Force cont . from page 1
Fit for the Future Task Force final recommendations
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PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE
With visit to White House , Coon Rapids graduate continues to prove anything ’ s possible
As a Coon Rapids High School ( CRHS ) sophomore , Kitana Holland never dreamed she could go to college . No one in her family had ever pursued post-secondary education , money was tight and the red tape and the complex college application process seemed impossible to navigate .
But today , thanks to College Possible coaching and encouragement she received during her junior and senior years at CRHS , the 2015 graduate currently attends Augsburg College in Minneapolis where she is pursuing a degree in sociology .
“ My coach ( Kelley Redmond ) helped me see my strengths , helped me see what I was capable of doing . Her drive and encouragement helped me get into college and really opened a lot of doors for me ,” Holland said . “ She helped me look beyond my ACT and GPA and look into my story and learn how to use my voice to say what I can do .”
Attributes like resilience , creativity , courage and critical thinking are among Holland ’ s strengths . Those strengths played a role for Holland , not only in getting into college , but to being selected as one of 17 Student Advisory Board members for Michelle Obama ’ s Better Make Room initiative . That initiative was established in order to help motivate students to continue their education beyond high school .
Seated here ( far right ) with 16 fellow Better Make Room Student Advisory Board members , Kitana Holland anticipated a meet-and-greet with former first lady Michelle Obama .
Holland and her fellow board members met in the nation ’ s capital the first week in January where they were introduced to the former first lady and listened to her final White House remarks on Jan . 6 .
“ It was inspiring . It was encouraging and I feel like it ’ s my calling in life to motivate others , to inspire them to a life they never thought of before , that they never thought they were capable of before ,” Holland said and credited Redmond with helping her realize she had what it takes to do just that .
“ Where I am today isn ’ t all me . It was my coach and others getting me to believe I could get there ,” she said .
Magdalena Wells , director of college access for College Possible Minnesota said , “ We believe strongly in the power of our students and in the effectiveness of pairing students with near peer mentors , and we ’ re bursting with pride at the brilliance and dreams of our students .”
Wells added that Holland was “ very engaged in afterschool programming , making time for College Possible even while balancing sports practice , extra-curricular activities and homework . She dramatically increased her ACT score while working with us due to her diligent practice and engagement in lessons .”
CRHS Principal Annette Ziegler also shared words of high praise for Holland , saying that Holland ’ s teachers called her a student with a “ powerful , infectious positive attitude that made our school a better place . She listens intently to her classmates ’ view and is curious about the world around her , both from an academic and a personal perspective .”
“ Kitana ( was ) a true leader at CRHS ,” Ziegler said . “ She served as a LINK leader in our freshman transition program , ( and ) she spoke in front of our entire student body at an assembly about the importance of goal-setting and achieving goals .”
Holland ’ s passions to help students “ reach beyond their wildest dreams ” continues .
Standing in front of the White House in January 2017 , Kitana Holland demonstrated her determination to help students realize a successful college experience .
“ I love to see people succeed . I love to inspire others to see that they are powerful , to see that their voice matters ,” Holland said . “ If opportunity doesn ’ t knock , build a door .”
The CRHS College Possible product also says she wants to help bridge the gap of recent high school graduates and first-year college students .
“ The first year is critical , especially for the marginalized , the under-represented , under-privileged , first-generation , and students of color . It ’ s very hard for those students not only to get to college but to get through college ,” she said . “ Better Make Room focuses on that group and helps them succeed .”
As she looked back on her experience with the College Possible program at CRHS , Holland said , “ It ’ s not all about the best GPA , the best ACT score to get to college and beyond . It ’ s your story and experiences you build over time to become the leader that you want to become .”
To learn more about College Possible , visit collegepossible . org . For more information about Better Make Room , visit bettermakeroom . org or find Better Make Room on Facebook . ■
Fit for the Future Task Force cont . from page 1
“ Historically , we ’ ve always tried to plan on the 10 to 15 year cycle . We believe it ’ s much more efficient to thoroughly plan than to react ,” he said . “ So the time is right to be thoughtful going forward .”
The Fit for the Future Task Force was originally formed in April 2016 at the School Board ’ s request , and charged with developing long-term recommendations for consideration “ that will allow the district to continue high quality educational programs to prepare students for success after they graduate from Anoka-Hennepin Schools .” To do that , the task force studied community growth and district enrollment projections , school capacity and condition , future program need , finance , special education and a number of other topics .
To reach its findings and recommendations , the task force listened to presentations on facility needs at all levels , enrollment growth , community growth , demographic changes , transportation , community education program needs , media center needs , and finance . In addition , the group toured the district ’ s five regular high schools , and saw a recently-completed , districtwide facility utilization study .
Anoka-Hennepin has a long history of engaging with the community and asking for guidance on the direction the district goes , Chuck Holden , the district ’ s chief operations officer said at the Jan . 23 presentation . Throughout its 65-year history , countless community groups and task forces have been formed , just like Fit for the Future , he said . And in this case , community members devoted more than 752 combined volunteer hours toward the task force ’ s work .
Meeting agendas , minutes and reports on the task force are available on the district website at ahschools . us / fff , where the full report can also be found . ■
Fit for the Future Task Force final recommendations
A . All schools need 21st century learning spaces and upgrades to compete with neighboring districts and private schools . Review each building individually and renovate to meet 21st century student needs and make the schools appealing inside and out .
B . Take steps toward purchasing land and building elementary / middle schools in the fastest growing areas of the district : Blaine , Dayton , and Ramsey .
C . Safety is a primary concern ; remove portable classrooms due to security risks .
D . Create additional permanent space in schools to make it possible to remove portable classrooms and meet the needs of growing population centers and special education .
E . Evaluate open enrollment policies and implications for classroom space and student success .
F . Investigate ways to attract students to schools with available capacity . ( Such as , magnet programs , technology infrastructure .)
G . Create additional space for special education , promoting student success and meeting government mandates .
H . Develop community outreach regarding Anoka-Hennepin ’ s current building use , the unique needs of 21st century education , and the value of schools in the community .
I . Present a referendum to voters to enact these recommendations . Swift action will take advantage of favorable interest rates and low debt levels .