Anoka-Hennepin Schools 2727 N Ferry St . Anoka , MN 55303 ahschools . us
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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
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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
Coon Rapids graduate makes ‘ nerdery ’ medal-worthy
Keith Kiefer admits he ’ s always been “ kind of nerdy .”
He said back in the mid-1970s when he was a student at Coon Rapids High School ( CRHS ), kids fit into all sorts of groups .
“ I tended to fit the nerd category ,” the 1975 CRHS graduate said proudly . “ I liked science , math was okay , chemistry I enjoyed but never liked the memorization . Reading ? Not so much , but I liked technical reading and spy books with all the problem solving . Yeah , I was pretty nerdy . Still am .”
His nerdery fit him well , ultimately playing a part in his being awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for the United States Armed Forces . The medal , presented to him in December by Congressman Tom Emmer , recognizes Kiefer for his role in helping to clean up contamination on one of the Marshall Islands — contamination that resulted from atomic bomb testing done there some 40 years ago .
As a member of the United State Air Force , Kiefer was part of a clean-up mission on the Enewetak Atoll in the south Pacific .
“ There were a number of atomic tests the U . S . did there . The test vaporized two of the ( 43 ) islands and I was part of the clean-up operation on Enewetak Atoll in early 1978 ,” Kiefer said , describing long days in 100-degree heat spent cleaning up contaminated buildings , ships and radioactive soil over a six-month period .
But more about his high school days … Kiefer said his parents really went to bat for him , convincing educators to allow their insatiably curious son to take math and science classes during time that was originally designated for required gym class and study hall .
Congressman Tom Emmer presented Keith Kiefer with the Humanitarian Service Medal in December .
“ They told them I could get my exercise in other ways , I didn ’ t have to be in gym class . And study hall ? I could
WINTER 2017
Keith Kiefer , Coon Rapids High School class of 1975 , received the Humanitarian Service Medal .
study , ( and ) do my homework at home — I wanted to learn more during the school day ,” he said .
And so , he was allowed to take offset lithography , electronics , photography , automotive , woodworking , metal shop , mechanics and more .
“ Not only that , every quarter of my high school years I had science and math . And I loved it ,” he said .
Kiefer still holds in high regard many of the CRHS teachers who recognized his inquisitive mind and gladly challenged his intellect , boosting his curiosity and enhancing his high school education .
“ Mr . Ken Peterson was my driver ’ s education instructor . I remember something very important he did . He ’ d just kind of punch me in the shoulder and say , ‘ Relax . Just relax .’ He could tell I was nervous , but he had that way of snapping me out of it , getting me to relax and focus . That ’ s really something .
“ continued on page 7
To be an engineer you have to be kind of nerdy . That ’ s okay . I never had a problem being nerdy .
Keith Kiefer , CRHS graduate
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