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
Visit our website at ahschools. us
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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
”