Newsletters 2018-19 Focus newsletter, [4] Spring | Page 3

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Increasing gifted and talented
programming for elementary students
A new “school within a school” program for Anoka-
Hennepin’s exceptionally gifted learners in grades
three through five will open next fall at Eisenhower
Elementary School in Coon Rapids.
According to Dr. Mary Wolverton, associate superin-
tendent for elementary schools, the new program will
be offered to those students who test in the top 1-2%
alongside state and national standards, and will offer
an accelerated curriculum in math, English language
arts and science.
“This has been identified as a strategic priority,
specifically in relation to increasing student achieve-
ment, by the School Board,” said Wolverton.
Anoka-Hennepin’s gifted and talented programming
planning began in 2016, Wolverton said, with
University of St. Thomas professor Dr. Karen Rodgers,
who reviewed the district’s existing programming.
From that review, last year, Anoka-Hennepin began
the process of upscaling the identification process of
students by administering the Cognitive Abilities Test
(CogAT) to all second grade students in the district,
which will be one of the primary data points used to
determine if students are among the top one or two
percent of learners.
In addition, a more comprehensive look at Anoka-
Hennepin’s existing talent development programming,
which has existed for years, will be conducted.
“We’re looking at a reset of the talent development
programming for students in that top 5-10%, so that
students who don’t qualify for the top 1-2%, we’ll still
have a comprehensive talent development program
for them,” said Johnna Rohmer-Hirt, the district’s
director of research, evaluation and testing. n
Triple ‘A’ students lead the way in
academics, athletics and the arts
Each year the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) honors student-athletes with the Triple “A”
Award, recognizing students who excel in Academics (3.0 GPA or better), Athletics (at least one MSHSL-spon-
sored athletic activity) and Arts (MSHSL-sponsored debate, one-act play, speech, visual arts, and instrumental
or vocal music). The award is given to one senior girl and one senior boy at each high school throughout the
state of Minnesota.
This year, Anoka High School senior Lauren Bastian was named the MSHSL Triple “A” Award winner topping
a list of eight finalists in Class AA. Bastian also won the region 5AA Triple “A” Award to advance to the state-
level competition. She is ranked in the top three of her class, competes in swimming and track, plays the
oboe, and is an accomplished painter.
Matthew Brodeur, a senior at Andover High School, was selected as the region 7AA Triple “A” Award
winner. Brodeur has been involved in orchestra, playing the cello, in solo ensemble and large groups, while
also being a member of the football, basketball and baseball teams.
Anoka-Hennepin MSHSL Triple ‘A’ Award nominees:
Andover High School - Kelly Lehtola, Matthew Brodeur.
Anoka High School - Lauren Bastian, Jackson Hauge.
Blaine High School - Stephanie Lewis.
Champlin Park High School - Izzy Ashburn, Bennett Otto.
Coon Rapids High School - Courtney Killian, Logan Rotzien n
Anoka-Hennepin students, coaches
earn high honors in 2018-19
A number of district student-athletes and coaches
earned high honors for their success and high-levels
of achievement in various activities throughout the
2018-19 school year.
Volleyball: Champlin Park senior Izzy Ashburn was
named the 2018 Ms. Baden player of the year award
leading the Rebels to their first state championship
in school history. Her head coach, John Yunker, was
named the Class AAA Coach of the Year by the
Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association.
Gymnastics: Champlin Park High School sopho-
more Chaney Neu made headlines around the state
with a historic performance at the MSHSL gymnastics
state meet. She recorded the first perfect 10 in the
history of the state meet, won her third consecutive
all-around championship and took home five individ-
ual titles before being named the Star Tribune Metro
Gymnast of the Year.
Hockey: Andover High School head boys hockey
coach Mark Manney was named the John Mariucci
Award winner, which is given to the Class AA Coach
of the Year. Blaine High School senior Bryce
Brodzinski was named the 35th recipient of the Mr.
Hockey Award, which is given to the top player in
the state. More recently, Brodzinski was named the
All-USA Boys Hockey Player of the Year by USA
Today High School Sports.
Athena Awards: Five female student-athletes —
one from each of Anoka-Hennepin’s five traditional
high schools — have been recognized as Athena
Award winners. The 47th annual Minneapolis Area
Athena Awards took place on May 3. The awards
recognize the achievements of young female athletes
from public and private high schools in the greater
Minneapolis area.
Anoka-Hennepin Athena Award winners:
Andover High School: Alexa Havon.
Anoka High School: Allie Becker.
Blaine High School: Sarah Olson.
Champlin Park High School: Izzy Ashburn.
Coon Rapids High School: Olivia Ellenbecker. n
Superintendent column
cont. from page 1
These increases in student achievement
are a source of district and community
pride. It’s our goal to ensure students leave
our schools ready for what comes next. A
diploma is essential to demonstrating that
commitment in preparing students for life.
Increasing expectations are demanding
more from schools and the solutions to
continually improve as a system require a
look beyond the numbers.
Throughout the year, I met with groups of
students at all middle and high schools to
have discussions about a number of topics
from academics to school climate and more.
To confirm, the district also has data from
student surveys on similar topics. However,
there is no substitute for school and district
leaders to gain a deeper understanding
than through face-to-face interactions.
Each year our School Board authorizes a
scientifically valid community survey. The
2018 version reported an increase in the
percent of residents who rate the quality of
education provided by Anoka-Hennepin as
excellent, specifically 32%. The data identi-
fied a five year increase in excellence, up
from 24%. Although improvement is being
made, a deeper understanding of what fac-
tors led to this increase and what schools
can do to maintain and improve satisfaction
is desired.
This spring, the School Board and district
leadership held a series of focus group con-
versations with parents/guardians across the
district, to put context alongside the num-
bers. How can our schools continue to
increase excellence? As parents/guardians
shared, we listened and learned that there
is no simple answer. One theme that res-
onated with each group was providing a
solid foundation, but allowing students
to get involved with something they’re
passionate about and want to learn.
Parents/guardians across the district also
shared that meeting the unique needs for
each student leads to greater satisfaction.
As a district, we’re committed to ensuring
all students can read, do math, and eventu-
ally graduate. Our community has shared
that these things are critical. However, as
our community also shared, it’s equally as
important to make sure our students leave
prepared to follow their dreams. n
Join our
team!
Anoka-Hennepin
is hiring
Have you ever considered working for
Anoka-Hennepin schools? The district
employs teachers, substitutes and
paraeducators, but has many positions
outside of the classroom, including
cooks, bus drivers, secretaries, nurses,
custodians and many others.
Whether you’re looking for a part-time
job or a career — working for Anoka-
Hennepin schools is a rewarding employ-
ment opportunity that's also fulfilling —
most employees recommend Anoka-
Hennepin as a great place to work.
Learn more at ahschools.us/jobs. n