Newsletters 2018-19 Focus newsletter, [4] Spring | Page 7

PAGE 7
High school/kindergarten collaboration
gives students opportunities to
celebrate Earth Day, and more
Earth Day was April 22, and what better
way to celebrate than planting a seed – to
care for the environment?
In a two-day project, Coon Rapids High
School (CRHS) Leo Club students traveled
to Morris Bye Elementary School, to help
the kindergarten students plant seeds in
cardboard egg cartons and talk about
what the plants will need to grow. The
plants will stay near the windows in the
kindergarten classroom for the students to
care for, and Leo Club students will return
to the kindergarten classroom to trans-
plant the newly grown plants into recycled
two-liter bottles to bring home as
Mother’s Day gifts.
The high schoolers work with the kinder-
garteners to foster a love for learning and
service in their own school communities.
This isn’t the first time that groups have
collaborated. In February, the CRHS Leo
Club students worked with kindergarten
students to make kindness projects,
including Friendship Grams, which the
Morris Bye students brought back to
CRHS to deliver to high school students
during “Random Acts of Kindness Week.”
The Leo Club is part of the Youth
Service program, which is coordinated by
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education. A
Youth Service Coordinator at each tradi-
tional high school coordinates meaningful
Discover Community
Education!
We value the opportunity to bring quality
educational programs to our community
members, and there is something for
everyone. Classes and activities are offered
year-round. Check out the upcoming
summer catalogs and register online:
www.discovercommunityed.com
Adult learning
Coon Rapids High School Leo Club students partner with Morris Bye Elementary
School kindergarten students to collaborate and celebrate Earth Day.
leadership and service opportunities, trips and projects benefiting
the community.
Stefanie Nelson, the youth service coordinator at CRHS, helped
facilitate the partnership between the high school and the elemen-
tary school, seeing it as a leadership opportunity for the high school
students, giving them an opportunity to mentor young people and
share their passion for service. It’s a great example of how people of
any age and ability can make a difference in their community.
“Through these experiences with the high school students, the
kindergarteners have developed strong, diverse, impactful relation-
ships with positive role models,” Lindsey Hawkins, kindergarten
teacher said. “Our kids look forward to the collaborative projects
as they receive first-hand experiences with a variety of leadership
skills that lend opportunities to problem solve, work together and
collaborate.” n
Champlin Park and Andover high
schools earn top honors
CPHS will participate in the national competition
Students in the youth service programs at Champlin Park High
School (CPHS) and Andover High School (AndHS) took home top
honors from the regional Students In Action (SIA) competition, this
spring.
CPHS students - Grace Bassekle (junior), Will Asinger (sophomore),
Megha Verghese (sophomore), Vanessa Vaudrey (sophomore) and
Claire Koch (freshman) – earned first place in the regional competi-
tion and will travel to Washington D.C. in June to participate in the
SIA national competition for the second year in a row.
AndHS students - Dawson Clifton (sophomore), Olivia Paulson
(senior) and Annie Paulson (sophomore) - earned a silver level award.
Champlin Park High School students will
complete in the national SIA competition in
Washington D.C. in June.
SIA is a youth service, leadership and recognition program that
supports, trains and empowers today’s youth to be leaders, problem
solvers, entrepreneurs and impactful global citizens. The SIA competi-
tion is coordinated by Multiplying Good, formerly the Jefferson
Awards Foundation, and consists of written questions and an oral
presentation to share about service completed and leadership skills
learned.
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education coordinates youth service
activities and projects at all high schools. A youth service coordinator
at each high school coordinates meaningful leadership and service
opportunities, trips and projects benefiting the community. n
Andover High School students recently
earned a silver level award at the regional
SIA competition.
Metro North Adult Basic Education (ABE) to host
annual GED/adult diploma graduation ceremony
June 5 at Anoka High School
• Learn English (ESL)
• Earn a high school diploma
• Prepare for the GED test
• Study for U.S. citizenship
• Basic skills in math, reading and writing
• Learn basic computer skills
• Start post-secondary prep work
• Develop workplace skills
Students may start class at any time throughout the year. Classes are offered year-round
during the day, evening and online at nine locations in the north metro.
Call 763-433-4200 or visit metronorthabe.org to learn more.
No matter what your
interest or skill level,
Community Education offers
hundreds of classes year-
round for adults ages 18
and up. Classes focus on
technology, money, creativity,
hobbies, home improvement,
parenting, health, fitness and
more! Call 763-506-5766 with
questions.
Adults with disabilities
Specialized classes offer
educational, recreational
and social activities for
adults with developmental
disabilities to practice life
skills to increase independ-
ence, communication and
community integration.
Call 763-506-1290 with
questions.
Youth enrichment
The Community Schools
program coordinates a wide
variety of fun classes and
activities to enhance your
child’s academic and social
experiences over the sum-
mer. The summer catalog
features arts and crafts; sci-
ence, technology, engineering
and math (STEM); language and performing arts;
sports and recreation; and swimming activities for
kids entering grades K-8. Call 763-506- 5955 with
questions.
Early Childhood
Family
Education
Educational and enrich-
ment classes are available
for families with young
children ages birth to
kindergarten. Classes are offered for parents to
attend with children or for preschoolers to learn
and practice independence. Call 763-506-1275
with questions.
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education
also offers adult basic education, adult/youth
athletic leagues and recreational opportunities,
aquatic fitness, parent involvement, school-age
child care, swimming lessons and tutoring
programs for community members. n
www.discovercommunityed.com
facebook.com/
DiscoverCommunityEd
@AHCommunityEd
@AHCommunityEd