COLLABORATING FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE PAGE 6
Superintendent column cont . from page 1
time of uncertainty . Teachers and staff care and are committed to meeting students where they are helping them reach their goals .
With feedback from parents , students , staff and the community have led the district to allocate one time COVID-19 relief funding from the federal government to provide a boost to students as they return . Community feedback over the past five community surveys have demonstrated a consistent request to add more mental health support and additional academic support for struggling students . The School Board prioritized the addition of 20 social workers and counselors to support mental health needs and dozens teachers to address academic needs in reading and math for students who are below grade level with these funds over the next two school years . All of these efforts are intended to help us build stronger relationships with students and better meet their unique needs .
This fall , voters will weigh in on a three question referendum that aims to maintain stability and support for students . If approved , question 3 on the ballot would extend these mental health and academic supports for students , provide budget stability and improve the district ’ s ability to attract and retain bus drivers , child nutrition , paraeducators and other staff members who support the mission of our schools . Look for an overview of the referendum questions on pages 4 and 5 of this publication or online at ahschools . us / vote2021 . Get informed and vote .
Schools across the district are buzzing with positive energy in the new academic year . Enrollment is slightly higher than projected this fall and the district is now serving 950 + students in the Anoka-Hennepin Virtual Academy , an alternate learning option for students K-12 , developed to serve a need in our communities .
Anoka-Hennepin remains optimistic that our students and staff can persevere through any challenge presented to them because they have been doing that consistently over the past 18 months . We have defined that approach as a “ no limits ” mindset to education , staying positive and true to the task to achieve at the highest levels possible .
We rolled out a high-energy back-to-school video based on the “ No Limits ” theme . A district employee was encouraged to write a song that serves as the background track for the video , which serves as a source of inspiration this year . We remain inspired and ready as a district to provide the best possible education for our students and we invite you to join us . n
Anoka High School announces 2021 Hall of Fame class
Anoka High School - Center for Science , Technology , Engineering , Arts and Math ( AHS ) announced its fifth Anoka Tornadoes Hall of Fame class . The 2021 class celebrated the accomplishments of Anna Arnold Hedgman ( 1918 ), Henry Hill Jr . ( 1962 ), Bob Fenwick ( 1964 ), Erica Barks- Ruggles ( 1985 ), Bill Leach ( Educator ) and Megan Manthe ( 2001 ).
After graduating from AHS in 1918 , Hedgman went on to graduate from Hamline University and was the first African American to earn a degree at that institution . Hedgman worked on the Harry Truman presidential campaign , was well-respected as a civic leader in the 1960s and was a frequent lecturer at African and U . S . universities .
Hill was an exceptional athlete , excelling on the AHS track team . Hill also participated in football , cross country and wrestling . He was the basketball team manager , a member of the National Athletic Scholarship Society and senior class president . He graduated from AHS in 1962 .
Fenwick was Editor of the “ Anokahi ,” a member of the National Honor Society , a Merit Scholar , and Honor Graduate . He earned seven “ A ” ratings at State Music Contests . Fenwick earned seven athletic letters in football , basketball and baseball . He was a leader on two state basketball tournament teams . Fenwick was named all-state in 1963 and 1964 .
Leach taught English at AHS for 32 years , 20 as the department leader . During his career , he served on numerous district committees and curriculum writing teams . In 1999 , he received the Teacher Outstanding Performance award from the district . His tireless dedication to Anoka athletics which includes being
Anna Arnold Hedgman
Erica Barks-Ruggles
Henry Hill Jr .
Bill Leach
Bob Fenwick
Megan Manthe
the “ voice of the Anoka Tornadoes ,” led to honorary membership in the Anoka High School Lettermen ’ s Club in 2006 .
Ambassador Barks-Ruggles is an active-duty career diplomat with 30 years of service in the US diplomatic corps . Barks-Ruggles was 1985 Valedictorian . She was a varsity swimmer in high school and college , ran track , played French Horn in varsity band and orchestra , and participated in the Debate Club .
Manthe lettered 13 times at AHS . In track and field she was all-state eight times , a state champion three times and led AHS to the state championship in 2000 . As a cross country runner she was a two-time sectional champion . In basketball , Manthe was a two-time allconference selection . Manthe also graduated with four academic letters in 2001 . n
Coon Rapids High School welcomes three new members to Hall of Fame
Coon Rapids High School - Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering ( CRHS ) welcomed its third Hall of Fame class in a ceremony held at the school Sept . 24 . The 2021 Hall of Fame class featured two former standout student-athletes and one former teacher and coach .
Katie ( Bestul ) Lakanen , Roger Gorham and Mark Hodsdon were enshrined into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony prior to the Sept . 24 football game against Rogers High School at Coon Rapids Cardinal Stadium .
Lakanen graduated from CRHS in 1996 as a decorated track and field student-athlete . She was a team captain as a junior and senior while earning allconference honors in four straight seasons . Lakanen won three individual state championships and helped the Cardinals to a team Class AA State Championship in 1996 .
Gorham spent 36 years as a teacher and coach at CRHS . From 1976 to 2005 , Gorham was the head coach of the girls track and field team leading the Cardinals to eight conference and section championships , two Class AA state runner-up finishes
Katie Lakanen Mark Hodsdon Roger Gorham
and the 1996 Class AA State Championship . He was inducted into the Minnesota Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2011 .
Hodsdon graduated in 1975 after a successful multisport career in football and baseball . Hodsdon was the captain of the baseball team in 1975 and earned all-conference and all-state honors . He earned allconference honors in football in 1975 while also being named a Dan Klint Red Scarf Award winner . He was named the CRHS student-athlete of the year his senior season and earned a scholarship to play baseball at the University of Minnesota .
It is anticipated that the Hall of Fame induction will be an annual event at CRHS , a process that will be dictated by nominations each year . To nominate a deserving graduate or coach , visit ahschools . us / CRHS and click on the activities tab . n
James Greer , inclusion and diversity coordinator , wrote and performed “ No Limits ,” a song that was transformed into a full scale production featuring hundreds of district students , staff and Supt . David Law . View the video online at ahshools . us / nolimits .
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