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PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE
Students gain real world experience in the Big Apple
A group of 19 students from the Coon Rapids and Anoka high school DECA programs and the Blaine High School BPA program traveled to New York City to participate in the New York DECA / BPA Experience .
Students experienced corporate presentations and seminars from executives and managers from Nintendo , Wells Fargo Investments , Google , Blackstone , Madison Square Garden , Radio City Music Hall , and the New York Stock Exchange to reinforce concepts taught in marketing , finance , hospitality and fashion merchandising .
“ The business tours in New York solidified my choice of going into business as a career . Every business we went to made me want to ask so many questions . I left New York with a strong desire to work for an organization like the ones we visited ,” CRHS senior Anna Kelley said .
“ Going to Blackstone in New York was a transformative experience , where I had the privilege of meeting David Obwaya , a BHS
At Anoka High School ( AHS ), a focus within the Center for Science , Technology , Engineering , Arts and Math ( STEAM ) program is to provide students with real-world learning opportunities . Freshman and sophomores gained valuable experience by presenting a project to their peers
Students spend years reading books , few publish their own . Braylan Allison , a senior at Anoka High School , published a novel titled “ Lunar ” during her freshman year and has plans to publish a second book in the trilogy later this year .
The book is a fictional story of a teenager , Roselnn , and her struggles of navigating high school while transforming into a werewolf . “ It ’ s a supernatural type story with a little bit of mystery ,” Allison said . alumni . Witnessing his journey from Blaine High School to his current position is a testament to the power of determination and the doors that open when passion meets opportunity ,” BHS senior Dorcas Aroloye explained .
Students also had the opportunity to visit many cultural and historic landmarks , including the 9 / 11 Memorial .
Allison started writing the story during her English Language Arts ( ELA ) class in seventh grade and in October visited Anoka Middle School for the Arts ( AMSA ) to inspire a new generation of young writers . During her visit with the students , she answered questions about the writing process , editing and how to create a story . She also helped students with their own suspense stories .
“ I ’ ve always been a big reader ,” Allison said . “ Writing was something I thought was interesting because I could come up with my own ideas .”
Anoka-Hennepin students visit the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during their trip to the Big Apple , New York City .
DECA is a student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing , finance , hospitality , and management . BPA is for students pursuing careers in business management , information technology , finance , accounting and office administration . n
STEAM Showcase provides important skill building
STEAM students get comfortable with communication skills that will be used as a senior and beyond .
Anoka High School senior publishes novel , shares story
and community members at a STEAM showcase , professional review and open house Nov . 15 .
The STEAM senior capstone project concludes with a STEAM EXPO and Senior Showcase where students present their projects to not only put their ideas and creations on display but also to develop their ability to properly articulate their process and project . Seniors participated in the first of two professional reviews of their capstone project with the help of over 60 industry professionals .
New this year , more than 200 students in the first two years of the program had to opportunity to practice communicating their ideas and to collect feedback that they can then use in the classroom . This experience will be valuable as the students continue through the program and eventually present their capstone project as a senior .
Learn more about the program at ahschools . us / ahsSTEAM . n
Braylan Allison sits with a copy of her book , Lunar , in the Anoka High School library .
Allison said the 200 physical copies of “ Lunar ” she originally ordered are out in the world and after her visit to AMSA , more copies will be ordered . “ Lunar ” is available at the Anoka County Library or by order or digital download at www . braylanallison . com . n
Superintendent column cont . from page 1
be at the expense of helping you understand the basics of school and what is being provided now . It is the daily effort and dedication of staff in our schools that makes a difference for students , while our future plans are mindful of how the school district can make that experience the best it can be as we move into the future together .
The School Board uses a continuous improvement model and annual review cycle to set and review strategic priorities for the district . This process includes creation and adoption of strategic priorities for the upcoming school year which are drafted in November , approved at a School Board meeting in the spring , and put into operation in July . This organized approach provides adequate time and structure to implement and review the highest priorities of the district .
Looking forward , the School Board has taken action to evolve and focus attention to improve academics , ensure schools are safe and welcome , and that the district is operating with maximum efficiency . In pursuit of those goals , the main academic goal is to improve reading for all students as the foundation of learning . To ensure safe school environments , the district will maintain a focus on student behavioral support . Regarding efficiently run schools , the district remains focused on recruiting and retaining high quality staff .
The outcome we seek for our schools is to always be looking for ways to improve our impact for students , remaining fully aware that building the schools of the future happens one day at a time .
Ensuring feedback from students is essential to our success . This year , I have re-introduced a tradition of conducting student roundtable discussions at our middle and high schools . These discussions take place in a focus group style during the school day , and provide a venue for student voice and “ real world ” feedback for school board members along with school and district administration . Please consult the article on page 5 for details .
We remain committed as a school district to communicating with you about students and staff and the impact being made to provide a high quality education . Success for our district means bringing “ a future without limit ” for each student in both our daily actions and our longrange planning efforts . n