LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC EDUCATION PAGE 4
BHS student set to lead at the state level
From a young age , Elaine Phan knew she wanted a career where she would be able to help people in need . Currently , the Blaine High School junior is gaining valuable experience with both the school and state chapters of HOSA – Future Health Professionals , which will guide her closer to her professional goals .
Elaine Phan
Phan has taken her experience to the next level and is currently the presidentelect of Minnesota HOSA . This year she is the mentee to the president and is in training to become leader of the state organization next school year .
“ My entire HOSA experience has been an extremely introspective one ,” Phan said . “ I ’ ve learned about how I best communicate , lead others and learn from others . I never stop learning in HOSA .”
In the school chapter , she is the social media manager and has helped to build a positive reputation for the club at the school . Phan said she has loved the leadership and community aspect of HOSA and networking with professionals in the health industry . “ Knowing the community Minnesota HOSA has created , I feel really excited , comfortable and supported in the transition as my future position as president .”
After high school , Phan plans to study neuropsychology to help those struggling with their mental health . n
Health service program facilitator leads at the state level
Anoka-Hennepin health service program facilitator Kathy Schulz was elected by her peers as the National Association of School Nurses ( NASN ) Director for the School Nurse Organization of Minnesota ( SNOM ).
Schulz began working in Anoka-Hennepin as a school nurse in 2003 and was hired as an infection control nurse in the fall of 2020 before transitioning to her current role in 2022 . Kathy Schulz
As the NASN director , she serves as a liaison between the state and national organizations and shares the work of both groups . She represents the state of Minnesota at the national level and joins NASN in Washington , D . C . to meet with other state directors from around the country to advocate and lobby for legislative priorities surrounding school nurses .
The model of health services in Anoka-Hennepin Schools uses a combination of school nurses ( RN , public health nurses ) and health paraeducators , some of whom are licensed practical nurses ( RN , EMT or CMA ).
Anoka-Hennepin has 35 school nurses and 49 health paras across the district who strive to promote the health of students and a healthy school environment . n
School observatory opens more eyes to the universe
Ron Schmit has been delivering the universe to the eyes of students around Anoka-Hennepin since 2014 as the coordinator of the observatory located at Jackson Middle School - A Specialty School for Math and Science ( JMS ), and now , viewing the skies is accessible to more individuals because of a new device he helped create .
Anoka-Hennepin is one of the few districts in the nation with an observatory . Teachers and students from all grade levels and schools across the district have utilized the facility to reinforce curriculum or view into space . The facility features a classroom area that includes a mini planetarium and video screens offering live looks into outer space .
The second floor of the facility , inside the dome , houses a fully rotational telescope that is operated by a remote control . The telescope room is also accessible by wheelchair by a lift , allowing more students to enjoy the opportunity , but there was still one small but important piece missing .
Rewind to 2014 when Schmit was offered the opportunity to become the coordinator of the observatory and invited his family to show his new office and take a glance into space through the telescope . While on the tour , his mother was using a wheelchair and was not able to view Saturn , Mars , or the night ’ s crescent moon like everyone else .
While she assured him she was fine by not getting to see it with her own eyes , she left her son with a message that sticks with him to this day : “ Now you go make young astronomers out of those kids .”
Years of research for a solution to reach that goal resulted in equipment that was out of reach for limited school budgets . So , Schmit got to work to find a way to do it himself .
Schmit turned to his expertise and pool of resources including a collegue in the Minnesota Astronomical Society who develops optical accessories for his telescopes . After a few test fits and design choices , they created a working prototype relay scope made out of two small telescopes pointed at each other . The first would take the image from the main scope and send it to a second telescope at the other end of a short pipe .
On Nov . 9 , clear skies and the stars aligned for a viewing . The new relay scope attached to the main telescope via a tripod , allows anyone in a wheelchair
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board held its first meeting of the year Monday , Jan . 8 , initiating the meeting with three new members taking the ceremonial oath of office to begin serving their fouryear terms . New board members include :
District One , Linda Hoekman Representing western Andover , Anoka , western Coon Rapids and southwestern Ramsey .
District Two , Zach Arco Representing Blaine and eastern Coon Rapids .
District Five , Michelle Langenfeld Representing Brooklyn Center , Brooklyn Park , southern Coon Rapids and Fridley .
The six-member Anoka-Hennepin School Board makes policy and oversees the district ’ s budget , curriculum , personnel and physical facilities . All board meetings are open to the public , except for those specifically permitted by law to be closed for
A Jackson Middle School student looks through the telescope at the school ’ s Observatory for the first time using the new relay scope .
to view the solar system .
Schmit invited three JMS students , to be the first to try out the new device and what a sight it was . Venus , the moon , the sun , and a bright star , Spica , all viewed through the telescope that night and brought smiles to the faces of more students .
“ I have no words ,” and “ awesome ,” were just a few phrases used to describe the experience . One student said , “ I think I want to be a science teacher someday . Maybe even teach astronomy .” n
Three new members begin School Board service
Linda Hoekman
Zach Arco
Michelle Langenfeld
discussion of identified issues such as negotiation strategy or litigation .
Visit ahschools . us / schoolboard to view upcoming meeting dates , School Board area maps , meeting agendas , minutes and Action of the School Board notifications ; and to watch live and archived videos of the meetings . n