Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast , attend in-person parent education events
Upcoming Parent Engage 360 events :
COLLABORATING FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE PAGE 6
Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast , attend in-person parent education events
The award-winning Parent Engage 360 Podcast is now available on more of your favorite podcasting platforms ! Listen to the latest episode and many more on Podbean , Apple Podcasts , Amazon Music / Audible , Spotify , iHeartRadio and Samsung Podcasts .
EPISODE 37 :
Child nutrition staff share information about the state ’ s Free School Meals program , educational benefits and the importance of balanced nutrition for youth .
EPISODE 38 :
Human connection matters . In today ’ s increasingly digital world , it is more important than ever to make personal engaging connections with your children . Joe Beckman , author and co-founder of TILL360 , shared more about the Power of Human Connection .
Upcoming Parent Engage 360 events :
You ’ re the Expert : How to successfully advocate for your child
Date : Thursday , Feb . 29
Speaker :
Location :
Beth Lovre ( National Alliance of Mental Illness Minnesota )
Champlin Park High School Auditorium
Time : 6:30-7:30 p . m .
Chemical Health
Date : Monday , April , 1
Speaker :
Location :
Claire Weiss ( myHealth )
Andover High School Auditorium
Time : 6:30-7:30 p . m .
Beth Lovre
Claire Weiss
Parent Engage 360 community events are offered at no-cost and are open to the community . To register and learn more visit ahschools . us / parentengage360 .
Artwork by Andover High School student featured in downtown Anoka mural
While taking classes at the Rum River Art Center in Anoka , Andover High School freshman Rachel Kroona was presented with a unique opportunity . She and around 10 other artists were commissioned to repaint the Mainstreet tunnel and after a year ’ s worth of work , the tunnel was completed with a ribboncutting ceremony on Oct . 21 .
In May of 2023 , a fresh coat of paint was applied to the tunnel and artists began sections of the now-finished mural , including Kroona who set out to create a few interactive pieces of work .
“ We really wanted to represent the Native American history in Anoka ,” Kroona said . “ Water was a really big part of the project , too , and we wanted to capture that .”
You can find two pieces of Kroona ’ s art in the tunnel , both of which were designed with the community and pedestrians in mind .
As you enter the tunnel it starts out with beautiful pieces of nature , including animals , trees , flowers , and water representing spring , summer and fall . As you make your way to the end , it morphs into a spooky Halloween scene , paying homage to the city ’ s title as the Halloween Capital of the World .
Kroona painted a colorful dragonfly to represent something born on the waters of Anoka and the wings of a bat on the spooky side , both of which make great backdrops for a selfie or photo .
“ I wanted both of my projects to be interactive pieces so people could stand in front of them and take a picture . Cute , right ?” Kroona said .
Kroona was the youngest artist to have their artwork featured in the Mainstreet tunnel , an opportunity the freshman appreciated and learned from .
“ I was able to work with all of these really talented adult artists ,” Kroona said . “ I feel super honored . I hope I have the opportunity to do this again .”
Her biggest takeaway was , “ Take chances ,” Kroona said . “ I was really nervous when I started , especially working with talented professional artists . Do it , because you never know when you ’ re going to get that chance .” n
Student voice valued on Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation board
At its core , the mission of the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation ( AHEF ) is to partner with donors passionate about children and education to create equitable and innovative experiences for all students in the Anoka-Hennepin School District .
To drive the work and drive that mission , the foundation is governed by an 18-member board that includes community leaders , teachers , staff and parents who volunteer their time to help create and enrich educational opportunities for district students .
Another group represented on the board , and possibly the most impactful or rewarding , is students . The AHEF currently has five students , one from each high school , who provide the voice of the students the board and foundation seek to support .
“ Student voice is essential and completely grounding ,” said Tess DeGeest , executive director of the AHEF . “ Students can tell us what it ’ s like to be a student in today ’ s schools with today ’ s challenges and opportunities .”
Amelia Eric , a senior at Coon Rapids High School ( CRHS ), was inspired to join by a previous student board member and CRHS assistant principal Jill Alton , who is in her second year on the board . She not only learned how a board operates , but her involvement has also provided Eric with an insight into how a school district operates , and the ability to make an impact
Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation board members . ( Not all members pictured )
Andover High School freshman Rachel Kroona pictured in front of the dragonfly she painted in downtown Anoka .
on her peers and their educational opportunities .
“ I have seen other student board members express their concerns to the board over inadequate funding for programs ,” Eric said . “ That helped me realize early on that my voice is important and I get to share my experiences as a student .”
“ Talking about what a student today looks like has made an impact on the board itself and the district . The beauty of the board is that we talk about the individual , not the number .”
The foundation continues to positively impact the educational experiences of students in Anoka- Hennepin . Learn more about the foundation at ahef . us .
AHEF student directors : Dillon Smith , Andover High School
Luca La Hoz Calassara , Anoka High School
Hailey Rehrauer , Blaine High School
Hilda Mwangi , Champlin Park High School
Amelia Eric , Coon Rapids High
School n