News and events

October 2, 2022

On Monday, October 10th, we will proctor the Practice ACT for all 11th-grade students who registered to take it. 11th-grade students should arrive at the normal time as the test will start at 7:40 a.m. in their assigned advisories. Additional information about the ACT can be found at www.ACT.org, along with information on acceptable calculators for use while taking the Practice ACT.

All 9th, 10th, and 12th-grade students will have a remote learning day. These students do not need to report to school that day. If they choose to come in, we will have a quiet study area to complete their remote learning assignments and have lunch. Teachers will share assignments for students on their Google Classroom page for them to complete independently. Buses will run at their normal times.

My name is Joan Lu and I am SO excited to join the Reading team and Be a Bengal! #GoBengals

This is my 12th year of teaching. I have 2 Master’s degrees and 2 licenses – ESL & Reading. I have taught all grades K-college!

Before being a teacher, I didn’t know what I wanted to be, so I went to school and earned:

• AA in Culinary Arts

• BS in International Business

When I am not at school, you’ll find me

• at the gym

• out and about on an outdoor walk

• experimenting with new recipes

• reading in front of the fireplace with my cat, Gouda

• driving with my HS senior daughter

Fun Fact:

I collect Hard Rock Cafe merch when I travel (China, Mexico, Italy x3, and lots of US cities).

I have been teaching since 2008 in Minneapolis. I’m excited to teach at Blaine High School this year. I live in Andover with my wife and our 6 kids. When I’m not teaching I spend most of my time running my kids around to their various sports/activities which include hockey, dance, diving, and cross country running. When I get a chance to do my own hobbies they include: reading, coding, and running. I’m looking forward to a great year!

Hi, my name is KJ Downey. I’m an alumni of Blaine High School and just graduated with my bachelors from the University of Northwestern - St. Paul. During my time at Northwestern, I was able to play football and lacrosse. Over the summer, I got engaged to my now fiance, Sophia. I am a coach for the freshman football team at Blaine and I look forward to getting involved with the track program in the spring. I can’t wait to get back in the BHS community and create new relationships!

Hi! My name is Lindsay and I am the new school social worker here at Blaine High School. I love meeting new people and forming connections which is why I love what I do! When I’m not at school, I love to spend time outside, watch Minnesota sports, read, and travel. I am so excited to get started and meet everyone!

Hi, my name is Makenna Pearson and I am going to be teaching Health. This is my first year teaching and I am an alumni of BHS. I am so excited to see all of the familiar faces! I got my degree from Bethel University where I played basketball. I am going to be the Varsity/JV assistant coach for the women's basketball team. When I am not at school, I like to travel, watch sports, golf, and eat! I am looking forward to meeting everyone and being a Bengal again!

A total of 120 Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science (BHS) students were named Advanced Placement (AP) scholars based on scores on AP course exams taken during the 2021-22 school year. The number of AP scholars was the highest among district schools.

Anoka-Hennepin offers more than two dozen different AP courses to high school students which have been audited and approved by the College Board, a nonprofit organization of colleges, universities, secondary schools, and higher education institutions focused on college readiness programs. Students who complete an AP course can take an optional exam and earn college credit, depending on their score on the exam and admission requirements at the college or university they attend. An AP exam score of 3 or higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) earns credit at many of the nation’s colleges and universities.

There are three different levels of AP scholar recognition district students earned. These levels are defined by the scores received and the number of exams taken during a student’s high school career:

• AP Scholar with Distinction is given to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of the exams. A total of 65 students from across the district earned this recognition.
• AP Scholar with Honor recognizes students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of the exams. A total of 73 district students earned this status.
• AP Scholar is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams taken. A total of 148 district students earned this distinction.
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The BHS students who were recognized as AP scholars during the 2021-22 school year are listed below by category.

AP Scholar with Distinction (34): Evan L. Althoff, Adhithya Anandaraj, Aaron D. Anderson, Carter D. Anderson, Hailey E. Bargman, Aurora S. Beffel, Anna S. Carlson, Christopher M. Daley, Jayce A. Dayton, Dave H. Do, Phuong T. Doan, Olivia E. Duraine, Roen J. Emmerich, Noah J. Gould, Grace E. Gruenhagen, Heba I. Hussein, Ella G. Kopp, Marina M. LaFreniere, Aaron J. Larson, Elijah C. Mireles, Tina Q. Nguyen, Madison E. Pagano, Ethan L. Palmer, Adam T. Puder, Wyatt E. Rasmussen, Hannah C. Rehrauer, Riley J. Schaaf; Kaci L. Schmoll, Alexandre C. Scott, Zane T. Spaniol, Megan R. Thomson, Justin Vo, Collin A. Woolson, Maxwell J. Yantes.

AP Scholar with Honor (27): Tyler D. Bargman, Grace L. Bistodeau, Clara V. Brown, Daniel I. Dimitrov, Emma J. Geisel, Kevin A. Geppert, Emily K. Gudmunsen, Elleri E. Herman, Emma M. Jensen, Kaden M. Johnson, Mujaddid H. Khan, Jordan M. Kipp, Jarod S. Moua, Tammy M. Nguyen, Daniel D. O'Neill, Adriana E. Potts, Kasen A. Raniere, Jacob S. Reininger, Annika E. Selstad, Corbin R. Stover, Alexis A. Swanson, Marin C. Taylor, Ashley M. Therrien, Grace A. Toftner, Benjamin M. Vacco, Kathryn M. VanArragon, Marilyn Vera.

AP Scholar (59): Carly G. Anderson, Muhammad W. Anwar, Samantha J. Beitz, Joshua T. Bjorgen, Brandt D. Block, Emma J. Borchardt, Liam C. Bouwman, Molly J. Claussen, Maddux P. Curski, Kingston O. Davies, Ajla Dizdarevic, Paige N. Ewert, Adrian J. Foster, Rozann M. Gambino, Melanie M. Goycoolea, Asher K. Graleske, Tyberius W. Haglund, Ian L. Hanson, Jillian B. Hanson, Oluwatoyosi D. Johnson, Christopher J. Kim, Kentin D. LaBeau, Kenna D. Lancaster, Andrew E. Lange Jr., Nathan E. Liedl, Kevin J. Mendez Rivera, Jack L. Moore, Michelle C. Musa, Bernie D. Nnadi, Lauren E. Nordling, Annabelle J. Oberg, Brenen D. Olson, Riley T. Olson, Jones Omenge, Aisha Y Osman, Jaime N. Pedrow, Gavin L. Person, Quang Pham, Jackson H. Pilarski, Ashley M. Radman, Seana Ruiz, Ryan S. Salama, Evan N. Scherrer, Sophia A. Schesso, Max S. Schroeder, Catherine G. Schue, Sapna R. Senthil, Jehline A. Smith, Adrian B. Tan, Alyssandra N. Thao, Anthony M. Vachon, Carter R. Vake, Nathan L. Vogt, Kashish K. Wadhwa, Sophia Ellyse E. Walraven, Katelyn M. Yang, Ethan I. Young, Salman Zahir, Emmanuel J. Zhagui.

Congratulations to all of the students from BHS who earned recognition.

Upcoming College Fairs

• October 5-6, 2022 - National College Fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center
  Register and access more information.
  
  

• Experience Minnesota: An Open House for Multicultural Students - Saturday, Oct 8
  University of Minnesota Twin Cities Experience Minnesota is a high-energy, once-a-year event that gives students the chance to experience how, as a U of M student, they can expand their horizons, discover new passions, and accomplish their dreams. Students will learn more about our outstanding academics and unique opportunities to enhance their college experience. Students may individually register online at z.umn.edu/ExperienceMNStu or by calling the Office of Admissions at 612-625-2008 or 1-800-752-1000.
  
  

Free financial aid events available to Minnesota students and families this fall!

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens on October 1. Follow these steps to complete your FAFSA.

We will have a FAFSA information and help night for families at Blaine High School on Wednesday, October 5 from 6-8 p.m.
Steps to complete before the event:

• Apply for your FSA ID number at least 3 days prior to attending here.

Please see here for more information about the evening and what to bring to make sure you get your FAFSA completed in one evening!

“Paying for College - An introduction to Financial Aid and the College Decision Process” will be held the evening of Wednesday, October 12th at 6pm (Central).

This will be a one-hour virtual presentation on how financial aid is determined, the financial aid application process, sources of financial support, borrowing, and private scholarships. Audience participation is encouraged through polling and a Q&A to address broad questions about the process. The presenter will be Chris George, who is currently the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at St. Olaf College.

Register Here

“Ready, Set, FAFSA” - The series, running September 27 through October 25, will cover general college application and financial aid information, details on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Minnesota Dream Act for undocumented students, and other ways to pay for college.

· All sessions will have simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. Information for families about registering for the series is available here.

· Students who attend will be entered to win a $500 scholarship!

· Financial aid professionals will also be online to answer live Q and A from participants during the sessions.

· These sessions are a collaborative effort between the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Minnesota Department of Education, ECMC The College Place and Minnesota Goes to College.

Click here for more information

College Preparation Workshop
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund College 101 Series features free, bilingual, college preparation workshops held in various time zones. The programs are designed to help middle and high school students – and their parents – prepare, plan, and pay for college. Session topics include preparing for and applying to college, choosing a college that’s the right fit, writing a personal statement, researching financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and understanding the real cost of a college education. Students and parents can choose to receive information in either English or Spanish.

HSF College 101 CT: Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Central Time

• For the English version of this flyer, click here.

For the Spanish version of this flyer, click here.

22-23 Free College Application Opportunities

As Minnesota high school students think about applying to college, application fees should not be a barrier. There are many opportunities for students to apply to Minnesota institutions for free throughout the year. Access the list here.

Want to Learn More about Highly Selective Colleges
Sign up to attend one of these virtual sessions below:

Sunday, October 2, 2022- 7pm EDT/6pm CDT/5pm MDT/4pm PDT
Event Registration

Sunday, October 9, 2022 - 7pm EDT/6pm CDT/5pm MDT/4pm PDT
Event Registration

Looking for a job?
Check this list of Job opportunities often as we will update frequently.

Looking for a scholarship?
Access this list of Scholarship Opportunities.

Anoka County Library

The Anoka County Library has many resources for students to use. Check out what they have to offer.

Just Arrived: New Book Highlights

How about some Gary Paulsen?

Northwind.

Centuries ago, an orphan boy named Leif is forced to escape his small fishing camp when the plague reaches his family. Taking to the sea in a cedar canoe, Leif flees for the fjords northwards, finding one danger after the next as he searches for survival and for a new life and sense of self after loss.

Thank you for all the time and energy you have put in so far this school year! It is so appreciated. We’ve had picture day volunteers, homecoming dance chaperones, and cafeteria helpers.

Here are the upcoming opportunities for volunteering.

We are still looking for volunteers to help out in the cafeteria over the lunch break.

Also, we have our ODA classes going to the Metro Gun Club and they are looking for a few volunteers to go along.

We will also be providing a snack for our staff during conferences. To sign up to bring a donation, click here.

To find out more about these opportunities and all future ones, please take a moment to fill out the volunteer application forms. Here is the link to get started.

Question? Beth Berk at beth.berk@ahschools.us or 763-506-6530

text here.