Parent Engage 360

Episode 21: A day in the life of an Anoka-Hennepin high school student

Do you have a student moving from elementary school to middle school, or middle to high school? Have you wondered what that transition might look like? Join Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin parent involvement coordinator, as she sits down with Coon Rapids High School (CRHS) principal John Peña and senior Lilah Gilyard to learn more about what a day looks like for an Anoka-Hennepin student and what to expect when transitioning.
Gilyard is a multi-sport athlete at CRHS, competing in cross country, cross country skiing and lacrosse while also juggling her classes while preparing for graduation. Peña is in his first year as the principal at CRHS after spending 15 years as a middle school assistant principal. He also got his start in education as a kindergarten teacher and has a lot of good advice for students and parents/guardians as students experience transitions.
The Parent Engage 360 Podcast aims to provide parents and guardians with knowledge from experts in chemical health, mental health, internet safety and more, as well as the tools needed to support their children. Anoka-Hennepin hopes that providing timely and helpful information through the Parent Engage 360 podcast series will strengthen the bond between school and home with resources parents and guardians can use and share with others.

Episode 20: Mental Health - How to get support in school and in the community

Join Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin parent involvement coordinator, as she discusses how to get mental health support for your student with PrairieCare child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Joshua Stein and Anoka-Hennepin school social worker Julie Beaufeaux. 
Dr. Stein outlines programming offered by PrairieCare and how to go about getting a mental health assessment for your child(ren). Beaufeaux talks about the role of a school social worker in Anoka-Hennepin and how they can help facilitate connections to resources such as PrairieCare. 
Tune in to the latest episode via Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or on the district website to learn more about mental health supports and how to access resources if needed. 
The Parent Engage 360 Podcast aims to provide parents and guardians with knowledge from experts in chemical health, mental health, internet safety and more, as well as the tools needed to support their children. Anoka-Hennepin hopes that providing timely and helpful information through the Parent Engage 360 podcast series will strengthen the bond between school and home with resources parents and guardians can use and share with others. Visit ahschools.us/parentengage360 for more information.

Episode 19: Anoka-Hennepin Community Education

Join Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin parent involvement coordinator, as she discusses all things Community Education in the latest episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast. 
In this episode, Burgard is joined by Michelle Trelstad, Anoka-Hennepin’s director of community education, and Jamie Law, community education coordinator at Northdale Middle School to discuss all things community education. 
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education reaches more than half a million people every year - through classes, services, tours, programs, outreach activities and athletics. Community Education is provided by the Anoka-Hennepin School District as an efficient and effective way to offer residents of all ages the opportunity for lifelong learning. 
Tune in to the latest episode to learn more about the community education program and how the programming is weaved into and an important part of the school district and school community. In this episode, Trelstad and Law share information about community education and how the program has been a part of both of their lives both personally and professionally.
To learn more about the community education program, visit ahschools.us/communityeducation.

Episode 18: Suicide awareness

Several of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast episodes over the past two years have discussed and provided resources on the topic of mental health. A topic that has been weaved into that conversation is suicide. Suicide can be a topic that is difficult to discuss, and at times, there can be a stigma, and often, we don’t know how to start the conversation on such an emotional topic. 
In the latest episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast, host Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin parent involvement coordinator, sits down with Janet Casperson, an Anoka-Hennepin parent, and Julia Messenger, the district’s school social worker, social-emotional learning teacher on special assignment, to provide additional awareness around the topic of suicide. 
You will hear one mother’s story and how through the loss of her son, Sam, she has become an amazing advocate and resource in our school community. 
For those who need immediate support, you are not alone. 24-hour support is available by phone by calling the National Suicide Prevention Line 1-800-273-8255. Please note, this number will transition to a new three-number 988, starting on July 16, 2022. By text message, contact the crisis text line by texting “MN” to 741741. 
Both services are always available to support the mental health needs of persons in crisis and are offered at no cost.
To learn more about Thumbs Up, a non-profit organization that embraces all those who are struggling and breaking the stigma around mental health, visit thumbsupformentalhealth.org.

Episode 17: Growth Mindset

Join Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin parent involvement coordinator, as she discusses growth mindset with Blaine High School (BHS) achievement coach Kevin Bross. 
In this episode, Bross discusses his role at BHS as an achievement coach and how he teaches the concept of growth mindset to fellow teachers. Bross shared his own experience implementing growth mindset into this daily routine both personally and professionally and why a growth mindset can be beneficial for students and adults alike.

Episode 16: Mental Health - Anxiety

Join Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin parent involvement coordinator, as she discusses mental health, specifically anxiety. 
In this episode, Burgard is joined by Sue Abderholden from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to discuss mental health, specifically anxiety and the upcoming Parent Engage 360 event that will be held Dec. 9. Abderholden shares information about anxiety, and the difference between anxiety and depression, including some tips for young adults and parents on managing anxiety.

Episode 15: Internet safety - Cyberbullying

Join Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin parent involvement coordinator, as she talks about internet safety and cyberbullying in the latest episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast. 
In this episode, Burgard sits down with Blaine High School (BHS) technology coordinator and learning technologies coach Daryl Boeckers and senior Heba Hussein, a member of the BHS Bengal Bytes club, to discuss internet safety and cyberbullying. Boeckers provides insight both as a teacher and parent of teenagers while Hussein provides a student perspective and how she and other students at BHS are taking action against cyberbullying.

Episode 14: Referendum 2021 Overview

Voters in Anoka-Hennepin communities will have the opportunity to weigh in on three ballot questions on or before Nov. 2, considering a renewal of two levies for learning and investing in a new operating levy providing support for all students. Referendum 2021 includes two questions to renew levies to fund operations and technology that would not increase taxes but would extend current funding while supporting student learning. Planning and research obtained from community surveys over the past year demonstrated community understanding regarding the services this funding provides. By asking the community to weigh in now, the school district may be able to avoid cutting resources beginning in the summer of 2022 if the community decides that the questions on the ballot are still priorities in the school system.
In this episode of the Parent Engage 360 Podcast, Liz Burgard, parent involvement coordinator for Anoka-Hennepin, is joined by Superintendent David Law to learn more about the upcoming Referendum 2021. Learn more about the upcoming referendum by visiting ahschools.us/vote2021. Have a specific question? Call the Referendum 2021 hotline at 763-506-7777 or email Referendum2021@ahschools.us.
The Parent Engage 360 Podcast aims to provide parents and guardians with knowledge from experts in chemical health, mental health, internet safety and more, as well as the tools needed to support their children. Anoka-Hennepin Schools realize the importance of parent engagement in maximizing student success. We hope that providing timely and helpful information through the Parent Engage 360 podcast series will strengthen that bond between school and home with resources parents and guardians can use and share with others.

Episode 13: Transitioning Back to School

Following an unprecedented school year filled with non-traditional learning structures, it is important to acknowledge that some students may have a difficult time transitioning back into the traditional in-person learning model - especially those going from elementary to middle school, and middle school to high school.
Join Liz Burgard, Parent Involvement Coordinator, Tom Shaw, Principal of Coon Rapids Middle School, and Mike George, Principal of Champlin Park High School, as they discuss ways to make both students and parents/guardians comfortable as they head back to full-time in-person learning. Hear about how the middle school experience differs from elementary school, the high school experience differs from middle school, and how to prepare your students for those changes.  Additionally, you will be provided with knowledge on school supports for all students and resources for parents/guardians to stay involved with their student's education.
ParentVUE resource: https://tinyurl.com/CRHSParentVUE
AH-Connect, ParentVue, login assistance, student information, etc.: 763-506-HELP (763-506-4357).
For back-to-school information, school supply lists, open house, etc.: https://www.ahschools.us/bts

Episode 12: Underage Drinking

With graduation parties and summer upon us, it is important to be aware of our students' choices surrounding alcohol and alcohol consumption. 
Join Liz Burgard, Anoka-Hennepin Parent Involvement Coordinator, as she talks about the effects of alcohol, how kids gain access, and what parameters can be set to prioritize our students' safety and wellbeing. Additionally, learn about what a social host ordinance citation is and how it can impact you as the adult. Liz is joined by Colleen O'Neil, Anoka-Hennepin Schools Chemical Health Prevention Specialist, and Cindy Doth, Youth and School Outreach Manager from Hazelden Betty Ford.