ANOKA-HENNEPIN

Superintendent wins leadership award Anoka-Hennepin schools superintendent Roger Giroux has been named as the recipient of the 2008 Polaris Leadership Award. The award is presented each fall to honor a member of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators who has shown exemplary school leadership and has been a school administrator for at least 20 years. The award is co-sponsored by Ehlers & Associates Inc., a financial advisory firm that works with school districts.

Polaris nominees are evaluated using such criteria as career contributions to education excellence, fostering innovation, and setting an example for leadership that others will want to emulate. Giroux has been superintendent of the Anoka-Hennepin district since 1995, and has worked in various capacities for the district since 1976. The district, which is the state's largest, has about 41,000 students and is located in Minneapolis' northern suburbs. Giroux has announced that he will retire at the end of 2008.

Judges needed for science and tech fair The Anoka-Hennepin district is looking for 350 adult volunteers to serve as judges at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Fair on Saturday, Jan. 17. Judges need not be experts in science.

The fair, open to students of all grade levels, is the state's largest with more than 1,000 participants. Judges can register for the morning session (grades 6-12), afternoon session (grades K-5) or both. It will be held at Anoka High School.

To register to be a judge, go to www.anoka.k12.mn.us/stemfair. Or for more information, call Kevin Molohon at 763-506-7084 or e-mail Kevin.Molohon@anoka.k12.mn.us.

OSSEO DISTRICT

Bella Sera fundraiser deadline is today Today is the deadline to send your RSVP for the second annual "A Taste of Bella Sera" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday to benefit the District 279 Foundation. Tickets for the hors d'oeuvres event at Bella Sera Ristorante & Wine Bar, 12730 Elm Creek Blvd., Maple Grove, are $30 a person or $50 a couple.

The foundation raises money to provide programs and projects that aren't funded by the district. Call 763-391-7118 to reserve a spot.

STAFF REPORTS