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Craig Anderson

@craigspps

Executive Director of Teaching and Learning at St. Paul Public Schools, MN. Girl dad... girl dog dad... husband... 30 years in service of SPPS students / families / community.

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18.11.2024
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Latest posts by Craig Anderson @craigspps

a cedar waxing, photographed from the rear as it sits on a bare branch, with its head turned so its head can be seen in profile. the background is out of focus and is mostly tan.

a cedar waxing, photographed from the rear as it sits on a bare branch, with its head turned so its head can be seen in profile. the background is out of focus and is mostly tan.

Cedar Waxwing showing off its matchsticks while grabbing the last berries of the season. πŸͺΆ

(16 November 2025 / near C&O Canal Lock 25 / Poolesville, Maryland, USA)

17.11.2025 01:40 πŸ‘ 82 πŸ” 13 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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St. Paul Public Schools literacy efforts gain red-carpet showing Twin Cities Film Fest screens documentary on What I Need Now program

www.myvillager.com/news/educati...

05.11.2025 14:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A robin sized bird in profile view, its body angled slightly toward the viewer. Its plumage is a mix of warm browns and lemon yellow tones, with a crest of fluffy feathers on its head. The bird has a mask of black feathers over a dark eye, and a black chin. Its underparts have a bright yellow hue that transitions to a sandy tan on its belly. Its tail is black and white with a bright yellow tip that is visible as the bird sits on the branch. The background is the out-of-focus lush green foliage of a choke cherry tree.

A robin sized bird in profile view, its body angled slightly toward the viewer. Its plumage is a mix of warm browns and lemon yellow tones, with a crest of fluffy feathers on its head. The bird has a mask of black feathers over a dark eye, and a black chin. Its underparts have a bright yellow hue that transitions to a sandy tan on its belly. Its tail is black and white with a bright yellow tip that is visible as the bird sits on the branch. The background is the out-of-focus lush green foliage of a choke cherry tree.

Cedar Waxwing perched on a choke cherry branch.Β So beautiful!

#addBirder #birds #birdphotography

06.08.2025 22:56 πŸ‘ 47 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
A male indigo bunting perches on a wild rose branch while checking out the photographer. He is displaying his deep blue chest.

A male indigo bunting perches on a wild rose branch while checking out the photographer. He is displaying his deep blue chest.

Another good sighting today. Indigo bunting on an overgrown slope. Chester County, PA. #birds #wildlife

21.06.2025 23:19 πŸ‘ 123 πŸ” 9 πŸ’¬ 7 πŸ“Œ 1
The bird in the image is a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). It’s a large wading bird commonly found near shores, rivers, lakes, and wetlands throughout much of North America. Some key identifying features visible in the image:
	β€’	Long, slender neck in an S-curve.
	β€’	Sharp, pointed bill.
	β€’	Grayish-blue plumage with a black stripe over the eye.
	β€’	Long legs adapted for wading in shallow water.

These birds are excellent fishers and often stand still for long periods, waiting to strike quickly at prey. Let me know if you’d like more information about their habitat, behavior, or range.

The bird in the image is a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). It’s a large wading bird commonly found near shores, rivers, lakes, and wetlands throughout much of North America. Some key identifying features visible in the image: β€’ Long, slender neck in an S-curve. β€’ Sharp, pointed bill. β€’ Grayish-blue plumage with a black stripe over the eye. β€’ Long legs adapted for wading in shallow water. These birds are excellent fishers and often stand still for long periods, waiting to strike quickly at prey. Let me know if you’d like more information about their habitat, behavior, or range.

Great Blue Heron in our local park

#birds
#photography
#nature
#photography
#photographybirds
#nature #wildlife
#herons #greatblueheron

21.06.2025 23:26 πŸ‘ 36 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A Great Egret, and large all white water bird with long black legs and feet, a long orange pointed bill and a long curled neck.  This one is perched on a rock with water and grasses in the background.

A Great Egret, and large all white water bird with long black legs and feet, a long orange pointed bill and a long curled neck. This one is perched on a rock with water and grasses in the background.

And for number 5 we have the Great Egret, there were a couple of these about, and several Snowies. #Birds πŸͺΆ #Photography #BirdPhotography #FujiFilm #XT5

21.06.2025 23:30 πŸ‘ 63 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Hearing and seeing the Columbus Symphony perform at Ash Cave yesterday was the most incredible and magical concert I’ve ever experienced.

16.06.2025 11:21 πŸ‘ 3131 πŸ” 369 πŸ’¬ 88 πŸ“Œ 30
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Blue Heron Mornings πŸͺΆ

31.05.2025 13:41 πŸ‘ 373 πŸ” 20 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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Kinds of Blue #birds

31.05.2025 14:24 πŸ‘ 229 πŸ” 21 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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I visited Two Harbors and Brimson this morning to survey wildfire damage and thank the personnel leading response efforts - from local, federal, and DNR firefighters to emergency managers and volunteers.

Glad to see some rain and a community that has each other’s back.

16.05.2025 21:01 πŸ‘ 1811 πŸ” 146 πŸ’¬ 16 πŸ“Œ 2
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Minnesota’s flags flew at half-staff today in honor of peace officers who gave their lives to protect ours.

Tonight, we gathered to ensure that these heroes are never forgotten.

16.05.2025 01:46 πŸ‘ 4505 πŸ” 540 πŸ’¬ 45 πŸ“Œ 15
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SPPS: New Superintendent Stacie Stanley begins first week with district Since being selected for the position in December, the former Edina Public Schools superintendent has prepared by making a 100-day onboarding plan for herself which she’ll use to gather and analyze…

SPPS: New Superintendent Stacie Stanley begins first week with district www.twincities.com/2025/05/13/s...

14.05.2025 02:15 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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The Fishing Opener is one of the ways we celebrate the best of Minnesota.
Β 
Grateful to the Crosslake community for hosting, and wishing everyone tight lines tomorrow 🎣

09.05.2025 23:58 πŸ‘ 1911 πŸ” 109 πŸ’¬ 29 πŸ“Œ 0
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Minnesota’s high schoolers graduated at record rate in 2024 Gains were posted by nearly every demographic group, with students of color outpacing whites in all but one category.

A big THANK YOU to all the teachers, students, principals, district staff and parents who worked together to achieve this goal!
www.startribune.com/mn-high-scho...

07.05.2025 13:45 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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St. Paul schools hit pre-COVID graduation levels, state reaches record high Graduation rates went up among multiple student demographics in 2024, with 84.2% of Minnesota high school seniors graduating in four years.

St. Paul schools hit pre-COVID graduation levels, state reaches record high www.twincities.com/2025/05/07/s...

07.05.2025 13:09 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Nonprofit BioMADE picks Maple Grove for its $132M flagship plant The pilot facility, which the state of Minnesota and U.S. Department of Defense helped pay for, is meant to kick-start the national bio-economy.

As a global leader in agriculture and with a skilled workforce second to none, we’re bringing the innovative manufacturing jobs of the future to Minnesota.

Grateful to the leadership of @mccollum.house.gov in getting this across the finish line.

www.startribune.com/biomade-mapl...

29.04.2025 23:14 πŸ‘ 1814 πŸ” 200 πŸ’¬ 19 πŸ“Œ 7

Ask Why five times... Why? Why is that? Why is that? Why is that? and Why is that?

21.04.2025 18:47 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Honestly, me too.

19.04.2025 22:06 πŸ‘ 56677 πŸ” 6388 πŸ’¬ 249 πŸ“Œ 97

I’m headed to the Moorhead area to talk about the infrastructure projects we’re funding to improve peoples’ lives.

That includes cutting the ribbon on a brand new fire station and finding ways to mitigate the effects of extreme weather like flooding.

16.04.2025 14:44 πŸ‘ 2666 πŸ” 239 πŸ’¬ 61 πŸ“Œ 8
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Minnesota is a top state for health care, thanks in part to Mayo Clinic.
Β 
Now they’re building a $5 billion expansion in Rochester where the lifesaving health care innovations of the future are going to happen.
Β 
Inspiring to see the progress today.

14.04.2025 23:13 πŸ‘ 4249 πŸ” 385 πŸ’¬ 72 πŸ“Œ 16

I’m grateful the Shapiro family is safe. It’s despicable for this to happen as the Jewish community is celebrating Passover. Political violence has no place in our country.

13.04.2025 22:25 πŸ‘ 9213 πŸ” 1200 πŸ’¬ 133 πŸ“Œ 21
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My statement on the arson attack targeting Governor Josh Shapiro and his family during Passover.

13.04.2025 23:39 πŸ‘ 5356 πŸ” 1091 πŸ’¬ 237 πŸ“Œ 49
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Happy Record Store Day, everybody. Make sure to shop local.

12.04.2025 19:52 πŸ‘ 18129 πŸ” 1972 πŸ’¬ 426 πŸ“Œ 251
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The Cedar Waxwing flock was back in the neighborhood this morning. I'm not sure where they're eating, but I sure enjoy seeing these unusual-looking birds.
#birds

11.04.2025 00:29 πŸ‘ 53 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Today would be a great day to ban members of Congress and their families from trading stocks.

10.04.2025 19:09 πŸ‘ 44404 πŸ” 8386 πŸ’¬ 942 πŸ“Œ 305
Male cardinal.

Male cardinal.

Male cardinal, looking dapper and oh so pretty.
#birds #naturephotography #florida #cardinal

08.04.2025 14:37 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Fear has a way of being contagious.

But courage is also contagious.

07.04.2025 15:53 πŸ‘ 51027 πŸ” 11926 πŸ’¬ 3798 πŸ“Œ 1979
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Photos: Nationwide Protests Against Trump and Musk Images from some of the hundreds of anti-Trump demonstrations across the country.

To the thousands of people who came out to show Trump we won't stay quiet: Thank you. Stay in the fight. www.theatlantic.com/photo/2025/0...

07.04.2025 13:06 πŸ‘ 6232 πŸ” 1194 πŸ’¬ 143 πŸ“Œ 42
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David Burley. co-founder of the Highland Grill and Blue Plate Restaurant Company, died this afternoon in a motorycle accident in Wisconsin. All Blue Plate Restaurants will be closed for the day on Monday in remembrance. www.twincities.com/2025/04/06/t...

07.04.2025 04:02 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 3