November 2025 Birch Grove Bulletin

November 2025

October was a great month here at Birch Grove! Thank you so much for partnering with us at conferences. Teamwork makes the dream work. Targeted Services are underway, and we're excited for the extended learning opportunities. Our first all school assembly was 10/31 and it was a joyous occasion. In the future, our assemblies will have award winners and families will be notified in advance with an invite to attend. We love to celebrate our bobcats. November is Native American Heritage Month where will learn and amplify the accomplishments and contributions of our local tribes. This is a MN social studies state standard. As always, don't hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, and/or compliments!

Thoughtfully,

Stephanie Webster

Principal

Birch Grove Elementary

WebsterS@District279.org

Troupes have started at Birch Grove for students in grades 4 and 5! 4th and 5th graders participate in auditioned or non-auditioned troupes once per 6-day rotation during the school day. The focus of troupes for 4th and 5th grade is to showcase the talents of our artist-scholars with rich performance opportunities and real-world applications for their artistic skills. Troupes include Drama, Media Arts, Hair Braiding, Boxing with Beats, and more. See some photos below from 4th and 5th grade troupes.

Later this month, students in grades K-3 will have the opportunity to sign up for electives. These electives will begin in December and, like troupes, will occur once every 6-day rotation during the school day. Electives are focused on building artistic skills and coordination, movement, exposure to different kinds of activities, and experimentation to identify the interests and talents of our artist-scholars. Electives options will include Terrific Tie-Dye, Theater Games, Stop Motion videos, and more.

Questions? Reach out to Denise at MartineauD@District279.org.

Birch Grove recently hosted four college students from Valley City State University. The students spent three days in BG classrooms gaining field experience in a diversity practicum.

“By hosting a practicum student, schools contribute directly to the preparation of the next generation of teachers while also gaining an extra set of hands and eyes in the classroom,” the program’s supervisor said. “Hosting them is not only an investment in their growth, but also in the future of education.”

Read more at the link below.

Birch Grove scholars and their grand-people were invited to kick of the first day of the Scholastic Book Fair with the Grand Event! Students and their grand-people had the opportunity to shop the Book Fair while enjoying coffee, juice, and donuts.

First graders wrapped up their CKLA Human Body unit by creating life-sized human bodies. Using outlines of their own bodies, students cut, arranged, and glued paper bones before adding organs to show their understanding of how the body fits and works together.

Birch Grove's second annual Trunk-or-Treat was a huge hit! BG staff and families hosted many themed trunks and guests enjoyed treats, games, and activities.

Best Trunk Winners

1st Place: Ms. Brown, Miss Hoof, and Mrs. Beaves with Kpop Demon Hunters

2nd Place: Ms. Hansen and family with Twister or Treat

3rd Place: Sierra Plunkett with Haunted Library

Explore the full range of opportunities available for every learner in Osseo Area Schools. From early childhood and preschool to elementary, middle, and high school, families can connect directly with school leaders and staff to learn what makes each school unique.

The fair also highlights specialized options that expand learning beyond traditional classrooms, including magnet programs, 279Online and community education.

Whether you are new to the district, preparing for kindergarten, navigating the move to middle or high school, exploring specialized programs or have general questions, this event offers answers, resources and next steps in one place.

Please RSVP below if you would like to attend. You will have the opportunity to request an interpreter when you RSVP.

EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. - noon
Location: Osseo Senior High School
317 5th St NW
Osseo, MN 55369

*This event is an open-house style event open to the public, come anytime between 9 a.m. - noon.

While the 2025-26 school year is still young, Osseo Area Schools is already making preparations for a smooth transition to new attendance boundaries at the elementary and middle school levels for the fall of 2026. Families can double-check whether or not their household is impacted by using the 2026-27 search tool available via osseoschools.org/boundaries.

Families who have students impacted by next fall's attendance boundary changes can expect to receive a letter before the end of November with information about their new school and other pertinent details.

Families with 2026-27 fifth and eighth graders will be asked whether or not they’d like to utilize a Remain in Place option, where they could stay their final year at their current school with family-provided transportation. Details will be shared mid-November.

Students relocating can expect a similar educational experience across district schools, with shared goals for academic rigor and a welcoming environment at all sites. Efforts have also been made to keep neighborhoods together as much as possible so that any school changes are made with familiar students.

These changes can be tough; however, every effort is being made to ensure families have great experiences at all schools. Special activities will be held starting next spring to welcome and support families relocating. Families are also welcome to check out school websites and/or schedule a tour in the weeks and months ahead.

The flexibility with this needed change is appreciated. Questions? Check out osseoschools.org/boundaries, or reach out to BetterFuture@district279.org or 763-391-8990.

There will be NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 4th, for a teacher workday. School resumes on Wednesday, November 5th.

The Birch Grove PTO meets on the second Thursday of every month. All caregivers are welcome to attend! Join in person in the Birch Grove Media Center or online at the link below.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Thursday, November 13th

Time: 6:00-7:00 pm

Location: Birch Grove Media Center

Come support BG fourth graders for their annual fall concert - Cake Pop Cuisine Hunters! The show starts at 4:30 pm. All are welcome to attend!

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Monday, November 24th

Time: 4:30-5:15 pm

Location: Birch Grove Gym

There will be NO SCHOOL from November 26th-28th for the fall holiday break. School resumes on Monday, December 1st. December 1st is also the first day of Trimester II.

Stephanie Webster, Principal: WebsterS@District279.org

Lindsey Patterson, Assistant Principal: PattersonLindsey@District279.org

Elise Dorgan, Administrative Assistant: DorganE@District279.org

Abbie Lecy, Counselor: LecyA@District279.org

Jennifer Anderson, Social Worker: 763-549-2335 / AndersonJennifer@District279.org

Emily Wenz, Psychologist: WenzE@District279.org

Ava Cipowski, Nurse: 763-549-2308 / CipowskiA@District279.org

Dawn Barthel, Nutrition Services: BarthelD@District279.org

Birch Grove PTO: PTOBirchGrove@gmail.com

LANGUAGE LINE

Call if you need to be connected to an interpreter when calling your child's school, transportation, or other district contacts.

English - 763-391-7000

Español - 1-855-891-8364

Lus HMoob - 1-844-577-9549

русский - 1-855-891-5321

Soomaali - 1-855-891-5322

Tiếng Việt - 1-855-891-8365

• List of local food shelves and resources in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas
• Food resource map - search for resources in Minnesota

Families in the Osseo Area School District, Brooklyn Center School District, and the Hennepin County portions of Anoka-Hennepin School Distrist are eligible for assistance through The Northwest Family Resource Collaborative - Family Advocate Program. The Family Advocate Program helps families with resources in the community including:

● Dental, medical and mental health services

● Family support services

● Food, clothing and household needs

● Hennepin County services, schools and service providers

● Health insurance

● Housing

Call 763-585-7378 to schedule an appointment. The NWFRC office is located in the Family Services Center at 7051 Brooklyn Blvd in Brooklyn Center. Visit the Northwest Family Resource Collaborative website at the link below for more information.

Would you like to take home a FREE bag of nonperishable groceries each week? Scan the code to sign up for Every Meal food program. Questions? Reach out to Jennifer Anderson, School Social Worker, 763-549-2335

Discover Osseo Area Schools’ Community Education! Find classes, programs and events for all ages — from early childhood, youth to adult. View the catalog or register at osseo.ce.eleyo.com.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue offers two valuable tax benefits for caregivers who purchase school supplies for their K-12 students: the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction. These benefits can reduce caregivers’ taxes to increase their refund, but is only available for those who keep their receipts. Purchases for most school supplies, field trips, and musical instruments for school band are eligible. Most Minnesota caregivers qualify for the K-12 subtraction, which reduces their taxable income. Caregivers under certain income limits may also qualify for the K-12 credit, which can refund up to 75% of their costs – even for those who do not owe any taxes. Visit Revenue's website for details.

Are you or someone you know at risk of losing your housing? The Homework Starts with Home program is grant funded and in partnership with Hennepin County and the YMCA. Here are guidelines of the program:

• Families must have a child enrolled in our school district and reside in Hennepin county.
• Families must meet income guidelines set by Hennepin county.
• Families must qualify for rent assistance of owing back rent and are at risk of eviction in order to receive utilities assistance.
• Families must provide something in writing that they owe back rent or are at risk of eviction (ledger of back rent owed, eviction notice, court date notice)
• Families must reach out before their eviction date/court date. Unfortunately we can't retroactively provide financial assistance if they have already moved.

Please reach out to Kendra Kuhlmann at HSWH@District279.org if you have questions or are interested in learning more about the Homework Starts with Home Program.

Information available in: English | Hmong | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese

Hennepin County routinely offers free immunization clinics for children at several locations around the metro area. These free, walk-in clinics are open to all children from infants through 18 years old, regardless of insurance status or if you have a primary care provider. Learn more and find dates and locations for immunization clinics below.

Looking for someone to talk with about parenting your child?

Osseo Area Schools offers free visits with a licensed family and parent educator for families with children birth through 3rd grade! Visits can be online, in-person, or over the phone.

We can

• Offer guidance

• Answer questions

• Connect you with community resources

To request a visit or just have a question, click on this link or call 763-391-8777.

Osseo Area Schools ISD279 offers meaningful job opportunities! Learn more by completing the ISD279 Job Interest Form and our recruitment & retention team will connect with you or by visiting https://www.osseoschools.org/careers.