Monthly Boost

September 2026

Welcome back to a brand new school year! Whether you are a returning family or joining us for the first time, we are thrilled to welcome you to another year at 279Online. You will also notice a few new faces among our staff this year, with each bringing fresh energy, expertise, and enthusiasm to our live sessions and student support teams.

Our theme for this school year is Back to the Future. In order to fully prepare our scholars for the bright, ever-changing future ahead, we must first go back to the basics: reconnecting with our core "why," upholding high learning standards, and mastering foundational academic skills. By strengthening these roots, we ensure every scholar has the solid ground they need to thrive in a digital environment and beyond.

We enter this year stronger than ever, but we know that online learning is most successful when it is a true team effort. Strengthening our relationships with our families and scholars across the screen is one of our top priorities. We want your voice, your energy, and your ideas to help drive our school improvements forward.

If you would like to help us form a Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), we would love to have your leadership and input to build a vibrant community. Stay tuned for upcoming information on this and other partnership opportunities throughout the year. If you already have ideas for school initiatives or are interested in building a partnership with us, please reach out anytime. Together, we will make this an extraordinary year for our scholars!

With gratitude,

Ms. Swanson, Principal

Ms. Bisson, Assistant Principal

We're looking forward to kicking off the 2026–2027 school year and welcoming you and your scholar back at our upcoming Open House!

📅Date: September 2, 2026
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Osseo Area Learning Center (7300 Boone Ave. N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428)

🍔A meal will be provided! We will be grilling burgers and black bean burgers for all attendees.🍔

Event Highlights:

• 📸School Pictures: Capture your scholar’s school photo. Scholars must take their photo at this time to receive a school ID.
• 💻Tech Help & Devices: Make sure your scholar is tech-ready!
• Middle Schoolers: Please bring your Chromebook regardless, as many scholars are eligible for a new, updated model.
• New Scholars: Pick up your new device for the school year at Open House.
• Returning Scholars: Turn on your Chromebook before Open House to ensure it works. If it isn't working properly, bring it with you for help from our tech team.
• ⏱️Save time at the Tech table: Bring your previous Osseo Area Schools ID card for a faster, more efficient visit.
• 🎨 ⚽ Materials Pick-Up: Collect any essential learning materials for the upcoming year.
• 🏫 Meet Our Staff : Get to know our dedicated teachers and staff across all departments. You can also connect directly with:
• Our School Counselors
• Case Managers (for Scholars receiving SPED services)
• English/Multilingual Learner (EL/ML) Staff
• And More: Enjoy fun surprises and activities for the whole family, and explore ways to get involved by visiting our Student Leadership Team (SLT), Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), and AVID information tables!

If you’re unable to attend, please contact us at 763-391-8670 or online@district279.org to schedule an alternate time for materials and device pickup.

Students must have their device and materials before the first day of school.

Additional Information:

• Scholar schedules will be available Tuesday, August 4 in ParentVue and StudentVue.
• ParentVUE is an application you can use to view your scholars' attendance, report cards, schedule conferences, update your contact information and more. We highly encourage you to create an account if you do not have one already. Please follow these instructions on how you create an account.
• You may also visit our ParentVUE page for more step-by-step instructions on how to access and change things in ParentVUE.
• School supply lists can be found on our website: School Supply List

September 8: First Day of School

October 6: Fall Academic Conferences - VIRTUAL

October 20: Fall Academic Conferences - VIRTUAL

Each month, our school counseling team will share updates, helpful resources, and tips to support scholars and families. From academic planning and college/career readiness to social-emotional learning and wellness, our counselors are here to help scholars thrive. Be sure to check back each month for new resources and updates!

Osseo Area Schools is pleased to announce that all district high schools will begin offering a varsity letter for community service beginning this spring. This new opportunity was created by students to recognize and celebrate sustained, meaningful service to our schools and broader community.

Learn more about how the community service varsity letter program works.

Browse our school apparel and represent 279Online wherever you go.

DEN Time is a required part of the school day for all scholars and takes place every Wednesday afternoon from 12:20–3:00 PM. During this time, scholars participate in three scheduled DEN sessions focused on academic support, skill-building, enrichment, and exploratory opportunities. Attendance and participation in all three DEN sessions are expected. It is not optional and is not considered an afternoon off from school.

DEN Time supports our school’s programming by providing innovative, creative, and scholar-driven learning experiences. Scholars register for sessions through Student Support Time, and teachers may also request scholars attend specific sessions to make up work, complete projects, or receive additional academic support.

If a scholar is requested by a teacher to attend a specific session, they are required to accept that request and attend that session.

In the event that your scholar's teacher is absent and our continuous building substitute is not available, your scholar is still expected to engage in the class work asynchronously.

• When the teacher is absent, they will post a message in Schoology with instructions for the lesson and an exit ticket to complete for attendance. It’s important that your child does both the lesson and the exit ticket. If the exit ticket is not completed, they will be marked unexcused.
• If they have any questions, they can email their teacher for help or contact our main office at 763-391-8670 or online@district279.org.

Each year we ask scholars and parents/caregivers to read and sign an agreement between themselves and 279Online concerning expectations and mutual understanding about appropriate behavior and responsibilities.

In the back-to-school forms process, families have the ability to deny the release of all directory information (including a student’s image) or to specifically deny the release of a student’s image only. Families who wish to change their student's opt-out preferences can do so at any time in ParentVUE.

What is the difference between denying a release of a student's photograph and denying a release of directory information?

• If you deny the school district the ability to release your child’s photo only, the school district will not include a photo or a video/audio recording of your child in yearbooks, school/district websites, school/district social media pages or other school/district publications accessible outside of school.
• If you deny a release of all of your student’s directory information (which includes the student’s photograph), the school district will not include your child’s name, image, voice, school of attendance, awards, participation in officially recognized activities/sports, or any other directory information in any school/district publication that is accessible outside of school.

Our school is dedicated to ensuring that every family has timely and meaningful access to information and services. With more than 125 languages spoken throughout the district, we’re committed to providing multilingual communication that promotes the inclusive participation of all families and community members.

If you’re a parent/caregiver of a student in a public school and your preferred language is not English, you have the following rights established by law:

• School districts must have a process for identifying your language needs.

• Schools must provide information in a language you understand.

• School districts must provide effective language assistance to you, such as by offering translated materials or a language interpreter.

• Schools must provide you with language assistance even if your child is proficient in English or you have some English proficiency.

• Schools must provide translation or interpretation from appropriate and competent individuals and may not rely on or ask students, siblings, friend or untrained school staff to translate or interpret for you.

• Language assistance must be free to you.

For more information on language services here at Osseo Area Schools, please visit OsseoSchools.org/LanguageServices.

This continues to be a very trying time in our community. Many of our families and colleagues are dealing with immense feelings of fear and anxiety due to Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) action taking place. Our foremost priority during this time, as always, is to create safe and secure learning environments, and to provide meaningful education to each and every student in our community.

Our district and school teams have put many plans into place to ensure the continuation of this opportunity for all of our students. Please refer to our dedicated website for the most up-to-date information, including on topics like learning options, meals and safety/security procedures.

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 | Somali | Spanish

Per the Minnesota Department of Education, Online and Homeschool families are not eligible for the Minnesota Free School Meals Program however, your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees at school. Your application may also help the school qualify for important education funding. (If you received a letter this summer stating you qualified for educational benefits, you do not need to fill out a form again this year.)

We encourage families to fill out an application for educational benefits at the beginning of each school year. The benefits of filling out an application and being approved (or qualifying) may include but are not limited to the following:

• Applications completed and approved prior to October 1st will help provide funding for the school your child attends which can be used to provide additional resources that benefit students.
• Testing fees for the ACT, SAT and AP Fees may be discounted as well as field trips and band instruments
• Reduced Internet rates with certain providers.
• Athletics fees waived or reduced.

• Online through EduTrakConnect at www.district279.org/FMA. This option will create a family account.
• Online at: bit.ly/3hWdk7Q.This option will bypass making a family account while still allowing completion of the application.
• Scan the QR code to the right of this section.

Created by Hunger Impact Partners, a 501(c)(3) with support from the Minnesota Department of Education to ensure children 18 and under can access nutritious meals, the sites you locate for food are updated regularly.

During the school year: The app lists information on programs that offer meals for children of low-income families. The meals are available at childcare centers and after-school programs. The app also lists weekend and holiday backpack programs, which are available at some school sites, in addition to food offered by hunger-relief organizations.

During summer: The app lists sites serving free meals during June, July, and August

Year-round: The app lists Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota locations of Fare For All, which sells fresh produce and frozen meat at up to 40 percent off retail prices.

• https://hungerimpactpartners.org/meals-for-kids/mobile-app-2/

The following are a variety of resources including, but not limited to, help with the following:

Food, Clothing, Mental Health, Technology, Furniture, and Other Household Items

• Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP)
• https://www.ceap.org/
• 763-566-9600

• CEAP offers a variety of services, such as food support, clothing, and resource referrals, to families in Hennepin County.
• Salvation Army
• https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northern/
• 763-425-0517
• Sharing & Caring Hands
• www.sharingandcaringhands.org
• 612-338-4640
• Reach and Restore
• www.reachandrestore.org
• 952-933-1393
• Central Lutheran Church
• www.centralmpls.org
• 612-767-9214
• Sabathani Community Center
• www.sabathani.org
• 612-821-2300
• Hennepin County Community Resources
• https://caphennepin.org/community-resources/
• Hennepin County Resource Helpline (7 days a week 8:00 am to 8:00 pm)
• 612-348-3000
• Centro Guadalupano Free Store
• 612-724-3651

Find out if you qualify for either the FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit or other alternatives like Xfinity Internet Essentials. These opportunities, while they can cost something for the family, are cheaper than normal internet options and more stable connection than hotspots.

• Safety/Crisis Resource – Hennepin County

• Minnesota Mental Health Facts

• Change to Chill through Allina Health

• Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health

The following Facebook pages have information from the district, specifically for Latino, Hmong, West African, and Vietnamese families.

• Comunidad en Español/Spanish de las Escuelas del Area de Osseo 279

• Hmoob/Hmong Community in ISD 279 Osseo Area Schools

• West African Community in ISD 279 Osseo Area Schools

• Việt Nam/Vietnamese- ISD 279 Osseo Area Schools

Community Education creates opportunities that positively impact our whole community through innovative and responsive programs and services. Find classes, programs and events for all ages — from early childhood, youth to adult. View the catalog or register at osseo.ce.eleyo.com.

holdNeed help logging in to an account, checking in for an online meeting with a teacher, or setting up a device? Check out the technology resources in the Parent and Family Toolkit.

The best way for scholars and families to receive technology help during school hours (7:30am-4:00pm) is to contact 279Online's main office at 763-391-8670 or email us at online@district279.org.

• We will then have a member of our on site technology team reach out to you as soon as they can.

The best way for scholars and families to receive technology help outside of school hours is to submit a ticket for technology assistance through our new ticketing system, IncidentIQ

• Use the following link to submit a ticket via IncidentIQ. https://district279.incidentiq.com/guest/5K9FRZD3/help-desk-kiosk.
• Once you submit the ticket, then your user information will be in IncidentIQ for the future.
• You may also call the district tech department directly at 763-391-7180.

We know it can be tricky to keep track of all the tools families use to stay connected—so here’s a quick refresher!

ParentVUE and Schoology both help you stay informed about your student’s progress, but they serve different purposes.

• ParentVUE is your go-to place for official records—think grades, attendance, schedules, and report cards.

• Schoology is where you can see learning in action—class materials, assignments, and daily updates from teachers.

Check out the chart below for a detailed breakdown of how each platform supports you and your student’s success.

*The slides will transition in the following order: English, Somali, Vietnamese, Spanish, Hmong.

ParentVUE is an application you can use to view your scholars' attendance, report cards, schedule conferences, update your contact information and more. We highly encourage you to create an account if you do not have one already. Please follow these instructions on how you create an account.

You may also visit our ParentVUE page for more step-by-step instructions on how to access and change things in ParentVUE.

If you have any questions regarding your ParentVue account, please submit a ticket to our technology department via Incident IQ.

NEW: ParentVUE and StudentVUE have new apps, and current apps will no longer work after June 30, 2026.

Please download the new apps in your device's Apple or Android store which can be found under the names "StudentVUE (New)" or "ParentVUE (New)". The developer is Edupoint Educational Systems.

For assistance, please reach out to the district's technology support team via IncidentIQ.

Parents/Guardians can access the Schoology Parent Access Code in ParentVUE under the Lunch PIN in Student Info.

Follow us on social media:

• Facebook at 279Online
• X (formerly Twitter) at 279Online
• Instagram at 279Online_
• 279Online website

Follow Osseo Area Schools on social media:

• Facebook at OsseoSchools
• X (formerly Twitter) at ISD279
• Instagram at OsseoSchools
• Osseo Area Schools Website

• Keep your contact information current in ParentVUE. You can update phone numbers and email addresses at any time in ParentVUE. For instructions, please visit the ParentVUE Site.
• Please check Schoology for current grades, daily assignments, and overall progress. Mid-trimester grades and Trimester grades are posted in ParentVUE.
• Review our current and past newsletters on our website for important information.

Check your email regularly for Mass Notification and Schoology emails from us. If you aren’t seeing them, please look in your junk folder or check your setting to make sure you don’t have emails blocked.

We would love to partner with you to build our parent/caregiver community.

If you'd like to share ideas, feedback, or connect with other parents and our administration team, please contact Assistant Principal, Ryan Bisson at BissonR@district279.org or 763-391-8682.

Volunteering is an opportunity for you to:

• Show your children or the youth of our community that you are interested in their school life and their future
• Show your commitment to the community
• Help others and develop new skills
• Meet new and interesting people and develop friendships
• Share your time and talents
• Open communication between you and your child when you’re involved and know what is going on at school
• Give your child a boost -- studies show that parent and community involvement and volunteering enhances student success
• It’s fun!

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities for 279Online, please contact us at online@district279.org

Phone: 763-391-8670

Fax: 763-585-7389

Email: Online@district279.org

LANGUAGE LINE

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

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

Staff Contacts:

Kristin Swanson, Principal: SwansonK@district279.org

Ryan Bisson, Assistant Principal: BissonR@district279.org

Kate Rosbacka, Administrative Assistant: RosbackaK@district279.org

Hannah Schmiesing, Middle School Counselor: SchmiesingH@district279.org

Andrea Dorn, High School Counselor: DornA@district279.org

Angie Adelman, Social Worker: AdelmanA@district279.org

Lindsey Groettum, Special Education Building Coordinator: GroettumL@district279.org