December 2025 Birch Grove Bulletin
Dear Families and Caregivers,
Thoughtfully,
Stephanie Webster
Principal
Birch Grove Elementary
WebsterS@District279.org
Report Cards on ParentVUE
Student report cards will be available to view on ParentVUE by the end of the day on Tuesday, December 9th.
- Information about ParentVUE, including how to create an account, can be found here. Please submit a ticket to Incident IQ if you have any trouble setting up or accessing your ParentVUE account.
- Follow these instructions to learn how to access your child's report card on ParentVUE. (Also available in Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese, Somali, and Oromo).
- Click here for information about grading and rubrics, including descriptors by grade level. (Also available in Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese, and Somali)
Nurse Needs
Our nurse needs both pants and underwear, sizes 4T – Adult medium, boys and girls. If you have extra, please drop them off in the office during school hours. Thank you!
Questions? Contact Nurse Ava at CipowskiA@District279.org
From the Media Center
I am so excited that our Birch Grove Bobcats LOVE reading! We have checked out over 5000 books already this year!!! Keep encouraging your child to read every day! And don’t forget to return the books to school on your library day so you can get new books to keep the reading fun and interesting!
In addition to reading, we have been talking about digital citizenship in several grade levels. I have attached some links to Family Activity Game Cards you can use to start conversations with your family and think about your media preferences and the guidelines you want to set for your family. The article link below includes some audio clips that can be used for conversation starters as well.
-Mrs. Kimmes
KimmesS@District279.org
Family Activity Game Cards
These family activity cards are based on some popular verbal games—often with a twist. They're rooted in the concepts in the Digital Literacy and Well-Being Curriculum from Common Sense Media. The purpose is to start discussions in authentic, fun ways and encourage sharing (including for the adults!).
Each card has a fact, a prompt, and a follow-up question. Read this article for the premise of each game:
Click these links for the cards:
Grades K–2 English (Spanish)
Grades 3–5 English (Spanish)
Grades 6–8 English (Spanish)
Grades 9–12 English (Spanish)
Talent Development, Academic Challenge, & Gifted Support (TAG) at BG
Talent Development, Academic Challenge and Gifted Support (TAG) services are available to students in third through fifth grade to strengthen interests, extend grade-level content, and apply skills and concepts in authentic ways. Learn more about what TAG services look like at Birch Grove at the link below.
Questions? Contact TAG teacher Mrs. Spangberg at SpangbergD@District279.org
2026-27 Attendance boundary changes: Reminder and next steps
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 recently received a letter with information about their new school and other pertinent details.
Families with 2026-27 fifth and eighth graders have been 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. Eligible families (those with fifth and eighth graders next year) need to share their response to this option by Dec. 22 via a ParentVUE form.
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.
*Boundary changes do NOT affect Birch Grove as a magnet school. Students currently enrolled at Birch Grove in grades PreK-4 will be automatically enrolled to continue at Birch Grove for the 2026-27 school year. Current 5th graders will receive information about middle school enrollment shortly.
December 4th: Troupe Expo & Showcase
Birch Grove Choir and Drama Troupes will perform on Thursday, Dec. 4 at the winter Troupe Showcase! The Showcase will also include work displayed of the Non-Auditioned Troupes.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Thursday, December 4th
Time: 5:00-6:00 pm - Expo and Gallery
6:00-7:00 pm - Choir & Drama Performances
Location: Birch Grove Gym
December 9th: Dine to Donate at Chipotle
Join the BG PTO in partnership with Chipotle to raise money for BG! On Tuesday, December 9th, between 5:00-9:00 pm, place an order for dine-in, takeout, or online and a portion of your order will go back to Birch Grove. You must either show a printed or digital copy of the fundraiser flyer or mention it when you place your order. If you order online, enter the code BGR93Z4 under the "enter a promo code" space. (Instructions for online ordering). Valid only at the location listed below and only for dine-in and pickup orders.
Questions? Email the PTO at PTOBirchGrove@District279.org.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, December 9th
Time: 5:00-9:00 pm
Location: Chipotle Mexican Grill
5901 94th Ave N Ste 101
Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
December 11th: PTO Meeting
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, December 13th
Time: 6:00-7:00 pm
Location: Birch Grove Media Center
December 24th-January 2nd: Winter Break - No School
There will be NO SCHOOL from December 24th-January 2nd due to winter break. School resumes on Monday, January 5th, 2026.
Osseo Area Schools Community Education
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.
Free Food Bags with EveryMeal
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
Office of Multicultural Services
Hennepin County's Office of Multicultural Services (OMS) offers help in your language. OMS can help with applying for government benefits, employment opportunities and applications, housing needs, and more. Visit the website at the link below for more information, including information in multiple languages.
Contact
Phone: 612-348-2193
2215 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Homework Starts with Home
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
Save Receipts for School Supplies
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.