Panther Newsletter

We know that Winter Break often involves a lot of celebration and fun time with family. We also know that this time of year can be a difficult time for families for a variety of reasons, especially this year when many of our families are feeling uncertainty and fear. Please know that we are here to support you. If you have urgent needs during the winter break please reach out to us with an email to give you a call, we will be checking email throughout break.

Sarah Schmidt: schmidtsarah@district279org

Jen Zipf: zipfj@district279.org

December 24 - January 2

Winter conferences are coming soon! Conference scheduling forms will come out after Winter Break. Conference dates are:

Wednesday, January 28

Thursday, January 29

Thursday, February 5

12/24/25-1/2/26 - Winter Break

1/16/26 - Asynchronous Learning Day - Students learn from home with devices

1/19/26 - No School - MLK Day

1/28, 1/29, and 2/5 - Winter Conferences & Book Fair

2/16/26 - No School - President's Day

2/24/26 - Science & Engineering Night - 5:30-7:00pm

Report cards have been posted to ParentVue. New to ParentVue? Sign up here: https://www.osseoschools.org/family-access/parentvue

Please Note: A number of Food Shelves may be offering Holiday food or possibly gift programs

for their participants. If you are registered with a particular Food Shelf or are otherwise getting

food from a Food Shelf, please check with the food shelf staff directly.

1. Emergency Foodshelf Network, Inc. (EFN) -

thefoodgroupmn.org

○ The Emergency Foodshelf Network (EFN) provides free holiday meal baskets for
winter holidays to families facing hunger. The program provides holiday-specific food
packages to Twin Cities residents living below the federal poverty guidelines, and each
package provides enough food to feed a family of at least eight people.
○ Register online here. or call (763) 450-3860 or email
info@thefoodgroupmn.org with questions.
○ Service Area: Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott and
Washington Counties.

2. Salvation Army - Toy Shop - Twin Cities Salvation Army

Website: Angel Tree (saangeltree.org)

Phone Number: (651-746-3595)

Eligible Counties: Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota, Scott, Carver, Washington,

Chisago, Wright and Sherburne

Age Limit: 14

Program Information: Registration for the 2025 Twin Cities Toy Shop opens

November 1st, 2025. Please register online at Angel Tree (saangeltree.org) or call

651-746-3595 Monday thru Friday 9 am to 4 pm. The Toy Shop is a collaboration of

churches and agencies who work together to register families for Christmas resources.

When you complete the form, your information will be assigned and given to an agency

that can serve you. They will be responsible for instructing you on how to pick up toys. In

order to complete the registration, you must meet all of the following guidelines:

■ You must live in the 10 county metro area of the Twin Cities (Minnesota).

■ You must have a child or children up to age 14.

■ You must have an active email address (for online registration).

■ You must have a home address and receive mail there.

■ You have not registered for Christmas assistance anywhere else.

■ You must show proof of address and identification for every child when you

pick up your toys.

Holiday Food Baskets is another option for families. In order to register for a food

basket you can contact your local Salvation Army Social Service Office. In order to

find the phone number for your area please go to Location Search - The Salvation

Army USA Central Territory

3. Toys for Tots - Home - Toys for Tots – Registration is by contacting one of the

listed agencies on the link. Please choose the one closest to your home.

Website:

Phone Number: 612-713-4827

Eligible Counties: Anoka, Blue Earth, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Freeborn, Hennepin,

Ramsey, Rice, Sherburne, Scott, Washington and Wright.

Age Limit: 16

Program Information: Toys are distributed through participating non-profit

organizations. A child may only be registered through one charitable organization.

Multiple registrations by different family members, at different locations, are not allowed.

Only toy requests by family members with custodial responsibility are normally

approved. Other requests are considered on a case by case basis.

Registration Link: online

Find an agency close to you and contact them. They will submit a request to Toys for

Tots for your toys. For a list of approved organizations, visit here.

Holiday Adoption Programs

Programs that provide 'Adopt-A-Family' services which match people who want to

provide personalized holiday assistance (usually gifts or a food basket) with an older

adult, individual with a disability or low income family who are unable to celebrate and

enjoy the holiday without the sponsor's generosity.

4. North Side Blessings – Adopt A Family

• Serves: Open to all families, adults without children, elderly, veterans,

homeless, group home residents, people with special needs, etc., that want to

be adopted

• Registration:

o Now until the program is full.

o Visit Facebook website to register; must sign in to Google Forms to complete

the application. Send an email to northsideblessings17@gmail.com with any

questions or difficulties with registering.

o No guarantee to be adopted. Only submit one request. If selected, family will

receive an ID number. Must be open to direct contact. Must respond to

adopters within 48 hours.

o If in a domestic violence situation, can remain anonymous but must be

verified.

• Documentation: Must provide a medical card or benefits letter from county with

parent/guardian and childs(rens) information. Must be legal parent or have legal

guardianship of child(ren).

5. Christmas with Dignity – REGISTRATION OPENS NOVEMBER 3rd, 2025.

Online registration only: Register Online before November 30th or until full. Shopping

Day will be December 12th from 9 am to 6 pm.

Registration requirements: current, valid photo ID for parent/guardian that is

registering the child/ren. *If address has changed, bring utility bill with new address. You

must live in one of these zip codes to register: 55443, 55444, 55429, 55430, 55412,

55422 and 55411.

● For biological children: bring ORIGINAL birth certificate listing parent and child. (NO

COPIES)

● For legal guardians/foster parents: bring custody letter; name and phone number of

social worker.

6. Fare for All Express

Phone: 763-450-3880.

Website: https://fareforall.thefoodgroupmn.org/.

Fresh groceries at discounted prices. Currently only has a limited number of sales with a

drive through sale model. Attend a Fare for All site-many sites available. Payment

options include cash, credit/debit card, or EBT. For the holiday season, they will host a

sale in EITHER November or December. Please check the schedule on the website.

FARE FOR ALL will have Holiday Food Baskets for Sale in November and

December.

7. NEAR North-suburban Emergency Assistance Response - NEAR - Home

(nearfoodshelf.org)

Phone: 763-533-2836

Website: http://www.nearfoodshelf.org/NEAR-Services.html

Address: 5209 W. Broadway Avenue, Crystal, MN 55429

Open to Residents of: New Hope, Crystal, Robbinsdale within the boundaries of Co.

Rd. 169 (to the west), 62nd Avenue N (to the north), Victory Memorial Drive (to the east),

and 42nd Avenue N. (to the south)

Holiday Baskets & School Supplies

Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes of food are given. Toys, caps and mittens are also

given out on the second Saturday in December at a separate location. They offer a

holiday toy distribution for children aged newborn through grade 12 who live in Crystal,

New Hope, or Robbinsdale. Registration is required- contact 763-533-2836 for

information.

Food

Individuals or families in need may call (763) 533-2836 between 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

M-F for an appointment. Food pickups are scheduled between 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(MTWF) and 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays. An additional 2 to 3 day supply of

food will be given once every 30 days, if necessary.

Must live in Crystal, New Hope or Robbinsdale.

8. PRISM - 1220 Zane Ave N, Golden Valley

Phone: 763-529-1350

Website: Celebrating Children at PRISM (prismmpls.org)

Address: 1220 Zane Avenue N, Golden Valley, MN 55422

Open to Residents of: Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, New Hope, Crystal, or Plymouth

(east of 494)

Shop for Change, also marketplace food shelf. Serve Golden Valley, New Hope,

Robbinsdale, Crystal, Plymouth (east of 494) (763)-529-1350

Holiday Toy Shop Registration is open October 21st through December 10th. The

event will be held on December 13. Please go to Celebrating Children at PRISM

(prismmpls.org) to register or call 763-529-1350 for more information.

Holiday Toy Shoppe: To qualify for the 2025 toy shop, your child must live in your home

and you must verify children prior to registration (medical card, birth certificate, social

security card, school record). If you haven’t used PRISM services before, you must meet

with a Case Manager to complete intake prior to using services.

9. CEAP – Holiday Program - 7051 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center.

Eligible to residents of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and East Champlin. Ages

18 and younger. You must be registered at the food shelf to participate in the

children’s programs. Please register at 763-450-3670. Leave a message and

someone will get back to you.

• For the Food Shelf: Register online or call 763-566-9600; online registration is

preferred; 9 am – 3:30 pm Monday – Friday to schedule a food shelf

appointment

• Description: Drive thru pick up; provides holiday food items in addition to

regular food shelf items. Note: There is a considerable decline related to

available holiday food items especially meat/protein.

10. United Way 2-1-1

United Way receives information from organizations that are providing Holiday food, toys

or gifts. Call 2-1-1, toll free at 800-543-7709 or 651-291-0211. You can also text your zip

code to 898-211*. They will search for programs within your zip code.

11. St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP)

Offers holiday food as part of their food program. Open to St. Louis Park residents.

Register in person M-Th 1-2pm and Tu 6-7pm. If there are questions about registration,

please call 952-925-4899.

Toy Distribution Program

In December, STEP provides new toys and Target gift cards to St. Louis Park Children

ashes infant to 17 years old. The program offers in person shopping for children 0-8.

Children 9-17 will receive a target gift card.

Registration for this program is November 20-December 11.

Families can register in one of two ways:

1. Complete the online registration form November 20-December 11

2. Call STEP (952-925-4899) November 20-December 11 during business hours:

Mon, Wed, Thurs 8am – 3:30pm; Tuesday 12:30pm – 7:00pm; Friday 8am –

11:00am

12. Twin Cities Salvation Army: Coats for Kids

Website: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/twin-cities/coats-for-kids/

The Salvation Army’s centers are a place for families in crisis to get help, including coats

for children. Visit any of the Twin Cities Worship & Service Centers to learn about

meeting your child’s need for a coat. Supplies may be limited, so it is recommended that

you contact the nearest location before stopping by to find out if supplies are available in

the sizes you need. You may qualify for other assistance during your visit, which can be

discussed in person with one of our case workers.

Nearby Locations Include:

● Noble Worship and Service Center: 10011 Noble Parkway, Brooklyn Park

o 763-425-0517

o https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northern/brooklynpark

● Minneapolis Parkview Worship and Service Center: 2024 Lyndale Avenue N,

Minneapolis

o 612-522-4871

o https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northern/northminneapolis/

Thanksgiving Baskets

Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church

• 3355 N 4th Street, Minneapolis 55412 - (612)767-9428

• Registration: October 13 - November 15, 2025; call 612-767-9428 between 8am and

12pm Leave name, address, phone, and email when calling. Registrants will receive a

phone call and will be assigned a specific time to pick up the basket.

• Serves: Open to all

• Description: Thanksgiving baskets and fixings. Basket contains a turkey and other

fixings.

Shiloh Cares Food Shelf - Shiloh Temple International Ministries

• 1201 West Broadway, Minneapolis 55411

• Serves: Open to all, first come, first served until gone; no registration

• Distribution Date: November 20th 10 am – 3 pm.

• Description: One day turkey giveaway

River Heights Vineyard Church – NO PRE-REGISTRATION

• 6070 Cahill Ave. E. Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076

• November 22nd, 2025

• 9:30a Registration (need to register onsite prior to the program at 12p)

9:30a Clothing Room opens

12:00p Thanksgiving Program

12:30p Food boxes handed out

Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities Thanksgiving Food Distribution

Thanksgiving Distribution – Registration Fills Fast – if there are no open time slots that means it

is full. You can stop by on Tuesday November 26th with the hopes that there may be some

bags left over from the giveaway due to no-shows.

Phyllis Wheatley Community Center

• 1301 10th Ave N Minneapolis, MN 55411

• Give away will be on November 22nd, 2025, 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Registration opens November 1st, 2025

• Please go to phylliswheatley.org to register

Sabathani Food Shelf (Located in Sabathani Community Center)

• Distribution will be from 10am-1pm on November 22nd, 2025

• Sign Up At: Sabathani All-Star Thanksgiving Giveback – Sabathani Community Center

• 310 E 38th St Suite 120

• Minneapolis, MN 55409

• 612-821-2396

Meals

Thanksgiving Day

Salvation Army

• The Harbor Light Center, 12:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m., 1010 Currie Ave., Minneapolis 612

767-3100

• Minneapolis Parkview Salvation Army, November 27th, 2025, 11:30–1 p.m., 2024

Lyndale Ave N., Minneapolis - 612-522-4871

• Description: Free community Thanksgiving dinner

Division of Indian Work

Serves culturally sensitive food to urban American Indian population. Offers holiday baskets in

November, December, and April. Information is posted on social media. CLOSED for

Thanksgiving. December is TBD.

FOCUS MN

Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Meals

• 550 Rice Street, Saint Paul, MN 55103

• (651) 222-0712

Please review the following expectations with bus riders. We've noticed an increase in unsafe behaviors on the bus.

Please make sure to call the attendance line (763-561-1930 press 1) to report any student absences. Teachers might not read an email or Talking Points message before the attendance calls go out at 10:30am.

Cold weather is coming soon! Please make sure your students are dressed appropriately for outdoor recess. We recommend labeling jackets, snow pants, hats, mittens and boots. Each spring, a very large amount of our "lost and found" items are winter gear, and we would love to return them to their owners! Students go outside unless it is raining or windchill is -5 or colder.

Safety is our number one priority. ANY person wishing to enter Palmer Lake will be expected to wait in the vestibule and speak with office staff via doorbell camera and microphone. Please have your ID ready for office staff to scan. Forgotten items (lunch boxes, instruments, etc.) can be left on the table in the vestibule for a more efficient drop off. Again, ANY person wishing to enter Palmer Lake will be expected to wait in the vestibule and speak with office staff via doorbell camera and microphone.

If you would like to speak with an administrator or teacher, you are strongly encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment.

https://pl.district279.org/

Transportation Office: 763-391-7244
BusQuestions@district279.org

Office hours-

School in Session: 6:00am-5:00pm
Non-Student Days: 6:00am-4:30pm

Here at Palmer Lake, we know information throughout the school year can get confusing and be overwhelming at times. The link below will bring you to a separate Newsletter that contains what you need to know, whenever you need it!

https://secure.smore.com/n/rz6mt-panther-newsletter