Falcon Newsletter

Gratitude, Growth, and Community 🧡

Dear Fair Oaks Families,

As the fall season begins to wind down, we want to take a moment to thank you—from the bottom of our hearts—for the support, encouragement, and love you’ve poured into your children and into our school community. The growth we’ve seen in our students this season is a direct reflection of the care they receive both at home and here at Fair Oaks. We are so proud of them—and of you.

Thank you to all who were able to attend fall conferences. These conversations are a vital part of our partnership, offering a chance to connect with teachers, celebrate progress, and collaborate on next steps. Whether you joined us in person or connected in other ways, your presence and engagement make a meaningful difference.

We’re also excited to share that Turkey Bingo is coming up on Friday, November 21st—a beloved Fair Oaks tradition that brings joy, laughter, and a little friendly competition. It’s always a big hit with families, and we hope to see many of you there!

As we move into the holiday season, we recognize that this time of year can bring both celebration and challenge. For some families, it may be a season of stress, uncertainty, or need. Please know that you are not alone. If you are in need of support—whether it’s resources, connection, or simply someone to talk to—our school is here for you. Reach out to us. We are a community that grows together, and that includes lifting one another up when times are tough.

Thank you for being part of the Fair Oaks family. We are proud of our students, inspired by our staff, and deeply grateful for the partnership we share with you.

With care and appreciation,
David
Principal, Fair Oaks Elementary

As the weather begins to change, please remember to send tennis/athletic shoes with your child for gym. This is a requirement for their participation in class. Thank you.

JOIN US FOR TURKEY BINGO!

WHEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST

WHERE: FAIR OAKS GYM

COME PLAY BINGO AND HAVE DINNER!

WE WILL BE SELLING HOTDOGS, CHIPS, POPCORN, POP, CANDY AND WATER.

THE COST IS $3 PER BINGO CARD FOR THE ENTIRE EVENING.

THE LAST GAME WILL BE A COVER ALL FOR AN ADDITIONAL $5 PER CARD.

***YOU COULD WIN A TURKEY OR A HAM***

***THIS WILL BE A CASH-ONLY EVENT***

***ANYONE UNDER 18 NEEDS TO BE SUPERVISED BY AN ADULT FOR THE ENTIRE EVENT***

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL CARMY MERSEREAU AT MERSEREAUC@DISTRICT279.ORG

If you have not received an email to view and order your child's photos,

please reach out to the photographer directly at: 952-473-2142 or info@k-photography.com

E-newsletter article and/or email - Beginning Oct. 28

RE: 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 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.

New attendance boundaries go into effect at district elementary and middle schools the 2026-27 school year. Please double-check whether or not your household is impacted by using the 2026-27 search tool available via osseoschools.org/boundaries.
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.
These changes can be tough, however, please keep in mind educational programs and services are similar throughout the district. Efforts have also been made to keep neighborhoods together as much as possible so that any school changes are made with familiar students.
Special activities will be held next spring to welcome and support families relocating. Families are also welcome to check out school websites and/or schedule a tour.
Last year’s board report details the full change process. As shared at that time, changes were needed because of a significant enrollment imbalance. The community’s support of Building a Better Future limited adjustments to elementary and middle schools.
The flexibility with this needed change is appreciated. Questions? Reach out to BetterFuture@district279.org or 763-391-8990.

FOOD RESOURCES

Local Food Resources

CEAP Food Market in Brooklyn Park: https://www.ceap.org/
NEAR Food Shelf in Crystal: https://www.nearfoodshelf.org/
Food Shelf in a Box at Zanewood Recreation Center (2nd Tuesday of the month): https://www.goodinthehood.org/our-programs/food-programs/
Hunger Solutions hotline (1-888-711-1151) or food finder tool: https://www.hungersolutions.org/find-help/
Second Harvest Heartland food finder tool: https://www.2harvest.org/find-food/resource-map
Loaves and Fishes find a community meal: https://www.loavesandfishesmn.org/find-a-community-meal/

This is a tough time for many in our Fair Oaks community. Please know that support is available for a variety of needs. Our school social worker, Krysta Sather, can assist you in making community connections.

Fair Oaks elementary will continue to have the weekend food bag program provided by EveryMeal. If you have not signed up for this program, but want to participate please contact our school social worker, Krysta Sather, via email (satherk@district279.org), phone (763-549-2356), or TalkingPoints to request a sign up brochure.

Screen time and online safety are more important than ever! Click the links below for helpful information about screen time and online safety for your child. Also available in Spanish.

When are kids ready for social media?

Media guidelines for kids of all ages

Healthy limits on video games

Help kids deal with cyber bullying

More Minnesotans can now get free or lower cost health insurance regardless of immigration status. Portico health helps families navigate the healthcare system and apply for health insurance through the MNSure system. Trained navigators can speak with families in multiple languages including Spanish and Hmong.

https://porticohealthnet.org/

YOU CAN CALL THE MAIN OFFICE FOR YOUR STUDENT'S PARENTVUE ACCESS CODE. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE AN ACTIVE ACCOUNT THAT YOU CANNOT ACCESS, YOU WILL JUST NEED TO CLICK "FORGOT PASSWORD" AND GO THROUGH THE STEPS TO RESET YOUR PASSWORD.

YOU CAN ACCESS YOUR STUDENT'S ID NUMBER AS WELL AS THEIR FIRSTVIEW (BUS TRACKING) ACCESS CODE IN PARENTVUE.

SEE THE BOTTOM OF THIS NEWSLETTER FOR HELP TO SET UP ANY OF OUR DISTRICT APPS.

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.

Dear Scholars and Guardians,

Osseo Area Schools provides all scholars with access to district technology resources, including an assigned 1:1 iPad or Chromebook, for educational purposes. All scholars must follow all district policies regarding the use of these devices at all times. More information can be found on the District Website under digital learning.

Although devices are in the hands and homes of our scholars, each device is and remains the property of Osseo Area Schools. Scholar devices can and may be accessed by authorized Osseo staff, including their teacher, to provide instruction, technical support, and ensure district policy is followed. If a device becomes damaged at any point, repair or replacement cost may be assessed and would be added to the scholar’s account after notification to the family. A list of costs and other information can be found on our website under digital learning. Below are the most common device repair costs:

iPads

Chromebooks

Asset tag replacement: $10.00

Charging kit replacement: up to $28.00

Charging kit replacement: up to $31.00

Damaged case: up to $50.00

Damaged keyboard: up to $25.00

Damaged screen: up to $139.00

Damaged screen: up to $185.00

Liquid damage: varies, up to $294.00

Liquid damage: varies, up to $300.00

Full replacement: up to $350.00 (Kit)

Full replacement: up to $375.00 (Kit)

Mary McGrath

Tech ESP Fair Oaks

74309

mcgrathm@district279.org

Click here to reach the help desk for any technical related issues.

11/3 - Chess Club 4:10pm (For students who are signed up)

11/4 - Chess club (for students who are signed up) 4:10-5:10

11/5 - Fair Oaks Fun and Learning 4:10pm-5:10pm (for those who are signed up)

11/10 - Chess Club 4:10pm (For students who are signed up)

11/12 - Fair Oaks Fun and Learning 4:10pm-5:10pm (for those who are signed up)

11/17 - Hoops Skills (for students who are signed up) 4:10-5:10

11/17 - Robotics (for students who are signed up) 4:10-5:10

11/19 - Fair Oaks Fun and Learning 4:10pm-5:10pm (for those who are signed up)

11/21 - Turkey BINGO 5:30-7pm

11/24 - Hoops Skills (for students who are signed up) 4:10-5:10

11/24 - Robotics (for students who are signed up) 4:10-5:10

11/25- All School Morning Meeting - Celebration of November CARES Champions

11/26 - No school

11/27 - No school

11/28 - No school

THESE STUDENTS WERE NOMINATED BY STAFF FOR SHOWING C.A.R.E.S. QUALITIES!

OCTOBER CARES Champions

Yasmin Mohamed

William Her

Keidan Ly

Favor Johnson

Phoenix Chang

Isaiah Cooper

Fatumata Jabateh

Kamila Exiga Rios

Mariam Dolley

Amalee Sando

Julieta Lopez Magana

Leon Yang

Daniel Sosa Calderon

Austin Copeland

Rowan Yang

Thielen Vang

Randy Lor

Arion Thorns

Celine Jaber

Yareny Huerta

Lillian Xiong

Andrea Moncado

Violet Ramirex

Leandro Vital

Kevin Pineda Mendez

Arely Munoz Andrade

Lexie Thoeun

Mateo Soto-Barrera

Melody Cantor

Chantha Thoeun

La’Carri Simmons

Sophia Villalobos

Autumn Williams

Miguel Nguni Fonju

Chadus Copeland

Camila Pesantez Espinoza

Yulianna Salinas

Olivia Roberts

Penelope Xiong

Ruth Torres Silva

Alex Xiong

Mason Jallah

Jamar Duo

Averly Yang

Nevaeh Mckinney-Chavarria

Maria Thao

Lex Buckley

Matthew Kong

Ivan Vang

Sofia Vera

Carlos Fernandez

Cayden Coleman

Jaylani Marin

***October CARES Champions were celebrated at the October All-School-Morning-Meeting.

Congratulations to all of our CARES Champions!

Our volunteer coordinator is Sophie Castruita. She can help you with any and all questions regarding volunteer work at Fair Oaks. There are many events though out the year that we need volunteers to help make a success! If there is a chance that you will chaperone your student's field trips at all this year, we ask that you please fill out this application as well. You can reach Sophie at: CastruitaS@district279.org

Volunteer Application

In October, our Talent Development sessions began with a discussion about “What to Do with an Idea” and times when we’ve had creative ideas of our own. Students then brought their ideas to life using LEGO, practiced strategic thinking with both 2x2 and 3x3 Rubik’s Cubes, and finished the month by coloring beautiful geometric mandala designs. We can’t wait to see where our creativity takes us next month during Makerspace activities!

INCREASE IN ILLNESS AT SCHOOL

We have been experiencing an increase of illness at school. Below are helpful tips for when students should remain at home to help avoid the spread of illnesses.

Please consider keeping your child home if they show signs of: (consider calling your child’s primary physician’s office to assist you with any questions or concerns)

· Earache, ear drainage

· Stomachache, nausea

· New or Persistent cough

· Runny nose and/or nasal congestion

· Unidentified/Suspicious skin rash

· Headache

· Sore throat

· Pink eye (conjunctivitis) in one or both eyes, especially if they are unable to remember to not touch their eye and to wash their hands after touching their eyes

Students must stay home if they are experiencing:

· Vomiting, or diarrhea (must be vomiting or diarrhea free for 24 hours before returning to school)

· Oral temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher (your child must be fever free for 24 hours, without the use of medication (Tylenol or Ibuprofen) before your child returns to school)

· If diagnosed with strep throat, your child may return after taking the prescribed antibiotic for 12 hours and has been fever free after 24 hours (if they had a temperature over 100.4)

· Live Lice, students cannot return to school until treated for lice (medication can be purchased at any Target, Walmart, Walgreens, etc.) When your child returns to school, the nurse must check your child’s hair for any signs of live lice

Medications in the school health office

All medications (prescription or over the counter) that need to be administered during school hours, must have a physician’s order and a signed medication administration consent form. Medications received without this documentation cannot be administered by the nurse and it will be sent home.

**Please contact the nurse prior to sending any new medication. The nurse will assist you will all the necessary documentation needed for your student’s new medication.

ATTENDANCE REMINDERS

Attendance Reminders

If your student(s) are ever late or absent from school for any reason, please be sure to call our attendance line at 763-549-2353 (this is different than our main office number). You can leave a voicemail in either English or Spanish, 24 hours a day on this line. We ask that you please let us know about your child's absence or late arrival by 10am whenever possible to avoid receiving one of the automated calls from the district about your student's attendance.

Click here to see the Fair Oaks Facebook page

Hmong families are also welcome to follow our Hmong FB page!

KOU VANG

ML Community and Communication Specialist

Educational Equity Department

Osseo Area Schools

11200 93rd Ave N. Maple Grove, MN 55369

Work Cell: (612) 394-3358

vangk@district279.org

Brooklyn Middle School (T/W/F)

Fair Oaks Elementary (TH)

Palmer Lake Elementary (M)

OSSEO AREA SCHOOLS HAS A NEW BUS TRACKING APP THIS YEAR! PLEASE DELETE YOUR OLD FIRSTVIEW APP AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO DOWNLOAD THE NEW APP. YOU WILL NEED YOUR STUDENT'S ID NUMBER WHICH YOU CAN FIND ON PARENTVUE, AS WELL AS THE CODE: P4P7U.

NEW FIRSTVIEW BUS TRACKING APP!

The FirstView 1.0 mobile app helps you to keep track of school buses going to and from school each day. Support is available Monday - Friday from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm ET for existing FirstView users with app-related questions or concerns.

Email: support@myfirstview.com

Phone:1(888) 889-8920