Connect-April 14

April 14, 2026

students and district leaders shoveling the ground with construction equipment in the background

Last week, school board members, district leaders and a few of the district’s youngest students broke ground for Osseo Area Schools’ new community learning center in Brooklyn Park. The facility will be constructed on the former site of Crest View Elementary School

Learn more about the groundbreaking and plans for the learning center

a district leader speaks at a previous community conversation event

Share your preliminary thoughts to help us prepare for the event

Mark your calendars – the next Community Conversation is set to take place Tuesday, May 12 at 5 p.m. at Maple Grove Middle School. Community Conversations are being held this school year to gather feedback from families and community members about what is going well and what could be improved, while ensuring all feel valued and heard. District leadership and school board members host the events.

In the meantime, share your thoughts about the district through this Google FormYour responses will help us form the discussion topics for the May 12 conversation. Additionally, please share if you’re planning to attend.

A summary of all the results from this year will be shared community-wide later in May. Thank you, in advance, for your partnership on this journey. Questions? Reach out to Kay Villella, Executive Director of Community Relations at villellak@district279.org.

students holding college scholarship certificates on a staircase

Students from four of Osseo Area Schools’ senior high schools came together for a weeklong tour of several Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) at the end of March.

Learn more about the HBCU tour and scholarships earned

the three Athena Award winners' senior pictures

Three Osseo Area Schools athletes are chosen each spring as Athena Award winners, which recognizes outstanding senior female student-athletes from Twin Cities high schools.

This year's winners are April Watson from Maple Grove Senior High School, Nora Arneson from Osseo Senior High School and Claire Nelson from Park Center Senior High School.

Learn more about the Athena Award winners

Three seats on the Osseo Area Schools school board will be filled by a general election on Nov. 3, 2026.

A candidate information packet is available now. The packet includes relevant documents about running for school board and may be picked up at the Osseo Area Schools Educational Service Center, 11200 93rd Avenue North, Maple Grove, during regular office hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please arrange a pickup day and time with Sherri Lincoln (see contact information in linked article).

The candidate filing period is July 14-28, 2026.

Learn more about filing for school board candidacy

recent opportunities for learning and fun around Osseo Area Schools

students playing basketball against staff members

Oak View Elementary pits fifth graders, staff in basketball battle

Fifth grade students at Oak View Elementary School took to the basketball court April 10 for some friendly competition with the school’s staff. Also included on the staff roster was a special guest in Maple Grove Middle School principal Xavier Reed, who will be the students’ new principal when they begin middle school this fall.

Learn more about the game

a panel of local elected officials speak to students

League of Women Voters panel at PCSH

High school seniors at Park Center Senior High School (PCSH) attended a panel organized by the League of Women Voters and the school’s counseling staff April 9. Local and regional elected officials attended the event to share about their experiences running for office and serving as elected officials.

See who attended the panel

Family engagement night builds relationships in Early Childhood Special Education program

Families and staff from Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) gathered April 9 for an engaging evening at Willow Lane Early Childhood Center focused on connection, learning, play and resources. The event welcomed children and families to spend time together and build relationships with ECSE staff.

Learn more and see photos of the event

Early Childhood Family Education brings families together in the community

Parents and caregivers with young children are gathering at Annabelle House, a local coffee shop in Osseo, for weekly Story Time with a parent educator. The Wednesday morning sessions are part of the district's Community Education Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) programming efforts to bring free, accessible learning opportunities to the community for families with young children.

Learn more about Wednesday mornings at Annabelle House

April 7-May 19: Kindergarten Information Nights
April 15: Enrollment closes for Game On and OMG summer programs
April 17: Family stakeholder survey closes
April 21: School board regular business meeting
April 22: Summer ECFE registration lottery held
April 24: Student asynchronous (remote) learning day, licensed staff instructional planning
April 27: No school for students, licensed staff workshop
April 30: Summer Kidstop preview night
May 5: School board work session

Groundbreaking event held for new community learning center Groundbreaking event held for new community learning center

Next Community Conversation being held May 12 Next Community Conversation being held May 12

Share your preliminary thoughts to help us prepare for the event

District students tour Historically Black Colleges and Universities District students tour Historically Black Colleges and Universities

2026 Athena Award winners announced 2026 Athena Award winners announced

2026 School board elections 2026 School board elections

Oak View Elementary pits fifth graders, staff in basketball battle

League of Women Voters panel at PCSH

Family engagement night builds relationships in Early Childhood Special Education program

Early Childhood Family Education brings families together in the community

Looking ahead Looking ahead