Monthly Boost

June 2026

As we wrap up another incredible school year, we want to take a moment to congratulate all of our scholars, staff, and families on a year full of learning, perseverance, and growth. From academic achievements to extracurricular involvement, everyday acts of kindness, and meaningful connections, there is so much to celebrate and reflect on as we close out the year.

This year also marked the launch of AVID at 279Online, and we are excited about the foundation it has created for continued student growth and success in the years ahead. As we look toward next year, we are committed to strengthening communication and partnerships with families while continuing meaningful conversations about how we can grow and improve the 279Online experience for all students and families. We also encourage you to reach out to us with any ideas, feedback, or suggestions, as your voice and partnership are an important part of helping our school continue to grow and improve.

To our seniors: graduation is just around the corner, and we want you to know how proud we are of all you have accomplished. Keep pushing forward, attend your classes, complete any remaining assignments, and do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it during this final week. Your teachers, counselors, and staff believe in you, support you, and are here to help you cross the finish line as we celebrate this important milestone together.

We hope everyone has a safe, restful, and well-deserved summer break! Thank you for your support, hard work, and dedication throughout the school year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall and all of the opportunities, growth, and excitement that next year will bring.

With gratitude,

Ms. Swanson, Principal

Ms. Bisson, Assistant Principal

June 4: Last Day of School for Seniors (grade 12)

June 5: Last Day of School for Students (grades 6-11)

June 7: Senior Commencement Ceremony

June 11: All Report Cards will be posted to ParentVUE by the end of the day.

279Online Commencement Ceremony Information
June 7th, 2026 at 11:00am

McNamara Alumni Center – University of Minnesota
200 SE Oak St, Minneapolis, MN 55455

All commencement-related details can be found on the 279Online Commencement Ceremony website.

Seniors’ Last Day

Seniors’ last day of school will be June 4th. Seniors should attend Advisory for the remainder of the year as they will receive important end of year information.

Commencement Participation Fee

Each graduating senior must pay a $20 commencement fee approved by the ISD 279 School Board. This fee can be paid online through EduTrak or in person at Senior Checkout, cash or check only. We cannot take credit card payments in person.
EduTrak

Senior Spotlight & Ceremony Information Form (REQUIRED)

In order to pronounce each scholar’s name correctly at the ceremony, we need your help! Please have your scholar fill out this form and upload a file (video or audio) of the pronunciation of their name. Please check in with you scholar to ensure they’ve submitted this form.

• Senior Spotlight & Commencement Information Form

Seniors are required to attend Senior Checkout at the Osseo Area Learning Center (OALC) on June 5th between 1-3pm to ensure all requirements for graduation have been met, return any district textbooks and receive their cap and gown for the 279Online Commencement Ceremony on June 7th.

• When: June 5, 2026 from 1:00-3:00PM
• Where: Osseo Area Learning Center (7300 Boone Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428)
• Please enter through the main entrance, Door A by the flagpole.

There will be three stations that Seniors will stop at to complete their Senior Checkout:

1. Chromebook Collection Station
   Seniors will return their Chromebooks and hotspots (if applicable). The technology department will assess the devices and assign any necessary fees for broken or missing items. You can see a breakdown of these fees here. Please bring cash or check to pay for any fees incurred at Senior Checkout. Once your device(s) have been returned, scholars will continue to the next station.
2. Fines & Fees Station
   279Online staff will look up scholar fine/fee information and verify that all fees have been paid. Scholars will have an opportunity to pay technology fees at this time as well. If your senior has any current fees, you will receive an email identifying those fees with instructions on how to pay those prior to June 5th. Once all fees have been cleared, scholars will continue to the next station.
1. If you have books from another school, please bring them with you to Senior Checkout. We will return them to the other school and clear the fee associated with it. (For information on how to link your scholar to your account: EduTrak Help or call the EduTrak Helpline at 1-800-934-2621)
3. Credit Check Station
   Our counselor, Mrs. Dorn will verify if seniors have completed all required credits for graduation. Scholars who have completed all required credits will continue to the final station to receive their cap & gown.
4. Cap & Gown Station
   Seniors will receive their cap and gown to wear to their commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 7th. Along with the cap and gown, all scholars will receive a 279Online tassel and medallion to be worn at the commencement ceremony. Scholars who are eligible for honors accessories will receive their purchased tassel/stole at this time.

We look forward to seeing you at Senior Checkout! Another email with all commencement related details will be sent out on June 3rd.

More information can also be found on the 279Online Commencement Ceremony website.

Over the past month, our students have had the opportunity to participate in a few field trips and community experiences. Check out some highlights below!

Our AVID 6th graders had an amazing College Readiness Visit at the University of Minnesota on May 6! Scholars explored the campus, learned about the college admissions process, toured university buildings, and even won swag for asking thoughtful questions. Experiences like these help our scholars start imagining their future and all the possibilities ahead!

279Online AVID Scholars had a day full of laughs, big rides, great memories and time spent together as an AVID community at Valleyfair on Wednesday, May 20. It was a day to remember!

A HUGE thank you to District 279 Foundation for grant funding that made this experience possible for our scholars!

On May 20, 279Online scholars participated in our Virtual Career Day, where they explored a variety of careers, and connected with speakers from different fields. Speakers shared their career journeys, education experiences, and advice for future success. We also heard from speakers and teachers that scholars asked thoughtful and meaningful questions throughout the day. Learning how to ask questions and communicate with others are important skills that help prepare scholars for their futures.

Our career and job speakers included: a TikTok Shop content creator, CEO/small business owner, correctional officer, occupational therapists, network engineer, MN House of Representative, television news reporter, writer, facilities and security director, pilot, National Park Ranger, nurse, IT, entrepreneur and marketing agency owner, artist, theater director, and construction manager. We are especially grateful to the caregivers, relatives, and family connections who took time to speak with our scholars and share their experiences.

Scholars shared that they enjoyed learning about different careers. Here are some takeaways:

• One scholar shared that they learned “problem solving is a very wide skill that applies to many jobs,” while another reflected on how important “people skills” are in helping others succeed.

• Scholars also connected with the idea that “you can change your career as much as you can to gain experience” and that “not everyone really knows what they want to be when they grow up.”

• Several scholars appreciated the honesty speakers shared about their careers, including learning that some jobs “don’t have stability at times,” require “a lot of focus,” or even mean waking up at “THREE THIRTY AM!”

• One scholar shared that “there are millions of ways to write” and that “true creativity doesn’t come from making new ideas, but from making new connections between already existing ideas.”

Overall, scholars left Career Day with a better understanding of the many different paths, skills, and experiences that shape future opportunities. After each session, scholars completed an exit ticket to share what they learned and what careers they would like to explore in the future. Their feedback will help us continue planning meaningful career exploration opportunities for next year.

Our AVID Team Sprang into Action this season with two meaningful community service projects!

Thanks to our school community, we collected 30 items for our Food Drive, which were donated to CEAP in Brooklyn Park to support local families. Our scholars also wrote 21 heartfelt Letters of Love, spreading encouragement and kindness to children facing serious illnesses.

We’re proud of the compassion and service our students continue to show—small acts can make a big impact!

District 279 Foundation’s 2026 Investment in Youth Celebration took place on Sunday, May 3 at Park Center Senior High School: An IB World School. For years, District 279 Foundation has held the annual event to honor scholars, volunteers and staff in Osseo Area Schools. This year, 72 award recipients were celebrated.

We are proud to recognize the following 279Online students and staff members who were recognized at this year’s celebration for their outstanding contributions and dedication:

Significant Investment in Developing Their Own Talents: Exhibiting unique expressions of creativity or talent.

• Orchid Yang, Student

Significant Investment in the Betterment of Education: Showing commitment to education by giving of their time, talents or resources.

• John Davis, Teacher
• Michelle Wolf, ESP

Significant Investment in Their Own Learning: Demonstrating perseverance, love of learning or pursuit of knowledge by study or experience.

• Fatima Almusawey, Student

Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees, and thank you for the many ways you continue to make a positive difference in our community!

During Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8), our scholars helped with the celebrating! 🦦

Our WICOR Wonder Awards recognize teachers who bring Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading to life. WICOR is a core part of AVID, helping students build the skills they need to think critically, stay organized, and succeed in school and beyond.

Take a look at two scholar shout-outs honoring teachers who help our scholars learn and thrive!

Our Senior Spotlight Series is officially underway! 🎉 We’re excited to celebrate the Class of 2026 through the end of June on our social media pages.

Through these ongoing spotlights, you will hear directly from our seniors as they reflect on their high school journey, sharing favorite memories, future plans, words of advice, and the people who have made a meaningful impact along the way.

Click on the links to our social media pages below to follow along as we continue highlighting the voices, experiences, and accomplishments of our graduating class. It is a great way to celebrate everything that makes the Class of 2026 so special!

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!

Our friends at Revolution Prep are offering their biggest summer gift card yet—claim yours to save up to $900 on tutoring, test prep, and executive function coaching. Summer is the perfect time to help your student build confidence, strengthen skills, and get ahead before the next school year begins.

With personalized support, students can:

• Improve grades and academic performance
• Build stronger study habits and executive function skills
• Prepare for upcoming classes or standardized tests
• Start the year feeling confident and in control
• Plan ahead while schedules are flexible

Take advantage of the summer to make a big difference, all year long!

Click Here to claim your summer gift card.

School’s out, but the learning doesn’t have to stop!

MackinVIA is available all summer long—just download the app on your phone or tablet for 24/7 access to your favorite books.

Don't forget to check out your local public library, too! They have amazing summer activities, including Anime Club, Youth Maker Club, and even Llamas at the Library for tweens and teens. Plus, you can use the smART Pass program to score free or discounted tickets to a wide range of arts experiences, or enter for a chance to win free Minnesota Twins, MN State Fair, and Sea Life tickets!

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.

Osseo Area Schools will provide free meals to children through the federally funded Summer Food Service Program from June 10 through Aug. 21.

Any child 18 years of age or younger may participate. Meals will be provided during the allotted time frames and must be eaten on site.

Click Here for more information.

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.

Osseo Area Schools is excited to share that students in Grades 6-11 may keep their district-issued Chromebook over the summer. This helps students stay connected to learning and allows us to start the new school year smoothly and efficiently.

• If your student is returning to a brick-and-mortar school within the Osseo Area Schools district in the fall, they may also keep their current chromebooks.

Keeping the Chromebook over the summer means you and your student agree to follow the guidelines below. Please take a few minutes to review them together.

• Care & Responsibility
• The Chromebook is provided for your student’s educational use. Students are responsible for keeping the device clean, safe, and in good working condition.
• Safety & Reporting
• Please store and transport the device securely. It should never be left unattended in public places or exposed to extreme heat or cold. If the Chromebook is damaged, lost, or stolen, notify the school or district within 24 hours. A ticket can be made by clicking on this link to start a ticket. In cases of theft, a police report may be required.
• Following District Policies
• All District policies related to Acceptable Use, Internet Safety, and Digital Citizenship continue to apply over the summer. Students may not change security settings, remove district asset tags, or install unauthorized software.
• Return & Financial Responsibility
• The Chromebook remains district property and must be checked in at the start of the new school year in working condition, including all accessories. Families may be responsible for repair or replacement costs due to negligence, intentional damage, or loss.
• Technical Support
• Please note that technical support will be available on a limited basis during the summer months.

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

Doris Moylan, Social Worker: MoylanD@district279.org

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