December Family Newsletter

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.

💥💥 DECEMBER!!! 💥💥

12/1-12/6: Holiday Penguin Shop

12/6: 2nd Annual Winter Festival

10:00-3:00pm

12/24-01/02: NO SCHOOL

(See everyone back on Monday, Jan 05)

Holiday Penguin Shop — December 1st–6th

Students will once again have the chance to shop for affordable holiday gifts for family and friends! All items are under $12, making it a fun and budget-friendly way to spread some holiday cheer. More details to come!

2nd Annual Winter Festival — Saturday, December 6th @10 AM–3 PM

Mark your calendars! Our 2nd Annual Winter Festival returns with fun for the whole family. Keep an eye out for flyers coming home soon.
Want professional photos by Amari Reve’? Use the QR code on the flyer to reserve your spot or the link below — one slot per family, please. Spaces will fill up quickly!

With appreciation,

Felicia Cornell

Family Liaison

Parent Vue

Parent Vue is a web application used by Osseo Area Schools for parents to access their child's report card, sign up for conferences, view health information, etc. It is critical that all parents/guardians have access to Parent Vue. To use, simply install the app on any smart phone and create your account. To ensure confidentiality, each student has their own access code.

Please go to the main office/or call 763-561-9768 for your child's special access code (if you do not have your Parent Vue set up yet).

All back to school forms MUST be completed and/or verified to enter ParentVue for the first time each school year. ParentVue will prompt you to do this when you login. Be sure to select the begin registration button. You will have to verify ALL CHILDREN in your home, even young siblings!

Late Arrival

A late arrival will be marked for students that arrive at school after 9:40am. Late arrivals can be marked as excused, or unexcused, based on reasoning. Arriving at school on time is incredibly important for your child so they are a part of all classroom community building and learning opportunities.

Birthdays/Celebrations

Out of respect for instructional time, family and religious choices, and many food allergies, birthday treats are NOT permitted in the classrooms. This is a district wide policy.

Arrival and Dismissal for Students Who Are Parent Pick-Up

Students should arrive at school NO EARLIER than 9:10 am as there will not be adult supervision.

Students should be picked up from school NO LATER than 4:00 pm

• We begin to call family numbers at 3:50pm
• There is NO left turn into the parking lot. Cars need to line up on 65th Avenue facing East so you make a RIGHT turn into the Family Pickup Zone.
• Do NOT block the bus lane.
• Do NOT park on the street or stop in the line to send someone to get your student(s). You need to line up in the line like all other families. When in line, you need to stay in line, waiting your turn like other families.

*IMPORTANT END OF DAY NOTICE*

To ensure the safety of all our students…

If there are ANY changes to pick up at the end of the day (example- your student(s) being a parent pick up instead of taking the bus home, or a different family/friend picking up etc) please notify the

OFFICE NO LATER than 2:30pm.

Call 763-561-9768

Bus Transportation Information

As a reminder, transportation is only available to students who live within the Garden City attendance boundaries.

If you have further transportation questions, need to make changes to your student's bus information, etc. please email transportation at BusQuestions@district279.org. or call at

763-391-7244.

Please make sure you download the new FirstView 1.0 Bus Tracking App for all the latest bus real time bus route timing and info. More info below.

FirstView 1.0 Bus Tracking App

Download updated bus tracking app to receive real-time info

Stay connected with your student's bus via our updated bus tracking app – FirstView 1.0.

This new app replaces the previous system with improved features such as easier navigation, notifications and family/caregiver email alerts. Current users should delete the previous app and download FirstView 1.0 to continue receiving real-time bus information. Refer to the Getting Started guide for first steps once the new app has downloaded onto your device.

Questions? Visit district279.org/FirstView or email support@myfirstview.com.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Download updated bus tracking app to receive real-time info

Stay connected with your student's bus via our updated bus tracking app – FirstView 1.0.

This new app replaces the previous system with improved features such as easier navigation, notifications and family/caregiver email alerts. Current users should delete the previous app and download FirstView 1.0 to continue receiving real-time bus information. Refer to the Getting Started guide for first steps once the new app has downloaded onto your device.

Questions? Visit district279.org/FirstView or email support@myfirstview.com.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

The application for educational benefits takes just a few minutes to complete, and it unlocks valuable support for families who qualify. Benefits include:

• Summer grocery support (Sun Bucks)

• Discounted home internet and utilities

• Lower college exam and AP fees

• After-school and summer programs

• Tutoring and academic help

• Low-cost community transit

• Free or discounted admission to museums, theaters and local events

How to apply:

• Online through EduTrakConnect at www.district279.org/FMA. This option will create a family account allowing online access to view meal accounts.

• Online at: bit.ly/3hWdk7Q This option will bypass making a family account while still allowing completion of the application.

Information regarding applications for educational benefits

• We still want to encourage families who have not been directly certified through programs such as SNAP to fill out applications for educational benefits.

• Letters were mailed earlier this month to families who qualify for educational benefits via direct certification through these programs. The letters state that they qualify. Families that qualify based on these programs do not need to fill out an application.

• It is beneficial for families who did not receive this notification to fill out an application as it may impact federal Title funding and may help the families and student qualify for other benefits.

• We cannot require a family to fill out an application or offer incentives for a family to fill out the application.

• This year, as with years past, we have mailed post cards with a link to complete applications for educational benefits to all households. We also send paper applications to each site to have on hand in the office. The paper applications, the post card, as well as the Nutrition Services website has a QR code, and links to a fillable online form that’s available in 5 languages.

• Below is an example script you may use to send communications to families if you’re interested.

WHY FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS WHEN MEALS ARE ALREADY AT NO COST?

Our school offers healthy meals each day. Breakfast and lunch will be available to students attending school in person at no cost for school year 2025/2026. Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important! 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.

There are three easy ways to apply for free or reduced priced meals:

1. Online through EduTrakConnect at www.district279.org/FMA. This option will create a family account allowing online access to view meal accounts.

2. Online at: bit.ly/3hWdk7Q This option will bypass making a family account while still allowing completion of the application

3. Scan the QR code (attached)