Connect-Aug. 26

Aug. 26, 2025

Osseo Area Schools is excited to welcome new principals for the 2025-26 school year! Please join us in welcoming our new educational leaders, and take a look at their introductory videos to learn more about these amazing educators.

• Kimberly Berling - Osseo Senior High School (interim principal for 2025-26)

• Xavier Reed - Maple Grove Middle School

• Stephanie Webster - Birch Grove School for the Arts

Patrick Smith, Maple Grove Middle School’s previous principal, will now serve as principal for the district’s new elementary school. Watch for Smith’s introductory video in fall 2026, as the district prepares to open the new elementary school’s doors to students for the first time.

All Minnesota K-12 students attending school in person will have a free breakfast and lunch available to them each academic school day due to the state's recently passed Free School Meals for Kids bill. However, it is still important for families to fill out the Educational Benefits application on EduTrakConnect to take advantage of several other benefits available to families who meet income requirements, including free or discounted costs for the following:

• Field trips
• Clubs, activities and athletics
• Band instruments
• ACT, SAT and AP fees
• Comcast internet for home
• Xcel Energy account assistance for electricity bills

Additionally, the state of Minnesota uses a school district's percentage of qualifying students from applications completed and approved prior to Oct. 1 each year to calculate each district's funding level. School district funding impacts class sizes, number of support staff the district can hire to help scholars and extra programming opportunities.

Please fill out the Educational Benefits application today to make sure your family can take advantage of these and other benefits!

CCX Media recently featured the district's new food truck as it served meals at Northwoods Park on Aug. 6.

“Being at parks and seeing the kids, that’s awesome. It’s very cool,” Jeff Ansorge, director of food and nutrition services, said. “Food trucks are fun, right? It brings excitement to the park, to the kids. And I think that’s one of the things we wanted to accomplish with the food trucks.”

Grant applications now open

District 279 Foundation's Grant Committee Trustees strive to make the grant process as easy as possible for any district employee, school volunteer or community member to submit an application for consideration. District 279 Foundation seeks to support innovative and creative projects that align with the following focus areas: Enhance Curriculum, Experiential Learning or Contribute to Community. Review the requirements on the website and submit an application. Learn more about grant applications.

Reading is Fun 5K is Saturday, Oct. 4

The Reading is Fun 5K, presented by Northstar Bus Lines, is coming soon. The course begins at Maple Grove Crimson Stadium, follows a Three Rivers Park trail, winds through the neighborhood and ends back at the stadium. Proceeds will support Osseo Area Schools' media centers. Register today to join the fun!

Osseo Area Schools' welcomed new teachers for 2025-26! The district's new educators spent time at new teacher orientation and equity training last week as they prepare to begin or continue their teaching journeys with Osseo Area Schools.

Osseo Area Schools has preschool and prekindergarten openings for 3- and 4-year-olds for the 2025-26 school year that starts Sept. 2.

• Teachers help students build confidence, curiosity and connection.
• Play-based learning fosters growth and skill development.
• Programs are offered at convenient school locations across the district.

Spots are limited—secure your spot now and learn more at OsseoSchools.org/preschool

The week of Aug. 11, practices kicked off for fall sports and activities at Maple Grove, Osseo and Park Center senior high schools, including cross country, boys and girls soccer, girls tennis, girls swim and dive, cheerleading, marching band, girls volleyball and football.

Check out more photos on Facebook.

This fall, 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.

• Aug. 26: School board regular business meeting
• Aug. 27-28: Elementary open houses
• Sept. 2: First day of school. Visit osseoschools.org/backtoschool for the latest back-to-school details.
• Sept. 9: School board work session
• Sept. 11: Last day to submit names for the new elementary school