Fort Osage Virtual Backpack

Welcome to your weekly Fort Osage newsletter. Information is updated weekly on Wednesdays. If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Smith, Director of Public Relations at ssmith@fortosage.net.

• The Attic, the Fort Osage High School student run coffee shop, is hosting a Pop Up at Tammi Sue's (Buckner, MO) on October 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Each year, the Fort Osage School District conducts a climate and culture survey to evaluate the quality of our schools and guide our improvement efforts aligned with the district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). This year Fort Osage School District is taking part in the Missouri School Climate and Culture Survey. Your input is critical to this process and helps us identify strengths, challenges, and areas for growth. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey using the link below. Survey responses will be collected through Friday, November 6th. Surveys are distributed to students in specific grade levels, parents, and district employees. Responses from all parents will be anonymously summarized and will be included in a report for the school district. The school district will use this report in the development of school improvement efforts. If you have more than one child in school, please complete a survey for each child. The surveys will be processed so that school officials receive reports about each building in the district. The questionnaires contain demographic and opinion questions. You have the option not to respond to any item or not to complete a survey at all. When completing the survey, please select your child's school from a drop-down list. We ask that you use the same link to complete a survey for each child you have enrolled in the district. You can take the survey at https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eWDBrKoAtMm1TvM?ExternalDataReference=JEFETX&District=FORT%20OSAGE%20R-I

• K-6th Grade Breakfast
• K-6th Grade Lunch
• Elementary Dinner
• 7th-12th Grade Breakfast
• 7th-12th Grade Lunch
• Secondary Dinner
• You can also view menus on our School Cafe site. You can login as a parent or there is a view menus as a guest. Click here to access the menu site.

• FOSD Disability Awareness is raising money to support teacher grants to provide opportunities for students to explore and/or build skills to work on post- secondary readiness. Every dollar raised goes right back into our special education classrooms PreK-12th grade. Disability Awareness FOSD Spirit Wear is now here. Fresh designs are here for the new school year! Add a little Swagger to your spirit wear collection and show off your Fort Osage School pride! ORDER ONLINE at https://kcswaggershop.com/collections/fosd. The deadline to order is Sunday, November 1 at 11:59 p.m. PLEASE NOTE Use discount code PICKUP to remove shipping fees and have your order delivered at school. The box for the discount code is after you enter shipping information. In the notes section don’t forget to include student name, grade and teacher. Completed orders will be ready the week of November 16. QUESTIONS? Email the Swagger Team at info@kcswaggershop.com or text 816.305.9225.

• The Fort Osage FFA is partnering with the Veterans Community Project Kansas City to put together snack bags for veterans in need. They are accepting donations at Campus Grounds now till November 13th. You can drop off: canned proteins, meat sticks, jerky, individual peanut butter packets, protein bars, nuts, seeds, trail mix, fruit cups, applesauce, dried fruit, single serve oatmeal, single serve cereal, drink mix packets, bottled protein shakes, or individual cups of mac and cheese or noodles.
• Join us for our monthly playgroups for young children and their caregivers from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Woodland Early Childhood Center. We are excited for fun, learning, and new friends to join us November 6, December 4, February 5, April 2, and May 7th. There will be sensory play, stories, arts and crafts, and music and movement.
• If you would like to provide a High Five to a staff member at Fort Osage, please complete the form below and we will pass it along: https://forms.gle/x6xdKbo9ups5pGM29 .

• The online portal for the Fort Osage High School yearbook sales is now open. Early Bird pricing and nameplates are available until Thanksgiving Break. After that, the price increases, and no nameplates are available. FOHS Yearbook https://yearbookordercenter.com/?school=3771 Parents of Seniors: If you order a Senior Dedication and a yearbook, you will get a free nameplate.

• Bingo for Bright Futures is taking place on Friday, November 6th at the Chandelier Room. Thanks to Chandelier Room for selecting Bright Futures to receive a portion of ticket sales. Come join DJ Rosie J for a fun night of music bingo all while making a difference. There will be a silent auction where every bid and every dollar goes toward making a positive impact.

• You can catch the latest issue of The Fort Report from Fort Osage High School here.
• Have you been facing a hard situation where you don’t know what to do? It can really help to have someone listen and understand you. ReachOut has trusted counselors ready to listen and help you at any time, day or night. Call or text 816-583-0335.

• The 11th Annual Project Grad Craft and Vendor Fair is taking place on Saturday, October 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Fire Prairie Upper Elementary. Make plans to stop by and get started on your holiday shopping.

• Join in the fun of the FOHS NHS Haunted House on October 28th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Fort Osage High School. The cost is $2 or 2 canned goods per child. All proceeds benefit our local food pantries. This is a kid friendly haunted house, crafts, games, and more.
• The Fort Osage High School band presents their 2026 Red and White Brigade marching show 1000 Cranes on Tuesday, October 27th at 7:30 p.m. at the District Stadium. Come out and support the band.

• BOO BASH is coming to Campus Grounds! Get ready for a spook-tacular event of family fun, games, crafts, treats, and Halloween excitement! Jeremy Blackmon with 1st Class Real Estate and the Entrepreneur Studies students from CTC are teaming up with our community to bring you Boo Bash, a family-friendly Halloween event packed with something for everyone: Trunk-or-Treating, Games & Activities, Halloween Crafts, Face Painting, Community Vendors & Booths, and plenty of Halloween fun! Come dressed in your favorite costume, bring the whole family, and enjoy the event at your own pace! Families are welcome to come and go throughout the event, so stay for a little while or stay the whole time.

• Whether you're a seasoned artist or hidden gem, this is your chance to shine. Show off your skills in music, dance, comedy, magic, spoken word, or any other incredible talent you possess. Students in grades 3-12 are invited to audition in person or by video for Fort's Got Talent. Video submission are due by October 23.

• Interested in learning more about Cub Scouts? #Adventureon with Pack 4802 at the Buckner Community of Christ Church basement on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.; Pack 4206 at Saint Marks United Methodist Church on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.; or Pack 4492 at Cler-Mont Elementary School on Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
• Fort Osage Youth Sports Alliance sign-ups for basketball are now open. Sign-ups run through October 23rd and are for children in K through 7th grades. You can sign up on line. Prices are $105 for Kindergarten and 1st graders and $130 for children in 2nd through 7th grades. Fees include practices, 8 games, and an Indians jersey.

• Save the date, Graduation for the class of 2027 will be held on May 21, 2027, at the Community of Christ Auditorium. More details will be coming in the fall.
• What better way to commemorate your senior than to purchase a dedication, honoring him/her forever? Parents, relatives, and/or friends may purchase a senior dedication that will appear in the special section of the 2027 Indian Legends yearbook. The deadline to purchase is October 31, 2026.
• The Fort Osage High School Publication Department is working with the Public Relations office on the Graduation edition of the Fort Connection District Magazine. You can purchase a personal ad to your child with includes a picture of your choice and a brief message. The deadline to purchase is March 29, 2027.
• Fort Osage Project Grad is looking for individuals to help plan for the class of 2027. Mark your calendars to join in the monthly meetings at 6:30 p.m. in the Fort Osage High School Cafeteria. Meetings will be held on November 9, December 7, February 1, March 1, April 5 and May 3.

• Calling all Senior Parents! Project Grad is starting the planning process for our Seniors Project Grad Night. We are looking for parent volunteers to help with fundraising and to Chaperone the night of Project Grad. If you are interested in helping, we meet at the High School the first Monday of each month starting in October from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Be sure to follow Fort Osage Project Grad on Facebook to stay up to date.

• The 2027-28 FAFSA form is now officially open. To help parents and families complete their annual FAFSA form, you can review how to create a studentaid.gov account, view the 2027-2028 FAFSA preview presentation, or the prototype that let's you see and interact with most of the online form.
  

• The Fort Osage Care Closet will be open for shopping on October 27 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The Care Closet is located on the main campus behind the Fort Osage Career and Technology Center by the ballfields. Once you arrive on the main campus, looks for signs to help direct you.
• The Fort Osage Care Closet is available to support all students and staff who may need assistance. Our Care Closet provides a variety of items, including: Hygiene products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, feminine hygiene items, etc.), Clothing in all sizes, coats, shoes, socks, underwear, and bras, School supplies, and Cold weather essentials (blankets, hats, and gloves). If you or a family you know could benefit from these resources, please reach out to your school social worker, principal or counselor.
• The Fort Osage Church of the Nazarene offers a free food pantry on the first Saturday of each month.
• The CSL- Farview Panty is open on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The pantry is located at 18109 East 12th North Independence, MO 64056.
• The Heart of God Fellowship at 3720 N Buckner Tarsney Road in Buckner, MO offers a drive through food pantry on the 2nd Monday of each month from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• East Side Baptist Church offers a food pantry on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 7:00-8:30 a.m. located at 19901 E. 78 Highway in Independence.

• As part of our nearly 50-year student exchange program with our sister city, Higashimurayama, Japan, the Japanese sister city committee of Independence (JSCC) is organizing the annual Japanese Festival called Uptown Matsuri. This year’s festival will take place on Saturday, November 7, at Uptown Market in Independence, Missouri (indoor venue). Uptown Matsuri offers a wonderful opportunity for students and their families as well as community members to enjoy a fun-filled day while learning, experiencing and celebrating Japanese culture. This year’s festival will feature performances by taiko drummers, yosakoi dancers, a kendo club, calligraphy demonstration and more than a dozen vendors offering a variety of goods and information. Admission is free for children ages 12 and under and $8 for teens and adults. Purchase tickets and learn more about the festival and our organization by visiting the link below:

  https://www.indepmojscc.com/events/2026-uptown-matsuri-festival-e6p3d

• First Impact Safe Driving 101 for Parents and Teens is an informational session designed for parents and teens to learn about the rules and regulations of the Missouri Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program. This is a free program to understand the driving requirements, restrictions, and best practices, as well as, ask questions to help support your teen as they become a responsible driver. The free session is being held on October 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the Fort Osage School District Central Office.
• Join Blue Hills Baptist Church (1805 N. Blue Mills Rd., Independence, MO) on Saturday, October 24, from 2:00–4:00 p.m.! Enjoy Trunk-or-Treating, custom cars, a bounce house, games, a cake walk, and treats. Plus, our Winter Clothing Drive will have free coats available for families. Free admission, activities, and treats for all! Have a cool car to show off or want more details? Visit BlueHillsChurch.com.
• Bryan Drake, illusionist, will be at the First Baptist Church of Buckner on November 11th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Entry is free and a free family meal will be served at 5:15 p.m.
• Save the Date for The Gingerbread Bash on December 9 at the Blue Hills Baptist Church. More details will be coming soon.
• Downtown Buckner is hosting a Trunk or Treat on October 31st from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and is looking for trunks to set up for the trick or treaters. To sign up, contact Lisa Thomas at 816-330-6423.

• The Fort Osage High School student council invites all Veterans and their families, including non-alum, to a recognition and reception on November 11 at 1:00 p.m. in the Fort Osage High School Performing Arts Center. Please RSVP to Stephanie Smith at ssmith@fortosage.net.
• Jackie Monaco Duvall, class of 1972, passed away.
• Join the Board Help us lead! We are seeking new board members dedicated to promoting Fort Osage traditions and supporting our scholarship recipients. For more information, contact Carol Brown at grandmabrown51@gmail.com.

• The Class of 1996 is hosting their 30 year reunion on October 24th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Llywelyns Pub in downtown Lee's Summit. There is no cover charge and a cash bar.

• We’re hiring! Visit https://fortosage.schoolspring.com for details on all open positions.

• Now Hiring Bus Drivers for the 2026-2027 School Year! Join the Fort Osage School District team and make a difference every day by helping safely transport our students to and from school. We offer competitive pay, flexible schedule, training, and a supportive team environment. Apply today and drive the future with Fort Osage at https://fortosage.schoolspring.com/

• Fort Osage is hiring Paraprofessionals for the 2026-2027 school year. Starting pay is $18.33 per hour. Contact Kristin Moore at 816-650-7708 for more information. To apply, visit https://fortosage.schoolspring.com.

• Staff members can take advantage of discounts both locally and nationally through our Tickets at Work program. Contact Stephanie Smith for our Fort Osage code to get started today.