September newsletter

This e-newsletter is intended for Osseo Area Schools Community Education staff

with highlights from Community Education programs.

Adult Basic Education (ABE)

ABE has been working hard on recruiting and training subs to work in our HyFlex environment. So far this year, Nancy Johnson has trained 20 subs in using the technology needed to be a successful sub in our classroom spaces. We have also shared with our team the steps to select preferred subs in our program so that Frontline reaches out to our trained sub pool first to ensure that staff and students have the best possible experience in our program when a sub is on site.

In the ABE HyFlex instruction model, students can select each day if they come to class in person or join remotely. Since we are not a one-to-one device program, it is incumbent on students to have access to their own device. To reduce this barrier, we partner with Hennepin County OBDI (Office of Broadband and Digital Inclusion) to connect students with the resources of the department, including access to no-cost devices and to low-cost internet to eligible students. Since the start of school, 20 students have been referred to Hennepin County's OBDI for laptops.

ABE launched online registration for students interested in attending classes in July 2024. Since implementation, the number of students registering for intake sessions has remained stable compared to past years and we have seen a 15-20% increase in the number of students completing the second step of the process from the same time last year.

The annual ABE report card was published in August 2024, and Osseo Area Schools ABE got great marks! As the 12th largest consortium in the state by student enrollment, our students rank at or above the state average in nearly every category. Kudos to the teachers and staff who work hard to ensure that learning outcomes have remained high through the transition to HyFlex instruction!

Adult and Youth Enrichment

Staff spotlight

Sarah Heyer is a Program Manager in Youth Enrichment. You will likely see her after school observing our instructors and ensuring classes run as smoothly as possible. Sarah has been with the team for almost nine years and brings a wealth of experience in youth programming and systems. In addition to being a ROCK STAR colleague, she is the mother of three beautiful young women, all multi-sport athletes. You’ll most often catch her on the Minnesota Gopher Women’s Basketball court cheering on her oldest daughter, the Bemidji State University Women’s Basketball court supporting her middle daughter, or watching her youngest daughter play volleyball and/or basketball for Chaska High School.

Fall Adult Enrichment classes

Adult Enrichment continues to thrive this season; it seems it’s going to be a great year! Some of our most popular classes so far include:

DIY for Females: Painting & Drywall
Tai Chi
Marvelous Macarons
Asian Favorites Cooking Class
Acrylic Pouring
Buying & Selling Online
Paint Like Georgia O’Keefe (class picture featured below)
Makeup Bootcamp for Women 40 and Better
Prepare Your Own Will

Our adult enrichment classes are designed to inspire, connect and help you relax. Find a course that matches your hobbies, interests or a new area of learning today at osseo.ce.eleyo.com

Youth Enrichment classes

Youth Enrichment afterschool enrollment continues to grow. Some of the post popular classes include:

Finding Nemo Kids (musical)

Afterschool Soccer
Chess Club
Flag Football
Drawing Palooza (class picture featured below)
Home Alone Safety
Jr STEM Club
TGA Golf
TGA Tennis
Spanish

Youth Enrichment classes are an excellent way to engage your child after school in activities that range from arts to technology, sports, driver's education and more. Learn more and register at osseo.ce.eleyo.com.

District 279 Foundation

District 279 Foundation's Reading is Fun 5K raises $13,000 to support district media centers

On Sept. 21 the District 279 Foundation’s 14th Annual Reading is Fun 5K took place at Elm Creek Park Reserve. Nearly 300 community members registered for this year’s family-friendly event and raised $13,000 to purchase learning resources for media centers in Osseo Area Schools. The event highlights included school mascots, stretching activity with music, a community gathering, 1K and 5K.

Over the past 14 years, proceeds from the Reading is Fun 5K have allocated over $117,000 to media centers in Osseo Area Schools. Special thanks to the sponsors, participants, volunteers and planning committee for making this event a success.

Here are a couple of examples of projects supported by proceeds from the Reading is Fun 5K over the years:

Brooklyn Middle STEAM School grew their World Language collection to represent more of the student languages spoken by students and their families. Supporting reading in a student’s native language can support them in growing as readers and learners in the English language. Languages included in this year’s purchases represent: Russian, Turkish, Farsi, Ojibwe, Spanish, French, and Swahili.
Weaver Lake: A Science, Math & Technology School purchased a subscription to Novel Effect, which is an app that responds to your voice during a read aloud, adding music, sound effects and magic to the story. Now every time we begin a read-aloud students will ask, "Is there sound to go with it". They love it so much.
North View Middle School purchased the entire set of My Hero Academia Manga. This popular Japanese superhero manga series features great characters with a creative and whacky assortment of superpowers.

Early Childhood & Family Education (EC&FE)

An exciting start: smiles, learning and fun

Early Childhood & Family Education (EC&FE) programs are off to an amazing start this school year with our youngest learners in ECFE and Preschool/PreK classrooms. From exploring new activities to making friends, the start of school has been filled with discovery, play, and plenty of smiles.

Classrooms have been buzzing with creativity as children engaged in sensory play, story time, and hands-on activities, while parents and caregivers connected and learned alongside their little ones.

One memorable moment? A child on their way out said, “But Papa, I don’t want to wait until Monday!” Preschool was definitely a hit for this young learner!

It’s been a wonderful start, and we’re excited to see what the rest of the year brings as we continue to grow, learn, and have fun together.

If you have a child or know someone with a child from birth to age five, there’s still time to register for ECFE, Preschool, or PreK classes. Explore our programs online at osseo.ce.eleyo.com

Kidstop/Four Star Express

We are building relationships and establishing routines with students in our programs. This year, we have more than 400 additional contracts compared to last year, engaging with even more students and families in our community.

Lights On Afterschool

As we prepare to recognize Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide event on Oct. 24 celebrating the importance of afterschool programs, we’re excited to announce that each Kidstop/Four Star Express site is planning a special event with students and families. Lights On Afterschool celebrates the crucial role afterschool programs play in providing safe, enriching environments where students can learn and grow outside of school hours. We look forward to spotlighting the positive impact our programs make every day.

Recruitment and hiring

Welcome Maureen Chinwe Obialo

Please welcome Maureen Chinwe Obialo to HR! She joined Osseo Area Schools in mid-August and will be supporting Community Education in the Talent Acquisition Specialist role. Maureen has extensive experience in Talent Acquisition and End-To-End/Full-Cycle Recruiting. She possesses a strong passion for finding the right candidates to drive organizational success, as well as a deep understanding of strategies that streamline and improve overall hiring efficiency. Her background includes fifteen years’ experience as a full cycle recruiter and most recently, eight years’ experience as a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Brand Leverage. She has her MBA from the University of Bedfordshire. She is very excited to join our team. Maureen enjoys spending time with family and also enjoys singing, so is always thankful for a Karaoke invitation.

Exciting career opportunities in Community Education

We have some amazing opportunities open in Community Education. It is great to remind our community networks to ‘Be part of something bigger’ and Invest in the community’. For many who already work in Community Education, that is the reason they sought opportunities here, and for many, that is the reason they stay here - It is different. Here are some of the unique positions open:

Kidstop – Morning and Afternoon Childcare For Children K-6

Educational Support Professional (ESP)

Enrichment Instructors

Enrollment Center Administrative Assistant

Building Supervisors

Set up/Tear down Crew

Tell a friend to tell a friend: If you’d like to know more about these roles or any other opportunities in Community Education, or if you know someone who would be great for any of these roles, please share Maureen's contact information or send a message to ObialoM@district279.org.

Osseo Area Schools Employee Giving Campaign: Oct. 1-11

Osseo Area Schools Employee Giving Campaign begins Oct. 1 and will conclude on Oct. 11. During the campaign, employees have an opportunity to voluntarily make a fully tax-deductible donation to District 279 Foundation, Greater Twin Cities United Way or a charity of their choosing. Both organizations serve children and families who live in the communities served by our school district.

Donate

Employees can make a one-time donation by cash, check or online. Materials have been provided to each site for employees. The Staff Portal is also a resource for employees with information about the Employee Giving Campaign.

Prizes

The TOP TWO buildings with the greatest percentage of participation will receive a breakfast for all employees of that building. Special thanks for Expedition Credit Union for this prize.
Anyone who donates $20 or more will be entered into a drawing to receive a $100 gift certificate to Card My Yard. Special thanks to Card My Yard for this donation.
Anyone who donates $10 or more per paycheck will be entered into a drawing to receive a pair of Minnesota Vikings tickets. Special thanks to ATSR Planners/Architects/Engineers for this prize.
Additional prizes have been provided to sites to use for their campaigns. Special thanks to Crew Car Wash, Jazzercise Maple Grove Fitness Center, Optimal Performance Golf, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, Greater Twin Cities United Way and District 279 Foundation for donating prizes.

Help spread the word

Community Education is on Facebook and Instagram

Social media serves as a hub for communication and connection. “Like” and “Follow” to stay updated an engaged. Once you're connected, encourage other staff, volunteers, participants and community members to like, follow and share future posts!

Osseo Area Schools Community Education on Facebook

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