Park Center Pirate Newsletter

January 2026

We return to school from winter break on Monday, January 5.

You and your student(s) will have an opportunity to learn more about courses, programs, and activities at Park Center Senior High for the 25–26 school year. Find more information below!

Students will engage in asynchronous learning on Friday, January 17. No students should report to Park Center this day.

There is no school Monday, January 19th in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr Day

• Tuesday 🏀 Jersey Day
• Wednesday 🤠 Wild West
• Thursday 🦹 Marvel vs. DC
• Friday 💚 Pirate Pride
• Saturday ⛄ SnoDaze Dance

Join us for virtual academic conferences on January 22nd. Conferences are a great opportunity to connect with your child's teachers and ensure they are having a successful trimester. Information on signing up for conferences will come soon via email and text message.

We celebrated the 500 students who made the A Honor Roll for Trimester 1! Congratulations Pirates, we are so proud of your hard work and commitment to excellence!

Congratulations to Adalyn Sallis and Gavin Souvanxaylop, our 2025 ExCEL Award Winners!

The ExCEL Award – Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership – is a unique recognition program offered by the Minnesota State High School League designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, leaders in their schools, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service.

Congratulations to Gisele Vo and Jamison Adams, our 2025 AAA Award Winners (MSHSL)!

The Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award, commonly known as the Triple 'A' Award, honors high school seniors throughout the state who have a 3.0 or higher-grade point average and who participate in League-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities.

Follow PCSH on Instagram (@pcshpirate) and Facebook to see what we're up to day to day!

We are excited to invite you to Registration Conferences at Park Center Senior High on Wednesday, January 14th from 3:15 – 7:30!

On the 14th, please arrive at your scheduled time (see alphabetical assignments below) and proceed to the Auditorium for an introduction and to receive more detailed instructions. Additional support will be available for students that receive Special Education or English Learner Services. The alphabetical assignments are as follows:

• Student last names starting with A – D, at 3:15pm

• Student last names starting with E – L, at 4:15pm

• Student last names starting with M – S, at 5:15pm

• Student last names starting with T – Z, at 6:15pm

The goal of the evening is to provide students and families with the best information possible to make informed decisions while registering for the upcoming school year. Students will officially register for 21 courses along with three alternative courses as options for them to take during the upcoming school year during Advisory or at their Middle School.

The night of our preview night, you and your student(s) will have an opportunity to learn about our courses, programs, and activities at Park Center Senior High. Staff will be available to answer questions about both required and elective courses. During the evening, we will also have presentations to share information about our IB, AVID, College Credit Offerings, and College and Career Resource Center. Additionally, we will have music and games to enjoy throughout the evening.

More specific information regarding your student’s registration is located on the Park Center Counseling webpage.

Park Center is already looking forward to the 2026-27 school year, and we are excited to see you and your student this Wednesday, January 14.

On March 11, 2026 we will be participating in the MN tradition of a cold water plunge! The Cool School Mobile Plunge gives schools the opportunity to rally around inclusion while participating in a unique and wildly fun fundraiser!

The concept is simple: staff and students register and fundraise money for both Special Olympics Minnesota and their school, teams, clubs or groups. In the process, participants earn awesome rewards and get the chance to jump into freezing cold water. The day of the event, Special Olympics MN will bring the Polar Plunge directly to Park Center with the Plungester, a custom-designed mobile Plunge pool!

Students, Staff, Teams, & Clubs will learn more information in the first weeks of January to register & fundraise. Students under 18 will need their parent/guardian’s permission to participate. We would love to have community members join us! This is also an opportunity to have community businesses & sponsors get involved!

Questions? Reach out to Suzanne Blum Grundyson - blumgrundysons@district279.org

It's time to order your Class of 2026 Senior yard sign!

Senior All Night Party organizers are selling Class of 2026 yard signs for $25. Use this form or QR Code to order yours today! https://bit.ly/SANPYard26

Minnesota dentists are offering free dental care for children in need on February 7 and 8, 2026. Appointments can be booked now. The Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) has hundreds of dental professionals volunteering at clinics across the state for Give Kids a Smile.

• Finding a clinic with open appointments is as easy as visiting www.mndental.org or contacting the United Way – simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone or text your zip code to 898-211.
• Appointments can then be scheduled directly with the dental office. No eligibility questions are asked in an effort to remove any possible barrier to care.
• Patients must be 18 years or younger and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Specific services provided at each location will be outlined when an appointment is scheduled.
• Volunteers speaking multiple languages are available at several locations to help with language barriers.

Why visit the dentist?

• Tooth decay is one of the most chronic diseases in children and adolescents.
• Children from low-income families are twice as likely to have untreated cavities as higher-income children.
• Well over half of Minnesota children enrolled in Medicaid have not received dental services in the past year.

For more information about the Minnesota Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile, visit mndental.org.

The Wallin Scholarship is more than a scholarship. It is a proven college-completion program for high-potential students with financial need. Wallin scholars begin their college journey, belong to a proven support system, and become graduates ready for their next step. Wallin scholars receive financial aid ($16,000 to a 4-year college or university) to reduce the cost of college. Wallin scholars begin their college journey and finish with less debt. Through the Wallin advising program, students belong to a proven support system. Scholars are connected with a full-time, professional advisor that addresses each student’s unique needs. Wallin scholars also have access to college-to-career programs, internships, and opportunities through their effective partnerships. Graduating seniors pursuing a 4-year degree program at one of the Wallin-eligible colleges/universities in the fall of 2023 can apply now. Check out the Wallin Scholarship website for more information. The application is due January 28, 2026.

All juniors will be taking the ACT exam on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The CRC will be offering ACT Test Prep Sessions for students to help prepare for the exam. There are multiple ACT Test Prep Sessions for students between Feb 17-26. All in-person sessions will be held after school in the Media Center. Students can also take a FREE online practice test with Revolution Prep. The practice tests are offered on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15. Students MUST sign up to take these free online practice exams at https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/18561/. There are a ton of great FREE online resources on the PC CRC website to help students prepare for the ACT.

Here are some great scholarships that are due soon. Check out the CRC Scholarship Bulletin on the PC CRC website > Scholarships for more upcoming scholarships.

• GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship (multiple awards up to $40,000) due Jan 5, 2026

• Live Mas Taco Bell Scholarship (up to $25,000) due Jan 6, 2026

• JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest (up to $10,000) due Jan 12, 2026

• UNCF/Honda USA STEM Scholarship (up to $5,000) due Jan 12, 2026

• Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship (up to $40,000) due Jan 15, 2026

• Barreir Opportunity Scholarship ($1,000) due Jan 15, 2026

• Wallin 4-year scholarship (up to $16,000) due Jan 28, 2026

• Judah Spinner Scholarship ($1,000) due Jan 30, 2026

• Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship ($1,000) due Jan 30, 2026

• Madame CJ Walker Entrepreneurial-Ship Award (up to $5,000) due Jan 30, 2026

• We the Students Essay Contest (up to $20,000) due Jan 31, 2026

• I Have a Dream Scholarship ($1,500) due Jan 31, 2026

• Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship (multiple $5,000 awards) due Feb 13, 2026

• Dell Scholars Program ($20,000) due Feb 15, 2026

• Gucci Changemakers Scholarship ($25,000) due Feb 19, 2026

• DCU for Kids Scholarship ($1,500-2,500) due Feb 28, 2026

• DAV Scholarships for Student Volunteers (up to $30,000) due Feb 28, 2026

• DAV Auxiliary Education Scholarship ($2,500) due Mar 20, 2026

This school year, three Community Conversations are going to be held to better understand from family and community members what is going well and what needs improvement as well as ensuring all feel valued and heard. District leadership and school board members will host the events, which are set for Feb 3. and May 12.

Your help is needed to start the planning process. If you could please take five minutes to let us know your thoughts on our schools via this Google Form. The themes arising from your responses will help inform the topics chosen for the Community Conversations. Additionally, if you’re interested in participating in a conversation, please share your name, contact information and the dates that work best for you in the space provided on the form.

Minnesota winter is off to a strong start for the 2025-26 cold season, and Osseo Area Schools will continue to carefully monitor emerging weather patterns to determine whether adjustments are needed to the regular school schedule due to extreme weather.

If such a change is necessary, all families will receive notice via email, text message and automated call. Information will also be available on the district website, district social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and X) and via local television news stations.

Osseo Area Schools' Community Education offers classes, programs and events for all ages from early childhood, youth to adult learning, facility rentals and more!

Register online at osseo.ce.eleyo.com for Winter/Spring classes including:

• Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) - Classes for parents and children birth to age 5
• Youth Enrichment - After school classes for students
• Teen Driver’s Education - Classes online, in-person or self-paced
• Adult Enrichment classes - Classes in-person or online

View the Winter/Spring Community Education guidebook mailer to learn more about these opportunities and more in Osseo Area Schools’ Community Education that serves our vibrant school district community including - Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Corcoran, Dayton, Maple Grove, Osseo, Plymouth and Rogers.

No matter your age or stage in life, Osseo Area Schools' Community Education keeps you learning, growing and enjoying meaningful experiences.

At Park Center we expect every student to demonstrate P.R.I.D.E.

• Participate in your education
• Respect yourself and others
• Inspire others
• Do the right thing
• Excel in all you do

For all Park Center rules and expectations, refer to our Student and Family Handbook