July newsletter

This e-newsletter is intended for Osseo Area Schools Community Education staff with highlights from Community Education programs during the month of July.

Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Welcome new staff

Jeanne Barr is an EL Intake Facilitator at the Enrollment Center and is now joining ABE two evenings a week as our Level A EL instructor on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
Karen Hansen will be an instructor for Academic Level C classes and Tuesday and Thursday evening Level C Academics as well.
Bernadine Edwards will be an instructor for Academic Level A. Bernadine's schedule will also include Tuesday and Thursday evenings teaching ELA classes.

ABE pilots online registration

ABE began piloting online registration for both our EL (English Language) and Basic Skills classes in July. Students can now complete their registration paperwork from any device (the form is mobile optimized) prior to coming in for placement testing, saving time for students at intake and making it easier for them to access support from family or friends to complete the form. Students who come into the building can complete the form using a district laptop or take the registration link with them to finish at home. To date, over 100 students have completed the online registration and are registered to test this August.

Thanks to Annie Xiong, Dean Dvorak, Nancy Johnson and Kathryn Polum for their work on this project.

CASAS STEPS - A New Placement Tool

ABE uses federally mandated placement/progress tests to assess students' progress towards their goals. June 30, 2024, the federal government sunsetted the previously approved test, and July 1, 2024, marked the start of the new test for our EL (English Language) program. This past spring, ABE staff administered just over 1,000 tests in reading and listening to current students; for those students who missed their test date in the spring, we have offered a series of "make-up" sessions in July. In July, we tested an additional 32 people (64 tests administered) in three sessions. All EL students must complete the CASAS STEPS tests prior to starting class in September.

Thanks to Annie Xiong, Dean Dvorak and Nancy Johnson for their work on this project.

Thank you, volunteers!

During the 2023-2024 school year, ABE was able to leverage the time and talent of 20 volunteers who completed nearly 750 hours of service to our learners. Volunteers fill a critical need in supporting our teachers to provide an extra set of ears and hands to ensure that our learners are able to get a little extra time reading, speaking, listening and solving problems in class each week.

Thanks to Nancy Johnson, who serves as our volunteer coordinator for helping get our volunteers and students connected.

Adult and Youth Enrichment

Adult Enrichment classes

While the weather begins to cool, our adult enrichment registration remain hot! This fall, 45+ new classes were added! Here is a list of some of the fantastic new classes:

Mile High Apple Pie
Majestic Trees in Watercolor
Acrylic Pouring
Acting Techniques and Scene Study
Writing Life's Chapters
Paint Like Georgia O'Keeffe
Seed Mosaics
Google Drawing and Slides
Become and Airbnb Owner
Wealth Creation Today

Browse the Fall 2024 catalog

Register online at osseo.ce.eleyo.com or call 763-391-7242.

Youth Enrichment classes

Community Education is expanding kindergarten through fifth grade Youth Enrichment afterschool offerings to four more elementary schools beginning in Oct. 2024. The expansion of Youth Enrichment programs will be offered at Crest View Elementary School, Fair Oaks Elementary School, Garden City Elementary School and Zanewood Community: A STEAM School.
Registration for Youth Enrichment afterschool programs is happening now. Register online at osseo.ce.eleyo.com or call 763-391-7242.

Youth Enrichment is hiring!

The Youth Enrichment team is now hiring an Afterschool Casual Educational Support Professional (ESP) Class Support to support class check-in and attendance, snack distribution, check-out, and family communications. Position runs Monday-Thursday for 1.75 hours per day at the following locations:

Mondays: Fair Oaks Elementary School

Tuesdays: Garden City Elementary School

Wednesdays: Zanewood Community: A STEAM School

Thursdays: Crest View Elementary School

Apply for this position on the district website under JobCode 29465 or email heyers@district279.org with additional questions.

Summer programs

Summer Youth Enrichment program offered array of engaging and educational summer camps for school-age students to explore many interests. From Jr. NBA Basketball Camp, Woodworking, TGA Golf Camp and musical performances students enjoyed opportunities to learn and practice skills, have fun and build friendships with other students.

Early Childhood & Family Education [EC&FE]

Summer ECFE classes wrap up with joyful success

As the summer season comes to a close, we’re excited to reflect on the success of our Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes. This season has been one of our most vibrant yet, with a record number of families joining us to learn, play, and grow together.

The smiles on the faces of our participants say it all. Families have not only enjoyed their time in the classes but have also made lasting connections with each other. The enthusiasm for these classes has been overwhelming, with most sessions having waiting lists and attendance more than doubling compared to previous years.

From engaging activities to insightful discussions, the summer ECFE classes have proven to be a wonderful opportunity for both children and parents to bond and develop new skills. We are grateful for the continued support from our community and look forward to more enriching experiences in the fall.

Thank you to everyone who made this summer a memorable one!

six pictures of parents and children playing outdoors at a community park

District 279 Foundation

Welcome new staff

Please join us in welcoming Carrie Hurkes to District 279 Foundation! Carrie is the new Administrative and Events Coordinator and started in the role on July 16.

District 279 Foundation staff spotlight

Hello! I’m Carrie Hurkes. Over the past several years, I worked with a non-profit organization providing administrative support and program and project management, and I am looking forward to utilizing these skills to support the District 279 Foundation and its mission. With two school-age children of my own, I also understand the importance of education and making opportunities to learn and grow accessible to all students.

In my free time, I enjoy taking hikes, doing anything crafty, and gardening in my backyard.

I look forward to meeting and working with others within Osseo Area Schools over the next several months!

Save the date for these upcoming Foundation activities

Reading is Fun 5K, Sat., Sept. 21, 2024 - Elm Creek Park Reserve

Hurry to register online. Registration closes Sept. 8.

This healthy, outdoor activity attracts hundreds of scholars and community members. Funds raised from this family-friendly event are allocated to media centers (libraries) in Osseo Area Schools to purchase learning resources. Over the past decade, more than $117,000 has been raised for unique activities and learning resources.

Employee Giving Campaign, Oct. 1-11, 2024

Osseo Area Schools holds an annual employee giving campaign providing staff an opportunity to donate to District 279 Foundation and/or the Greater Twin Cities United Way.

A Night Out, Fri., Feb. 7, 2025 - Edinburgh Golf Course

This evening gathers more than 300 generous community members and includes a social hour, games, silent/live auction, program and dinner. Proceeds from this fundraiser help fund District 279 Foundation’s Grants Program which supports programs, projects and other opportunities for scholars in Osseo Area Schools.

Investment In Youth, Sun., May 4, 2025 -Park Center Senior High School: An IB World School

This annual event recognizes the achievements and success stories of scholars, volunteers and staff in Osseo Area Schools. Each site submits two award recipients to be recognized at this special celebration. The inspiring program recorded and played back by CCX Media and is a tribute to the significant investment these individuals make to our community.

Facilities Scheduling

Welcome new staff

New Building Supervisors:

Barb Burkstrand
Tammy Djerf

Lead Building Supervisor updates

Mona Heitzig will be moving to Lead Building Supervisor of North View Middle School. She was previously the lead at Weaver Lake: A Science, Math & Technology School.
Nancy Matheson will be taking over as Lead Building Supervisor of the ESC on Sept. 1.
Thank you to Ruth Weiler for her service as Building Lead at the ESC. Her last day as Lead Building Supervisor will be Aug. 31.

Event highlight

On July 27 Park Center Senior High School: An IB World School was the host for the Liberian Sporting Association’s Liberian Independence Day Celebration. There were over 3,000 people that attended the event that included basketball games, soccer games and amazing food.

We are hiring!

The Facilities Scheduling Team works to coordinate district facilities use by individuals, groups or businesses. This includes meetings, banquets, performing arts, athletics or special events.

Kidstop/Four Star Express

Registration update

This school year, we’re thrilled to have over 1,300 students enrolled in Kidstop across ten locations. In addition, we have 171 students participating in Four Star Express at seven locations.
We’re also excited to introduce a new early learning initiative at Oak View Elementary School. This pilot program will combine district free, half-day prekindergarten (VPK) and Four Star Express programs into a comprehensive full-day experience for 31 students.
As we continue to grow, we’re proud to support our expanding programs with a dedicated team of approximately 187 staff members.

Summer programs

Our Summer 2024 program concluded on Aug. 16. A special thank you to all of the dedicated staff who helped provide an incredible experience for over 1,200 students throughout the summer. It was a fantastic season filled with energy and excitement, and we couldn't have done it without our dedicated staff.

One afternoon, JonnyPops made a generous donation of tasty summertime treats for all of our Summer Kidstop students to enjoy during snack time. Students eagerly read the kind deeds printed on the popsicle sticks and shared the messages with others, adding an extra layer of positivity.
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to Raising Cane’s for their generous contribution of free kids’ meals to each student in our program.

We are hiring for school year 2024-25

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