Bulldogs Newsletter October 2, 2023

Dear Basswood Families,

Our team at Basswood has been planning to welcome families and students that are impacted by the boundary change that goes into effect in the fall of 2026. Approximately 60 students from three different schools (Oak View, Rush Creek and Rice Lake) will be joining us at Basswood in September. This is a big change for the impacted families and we were pleased to have an open house for them last night. They had a chance to see the school, meet some staff members and get some questions answered too. I am looking forward to seeing how our community welcomes these families to Basswood.

Last chance! The opportunity to provide feedback about upcoming school calendars ends tonight at 11:59 p.m., March 19. Here is the link: OsseoSchools.org/CalendarInput.

I want to close by wishing those that are celebrating Eid al-Fitr a blessed Eid and a wonderful time with your families. Additionally, whether your family is enjoying some time at home or if you are planning some time away, I hope everyone enjoys a slower pace while the students are on Spring Break.

In partnership,

Steven Schwartz

Basswood Principal

#WeAreBasswood!

If you visit Basswood during the school day, you’ll notice a new Raptor Visitor Check-In iPad at the front office. This updated system was implemented as part of a district-wide effort to better support safety and security across our school district.

Two ways that visitors are able to utilize this new system:

1. NEW: Visitors can utilize the Raptor Safe app. This app can be downloaded for free through your phone’s app store. Families can set up an account, and then each time they visit can open the app and use the iPad to scan a personalized QR code located in the app for a faster check in. After following the prompts, a badge will then print with your photo, name, date, time, and visit location. Visitors must wear the badge at all times inside the building.
2. Visitors can scan a drivers license or Minnesota state ID using the iPad camera. After scanning, visitors will follow prompts on the iPad to select their destination inside the building. Following the prompts will produce a badge to wear.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school safe. If you have questions or need support, please contact Basswood office at 763-494-3858.

Basswood Elementary School 2025-2026’s yearbook is available for sale! Order your yearbook by 04/09/2026.

We really appreciate all your help with our International School Supply Drive. We ended up collecting $6,996.76, which will provide lots of needed school supplies! Thank you very much for your generosity, we know the students in Mexico will be so appreciative!

The Child Development Lab class at Park Center Senior High School in Brooklyn Park is looking for preschool-aged children ages 3, 4, and 5 who are toilet trained to attend Park Center Playschool. Classes will be 2 to 4 hours per week for about 7 weeks beginning Tuesday, April 7, or Thursday, April 9, and concluding on May 19 or 21, 2026. You can choose to attend on Tuesdays 8:45-10:55am; Thursdays 7:35-9:45am; or both days.

This is a free opportunity! Contact Joanne Bauerly, Instructor, with questions or to RSVP at email bauerlyj@district279.org or call Park Center at 763-569-7600 to leave a message. Please contact them on or before March 30, 2026, to reserve a space!

Community Education’s Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program is currently offering a Parenting Your Child with Special Needs online class through May for families with children from birth through grade 3, with a focus on supporting parents/caregivers raising children with special needs, delays, disabilities, or medical needs. Here is the registration link:[tce.me/jgNMsy]

Other details:

• While the online class has already started, continued enrollment is encouraged.
• No family will be turned away from participating due to inability to pay the sliding scale class fee.
• Any questions about the online class can be directed to Kari Sawyer, coordinator of ECFE or the main office staff at 763-391-8777.

• March 23-27 - No School Spring Break
• March 30 - Students back at school
• April 3 - No School

• April 16 - Kindergarten Information Night 5-6:30pm
• April 23 - 4th grade Recorder Concert 6:30pm
• April 24 - At Home Learning Day for Students
• April 27 - No School/Staff Workshop Day
• April 28 - 5th grade Band Concert 6:30pm (OMS)
• April 30 - 5th grade families: 6th grade Information Night at MGMS at 5pm & 6pm

If you are planning a family vacation or just time away from school, please remember to call your student's absence into the attendance line. You can call 763-494-3858 and press 1 to leave a message with your student's name, student's teacher, reason for absence, and dates that your student will be gone. We really appreciate your assistance!

• 2nd grade: 10:45 - 11:10am
• 4th grade: 11:15 - 11:40am
• 1st grade: 11:45 - 12:10pm
• 3rd grade: 12:15 - 12:40pm
• 5th grade: 12:45 - 1:10pm
• Kindergarten: 1:15 - 1:40pm

First bell rings at 8:40am letting students into the school. Second bell rings at 8:50am letting students know they should be in their classroom ready to start the day! At 8:50am, the front doors are shut and student will need to come through the office to get a late pass.

Yes! You will be able to follow us on Facebook. Please note that we are moving away from Twitter (@BWPrincipal279) for Basswood social media. Click here to follow us.

Our district Community Education department offers a variety of after school classes. If you do sign your student up for one of these classes, please remember to let your student's teacher know about the class and when your student needs to stay after school.

We welcome and encourage volunteers at Basswood. You can complete an online volunteer form online at apps.raptortech.com/Apply/Nzg0OmVuLVVT and work with our volunteer coordinator, Lezlie Northagen. Volunteer information will go home the first week of school. Activities in a normal school year include being a classroom assistant, helping with classroom parties, helping with PTO sponsored activities (Carnival, Turkey Bingo, Book Fair, etc.) along with numerous other opportunities. We continue to follow state guidelines and adjust our volunteer program accordingly.

The District Transportation department only allows students to ride their assigned bus to and from school. If you have questions, you can reach out to the Transportation Department at 763-391-7244 or transportationreques@district279.org.

Every parent or guardian of enrolled students of Basswood Elementary is an automatic member of the PTO. We encourage you to join one of our next general meetings - or just send us a note if you have a question. You can find more information on our PTO website: https://sites.google.com/view/basswoodpto/home?authuser=1 or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BasswoodElementaryPto