Connect-Oct. 6

Oct. 6, 2026

District hosts Hispanic Heritage Month celebration

Celebrating Osseo Area Schools’ rich and diverse Hispanic communities

The Multilingual and Family and Community Engagement departments came together to host the district’s fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration Sept. 25, welcoming more than 600 families for an evening filled with culture, connection and community.

Learn more about the celebration

Students enjoy updated Building a Better Future project spaces

New spaces from recent Building a Better Future projects are being put through their paces as the 2026-27 school year rolls into month two. Work continues at Maple Grove and Park Center senior high schools and the new community school in Brooklyn Park throughout this school year, with another slate of projects scheduled to take place next summer.

Community Conversations: Share feedback with board and district leaders

Share your feedback at conferences this month

School board members and district leaders want to hear directly from you! This month, they’ll be providing an opportunity for families to share their experiences – what’s going well and what needs improvement – at school conferences. You can share feedback in person at select schools, or simply scan the QR code on posters or flyers around your child’s school to take a quick 2-minute survey.

One Community For All — where all are heard and valued. Thank you for partnering with us to make Osseo Area Schools the best place to learn!

Fall Community Ed Youth Enrichment classes inspire growth, connection and fun

Osseo Area Schools’ Community Education offers a wide variety of after school enrichment opportunities for students. Fall Youth Enrichment classes are an excellent way to be engaged after school, in the evening or on the weekend. Classes are held in district buildings and include popular classes such as chess club, basketball, drawing, musicals, STEM, home alone safety, child and babysitting safety, Teen Driver’s Education and more. Explore and register today at osseoschools.arux.app.

A sensory friendly box and a sign announcing the open house

District hosts sensory-friendly open house events at five elementary schools

Osseo Area Schools recently welcomed students and families to sensory-friendly open house events at Basswood, Cedar Island, Garden City, Palmer Lake and Woodland elementary schools. The events were designed for students and families who would benefit from a calm, supportive and sensory-friendly opportunity to experience their school before the start of the new year. Over 100 students and their families attended the events. Learn more about the sensory-friendly open house events.

Students and families participating in STEM activities at engineering night

Zanewood Community: A STEAM School engineering night gives families experience with school’s STEAM mission

Zanewood Community: A STEAM School is one of three magnet elementary schools in Osseo Area Schools. Each magnet school has a specialty focus, and Zanewood’s is on the subjects of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). A core focus of the school’s mission is to bring STEAM-related experiences to life in meaningful ways. Read more about the engineering night.

Celebrating National Custodian Day

Oct. 2 was National Custodian Day. If you see a member of Osseo Area Schools' custodial staff today, take a moment to let them know that their efforts are noticed and appreciated!

Looking ahead

Oct. 6: School board policy committee and work session
Oct. 15: 2027-28 Magnet School Application opens
Oct. 15-16: Conference release, no school for students
Oct. 20: School board regular business meeting
Vote on or before Nov. 3: This November's ballot includes Minnesota constitutional amendment question on school funding
Nov. 3: Licensed staff workshop, no school for students
Now-March 31: Apply for a District 279 Foundation grant

District hosts Hispanic Heritage Month celebration District hosts Hispanic Heritage Month celebration