279Connect-Feb. 18

Feb. 18, 2025

Schools celebrate National African American Parent Involvement Day with events

Collage of people enjoying NAAPID events

Recognized on the second Monday in February each year, National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) celebrates the critical partnerships between African American families and schools. Around Osseo Area Schools, several elementary schools marked the occasion with opportunities to gather, strengthen community and share information with students.

Learn more about the NAAPID events

Brooklyn Middle STEAM School hosts Multicultural Fair

Brooklyn Middle STEAM School held a festive celebration of culture the evening of Feb. 13, when students, families and the community came to the school in large numbers to take part in the colorful event. The Multicultural Fair included student speakers, a dinner with ethnic food offerings, games, henna tattoos, and a fashion show with traditional clothing from countries all around the world.

Holding Space with Dr. Hiel

Dr. Kim Hiel recently had the opportunity to hold space with Cami Wyman’s third grade class at Elm Creek Elementary School. Watch the video to find out how the class spreads kindness and gratitude.

Grad Spotlight: Karl Erickson

Karl Erickson grew up in Osseo Area Schools, attending Fair Oaks Elementary School and North View Middle School before graduating from Osseo Senior High School (OSH) in 2003. He now works serving the same community he grew up in as the Woodworking and Youth Programs Manager for Elpis Enterprises, a 501c3 that helps homeless impacted and at-risk young adults learn new and valuable career skills, mentorship and training to prepare them for a career of their choice.

Read the Grad Spotlight

Celebrating School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

Feb. 19 is Minnesota’s ninth annual School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. Throughout the district, bus drivers work tirelessly each day to deliver students to and from school safely and on time.

Learn more about a couple of our bus drivers

National SRO Appreciation Day

Osseo Area Schools is proud to partner with nine wonderful student resource officers (SROs). February 15th was National SRO Appreciation Day, and we are thankful for the exemplary work each of them do to build relationships and work with our students!

District 279 Foundation hosts ‘A Night Out’ event

District 279 Foundation’s A Night Out fundraising event took place on Friday, Feb. 7 at Edinburgh USA Golf Course. The event featured a social hour, silent/live auction, activities, dinner and program. Attendees were encouraged to wear western attire and a ‘Best Dressed’ contest was held. During the event, Fund A Need raised over $11,300 and the silent auction exceeded its $15,000 goal.

Join us for the All Abilities Resource Fair

Join Osseo Area Schools in partnership with Brooklyn Park Recreation & Parks on Thursday, Feb. 20 for the third-annual All Abilities Resource Fair! This FREE open house includes exhibitors and information for individuals with disability-related needs, families and caregivers.

Find out more about the event

recent opportunities for learning and fun around Osseo Area Schools

HOSA students excel at mid-winter conference

Osseo Senior High's HOSA - Future Health Professionals demonstrated outstanding performance at the Anoka Mid-Winter Conference on Jan. 8. The conference serves as preparation for the Minnesota HOSA State Competition in March, where top performers will qualify for the International Leadership Conference in Nashville this June.

district279.org

Park Brook Elementary School choir attends Luminary Loppet

Approximately 75 students from Park Brook Elementary School attended the Luminary Loppet Feb. 8, where the school's choir performed a concert for attendees. The Luminary Loppet is an annual winter festival that features a candlelit trail, ice features, opportunities for outdoor recreation on skis and snowshoes, fire dancers, music and youth events.

Slideshow of students working on art projects

Osseo Education Center students create art with community art expert

On Feb. 5, students at the Osseo Education Center were visited by a community art expert, who led them through a variety of projects that put their artistic skills to the test. The students used paint and tape to create beautiful patterns and designs and showcase their creativity!

A collage of students and families at a STEM night

Weaver Lake: A Science, Technology & Math School hosts engineering night

Weaver Lake: A Science, Technology & Math School invited students and their families to the school Feb. 11 for an engineering night featuring activities from The Works Museum. Throughout the school, attendees could find a variety of engaging building and creation activities such as stick structure team challenges, making rainbow glasses, mini catapults and moving puppets, circuit play and more.

The school’s busy evening also included a family Bingo night for English language-learning students and their parents/caregivers.

New ABE students take a step to reach their academic goals with Intake Testing

On a recent visit to Osseo Area Schools' Adult Basic Education (ABE) program, new students were taking an important step toward their academic goals by participating in Intake Testing, led by Intake Coordinator Yasmine Salyani.

district279.org

Osseo Senior High School student selected for ceramic exhibition

Congratulations to Osseo Senior High School’s Tate Brink for having his ceramic work selected for the 28th Annual National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition. Brink had two pieces selected for the show. Birch Tea Set and Blue Slip Vase were selected by the jurors for inclusion in this year's exhibition in Salt Lake City from March 26-28. It will be seen by thousands of visitors from all over the world. The jurors looked at 1,032 entries for this year's exhibition, with Brink’s work selected as some of the best.

Looking ahead

Feb. 20: All Abilities Resource Fair
Feb. 24: Registration deadline for Preschool and Prekindergarten programs
Feb. 25: School Board Regular Business Meeting
March 4: Registration opens for Kidstop Summer 2025
March 7: Magnet schools lottery application closes
March 7: Mark reporting (No school for students)
March 11: Registration opens for Kidstop School Year 2025-26

279Connect-Feb. 18

Schools celebrate National African American Parent Involvement Day with events Schools celebrate National African American Parent Involvement Day with events

Brooklyn Middle STEAM School hosts Multicultural Fair Brooklyn Middle STEAM School hosts Multicultural Fair

Holding Space with Dr. Hiel Holding Space with Dr. Hiel

Grad Spotlight: Karl Erickson Grad Spotlight: Karl Erickson

Celebrating School Bus Driver Appreciation Day Celebrating School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

National SRO Appreciation Day National SRO Appreciation Day

District 279 Foundation hosts ‘A Night Out’ event District 279 Foundation hosts ‘A Night Out’ event

Join us for the All Abilities Resource Fair Join us for the All Abilities Resource Fair