Last week, the school board approved new attendance boundaries for elementary and middle schools following a multi-month process that included extensive community engagement and feedback. This decision marks a crucial step in addressing the district's enrollment needs and future planning.

The approved plan: The school board approved Scenario 2A with two key adjustments. These adjustments were informed directly by the feedback received from our community during the latest engagement opportunity. A search tool is available for families and community members to see 2026-27 school assignments for each household. Further details can be viewed in the meeting report.

Implementation timeline: For most students across the district, the new attendance boundaries will go into effect the 2026-27 school year. Please note there is one exception to this timeline – incoming kindergarten students that would have enrolled at Crest View Elementary for the upcoming 2025-26 school year will instead utilize the new attendance boundaries this fall.

Students who will be entering fifth or eighth grade in 2026-27 and whose household's school assignment will change under the new boundaries will have the option to remain at their current school that year. Families selecting this option will be responsible for providing transportation to and from school. In order to do this, families will need to fill out a short form via the Enrollment Center website this November.

Transition and support: Please know that our entire Osseo Area Schools team is committed to supporting a smooth transition for all staff, students and parents/caregivers. Questions? Connect with school staff or our hotlines: BetterFuture@district279.org or 763-391-8990.

Thank you: Thank you, Osseo Area Schools community, for taking the time to participate in this attendance boundary change process. Your feedback on the initial parameters and proposed scenarios was instrumental in helping to shape the final decision made by the school board. Additionally, thank you in advance for your flexibility with this needed change.

Students at Park Brook Elementary School recently received lessons in Native American, or traditional, lacrosse during their physical education time. Members of the district’s American Indian Education program spent time at the school the week of May 16 to share information and help students learn about the game and its differences from modern lacrosse.

Garden City and Palmer Lake elementary schools hosted multicultural nights in May to share with students the wide array of different cultural traditions that make up their respective schools.

May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month, and many schools around Osseo Area Schools are commemorating the recognition month with events that highlight the importance of Asian cultures and traditions.

Congratulations to Maple Grove Senior High School senior Gabe Hockett, who was named a 2025 National Merit Scholarship winner! Hockett is one of 2,500 Merit Scholar designees who were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding finalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

On the evening of May 22, students, families and staff from Zanewood Community STEAM School gathered to show off a year’s worth of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) learning and celebrate another successful school year.

As the school year concludes, we want to inform you about the upcoming collection of school-issued devices. This spring, we ask that all students return their assigned device, along with its case, charging block and charging cord.

The specific date for device return at your student's school has been communicated to you directly and can also be found on your school's website. Please refer to that communication for the exact collection date.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support of our digital learning plans.

Crest View Elementary School hosted a wide variety of working professionals from different fields at a career fair in the school gymnasium May 21. Some of the attendees included a real estate agent, a construction company owner, plumbers, physical therapists, police and firefighters, a musician, an esthetician and many more. A barber was also in attendance to both talk about his career and provide free haircuts to students.

For the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, 77 individuals across all classifications and employee groups throughout the district have or will soon retire. These 77 individuals have given a cumulative total of 1,670 years of service to the scholars and families of Osseo Area Schools.

The amount of service the retiring staff has given to others is commendable, making a lasting impact on the lives of students, families, and colleagues that reaches far beyond the classroom, the office, the bus route or the lunchroom.

The retiring employees were recognized at a retiree reception before the May 20 school board meeting.