Eagles Newsletter
10/5/2026
Calendar
September 28 - October 9 - PTO Fun Run Campaign
October 6,8,12 - Parent/Teacher Conferences & PTO Scholastic Book Fair
October 13 - PTO General Meeting - 6:30 - 7:30pm
October 15&16 - No School for Conference Release
October 23 - Coffee with the Principal
November 3 - No School for Staff Workshop Day
November 6 - PTO Harvest BINGO
November 10 - PTO General Meeting - 6:30 - 7:30pm
November 12 - Picture Re-Take Day
November 26&27 - No School for Thanksgiving Holiday
Fun Run All School Reward
The students earned Wacky Mismatch Day and we have it scheduled for Wednesday, October 7th. Get Wacky and wear mismatched clothes!
We are just a few days away from our FUN RUN on October 9th. This is our one fundraiser for the year and helps support PTO funded programs at school. Funds raised go directly back to supporting student programing, family events, classroom needs, and more.
Please continue to share out through email, text, or social media and help us to make this event a success for our students.
Thank you in advance for supporting your child as well as the Elm Creek community!
Volunteers Needed
More PTO News below!
Share feedback with board and district leaders 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!
Coffee with the Principal
An opportunity to connect, gather feedback, and be available to answer questions. Have questions? Contact: Mrs. Ness at nesse@district279.org
October 23rd 10:00 a.m.
Elm Creek Media Center
Topic: What is Academic Intervention?
Megan Lipps and Caty Solberg
Future Dates:
11/20 10:30 a.m. Elm Creek Media Center Online Tips - Officer Slawson
12/21 9:30 a.m. Annabelle House Soaring with TAG - Erin Haynes
1/22 10:00 a.m. Elm Creek Media Center Winter Blues-St. David’s - Grace Wagner
2/26 10:30 a.m. Elm Creek Media Center What do kids do in the Media Center - Ellie Chovan and Tanya Cully
3/22 9:30 a.m. Annabelle House What is SOAR? What are SEL interventions? Tina Czech, Kelly Deines and Katie Murray-Vedders
4/9 10:00 a.m. Elm Creek Media Center Test Anxiety - Tina Czech
5/21 10:30 a.m. Elm Creek Media Center Summer Tips-St. David’s - Grace Wagner
Lunch Visitors
We welcome lunch visitors starting October 12th. We ask families to limit lunch visits to one time per month or special occasions. Visitors will check in using the Raptor check in station (bring your ID) and will sit at the class lunch table with their child. Visitors will say goodbye after lunch. No visitors are allowed to visit classrooms or go to the playground for recess. Remember to check out in the office before you leave.
Raptor Sign In - Use the App!
When you visit our buildings during the school day, you’ll notice a Raptor Visitor Check-In iPad at the front office. This system was implemented at Elm Creek as part of a district-wide effort to better support safety and security across our buildings.
Two ways that visitors are able to utilize this system
- 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.
- 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 schools safe. If you have questions or need support, please contact our school office.
Bus App
Download bus tracking app to receive real-time info
Stay connected with your student's bus via our bus tracking app - FirstView 1.0
This app features easy navigation, notifications and family/caregiver email alerts.
Refer to the Getting Started guide for first steps once the app has downloaded onto your device.
Questions? Visit district279.org/FirstView or email support@myfirstview.com.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
PTO News
Here is a list of upcoming events:
Scholastic Book Fair – October 6, 8 and 12 (during conference hours)
3:30 - 7 p.m.
Media Center
We still need volunteers — please consider helping out! Volunteer application here: https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/Nzg0OmVuLVVT
Fun Run – Friday, October 9th
2nd & 4th 9:05-10:05, AM Pre K, 3rd, & 5th 10:20-11:20, PM Pre K, Kindergarten, & 1st 1:45-2:45
Outside school
Families are welcome to join and cheer on your runner/s!
PTO Meeting – Tuesday, October 13
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Media Center
Join us to stay informed and involved! Don’t forget - this month’s door prize drawing is for some harvest bingo cards! Childcare will be provided.
Harvest Bingo – Friday, November 6
6 - 8 p.m.
Elm Creek Elementary Gym
Save the date for a fun evening with the whole family!
Lastly, we are currently looking for handmade craft donations for the Holiday Shop. The Holiday Shop will take place during school hours on December 10 and 11, giving students the opportunity to shop for five holiday gifts for loved ones of their choice. This Elm Creek tradition is designed to celebrate all cultures and religions, making it a meaningful and inclusive event for everyone.
To make the Holiday Shop a success, we are asking for donations of new, handmade crafts. Popular gift categories include items for sports fans, jewelry and beauty lovers, younger siblings, pets, and dads, uncles and grandpas. Trendy, age-appropriate gifts are always a hit as well. Please note that we already have plenty of bookmarks, so we kindly ask that you focus your creativity in other areas. All donations are due by November 25. If you need some inspiration, check out our Pinterest board for ideas: https://pin.it/7BnrB06mL
As always, we are so grateful for the ongoing support of our Elm Creek families. Whether you're volunteering your time, attending events, donating items or cheering us on from home, your involvement makes a lasting impact on our school community.
Together, we are creating a vibrant, inclusive and enriching environment where every student can thrive. Thank you for all that you do!
With appreciation,
Elm Creek Elementary PTO
Volunteer
To get involved in the school community, check out district279.org/community. You'll find information on volunteering, advisory committees and more.
Social Media
Please select view in browser if having difficulty accessing links.