January newsletter

This e-newsletter is intended for Osseo Area Schools Community Education staff.

In January, staff at the ESC participated in the 6th Annual ESC Meet and Greet. Each department at the ESC was responsible for coordinating a fun, engaging way for other ESC staff to get to know more about the role of the department and staff areas of responsibility.

This year's theme for each department was "Finding Joy!" Departments across the ESC organized a variety of activities, snacks, games and prizes for staff to win. Community Education's Meet and Greet featured a variety of snacks, balloons, decorative trees, a photo slideshow of Community Education programs across the district and a "Joy Jar."

Picture above: Community Education's "Joy Jar" was filled with statements from ESC staff. The responses were put on display after the event. Some of the responses to "What brings you joy?" included: helping SPED families, making a positive impact on others, awesome and thoughtful co-workers, coffee and flowers, snacks, family, health, life, grandkids, friends, reading, relaxing at the cabin, and traveling with family.

Kudos to all of the Community Education staff who planned this fun, creative and welcoming experience!

In March ABE will be partnering with Three Rivers Parks District to offer a free Nature class for English Learners. This class is for EL Levels B-E. The series will run on Saturdays and students can sign up for 1, 2 or all 3 classes. This class is also offered to students’ families and is a first come first served with a cap of 15 total participants.

Please welcome Jeanne Barr to the M/W Evening EL team as a temporary Level D instructor. Jeanne currently works as the EL Intake Facilitator at the Enrollment Center. She has an EL License and has taught EL classes for both children and adults and comes with great background knowledge and passion for serving our EL community. Her first day was on Jan. 24.

The Enrichment team recently received a email with appreciation from an established Adult Enrichment instructor in Osseo Area Schools. Here's an excerpt:

"I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned to you that all profits I make from my classes go toward five orphanages. Two of the orphanages (Joy and Asha Dei) are in India run by friends of mine. Two of the orphanages are in Kenya (House of Hope and Kenya Children's Ophanage.) The final orphanage is Compassion which is world wide in location in impoverished countries. That is all to say that your efforts helping set up my classes are feeding lots of kids who have life pretty rough. House of Hope in Kisumu, Kenya is run by a former PA of mine when we lived in Africa for 15 years...Anyway helping orphans is one big reason why I continue to teach painting classes." - Jay Rupp

What a great example of Community Education contributing to a larger, global community impact!

We are excited to share some fantastic news with you! Our recently conducted first lottery for open enrollment was a tremendous success, with a total of 575 students successfully approved. This is a testament to the growing interest and trust in Osseo Area Schools by families seeking a high-quality education and a supportive learning environment

We are overjoyed to share the fantastic news that Katie Follet, a Preschool Teacher from Arbor View Early Childhood Center, was recognized as KS95’s Teacher of the Week!

Katie's dedication, passion and commitment to creating an enriching learning environment for our young learners has not gone unnoticed. This award is a testament to her outstanding contributions to education.

The picture above captures the moment Katie received this award, surrounded by the incredible dream team of the classroom. It's a heartwarming scene that reflects the collaborative spirit and positive impact she has on her students and colleagues.

We’re excited to share the success of a recent event aimed at connecting with newly immigrated Spanish-speaking families. Seven of our dedicated staff members, including two Spanish speakers, along with two interpreters, came together to make this event impactful.

Here are some highlights:

• Families enrolled: We successfully enrolled eight families in our ECFE classes, with their educational journey commencing on January 23.
• Home Visits: Eleven families expressed interest in follow-up home visits, showcasing the strong desire for continued engagement and support.
• ABE information: Fourteen families sought information on Adult Basic Education (ABE), emphasizing the community's eagerness to enhance their educational opportunities.
• Toy borrowing program: Families had the opportunity to choose toys for their children to borrow, contributing to a supportive and engaging learning environment.
• Children's activities: While parents navigated the registration process, we ensured children had engaging activities, creating a welcoming atmosphere for the entire family.
• Community resources: Beyond our services, families had the chance to connect with other valuable community resources, fostering a holistic approach to support.

The event's success is a testament to the dedication and compassion of our team. Phil, Laura, Elise, Jill, Timka, Taj, Lisa and everyone involved showcased our commitment to empowering and uplifting our community.

New Building Supervisor Hires – Hailee Zentella and Liz Oakland

Building Lead Matt Giesler accepted a custodial position at North View Middle School. Dana Nelson will act as Building Lead until we can find a replacement.

Four Star Express students at Cedar Island Elementary School recently visited “The Works” for an off site field trip. Students had a blast discovering an exciting world that ignited their curiosity and appreciation for learning. A highlight from the field trip was the opportunity for students to build a floating object in wind tubes and construct a sail car!

We are excited to announce that all 7 of our Four Star Express sites reached capacity for the 2024-25 school year in record time! We have 160 students confirmed for the upcoming year.

Have fun while working, no weekends or late shifts. The Kidstop Summer program hours will be open from 6:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Sites will be: Basswood Elementary School, Oak View Elementary School and Woodland Elementary School. Apply today!

Registration will open for families at osseo.ce.eleyo.com on Tuesday, March 5 at 6 a.m. Sites fill up quickly.

District 279 Foundation’s grants program provides funding for learning opportunities for students in Osseo Area Schools. District 279 Foundation is now accepting applications and strives to be an accessible partner for teachers, programs and schools to support learning. Any district employee, school volunteer or community member may apply for consideration. Applications may be submitted through March 31 and will be reviewed monthly. For more information on guidelines and to access the application, visit district279foundation.org/classroom-grants.

District 279 Foundation’s A Night Out at the Speakeasy will take place on Friday, February 2, 2024, at Edinburgh USA Golf Course. Nearly 300 attendees including many business, city, school and community leaders who want to support scholars and educators in Osseo Area Schools are expected to participate. Proceeds from this fundraising event will support District 279 Foundation’s grants program which provides enriching learning experiences, like the anatomy model project that engaged Osseo Senior High students in learning the structure of the human body. Pictured: Members of the A Night Out at the Speakeasy Planning Committee.

In preparation for the annual Investment in Youth (IIY) celebration, the ESC has an opportunity to submit two award recipients to be honored at the event. If you have an idea for someone to be nominated as one of the ESC’s award recipients, please contact Susie Cox, at coxs@district279.org with the following information no later than Thursday, February 22 at 3:00 p.m. Your nomination can include any ESC staff member: an educator, administrative assistant, education support professional, custodian, bus driver, volunteer, etc. If your nominee is selected, you will be contacted for additional information.

Request information:

• Name
• Title – Support Staff (i.e., custodian, nutrition services, bus driver, clerical ESP) Administrative Assistant, Volunteer
• Category (the event recognizes award recipients for their significant investment under one of the following categories)
• Their Own Learning - Demonstrating perseverance, love of learning or pursuit of knowledge by study or experience.
• Betterment of Education - Showing commitment to education by giving of their time, talents, or resources.
• Helping the Community - Exhibiting involvement and dedication toward the community and its members.
• Modeling for Youth - Demonstrating through words and actions an example for young people.
• Overcoming Adversity - Displaying the will and courage to overcome major challenges.
• Developing their Own Talents - Exhibiting unique expressions of creativity or talent.
• Brief description (between 75 to 125 words) of why you think they would be a good honoree from your site.

About the Investment in Youth Celebration: For over 20 years, District 279 Foundation's Investment in Youth celebration has honored the many achievements and success stories of students, volunteers, and staff in Osseo Area Schools. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, May 5 at Park Center Senior High School. This celebration recognizes two award recipients from each site/program. ALL sites/programs participate in this celebration by submitting award recipients.

These social media pages serve as a hub for communication and connection about all of our Community Education programs. Click on the links below to “Like” and “Follow” to stay updated an engaged.

Osseo Area Schools Community Education on Facebook

Osseo Area Schools Community Education on Instagram

Once you're connected, encourage other staff, volunteers, participants and community members to like, follow and share future posts!

Email Kathryn Polum, Communications Specialist at polumk@district279.org. Content and photo(s) are requested on or before the 20th of each month.

December CE Staff E-Newsletter

November CE Staff E-Newsletter

11200 93rd Ave. No.

Maple Grove, MN 55369

Phone: 763-391-7000

www.ce.district279.org