October 2025 Birch Grove Bulletin
Dear Families and Caregivers,
What a fantastic start to the school year! Our scholars have been participating in learning, creativity, and relationship building. I am so happy to be here and enjoy getting to know each student, staff, and this wonderful school. Birch Grove Fine Arts is an amazing place to work and learn. THANK YOU for your patience as we worked through some initial procedures and routines. THANK YOU for your understanding as new policies have been implemented. THANK YOU for your support and partnership. Team work makes the dream work.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or compliments. We are here to help.
Thoughtfully,
Stephanie Webster
Principal
(763)561-1374
websters@district279.org
Fall Conference Scheduling
Fall Conferences start next week! Conferences will be held on the following dates: Conferences may be scheduled through ParentVUE. Instructions on how to schedule may be found below. Conferences may be held virtually over Google Meets during the morning sessions only (8:00-9:00 am) or in person during the afternoon sessions (4:40-7:20 pm) at Birch Grove. If one of your child's teachers has already reached out to you and scheduled a conference, you do NOT need to schedule on ParentVUE. How to schedule conferences on ParentVUE: English | Arabic | Hmong | Oromo | Russian | Spanish | Somali | Ukrainian | Vietnamese
Complete the Educational Benefits Application
The application for educational benefits takes just a few minutes to complete, and it unlocks valuable support for families who qualify. Benefits include:
Summer grocery support (Sun Bucks)
Discounted home internet and utilities
Lower college exam and AP fees
After-school and summer programs
Tutoring and academic help
Low-cost community transit
Free or discounted admission to museums, theaters and local events
How to apply:
Online through EduTrakConnect at www.district279.org/FMA. This option will create a family account allowing online access to view meal accounts.
Online at: bit.ly/3hWdk7Q This option will bypass making a family account while still allowing completion of the application.
Download Updated Bus Tracking App, FirstView 1.0
Stay connected with your student's bus via our updated bus tracking app – FirstView 1.0.
This new app replaces the previous system with improved features such as easier navigation, notifications and family/caregiver email alerts. Current users should delete the previous app and download FirstView 1.0 to continue receiving real-time bus information. Refer to the Getting Started guide for first steps once the new app has downloaded onto your device.
Questions? Visit district279.org/FirstView or email support@myfirstview.com.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Scholastic Book Fair at Birch Grove
Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Birch Grove! This is a great opportunity to connect with your child over the thrill of bringing home new books to dive into again and again. Studies show that kids read more when they choose books for themselves. And fostering a love of independent reading leads to a wide variety of benefits—including academic success and improved mental health.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Book Fair:
Dates: October 7th, 9th, and 13th from 4:20-7:20 pm; October 7th from 8:30-9:15 am
Location: Birch Grove Media Center
There’s even more info on our school’s Book Fair homepage. While you’re there, set up a Book Fair eWallet, the digital payment account that allows your child to shop for books at the Fair without cash. Then share your eWallet link so friends and extended family can add funds. When you fund an eWallet, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a giving initiative called Share the Fair™. Your contributions directly support our students who need help buying books from the Fair. Many of us still remember the rush of finding the perfect book at a Scholastic Book Fair. I hope you’ll join your child at our school’s Fair and share a reading experience they’ll remember forever.
EventA Message from Ms. Kimmes in the Media Center
Students have started coming to the media center and checking out books! Here are the things we talked about in our first library lesson
Talk with your student about a safe place to keep their library books while you have them at home. In their backpack? On a high shelf away from babies and pets? On a bedside table?
Keep books away from food and drinks. Wash your hands before reading your book. Do not put your water bottle in your backpack with your books.
Students begin the year checking out 1-3 books, then the number may increase throughout the year. Return books to school as soon as you finish reading them.
Books are considered “overdue” after two weeks. This is to encourage students to finish reading and return the books as other students are often waiting for those books. We do not charge fines unless a book is damaged or lost.
Email reminders will come out weekly for all overdue books. Return the books as soon as you can.
Sometimes books end up back in the media center or misplaced in the classroom but are still checked out. If you receive an overdue notice, please ask your child where they think the book might be. If you feel certain it is back at school, please reach out and we can check on shelves and in lockers/desks.
Please contact Ms. Kimmes if you have any questions.
Sally Kimmes
Birch Grove Elementary
Library Media Specialist
763-549-2304
Parent & Caregiver Volunteers Invited to Serve on Advisory Committees
Get involved and make a difference at Osseo Area Schools. Many district-level advisory committees are looking for parent/caregiver volunteers who are interested in influencing the direction of the district’s instructional programs, enrollment/capacity, emergency management and financial matters. Visit the link below to learn more about these committees and how to apply to serve.
Sign Up for the Reading Is Fun 5K on October 4th
Registration is still available for the Reading is Fun 5K! This annual event by the District 279 Foundation raises money for updates and materials for media centers in the Osseo Area Schools. Here are some examples of how the Reading is Fun 5K proceeds have benefitted our schools.
- Park Center Senior High used 5K proceeds to purchase the 2023 American Library Association Youth Media Awards’ winning books so students can enjoy the best of the best despite supply chain shortages.
- Elm Creek Elementary and Palmer Lake Elementary purchased Botzee robots. Students build robots using step-by-step instructions on the app and then program using Blockly. The resource was engaging and built a lot of excitement and motivation for coding.
- Maple Grove Senior High purchased a Spin to Win wheel for student engagement. The wheel was used for library and book trivia during lunch periods. The students enjoyed participating in a library activity outside of the media center space.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Saturday, October 4th
Time: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Maple Grove Crimson Stadium
9775 Fernbrook Ln N
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Multiple Dates: Fall Conferences
Conferences will be held on the following dates:
- Tuesday, October 7th from 8:00-9:00 am and 4:40-7:20 pm
- Thursday, October 9th from 8:00-9:00 am and 4:40-7:20 pm
- Monday, October 13th from 8:00-9:00 am and 4:40-7:20 pm
See the Announcements & Important Information section above for information on how to schedule conferences.
Multiple Dates: Scholastic Book Fair
Birch Grove is hosting the Scholastic Book Fair during fall conferences. The Book Fair will be open for shopping on the following dates and times:
- Tuesday, October 7th from 8:30-9:15 am and 4:40-7:20 pm
- Thursday, October 9th from 4:10-7:20 pm
- Monday, October 13th from 4:10-7:20 pm
See the Announcements & Important Information section for information on how to set up an eWallet for your student!
October 7th: Grand Event
You’re invited to a “Grand” event! On Tuesday, October 7th our students are invited to shop the Book Fair with their “GRANDparents”. From 8:30-9:15am we’ll be serving donuts, coffee and juice and would love to invite your family to shop for a book and enjoy breakfast together.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, October 7th
Time: 8:30-9:15 am
Location: Birch Grove Media Center
October 9th: PTO Meeting
The Birch Grove PTO meets on the second Thursday of every month. All caregivers are welcome to attend! Join in person in the Birch Grove Media Center or online at the link below.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Thursday, October 9th
Time: 6:00-7:00 pm
Location: Birch Grove Media Center
October 16th-17th: No School
There will be NO SCHOOL on Thursday, October 16th and Friday, October 17th due to MEA. School resumes as usual on Monday, October 20th.
October 24th: PTO Trunk-or-Treat
Join the Birch Grove staff and PTO for Trunk-or-Treat! Which BG staff member do you think will have the spookiest trunk? The silliest? The best decorated? Come see on October 24th! We are looking for candy donations for this event. Donations can be brought to the main office at any time. All are welcome to attend this family event! All children must be accompanied by an adult.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Friday, October 24th
Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
Location: Birch Grove Elementary School
Free Food Bags with EveryMeal
Would you like to take home a FREE bag of nonperishable groceries each week? Scan the code to sign up for Every Meal food program. Questions? Reach out to Jennifer Anderson, School Social Worker, 763-549-2335
Osseo Area Schools Community Education
Discover Osseo Area Schools’ Community Education! Find classes, programs and events for all ages — from early childhood, youth to adult. View the catalog or register at osseo.ce.eleyo.com.
Save Receipts for School Supplies
The Minnesota Department of Revenue offers two valuable tax benefits for caregivers who purchase school supplies for their K-12 students: the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction. These benefits can reduce caregivers’ taxes to increase their refund, but is only available for those who keep their receipts. Purchases for most school supplies, field trips, and musical instruments for school band are eligible. Most Minnesota caregivers qualify for the K-12 subtraction, which reduces their taxable income. Caregivers under certain income limits may also qualify for the K-12 credit, which can refund up to 75% of their costs – even for those who do not owe any taxes. Visit Revenue's website for details.
Homework Starts with Home
Are you or someone you know at risk of losing your housing? The Homework Starts with Home program is grant funded and in partnership with Hennepin County and the YMCA. Here are guidelines of the program:
- Families must have a child enrolled in our school district and reside in Hennepin county.
- Families must meet income guidelines set by Hennepin county.
- Families must qualify for rent assistance of owing back rent and are at risk of eviction in order to receive utilities assistance.
- Families must provide something in writing that they owe back rent or are at risk of eviction (ledger of back rent owed, eviction notice, court date notice)
- Families must reach out before their eviction date/court date. Unfortunately we can't retroactively provide financial assistance if they have already moved.
Please reach out to Kendra Kuhlmann at HSWH@District279.org if you have questions or are interested in learning more about the Homework Starts with Home Program.
Information available in: English | Hmong | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese
Free Immunization Clinics for Children
Hennepin County routinely offers free immunization clinics for children at several locations around the metro area. These free, walk-in clinics are open to all children from infants through 18 years old, regardless of insurance status or if you have a primary care provider. Learn more and find dates and locations for immunization clinics below.