Bulldogs Newsletter October 2, 2023

Dear Basswood Families,

Today I am writing to share a feedback opportunity. Please share your thoughts on our school calendar via: OsseoSchools.org/CalendarInput. Your input will directly inform our Planning Committee’s next steps as they draft calendars for 2027-28 and beyond.

Every year, Osseo Area Schools strives to build a calendar that prioritizes student learning while respecting the time and needs of our families and hardworking staff. While it’s clear there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, your feedback is the most important tool our team has in finding the best possible balance.

The feedback form will close at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 19. Questions? Reach out to info@district279.org.

In partnership,

Steven Schwartz

Basswood Principal

#WeAreBasswood!

Basswood will be having our 12th Annual International School Supply Drive next week beginning on Monday, March 9, running through Friday, March 13. Our school supply drive is part of a multi-school project called Students Connecting through International Service, which will provide school supplies to a small school in Sasabe, Sonora, Mexico. Basswood's 5th grade representatives, Tali and Carter, along with the other four students from other Osseo Area Schools elementary schools, will be leading our school supply drive.

Please help us continue this worthy tradition of helping children who aren’t as fortunate as ours. Donating is simple! We’ve arranged for school supply kits that include five notebooks, five folders, 24 crayons, 10 markers, a package of paper, six pencils, erasers, and glue for only $10.00 (Retail Value: $19.88). You can donate by cash or check (made out to Students Connecting thru International Service). Send your donation to school with your student. Donations will be collected daily from your student's classroom teacher.

• $10 provides school supplies for 1 child
• $20 provides school supplies for 2 children
• $30 provides school supplies for 3 children

If we all give a little, we can accomplish a lot! Thank you!

Basswood Elementary School 2025-2026’s yearbook is available for sale! Order your yearbook by 04/09/2026.

The Child Development Lab class at Park Center Senior High School in Brooklyn Park is looking for preschool-aged children ages 3, 4, and 5 who are toilet trained to attend Park Center Playschool. Classes will be 2 to 4 hours per week for about 7 weeks beginning Tuesday, April 7, or Thursday, April 9, and concluding on May 19 or 21, 2026. You can choose to attend on Tuesdays 8:45-10:55am; Thursdays 7:35-9:45am; or both days.

This is a free opportunity! Contact Joanne Bauerly, Instructor, with questions or to RSVP at email bauerlyj@district279.org or call Park Center at 763-569-7600 to leave a message. Please contact them on or before March 30, 2026, to reserve a space!

Community Education’s Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program is currently offering a Parenting Your Child with Special Needs online class through May for families with children from birth through grade 3, with a focus on supporting parents/caregivers raising children with special needs, delays, disabilities, or medical needs. Here is the registration link:[tce.me/jgNMsy]

Other details:

• While the online class has already started, continued enrollment is encouraged.
• No family will be turned away from participating due to inability to pay the sliding scale class fee.
• Any questions about the online class can be directed to Kari Sawyer, coordinator of ECFE or the main office staff at 763-391-8777.

• March 9 - First day of Trimester III
• March 9-13 - International School Supply Drive
• March 10 - Secure Drill at 10:35am
• March 12 - General PTO Meeting
  

• March 18 - Trimester II Report Cards available on ParentVUE
• March 20 - No School
• March 23-27 - Spring Break
• March 30 - Return back to School
• April 3 - No School

If you are planning a family vacation or just time away from school, please remember to call your student's absence into the attendance line. You can call 763-494-3858 and press 1 to leave a message with your student's name, student's teacher, reason for absence, and dates that your student will be gone. We really appreciate your assistance!

• 2nd grade: 10:45 - 11:10am
• 4th grade: 11:15 - 11:40am
• 1st grade: 11:45 - 12:10pm
• 3rd grade: 12:15 - 12:40pm
• 5th grade: 12:45 - 1:10pm
• Kindergarten: 1:15 - 1:40pm

First bell rings at 8:40am letting students into the school. Second bell rings at 8:50am letting students know they should be in their classroom ready to start the day! At 8:50am, the front doors are shut and student will need to come through the office to get a late pass.

Yes! You will be able to follow us on Facebook. Please note that we are moving away from Twitter (@BWPrincipal279) for Basswood social media. Click here to follow us.

Our district Community Education department offers a variety of after school classes. If you do sign your student up for one of these classes, please remember to let your student's teacher know about the class and when your student needs to stay after school.

We welcome and encourage volunteers at Basswood. You can complete an online volunteer form online at apps.raptortech.com/Apply/Nzg0OmVuLVVT and work with our volunteer coordinator, Lezlie Northagen. Volunteer information will go home the first week of school. Activities in a normal school year include being a classroom assistant, helping with classroom parties, helping with PTO sponsored activities (Carnival, Turkey Bingo, Book Fair, etc.) along with numerous other opportunities. We continue to follow state guidelines and adjust our volunteer program accordingly.

The District Transportation department only allows students to ride their assigned bus to and from school. If you have questions, you can reach out to the Transportation Department at 763-391-7244 or transportationreques@district279.org.

Every parent or guardian of enrolled students of Basswood Elementary is an automatic member of the PTO. We encourage you to join one of our next general meetings - or just send us a note if you have a question. You can find more information on our PTO website: https://sites.google.com/view/basswoodpto/home?authuser=1 or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BasswoodElementaryPto