Monthly Boost

January 2026

As we approach winter break, we (school and district leadership) want to pause and share our sincere thanks. Every day at 279Online, we see students showing persistence, teachers offering steady guidance, and families supporting learning in ways that matter deeply. This school exists because students deserve a learning pathway that offers both flexibility and real connection—and what you bring to this community makes that possible.

We know this time of year can look and feel different for everyone. However this season shows up in your life, we hope you experience care, comfort, and moments that help you feel supported. If space allows, we encourage you to rest in ways that work for you and take care of what matters most.

We are grateful for the trust you place in 279Online and for the effort you bring each day. Wishing you steadiness, warmth, and moments of light during the break. We look forward to continuing this journey together in the new year.

Respectfully,

Dr. Bryan Bass, Assistant Superintendent

Kristen Swanson, Principal

Ryan Bisson, Assistant Principal

January 1: District Closed for Holiday - No School for Students

January 2: Conference Release Day - No School for Students

January 16: Student Asynchronous Day

January 19: District Closed for Holiday - No School for Students

January 29: 279Online Registration Conferences

February 2: Licensed Staff Workshop - No School for Students

February 5: Winter Academic Conferences - VIRTUAL 3:30-8:00PM

February 16: District Closed for Holiday - No School for Students

March 3-5: ACCESS Testing

March 6: Mark Reporting Day - No School for Students

March 9: Start of Trimester 3

March 17: ACCESS Testing Make Up Day

March 20: Conference Release Day - No School for Students

March 23-26: Spring Break - No School for Students

March 27: District Closed for Holiday - No School for Staff and Students

Please mark your calendars for Trimester 2 Academic and Registration Conferences.

Celebrate our scholars and for additional support and information. We would like to welcome you to Osseo Area Learning Center (7300 Boone Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428) on January 29th for our in-person 279Online Community Celebration & Registration Conferences. Activities and events include:

• Registration Support from 279Online staff to answer registration questions, provide individualized support in registering for classes, and provide you with specific information about our course offerings for next school year.
• Information sessions will include topics such as What to Expect in High School, Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), Advanced Placement Course Offerings, Keys to Scholar Success, General Information for Families Interested in Joining 279Online, and More!
• Community Celebration, Information, and Registration Support! We will be celebrating all the hard work of our scholars up to this point, providing registration support, presenting class and educational opportunities, including post-graduation information. Join us to celebrate scholar accomplishments with food and prizes!

Conferences will be held virtually on Thursday, February 5th from 3:30-8:00pm

Check ParentVUE on Thursday, January 22 at 8:00AM to see your scholars’ teachers’ available times for both conference dates. The online booking for conferences through ParentVUE will close Wednesday, January 28 at 3:00PM. If you will need interpreter services during the conferences, please let the teachers know.

We highly encourage you to create a ParentVUE account if you do not have one already. Please follow these instructions on how you create an account.

For ParentVUE Conference Scheduling Instructions, please visit our district’s ParentVUE page. If you scroll down to Frequently Asked Questions and then expand the “How do I schedule conferences” section, you will see links to directions in various languages.

If you are unable to schedule your conference in ParentVUE, please contact your teacher(s) directly to schedule.

If you have any other questions, please contact our main office at online@district279.org OR 763-391-8670.

Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for important dates and details. We appreciate your support in helping students feel prepared and confident as testing season approaches.

The WIDA ACCESS is the English language proficiency assessment. Minnesota students identified as English learners (ELs) require the assessment to determine their progress toward English language proficiency.

ACCESS Testing Dates: **testing will take place at the Osseo Area Learning Center.

• Tuesday, March 3: Middle School Testing
• Wednesday, March 4: High School Testing
• Thursday, March 5: High School Testing
• Tuesday, March 17: Make Up Testing

If you have any questions about ACCESS testing, please contact Katina Zambrano at ZambranoK@district279.org.

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are statewide assessments that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

MCA Testing Dates: **testing will take place at North View Middle School

• Tuesday, April 28: MCA Reading and Math - Grades 6, 7, 8
• Wednesday, April 29 (AM): MCA Science - Grades 8, 10-12
  **High School students who are taking or retaking Biology or Life Science are required to take the Science test
• Wednesday, April 29 (PM): MCA Reading - Grade 10, MCA Math - Grade 11
• Thursday, April 30: MCA Make Up Day - ALL GRADES AND SUBJECTS

If you have any questions regarding MCA testing, please contact Kate Rosbacka at RosbackaK@district279.org.

State and District assessments for the 2025–2026 school year are now underway. If you are considering opting your scholar out of any testing, please visit the following resources for detailed information and guidance.

The Osseo Area Schools assessment plan is posted on the Osseo Area Schools website under Academics - Data and Assessments.

If a parent/caregiver chooses to opt-out their child/children from assessments, they will need to complete the Parent/Guardian Decision Not to Participate form. Universal screening opt-out forms will automatically be sent to parents/caregivers, data and assessment coordinator, and assistant principals and school assessment coordinator (SAC).

Congratulations to all the scholars who achieved honor roll for Trimester 1 for the 2025-26 school year! Your scholars all put in a lot of hard work - you certainly earned it this trimester!!!

If you would like a certificate emailed to you, please contact our main office at Online@district279.org

*If your name is not listed, it may be due to data privacy selections. Please reach out to your advisory teacher with any questions.

Each month, our school counseling team will share updates, helpful resources, and tips to support scholars and families. From academic planning and college/career readiness to social-emotional learning and wellness, our counselors are here to help scholars thrive. Be sure to check back each month for new resources and updates!

Did you know our College & Career Resource website features a list of Scholarship opportunities? We encourage all students and families to explore the scholarship list, review eligibility requirements, and start applications early—every opportunity counts. There are several scholarship opportunities with January deadlines, be sure to check them out!

JACKIE ROBINSON FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

DEADLINE: January 7, 2026

• JRF scholars receive grants of up to $35,000 over four years

• Applicants are minority high school seniors who plan to attend a four-year institution, show leadership potential, demonstrate a dedication to community service, present evidence of financial need, be a United States citizen and have an ACT score of 21 or higher

• This award includes extensive hands-on mentoring

Apply at https://www.jackierobinson.org/apply/

ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP

DEADLINE: January 15, 2026

• Be a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the US

• Enrolling in undergraduate college or university to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree in Fall of 2026. Full and part-time are eligible

Application opens November 15, 2025 at https://apiascholars.org/scholarships/

PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE CREATIVE WRITING SCHOLARSHIP

DEADLINE: January 15, 2026

• 6 - $10,000 awards

• Must submit one original literary composition in English in one of the following genres of poetry, spoken word, fiction, personal essay/memoir, or book bans prompt.

Apply at https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/penguinrandomhouse/

WASTEBASKET REVUE SCHOLARSHIP

DEADLINE: January 20, 2026

• Multiple $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to Osseo Area Schools graduating seniors

• Applicants must attend a vocational school, community college, 4-year college or trade school in the fall of 2026

• Applications are due no later than 2:00pm on January 20th

2026 Wastebasket Revue Scholarship Application

TECHNOLOGY ADDICTION AWARENESS SCHOLARSHIP

DEADLINE: January 30, 2026

• A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded

• Applicants are in grades 9 - 12

For application information go to http://www.digitalresponsibility.org/technology-addiction-awareness-scholarship

DEN Time is our weekly Wednesday afternoon block where scholars in grades 6-12 can get extra help, skill boosters, and experience exploratory sessions. There are three sessions between 12:20 and 3 PM.

DEN Time supports our school’s programming by providing innovative, and creative scholar-driven opportunities. Scholars register for sessions through Student Support Time; scholars can also be requested by teachers to make-up work, finish projects, and get extra support as needed.

Scholars in grades 6-12 are expected to attend three DEN sessions, and if scholars are requested by a teacher, scholars are expected to accept that request, and attend.

We are excited to celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, and experiences of our 279Online community!

We invite you to complete this Google Form to share your perspectives, traditions, and stories about your culture or heritage. Some responses may be highlighted on our school’s social media pages as part of our celebration of diversity. Please note that while your words may be shared publicly, names and personal identifying information will not be shared without your permission.

Your voice is an important part of our 279Online community, and we would love to include it in our celebration! Thank you for helping us honor and celebrate the diversity that makes 279Online so special.

Each year we ask scholars and parents/caregivers to read and sign an agreement between themselves and 279Online concerning expectations and mutual understanding about appropriate behavior and responsibilities.

In the event that your scholar's teacher is absent and our continuous building substitute is not available, your scholar is still expected to engage in the class work asynchronously.

• When the teacher is absent, they will post a message in Schoology with instructions for the lesson and an exit ticket to complete for attendance. It’s important that your child does both the lesson and the exit ticket. If the exit ticket is not completed, they will be marked unexcused.
• If they have any questions, they can email their teacher for help or contact our main office at 763-391-8670 or online@district279.org.

We would love to partner with you to build our parent/caregiver community.

If you'd like to share ideas, feedback, or connect with other parents and our administration team, please contact Assistant Principal, Ryan Bisson at BissonR@district279.org or 763-391-8682.

Volunteering is an opportunity for you to:

• Show your children or the youth of our community that you are interested in their school life and their future
• Show your commitment to the community
• Help others and develop new skills
• Meet new and interesting people and develop friendships
• Share your time and talents
• Open communication between you and your child when you’re involved and know what is going on at school
• Give your child a boost -- studies show that parent and community involvement and volunteering enhances student success
• It’s fun!

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities for 279Online, please contact us at online@district279.org

Follow us on social media:

• Facebook at 279Online
• X (formerly Twitter) at 279Online
• Instagram at 279Online_
• 279Online website

We’re excited to launch a new social media campaign to keep our school community connected and inspired! Each weekday will have its own theme:

• Motivation Monday – uplifting quotes, shoutouts, and milestones to kick off the week.

• Tech Tip Tuesday – quick tips, tricks, and tools to support digital learning.

• Wisdom Wednesday – academic spotlights, study skills, and college/career readiness.

• Thriving Thursday – celebrating school culture, wellness, and community connections.

• Future Friday – family engagement, enrichment ideas, weekly highlights, and upcoming events.

Follow along to see the amazing things happening at our school and join the conversation!

• Keep your contact information current in ParentVUE. You can update phone numbers and email addresses at any time in ParentVUE. For instructions, please visit the ParentVUE Site.
• Please check Schoology for current grades, daily assignments, and overall progress. Mid-trimester grades and Trimester grades are posted in ParentVUE.
• Review our current and past newsletters on our website for important information.

Check your email regularly for Mass Notification and Schoology emails from us. If you aren’t seeing them, please look in your junk folder or check your setting to make sure you don’t have emails blocked.

Need help logging in to an account, checking in for an online meeting with a teacher, or setting up a device? Check out the technology resources in the Parent and Family Toolkit.

The best way for scholars and families to receive technology help during school hours (7:30am-4:00pm) is to contact 279Online's main office at 763-391-8670 or email us at online@district279.org.

• We will then have the technology department reach out to you as soon as they can.

The best way for scholars and families to receive technology help outside of school hours is to submit a ticket for technology assistance through our new ticketing system, IncidentIQ

• Use the following link to submit a ticket via IncidentIQ. https://district279.incidentiq.com/guest/5K9FRZD3/help-desk-kiosk.
• Once you submit the ticket, then your user information will be in IncidentIQ for the future.
• You may also call the tech department directly at 763-391-7180.

We know it can be tricky to keep track of all the tools families use to stay connected—so here’s a quick refresher!

ParentVUE and Schoology both help you stay informed about your student’s progress, but they serve different purposes.

• ParentVUE is your go-to place for official records—think grades, attendance, schedules, and report cards.

• Schoology is where you can see learning in action—class materials, assignments, and daily updates from teachers.

Check out the chart below for a detailed breakdown of how each platform supports you and your student’s success.

ParentVUE is an application you can use to view your scholars' attendance, report cards, schedule conferences, update your contact information and more. We highly encourage you to create an account if you do not have one already. Please follow these instructions on how you create an account.

You may also visit our ParentVUE page for more step-by-step instructions on how to access and change things in ParentVUE.

If you have any questions regarding your ParentVue account, please submit a ticket to our technology department via Incident IQ.

Families will need to complete the Back-to-School Annual Verification form in ParentVUE before accessing their accounts for information regarding students in the new academic year. Please review the information thoroughly to make any necessary changes to you or your scholars information.

For families who use Schoology, we created this handy reference guide to help you navigate what you’ll see in Schoology, how Schoology is different than ParentVue, and how to get support for accessing the parent side of Schoology.

Parents/Guardians can access the Schoology Parent Access Code in ParentVUE under the Lunch PIN in Student Info.

Rather than posting numerous resources each week, we are compiling them in a Google Doc that will be updated accordingly. Please click the button below for information on assistance regarding things like mental health, food and clothing support, and Internet access.

In the back-to-school forms process, families have the ability to deny the release of all directory information (including a student’s image) or to specifically deny the release of a student’s image only. Families who wish to change their student's opt-out preferences can do so at any time in ParentVUE.

What is the difference between denying a release of a student's photograph and denying a release of directory information?

• If you deny the school district the ability to release your child’s photo only, the school district will not include a photo or a video/audio recording of your child in yearbooks, school/district websites, school/district social media pages or other school/district publications accessible outside of school.
• If you deny a release of all of your student’s directory information (which includes the student’s photograph), the school district will not include your child’s name, image, voice, school of attendance, awards, participation in officially recognized activities/sports, or any other directory information in any school/district publication that is accessible outside of school.

Per the Minnesota Department of Education, Online and Homeschool families are not eligible for the Minnesota Free School Meals Program however, your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees at school. Your application may also help the school qualify for important education funding. (If you received a letter this summer stating you qualified for educational benefits, you do not need to fill out a form again this year.)

We encourage families to fill out an application for educational benefits at the beginning of each school year. The benefits of filling out an application and being approved (or qualifying) may include but are not limited to the following:

• Applications completed and approved prior to October 1st will help provide funding for the school your child attends which can be used to provide additional resources that benefit students.
• Testing fees for the ACT, SAT and AP Fees may be discounted as well as field trips and band instruments
• Reduced Internet rates with certain providers.
• Athletics fees waived or reduced.

• Online through EduTrakConnect at www.district279.org/FMA. This option will create a family account.
• Online at: bit.ly/3hWdk7Q.This option will bypass making a family account while still allowing completion of the application.
• Scan the QR code to the right of this section.