Connect-Oct. 20

Oct. 20, 2026

CCX Media: Birch Grove teacher named Theater Educator of the Year

CCX Media recently featured Birch Grove School for the Arts’ Kris Holsen, who received the 2026 Theater Educator of the Year Award through the Minnesota Educational Theater Association.

“She directs, she leads, she teaches, she performs. She is one of the hardest workers I have ever had the pleasure of working with, and her passion for the arts is unmatched," Birch Grove Principal Stephanie Webster said of Holsen.

Check out the CCX feature on Holsen

Basswood Elementary School student shines on the stage in “Annie”

Photos courtesy of Chanhassen Dinner Theater

Lucy Anderson, a fourth grader at Basswood Elementary School, is currently performing in the Chanhassen Dinner Theater’s production of “Annie” that runs from now until Feb. 27. Based on the popular comic strip, “Annie” tells the story of a spunky little orphan full of optimism that shines through the most difficult situations.

Lucy plays one of the other orphans on stage, Molly, in half of the performances. Lucy landed the role after auditioning at the Mall of America and attending an “Annie bootcamp” to prepare the child actors to join the adult cast. At the Chanhassen Dinner Theater, each child actor takes the stage for half of the performances, allowing them to achieve their professional acting dreams while still attending school and being a kid.

Firefighters visit students at Willow Lane Early Childhood Center

October is National Fire Safety Month. On Oct. 5, 6 and 9, students and staff at Willow Lane Early Childhood Center learned about fire safety, explored fire trucks and asked firefighters questions.

Fall ballot will include constitutional amendment on Minnesota school funding

Election Day 2026 is two weeks away, and early voting continues through Nov. 2. This year, all Minnesota ballots include a constitutional amendment question that, if approved, would affect school funding across the state.

View the ballot language.

Learn more about the constitutional amendment

District elementary schools host fun runs

It has been Fun Run season around Osseo Area Schools’ elementary schools over the past few weeks! Some runs center around a fundraiser and some do not, but all celebrate school pride and physical fitness for their school communities! Check out an Instagram reel from the runs around the district!

A collage of football players reading books to elementary school students

Maple Grove Senior High football team reads to students at Rush Creek Elementary

Players from the Maple Grove Senior High School football team recently visited Rush Creek Elementary School classrooms to read books, answer questions and sign autographs with the elementary school students.

Families in a dark gym looking at a lit-up projector

Basswood Elementary School hosting showing of “Screenagers”

Basswood Elementary School PTO is hosting a free community showing of “Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition” on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. for elementary families across the district. Families can secure their seat and RSVP online. Through insights from authors, psychologists and brain scientists, “Screenagers” reveals how technology time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions for empowering kids to navigate the digital world and find balance.

A large group of young students visiting a pumpkin patch

Four-year-old students visit pumpkin patch during fall field trip

Each October, students and staff in the Four Star Express prekindergarten program visit Dehn’s Pumpkin Patch in Dayton, Minnesota. Students enjoyed favorite attractions, including a corn pit, inflatable slides, hayrides and hay bale climbing areas.

Looking ahead

Oct. 20: School board regular business meeting
Vote on or before Nov. 3: This November's ballot includes Minnesota constitutional amendment question on school funding
Nov. 3: Licensed staff workshop, no school for students
Nov. 5: "Screenagers" showing at Basswood Elementary School
Nov. 10: School board election canvassing
Nov. 14: Osseo Area Schools Information Fair
Now-March 31: Apply for a District 279 Foundation grant

CCX Media: Birch Grove teacher named Theater Educator of the Year CCX Media: Birch Grove teacher named Theater Educator of the Year

Basswood Elementary School student shines on the stage in “Annie” Basswood Elementary School student shines on the stage in “Annie”

Firefighters visit students at Willow Lane Early Childhood Center Firefighters visit students at Willow Lane Early Childhood Center

Fall ballot will include constitutional amendment on Minnesota school funding Fall ballot will include constitutional amendment on Minnesota school funding