Bulldogs Newsletter October 2, 2023
For Week of December 8, 2025
Issue #14
Winter Break - December 24 thru January 2
Dear Basswood Families,
It has been a chilly week! As the weather gets colder, please remember the following:
Penguin Shuffle: Our parking lot and sidewalks can be quite slippery at times. To reduce the risk of slips and falls, please walk with care.
Dress for the Weather: Students will be outside daily through the winter unless the temperature is 5 degrees below zero (feels like). Warm coats, snow pants, boots and gloves help your child's recess to be more enjoyable. Also note, students in parent drop off wait outside until 8:40am even in the winter, unless the temperature is unsafe. So, please help students dress for the weather.
Drive Safely: In the winter we can have more cars and pedestrians in the Basswood parking lot. Please be extra careful and patient, as the ice and snow make the arrival and dismissal process more challenging.
Also, please remember to limit waving and to keep your eyes forward when driving in our parking areas. Please do not use your phones when driving on the Basswood Elementary School grounds.
In partnership,
Steven Schwartz
Basswood Principal
#WeAreBasswood!
PTO Math & Science Family Night
We need volunteers!!
PTO is sponsoring a night of fun and learning and all families are invited to attend! Math and Science Night is Tuesday, December 9, from 6pm to 8pm and is free for all! Hands-on activities for students and families! Some of the vendors that will be attending are Crimson Robotics, Mathnasium, The Works Museum, and Coding the Cosmics.
We also need volunteers for this event.
You can volunteer here: Basswood Elementary PTO: Math & Science Night 2025.
We are hoping for a great turnout!
Basswood Gives Back: We Share Toy Drive
The BWGB We Share Toy Drive will start Monday, December 15, and run through Friday, December 19. We are requesting new, unwrapped toys and gifts to benefit children in our community through CROSS Community. Some suggestions would be toys for birth to 10 years old and gift cards for 11 to 18 years old. Our goal is to collect 1000 toys!
2026-27 Attendance boundary changes: Reminder and next steps
While the 2025-26 school year is still young, Osseo Area Schools is already making preparations for a smooth transition to new attendance boundaries at the elementary and middle school levels for the fall of 2026. Families can double-check whether or not their household is impacted by using the 2026-27 search tool available via osseoschools.org/boundaries.
Families who have students impacted by next fall's attendance boundary changes can expect to receive a letter before the end of November with information about their new school and other pertinent details.
Families with 2026-27 fifth and eighth graders will be asked whether or not they’d like to utilize a Remain in Place option, where they could stay their final year at their current school with family-provided transportation. Details will be shared mid-November. Students relocating can expect a similar educational experience across district schools, with shared goals for academic rigor and a welcoming environment at all sites. Efforts have also been made to keep neighborhoods together as much as possible so that any school changes are made with familiar students.
These changes can be tough; however, every effort is being made to ensure families have great experiences at all schools. Special activities will be held starting next spring to welcome and support families relocating. Families are also welcome to check out school websites and/or schedule a tour in the weeks and months ahead.
The flexibility with this needed change is appreciated. Questions? Check out osseoschools.org/boundaries, or reach out to BetterFuture@district279.org or 763-391-8990.
This week at Basswood...
- December 9 - PTO Math & Science Night 6-8pm
- December 10 - Report Cards available on ParentVUE
Coming Up at Basswood...
- December 18 - Secure Drill at 2:45pm
- December 23 - All School Sing-Along
- December 24 thru January 2 - Winter Break
Good to Know...
What time does my student eat lunch?
- 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
Will your student be absent from school for vacation?
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!
Is your child signed up for an after school Community Ed class?
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.
What time should my student be at school in the morning?
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.
Can my student ride home on another student's bus?
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.
What do I need to do to volunteer at 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.
How can I find out more about Basswood's PTO?
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