Fort Osage Virtual Backpack

Welcome to your weekly Fort Osage newsletter. Information is updated weekly on Wednesdays. If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Smith, Director of Public Relations at ssmith@fortosage.net.

• Now Open: 2025–26 Free & Reduced Meal Applications! Fort Osage families—it’s time to reapply for the Free and Reduced Meal program! This annual application ensures your child continues receiving meal benefits and unlocks other valuable perks: reduced or waived school fees, scholarship eligibility for FOHS students, increased funding for student services, and access to additional aid throughout the year. Apply now https://www.fortosage.net/visit-campus312312 Need help? Call our Food Service Department at 816-650-7206.

• The annual Fort Osage online enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is now open. Every family is required to have an annual updated application submitted by July 31, 2025. Parents check your email for complete step by step instructions for completing this process.

  Families will not receive teacher assignments or class schedules until the annual enrollment process is completed. Please note that students will not be allowed to start school on August 19 until this process has been completed. Before beginning your annual online registration you will need to have: Your user name and password for the parent portal. If you need help with your username and password please call our District Office at 816-650-7000 or email ssmith@fortosage.net. All obligations from the 2024-2025 school year must be paid or a payment plan must be established before you can begin the online registration for the 2025-2026 school year. If you have any questions about your annual update or enrollment, you can email our student records department at studentrecords@fortosage.net.

• School Supply Lists are now available. We know many families like to get a head start—school supply lists for the upcoming year are now posted on the Fort Osage website! You can find them at https://www.fortosage.net/parentsstud.../school-supply-lists or access them anytime through our Fort Osage mobile app.

• Congratulations to Izzy Young and Karsyn Reber, Fort Osage High School students, who are competing in the Youth Bowling Nationals in Green Bay this week.

• Summer Lunch Menu for Salvation Army, Hawthorn Place, McCoy Park, Food Truck Stops
• Summer Lunch Menu for Cler-Mont, Fort Discovery, and Buckner Baptist Church
• Breakfast Menu for Cler-Mont, Fort Discovery, and Buckner Baptist Church

• You're Invited to Summer Play Groups! Do you have a child age 5 or younger? Come join our Fort Osage preschool teachers for some summer fun! These free playgroups are a great way to connect, play, and explore with other families before school starts. For complete details on the summer playgroups click here.

• New Student Voices Podcast Episodes Dropping All Summer! Our students are taking the mic and sharing their stories, advice, and experiences on the Fort Osage Student Voices Podcast—and you won’t want to miss a single episode. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Amazon Music/Audible, or Podchaser—just search Fort Osage Student Voices and hit play!

  
  

• Attention Parents of Fort Osage High School Athletes! Mark your calendars for the upcoming Sports Parent Meeting on August 16th at 9:00 a.m. This important meeting is for parents of athletes participating in fall, winter, and spring sports. You’ll receive essential information about athletic programs, expectations, and how to support your student’s success both on and off the field.

• The Fort Osage High School Men's Soccer team is hosting a Camp for students in 7-12 grades in July and August. For details, or to register, click here.

• Blue Hills LINC Site council is hosting a clothing donation and distribution. They are collecting clothes for the months of June and July and going to do the day of caring donation on August 7th. For complete details click here.
• The First Baptist Church of Buckner is hosting a Blessings and Backpack event on August 9th from 9:00 a.m. to noon. You can come grab a hotdog, visit the clothes closet, and receive other community services to get ready for the school year. If you need a backpack with school supplies you can scan the QR code in the flyer here to sign up. For complete details on the event click here.
• Independence Parks and Recreation is hosting Back to School Bingo where you can win supplies. Bingo is taking place on August 1 at 6:00 p.m. at the Uptown Market. Call 816-325-7370 to register by July 25th. The cost is $20 for a family of 4.
• Freestyle'z Barber and Beauty is offering free haircuts for students on August 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Walk-ins only that day. They will also be handing out free school supplies while supplies last.

• Many of our students could use an extra boost to kick off the new school year prepared and confident. Bright Futures Fort Osage partnered with Jeremy Blackmon 1st Class Real Estate KC collecting school supplies to help Fort Osage students in need — and you can make a difference! For a list of supplies needed, click here. Drop off your donations at any of these convenient locations: Campus Grounds, Tammi Sue’s, Fort Nutrition, and Spicy Kawaii.

• At Fort Osage, we believe in taking care of one another—and Bright Futures Fort Osage is leading the way. Through meaningful partnerships and community support, Bright Futures is working tirelessly to meet the needs of our students, staff, and families. One incredible example is the Undie 500—a drive to collect new underwear and bras for our Care Closet. The Care Closet goes far beyond clothing. It provides essentials like hygiene items, shoes, socks, and more to ensure our students and families have what they need to feel confident and cared for every day. Think of it like a safety net—quietly catching those who need a little extra help so they can focus on learning and thriving. Want to get involved? Drop off donations for the Undie 500 at Fort Nutrition and receive a discount on your purchase. For complete details click here.

• Battle of the Badges blood drive is set to take place on August 8 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. in Heisler-Burns Park in Buckner (a donor bus will be on-site). The Blood Drive is being sponsored by the Fort Osage Fire Protection District. You can sign up by clicking here and enter group code RF. For additional details or questions, contact Ashley Range at 816-650-5811 or arange@fortosagefire.org. You can learn more by clicking here.
• IYFC is offering fall girls flag football for students in K-12th grades. There is a $150 registration fee that includes: team jersey/shirt and equipment. For complete details, or to register, click here.
• The Hudson Room and Tammi Sue's have partnered together this year to organize the 2nd Buckner Third Thursdays August. All events will take place from 5 to 8 pm in the public parking lot of Adams and Hudson Streets. The lot will be blocked off at 3:30 pm on each Thursday, August 21, for setup. Each month will showcase vendors for shopping, an activity and treat truck. Please see https://www.tammisues.com/bucknerthirdthursdays for more information.

• The Buckner Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library is offering Watercolor Pencils and Pen: Bees, Butterflies and Beetles on Monday, July 28 from 6:30 –8:00 p.m. Explore symmetry in nature in this fun and relaxing class with artist Sarah Hirtzel. Inspired by beautiful botanical studies, we will create our own drawings using watercolor pencils and pen. No previous experience needed. All materials will be provided. Adults.

• The 2nd and 3rd grade youth Indians Football team are thrilled to announce the return of their highly anticipated tumbler fundraiser this year! The proceeds will significantly and positively impact our 2nd and 3rd Grand Indians Football teams, enabling us to enhance our programs and support our athletes. We offer a wide selection of design options paired with four distinct cup styles for you to choose from.

  You can learn more and place your order online at https://forms.gle/4HWGPiwkj64VMY2j6

• Independence Parks and Recreation is offering Pick-Up Chess at George Owens Nature Park now through winter. For a complete list of days and times, click here.

• The Buckner Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library is offering Kids- Happy Birthday, Harry Potter on Thursday, July 31 from 6:00– 7:00 p.m. Did you know that Harry Potter’s birthday is July 31? Join us this Summer at the Library and enjoy crafts and activities that celebrate all things Hogwarts. Please register participating children only.

  Ages 6+

• The Buckner Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library is offering Pose and Play Yoga for Littles (Special Storytime) on Thursday, August 7 from 10:00 –10:30 a.m. It's never too early to learn yoga. This program will introduce your preschooler to the basic concepts of yoga with enriching activities. This program is designed for ages 3 and up.

• Independence Parks and Recreation invites you to DragonFly Dayz on July 25 and 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at George Owens Nature Park. Bring your nets or use one provided to catch and identify different dragonflies.

• The FIFA World Cup 26™ is coming to Kansas City, and we’re looking for passionate volunteers from all communities! Now is the time to join! This is your chance to represent the heartland and experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with others across the region. Suit up and get in the game! The volunteer sign-up period ends September 15, 2025. You can learn more or sign up at https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/volunteers

• The Wall that Heals will be in Buckner at the park July 31 through August 2 (open 24 hours a day). There are education components on site, tours, information guides, and more. You can learn more about the Wall, the Schedule of events, and more on their website at https://www.thewallthathealsbucknermo2025.com. There are also volunteer opportunities available for those who are interested. You can learn more or sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BACA723AAFCC16-55361008-thewall#/

• Save the Date for the Annual Alumni Veterans Salute at Fort Osage High School taking place on November 10th at 1:00 p.m. Invites and more details will be coming in September.
• Save the Date for the Annual Alumni Soccer Game on Saturday, August 23 at 6:30 p.m. You can get full details by clicking here.
• We are sad to share the passing of Diana Tennis Moore, class of 1969.

• Fort Osage is hiring for the 2025-2026 school year. You can find all open positions, and apply, online at https://www.fortosage.net/careers.