Orioles Newsletter November 2024

November 2024

A note from the Principals

Join Osseo Area Schools for the first-ever School Choice Fair!

Dear Osseo Middle School Families,

Looking for the perfect school fit? This is your chance to explore all grade levels—from early childhood to high school, including magnet and online! Whether you're new to the district, have enrollment questions or want to learn more about your child’s school - we’ve got everything you need in one place.

Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. - noon at Osseo Senior High School

What to expect:

Learn about schools and programs across the district
Connect with leaders from all schools and explore the unique programs that are offered
Get answers about kindergarten and enrollment
Incoming kindergartners and their caregivers can even ride a school bus to an elementary school and tour a kindergarten classroom
Explore Community Education opportunities for all ages
Enjoy family-friendly activities and FREE light refreshments

Make this your one-stop destination for all the information you need. See you there!

Brian Chance, Principal

Jan Bitzer, Assistant Principal

Osseo Middle School Celebrates Spirit Week and Helps the Community

Last week, Osseo Middle School had Spirit Week. From Pajama Day to Twin Day, students and staff dressed up in fun outfits. The OMS Student Leadership Ambassadors planned the events, including "Scare Hunger Week." During this week, the school raised $842.20 and collected about 1,177 food items to help people in need.

For twin day, office staff and administration dressed up like Principal Chance to celebrate National Principals Month. When you have a great principal, you want to be just like him!

Spirit Week was a great time for students and staff to have fun and support the community together.

Principal's Month

Scare Hunger!

Tips From Our Counselors, School Social Workers and School Psychologist!

Student Services Corner

Happy School Psychologist Week to our wonderful Ms. Boloor!

During the week of November 11-15th, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and schools across the United States will mark National School Psychology Week (NSPW). This week celebrates the contributions of school psychologists and the important role they play in schools and communities. NSPW is an annual opportunity to recognize school psychologists' work to help children thrive in school, at home, and in life. This year’s theme, “Spark Discovery,” recognizes the work that school psychologists do to help their communities seek out new ideas, effect change, and expand horizons for children and youth.

Ms. Boloor

School Psychologist

boloorj@district279.org

Winter Gear

Winter is coming! Does your student have the winter gear that they need? We can help get your student gear to ensure that they stay warm this winter. Please reach out to Libby Lorron at LorronL@district279.org with any questions! Click on the picture for Osseo Area Schools Weather Information.

Grief Group

Growing Through Grief offers in-school support to students coping with the death of a loved one. Because of the generous donors in our community, programming is provided to students at no charge. If your child is interested in participating in a weekly peer support group, please connect with the Counseling Office. Grief doesn’t have to be isolating. Growing Through Grief gives children and teens a safe space where they can share their feelings, get expert counseling, and realize they’re not alone.

Ms. Johnson and Ms. Brawford

School Counselors

Grade 6 & Grade 7 (A-L) and Grade 7 (M-Z) & Grade 8

johnsonj2@district279.org and brawfordm@district279.org

Be At School!

Absences:

As we reach the end of the trimester we are looking at how we can show up more effectively, setting our alarms, getting a good breakfast and making our bus! Regular attendance not only benefits academic performance but also contributes to overall personal growth and development. As a friendly reminder about truancy here is Hennepin County’s Truancy Policy.

In partnership with Hennepin County’s Truancy Intervention Program, Be@School, these are the steps following an excessive amount of absences.

3-Day Attendance Letter: The school sends a letter to the parent(s)/guardian(s) after a student has three unexcused absences.
Report to Be@School: If there are seven unexcused absences, school staff must send a report to Be@School. At this point, they will receive information about relevant education laws.
Second Report and Intervention Plan: After twelve unexcused absences, the school sends a second report. An intervention plan may be developed in collaboration with the county.
Implementation of Intervention Plan: If a student accumulates seventeen unexcused absences, an intervention plan is formally put into place to address the truancy.