November 2024 Bulletin
Hello Bobcat Families,
November is the final month of the first trimester. By now the newness of the school year, the excitement of a new teacher and new classmates and the anticipation of some of Minnesota’s beloved fall activities has likely worn off. This is the time of year in our school calendar when we begin to see an increase in student and staff illness and sometimes student conflict and unexpected behaviors also increase. Thank you for prioritizing your child’s health during the weeks between now and winter break. A routine bedtime, choosing healthy foods, drinking water and the practice of washing hands and covering coughs will support student attendance and academic engagement.
Birch Grove is one of only a few schools in Minnesota that has been recognized as a Magnet Schools of America School of Excellence. This huge honor is annually awarded to magnet schools from across the nation who exemplify five pillars of excellence; diversity, innovative curriculum and professional development, academic excellence, leadership and family and community partnerships. What does that mean for your student? It means that our teachers spend time in collaboration to create high quality, rigorous and integrated lessons that engage and challenge students intellectually. It means that your student has multiple ways in which enrichment is provided; through elective and troupe programming, Targeted Services after school programming, Artist in Residence programs, special leadership groups like patrols, orchestra, band, and BG Leads as well as a variety of field trips and field experience. It means that the adults in our building value the unique identities of each and every student and work to create a learning space that values the whole learner.
Birch Grove is a choice school, open to all residents within the Osseo School District as well as anyone who lives within the Northwest Suburban School District boundaries. The application window is now open for the 2025-2026 school year and we would be honored if you would share this information with the people in your life.
We are here to serve you and your family and make every effort to create the absolute best place to learn, work and visit.
Your administrative team,
Margo Kleven & Lindsey Patterson
It's Time for Cold Weather Gear
With the colder weather coming, it is important to send outerwear that is appropriate for the season with your child. Students go outside for recess every day unless it is raining or the temperature is below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. A warm jacket, waterproof boots, hats, gloves, and snowpants are recommended for all students to stay warm and dry in cold, wet, and snowy weather.
If you need cold weather gear for your child, please contact social worker Megan Ruhland at RuhlandM@District279.org or 763-549-2335. Please include which items are needed and their sizes.
We take donations of new or gently used cold weather clothing in any sizes that would fit students in grades Pre-K-5. If you have any questions about donations, please contact Megan Ruhland at the phone or email above, or Emily Wenz at WenzE@District279.org.
Reminders: Arrival, Dismissal, and Attendance
- Birch Grove opens its doors at 9:15 am. Students should remain with their caregivers in their vehicle or outside Doors A or B until 9:15.
- If you need to make a change in your student's end of the day dismissal plans, please call the office at 763-561-1374 BEFORE 3:30 PM. It is important to communicate this information through the office in case your child's teacher is out that day.
- If your child will be absent, you may report it by calling 763-561-1374 and choosing option 1 to reach the 24-hour attendance line, or you may report it through Birch Grove's Talking Points Attendance Line.
- Absences reported after 10:15 may result in an automated call/text message saying your child has an unexcused absence.
- Always have your ID with you if you are picking up your child early from school. District 279 has a digital sign-out for student safety and requires an ID scan for all early pickups. Please check ParentVUE to make sue your emergency contacts are up to date to make sign-out faster for pickups by non-parents/guardians.
Donations & Fundraising for the PTO
The Birch Grove PTO is always hard at work behind the scenes working on fun family engagement events and fundraising opportunities to support our scholars! The PTO runs strongly on donations from the community to fund events and help teachers with purchases to further engage their students in learning experiences. Donations can be made at the link below at any time!
There is a current fundraiser as well that will be ongoing. The PTO has partnered with World's Finest Chocolate and is selling chocolate bars! These can be purchased at the link below or in the Birch Grove office. Please include the name of at least one of your scholars in the purchase as the PTO will send online chocolate orders home with your students.
A huge THANK YOU to the Birch Grove PTO for the amazing events and fundraisers we have done so far this year and the many more to come! The PTO welcomes you to join their meetings on the second Thursday of each month to discuss and share ideas and develop plans for upcoming events. Email them with questions at PTOBirchGrove@District279.org.
Student Retake Galleries Available Online
If your student got their picture taken on Retake Day on October 14th, their photos are now available online. Please check your email and spam folder for the link from Kemmetmueller Photography. If you did not receive your link, please contact Kemmetmueller directly at info@k-photography.com or 952-473-2142. Birch Grove does not have access to links for student photo galleries. See information below on how to access and order photos.
November 7th: Family Art Night
You are invited to the annual Fall Family Arts Night at Birch Grove! BG staff members will be hosting different activities in their classrooms. Activities include Play-Doh shapes, bookmark making, tinfoil painting, Art Room Extravaganza, cookie decorating, Drums Alive, and so much more! Attendees will receive a Bingo card that can be completed throughout the evening and turned in for prize drawings! All children must be accompanied by an adult for the entire event.
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Thursday, November 7th
Time: 5:30-7:00 pm
Location: Birch Grove Elementary School
November 16th: School Choice Fair
Join Osseo Area Schools for the first-ever School Choice Fair! This event is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the various schools and programs for all grade levels in the district, including early childhood, preschool, elementary, middle, high schools, magnet and online programs. Whether you have enrollment questions, need information about kindergarten, are new to the district, or looking to learn more about your child’s school or specialized programs, this event is the perfect chance to get everything you need in one spot.
You may complete a form to receive information and updates about the School Choice Fair, as well as request interpreter services. Complete the form and learn more by clicking the button below.
FAIR ACTIVITIES:
• Learn about the enrollment process
• Kindergartners can ride a school bus to an elementary school to tour a kindergarten classroom
• Enjoy free light refreshments
• Meet school principals and staff
• Fun, interactive activities for children of all ages
• Discover available careers at Osseo Area Schools
• Learn about Early Childhood Screenings (ages 3-5)
• Explore Community Education programs
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, November 16th
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (open house style - come any time that works for you)
Location: Osseo Senior High School
317 5th St NW
Osseo, MN 55369
November 19th: Cheap Skate Fundraiser
Join the Birch Grove PTO for an evening of skating and fun at Cheap Skate Roller Center! The cost to attend is $7.75 per person. 100% of proceeds from pre-sale tickets for this event will go back to the Birch Grove PTO to support our scholars! Purchase tickets at the link below!
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Tuesday, November 19th
Time: 5:00-7:30 pm
Location: Cheap Skate Roller Center
3075 Coon Rapids Blvd
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
763-427-8980
Sign Up for a Free Thanksgiving Meal
Living Word is continuing its impact against hunger this Thanksgiving season by offering 700 Thanksgiving meals to families in our community.
Families that sign up will be responsible for picking up their own meal. The holiday meal will include a turkey breast, cranberry sauce, cornbread stuffing mix, turkey gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, and dinner rolls. The meal serves 4-6 people.
The meal pick up will be held on November 23, 2024, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Living Word, 9201 75th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN. This is the only time a meal can be picked up.
Please contact Megan Ruhland with questions and to sign up. Please call 763-549-2335 or email at ruhlandm@district279.org
Child Tax Credit
Exciting news for Minnesota families! Discover the new Child Tax Credit offering $1,750 per child under 18. Don't miss out—check eligibility and claim your credit when you file: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/child-tax-credit.
Working Family Credit
Minnesota Residents, discover the benefits of the Working Family Credit! You could qualify for a refund, even if you don't owe taxes. Check eligibility details, especially if your income is below $35,000 (joint filers). If you're a part-year resident, adjust your income accordingly for Minnesota taxes. Learn more at https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/site-search?site_search_text=m1nr
Save Receipts for School Supplies!
The Minnesota Department of Revenue offers two valuable tax benefits for caregivers who purchase school supplies for their K-12 students: the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction. These benefits can reduce caregivers’ taxes to increase their refund, but is only available for those who keep their receipts. Purchases for most school supplies, field trips, and musical instruments for school band are eligible. Most Minnesota caregivers qualify for the K-12 subtraction, which reduces their taxable income. Caregivers under certain income limits may also qualify for the K-12 credit, which can refund up to 75% of their costs – even for those who do not owe any taxes. Visit Revenue's website for details.
Homework Starts with Home
Are you or someone you know at risk of losing your housing? The Homework Starts with Home program is grant funded and in partnership with Hennepin County and the YMCA. Here are guidelines of the program:
- Families must have a child enrolled in our school district and reside in Hennepin county.
- Families must meet income guidelines set by Hennepin county.
- Families must qualify for rent assistance of owing back rent and are at risk of eviction in order to receive utilities assistance.
- Families must provide something in writing that they owe back rent or are at risk of eviction (ledger of back rent owed, eviction notice, court date notice)
- Families must reach out before their eviction date/court date. Unfortunately we can't retroactively provide financial assistance if they have already moved.
Please reach out to Kendra Kuhlmann at HSWH@District279.org if you have questions or are interested in learning more about the Homework Starts with Home Program.
Information available in: English | Hmong | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese
Earn Money for Birch Grove with Box Tops for Education
Download the Box Tops for Education App and start earning money for Birch Grove by scanning your shopping receipts.