June 9th, 2025

As part of the Osseo Area Schools operational plan and strategic direction, the district's communication team is working together with schools to help create improved communications between the district and its families and community members. Our new e-newsletters are more accessible and translatable, and they can be shared for easily in a variety of formats. We hope you enjoy catching up with the latest Zanewood Community STEAM School news in this new format.

Dear Families,

As we wrap up another successful school year, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support, partnership, and involvement in your child’s education. It has been a joy watching our students learn, grow, and accomplish so much this year.

To our returning families, we look forward to welcoming you back in the fall, recharged and ready for another exciting year. To our families moving on to new adventures, please know that you will always be part of our school community.

Over the summer, I encourage you to enjoy time together as a family—read books, explore the outdoors, and make lasting memories. Learning doesn’t stop in June, and even simple daily activities can spark curiosity and creativity in young minds.

Wishing you all a safe, relaxing, and joyful summer break!

Warm regards,
Jenny Tollefson, Principal

This year we have been able to partner with Afoutayi Dance, Music and Arts through the Ordway! They came and celebrated Haitian culture, drumming and dance at assemblies this year in May, and the excitement was through the roof! Students were so engaged throughout the performance and were thrilled to participate in the dancing and music. The Ordway also sent TaikoArts Midwest drum group to entertain our families at SteamFest! Thank you to the Ordway for sponsoring this incredible opportunity.

We have loved having your students in Media, Music, Gym and Art this trimester!

Scholars in music class have been learning about instrument families through a game called musical chairs. Other class have worked with boomwhackers, recorders and keyboards. Our fifth-grade scholars spent time designing cardboard ukuleles and coding the music using a program called Makey Makey. Our STEAM focus gives us the ability to try many different things.

Our Media Center was a busy place as always this spring! Ms. Radaj supported our Zanewood Scholars as they worked on their PBL projects for STEAMfest, helping students use graphic design in Canva and Adobe Express. We also continued using our VR headsets to enhance our understanding of Science, Math, and ELA standards, letting us explore outer space, pirate ships and 2d geometric shapes! Coding and robotics are often paired with literacy in our media center!

In art this year, fifth grade students have delved into the world of Graphic Design! They created infographics using Adobe Express to show their knowledge about soil and garden restoration. Our student's creativity has been on display all year, exploring clay, watercolor, and sunprints outdoors!

The end of the year was a very busy time in Phy. Ed. Students were able to experience Field Day again after having it cancelled last year. We a had a ton of different activities set up outside for a day of fun. Students got to race each other over hurdles and around obstacles as well as trying new activities like golf. The staff, volunteers, and students had so much fun getting together to celebrate what being active is all about. We rounded out the year by playing all of our favorite games and activities in gym class so that we remember that being active is supposed to be fun! Have a good summer and remember to get outside!

Zanewood now has an Instagram page! Use the QR Code to follow us.

Zanewood Community: A STEAM School was recognized and received a National Merit School of Excellence Award on behalf of the school during an awards ceremony held at Magnet Schools of America’s National Conference in April. Ms. Tollefson, Ms. Dwyer, and Mr. Lindsay attended the conference to receive the award.

Our STEAMfest event was a huge success! Thank you to all of our families who came to support your scholars as they displayed their Project Based Learning projects this year! These projects were cross-curricular and rooted in our science curriculum.

We also want to give a huge thank you to all of our community partners and volunteers who helped to make the night a success. Over 400 people attended our event, and we look forward to next year!

Like our school on Facebook for regular updates! https://www.facebook.com/zanewoodsteam/

Arrival

Our arrival and dismissal times remain the same: School doors will open at 9:10, the school day starts at 9:30, and school is over promptly at 4:00.