
Falcon Newsletter

MARCH 2025
GIANT THANK YOU!!
Thank you so much to all of the families who donated food to feed our amazing staff during conferences. We appreciate you all so much!
PARKING LOT REMINDERS FOR PARENT DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP
FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF, PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING THINGS WHEN DROPPING OFF OR PICKING UP YOUR STUDENTS.
* PLEASE DO NOT STOP ON THE BYPASS LANE TO LET STUDENTS OUT.
* PLEASE DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR WHILE DROPPING STUDENTS OFF.
* ONCE YOU HAVE PICKED UP OR DROPPED OFF YOUR STUDENT, PLEASE KEEP MOVING ALONG SO THAT THE TRAFFIC FLOW CAN KEEP MOVING.
* PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO PASS OR GO AROUND CARS THAT ARE AHEAD OF YOU IN THE DROP-OFF LINE, EVEN IF IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS SPACE TO DO SO.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND WILLINGNESS TO KEEP OUR ENTIRE FAIR OAKS COMMUNITY SAFE!
Health Insurance
More Minnesotans can now get free or lower cost health insurance regardless of immigration status. Portico health helps families navigate the healthcare system and apply for health insurance through the MNSure system. Trained navigators can speak with families in multiple languages including Spanish and Hmong.
YEARBOOK INFO
Yearbooks can be purchased online here:
https://plicbooks.com/go/GTGJVH
Fair Oaks Yearbooks are now for sale. This includes All Grades, Staff, Field Trips, Family Nights, All about Me Page, Autograph Pages and much more. Price: $10.00 Last Purchase Date: March 28th 2025
Kemmetmueller will be providing a grade level year-end review book for each student at no cost. This book only contains your student's grade level and school staff. You DO NOT need to order the year-end review. Each student will receive one!
***If you have already placed a yearbook order with a paper form, you do not need to place an online order. If you would prefer to order with a paper form, you can email Marinacc@district279.org and she will send a form home with your student.
Purchased yearbooks and year-end review books will be handed out at the same time during the last week of school.
UPCOMING BOUNDARY CHANGES
Updated attendance boundary change scenarios available to view; feedback opportunities include online form and info meetings
Community feedback from January and early February helped to narrow and refine proposed attendance boundary scenarios. Specifically, scenarios 1 and 2 moved forward with some adjustments based on comments received. Visit the following webpages for details on newly proposed scenarios 1A and 2A and search tools to see how your household may be impacted:
Community input is important: Please share your thoughts on the two updated scenarios by filling out the online feedback form or participating in an upcoming community informational meeting.
The first Community Informational Meeting is being held on Tuesday, March 4 at 5:45 p.m. in the North View Middle School cafe
The second Community informational Meeting is being held on Wednesday, March 19 at 5:45 p.m. in the Osseo Middle School cafe
Timeline: These events in March will likely wrap up districtwide feedback opportunities. The school board is expected to approve final attendance boundary changes in May. The new attendance boundaries will then go into effect fall 2026.
Background: Elementary and middle school attendance boundaries are being changed in order to balance student enrollment across the district. These future adjustments, set to take effect in 2026, will reassign the Osseo Area Schools elementary and/or middle school that some households are zoned to attend.
It’s common for communities to experience changing student enrollment. Our district’s Enrollment and Capacity Management Advisory Committee (ECMAC) has been monitoring these enrollment shifts in conjunction with our school building capacities for the last several years. Their most recent reports have detailed that a significant enrollment imbalance exists and that it should be addressed.
ECMAC’s work helped to form 2023’s Building a Better Future referendum. A new elementary school and additions to Maple Grove Senior High School were requested to address space constraints from continued growth. It was additionally noted that attendance boundary changes were needed no matter the outcome of the election. Thankfully, our community supported the 2023 referendum request so additional facility space will help to address growth needs, which limits attendance boundary changes to elementary and middle schools and impacts fewer families.
Stay tuned: Detailed information will continue to be shared on the district website, district279.org/boundaries. Feel free to reach out if something additional needs to be addressed via BetterFuture@district279.org or 763-391-8990.
Do you need a code for ParentVue or the bus tracking app?
YOU CAN ACCESS YOUR STUDENT'S ID NUMBER AS WELL AS THEIR FIRSTVIEW (BUS TRACKING) ACCESS CODE IN PARENTVUE.
SEE THE BOTTOM OF THIS NEWSLETTER FOR HELP TO SET UP ANY OF OUR DISTRICT APPS.
Are you having issues with a student's device or need help with district apps?
Important Dates
3/11 - After school Spanish reading club
3/14 - After school Spanish reading club
3/17 - Students wear GREEN (optional)
3/17 - Winter cartoon art class (For those signed up)
3/18 - After school Spanish reading club
3/21 - CARES Champions assembly
3/21 - After school Spanish reading club
3/24-3/28 NO SCHOOL FOR SPRING BREAK
3/31 - Winter cartoon art class (For those signed up)
4/4 - School Librarian Appreciation Day
4/7 - Bricktopia Wild Ride Class (For those signed up)
4/14 - Bricktopia Wild Ride Class (For those signed up)
4/15 - MCA testing begins (grades 3-5)
4/21 - Asynchronous learning day
4/25 - School Carnival
4/28 - Bricktopia Wild Ride Class (For those signed up)
MCA/MTAS AND ACCESS TESTING REPORTS
MCA and MTAS
Parents and caregivers,
Individual Student Reports (ISR) for students that completed the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) or the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) tests in spring of 2024 are now available in ParentVUE, under the documents tab.
The report includes your student’s overall score and performance level in each test subject and the average scores for students at the school, district and state level. A video report is available by scanning the QR code on the ISR. Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments are taken by students in all public schools in grades 3-8 and 11 on mathematics, in grades 3-8 and 10 on reading and grades 5, 8 and once in high school on science. To learn more about your students’ results review the document, What Families Need to Know about Using MCA and MTAS Results.
Login to ParentVUE to access your student’s ISR. More information about ParentVUE can be found online at district279.org.
Parents are encouraged to communicate with their students' teachers regarding questions about their student’s academic progress.
ACCESS
Parents and caregivers,
Individual Student Reports (ISR) for students that completed the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs English language proficiency test in spring of 2024 is now available in ParentVUE, under the documents tab.
The ACCESS for ELLs tests are based on the WIDA English Language Development Standards and measure students’ progress in learning English. The WIDA ACCESS for ELLs assessments are taken by students in grades K-12 who are identified as English Language Learners in Minnesota public schools. To learn more about this assessment review the document, What is the ACCESS for ELLs Assessment.
To learn more about your students’ results review the following documents:
Login to ParentVUE to access your students’ spring 2024 score report. More information about ParentVUE can be found online at district279.org.
Parents are encouraged to communicate with their students' teachers regarding questions about their students' academic progress.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MARCH CARES CHAMPIONS!
THESE STUDENTS WERE NOMINATED BY STAFF FOR SHOWING C.A.R.E.S. QUALITIES!
Israel Polahn
Moussa Kieta
Messiah Allen
Mishael Duo
Tina Thao
Kadiatu Rosefelt
Laila Zayzay
Arion Thorns
Randy Lor
Musa Kamara
Charlene Lewis
Ava Anderson
Celine Jaber
Beverly Sam
Zak Vue
Lexie Thoeun
Everly Parkin
Colton Roberts
Melody Cantor
Nyvea Vang
Ja’Vion Jones Wesley
Levi Sando
Carlos Ventura
Ruth Torres Silva
Sebastian Hernandez Avila
Penelope Xiong
Emilia Yang
Felix Zedekiah
Jacob Prudencio Aguilera
Yulianna Salinas
Kian Buckley
Lex Buckley
Adnan Hassan
Kayla Vazquez
Levi Davis
Nathan Thao
Illyas Browning
Avery Morton
Elsie Nyanplu
Ruby Saavedra De La Rosa
Elliot Westphal
Michelle Negrete Contraras
Jonathan Europa Rincon-
***March CARES Champions will be celebrated at the March All-School-Morning-Meeting on Friday, March 21st. Parents of these students will receive an invite via Talking Points to join our assembly.
Congratulations to all of our CARES Champions!
Volunteer corner
Our volunteer coordinator is Sophie Castruita. She can help you with any and all questions regarding volunteer work at Fair Oaks. There are many events though out the year that we need volunteers to help make a success! If there is a chance that you will chaperone your student's field trips at all this year, we ask that you please fill out this application as well. You can reach Sophie at: CastruitaS@district279.org
Free Little Library!
Did you know Fair Oaks has its own Free Little Library! Students and community members are welcome to grab a book to enjoy. We are grateful to the Impact Library Program for donating the Free Little Library to our school community! Take a book or leave a book!
A MESSAGE FROM OUR T.A.G. TEACHER
Hello Fair Oaks families! My name is Molly Traynor and I am the T.A.G teacher here at Fair Oaks. I am so happy to have joined the Fair Oaks community this year! Please click the link below and SAVE it to check out the website for Fair Oaks TAG. You will find information on all the different aspects of academic challenge and can see what types of activities we have been working on. Updates will be made to the website regularly. It also has my contact information should you want to reach out with any questions.
https://sites.google.com/apps.district279.org/fair-oaks-tag/home
In partnership,
Ms. Traynor
A Note From Nurse Lila
VACCINATION ANNOUNCEMENT
Important Health Announcement: Protect Yourself and Your Community!
Due to recent outbreaks of measles, pertussis (whooping cough), and chicken pox, it's more important than ever to make sure you and your loved ones are vaccinated. These diseases can be dangerous, especially for young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect against these serious illnesses. If you or your children are due for vaccines, now is the time to act!
Contact your healthcare provider or local health department today to schedule your vaccination and help prevent the spread of these outbreaks. Let’s work together to keep our community safe and healthy!
INCREASE IN ILLNESS AT SCHOOL
We have been experiencing an increase of illness at school. Below are helpful tips for when students should remain at home to help avoid the spread of illnesses.
Please consider keeping your child home if they show signs of: (consider calling your child’s primary physician’s office to assist you with any questions or concerns)
· Earache, ear drainage
· Stomachache, nausea
· New or Persistent cough
· Runny nose and/or nasal congestion
· Unidentified/Suspicious skin rash
· Headache
· Sore throat
· Pink eye (conjunctivitis) in one or both eyes, especially if they are unable to remember to not touch their eye and to wash their hands after touching their eyes
Students must stay home if they are experiencing:
· Vomiting, or diarrhea (must be vomiting or diarrhea free for 24 hours before returning to school)
· Oral temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher (your child must be fever free for 24 hours, without the use of medication (Tylenol or Ibuprofen) before your child returns to school)
· If diagnosed with strep throat, your child may return after taking the prescribed antibiotic for 12 hours and has been fever free after 24 hours (if they had a temperature over 100.4)
· Live Lice, students cannot return to school until treated for lice (medication can be purchased at any Target, Walmart, Walgreens, etc.) When your child returns to school, the nurse must check your child’s hair for any signs of live lice
Helpful Tips for Parents
· Healthy children learn better, please keep in mind the basics of healthy living and teach your child life- long health habits
· Be sure your child gets plenty of sleep each night
· Encourage healthy foods: Offer lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains; limit junk foods such as sweets and chips; have regular mealtimes; encourage water for thirst instead of soda pop or juice
· Be sure your child gets DAILY exercise out in the fresh air whenever possible
· Avoid exposing your child to second-hand smoking, either in the house or in the car
· Teach your children to keep their bodies and hair clean (daily showers/shampoo), use deodorant as needed, to brush their teeth twice a day, and to wash their hands often
Medications in the school health office
All medications (prescription or over the counter) that need to be administered during school hours, must have a physician’s order and a signed medication administration consent form. Medications received without this documentation cannot be administered by the nurse and it will be sent home.
**Please contact the nurse prior to sending any new medication. The nurse will assist you will all the necessary documentation needed for your student’s new medication.
Important reminders for families
Here are a few important reminders from our Fair Oaks staff....
Attendance Reminders
If your student(s) are ever late or absent from school for any reason, please be sure to call our attendance line at 763-549-2353 (this is different than our main office number). You can leave a voicemail in either English or Spanish, 24 hours a day on this line. We ask that you please let us know about your child's absence or late arrival by 10am whenever possible to avoid receiving one of the automated calls from the district about your student's attendance.
Updated Contact Information
It is very important that we have updated contact information for all students. Lately, we have had outdated address and phone numbers for several students. It is important for the nurse, teachers and other staff to be able to reach parents and guardians during the school day. Please report any new work/home/cell phone numbers to the main office immediately.
It is also very important that we have updated addresses for each family. Addresses can be updated on ParentVue or at the district enrollment center.
Follow us on Facebook to keep up with everything Fair Oaks!
Hmong families are also welcome to follow our Hmong FB page!
KOU VANG
ML Community and Communication Specialist
Educational Equity Department
Osseo Area Schools
11200 93rd Ave N. Maple Grove, MN 55369
Work Cell: (612) 394-3358
Brooklyn Middle School (T/W/F)
Fair Oaks Elementary (TH)
Palmer Lake Elementary (M)
Helpful links
ParentVUE access instructions
https://mn-oas-psv.edupoint.com/PXP2_Login.aspx
- Takes you to the login screen - do not enter anything here.
- Scroll down to activate account - click and accept user agreement.
- Enter your name (has to match what we have in our system)
- Enter activation key - this is case sensitive and is all caps.
To get started using ParentVUE if you do not yet have an active account, follow our Getting Started guide HERE.
- Getting Started SOMALI
- Getting Started VIETNAMESE
- Getting Started SPANISH
- Getting Started OROMO
- Getting Started HMONG
FIRSTview bus tracking
The FirstView mobile app helps you to keep track of school buses going to and from school each day. Support is available Monday - Friday from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm ET for existing FirstView users with app-related questions or concerns.
Email:support@firstviewapp.com Phone:1(888) 889-8920
**Click blue button below to get started with set up.
Important contacts
Principal - David Freeburg - FreeburgD@district279.org
Resource Manager - Chris Marinac Marinacc@district279.org
Administrative Assistant - Heather Hausladen Hausladenh@district279.org
Counselor - Caitlin Carlson CarlsonC3@district279.org
Social worker - Krysta Sather Satherk@district279.org
Psychologist - Megan Lipps Monettem@district279.org
Nurse - Lila Neumann - NeumannL@district279.org
Volunteer Coordinator - Sophie Castruita Castruitas@district279.org
Behavior Intervention Teacher - Brian Thul ThulB@district279.org
Fair Oaks Main Line - 763-533-2246
Fair Oaks fax number - 763-549-2350
Attendance - 763-533-2246 (press 1) and leave your child's name, grade, parent's name and phone number and the reason for your child's absence.
Transportation - 763-391-7244 or Busquestions@district279.org