Bulldogs Newsletter October 2, 2023
For the week of October 31, 2023
Issue #9
Note from the Principal
Dear Basswood Families,
We had an amazing celebration with the students today. If you would like to see some clips from the Basswood Eras Tour, videos are available on the Basswood Facebook page.
The Basswood Gives Back Student Leadership team is sponsoring the We Scare Hunger Food Collection Campaign! Here are some details for you to know for this year’s We Scare Hunger Campaign:
- Our food/necessities collection campaign will begin on Monday, October 30, and run through Friday, November 3.
- We will have students collect/bring food each day.
- Tell your neighbors, friends, and family that this Halloween students will be collecting healthy, non-perishable items for the CROSS food bank.
We will proudly display all of the food that Basswood students collect and then deliver to CROSS, a local food shelf! Our goal is 2,000 items. That’s about 2 items per student!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Steven Schwartz
Basswood Principal
PTO Turkey Bingo
Turkey Bingo at Basswood is back! Mark your calendars for Friday, November 10! A flyer will be coming home on Wednesday, November 1. Mark your calendars!
Student Pictures
Hopefully you received an email from Kemmetmueller Photography letting you know that student pictures are ready to be viewed. If you did not receive a link, please reach out to Kemmetmueller Photography by calling at 952-473-2142 or email at info@k-photography.com.
Please note, Student Picture Retake day will be Tuesday, November 14.
Building a Better Future, Phase II: Vote on election day, November 7!
Option 1: Vote early between now and Monday, Nov. 6. Head to Brooklyn Park City Hall’s multipurpose room at 5200 85th Ave. N during the following hours. Please note: this is the early voting location for all Osseo Area Schools voters.
From Tuesday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 3 the hours are between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 4 the hours are between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
On Monday, Nov. 6 the hours are between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Option 2: Vote on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 7. Go to pollfinder.sos.mn.gov to find your election day polling location. Then visit your designated polling location between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Please note school is not in session this day.
Remember: the one-question ballot focuses on critical school building needs with regard to safety, learning and space. If approved by voters, proposed projects would address districtwide needs, including for: schools in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center, schools in the city of Osseo and surrounding area and schools in Maple Grove. This list of ten reasons why a bond referendum is being held is a helpful summary.
So what happens if the referendum fails?
Projects to improve safety/security would not proceed.
Crowded conditions and large class sizes would continue. Attendance boundary adjustments would be required at all levels to provide relief, which is estimated to move 6,000 students from their current schools.
Learning spaces would continue to age and become less relevant.
Inconsistent learning experiences would continue.
Budget cuts would be required. Projected to be at least $31 million (approx. 300 jobs).
Questions? Email BetterFuture@district279.org, call 763-391-8990 or visit district279.org/BetterFuture.
Four Star Express
Four Star Express is a unique childcare and school readiness program that jump starts your child’s
skills for Kindergarten. The purpose is to provide a cooperative and developmentally appropriate
child care experience that supports the early learning needs of four-year-old children in a school setting.
Students must be 4-years-old by September 1, 2024, to be eligible. Registration starts in early January and is limited to 20 students per class section. Openings are filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Visit for Four Start Express website at www.FourStarExpress279.org or call 763-585-7281 for more information.
Volunteering at Basswood
We love our volunteers at Basswood. If you would like to join the team, please complete the volunteer application to get started.
Are you interested in serving on an advisory group for the Osseo Area Schools. We are seeking a few Basswood community members to serve on the District Planning Advisory Council (DPAC). This advisory group meets one evening a month to help influence the future of the Osseo Area Schools. Additional information can be found on the DPAC webpage.
This week at Basswood...
- October 31: School Spirit Day: Wear your holiday head wear!
- November 2: Lockdown drill 11am / Shelter In Place drill 11:10am
Coming Up at Basswood...
- November 7: No School / Election day
- November 10: School Spirit Day: Wear Red, White, & Blue Day in honor of Veteran's Day
- November 10: PTO Turkey Bingo Family Event
- November 14: Re-Take Student Picture Day
- November 16: PTO Meeting 6:30pm
Good to Know...
Will your student be absent from school for an extend amout of time?
If you are planning a family vacation or just time away from school, please remember to call your student's absence into the attendance line. You can call 763-494-3858 and press 1 to leave a message with your student's name, student's teacher, reason for absence, and dates that your student will be gone. We really appreciate your assistance!
Did you know Basswood has afternoon preschool for 4 year olds?
Early Childhood Family Education is offering a preschool class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons at 12:50pm to 3:20pm at Basswood. Call ECFE at 763-391-8777 for more information!
TAG (Talent Development, Academic Challenge, & Gifted Support)
Talent Development, Academic Challenge and Gifted Support (TAG) services are available to Basswood students in 3rd through 5th grade to strengthen interests, extend grade-level content, and apply skills and concepts in authentic ways.
To learn more about TAG services, please click on Basswood TAG Services - Community letter. Basswood TAG Services - Community letter.
phone: 763-494-3858