April 2025 Bulletin

April 2025

Spring is officially here and we welcome you back from a well earned spring break!

This is Dan Wald, I am still serving as the interim principal and expect to be here for another couple of weeks before Mrs. Kleven returns. I have loved my time here and have been so impressed with this school, particularly the implementation as a school for the arts. The spring musical “Alice in Wonderland” was top notch! The hard work of our staff and students who put so many long practices after school certainly paid off for some amazing performances. I thank the staff who taught during the day and then stayed and worked with the children after school. I also thank families who drove to school after practices to pick up their children. It was as good a children’s performance as I’ve ever seen! Kudos to all involved.

March certainly was a busy month at Birch Grove. We had grade level Art show cases and “Coin Wars” ( a collection for our PTO). We also had a Family Fun Night. We had approximately 150 people (parents, students and staff) for our family fun time and it was a great time! It included dinner, academic games in the gym, a chance to view the art showcases and then with such beautiful weather, many families ended up outside on the playground.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Spring Break!

Your administrative team,

Dan Wald, Margo Kleven, & Lindsey Patterson

WaldD@District279.org

KlevenM@District279.org

PattersonLindsey@District279.org

Birch Grove's spring musical, Alice in Wonderland Jr., was a huge success! The cast and crew performed a total of 6 shows - 4 for family, and 2 for students during the school day. Everyone worked so hard and the shows were fantastic! Photos from the performances are included below.

The Superintendent of Osseo Area Schools, Dr. Kim Hiel, visited Birch Grove to read to the first graders! Dr. Hiel read the book If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen. She then led a discussion with the students about the new elementary school that will be built in the district. The students shared what they would put in a school if they were building one.

With funding from Title 1, Birch Grove hosted a Family Fun Night in March! Families were invited to spend an evening at Birch Grove participating in activities such as board games and read-alouds. Students could pick a book to take home with them and Domino's pizza was provided for dinner.

1st grade students recently had the opportunity to learn and play at the Children's Museum! Students were able to use their imagination and creativity in exhibits such as the Art Studio, Our World Pretend Town, and more.

As part of Birch Grove's Healthy Eating Grant, students have been able to participate in different activities this year involving healthy foods. One of the more unique twists on this was a fun combination of healthy eating and Birch Grove's arts focus - painting with broccoli! Students used broccoli florets to stamp-paint cherry blossom trees. This art project aligns with students taste-testing broccoli with Ms. Dawn, the school nutrition lead and head cook at BG.

Electives students are presenting their work during showcases for their friends and family! Come see what the students have been working on during their electives. Because these events are held during school hours, all guests over 18 must check in at the office with an ID and get a visitor tag. Please check the dates below to see when your child will present!

Only students who participate in Electives are presenting at this showcase. Troupe students will have their showcases in May.

DATE: Wednesday, April 9th

TIME: 3:00-3:45

LOCATION: Birch Grove Cafeteria

March's PTO meeting will be held on Thursday, April 10th. Meetings occur the second Thursday of each month in the Birch Grove media center and online at the link below.

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Thursday, April 10th

Time: 6:00-7:00 pm

Location: Birch Grove Media Center

5th grade band students have two rehearsals in April to prepare for the upcoming district band concert. Students need to bring their instrument, music book, and music stand to both rehearsals. Note that these rehearsals are both at Edinbrook Elementary School. Please reach out to band director Jane Ruohoniemi if you have questions. RuohoniemiJ@District279.org. The concert is on Tuesday, April 29th.

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Wednesday, April 16th and Wednesday, April 23rd

Time: 4:30-5:45 pm

Location: Edinbrook Elementary School

8925 Zane Ave N

Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

Monday, April 21st, will be a remote learning day. Students will NOT attend school in-person. Students will be sent home with their devices on Friday, February 18th, along with any materials their teachers will provide for learning activities. Please contact your child's teacher directly if you have questions about online learning activities and expectations.

Please be aware that chargers are wired into device carts and will not be sent home with students. All iPads and Chromebooks will be sent home fully charged. Devices should be used for e-learning activities only. Student attendance is based on work completion for e-learning activities.

If you need support with technology or to request a hotspot for internet access, please submit a ticket at the link below.

Birch Grove and FACE (Family and Community Engagement) are hosting a Multicultural Night on April 25th! The purpose of this event is to bring BG Families together to experience a multicultural evening and be provided with various resources within the community. Businesses and organizations from the community will be in attendance with resources and information during the event. The resources will include Social Services Resources, Immigration Resources, Mental Health Resources, Various Ethnic Food, and Entertainment.

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Friday, April 25th

Time: 5:15-8:00 pm

Location: Birch Grove Elementary School Gym

District 279 5th grade band students are performing in their Spring Concert on April 29th! Family and friends are invited to attend.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Tuesday, April 29th

Time: 8:00-8:30 pm

Location: Osseo Middle School Gym

10223 93rd Ave N

Osseo, MN 55369

*Use the side doors (east doors) for entry, NOT the front doors

• The district uses the STOPit Solutions tip line designed to deter and mitigate bullying, cyber abuse, threats of violence, identity based harm, and other inappropriate behaviors.
• Students, parents/caregivers, and community members can access STOPit 24/7 multiple ways.
• Visiting the STOPit website
• Download the STOPit app from the APP store or Google Play store.
• Call 763-265-3636
• Tips can be submitted anonymously
• Concerns that need immediate attention for the safety of individuals involved should be reported to 911.
• Within the STOPit app students have access to the Crisis Text Line
• Crisis Text Line supports students that may be experiencing or witnessing difficult emotions like bullying, negative peer pressure, or anxiety.
• Students can SMS message with trained volunteer Crisis Counselors to receive help for themselves directly.
• Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high-quality anonymous text-based mental health support and crisis intervention.

Please read the following information about District 279 security protocols and visitor requirements. This is for visiting any school in the Osseo Area Schools, including Birch Grove. It is important to follow this protocol to ensure the safety of students and staff.

It is highly recommended to complete the volunteer application to make signing into the school a quicker and easier process. Please make sure to bring your ID with you anytime you come to the school.

Margo Kleven, Principal: KlevenM@District279.org

Lindsey Patterson, Assistant Principal: PattersonLindsey@District279.org

Elise Dorgan, Administrative Assistant: DorganE@District279.org

Abbie Lecy, Counselor: LecyA@District279.org

Megan Ruhland, Social Worker: 763-549-2335 / RuhlandM@District279.org

Emily Wenz, Psychologist: WenzE@District279.org

Nurse: 763-549-2308 / WackerT@District279.org

Birch Grove PTO: PTOBirchGrove@gmail.com

Maple Grove Eye Care is a local business owned by a family with students in the Osseo Area Schools. Maple Grove Eye Care has free vision screenings year round in order to monitor everyone's vision fluctuations at their convenience. Call the Maple Grove Eye Care office at 763-264-5100 to schedule an appointment or learn more about free vision screening.

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.

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

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.

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

Download the Box Tops for Education App and start earning money for Birch Grove by scanning your shopping receipts.

Learn more about Box Tops for Education!

Osseo Area Schools ISD279 offers varies meaningful job opportunities! Learn more by completing the ISD279 Job Interest Form and our recruitment & retention team will connect with you or by visiting www.district279.org/careers.