The Oriole Newsletter

Governor Tim Walz has declared this week, January 20 - 24th 2025 as Paraprofessional Recognition Week. We are grateful to our our incredible ESP colleagues each week - their contributions and courageous efforts towards Osseo Excellence helps make this a truly special place for our scholars. We thank each of our ESP teammates on behalf of our scholars, community and collective team. We would not be Osseo without each of their presence.

Thank you again to our paraprofessional colleagues! We are humbled and grateful to work beside such exceptional educators.

Student Services:

Edvonte Copeland

AJ Samuels

Chris Anderson

Brady Weber

Varfee Siryon

Special Education:

Adam Larson

Wyatt Darbyshire

Heather Adams

Javon Stephens

Aryiah Roby

Lisa Vipond

Rena Wait

Kyler Schack

Angela Wuornos

Jim Kirkey

Dorothy Whitmore

Jodi Eggers

Emily Ferm

Jalen Chaney

Shayla Anderson

Jerry Hinton

Al Miller

Melissa Crea

Clerical:

Jenn Page

Lori Mayer

Kathy Williams

Jolly Vue

Izzy Veopradith

Kristina Berg

Instructional:

Dane Hawks

Steve Mills

EL/ML

DeAnn Campbell

Norma Nistler

Ann Fauteck

Nancy Pineda

Marleny Naniot

Media Info Tech:

Liz Samuelson

Hollie Thompson

Kai Clarke

Laundress:

Cristi Wilson

School-based health center to be placed at PCSH

After further review, the school-based health center mentioned as part of Crest View’s repurposing is going to be placed at Park Center Senior High School instead. There are a variety of reasons for this change, including easier access for more scholars and their families and a more district-centralized location.

Why it matters: A school-based health center is a great way for our schools to help with day-to-day needs of our scholars so that the focus can be on classroom learning.

Your feedback is needed to ensure that the services offered are the most fitting for our community today and in the years ahead. Please take two minutes to share what you and your family would be most interested in utilizing the clinic for via this anonymous Google Form.

Partnership is making this possible: Our school district was awarded a grant to plan from the Minnesota Department of Health. These dollars will cover start up costs and exploration of the scope of services.

What is expected in the months ahead: The thoughts you share in the Google Form will help our district health team and community partner, Park Nicollet/Health Partners, with next steps. Expect to see the clinic up and running, ready to serve any community member in the Osseo Area Schools attendance area, by fall 2026. Stay tuned to district279.org for the latest on the process.

THE ACT IS COMING! The ACT will be given to all junior students (and those seniors who have not had the opportunity to take it) and the Pre-ACT to all sophomore students on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Begin preparing for the exam now! The CRC will host informational sessions with tips and strategies starting this month. This document outlines additional free supports for students looking for help to prepare. Reach out to Michelle Mazanec (mazanecm@district279.org) with questions.

UPCOMING CAREER SPEAKERS The CRC offers students the opportunity to learn about potential careers by inviting experts/professionals to the CRC to share their experiences. Here is a list of scheduled, upcoming speakers:

• Military Information Session (all branches invited to attend), 1/30/25 at 1:20pm

• Medical School Information Session (current U of M Medical School student), February date TBD

• Forensic Science (members of the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations), date TBD

• Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Employment Opportunities, 2/20/25 at 8:15am

• U of M-Twin Cities Health Care Careers Spotlight, 2/25/25 at 1:00pm

• Students must sign up in advance to attend at https://forms.gle/fGso6VcnbbrSnoBWA

FAFSA Reminder! The FAFSA is open for ALL SENIORS. On January 23 from 5:00 - 7:00pm there will be a virtual support session for students and families with specific questions or issues with their FAFSA application. Join meeting using this link: https://meet.google.com/ohp-pyqe-orr

OSH HEALTH MAGNET PROGRAM The Health Science Program is designed to support and build future leaders in Health Science and Medical fields. The program provides authentic learning experiences that prepare students to achieve their future goals in medicine. Students develop practices through hand-on, project based experiences in a professional work setting. Health Science students graduate with college credits, professional certifications, internship experiences, and memories for a lifetime. Students will learn about the Health Science Program from its Coordinator, Andy Klaers, during Advisory on December 17. For more information, check out the website here.

GENESYS WORKS! PAID INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR CLASS OF 2026! Genesys Works is an opportunity for students to participate in a paid internship during senior year and earn up to $16,000. As high schoolers, Genesys Works students are offered business technology skills training, meaningful paid internships, college and career counseling, and alumni support. Genesys Works fuels students’ ambition so their dreams become lifelong realities. Students are placed with a partner company for the duration of their senior year of high school. Genesys Works partners with 49 local corporations. Partner companies include Target, Caribou Coffee, and Huntington Bank. Students receive skills training, college and career coaching and continued support in college as an alumni of the program. Students who are eligible and are selected will work with their counselor to schedule the internship. Current juniors learned about the program during Advisory In December and applications are open for interested students. Application website

WALLIN SCHOLARSHIP The Wallin Scholarship is more than a scholarship. It is a proven college-completion program for high-potential students with financial need. Wallin scholars begin their college journey, belong to a proven support system, and become graduates ready for their next step. Wallin scholars receive financial aid ($16,000 to a 4-year college or university) to reduce the cost of college. Wallin scholars begin their college journey and finish with less debt. Through the Wallin advising program, students belong to a proven support system. Scholars are connected with a full-time, professional advisor that addresses each student’s unique needs. Wallin scholars also have access to college-to-career programs, internships, and opportunities through their effective partnerships. Graduating seniors pursuing a 4-year degree program at one of the Wallin-eligible colleges/universities in the fall of 2025 can apply now. Check out the Wallin Scholarship website for more information. The application is due February 1, 2023.

QUESTBRIDGE COLLEGE PREP QuestBridge partners with top colleges to offer select College Prep Scholars the opportunity to take college-level courses at a top-tier university and learn more about the college experience. These scholarships offer high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds a special chance to experience life beyond high school and to learn more about the experience of attending a selective college. Quest for Excellence Awards, such as $1,000 for a new laptop or other resources to help the student enhance their college application. Or, an award may include a full scholarship to a college summer program hosted by Yale, Emory, UChicago, and more. Academically outstanding high school juniors from families earning less than $65,000/year for a family of four should apply in February! https://www.questbridge.org/apply-to-college/programs/college-prep-scholars-program