The Oriole Newsletter

May 2025

It's happening, Osseo! The finish line of this school year is rapidly approaching. It's easy to get wrapped up in the rush and bustle towards the last day of the school year, but we always encourage both our scholars and community to approach the end of the year with both continued focus and reflective appreciation for the 2024-2025 academic journey. As we prepare to celebrate our 100th graduating class (let's go, Class of 2025!) we are especially appreciative for the partnership with families, guardians and scholar supporters who have come alongside us this year.

We are proud of the strides our scholars have made this year and the efforts our educators make daily. Let's finish the year with strength of character, dedication to our studies, and continued partnership towards scholar success and Osseo Excellence!

Please (please!) let us know if there is any support you or your scholar need in finishing this year.

• May 4: Investment in Youth Celebration
• May 5: No School (Licensed Staff Workshop)
• May 21: OSH Awards Night - 6:00pm
• May 26: No School - Memorial Day Holiday
• May 30: OAS Juneteenth Celebration
• June 5: SENIORS last day
• June 6: Last day of school

National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5–9, 2025, National Teacher Day is May 6, 2025, National School Nurse Day is May 7, 2025. We encourage scholars, guardians, staff, and community members to thank your teachers and our nurses personally for their impact on your educational journey as well as personal development. OSH has EXCELLENT educators who show up and show out for our scholars.

Looking for some ways you can express appreciation for teachers/coaches/advisors/educators? Give them a handshake, hug, and/or fist bump accompanied by a personalized thank you, a handwritten thank you note, an email, a Schoology message, creating something, or filling out this 2025 Staff Appreciation form!

Our educators embody Excellence each day. We thank them for their dedication and care for our scholars!

The District 279 Foundation will be hosting the annual Investment in Youth Celebration at 6 p.m. May 4 at Park Center Senior High School: An International Baccalaureate World School. Students, staff and volunteers will be recognized for their many achievements and contributions to Osseo Area Schools and the community. No registration is required to attend the program. More information, including event sponsors can be found at district279foundation.org/events/investmentinyouth.

2025 Osseo Senior High award winners:

• Lance Quiah, Student, Osseo Senior High School
• Significant Investment in Helping the Community: Exhibiting involvement and dedication toward the community and its members

• James "Jim" Kirkey, Support Staff, Osseo Senior High School
• Significant Investment in the Betterment of Education: Showing commitment to education by giving of their time, talents or resources

Both OSH award winners are significant members of our community. We are proud to work & learn alongside them, and recognize their conscientious and reflective contributions to Osseo!

Our OASIS scholar club is hosting the annual May Heritage Showcase - Friday, May 9th! See the flier for details and join us for a celebration of culture!

Questions? Reach out to Osseo.Oasis on Instagram or email oasisasianclubi@gmail.com!

Osseo Area Schools American Indian Education hosted the 28th annual Powwow/Wacipi (a traditional Indigenous cultural celebration and social event) at Osseo Middle School on April 26 -- one of the largest education-based powwows in the state! During a day of singing, dancing and storytelling, the Wacipi brought together hundreds of people from across the Midwest for a celebration of Indigenous culture, history and the bright future ahead of our scholars.

Leading up to the powwow, scholars spent time with their families and community members connecting with their culture. Many scholars worked to prepare regalia and some even learned to drum and dance at ten drum and dance circles held over the last six months.

To begin the powwow, a veteran carried in the American flag, followed by the recognition of the head dancers, royalty and then all of the other participants of all ages, dancing to songs performed by six drum groups.

Thirteen high school seniors from the community were recognized at the 2025 powwow. The graduates were each given a blanket to symbolize warmth and home, as a reminder of the support they will receive from their families and community as they move on in their journey.

May is American Indian Heritage Month. There are over 80 tribal nations represented in Osseo Area Schools. American Indian Education empowers American Indian students and their families and enhances their potential through culture-based educational programming. Without the dedicated members of the American Indian Education department, events such as this powwow would not take place.

“We have increased programming so much over the years. We have language classes going on and we are going to offer even more,” Supt. Dr. Kim Hiel shared at the powwow. “It is an honor today to let you know that in the fall of 2027, we are going to be opening up our first indigenous pre-K.”

At OSH, we are especially thankful to Ethan Neerdaels, Bradley Hagen, Isabella Griffin & Ruby Stately for their tireless commitment to our shared scholars. We see the focused and courageous work you do, and are grateful for our partnership! Each of you are Osseo Excellence.

The OSH Drama Department just wrapped an incredibly hilarious and wildly successful run of “9 to 5: The Musical" -- a musical comedy based on the 1980 film of the same name, telling the story of three female coworkers who plot to get even with their miserable boss. The show features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and a book by Patricia Resnick. The head of the OSH drama department and director/producer of the show Megan McDonough shared that her favorite line from the show "There's a bright, new world out there for those who dare to claim it" came to exemplify the heart, perseverance and spirit of the scholars working on the production.

Congratulations to the focused and courageous scholars who worked so hard getting this show produced!

Lastly, a special shoutout to our staff cameos, who carried on the 5 year tradition of popping up nightly with special guest performances: Tony Mollen, Missy Parker, Kim DeVries, Anne Jolivette Schularick, Chris Reed, Brett Frayseth, Bobby Otto, Chris Anderson, Michelle Mazanec & Katey Sullivan. Thank you for your innovative support of our scholars!

CAST

Jenna Becker, Nia Byrd, Abby Collins, Amelia Crawford, Bugg Dotson, Myracle Eady, Brendan Gilbert, Grace Gilles, Ivy Gordon, Ray Grady, Chloe Jelatis, Maverick Johnson, Cass Kuehn, Kendra Lund, Delaney Maloney, Kiara Marca, Nonah Marshall, Olivia Martin, Zahra Masterman, Kara Moua, Britta Nathan, Emily Nathan, Abby Phenow, Katie Phillippi, Jay Reickard, Molly Sabin, Claire Saverinske, Morgan Saverinske, Jonathan Somero, Lumi Somero, Andrea Tehmeh, Benn Terry, Eileen Tran, Allyson Truss, Sophia Yang, Morriline Yekeku & Lucy Zelanak

CREW

Amber Burns, Samantha Cox, Sammie Frenstad-Collick, Jonathan Irmiter, Madelyn Janowak, Mason Johnson, Vivian Layland, Anders Lindberg & Maxx Sevak

PIT

Amy Nguyen, Elliot Wavrin, Evelyn Schmid, Savannah LaCroix, Dulce Maria Vazquez Ibarra, John Momanyi, Riley Nelson, Lee (Ariel) Clark, James Mounthapanya, Logan Boekhoff, Mason Perusse, Arlene Nguyen, Drew Johnson, Ruben Barraza Armenta & Spencer Chovan

Principal Sara Vernig had the pleasure of being invited to represent Osseo Senior High on the House of Representative floor on April 10th by Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley. Rep. Momanyi-Hiltsley wanted to recognize OSH’s 100-year anniversary. In addition, principal Vernig was accompanied by Carole Larson, former City of Osseo mayor, and former House Rep. Bill Schreiber. Rep. Momanyi-Hiltsley honored Carole Larson for her service to the Osseo community and recognized the city’s 150th anniversary. She also honored former Rep. Bill Schreiber for his service to the House and acknowledged that principal Vernig was the first female principal in the history of the school. Fun fact: Rep. Bill Schreiber attended Osseo Area Schools and is a graduate of OSH!

What a great day to be an oriole and reflective of the Osseo Excellence of the past 100 years of OSH and 150 years of the city of Osseo!

In an effort to honor and recognize students who are exhibiting Osseo Excellence (think innovative, courageous, focused, reflective, conscientious, showing kindness, working hard, acting responsibly, etc.), we invited staff to nominate scholars who have embodied Excellence in academics, in the lunchroom, in the hallways, during activities and in the community to an Excellence Breakfast each trimester.

On April 25th, we celebrated 679 scholars!

Each month, our math department celebrates scholars who are "MATHALICIOUS". Last month 54 scholars were honored! Scholars demonstrate being mathalicious by having a growth mindset. It is a set of skills that show a willingness to engage in productive struggle and be scholars of mathematics. Some scholars are selected for their top-of-the-class hard work and content mastery. Others are selected for their leadership and good example in the classroom. A third way scholars are honored is for their improvement and perseverance in difficult tasks.

Congratulations scholars, and than you to our innovative math team for their efforts in positively recognizing scholars an building Osseo Excellence!

Two of our scholars took home awards at this year's IDS 279 Art Show! Gavin Koffski won best in show for his "T Rex". He was awarded $50 and a membership to the Maple Grove Art Center. Ben Sanvik placed in the top 20 for his "Double Trouble Bubble Vases". He was awarded a Blick gift card. The show was held at the MN Government Center and featured artist from across District 279.

Congratulation on your focused and innovative efforts!

Our Osseo CI Softball team has gone UNDEFEATED this softball season. The team will be heading to the state tournament May 16-17 at Chanhassen High School. Scholar-athletes from all secondary schools (grades 7-12) unite together to compete with District 279 Pride. Great job, Coach Eggers and scholar-athletes.

Good luck at state and GO ORIOLES!! Be courageous!

Macy Patton is the 2025 Osseo Senior High's Athena Award winner. Patton participated in hockey, lacrosse, tennis, softball and trap shooting during her time at OSH, in addition to Link Crew and AP ceramics. In hockey, she is a four-time letter winner, two-time captain and received one All Conference Honorable Mention. She was also named most improved and Ms. OPC. In lacrosse, she is a two-time letter winner, an All Conference Honorable Mention and was named most improved. She served as the captain of her tennis team and received the Osseo sportsmanship award.

Thank you Macy, for your courageous efforts in both activities and scholarship at OSH! We are so proud of you!

Quinlan Rundquist is the 2025 Osseo Senior High's Apollo Award winner. Rundquist participated in cross country, nordic skiing, and track and field as a scholar-athlete at OSH. In cross country, he is a three-time state participant, three-time All Conference honoree, and a four-time letter winner. In nordic skiing, Quinlan was a two-time state participant, three-time All Conference honoree, and four-time letter winner. In track and field, he is a two-time state participant, two-time All Conference honoree, and a four-time letter winner. He served as team captain for each program during his senior year and earned multiple academic awards throughout his career in each sport.

Thanks for being conscientious in the classroom and within our athletics program, Quinlan!

Join us for the most reflective and memorable event of the year!

We celebrate and congratulate our outgoing Class of 2025!

Ceremony Details

Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 3:30pm
3M Arena at Mariucci
University of Minnesota Minneapolis Campus
1901 4th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Tickets are not required for admission to the Commencement ceremony, and there is no limit on the number of guests that may attend per graduate.

Graduates will be transported by bus to and from 3M Arena at Mariucci; families will take their own transportation to the venue. Graduates should meet at Osseo Senior High by 1:15pm to board buses wearing their caps and gowns.

Please note: Graduates may wear only approved commencement regalia

(Here is the: 2025 Graduation Guide).

AP TESTING AP Exams will begin on May 6 and are scheduled through May 23. All AP exams will be taken in person at Osseo Senior High in the Forum Room, Career Resource Center or Counseling Conference Room. Check your Total Registration (totalregistration.net/AP/241930) account for testing dates, times and assigned locations. You will also receive an email from Michelle Mazanec with your testing schedule and assigned locations to the email address you registered with.

CRC SENIOR FINAL TASKS

All graduating seniors will need to complete three tasks for the CRC to be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony. More information will be shared with seniors in Advisory on May 12. For those that can’t wait, the three tasks are listed below.

1. Request your final transcript using Parchment* (use this link if you already have an account on Parchment)

2. Complete the After High School Plans Google Form, which includes an upload of you pronouncing your name. Please follow the instructions carefully.

3. Complete the Scholarship Reporting Google Form. Please list ALL scholarships you have been awarded, even those you will not be using.

*Information on how to request a transcript is found on the CRC website > Transcripts & Requests. IMPORTANT: when you request your transcripts, be sure to choose the “HOLD FOR GRADES” option.

WALLIN 2-YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS The Wallin Education Partners 2-Year Program application opened March 1, 2024. There are multiple pathways to receive a scholarship. The Opportunity Pathway for students that plan to attend one of the MN partner community colleges (up to $6000). The Aspire Pathway is for students that plan to attend Dunwoody. The HealthPartners Pathway is for students interested in healthcare. The Mortenson Pathway is for students interested in construction management. In addition to financial support, scholarship winners receive advising and professional support to help navigate college, as well as access to college-to-career programs, internships and other opportunities. Final Deadline is May 15, 2025.

SPRING IS A GREAT TIME to schedule college visits and tour various schools to help students find their fit. Here are some additional questions to ask on a college visit. Keep in mind the types of schools you are interested in and what their admission standards entail.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES Summer is a great time to explore your interests, sign up for a new learning experience, or find a part-time job. The CRC receives information frequently about many different opportunities available to Park Center students. You can find information about a variety of different summer opportunities on the CRC website > Employment and Learning Opportunities; Such as Camp Invention (a leadership and volunteer opportunity), iLead Law and Leadership Conference at the U of M, a 5-day fashion workshop at St. Kate’s, paid internship opportunities at Endeavour Schools, MN Aviation Career Education Camp, National Park Teen Ambassador opportunities, STEM summer camps and so much more! There are also many great part-time job opportunities for students looking to work. Our website has a Job Opportunity listing. Both lists are updated frequently. Students are encouraged to check back often to find out about more opportunities.

FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES INTERESTED IN THE MILITARY The Bureau of Labor Statistics has provided a valuable resource for students entering the military with plans to return to civilian life after their service has been completed. This resource helps military members answer these questions:

• Which civilian occupation corresponds to my military job?

• Is employment in my potential occupation increasing?

• How much might I expect to earn?

The jobs listed will require varying levels of education. Jobs like data scientists, software developers, registered nurses, and paramedics are just a few of the jobs mentioned. Might you share this resource with students and their families who are interested in learning more about jobs in the military and how to look for jobs when transitioning back to civilian life?

ICATT APPRENTICESHIPS The Industry Consortium for Advanced Technical Training (ICATT) is the leading apprenticeship program for high-tech manufacturers. The ICATT works with local companies such as Buhler, J&E Manufacturing, KEB America, Kobra Molds, PAR Systems, Sonic Packaging and Turck to train future employees. ICATT Apprentices gain hands-on experience while working at one of these companies and attending classes at Hennepin Technical College (HTC). Apprentices earn a living wage and receive a debt-free associate degree. More than 85% of ICATT apprentices complete the apprenticeship program. There are virtual opportunities

TRADE CAREERS Taken from TheInterviewGuys Many people think skilled tradespeople earn little money. That working with your hands means you will struggle to make enough money to make a decent living. Well, the reality is that that’s not true. Many of the highest paying trade jobs come with salaries near or above the US household median income of more than $61k. Some trade careers can earn more than $100k. Trade careers are positions that require training or education beyond high school, but don’t usually require a Bachelor’s degree. There are many ways to enter into a trade career. Some students choose to attend a vocational or technical school to learn the foundational skills to qualify for a job. Others choose to find a job as an apprentice where they work and get paid while getting training to advance in the career. Another possibility is to join a trade union. Trade careers usually have a physical component to the work and the skills are in demand. Trade careers are in demand and many local companies are hiring. For more information, check out the CRC Website > Apprenticeships and Other Non-College Career Options.