Bulldogs Newsletter October 2, 2023

Dear Basswood Families,

There are an number of great opportunities coming up and I want to make you aware of a few details.

Book Drive: Former Basswood students are hosting a book drive in partnership with the Maple Grove Rotary. The vision of these Junior Rotarians is to gather gently used books and provide them to families at MissionInc. This non-profit supports those in need of emergency shelter and/or recovery support. To support their project, bring books to Basswood by May 3rd. A collection box will be located near the front office.

Mental Health and Well-Being Adult Enrichment Event: Adults in the Basswood community are invited to attend a FREE event on Saturday, May 11th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m at Osseo Middle School. Click this link for more information.

All-School BBQ: Basswood is hosting a barbeque on May 23. Make plans to join your favorite Bulldog for lunch that day. Save the date and watch for more details!

In Partnership,

Steven Schwartz

Basswood Principal

Throughout the Osseo Area Schools we use a student survey to help us know which students may be in need of social-emotional supports. This month students in grades 2-5 will take the mySAEBRS assessment. The mySAEBRS assessment, which stands for Minnesota Student Academic Behavioral Rating Scales, is student self-evaluation. It provides valuable insights into areas such as social skills, emotional well-being, and behavioral strengths and challenges. This assessment helps us gain a more comprehensive understanding of your child's needs, allowing us to better support their growth and development. For more information about assessment items and questions asked click here. If you would like to opt your child out of this assessment, please complete the Parent/Guardian Refusal for Student Participation in Districtwide Assessments/Testing.

The Basswood Carnival is ONE WEEK AWAY - Friday, April 26th, and WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! It’s a great night so please sign up and join in the fun! Shifts are set up so you can volunteer half the night and enjoy the other half with your family.

Basswood Carnival - Friday, April 26

Click here: Basswood PTO: Basswood Carnival 2024 (signupgenius.com)
3:00-4:45 = 3 volunteers needed for early set up

3:45-5:15 = 6 volunteers needed to set up
5:15-7:00 = 31 volunteers needed to run games
6:45-8:30 = 33 volunteers needed to run games
8:30-10:00 = 12 volunteers needed to lift, take down, & help w/transporting carnival equipment
Sign up for one or more!

Do you have high school or middle school students who need volunteer hours or enjoy volunteering? Please have them sign up! Basswood PTO: Basswood Carnival 2024 (signupgenius.com)

Basswood Families – Have you pre-ordered your wristbands for Carnival?

SAVE time and money by ordering your child’s tickets now!

Order online at https://sites.google.com/view/basswoodpto/eventscalendar

• Presale price: $10 per student (Adults and children 2 & under are FREE)

• At the door: $13 per student or 2 for $25 (Adults and children 2 & under are FREE)

This is the time of year when we begin thinking about next year’s classroom placement. Several variables are taken into consideration to create a balanced classroom that will meet student needs. If you feel there are any unique factors the school may not know about your student or if you'd like your student separated from another student(s), please complete the yellow form that went home last week and return this form to the Basswood office. If you need another Student Placement Form, please call the BW office at 763-494-3858. Forms are due by April 30.

We will be having our annual 5th grade career fair on Friday, May 17th, 10am to 12:30pm in our Media Center. The purpose of the career fair is to expose our 5th grade students to a variety of careers and hear about people’s experiences and education levels. This gives the students a chance to start setting educational and career goals and practice their interviewing skills. A flyer went home to families this past Wednesday. You can reach out to Amy Paton, our school counselor, at patona@district279.org with your questions.

Please note that the Basswood School Calendar that was handed out at the beginning of this school year has the 4th grade Recorder Concert on the wrong date. The 4th grade Recorder Concert will take place on Wednesday, May 8, at 6:30pm. Thank you!

• April 22: Spirit day - Earth Day!
• April 23: 4th grade Math MCA testing
• April 24: 5th grade Math MCA testing
• April 24: Evacuation Drill 1:10pm
  
• April 24: Kindergarten Spring Fling Celebration 6:30pm
• April 25: 3rd grade Math MCA testing
• April 26: Spirit day - Basswood Gear!
  
• April 26: PTO School Carnival 5:30-8:30pm

• April 30: 5th grade Band Concert 6:30pm at OMS
• May 1: 5th grade Science MCA testing
• May 2: Evacuation Drill 2:35pm
• May 6: NO SCHOOL - Staff Workshop Day
• May 8: 4th grade Recorder Concert 6:30pm
• May 9: Orchestra Concert 8pm at OMS
  

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!

Basswood staff is required to leave a voicemail if you do not answer your phone when we call. Please check your voicemail before calling Basswood back. Thank you!

Every parent or guardian of enrolled students of Basswood Elementary is an automatic member of the PTO. We encourage you to join one of our next general meetings - or just send us a note if you have a question. You can find more information on our PTO website: https://sites.google.com/view/basswoodpto/home?authuser=1 or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BasswoodElementaryPto

Our district Community Education department offers a variety of after school classes. If you do sign your student up for one of these classes, please remember to let your student's teacher know about the class and when your student needs to stay after school.

First bell rings at 8:40am letting students into the school. Second bell rings at 8:50am letting students know they should be in their classroom ready to start the day! At 8:50am, the front doors are shut and student will need to come through the office to get a late pass.

Yes! You will be able to follow us on Facebook. Our first posts went live on September 5th. Please note that we are moving away from Twitter (@BWPrincipal279) for Basswood social media. Click here below to follow us.