Monthly Boost
January 2024
A Note from our Principals
Hello Otters!
As we find ourselves midway through Trimester 2, we want to express our admiration for the commitment and determination shown by each scholar in our online learning environment.
Remember, you are not alone on this journey. Whether facing academic challenges, technical issues, or simply in need of a conversation, our team is here for you. We believe in your potential and are committed to supporting your success. Keep up the fantastic work, Otters!
Upcoming Days Off
- Monday, February 5th: Licensed Staff Workshop (No School for Students)
- Monday, February 19th: Presidents' Day (No School for Students)
- Friday, March 8th: Mark Reporting for PreK-12th Grade (No School for Students)
- Monday, March 11th: Trimester 3 Begins
Secondary Registration Night Information
We are excited to invite all secondary 279Online families and scholars to Osseo Area Learning Center for a night to complete course registration and celebrate all the hard work of our scholars! Secondary advisory teachers will be available to assist scholars with registering for their 2024-2025 courses and there will be several information sessions throughout the night. All scholars will get a chance to meet with their advisory teacher and classmates in person to connect and enjoy treats together!
If you plan to attend, please RSVP by completing the form below by MONDAY, January 29th.
Winter Parent/Teacher Conferences Reminder
Please mark your calendars for Winter Conferences. Conferences will be held virtually. If you will need interpreter services during the conferences, please let your teacher(s) know.
Trimester 2 Conferences for Grades K-5
- Thursday, February 1st: 7:15-8:15am AND 3:30-8:00pm
- Thursday, February 8th: 3:30-8:00pm
Trimester 2 Conferences for Grades 6-12
- Thursday, February 8th: 3:30-8:00pm
For ParentVUE support, please check out this link.
279Online College & Career Resource Center - RSVP for the ACT
The ACT will be offered to 11th graders and 12th graders who have NOT previously taken it. This test is optional, but this is your opportunity to take it during the school day, for free. In order to ensure that we are ready for all scholars, we need to know who will be taking the test. Please complete the form below by FRIDAY, January 26th if you plan to take the ACT on 4/23/2024. Most colleges are still making ACT tests optional for admission. Scholars who do not test will have an asynchronous e-learning day.
Students, if you are interested in participating, please complete the form below and make sure you're logged into your district email.
279Online Chuck E Cheese Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone who made our Chuck E Cheese fundraising event on January 11th a huge success! We had a blast and appreciate everyone showing up to support our 279Online community.
Special shoutout to our incredible Student Leadership Team for coordinating such a fun-filled evening!
279Online Community Events
For a complete list of our 2023-2024 school year community events please refer to this list. It is also included as a PDF to download for your convenience.
Coming Up:
- FEBRUARY: I Love to Read Month
- Join us for Virtual Events during this time to celebrate all things reading.
- MARCH: Middle and High School Activity Night
- Thursday, March 7th, 6:00-8:00. More information to come
Save the Date! MCA and ACCESS testing coming soon
Our 279Online scholars will participate in ACCESS for ELLs testing at the Osseo Area Learning Center. MCA testing will take place at North View Middle School.
ACCESS for ELLs Testing Dates:
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade: February 13th, 2024
- 4th and 5th Grade: February 14th, 2024
- 6th, 7th and 8th Grade: February 15th, 2024
- 11th and 12th Grade: February 21st, 2024
- 9th and 10th Grade: February 22nd, 2024
- Makeup for ALL Grades: February 28th, 2024
- Kindergarten: February 27th, 2024. Please connect with your EL teacher to schedule this session
If you have any questions about ACCESS testing, please contact Nancy Martinsen-Holt at MartinsenN@district279.org.
MCA Testing Dates:
- 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade: April 3rd, 2024 (Reading and Math)
- 5th and 8th Grade SCIENCE: April 4th, 2024 (Science)
- Elementary Make Ups: April 4th, 2024 (Any/All Subjects Needed)
- 6th, 7th and 8th Grade: April 5th, 2024 (Reading and Math)
- 10th Grade: April 11th, 2024 (Reading)
- 11th Grade: April 11th, 2024 (Math)
- 10th-12th Grade SCIENCE: April 12th, 2024 (Science)
- **High School students who are taking or retaking Biology or Life Science are required to take the Science test
- 6th-11th Grade Make Ups: April 12th, 2024 (Any/All Subjects Needed)
If you have any questions regarding MCA testing, please contact Kate Rosbacka at RosbackaK@district279.org.
Educational Benefits Application Information
Per the Minnesota Department of Education, Online and Homeschool families are not eligible for the Minnesota Free School Meals Program. But it is still important for families to fill out an application for educational benefits.
Fill out the Educational Benefits Application to take advantage of benefits available to families who meet income requirements, including free or discounted costs for the following:
- Field trips
- Community education programs
- Clubs, activities, and athletics
- Instrument rentals
- Fees, including for AP testing, graduation, student parking permits and more
- Sliding scale for repair costs on school-provided devices for qualified damages
- Comcast internet for home
- Xcel Energy account assistance for electricity bills
Additionally, the state of Minnesota uses a school district’s percentage of qualifying students from applications completed and approved prior to October 1st each year to calculate each district’s funding level. School district funding impacts every student:
- Class sizes
- Number of support staff the district can hire to help scholars (counselors, social workers)
- Extra programming opportunities
Please fill out the Educational Benefits Application today to make sure your family can take advantage of these and other benefits! To bypass creating an EduTrakConnect account you can simply fill out an application at the following link: https://bit.ly/3hWdk7Q.
Sports Information
If your 279Online student would like to attend an indistrict sporting event please scan the QR code in the attached document to get tickets. Then on the day of event, make sure they bring their student ID.
Technology Assistance
Need help logging in to an account, checking in for an online meeting with a teacher, or setting up a device? Check out the technology resources in the Parent and Family Toolkit.
Need more technology assistance? The district tech support help desk is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on student days, and 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on non-student days. Email help@district279.org or call 763-391-7180.
Attendance/Absence Reporting
Reminders about Attendance Practices for 279Online:
GRADES K-5
Teachers take attendance twice a day through their classroom meetings.
GRADES 6-12
- Scholars are expected to self report attendance through a Schoology attendance quiz for each class by 6:00 pm in Schoology daily
- Teachers verify and submit the official attendance record in Synergy the next day.
- At 6:00 pm, School Messenger calls will go out to families for scholars with unexcused absences from the previous day
- If a scholar is unable to attend, families need to report the absence to 279Online in order to excuse the absence (phone: 763-391-8670 option 1 or email: online@district279.org) OR report your student(s) FULL DAY absences in ParentVue. Click Here for directions.
- While attendance is taken through this quiz, scholars are still expected to attend synchronous meetings with their teachers and engage in their learning. We want them to be there and miss them when they don’t come!
Teachers will review this attendance process with scholars in advisory and their classes. If you have any questions regarding attendance please contact your scholars’ teachers or the main office (phone: 763-391-8670).
District and Community Resources
Rather than posting numerous resources each week, we are compiling them in a Google Doc that will be updated accordingly. Please click here for assistance regarding things like mental health, food and clothing support, and Internet access.
Seesaw Guide for Elementary Families
Seesaw is a digital portfolio that your scholars will use in grades K-5. Scholars can post images, drawings, videos, and other examples of classwork to show what they are learning in school and share it with their family.
For more detailed Seesaw technology tips and instructions, please click here.
Schoology Guide for Families
For families who use Schoology, we created this handy reference guide to help you navigate what you’ll see in Schoology, how Schoology is different than ParentVue, and how to get support for accessing the parent side of Schoology. Click here for the reference guide.
Schoology Parent Access Codes are now available in ParentVUE
Parents/Guardians can access the Schoology Parent Access Code in ParentVUE under the Lunch PIN in Student Info.
279Online Scholar & Family Commitments/Scholar Handbook
Click Here to view our scholar and family commitments for this school year. Please discuss these as a family, sign them, and post in a visible location. The purpose of these commitments is to be transparent about our partnership with your scholar and family.
Click Here to view our 279Online Scholar and Caregiver Handbook.
279Online School Store
Here is the link to the 279Online school store where you can buy 279Online gear if you’d like: http://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/minnesota/brooklynpark/279Online
Tips for How Parents/Guardians can stay informationed
- Follow us on social media:
- Facebook at 279Online
- Twitter at 279Online
- Instagram at 279Online_K12
- 279Online website.
- Keep your contact information current in ParentVUE. You can update phone numbers and email addresses at any time. If you need to update your address, please go to the Enrollment Center website for instructions.
- At the elementary level, please check Seesaw for daily assignments and schedules, information from your teacher, and more.
- At the secondary levels, please check Schoology for current grades, daily assignments, and overall progress. Mid-trimester grades and Trimester grades are posted in ParentVUE.
- Review our current and past newsletters on our website for important information.
Check your email regularly for Blackboard and Schoology emails from us. If you aren’t seeing them, please look in your junk folder or check your setting to make sure you don’t have emails blocked.