Monthly Boost
October 2023
A note from the principal
279Online Counseling Stakeholder Advisory Council
Hello Families and Caregivers. We encourage you to join us in helping to inform the 279Online Counseling program goals. We will engage in discussion over what these potential program goals could be. We would love to hear from our 279Online families/caregivers/students so YOUR voices are heard loud and proudly.
Wednesday November 1 from 4-5pm at the Osseo Area Learning Center
If you are interested in attending, please contact 279Online at online@district279.org
All caregivers are welcome to attend and help in this process.
Picture Retake Information
Did you forget to get pictures taken at Open House? Never fear - Picture retakes will happen on Wednesday November 15 at the OALC.
Be on the lookout for more information. We will sent out information on how to sign up for a retake time slot and more directions in a separate message.
Counseling Information
Doris Moylan - Social Worker
I have hats/mittens/scarves if needed and if you need any other winter clothing needs please reach out to me! My email is: moyland@district279.org
College & Career Resource Center Newsletter
Hear ye! Hear ye! Read all about the College & Career Resource Center Newsletter!
Any question please reach out to Mark Otis at OtisM@district279.org
Upcoming events
Wednesday November 1 from 4pm to 5pm at the Osseo Area Learning Center
If you are interested in attending, please contact 279Online at online@district279.org
All caregivers are welcome to attend and help in this process.
Election Day/Professional Development
Tuesday November 7
No School for Scholars on Tuesday November 7
279Online Picture Retake Day
Wednesday November 15
Thanksgiving Break
No School for Scholars
Thursday November 23 and Friday November 24
CBVAT Annual Winter Sale and Open House
Community-Based Vocational Assessment & Training (CBVAT) is hosting their annual winter sale and open house. Handcrafted items created by CBVAT students, including greeting cards, gift sets and gift bags, will be for sale and are the perfect holiday gift.
Wednesday November 29 from 5-7 p.m. at 7600 Boone Ave Suite 72, Brooklyn Park.
Mark Reporting for PreK-12
No School for Scholars on Friday December 1
Tri 2 Begins
Monday December 4
Building a Better Future, Phase II: Make a plan to vote!
Option 1: Vote early between now and Monday, Nov. 6. Head to Brooklyn Park City Hall’s multipurpose room at 5200 85th Ave. N during the following hours. Please note: this is the early voting location for all Osseo Area Schools voters.
From Tuesday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 3 the hours are between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 4 the hours are between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
On Monday, Nov. 6 the hours are between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Option 2: Vote on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 7. Go to pollfinder.sos.mn.gov to find your election day polling location. Then visit your designated polling location between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Please note school is not in session this day.
Remember: the one-question ballot focuses on critical school building needs with regard to safety, learning and space. If approved by voters, proposed projects would address districtwide needs, including for: schools in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center, schools in the city of Osseo and surrounding area and schools in Maple Grove. This list of ten reasons why a bond referendum is being held is a helpful summary.
So what happens if the referendum fails?
Projects to improve safety/security would not proceed.
Crowded conditions and large class sizes would continue. Attendance boundary adjustments would be required at all levels to provide relief, which is estimated to move 6,000 students from their current schools.
Learning spaces would continue to age and become less relevant.
Inconsistent learning experiences would continue.
Budget cuts would be required. Projected to be at least $31 million (approx. 300 jobs).
Questions? Email BetterFuture@district279.org, call 763-391-8990 or visit district279.org/BetterFuture.
Follow 279Online on Social Media
Join us on social media to follow Ollie along and see what 279Online is doing!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/279Online
Instagram: 279online_k12
X (formerly Twitter): @279Online
Website: https://online.district279.org/
Fall Into Reading
Join us as we "fall into reading"!!! Follow the link to check out a Fall Virtual Bookshelf to find a new read. Hope you have a great Wednesday!
Make a plan to vote!
*Option 1: Vote early between now and Monday, Nov. 6. You can vote early by mail or in person. To vote early by mail request an early voting ballot via the City of Brooklyn Park’s election website. To vote early in person head to Brooklyn Park City Hall’s multipurpose room at 5200 85th Ave. N between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
*Option 2: Vote on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 7. Go to pollfinder.sos.mn.gov to find your election day polling location. Then visit your designated polling location between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Please note school is not being held this day.
Get informed! Learn more by watching the short video, https://youtu.be/Ed2bLXT3O10, visiting district279.org/BetterFuture, emailing BetterFuture@district279.org or calling 763-391-8990.
Tips for How Parents/Guardians can stay informed
- 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.
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.
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.