Osseo Area Schools Community Education

With the last week of school before summer break underway, there is still time for families to make plans for students to participate in enriching summer fun, activities, play and learning!

Registration is still being accepted for:

- ECFE at the Park
- ECFE Community Connections -Pre-K Mini Camps for 3 to 5 year-olds
- Mini Camps for students in elementary to high school
- Teen Driver's Education for a students 14 1/2 to 18 years old.

Find these summer options at osseoschools.arux.app.

Hurry! Remaining spots are filled first-come, first served.

On May 15 and 16, Rush Creek Elementary School students stepped into the world of Dr. Suess in Seussical KIDS!, performing on stage at Maple Grove Middle School for family and friends.

The musical, in partnership with Stages Theatre and Osseo Area Schools Community Education Youth Enrichment programs follows Horton as he discovers a tiny world on a speck of dust and promises to protect it, even when others doubt him. Along the way, the audience also met Jojo, a creative thinker, Mayzie La Bird, and Gertrude McFuzz, who shows what true friendship means.

Rehearsals leading up to the performances for students at Rush Creek Elementary School started in March and were held after school two days a week. During this time, the cast of 50 students worked hard using their imagination to learn speaking lines, songs, dance and choreography to bring this fun and colorful musical to life.

This spring students at Basswood, Elm Creek and Rice Lake were also among the elementary schools that held rehearsals and performances of their own production of Seussical KIDS! directed by Stages Theatre.

Read the full article: https://www.osseoschools.org/departments/communications/news/article/~board/news/post/elementary-school-students-take-the-stage-performing-in-spring-musical

Last Wednesday, May 20 as bubbles drifted across the playground, children smiled with new face paint art and explored the playground, Willow Lane Early Childhood Center came alive for the annual Spring Social event.

The free event, hosted by Osseo Area Schools early childhood programs, is a beloved, long-standing tradition that welcomes hundreds of families with young children for an evening centered on play, relationships and community connection.

A few event highlights:

Children, parents and caregivers explored hands-on activity stations led by staff, featuring favorites such as water sensory tables, henna art, temporary tattoos, therapy rabbits and yard games.

Families played together, created together and shared joyful moments together in community.

Children could get up-close and climb inside a fire truck and police vehicle.
Families connected with the district’s Community Engagement (FACE) staff and other community resources, including affordable bike helmets.

A food truck, free popcorn and freezes were available for all to enjoy.
Spiderman, Community Education’s Kidstop mascot “Rocket” and “Willow” the Willow Lane mascot all made appearances to greet children and families.

Year after year, the Spring Social event gives early childhood families and staff a meaningful opportunity to connect with one another and celebrate another amazing school year of early childhood learning.

Early Childhood programs in Osseo Area Schools serve families with children birth to age five. To discover more about year-round programming, services and resources, visit osseoschools.org/academics/early-childhood

Osseo Area Schools is closed Monday, May 25 in recognition of Memorial Day.

On Friday, May 15, students, families and staff from the Kidstop program at Rush Creek Elementary School gathered outside on the playground for a chalk fest. Parents, caregivers and students used chalk to express their creativity, played games on the playground and listened to music. Kidstop staff also served ice cream treats and lemonade for students and families to enjoy.

Last Friday students in Ms. Cederstrom’s Four Star Express prekindergarten class brought the familiar classic ‘Three Piggy Opera’ to life with a joyful performance for parents, caregivers and staff. The annual spring performance showcases students’ musical and theatrical talents and has been a longstanding tradition at Basswood Elementary School.

Under the guidance of the vocal musical teacher, Ms. Stearns, students worked hard rehearsing the playful songs such as “Straw Peddler Song,” “Stick Peddler Song” and “Brick Peddler Song" while learning solos, speaking parts and choreography.

Staff, parents and caregivers filled the gymnasium, applauding and cheering in recognition of the students' hard work and memorable performance.

Before the performance, during class time, the students worked on a unique project to create matching shirts for the performance. Ms. Cederstrom gave the students step-by-step instructions on how to draw a pig. The drawings were set using transfer paper onto the shirts.

"It was amazing and we were so proud of the students," said Serena Cederstrom, Four Star Express teacher.

Last week on Wednesday, the Kidstop school-age care program at Fernbrook Elementary School invited families to an after-school fashion show. Staff and students transformed the gymnasium into a high fashion runway, complete with lights and music.

Families and staff cheered as students confidently walked the runway, showcasing their creativity and personal style.

Prior to the event, students participated in rehearsals to practice walking the runway, including choreographed poses. Students also collaborated with their parents or caregivers at home to plan outfits.

As fashion show director, Kidstop lead instructor Aliya Yang guided students throughout the event and helped create a positive experience that encouraged confidence and independence.

“Each student brought their own unique personality and style to the runway, making the event a wonderful celebration of self-expression,” Yang said.

After the fashion show, students, families and staff gathered in the cafeteria for post-show treats and conversation.

Last week, Community Education's Kidstop school-age care program hosted a variety of family engagement events at elementary schools.

On May 12, Kidstop at Elm Creek Elementary School hosted a Family Bingo Night in the school cafeteria. Families enjoyed bingo, raffle prizes, treats and conversation throughout the evening.

“Rocket,” the Kidstop mascot, made a special appearance to greet students, families and staff, adding excitement and energy to the event.

This spring, Tshiab Lee, volunteer coordinator and Michelle Lamardo, volunteer in Adult Basic Education program received statewide recognition from Literacy Minnesota for their excellence and outstanding support of adult students.

Outstanding Volunteer Award: Michelle Lamardo
Excellence in Volunteer Engagement Award: Tshiab Lee

Congratulations to both Tshiab and Michelle on this statewide honor and their contributions to students in Osseo Area Schools Community Education Adult Basic Education program.

Read the full highlight ⬇
https://www.osseoschools.org/departments/communications/news/article/~board/news/post/staff-and-volunteer-honored-by-literacy-minnesota-with-award

Osseo Area Schools will provide free meals to children through the federally funded Summer Food Service Program from June 10 through Aug. 21.

Any child 18 years of age or younger may participate. Meals will be provided during the allotted time frames and must be eaten on site.

View the list of summer meal dates, locations and details:

https://www.osseoschools.org/departments/communications/news/article/~board/news/post/osseo-area-schools-to-provide-free-meals-to-children-through-federally-funded-summer-program-2026