The Connect program serves students in kindergarten through grade 12 who have significant educational needs in social communication and or autism, and require a small group instructional setting.
Special Education
Meeting the instructional and support needs of learners with disabilities
Special education includes a wide array of programs and services designed to meet the needs of learners with disabilities. Special education and support services are available to learners, ages birth to 21, who have not graduated and who have been identified as needing specialized instructional services.
Main Contacts
Kate Emmons
Director, Student Services
763-391-7132
EmmonsK@district279.org
Jill Lesné
Assistant Director, Student Services
763-391-7125
LesneJ@district279.org
Filter by Service
- All
- Autism Spectrum/Communication Disorders
- Developmental Adaptive Physical Education
- Developmental Cognitive Delays
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Emotional/Behavioral Disorders
- K-12 Resource
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- School Psychology
- Social Work
- Speech & Language Pathology
- Transition Services
- Vocational Assessment/Training
The Community-Based Vocational Assessment and Training program provides work-based learning opportunities for students with disabilities to acquire entry-level skills to competently transition from school to community.
Developmental Adapted Physical Education is specifically designed physical education instruction and services for students with disabilities who have a significant delay or disorder in physical development.
The Skills program serves students in kindergarten through grade 12 who have cognitive challenges related to a disability.
Early Childhood Special Education services support children ages 0-3 in the home setting, and children ages 3-5 in school-based and community-based programs.
The Strategies program serves students in kindergarten through grade 12 who have emotional and behavior challenges and significant educational needs.
Resource special education programs are available at all sites to students in kindergarten through grade 12.
Occupational therapy is an educational support service designed to assist students to acquire the functional abilities necessary to access educational materials and adapt to their educational environment.
Physical therapy in the educational setting assists in promoting the student's ability to learn in the home and classroom setting.
School psychologists evaluate and complete assessments that address various needs in cognitive functioning, emotional/behavioral functioning, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and adaptive and functional skills.
School social workers provide mental health services to address needs that help students succeed academically, emotionally, and socially.
Speech-language pathologists serve students with identified speech and/or language impairments and needs at all Osseo Area Schools locations.
The Osseo Education Center (OEC) serves young adults, ages 17-21 who are receiving special education services.
Student Services Building Coordinators
Jan Bitzer
Brooklyn Middle, Maple Grove Middle, North View Middle and Osseo Middle
763-391-7128
BitzerJ@district279.org
PC Clymer
Maple Grove Senior, Osseo Area Learning Center, Osseo Senior and Park Center Senior
763-391-7259
ClymerP@district279.org
Dr. Courtney Holmes
Basswood, Crest View, Edinbrook, Oak View and Zanewood STEAM (Strategies focus)
763-585-7302
HolmesC@district279.org
Michelle Humphrey
Birch Grove, Fair Oaks, Fernbrook, Park Brook, Rush Creek and Weaver Lake (Connect focus)
763-391-7141
HumphreyM@district279.org
Sarah Lancette
Cedar Island, Elm Creek, Garden City, Palmer Lake, Rice Lake and Woodland (Skills focus)
763-391-7081
LancetteS@district279.org
Kandi Larson
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) at Willow Lane and Arbor View
763-585-7302
LarsonKandi@district279.org
Angela VanHee
Osseo Education Center (OEC), Distance Learning Academy (DLA)
763-315-9761
VanHeeA@district279.org
Student Services Office Support
Andrea McPherson
Contracts
763-391-7123
McPhersonA@district279.org
Michelle Nelson
Third-party billing, Extended school year, School nurse support
763-391-7134
NelsonMD@district279.org
Erin Smith
Homeschool, Records/transcripts, Non-public
763-391-7125
SmithE@district279.org
Matthew Wagner
Special education transfer records
763-391-7130
WagnerMatt@district279.org