Virtual BackPack

• Help us celebrate our Payroll staff for Payroll Appreciation Day that took place on September 2 and Physical Therapists Appreciation Day coming up on September 8.  You can help us recognize staff members with a high five. If you would like to provide a High Five to a staff member at Fort Osage, please complete the form below and we will pass it along: https://forms.gle/x6xdKbo9ups5pGM29
• Woodland Early Childhood Center will be offering fall playgroups for pre-school aged children September-November.  Click here for dates, times, and activities that will be offered.
• Cub Scouts will be hosting an informational and sign up night on September 10 at 6:30 p.m. at all Fort Osage elementary schools.  Stop by to learn more or to sign your child up.  
• Campus Grounds has rolled out their fall drink menu created by students.  Stop in for a Peanut Butter Pumpkin, Pumpkin Pie, White Pumpkin Mocha, White Pumpkin Cookie, Autumn Breeze, or a Cinnamon Hazel today.  
• Fort Osage Project Grad is hosting their annual Fall Vendor Event on Saturday, October 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Fire Prairie Upper Elementary.  Vendors are now being accepted.  You can fill out the form at https://forms.gle/bCbX5VU6v4Gzt3uv7 if you are interested.  
• Information on Food Services at Fort Osage for the 2024-2025 school year can be found by clicking here.  

K-6th Grade Breakfast

K-6th Grade Lunch

Elementary After School Dinner

7-12th Grade Breakfast

7-12th Grade Lunch

High School After School Dinner

Early Childhood Center Snacks

• Typically, Fort Osage High School holds graduation at the Community of Christ Auditorium. However, due to a world conference in 2025, we'll be using a different venue. Throughout the school year, we'll provide detailed information to ensure a smooth graduation planning process.
  • Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025  
  • Time: 7:00 p.m.  
  • Location: Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, MO 64105
• The Fort Osage High School Publications Department offers Senior Shoutouts in the May 2025 Fort Connection Magazine.  The deadline to order your Senior Shoutout for this publication is March 24, 2025.  Information and orders can be found by clicking here.  
• What better way to commemorate your senior than to purchase a dedication in the 2025 Legends Yearbook.  The deadline to order is October 31, 2024.  You can get complete details or place an order by clicking here.  
   

• The Fort Osage Band is hosting a Crumbl Cookie Fundraiser on September 11 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.  Stop in to purchase cookies and 15% of all sales will come back to support the band.  For details click here.  
• You can join the Fort Osage Athletic Booster Club for just $10.  Your membership fee goes to support student scholarships, recognizing scholar athletes, provide concessions at sporting events, and much more.  To learn more or to join click here.  
• You can catch the Fort Osage High School broadcasting students Fort Osage vs. Kearney Football Highlights by clicking here.  

• The Buckner Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library is hosting Teens Create Art: Bad Art on Thursday, September 12, from 6:00-7:30pm. How bad can you make your art look? Take an art break and create something truly tacky and terrible. Registration required. Teens.

• The Buckner Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library is hosting Art with an Exotic Animal on Saturday, September 14 from 10:30am - 11:15am. Enjoy a fun and unique experience making art using an animal from the Exotic Animals Education Institute for inspiration. Please register participating children only. Ages 6 and up.

• The Buckner Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library is hosting Kids STEAM on Thursday, September 26 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm. Learn while you play with STEAM games and activities at the Library. Join us for science, technology, engineering, art, and math fun. Please register participating children only. Ages 8 and up.

• The Buckner Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library is hosting Storytime every Thursday from 10:00- 10:30am. Hear stories, sing songs, join in movement activities, and create memories together. Designed for children of all ages, come share the early literacy experience with the whole family. All ages.

• Yummy Donut Palace is open at 17911 E. US Highway 24.  Stop in today for donuts, tea, smoothies, coffee, boba, breakfast, and more. 
• Papa Murphy's is running a Back to School special September 4-8th for all Fort Osage families and community members.   Enjoy 40% off one pizza at regular menu price with code KCSCHOOL.  For more details click here.  

• For sale 1994 Buick Century. A very clean vehicle and low mileage (47,000).  Two owners that didn’t need to drive very much. Clear title.  $4,000.  Cleaned and ready for you to drive away! Can send pics upon request. Email bmcdonald@fortosage.net. 

• The HCC Network Project Connect will be taking place on September 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Osage Trail Middle School.  This will be a one stop shop for all services a family may need.  There will be free food and activities for children.  More details can be found by clicking here.  
• The Jackson County Health Department is offering Back to School Vaccines through extended clinic hours.  You can get complete details by clicking here.  
• The Jackson County Health Department offers a variety of free and low-cost services for families.  You can get complete details by clicking here.  
• CSL's Neighborhood Dinner at Stone Church is held each Wednesday at 6pm. Stone Church is located at 1012 West Lexington Ave, Independence, MO 64050. Spend the evening enjoying a hot meal, fellowship, and getting together with friends and neighbors! Everyone and their families are welcome. 

• Spire Energy DollarHelp Program (Natural Gas): Learn about the DollarHelp program by clicking here or call 2-1-1 ask to be connected to an agency that administers DollarHelp.

• Learn more about Evergy's many customer assistance programs by visiting their website.

• LIHEAP assists eligible low-income households with their heating and cooling energy costs, bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, weatherization and energy-related home repairs. Learn more here. You can also walk into the CSL on Noland Road office during normal hours for application assistance.

• AccessKC provides basic dental treatment for tooth pain, diabetic supplies, durable medical equipment, hearing aids, prescriptions, vision care, and eyeglasses for low-income, underinsured/uninsured residents in the Greater KC metro area. In partnership with AccessKC, CSL provides vouchers for families in need of these items at select CSL locations: Noland Road, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, and Hawthorne Place Apartments. Disclaimer: Not all medical assistance is covered under this program. Learn more.

• The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) is currently awaiting approval on a new program called ‘Missouri SuN Bucks,’ aimed at helping families buy groceries for their school-aged children during the summer. Pursuant to the authority granted under Section 13(A) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Missouri has been approved to administer Summer EBT in 2024. This new program is a dedication and commitment between the lead agency, the Department of Social Services (DSS), along with DESE. The approved plan provides Missouri children who are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals the opportunity to receive critical nutrition benefits this summer. Most eligible children will receive the benefit automatically and do not need to apply; however, households who need to apply can submit the application online by August 31, 2024. Families can use the Missouri SuN Bucks Eligibility Navigator to see if they need to complete an application. Families with children who meet the criteria will receive an EBT card by mail, or the benefit will be added to their existing EBT card. Criteria for automatic eligibility includes:
  • The household already participates in SNAP or Temporary Assistance,
  • The child is age 7-17 and in foster care, homeless, a migrant, or
  • The child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and the household income meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals.

  • For additional information, resources, and frequently asked questions about the Missouri SuN Bucks program, please visit the DSS SuN Bucks webpage. 

Families that have more questions about the program, please subscribe for email alerts. DSS will send out information to individuals who subscribe. To learn more about this program, or to prepare what will be needed to receive your benefit, click here.  

• Fort Osage is hiring paraprofessionals. To apply, you must be 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or GED, and have a substitute teaching certificate or the para praxis.  For more details, click here.

• The Class of 1994 is hosting a Bonfire for their 30th Reunion on October 12 at 7:00 p.m.  For complete details, click here
• The Class of 1974 is hosting their 50 year class reunion on Saturday, October 5th from 6:00-10:00 p.m. at Winterstone Golf Course.  For complete details, click here.    You can also email FOHS74reunion@yahoo.com.   There will also be a meet and greet on Friday. Details for Fridays event are posted at https://www.facebook.com/events/s/fohs-class-of-74-alumni-meet-a/7949930461751479/
• Bobby Tatum, class of 1988, passed away.  Services will be held on Saturday, September 7 at Speaks Chapel (39th Street).  Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. with service at 3:00 p.m.  A Celebration of Life will be held on September 14 at 4:00 p.m. at the Blue Springs Elks Lodge.  

• Calling All Missouri Teachers!! MU has launched the Official Link for their annual Teacher Appreciation Day on September 7th for our home football game against Buffalo! Mizzou Athletics appreciates the hard work and dedication to helping the youth of Missouri grow as people and students as well! The 2024 Teacher Appreciation Day includes a discounted Standard Lower-Level Ticket (Section 102 & 103 – First 20 ROWS!) BUY TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY TICKETS: Mizzou Football Teacher Appreciation Day 

• Yummy Donut Palace on 24 highway is offering a special just for Fort Osage Staff September 1-7th.  An all staff email was sent with details and the flyer.  

• Papa Murphy's is running a Back to School special September 4-8th for all Fort Osage staff.   Enjoy 40% off one pizza at regular menu price with code KCSCHOOL.  For more details click here.  

• Fort Nutrition is happy to provide delivery for staff on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Make sure to place your order by 10:00 a.m.  Visit their Facebook page for complete details or fill out the online order form at https://forms.gle/tMpPmCKPWSzWdA3FA.  

• The latest issue of the Fort Osage Wellness Newsletter is out.  If you did not receive it in your email, you can read it by clicking here.  

• Congratulations to Penny Cochran, Fire Prairie, who was the winner of the GVC classroom party prize pack.  

As your family adjusts to the new school year, consider creating a family tech plan. Building healthy digital habits can help everyone balance technology use and stay safe online. Let's work together to make this school year a positive experience for everyone.

• Decide when and where your family can use devices.

• Set a maximum amount of time to be on tech.

• Determine a time frame and turn off notifications at night.

• Have a tech talk about digital citizenship and safety.

Learn more from Google Digital Wellbeing:

wellbeing.google.com/for-families