OSSEO

The Osseo School District has sold Edgewood Elementary in Brooklyn Center to Intermediate District 287, a consortium of districts that specializes in services such as special education and gifted-and-talented education. The selling price was $5.4 million.

The Osseo district had been leasing Edgewood to District 287 since it was shut down as a regular elementary school at the end of the 2007-08 year.

District 287 officials said they bought Edgewood for several reasons: It has some facilities, such as a gym and a kitchen, that other 287 schools lack; the location is convenient to 287's member districts in the northwest metro area, and the layout of the school allows the district to conduct a number of programs at one site.

District 287 Superintendent Sandy Lewandowski called the purchase "a long-term, cost-effective solution."

The school was built in 1961. Osseo school officials estimated that by closing Edgewood and Osseo Elementary and revamping the programs at four other district elementary schools, the district saved $800,000 a year. The district planned to use the proceeds from the sale for building- and maintenance-related projects.

District 287 serves 9,000 students in 13 districts: Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Orono, Osseo, Richfield, Robbinsdale, St. Louis Park, Wayzata and Westonka.

PLYMOUTH

The Minnesota Parent Center recently recognized Zachary Lane Elementary School in Plymouth for creating a family-friendly culture.

Parents were asked to nominate schools for partnerships between families and schools. Four Minnesota schools were honored as "Family-Friendly Schools" by the Parent Center.

In addition to Zachary Lane, Woodland Elementary School in Brooklyn Park, Highland Park Elementary in St. Paul and Cologne Academy in Cologne were recognized.

Nominations by Zachary Lane parents lauded the school's caring and open environment. Parents praised regular print and online communications they receive from Zachary Lane classroom teachers, as well as opportunities to volunteer at the school, which is part of the Robbinsdale Area School District.

The Minnesota Parent Center is a statewide project of the PACER Center designed to help families and schools build stronger ties to benefit students. For more information on the Family-Friendly Schools Award or the MPC, go to www.pacer.org/MPC.

HOPKINS

The annual Winter Gala Concerts, featuring Hopkins High School's choirs, bands, orchestras and ensembles, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the Hopkins High School auditorium, 2400 Lindbergh Dr., Minnetonka.

Each concert features different performances. Tickets are on sale at $7 for adults and $4 for students and senior citizens. General-admission tickets are available at www.seatyourself.biz/hopkins and will be available at the door each evening.

ALLIE SHAH,

NORMAN DRAPER