Students help pick Aspen Ridge Elementary logo; board hears unveiling

Osseo district staff on Nov. 18 unveiled a new logo and mascot direction for the forthcoming Aspen Ridge Elementary School following a process that included students and families.

Gabe Kaye Villila, executive director of community relations, said the district solicited ideas digitally from students and families, convened a group of two students from each grade K–5 from a feeder school and used that input, along with family feedback and district leadership review, to shape the final direction. Kaye told the board the top student options had been an owl, a bear and a coyote; after feedback the bear standing in front of an aspen tree was selected for the primary logo.

Kaye said the district worked with signage and communications teams to roll out the graphic across digital and print materials and that students will later participate in naming the bear once the school year begins. Aspen Ridge Principal Patrick Smith told the board this is the district's first new elementary school in about 20 years and praised the student involvement as a meaningful way to build school identity.

Board members applauded the inclusion of students in the process and thanked participants. The item was informational; no board action was required.

Why it matters: Student input was prioritized in the branding for a new neighborhood elementary, an early step in establishing school identity and culture for the anticipated opening year.