Welcome to ECFE: Where learning begins, and families thrive. ECFE supports parents and children (from birth to age five) on a journey of growth and discovery.
We offer screening appointments at three convenient locations: Arbor View Early Childhood Center; Brooklyn Park Library and Willow Lane Early Childhood Center
*School Year - Before and/or After School Child Care K-5 **Summer - Child Care entering K-5
From October 1 - October 11, you have an opportunity to voluntarily make a tax-deductible donation to District 279 Foundation, Greater Twin Cities United Way and/or a non-profit of your choosing through Osseo Area Schools 2024 Employee Giving Campaign.
Osseo Area Schools Early Childhood & Family Education offers affordable, high-quality Preschool and PreK programs that support your child’s development.
Our ECFE summer program is packed with adventures that will make your little one's eyes sparkle. From outdoor exploration to creative play, we've got everything to make this summer special. For families with children ages birth up to 5 years old.
The Early Childhood Parent Advisory Council (ECPTO) consists of families dedicated to supporting Osseo Area Schools Early Childhood and Family Education programs - ECFE, Preschool and PreK, and Early Childhood Screening.
Classes specifically designed for parents and infants. Families stay together the entire class time. Registration is based on the age of the child at the start date of each class.
Online Parenting Classes
Mixed Age adventures for parents and children age birth to five years old. Parent and child separating time will be determined by the needs of the group.
Classes for parents with children from age 3 to grade 3
You are scheduling an Early Childhood Screening Appointed located at: Arbor View Early Childhood Center 9401 Fernbrook Ln N Maple Grove, MN 55369 763-391-8777
You are scheduling an Early Childhood Screening Appointment located at: Brooklyn Park Library 8500 W Broadway Ave Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 763-585-7330
You are scheduling an Early Childhood Screening Appointment located at: Maple Grove Library 8001 Main St. N Maple Grove, MN 55369
You are scheduling an Early Childhood Screening Appointment located at: Willow Lane Early Childhood Center 7020 Perry Ave N Brooklyn Center, MN 55429 763-585-7330
Class will take place on Zoom, free online software. Participants will receive instructions on how to access the class prior to it starting.
The word “Mezze” refers to what are commonly known as finger foods and dips. Many Mediterranean meals consist of a variety of “mezze” items that come together creating the most wonderful flavors, tastes and textures. Learn how to bring warmth, color, and the flavors of the Mediterranean to your fall and winter gatherings with this festive Mediterranean mezze cook-along class. Chef Tess (a descendant of Spartans) will guide you through creating a stunning mezze-style charcuterie board that's perfect for sharing or seasonal entertaining any time of year. Your mezze-style charcuterie board will include four delicious scratch-made dips, warm-spiced Greek meatballs, and handmade pita bread. Mezze boards/platters will be rounded out with an array of fresh and pickled vegetables, olives, fruit and nuts for a vibrant crowd-pleasing spread! The board, platter, or table becomes the canvas upon which you create an edible work of art. Equipment needs: a food processor or blender is needed for the creation of the whipped feta. Stand mixer is recommended for the pita bread.
This experience is all about bold delicious flavors, beautiful presentations, and the joy of gathering around Mediterranean-style food. While cooking-along is loads of fun, and highly recommended, it is optional. A list of ingredients and class details will be received in advance of the class with enough time for shopping and preparation. Your instructor’s personal recipe from this class is included in a professionally made PDF packet you'll receive after the class. Tess's recipes are copyrighted and are only shared with those who register for this class. As a bonus, Tess created a private and public group on Facebook for class participants. Everyone will receive an invite; joining is optional.
Note: one registration fee for this virtual interactive class can include immediate family members living full-time in the same home only. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. If friends, adult children, or extended family members are gathering for a fun night together, each household must register separately even if participating together.
Tess Georgakopoulos, also known as “Chef Tess—Culinary Artist”, has been cooking and baking for well over 45 years since she was roughly 6 years old. Born into a Greek family, the art of cooking traditional meals using ones own hands and creativity was and continues to be an expression of love in her home. Her father was also a trained chef who brought the magic of food to life in another form on the weekends as they cooked elaborate family meals together. As an accomplished cook and baker and always working towards expanding her culinary repertoire, Tess enjoys experimenting in her test kitchen daily creating new recipes, creative culinary techniques and building “Gold Standard” culinary experiences for communities across Minnesota and beyond.
Tess is proficient and experienced in creating cook-along experiences and curriculum for conventional cooking, baking, pressure-cooking, air frying, pizza making, Mediterranean Cooking, and meal preparation as well. More recently, she has expanded her creativity and experience in the creation of Cooking Master Classes!
She has been teaching both in-person and on-line cooking classes through community education for a number of years, and is currently working with almost 60 public school districts in and around the Twin Cities, in many corners of Minnesota, in addition to school districts in Wisconsin, Missouri, New York, and Oklahoma, having worked with just over 5000 participants over the years. Through her teaching, Tess has helped people of all skill levels increase their confidence and expand their skills in the kitchen reaching heights of their own personal creativity that they never new existed, all while having fun and creating memories to last a lifetime.
Her motto, eloquently put, is to make “dishing” delicious, and simple. Tess has recently started writing her first cookbook, and her food blog is also in the works! Some of her creations can be seen on her Facebook page, “Dish it up Good”, https://www.facebook.com/dishitupgood/ or on her Instagram Feed.
Tess Georgakopoulos
