The Boeckman Buzz
September 18, 2020
Message from Principal Blazek
BMS Families,
This week it feels like all of our learners are starting to settle into the routine of school in the hybrid model. We appreciate all of your patience with the kick-off of our auto caller and helping your child establish their routine at home on remote and flex learning days. You will find more information on daily attendance or COVID attendance guidelines below.
Next week our learners will be completing our NWEA Math and Reading tests during their in-person learning days. Please note the schedule below, because the testing is going to impact our teacher's virtual coaching times.
As we finish out the month of September we will kick off our Step It Up Fundraiser the week of September 29th. This year we will not host a Day of Awesomeness, but instead, will receive an additional 10%. The money raised will continue to support personalized student experiences.
Go Tigers!
#WeAre192
#BMSPride
One minute meetings with Mr. Turnquist
Drumming in Ms. O'Banion's Music Classe
Math Clue with Mrs. Wilson
8th Grade Water Walk
T-shirt Tuesday
Civic Conversations with Mrs. Picha
NWEA Testing
The week of September 21, we will be having students take the NWEA Map Assessment. Cohort 1 will take the math assessment on Monday, September 21, and then the reading assessment on Tuesday, September 22. Cohort 2 will take the math assessment Wednesday, September 23, and then the reading assessment on Thursday, September 24. This data will allow us to collect important baseline data on your child’s current level of learning and allow teachers to plan instruction to fit all needs.
Learners need to have iPads FULLY CHARGED the morning of NWEA testing.
Farmington Academy learners received an email about their NWEA testing options. If you did not receive this email or have questions about your options contact Dan Thompson at dthompson@farmington.k12.mn.us.
Picture Retake Days
September 22nd - Cohort 1 (will be called down during the school day)
September 23rd - Cohort 2 (will be called down during the school day)
September 22nd and 23rd - Farmington Academy and Full Distance Learning Students (7:00 - 8:30 am at Boeckman Middle School in the Little Theater)
Before coming in for pictures retakes you must complete the daily health screening.
Students cannot enter the building if they are in isolation because of COVID symptoms they or a household member has COVID symptoms in the last 14 days, they or a household member is waiting for COVID test results, or they themselves or a household member have a positive COVID test and are in quarantine.
Daily Attendance and Auto Caller
This year we will be taking daily attendance at the beginning and end of the day on in-person and remote days. This will happen during Tiger Connections in the morning and Tiger Flex in the afternoon. On Flexible Learning Days attendance will only be taken during Tiger Connections. The auto caller will call if a child is marked absent during Tiger Connections. We are not having an auto caller for Tiger Flex.
This was our first week our auto-caller calling at 10:30. We are aware our message was not accurate and we had to work with our vendor to get the message changed. Going forward it will read that your child has been marked absent in Tiger Connections.
The auto caller only called if your child is marked absent in Tiger Connections. If you know your child is not going to be able to engage in a full day of learning, parents/guardians can call to excuse them for the day by calling our attendance line at 651-460-1405.
If your child has questions about how to connect during Tiger Connections please reach out directly to their Tiger Connections teacher before Tiger Connections starts at 9:00 am. Teachers are not able to change attendance after it is taken during Tiger Connections.
Attendance will be taken during Tiger Connections in all models of learning (In-person, remote, and flexible learning days).
Types of School Days in Hybrid Learning
In-Person Learning Days
Learners will attend school on their Cohort days according to the district hybrid schedule.
Remote Learning Days
When not attending in person, learners should be continuing their learning from home. Learners are expected to start their day by connecting with one of their Tiger Connections teachers at 9 am. This connection will take place in a variety of forms and it is important for your child to check Schoology and follow the directions of the Tiger Connections teacher.
Below is a schedule of when teachers will be available to connect with your child. These specific times are called Virtual Coaching Sessions and at times your child will be required to attend and other times your child may have the option to attend. It will be important for your child to advocate for their learning needs. The schedule below is a structure that your child can follow throughout their remote learning day.
Flex Learning Days
Today is our first Flex Learning Day. At 9 am, we are going to remain consistent and start our day by having your child check-in with their Tiger Connections teacher. This will allow us to mark attendance and again if they have not connected by 9:15, you will receive an automated phone call. Flex Learning Days will be time for your child to continue their learning but will not include any “new” learning as teachers will be unavailable after 10 am. Teachers will communicate the plan for learning and what virtual coaching will be offered from 9:00 - 10:00 am on Flex Learning Days.
PBIS at Boeckman
iPad Tech Help
This is the first stop for troubleshooting issues with iPads. If you are not able to troubleshoot your issue please make an appointment with Mrs. Tredinnick or call the district tech helpline.
In-Person or Virtual Appointments with BMS Tech Support
Using this link you can schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with Mrs. Tredinnick our BMS Tech Support. These appointments are for iPad Help or Repair.
Phone Number
For help with your iPad or other technology questions that might be able to be solved by phone while off-campus, please call our student and family tech helpline during normal school hours: 651-463-5090. If after school hours, please leave a message and include the student’s name, school, your contact information, and a brief description of the issue.
COVID-19 Related Absences and At Home Learning
Over the course of the year, many families will be required to isolate or quarantine as a household as a result of COVID-19 symptoms, exposure, or positive test results. The isolation and quarantine time periods vary in length and can cause a learner to be out of school for an extended period of time.
All COVID-19 related absences must be called into our attendance line 651-460-1405. You will need to leave detailed information on your child's symptoms or exposure. Jen Darrington our nurse will call to confirm symptoms, the amount of time your child and household members will need to be out of school. She will also work with parents to determine if they are well enough to engage in At Home Learning or need to be marked ill. We are committed to keeping your child engaged in learning at home if they are in isolation or quarantine.
Below are two guidance documents from MDH that help explain COVID-19 attendance. Stay home if your child or anyone in the household is symptomatic, waiting for a COVID test and symptomatic, or has a positive COVID test. This will help us keep our schools open and our nurse will work with you on a return to school date for your household.
Looking for Parent Ambassadors
Meeting Dates and Times
Tuesday, September 29th @ 6:30 pm
Tuesday, November 17th @ 6:30 pm
Tuesday, February 16th @ 6:30 pm
Tuesday, April 20th @ 6:30 pm
Yearbooks
Boeckman Middle School Yearbooks are currently on sale for $25.00
Two Day Flash Sale: Buy A Yearbook with Personalization and receive 4 FREE ICONS! This special ends today!
All orders can be placed online:
Free Meals This Fall
Free meals will be available to all students enrolled in ISD 192 beginning Tuesday, September 15 until funding runs out. As you may have heard, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it will waive all fees for school meals through December 31, 2020 or earlier if funding runs out. While we were unfortunately not eligible for their summer program we were very pleased to learn this week, the fall waiver does apply to our district.
Please be aware funding is likely to run out before December 31 without much notice. We expect funding to last at least until MEA weekend (October 15-16) and we plan to send another food service update at that time.
How will students get their free meals?
Students learning from home can pick up bagged meals (breakfast and lunch):
- On regularly scheduled school days (typically Monday through Thursday) you will be able to pick up a bagged breakfast and lunch at your school of enrollment between 9-10 a.m. If you have students in multiple schools you will be able to pick up all student meals at one school.
- On Flexible Learning Days (typically Fridays) bagged meals (breakfast and lunch) will only be available at Akin Road Elementary, Farmington Elementary, and North Trail Elementary between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Pre-registration is required; you can find the form on the Chartwells Food Service website.
- When picking up a to go meal, pins and proof of enrollment are not required at this time but may be when we return to regular breakfast and lunch service.
- Please contact the school office at your pick up location to find out which door to enter for food service.
When learning in-person at school, breakfast and lunch will be available at no cost to students.
- Students must take a complete meal.
- Milk on it’s own will be charged as usual.
- Premium meals at the high school will be charged as usual.
- When learning in-person at school, all students will be asked to provide a pin for inventory purposes. Their account will not be charged unless they do not have a complete meal or they have a premium meal.
Free meals will only be provided for scheduled school days. Please see our hybrid calendar or Farmington Academy calendar if you have questions about which days are school days.
Do I still need to fill out a Free & Reduced Application (Educational Benefit) form?
Yes! Even though meals are free for the first few months of school, you still need to fill out your Free & Reduced Application form. This ensures you’ll have help paying for meals after funding runs out, and also helps you cover costs for other school-related activities. In addition, it grants our district access to state funding to support our schools.
Please complete your Free & Reduced (Educational Benefit) form before October 1st.Families MUST fill out a new application for benefits at the beginning of each school year or benefits will expire.
If you have questions about your food service account you can email foodservice@farmington.k12.mn.us or call 651-460-3820.
IGNITE After School Programs
Good Afternoon! IGNITE After School Clubs will look a little different this year, but we are offering some opportunities at the TLLC at 510 Walnut Street! Drama Lab and Acrylics on Canvas! We are also still looking at running Co-Ed Intramural Basketball this fall. You will not be charged until 5 days before the start and only if the club runs. So register early to get your spot! Space is limited. http://bit.ly/IGNITEAfterSchool
Additionally, there will be a Virtual Video Production class that is starting on Saturday, take a look if you are interested: http://bit.ly/192CEVideoProduction
To view the update, click the link below:
http://farmington.schoology.com/group/85270077/update/3014002477
Distance Support Options for K-Grade 8 students
Grades 6-8 8:30-3:30 pm
Grades 2-5 8:30-3:30 pm
Grades K-1 8:30-11:30 am
Sign-up for individual days your family needs distance learning support!
Looking for an active, supervised option for your youth to get their schoolwork done and burn off some energy on their distance learning days? Check out the Distance Support In-Person options at the newly renovated Twist ‘N’ Tumble gym! This is a great opportunity for youth to receive assistance on their school work, while also having access to a gym. Distance Support In-Person options are run by dedicated, experienced staff and are available on days youth do not attend in-person school, excluding Fridays.
Sessions run from 8:30-11:30 am for youth in Kindergarten through 1st grade, and 8:30-3:30 pm for youth in 2nd-8th grade. Cost for K-1 is $40 and for 2nd-8th grade, $60. Age appropriate activities and assistance will be provided. To register or to receive more information please visit:https://bit.ly/ISD192TNTDistanceSupport. Questions can be directed to youthenrichment@farmington.k12.mn.us or 651-460-3200.
Farmington Area Public Schools Face Covering Procedures
Boeckman Middle School Hours
Office Hours: 7:45am - 4:15pm
Buildings Open for Students: 8:40 am
IGNITE Before School Program
Has been canceled due to low enrollment. Will be reconsidered when we return to full in-person school.
Useful Phone Numbers
School: 651-460-1400
Nurse: 651-460-1406
Food Service: 651-463-5025
Bus Company: 651-463-8689
School Fax: 651-460-1510
School Athletics: 651-252-2514
School Closing Line: 651-985-1100
Community Education: 651-460-3200
About us
- Personalization that honors the uniqueness of each learner
- Mistakes and reflection as essential components of learning
- Openness to new ideas and innovation
- Safe environments that support a growth mindset
- Partnering with the community to champion our learners
Email: mblazek@farmington.k12.mn.us
Website: https://bms.farmington.k12.mn.us/
Location: 800 Denmark Avenue, Farmington, MN, USA
Phone: 651-460-1400
Facebook: facebook.com/boeckmantigers
Twitter: @BoeckmanTigers