The Boeckman Buzz
September 25, 2020
Message from Principal Blazek
BMS Families,
Teachers have begun putting information into their grade books to communicate your child’s progress. You will see the grade book in Campus Portal. If you do not have a Campus Portal account please call 651-460-1400 and we will assist you in setting it up. We strongly encourage you to have a Campus Portal account, because it is one of our main communication tools.
This year our goal for reporting learner progress is to create a common language for our reporting practices. This will allow parents, teachers, and learners to clearly understand and discuss their progress. We want to give you up-to-date information about your child’s progress academically. When you look at grade books, progress reporting will be done in one of two ways: Competencies or Letter Grades. Below, there is a description of both reporting practices and a common language that will be used. Your child’s teachers will be communicating with you what reporting practice they will be using. We understand this can be a lot of information and are here to answer any questions you have.
Trimester Reporting
All courses will be reporting out in-progress grades and levels of learning each trimester. The trimester structure allows learners to have two specialist experiences in a 12 week period and aligns the middle-level reporting with the elementary and high school levels. In trimester three a final level of learning will be given that will be transcripted.
Competencies
Many of our courses will be reporting out on competencies. Competencies are aligned to state and national standards and cover the same content as other alike courses reporting out using letter grades. Competencies have learning criteria aligned that allow learners, teachers, and parents to see where their level of learning is at, and what growth needs to happen to reach the next level. In Campus you will see a rubric with four levels of learning: Beginning, Approaching, Competent, and Extending. Our goal is for every child to be competent in each learning criteria. Learners will upload evidence of this level of learning into Campus for you to view and teachers will leave their feedback about the child’s learning in Campus. Learning is continuous and these courses will be updating these rubrics throughout the year with the current level of learning your child is performing at. At the beginning of the year, many learners will have not yet demonstrated learning or will be at beginning or approaching as they work on becoming competent in each learning criteria. Courses reporting out on competencies will post a level of learning for each competency at trimester and will not be giving a letter grade.
Letter Grades
Letter grades will be calculated based on two categories of assessment: summative and formative. Teachers will enter assessments of learning under these categories. Formative assessments happen multiple times during the day and are a tool for teachers to know where a child’s level of learning is at, and what instruction is needed to continue learning. Learning happens through mistakes and formative assessments allow for both teacher and learner to see what mistakes they are making and to correct those misunderstandings. Summative assessments happen at the end of the learning process and tell us where their understanding is when we have finished covering a topic. This breakdown allows us to better see how learners are academically performing.
If you have questions about your child's progress in a course please reach out directly to their teacher to get more information.
Week at a Glance Reminder – Check Boeckman Website!
We want to make it as easy as possible for learners and parents to know what is happening in school. Each team is committed to keeping their Week at a Glance updated with teacher contact information, times for virtual coaching sessions, codes to access those sessions, and a snapshot of what is happening in each class. Week at a Glance documents can be found on the Boeckman website, under the “Academics” tab.
Step It Up Fundraiser - Kicks off on Monday & Wednesday
It's that time of the year again to kick off our Step It Up fundraiser! This year we will be kicking off in our Tiger Connections and providing incentives that meet our COVID safety guidelines. In place of The Day of Awesomeness, we will be receiving an additional 10% of funds earn to support personal learning experiences.
Next week on Monday and Wednesday learners will watch the kick-off video in their Tiger Connections and receive their Golden Ticket packet. The Golden Ticket has to be returned completely filled out the following day to receive a prize during lunch. Cohort 1 learners will return it on Tuesday, September 29th and Cohort 2 learners will return it on Thursday, October 1st.
Farmington Academy learners your participation is important to us. You will be getting more information from your teachers about how to turn in your Golden Ticket to get prizes and your names will be entered into our daily drawings.
The fundraiser will run September 28th through Tuesday, October 13th. All students who turn in their Golden Ticket will be entered into drawings. Watch the morning announcements on the following dates to hear the winners.
Golden Ticket Drawings
Oct. 2nd - Air Pods
Oct. 6th - Mini Fridge w/ cash inside
Oct. 7th - Mini Fridge w/ cash inside
Oct. 8th - Mini Fridge w/ cash inside
Fall Conferences (October 5th - October 14th)
We are making changes to how fall conferences will take place this fall. District-wide teachers will be setting their own conference schedules and have the option to offer them virtually or in-person. All conferences will take place between October 5th to October 14th, and will be scheduled for 15 minutes.
Learners, parents/guardians will be meeting with one of their Tiger Connections teachers, and will not have individual conferences with each of their teachers. Your child's Tiger Connection teacher will be reaching out to you with their schedule and a link to sign up. If your child works with a case manager or support staff you will receive an email with the option to schedule a second conference with them.
You can expect to hear from your child's Tiger Connections teacher by October 2nd to schedule your conference. October 8th was scheduled as an early release on our district calendar and will remain as a 2-hour early release so our staff can offer conferences during this time.
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
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
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