The Boeckman Buzz
October 8, 2021
Community Tiger Stripes
Last week, our form did not work for anyone outside of our school. We apologize for the glitch. If you would like, you are now able to recognize a staff member for their positive impact on our school. If you are willing, take a moment to send a Community Tiger Stripe. The message will be sent to the staff member. Thank you in advance for taking time to help continue to relentlessly recognize the positives within our community.
Football Game Expectations
During all school-sponsored events and in this case home football games, which will take place this Friday, we have high expectations for all Farmington students. Unfortunately, there have been several recent incidents during which unsupervised elementary and middle school students have not met the behavioral expectations set for them and have behaved in ways that do not reflect well on our schools or community.
We would like to remind families that high expectations for student behavior. All Farmington students are welcome at our events, but the same behavior expectations that apply to all students during the school day also apply when students attend school-sponsored events.
Activities that should not happen include but are not limited to:
- Running
- Tackling
- Throwing objects including footballs
Any student not living up to these expectations will be escorted out and their parents will be contacted.
The FHS football games are some of the most heavily attended events at FHS. It is a wonderful event that can be enjoyed by the whole family, but we recommend that if students are not there to watch the game they should not attend. Please help us show tiger pride with kindness, courtesy, and respect for all. We appreciate everyone’s support in making our home events safe and fun for all those attending. Go tigers!
Conference Meal Planning
Conference Meal Planning
Tuesday, October 12 · 10:00 – 10:30 am
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/aia-pdnv-oxg
Or dial: (US) +1 219-281-4211 PIN: 409 688 314#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/aia-pdnv-oxg?pin=4037644269195
Conferences (Oct. 14th and Oct. 19th)
Teachers will be setting their conference schedules on Oct. 14th and Oct. 19th and have the option to offer them virtually or in person. All conferences will be scheduled for 15 minutes with your child's Tiger Connections teacher.
Learners, parents/guardians will be meeting with 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 by Thursday, Oct. 7th. 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.
Conference Appointments with Counselors
Counselors are available for both virtual and in-person meetings during conferences this fall. We look forward to meeting with families that are interested. Please see below for our calendars to schedule one with us.
Tenille Jennings: 6th Grade Counselor
https://calendly.com/tjennings10/parent-teacher-conferences
Nicole Pierce: 7th Grade Counselor
https://calendly.com/npiercerisvold/fall-conferences
Nicole McGuire: 8th Grade Counselor
Flexible Learning Day Oct. 15th
Your child's Day B teachers will be available to connect on Schoology. Teachers will have assignments posted by the end of the school day prior to the scheduled flexible learning day. The assignments have been designed to be self-directed learning and should not require parental support. If your student has a question they should reach out to the teacher on Schoology.
New process for Student Absence for Illness
To help reduce the number of phone calls home to collect information on symptomatic learners, we have created an absence form that parents can choose to fill out instead of a phone call. They can still choose to leave a phone message on the attendance line. The absence form will be used for illness ONLY.
“Absence For Illness” Form Link - https://forms.gle/fGyPAzCLkoAtkVRY6
Step It Up Fundraiser - Update
THANK YOU for all the donations. We have raised over $24,000 and we are closing in on our goal of raising $35,000. The fundraiser continues, so please help us continue to raise funds for our school. The money goes towards supporting learning experiences and student opportunities at Boeckman Middle School. Our fundraising efforts have supported Courage Retreat, Project Diva, IXL, First Lego League, WIN Time experiences, and many other learning experiences.
If you missed it, it is not too late to participate, please see the information below from the kickoff this past week. Thank you again for your support. Cash and check donations can be given to your child's Tiger Connections Teacher.
Please Visit: www.stepitupkids.com/Boeckman55024
Parents ~ Here’s a 2 minute “how-to” video if you have any questions about registering
We look forward to incredible participation and thank you for making a difference in the lives of our students.
Sub Info
Do you know someone who might be interested in subbing?
If you know of people who are responsible, reliable, kind individuals who enjoy students, could follow a sub plan and are looking for the flexibility of part time work, encourage them to explore their Short Call Sub License with MDE. https://mn.gov/pelsb/assets/Short%20Call%20Substitute%20Teaching%20License%20Guidance%20POST_tcm1113-451855.pdf
To learn more about substitute teaching in the district – click here: https://www.farmington.k12.mn.us/district_info/human_resources/substitute_information
Steel Pan Band Concert - CANCELLED
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are unable to host our evening Steel Pan Drum concert scheduled for Oct. 12. We will be producing a virtual concert to show all the hard work students have put into their pan playing. We will be recording our songs during class time and creating a video for your families to watch at your convenience. While nothing can make up for live music, we hope you can watch and appreciate the time and effort your child has put into learning something new.
We want to thank Jeremy Kunkel and the PanOutreach Program for their time spent at Boeckman Middle School.
Thank you!
The Boeckman Music Staff
Sarah O’Banion
Joe Lasko
Rachel Gorden Mercer
Parent Ambassadors
At our first meeting, we will be joined by Jenn Logan Allen a Language Arts teacher and our Facilitator of Instructional Support, and Tim Schlatter our Innovative Design and Learning Specialist. They will be sharing information about the purpose of Transitions, details of the planning that took place this summer, and what the student experience has been up to this point.
Our first meeting will take virtually on Tuesday, Nov. 9th at 10:00 am
Parent Ambassador Meeting
Tuesday, November 9 · 10:00 – 11:00 am
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/idp-uxsv-mcp
Or dial: (US) +1 470-485-8738 PIN: 514 934 062#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/idp-uxsv-mcp?pin=1254599604231
What is Transitions?
Your learner has been experiencing a new course this year here at Boeckman called Transitions. It is broken down into three segments; lessons, coaching/work time, and inquiry. Lessons are provided to learners to help teach specific skills to help learners become adept at navigating our ever changing world. These are referred to as Personal Skills for Success at BMS (click the blue link to see the competency rubrics for the skills). Many companies have identified skills that they deem essential for workers to have in order to be a successful member of their business. Check out this Forbes article called, “Here Are The Top 5 Soft Skills I Look For In Candidates” to see how these skills could be used in the business world. The Personal Skills for Success that we are going to be focusing on with learners throughout their middle school experience are perseverance, collaboration, communication, and responsibility.
In addition to learning about Personal Skills for Success, learners will also have the opportunity to engage in coaching sessions with teachers. These sessions focus on strengthening skills learners are working on in their core content areas and reflecting on their Personal Skills for Success. When learners are not meeting with teachers in coaching sessions they have time to work on homework, work on projects, and in some cases, engage in learner-led inquiry projects.
We are excited for how this course meets the needs to help learners become well rounded and polish the skills needed for them to thrive in a world that can differ drastically, in terms of technology & jobs, from 2021. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Every Meal Food Program
The Every Meal food program is back. Learners have an opportunity at any time to grab a bag of non-perishable food from the table outside the main office. This program is designed to fill in gaps of food sources and meet the needs of learners families who may need food support. Right now, we have Green and Orange bags available for anybody who is interested. If you would like to sign up for other options please fill out this LINK to ensure your choice is honored and you receive the food you need. You can sign up at anytime, and this program will be offered all year.
Green: contains canned chicken or tuna, rice, mac and cheese, soup, canned veggies or fruits
Orange: contains rice, corn flour, chiles, black or pinto beans, and diced chiles
'Devious Licks' Update (REPEAT)
It is rumored that the monthly challenges for October include some of the following: "smack the teacher", "sleep in and be late", "jab a breast", "flip off the front office"
Please make sure to monitor your child's social media and discuss with them the severity of participating in such acts. This is not who we are as a community and it does not reflect the core values that we teach at Boeckman of showing compassion, having integrity, and being responsible.
Social-Emotional Survey Coming Soon (repeat)
Important Dates
Tuesday, October 12.....................................Steel Drum Concert - CANCELLED
Thursday, October 14....................................2 Hour Early Release - Conferences
Friday, October 15.........................................Flexible Learning Day
Monday, October 18......................................End of 1st Quinmester
Tuesday, October 19.....................................Conferences
Thursday, October 21...................................NO SCHOOL
Friday, October 22........................................NO SCHOOL
*Details for some activities will be shared closer to dates.
Boeckman Middle School Hours
Office Hours: 7:30am - 4:00pm
**Building Door Open at 8:30**
PBIS at Boeckman Middle School
Useful Phone Numbers
School: 651-460-1400
Nurse: 651-460-1406
Food Service: 651-460-3820
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