
The Boeckman Buzz
April 13th, 2025
A Note from Principal Sage
BMS Families,
In this edition of The Boeckman Buzz we welcome all 5th grade families! The Boeckman Buzz is a weekly communication with important messages and information for the BMS Community. We are excited for you to be a part of our community and the amazing experiences you will have for the next three years at BMS. We remind you that on Monday, May 12th at 5:30 PM BMS will host a 5th grade family engagement night. Incoming 5th graders are encouraged to attend with their families as they have an opportunity to learn about middle school and tour the building.
We are excited to announce that we have a new member joining our learning community that will help promote the mental well-being and emotional health of our students. Starting Monday, April 14th, BMS will welcome Cash, a fun-loving and trained therapy dog, to our school community.
What is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a specially trained dog that provides comfort, support, and companionship to individuals in various settings, including schools. Therapy dogs can help reduce stress, anxiety, and promote a sense of calm and well-being among students.
Benefits of a Therapy Dog in a school setting:
- Emotional Support: Cash may be able to support students who may need a little extra comfort during the school day.
- Stress Reduction: Interacting with a therapy dog has been shown to lower stress levels and improve mood.
- Social Skills Development: Engaging with Cash can help foster social interaction and communication among students.
- A Safe Space: The presence of a therapy dog creates a welcoming environment where students can feel safe and supported.
How It Works:
- Cash will be present in designated areas of the school, particularly during times when students may experience heightened stress or anxiety, such as during exams or school events.
- Students will have the opportunity to interact with Cash during breaks or designated appointments, always under the supervision of trained staff. It is always optional!
- We encourage students to approach Cash with gentle and respectful behavior while understanding that some students may prefer to observe from a distance.
We believe that the introduction of a therapy dog at BMS will have a positive impact on our students' emotional and mental health. Interacting with our therapy dog is optional and your child will have the ability to determine their own comfort level with their experience.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out to Molly Krey, Cash’s trained handler, at mkrey@farmington.k12.mn.us or Joe Sage, BMS Principal, at jsage@farmington.k12.mn.us.
Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5–9) is approaching and we’re excited to celebrate our incredible BMS staff! If you would like to contribute to the celebration, donations are being accepted through our Parent Ambassadors' Venmo account @boeckmanparentambassadors, or you can drop off cash or check donations at the front office (please address to BMS Parent Ambassadors).
We continue to have a great year at Boeckman. It is always fun to be in classrooms and see your students engaged in their learning. This week, we will begin MCA testing. These tests will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, where we will run an alternative schedule, linked here.
-Joe Sage, Principal
National Library Week
In celebration of National Library Week, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Bobby and Elaine for all the incredible work they do in the media center. Their dedication, organization, and passion for helping students and staff make the library a welcoming and invaluable resource. We truly appreciate everything they do to support learning and foster a love of reading at Boeckman Middle School. Please take a moment this week to thank them for all they do!
BMS Staff Member of the Week!
We are so thankful for Ann Kielas, our amazing Tech Ed teacher at BMS! She is this week’s BMS Staff Member of the Week! Ann designs incredible hands-on lessons that inspire creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving in our learners every single day.
We appreciate her positivity and the passion she brings to our learning community. We’re lucky to have her at BMS!
Thank you, Ms. Kielas, for everything you do!
Rouge Robotics
The Farmington High School Robotics team has many former Boeckman students on the team. Mrs. Kielas, the Boeckman Tech Ed Teacher, is an Assistant Coach for Rogue Robotics. Rogue has had a very successful season. They won the Engineering Inspiration Award at the Great Northern Regional. They won the Industrial Design Award at the Northern Lights Regional. Next week the team goes to Houston for the World Championships. On May 10, they will compete with 31 other teams in the MN State Championships. Go Rogue!
MCA Tests Approaching
Farmington Area Public Schools students in grades 3-8 take state standardized tests each spring called the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) or the alternate Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS). The MCA (or MTAS) assessment is designed to test students against the state academic standards in reading, math and science. To read more about the MCA/MTAS test, please visit the district website, linked here. There is a link to the Opt Out information for both the MCA tests on the left side of the webpage, or for convenience, there is a direct link here.
Specific Dates of Testing:
- April 3 & 4 and April 7 & 8 - 8th grade only - MCA Science in regular science class
- April 16 & April 17 – Math MCA: we will follow MCA Alternate Schedule
- April 23 & April 24 – Reading MCA: we will follow MCA Alternate Schedule
- Week of April 28-May 2 – Math NWEA in math classrooms
- Week of May 5-May 9 – Reading NWEA in language arts classrooms
- Week of May 12-May 16 – NWEA make ups
Back to School Kits Available - Order Now
Skip the stores and save both time and money on back-to-school shopping with a Sprout School Supply Kit. These kits are teacher-approved, matching BMS supply lists and will be delivered to school and ready for the first day. Again, this school year, we’re offering families the opportunity to Pay It Forward and purchase an additional school supply kit to donate to a deserving child at our local school if they are interested. All Pay It Forward Kits will be provided to the administration at the close of our sale and distributed to local students, so they are all set for the first day. Order now at sproutsupplies.com using School Code RBMS001. Order deadline is July 8, 2025.
8th Grade Invitation to FHS Informational and Registration Night for Activities/Sports/Arts Programs
As your 8th grade year winds down, we are excited to invite you to Farmington High School’s Informational and Registration Night, a special event for incoming 9th-grade students, their families, and first-time participants in our activities, athletics, and arts programs.
The event will include an informational presentation that will highlight the philosophy and purpose of the activities, athletics, and arts programs we offer at FHS. This will be followed by an introduction to our administrative team, support staff, coaches, directors, and advisors. The night’s agenda will include topics such as communication, registration procedures, ticketing and admission details, student eligibility, MSHSL bylaws, and our strength & conditioning program.
One of the highlights of the evening is the opportunity to register for all fall activities and sports. This will also be a chance to interact with our coaches, advisors, and directors, who will be on hand for you to connect directly with.
This event will not only provide valuable information but also serve as a great opportunity for you and your families to familiarize yourselves with Farmington High School's community. Should you have any questions leading up to the event or require additional information, please don't hesitate to reach out to us in the FHS Activities Office.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Location: Farmington High School Recital Hall and Commons (Enter through Door 29)
We encourage students to explore the many programs available to them and to register for fall activities and athletics during the event.
This is a wonderful opportunity for your student to get connected to the programs that will shape their high school experience and for families to learn more about the resources and support Farmington High School offers.
We hope to see you there!
Keith Badger, Activities and Athletics Director/Assistant Principal
Sue Hurtgen, Activities Department Administrative Assistant
Rogue Robotics Summer Program
Rogue Robotics is again holding a Summer Programming camp for any student entering grades 8-12. Here is the link to the brochure with all of the information.
https://farmington.ce.eleyo.com/course/5361/2024-2025-ce-catalog/rogue-robotics-programming-camp
Last Chance to Sign Up for Track and Field
Middle School Track & Field is in need of more athletes! Registration deadline is Tuesday, April 8th @ 1:00pm.
Here is the link to register: https://tce.me/iZunrc
Community Education Family Dance
Step into a Candyland Wonderland at Farmington Community Ed’s 2nd annual Family Dance! Dress your best and enjoy an evening of dancing, sweet treats, and a special take-home favor. Capture the memories at our fun photo booth!
Vaccinations for Eligible Children
Please see below:
School-Based Mental Health Services for Students
Please see below
2025 Community Resource Guide for Children and Families
The 2025 Community Resource Guide for Children and Families in Dakota County has been published. Please see the links below for the English, Spanish and Somali versions.
English:
Spanish:
Somali:
https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/HealthFamily/HealthServices/Documents/CommunityResourceGuideSomali.pdf
Join the Class of 2038: Kindergarten Enrollment Open!
If your child - or a child you know - is ready to start kindergarten in fall 2025, now is the time to enroll! Enrolling now ensures you’re in the loop for all upcoming events and communications and it gives schools a chance to plan so they are fully prepared to give your child the best start possible. Enroll today at bit.ly/kindergarten-enrollment. We can’t wait to welcome our new learners this fall!
Middle School Cheer Clinic
Please join us for a CHEER CLINIC for current 6th though 8th graders. The clinic will be April 14, 15 & 16. See the attached flyer for other additional information. You can register through the QR Code on the flyer or using the following link: https://forms.gle/pv2X3NegAja5LKfa9.
Email Coach Amanda with any questions – areding@farmington.k12.mn.us.
THE LITTLE MERMAID THIS SUMMER!
Students entering grades 1-12 can take the stage in Storybook Theatre’s adaptation of The Little Mermaid! In partnership with Farmington Community Education, this exciting theatre camp gives young actors the chance to bring a classic tale to life while building confidence, creativity, and stage skills in a professional environment. Storybook Theatre is a touring theatre company dedicated to inspiring young artists through high-quality theatrical experiences.
Upon registration your child is automatically accepted into the cast, no acting experience necessary! Don’t miss this chance to be part of the magic of live theatre – sign up here: https://bit.ly/4cbrKLH
Important Dates
April 16...................................................End of Quinmester 4
April 16 & 17...........................................Math MCA
April 18...................................................8th Grade to Stages Theater
April 23 & 24...........................................Reading MCA
May 6......................................................Jazz Band Concert
May 12....................................................5th Grade Family Engagement Night - 5:30pm
May 13 & 15...........................................Choir Concerts
May 20....................................................Beginner Band 6, 7 & 8 Concert
May 26....................................................NO SCHOOL
June 5......................................................Last Day of School - Early release at 12:30pm
Save the Dates:
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 - BMS Open House 2:00pm-7:00pm
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 - 6th Grade WEB Day 8:45am-3:30pm
September 23, 2025 - Picture Retake Day
Boeckman Middle School Hours
Office Hours: 7:30am - 4:00pm
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
The mission of BMS, a learner-centered community committed to personalization that nurtures curiosity, to ensure each learner exercises ownership for continuous personal growth to have a positive impact on themselves and their communities through:
Honoring uniqueness and valuing diverse experiences
Safe and empathetic environments that foster authentic relationships
Nurturing joy and well-being
Mistakes and reflection as essential components of learning
Partnering with our communities
Email: Jsage@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