BCMS Bison Blast

January 13-17

2nd Quarter SOTW Breakfast-Friday, January 17, 2024⋅8:00 – 8:30am

January 20-24

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Monday, January 20

Teacher Workshop - End of 2nd Qtr- No School Monday, January 20

January 27- January 31

Monday and Tuesday - 6th and 7th Grade Registration during Primetime

Monday, January 27, 2025 - BHS Counselors come to BCMS to go over BHS registration during Science class

Thursday, January 30, 2025, 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm - Bison Showcase (8th Grade Parent Night + BHS Course Exploration)

Tuesday February 4th - Course Registration forms due to BCMS science teachers

Thursday February 6th - BHS Counselors are back to input course request

February 3 - 7

Early Release - Friday, February 7, 2024

February 17 - 21

Presidents' Day - Monday, February 19 - No School

BCMS/BHS Jazzn' It Up Concert - PAC - Thursday, February 20, 2025⋅7:30 – 8:30pm

February 24 - February 28

BCMS Conferences - Thursday, February 27, 2025⋅4:00 – 8:00pm

Early Release - Friday, March 1, 2025⋅1:35

March 11 - 15

BCMS A Little Night Music - PAC - Thursday, March 13, 2025⋅7:30 – 8:30pm

March 25 - March 29

SOTW Breakfast - Thursday, March 28, 2024⋅8:00 – 8:30am

End of 3rd Quarter - March 29

April 1 - 5

Spring Break - April 1-5

We are excited to welcome Jake Hockinson to our BCMS Family for the 3rd and 4th quarters! Jake will be stepping in as a dean of students, supporting our 8th graders while Matt Lubben oversees Parkside Elementary. Since the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, Jake has been serving as a dean at Montrose Elementary School of Innovation, and we look forward to the expertise he will bring to BCMS!

Time to prepare for high school course registration!

Buffalo High School Counselors will be at BCMS to provide registration information during 8th grade science classes on Monday, January 27th. All resources presented that day will be posted and made available on the Buffalo High School Student Services Website.

Additionally, you and your student are invited to attend the Bison Showcase on the evening of Thursday, January 30th. At 4:30pm, all current and incoming BHS students and families are invited to explore course options by visiting with BHS faculty in their classrooms throughout the building to learn more about course choices and content. A formal welcome and presentation for 8th grade families will occur at 6pm in the Performing Arts Center led by BHS Principal Mark Mischke and BHS School Counselors. Finally, optional breakout sessions will be held for 8th grade Quest families and any current AVID families or those who may be interested at 7pm.

AVID Elective Recruitment

Is your child determined to do well in school? Do they want to prepare to attend a 4 year college or university? Are they in the middle academically or would benefit from more study skills and organizational skills? If so, the AVID elective class might be right for them!

What is the AVID Elective?

The AVID Elective is a College and Career Readiness course. The elective class supports the students’ academic growth in all areas of WICOR (writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading). AVID students participate in Tutorials (a form of study group) twice a week, are held accountable for the organization of their binders, go on at least 2 college visits per year, and are immersed in a college readiness culture. AVID is a class just like any other-it’s an elective course they take during the school day.

There is an application and interview process to get in. Applications are available at the front office or with Megan Losey, AVID Coordinator.

• February 27, 2025 - Informational meeting for parents and students during conferences (5pm & 7pm)

• March 6, 2025 - Applications due to the front office

• March 12-13, 2025 - Student interviews

• Week of March 24, 2025 - Letter of status sent out (acceptance or waitlist)

Link to AVID Application

Please see the BCMS Website for more information, or contact Megan Losey, AVID Coordinator, with any questions you have (mlosey@bhmschools.org 763.682.8290.

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Megan Losey

BCMS AVID Coordinator

(763)682-8290

Congratulations to Maggie Zumbusch for being named our December Student of Distinction! Maggie's unwavering dedication to excellence and her positive influence on others have made her a standout student at BCMS. Her "Maggie Mondays" on the morning announcements have been a hit with both staff and students and help make each week start in the right foot! She consistently leads by example, showing kindness, thoughtfulness, and a strong sense of integrity. Maggie is not only a role model for her peers but also a true embodiment of the values that BCMS holds dear. Her commitment to doing what is right, even when it's not the easiest path, makes her a remarkable individual. Thank you, Maggie, for being such an inspiring representative of our school community. This recognition is a testament to the lasting impact you've had on everyone around you!

Starting March 31st, BCMS will begin construction on our new secure front entrance. During this project, the current front entrance will be closed, and the "Pool Doors" will become the primary entry point. Beginning April 7th, there will be a new designated area for parent drop-off and pick-up. Stay tuned for more details as we approach Spring Break.

🌟💜⛄We are seeking donations to support the BCMS Care Closet and provide essential items to students in need. Your generosity will help ensure every student has access to the necessities they may lack.

Priority items needed:

• 🌟Shampoo
• 🌟Conditioner
• 🌟Hair Brushes
• 🌟Deodorant

Donations can be dropped off at the BCMS front desk. Thank you for supporting our students! #BisonCareCloset #SupportOurStudents #BCMS

Grading for Learning is all about accurately showing what students know and can do. It focuses on recent learning and separates academic performance from things like participation or homework completion. Grades are based mostly on tests, projects, and quizzes, which help measure how well students have mastered grade level/course standards.

Homework and other activities are for practice, giving students the chance to build skills and prepare for those big assessments. Students also have multiple chances to show what they’ve learned, so their grades can reflect their progress over time. This way, grades show whether students have mastered the standards or if there are areas where they still need more work.

For students, this means they can get feedback, improve, and have a better chance to demonstrate understanding. With more opportunities to show growth, Grading for Learning helps students focus on what matters most: mastering the material.

Here is more information:

It's a great time to order your student a Buffalo Community Middle School yearbook!! Reserve your copy today!!

Unsure if you ordered a yearbook already? You can double check with Jostens Order Tracking!

If you have questions about any class, please reach out to the teacher. You can find the contact information for all teachers by using the search function on our district website: https://www.bhmschools.org/

Students do not need a cell phone in school.

Students who bring a cell phone to school should note the following information:

• Cell phones & headphones/AirPods may be appropriately used before school until 8:50am. By 8:50am, all devices and headphones must be properly stowed away in lockers during all class periods.

• Personal devices may be used during passing times and lunchtime, as well as, after 3:25 PM.

• Cell phones and headphones/AirPods are not allowed in classrooms.

• Students are not allowed to take pictures or videos of other students or staff at BCMS.

Here is our building-wide process for a student who brings a cell phone to class:

1st Incident: The teacher gives the student a warning.

2nd Incident: The teacher gives the phone to the front desk and the student can pick it up at 3:25pm.

3rd Incident: If the student continues to bring a cell phone to class, the teacher will refer the student to administration.

You can see details about your child's attendance on Parent Portal.

If your child is going to be absent due to illness or vacation, please contact the BCMS attendance secretary, Adriane Close <aclose@bhmschools.org> 763-682-8242

Parents and guardians can use the Absence Request tool to submit a request that informs the office in advance when their student is not going to be in school. After the request is processed, Campus creates an attendance record for the student.

Click on document to view directions:

6th Grade - Penny Thalacker: email <pthalack@bhmschools.org> phone # 763-682-8219

7th Grade - Kaitlin Kolbinger: email <kkolbinger@bhmschools.org> phone # 763-682-8220

8th Grade - Ashley Kamphenkel: email <akamphenkel@bhmschools.org> phone # 763-682-8217

"Doing What's Best for Kids!"

Email: mlubben@bhmschools.org
Website: http://www.bhmschools.org/schools/buffalo-middle
Location: Buffalo Community Middle School, 1300 State Hwy 25 NE, Buffalo, MN, USA
Phone: 763-682-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Buffalo-Community-Middle-School-459840964033797/
Twitter: @BCMSBison