

The Boeckman Buzz
May 5th, 2024
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A Note from Principal Sage
BMS Families,
This week we will celebrate staff appreciation week! We are grateful for everything they do for our BMS Learning Community. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our parent ambassadors so we can celebrate them throughout the week!
If you would still like to contribute to supporting our staff on Teacher Appreciation week, donations are being collected through our Parent Ambassadors Venmo account, @boeckmanparentambassadors or feel free to drop off a cash or check donation in the front office addressed to BMS Parent Ambassadors. If you would like to contribute in other ways, please check out this link to sign up!
Additionally, families with learners who currently take iPads home in grades K-11 may now opt to checkout their district issued iPads for the summer months! . Farmington Public Schools has been offering the optional summer iPad checkout since 2016. Nearly 70% of eligible families and learners last year opted to check out their issued iPads. Using RevTrak to agree to the updated 2024-25 iPad Loan Agreement will ensure that your child is set with their iPad check out for the entire 2024-25 academic year.
It is going to be another great week at BMS!
-Joe Sage, Principal
Incoming 6th Grade Parent Preview Night, May 13 from 5:30-7:30
We are excited to welcome all our 5th grade families to BMS on May 13th, at 5:30p! This 5th Grade Information Night will provide information on what to expect with the 24-25 school year. Below is an outline of the night.
5:30 – Doors open. Pizza is available for purchase. Tiger Mascot will be present for pictures. Join us for some food and time to connect with other incoming families.
5:45 – Welcome from Principal Sage
6:00p to 7:15p – Families will rotate between four sessions to hear about middle school culture, the 6th grade transition, the middle school learning experience, and what you can expect from your middle school learner.
7:15p – Optional meeting for middle school band students
SPRING NWEA MAP Test - April 29 to May 10, 2024
The NWEA MAP tests are adaptive computer delivered assessments that are administered to more than 11 million students across the country, which provides a large National Norm sample for comparison. Farmington Schools chooses to administer tests in reading and math to students in grades 2 through 8. The adaptive nature of the tests means that the test adjusts to the student's responses. As a student answers correctly, the test gets more challenging. As they get items wrong, the test presents easier items. The purpose of the assessment is to identify the student's academic level in the specific content area, regardless of age, grade level or prior achievement.
To read more about the NWEA test, please visit the school website, linked here. There is a link to the Opt Out information for both the NWEA tests on the left side of the webpage. Please complete the form and return it to the front office. If you did one in the fall, you do not need to do it again. However, it would be helpful if you remind your student that they are opted out of the NWEA as well.
Specific Dates:
- Week of May 6 - NWEA Reading in regular LA classes
*If a learner misses a test, they will make it up upon return.
BMS Staff Member of the Week - Jolene Spicer!
Congratulations to Ms. Spicer on being named BMS Staff Member of the Week!
We are grateful for all you do for our learners!
MDE REDESIGNING ASSESSMENT REPORTS - YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
Do you have ideas about how the statewide assessment results, like the MCA, could be shared with the public and school and district staff?
MDE is beginning the process of redesigning the statewide assessment reports. This includes evaluating how student results are organized and communicated (including the labels like "does not meet” or “exceeds" the standards, and what the reports will look like for new academic standards). The redesigned reports will be seen for the first time in summer and fall 2025.
Please take the survey to share your experience. It should take no longer than 15 minutes. The survey is now open for submissions until May 19. Responses are completely anonymous.
tinyurl.com/state-testing-survey
Please reach out to mde.testing@state.mn.us with any questions or concerns about the survey or feedback process.
OPTIONAL SUMMER IPAD CHECKOUT IS BACK FOR 2024-25!
Families with learners who currently take iPads home in grades K-11 may now opt to checkout their district issued iPads for the summer months! We have been offering the optional summer iPad checkout since 2016. Nearly 70% of eligible families and learners last year opted to check out their issued iPads. Using RevTrak to agree to the updated 2024-25 iPad Loan Agreement will ensure that your child is set with their iPad check out for the entire 2024-25 academic year.
The option for Summer iPad checkout supports our efforts to foster open-ended, personalized learning opportunities; curiosity; exploration and continued access to creative tools and resources. It also allows students to continue to have access to technology that helps them stay connected to their schools, friends, family and the community during the summer months.
We encourage families to consider checking out their learner’s district issued iPad for the summer. The optional summer iPad checkout reduces the number of learners needing to participate in “spring collections” and the “fall checkout” process when schools are back in session. This shortens the amount of time that learners and teachers are without the use of iPads next fall. Those opting for summer iPad checkout will be set until spring 2025.
The updated 2024-25 iPad Loan Agreement, is available online and includes helpful information for iPads checked out for the summer and for the following school year. The RevTrak “iPad Loan Agreement” activities are live for each school site allowing parents, guardians, and learners the ability to review and agree to the terms of the 2024-25 iPad Loan Agreement and either opt to ENROLL in, or WAIVE participation in the iPad Protection Plan. The enrollment fee for the optional iPad Protection Plan is $35 for the 2024-25 school year, with no additional fee for the summer months.
Please note that if you have not used RevTrak yet, you will need to create an account and also know your child’s Student ID number to complete the registration process. If you used RevTrak for completing last year’s 2023-24 iPad Loan Agreement, the system has saved your parent and child account information. You will still need to know your learner’s Student ID number. The RevTrak e-Guides and Customer Account guide, along with the RevTrak Frequently Asked Questions provide helpful information for setting up and using the system.
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for more details on the optional summer iPad checkout, the iPad Protection Plan, and repair procedures. Individual schools will share end-of-year collection information for those not choosing to take advantage of this opportunity.
For families opting to check out their learner’s iPad for the summer, please know that iPad collection dates vary by school. It is therefore strongly recommended to use RevTrak to review and agree to the 2024-25 iPad Loan Agreement, determine if you want to waive or enroll in the iPad Protection Plan, and complete the “checkout” process as soon as possible.
REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION NIGHT AT FHS
8th Grade Students & Families,
You're invited to our 9th Grade Info & Registration Night on May 15, 2024, 7-8:30 pm at FHS Recital Hall. Discover our programs, meet staff, register for fall activities. Park in FHS East lot, enter through Door 29. Queries? Contact FHS Activities Office. We're eager to meet you!
Click here for further details on this night.
Middle School Spring and Summer Activities
New programming begins in March for middle school youth after school, evening, and on non-school days with Community Education! Babysitter Training, Horse Camp, IGNITE Golf, Kung Fu, and Machine Sewing start soon! The activity bus is available for students to take right after school.
Summer registration has also opened for camps and programs. Middle School youth can check out the IGNITE Camps, Tiger Athletic Camps, and great Summer Music Programming!
Register your youth today by clicking here.
In need of fee assistance? Youth on free and reduced lunch or who have extenuating circumstances are eligible to apply for fee assistance. Apply here: https://bit.ly/CE192FeeAssistance.
See the latest community postings!
ISD 192 shares community flyers for local events and activities, especially those run by non-profit, youth-serving organizations within the district, on our website. The community postings and resources can be found here.
Important Dates
April 23.............................................................Jazz Band Concert @ FHS
May 9................................................................Choir Concerts @ BMS
May 14..............................................................Choir Concerts@ BMS
May 16..............................................................Band Concerts @ BMS
May 27..............................................................NO SCHOOL
June 4...............................................................Last Day of School - Early Release @ 12:30pm
*Details for some activities will be shared closer to dates.
Attendance Line
If a student will be absent, a parent/guardian must call Boeckman Middle School’s attendance line at 651-460-1405 prior to 9:45 AM each day of the absence. We ask that parents/guardians provide the reason for the absence at the time they call. The school determines if the absence falls within the excused or unexcused parameters. If the school does not receive a call from the parent/guardian the day of the absence, the student’s absence is automatically unexcused.
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: 651-463-5025
Bus Company: 651-463-8689
School Fax: 651-460-1410
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