The Boeckman Buzz

BMS Families,

This past week, we had the opportunity to meet with our Parent Ambassador group. During our meeting, we discussed our achievements throughout this year and collected feedback around our fall conferences. Similar to previous years, the group expressed interest in supporting our learners and staff by planning enjoyable events throughout the school year. They've got some winter season ideas in the works and will be sharing more details soon.

As a district we have realigned $4+ million dollars to balance our budget. The board also made a decision to use assigned fund balance dollars to balance the $2.7 million deficit for the 2024-25 school year. However, the district still faces a budget deficit in 2025-26 of $4-5 million. In addition, the current operating levy that was passed in 2015 will expire after the 2025-26 school year. Expiration of this levy would result in a loss of approximately $5 million per year.

To address our financial challenges, the board voted unanimously to schedule an operating levy referendum election for November 5, 2024. The proposal on the ballot will ask voters to revoke the district’s existing operating levy of $696.15 per pupil and replace it with a new levy of $1,556.15 per pupil. The new levy will provide approximately $11 million ($5 million from the previous levy and $6 million from the new levy) per year for 10 years.

For more information can be found below and on the district website.

• Visit the Referendum FAQ.
• Visit the Budget and School Finance FAQ.
• Email referendum@farmington.k12.mn.us.

-Joe Sage, Principal

Join us for a fun night of bowling hosted by our BMS Parent Ambassadors to support our teachers!

• Cost: $10 per person for one hour of bowling, including shoe rental.

• A portion of each ticket will go to the Parent Ambassador program to help show our appreciation for teachers!

• Maximum 5 bowlers per lane, and at least one adult is required per lane.

• Please note: this is not a drop-off event.

We hope to see you there! Please use the QR code to sign up!

If your child is getting special education services we would love to have you join us for the next Special education advisory committee meeting on November 14 at 5:30 at the Special Services Center, 421 Walnut Street. NAMI will be our guest speaker. See attached flyer for details.

This week students will be learning about elections and the electoral college within their Social Studies class. Learners have discussed in detail the process our country uses and how our elected officials are chosen. On Tuesday, November 5th, students will now put that learning into practice by voting in a school wide election. This will be done in their 1st hour and each class will represent a state based on their class size. The winner of the electoral college will then be announced on Wednesday. Learner’s votes will remain anonymous, and they will have the option to not vote as well.

Congratulations to our BMS Tiger Stripe Winners of the week! These outstanding individuals lead by example every day, showing integrity, compassion, and responsibility in all they do. We’re proud to celebrate their contributions to our school community. Keep up the amazing work!

#WeAre192 #BMSpride

Shoutout to our BMS Staff Member of the Week, Kerry Giesen! As a 7th-grade science teacher, Kerry builds engaging lessons that spark curiosity and inspire a love for learning. She’s loved by her learners and truly makes a difference every day! Congratulations, Ms. Giesen! #BMSPride #WeAre192

#WeAre192 #BMSpride

Name: Chris Shidla

What is your position at BMS: Special Ed Teacher

What is your hometown: Bloomington, MN

What information would you like to share about yourself (family, interests/hobbies, college, etc.): I enjoy spending time with my husband, Lyle and our two dogs, Molly and Mitchell. When we are not working, we hike/walk, travel to visit family/friends across country, Ireland, baseball stadiums, and historical sites. We also spend a lot of time watching the MN Twins either on T.V. or going to the games.

What is something people are surprised to learn about you: Being part of a military family (Husband, Retired Air Force), I had the opportunity to take a ride in a C130 Cargo plane and I have been inside the Pentagon.

What excites you the most to work at BMS: I am most excited to be part of the BMS Family! I love connecting and working with staff and students. One of my favorite parts of the day is observing students get that “ah-ha! moment when they understand a new concept!

What is your favorite memory from Middle School: I have two favorite memories. My first memory was when I played the clarinet at a band concert. We played the song, 1812 Overture. Super fun and surprising to hear the “Boom” in a barrel! The second memory is when we took our 8th grade trip to D.C. I’ve enjoyed traveling to D.C. ever since!

What is one big goal you have for this school year: My goal this year is through collaboration with others, create individualized approaches/strategies to guide students with increasing their academic and self-management skills.

Farmington Community,

We are looking for family and community volunteers to be present at Boeckman Middle School through our BMS Friendly Presence Program. We are excited to offer this volunteer opportunity and welcome the larger Farmington community into BMS. We are hoping many of you take this opportunity to be involved in our learners’ experience. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete this google form.

We want to create opportunities for you to support our youth here at Boeckman Middle School. The time commitment is very flexible and we are only building the volunteer bank at this time. Please consider joining us on a regular basis or a couple of times a year to be part of the BMS Friendly Presence Program.

When volunteering for Friendly Presence you might do any of the following.

• Be in the halls between and during classes

• Eat lunch with learners

• Assist teachers in providing learning opportunities

• Helping learners with coursework and/or time management

• Help create positive messages around the building

• Learner and staff appreciation events

You will be able to pick your times and share with us the activities you would be interested in and comfortable with while being a presence in our building. We want to find volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule and talents. If you have ideas or talents to share with Friendly Presence, let us know and we’ll work on creating that opportunity for you.

All volunteers will attend a short meeting to introduce Friendly Presence and complete our district’s background check. We will offer training multiple times at the beginning of the year and throughout the year.

We can’t wait to continue to build our community partnerships and have you in the building. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at 651-460-1400.

We will begin the program and trainings for this after the MEA break.

Joe Sage, Principal

Dan Thompson, Assistant Principal

Farmington Community Education invites you and your staff to join us in making a life-saving impact at our upcoming Community Blood Drive! We’re teaming up with Memorial Blood Centers to provide a convenient way for our community to donate blood and support those in need. Memorial Blood Centers is the primary supplier of life-saving blood to air ambulances across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.

Community Blood Drive Details:

Date: Friday, November 22

Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: Meadowview Elementary, Community Education Wing (Please check in at the Memorial Blood Centers table at Door 22)

How to Participate: If you are interested in donating, simply register for an appointment below or feel free to walk in on the day of the drive.

Schedule a time: https://www.mbcherohub.club/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/74490

Enter Sponsor Code: 4717

Thank you for supporting this life-saving mission. We hope to see you there!

November 26.........................................Fall Band Concert - 8th grade only

November 27.........................................End of Trimester 1

November 28 & 29.................................NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

December 3...........................................Jazz Band Concert - 8th grade only

December 6...........................................Flexible Learning Day

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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