BFHS Bluejay Beat
OCTOBER 2024
BONDURANT-FARRAR HIGH SCHOOL CORE VALUES
- Communicate and Collaborate Effectively
- Solve Problems
- Persevere
- Be Culturally and Socially Respectful
MESSAGE FROM MR. GARNASS
Respectfully,
Erik Garnass
@erikgarnass
Follow us...
Facebook: BondurantFarrarHS
X: @BF_HighSchool & @BlueJayNation
Website: bfschools.org
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT BFHS?
Bondurant-Farrar Activities Page
Check out the Bondurant-Farrar Activities homepage for the most up to date information:
Bluejay Activities Podcast
NFHS Crisis Text Line
SAFE2DRIVE
Here's an exciting opportunity for your school to offer Driver Education to your students online. Safe2Drive’s Iowa Parent-Taught Driver Education course allows parents to teach their teens Driver Education in order to qualify for their driver’s license. The course consists of online coursework and an instruction manual for parents to teach the behind-the-wheel component of Driver Education to their teen. As of July 1st, the Parent-Taught Driver Education online course is no longer exclusive for families of homeschooled children but is available to any student who would otherwise qualify and who is currently attending a public school or accredited nonpublic school, or who is receiving homeschool education under chapter 299A.
If you’d like to offer your students Safe2Drive’s online course, we can provide you with a promo code for your students to get a discount on the course price, or we can pay you an affiliate fee for each student you refer—it’s up to you! This is a great way to provide a low-cost and convenient option for your students to fulfill their Driver Education requirement and get their driver’s license. Your school can even earn money while doing it!
So, what are you waiting for? Promo code: BFHS10
We look forward to working together to provide Iowa’s teens with the education they need to be safe on the road.
Sincerely,
Penny Beaty, Marketing Manager
Suggestion Box
Please fill out the fields below to outline the issue you want to address and a solution you think would be helpful. While not all suggestions may not be implemented, all will be reviewed and considered.
You can submit your suggestion and remain anonymous if you like.
You only need to submit your contact information IF you want to receive feedback regarding your suggestion.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Many of our families have utilized our electronic form to submit COVID-related questions and comments throughout the pandemic. Because of its success, we've created a new form to electronically submit GENERAL comments, questions, and concerns. This is in an effort to increase opportunities for two-way communication with district stakeholders. The link is referenced in this communication guide and can be found anytime in the footer of our website. Visit: www.bfschools.org/contactus
High School Counseling Department
Amber Joyce
Ms. Joyce is the high school counselor for all grades, last names , A-G
Her email is joycea@bfschools.org
Cormick Michael
Mr. Michael is the high school counselor for all grades, last names, H-O
His email is michaelc@bfschools.org
Casey McMurray
Mrs. McMurray is the high school counselor for all grades, last names, P-Z
Her email is mcmurrayc@bfschools.org
Again this school year, our school counseling department will be structured by alphabetical last name to support and assist our high school students. Ms. Joyce and Mr. Michael has joined the BFHS Counseling team for the 2024-25 school year. Below you will find the appropriate counselor and alphabet associated with each one.
Ms. Joyce will be the school counselor for students with the last names from A-G.
Mr. Michael will be the school counselor for students with the last name from H-O.
Mrs. McMurray will be the school counselor for students with the last name from P-Z.
COUNSELORS CORNER
It’s okay to not be okay! It’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. If you need help with your mental health, please reach out to a trusted adult that can help you find the support you need. If you need any information regarding mental health resources, please reach out to your school counselor.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Text or Call
Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.
Project Recovery Iowa
RESOURCES WHEN IN NEED
7-12 School Social Worker
You can contact Mr. Hotek at hotekm@bfschools.org
REMINDERS
Just a reminder of a couple things at the end of the year.
1) All Juniors need a second dose of the meningococcal vaccine to be able to return to school this fall. If you take CPR over the summer, please bring a copy of it to school so you can get that graduation requirement checked off. If you completed CPR during health 1, this completes the graduation requirement.2) All incoming 9th graders need a dental screening.
3) All athletes need a sports physical prior to participation - this includes marching band, as well as cheerleading, dance and sports.
4) Finally, a reminder of the policy regarding medications at school as listed below (from the handbook)
Administration of Medication to Students
A. Proper labeling:
Prescribed medication: All prescribed medications shall be maintained in the original prescription container and labeled with the following:- Name of student
Name of medication
Directions for use/storage
Name of physician
Name and address of pharmacy
Date of prescription
- Over the counter medication: All over the counter medications shall be maintained in the original container in which they were purchased.
B. Parent/Guardian written consent on a dated statement:
A parent/guardian signature on a statement requesting and authorizing the school personnel to administer the medication must accompany the medication. BP 507.2
C. Record of administration:
Each time the medication is administered, a record shall be maintained in the nurse's office.
The record shall include the student's name, date, time, name of the medication, amount
given per electronic charting.
D. Medication reactions:
Any unusual conditions or behaviors following the administration of medication
should be reported to the school nurse, if available or to the parent/guardian
immediately. Reactions to medication should be recorded.
E. Definition of medications:
Those health products covered by the medication policy include all prescription medications and over-the-counter products, including but not limited to: pain relievers, cold remedies, cough syrups, antacids, cough drops, throat lozenges, etc.
F. Security:
- No medications are to be carried during school hours by students nor stored in pockets, purses, school bags, lunch boxes, lockers, teacher desks, sports equipment bags, etc. The only exception would be with a physician’s written orders and a parent/guardian written authorization for a student to carry the medication with him/her for self-administration as necessary (i.e. inhalers, diabetic supplies, emergency medications).
ALL medications, either prescription or over-the-counter, must be brought to the school nurse by a parent or other authorized and approved adult. Absolutely no medications are to be transported to/from school by any student. Any student found with unauthorized medications will be referred to school administration.
All medications will be stored in a secure area, accessible only to those who are authorized to administer the medication.
The building principal shall designate those in each building who are authorized to administer the medications. Those authorized will receive instructions from the school nurse concerning administration and confidentiality of medications.
ATTENTION 11TH GRADE PARENTS/GUARDIANS
As you are making your student’s doctor’s appointment for their physical this year, please remember that the meningococcal vaccination is required after the age of 16, but before they can enter 12th grade. The Iowa Department of Public Health made changes to the Iowa Immunization laws several years ago There is NO grace period for this requirement. In order for your child to attend the first day of school in August 2024, written proof of these vaccinations must be provided to the High School Health Office.
IMMUNIZATIONS
On July 1, 2013, the Iowa Legislature made a change to the Iowa administrative code to require a second dose of the Meningitis (Meningococcal) vaccination for all adolescents enrolled in the 12th grade. This dose must be given after their 16th birthday. All students entering their senior year are required to have these vaccinations on file with the school nurse prior to the first day of school. Please call your healthcare provider or the Polk County Health Department for more information and to set up an appointment to receive this important vaccination or to obtain a properly executed medical or religious exemption form.
SPORTS PHYSICALS
FROM THE DESK OF MR. SCHNUR (SRO)
As the School Resource Officer for the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District, I will distribute preventative information regarding several topics directed towards students and parents/guardians each month. Some topics will include, internet safety, tobacco use, drugs, alcohol use, stranger danger, vandalism/criminal mischief, assault, sexual crimes, gang activity, peer pressure, texting and driving just to name few.
Bondurant-Farrar High School
Email: garnasse@bfschools.org
Website: bfschools.org
Location: 1000 Grant Street North, Bondurant, IA, United States
Phone: (515) 957-8191
Twitter: @BFHS_News
It is the policy of the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator; Chad Carlson, Director of Administrative Services, 300 Garfield St SW, Bondurant, IA 50035, 515-967-7819, carlsonc@bfschools.org. -OR- Director of the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-7204, Telephone: (312) 730-1560, Facsimile: (312) 730-1576, Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov