The Boeckman Buzz
March 3, 2024
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A Note from Principal Sage
BMS Families,
This week, Boeckman Middle School will be hosting our annual Celebration of Learning on Tuesday, March 5th from 4:00 to 6:00. All families are invited to attend with their child to celebrate their accomplishments and learning this school year. Your child will be completing an itinerary (learning passport) at school to help guide their time and each classroom space will have evidence of learning or experiences for families to engage in. Additionally, cash concessions, which will include pizza, will be available for purchase. We are excited for this event and hope that you can join us!
Though not required, optional drop-in conferences will be available on Thursday, March 7th. Below is the entire Spring Conference schedule.
Tuesday, March 5 (4:00pm-6:00pm) -
4-6pm Spring Celebration of Learning
Thursday, March 7 (1:30pm-7:00pm)
1:30-5:00: Drop-in
5:00-5:30: Dinner Break (teachers not available)
5:30-7:00: Drop-in
As a reminder, Thursday we will have an early release at 1:30 and there is no school on Friday.
We look forward to seeing you all this week!
Thanks,
-Joe Sage, Principal
Spring Celebration of Learning and Conferences!
We wanted to make families aware that BMS will be hosting a Spring Showcase of learning on Tuesday, March 5 from 4:00 - 6:00 in place of our scheduled conferences. All families are invited to attend with their child to celebrate their accomplishments and learning this school year. Each classroom space will have evidence of learning or experiences in which families can engage. We are excited for this event and hope that you can join us!
The full conference schedule can be found below. The second night of conferences is Thursday, March 7. This night will provide time for families to engage in drop-in conferences. Families who attend the spring celebration of learning do not have to attend the drop in conferences.
To provide more clarity, we would like to highlight the different components for each of these nights:
Break: There will be no scheduled conferences during this time.
Learning Showcase: Each learner will be given a passport that will guide their experience this evening. Over the course of the next few weeks, they will be preparing this so they know what classrooms to attend and whether they will be demonstrating a skill or showing off an artifact. At each stop, learners will show family members either a skill they have learned in the class or an artifact they have created. The purpose is to highlight their learning!
Conferences (drop in) - Teachers will be stationed throughout the school in the cafeteria and in the team pods. You can come and visit with them as needed. Parents do not need to attend the learner showcase and drop in conferences. Drop in conferences typically last around 5 minutes.
Tuesday, March 5 - Spring Showcase
4-6pm Spring Showcase
Thursday, March 7 - In person Drop-in Model
1:30-5:00: Drop-in
5:00-5:30: Dinner Break
5:30-7:00: Drop-in
Band Jubilee - March 4th
The 8th Grade Band will perform in the Farmington Band Jubilee on March 4 at the FHS Gymnasium.
Band members need to arrive at 5:15pm for rehearsals. They need to wear their BLACK BAND SHIRT and BLACK PANTS. Bring instruments from home, including French horns, baritone, and tubas. Doors open to the audience at 6:30pm and the concert begins at 7:00pm.
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:
- March 14 & April 15 -8th grade only - MCA Science in regular science class
- April 17 & April 18 – Math MCA: we will follow MCA Alternate Schedule
- April 24 & April 25 – Reading MCA: we will follow MCA Alternate Schedule
Tiger Stripe Winners!
Celebrating our outstanding PBIS award recipients of the week! Big shoutout to these learners who earned Tiger Stripe messages and were randomly chosen for a special prize.
Grateful for the amazing community support and generous donations that make it possible to acknowledge and reward these dedicated learners! #BMSPride #WeAre192
BMS Staff Member of the Week - Natascha Gillen
Let’s give a huge round of applause to our BMS Staff Member of the Week, Natascha Gillen! Natascha is not just a teacher, but an absolute inspiration in the classroom! Her dedication to guiding our learners through their learning journey is truly commendable.
Thank you, Natascha, for your passion, expertise, and commitment to our learning community! #BMSPride #WeAre192
Important Dates
March 4............................................................Band Jubilee Concert (8th Grade)
March 5............................................................Student Showcase
March 7............................................................Student Conferences - 2 Hour Early Release
March 7............................................................End of Trimester
March 8............................................................NO SCHOOL - Staff Development Day
March 19..........................................................Ensemble Concerts @ BMS
March 25-29....................................................Spring Break
*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