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• Communicate and Collaborate Effectively
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• Be Culturally and Socially Respectful

The 2024-25 school year is off and running!

Staff welcomed our student body back from summer vacation with a brief assembly to kick-off the day on Friday, August 23 so they could meet our new staff and kick off the school year. As an entire building, we are excited for what this 2024-25 school year will bring. We are truly excited about the opportunities our students have at BFHS.

Later in this newsletter, Deputy Schnur provides information regarding Vaping. It provides some unfortunate statistics. This would be a good opportunity to talk with your child about the health risks related to this epidemic. We shared information with our student body during grade level meetings on the second and third day of school.

Homecoming 2024 - will be the week of September 30. Please see below for more information regarding all the week's activities, etc.

Pictures - Jostens picture make-ups and retakes will be on Wednesday, Sept. 18 during the school day. Students needing to make up or retake will be called down throughout the morning.

Attendance - we understand the changes to the new state of Iowa “Chronic Absenteeism” policy is an adjustment for all. One thing we ask is when a parent/guardian calls in or emails for an appointment, please provide the time your child is needing to leave for the appointment so our office staff can assist accordingly. We appreciate your assistance with this.

Please follow us on Twitter & Facebook (see below) for regular updates and information on life at Bondurant-Farrar HS.

I wish each and every one of you, an OUTSTANDING 2024-25 school year and please enjoy September's edition of the Bluejay Beat!

Respectfully,

Erik Garnass

@erikgarnass

Follow us...

Facebook: BondurantFarrarHS

X: @BF_HighSchool & @BlueJayNation

Website: bfschools.org

Ashley is a first year Strat. 1 Special Education teacher. She received her bachelor's degree in Sports Administration from Simpson College where she was also a member of the softball team. After realizing teaching and coaching was her passion, Ashley returned to Simpson College to complete her master's degree in Teaching. This school year, Ashley will be co-teaching within the Social Studies department as well as coaching volleyball for the Bluejays. Outside of school, she enjoys coaching, going to various Iowa sporting events, and spending time with friends and family.

Makenzie Jones is originally from Port Byron, Illinois. A small town that does a tug-of-war

across the Mississippi river every summer! She received her bachelor's degree from the

University of Northern Iowa. (Go Cats!) Ms. Jones is very excited to start her teaching career in

such a welcoming environment and looks forward to growing and learning alongside her

students. Ms. Jones will be teaching 9th grade Physics in the Universe and 11th grade

Chemistry. She enjoys reading, baking, and watching the Timberwolves!

Amber Joyce is a Maxwell, Iowa native. She got her bachelor's degree at Iowa State University

and her master's degree at University of Iowa. She coached volleyball leagues while at Iowa

State and Iowa. She was a school counselor and volleyball coach in Muscatine, Iowa from

2017-2020 before moving back to central Iowa in 2020 to be a school counselor and coach

(volleyball and baseball) at Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High for 4 years. Amber will be the school

counselor for high school students with last names A-G. She enjoys playing rec league sports,

watching Iowa State athletics, traveling around the US and abroad, cooking/baking, and

spending time with her three dogs (including her certified therapy dog, Eevee)!

Cormick Michael is from Norway, Iowa and moved to Des Moines in 2020. He is in his 5th year as a school counselor and will be the school counselor for students with the last names H-O. Prior to becoming a school counselor, he received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Northern Iowa. Go Panthers! In his free time, Cormick likes to play board and card games, read, and spend time with his family and friends. Whenever school is on break, he is trying to travel the world.

Kelly Obley is originally from Norwalk, IA. She received her bachelor's degree from Northwest

Missouri State University. Kelly began her teaching career in Missouri as a 3rd grade and High

School Special Education Teacher from 2014-2024. Kelly played soccer at NWMSU and has

coached youth soccer and high school basketball. She enjoys being outdoors, watching

sports, and spending time with her family. Kelly is so excited to be back home in Iowa and

joining the BFHS Team!

Joe Salazar was born and raised in deep south Texas. A college football scholarship brought Joe to Graceland University where he graduated in 2010. He met his wife in college and has lived in Iowa ever since. Joe received his master's degree in 2023 from Morningside University. Over the last 14 years Joe has worked at multiple schools throughout the metro, as well as coaching high school sports (football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, and track and field) Joe spends a lot of time cheering on his favorite teams, (Dallas Cowboys, Texas Longhorns, Atlanta Braves, and LA Lakers) when he's not watching his favorite teams, he is helping coach and cheer on his children in their various activities. Joe has lived in Bondurant since 2015 with his wife, and 2 children; Alessandra (9) and Jalen (6). Joe will teach special education and be an assistant varsity football coach.

Homecoming is on the horizon. Below is a list of activities we encourage our students to take part in.

Blue White Game Night and Blind volleyball will be held on Sunday, September 29 from 6-10 P.M. If a parent/guardian would like to volunteer to assist with this evening, please reach out to StuCo Advisor, Olivia Denham.

Homecoming Dance - Saturday, October 5 from 8-11 P.M. The theme is “HERE WE GO AGAIN!” The link to purchase tickets will be shared at a later date.

Dress up days:

Monday (Sept. 30) - PJ Day
Tuesday (Oct. 1) - Tacky Tourist Day
Wednesday (Oct. 2) - Teacher/Student Dress Day

Thursday (Oct. 3) - Twin Day
Friday Oct. 4) - Bluejay Spirit Day

Homecoming assembly/coronation/parade - Friday, Oct. 4

Homecoming shirt information will be coming out soon.

https://www.bfschools.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=1023

BF Bluejays

The NFHS has partnered with Crisis Text Line to encourage mental health support for teens across the country. Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention in English and Spanish by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need. Crisis Text Line promotes mental well-being for individuals, wherever they are. Individuals are encouraged to text the keyword “SHIELD” to 741741 if they are experiencing a mental health crisis – anything from suicidal thoughts or abusive relationships to difficult conversations with parents or anxiety about school workload.

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

www.safe2drive.com

As a valued member of our school community, your input is wanted and valued. We all have a vested interest in making sure that Bondurant-Farrar High School meets the needs of our stakeholders. We encourage your thoughts on solutions to problems you see from your perspective. Do you see a process that can be improved upon? Do you have a solution to improve current practices? Do you have creative insight into how we can grow in serving all of our students? We want to hear it!

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!

Parent/Student/Community Suggestion Box

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

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.

PSAT Test: For JUNIORS: (Just a reminder that 10th graders will test in the spring, information will be sent to them) The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a program co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). This test is for juniors to qualify for National Merit Scholarships. This is the only test that will qualify juniors for National Merit Scholarship opportunities. The qualifications for National Merit Scholarships are based on the student’s performance. Taking the PSAT is also an opportunity to practice taking assessments in a timed setting and can help prepare for future ACT testing. The PSAT test this year will be given at BFHS on Tuesday, Oct. 29th during the school day. The cost for this test is $18.00. There are 80 testing spots available for our high school and will be on a first come, first serve basis.

In order to take the PSAT, parents/guardians need to complete the form emailed to them by Tuesday, September 10th. If your child needs any testing accommodations, they need to meet with Mrs. McMurray by Friday, September 6th by 3:30 P.M. College Board will make a decision on any testing accommodations.

The $18 registration fee will be collected through RevTrack Webstore. If your child qualifies for free/reduced lunch, we possibly have a waiver available. The $18.00 fee will be added to your Infinite Campus account by Tuesday, September 17th. Payment will be required by Thursday, October 17th in order to take the PSAT test on October 29th, 2024.

College Connections at BFHS: Open to 10th, 11th, & 12th graders– This is a time to meet with college admission counselors to learn about colleges. They are a wonderful resource to answer questions about college and will be your point of contact for the schools you apply to. College admission counselors will be coming during WIN. Juniors and seniors can sign up to visit with them during WIN. Mrs. McMurray will have colleges listed in her WIN offerings when there will be a college connection available. This is a great way to get general information about colleges and ask any questions you may have. Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn more about the post-secondary institutions that you are interested in!

DMACC Classes: Please make sure you are staying on top of the requirements of your DMACC class. If you have any issues, please see your school counselor or Ms. Riley. Please remember your DMACC classes count toward the eligibility for extra-curricular activities. If you fail your DMACC class at semester you will be ineligible to participate for 20 days.

ICAN Alerts: ICAN is a great resource for post-secondary planning/information.

ICAN Senior Alerts are tailored to each class, and send out timely reminders of specific steps in the process for senior year. Alerts include application deadline reminders, important steps in the process, scholarship announcements, and events specific to seniors to help them succeed their senior year and successfully transition into their next steps be it college, an apprenticeship, or career.

This year we will be spending A LOT of time talking about and helping seniors prepare for the new FAFSA process, which is delayed until December/January. Get your senior signed up now so they don't miss any important steps.

Sign your Class of 2025 up and encourage your senior parents to sign up by sharing the ICAN link www.icansucceed.org/signup.

ICAN does offer sign ups for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders as well! Please go to www.icansucceed.org/signup to register for information!

Golden Circle College Fair: The 2024 event will be held in-person on Sunday, September 22nd from 1:00-3:00 P.M. at Prairie Meadows Conference Center, 1 Prairie Meadows Drive in Altoona. Visit www.ICANsucceed.org/goldencircle for the latest information on the fair, join the event online, or follow us on Facebook and X. All high school students and parents are welcome to attend this event!

ACT Test: The registration deadline for the October 26th test date is Friday, September 20th. Go to www.act.org to register for the ACT test. If you have any questions about the ACT test, please contact your/your student’s school counselor.

UNI, Iowa, & ISU have moved to Test-Optional Admission, HOWEVER, it is still highly recommended that you take the ACT test. Some scholarships and programs may still require a score. If you decide you do not like your test score, you can leave it off of the application and you would be considered test-optional. If your test score is at or above the average of the school you are applying to, it is encouraged that you include it as part of your application. Please see your school counselor if you have questions about submitting your ACT score for college admission.

Preparing for the ACT: Juniors and seniors have access to Methodize through their Xello account. This is an excellent way to prepare for the ACT. There are full length tests and content specific lessons to help students prepare to take the ACT.

The ACT will be available on the following dates for the 2024-2025 school year:

October 26th register by September 20th (This test will not be held at BFHS)

December 14th register by November 8th

February 8th register by January 3rd

April 5th register by February 28th (This test will be offered at BFHS)

June 14th register by May 9th

This is the link to register for the ACT: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html

CLICK HERE for FREE virtual counseling and assistance for all Iowans needing support

If you or someone you know is in need of resources dealing with mental health or addiction, please visit our link HERE. Please reach out to our school counselors at any time!

You can contact Mr. Hotek at hotekm@bfschools.org

September 18: Picture Retake Day

September 30 - October 5: Homecoming Week

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:

1. 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).

2. 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.

3. All medications will be stored in a secure area, accessible only to those who are authorized to administer the medication.

4. 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.

At the end of the school year or the end of the dispensing time, remaining medication must be picked up by the parent or an authorized and approved adult within two weeks of the last day of school. All medication not picked up will be disposed of in an appropriate manner in accordance with medication disposal guidelines as set forth by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency)

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.

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.

All athletes need a sports physical before participation - this includes marching band, as well as cheerleading, dance, and sports .

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.

In recent years there has been a lot of changes in the market for nicotine and vaping products. Juul was a major brand before being successfully sued for targeting nicotine to teens with fruit flavors. Vuse was the next brand to hit the market which became wildly profitable due to marketing towards teens and young adults. Vuse was sued and banned from making fruit flavored vaping devices by the Food and Drug Association but were allowed to continue to make menthol and tobacco flavors. These products can be found in almost every gas station, are cheap to buy and highly addictive.

The new vaping devices since Vuse come in small, box shaped devices and are exploiting a loophole in the FDA’s current regulations. These devices are made by brands such as Puff Bar which have skirted the FDA regulations. The FDA ordered Puff bar to stop making and selling their products in 2020 because they circumvented regulations. In 2021, Puff Bar brand released its “Tobacco” free vaping devices, yet again skirting federal regulations and gaining immense sales. Puff Bar and many other brands now contain synthetic nicotine which is made in a lab with chemicals and not tobacco plants. Brands argue that the synthetic nicotine is safer for those who use their products, but it is arguably more dangerous since it was not tested or approved across the board.

Synthetic nicotine is derived from petrochemical based sources,aka fuel, oil and petroleum.Since it is not naturally derived from a tobacco plant, companies can modify the chemical compounds to fit their markets. They can also add more nicotine to their products than was originally available from the tobacco plants. This makes one Puff Bar type device contain as much or more nicotine than a carton of cigarettes. With these devices containing fruity flavors to lure teens in and immense amounts of nicotine, addiction is almost a guarantee.

Main Side Effects of Synthetic Nicotine:

• Addiction

• Mood Disorders (Anxiety, Depression, Irritability and, Brain Fog)

• Alter Brain Development

• Mouth Sores, Burns and Receding Gums

• Stomach Issues (Nausea and Lower Intestinal)

The best course of action is to never become associated with these products and that way you never risk addiction. If you need assistance with quitting these products, please visit www.mylifemyquit.org for resources and help. There are counselors and courses that can assist you online, at your own pace to help you with quitting.

As always, my office is always open if you need anything.

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

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