BCMS Bison E-News
WEB - Where Everyone Belongs
On September 4th, Where Everybody Belongs, or the WEB program, had an opportunity to welcome all 6th grade students to BCMS on their first day of school. WEB is a peer mentorship program that empowers and trains 8th grade students to guide 6th grade students through their transition to the middle school. This year BCMS has 90 WEB leaders that have been assigned to groups of 6th grade students. Our 8th grade leaders will mentor their “weblets” for their entire 6th grade year with an emphasis on building relationships and having fun. Our leaders and 6th graders agreed that one of the highlights of orientation was the lively school tour. (see picture below)
In September WEB leaders stopped by Prime Time classrooms and delivered a piece of candy to each 6th grader. It was a great way to follow up with each student and to see how they are feeling about the first weeks of school. In October our WEB leaders will host an exciting, music-filled Limbo Contest. As the year progresses students will have more opportunities to make connections with both their WEB leaders and the other members of their WEB groups. BCMS believes that WEB is “Doing What’s Best for Kids!”!
A/B Daily Schedule
BCMS Daily Schedule
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BCMS Fall Conferences
Hello BCMS Families,
BCMS Fall Conferences will be held on November 15th and 19th from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. Conferences are optional, as you can also use the Parent Portal, teacher websites, and Google Classroom to keep updated on your child's progress. We have made a few changes to our building conferences, moving us closer to a system that works for all.
We ask parents to select a start time in order to spread out our building traffic throughout the night. During the time you select, you will have the opportunity to meet with each of your child’s teachers. Please note the entire process will take approximately 45 minutes. Find your child's section which is listed alphabetically by team or last name, unless your child is in the Quest Program - then please sign them up under Quest.
Questions? Contact Tonia Poncius at 763.682.8249
6th Grade Student Sign Up
7th Grade Student Sign Up
8th Grade Student Sign Up
Counseling Corner: Supporting students on their Middle School journey.
How can a School Counselor help my child?
The BCMS Counseling Team would like to inform parents of the services and resources they offer to students and their families. Counselors help students through personal counseling, group counseling, academic planning, goal setting and assistance accessing community and mental health resources. Counselors practice a solution focused and problem solving approach.
If you have a concern about how your child is performing in school, how they are functioning personally or socially, or you’re just wondering if your pre-teen/ teenage child’s behavior is developmentally appropriate, please contact your child’s grade level counselor.
The Student Services google page explains all of the different ways that we assist and advocate for students and links to community resources. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you feel there is something we can do to help your child.
BCMS - Student Services Website
Looking for ways to connect with your middle school student!?
*Have your student show you their grades - Your student is really excited about that good grade they received in that class
*Attend school events - Even though your student might not admit it, they want you to be involved and interested in their schoolwork.
*Go for a walk together - Do an internet search for “middle school conversation starters.” You’ll be amazed at what you can find out about your kid during a short walk together!
*Create Memories - Pick their favorite meal and make it together.
*Set aside time - When you are riding in the car with your child, make that a positive time to talk about his/her day
* Be available - Let your student know you are there to listen, you don’t need to solve the problem.
Penny Thalacker
(763)682-8219
Kaitlin Kolbinger
(763)682-8220
Ashley Kamphenkel
(763)682-8217
BCMS Picture Re-Take Day
New Campus Portal App for Students and Parents
Infinite Campus has two NEW and IMPROVED mobile apps: Campus Student (for students) and Campus Parent (for parents). Download your free app for real-time access to the following: announcements, assignments, attendance, grades, schedules and much more!
If you are using the old Infinite Campus app, you will need to download the new app. The old app will no longer be supported. You can download the apps from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
BCMS Knowledge Bowl Team Wants YOU!
Ready for Knowledge Bowl?
KB is a team contest in which students compete in written and oral rounds by answering questions related to all areas of learning. The questions test students’ recall, problem solving and critical thinking skills. The major emphasis at this level of competition is to enjoy participating and to experience team competition.
KB is an interdisciplinary academic program for students. Question sets will include questions from a mix of disciplines, including American history, world history, government, current events, economics and law, geography, literature, English, math, physical science, life science, earth science, health and psychology, art and music, and general knowledge of Minnesota.
We attend meets where we compete with area schools. Teams consist of six members and all six members compete in both the written and oral rounds.
Sign up begins October 1. https://bhmschools.feepay.com/
Practice begins in November and runs through December.
BCMS Goes to Washington DC!!!
Get your BCMS Yearbook!
There's nothing like getting your copy of the Buffalo Community Middle School official yearbook. It's the limited edition collection of our school's stories for this year. Don't let your student miss out on sharing and reliving the big events that will make this year special.The online store is now open to order a yearbook. Book price is $34.00 and if you order before 10/12/18 you receive free icons!
You may also with cash or checks. Make any checks payable to BCMS. You or your student can turn them into the front office, Natasha, or Jeannie. You can order online using the link below:
http://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1062892/Buffalo-Community-Middle-School/
Book Price $34.00
Natasha Leach
BCMS English and Yearbook
763.682.8314
BCMS Wellness Corner
School Health Services – Providing Health Promotion and Support for students.
World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10th every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
Here in Buffalo, community agencies are teaming up to provide a free event titled “Let’s Talk About It” on Wednesday, October 10th at Buffalo High School PAC. Come at 5:30pm for Dinner and Resource Fair / 6:30pm program. The goal of this event is to raise awareness of mental health issues and create a space to have community conversations, resources, and support in the hopes of improving the lives of all Wright County residents.
This Free event is brought to you by the Bounce Back Project and SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education). People of all ages and families are encouraged to attend.
In addition, October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Buffalo High School will be hosting a free Dental Clinic for Middle School and High School students during school hours. This clinic is provided by local dentists and Operation Grace. This is our 3rd year of hosting this clinic and it has had great success!! Middle School students are welcome to attend; transportation to the High School will be provided. To sign your Middle School student up for this free clinic please call Mary at the Middle School Health Office: (763) 682-8208.Emergency Test Message—October 11
BHM Schools want to ensure that we are communicating with parents in the most effective way possible. On Thursday, October 11th, 2018, mid-morning, the district will send out a district-wide emergency test message to parents and guardians from our parent notification system. You should receive a call, email and text message (whatever information you have on file with your child's school). Especially with the upcoming winter months, we want to be sure parents/guardians don't miss any important messages from the school or the district about cancellations or delays. Remember this is ONLY a TEST and NO action will likely be necessary.
Substitute Teachers WANTED to join our BCMS Team!
Substitute teachers and ESPs needed to join our BCMS team
The District is looking to hire substitute teachers and educational support professionals for the 18-19 school year. If you love working with kids, this is the perfect job. You get to choose when you are available to work!
You can help with substitute teaching if you hold any four year degree. If you hold a 4-year degree, but not in the field of education, you may apply to become a Limited Short Call Substitute Teacher through MDE.
If your are interested in subbing as a teacher or ESP, go to the BHM Website to fill out an application. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Human Resources Office at 763.682.8712
Upcoming Election Information
Annual Notifications from Buildings and Grounds - 2018/19
Annual Notifications from Buildings and Grounds
2018-2019 School Year
· Asbestos: Annual Notification of Availability of the Management Plan and Related Activities
The Management Plan is available for viewing by interested parties, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm in the Principal’s Office at each school site. Copies of the management plan are available from the District for nominal cost. The Asbestos Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires that each school district notify parents, guardians, and staff annually regarding asbestos-related activities. All of the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District buildings have been inspected for asbestos-containing materials according to AHERA protocol, using accredited inspectors.
As required by Federal law, the condition of asbestos in our school is surveyed every six months as part of an ongoing operations and maintenance program. The most recent survey was completed in June 2017. A comprehensive inspection is conducted every three years. The latest three-year inspection was completed in December 2014. Concerns identified from these inspections are remedied by professional asbestos abatement contractors in a timely manner. The remaining asbestos in the district buildings will remain unless its condition deteriorates, or it becomes necessary due to renovation. ISD 877 has on file a complete and updated management plan dealing with asbestos containing building material (ACBM) within the school district’s buildings. The management plan is available for viewing by interested parties, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Principal’s office at each school site. If you have any questions or concerns, please address them to the District “Designated Person” for asbestos management, John Heltunen, Director of Buildings and Grounds, at 763.682.8773.
· Janet B. Johnson, Parents Right-To-Know Act, August 2003
A Minnesota state law went into effect in the year 2000 that requires schools to inform school employees and parents if they apply pesticides on school property.
Specifically, this law requires schools that apply these pesticides to maintain an estimated schedule of pesticide applications and to make the schedule available to employees and parents for review or copy at each school’s office. If you would like to be notified prior to pesticide applications made on days other than those specified in the estimated schedule (excluding emergency applications), please contact John Heltunen at 763.682.8773.
The long-term health effects on children from the application of such pesticides or the class of chemicals to which they belong may not be fully understood.
ISD 877 is continuing to work closely with its health and safety resources to comply with integrated pest management guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns, please address them to John Heltunen, Director of Buildings and Grounds.
· Indoor Air Quality Management Plan
As an additional requirement by the Department of Education, ISD 877 has developed and implemented an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan that addresses indoor air quality issues throughout the District. Walkthroughs and inspections of the buildings are performed annually to detect current problems and prevent future problems from occurring. Information is also available from the Minnesota Department of Health at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/schools/index.html. If you have any questions or concerns regarding indoor air quality, please contact the District’s IAQ Coordinator, John Heltunen.
Buffalo Community Middle School
Website: http://www.bhmschools.org/schools/buffalo-middle
Location: 1300 Minnesota 25, Buffalo, MN, USA
Phone: 763.682.8200
Facebook: Facebook.com/BCMSBison
Twitter: @BCMSBison