BFHS BlueJay Beat
DECEMBER 2019
BONDURANT-FARRAR HIGH SCHOOL CORE VALUES
- Communicate and Collaborate Effectively
- Solve Problems
- Persevere
- Be Culturally and Socially Respectful
MESSAGE FROM MR. GARNASS
Wow! The Thanksgiving break has come and gone... We are now staring down the approach of our winter break which also means another step closer to the end of semester one!
Our students have been plenty busy with activities, academics, and the arts this past month. As you read throughout the remainder of the newsletter, the busy schedule of our students will be apparent.
As I continue my classroom visits, it's exciting to see the many learning activities our teachers are producing and the large amount of student engagement that is taking place. A collaborative environment is essential to creating a positive learning environment for all. I have included some class snapshots within this edition.
The registration process for the 2020-2021 school year will be underway before we know it. Registration will take place in February and March. There will be some course changes in the science and social studies departments to accommodate changes to the curriculum standards. More information will be provided regarding the changes for each of the departments and courses in the coming weeks.
I hope you enjoy the rest of December and have a Happy Holidays!
Respectfully,
Erik Garnass
@erikgarnass
Follow us on twitter @BFHS_News & @BlueJayNation
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT BFHS??
CLASS SNAPSHOTS
December 16 - Winter Choir Concert
December 21-January 1 - - Winter Break
January 2 -- Classes Resume
Social Studies Update
A New Member
The Social Studies department welcomed Katherine Gable to our department this year. Gable replaced Matt Miller after he retired at the end of the last school year. Prior to teaching at Bondurant, Gable taught in Marshalltown. This year she is teaching both 9th grade U.S. History and Psychology. Gable is very familiar with the area as she and her husband (also a social studies teacher in Saydel) had already been living in Bondurant. We are thrilled to have Katherine in our department and even more excited for the couple as they welcomed their first child on December 3rd!
What’s Happening in Social Studies?
Current Issues - Students in current issues just wrapped up a unit on human rights. Students explored the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and explored examples of human rights violations occurring around the world, including recent genocides. Currently, students are exploring issues related to climate and water issues that have been problematic around the world.
American Government - While a majority of the nation struggles with the Political System, the Seniors in American Government are completely engaged. They have spent the fall immersed in 3 main units. They spent the first few weeks in the role of lawyers, discussing the involvement of females in the special forces; while learning about, the Judicial Branch, foreign policy, and equal rights.
Next, they spent time in a project in which a Dictator was overthrown and they were part of a UN Task Force that had to recommend a new government. This government was based on features of other nations and the history and demographics of the country.
The Class of 2020, just finished a project which focused on Federal and State Spending. They pretended to be part of a focus group whose objective was to cut a billion dollars from the Federal Budget, balance it between Liberals and Conservatives, and find other ways to cover the costs.
In the next few weeks, the students will take on the role of Campaign Manager, doing all the roles of that person. This will take us into some specific work with the 2020 Election for the remainder of the semester.
While America grows tired of the system, the Class of 2020 has formed some great views, ones they would be happy to share. So if you see them around town, don’t be afraid to engage with them. But be sure to defend your thoughts, because they will defend theirs.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to the following students for being recognized as the NOVEMBER Student of the Month in respective departments:
Art: Jasmine Miller
CTE: Sierra Boge-Kirby
Lang Arts: Lydia McCleary
Math: Nathan Anderson
Music: Paradais McCaslin
Science: Jordan Parton
Social Studies: Cody Hall
World Lang: Gunnar Bailey
CONGRATULATION TO B-F DANCE!
2019 HONOR SQUAD
Congratulations to Senior Kiana Drabek, and Juniors Jenna Fuchs and Lilly Pollard for being selected to the 2019 Honor Squad.
These young ladies practiced all day Sunday, and Thursday afternoon and evening, along with over 250 cheerleaders from the State of Iowa to prepare for this prestigious event.
They performed during the 1A and 2A final games at the UNI Dome Friday, Nov. 22, 2019.
The Iowa Cheerleading Coaches Association places all senior participants in a random drawing for a $250 Scholarship and Senior Kiana Drabek was one of the recipients.
Congratulations cheerleaders on a great performance!
Check out the official athletics site of Bondurant-Farrar HS for recent updates and news:
BFHS School Counseling Department
The end of the semester is in only a few short weeks away (Jan 11). It’s essential to finish the semester strong. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions regarding their progress in any class.
STRESS and the Holidays
The holidays are a time of celebration and events shared with family but for many, it is a very stressful time of year, and for some, it is even dreaded. Below are some tips to help control the stress:
Be in the moment when around friends and relatives - Put away cell phones, computers, and other distractions so you can focus on the people who mean the most to you.
Be sure to get enough sleep - Getting enough sleep enables us to stay focused and able to use our thinking and decision-making skills.
Delegate responsibility - Plan and ask others to help you, this will decrease your chance of setting yourself up for feeling frantic and overwhelmed. For example, ask your family to help you with cooking and cleanup. Work together with music in the background and make it an opportunity to spend quality time together.
Make time for exercise - Exercising for 30 minutes a day, a minimum of three days per week has consistently been shown to improve mood, sleep, and to reduce anxiety. Stretch/Walk/Run
Set aside differences - Try to accept family members and friends as they are. When possible, set aside another time to sort out family conflicts and grievances.
Take some time for yourself - Take a few extra minutes at night to read a good book, have a hot cup of tea, take the dog out, play with play-doh, or yarn or dig in the dirt, color in a coloring book, do a puzzle, or have a bubble bath.
Use Relaxation Techniques - Deep Breathe or Meditate - Lie on your back and focus on your breathing. Download a relaxation app on your phone and take 10 minutes for yourself. Have a massage or do some yoga.
Communicate with Others - It’s ok to be a little stressed and to let someone know you need to talk through your feelings or have some time to yourself. We need to express our emotions instead of keeping them bottled up so long you blow up.
Learn to say NO - You can’t do it all and others will understand if you can’t do everything. Set small achievable goals.
Seek professional help if you need it - Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, sometimes even unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or mental health professional — below numbers that are available 24/7, call and see your local physician if you are having problems.
Iowa Crisis Chat
Text or call 855-325-4296
Iowa Crisis Chat Resources
https://www.iowacrisischat.org/resources/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800-273-TALK (8255) - Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
Seniors, it’s time to complete FAFSA!
Click here for a quick video and priority dates from ICAN.
Looking ahead
Thursday, November 14 - AP REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR AP TESTS IN MAY
Friday, November 15 - Last day to sign up for DMACC spring classes
December 14 - ACT Testing Date
Tammy Kaufman
Important Numbers/Websites
Suicide Prevention LIfeline 1-800-273-8255
Casey McMurray
Mrs. McMurray is the counselor for the Classes of 2021 & 2023. Her email is mcmurrayc@bfschools.org
ACT Registration Info
RESOURCES WHEN IN NEED
Attention Seniors: CPR REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION
The Healthy Kids Act (Senate File 2425) requires all students by the end of grade twelve shall complete a certification course for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR can be taken with the nurse during flex your senior year, or you can take the Red Cross on line CPR course at aeak12online.org Sign in using your school Google account. Select one of two CPR courses (Adult only or Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED). Once you complete the course, print off the certificate and bring it to the nurse.
ATTENTION 11th GRADE PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Please be aware that the Iowa Department of Public Health has made changes to the Iowa Immunization law regarding the Meningococcal vaccine starting the 2017/18 school year. All students entering 12th grade must have proof of having two meningococcal vaccines before school starts their senior year. There is NO grace period for the implementation of this requirement. In order for your student to attend the first day of school in August, written proof of these two vaccines must be received in the High School Health Office.
Please make arrangements now to receive these vaccines and provide written proof to your school nurse as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this new requirement.
Health & Academics
The academic success of America’s youth is strongly linked with their health and is one way to predict adult health outcomes. Healthy students are better learners. Health-risk behaviors such as early sexual initiation, violence, and substance use are consistently linked to poor grades and test scores and lower educational attainment.1-5 In turn, academic success is an excellent indicator for the overall well-being of youth and a primary predictor and determinant of adult health outcomes.6-8 Leading national education organizations recognize the close relationship between health and education, as well as the need to foster health and well-being within the educational environment for all students.9-12
Schools are the Right Place for a Healthy Start
Schools play a critical role in promoting the health and safety of young people and helping them establish lifelong healthy behaviors. Research shows that school health programs reduce the prevalence of health risk behaviors among youth and have a positive effect on academic performance.13 CDC analyzes research findings to develop strategies for schools to address health risk behaviors among students and creates tools to help schools implement these strategies.
Health & Academics: What the Research Says
Compared to students who received mostly As, those who reported receiving mostly Ds and Fs were:
More than 11 times more likely to have injected illegal drugs
More than 4 times more likely to have had four or more sexual partners
5 times more likely to miss school because of safety concerns
2 times more likely to feel sad or hopeless
Source: CDC. Health-Related Behaviors and Academic Achievement Among High School Students — United States, 2015. MMWR 2017;66:921–927.
FROM THE DESK OF MR. SADLER (SRO)
IOWA SEAT BELT LAWS
What Is Required by the Iowa Seat Belt Law:
· Iowa law requires all front seat occupants to wear a seat belt when the car is in motion on public roadways. Anyone under the age of 18 who is no longer in a car seat, must wear a seat belt in the front or back seat of a vehicle.
o A child under one years old and weighing less than 20 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system.
o A child under six years old must be secured in a child restraint system (a safety seat or booster seat - not a seat belt).
o A child from the age of six up to the age of 11 must be secured in a child restraint system or by a safety belt.
· Drivers must also ensure that all children (under 18 years of age) are in appropriate child restraint devices as required by Iowa’s car seat law.
· Iowa has maintained a primary safety belt law since July 1, 1986. A primary law means a law enforcement official may legally stop a motorist if they are observed not wearing a safety belt. In 2018, the Iowa Legislature passed a law requiring all passengers under the age of 18 riding in the backseat of a vehicle to be properly belted.
Exemption: Motor vehicles, except for motorcycles and motorized bikes, must have seat belts if they are the model year 1966 or newer.
The Backseat Exception: Iowa law does not require passengers who are 18 or older to wear seat belts in the backseat.
Recap: So what does this all mean? The only occupants in a vehicle that are allowed by law to not wear a seatbelt, are those 18 years of age or older and have to be riding in the backseat.
Studies:
· According to a University of Iowa study, 85% of people surveyed always wear a seat belt in the front seat, but only 36% of people surveyed always wear a seat belt in the back seat. The study found that many people report that they do not wear a seat belt in the back seat because it is not legally required in Iowa.
· Despite the responses about seat belt use, the survey also found that the majority of respondents strongly support an Iowa law that would require adult passengers to wear seat belts in the back seat.
· It used to be that the back seat was significantly safer than the front seat. However, with technological advancements, such as airbags, the difference is no longer as significant as it once was. Accordingly, adults in the back seat should consider buckling up to prevent being ejected from a vehicle, thrown around a vehicle, striking the driver, and seriously injured in a motor vehicle crash.
· Drivers using a seat belt with a passenger in the rear seat are 2.5 times more likely to die if the rear passenger is not wearing a seat belt than if s/he is.
Stats:
· Of adults who suffered fatal injuries in a motor vehicle crash from 2006-2012, when seatbelt use was recorded
- 53% of the drivers were using a seatbelt
- 60% of the front seat passengers
- Only 17% of those known to be seated in the rear seat
· According to Iowa Department of Public Safety surveys: Report that 94% of people always wear a seatbelt in the front seat.
· The Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau contracted with Iowa State University’s Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology (CSSM) to complete a data collection at numerous random sites for a period of time during the day from June 13th 2019 to June 25th 2019. 13,559 vehicles were observed with only 4,926 passengers in the vehicle front seat. Resulting in 603 drivers and 299 passengers not wearing their seatbelts.
· In 2018 there were 7,027 seatbelt citations issued in the state of Iowa.
· In 2018, there were 319 traffic fatalities in Iowa. On average, approximately 100-105 people die per year while not wearing a seatbelt.
· As of December 4th 2019, we have had 304 fatalities. Of those 304, only 108 was wearing a seatbelt, 78 without a seatbelt, 35 were unknown and 83 were not applicable (motorcycle, pedestrian, etc.)
How failure to wear a seat belt impacts a car accident recovery afterwards:
· Seat belts do not prevent car crashes. However, failure to wear a seat belt could impact your recovery in a crash. According to Iowa law, the failure to wear a seat belt is not evidence of comparative fault, but the failure to wear a seat belt may be considered to mitigate damages if the party introducing the evidence introduces substantial evidence that the failure to wear a seat belt contributed to the person’s injuries. If the judge or jury finds that there is substantial evidence that the failure to wear a seat belt contributed to a person’s injuries, then that person’s damages may be reduced up to 25%.
Penalties:
· Failure to wear/maintain safety belts $132.50
· Failure to secure child under 18 years of age $200.00
*For unrestrained passengers age zero to 13, the driver receives the citation, and for unrestrained passengers 14 to 17, the passenger receives the citation.
Common child safety seat misuses:
· Seat installed too loose
· Improper seating position (in front of an air bag)
· Not buckling child into restraint
· Not securely anchoring the child restraint to the vehicle
· Improper seat for child's age and size
· Infant riding facing forward
· Harness retainer clip not at armpit level
· Loose harness straps
To graduate to an adult belt:
· A child must be able to sit with their back/buttocks against the seat with their knees bent at the edge of the seat. The belt system must be snug across the center of the child's chest and across their lap at the hips.
Common safety belt misuses for children:
· Lap belt up on abdomen
· Lap belt loose, shoulder belt loose
· Shoulder belt behind back
· Shoulder belt under their arm
Infants (birth to one year)
· Weight: Up to 20-22 pounds
· Type of seat: infant only or rear-facing convertible
· Seat position: rear-facing only
· Children to one year and at least 20 pounds in rear-facing seats.
· Harness straps at or below shoulder level.
· Do not place infants in the front passenger seat of cars with air bags.
Toddler/preschool (Over one year)
· Weight: 20 to 40 pounds
· Type of seat: Convertible or forward-facing
· Seat position: forward-facing
· Harness straps should be at or above shoulders.
· Most seats require top slot for forward facing
· All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat.
Young children
· Weight: Over 40 pounds up to about 80 pounds and 4'9" tall
· Type of seat: belt positioning booster seat
· Seat position: forward-facing
· Belt positioning booster seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belt.
· Make sure the lap belt fits low and tight to avoid abdominal injuries.
Resources:
https://iowadot.gov/mvd/factsandstats
https://dps.iowa.gov/divisions/commissioners-office
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.445.pdf
https://www.icgov.org/city-government/departments-and-divisions/police-department/child-restraint-law-guideBondurant-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