The Boeckman Buzz

May 15th-May 19th

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A Note from Principal Sage

BMS Families,


We had an exciting week at BMS as we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week. I want to give a huge shout out to our Parent Ambassadors. They spent a ton of time in the school this week making it a special week for all of our staff! We appreciate the support and commitment to our learning community!


As we continue this spring, we also wanted to offer the ability for parents to write a Tiger Stripe to our staff. As parents, your words can mean a lot to our staff. Linked here is a quick way to send a message of thanks to an individual staff member.


Our iPad Check Out is now live. If you have not done so already, please be sure to read more below in the newsletter.


I want to take a moment to congratulate our Assistant Principal, Dan Thompson, on being selected as the Minnesota Association of Secondary Principals (MASSP) Capitol Division Assistant Principal of the Year! Dan plays a pivotal role in our operations at BMS. We are lucky to have him serving our great school and community!


Looking forward to another great week at BMS!


-Joe Sage, Principal

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Thompson Selected as Capitol Division Assistant Principal of the Year!

Congratulation to Dan Thompson, Assistant Principal at Robert Boeckman Middle School, on being selected as the Minnesota Association of Secondary Principals (MASSP) Capital Division Assistant Principal of the Year!

Thompson joined ISD 192 in July of 2020. Prior to his work in Farmington, he taught language arts, science, and social studies at the middle school level in Eastern Carver County Schools for ten years and served as an as an Intervention and Equity Specialist for four years. He has also coached football, basketball and golf.

In ISD 192 Thompson is known for his willingness to assist and support others both at Boeckman Middle School and across the district. Earlier this year, when asked what his favorite thing is about working at BMS, Dan stated, "working with the kids is obviously my favorite part of the job, however, I really appreciate the pride the school and the community takes in being Tigers!"

In honor of Thompson during National Assistant Principals Week, Boeckman Middle School Principal Joe Sage shared, "Mr. Thompson plays a crucial role in our operations ensuring our learners and staff are supported. On behalf of everyone in our BMS Community, thank you Mr. Thompson!"
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Getting to Know our BMS Staff - Highlighting Molly Krey!


  • What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?
    Travel to my family cabin up north to relax on the water....and take naps! 😉
  • What is your favorite thing about BMS? My favorite thing is that I have the opportunity to work with all our amazing staff in the building to support our kids. I feel lucky that I enjoy the people I work with each day and a lot of them are way more than just coworkers.
  • First thing you notice about a person? How the flow of conversation is and if they seem genuine/friendly.
  • Something you still want to learn? I would still like to learn how to snowboard. My sister in law lives out in CO, so it would be a blast to try it!
  • What is your favorite breakfast food? A scramble skillet with ALL the veggies and bacon.
  • What is your favorite family tradition? For thanksgiving, we host both sides of our family. After dinner, we play the horse racing game (if you know, you know) and pass the ace.
  • Ocean waves or Rain sounds? Ocean waves because then it is very likely I am on vacation and I love to travel!
  • Early Bird or Night Owl? For sure NOT an early bird. I used to be a night owl, but now with young kids- I sleep when I can.
  • Would you rather be Stuck in an Elevator or Stuck on a Ski Lift? Stuck on a ski lift- even though I am afraid of heights.
  • What is the last book you read? The Biggest Story by Sarah Cole- it's Connor's current favorite story to read before bed! Children's books and grad. school reading are really the only books I have time for lately. I'll take any good suggestions for this summer if you have them!
  • Girls Soccer

    Attention Girls Soccer Players/Families: Any girls who are interested in playing middle school or high school soccer next school year please read this attachment. In the attachment you will find important dates for this summer and fall, coach contact info, girls soccer social media and Schoology information, and summer soccer camp information.


    Registration for that is found at this link https://farmingtonstrength.com/2022/04/07/training-camp-2023/

    iPad Checkout is Back

    Families with learners who currently take iPads home in grades K-11 may now opt to checkout their district issued iPads for the summer months! This is our eighth year offering optional summer iPad checkout. Last year nearly 75% of eligible families and students opted to check out their issued iPads. Using RevTrak to agree to the updated 2023-24 iPad Loan Agreement will ensure that your child is set with their iPad check out for the entire 2023-24 academic year.


    The option for Summer iPad checkout supports our efforts to foster open-ended, personalized learning opportunities; curiosity; exploration and continued access to creative tools and resources. It also allows students to continue to have access to technology that helps them stay connected to their schools, friends, family and the community during the summer months.


    We encourage families to consider checking out their learner’s district issued iPad for the summer. With the optional summer iPad checkout, fewer returning students will need to be scheduled through a “fall checkout” process when schools are back in session. This will shorten the amount of time that students and teachers are without iPads next fall. Those opting for summer iPad checkout will be set until spring 2024.


    The updated 2023--24 iPad Loan Agreement, which includes helpful information for iPads checked out for the summer and also the following school year, is available online. In addition, the RevTrak “iPad Loan Agreement” activities are live for each site allowing parents, guardians, and learners the ability to review and agree to the terms of the 2023-24 iPad Loan Agreement and either opt to ENROLL in, or WAIVE participation in the iPad Protection Plan. The enrollment fee for the optional iPad Protection Plan is $35 for the 2023-24 school year, with no additional fee for the summer months.


    Please note that if you have not used RevTrak yet, you will need to create an account and also know your child’s student ID number to complete the registration process. If you used RevTrak for completing last year’s 2022-23 iPad Loan Agreement, the system has saved your parent and child account information. You will still need to know your learner’s Student ID number. The RevTrak e-Guides and Customer Account guide, along with the RevTrak Frequently Asked Questions provide helpful information for setting up and using the system.


    Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for more details on the optional summer iPad checkout, theiPad Protection Plan, and repair procedures. Later this month individual schools will share end-of-year collection information for those not choosing to take advantage of this opportunity.


    For families opting to check out their learner’s iPad for the summer, please know that iPad collection dates vary by school. Therefore, it is strongly advised to please use RevTrak to review and agree to the 2023-24 iPad Loan Agreement, determine if you want to waive or enroll in the iPad Protection Plan, and complete the “checkout” process as soon as possible.


    Thank you!

    Farmington Area Public Schools, ISD 192
    20655 Flagstaff Avenue, Farmington, MN 55024
    district@farmington.k12.mn.us | 651-463-5000

    Social Emotional Learning Survey (May 15- 26, 2023)

    We thank you and your family for being our valued partners as we work together to educate the students in our district. ISD 192 values input from our students as they are important partners as we work to improve our communication, academic programming and overall experience for everyone.


    In order to learn more about student experiences at school, we will be asking for feedback from students in grades 3-12 via an online survey they will be completing at school during the window of May 15-26, 2023. The survey should take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.


    If a student doesn’t feel like they have enough information to answer a question, they will be able to skip the item altogether. The responses to these surveys will be completely confidential.


    To read more about this survey, click here

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    ISD 192 Summer Camps Begin June 12!

    Are you wondering what to plan for your child’s summer? Community Education has several camp and class opportunities for youth ages 2-grade 12! Summer camps span a wide range of activities, including Art, Music, Sports, Theater, Academics, STEM, and much more! There is plenty for families to choose from to fit everyone’s interest!


    To see a list of our offerings in our Catalog, click here.


    Know what you want to sign up for? Click here to register!


    Fee assistance is available for students who receive free and reduced lunch, or have extenuating circumstances. To apply, please fill out a request at https://bit.ly/192CEFeeAssist.

    Spring Band Concert Information

    May 18 – 8:00pm Concert for Beginning Band, 6th Grade Band, and 8th Grade Band

    Concert Location: FHS Recital Hall

    Arrival: FHS at 7:30pm for the concert.

    Dress: Band Shirt, Black pants

    Tubas, baritones, French Horns – bring instruments from home

    IMPORTANT DATES

    May 15 & 16....................................Choir Concerts @ FHS

    May 18...........................................Beginning Band, 6th grade band, 8th grade band (8:00pm, FHS)

    May 23............................................7th Grade band – (7:00pm, FHS)

    May 29............................................NO SCHOOL

    June 7.............................................8th Grade to Valleyfair

    June 8.............................................Last Day of School - Early Release


    **Save the Dates**

    August 24......................................6th Grade WEB Orientation 8:00am-12:30pm

    August 29......................................Open House 2:00pm-7:00pm

    September 5................................. First Day of School


    *Details for some activities will be shared closer to dates.

    Summer Instrumental Music Offerings

    Registration for summer instrumental music offerings including pops band, jazz band, ukulele, and semi-private lessons is now open. These offerings are available to learners entering grades 6-9 for the 2023-2024. Please check the flyer for more details.


    Contact Rachel Gorden Mercer at rgordenmercer@farmington.k12.mn.us or Joe Lasko at jlasko@farmington.k12.mn.us with questions.


    Register here:

    https://farmington.ce.eleyo.com/course/4291/2022-23-ce-catalog/middle-school-pops-and-jazz-bands

    Middle School Sports Opportunities

    For years, Farmington Community Education has offered intramural co-ed basketball and an intramural co-ed combination of football & soccer. Starting in Fall 2023, Farmington CE will now be your source for the following interscholastic middle school sports: girls volleyball, girls tennis, girls soccer, boys soccer. Wrestling will be offered in the winter; and track & field will be offered in the spring.



    Interscholastic Opportunities: this is for participants to compete against other middle schools in the BSC (Big Suburban Conference) as done previously. It is important to note that school-bus transportation will not be available to or from those other schools on meet/match days.

    Continued intramural opportunities in co-ed football & soccer will be offered again in the fall and in co-ed basketball in the winter. Those will entail a combination of teaching of basic skills and drills and some game-like opportunities against others in the program. All participants are from Dodge and Boeckman. The after school shuttle bus will still be available for middle school students that need to get to the other building.


    Registration opens June 28.

    For more information visit http://bit.ly/192CEMiddleSchoolSports.

    For more information, feel free to email middleschoolsports@farmington.k12.mn.us

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    Subbing for Farmington Area Schools

    Farmington School District has some great opportunities for you! Have you ever thought about subbing as a teacher? Here is your chance to get more information about it. It is a great way to have the same schedule as your children and be involved in the schools. The links below will bring you to a website that will give you more information on how to get a license.


    https://mn.gov/pelsb/assets/Short%20Call%20Substitute%20Teaching%20License%20Guidance%20POST_tcm1113-451855.pdf

    https://mn.gov/pelsb/assets/Application%20for%20a%20Short-call%20Substitute%202021%20POST_tcm1113-485445.pdf


    Also, please check out the other opportunities in the Farmington School District.

    https://www.farmington.k12.mn.us/news/what_s_new/we_re_hiring_

    Infinite Campus Mobile App

    Download your free app for Campus Parent ​app (parents/guardians) or the Campus Student app (students) from your device's mobile app store for real-time access to grades, attendance, schedules, announcements and more!

    Follow us on Social Media!

    BMS Website and the Boeckman Buzz

    Please take some time to visit the BMS Website where you will find an abundance of helpful information to support your middle school student. The Boeckman Buzz is an electronic publication that you will receive via email every week from our principal Mr. Sage and the Boeckman Buzz is always available on the BMS website. It is very helpful to take time to read through this publication to keep updated on upcoming events and happenings.

    About us

    The mission of Boeckman Middle School, 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


    Objectives

    • Each learner continuously grows in their learning.

    • Each learner engages in reflection to guide their future decisions and actions.

    • Each learner explores a variety of ideas and experiences supporting personal growth.


    Action Steps:

    • We will share and utilize research-based, culturally responsive practices to personalize learning. -

    • We will create safe and empathetic communities that optimize learning and prioritize well-being. -

    • We will develop and design reporting methods that promote ownership for learners and families while supporting a growth mindset.

    • We will create learner-centered systems that honor uniqueness and nurture curiosity.