BCMS Bison Blast
Buffalo Community Middle School - August 2022
WELCOME BACK!
Greetings to all BCMS students and parents,
Sixth Grade Parent Night, Open House and the first day of school are quickly approaching. We wanted to send out some reminders and some additional information to help you get prepared for these important events.
Lockers:
- All 6th, 7th and 8th grade students will be assigned a locker that they will need to use with a school issued lock.
- It is important that students set up their locker and practice their combination.
- A double lock pack can be purchased for $15 at the front desk. BCMS is open Monday - Thursday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
- Your child is welcome to set up their locker and/or practice their schedule before Open House, the building is open 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday - Thursday for you to do that.
- Students do not need to bring a cell phone to school, as we have phones in every room of the school, but if your child chooses to bring a cell phone to school, it will need to be locked in their locker all day besides lunch. Cell phones will not be allowed in classrooms at all this year.
School Supplies:
- Every BCMS student will need a Bison Binder, which can be purchased at the BCMS front desk for $35.
- The zipper Bison Binders are required for students as part of our organizational education, in an effort to prepare them to be college and career ready. It is helpful when we are teaching students how to organize themselves, that they all have the same starting supplies.
- The Bison Binder and the supplies in it, encompass the majority of our required school supplies. There are a few classes that may require some unique materials, such as calculators in math.
First Days of School:
- Similar to our past schedule, our 6th graders will start school on September 6th. This gives our new students a chance to get acclimated to the building in a much smaller environment. Students will go through a mock schedule, practice the lunch lines, and be exposed to the culture and expectations of a BCMS student. We are so excited for this day!
- Our 7th and 8th grade students will start on September 7th.
Important Upcoming Dates:
- August 22nd, 6th Grade Bison Parent Night Program 6:30-7:30pm
- August 29th Open House & Student Pictures 4 - 8pm
- September 6th First Day of School – 6th Grade Students
- September 7th First Day of School – 7th and 8th Grade Students
- September 14th Make-up day for School Pictures
- October 17th & 18th BCMS Conferences 4-8pm
Thank you so very much for sharing your most precious gift with us.
We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
Matt, John and Katie
6th Grade Parent Night is Monday - August 22nd, 2022
BCMS will be open 6pm-8pm
The program will be 6:30-7:30 in the BCMS Mall
Please join us for an evening of learning, meeting, and exploring what middle school life will be like for your child. Parents will get a chance to meet with the building principals and ask questions. Although students may attend, the information shared will be geared towards parents. Students will have the opportunity to meet their teachers at open house the following Monday, August 29th.
Parents may also purchase locks & Bison Binders and sign up for the Parent Portal in the media center before or after the scheduled program in the mall. We encourage you to sign
up for the Parent Portal program which allows parents to go on-line and view secure information regarding attendance, grades and other data for their child. If you have signed up before you will not need to again. Parents will need to show a photo ID to sign up.
If you are unable to make it, do not worry. All of this will be available during open house too.
Below is a presentation and video with directions for organizing the Bison Binder:
BCMS Attendance Reminder:
You can see details about your child's attendance on Parent Portal.
If your child is going to be absent due to illness or vacation, please contact the BCMS attendance secretary: 763-682-8242
You can keep up-to-date with your child's progress on Campus Parent Portal:
Meals are no longer free for the 2022-2023 - Complete Application for Free/Reduced meals:
Meals are no longer free for the 2022-2023 school year due to a change in USDA funding. New applications need to be submitted every year.
By completing an application for Free/Reduced meals your child(ren) may also qualify for additional benefits such as:
* Internet Service Fee Discounts
*Utility Fee Discounts
*Activity Fee Discounts
*ACT Test Fee Discounts
*Applications also help the school district qualify for education funds and discounts.
APPLY ONLINE
Online applications are encouraged and can be found on Campus Parent (formerly Parent Portal) under More>Meal Benefits>Meal Benefits Application.
REQUEST AN APPLICATION
Paper copies of the application can be mailed to you upon request. Please email khinrich@bhmschools.org or call 763-682-8772 to make this request.
PICK UP AN APPLICATION AT THE BCMS FRONT DESK
MAIL COMPLETED PAPER APPLICATIONS TO:
BHM Schools Nutrition Services District Office
214 1st Avenue NE
Buffalo MN 55313
BCMS 2022-2023 Daily Schedule:
BHM Year At A Glance:
Contact Teachers
Grade Level Principals:
6th Grade - Katie Gohl: <katiegohl@bhmschools.org> 763.682.8205
8th Grade - Matt Lubben: <mlubben@bhmschools.org> 763.682.8203
Grade Level Counselors
6th Grade - Ashley Kamphenkel: email <akamphenkel@bhmschools.org> phone # 763-682-8217
7th Grade - Penny Thalacker: email <pthalack@bhmschools.org> phone # 763-682-82198th Grade - Kaitlin Kolbinger: email <kkolbinger@bhmschools.org> phone # 763-682-8220
Buffalo Community Middle School
Email: mlubben@bhmschools.org
Website: http://www.bhmschools.org/schools/buffalo-middle
Location: Buffalo Community Middle School, 1300 State Hwy 25 NE, Buffalo, MN, USA
Phone: 763-682-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Buffalo-Community-Middle-School-459840964033797/
Twitter: @BCMSBison