FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 8, 2020

IOWA BANDMASTERS ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES BONDURANT-FARRAR SUPERINTENDENT

Rich Powers Recipient of 2020 Superintendent Outstanding Administrator Award

BONDURANT, IA: On May 6, 2020, Dr. Rich Powers, superintendent of the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District (BFCSD) was announced the recipient of the 2020 Superintendent Outstanding Administrator Award by the Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA). 

Powers, who has served as superintendent since 2014, was nominated by BFCSD’s 5-12 instrumental music team, which consists of Kat Breitbach, Trey Hill, and Braden Wipperman. The team credits Powers for being a strong advocate for the district’s band program and making decisions that have allowed for additional space, staff, and equipment to assist the rapidly growing program.

Per his nominators, “Under his leadership, the community passed a bond for an addition to the high school, which included classroom space, a new band room, and a performing arts facility. He openly advocated for the district’s assistance with the purchase of 100 new band uniforms, with the intent of purchasing additional uniforms in the future. At the younger grade levels, he has supported the purchase of several new tubas, euphoniums, bass clarinets and horns, as well as upgrades to space that are currently underway at the middle school building. Additionally, his budget management and influence has allowed for an additional instrumental music staff member to be hired.” 

Recognizing the importance of music in schools, Powers said "Music can be the door to life-changing experiences for our students. Braden, Kat, and Trey understand this perfectly!” Powers went on to say, “It has been rewarding to see students shine because of their efforts. I am very proud of what they do for our students each day.”

The IBA annually selects three administrators nominated by member band directors to receive an Outstanding Administrator Award. According to the IBA, administrators selected exhibit leadership traits that support the growth and success of the band programs, students, directors, and school communities. One administrator is selected at the middle school, high school, and superintendent levels.  

Reflecting on the selection, nominators Breitbach, Hill, and Wipperman said, “The many ways in which Superintendent Powers and the entire administration support the band program allow for incredible learning opportunities for our students. This award is the perfect kind of recognition to express our thanks.” The group went to state, “The arts are a critical component of a student's education. It is clear that Dr. Powers keeps this in mind as our district continues to grow and change.” 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Bondurant-Farrar Community School District

Jessica Hartgers, Communications & Admin. Assistant

hartgersj@bfschools.org

Iowa Bandmasters Association 

Danny Kleinheinz, Public Relations

kleinheinzd@waterlooschools.org

For more information, contact:
Jessica Hartgers
515-967-7819
hartgersj@bfschools.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2020

Bondurant-Farrar Receives STEM BEST Program Award

 

As part of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council initiative to bring teachers and industry professionals together to help prepare students for STEM careers, Bondurant-Farrar Community School District (BFCSD) was selected to be a 2019 STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program Partner. BFCSD and twelve other new or expanded partnerships were selected to receive up to $25,000 each.

 

The STEM Best Program supports school-business partnerships that allow teachers and industry professionals to work side-by-side on curriculum and projects that give students actual workplace experience and an understanding of the opportunities and required skills for careers in STEM fields. STEM BEST has also laid the groundwork for other successful statewide initiatives such as Future Ready Iowa’s Work-Based Learning Clearinghouse. 

 

At BFCSD, the STEM BEST Program will take a multipronged approach to engaging students and teachers with businesses in the area. At the elementary level, BFCSD students will learn about careers that tie to the content they are learning about. At the middle school and high school, BFCSD students will be taking time to learn about careers through targeted activities such as career fairs and mock interviews. Additionally, the Bondurant-Farrar High School be adding a class that works to solve problems in the community, at businesses, and for non-profits.

 

“This program is meant to bridge the gap between businesses and education,” said Donovan Hill, District STEM Coordinator at BFCSD. “The school district is excited to work with local businesses in order to continue to provide the best education for our students.”  

 

To be considered for a STEM BEST Program award, applicants were required to submit a comprehensive proposal that incorporates rigorous and relevant STEM curriculum, valuable partnerships with community businesses or organizations, real-world learning opportunities and expertise at the post-secondary education and training level. These awardees will serve as a model to share unique perspective, strengths, demographics and program focus with other schools throughout Iowa.

 

Participating employer partners contribute to a dollar-for-dollar match with some going above and beyond the cost-share requirement. The awards can be used for the curriculum development and coordination, educator training and development in workplace-classroom integration and preparing the work-based learning environment.

 

The 2019 STEM BEST Program awardees are:

 

• BCLUW Community School District in the North Central STEM Region
• Bondurant-Farrar Community School District in the South Central STEM Region
• Cedar Rapids Community School District in the Southeast STEM Region
• Clarinda Community School District in the Southwest STEM Region
• Clear Lake Community School District in the North Central STEM Region
• Griswold Community School District in the Southwest STEM Region
• Jesup Community School District in the Northeast STEM Region
• MMCRU Community School District in the Northwest STEM Region
• New Hampton Community School District in the Northeast STEM Region
• Saint Albert Catholic Schools in the Southwest STEM Region
• Stanton Community School District in the Southwest STEM Region
• Waterloo Community School District in the Northeast STEM Region
• West Des Moines Community School District in the South Central STEM Region

 

A total of 63 STEM BEST partnerships have been established since the program launched in 2014. For more information about the STEM BEST Program, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov/STEMBEST.

 

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Governor’s STEM Advisory Council
Established in July 2011 via Governor’s Executive Order, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies, and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa’s educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain our State’s historic leadership position in education, and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 50-member Council is chaired by Governor Kim Reynolds and Accumold president and CEO Roger Hargens. For more information, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.

 

Bondurant-Farrar Community School District

BFCSD is committed to providing students with optimal opportunities to succeed socially, emotionally and academically. Frequently recognized as being high-achieving, the district takes pride in providing top-notch educational resources for students and staff. Technology is largely integrated into student learning at all grade levels, with 1:1 initiatives in place for grades 3-12 and an approximate 2:1 learning environment in grades K-2.

For more information, contact:

Jessica Hartgers

Administrative Assistant & Communications

515-967-7819

hartgersj@bfschools.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 16, 2019

MORRIS ELEMENTARY CELEBRATES NEW ACADEMIC WING AND GYMNASIUM

Public Invited to Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

BONDURANT, IA: In 2016, residents of the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District (BFCSD) voted in support of a $21 million bond referendum that included additions to Bondurant-Farrar High School and Morris Elementary. Both projects were necessary to accommodate the district’s increasing student enrollment. At Morris Elementary, the additions included a second gymnasium, eight-room academic wing, a new preschool playground, and increased parking. The district will celebrate the completion of the projects at Morris Elementary with a ceremony on October 23.

Morris Elementary opened in the fall of 2014 with a multi-purpose space that had served as the cafeteria in addition to a gymnasium for physical education. The opening of the additional gym allows the district to meet students’ needs through greater scheduling options. The building can now serve approximately 800 students.  

The added eight-room academic wing sits on the northwest side of Morris Elementary and is now home to the district’s Bluejay Beginnings Preschool Program, and provides direct access to the new playground area. Additionally, a portion of the new classroom wing was constructed to serve as a tornado shelter for the building. 

The projects were designed by FEH Design of Des Moines, and Story Construction of Ames served as the construction manager. 

The public is invited to celebrate the completion of this project during an informal ceremony on October 23, 2019, at 2:15 p.m. The ceremony will include a ribbon-cutting by the Justin and Stephanie Andersen family, and recognition of individuals who contributed to the project. Following the opening, guests can enjoy light refreshments. Visitors are asked to park in the south lot, and enter through the southeast doors of Morris Elementary, 700 Garfield Street SW, Bondurant, IA 50035.

About Bondurant-Farrar Community School District

BFCSD is committed to providing students with optimal opportunities to succeed socially, emotionally and academically. Frequently recognized as being high-achieving, the district takes pride in providing top-notch educational resources for students and staff. The size of the district allows students the individual attention needed to succeed while providing a wide range of unique opportunities. 

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 12, 2019

BONDURANT-FARRAR FACING A FUNDING SHORTFALL OF NEARLY $900,000

The Error Nor Its Correction Within The District’s Control

BONDURANT, IA: As reported recently by local media, the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District (BFCSD) is currently facing a nearly $900,000 funding shortfall for the 2020 fiscal year which represents 9.5% of the district’s budgeted property tax receipts or nearly 3% of it’s overall expected revenues from all local, state, and federal sources. The funding shortfall is a result of the correction of a $47 million overstatement in the 2018 taxable property assessment valuation used in the preparation of the district’s budget for the 2020 fiscal year.

 

The error nor its correction were within the district’s control. While no immediate actions have been taken by the BFCSD Board of Education, the district’s main priority is to limit any impact on students and property taxpayers within Bondurant-Farrar.

 

While BFCSD is in a strong financial position at the end of the 2019 fiscal year, the district is working with legislators to see what relief can be offered to help ensure these budgeted expenditures can be fully funded.

 

The district is also seeking stronger assurances from Polk County and the State of Iowa that the data used by districts in the preparation of future budgets is factually accurate. BFCSD is also interested in seeking legislation that requires school districts that are financially impacted by these large development agreements to have more of an opportunity to understand and provide feedback on the agreement prior to being approved by local cities or counties.

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For more information, contact:

Rich Powers, Superintendent

Bondurant-Farrar Community School District

515-967-7819

powersr@bfschools.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2019

Patti Davis Named a National Finalist for High School Student Council Adviser of the Year

Bondurant-Farrar High School Adviser is One of Seven Nominated for the National Award

BONDURANT, IA: Patti Davis of Bondurant Farrar High School in Bondurant, IA, has been named a finalist for the 2019 Warren E. Shull High School Student Council Adviser of the Year Award sponsored by the National Student Councils (NSC) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).  

Davis is one of seven finalists, representing Region 5, from which a national high school winner will be announced during NSC’s annual conference in Pittsburg, PA this summer.

Davis has been involved with student council and a student council adviser at Bondurant-Farrar for 28 years. In addition to being a student council adviser, she is also a cheer coach. She shows students the value of becoming involved in her community by being active herself. Some of her volunteer activities include mentor coordinator, flag football program founder, athletic booster member and Jay Shop coordinator, Presidential Service Award coordinator, education foundation charter and current member, silver cord coordinator, Susan G. Komen Race cheer coordinator, knitter for the American Heart Association, and student ambassadors coordinator.  

Through student council involvement in school board and city council meetings, Davis has fostered a relationship of cooperation with students and adults. She has also been actively involved with the Iowa Association of Student Councils by bringing students to the Iowa Student Leadership Conference and preparing them to present break-out sessions. She annually attends the Adviser’s Conference, sharing ideas and acting as a role model for new advisers.

A former student and student council president, Isla Ekstam (Bondurant-Farrar’s Class of 2017), nominated Davis for the Warren E. Shull Award.

Of the award, Davis feels honored and humbled. “Everyday I learn something new from our students and I feel that, along with all the advisers I have worked with at Bondurant-Farrar and throughout the State, has made me the adviser I am today,” said Davis. She goes on to honor the countless number of students she has advised, saying “It is definitely all about the years of students I have had the honor and pleasure to work with, truly a leadership group.”

“The finalists for the Warren E. Shull Award are skilled educators who epitomize the commitment student council advisers make to promote leadership, service, and civic engagement as qualities of good citizens through student council,” said Ann Postlewaite, Director of NASSP Student Programs. “NASC congratulates Patti Davis for her exemplary efforts to nurture and develop these qualities in high school student leaders.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2019

FACEBOOK'S ALTOONA DATA CENTER AWARDS OVER $33,000 IN COMMUNITY ACTION GRANTS

BONDURANT, IA: On Thursday, March 28, Bondurant-Farrar was awarded three different Facebook Community Action Grants at the grantee reception, hosted on the Facebook campus in Altoona. This year, grant applications were funded for Morris Elementary, Anderson Elementary, and Bondurant-Farrar High School totaling over $33,000.

 

Due to this generous grant, the students and teachers at Morris Elementary will have access to thirty Virtual Reality kits.  These kits will mean that a greater number of teachers will be able to lead their students through mini-trips in virtual reality that will enhance the classroom learning.  With these thirty kits, students will be become more immersed in their learning by being able to see what they are learning about.  

 

Anderson Elementary will utilize their grant award to place two 65 inch touch screen displays into collaborative learning environments.  These displays will allow students to work on a common screen and work together on their common goal.  The students will gain hands-on experience working with others in a 21st century way.  

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 12, 2019

B-F ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED FOR PBIS EFFORTS

BONDURANT, IA: Both Anderson Elementary and Morris Elementary have recently been awarded the Banner Plus Level of Recognition from the Iowa PBIS State Leadership Team for their implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in the 2017-2018 school year. There was a series of criteria that each building had to meet in order to qualify for the award. During the past several years, staff members at each building have spent a great deal of time and effort in developing and implementing behavior supports for the students of Bondurant-Farrar.

 

Behavior expectations are taught universally throughout the school building. Students see and hear about being Bondurant's BEST in areas such as the hallway, lunchroom, classroom, restroom, playground, and the school bus. Teachers help guide classroom discussions on what this looks like and sounds like for students. Student recognition for positive behavior is provided by students earning BEST Tickets as well as students being recognized as "Student of the week".

 

Supplemental supports and Interventions have been developed for students who struggle with behavior, providing additional layers of support. Students are able to utilize a Check-in and Check-out (CICO) intervention that provides extra contact with a teacher who helps keep track of behavior performance throughout the school day. Students receive extra encouragement from the teacher while increasing the level of accountability for student behavior. Social and academic group learning has also been incorporated as an intervention. Teachers and counselors meet with small groups of students who struggle with the same or similar skills over the course of 4-6 weeks. Specific social skills are taught during this time to help students (ex: friendship skills, organizational skills, self-regulation skills). Practice in these skills links directly back to the school-wide behavioral goals and expectations, known as Bondurant's BEST expectations.

 

Discipline data and intervention data are tracked and analyzed on a monthly basis by a team of staff members. Using the behavior data, each building was able to show that at least 70% of students accessing interventions are showing positive results. This is a tremendous accomplishment!!

 

Congratulations to the staff of Anderson Elementary and Morris Elementary for all of their hard work in helping create a safe and supportive learning environment for students.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 8, 2019

 

BONDURANT-FARRAR CSD RECEIVES COUNSELING PROGRAM RECOGNITION

 

BONDURANT, IA: Bondurant-Farrar Community School District has been named a District of Distinction by the Iowa School Counselors Association (ISCA).  This designation recognizes school districts that are committed to implementing comprehensive school counseling programs which address the career, academic, and social-emotional development of all students.  

 

The school counseling program at Bondurant-Farrar CSD is led by Megan Barber, Lisa Miltenberger, Jennifer Hurley, Lisa Rinehart, Tammy Kaufman, and Casey McMurray.

 

To receive this designation, school counselors must complete an extensive application documenting all aspects of their counseling program across the entire school district, showing their commitment to students through best practices for school counseling programs, utilizing state and national standards. This distinction recognizes those school counselors who have committed to reflective practices and districts that support a comprehensive school counseling program as an integral part of the educational experience for all students.

 

“This year’s District of Distinction recipients exemplify the collaborative nature of school counselors in impacting student success,” said Sheryl Cline, ISCA President-Elect.  “The recognition encourages school counselors across Iowa to continue to strive for excellence.”

 

This year is the inaugural year for ISCA’s District of Distinction and Bondurant-Farrar CSD is one of four districts in Iowa receiving the recognition this year.  Recipients are announced during National School Counseling Week (Feb. 4 – 8, 2019) and will be recognized in person by their peers at ISCA’s annual conference in November.

 

To learn more about the Iowa School Counselor Association and this recognition, visit www.iowaschoolcounselors.org

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 10, 2018

BONDURANT-FARRAR HIGH SCHOOL OPENS NEW AUDITORIUM TO ACCOMMODATE GROWING STUDENT BODY Public invited to Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Community Concert

BONDURANT, IA: In 2016, residents of the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District (BFCSD) voted in support of a $21 million bond referendum that allowed for the construction of a performing arts auditorium, larger band room, and 22 classrooms at Bondurant-Farrar High School (BFHS), as well as additional classrooms and a second gymnasium at Morris Elementary. These projects were necessary to accommodate a student population that has more than doubled over the last 17 years. While construction at Morris Elementary recently started, and is expected to be complete in the spring of 2019, the district will unveil the final phase of the BFHS addition, a state-of-the-art auditorium, at a grand opening ceremony on October 16.

The new auditorium features state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, dressing rooms and space for set construction. The project was designed by SVPA Architects of West Des Moines, and Story Construction of Ames served as the construction manager. There was an extensive planning period to ensure all needs were met by the new performance space, and construction began in the spring of 2017. BFHS did not previously have an auditorium, and the new space will be used for theater productions, choral performances, band concerts, professional development, and various community events.

“This project was a priority because we did not previously have the capacity to host our growing arts programs and student body,” said Erik Garnass, BFHS principal. “It is essential that we offer an exceptional learning experience for every child enrolled in BFCSD, and this addition increases the opportunities available to our all of our students, both today and for years to come.”

BFHS exceeded its practical capacity in 2016. 569 students are currently enrolled at BFHS, and district wide enrollment is predicted to continue increasing by roughly 125 students each year. The auditorium is part of a larger addition which included a new band room, storage for arts programs, a 22-classroom wing and remodeled counselors’ suite, all of which opened earlier this year, and now allows BFHS to accommodate approximately 1,000 students.

“I am proud of the support the community has shown throughout this process,” said Rich Powers, BFCSD Superintendent. “The board was very clear that this facility needed to be exceptional. I think the team has exceeded expectations with the finished product. We are looking forward to the many student events we will have in this new space.”

The public is invited to celebrate the grand opening of the auditorium with a community reception on October 16, 2018, at 6:00 pm. The ceremony will include a ribbon-cutting, short performances by BFHS band and choir students, and recognition of individuals who contributed to the project. Following the grand opening, guests can enjoy light refreshments in the new academic wing. At 7:00 pm, a vocal concert featuring the BFHS choir and their guests, the North Polk High School choir, will follow the grand opening. Behind-the-scenes tours of the auditorium and new band room will be available around 8:00 pm. Both events are free and open to the public.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 26, 2018

BONDURANT-FARRAR RECEIVES COMMUNITY BETTERMENT GRANT TO FUND WI-FI ON BUSES

BONDURANT, IA: Bondurant-Farrar Community School District will soon offer wireless internet on a portion of the district’s bus fleet.  

The district is a 2018 recipient of the Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant program. The grant, totalling $20,068.86, will fund the installation of wireless internet routers on seven buses that are typically used to transport students to and from activities. This addition will allow students participating in extra-curricular activities to complete homework assignments while traveling to events.

Through administering a survey to students in grades 7-12, it was reported that nearly 75% of respondents are involved in extra-curricular activities that would require them to ride a bus to and from events. Of those students, nearly 60% are forced to use their own cellular data in order to complete homework assignments while at away events. Providing Wi-Fi on buses will free participants of their reliance on their own cellular data and remove an obstacle that can stand in the way of homework completion.

“The emergence of a 1:1 learning environment at Bondurant-Farrar has been tremendous, but assignments and projects are frequently assigned and accessed digitally; therefore, students often need internet access to complete those assignments,” said Kyle Seidl, Building School Improvement Leader at the middle school. “Adding Wi-Fi to our buses is the next logical step in supporting our students involved with extra-curricular activities. Thanks to Prairie Meadows, we will soon be able to offer this to our students.”

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