Board Highlights from the February 13 Meeting

Electronic agendas and supporting documents can be viewed at least 24 hours in advance of each meeting. The full agenda of the February 13, 2023 board meeting can be viewed here (Board Docs).

Meeting Highlights: 

• Received updates on a number of infrastructure and facilities needs, including potential future projects such as an expansion of the high school, additional parking, and a new elementary school.
• Held discussions regarding CPR/first aid certification as it relates to the district’s emergency preparedness efforts. Upcoming trainings will be offered to staff with a possible $50 stipend to those who become CPR certified. 
• Heard comments and concerns expressed by staff related to a potential FMLA policy adjustment. Additional information will be brought to the board for consideration.
• Received updates from two superintendent advisory committees - finance and communication. 
• Approved the purchase of two enclosed trailers to transport musical equipment to band events.

For information regarding upcoming meetings, contacting board members, and detailed agendas, please visit www.bfschools.org/Page/854.

Students Explore Subjects of Their Choosing Every 6 Weeks

New this year, junior high students now have a unique opportunity to participate in a 6-week course of their choosing to explore subjects that match their interests in a deeper way, beyond what they experience in the classroom. 

Teachers are offering newly created extension courses within the subjects of math, science, reading, social studies, reading, social sciences, or social-emotional learning. One example of this is a hydroponics-focused extension course taught by STEM teacher, Madison Beeler, allowing students to explore plant growing techniques that do not involve soil.

Over the course of the school year, students will have had the opportunity to participate in a total of five 6-week extension courses. While exploring career fields of interest and improving upon their social-emotional skills, students are also developing important 21st century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity.

Click here to learn more.

Junior High Students Begin Pottery Unit with Mrs. Juhl

Ceramics is an elective course at the junior high offered to 8th grade students who have already taken or are currently enrolled in advanced art. The class is taught by Mrs. Juhl, who says the highlight of the year for many students is using the pottery wheel. The art room at the new junior high is outfitted with three potter's wheels and a kiln. On Thursday, we stopped by to see the first group of students take their turn at wheel throwing!

New Program Rewarding Bus Riders for BEST Behavior

The transportation department is implementing a new rewards system to celebrate students who demonstrate positive behavior on the school bus.

Behavior expectations are taught universally throughout each Bondurant-Farrar school. From a young age, students see and hear about being “Bondurant's BEST” in areas such as the hallway, lunchroom, classroom, restroom, playground, and the school bus. 

To reward positive behavior on the school bus, the transportation team is beginning a new program founded on Bondurant’s BEST expectations to celebrate bus riders who:

• Use kind words and a level 1 voice
• Remain seated
• Keep their hands, feet, and objects to themselves
• Wait until they get off the bus to eat or drink

To reinforce these expectations, “my bus driver is proud of me” stickers will be handed out each day to students who are witnessed modeling this behavior on the bus. Then, each month, one student will be selected per route as the “rider of the month” to be honored both on the bus and within their school’s PBIS celebrations or monthly awards.

Registration Timeline for the 2023-24 School Year

It’s hard to believe that we’re already beginning to prepare for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. Please review the timeline below to ensure your applications are submitted in a timely manner. With questions or for assistance in the registration process, please call our district office at 515-967-7819 and ask to speak with our registrar or email registrar@bfschools.org.

Subscribe

Alumni, grandparents, and community members wishing to stay connected with all things BFCSD can now subscribe to receive this publication via email. To sign-up, visit www.bfschools.org/subscribe.

Contact Us

Thank you for taking time to review the latest issue of the Bondurant-Farrar E-Briefing. The purpose of this publication is to provide board updates, news, and events from around the district. If you have suggestions, comments, or feedback regarding this publication, please reach out!

Jessica Hartgers
Communications Specialist 
hartgersj@bfschools.org
515-967-7819