Speaking of the Bison... S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F BUFFALO HIGH SCHOOL OCTOBER 2018 INTEREST: BHS Parent/ Mr. Mischke’s Message Teacher Conferences are What an amazing “Day One” of school! For the first time in BHM history, our school year started with Monday, October 8 only the freshman class. Our teaching staff, along with our BHS student mentors welcomed almost 500 from 5-8 p.m. new students to Buffalo High School. Our goal on day one was to make sure our freshmen’s first day of High School was a positive one. Two of our building goals at Buffalo High School are to ensure that BHS Senior 100% of our students have an adult to whom they can go if they have a problem (currently 91%), and pictures are due that 100% of our students feel supported by other students (currently 82%). When looking at the data from our annual student survey, we’ve consistently noticed a drastic difference as we compared 9th Friday, October 12 grade results to our other grade levels. Freshmen were less connected to our staff and to each other. We BHS picture retake are confident that this new staggered first day of school change will help to bridge the gap in our results this spring and in the years to come. Thank you for your flexibility and support in making this day day is Friday, happen. October 5 Our fall Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday, October 8 from 5-8 p.m in the BHS cafeteria. October is College Knowledge Month at BHS and in addition to our conferences, we will be hosting our very first BHM College and Career Fair with over 40 businesses, college and military INSIDE THIS branch representatives in attendance. This event will take place during our parent/teacher conferences ISSUE: from 5-7 p.m. in the main gym and is intended for our current students and their families. The College and Career Fair is only one way in which BHS is getting involved in the College Knowledge Month activities. Counselor’s 2 Corner The importance of building relational capacity is not only a focus at Buffalo High School, but it is the driving force for the entire Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose school district. We as a district are committed to “Fresh First 3 taking the steps needed to ensure that every student has an opportunity to develop the skills they need to Day” at BHS be successful now and in the future. We know that smaller class sizes, a more comprehensive middle school schedule and well-trained teaching staff will help us reach the goal of “every kid every day.” AVID College Therefore, on November 6, 2018 the BHM School district is asking voters to approve an operating Visits referendum. You’ll find more details within this newsletter.
BHS 4 Recently, I had the opportunity to represent Buffalo High School and Minnesota in Washington D.C. at the National Secondary Principal of the Year Conference. It was a tremendous opportunity to learn Gerontology from others and share some of the great things happening at Buffalo High School. We are extremely Students fortunate to have amazing students and staff, and tremendously supportive communities in Buffalo, Barn Dance at Hanover, and Montrose. BHS As a parent, community member and educator I am so proud of the work we are able to do everyday, and I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve as the Principal at BHS. 5 Driver Ed Jukebox We hope to see you on October 8th. Saturday Night Sincerely, Yearbook Health Services BHS BPA
Emergency 6 Mark Mischke Buffalo High School Principal Test Message 763.682.8101 Upcoming [email protected] Events
22nd-26th, senior students have P A G E 2 the opportunity to get help Counselor’s Corner completing their college applications from 3:05-4pm in Welcome Back BHS lab B203. Many MN colleges Freshman Minute Meetings rigorous college entrance exam, waive their application fees Students and Staff Counselors will be meeting with and for students in 11th grade to during this week. all Freshman students compete to qualify for the very individually through “Minute distinguished National Merit Students should check out the Meetings” during their Bison Scholarship. There are a limited BHS Counselors: posters, watch the monitor Times over the course of late number of tests. Students can announcements, and their email Mark Jones (A-F) September-December. The check in the Student Services for events scheduled purpose of the meetings are to office and pay the $20 fee. throughout the month. 763.682.8107 give the counselors an opportunity to meet their Pre-ACT National College Fair Kristen Lane (G-K) freshmen and learn a little bit Students in 10th grade will Free and open to the public, about how they can support each complete the Pre-ACT National College Fairs are the 763.682.8054 of their students. The students assessment on November 19th perfect place to kick off your get the chance to meet their and 20th. The Pre-ACT, college search. Admission Christina Cox (L-P) individual counselor to start formerly the ACT Plan test, representatives from schools making connections and learn assesses students on the across the country are all 763.682.8075 about how to access the many following subjects: English, gathered in one place. Their resources that school counselors mathematics, reading, and goal: To encourage you to learn Jennifer Blair (Q-Z) provide throughout high school. science. The Pre-ACT helps more about their institutions, 10th grade students build a solid and help you sort through the 763.682.8139 Junior Large Group Meetings foundation for future academic qualities you’re looking for in a Junior students will be invited to and career success and provides college. Explore your options. a large group meeting during a comprehensive guidance Upcoming ACT Test Each fair draws representatives AAA the first week of October. resource that helps students from 175 to 400 colleges. Dates The presentations are given to measure their current academic Buffalo High School code: students by their counselor. development, explore career/ September 24, 2018: 9 a.m. to 240-345 Students will be provided training options, and make plans noon and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. & Sign up at: information and resources for for the remaining years of high September 25, 2018: 9 a.m. to www.actstudent.org them to continue their post high school and post-graduation noon school planning. An overview of years. The Pre-ACT also Minneapolis Convention October 27, 2018 - Late topics include prep information provides a predictive ACT Center: 1301 2nd Ave S, registration open until Oct for college admissions tests composite score. If results are Minneapolis, MN 55403 14th, 2018 deadline (ACT/SAT/Accuplacer), back in time, they will be shared information about meeting December 8, 2018 - prior to registration in order to Register student information colleges reps here at BHS, support decision making for prior to going, print off the bar Register by November 2, planning college tours, going to class selection. 2018 code that can be quickly college fairs, reminder of credits scanned by colleges. February 9, 2019 - needed for graduation, using College Knowledge Month Registration: www.mn- Register by January 11th, MCIS to help them search and BHS will be hosting Mini acac.org/ncf 2019 plan for their futures, NCAA College Fairs on Tuesdays information, and information during lunches every week in Information on workshop Transcripts about College Knowledge October. There will be 7-9 reps Month. Students will also have schedules: https:// All official high school each week in the areas of U of www.nacacfairs.org/ transcripts must be sent an opportunity to take resources M System, MNState 4yr System, with them from the meeting to minnesota#tab_WorkshopInfor using an online transcript 2yr college, Trade School, Out mation help them continue their of State, Private Colleges, and ordering service at searches and plans for after www.parchment.com. Stu Military. College Admissions graduation. BHS will also have several dents create a profile and Representatives college admissions reps, Throughout the fall and spring request to send official PSAT: Wed., October 10 speakers, and individual help transcripts to any of the The PSAT/NMSQT time, many college admissions taking place during AAA representatives will make visits college or scholarship (Preliminary Scholastic throughout the month of Aptitude Test/National Merit at BHS in the Student Services organizations needed. October. Students have the Office. They are looking to Scholarship Qualifying Test) opportunity to learn more about will be given at Buffalo High meet with students who want to NCAA eligibility, how to fill out learn more about their specific School on October 10th at a college application, military 7:45AM in the Bison Room. college. Encourage your officer training programs, student to visit with these reps The PSAT is an opportunity for financial aid, college essay help, students to practice taking a if they come from a college of study abroad, and more! interest. (Counselor Corner During the week of October Continued on next page)… SPEAKING OF THE BISO N... P A G E 3 BUFFALO HIGH SCHOOL (Counselor Corner continued)… A list of “Fresh First Day” at BHS visiting colleges can be found on the On September 4th, just under 60 their monitor announcements during the school day and on our website calendar. sophomores, juniors, and seniors surroundings came to BHS for the sole purpose and Waivers for Students on Free or of making connections with the supported by Reduced Lunch incoming freshman class. the caring Waivers are available for students on free people they or reduced lunch that can cover the cost of These upperclassman volunteers will work some college applications, ACT/PSAT have been training in with over testing, and official transcripts. Please communication and team building provide your student's counselor with a their next four years. copy of your notification letter from Food activities since April of the Service to receive any waivers that are previous school year. They came in Freshman Mentors and Freshman available. August to work with cooperating Advisory teachers spent much of the teachers to plan and organize the day together playing games and FAFSA Completion Workshop “Fresh First Day” for almost 500 learning about each other. This is an Do you need help completing your Free ninth graders and staff. important part of cultivating a Application for Federal Student Aid community of respect and cooperation-- (FAFSA)? On Monday, October 8, from 5- both needed before any learning can 8p.m. in BHS computer lab B203, we will take place. have financial aid professionals on hand to help families submit their FAFSA. No Students also participated in student reservation needed. What to bring: panel discussions, an activity fair and art project, facility tours, lunchroom Social security number, date of and bus procedures, and mock birth for both STUDENT and schedules. PARENT Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID – We are proud of this inaugural special they can apply for this up to five (5) days This day was completely dedicated day Buffalo High School added to its prior to the event at https://fsaid.ed.gov/ calendar this year. We see this as yet npas/index.htm or apply that evening. to bringing the new population of NOTE: They must have confirmed students into the fold of Buffalo another opportunity to be nice, be their FSA ID with a 6-digit code at the High School. We, as a community, proud, work hard, and model behavior. time they apply for it in order for it to be strive to make connections for all in Thank you to all of the students, staff, valid to sign the FAFSA our building: staff-to-student and and administrators for your help in 2017 federal income tax student-to-student. Freshmen need doing what’s best for all students! information for both STUDENT and the additional time and attention of PARENT the first day to feel comfortable in 2017 W-2 statements for both STUDENT and PARENT Balances of cash, checking, savings accounts as of the day they file their FAFSA. NOTE: Do not include values of retirement plans or equity of the home in which they live
AVID Overnight College Visits in Fargo-Moorhead
The AVID elective classes sent 13 students on a two day college tour of Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN. Students visited both North Dakota State University and Concordia College. Students enjoyed the in-depth tours provided by both institutions and spent the night in dorms at Concordia College. P A G E 4 BHS Gerontology Students are Teaching and Learning from our Older Adults A new course is underway this Fall at organizations including an Alzheimer’s BHS bringing together our student’s fundraiser, entertaining by playing an young lives with those of older adults in instrument, nail painting, yard work, and social our communities. CIS Introduction to visits. Gerontology is the study of aging and that’s just what students are experiencing Today’s older adults are aging gracefully, in and out of the classroom. living longer, and are full of vitality. By the year 2020, the US population 65 years and Through a “skills exchange” between the older will be larger than the population of students and residents of Park View Care children 5 years old and less. With the steadily Center, they recently prepared growing aging population, BHS students will refrigerator pickles and taught the likely work with or for older adults. Whatever seniors how to use an iPad. It’s the students long-term career interest, the through this time together that course is a great compliment for all New Campus Portal App relationships are built that result careers. Students are learning about their in developing understanding future clients and customers, their own aging for Students and Parents and appreciation. family, and themselves.
Infinite Campus has BHS Senior Lily said, “It was two NEW and fun to help with iPads because IMPROVED the woman we worked with was mobile apps: very kind. She wasn’t interested Campus Student in learning the iPad but she was (for students) and very interested in talking. She Campus Parent (for parents). said she enjoyed talking with us Download your free app for real- and was nervous at first but that time access to the following and she had a good time.” Another much more: announcements, student realized, “It makes me CIS Introduction to Gerontology is a assignments, attendance, grades, happy to see how spirited they concurrent enrollment course in partnership schedules and much more! still are at an old age. The with St. Cloud State University. Students can If you are using the old Infinite stories they tell are their earn three college credits while earning their Campus app, you will need to personal history.” high school credit. This is one of eleven courses taught through the Family Consumer download the new app. The old Students are also assisting at Sciences Department at BHS. app will no longer be supported. community centers and other You can download the apps from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Barn Dance at Buffalo High School - October 5 The Buffalo High School Random Road will perform the Dance is a great way to bring a Orchestras are excited to have ten fiddle tunes and dances. community together. Barn teaching artist Cristina Seaborn dance was a big part of the The event is free and open to the work with them in a month-long culture of Minnesota, and a public at 7:30 pm in the Buffalo residency. revival is long overdue. There High School Commons. is a beautiful symmetry when Seaborn is an experienced “This activity is made possible dancers are all doing the fiddler and dance caller and will by the voters of Minnesota current step that creates a Cristina Seaborn be teaching fiddling techniques through grants from the kaleidoscope pattern. and basic improvising skills. Minnesota State Arts Board and The experience will culminate Dances include waltzes, circle the Central MN Arts Board, with a Hoedown Concert and dance, square dance, and thanks to a legislative Dance on October 5, 2018. parallel line set dance. We appropriation from the arts and High school orchestra students, will have a grand time dancing cultural heritage fund.” backed up by the bluegrass band together at an old fashioned
Barn Dance! SPEAKING OF THE BISO N... BUFFALO HIGH SCHOOL Jukebox Saturday Night P A G E 5 Expressing BHS students will be collecting non- BHM Driver Education perishable food items and donating a Fall B Session Still Has musical gratitude to portion of the Openings! all of our evening’s veterans, proceeds to the Class held 3:35-6:35 pm at Buffalo BHS Band Buffalo Food High School Director, Shelf. There Mondays & Wednesdays, Scott Rabehl and the BHS Jazz will also be November 7 - December 12 Ensemble invite you to the 2nd free swing $360 fee includes 30 hours of annual “Make Believe Ballroom” on dance lessons provided by Twin classroom instruction AND 6 hours Saturday, November 10th from 7:00 Cities Swing starting at 5:30 pm. of behind-the-wheel instruction – 9:30 pm, in the BHS Cafeteria. Tickets are Note: After 4 pm on October 31 the The students will once again share $5 at the fee will be $385 if there are still door. openings the stage with The West Metro Big Register online Band to bring you an evening full of 1940’s at bhmschools.ce.eleyo.com, call swing music and dancing. The costume Community Education at WMBB will be joined by New York admired, 763.682.8770 or stop by the songstress Joyce Lyons as well as a but not Community Education office at 301 very special mystery vocalist. 2nd Ave NE in Buffalo required.
This free event is brought to you BHS Health Services by the Bounce Back Project and BHS Senior Pictures & SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices Yearbook Orders World Mental Health Day is of Education). People of all ages observed on October 10th every and families are encouraged to attend. Attention parents of Seniors: year, with the overall objective of Senior Pictures for the yearbook are due raising awareness of mental health by Friday, October 12. Photos can be issues around the world and In addition, October is National mobilizing efforts in support of Dental Hygiene Month – Buffalo emailed to [email protected]. mental health. High School will be hosting a free See www.bhs.cc for more information about Dental Clinic for BHS/PLC students senior pictures. Here in Buffalo, community agencies provided by Local Dentists and are teaming up to provide a free Operation Grace. This is our third Save 20% on your yearbook! event titled “Let’s Talk About It” on year of hosting this clinic and it has If you order your yearbook Wednesday, October 10 at Buffalo had great success!! To sign your by October 15, you will save High School PAC. Come at 5:30pm Middle School or High School student over $16 on the final price! for Dinner and a Resource Fair and up for this free clinic, please call Kirk Order online at bhs.cc or 6:30pm for the program. The goal of at the High School Health Office at balfour.com this event is to raise awareness of (763) 682-8121. mental health issues and create a We are a competitive chapter that a Fall Conference for officers in October, a space to have community competes in business related events and Region Conference for all members to conversations, resources, and support we honor students for community compete, a State Conference for those that in the hopes of improving the lives of service activities. Categories of events qualify from Regions and a National all Wright County residents. include Management, Communication, Conference (this year in Anaheim, CA). Marketing, Finances & Mathematics, Business Administration, Management Information Systems, and Digital BHS BPA “As a co-curricular activity, Business Communication and Design. Students can compete in up to three of the over Professionals of America (BPA) has the ability to enhance student participation in 70 possible individual and team events and can easily find an event to play up professional, civic, service and social endeavors. BPA members participate in your strengths! these activities to accomplish its goals of We have one required monthly meeting self-improvement, leadership There is still time to register. Practices start development, professionalism, during AAA, and weekly practice check -ins for your event. Depending on which in October, but final registration closes community service, career development, November 1. See Mrs. Diekman or sign up public relations, student cooperation and event you choose, the level of commitment varies, but generally, BPA in the Activities Office. Pictured above are safety and health.” 2018 Nationals Participants in Dallas, TX. is a very low commitment activity with
Buffalo High School 877 Bison Blvd. Buffalo, MN 55313
Emergency Test Message - October 11 BHM Schools wants to ensure that we are communicating with parents in the most effective way possible. On Thursday, October 11, 2018, mid-morning, the district will send out a district-wide emergency test message to parents and guardians from our parent notification system. You should receive a call, email and text messages (whatever information you have on file with your child's school). Especially with the upcoming winter months, we want to be sure parents/guardians don't miss any important messages from the school or the district about cancellations or delays. Remember this is ONLY a TEST and NO action will likely be necessary.
Join us on Parent/Teacher Conferences night for a College and Career Fair! On Monday, October 8 from 5 - 7pm in the BHS Gymnasium, over 40 colleges, business, and organizations will be in attendance for students to learn about various career paths and educational opportunities available to them. Check it out! Upcoming Events 10/5 Picture Retake Day 11/5 Teacher Workshop, NO SCHOOL K-12 10/8 Parent/Teacher Conferences - Cafeteria, 5 - 8 p.m. 11/10 Jazz I & West Metro Big Band - FAFSA Help - Lab B203, 5-8 p.m. BHS Cafeteria, 7 p.m. College & Career Fair, 5 - 7 p.m. 11/15-11/17 BHS Fall Play - PAC 10/17-10/19 Fall Break, NO SCHOOL K-12 Thursday - Saturday, 7:30 p.m. 10/23 Major Work Choir Concert - PAC, 7:30 p.m. 11/20 Fall Band Concert - PAC, 7:30 p.m. 10/27 Concert Band & 34th Infantry Div. Red Bull Band - 11/21-11/23 Thanksgiving Break, NO SCHOOL K-12 PAC, 7:30 p.m. 11/29 Fall Orchestra Concert - PAC, 7:30 p.m. 10/30 Concert Orchestra & Univ. of Minnesota Symphony 12/3 Concert Band & BCMS Grade 8 Band Concert Orchestra Concert - PAC, 7:30 p.m. PAC, 7:30 p.m. 11/1 Winter Sports meeting - PAC, 7 p.m.