Speaking of the Bison... - Buffalo-Hanover

Speaking of the Bison...
SPECIAL
POINTS OF
INTEREST:

BU F FA LO
Parent/Teacher
Conferences are
set for Monday,
May 2, from 5-8
p.m.

Student Data
Opt-Out forms
are due by June
3 - ONLY if you
choose to optout
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:

Counselor’s
2
Corner

Arts Magnet

AVID

FACS

BPA

Knowledge
3
4
Bowl


HI G H
S CH O O L
AP RI L
201 6
Mr. Mischke’s Message
Dear Parents/Guardians of BHS students:
As April comes to a close, we step into the homestretch of the school year. It has been a year filled with
celebrations and sadness. In the fall, we partnered with Allina Health and Buffalo Hospital to host Dr. Bryan
Sexton, from Duke University. He spoke on the power of improving health through happiness. This event
kicked off our community’s Bounce Back project, which has continued throughout this school year. We will
build on this partnership into next year, as over 80 of our staff members explore the Brene Brown book, titled
“Daring Greatly” which focuses on resiliency. In November, we were able to host a Veteran’s Day program in
our main gym with guest speaker Tom Kelly. Over 50 veterans were able to attend along with our entire student
body. It was a great day at BHS. Also, based on a comprehensive study on school start times, our School Board
made the decision to implement new school start times for the 2016-17 school year. Buffalo High School will
move to a 8:50-3:25 pm school day. In addition to these events, our school board approved the expansion our
concurrent enrollment partnerships to include North Hennepin Community College and Hennepin Technical
College. Next year, students at BHS will have the option to choose from 37 different college courses from 5
different colleges (U of M, SCSU, Southwest State, NHCC and HTC) that will be taught by 26 different
credentialed Buffalo High School staff members. It has been a busy year.
We have many events yet to come this spring, one that I would like to highlight is the Student of Excellence
recognition. Each year, four BHS Seniors are honored for their commitment to academic excellence while at
Buffalo High School. The students and their families, along with a selected staff member will be recognized at
our May School Board Meeting. This year, the four seniors representing Buffalo High School are Samuel
Hamann (Teacher – Sarah Rodenwald), Jack Larson (Teacher – Joel Squadroni), Joshua Polzin (Teacher –
Tracy Hagstrom-Durant) and Madeline Schwappach (Teacher – Vicki Cary). These four students have
definitely gone above and beyond expectations, and are well-deserved recipients of this honor.
At the end of this school year, a long-time member of the Buffalo High School will be retiring. Gerard Rohl,
social studies teacher for 37 years, also served as our head football coach for 21 years. He has made a significant
impact on the students and staff of BHS! I wanted to take a minute to recognize him and say thank you for his
years of service to our school.
Prom Details
Student Data
5-6
Opt-Out
Form

Senior News


Health Office

Retirements

Upcoming
7
Our spring Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on May 2 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. I encourage you to once
again take time to connect with your students’ teachers. If you are unable to attend, you can use our Parent
Portal to stay updated regarding your student’s academic progress. Parents/guardians can access the parent
portal through our school website at http://bhs.bhmschools.org/ If you are not yet registered, you’ll be able to
register at conferences, or come in to the front office and sign up at your convenience.
In late March, our Spanish teacher and coach, Mr. Durand Onell, unexpectedly passed away. He was an
amazing person who cared deeply about the students of Buffalo High School. He truly was a servant leader who
embraced the BHS mission of “Doing What is Best for Kids.” We will miss him dearly.
Thank you for your continued support of the students and staff of Buffalo High School. We look forward to
seeing you at conferences on Monday, May 2.
Food Serv.
8
Events
Mark Mischke
Buffalo High School Principal
763.682.8101
mmischke@bhmschools.org
PAGE
2
Counselor’s Corner
National Decision Day!
Students should
meet with their
school counselor at
least once a year
May 1st is National
Decision day for high
school seniors to make
their decision about what
college they will be
attending. Students that
have been accepted to
more than one institution
should be contacting the
colleges to let them know
their decisions, even if
they are not planning to
attend the college. Often
times this is the deadline
for students to make
deposits to attend
college.
BHS Counselors:
AP Testing
Mark Jones (A-F)
Students that have taken
Advanced Placement
(AP) classes have been
gearing up for their
comprehensive tests that
will take place in the first
couple weeks of May.
For information on the
AP program you can visit
www.collegeboard.com
Student’s scores will be
763.682.8107
Kristen Lane (G-K)
763.682.8054
Christina Cox (L-P)
763.682.8075
Jennifer Blair (Q-Z)
available online starting
in July.
Session I: June 20th-23rd
& 27th-30th
Final Transcripts
Session II: July 25th-28th
& Aug. 1st–4th
Seniors planning to
attend college in the fall
need to request and send
their final high school
transcript to their college
by going to
www.parchment.com. A
small see is required in
order for your request to
be processed. Final
transcripts will be ready
to send by June 20, 2016.
Summer School
There will be two
sessions of summer
school offered at BHS.
Letters with more
information will be sent
to students that are
eligible for the credit
recovery opportunity.
Sessions are 8 days long,
running 8:30am-3:30pm.
Transportation will
only be available for
Session II.
Summer Jobs
Students looking for
summer jobs can check
out the job board just
outside of the Counseling
Office. New jobs listings
get posted as we are
alerted about new
positions in the area.
Minnesota Private
College Week
June 20-24, 2016
Start exploring
Minnesota private
colleges and universities.
Sessions are help twice
daily throughout the
week on all 17 campuses,
running 9:00-11:45 and
then again from 1:454:30. For more
information visit: http://
www.mnprivatecolleges.
org/mpcw
763.682.8139
Arts Magnet Throw Masquerade Event
Be sure to check the
BHS Student Services
website for
information
throughout the year
SPEAKING
Arts Magnet has had a busy
time this spring. A highlight
was our first Masquerade
event. Students were treated
to an evening of dance,
games and food. The theme
was Steam Punk and students
dressed to the theme in the
hopes of winning a crown
made by our own Lila
Hoover. We are hoping to
keep the event in our calendar
for next year.
OF
THE
BISON...
BUFFALO
HIGH
SCHOOL
PAGE
BHS AVID Students travel to Mankato
AVID tenth
and
eleventh
grade students traveled to
Mankato for a college visit
on April 11th.
Infinite Campus
Self Service is now
available on the
Parent Portal.
Parent/guardians
AVID is a college readiness
elective class for students in
the average GPA range
looking to attend college.
now have the
ability to update
their phone
numbers, email
Each grade goes on a few
college visits each year.
and home address
on the Portal.
Hospitality Foods Students Cater Arts
Magnet and FACS Meetings
creamy tomato
basil soup, mini
chocolate chip
cookies, and
lemonade.
Students in Julie Mundahl's
Hospitality Foods class
planned, priced, prepared,
and served for a recent Arts
Magnet meeting.
The menu they selected and
prepared according to Debb
Bestland's criteria included
morning coffee with
blueberry cream muffins, a
mid-morning platter of fresh
fruit kabobs, and a light
lunch of smoked turkey and
apple baguette sandwiches,
At this
week's FACS/
Work
Experience
Advisory Committee meeting
of area business leaders,
students are preparing Caesar
salad in parmesan cups and
cranberry lemonade.
Students are using their
ServSafe Food Safety and
Sanitation
skills learned earlier in the
semester and will be
prepared to take the
certification test in May.
ServSafe is the Food Safety
and Sanitation program
offered by the National
Restaurant Association and is
recognized internationally by
the food service industry.
Select the
Household
Information or
Family Members
from the index on
the left panel
when logged into
the Portal. Once
the request has
been processed, a
confirmation will
be sent to the
parent/guardian
Portal inbox.
Hospitality Foods is the third
level foods class offered
at BHS along with Creative
Foods (Level 1) and Gourmet
Foods (Level 2).
3
PAGE
4
BHS BPA Well Represented at Leadership Conference
There were six members
from Buffalo High School
that attended the
conference. The group
competed in business events
and participated in BPA
sessions.
Students Karin Beck,
Hannah Cummins, Lydia
Jagodzinski and Sophia
Moy earned their Statesman
Torch awards.
BPA Team Members
and Coach Brenda
The Business Professionals
of America (BPA) State
Leadership Conference was
held in Minneapolis
on March 10th, 11th, and
12th.
Diekman
Senior Gretchen Domka
will be serving as an intern
at this years National
Conference.
BPA members had a fun
and successful State
Conference and are excited
to be taking all members to
the National Leadership
Conference in Boston this
May.
BHS Knowledge Bowl Team
Please know that all emails
coming to you from
‘portalbhs@bhmschools.org’
The BHS Knowledge Bowl
Varsity Team 1 placed fourth at
the State Tournament! The State
team consisted of the following
members (pictured left to right):
Jacob Nosbush, Travis Wolden,
Abbie Kunze, Sophie Lefebvre,
and Sam Hamann. Coach is BHS
teacher Lacy Schramm.
Congratulations to all
participants!
is not SPAM. These emails
are from our Infinite Campus
email communication
system.
Several Prom dresses and
some suits have been collected
and hung in the BHS Care
Closet for distribution to students who may need assistance
in receiving some formal attire
for the evening. If you are interested in this resource,
please contact Krista Kern at
682-8119
or kkern@bhmschools.org.
SPEAKING
Senior Holly Burski placed
2nd in Graphic Design
Promotion, Senior Hannah
Cummins placed 4th in
Fundamental Desktop
Publishing, and Senior
Hannah Cummins and
Juniors Karin Beck and
Sophia Moy placed in the
top 10 with their
Administrative Support
Team.
BHS Prom - May 7th
Tickets for this year’s Prom
will be on sale during all
lunches the week of April 18th,
except for April 19th.
This year’s theme is “Garden
of Lights” and the venue for
the evening will be the
Minneapolis Marriott
Northwest in Brooklyn Park.
A timeline of events is as
follows:
OF
THE
BISON...
3:30 p.m. Doors open at BHS—please use the north/student
parking lot
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Zahler Photography will be available in the PAC
for professional photos
4:15 p.m. All Grand March participants will meet in the PAC for
a brief meeting
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Grand March in the BHS Gymnasium
7:00 p.m. Doors open at Minneapolis Marriott Northwest
7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Appetizers, desserts and beverages available
8:00 - 11:00 p.m. Dance and Photo Booths available (All guests
must arrive no later than 9 p.m.)
Additional details available on the BHS website.
2016-17 Release of Student Data for Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools
**NEW information included. Please read carefully!
According to the Minnesota Data Practices Act and the federal Family Educational Right and Privacy Act (FERPA), student directory information is public unless a parent requests that the information not be released. Parents, who do not
want their child’s data released for the 2016-17 school year, must notify their child’s school, in writing, by
_____________. This annual notification from the district and schools for the opt-out is announced each spring. When
asked, you will need to update your child’s information for the following school year. Annually, parents can choose to
opt out of any or all three categories listed below. If you have questions, you may contact the school your child attends.
1. Student Directory Information
Parents may choose to opt out of the release of all student directory information, or they may select specific areas to not
have the data released. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow BHM to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include, but are not limited to:
• Playbills showing your student’s role in a drama production • Graduation programs
• Yearbook • Sports/activity programs
• Honor roll or other recognition lists
Special NOTE: By opting out of the student name portion of the student information (seen below), you will be opting
out of such examples as those listed above (yearbook, programs, honor roll, etc.).
Student Information • Enrollment Status (i.e. Full-Time or Part-time)
• Name • Weight and height of members of athletic teams
• Address • Dates of attendance (e.g. Student attended Parkside from Sept 2000-05)
• Telephone number (home) • Degrees and awards received
• Email address • Most recent previous educational agency or institution attended
• Date and place of birth
• Major field of study Parent(s) Information
• Participation in officially • Name
recognized activities and sports • Address
• Grade level completed • Telephone number
**2. Photos/Video Transmissions
Throughout the year, photographs and video are taken in classrooms and at school activities that happen during the
school day. Photos or videos may be used in some of the following examples, but are not limited to:
• District publications (Insider, calendar, etc.) • Other educational organizations
• Yearbooks • Cable access channel(s)
• School newsletters/newspapers • Website/Facebook/Twitter
• Local/area newspapers • Photo classroom composite page (included in “picture day” packets)
**Photos can be published on the district website with the student’s name. Unless you have opted out of your
child’s name being released as a part of the student directory information section above, it can be used online.
Special NOTE: By opting out of photos/video transmissions you will be opting out of ALL items listed above. Also
note that the district is not responsible for (has no control of) photos/video, taken by the public, at school public events
(such as basketball games or homecoming coronation), which are published in newspapers or aired for viewing on cable
or the web.
3. Military and Post Secondary Educational Institution Recruitment
(Applies to students in grades 11-12 ONLY.)
Each year the military and post secondary institutions ask high schools to provide names, addresses, phone numbers and
emails of students in grades 11-12 for recruitment purposes. They provide information to students about education and
career opportunities.
(Complete the form on the other side ONLY if you are opting out of one or more of the categories listed above.)
Release of Student Data Opt Out for the 2016-17 School Year
*Only complete and return if you are opting out of one or more of the categories. You have
not opted out of any information if you only sign and return the form.
A parent/guardian must complete and return this form by June 3, 2016 ONLY if you choose to opt out of any of the
categories outlined on the other side of this page. This form must be completed for each child you wish to opt out of any
section and returned to the school he/she will attend for that school year. If you need additional forms, you can make a
copy or contact your child’s school. It is understood that if the form is not completed, you are accepting the district’s
policy of the dissemination of student information.
Student Name (Please Print Clearly):
School Attending in 2016-17:
Grade Level in 2016-17:
Check one, two, three or four of the following (if applicable):
I choose to opt out of, ALL Student Directory Information.
I choose to opt out of, the following portions of the Student Directory Information
(Please print clearly):
I choose to opt out of, Photos/Video Transmissions
I choose to opt out of, Military Recruitment (Applies to students in grades 11-12 ONLY.)
I choose to opt out of, Post Secondary Educational Institution Recruitment
(Applies to students in grades 11-12 ONLY.)
Parent/Guardian Name (Please Print Clearly):
Parent/Guardian Signature:
Date:
Please return this completed form to your child’s school of attendance for the 2016-17 school year.
BUFFALO
HIGH
SCHOOL
PAGE
BHS Seniors
All BHS graduating
seniors are invited to
BHS
attend the event after
Graduation
the Graduation
is Friday,
Ceremony on
Friday, June 10,
June 10,
2016. This is an
2016.
event your senior
will not want to
miss.
It’s not too late to register for the
All Night Graduation Party. Extra
forms are available in the BHS
front office as well as on the BHS
website.
Co-chairs of the event this year are
Monica Kunkel, Sally O’Borsky
and Kathy Hanson. Please contact
them via email with any questions
or if you’d like to volunteer for the
event at buffaloangp@hotmail.com.
Graduation Gowns:
On Tuesday, May 3rd our Jostens
representative will be at BHS
during all lunches (10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.) to distribute graduation
cap/gowns/tassels. If students are
absent that day, all extra gowns will
be in the front office for pick up. A
letter with all graduation
information will be mailed within
the next week. This letter will also
be available on our BHS website.
Please contact the front office with
any further questions on graduation
at 763.682.8100.
Stress is just
about
everywhere.
Is your Teen Stressed?
Have you heard your teen say, “I
am so stressed”? Here in the High
School Health Office we hear these
words frequently. Teens have a
variety of stressors; everything
from tests, relationships, work,
homework, sports and pressure to
do and be their best. Stress is just
about everywhere. We can’t avoid
it, but we can learn how to handle it
in healthy ways. Here are some tips
to help your teen stress less:
· Encourage good nutrition
· Teens should get about 9 hours of
sleep
· Physical activity is a great stress
reliever
· Make time to do an activity you
enjoy each day
· Structure daily activities
· Take some time to relax
· Talk with your teen about what is
stressing them out
When to get help:
If you notice that stress is
interfering with your teen’s
everyday life or they’re having
physical problems, it is time to seek
help. There are resources that can
We can’t avoid
it, but we can
help: Talk with your health care
provider, mental health counselor,
or check out the following helpful
website: www.changetochill.org.
learn how to
handle it in
healthy ways.
If you or someone close to you are
in crisis, please contact this 24 hour
free national Suicide Prevention
Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK.
Wishing you a safe and healthy
spring.
Karen Schultz, RN, LSN
BHM School Nurse 6-12 grade
(763)682-8120
kschultz@bhmschools.org
Food Service Angel Account
BHM Schools food service
department maintains an Angel
Account funded by donations. The
Angel Account is used to cover
temporary shortfalls in student meal
account funds. Donations come
from individuals, businesses and
charitable foundations.
Many families donate the balance
left in a student's account when they
graduate or leave the district. Every
bit helps. Donations may be sent to
the Food Service Department at the
District Office (214 1st Ave NE,
Buffalo, MN 55313) or dropped in
the payment box at any school. If
you have questions about the Angel
Account, please contact the BHM
Food Service Department at 763682-8477.
Thank you for your help
in providing seamless
support for our students.
The Angel Account is used
to cover temporary shortfalls
in student meal accounts.
7
Buffalo High School
877 Bison Blvd.
Buffalo, MN 55313
Congratulations
Congratulations to our BHS staff members on their retirement this school year. We appreciate all you’ve done throughout the years within our
district. We wish you the best always.
Kathy Quady - Registrar/Scheduling Assistant
Gerard Rohl - Social Studies Teacher
Diane Yonak - Custodian
Upcoming Events
5/2
BHS Parent/Teacher Conferences - Cafeteria, 5-8 p.m.
5/24
BHS Chorale Finale - PAC, 7:30 p.m.
5/5
BHS Spring Band Concert - PAC, 7:30 p.m.
5/30
MEMORIAL DAY, NO SCHOOL K-12
5/6
Senior Appreciation Day
5/24
BHS Arts Showcase
5/7
BHS Prom/Grand March - Gymnasium, 4:30 p.m.
Art Show - Cafeteria, 6 p.m.
5/10
BHS Tri-M Induction, Solo & Ensemble Awards
PAC, 7:30 p.m.
Choir Concert - PAC, 7 p.m.
5/12
BHS Orchestra Concert - PAC, 7:30 p.m.
5/16
BHS Academic Excellence Program - PAC, 7:30 p.m.
6/9
Last Day of School
6/10
BHS Graduation - Gymnasium, 7 p.m.