BCMS Bison Blast

We are excited to welcome students and families back to​ Buffalo Community Middle School for the 2026-2027 school​ year. Middle school is an important time for students to grow,​ build confidence, make connections, and prepare for high​ school and beyond. Our staff is committed to helping every​ student feel supported, challenged, and connected throughout​ the year. We look forward to partnering with families to make​ this a positive and successful school year for all students.
Go Bison!

Matt Lubben, Principal
John Hayden, Assistant Principal/Activities Director
Katie Gohl, Assistant Principal

Consider supporting the BCMS PTO! Donations help fund classroom needs, field trips, and staff and student recognition throughout the year.

📱 Scan the QR code to donate through Venmo.

Zahler Photography will be at BCMS during

Open House on Monday, August 24, from 4:00–7:30pm

✨ All students should have their photo taken, even if families do not plan to order pictures. Photos are used for:

• Student IDs
• The BCMS yearbook

Can’t make it to Open House?
No problem! Our next school photo day will be September 8.

🛒 Order School Pictures Online

Order directly here:
https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001277126

OR

Visit www.z-schools.com
Enter school code: BCMS2627

A few simple things you can do before the first day to help your child feel prepared, confident, and ready for BCMS!

📅 BEFORE OPEN HOUSE

• Check your child’s schedule online beginning August 3.

• Plan to attend Open House on August 24 from 4:30–7:30 p.m.

• Update family and contact information in the Campus Parent Portal.

• Check sports physical status if your child plans to participate in activities.

• Review transportation plans so your child knows how they will get home each day.

🎒 GET SCHOOL-READY

• Pick up a Bison Binder and school-issued purple lock at the BCMS front desk.

• Label the Bison Binder with your child’s first and last name.

• Practice opening the purple school lock before the first day.

Beginning August 10, the BCMS office is open Monday–Thursday from 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Bison Binders and locks will also be available at Open House.

🏫 STOP IN & PRACTICE

Students are welcome to visit BCMS with an adult before school starts to:

• Walk through their class schedule

• Find their classrooms

• Locate and set up their locker

• Practice opening their lock

💬 TALK IT THROUGH

Before the first day, encourage your child to:

• Look over their class schedule

• Review the back-to-school information

• Write down questions to ask at Open House

💜 A little preparation goes a long way in helping students feel confident and ready for a great start at BCMS!

• August 24th, Open House & Student Pictures 4:30 - 7:30pm
• August 31st First Day of School – 6th Grade Students
• September 1st First Day of School – 7th and 8th Grade Students
• September 9th Make-up day for School Pictures
• October 8th & 12th Fall Conferences

Before the school year begins, please take a few minutes to review these important BCMS expectations and routines with your child.

📘 Why School Matters

Daily work and assessments in middle school matter. Teachers use grades, classroom performance, and multiple assessments to understand each student’s skills, identify areas for growth, and provide the instruction and support they need.

🎒 School Supplies & Bison Binder

Students should use their Bison Binder every day. Families can help by checking binder organization and planner use at home. This is also a great opportunity to ask your child about their day, upcoming assignments, and anything they may need help with.

Please make sure your child’s binder is clearly labeled with their first and last name.

🕘 Student Hours

Students should arrive after 8:25 a.m. School begins at 8:50 a.m.

After school, students must leave the building, be with a staff member, or wait in the front office after 3:35 p.m.

🚌 Riding the Bus

The same expectations that apply at school also apply on the bus.

Students should:

• Stay seated
• Keep hands and feet to themselves
• Listen to the driver
• Be safe, respectful, and responsible
• Ride only their assigned bus

💧 Food & Beverages

Students may have water only in hallways and classrooms.

• Drinks such as soda must be finished in the Mall.
• Energy drinks are not allowed at school.
• Simple snacks may be kept in lockers.

⭐ WIN Time

Twice each week, students have a 28-minute WIN Time block for:

• Retakes
• Questions or extra help
• Missing work
• Enrichment
• Additional support

Students should sign up for the option they truly need.

🔒 Lockers & Locks

Students must use their assigned school locker with a school-issued lock and keep it locked.

Coats, backpacks, and snacks should be stored inside lockers. Students should not share locker combinations. The school cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items.

⏰ Tardiness

Students are expected to be in class when the bell rings.

• Each tardy results in an email home.
• After the third tardy, Morning Make Up Time will be scheduled.
• Continued tardiness will result in family follow-up.

📵 Cell Phones & Devices

Students do not need a phone during the school day. Phones must be stored in lockers all day.

Students may not take pictures of or record others.

Phone misuse will follow these steps:

1. Teacher warning
2. Front desk pickup
3. Administrator referral

👕 Dress Code

Clothing must be appropriate for school and may not disrupt learning.

Clothing may not advertise drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or other inappropriate content. Costumes, face paint, and flags are not allowed during the school day.

🚲 Bikes & Boards

Students may ride bikes to school and lock them in the bike racks located on three sides of the building.

Skateboards, longboards, and RipStiks are not allowed on buses or inside the school.

To help students transition smoothly into the new school year, BCMS will follow a special schedule on the first two days.

✨Monday, August 31 – Sixth Grade Only

First day for 6th graders

• 8:50–9:05 | Prime Time: Intro & Binders

• 9:10–11:45 | WEB Activities

• 11:45–12:00 | Prime Time: Lunch Discussion

• 12:00–12:25 | Lunch

• 12:30–1:56 | Prime Time: Events 2–7

• 2:01–3:02 | Mock Schedule (7 minutes in each class)

  • Hour 1: 2:01–2:07

  • Hour 2: 2:12–2:18

  • Hour 3: 2:23–2:29

  • Hour 4: 2:34–2:40

  • Hour 5: 2:45–2:51

  • Hour 6: 2:56–3:02

• 3:07–3:25 | Prime Time: Bussing Discussion

✨ Tuesday, September 1 –

• 8:50–10:45 | Prime Time Activities

• 10:50–11:30 | 1st Hour

Staggered Lunch & 2nd/3rd Hours

• 6th Grade:

  • 11:30–11:55 | Lunch

  • 12:00–12:37 | 2nd Hour

  • 12:42–1:19 | 3rd Hour

• 7th Grade:

  • 11:35–12:12 | 2nd Hour

  • 12:12–12:37 | Lunch

  • 12:42–1:19 | 3rd Hour

• 8th Grade:

  • 11:35–12:12 | 2nd Hour

  • 12:17–12:54 | 3rd Hour

  • 12:54–1:19 | Lunch

Afternoon Schedule

• 1:24–2:01 | 4th Hour

• 2:06–2:43 | 5th Hour

• 2:48–3:25 | 6th Hour

✨ Wednesday Sept.2nd – Regular Schedule Begins

BCMS offers a variety of athletic programs for students in grades 7 and 8, along with art, music, academic clubs, and other enrichment opportunities available to students in all grade levels.

For questions about activities or athletics, contact Kelley Jaszewski in the Activities Office at 763-682-8201. Additional information is available on the BCMS website. Students can register for athletics through the Campus Portal once they have a current sports physical on file. Athletic schedules and updates are posted at www.gobound.com

🏫 At BCMS, our goal is for grades to clearly reflect what students know and are able to do. Grades are based primarily on students’ academic performance and progress toward grade-level standards.

What Families Should Know:

Summative Assessments, approximately 90% of the grade
Tests, projects, quizzes, and other assessments that demonstrate student learning and mastery of course standards.

Formative Practice, approximately 10% of the grade
Homework, classwork, and other practice opportunities that help students build skills and prepare for summative assessments. Practice is important because it gives students opportunities to make mistakes, receive feedback, and improve before major assessments.

Retakes
Students may retake one summative assessment after showing they have taken steps to prepare. Students should get a BCMS Retake Request Form from the teacher of that class. The form may include reviewing material, additional practice or studying, attending WIN Time or meeting with the teacher, and explaining how they prepared. Formative practice cannot be retaken.

📊 BCMS 4-Point Grading Scale

A = 4.0 | A- = 3.7 | B+ = 3.3 | B = 3.0 | B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3 | C = 2.0 | C- = 1.7 | D+ = 1.3 | D = 1.0 | D- = 0.7 | F = 0

🏅 Honor Roll

Students are recognized for strong academic achievement each grading period:

• A Honor Roll: GPA of 3.7 or higher
• B Honor Roll: GPA of 2.7–3.69

Our goal is to provide students and families with grades that are clear, meaningful, and focused on student learning and growth.

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, Adriane Close <aclose@bhmschools.org> 763-682-8242

Parents and guardians can use the Absence Request tool to submit a request that informs the office in advance when their student is not going to be in school. After the request is processed, Campus creates an attendance record for the student.

📅 Reporting an Absence in Campus

Parents and guardians can use Campus to let the school know in advance when their child will be absent.

Step 1: Log in to the Parent Portal
Log in to your Campus Parent Portal account.
Don’t have an account? Contact the BCMS office for help.

Step 2: Open Absence Requests
Select Absence Requests from the menu.

• On a computer, you may need to select More, then Absence Requests.
• On a phone, tap the three-line menu icon, then select Absence Requests.

Step 3: Enter the Absence Information
Select your student and enter the requested absence information, including the reason, type of absence, date(s), and any needed details. Then select Submit.

Step 4: Check the Status
Select View Requests to see the status of your request.

• Pending = Your request was submitted and is waiting for school approval.
• Approved = The school has reviewed and approved the absence.

Need to delete a request?
Requests can only be deleted before the school has processed them.

"Doing What's Best for Kids!"

Email: mlubben@bhmschools.org

Location: 1300 State Hwy 25 NE, Buffalo, MN, USA

Phone: 763-682-8200

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Twitter: @BCMSBison