Giving Back

By Steve Willman

Our students always amaze me at the generosity they demonstrate.  Another example among many is our Give Back week.  Four charities are chosen and each grade level raises supplies for one of the four charities.  On Tuesday, November 22nd, we presented the gifts to the charity representatives and celebrate their work with our local communities.  This year we chose:

• Books for Kids - Mayo’s Pediatrics Unit
• Non-perishables, personal and household items - Homeless Youth Program for LINK/LSS
• Toys, personal and household items - Rochester Women’s Shelter
• Cleaning supplies and non-perishables - Ronald McDonald House

Thank you to our families for all of the donations and support.  Our kids feel great when they contribute to people in need.  We couldn’t do this without the support they receive from you and our community.

Learning options for our youngest learners

by Amanda Durnen


As Byron Public Schools strives to individualize each student's education, Community Education works to ensure that Parents have the opportunity to choose what they believe is best for their preschool aged child.  This year we are excited to offer many options for families with young children school readiness experiences.


We have an all day, everyday preschool program option that meets the needs of parents who are looking for a program that can keep their child safe and learning every day.  We also have many options for part-time school readiness classes with either two or three-day options.


No matter what programming choice parents make for their children, our early childhood teachers work to ensure that each child is given the opportunity to use their wonderful imagination, amazing creativity, and inquisitive nature to learn.  Lessons are developmentally appropriate and aligned to the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress and teachers work to continue to provide what each child needs to grow academically, socially and emotionally.


Teachers encourage children to explore what they are interested in; choice is built into almost every aspect of the preschool day.  Community Education continues to provide support to all families and work with parents to choose the program that is best for their preschool child. We all work together to help the young children in our community become Kindergarten ready.

Thankfulness

By Richard Swanson


We have a lot to be thankful for at BMS.  We have had a great start to the school year with many new things happening in the system.  We are now a 6th-8th grade building and have added many new learning experiences for our students.  We have added a block schedule which has allowed our students to spend more time with teachers and dive deeper into the necessary relationships and learning materials.  We continue to get specific about what we are teaching and measuring our progress on those specifics.  We continue to find ways to share the BMS story and connect with the great families and community here in Byron.  In every example above, it is people that make all of those things a reality.  Those people have put many hours into creating a learning environment that is aligned to the unique and amazing students we serve.  Our students have had the right attitudes and put forth the effort to grow and learn to the best of their abilities.

It is a great thing to be a part of a "learning community" that focuses on creating students of good character who will work hard to learn at deep and meaningful levels.  We appreciate the parents, students, teachers, paras, support staff, custodians and community members that support the great things happening at BMS!  We will continue to get better at what we do, which is inspiring young adolescents to learn new things and become people that will make a positive impact on the world around them.  We thank you for your help and look forward to the future and all that it will bring!

Cupcake War Ss building cupcake displays without the carpenters!!!@ByronMSBears #bmsbears pic.twitter.com/lw15QnIUcD

— Cathleen M Johnson (@evpceojohnson) November 22, 2016

7th Grade BEARS are sharing what they are thankful for💛 #BMSBears @ByronMSBears pic.twitter.com/xsQ6wIU4m9

— Brooke Bordelon (@BrookeBordelon) November 22, 2016

Intense Kahoot game happening with the 6th and 8th Grade buddies at @ByronMSBears #byronbears #Belonging pic.twitter.com/5eRSCwudtn

— Katie Donlin (@DonlinSTEM) November 18, 2016

A little #NaNoWriMo2016 action happening in English class! 1,000-18,000 words in our novels!! Working hard! #bmsbears pic.twitter.com/gK106VYXO3

— Janelle Groehler (@JanelleGroehler) November 18, 2016

So proud of my students! This shows the big picture for them, how they're making a difference outside the classroom! https://t.co/niwexViFq3

— Mr. Pollock (@MrPollockBMS) November 17, 2016

Byron Middle School @ByronMSBears Gr. 8 Music Ss out in the community with their "Music Connects People" project #byronbears #BMSBears pic.twitter.com/IY5xg3GAqd

— Michael Mangan (@ByronBandMS) November 3, 2016

Developing Well-Rounded Students

By Abe Rodemeyer

In November, we often think of thankfulness and gratitude for all that we have.  Our school district believes in developing well-rounded students so they may become adults who are not only lifelong learners but citizens who show empathy and compassion for others.  At the Byron Intermediate School, this month, we kicked off a change for children campaign to support the Wishes for More Foundation.  Wishes and More supports children and their families who are ill with Wishes, Scholarships and Memorials.  A friendly competition between both the Primary and Intermediate schools to see who can raise the most money during the month of November will determine which school gets a movie and pizza.  In addition to this campaign, students at both schools are involved in activities and events such as All Pro Dads, school leadership along with service learning projects like lawn raking and classroom buddies where they have opportunities to learn about being a good person and serving others.  Way to go Bears!

Byron Primary & Intermediate Schools together learning about supporting a community service project, Wishes & More.#BISstars, #ByronBears pic.twitter.com/EXLKbymvvA

— Abe Rodemeyer (@aberodemeyer) November 4, 2016

5th-grade webcasters introducing Mr. Blom and Mrs. Barstad as a challenge for Wishes and More. 

5th-grade student council leadership member assisting our Kindergarten friends at morning breakfast

Elementary students at a recent All Pro Dads event learning about honesty, cooperation, and teamwork.

5th graders being a good neighbor with raking a community members lawn.

Developing Leaders

 

By Amanda Durnen

 

This year at the Byron Primary School, we have ventured into a unique and meaningful relationship with some of our 5^th grade students from the Byron Intermediate School.  Together we have created and implemented a 5^th Grade Leadership program.  The goal of this program is to empower our 5^th grade students to be role models and leaders for our younger students, while providing assistance with our morning routines. 

Our 5^th grade leaders report to the Primary School every morning at 7:15 to check in, get their safety vest, put on their nametag and decide where they will be helping that morning.  Students have the option of assisting in breakfast, assisting with parent drop off, or assisting on the playground.  Students rotate jobs so that they get to know the ins and outs of all supervision areas.

When asked how they feel about the leadership opportunities offered this year, students have responded with overwhelming positive comments! “It is so much fun!”  “I love being able to do this!” We look forward to having our 5^th grade leaders continue their roles and enjoy their experiences with the Primary students

.

x

Triple E Day - Explore Examine Experience

Written by Paige Finley (BHS Student)

At Byron High School, Triple E Day is an experience filled with excitement, learning, and relaxation. Students are given numerous choices of activities or events to participate in for a few hours in the morning. A few of these are yoga, fleece tie blanket-making, hiking, and cribbage. There are plenty of options to choose from, and students never have trouble finding an activity that suits their interests.

Triple E Day is a great way to break up the long weeks of school as well. Staff members always seem to plan it when students are feeling run-down and losing their drive to succeed. Triple E Day is used to rejuvenate our brains, and it allows for an opportunity to relax and forget about schoolwork and responsibilities. Students can enjoy themselves and each other’s company during their activities, as well as socialize with teachers outside of class time.

If you asked Byron students what they think of Triple E Day, I can guarantee you that almost all of them would say that they love it. It’s a great chance for them to learn a new activity, have fun with something that they already know, or just unwind with their classmates. Not only does Triple E Day expose students to unique (and sometimes new) activities, but it also gives some students the opportunity to get out of the high school and into the outdoors. This year, some groups traveled to Oxbow Park where they went canoeing, hiking, and exploring nature. Other groups went to local fishing spots and tried their luck at those places.

Triple E Day is an extremely effective way to break up the quarter and to allow students to have a little bit of fun at school. Because of the large amount of varying activities, a student would have trouble finding one that they do not take interest in. Not only do students love Triple E Day, but teachers do as well. No matter what activity you choose, the staff member in charge of it is fun to work with, and the students have a blast no matter what."

We are loving our flexible furniture!

By Amanda Durnen

@AmandaLyonsCEC

 Byron Primary School houses grade level neighborhoods that not only have individual classrooms, but shared common areas with flexible furniture and soft seating.  Most every piece of furniture in the building is flexible, meaning that it can easily be moved or connected to other pieces of furniture to create collaborative groups or individual learning spaces. “The Wiggle Chairs are my favorite”, said second-grade student Trace, “you get to work and move at the same time”.  According to Gavin, another second-grade student, “the colored couches and chairs are the best because it is relaxing to read in them” Lexie and Jordan love being able to move their desks around and Mason loves having a slide out tray for his supplies. Our flexible furniture and seating really encourages student engagement and provides a personalized feel for all students each and every day.  “There is opportunity for choice,” shared Jan Reed, second-grade teacher.  “Agreed” shared colleague Jaymie Jax.  “Students can choose how they may learn best”.

Free Activity Passes!

By Malia Schroeder
@ByronActivities

As of Tuesday, September 6, Superintendent Elstad sent an email to all parents stating that all Byron students in grades 6-12 will gain free entrance into all home regular season activities.  All Byron students in grades K-5 will gain free entrance into all home regular season activities provided they are accompanied by an adult.   This change is intended to increase our student participation in activities and continue our Byron Bear school spirit.

Photo courtesy of Chris Douglas (@cdouglas706)

A huge thank you to our school board who recognized the value in increasing student participation at activities and helping to spread Byron Bear school spirit!  As the Activities Director, I have had multiple students tell me how "awesome" it is to be able to get into events for free.  We have seen an increase in our student attendance at football, soccer, and volleyball events so far! Go Bears!

The Power of Authentic and Connected Learning

By Jen Hegna

Mr. Murray's high school health class created public service announcements to educate others of the dangers of substance use/abuse.  As part of this project - students were required to reach out to an organization to obtain information and confer with them about their ideas. Students would then share their videos and receive feedback about their project.

Below is the public service announcement created by BHS students as well as a follow-up video interview of them talking about this project and the learning experience.   Because the students were required to connect to an  organization and produce real work for the entity,  the students were extremely empowered.  They also had unexpected lessons - like communicating professionally with businesses that the found useful.  

"Scarred" (2:27)

Student interview about their project (5:55)