Students and Faculty Participate in Statewide STEM Advisory Council
Bondurant-Farrar students and faculty were recently invited to participate in this year’s Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, which focused on the future of computer science and its use in the classroom. Made possible by various funding received from related initiatives, the district has become a leader in incorporating STEM based learning throughout all grade levels.

The statewide meeting included a panel discussion, which featured superintendent Rich Powers and sophomore Rylie Anderson. Respectively, Powers and Anderson were the only educational leader and student representative chosen for the panel. The focus of this panel was to discuss the current status of STEM and how it’s currently incorporated into the classroom, as well as brainstorming ways to provide quality computer science programming to students across Iowa.

Additionally, Bondurant-Farrar kindergarten students were invited to demonstrate ways recent funds provided for experiential learning opportunities related to the Ramps and Pathways (R&P) program. R&P is designed to nurture engineering habits as young children build their own technology of marble runs. In the creation process, students explore with the laws of physics, properties of objects, and how those properties affect motion.

Pictured Above (L to R): BFCSD kindergartners accompanied by Rich Powers, Donovan Hill, Joannie Sanger, Kelli Daly, and Ben Anderson.
Significant Bus Driver Shortage
Like many school districts in Iowa, Bondurant-Farrar is experiencing a significant shortage in bus drivers. To help fill these vacancies, the district is seeking help from our community.

More details:
  • Immediate need for 5 bus drivers who are able to drive daily morning and afternoon routes.
  • Hours are generally 7-8 AM and 3:00-4:15 PM, with the exception of Monday due to early dismissals (1:30-2:45 PM)
  • Starting pay is $23/hour; IPERS available
  • Drivers will also have opportunities to drive extra-curricular activities.
  • The district will train interested individuals.

Thank you for your continuous support of our school community, and for any assistance you can provide in helping us fill our shortage in bus drivers.
If you or anyone you know is interested in joining our team, please contact:

Mary Jo Hetrick, Transportation Director
Email: hetrickmj@bfschools.org
Phone: 515-967-7819
Approved 2019-20 School Calendar
Last month, the district requested input regarding the proposed 2019-20 school calendar. Feedback was gathered, reviewed by administration, and later provided to the Bondurant-Farrar Board of Education for consideration. At their regularly scheduled meeting on November 26, the Board approved the 2019-20 school calendar.

For your convenience, a link to the approved calendar has been included below, and can also be found under the 'Our District' section of our website (www.bfschools.org).

Of note, Parent-Teacher Conferences in the fall will move to a 3:00-7:00 p.m. time slot. The district will pilot this and later determine if this practice will continue for spring conferences.

CLICK ON EACH IMAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Iowa School Performance Results
On December 18, the Iowa Department of Education released new online reports showing how public schools performed in a new accountability system that meets the Every Student Succeeds Act, a federal education law that replaced the No Child Left Behind Act.

Each school in our district receives scores on these accountability measures; you can locate our scores and results by clicking the link below.

Building For Our Future: Progress At Morris Elementary
Progress continues on the gymnasium and classroom additions at Morris Elementary. The photos above were taken by Dave Silver who oversees construction projects on behalf of the district. Construction is on track to be completed later this spring with student and staff occupancy in August of 2019.

Wi-Fi Installed on Activity Routes
On November 19, the district activated mobile Wi-Fi hotspots on seven buses that are typically used to transport students to and from activities. Hotspots on buses 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 15, and 23 will also be available for students on daily school routes.

Made possible by a recent Prairie Meadows Community Betterment grant, the hotspots will allow students to complete homework on school-issued devices. Students will be expected to continue using their device in accordance with the District’s Acceptable Use Policy .

Students wishing to connect to the hotspots can find network and password information posted at the front of each bus. 
It is the policy of the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator; Chad Carlson, Director of Administrative Services, 300 Garfield St SW, Bondurant, IA 50035, 515-967-7819, carlsonc@bfschools.org .; or Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-7204, (312) 730-1560, OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

Questions, comments or concerns?
Please email Jessica Hartgers of the
Bondurant-Farrar District Office.