A challenge of maintaining current academic programming (core subjects and exploratory courses) with an increasing student enrollment. Increasing Student Population at BMS: students students students students students

Students enter BMS from five different SBPS feeder schools, and one private school. Sixty percent of BMS students qualify for free and reduced meals, which is up 4% from the previous year. In , 44.18% of Nebraska students qualified for free and reduced meals. The mobility rate of BMS is 13%, and the state mobility rate is 11%.

Quality Teaching and Instructional Programming Address those areas and grades where BMS saw drops in cohort data from the 2013 NeSA Reading and Math assessment. Follow learning guides with fidelity. Implement design maps with fidelity in Reading classrooms. Place students needing additional support into an intervention course, i.e., Focus Math, Focus Reading, Focus Writing, or Guided Study.

Quality Teaching and Instructional Programming Implement Math Bridges in Focus Math. Pilot Focus Science at Grade 8 during Quarter 3. Continue to offer a variety of exploratory classes, and everyday Physical Education for all students. Introduce a new Grade 8 exploratory class, Publications, starting Quarter 2.

Quality Teaching and Instructional Programming Monthly grade level meetings with Content Area Specialists. Discussions focus on learning guides, common assessments, and instructional strategies. Utilize classroom, common grade level, and Check 4 Learning assessments to inform instruction. Classroom strategies include re- teaching critical content and skills when needed.

Safety, Efficiency and Effectiveness Implement The Learning Center for students on an IEP displaying severe emotional and behavior needs. Pilot the integration of a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner into our daily structure. Introduce and train staff in the All Children Experience Success (ACES) program

Strong Relationships and Equitable Schools Continue to offer a wide array of after school clubs and enrichment activities. Conducted a “Positive Phone Call Competition” amongst teams of teachers as a way of fostering positive relationships with families of BMS students. In partnership with community businesses, offer a school wide incentive program during Quarter 3. Increase the active membership at Collective Advisory Team meetings.

As part of the Positive Phone Call Competition, staff combined to make 407 positive phone calls in a three week period! BMS was able to sustain academic programming, and operate in a manner that is more effective for students and staff because of the additional positions that were added for the 2013/2014 school year, including Dean of Students, Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner, a Reading/Computer teacher, Behavioral Disorder teacher increased from half time to full time, and the School Resource Officer which will hopefully start working for the schools in mid-February.

In comparing Semester /2013 to 2013/2014, BMS saw a 26% decrease in Office Referrals. Grade 7 Reading – A 3% increase in cohort group performance (7 more proficient readers). Since this cohort has arrived at BMS two years ago the number of proficient readers has increased by 34 students (58% to 72%). Grade 8 Science – In terms of the “Improvement” category for NePAS, Grade 8 Science saw a 2.57 increase in students’ average scale score.

Grade 8 Writing – 74% of BMS students were proficient on NeSA-Writing. This was 7% higher than the state average. Expanded High Ability Learner program which now includes monthly meetings with BMS HAL Coordinator and once a semester field trips. Thirty-eight students successfully completed an Honors Project in Social Studies or Science during the first semester. Mike Koch selected as the Nebraska Music Educators Association (NMEA) Music Educator of the Year!

The BMS 8th Grade Concert Band was invited by Curtis Forsch (NMEA Chair, Middle Level/Jr. High Affairs) to perform as a "Demonstration Group" for the Middle Level Music Reading Session at the Nebraska Music Educators Association Convention in November. Four BMS 8 th Grade Band students were selected to the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association 8 th Grade All-State Band this year. We have had students selected to this honor band for the past twelve years and these four students continue the tradition.