A Message from Principal Anne Kusch

Calm. Kind. Safe. This is the Panther Way!  We wish you these things as we head into spring break 2023.  

We are two weeks into trimester 3, the final stretch of the year before summer break. We just wrapped up Access testing (an English language proficiency assessment) for many of our multilingual learners.

April and May bring state and district testing season. Students will be engaged in MCA testing during the month of April. The data we glean from these tests is important. At Black Hawk, we study these results and other multiple data points to support our understanding of student growth and development in our learning environment. Our goal is to meet each student where they are and ensure they reach their full potential. 

We know student safety is critical to academic success. In order to grow and learn, students need to feel safe and connected in their learning environment. As a pandemic principal (hired in 2020!), safety is always on my mind. Holistic student and community health is critical to a thriving school environment. 

One partnership that supports safety at BHMS is with the Eagan Police Department and specifically with detective and School Resource Officer Chad Clausen. He works with our learning community part time and is an excellent resource and support for our students, staff, families and school as a whole.  

This spring, our 6th graders have the opportunity to apply to be a Lieutenant for a Day! Students can choose to write an essay about “Why I Want to be a Lieutenant.” All submissions will be reviewed, and one lucky writer will be selected to spend a portion of the school day at the Eagan Police Department. They will be sworn in, tour the facility, learn about the different departments, and be treated to lunch!  Submissions are already rolling in to me and are due by Friday, April 7. The student selected will be notified the week of April 10th.  

Do we have any 8th graders interested in learning more about the work of the Eagan Police or FBI?  All 8th graders are invited to participate in the Youth Leadership Academy this summer June 12-15. See Officer Clausen for more information.

As we look forward to longer warmer days, let’s continue to work together to support a Calm, Kind and Safe environment at BHMS. As parents, you can support your student by checking Schoology on a daily or weekly basis, support them in advocating for their needs by connecting with teachers and support staff in person or by email, monitor their activity on social media and construct family agreements on screen time. Remember, there are no cell phones or wireless headphones in the school environment. Our aim is to keep students focused on learning while improving their social, emotional, coping, and self-regulation skills. Middle school has never been more complicated, and we love it!  As always, we are here to partner with you. Reach out to us anytime

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Read this message and more News at bhms.district196.org/families/News