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Bismarck Public Schools has 16 neighborhood schools, which serve 5,870 students, grades K-6, in the beginning of 2011-12. Contact any elementary school for student or curriculum information or call the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary, (701) 323-4069.
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Eligibility:
The North Dakota High School Activities Association governs extracurricular activities. For information on participation and eligibility requirements, call Bismarck School District's Activities Office, (701) 323-4080.
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Emergency School Closings:
The Superintendent of Schools may close schools in the event of hazardous weather, epidemics, or other emergencies that threaten the safety or health of students and staff. In the case of inclement weather, the Transportation Director will make a recommendation to the Superintendent by 5 a.m.
If schools are to be closed, the Superintendent will alert all local news media. The official weather station is KFYR AM 550. Once school starts, buildings will not be closed unless we are directed by authorities to do so. During bad weather, parents should use their own good judgment in determining whether their children should attend. Weather-related absences will not count against attendance or test exemption.
For school information during an emergency, go to www.bismarckschools.org, on the home page or under District Alerts on the left.
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Employees:
The Bismarck Public School District is an equal opportunity employer. Most employees are screened, tested and interviewed at length before being hired. The district is one of the largest employers in the city, with fulltime, part-time and seasonal staff. The following is a breakdown of employees at the beginning of the 2011-201s school year: teaching staff=947; support staff=697; professional support staff=61; administrators=46; total=1,751.
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English Language Learner (ELL):
Bismarck Public Schools offers programming, as needed, at elementary schools for limited English proficient students under the ELL (English Language Learner) program. Call (701) 323-4200. Services for American Indian students in the form of tutorial services, home/school liaison, and cultural programs are offered through the federally funded Johnson O'Malley program and Title VII Indian Education programs. To learn more, call (701) 323-4050.
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The Bismarck Public School District is the largest in the state. The opening day enrollment for 2011-2012: kindergarten = 938; elementary (1-6) = 4,932; middle school (7-9) = 2,539; senior high (10-12) = 2,599; total = 11,008, an increase of 233 students over last year.
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Extracurricular:
On the elementary level, the school district offers musical instrument training for children in grades 4-6 (strings start in grade 4; band in grade 6). The Bismarck Parks and Recreation Department runs our elementary athletic programs, (701) 222-6455. The park and school districts co-sponsor fall co-ed cross country meets and a spring track and field event.
At the middle and high school level, the district offers many co-curricular activities. Fine arts include a wide variety of music, visual art, speech and drama opportunities. The fall sports program has football, girls' volleyball, girls' swimming, girls' golf, boys' cross country, girls' cross country, boys' soccer and boys' tennis. The winter sports program offers boys' basketball, boys' hockey, girls' hockey, girls' basketball, gymnastics, figure skating, wrestling, and boys' swimming. In the spring, we have boys' track, girls' track, girls' soccer, girls' tennis, girls' softball, boys' golf, and baseball. The number for the Activities Office is (701) 323-4080.
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Field Trips:
See Transportation
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Food Services:
Breakfast and lunch are available for students at all Bismarck Public Schools. Elementary students pay $1.00 for breakfast; lunch is $1.75. Middle school and senior high students pay $1.10 for breakfast; $2.25 for lunch, depending on a la carte items purchased. Adults pay $1.50 for breakfast; $2.75 for lunch. Applications for free or reduced meals are available from the Food Service Office, (701) 323-4090. Reduced breakfast costs 30-cents; reduced lunch costs 40-cents; extra milk is 35-cents.
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Foundation:
The Bismarck Public School District has a non-profit foundation for accepting donations for programs, scholarships, teacher mini-grants, etc. Call (701) 323-4093.
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Gifted Program:
Bismarck Public Schools has a Levels of Service program. Nine coordinators work with classroom teachers in the school district's 16 elementary schools. For more information, contact the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools, (701) 323-4069.
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Grading:
Elementary school grades are given at trimester time, which is Nov. 23, March 2 and May 24 in 2011-12. Middle school and senior high students receive reports at the end of each nine weeks: October 28, January 13, March 16, and May 24.
A standards-based progress report is used for K-3: a score of 1 means the student has limited understanding of the benchmark/goal, a 2 means the student has partially met the benchmark/goal; and a 3 means the benchmark/goal has been met.
In grades 4-12, letter grades are used. A = excellent, B = above average, C = average, D = below average, F = failing, and I = incomplete. The senior highs also allow students to take one elective class per semester on a pass/fail or S/U basis: S = satisfactory and U = unsatisfactory. This enables students to receive credit for taking a class without having a letter grade affect their grade point average.
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Graduation:
In 2010-2011, 840 students graduated from Bismarck's three public high schools: BHS = 426; CHS = 324; SCHS = 40. In 2011-2012, graduation ceremonies for South Central High School will be at 7 p.m. at the Belle Mehus Auditorium on Thursday, May 24. Bismarck and Century high school seniors will graduate Sunday, May 27, at the Civic Center. CHS will be at 1 p.m.; BHS is at 5 p.m.
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Graduation Requirements:
Bismarck Public Schools requires students to have a minimum of 22 credits to graduate (14 required courses and 8 electives). Required subjects are: 4 credits of English, 3 credits of Social Studies, 3 credits of Math, 3 credits of Science by 2011, and 2 credits of Physical Education. In 2011-2012, graduation requirements may increase to 24 credits.
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