The BECEP Pre-K programs are doing a Pajama Drive now through December 11. Sizes 3T to youth small are needed. Donations can be dropped off at BECEP, 720 N 14th St. or at Ocean’s Paradise, 1412 E Broadway Ave. BECEP thanks you kindly for your consideration!

Dec. 1: Bob Wenger, Tioga, $40
Dec. 2: Iris Stenerson, Bismarck, $40

We are asking for donations of diapers, wipes, tampons, and feminine pads. These donations will help serve children 0-18 that receive support from the BPS Students in Transition program, BECEP, South Central High School, all BPS social workers working with families in need, Healthy Families of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, and the Adopt-A-Block program.

We have seen an evident need to help people in our community with basic items such as diapers, wipes, and feminine hygiene products. This underlying need in our community is now exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting rising unemployment. WIC and SNAP benefits help with food, but do not help with these items or other personal hygiene items for children and families in our community. A group of organizations along with faith leaders are working with families and have come together with the goal of meeting the current above-mentioned needs and building relationships between churches and organizations to continue and increase the scope of support into the future.

Our first goal is to collect and build resources so the above organizations can distribute to families in need. Donations can be dropped off at:

Century Baptist Church (205 Colt Dr.) Monday & Thursday 11:00 am-1:00 pm.

Evangel Church (3225 N 14th St.) Wednesday 12:00-1:00 pm.

J&R Vacuum (223 E Main Ave) Monday-Friday 9:00 am-6:00 pm. Drop off at loading dock and call 258-5619 at time of delivery.

To have donations picked up, call Becky Matthews at 701-220-5271. To learn more about the Needs Nook, contact her at rebecca239@bis.midco.net or 701-220-5271.

Donate to Student Cold-Weather Efforts
BPS social workers have identified the need for snow boots, snow pants and water-repellent gloves for students in need.  If you would like to make a monetary donation to help purchase these items, please go to https://www.bpsfoundation.com/donations/kidskicks/.

Donate to Family Assistance Fund
The Bismarck Public Schools Foundation (BPSF) has established a COVID-19 BPS Family Assistance Fund.  Those that wish to donate may do so through the foundation website or by mail. To donate online, go to https://www.bpsfoundation.com/donations/cv19bps-faf/. To donate by mail, send checks to the BPS Foundation at 806 N. Washington St., Bismarck, ND 58501 and write “COVID-19” in the memo line. Families seeking assistance are encouraged to reach out to their counselor or social worker who will connect them to established community resources as well as submit requests for funding needs that cannot be met within existing resources. The BPSF thanks those who have already reached out to volunteer and/or provide monetary donations to help those within our community who are struggling.

Donate to Student Feeding Efforts
BPS has had many kind offers to help with student feeding. If you want to make a monetary donation to help feed students in need, go to www.bpsfoundation.com/meals. 

Bismarck Parks and Recreation District (BPRD) is offering an Open Gym program for youth and adults to use neighborhood gymnasiums on Saturdays and Sundays in a supervised, free play environment. The Open Gym program starts the weekend of Nov. 7-8 at selected schools. It is a free program which runs through March 6-7, 2021. Some school locations have changed from previous years. A complete list of school locations and times can be found on the BPRD website at www.bisparks.org.

The following safety protocols are in place at Open Gym. Participants are asked to bring their own equipment (basketballs, volleyballs, etc.) Participants should recreate with their own group. Masks are required when entering and exiting Bismarck Public School facilities.

The Open Gym program also includes teams wanting to use the World War Memorial Building, 215 N 6^th St. Court reservations will be taken for adult teams interested in practicing at the World War Memorial Building or Simle Middle School.  Reservations can be made for the weekend by calling 222-6454 between 8:30 am and 5 pm on the Friday preceding weekend play.  Each team will have a court for one hour.

The Open Gym program is provided by BPRD in cooperation with Bismarck Public Schools.

The Bismarck School Board will meet at 5:15 pm at the City-County Building at 221 N. 5th Street. The public is invited to attend the meeting or watch it LIVE on cable channel 2.

There is no school Wednesday, Dec. 23 for Parent-Teacher Conference Day off.