Masks are required. Cloth masks are recommended. Masks should be washed daily. Here is the CDC guidance on washing masks: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wash-cloth-face-coverings.html. BPS recommends all students in grades K-12 have a backpack with a padded compartment or a padded Neoprene sleeve (14 inch) to carry their Chromebook/laptop back and forth to school this year, if needed. We also suggest that students have their own earbuds or headphones that include the built-in microphone.

High Schools don't have school supply lists. On the first day, students should bring notebooks, pens, and pencils. Each teacher will tell the students if they need something specific for that class.

Head Start is now accepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Applications can be found at https://www.bismarckschools.org/Page/2616 or call BECEP at 701-323-4400 to request an application be mailed to you. There is a black drop-box to the right of BECEP’s front door to return applications and required documents. BECEP is located at 720 North 14^th Street.

Mark your calendars for Fill the Bus on Thursday, Aug. 20, 6 am-6 pm, at the Red Carpet Car Washes by Century High School or on Washington Street & Expressway. Drop off new school supplies or monetary donations to buy supplies for kids in need! If you bring us supplies, Red Carpet Car Wash will give you 9.3 cents off per gallon for your fill-up that day! You can also donate ONLINE by clicking here and scrollinig down to choose Fill the Bus: https://www.bpsfoundation.com/donate/

For each schools lists, go to the school's homepage, click the Resources tab, then School Supply List.

Parents who are in need of school supplies for their children should contact their children’s schools in mid-August with the grade levels of each child and when they can pick up the materials, which will typically be on the first day of school.

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 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/donate/ and click “COVID-19 BPS Family Assistance.” 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 https://www.bismarckschools.org/Page/3381 and follow the instructions listed. If you are not currently a MyPaymentsPlus user, you can set up an account! 

Teacher work day is August 21.