Back to School

Immunizations: Minnesota law requires that all students have proof of required vaccinations or a valid exemption.

Minnesota School Immunization Requirements

Notify our BSM nurse, Stacy Zitzloff (szitzloff@bsmschool.org) regarding any individual health needs for your student(s).

Please contact our school nurse directly if:

• Your student has any new health conditions or changes to existing health conditions AND/OR
• Your student will need medication or procedures administered at school

Medications can be dropped off during Red Knight Round-Up or during the first week of school for secure storage and distribution.

We want our Red Knights in class every day as part of our community, prepared to learn.

Students are only allowed to miss a total of 8 days each semester before they are at risk of losing course credit. Once a student reaches that number, they may lose credit for a course. 

On or before the day a student is planning to be absent the parent/guardian, not student, should report attendance through PowerSchool by 8 a.m.

If a parent/guardian needs to remove a student from school for any reason and it is after 8 a.m., the parent/guardian should call and leave a message through the Attendance Line stating the date, time, and the reason for the absence.

High School Attendance Line: 952-927-4177
Middle School Attendance Line: 952-915-4356

If the minimum attendance requirement is exceeded, BSM reserves the right to withhold credit. Students who have exceeded the minimum attendance standard may be held out of field trips and other school-sponsored activities.

Taking extended trips and vacations during the school year presents a serious academic concern for students.

Please review the entire BSM attendance policy in the Student Handbook

Questions?
Please contact Katie Galper (kgalper@bsmschool.org) in the attendance office: 952-219-8435, or Sarah Gerads (sgerads@bsmschool.org) in the middle school office at 952-915-4356.

To ensure everyone in attendance at any BSM event has an enjoyable experience, our "Above the Line" sportsmanship policy is in effect.

We encourage our fans to support our students while modeling the best behavior, reflecting our BSM culture of respect and compassion for all.

Read the "Above the Line" sportsmanship policy. 

Thank you for your support.

All students in grades 6–12 are expected to follow BSM's cell phone policy.

Cell phones and other personal electronic devices including, but not limited to, headphones, smartwatches, and any device capable of accessing the internet, may not be used during the school day (8 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.).

These devices must be stored in the student's locker for the duration of the school day.

As members of the Benilde-St. Margaret’s community, you will be expected to follow the guidelines set down in our Student Handbook.

The rules are established for the welfare of the entire student body. Follow these guidelines and be proud of your school. You will be representing Benilde-St. Margaret’s wherever you go.

Our values are inspired by our founders: the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Christian Brothers, and the Order of Saint Benedict.

Each student at BSM has a school counselor who is their partner through middle and high school.

Sarah Kelly for students in 6th-8th grade

Amy Larson for high school students with last names A-Do

Kate Berry for high school students with last names Dr-I

Heidi Wessman for high school students with last names J-Me

Micah Wimmer for high school students with last names Mi-Sa

Amanda Anderson for high school students with last names Sc-Z

Learn more about BSM's student counselors.

All families should log-in to PowerSchool to complete the necessary forms by the end of the day on Friday, August 7, 2026.

New families to BSM will receive an email by Tuesday, July 21 from the BSM technology team with instructions and log-in credentials to access your PowerSchool account.

Returning families already have access. 

Updates to your contact information can be completed at the Great Knight Gathering event.

If you do not receive the email on Tuesday, July 21 or if you need assistance accessing PowerSchool, please email Erin Offerdahl.

*Students must complete all forms prior to the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

All Students
Please have a pair of headphones that can be used with your MacBook Air laptop for the year. Wireless or wired headphones or earbuds are acceptable.

Calculators
Students enrolled in Intermediate Algebra, Algebra II, or beyond must have the TI Nspire CX (Not CAS CX).  This calculator will last students the rest of high school, college, and beyond.

Gym Uniforms
Students in grades 6-9 need a gym uniform which can be purchase at the Spirit Shop during Red Knight Round-Up. The Spirit Shop is located inside the commons/cafeteria at BSM. Uniforms are $30 ($15 each for the top and bottoms).

High School (9-12)
There is no school supply list for high school. Students can make their own choice on folders or binders, whatever is preferred. Once school starts, teachers may make recommendations for specific supplies. Senior high students may choose to use the online google calendar to stay organized or may opt to bring their own hard copy planner/calendar.  

Middle School (6-8)
Each grade in Middle School has a list of resources and supplies which BSM asks families to provide for their students. The supplies can be brought in on the first day of school (not to orientation).

• Grade 6
• Grade 7
• Grade 8

High School
All high school students will be able to access their Fall Semester 2025 schedule on Friday, August 14, 2026 via PowerSchool.

If changes to your schedule are needed, please email our registrar, Matt Kennedy. 

Middle School
All middle school students have the opportunity to get their schedule on Thursday, August 20th at the Middle School Knight event. Schedule changes cannot be made at this event. We are unable to make schedule changes based on requests for a particular teacher or to be placed with friends. 

Questions can be sent to Mrs. Rikki Mortl, middle school principal or Mrs. Sarah Gerads, middle school administrative assistant.

Schedule changes cannot be made at The Great Knight Gathering.

Laptops (MacBook Air) for all BSM Red Knights can be picked-up on campus during The Great Knight Gathering.

During this event, new to BSM students will complete a 30-minute tech orientation and set-up their BSM student accounts with the BSM technology team. 

Questions?
Please contact the BSM technology team. 

PowerSchool is our Student Information System (SIS) where you can access attendance records, check grades, and fill out any online forms for your student(s).

This is the system used to complete Red Knight Round Up forms before the start of each school year. You should already have access to your account.

New families will receive an email from the BSM technology team with credentials to access and set-up your profile.

If you need to reset your password you can do so with this link. Contact the BSM main office if you need further assistance: 952-927-4176.

How to add the PowerSchool Application to your Mobile Device

• Go to the App store on your Mobile Device

• Search Powerschool (the application icon is shown at right)

• Download and open the application

• Enter the district code: WJLM

• Select that you are a parent/guardian

• Enter your parent credentials and login to your account

Schoology is our Learning Management System (LMS), an online portal to all of your student's classes and related information. This is where teachers post assignments, due dates, important links, and other class resources for students to access. Parents/guardians have the option to view the Schoology Learning portal by setting up a parent/guardian account.

Access codes will be emailed from the BSM technology team to all families the week before Knight School (mid-September).

The credential information you will need for your child will be provided at that time.

How to Create your Schoology Parent Account

Use these video instructions to set-up your account.

• Click on this link: https://app.schoology.com/register.php
• Select "parent/guardian"
• Enter the access code for your child above and click continue
• You will have the ability to add additional children after logging in
• Fill in the information fields and select "register"
• Click on your name in the upper right hand corner
• Select your child to view their courses

To add another student:

• Click your name in the upper right hand corner
• Click on the "add child" icon 
• Enter the access code for the additional student
• Repeat for each of your children

If you are running into issues and have students that use Schoology at a different school, check out this helpful tips document.

How to add the Schoology Application to your Mobile Device

• Go to the App store on your Mobile Device Search Schoology (the application icon is shown at right)
• Download and open the application
• Click on the blue "continue" button to login through www.schoology.com
• Enter your email and password to login

Since students arrive at school each day in many different ways, this information is for everyone and explains the many programs BSM has to assist in the transportation process—be it for car or bus riders.

Visit our Transportation page for more info and details about:

• Busing
• Bus Routes
• Drop-off / Pick-up
• Other Ride Options
• Parking
• Car Pools
• Transportation Reimbursement

BSM’s student lunch service is managed through an outside company, Taher.

Each family will receive an email from Taher with student lunch registration details and other information before the start of the school year. Members of the Taher food service team will be at Red Knight Round-Up to set-up lunch accounts and to answer any questions. 

During the school year, students will use a finger print reader or swipe their school ID to pay for lunch.

Students are welcome to bring their lunch from home as an alternative to purchasing the school lunch offered at BSM.

Every student must have their picture taken for ID purposes. 

Jostens will be at BSM during The Great Knight Gathering  on August 4th taking student photos.

Photo packages will be available for purchase at jostenspix.com following Round-Up. Create a free account; then search for Benilde-St. Margaret's High School or Benilde-St. Margaret's Junior High.

High School Event Code: coming soon

Middle School Event Code: coming soon

BSM will have a make-up / alternate picture day on September18th for any student who needs to get their photo taken. 

All students need to follow the BSM dress code for school photos.

Students will be assigned a locker and provided their combination on the first day of school. 

On the first day of school, we will begin in advisory (middle school) or homeroom (high school), going over logistics and ensuring all students feel comfortable and confident as we begin the school year. 

All students are welcome to bring their school supplies on their first day of school (not for orientation).

The dress code can be found in the Student Handbook.

If you are not sure if something fits with the dress code, before you would wear the selection to school, please ask:

• Mrs. Mortl (grades 6-8)
• Mr. Johnson (grades 6-8)
• Mr. McMerty-Brummer (high school, students A-L), or
• Mr. Kautzman (high school, students M-Z)

Mass Dress Code
BSM has a specific dress code for days when Mass is celebrated. Please refer to the BSM Student Handbook for specific details. We encourage you to purchase the following for your student, ensuring they are dressed appropriately for this important aspect of life at BSM:

Acceptable clothing:

• Collared shirts
• Dressy shirts, tops, and sweaters that extend over the waistband of the pants or skirt 
• Dress pants, khakis, jeans, knee-length skirts or dresses

Prohibited clothing:

• Shorts, sweatpants, leggings, pajamas
• Hooded shirts or sweatshirts
• Graphic or lettered t-shirts or sports jerseys

(This event was formerly called the Red Knight Round-up).

ALL FAMILIES are invited and encouraged to attend The Great Knight Gathering on Tuesday, August 4.

Please visit the Great Knight Gathering page for more information and details about what new and returning families can expect at the event.

Monday, August 24, 2026

8:00 a.m. - 2:35 p.m. Orientation for all 6th and new to BSM 7th & 8th Graders

Welcome to BSM! Our goal is to provide you with a positive and memorable transition to Benilde-St. Margaret's.

• Lunch may be purchased from the cafeteria or brought from home.

• Students should wear comfortable (dress code compliant) clothing

Monday, August 24, 2026

8:00 a.m. - 2:35 p.m. Orientation for all 9th Graders

1:00 - 2:35 p.m. Orientation for 10-12th Grade Transfer Students  (Including all international students) 

Welcome to BSM! On Monday - your "First Day at BSM" - you will join your new classmates and all new Red Knights for a special two-day orientation. Our goal is to provide you with a positive and memorable transition to Benilde-St. Margaret's.

• Lunch may be purchased from the cafeteria or brought from home.

• Students should wear comfortable (dress code compliant) clothing

High School students in grades 9-11 have a summer assignment. Click here to see your assignments. Seniors - please check based on the courses you are taking this year.

Middle School students do not have summer assignments.

Thursday, August 20, 2026: 4:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

Middle School students and their families are invited to join us at BSM to pick up class schedules and locker information, meet the middle school teachers, learn about the curriculum and what to expect during the school year, and enjoy a BBQ dinner. Additional event details will be emailed to families in the coming weeks.

September 4-7, 2026 - No school for the holiday weekend.

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Parents and caregivers are invited to come to BSM for an evening of following your students' academic schedule and meeting their teachers in mini-class sessions. Hear from school leaders, connect with other parents, and see what the year has in store for your Red Knight.

During the school year, the Spirit Shop (located in the cafeteria) is open daily 11:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

All students are encouraged to show their Red Knight spirit by wearing BSM gear any time during the school year, especially on spirit wear days which are announced in advance. The first takes place during Homecoming Week. 

Get involved with BSM's Parent Association!

It's a great way to meet other parents and ensure our students have meaningful and memorable experiences throughout the school year.

The Benilde-St. Margaret’s Parent Association (PA) organizes events for parents, students, faculty & staff, and alumni.

Events range from fellowship to recognition to fundraising, and every family at BSM is invited to join our efforts to nurture the family atmosphere of our school.

If you are interested in volunteering for events and activities throughout the year, please email volunteers@bsmschool.org to be added to the call as needed list.

Red Knights can choose from dozens of co-curricular programs each season and throughout the school year.

These opportunities support the holistic development of students that is central to the BSM educational mission.

Over 93% of BSM students are involved in one or more co-curricular, with many of the clubs and non-athletic co-curriculars established by students who shared a passion and interest with others.

The result is a broad mix of traditional and new clubs from knitting to e-sports. It’s this innovative and inclusive setting that encourages students to find and grow their interests while sharing them with others.

View the selection of clubs, activities, organizations, societies, and ways you can get involved at BSM!

BSM enthusiastically embraces athletics. Students at BSM have the opportunity to participate in a deep and vibrant program with nearly 30 varsity athletic programs for girls and boys in three annual seasons.

The athletic programs teach leadership skills, develop athletic ability, and encourage students to play for the sheer enjoyment of the game. This helps reinforce the BSM’s value of excellence that the whole person is integral to learning. 

BSM embraces the “teacher as a coach” model, adhering to the BSM philosophy that coaching is teaching and coaches are first and foremost teachers of their sport.

Many of the teams are available at multiple levels of play, giving students in both middle and high school the opportunity to explore their interests and master their skills.

View our full selection of athletic offerings to find what's right for you!

We are excited to announce that Fall Athletics & Activities Registration is now open through our new registration platform, Bound!

Beginning this year, Bound will serve as the primary home for Benilde-St. Margaret's Athletics & Activities. In addition to registration, Bound provides families with a centralized location for:

• Team schedules
• Practice and game calendars
• Rosters
• Coach and parent communication (following registration you are added to our coaches contact list)
• Team information
• Event tickets
• Athletics & Activities updates

We are excited to bring everything together under one platform to provide a more streamlined experience for our families. 

Registering is Easy

1. Log in to your existing Bound account or create a new account.
2. Create your family profile (if you haven't already).
3. Add your student(s) to your family.
4. Select your student's Fall sport or activity.
5. Complete all required registration forms and finish the registration process.

Register for Fall Athletics & Activities HERE

The Bound Family Registration Guide walks you through each step of the process. We encourage all families to reference this guide as they complete registration.

A Few Important Notes

• Please complete all required registration forms and ensure every registration step has been completed prior to the start of your student's fall season.
• Winter and Spring sports are not yet open for registration. Registration for those seasons will be communicated at a later date.
• Activities that begin in the fall and have an associated participation fee are available for registration in Bound now.
• Activities without a participation fee will have registration information communicated directly by the respective moderator as their season or activity approaches.

If you have any questions regarding Fall Athletics & Activities registration, please contact our Assistant Athletic Director, Shannon Currier, at scurrier@bsmschool.org

We appreciate your patience as we transition to this exciting new platform and look forward to an outstanding fall season.

Physical/Medical Form 

• As a member school of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) we are required to collect physical/medical forms including Annual Health History for any student who will be participating in an extracurricular activity. 
  • The form must be dated within last 3 years, has a doctor's signature AND states "eligible to participate"
  • can accept any format that your doctor/clinic uses for a physical/medical form.  
    Click here for a copy of MSHSL form if needed.
  • completed form(s) can be uploaded within this registration, faxed at 952-926-5764 or emailed at jkoski@bsmschool.org
• New families and transfer students --- please note that your previous schools do NOT forward a physical/medical form as part of any record transfers.

  • Please direct any questions regarding physicals to Assistant Athletic Director, Shannon Currier, at scurrier@bsmschool.org

• FREE High School Sports Physicals --- are offered by TRIA (tria.com/physicals)

If you have questions or need assistance with the eligibility/registration, please address it to:

Assistant Athletic Director, Shannon Currier, at scurrier@bsmschool.org

Matt Pryor, Director, Athletics & Activities
mpryor@bsmschool.org
952-915-4346

All students will be charged a $50 activity fee and students participating in athletic programs and other select co-curricular activities will be billed additional per season fees.

Additional information about the fee structure and rationale is available on the Tuition and Tuition Assistance page. The addition of these fees will allow us to continue providing first-in-class co-curricular opportunities in a way that is fiscally responsible for the school.

Parents, guardians, and caregivers are invited to join us for this important faith experience in the life of our community.

Each all school Mass begins at 9:20 a.m. in the Great Hall. Additional celebrations of the Mass are scheduled weekly throughout the school year before school beginning at 7:15 a.m.

This year's opening Mass will be August 28th.

A schedule of when Masses will be celebrated during the 2026-27 school year will be made available.

homecoming Week

October 4-10, 2026

All students are encouraged to participate in spiritwear days throughout the school year, the first being during Homecoming Week in September. The Spirit Shop (located in the cafeteria) will be open during the school year so you can grab the latest BSM apparel.

We are pleased to announce our annual Grandparents' Day event will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026 at the BSM's Haben Center. 

Registration link and additional information coming soon!

Save the Date!
The annual A Knight for BSM gala will take place on February 5, 2027.

This special evening plays an essential role in supporting BSM’s outstanding programs, tuition assistance, and facilities for the students we serve.

Join parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends of BSM for a memorable evening featuring fine dining, silent and live auctions, and a celebration of our school community and students.

Are you interested in serving on the Gala Committee?
Please contact Catie Scherer Brackin at cschererbrackin@bsmschool.org.

For Sponsorship opportunity inquiries, please contact Ben Smith at bsmith@bsmschool.org.

Each year BSM selects a scripture theme for the school year. The scripture theme sets the tone and is referenced in classes, Masses, assemblies, and events throughout the year. 

This year’s 2026-2027 scripture theme is “Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2). Each student will be given a magnet with the scripture theme on it to keep these words present in their daily life.

As the year progresses, please talk with your child about this year's theme and what it means to them. The BSM campus ministry team has prepared a resource page which may be of use in your conversations.

Throughout the school year, you will have opportunities to share your thoughts about life at BSM in our brief reoccurring survey for parents and guardians.

The BSM administration is interested in hearing your feedback, ensuring the investment you are making in your student's future provides them with the best opportunities for academic and holistic success. 

Watch for the first survey by email between September and November. 

Our weekly email message, Knightly News, is sent out each Thursday afternoon to all parents/guardians, from the first week of school until the last, with information about upcoming events and resources for your student and family to stay involved at BSM. 

Please whitelist info@bsmschool.org in your email to ensure you receive this (and other) important messages from BSM throughout the school year.

If you do not receive the Knightly News or other emails, please contact our marketing & communications team.

In the event of emergencies or weather related changes, BSM will communicate via phone and text in addition to the BSM website and social media.

Watch for opt-in messages from the BSM marketing & communications team to ensure you stay connected and informed. 

Please note: if you unsubscribe from the Knightly News you will also be unsubscribed from other important messages - including emergency alerts - from BSM.