The time is almost near! The Faribault County Fair has wrapped up, the first week of August has come and gone, and here we are already in week #2 of August. For many of our high school athletes, this week marks the beginning of the Fall 2022 season with Captain’s Practice. On Thursday, August 11, BEA will host an Activities Meeting at 7 pm in the Performing Arts Center at the high school where families will learn about the meaning of participation in high school activities - “Why We Play” - as well as have their questions answered about forms, fees, physicals, as well as hear an update from their student’s coach. While this meeting is not mandatory, it is encouraged as it gives families the opportunity to hear some important updates to be prepared for the upcoming fall activities season, which officially begins for many of our practices next Monday, August 15th.
Also this week our school is proud to be one of the two districts hosting active shooter training for our local Police Departments and Sheriff’s Office. While school districts hope to never have to use this training, preparation for such tragedies is vital to knowing how to respond in a crisis situation. We are thankful to our local officers and deputies, along with our School Resource Officer DJ Bullerman, as they organize and participate in this important training on Wednesday, August 10th.
Next week our incoming 8th graders will have the opportunity to become acquainted with the high school building at their orientation on Tuesday, August 16th from 11 am - 2 pm. This orientation is incredibly important for our 8th graders as I’m sure there are many nerves to starting a new school year in a new building. On this day, incoming 8th graders will have a chance to meet their 8th grade teachers, walk through their schedule, and be able to test out their locker combinations a few times--all of this will help alleviate those first-day-of-school jitters.
Lastly, I’m sure many of you will notice that this week will bring the much anticipated back-to-school packet of information and registration materials. We hope you take a few minutes to review and complete this information carefully, but we also know that it is a plethora of information and we are here to help answer any questions you may have. Our offices are staffed and ready should you have a need to call or email. Please take special note that while the food service program provided meals at no charge to students during the last two years due to the pandemic, families are once again responsible for their student(s) lunches. Breakfast this year, however, will once again be offered at no charge to BEA students. Districts were notified by the state in mid-July that, if able, they are encouraged to offer one breakfast per day at no charge to students. I’m happy to share that BEA has a healthy food service fund, and as such, will be offering a free breakfast to all PK-12 students for the 2022-2023 school year!
As always, please feel free to reach out to any office with any questions.
With much anticipation and excitement for the upcoming school year,
Superintendent Fletcher