Blue Earth Area Elementary School

🏴‍☠️It’s been a great first day back at BEA High School—our Bucs are off to a strong start!

Meanwhile at the K-7 building, in addition to Before School Conferences, school photos, and lunch program finger scans, our K–7 building kept things interesting with a little 'back-to-school surprise' of its own 💧😉

Never a dull moment, and plenty to celebrate!
#beabucpride

We sincerely apologize for the delay in sharing student transportation information. Our families have been waiting patiently, and we truly appreciate your understanding as we work through some unexpected challenges with our new routing system.

Our Transportation Department has been working diligently to manually enter each family’s transportation plan; here’s how you can access your child’s route information:

🚌High School students:
▪️Available now in the Parent Portal (log in, click “More” on the left side, then “Transportation”)
▪️OR get a printed copy of your transportation plan when you pick up your child's Chromebook at the Bucs Bash on Wednesday, August 20, 4–7 pm.

🚌K–7 students:
▪️Your child’s teacher will have your printed transportation plan available at Back-to-School Conferences on Monday, August 25 & Tuesday, August 26
▪️OR you may log in to the Parent Portal early next week to view it online

Thank you again for your patience—we know how important this information is as you prepare for the new school year.

📆The 2024-25 BEA Printable Calendar is now available!
This calendar contains athletic events, concert dates, no-school days, and more!

To find the calendar, go to beaschools.org>Menu>School Calendar>2025-2026 Activities Calendar
Or click this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ovc0qK1JO_H6FBAsMVhg-1jT46gXxUMb/view

(Please remember the calendar is subject to change, so information will be updated when needed.)
If you aren't able to print at home, a few printed copies will be available in the high school office.

📸We're trying something new this year!
School photos for students in grades K-7 will be taken during Back-to-School Conferences on Monday, August 25th and Tuesday, August 26th.

Photos will be taken by Seifried Portrait Design from Fairmont, MN. This new approach gives parents the opportunity to be present when photos are taken, helping ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.

If your K-7 student is unable to attend conferences, a makeup photo day will be held once school is in session.

High School students (grades 8-12) will have their school photos taken during the school day on Thursday, September 4th.

A Note from Seifried Portrait Design:
You will not need to fill out a paper form.
· You will not need to decide ahead of time if and what you want to purchase.
· No money will need to be sent with your child on picture day.
· A few days after pictures are taken, you will receive a private link to view your child's pictures, giving you the opportunity to choose your favorite before purchasing.
· You can choose to order at your convenience from your computer or cell phone.
· Best pricing: order early, if possible, as our best pricing always happens in the first couple of days.
· Purchased orders will be sent directly to your home.

If you have any questions about pictures, please give our studio a call.

Seifried Portrait Design
507-238-2441
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¡Estamos probando algo nuevo este año!
Las fotografías escolares de los estudiantes de jardín de infantes a séptimo grado se tomarán durante las conferencias de regreso a clases el lunes 25 de agosto y el martes 26 de agosto.

Las fotografías serán tomadas porDiseño de retrato de SeifriedDe Fairmont, Minnesota. Este nuevo enfoque brinda a los padres la oportunidad de estar presentes durante la toma de fotos, lo que garantiza una experiencia fluida y sin estrés.

Si su estudiante K-7 no puede asistir a las conferencias, se llevará a cabo un día de fotografía de recuperación una vez que comience la escuela.

Estudiantes de secundaria (grados 8 a 12)Se tomarán sus fotos escolares durante el día escolar elJueves4 de septiembre.

Nota del fotógrafo:
El día de la foto de su hijo/a ya está programado y se acerca rápidamente. Como fotógrafos de retratos de la escuela, queríamos informarle cómo se tomarán las fotos este año.
· No necesitarás completar ningún formulario en papel.
· No necesitarás decidir de antemano si quieres comprar y qué.
· No será necesario enviar dinero con su hijo el día de la fotografía.
· Unos días después de que se tomen las fotografías, recibirás un enlace privado para ver las fotografías de tu hijo, lo que te dará la oportunidad de elegir tu favorita antes de comprarla.
· Podrás elegir realizar tu pedido cuando te resulte conveniente desde tu ordenador o móvil.
· Mejor precio: haga su pedido con anticipación, si es posible, ya que nuestros mejores precios siempre se obtienen en los primeros días.
· Los pedidos comprados se enviarán directamente a su domicilio.

Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre fotografías, llame a nuestro estudio.

Diseño de retrato de Seifried
507-238-2441

Grades K–7, come kick off the 2025-26 school year with lots of foam, and lots of fun! 🫧

📅 Aug. 25 | ⏰ 4–6 PM | 📍 Elementary Playground

Don’t miss it!!!

Now Hiring Paraprofessionals – Join Our Team!
Blue Earth Area Schools is seeking dedicated Paraprofessionals to support students in grades K–7 and at the high school level.

If you’re passionate about education and helping students succeed, we encourage you to apply. Please complete the Non-Teaching Employment Application and submit it to either:
– Conan Shaffer, BEA High School Principal (for high school positions)
– Ty Sturtz, BEA K–7 Assistant Principal (for elementary/middle school positions)

📄 Application link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NQtGER6CxcaDg-qJI1Hjld4sT7kwCjGG/view

We’d love to have you as part of the Blue Earth Area team!

A standing ovation for our 2025 EDDY Award winner, Carter Bell! The EDDY Award goes to a non-certified staff member at BEA Schools, nominated and voted for by all staff. Here is an excerpt from Carter's glowing nomination: "Carter Bell is an INCREDIBLE asset to Blue Earth Area Elementary. He is approachable and always flexible to do what is asked of him, he communicates clearly and calmly, and he is a reliable staff person as he shows up both physically and mentally every day. Carter relates well to students - whether in the classroom or outside in the morning or at noon recess - (like, seriously, get some sunscreen, Carter) and he is known to give his best effort, encouragement, and a listening ear to everyone he meets. Carter is not only EXCELLENT at his job, but he is one of the most polite and kind human beings and shows up with a smile on his face - even when the job or life gets difficult. It is a privilege to work with such an AMAZING person." #beabucpride

Yesterday, our amazing BEA 5th graders teamed up with their Kindergarten buddies one last time this school year. They enjoyed time together outdoors and made unforgettable memories playing a game of kickball . 🟢 Watching these friendships grow has been such a joy! #beabucpride

The BEA 5th Grade field trip to Northern Star Base Camp was a huge success! The students had an amazing day filled with archery, rock climbing, and exciting team-building games. Such a great way to learn and grow outside the classroom! 💪🎯👏 #beabucpride

IMPORTANT CARNIVAL UPDATE! We're so excited for our School Carnival today (Wednesday, May 21st)! Due to the forecasted cool and wet weather, the event will now be held indoors at the Blue Earth Area High School. 🎪 Same fun, just under one roof! We'll still have games, prizes, and all your favorite treats, including mini donuts, lemonade, ice cream, hamburgers, and hot dogs for purchase! 🕒 Event Time: 4:00–6:30 PM (Note time change) 📍 New Location: Inside BEA High School (please use door A)

Today brought pure excitement to BEA Elementary as our students took part in one of their favorite events—**BINGO !** The thrill of shouting “BINGO!” was only matched by the joyful chaos that followed, as students sprinted through the halls to the prize table to claim their rewards. If some of our photos turned out a bit blurry, it's only because it's hard to catch lightning in a snapshot—those kids can move! So much fun! #beabucpride

☀️ Blue Earth Area K-7 students enjoyed a special Lunch on the Lawn on Monday! They were treated by our lunchroom staff to a delicious meal and the chance to eat outside under sunny skies and fresh spring air. What a perfect way to celebrate the season! 🌷🍽️🌳 #beabucpride

Reminder: Early Release Wednesdays ended last week; we resume the regular school day schedule this week.

🎉 Happy School Principals’ Day! 🎓 Today we celebrate the incredible principals at Blue Earth Area who guide our schools with vision, dedication, and heart. Thank you for inspiring students, supporting teachers, and making our schools better every day! ❤️📚 #beabucpride

🤩🎉Congratulations to Kelly Bleess and Jim Wirkus, winners of the K-7 Buc Pride Awards for March! Both were nominated by multiple colleagues for their efforts and leadership. Here are a few of the comments below to highlight them. Mrs. Jahnke: ⭐️I would like to nominate Mrs. Jahnke, she is an awesome teacher. She shows great leadership and has such dedication for her students. She shows discipline in a kind and compassionate way. Mrs. Jahnke also has a lot of fun with her students and they enjoy her very much. As I do. She is one of the best. She is a great role model for her colleagues and students. She is very deserving of this award. ⭐️I nominate Sam for this award due to her fun personality with her students. She gives so much of herself to make sure that her students are learning and having fun at the same time. She leaves no student unrecognized and acknowledges and praises them for the hard work. Sam listens to her students with compassion and strength to help them through their school day. I appreciate all that does and goes beyond! ⭐️Sam Jahnke is a positive ray of sunshine. She comes into work early every day and often stays late too. She is always looking for ways to engage her students in positive ways and carries that same passion of positivity to staff members. Those that know Sam know she takes extra time to make everyone feel special and appreciated. Mrs. Eckles: ⭐️Theresa creates opportunities for her students to be successful and experience love and care and fun while they are learning! She makes connections with students and staff and is intentional about making BEA the best and showing BUC PRIDE every day. ⭐️She has been a fantastic leader for our all new second grade team. She has made sure that we all have the curriculum materials/resources needed, given support when needed, and has made sure to consistently check in with us all! ⭐️Mrs. Eckles never misses a chance to try something new or different if it will make things better for her students. She is frequently here late into the afternoon because she's a firm believer that if something needs to be done for kids, then it's worth doing well. #beabudpride

A message from Superintendent Fletcher: Given the significant uncertainty surrounding today’s weather forecast and timing, we have made the decision to release students early to prioritize the safety of our school community. With nearly 800 students relying on bus transportation—some on routes that require up to two hours from time of departure to return to bus garages—we want to ensure everyone arrives home safely before the potential for severe weather increases. Today, the PreK–7th grade building will dismiss at 12:45 p.m., and the high school will dismiss at 1:00 p.m. While some forecasts suggest severe weather may not arrive until later this afternoon, others indicate the possibility of significant storms as early as 4:00 p.m., placing our area in a higher-risk zone. Out of an abundance of caution, we believe it is in the best interest of our students and staff to proceed with an early release. Additionally, all afternoon practices and activities are cancelled for today. Thank you for your understanding, flexibility, and continued commitment to the safety and well-being of our students.

Meet our TERRIFIC third graders! The 'C' in TERRIFIC stands for capable', and we celebrate ALL of our third graders for showing us how capable they have been this school year! We're thrilled to honor each and every one of our third graders for their ability to tackle challenges with determination, and meet (and exceed) expectations. Their futures are bright! Let's cheer for our third graders! Thank you to the Kiwanis Club of Blue Earth for sponsoring this program; it is a joy to see how proud the students are when they are chosen for this award! #beabucpride

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🤩🎉Congratulations to Ms. Katie Mullaly and Mr. Jake Brower, winners of the K-7 Buc Pride Awards for March! Both were nominated by multiple colleagues for their efforts and leadership. Here are a few of the comments below to highlight them. Ms. Mullaly: ⭐️What a joyful, bright, common sense, dedicated, lovable team-player! Absolutely love having Katie on the team! ⭐️Katie has taken to her job like a tadpole to water. She is very in-tune with her students and makes it evident that she is here for them. I think one of her strongest qualities is her ability to apply SEL skills when needed. I've witnessed her using her SEL abilities many times, and she truly and definitely cares about the well-being of her students. I would bet a million dollars that every student in her classroom knows they are deeply loved and cared about by Ms. Mullaly. Any student would be lucky to have her as a teacher - makes me wish I had kids so they could experience a teacher's love like that. ⭐️She is an amazing example of how to have positive student interactions ⭐️She is an amazing teacher and cares so much about her students as well as her co-workers. She is unbelievably kind and works so hard to make sure she is doing a great job. She is an absolute dream to work with! ⭐️Katie is wonderful with her students. I am alway impressed with their hall behavior and how respectful they are when I bring Frankie into their room. ⭐️She keeps the positivity going for the staff and the students, even when she is not really feeling it. She models being above the line with her thoughts and actions. Mr. Brower: ⭐️Jake has embraced a brand-new role in the STAR room this year and has excelled in every way. He approaches the position with unwavering positivity and a willingness to take risks, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. His commitment to building strong relationships has become the foundation of his success, making a meaningful impact on both students and colleagues alike. For these reasons, I am proud to nominate Jake for the staff award. ⭐️Jake has consistently gone above and beyond to support my transition into my role. Despite his demanding workload, he makes a concerted effort to make time for answering questions and offering guidance on IEPs. His positive demeanor remains unwavering, even during particularly stressful times. Additionally, Jake is deeply committed to ensuring that both his students and paraprofessionals have all the necessary resources to succeed. His dedication and support have been invaluable. ⭐️He is such amazing, kind-hearted teacher . The way he is with his students just melts your heart. ⭐️I am pleased to nominate Jake for this award, as he consistently goes above and beyond in his dedication to his students. Jake exemplifies the qualities of a selfless educator, offering support and guidance even amidst his own demanding schedule. He consistently takes the time to work through problems with students, providing thoughtful and thorough explanations to ensure their understanding. Jake's unwavering commitment to helping others is evident in his willingness to assist, regardless of his workload, and he does so without expecting anything in return. His exceptional generosity and genuine care for the success of his students make him a truly deserving candidate for this recognition. ⭐️Jake consistently demonstrates a strong willingness to assist, even during busy periods. He makes a concerted effort to allocate time for answering questions and ensures that his explanations are accessible by framing them in terms that resonate with students. Despite any personal challenges he may face, Jake maintains a positive and upbeat demeanor, striving to uplift others and create a supportive environment. His dedication to both his role and to others is evident in his approach to every interaction. Congrats to both of our very deserving winners! The Buccy heads were created and donated by Thomas Wallace. #beabucpride

Meet our TERRIFIC third graders! The 'I' in TERRIFIC stands for 'inquisitive', and we celebrate these students for their insatiable thirst for knowledge and boundless curiosity. Never stop learning! Thank you to the Kiwanis Club of Blue Earth for sponsoring this program; it is a joy to see how proud the students are when they are chosen for this award! #beabucpride