This week, we’ve been celebrating American Education Week, and we want to give a big shout-out to the local businesses who helped make our staff festivities even more special!
☕ Thank you, Taher, for providing coffee on Monday.
🍪 Thank you, McDonald’s, for the delicious cookies.
🍎 Thank you, Blue Earth American Legion, for today’s apples!
We appreciate your generosity and support of our BEA staff! 💙💛
#AmericanEducationWeek #CommunitySupport #BEAProud
☕ Thank you, Taher, for providing coffee on Monday.
🍪 Thank you, McDonald’s, for the delicious cookies.
🍎 Thank you, Blue Earth American Legion, for today’s apples!
We appreciate your generosity and support of our BEA staff! 💙💛
#AmericanEducationWeek #CommunitySupport #BEAProud
🌟 A Big Thank You to TAFCO! 🌟
We're grateful to TAFCO for speaking at our 1st Quarter Middle School Better Than B’s Honor Roll Breakfast last week and for generously sponsoring the event. Lucas and Danielle shared valuable insight about their industry and the importance of education, a message that will encourage our students to keep working hard and exploring future opportunities.
We are proud to celebrate 122 out of 165 middle school students who earned a spot on the honor roll! What an incredible accomplishment! 🎉
Thank you, TAFCO, for supporting and inspiring our learners!
We're grateful to TAFCO for speaking at our 1st Quarter Middle School Better Than B’s Honor Roll Breakfast last week and for generously sponsoring the event. Lucas and Danielle shared valuable insight about their industry and the importance of education, a message that will encourage our students to keep working hard and exploring future opportunities.
We are proud to celebrate 122 out of 165 middle school students who earned a spot on the honor roll! What an incredible accomplishment! 🎉
Thank you, TAFCO, for supporting and inspiring our learners!
🍎📖American Education Week is all about celebrating the amazing team of people who help our students learn and grow—from paras and office staff to bus drivers, the tech office, and students service workers. Each one plays an important part in supporting students and families and keeping our schools running strong.
Let's take a moment this week to thank the education support professionals who care for, support, and protect our students. They make public education possible every day. 👏👏👏
#beabucpride
Let's take a moment this week to thank the education support professionals who care for, support, and protect our students. They make public education possible every day. 👏👏👏
#beabucpride
Today we honor and thank the incredible veterans among our staff for their service and dedication—both to our country and to our students.
#beabucpride
#beabucpride
Frankie has been busy making her rounds at BEA! 🐾 From classroom visits to hallway hugs, our favorite therapy dog has a special way of making every space a little warmer and every day a little brighter. Whether she’s lending a paw to a student who needs a pick-me-up or sharing her happy energy with staff, Frankie brings a little extra joy wherever she goes.
Thanks for all you do, Frankie and Handler Ms. Albright—you make BEA an even better place to be! 💛
#beabucpride
Thanks for all you do, Frankie and Handler Ms. Albright—you make BEA an even better place to be! 💛
#beabucpride
🤩🎉Congratulations to Ms. Eckhardt and Mrs. Norman, winners of the K-7 Buc Pride Awards for October! Both were nominated by multiple colleagues for their efforts and leadership.
Here are a few of the comments below to highlight them.
Molly Eckhardt:
⭐️Molly is an excellent PLC Leader. She runs the meetings with leadership and care. Molly has been a great at leading our group to being productive and coming up with new ideas. She is also a great math teacher! Thank you Molly!
⭐️Molly is working hard to improve her class in many ways!!! She continues to research best practices, uses tech in creative ways in math, and takes advantage of manipulatives and gamification!! She is also doing an amazing job in her new leadership role in PLC/ MS PD. She keeps us all responsible, present, and on track- not an easy job!! Not to mention, she can handle the thousands of questions that are thrown at her (from staff and students) with grace!
Marnie Norman:
⭐️Marnie is a wonderful asset to BEAS. She consistently goes above and beyond to support not only her students but also her colleagues. She genuinely wants everyone to be successful and to reach their fullest potential. Marnie is continually learning new strategies and eagerly shares them with others.
⭐️We’re so lucky to have Marnie on our team! She’s amazing with kids and always brings so much knowledge, patience, and positivity to her work. She is the kind of teammate who’s always willing to lend a hand, share ideas, and go the extra mile to support both students and staff.
Congrats to both of our very deserving winners!
The Buccy heads were created and donated by Thomas Wallace.
#beabucpride
Here are a few of the comments below to highlight them.
Molly Eckhardt:
⭐️Molly is an excellent PLC Leader. She runs the meetings with leadership and care. Molly has been a great at leading our group to being productive and coming up with new ideas. She is also a great math teacher! Thank you Molly!
⭐️Molly is working hard to improve her class in many ways!!! She continues to research best practices, uses tech in creative ways in math, and takes advantage of manipulatives and gamification!! She is also doing an amazing job in her new leadership role in PLC/ MS PD. She keeps us all responsible, present, and on track- not an easy job!! Not to mention, she can handle the thousands of questions that are thrown at her (from staff and students) with grace!
Marnie Norman:
⭐️Marnie is a wonderful asset to BEAS. She consistently goes above and beyond to support not only her students but also her colleagues. She genuinely wants everyone to be successful and to reach their fullest potential. Marnie is continually learning new strategies and eagerly shares them with others.
⭐️We’re so lucky to have Marnie on our team! She’s amazing with kids and always brings so much knowledge, patience, and positivity to her work. She is the kind of teammate who’s always willing to lend a hand, share ideas, and go the extra mile to support both students and staff.
Congrats to both of our very deserving winners!
The Buccy heads were created and donated by Thomas Wallace.
#beabucpride
The MN Tennis Coaches Association is proud to announce that Colby Swanson has been selected as the Girls' Tennis Assistant Coach of the Year for Section 2A
This week we’re celebrating National School Psychology Week! 💙✨
School psychologists play an important role in helping students learn, grow, and thrive—both in and out of the classroom.
This year’s theme, “Finding Your Path,” reminds us that everyone’s journey looks different—and that with the right support, every student can discover their own path to success and well-being.
A big thank you to our school psychometrist, Jen Martin, for the care, guidance, and support you provide every day! 💛
School psychologists play an important role in helping students learn, grow, and thrive—both in and out of the classroom.
This year’s theme, “Finding Your Path,” reminds us that everyone’s journey looks different—and that with the right support, every student can discover their own path to success and well-being.
A big thank you to our school psychometrist, Jen Martin, for the care, guidance, and support you provide every day! 💛
The MN Tennis Coaches Association is proud to announce that Spencer has been selected as the Girls' Tennis Coach of the Year for Section 2A
The public is welcome to join us as we honor our veterans today, Tuesday, November 11, 10:30 am at Blue Earth Area High School.
If you aren't able to join us in person for the program at the high school, please join virtually using this link: https://boxcast.tv/view/veterans-day-program-zijjnata2jnrwxl2ofcj
If you aren't able to join us in person for the program at the high school, please join virtually using this link: https://boxcast.tv/view/veterans-day-program-zijjnata2jnrwxl2ofcj
Get ready! The Blue Earth Area Foundation's biggest annual fundraiser, BUC$ for BUCS, is coming up on November 22nd!
This event is our stress-free way to raise essential money that directly supports our students, programs, and the entire school community—and the best part is: Our students do not have to sell anything door-to-door!
How You Can Support BEA:
1. Join Us! We would love to see you there! Come enjoy a wonderful evening and support our school. You'll also have a chance to bid on some great items in our auction!
2. Purchase a Ticket (Even if you can't attend!) There's still time to get your ticket! Even if you are unable to join us on November 22nd, purchasing a ticket still provides vital support to our students and automatically enters you into a drawing for door prizes.
Tickets are available now—just let us know if you would like to purchase one! Tickets are only $25
Purchase your ticket(s) before the event on the Community Ed webstore:
blueeartharea.revtrak.net/rw-community-ed/ > click on Special Events--Fundraisers
This event is our stress-free way to raise essential money that directly supports our students, programs, and the entire school community—and the best part is: Our students do not have to sell anything door-to-door!
How You Can Support BEA:
1. Join Us! We would love to see you there! Come enjoy a wonderful evening and support our school. You'll also have a chance to bid on some great items in our auction!
2. Purchase a Ticket (Even if you can't attend!) There's still time to get your ticket! Even if you are unable to join us on November 22nd, purchasing a ticket still provides vital support to our students and automatically enters you into a drawing for door prizes.
Tickets are available now—just let us know if you would like to purchase one! Tickets are only $25
Purchase your ticket(s) before the event on the Community Ed webstore:
blueeartharea.revtrak.net/rw-community-ed/ > click on Special Events--Fundraisers
Just a heads up for winter sports families! ❄️🏀🤸♀️
The Winter Athletics Parent Meeting is coming up — Thursday, November 13 at 7:00 PM in the BEAHS Performing Arts Center.
Learn important info for your winter athlete in grades 7–12! #GoBucs
The Winter Athletics Parent Meeting is coming up — Thursday, November 13 at 7:00 PM in the BEAHS Performing Arts Center.
Learn important info for your winter athlete in grades 7–12! #GoBucs
Blue Earth Area Middle School absolutely crushed Change Wars this year! The fun-filled competition took place October 20–24, and BEA’s 6th and 7th graders showed up with spirit, teamwork, and lots of loose change.
So, what exactly is Change Wars?
It’s a friendly competition between Morning Meeting (MM) groups to see who can raise the most money. All the money collected goes to great causes, including BUCS for BUC$, Toys for Tots, and the BE Food Shelf. BEA’s Student Council donates much of the total to the Darling International “You Can Make a Difference” Camp-Out at Juba’s each year.
Here’s the fun twist — coins count as positive points, but paper bills count against you! That means students can sneak bills into other MM buckets to lower their totals. The MM with the most positive change wins, while another prize goes to the MM that raised the most money overall.
This year’s big Change Wars Champion was Mrs. Kaluza-Nemonic’s MM, earning $238.38 in positive change. The Most Money Raised Overall award went to Ms. Eckhardt’s MM, with an incredible $298.98!
Students went all-in this year, and their generosity paid off—literally! Together, BEA Middle School raised a record-breaking $1,545.00, smashing the previous 2015 record of $1,254.38.
To celebrate this amazing accomplishment, students got to enjoy a Bingo Party on Wednesday afternoon. Congratulations to everyone who took part—your efforts will make a real difference for people in our community!
So, what exactly is Change Wars?
It’s a friendly competition between Morning Meeting (MM) groups to see who can raise the most money. All the money collected goes to great causes, including BUCS for BUC$, Toys for Tots, and the BE Food Shelf. BEA’s Student Council donates much of the total to the Darling International “You Can Make a Difference” Camp-Out at Juba’s each year.
Here’s the fun twist — coins count as positive points, but paper bills count against you! That means students can sneak bills into other MM buckets to lower their totals. The MM with the most positive change wins, while another prize goes to the MM that raised the most money overall.
This year’s big Change Wars Champion was Mrs. Kaluza-Nemonic’s MM, earning $238.38 in positive change. The Most Money Raised Overall award went to Ms. Eckhardt’s MM, with an incredible $298.98!
Students went all-in this year, and their generosity paid off—literally! Together, BEA Middle School raised a record-breaking $1,545.00, smashing the previous 2015 record of $1,254.38.
To celebrate this amazing accomplishment, students got to enjoy a Bingo Party on Wednesday afternoon. Congratulations to everyone who took part—your efforts will make a real difference for people in our community!
As the first quarter of the school year comes to an end this week, we would like to remind parents and students of the following important items.
Friday, October 31st, is a no school day for all students in grades PreK-12 at Blue Earth Area Schools
Monday, November 3rd, is a **no school day for PreK - 5 students only** due to teacher training. There is school for students in grades 6th - 12th grade.
Friday, October 31st, is a no school day for all students in grades PreK-12 at Blue Earth Area Schools
Monday, November 3rd, is a **no school day for PreK - 5 students only** due to teacher training. There is school for students in grades 6th - 12th grade.
BEA: A Land of Opportunity
It’s hard to believe we’re already in the final week of the first quarter of the 2025–2026 school year. So many great things have happened already, and I’m excited to share a few highlights with you.
One of the areas we take great pride in at BEA is our commitment to providing as many opportunities as possible for our students. Despite being a small school, we work hard to ensure every student has a chance to showcase their unique talents and strengths in meaningful ways.
A shining example of this is our long-standing Peer Helping program, which nurtures leadership and service among our students. This past Monday, Community Education Director Shannon Swanson hosted the fall Peer Helping workshop, where our future leaders took part in training to prepare for their roles. To kick off the day, we were honored to welcome motivational speaker Joe Beckman, who delivered an inspiring message about the power of human connection and student leadership. Thanks to a generous anonymous donation from a local family, our students were able to engage with Joe in a small-group setting and benefit from his uplifting message. The Peer Helping program has been a BEA tradition since 1981, and we are proud to continue its legacy of student leadership and service.
In addition to leadership development, BEA continues to expand its academic and career opportunities. This year, we are proud to offer eight college-in-the-classroom/concurrent enrollment courses, as well as new options such as welding, mastering drones, and established classes like Basic Home Repair, Forensics, and Intro to Engineering. Our gifted and talented program and work-based learning experiences further support students’ diverse interests and goals. And, as a small rural school, we are especially proud to offer band, choir, and orchestra - a rare trio of fine arts opportunities for a district our size.
Finally, I’d like to recognize our outstanding student school board representatives, who give voice to our student body and exemplify leadership in action. Senior Alexis Thompson has provided exceptional leadership, including creating a video message to promote one of our core values—ensuring that every student, staff member, and family feels welcome and that they belong. Joining her this year is junior Elijah Goshorn, who is already stepping up to represent his peers with confidence and commitment.
As we wrap up the first quarter, I am reminded daily of the dedication, creativity, and spirit that make BEA such a special place. From leadership and academics to the arts and beyond, our students continue to show what it means to learn, grow, and lead the Buc way.
Mandy Fletcher - BEA Superintendent
UNITY DAY, sponsored by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, has a simple call to action—wear and
share orange to support bullying prevention. This day provides a visual spotlight to the energy of National Bullying
Prevention Month, focusing on kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Tomorrow, Bucs are wearing orange to support #UnityEveryDay. Join us to support bullying prevention!
#beabucpride
share orange to support bullying prevention. This day provides a visual spotlight to the energy of National Bullying
Prevention Month, focusing on kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Tomorrow, Bucs are wearing orange to support #UnityEveryDay. Join us to support bullying prevention!
#beabucpride
What a wonderful start we’ve had to the school year at BEA! The energy and positivity in our classrooms and hallways have been contagious, and it’s inspiring to see that momentum continue as we enter our second month of learning together.
We are taking time to celebrate some of our recent accomplishments—many of which highlight the successes of our students. Each spring, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) measure how well our district is teaching the curriculum aligned with Minnesota’s state standards in reading, math, and science. Third grade is the first year students participate in the MCAs, making it an important checkpoint for how well we are preparing our learners. We are so proud to share that last spring, our third graders achieved 60% proficiency in Reading and 64.6% proficiency in Math!
This achievement is a direct reflection of the dedication of our K - 3 staff and the hard work of our students. Over the past five years, our district has been wholly committed to updating curriculum, strengthening instructional practices, and providing ongoing professional development for our staff. These efforts are paying off, and our results show it. In fact, BEA once again reported district-wide increases in both literacy and math MCA scores, further evidence of our commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.
Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to strengthening our partnerships with families and our community. One of our key focus areas this year will be sharing information about the condition of our facilities. This past summer, we reviewed the results of a comprehensive facilities assessment—a detailed evaluation of every part of our buildings. Our board and staff were the first to hear these updates, and we will continue to share this information through advisory boards, volunteer groups, and community meetings. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn the facts and join the conversation about the future of our schools.
As we move into October, I want to thank you for your continued support of BEA. Together, we will keep building on our momentum and creating great opportunities for our students.
Warm regards,
Superintendent Fletcher
We are taking time to celebrate some of our recent accomplishments—many of which highlight the successes of our students. Each spring, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) measure how well our district is teaching the curriculum aligned with Minnesota’s state standards in reading, math, and science. Third grade is the first year students participate in the MCAs, making it an important checkpoint for how well we are preparing our learners. We are so proud to share that last spring, our third graders achieved 60% proficiency in Reading and 64.6% proficiency in Math!
This achievement is a direct reflection of the dedication of our K - 3 staff and the hard work of our students. Over the past five years, our district has been wholly committed to updating curriculum, strengthening instructional practices, and providing ongoing professional development for our staff. These efforts are paying off, and our results show it. In fact, BEA once again reported district-wide increases in both literacy and math MCA scores, further evidence of our commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.
Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to strengthening our partnerships with families and our community. One of our key focus areas this year will be sharing information about the condition of our facilities. This past summer, we reviewed the results of a comprehensive facilities assessment—a detailed evaluation of every part of our buildings. Our board and staff were the first to hear these updates, and we will continue to share this information through advisory boards, volunteer groups, and community meetings. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn the facts and join the conversation about the future of our schools.
As we move into October, I want to thank you for your continued support of BEA. Together, we will keep building on our momentum and creating great opportunities for our students.
Warm regards,
Superintendent Fletcher
Early Release Wednesdays begin next week for all BEA students in grades Kindergarten through 12 and will continue through April 29, 2026.
Starting next week on Wednesday, October 1st:
⏰Elementary and Middle School students will be released at 2:15 p.m.
⏰High School students will be released at 2:23 p.m.
These Wednesday dismissal times will remain in place through April.
Elementary parents, please confirm with your child’s teacher what your student’s Wednesday 2:15 dismissal plan will be if it is different from your current Wednesday dismissal.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher or the school office.
📞BEA High School, 507.526.3201
📞BEA Middle School, 507.526.3115
📞BEA Elementary, 507.526.3090
Starting next week on Wednesday, October 1st:
⏰Elementary and Middle School students will be released at 2:15 p.m.
⏰High School students will be released at 2:23 p.m.
These Wednesday dismissal times will remain in place through April.
Elementary parents, please confirm with your child’s teacher what your student’s Wednesday 2:15 dismissal plan will be if it is different from your current Wednesday dismissal.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher or the school office.
📞BEA High School, 507.526.3201
📞BEA Middle School, 507.526.3115
📞BEA Elementary, 507.526.3090
👑 Congratulations to our Blue Earth Area Homecoming Royalty—King Omar Gomez and Queen Ava Petersen!
#beabucpride
#beabucpride
Join us in the BEAHS PAC on Sept. 15 at 8 PM for all the Homecoming excitement! 🏴☠️
Can’t make it? Catch the celebration on the livestream and cheer on our Bucs from home! 💻
https://boxcast.tv/view/homecoming-2025-coronation-cidcmhrijteg4lgabym9
#beabucpride
Can’t make it? Catch the celebration on the livestream and cheer on our Bucs from home! 💻
https://boxcast.tv/view/homecoming-2025-coronation-cidcmhrijteg4lgabym9
#beabucpride
