Blue Earth Area Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday,March 16 .
We will have a Flex Learning Day.
❄️Students in Grades 6-12 should login and check for directions online. Teachers will have assignments posted by 10 am.
❄️Students in Grades PreK-5 should read, play, and help around the house.
We will have a Flex Learning Day.
❄️Students in Grades 6-12 should login and check for directions online. Teachers will have assignments posted by 10 am.
❄️Students in Grades PreK-5 should read, play, and help around the house.
A message from our Superintendent:
Often, schools are so focused on the daily work of educating students that the many efforts and progress happening behind the scenes are not always visible to the public. As such, I would like to share an important step our School Board took during Wednesday evening’s meeting regarding the future of our school facilities.
At the meeting, the School Board authorized the district to submit a Review and Comment proposal to the Minnesota Commissioner of Education. While that phrase may sound technical, it represents an important first step in exploring possible solutions to the challenges we are facing with our school buildings.
As many in our community know, our PreK-7 facility is experiencing significant infrastructure challenges. The building has served generations of students well, but age and wear have led to growing concerns about its long-term viability, especially with the bones of the building - the infrastructure. At the same time, our High School facility also requires important upgrades to ensure it continues to provide safe, functional, and modern learning spaces for our students.
For the past several months, our School Board has been engaged in thoughtful and sometimes difficult conversations about these issues. These discussions have centered on a fundamental question: how do we ensure safe, functional learning environments for our students while also being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources?
There are no easy answers when it comes to facilities planning. School buildings represent some of the largest and longest-lasting investments a community can make. Our board understands that any future decision must balance the needs of our students, the realities of aging infrastructure, and the financial impact on our community.
One thing that has remained constant throughout these conversations is a shared commitment to transparency and community engagement. Over the coming months, we will continue working to provide clear information about the condition of our facilities, the options available to the district, and what those options could mean for our schools and taxpayers.
Our schools are one of the most important investments we make together. They are where our children learn, grow, and prepare for the future. As we move forward, we are committed to ensuring that our facilities continue to support that mission for generations to come.
As always, I encourage community members to stay informed, ask questions, and stay engaged as we navigate these important discussions together.
Mandy Fletcher
Blue Earth Area Superintendent of Schools
Often, schools are so focused on the daily work of educating students that the many efforts and progress happening behind the scenes are not always visible to the public. As such, I would like to share an important step our School Board took during Wednesday evening’s meeting regarding the future of our school facilities.
At the meeting, the School Board authorized the district to submit a Review and Comment proposal to the Minnesota Commissioner of Education. While that phrase may sound technical, it represents an important first step in exploring possible solutions to the challenges we are facing with our school buildings.
As many in our community know, our PreK-7 facility is experiencing significant infrastructure challenges. The building has served generations of students well, but age and wear have led to growing concerns about its long-term viability, especially with the bones of the building - the infrastructure. At the same time, our High School facility also requires important upgrades to ensure it continues to provide safe, functional, and modern learning spaces for our students.
For the past several months, our School Board has been engaged in thoughtful and sometimes difficult conversations about these issues. These discussions have centered on a fundamental question: how do we ensure safe, functional learning environments for our students while also being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources?
There are no easy answers when it comes to facilities planning. School buildings represent some of the largest and longest-lasting investments a community can make. Our board understands that any future decision must balance the needs of our students, the realities of aging infrastructure, and the financial impact on our community.
One thing that has remained constant throughout these conversations is a shared commitment to transparency and community engagement. Over the coming months, we will continue working to provide clear information about the condition of our facilities, the options available to the district, and what those options could mean for our schools and taxpayers.
Our schools are one of the most important investments we make together. They are where our children learn, grow, and prepare for the future. As we move forward, we are committed to ensuring that our facilities continue to support that mission for generations to come.
As always, I encourage community members to stay informed, ask questions, and stay engaged as we navigate these important discussions together.
Mandy Fletcher
Blue Earth Area Superintendent of Schools
🔧✨ Tech Day at MN West! ✨🔧
Last week, our high school students had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of career pathways including Automotive Technology, Cosmetology, Electrician, Nursing, Peace Officer, Powerline Technology, Teacher Education, and Welding.
Students participated in hands-on activities, connected with instructors and staff, and got a glimpse of what their future careers could look like. It was a great day of learning, exploration, and inspiration! Thank you to the Jackson Campus for hosting such a fantastic event! 👏
#CareerExploration #TechDay #FutureReady #StudentOpportunities #beabucpride
Last week, our high school students had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of career pathways including Automotive Technology, Cosmetology, Electrician, Nursing, Peace Officer, Powerline Technology, Teacher Education, and Welding.
Students participated in hands-on activities, connected with instructors and staff, and got a glimpse of what their future careers could look like. It was a great day of learning, exploration, and inspiration! Thank you to the Jackson Campus for hosting such a fantastic event! 👏
#CareerExploration #TechDay #FutureReady #StudentOpportunities #beabucpride
March is Music in Our Schools Month, and at Blue Earth Area Schools, we are truly grateful for our music programs! 🎶
From our youngest learners discovering rhythm and beat to our middle and high school students performing on stage, music connects our students, builds confidence, sparks creativity, and strengthens our school community.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing music teachers — Kristin Johnson, Paul Johnson, Peter Koenig, and Kelsey Zbaracki — for the passion, energy, and dedication you pour into our students every single day. We are so grateful for the way you inspire, challenge, and encourage our kids to shine.
Be sure to join us at one of several performances this month and celebrate the power of music with us! 🎵
From our youngest learners discovering rhythm and beat to our middle and high school students performing on stage, music connects our students, builds confidence, sparks creativity, and strengthens our school community.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing music teachers — Kristin Johnson, Paul Johnson, Peter Koenig, and Kelsey Zbaracki — for the passion, energy, and dedication you pour into our students every single day. We are so grateful for the way you inspire, challenge, and encourage our kids to shine.
Be sure to join us at one of several performances this month and celebrate the power of music with us! 🎵
It’s School Social Worker Week! ❤️
This week we celebrate the incredible difference our school social workers make every single day — supporting students, strengthening families, and helping remove barriers so every child can learn and thrive. We are so grateful for the compassion, care, and steady presence they bring to our school community!
#beabucpride
This week we celebrate the incredible difference our school social workers make every single day — supporting students, strengthening families, and helping remove barriers so every child can learn and thrive. We are so grateful for the compassion, care, and steady presence they bring to our school community!
#beabucpride
🚨 STATE BOUND! 🚨
Big congrats to Buc wrestlers Timmy Nagel and Chase Gambell on qualifying for State! Chase claimed 1st place and Timmy earned 2nd at Sections in their weight classes, securing their spots in the state tournament. They’ll hit the mat this Thursday at Grand Casino Arena, and we’ll be cheering them on all the way!
Pictured with Timmy and Chase are Buc Wrestling coaches Dan Eckhardt and Blake Boran—awesome leadership helping fuel this success!
During walk-throughs at both the high school and K-7 building, students and staff cheered them on and wished them luck before they head to state!
#beabucpride
Big congrats to Buc wrestlers Timmy Nagel and Chase Gambell on qualifying for State! Chase claimed 1st place and Timmy earned 2nd at Sections in their weight classes, securing their spots in the state tournament. They’ll hit the mat this Thursday at Grand Casino Arena, and we’ll be cheering them on all the way!
Pictured with Timmy and Chase are Buc Wrestling coaches Dan Eckhardt and Blake Boran—awesome leadership helping fuel this success!
During walk-throughs at both the high school and K-7 building, students and staff cheered them on and wished them luck before they head to state!
#beabucpride
Thank you!
🧡✨ 5th Grade VIP Day! ✨🧡
Last Friday was a day to remember as our 5th graders welcomed their very important people for VIP Day! The afternoon was filled with smiles, laughter, and meaningful moments shared between students and their special guests.
From activities, conversations, music and plenty of photo opportunities, it was clear just how much these connections matter. Thank you to all of the families and special guests who joined us and helped make the day so memorable!
#VIPDay #5thGrade #SchoolCommunity #MakingMemories
Last Friday was a day to remember as our 5th graders welcomed their very important people for VIP Day! The afternoon was filled with smiles, laughter, and meaningful moments shared between students and their special guests.
From activities, conversations, music and plenty of photo opportunities, it was clear just how much these connections matter. Thank you to all of the families and special guests who joined us and helped make the day so memorable!
#VIPDay #5thGrade #SchoolCommunity #MakingMemories
Our 7th graders stepped into history as the U.S. Supreme Court during a mock trial of Dred Scott v. Sandford. After learning about Dred Scott’s journey through free territory and his fight for freedom, students debated three powerful questions:
• Did the Supreme Court have jurisdiction?
• Was the Missouri Compromise constitutional?
• Was Dred Scott free while living in free territory?
The thoughtful arguments, respectful debate, and written opinions showcased incredible critical thinking. So proud of our students and their hard work! 👏📚⚖️
• Did the Supreme Court have jurisdiction?
• Was the Missouri Compromise constitutional?
• Was Dred Scott free while living in free territory?
The thoughtful arguments, respectful debate, and written opinions showcased incredible critical thinking. So proud of our students and their hard work! 👏📚⚖️
Public Schools Week 2026 is here! 🎉
At Blue Earth Area Schools, we’re proud to celebrate the powerful role public education plays in shaping our students’ futures and strengthening our community. This week is also a chance to recognize the incredible BEA teachers and staff who show up every day to support students academically, socially, and emotionally.
#beabucpride
At Blue Earth Area Schools, we’re proud to celebrate the powerful role public education plays in shaping our students’ futures and strengthening our community. This week is also a chance to recognize the incredible BEA teachers and staff who show up every day to support students academically, socially, and emotionally.
#beabucpride
📅Save the date!
🥞✨ 2nd Quarter Better Than B’s Breakfast Celebration! ✨🥞
Last week, we celebrated our Middle School Honor Roll students with our Better Than B’s Breakfast! We are so proud of these students for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence. 👏📚
A special thank you to the Faribault County Sheriff’s Department for joining us as guest speakers, sponsoring the breakfast and sharing encouraging words with our students. We appreciate your partnership and support of our school community! 🧡
Keep up the great work, students — your effort matters and it shows! 🌟
#HonorRoll #BetterThanBs #StudentSuccess #beabucpride
Last week, we celebrated our Middle School Honor Roll students with our Better Than B’s Breakfast! We are so proud of these students for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence. 👏📚
A special thank you to the Faribault County Sheriff’s Department for joining us as guest speakers, sponsoring the breakfast and sharing encouraging words with our students. We appreciate your partnership and support of our school community! 🧡
Keep up the great work, students — your effort matters and it shows! 🌟
#HonorRoll #BetterThanBs #StudentSuccess #beabucpride
🤸♀️Congratulations to Parker Stallman and Mariah Anderson, members of the BEA/USC Gymnastics team, for qualifying for the state competition! Mariah was the All-Around champion, and Parker qualified on the bars. They will compete this Saturday at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St Paul, starting at 6:00 pm.
During walk-throughs at both the high school and K-7 building, students and staff cheered them on and wished them luck before they head to state!
We wish them both the best of luck at state. Go Bucs!
#beabucpride
During walk-throughs at both the high school and K-7 building, students and staff cheered them on and wished them luck before they head to state!
We wish them both the best of luck at state. Go Bucs!
#beabucpride
🚌💛 Minnesota School Bus Driver Appreciation Day – February 18 💛🚌
These friendly faces might not love having their picture taken, but they show up every day --from early mornings to late nights, field trips to daily routes—thank you for caring for our students like they’re your own. We are so grateful for the incredible team that keeps our kids safe to and from school, activities, and everywhere in between! 👏We appreciate you more than you know!
Bus numbers/Drivers:
#15 Dan | #20 Dexter | #6 Michelle | #24 Brent | #51 Don | #2 Gary | #25 LeAnne | #9 Tim | #17 Tammy
Van numbers/Drivers:
#323 Tim | #324 JoAnn | #335 Megan | #306 Rachel & Robin | #305 John | #300 Pamela | #320 Liz
Subs/Activity Bus Drivers:
Dean, Jason, Brad, Darrel, Nick, Carol, Randy, Ed, Al, Tom, Al C, Shelly
Dispatchers:
Vanessa & Liz
Transportation Director: LeAnne Scholl
#SchoolBusDriverAppreciationDay #beabucpride
These friendly faces might not love having their picture taken, but they show up every day --from early mornings to late nights, field trips to daily routes—thank you for caring for our students like they’re your own. We are so grateful for the incredible team that keeps our kids safe to and from school, activities, and everywhere in between! 👏We appreciate you more than you know!
Bus numbers/Drivers:
#15 Dan | #20 Dexter | #6 Michelle | #24 Brent | #51 Don | #2 Gary | #25 LeAnne | #9 Tim | #17 Tammy
Van numbers/Drivers:
#323 Tim | #324 JoAnn | #335 Megan | #306 Rachel & Robin | #305 John | #300 Pamela | #320 Liz
Subs/Activity Bus Drivers:
Dean, Jason, Brad, Darrel, Nick, Carol, Randy, Ed, Al, Tom, Al C, Shelly
Dispatchers:
Vanessa & Liz
Transportation Director: LeAnne Scholl
#SchoolBusDriverAppreciationDay #beabucpride
Facilities Facts, Community Conversations, and Our Shared Future
Last spring, our district completed a comprehensive Facilities Assessment. The purpose was simple: to gain a clear, objective understanding of the current condition of our buildings and the needs we must address to ensure safe, functional, and future-ready learning environments for our students.
The assessment identified significant issues across our facilities - many of which are tied to aging infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and systems that have simply reached the end of their useful life. While none of this is surprising to those of us who work in the buildings every day, having a detailed, professional evaluation provides clarity and facts to guide responsible decision-making.
Since receiving the report, our School Board has been engaged in thoughtful, ongoing discussions about how best to address these needs. These are complex decisions. They impact our students, staff, taxpayers, and the long-term vitality of our five communities. We are committed to taking the time necessary to fully understand the options and the implications of each.
Equally important to that process is community engagement.
Over the past several months, we have met with the Delavan, Blue Earth, and Frost City Councils; BEA retired staff; Silver Sneakers; Kiwanis; the Senior Citizen Center lunch group; the Ministerial Committee; and others to share the facts from the assessment and answer questions. In the coming weeks, we plan to meet with the Winnebago and Elmore City Councils, County Commissioners, local Fire Departments, and additional community groups.
Our goal is simple: to inform. We believe that accurate information builds trust. We also believe that strong public schools are foundational to strong communities. When our facilities are safe, efficient, and aligned with modern learning needs, it benefits not only our students, but our entire region.
If your organization or community group would like to host a facilities conversation, we would welcome the opportunity. These discussions are most productive when they are open, respectful, and grounded in facts - and we are grateful for the thoughtful dialogue we have experienced so far.
Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our students and communities. We look forward to continuing the conversation together.
Mandy Fletcher - BEA Superintendent
Don't forget, Bucs--no school on Monday!
We had a fun, impromptu, concert put on by some of the 7th grade orchestra students this week. Begindergarten is talking about the letter V this week so we invited them to come in and show us their violins and violas. We got a couple of bonus cellos too! Mr. Koenig was kind enough to let them join us! We talked about how the strings vibrate to make the sound. The kids thought it was very interesting and liked hearing the three different instruments play both separately and together. And the 7th graders thought it was a lot of fun to teach the begindergarteners about their instruments!
🛼Join us!🛼
🏀 💛Practice with the BUCS! 💛🏀
Last week, our Girls Basketball team hosted a special “Practice with the BUCS” Day! Coach Spencer Monson invited girls in Kindergarten through 5th Grade to join the team for a fun and energetic session and the turnout was fantastic!
Events like this are a wonderful opportunity to build relationships between our high school athletes and elementary students, inspire future BUCS, and strengthen our school community.
We love seeing BUC Pride grow at every level! 💛
Last week, our Girls Basketball team hosted a special “Practice with the BUCS” Day! Coach Spencer Monson invited girls in Kindergarten through 5th Grade to join the team for a fun and energetic session and the turnout was fantastic!
Events like this are a wonderful opportunity to build relationships between our high school athletes and elementary students, inspire future BUCS, and strengthen our school community.
We love seeing BUC Pride grow at every level! 💛
🎤 Family Karaoke Night – Save the Date! 🎶
