Blackford County Schools

Thank you to the Blackford County Community Foundation and all the generous benefactors who helped provide scholarships to members of the Class of 2024 during yesterday's Senior Honors Program. Thank you for your very kind investment in the future! #BruinProud

Ask a senior how many days of school they have left! 😊

Congratulations to our BJSHS Unified Track Team! They participated in sectionals this past weekend! Way to go, Bruins! We are proud of you! #BetterAtBlackford

Thank you to BJSHS Choir Director Mrs. Kassidy Martin and choir members (past and present) for an excellent choir concert! Mrs. Martin invited alumni to return and join the concert. Alumni wore t-shirts designating the year they graduated. During the concert, special recognition was given to long-time Blackford High School Choir Director Dr. Phil Turley, who passed away at the end of December. We appreciate everyone who came out for the show! #BetterAtBlackford Thank you to Amanda Wolfe for sharing photos.

Who is ready for graduation? The Class of 2036! Congratulations to our most recent grads - the Kindergarten class at BPS. Thank you to everyone who came out to support their Kindergarteners during graduation! Next stop- first grade! Keep up the good work, Cubs! #BruinProud

It's a sale, sale, sale!!! Visit BPS from 4 to 6 p.m. TODAY to get some great deals on folding lunch tables, tables with legs, folding chairs, office chairs, student chairs, bookshelves, an office desk, and large student desks during day two of the BCS Surplus Silent Auction. Specialty items available include wire book racks, large and small rolling easels, glass basketball backboards and metal rims, nacho service, a globe, TV-VCR-Disc players, and a piano. Check out the photos of the items listed below and place your bid in person from 4 to 6 p.m. today at BPS. Bids will be reviewed tomorrow (Friday) and winners will be notified. We ask that all winning items be picked up on Saturday, May 18 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the school. Come see us! We'll SAVE you money!!! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tl9W2RFf-kLCLILLTkDhl2ycezKomInhwBBKAvgTb9Q/edit?usp=sharing

Who doesn't love puppy snuggles? Bring a friend, a student, your spouse or your kids and join in on some yoga with puppies! A handful of these little guys will be there to make your day better! Join us! Thursday, May 16 from 5-6 pm in the BJSHS aux gym. #BetterAtBlackford

Welcome, new first graders! First grade students in Mrs. Amanda Wolfe's class at BPS partnered up with Ms. Molly Ault's kindergarten class for a Q & A about first grade. Mrs. Wolfe's students designed matching friendship bracelets to give to their new kindergarten friends. They introduced themselves and gave them a matching bracelet. The students spent 15 minutes touring the classroom and asking questions about first grade. It was such a sweet time. #BetterAtBlackford

Thinking of you today! ❤️

It's a great day for a field trip to Ouabache State Park! According to BJSHS teacher Mrs. Linda Wallace, her class used the funds from their Christmas sales to enjoy the park and lunch out. Thank you to everyone who helped support the Bruins during the holiday season! #BetterAtBlackford Staffer photo: (from top) Joni Duren, Jennifer Osborne, Linda Wallace and Cindy Anderson.

A message from Mrs. Blankenbaker and the BJSHS Greenhouse students: Don't forget we will be open TODAY Thursday May 9th- 3:15 pm-6 pm Friday May 10th- 3:15 pm-5 pm Saturday -TBD

Blackford Preschool Academy has reached Paths to Quality Level 3 status and is an On My Way Pre-K Approved Program! Level 3 programs have met all of the health and safety standards set forth by the state of Indiana. These programs demonstrated the knowledge and skill necessary for planning appropriate activities and opportunities that lead children toward school readiness. Level 3 programs have made a significant investment in the professional development of the staff, and they incorporate family and staff input into the program. Check back soon for more updates on Blackford Preschool Academy!

More scenes from the BPS Touch A Truck Career Day

Congratulations to BJSHS students (from left) Kaleb Patrick, Kalyssa Lennon and Kaylee Fields, who aced their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) state exams with 100 percent pass rates! Way to go, Bruins! #BruinProud

Check this out! Earlier this week, students at BPS had the opportunity to learn about a variety of "big trucks" during Touch a Truck Career Day! We appreciate all the trucks taking the time to showcase their trade, show us lots of cool stuff, and make some great memories! Thank you to the following: Hartford City Public Works Blackford County Sheriff's Department Hartford City Fire Department Hartford City Police Department Chubby Burger Food Truck Zack Gillihan Hartford City Water Department Blackford County Schools Transportation Department Eastern Indiana Works AEP American Electric/Indiana Michigan Power A special shout-out goes to our own Tiffany Ickes Pauley, who worked so hard to put this together for the students. We appreciate her so much! ❤️ #BetterAtBlackford

You may have heard cheers this morning and wondered what was happening. The cheers were coming from a third grade classroom at Blackford Intermediate School. Students had just learned their teacher, Elizabeth Kauerauf, had been selected as the Blackford County Schools 2024 Henderson Teacher of the Year! For BIS Principal Jim Fox, the reason for Kauerauf’s selection is simple, “This school year she has taken her class to new heights.” Fox notes that Kauerauf had obstacles to overcome at the beginning of the school year such as low student achievement, behavior issues, and concerns about students passing the important I-Read testing that takes place in 3rd grade, but she took the challenges head-on. Class behaviors improved and student achievement increased. Fox believes the success comes from Kauerauf utilizing a variety of approaches to teach her students. “She does this because she recognizes that there isn’t just one way to reach all students. Her students know that each one is special and important to her.” He adds, “Her classroom community is one that I praise constantly to other staff members as a model for success.” How do Kauerauf’s students feel about their teacher being selected as Teacher of the Year? One of her students comments, “She is kind. She is good at explaining stuff. She is really fun and I like her as a teacher.” The is the 24th year for the Henderson Teacher of the Year Award, named in honor of former Blackford County educators Ed and Ruth Henderson. Ed Henderson was a long-time journalism/publications teacher, while his wife, Ruth, served as an English teacher. Criteria for the award includes meeting student needs, a desire for professional growth, community involvement, dedication to the teaching profession and rapport with students, parents and staff. BCS Superintendent Chad Yencer surprised Kauerauf with flowers and a certificate in front of her class, who were more than excited to express their enthusiasm for their teacher. In fact, they told Yencer they are sure Kauerauf will be next year’s Henderson Teacher of the Year Award winner! Congratulations, Elizabeth Kauerauf!

To kick off the celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, BCS would like to congratulate the 2024 Jennerjahn Most Influential Educators. These outstanding educators were selected by the Top Ten Seniors at BJSHS. The seniors selected educators who had a significant positive effect on their education. The students and their educators were honored during a banquet held last night in the former St. John’s School basement. During the banquet, students made a formal presentation explaining their selection and what made their educator so special. In addition, the students were asked to include a small gift of appreciation. Their creativity certainly was not lacking. Gifts ranged from personalized books that included music, poetry and memories to a cooler that would be absolutely perfect for an afternoon of fishing. The gifts, as well as the presentations, were both personal and thoughtful. Chloe Wicker presented the tennis ball from her winning match to her Most Influential Educator, her dad, Williams Wicker, a physical education teacher at BJSHS. There were a number of special milestones taking place during the event. This was the 20th year for the award’s ceremony created by local philanthropist Ruth Jennerjahn, and her late husband Brian. This year is the 10th time MSG. Rick Kauffman has been selected as a Most Influential Educator. Also, this year, two seniors selected a parent, who happens to teach at BCS, as their Most Influential Educator. Joining Chloe Wicker in honoring a parent was Charlie Crabtree, who selected his mother, elementary education teacher Amber Crabtree, as his Most Influential Educator. This year’s seniors and their educators include: Mr. Aaron Blackwood and Mrs. Sherri Barker, Spanish teacher at BJSHS; Miss Allison Clamme and Mrs. Bethany Bowman, English teacher at BJSHS; Miss Ammee Uggen and Mr. Gaven Schulz, Social Studies teacher at BJSHS; Mr. Charleston Slentz and Mrs. Shelbi Blankenbaker, Ag teacher at BJSHS; Mr. Charlie Crabtree and Mrs. Amber Crabtree; Miss Chloe Wicker and Mr. William Wicker; Mr. Keaton Walker and BJSHS Band Director Holden Berlin; Miss Lindze Quillen and Mrs. Sasha Hudson, Spanish teacher at BJSHS; Miss Patience Campbell and Mr. Joshua Brock, former English teacher at BJSHS; and lastly, Mr. Wyatt Smith and MSG Rick Kauffman, JROTC Commander at BJSHS.

Usually, we find our favorite local photographer behind the camera, but not today! Don Rogers stopped by Ms. April Bartlett's Media class at BJSHS this afternoon. Mr. Rogers was on hand to talk about a career in photography. We appreciate Mr. Rogers sharing his time and expertise with our students. #BetterAtBlackford

BCS has a number of items for sale in a silent auction. Please take a moment to click the link to view photos of the available items. To view the items in person, visit Blackford Primary School on Wednesday, May 15 or Thursday, May 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. Enter at Door 9. Use east parking lot. Winning bidders will be notified Friday, May 17 with items ready for pick up on Saturday, May 18 from 8 to 10 a.m. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tl9W2RFf-kLCLILLTkDhl2ycezKomInhwBBKAvgTb9Q/edit?usp=sharing

These little cuties will be at tonight's puppy yoga class. They are American Corgi pups. Come get your fill of puppy snuggles, rest your mind, and get in some good yoga! With these little faces, you know you want to! See you at 5 p.m. in the BJSHS Aux. Gym.! Mats are available.