Blackford County Schools

What's better than outside recess? Puppies at outside recess! We are so grateful to our friends at Ultimate Canine for coming to visit us! Thanks for making our day! #BetterAtBlackford

Congratulations to our Jennerjahn Most Improved Students for 2024! During last night's celebration, students were honored for their academic achievements such as grades, test scores, attendance, conduct, and effort put forth. The highlight of the evening was when the student's teacher and/or principal shared what made these students so special. Attributes such as grit, determination, and a positive attitude were just some of the words used to describe the students accomplishments. For their efforts, the students were treated to a banquet and gift from the Jennerjahn family. Most Improved Students for 2024 include: Eli Lizaragga, 2nd grade at BPS; Damian Wilson, 3rd, Lane Ross, 4th, Jesse Johnson, 5th, and Ella Whetzel, 6th grade at BIS; Ariana Smith, 7th, and Lonnie Bonewit, 8th grade at BJSHS. Thank you to Ruth Jennerjahn and the Jennerjahn family for continuing to sponsor this banquet and celebrate BCS students!

Congratulations to our Jennerjahn Most Improved Students for 2024! During last night's celebration, students were honored for their academic achievements such as grades, test scores, attendance, conduct, and effort put forth. The highlight of the evening was when the student's teacher and/or principal shared what made these students so special. Attributes such as grit, determination, and a positive attitude were just some of the words used to describe the students accomplishments. For their efforts, the students were treated to a banquet and gift from the Jennerjahn family. Most Improved Students for 2024 include: Eli Lizaragga, 2nd grade at BPS; Damian Wilson, 3rd, Lane Ross, 4th, Jesse Johnson, 5th, and Ella Whetzel, 6th grade at BIS; Ariana Smith, 7th, and Lonnie Bonewit, 8th grade at BJSHS. Thank you to Ruth Jennerjahn and the Jennerjahn family for continuing to sponsor this banquet and celebrate BCS students!

What do you get when you combine BJSHS students, sunshine and King's Island? A very well-spent day! Check out our Bruins during last weekend's King's Island field trip! #BetterAtBlackford

The BJSHS 8th grade Manufacturing Class has the perfect Mother's Day gift idea! Check out their No Hand Phone Stand! No hand phone stands are designed and manufactured by your very own Blackford Junior High 8th grade students. Help support the class by purchasing one. They are only $5.00 and are made from real maple hardwood. These are made in Blackford County USA. If you are interested in a No Hand Phone Stand, please contact any one of the 8th grade students in the photo, Mr. Rich Uggen at ruggen@blackfordschools.org, or stop by the BJSHS front office. Thank you for your support :)

Yes, you really are seeing double... Did you know?!!! BPS is the home of 6 sets of twins! Five of which are in the second grade. BPS wanted celebrate this before the majority of them move on to BIS. Front row from left: Annabelle and Isabelle Gray - 2nd, Minx and Riggs Cowgill - 2nd, Back Row: Zahra and Athena Sanderson - 2nd, Kaysin and Kylie Huckleby - 2nd, Emma and Ava Leas - 2nd, and McKenna and Mikayla Sherlund - 1st. #TwinTime #BetterAtBlackford

The term "downward dog" took on a new meaning during last night's yoga class at BJSHS. The Blackford County Animal Shelter brought canine friends to encourage the class that included students, staff, and the public. Shelter staff also hoped to demonstrate what good boys they'd brought over in the event someone might want to adopt them. Conner is a brownish, mixed breed dog who has been at the shelter for about a year and a half. He's excellent with children and adults and is as friendly as can be. He was picked up around the Conner Trailer Park, leading to his name Conner. Jaxon is a white, mixed breed dog who isn't very old. Jaxon has watched both a sister and brother be adopted before him and is hoping for his turn. He's a gentle sweetheart who wants nothing more than to love you. Come on, Bruins, let's try to find forever homes for these two very good boys. BJSHS yoga classes are open to students, staff and the general public. Be sure to continue to check the BCS Facebook account for upcoming classes.

To do well in school, students need a strong foundation in reading. Thanks to the generosity of the Blackford County Community Foundation, students at Blackford Primary School have been able to take advantage of the Magnetic Reading Foundations (MRF) program to learn and/or improve their reading skills. "Last spring in 2023, BCS partnered with Curriculum Associates, Inc to provide high-quality tier 1 curricular resources to our K-2 classrooms," explains Assistant Superintendent David Parker. "Per board approval, we adopted a Curriculum Associates program entitled Magnetic Reading Foundations with the intent to transform the way our K-2 educators teach students to read. "Curriculum Associates has allowed us to spread the costs of these resources and materials out over the course of our 5 year purchase agreement. This school year (2023-24) was the first year of implementation. With the assistance of the Blackford County Community Foundation, we were able to cover our year-1 payment and purchase additional supplemental resources to all K-2 classroom teachers." Thanks to the strong partnership between Blackford County Schools and the Blackford County Community Foundation, a real investment and focus is being placed on improving the reading skills of our youngest students. This investment in early reading skills will reap benefits for these early learners and help them on their way to becoming successful Blackford County Schools' graduates. Thank you again to the Blackford County Community Foundation for its continued support.

Congratulations to the BJSHS JROTC! The Raiders received almost a near perfect score of 99/100 during an official inspection this morning. MSG Rick Kauffman said, "The inspector commented that it was one of the best inspections he'd ever had, which is really a tribute to our students." The BJSHS JROTC maintains its "Honors with Distinction" accreditation, which, according to Kauffman, is one of only 190 units out of ALL the JROTC units. Recently, the JROTC provided Color Guard for a recent Blackford County visit of Indiana Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch. We are proud of all your accomplishments, Bruins! #BetterAtBlackford

The excitement is building... Super Smash is going to State! The Blackford Bruin Esports Super Smash team, consisting of Darius Osborn (captain), Trenton Bleeke, Christian McConnell, Issac Sokolowski, Patrick Torres, and Zayne Rodarmel, will be facing off against Bluffton in the Indiana High School Esports Network class A state championship. The tournament will be held this Saturday, April 27th, at Ball State University’s student center and will begin at 10am. The match will be streamed live on Twitch through the Manchester University Esports channel. Awards will be handed out at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Included in this year’s winners are Bentley Storer (Indiana middle school’s Fortnite build state champion and no-build third place finisher), and Joseph Cruz (Indiana middle school Fortnite no-build runner-up). Good luck, Bruins! Go get 'em! #Statebound

Are you looking for that extra push to get you to come to yoga class on Thursday night at BJSHS? Perhaps these sweet faces will do it. Next Thursday, April 25, Blackford County Animal Shelter will be bringing Jaxon and Meredith to yoga class for some yoga with puppies! Bring a friend and get some snuggle time to brighten your day! You may even feel the need to adopt one of them! Yoga is 5-6 pm in the aux gym Mats are available for your use This is open to everyone, and all levels! Join us!

Bruins on Patrol! Students in Mr. Mike Jones' Criminal Justice class at BJSHS class visited the Indiana State Police Peru Post today. According to Mr. Jones, students witnessed presentations from several State Police divisions that included: K9, Patrol, SWAT, Motorcycle division, Water Rescue, Bomb Disposal, Helicopter, Sniper, Crime Scene, Forensics, Investigations and Dispatch. Students also learned more about the different divisions of the Miami State Correctional facility. In addition, they also learned about the State Police Summer camps, the Shield program and Ride-along programs. #BetterAtBlackford

Thank you, thank you, thank you! ❤️ A message from Mrs. Yvette Rouch: Because of every single person that donated blood yesterday, the BJSHS Health Careers class met their need of 45 donations, with a final count for the day of 47! Our total for the year is 152, allowing our school and community to possibly save up to 466 lives! Thank you so much, and we look forward to seeing you next fall! #BruinProud

We love ending the week with great news! Let's congratulate the following BJSHS seniors for making the CIC All-Academic Team! (From left) Allison Clamme, Keaton Walker and Charleston Slentz. They are joined in the photo by BJSHS Assistant Principal Karen Mealy. We are #BruinProud

Mark your calendars for Sports Physicals, Bruins! Be sure to follow the links in the QR Code. The physicals are by appointment only!

BJSHS is in search of a band director for the 24-25 school year. Please share and help us fill our open positions. (Thank you!) https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1299/BCS/4191124/Job_Opportunities_4-16-2024.pdf

What a great experience! BJSHS HOSA students recently attended the state conference in Indianapolis. According to Yvette Rouch, HOSA sponsor, "The HOSA State Leadership Conference allows members to compete in over 90 competitive events. SLC also features educational symposiums hosted by health professionals and interactive workshops hosted by Indiana HOSA alumni and health professionals. Members also have the opportunity to check out the annual HOSA Expo, where they can explore different colleges and career paths in health care at their own pace. SLC is an incredible opportunity for members to grow and showcase their unique talents and skills. Blackford HOSA students are already planning for next year!" #BetterAtBlackford

We need YOUR help! A message from Mrs. Yvette Rouch, BJSHS Health Careers Teacher: The BJSHS Health Careers classes are preparing for our final blood drive of the year. It is this Thursday, April 18, from 9 am-5 pm. The seniors who are most active in the drive are chosen as scholarship recipients. Right now, we are 30 successful donors away from reaching $1200 in scholarship money. We are currently at $500. This money is given directly to the student to help cover any school expenses they might have (gas, food, books, etc). I know it's uncomfortable, inconvenient, and many other things. However, you are potentially saving 3 lives, as well as helping 3 of our own seniors. Because of blood donors, both of my parents and my daughter are alive today. I am sure someone you love has counted on a donor as well. Please consider helping out by using the link below to sign up. https://donate.indiana.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/165131 Photo is from a previous donation.

Hey Bruins! Next week (April 15-19) is Autism A'wear'ness Spirit Week at BJSHS! Show your support for Autism throughout the week! #BetterAtBlackford

If you, or someone you know, have student(s) who will be 5 by August 1, 2024, they are eligible for BCS Kindergarten. If your student has not yet been signed up, contact BPS at 765.348.7584. Please help us spread the word!