Blackford County Schools

BPS and BIS had special greeters this morning! A big thank you to the members of the BJSHS Baseball Team for making the day of our younger Bruins!
Here's wishing the Bruins good luck as they take on Monroe Central tonight at home at 5:30 p.m.!
#BetterAtBlackford

The next School Board meeting is Tuesday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. at C.O. Join us!

Our BJSHS Senior Shout Outs go to two more hard-working Blackford Bruins! Zayne Rodarmel recently graduated from Ivy Tech with his Indiana College Core Certificate.
He is joined by fellow Bruin, Jacob Shroyer, who also graduated with his Indiana College Core Certificate.
We are proud of these outstanding seniors, as well as our partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, which made this possible for our students!
Way to go, Bruins!
#BruinProud #IvyTech

Capt. Matt Sneed and his K9 partner, Jeb, visited the Criminal Justice, law enforcement and corrections classes of BJSHS teacher Mike Jones. Capt. Sneed gave a presentation on the Grant County Sheriff's Offices K9 program and explained that his partner is an electronics detection dog, one of only 5 in the state of Indiana and 200 in the USA, trained to find electronic devices such as Zip drives, SD Cards, cell phones, vapes, computers or anything that might be used to hide digital evidence. Capt. Sneed brought several items that were used to train Jeb and then gave a demonstration, where Jeb located several devices.

Today's BJSHS Senior Shout Outs go to two hard-working Blackford Bruins! Hayleigh Quick recently graduated from Ivy Tech with her Indiana College Core Certificate and her Associate of General Studies.
She is joined by fellow Bruin, Raegan Ridgway, who also graduated with her Indiana College Core Certificate, Associate of General Studies and CCMA.
We are proud of these outstanding seniors, as well as our partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, which made this possible for our students!
Way to go, Bruins!
#BruinProud #IvyTech

We are excited to share more of our BJSHS Senior Shout Outs! Today we'd like to recognize two more outstanding Blackford Bruins- Maleah Marker and Karlie Pitts!
Maleah recently graduated from Ivy Tech with her Indiana College Core Certificate.
Karlie graduated with her Indiana College Core Certificate as well as her Associate of General Studies.
We are proud of these outstanding seniors, as well as our partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, which made this possible for our students!
Way to go, Bruins!
#BruinProud #IvyTech

Congratulations to 2026 BJSHS Prom King Jacob Barry and Queen Gabby Orlando. The two reigned over the BJSHS Prom held this past weekend.

Photo courtesy of The Voice of Blackford County

The BPS PTO would like to extend a HUGE thank you to the following individuals and businesses for their gracious donations, discounts, gifts, and time in support of our BPS students and staff! ❤️🐻🖤

Thank you to:
✨ Stu’s Garage
✨ Julie Terrell
✨ Elsbeth & Roger Haun
✨ Erika Miller with Simply GLOW & Simply Cupcakes
✨ Whos Your Coffee
✨ EB’s
✨ Just Be You Designs
✨ Copper Curl Beauty Bar & Auburn Sun Boutique
✨ Sip Studio
✨ Battens Grateful Acres
✨ Tammy’s Sweet Treats

Your generosity and support mean so much to our school community. We truly appreciate you helping make a difference for our BPS students and staff! Thank you for supporting BPS PTO! ❤️🐻🖤

Our BJSHS 7th graders took a field trip to King's Island to celebrate their hard work! They stopped long enough to pose for this great photo!
#BetterAtBlackford

It's Field Trip Time at BCS! Both our students and staff love it when they can celebrate the hard work in the classroom by getting out of the building to see and learn something new. Mrs. Linda Wallace's class ventured out to the Gas City Park to feed the animals. They also enjoyed a meal at King's Buffet in Marion together! What a fun day!
#BetterAtBlackford

Staff Photo includes: (front to back) Linda Wallace, Jennifer Osborne, Cindy Anderson, Susan Hogle, and Joni Duren.

Today's BJSHS Senior Shout Outs go to two hard-working Blackford Bruins! Nickolas Kuehnhold recently graduated from Ivy Tech with his Indiana College Core Certificate and Associate of General Studies.
She is joined by fellow Bruin, Katie Lytle, who also graduated with her Indiana College Core Certificate.
We are proud of these outstanding students, as well as our partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, which made this possible for our students!
Way to go, Bruins!
#BruinProud #IvyTech

It's been a fun Friday at BJSHS for our 7th and 8th grade students. The highlight might be pancake art! In addition, students played Math Pictionary and a singing game!
#BetterAtBlackford

Today's BJSHS Senior Shout Outs go to two hard-working Blackford Bruins! Rowan Hollin recently graduated from Ivy Tech with her Indiana College Core Certificate.
She is joined by fellow Bruin, Mason Kitterman, who also graduated with his Indiana College Core Certificate.
We are proud of these outstanding students, as well as our partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, which made this possible for our students!
Way to go, Bruins!
#BruinProud #IvyTech

We're picking up speed as we head to the finish line, Bruins! Check out the upcoming events.

Don't forget the BJSHS Community Health Fair this Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.! Multiple health services and interactive educational stations will be available throughout the day. If your student needs to update vaccinations, an Immunization Clinic will be available. (A permission slip must be signed first. Call your student's school for more info.)
Be sure to check out all the activities available.

How about a round of applause for the 2026 BCS Teacher of the Year at Blackford Jr.-Sr. High School- Mrs. Linda Wallace!
Mrs. Wallace teaches Special Needs at BJSHS and has been a part of BCS since 1995.
During yesterday's staff meeting at BJSHS, Principal Jason Ridge surprised Mrs. Wallace with the honor saying, "Linda isn't just an educator; she is the heartbeat of a program. She works with our most unique students, meeting them exactly where they are with a level of patience, kindness, and compassion that most of us strive for on our best days, but Linda cares every single day.
"Whether she's in the classroom or on the sidelines coaching Unified Sports, Linda sees the potential in every student. She reminds us daily that inclusion isn't just a buzzword; it's a way of life. She doesn't just teach life skills, she models a well-lived life."
During the presentation, Mrs. Wallace's husband, Tim, (a former BCS teacher) joined the spontaneous standing ovation given to her by her colleagues.
Congratulations, Mrs. Wallace! We are #BruinProud of you!
#TeacherOfThe Year

As Teacher Appreciation Week continues at Blackford County Schools, we would like to introduce you to the 2026 BCS Teacher of the Year from Blackford Intermediate School- Mrs. Rachael Shadiow!
Mrs. Shadiow teaches 3rd grade at the BIS. She's been a part of Blackford County Schools since 2018, when she started as a 1st grade teacher at Montpelier Elementary.
BIS Principal Jim Fox had this to say about Mrs. Shadiow and her selection, "I’m happy to recognize Rachael Shadiow as our 2025–26 Teacher of the Year. She is an exceptional educator who consistently goes above and beyond for our students and school. Mrs. Shadiow demonstrates dedication, passion, and a deep commitment to student success. Through engaging instruction, meaningful relationships, and her positive influence throughout the building, she truly represents the very best of what it means to be a Bruin.
Following the announcement that she had been selected Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Shadiow's class burst into applause and happy cheering as Superintendent Chad Yencer and Assistant Superintendent Lesley Moulton presented her with gifts.
Congratulations, Mrs. Shadiow! We are #BruinProud of you!