Blackford County Schools

It's been a busy week at BCS! Students at Blackford Primary School learned important fire safety lessons from the Hartford City Fire Department. A big thank you to HCFD for sharing their knowledge (and fire hose) with our students!
#BetterAtBlackford

Over the years, students at BJSHS have decorated ceiling tiles that have adorned the Sutton Center hallway. Due to renovations at BJSHS, there have been changes to the hallway ceiling and the tiles had to be removed. If you had a decorated ceiling tile placed along the hall that you would like to pick up, please call 765.348.7560 to schedule an appointment to come get it before the October 30 deadline. Thank you!

We have spirit, yes, we do! We have spirit, how about you?
Our BPS Cubs show their Homecoming spirit to help cheer on our Bruins! Let's GO!
#Homecoming2026

We have royalty in our midst! BJHS Teacher's Assistant and 2023 BJSHS graduate, Riata Rouch, has had the Fall Break of a lifetime. Riata proudly represented Indiana at the 2026 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen contest, where she competed with other contestants from the United States and Canada. Candidates are judged in three categories: Interview, Knowledge, and Horsemanship. Riata not only won the Knowledge category, but she came home as the overall winner, being crowned the 2026 Congress Queen. She will spend the next 12 months traveling to major horse shows and events throughout the United States, serving as Ambassador of the American Quarter Horse Association. In addition to working at BJSHS, Riata currently shows her horse, Woody, and is a student at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods college.  If you would like to follow her journey, you can find her on Facebook under 2026 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen. Way to go, Riata! We are BruinProud!

As the BJSHS Homecoming Spirit Week continues, we are celebrating the decades today. It looks like our Blackford Bruin is celebrating his own walk through the decades. (Apparently, it has been a looong walk!) Let's go, Bruins!
#BetterAtBlackford #hoco

Thank you for your service to Blackford County Schools, Mrs. Lewis.

BPS PTO is having a GLOW dance!! For any questions any feel free to contact Carrie Holloway and Whitney Brown at BIS 765.348.7584!! Lets GLOW and come have some fun! We will have games, a basket raffle, refreshments and glow sticks!! Wear your neon, bring a parent and come have fun! Extra flyers are in the office!

Will the real Cruella DeVille please raise her gloved hand???
Cruella was definitely in the house at BJSHS today as we continue Homecoming Spirit Week! Let's go, Bruins!
#BetterAtBlackford #hoco

BJSHS is currently putting together an initiative to bring guest speakers (in person or by sending in videos) to our 7th grade students to talk about career paths, personal growth, and what success looks like after graduation. To make this as impactful as possible, we want to hear directly from our former Blackford students!

Dear Blackford High School Alumni,
I hope this email finds you well!
As a graduate of Blackford High School, your journey after high school offers invaluable perspective for our current students. I am reaching out to invite you to share your experiences and insights with our 7th-grade students as they begin thinking about their own futures.
We are looking for alumni willing to help in one of two ways:
- **In-Person Speaker:** Come speak directly to a group of 7th graders about your career path and post-high school journey. (In person, on a Friday around 2:20pm. We can coordinate on dates.)
- **Short Video Recording:** Submit a short (around 5 minutes) video sharing your story if you are unable to join us in person.
In your video or talk, we’d love for you to touch on a few key ideas:
- What "success" means to you today.
- Is what you're doing now what you expected to do when you were in high school? (Did your path stay the same, or did it take unexpected turns? Has your concept of success changed?)
- A favorite memory or valuable lesson from your time at Blackford.
- How high school helped prepare you for your next steps (college, trade school, military, or workforce).
- Advice on connecting high school to future goals and finding your path.
If you are interested in participating—either in person or by
video—please send an email to tpauley@blackfordschools.org by November 6, 2026.
Thank you so much for your support of our students and community!
We look forward to hearing your inspiring stories!
Bruin Grit, Never Quit!

Are they heading to work at Taco Bell, checking in on the auditorium construction or biking the Hilly Hundred? BJSHS seniors Kloie Carpenter, Brayden Acker and Landon Libby are ready for work while ELA teacher Monica Myers is ready for a day of cycling through the hills!
In the second photo, the entire BJSHS staff gets in on the "Dress for the Wrong Occasion" theme for today!
#BetterAtBlackford

BCS is currently experiencing an internet outage. Unfortunately, this impacts phone service across the district as well. We apologize in advance as we do not have an estimate of when it will return. We appreciate your patience as we work through this issue.

The Blackford County School Board will be in session for a Special Meeting this Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at the Administrative Offices. Join us!

Just a reminder that if your child needs a warm coat, hat and gloves for cold weather, you can pick those up for free at the Rotary Coat a Child event this Saturday, October 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Girl Scout House in Hartford City.

Students in Mrs. Liz Holdcroft's class at BPS learned very important lessons today- Identifying money and what is not money. The students were surprised to find Assistant Principal Shalee Myron's cat June in a treasure chest. The class learned that June is indeed not money!
#BetterAtBlackford

Congratulations to MSG Rick Kauffman as he retires from service as a JROTC Instructor at BJSHS. According to Principal Jason Ridge, this is Kauffman's 43rd year of service- both in education and in the United States military.
Mr. Ridge went on to say to the students and staff in attendance, "That is 43 years of showing up. 43 years of serving others. 43 years of teaching, leading, mentoring, encouraging, correcting when necessary, and making a difference in the lives of a whole lot of people. There are very few people who can say they have dedicated that much of their life to serving their country and serving kids.
"And today, on his final day, MSG is going to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance and our moment of silence one last time.
"MSG, thank you for everything you have given to our school, our students, our community, and our country. You have certainly earned whatever comes next.
"As MSG leads us this morning, I hope you’ll give these next few moments the respect they deserve. Not just because it is the Pledge, but because today, we get the opportunity to stand alongside someone who has spent 43 years serving others.
"MSG, congratulations on an incredible career."

Best wishes, MSG Kauffman, as you enter this next phase of your life. Remember, Once a Bruin, Always a Bruin!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the
BJSHS Choir in concert last night. Also, a big thanks goes out to Choir Director Morgan Gardner and the hard-working students who made the show happen! Great job, Bruins!

Attention, attention! The Rotary Coat A Child program takes place this Saturday, October 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Girl Scout House in Hartford City. Gently-worn coats, hats and gloves will be available. (Children must be there to confirm fittings.)
Please share.

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Officer Jonathan Guffy from the Montpelier Police Department visited Mr. Mike Jones' Criminal Justice classes at BJSHS today. Guffy instructed students in Communication, Situational Awareness, and Decision-Making. The students then participated in a role playing scenario called You're the Officer, in which they used what they learned to respond to a scenario and decide the best avenue to resolve the conflict.
#BetterAtBlackford