Blackford County Schools

Today was Water Day! This is a PTO fundraiser where students can purchase sponges to throw at teacher and staff. The class that collected the most got to dump water buckets on Mr. Campbell and Miss Rogers!! According to Miss Rogers, "We had a tie with classes so Mrs. Thurman's class and Mrs. Hiatt's class got to soak us with buckets of water! Then the rest of the classes each got their turn to soak us with sponges and water crayons! I'm so glad it was hot this morning!" Thank you BPS PTO! What a fun day! #BetterAtBlackford

Meet the 2024 BIS Wiffle Ball Champs - Mrs. Rebecca Taylor's 4th grade class! They received a cool treat for their efforts! Nice work, Bruins!

We can just about guarantee that you aren't having as much fun as our BPS students are having today! Thank you to everyone who helped pitch in with the BPS Field Day! From the looks of it, a great time was had by all! #BetterAtBlackford

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

Here are more scenes from the BPS Field Day!

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!

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

More scenes from the BPS Touch A Truck Career Day

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!