Blue Earth Area Elementary School

🎉 Happy School Principals’ Day! 🎓 Today we celebrate the incredible principals at Blue Earth Area who guide our schools with vision, dedication, and heart. Thank you for inspiring students, supporting teachers, and making our schools better every day! ❤️📚 #beabucpride

🤩🎉Congratulations to Kelly Bleess and Jim Wirkus, winners of the K-7 Buc Pride Awards for March! Both were nominated by multiple colleagues for their efforts and leadership. Here are a few of the comments below to highlight them. Mrs. Jahnke: ⭐️I would like to nominate Mrs. Jahnke, she is an awesome teacher. She shows great leadership and has such dedication for her students. She shows discipline in a kind and compassionate way. Mrs. Jahnke also has a lot of fun with her students and they enjoy her very much. As I do. She is one of the best. She is a great role model for her colleagues and students. She is very deserving of this award. ⭐️I nominate Sam for this award due to her fun personality with her students. She gives so much of herself to make sure that her students are learning and having fun at the same time. She leaves no student unrecognized and acknowledges and praises them for the hard work. Sam listens to her students with compassion and strength to help them through their school day. I appreciate all that does and goes beyond! ⭐️Sam Jahnke is a positive ray of sunshine. She comes into work early every day and often stays late too. She is always looking for ways to engage her students in positive ways and carries that same passion of positivity to staff members. Those that know Sam know she takes extra time to make everyone feel special and appreciated. Mrs. Eckles: ⭐️Theresa creates opportunities for her students to be successful and experience love and care and fun while they are learning! She makes connections with students and staff and is intentional about making BEA the best and showing BUC PRIDE every day. ⭐️She has been a fantastic leader for our all new second grade team. She has made sure that we all have the curriculum materials/resources needed, given support when needed, and has made sure to consistently check in with us all! ⭐️Mrs. Eckles never misses a chance to try something new or different if it will make things better for her students. She is frequently here late into the afternoon because she's a firm believer that if something needs to be done for kids, then it's worth doing well. #beabudpride

A message from Superintendent Fletcher: Given the significant uncertainty surrounding today’s weather forecast and timing, we have made the decision to release students early to prioritize the safety of our school community. With nearly 800 students relying on bus transportation—some on routes that require up to two hours from time of departure to return to bus garages—we want to ensure everyone arrives home safely before the potential for severe weather increases. Today, the PreK–7th grade building will dismiss at 12:45 p.m., and the high school will dismiss at 1:00 p.m. While some forecasts suggest severe weather may not arrive until later this afternoon, others indicate the possibility of significant storms as early as 4:00 p.m., placing our area in a higher-risk zone. Out of an abundance of caution, we believe it is in the best interest of our students and staff to proceed with an early release. Additionally, all afternoon practices and activities are cancelled for today. Thank you for your understanding, flexibility, and continued commitment to the safety and well-being of our students.

Meet our TERRIFIC third graders! The 'C' in TERRIFIC stands for capable', and we celebrate ALL of our third graders for showing us how capable they have been this school year! We're thrilled to honor each and every one of our third graders for their ability to tackle challenges with determination, and meet (and exceed) expectations. Their futures are bright! Let's cheer for our third graders! Thank you to the Kiwanis Club of Blue Earth for sponsoring this program; it is a joy to see how proud the students are when they are chosen for this award! #beabucpride

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🤩🎉Congratulations to Ms. Katie Mullaly and Mr. Jake Brower, winners of the K-7 Buc Pride Awards for March! Both were nominated by multiple colleagues for their efforts and leadership. Here are a few of the comments below to highlight them. Ms. Mullaly: ⭐️What a joyful, bright, common sense, dedicated, lovable team-player! Absolutely love having Katie on the team! ⭐️Katie has taken to her job like a tadpole to water. She is very in-tune with her students and makes it evident that she is here for them. I think one of her strongest qualities is her ability to apply SEL skills when needed. I've witnessed her using her SEL abilities many times, and she truly and definitely cares about the well-being of her students. I would bet a million dollars that every student in her classroom knows they are deeply loved and cared about by Ms. Mullaly. Any student would be lucky to have her as a teacher - makes me wish I had kids so they could experience a teacher's love like that. ⭐️She is an amazing example of how to have positive student interactions ⭐️She is an amazing teacher and cares so much about her students as well as her co-workers. She is unbelievably kind and works so hard to make sure she is doing a great job. She is an absolute dream to work with! ⭐️Katie is wonderful with her students. I am alway impressed with their hall behavior and how respectful they are when I bring Frankie into their room. ⭐️She keeps the positivity going for the staff and the students, even when she is not really feeling it. She models being above the line with her thoughts and actions. Mr. Brower: ⭐️Jake has embraced a brand-new role in the STAR room this year and has excelled in every way. He approaches the position with unwavering positivity and a willingness to take risks, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. His commitment to building strong relationships has become the foundation of his success, making a meaningful impact on both students and colleagues alike. For these reasons, I am proud to nominate Jake for the staff award. ⭐️Jake has consistently gone above and beyond to support my transition into my role. Despite his demanding workload, he makes a concerted effort to make time for answering questions and offering guidance on IEPs. His positive demeanor remains unwavering, even during particularly stressful times. Additionally, Jake is deeply committed to ensuring that both his students and paraprofessionals have all the necessary resources to succeed. His dedication and support have been invaluable. ⭐️He is such amazing, kind-hearted teacher . The way he is with his students just melts your heart. ⭐️I am pleased to nominate Jake for this award, as he consistently goes above and beyond in his dedication to his students. Jake exemplifies the qualities of a selfless educator, offering support and guidance even amidst his own demanding schedule. He consistently takes the time to work through problems with students, providing thoughtful and thorough explanations to ensure their understanding. Jake's unwavering commitment to helping others is evident in his willingness to assist, regardless of his workload, and he does so without expecting anything in return. His exceptional generosity and genuine care for the success of his students make him a truly deserving candidate for this recognition. ⭐️Jake consistently demonstrates a strong willingness to assist, even during busy periods. He makes a concerted effort to allocate time for answering questions and ensures that his explanations are accessible by framing them in terms that resonate with students. Despite any personal challenges he may face, Jake maintains a positive and upbeat demeanor, striving to uplift others and create a supportive environment. His dedication to both his role and to others is evident in his approach to every interaction. Congrats to both of our very deserving winners! The Buccy heads were created and donated by Thomas Wallace. #beabucpride

Meet our TERRIFIC third graders! The 'I' in TERRIFIC stands for 'inquisitive', and we celebrate these students for their insatiable thirst for knowledge and boundless curiosity. Never stop learning! Thank you to the Kiwanis Club of Blue Earth for sponsoring this program; it is a joy to see how proud the students are when they are chosen for this award! #beabucpride

Capture the Moments, Keep the Memories! Your student’s year has been filled with friendships, achievements, and unforgettable experiences—make sure they have a way to relive them for years to come! The Blue Earth Area Yearbook is packed with vibrant photos, special memories, and all the highlights from their school year. Whether they’re in Elementary, Middle School, or High School, this yearbook will be a treasured keepsake of the friends, teachers, clubs, and activities that made this year unforgettable. 🎉 Order now at https://dufaultpublishing.mypaysimple.com/s/blue-earth-area-schools to get the best price of the year! 🎉 📆 Don’t wait—secure your copy today and give your student a gift they’ll cherish forever. #MemoriesThatLast #Yearbook2025 #OrderNow

Blue Earth Area High Schoolers are leading this blood drive—your donation can help save lives. Join the effort by signing up to donate: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=BEAHSMN

😃Join us, future Bucs!

Looking for a rewarding experience where you can make an impact? Help students strengthen their skills and become a tutor! No education experience needed – bring your desire to make a difference. FT and PT opportunities are available beginning in August, October, & January. Tutors earn a paycheck every 2 weeks plus additional money for tuition or student loans. Learn more and apply at Join.ReadingAndMath.org.

During National Americorps Week, let's give a big shoutout to our Reading Corps and Math Corps tutors at Blue Earth Area Schools; their dedication to helping our students learn is evident each and every day. #AmeriCorpsWeek #beabucpride

🌟 Get ready for Wellness Week! 🌟 The BEA Wellness Committee is teaming up with Mayo Clinic Health System-Fairmont to bring you Wellness Week from March 10-14! We invite all students and staff to join in and take part in fun activities that help us feel our best — mind and body. Let’s make it a great week together! MELLOW MONDAY: Being able to regulate your emotions helps maintain and build your relationships; and is also better for your body. ✅Identify something that helps you calm down and practice it twice. Select one of the two options to try at school: 1. Kids meditation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iplZGpP2VO0 2. Breathing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX16_ObLaoQ HYDRATION TUESDAY: Choosing water over sugar drinks helps you avoid health risks that include excess weight gain and tooth decay. ✅Pack a full water bottle and set a goal of drinking all the water during the school day. MOVE IT WEDNESDAY: Physical activity improves your mood and your ability to concentrate and learn. ✅Walk or bike to school if you can, or walk two laps around the playground. TASTY THURSDAY: What you eat and drink gives your body energy to move and think. ✅Bring a new healthy lunch or snack item to school or try a new healthy option from the cafeteria. Watch this video to learn about how to eat the colors of the rainbow and fuel your body. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1StpMfMwXY HEALTHY SLEEP FRIDAY: According to the National Sleep Institute, elementary age children should receive 9-11 hours of sleep per night. ✅ Create a bedtime plan. How will you get your best rest? (Examples might include reading before bed or agreeing on a schedule for your bedtime, then following it.) Perfecting Your Child’s Bedtime Routine: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep/bedtime-routine #beabucpride

Get ready to sing your heart out! 🎶 Bring the whole family for a fun-filled Family Karaoke Night. Whether you're a superstar singer or just love to cheer others on, this is a night you won't want to miss! 🎤 Pick your favorite song! 🎉 All ages welcome!

Additional Science Fair photos

More Science Fair photos

Spirits were high in Pemberton Gym this morning as Blue Earth Area 6th graders and the participating 5th graders proudly presented their scientific findings during the annual Science Fair. The gym buzzed with conversation as participants explained their discoveries, answered questions, and demonstrated their hard work. Several judges were overheard commenting that this was one of the most well-prepared groups they’ve seen! #beabucpride

For 40 years, March has been designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) as Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®). The positive impact of music education in the lives of students lasts a lifetime. Therefore, ensuring equitable access to music education for the youngest members of our society—students—is paramount. Every day, in classrooms and rehearsal rooms across our school district, these teachers dedicate themselves to reaching all students with life-changing musical experiences. Parents, administrators, and the wider community often only see the wonderful results of music performances; however, we miss the months of practice and rehearsals and more importantly the learning process that takes place to make it all happen. This month, we celebrate not only the performances but also the hard work, creativity, collaboration, and personal growth that happen behind the scenes. Music education nurtures critical thinking, self-expression, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts — enriching both our schools and our community. Join us in recognizing and supporting our incredible Blue Earth Area music educators and the students who fill our schools with music, passion, and purpose every day. #beabucpride

🌟 2025 National School Social Work Week 🌟 This year’s theme, Unite to Ignite: Celebrating our Impact, honors the incredible work of our School Social Workers—fostering connections, advocating for equity, and driving social and emotional growth.. 💙 Throughout the school year, School Social Workers navigate challenges, rising anxieties, and ongoing obstacles — yet they meet them with unwavering strength and resilience. We appreciate all that they do, each and every day. #beabucpride

🤩🎉Congratulations to Kelly Bleess and Jim Wirkus, winners of the K-7 Buc Pride Awards for March! Both were nominated by multiple colleagues for their efforts and leadership. Here are a few of the comments below to highlight them. Mrs. Bleess:: ⭐️"It's Kelly Bleess. She is literally made of magic and she shares her magic with everyone and she CARES so much about all of our kids, AND our staff! Kelly deserves to be highlighted for everything she does for our students AND staff, AND families." ⭐️"Kelly goes above and beyond for the students and staff at BEA Elementary. She is always available for anyone, at any time, and has a listening ear. She is kind and compassionate to all. She is professional and always willing to assist with a behavior plan or simply brainstorm ideas. We are lucky she is on our staff at BEA Elementary." Mr. Wirkus: ⭐️"He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the safety and comfort of both staff and students, whether inside the building or around the school grounds. He dedicates extra time to fix water pipes after hours, arrives early to clean and treat sidewalks, and ensures that areas are still maintained and covered even when staff members are absent. He also enjoys engaging with students in the hallway, always taking the time to listen whenever they have something to share." ⭐️"He goes above and beyond to make sure his crew is taken care of and the kids have a great place to come to everyday. He does the heavy lifting for us all." ⭐️"Jim should be recognized not only for the effortless transition into his new role this year, but Jim had a very busy start to the month with being short staffed due to illness with his custodial staff. His communication with staff during this time ensured that the building was still well maintained. He also came in and worked late into the night to repair the pipe burst, which also happened to be part of the main plumbing line. Without his quick thinking we would've lost valuable instructional time with our students!" Congrats to both of our very deserving winners! The Buccy heads were created and donated by Thomas Wallace. #beabucpride