BEA Community Education

Faux Orchid Planter (Adults & Teens) Do you love having a real orchid plant in your home but can’t keep them alive? Join this class and design a realistic faux potted orchid that will last forever! Please bring a wire cutter, glue gun & glue sticks. Register by April 3. Instructor: Lynette Dorfner. Fee: $42. Monday, April 7 6:30 – 8:00 pm BEA High School Art Room 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/rw-community-ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.

Minnesota Highway Safety Center Senior Driver Improvement Classes Participants age 55 and older will qualify for a 10% discount on their auto insurance premium for three years by completing the initial eight-hour course, according to Minnesota state law. The 10% discount can be maintained by completing a four-hour refresher course every 3 years. A MN Highway Safety Research Center certified instructor will teach this class. By utilizing the most up-to-date research in the field, participants will be provided the latest information in regards to crash data trends, defensive driving tips, changes in laws and vehicle technology, and the latest in traffic safety. Please register directly with the Minnesota Highway Safety Center at www.mnsafetycenter.org or by calling 1-888-234-1294. No registrations will be taken at Community Ed.

Bead Bracelet Adults (or parent/child) Unleash your creativity in this fun, hands-on class where you'll design and craft your own beaded bracelet! Perfect for beginners and those who love making personalized jewelry. Register by March 27. Instructors: Stacy Haase and Sara Frederickson. Fee: $35 Thursday, April 3 6:00 – 7:30 pm BEA High School Media Center (Enter Door C)

Fair isn’t Always Equal (Adult) Cassandra Lustfield, attorney at the Ford & Lustfield Law office is proud to offer a comprehensive class on estate planning and farm succession. This class addresses the unique challenges faced by farmers, ensuring their legacy and hard-earned assets are preserved for future generations. Participants will learn about certain topics such as drafting wills, establishing trusts, managing taxes, and navigating the complexities of succession planning. By attending, you will gain invaluable insights and strategies to protect your farm’s future, providing peace of mind for you and your family. Fee: $5. Thursday, March 27 6:30 – 8:30 pm BEA Elementary School District Conference Room (Enter Door “M”) 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/rw-community-ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.

Firearms Safety (Youth age 12 by 9/1/25 and/or Adults) Youth and adults interested in hunting or Firearms Safety are invited to enroll in a Minnesota DNR Firearms Safety Course. Students must be at least 12 years of age by September 1, 2025. A parent or legal guardian must attend the first class to complete the registration paperwork for the DNR. A final test and field trial are mandatory for completion of this class. Attendance is mandatory at all sessions (There will not be any make-up dates). Register with Community Ed before April 7. Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:00 - 9:00 pm April 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 Blue Earth Ag Center Field Test & Final Test (Mandatory): Saturday, April 26 8:00 am Center Creek Gun Club Field Day will be only for students that attend the classroom portion of the class. 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/rw-community-ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.

Wood Craft Class--Bird House (Grades 2-5) Paint and decorate a wood bird house kit to make your own one-of-a-kind project. Thursday, March 27 3:15-4:15 pm Elementary Art Room 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/rw-community-ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.

Justice is served, and Otis the Pig is safe once more! 🕵️‍♂️He has once again been rescued by our top detectives after following the clues that led them to the guilty suspect--Mrs. Paloma! We had an inkling it could be her, after all, she insists that it's just a coincidence that she lives near a Fleet Farm store, but we all know what they sell there—plenty of pig feed. And when you find a sign on her door like the one below? It all adds up--to GUILTY! 🐷

We only have 2 spots left in this class--register ASAP! Thinking Money For Kids! at the Blue Earth Community Library (Grades K-5) Create your own farm while becoming a financial whiz at the Blue Earth Community Library thanks to the Thinking Money for Kids program from the FINRA Foundation and the American Library Association. Facilitator: Heidi Schutt. Fee: FREE! Monday, March 31 3:00-4:30 pm: Blue Earth Community Library Students will meet in the Community Ed office after school, and walk with a staff person to the library. Parents, please pick up your child at the library after class. 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/rw-community-ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.

Otis has once again been rescued by our top detectives after following the clues that led them to the guilty party--Mrs. Murphy! We had an inkling it could be her, after all--she is a known hockey fanatic, and rumor has it she has been trying to start a new team—The Ice Hogs! After doing some scouting at the local ice rink this winter, we believe Mrs. Murphy envisioned Otis as their team mascot. After all, who wouldn’t want a stuffed pig with such charm and charisma leading the charge on the ice? And now that we think about it, that does sound like fun!

SPRING into the Garden with the Faribault County Master Gardeners and Blue Earth Community Library (Adult) Join us at the Blue Earth Community Library for a morning of presentations from Faribault County Master Gardeners and an introduction to the library's gardening resources including the Blue Earth Community Seed Exchange Library. Enjoy beverages and gift bags filled with items gardeners will dig! Fee: $5.00. Presentations: Cindy Lyon – “Honey”, Wendy Nickel - "Getting the Dirt on Soil Testing", Deb Ramsley - “Growing Garlic”, Deb Trio - “Growing Tomatoes for Beginners” Sara Voges - “Planting Pollinators”, Dawn O'Hara - “Dividing Perennials” Mary Hickerson - “The BE Community Library Seed Library” Saturday, March 29 (weather date April 5) 10:00 am – 12:00 noon Blue Earth Community Library 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/rw-community-ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.

Barbara Carlson’s Greek Foods class was a delicious hit! 🍽️✨ Don't miss out on her upcoming mouthwatering spring classes: 🥗 Spring into Salad – April 29 🥟 Foods of Poland – May 6 Register now and treat your taste buds! 💻 Sign up online: https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/Community-Ed/ 📱 Or call Community Ed at 507-526-3172

Summer 2025 Drivers Education for Teens (Classroom) is now open for registration! Community Ed is offering a Summer Drivers Ed session for anyone wishing to take it in the summer (BEA 9th graders can take it during the school year for free, but may sign up for this class instead if they wish). Students who opt for the Community Ed Summer Session will be responsible for paying the classroom fee of $160 as well as the Behind the Wheel fee of $220, and will forgo earning high school credit. Summer 2025 Drivers Ed Classroom Instructor: Joe Strukel 10 sessions Mon/Tue/Thurs/Fri June 9 – 26 (No Wednesday classes, and no class on June 19—Juneteenth Holiday) 8:30 – 11:30 am BEAHS Room 222 You may call us to reserve a spot for your child, and pay the fee later, or you can go online and register/pay the fee now. If you have any questions, please contact High School Principal Conan Shaffer (507-526-3201) or the Community Education Office (507-526-3172). 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/Community-Ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.

Valentine’s Day Class (Grades K-5) Get ready for Valentine’s Day day early, as we discover fun facts about conversation hearts, play exciting games and activities, create a colorful conversation heart wreath, and enjoy a tasty snack! Register by February 6. Instructor: Keri Murphy. Fee: $13. Thursday, February 13 3:15 – 4:15 pm Middle School Room 302 (FACS Room) 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/Community-Ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.

Punxsutawney Phil won't be the only star on February 2; these little chefs now know how to make some adorable--and delicious--snacks for Groundhog Day!🐾

Grades 3-5 Book Club: The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey Just some of the activities: Pick your own Bad Guy Name, watch a video from the author, scavenger hunt to find the Bad Guys in the library, and much more! Register by February 3. Instructor: Heidi Schutt. Fee: $10. Monday, February 10 3:15-4:30 pm Blue Earth Community Library Students will meet in the Community Ed office after school, and walk with a staff person to the library. Parents, please pick up your child at the library after class. 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/Community-Ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.

DIY Crafts Unleash your creativity with fun, hands-on projects! Choose 1, 2, or all 3 of these great classes. • Iron on crafts (Grades 4-7) Decorate a Trucker hat, pencil pouch, and Journal February 3 3:15-4:30 pm Middle School Room J33 Fee: $25 • Picture Frame & Magnet (Grades K-6) Make your own picture frame and magnet February 24 3:15-4:30 pm Middle School Room J33 Fee: $16 • Craft-a-palooza (Grades 3-7) Make your own tote, bead pens, and zipper pulls. March 11 3:15-4:30 pm Middle School Room J33 Fee: $25 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/Community-Ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.

🧘‍♀️Little Yogis (Grades K-3) Students will explore simple yoga poses—building strength, balance, and flexibility while learning to relax and focus. Perfect for developing body awareness and self-regulation in a fun, supportive environment! Instructor: Betsy Monson. Fee: $45. 4 Tuesdays February 4 – 25 3:15 – 4:15 pm Middle School Room J33 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/Community-Ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.

Planning Your Kitchen Remodel (Adult) Are you dreaming of a kitchen remodel? From planning your floor plan, function, and design, to preparing for the actual construction phase, this class will give you all the pointers to help you have a successful remodel. Take note of tips on creating a functional space, working with your budget, and living through the construction mess with less stress. Register by February 12. Instructors: Scott and Marisa from Backwoods Designs. Fee: $15/family. Wednesday, February 19 7:00 – 8:30 pm District Office Conference Room 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/Community-Ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.

Otis has been rescued by our top detectives! Honestly, we should have cracked the case sooner—it was obviously Nurse Crofton all along. One look at her winter break photos and the evidence was clear. Though, now that we think about it, Otis looked like he was living his best life... Are we sure he *wanted* to be rescued? 🤔

WE HAVE OUR SUSPECTS! Otis, our friend who sits in the Community Ed office window, has been kidnapped again, and we need your help rescuing him! Follow the clues, solve the riddles, rescue Otis--and receive your handsome reward! Choose from these available dates: Thursday, January 23 (FULL) Thursday, February 27 Monday, March 10 (FULL) OR Tuesday, April 1 3:00 – 4:15 pm Middle School Room J33 💻Register online at https://blueeartharea.revtrak.net/Community-Ed/ or 📱give us a call in the Community Ed office at 507-526-3172.