Best wishes to BCS/ Five Star computer tech, Jeff King, who retired as of Friday.
Thank you for your patience and good humor. (Two of the most important traits of any good computer tech!)
Enjoy your retirement, Jeff! We appreciate your service to BCS!
Blackford County Schools would like to welcome Jason Ridge as the new principal of Blackford Jr.-Sr. High School. Ridge was approved by the school board during a special meeting held Wednesday evening.
Ridge comes to Blackford County Schools from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, where he has served as the head women’s basketball coach. Prior to his stint in coaching at the college level, Ridge worked as an assistant principal at Whitko High School, working closely with Blackford County Schools Assistant Superintendent David Parker. During his career in education, he has served as a teacher and coach at Northridge, South Adams, and Columbia City Schools.
Ridge obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Indiana University – Purdue University, Fort Wayne. He went on to get his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Ball State University.
Superintendent Chad Yencer shares “We are excited to welcome Mr. Ridge to Blackford County Schools. Mr. Ridge has a great deal of leadership experience, is very personable and outgoing, and has a strong desire to serve. His references speak very highly of his work ethic and passion, his ability to connect with others, and his commitment to success”
Ridge and his wife, Danelle, are the parents of two children; Marcus, 16 and Gemma, 12. The family currently resides in Columbia City.
In his free time, Ridge is an avid runner. He has participated in five marathons and a number of mini-marathons. If not working or running, he enjoys spending time with his family grilling and hanging out.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead Blackford Jr.-Sr. High School. I love the small school setting and have been impressed with the leadership within the corporation, including the administration and the teachers I have met. I’m looking forward to getting in the building and forming relationships with the students, teachers and support staff. The school goals in place at the school are perfectly in line with the type of school I want to work for. I know great things are happening every day and my first order of business coming in is to listen and learn as much as I can about the school, community and corporation. I am so thankful for the trust put in me to lead and I’m incredibly excited to start,” explains Ridge.
Principal Ridge plans to be on the job September 1.
How does a student learn about the wide variety of books available in the BJSHS Library? Why with a book tasting, of course. Seventh grade students in Sasha Hudson's class visited Media Specialist April Bartlett for a sampling of books. Students were given 3 minutes to "taste" a book at each table (six total) and decide if they were interested in reading it. What a fun idea!
For the record, no books were actually eaten during this activity! 😊
Students in David McConiga's Principles of Computer Science class at BJSHS had fun opening up several computers to see whether they could identify the CPU, RAM and other hardware. They discovered that a computer repair career requires a lot of manual dexterity, patience, and logical thinking! We are very grateful to Five Star Technologies for donating these obsolete computers for us to work on!
Nice work, Bruins!
Photos include:
#4 - Christian McConnell and Dakota Schmuck
#5 - Justice Von Dem Bussche Haddenhausen
#6/7 - Hailey Brower and Danny Dunn
This week's schedule
Volleyball tonight at Anderson Prep
If you are looking for a job making a difference in the life of a child in Blackford County, check out the latest openings at BCS. Join us! #BetterAtBlackford https://bit.ly/3dFoYUT
Bruin fan apparel and All Sport Passes will be available at the home football game tonight! Doors open at 6:00. Kickoff is at 7:00 against Jay County.
Revised Events This Week
Events This Week
A big thank you to Montpelier resident Jenny Garrett who kindly donated caterpillars and cocoons to Mrs. Jessica Barker's kindergarten class at BPS so they could observe them and watch the butterflies hatch.
"The students have loved it!" said Mrs. Barker.
#BetterAtBlackford
Montpelier After-School Activity Bus will soon be transporting students.
Busses are just now departing the high school. We appreciate your patience as students will be delivered approximately 45 minutes late.
As we get closer to dismissal for our first official day of school, we ask for your patience. It's going to take a little extra time to get everyone sorted and onto the right bus before heading home. PLEASE ANTICIPATE DELAYS. Thank you for your cooperation. It's been a great day!
#Welcome back to school, Bruins! Have a great school year!
Munciana Volleyball
What's for breakfast and lunch tomorrow at your student's school?
On your student's school webpage, click on the Dining tab, you will see the week's menu or you can locate them here:
BIS and BPS - https://www.blackfordschools.org/o/bis/dining
BJSHS - https://www.blackfordschools.org/o/bhs/dining
Reminder: BCS is a part of the Community Eligibility Program so both breakfast and lunch are free for all students.
#WelcomeBackBruins
Be sure to visit the BCS Transportation Page today. You will find up-to date bus stops (locations and times), as well as a bus driver roster and important rules and regulations so your child can have the best experience riding a BCS bus.
Transportation Page - https://www.blackfordschools.org/page/transportation
Bus stops only - https://bit.ly/3Q9OHTm
Transportation questions? Call 765.348.7554
Mark your calendars for some Summer Fun on the Plaza!
Mrs. Kate will be entertaining kids with a high-energy performance on Saturday, August 13 at 11:00 at the Weiler Plaza. There will be crafts provided by the Hartford City Library, snacks, and other activities. The event is sponsored by the Hartford City Arts Council. Come join the fun!
#MrsKate
Today was the first day back for most BCS staff. To welcome them, a Back to School Breakfast was held in the BJSHS cafeteria. During the event, staff heard from Superintendent Chad Yencer, Assistant Superintendent Dave Parker, and Todd Hill, East Central Indiana School Trust president.
Mr. Yencer thanked custodians and maintenance staff for all their hard work over the summer.
Principals welcomed the new staff members in their buildings.
What a great start to the day! Now, all we need are students!
#WelcomeBackBruins
