Beaverton Schools -

UNBREAKABLE: Our peer-to-peer LINKS program - which matches student mentors in grades 6 through 12 with younger students who can use a little extra attention - closed out the school year today with a smile-filled field day. Eighty students enjoyed ice cream, beach balls, bubbles, hula hoops, frisbees and the crowd-pleasing parachute, among other activities. It was an excellent finale to a program whose astonishing two-year climb in participation and friendships has inspired neighboring districts to implement similar programs, and it should pay significant dividends in student growth, happiness and performance for years to come. #Proud

VOICES HEARD: It was Election Day at BJSHS, and we did it up right. After weeks of preparation, candidate speeches and campaigning, next year's 7-12 graders assembled in the media center and recorded their choices for student government. The Gladwin County Clerk's office and several township election officials were on hand with official election equipment to administer the proceedings. Students got a look at how it all works in real life, from long lines to verifying their identity to spoiled ballots to uncontested races. It was an excellent civics lesson and a great reminder of our sacred responsibility to participate in this grand experiment we call democracy.

BAND TOGETHER: Don't miss one of your final chances to see this year's musicians on full display. Join us for the Beaverton Music Department's Spring Program Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. at BJSHS. There is no admission fee, but donations will be gratefully accepted.

HE'S ELECTRIC: Congratulations to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 692's newest recruit, senior Reese Longstreth. BJSHS hosted a signing event today for Reese, his family and his friends to celebrate his first step in this exciting career path. Great job, Reese, in representing your school and your community, and good luck. #GoBeavers #Proud

COURSE CORRECTION: Congratulations to Gary Blossey and Nicco Gonzalez, Beaverton's 2024 Turnaround Award recipients. Each year, two Beaverton seniors are selected by BJSHS staff as recipients of the Clare-Gladwin RESD Turnaround Awards. This honor is typically given to students who have overcome difficult circumstances and a challenging start to their high school careers. In making positive changes in their lives to ensure they leave high school on the best possible footing, these students deserve our respect and admiration for fighting through their obstacles and becoming solid young adults, and this year's awardees bear that out. Gary and Nicco were honored at a luncheon in Clare and received the Doug Dodge Academic Opportunity Award, a scholarship that entitles them to six credit hours of in-district tuition at Mid Michigan College. Congratulations, Nicco and Gary, and best wishes for the next step in your lives. #GoBeavers

KIDS IN CHARGE: What do you get when you mix zombies, surfers, Star Wars, robots, and a bunch of other stuff that is frankly indescribable? You get Monday night's BES Spring Showcase, a student-driven combo platter of music, dance and skits created and performed by students in grades three through five. We'll let the photos do the talking, but you better believe the kids had F-U-N. #GoBeavers

C’EST BON: French students presented their final unit projects at BJSHS today, and the whole school was invited to join in. The students shared their work "gallery walk style" in the media center, using French for their presentations in conjunction with pantomiming. Staff, students and friends of the program were invited to have a look. #UneVueMagnifique #GoBeavers

NEW WORLD/OLD SCHOOL: Fifth-grade social studiers have arrived at the New World in their curriculum, but on Friday, the New World came to them. While David and Karen Keeley put on a fully authentic display of military life during the Revolution, Benjamin Franklin impressionist Bob Stark ran through a set of electricity-related demonstrations. And - because one can't appreciate the full experience of living in the era without involving food - the students examined artifacts from Michigan's Indigenous Peoples and ate succotash, a Native American dish. #GoBeavers

TASSEL TURNER: Our seniors aren't the only folks with graduation on the brain these days. BJSHS Academic Counselor Misty Johnson (BHS '08) walked the stage Friday at Grand Valley State University having completed her Master's of Education in School Counseling with distinction, earning the Excellence-in-a-Discipline Award along the way. Congratulations to Misty and her family, which was on hand to celebrate. #BeavertonAlways

Today's varsity baseball and softball contests against Oscoda are now scheduled for 11:00 a.m. The JV baseball team will also play at Oscoda now scheduled at 11:00 a.m.

BEAVERTON SCHOOLS PRESENTS...NAILED IT - The mission: Take some tools, a stack of lumber and three-and-a-half hours and build a five-foot-by-five-foot deer blind. And build it better than everybody else. Four construction students from Beaverton did exactly that. See the video here: youtu.be/62MI7hPR6vo #GoBeavers #GoBuilders

A BIT OF CULTURE: Tickets are going fast but still available for this weekend's Madrigal Dinner Theatre, brought to you by the BJSHS Drama and Music Departments. The show - "Princess Grace of Knockerdown" - will be presented Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the BAC; doors open a half-hour before the show. Tickets are available through Wednesday at $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under; they can be purchased at the BJSHS and BAC offices.

ONE LAST TIME: Our Parent Involvement series wraps up for the school year Wednesday at 5 p.m. at BES, and we'd love to see you there. Our guest will be Desirea Woodworth from the Northern Michigan Alliance for Children, and the topic is Abuse, Cyber Bullying, Online Safety and Bullying Prevention. Snacks and childcare will be provided, and one family will win tickets to a BJSHS athletic event.

THEIR ART'S IN THE RIGHT PLACE: Make sure to stop by the BAC Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for the annual GAAG Open Art Show. Among the exhibits will be several BJSHS students' work from the acrylic pour projects they created last month, and be warned: They're amazing. Stop by and don't forget to vote in the Viewers' Choice Awards. #PouredMyArtOut

TRACK IS BACK, JACK - Our track and field student-athletes finally cracked open the season Thursday at Metzger Field, running, jumping, throwing and vaulting against Clare and Farwell. They're back in action Saturday at Breckenridge, and their next home meet is May 1. They'd love to see you in the stands. C'mon out and shout #GoBeavers.

BEAVERTON SCHOOLS PRESENTS...SEVEN SLIDES: Beaverton Schools Board of Education President Adam Zdrojewski shared a state-of-the-district presentation at the recent Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast. See the video here: bit.ly/3VXVFB8

ALL HAIL: The Jack Pine Conference All-Academic teams were honored Tuesday at a ceremony at Dow Diamond, and BJSHS was well-represented by eight excellent students/human beings, including (back, l to r) Tandyn Grafft, Gabe Drudge, Karley Fischer, Tessa Wohlschlegel and Ali Bassage, and (front) Kaelyn Fischer, Eva Reader and Kayla Newman. Congrats to all and #GoBeavers. #Proud

Beaverton Schools, along with other school districts in Clare and Gladwin Counties, are currently operating without internet service and with intermittent phone service due to a technical failure. Our Information Technology partners at Clare-Gladwin RESD are working to resolve the problem, but at this time, it is unknown when services will be restored. For this reason, the PSAT ninth-grade testing scheduled for tomorrow has been rescheduled for Monday, April 22. Parents should be advised that district telephones, along with internet and email, may still be affected tomorrow and plan accordingly. Thank you for your patience; we hope to be back to full strength tomorrow.

Today's High School track meet at Beaverton has been postponed. It has been rescheduled for tomorrow, April 18th. Go Beavers!

ANOTHER CHANCE: Hey there, parents of kids ages three through five: If you missed your opportunity to stop by Beaverton Elementary for New Learners Info Night last month, we’re running it back. Come to BES Thursday night from 5 to 6 p.m. and hear all about Preschool, Young Fives and Kindergarten, meet our teachers, take a tour and even enroll if you wish. (You can also do that at any time at beavertonschools.net/enroll.) Join us - you’ll be glad you did. #ProudToBeABeaver