Education

Owatonna Schools extend distance learning

Distance learning in the Owatonna Schools will continue longer than expected. Last week administrators determined it would be necessary to remain in the distance learning model through at least Thursday, Jan. 7 for the “continued safety of our students, staff and community,” said Superintendent...

James Underwood estate given to BP Ed Foundation

Back in March of 2019, former Superintendent Barry Olson, received a call from a law office in California, Mo., indicating that they were handling the Estate of James A. Underwood. Olson was told that the late Mr. Underwood had left instructions in his estate documents that the remainder of his...

It was a family affair as brothers Alex, Wyatt and Colton Hemann were accompanied to the first day of school (Sept. 8) at the Blooming Prairie Elementary School by their mom, Misty.

‘They are smiling behind their masks’

What's new in the classroom? Let's find out by reading what our Blooming Prairie Elementary School teachers have to say about returning to the classroom after being away from students for more than six months. Most of the teachers, kindergarten through sixth grade, are ecstatic and joyful about...

BP School approves Safe Learning Plan

After hearing Blooming Prairie Schools Superintendent Chris Staloch explain a Safe Learning Plan to return students to school, the board voted unanimously to approve a COVID-19 education plan. Listening to Staloch in a Power Point presentation explain the numbers game of county cases of COVID-19,...

It was the Awesome Blossoms of Blooming Prairie vs. the Spuds of Moorhead in the annual Minnesota State High School League Nickname Challenge. The Spuds edged the Blossoms for the mascot nickname championship.

The Battle of the Mascots

It was a battle to the finish in the annual Minnesota State High School League Nickname Challenge. Combatants in the championship of the MSHSL contest were the Awesome Blossoms of Blooming Prairie and the Spuds of Moorhead. Voting ended on June 29 with the Spuds winning the challenge of having the...

761 Foundation awards nearly $140K in scholarships

The 761 Foundation recently awarded scholarships totaling nearly $140,000 to 20 Owatonna High School (OHS) graduates. Since its inception more than 25 years ago, the 761 Foundation has awarded nearly $1.4 million in scholarships to OHS graduates. In announcing this year’s scholarship recipients,...

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY

Not just once, but twice within the past 2½ years Logan Pleschourt has bounced back from a near death situation. Despite the daunting task of battling cancer, Pleschourt graduated from Medford High School Friday night. Pleschourt, who has been diagnosed two different times with Stage 4B Hodgkin’s...

The COVID Class of 2020

Because of the coronavirus, many high schools nationwide chose to honor their graduating seniors of 2020 with a special and unique commencement. Blooming Prairie did just that for its 118th graduation in the school's history. Sunday's graduation honoring 50 graduates was a virtual one. In fact,...

BP honor students will give addresses

The 2020 commencement of Blooming Prairie High School seniors will be a one of a kind production and one they will never forget but remember with fondness. The school's Valedictorian and two Salutatorians will address those in virtual attendance at the commencement ceremonies of Sunday, May 31....

Third grade was represented at last Thursday's Teacher Appreciation Parade by Kristin Romeo, Alli Schmidt, Becky Johnson and Angie Avery.

Love from a distance

It was bumper-to-bumper appreciation between Blooming Prairie teachers and students on a beautiful Thursday night. Vehicles completely encircled a square block that includes the school and its playground. The appreciation parade started at 5:30 p.m. and lasted until 7 p.m. Students and teachers...