Big Lake Schools

09/01/2026

Starting a few years ago at BLHS, every incoming 9th grade class has participated in the same tradition:

Walking across the stage as their name is called to sign a banner committing to their education.

Yesterday, is was the class of 2030’s turn.

The process may sound familiar, because it very closely resembles another one they will a part of in four years! The purpose is to serve as a visualization of what is to come and a reminder of what they are working towards.

To high school freshman, graduation may seem like a long ways away, but it will be here before they know it. Here's to the start of their high school careers! 🎓😄

09/01/2026

We're so back 😎

And among those kicking it off was the 6th graders!

They had the middle school to themselves yesterday, spending the day their getting their bearings and building confidence in their their new school ahead of being joined by the upper grades for the first "traditional" day today.

Here are some snapshots from their day. We'd call it a perfect balance of fun and learning. 😆

08/28/2026

Check out this fun story about a recent Hornet alum! 💙

Most college runners spend the offseason preparing for another cross-country season. Big Lake High School graduate Kade Layton decided to do something entirely different: sign up for the inaugural Ironman 70.3 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Knowing that he already possessed the endurance for the running segment, he wanted to see how he would stack up across all three disciplines of a triathlon.

Read more about Layton's training schedule and eventual championship, courtesy of the Patriot: www.mshsl.org/news

08/27/2026

❓Where can I find my child's schedule/ teacher/ bus assignments?
How do I sign up for GTKYD conferences?
When is picture day?
What school supplies do I need?
Are there any forms I need to submit before the first day?
When is the first day?

Find the answers to your last minute back-to-school questions on our Back to School Hub: biglakeschools.org/back-to-school

If you can’t find what you are looking for here, check the school-specific emails sent by each building earlier this month!

08/26/2026

We can't wait to see so many you TONIGHT! Reminder, our back to school open houses start in a few hours! 🏫

---Indy New Student and Family Orientation Night (gr. 3 and new gr. 4-5 families only): 4-7pm

--BLHS, BLMS, Big Lake Online Open Houses: 4:30-7:30pm

Note there is NOT a open house tonight for Little Learners, Liberty, or returning Indy 4th-5th graders—instead, we can’t wait to see you at Getting to Know You Days next week!

Back to School Hub: biglakeschools.org/back-to-school

08/26/2026

As of this week, our staff are officially back! 🤩

And yesterday, everyone came together for our annual districtwide breakfast and back-to-school gathering. It's one of the only times during the year when our entire team is in the same place at the same time. It's always so great to have this time together to align ourselves under our shared mission before the hustle and bustle of the school year begins!

It's starting to feel more real. We can't wait to have our students join us soon!

08/24/2026

Next week is already the first week! 🎒📚

Have back to school questions? Check the back to school emails sent by your child’s school or our online back to school hub: biglakeschools.org/back-to-school.

If you can’t find the answers you need, please reach out!

🗓️ A couple key schedule reminders:

This Wednesday (Aug. 26) is Open House Night for the Middle School, High School, Big Lake Online, and Indy third-graders/new students. Check our website for times. Please note there is NOT a open house this night for Liberty or returning Indy students—instead, we can’t wait to see you at Getting to Know You Days (GTKYD)!

Our first week staggered start schedule is as follows:

Monday, Aug. 31: Gr. 6 & Gr. 9 First Day, Gr. Pre-K—Gr. 5 GTKYD Conferences

Tuesday, Sept. 1: Gr. 7—8 & Gr. 10—12 First Day, Pre-K—Gr. 5 GTKYD Conferences

Wednesday, Sept. 2: Gr. K-5 First Day, Pre-K GTKYD Conferences

Friday, Sept. 4 & Monday, Sept. 7: No School All Students

Tuesday, Sept. 8—Friday, Sept. 11: First Week of Little Learners Preschool

We can’t wait to begin another great year! Happy back to school! 💙

08/20/2026

The success of Big Lake Schools revolves around strong relationships and school culture. This commitment, and the resulting impact, was recently honored at the state level.

For the second year in a row, Liberty, Independence, and BLMS were all recognized by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) for their sustained commitment to the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework during the 2025-26 school year.

At its core, PBIS is an evidence-based framework that can help create a safe, supportive learning environment where all students feel welcome. Being recognized by MDE symbolizes just how serious Big Lake is about PBIS efforts and exemplifies the impact the work is having.

Learn more about the recognition and the role of PBIS at Big Lake Schools: biglakeschools.org/about/news/article/~board/district-news/post/big-lake-k-8-schools-again-honored-as-champions-of-school-culture

08/19/2026

“This is more than just a job for me. It’s a commitment to our kids and to this community,” said new BLHS principal Shallyn Tordeur. “I want to be someone students feel comfortable with, staff feel supported by, and families feel they can trust. That’s what I’ll work towards every day.”

As you likely already know, Big Lake High School has a leadership change this year!

Continuing on the theme of staff transitions, we would like to take this opportunity for you to get to know Ms. Tordeur a little more, as she shifts to this new role after serving as assistant principal the past several years.

Read more about Tordeur's message to families, leadership philosophy, and vision for the future of BLHS: biglakeschools.org/about/news/article/~board/district-news/post/meet-principal-tordeur