The Lion Letter
October 26, 2026
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Community,
WOW! What a great week at Bluestem! Our Volleyball team participated in Sub-State in Pittsburg and our Cross Country Team had regionals in Wabaunsee and we had a Bass Fishing Tournament all on Saturday.
A HUGE highlight of the week, of course, was the Donkey Basketball game in our gym! What a fun time. We had around 500 attendees and the community team won! What a great evening. It was really nice to see so people participate. And, I only ended up with a small injury 🙂.
Testing Day is on Wednesday, October 28th. See the schedule below. Freshmen will be doing Pre-ACT testing, Sophomores will be going to the Career Fair in Hutch, Juniors will have WorkKey testing and Seniors will be choosing between several activities (see below).
The Middle School Dance is THURSDAY at 6pm. We would love to see your kids participate.
I am hosting my first SITE Council Meeting of the year Monday at 6pm in the conference room at the High School. If you have not RSVP'd and would like to come, please email me at bjanssen@usd205.com.
Thanks for helping to make it such a great year!
Beth Janssen
Principal, BJSHS
Information for SOPHOMORES on Testing Day
On Wednesday, October 28th, ALL Sophomores will be traveling to Hutchinson for the Essdeck Career Fair. This is an amazing opportunity for you to explore over 200 booths with different businesses (career possibilities) and post-secondary schools to get more information from.
All students will report to the Commons at 8am and we will pull out of the parking lot no later than 8:15am, so it will be important to be at school on time. Attendance will be taken at 8am. So, DO NOT go to your 1st hour classroom that morning.
While you are in Hutchinson, you all will be eating Lunch at: Pizza Ranch.
Information for SENIORS on Testing Day
Wednesday, October 28th is our Fall Testing Day. The seniors will NOT be taking a test that day. But, in order to be counted present and not absent for the day, each senior student must choose one of the following activities to participate in:
College Visit (must include a campus tour)
Job Shadow (minimum of 4 hours)
Community Service (minimum of 4 hours)
Each Senior will make all of the arrangements for their preferred activity prior to 10/28, attend their preferred activity on 10/28, and submit a signed and completed Senior Fall Assessment Day Reflection Form to the SSC on Thursday, October 29th. At the end of the day on Thursday, 10/29 seniors attendance will be marked accordingly.
Please Take Note: Seniors will NOT attend school on Wednesday, October 28th, but will instead need to participate in one of the mentioned activities of their choice.
College Visit Option
Community Service Option
Employer Engagement Opportunities
What is the ACT WorkKeys Test?
All JUNIORS will take the ACT WorkKeys Test on Wednesday, October 28th. This WorkKeys tests foundational job skills in applied reading, writing, mathematics and essential skills that are required for success in the workplace. Scores are based on job profiles that help employers select, hire, train, develop and retain a high-performance workforce.
What Does it Do for Students?
A student will receive a score in either the Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum levels. If a student scores a Silver or above, they will receive a Postsecondary Asset. Students need two such assets to graduate. Scoring in a high level can give students something to put on a resume as an indicator of employability.
How Can My Student Prepare?
Students can prepare by taking practice tests here.
https://workkeyspracticetest.com/
https://www.jobtestprep.com/workkeys-practice-test#wk-graphic-litearcy
https://www.test-guide.com/free-workkeys-practice-tests.html
What is the Pre-ACT?
PreACT® assessments offer students an early experience with ACT test items, provides a predicted ACT test score, and offers a wealth of information to help students get the start they need to be college ready.
