Big Lake Schools

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

08/18/2026

As part of yesterday’s new staff festivities, we were joined by the Big Lake Chamber of Commerce & Industry for a special lunch! 👩🏼‍💼💙

Not only did the group enjoy a delicious meal catered by Willy’s On The Water, this event also doubled as the chamber’s monthly membership meeting. After a round of introductions, Superintendent Truebenbach gave an update on school projects and shared some ways that the local business leaders could get involved with our schools!

Our staff then capped off the afternoon by boarding a bus to visit even more local landmarks.

Strong community partnerships are a cornerstone of what makes Big Lake Schools so special, and this was such an awesome opportunity for our new staff to start building those connections right from the start.

Thank you to the chamber for helping make this happen and for the fun goodie bags! We can’t wait to continue this new tradition for years to come!

08/17/2026

The first sign of a new school year: Our new staff are in the building! 🙌

The newest members of our school family joined us today to prepare for a successful year ahead. They had a full morning getting acquainted with Big Lake Schools, meeting each other, and connecting with all those who are here to support them!

We have an awesome group joining us this year, we can’t wait for you to meet them (a group photo is coming your way tomorrow 😉).

They are all so excited to meet you! 💙

08/13/2026

Registration is officially open for fall community ed classes! biglakece.com

There is so much happening this fall...
For the kids: Sports camps, afterschool art club, early childhood classes
For the teens: Dungeons & Dragons, craft clinics, archery team
For the adults: Lupulin craft workshops, yoga, day trips

To explore these opportunities and SOOOO much more, check out the catalog!

🚨 GET READY! Fall Registration Opens THIS WEEK! 🚨

Fall is just around the corner, and our popular lineup of youth and adult classes is coming with it! Whether you’re looking to spark your child's curiosity with fun enrichment programs, keep them active in sports, or dive into a new adult fitness or craft class yourself—the countdown is on.

🗓️ Registration Opens: Thursday, August 13th
🔗 Browse the catalog early: https://biglake.arux.app/

08/12/2026

We’re hiring! 📣 💙

Big Lake Schools is looking to add a few more subs and school support staff members to our team for the upcoming 2026-27 school year:

--Health Assistants
--Noon Monitors
--Substitutes
--Paraeducators

If you are interested in any of these roles and working with our awesome students, we would love to hear from you!

Explore opportunities or apply: www.biglakeschools.org/careers

Learn more about the open positions: Contact Sue Schmidt ([email protected] or 763-262-5194)

Know someone who might be a good fit? Share this post!

07/27/2026

Reminder! Tomorrow (Tuesday, July 28) is the last day to file for school board candidacy for this year's November election.

If you are passionate about public education and helping our students have the best experience possible, this is your chance to help serve and lead our school community!

To learn more about the role, visit biglakeschools.org/about/school-board/join-the-school-board

To put your name on the ballot, simply stop by the district office to fill out an Affidavit of Candidacy and submit the $2 filing fee.

If you have any questions, call us at 763-262-2536 or email [email protected].

Want to help shape the future of Big Lake Schools? Consider running for school board! 🗳️

The window to file for candidacy for the November election opens tomorrow Tuesday, July 14, and runs through July 28.

If you would like to put your name on the ballot, simply stop by the district office to fill out an Affidavit of Candidacy and submit the $2 filing fee.

The school board helps serve and lead our school community by helping to develop district goals and policy, and serving as the public voice for the district. Members hold four year terms.

To learn more about the role, visit biglakeschools.org/about/school-board/join-the-school-board

If you have any questions, call us at 763-262-2536 or email [email protected].

07/13/2026

Want to help shape the future of Big Lake Schools? Consider running for school board! 🗳️

The window to file for candidacy for the November election opens tomorrow Tuesday, July 14, and runs through July 28.

If you would like to put your name on the ballot, simply stop by the district office to fill out an Affidavit of Candidacy and submit the $2 filing fee.

The school board helps serve and lead our school community by helping to develop district goals and policy, and serving as the public voice for the district. Members hold four year terms.

To learn more about the role, visit biglakeschools.org/about/school-board/join-the-school-board

If you have any questions, call us at 763-262-2536 or email [email protected].