Our Elementary Pirates had an absolute blast today at Treasure Day! 🏴☠️
All day long, our elementary Pirates enjoyed a rotation of activities in Conkin Gym as a reward for their fantastic third grading period. Students enjoyed a version of musical chairs, corn hole, the fan favorite bouncy slide, and a number of treats and prizes. Everyone had an amazing time!
A huge thank-you to our high school helpers for handing out snacks and supervising activities, and to our incredible elementary staff for keeping everything running smoothly.
What a great day to be a Pirate!
All day long, our elementary Pirates enjoyed a rotation of activities in Conkin Gym as a reward for their fantastic third grading period. Students enjoyed a version of musical chairs, corn hole, the fan favorite bouncy slide, and a number of treats and prizes. Everyone had an amazing time!
A huge thank-you to our high school helpers for handing out snacks and supervising activities, and to our incredible elementary staff for keeping everything running smoothly.
What a great day to be a Pirate!
The Berea Community Elementary SBDM Council invites families and community members to provide input as part of the principal selection process. We are seeking feedback regarding the qualities, characteristics, and leadership attributes you would like to see in the next principal of Berea Community Elementary.
Your input is valued and will guide this important decision.
Please complete the survey by Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM. The survey will close at midnight.
Thank you for your time and continued support of Berea Community Elementary.
Copy survey link here:
https://forms.gle/EUWJ4gyvT89KQFpj7
Your input is valued and will guide this important decision.
Please complete the survey by Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM. The survey will close at midnight.
Thank you for your time and continued support of Berea Community Elementary.
Copy survey link here:
https://forms.gle/EUWJ4gyvT89KQFpj7
Our Elementary Leadership Team is collecting donations for the local animal shelter, and we need your help! 🐾
We're looking for donations like cat and dog toys, food, and leashes.
Elementary students can bring donations to their classrooms, where Leadership Team members will collect items over the next two weeks before delivering them directly to the shelter.
MS/HS students can bring donations to a box in the front atrium if they would like to participate!
Let’s come together and make a difference for animals in need. Show up and show out, Pirates!
We're looking for donations like cat and dog toys, food, and leashes.
Elementary students can bring donations to their classrooms, where Leadership Team members will collect items over the next two weeks before delivering them directly to the shelter.
MS/HS students can bring donations to a box in the front atrium if they would like to participate!
Let’s come together and make a difference for animals in need. Show up and show out, Pirates!
Kids Heart Challenge Day! ❤️
Conkin Gym was full of energy on Friday as our elementary Pirates took part in the Kids Heart Challenge! Every corner of the gym featured a different obstacle course or activity, giving students the chance to get active, build strength, and have lots of fun all along the way of course.
From the bouncy obstacle course to jump rope stations, students rotated through a variety of heart-healthy exercises while learning the importance of staying active. Fan favorites included the classic scooter race, or the ever-popular bouncy obstacle course, but either way students loved spending some meaningful time outside of their classrooms getting active with friends.
We'd like to thank all of our amazing helpers from the high school, and Ms. Kidd, and all of our BCES faculty and staff who kept the day running smoothly!
Conkin Gym was full of energy on Friday as our elementary Pirates took part in the Kids Heart Challenge! Every corner of the gym featured a different obstacle course or activity, giving students the chance to get active, build strength, and have lots of fun all along the way of course.
From the bouncy obstacle course to jump rope stations, students rotated through a variety of heart-healthy exercises while learning the importance of staying active. Fan favorites included the classic scooter race, or the ever-popular bouncy obstacle course, but either way students loved spending some meaningful time outside of their classrooms getting active with friends.
We'd like to thank all of our amazing helpers from the high school, and Ms. Kidd, and all of our BCES faculty and staff who kept the day running smoothly!
The Elementary Sunshine Team has started a monthly “Pirate Pop Drop” to spread a little extra cheer to our amazing staff! ☀️🏴☠️
This month’s drinks were St. Patrick’s Day themed! 🍀 Staff enjoyed a variety of festive options, including lemonade with a Lucky Berry Blend, tea with a Pot of Gold Punch, and cherry + vanilla sodas. We also had fun flavors like Rainbow Raspberry, Shamrock Strawberry, Blue Clover, Golden Vanilla, and Mango Madness.
It was a fun way to celebrate the season and show appreciation for the hard work our staff does every day. We’re already looking forward to the next Pirate Pop Drop!
This month’s drinks were St. Patrick’s Day themed! 🍀 Staff enjoyed a variety of festive options, including lemonade with a Lucky Berry Blend, tea with a Pot of Gold Punch, and cherry + vanilla sodas. We also had fun flavors like Rainbow Raspberry, Shamrock Strawberry, Blue Clover, Golden Vanilla, and Mango Madness.
It was a fun way to celebrate the season and show appreciation for the hard work our staff does every day. We’re already looking forward to the next Pirate Pop Drop!
Our highly anticipated BCES Family Night is TONIGHT from 5:30-7:00!
We will have all sorts of fun activities and games. Don't miss out on our Heart Heroes Training Course!
We look forward to seeing you there!
We will have all sorts of fun activities and games. Don't miss out on our Heart Heroes Training Course!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Mark your calendars BCES!
Our Family Night on March 12th from 5:30-7:00 PM will have all sorts of fun activities and games. Visit the PTO table in the atrium! Don't miss out! We look forward to seeing you there!
Our Family Night on March 12th from 5:30-7:00 PM will have all sorts of fun activities and games. Visit the PTO table in the atrium! Don't miss out! We look forward to seeing you there!
Spirit Week at BCES was a big success! 📚✨
Students and staff across BCES celebrated Read Across America Week with five fun, book-themed dress-up days. From favorite book characters to cozy pajama day and adventurous pirate outfits, the hallways were filled with colorful characters and big smiles all week long.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the week so special and joined us in celebrating our favorite books across our schools! 📖
Students and staff across BCES celebrated Read Across America Week with five fun, book-themed dress-up days. From favorite book characters to cozy pajama day and adventurous pirate outfits, the hallways were filled with colorful characters and big smiles all week long.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the week so special and joined us in celebrating our favorite books across our schools! 📖
Mark your calendars BCES!
Our Family Night on March 12th from 5:30-7:00 PM will have all sorts of fun activities and games. Don't miss out! We look forward to seeing you there!
Our Family Night on March 12th from 5:30-7:00 PM will have all sorts of fun activities and games. Don't miss out! We look forward to seeing you there!
BCES families, we’re getting close to our Kids Heart Challenge registration goal, and registering is completely FREE!
Thank you to all the parents that have registered their child online for the Kids Heart Challenge! As of this morning, we have 73 students who have registered for the Kids Heart Challenge online. WE STILL NEED 144 more students to register online in order to receive $500 from US Games to use towards purchasing new PE equipment.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE‼ Parents, you have 4 more days to register your child online at heart.org/schools for the Kids Heart Challenge (Registration Deadline: Thursday, March 12th).😊 Registering online is FREE & students will receive a colorful KHC bracelet. If half of our students register online & Mr. Stepp completes Finn's Mission, our school will receive $500 from US Games to use towards purchasing new PE equipment. I have posted classroom leader boards outside the office. As students register, I will add their name to their homeroom class list. Each student that registers online will also be entered into a drawing to win additional KHC prizes.
If you need assistance with registering your child online for the Kids Heart Challenge, please email me at tracy.kidd@berea.kyschools.us and I will gladly register your child. Please provide the following information in your email: your name, preferred email address, your child’s name, grade level & homeroom teacher.
The students & I greatly appreciate your support! ❤
Ms. Kidd
Physical Education Teacher
Berea Community Elementary School
Thank you to all the parents that have registered their child online for the Kids Heart Challenge! As of this morning, we have 73 students who have registered for the Kids Heart Challenge online. WE STILL NEED 144 more students to register online in order to receive $500 from US Games to use towards purchasing new PE equipment.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE‼ Parents, you have 4 more days to register your child online at heart.org/schools for the Kids Heart Challenge (Registration Deadline: Thursday, March 12th).😊 Registering online is FREE & students will receive a colorful KHC bracelet. If half of our students register online & Mr. Stepp completes Finn's Mission, our school will receive $500 from US Games to use towards purchasing new PE equipment. I have posted classroom leader boards outside the office. As students register, I will add their name to their homeroom class list. Each student that registers online will also be entered into a drawing to win additional KHC prizes.
If you need assistance with registering your child online for the Kids Heart Challenge, please email me at tracy.kidd@berea.kyschools.us and I will gladly register your child. Please provide the following information in your email: your name, preferred email address, your child’s name, grade level & homeroom teacher.
The students & I greatly appreciate your support! ❤
Ms. Kidd
Physical Education Teacher
Berea Community Elementary School
BCES Families, are you ready for a fun-filled Family Night?
We know you are! 🎉 Join us this Thursday, March 12th, from 5:30-7:00 PM. We'll be browsing the Book Fair and the new 4th Grade Science Fair, jumping through the Heart Heroes Jump Rope Training Course, and enjoying free snow cones and prizes along the way. You won't want to miss this one!
There’s something for everyone, and we can’t wait to see you there!
We know you are! 🎉 Join us this Thursday, March 12th, from 5:30-7:00 PM. We'll be browsing the Book Fair and the new 4th Grade Science Fair, jumping through the Heart Heroes Jump Rope Training Course, and enjoying free snow cones and prizes along the way. You won't want to miss this one!
There’s something for everyone, and we can’t wait to see you there!
🏆 Region Champions! 🏆
We'd like to give a huge congratulations to our BCES Academic Team, who are REGION 22 CHAMPIONS for the third consecutive year! 🎉 These Pirates have blown everyone away time and time again with their incredible persistence, hard work, and teamwork. It was a true team effort, with students placing in every subject area.
🏅 Team awards:
Quick Recall 2nd place
🏅 Individual awards:
Math
1st place Bodhi Hammond
Science
1st place Matthew Taylor (highest score in the state!)
4th place Levi Perry
Social Studies
3rd place Oakley Royse
Language Arts
1st place Maisie Zimmerman
2nd place Matthew Taylor
Arts & Humanities
2nd place Aylish Garcia
In addition, Matthew Taylor placed in the top ten statewide on the region general knowledge exam. He will be receiving an award at the KAAC State Finals Awards Ceremony in March.
Region 22 includes all of the elementary schools in Madison, Estill, and Garrard Counties. Congratulations to the entire team, as well as coaches Michelle Ramsay and Jessica Yeary.
It's a great day to be a Pirate!
We'd like to give a huge congratulations to our BCES Academic Team, who are REGION 22 CHAMPIONS for the third consecutive year! 🎉 These Pirates have blown everyone away time and time again with their incredible persistence, hard work, and teamwork. It was a true team effort, with students placing in every subject area.
🏅 Team awards:
Quick Recall 2nd place
🏅 Individual awards:
Math
1st place Bodhi Hammond
Science
1st place Matthew Taylor (highest score in the state!)
4th place Levi Perry
Social Studies
3rd place Oakley Royse
Language Arts
1st place Maisie Zimmerman
2nd place Matthew Taylor
Arts & Humanities
2nd place Aylish Garcia
In addition, Matthew Taylor placed in the top ten statewide on the region general knowledge exam. He will be receiving an award at the KAAC State Finals Awards Ceremony in March.
Region 22 includes all of the elementary schools in Madison, Estill, and Garrard Counties. Congratulations to the entire team, as well as coaches Michelle Ramsay and Jessica Yeary.
It's a great day to be a Pirate!
Special Called SBDM meeting 📢
Berea Community Elementary School (BCES) Site-Based Decision Making (SBDM) Council will hold a Special Called Meeting as follows:
Date : March 2nd 2026
Time : 3:00 PM
Location : Berea Elementary Conference Room
The meeting will be limited to the items listed on the posted agenda.
Berea Community Elementary School (BCES) Site-Based Decision Making (SBDM) Council will hold a Special Called Meeting as follows:
Date : March 2nd 2026
Time : 3:00 PM
Location : Berea Elementary Conference Room
The meeting will be limited to the items listed on the posted agenda.
Kindergarten Registration is coming up soon!
Join us for our Little Pirates Kindergarten Bash on March 5, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 PM! This pirate-themed evening is a fun way to prepare for and celebrate welcoming our newest little Pirates aboard.
Meet our staff, see our kindergarten classrooms, and get all your questions answered!
We can't wait to meet our future Pirates and their families!
Join us for our Little Pirates Kindergarten Bash on March 5, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 PM! This pirate-themed evening is a fun way to prepare for and celebrate welcoming our newest little Pirates aboard.
Meet our staff, see our kindergarten classrooms, and get all your questions answered!
We can't wait to meet our future Pirates and their families!
Save the Date BCES Families! 📅✨
Join us on March 12, 2026, from 5:30-7:00 PM, for a special Family Night for our elementary families. A more in depth flyer will be coming soon, stay tuned!
Join us on March 12, 2026, from 5:30-7:00 PM, for a special Family Night for our elementary families. A more in depth flyer will be coming soon, stay tuned!
Six talented BCES students earned recognition in the 2025 Kentucky State Poetry Society Student Poetry Contest this week! ✍️📚
Lily Glennon won FIRST PLACE in the 3-5th Grade Division, and her work will be published in Pegasus, KSPS's Literary Journal. She will also receive a $75 gift certificate and a chance to recite her poem at the Annual KSPS Conference in October. At this month's board meeting, Lily excitedly performed her poem for our School Board.
We’re proud to celebrate all of our student finalists: Claire Abney, Matthew Taylor, Maisie Zimmerman, Oakley Royse, and Hazel Muncie (formerly enrolled).
The KSPS Student Poetry Contest is a statewide contest with hundreds of submissions every year, and these Pirates stood out through their creativity, persistence, and commitment to learning.
A special thank you to their fourth grade teacher, Ms. Courtney Parrish, for inspiring her students to reach for the stars and showing them what’s possible with courage, dedication, and creativity.
Way to go, Pirates! Keep writing, keep learning, and keep showing us why it’s always a great day to be a Pirate.
🏆 District Champions! 🏆
A huge congratulations to our Elementary Academic Team for earning 1st Place Overall at the District Governor’s Cup!
What an incredible accomplishment! These Pirates have shown persistence, care, and dedication to their team all year long, and it's paying off big.
🏅 Team Awards:
1st Place Quick Recall
2nd Place Future Problem Solving
🏅 Individual Awards:
Math
1st Bodhi Hammond
2nd Levi Perry
Science
1st Matthew Taylor
2nd Bodhi Hammond
4th Levi Perry
Social Studies
1st Oakley Royse
5th David Pufall
Language Arts
1st Matthew Taylor
2nd Maisie Zimmerman
Arts & Humanities
1st Aylish Garcia
3rd Atticus French
4th Maliyah Key
Composition
4th David Pufall
Each of our Academic Teams here at Berea have been consistently knocking it out of the park this year, and for that we'd like to thank all our incredible coaches who invest in our students and bring out the best in them every single day.
We'd also like to thank Today’s Family Dental for supporting our team and helping sponsor an ice cream party to celebrate all of this hard work. We are so thankful for our amazing community partners!
Way to go, Pirates! 🏴☠️📚
A huge congratulations to our Elementary Academic Team for earning 1st Place Overall at the District Governor’s Cup!
What an incredible accomplishment! These Pirates have shown persistence, care, and dedication to their team all year long, and it's paying off big.
🏅 Team Awards:
1st Place Quick Recall
2nd Place Future Problem Solving
🏅 Individual Awards:
Math
1st Bodhi Hammond
2nd Levi Perry
Science
1st Matthew Taylor
2nd Bodhi Hammond
4th Levi Perry
Social Studies
1st Oakley Royse
5th David Pufall
Language Arts
1st Matthew Taylor
2nd Maisie Zimmerman
Arts & Humanities
1st Aylish Garcia
3rd Atticus French
4th Maliyah Key
Composition
4th David Pufall
Each of our Academic Teams here at Berea have been consistently knocking it out of the park this year, and for that we'd like to thank all our incredible coaches who invest in our students and bring out the best in them every single day.
We'd also like to thank Today’s Family Dental for supporting our team and helping sponsor an ice cream party to celebrate all of this hard work. We are so thankful for our amazing community partners!
Way to go, Pirates! 🏴☠️📚
We love our school counselors!
Today, during lunch, our elementary students couldn’t wait to surround their counselor, Mr. Dollins, to show their appreciation on the final day of School Counselors Week.
Throughout the day, students and staff proudly wore their “I love my school counselor” stickers and shared their gratitude for the incredible counselors who support and care for our school all year long.
It's hard to miss how much our students love their counselors, we couldn't be more grateful or all the amazing work they do here. Thank you Mr. Dollins and Ms. Lewis! 🏴☠️✨
Today, in celebration of School Appreciation Week, we’re shining a spotlight on our amazing BCES counselor, Craig Dollins!
Craig is a proud third-generation Pirate, born and raised in Berea. With a niece currently attending Berea Community Middle School and a two-year-old daughter who will one day also be a Pirate, his roots in our community run deep.
"From an early age, I knew I wanted to work at Berea Community Schools and give back to the community that helped shape who I am. I was raised with the values of respecting others, lending a helping hand, and being a friend to everyone—principles that naturally led me to the field of school counseling."
Craig’s own experiences as a Berea student guide his work as a trusted source of support and encouragement for the next generation of Pirates. He understands our school’s values inside and out and is proud to help carry on that legacy.
"For those new to the area, Berea Community Schools is truly a special place. Our schools are filled with encouragement, acceptance, and a commitment to laying a strong foundation so students can achieve their dreams. As the Elementary School Counselor at BCES, my goal is to play a small but meaningful role in helping students grow into positive contributors to society. At the heart of that goal is ensuring students come to a building every day where they feel supported, valued, and genuinely cared for. That was my experience as a student at BCS, and it is my hope to continue that tradition for the next generation."
Outside of school, Mr. Dollins enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, coaching basketball at BCHS, watching sports, collecting comic books, and—most importantly—playing with dinosaur puppets.
We are incredibly grateful to have dedicated educators like Mr. Dollins supporting our students and making a difference every day at Berea Community Schools!
Craig is a proud third-generation Pirate, born and raised in Berea. With a niece currently attending Berea Community Middle School and a two-year-old daughter who will one day also be a Pirate, his roots in our community run deep.
"From an early age, I knew I wanted to work at Berea Community Schools and give back to the community that helped shape who I am. I was raised with the values of respecting others, lending a helping hand, and being a friend to everyone—principles that naturally led me to the field of school counseling."
Craig’s own experiences as a Berea student guide his work as a trusted source of support and encouragement for the next generation of Pirates. He understands our school’s values inside and out and is proud to help carry on that legacy.
"For those new to the area, Berea Community Schools is truly a special place. Our schools are filled with encouragement, acceptance, and a commitment to laying a strong foundation so students can achieve their dreams. As the Elementary School Counselor at BCES, my goal is to play a small but meaningful role in helping students grow into positive contributors to society. At the heart of that goal is ensuring students come to a building every day where they feel supported, valued, and genuinely cared for. That was my experience as a student at BCS, and it is my hope to continue that tradition for the next generation."
Outside of school, Mr. Dollins enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, coaching basketball at BCHS, watching sports, collecting comic books, and—most importantly—playing with dinosaur puppets.
We are incredibly grateful to have dedicated educators like Mr. Dollins supporting our students and making a difference every day at Berea Community Schools!
Kindergarten Registration!
Join us for our Little Pirates Kindergarten Bash on March 5, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 PM! This pirate-themed evening is a fun way to prepare for and celebrate welcoming our newest little Pirates aboard.
Mark your calendars and get ready to set sail!
Additional Kindergarten Registration Dates include April 18th, May 16th, June 11, and July 25.
More details coming soon. We can’t wait to meet our future Pirates! ⚓🏴☠️
Join us for our Little Pirates Kindergarten Bash on March 5, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 PM! This pirate-themed evening is a fun way to prepare for and celebrate welcoming our newest little Pirates aboard.
Mark your calendars and get ready to set sail!
Additional Kindergarten Registration Dates include April 18th, May 16th, June 11, and July 25.
More details coming soon. We can’t wait to meet our future Pirates! ⚓🏴☠️
