BCHS Bears Stakeholder Bulletin
Bear Built
BCHS Bears Stakeholder Bulletin, Monday, August 24, 2026, Week 4, 1st Semester
Bear Built
Burke County High School
Our Mission:
To ignite a passion for learning that leads to excellence.
Our Vision:
To cultivate goal-oriented, resourceful, and collaborative students who embrace life-long learning and are empowered to build their best future.
Core Values:
We believe that how we teach is as important as what we teach. Therefore, we are committed to:
Nurturing Lifelong Learners.
We cultivate a growth mindset and deliver engaging instruction, empowering students to embrace challenges, learn from experiences, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Empowering Student Ownership.
We create a supportive environment with constructive feedback, where students set ambitious goals, take charge of their learning, and achieve excellence.
Data-Driven Instruction.
We leverage data to personalize learning, maximizing student engagement and fueling academic success.
Continuous Improvement.
We promote a collaborative culture of reflection and leadership, enhancing our teachers' impact and equipping students for boundless opportunities.
Greetings BCHS Bear Family,
Please continue speaking with your child about their grades, behavior, and responsibility for becoming an active participant in their educational journey. Regularly check PowerSchool to ensure your student’s grades are current and being maintained. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your student’s teachers.
STAR Testing Makeups
STAR Testing makeups will be administered:
- Monday, August 24, 2026
- Tuesday, August 25, 2026
School Picture Day
Friday, August 28, 2026
Freshman Family Event: 30-Day Check-In
- Monday, August 31
- 5:00–6:30 p.m.
- BCHS Auditorium
Freshman students and their families are encouraged to attend this opportunity to review their transition to high school, ask questions, and learn about available resources.
Progress Reports and Early Dismissal
- Progress reports will be emailed Thursday, September 3, 2026.
- Early dismissal will take place Friday, September 4, 2026.
PSAT and SAT School Day
BCHS will administer the PSAT and SAT during the week of October 19.
- Cohort 2028 students interested in taking the PSAT for National Merit Scholarship consideration should see Mr. Lee. The cost is $30.
- All Cohort 2029 students will take the PSAT at no cost on the selected administration date.
Daily Attendance Reminder
School begins promptly at 7:50 a.m. each day. Please help us ensure students arrive on time and are prepared to learn.
Winter EOC Dates
- Literature II: December 2–3
- Algebra: December 8
- Biology: December 9
- U.S. History: December 10
Spring EOC Dates
- Literature II: April 28–29
- Algebra: May 4
- Biology: May 5
- U.S. History: May 6
- Makeups: Through May 14
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to support the success of every student at Burke County High School.
GROWL
We are preparing for another successful week in Bear Country as we continue to GROWL with pride.
We are:
- G – Goal-Oriented
- R – Resourceful
- O – Open-Minded
- W – Willing to Collaborate
- L – Lifelong Learners
Bear Built!
📞 Communication Concerns?
If you are having trouble connecting with your student’s teacher or counselor, or if you have a concern, please contact Dr. Durham:
📧 jdurham@burke.k12.ga.us
📱 Call/Text: 706-526-3582
Picture Day Friday, August 28
SAY CHEESE, BCHS!
When: Friday, August 28, 202 School Picture Day is officially coming soon! Please mark your calendars so you don't miss the yearbook.
Who Needs Their Picture Taken:
- Underclassmen
- Seniors (Make-Up Pictures)
- Faculty, Staff, and Admin
Bring your best smiles! Let's make this yearbook the best one yet! (Photos provided by BPI Photography).
#BCHS #PictureDay #SayCheese #YearbookMemories #SchoolPictures
BCHS Student Spotlight
BCHS Faculty and Staff Spotlight
Freshman Success Check-In: 30-Day Orientation & Progress Review
Freshman Success Check-In: 30-Day Orientation & Progress Review
Attention Freshman Parents & Students!
Join us for our Freshman Success Check-In: 30-Day Orientation & Progress Review on Monday, August 31, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. in the BCHS Auditorium.
This is a great opportunity to check in on your student’s first month of high school, learn important information, ask questions, and discover the resources available to help every freshman succeed.
We look forward to seeing both parents and students there! Please see the flyer for complete details.
Academic Honesty Policy
To streamline Burke County and school-specific policies, we have updated our student handbook. You can access the revised handbook at: https://link.edgepilot.com/x/P4gLyA75Khy0GFDQVBwmfQ?u=https://bchs.burke.k12.ga.us/student-handbook.
Please take note of the following clarification regarding academic integrity:
Cheating (Academic Dishonesty)
The integrity of individual student work and ethical behavior are expectations for all “THE” BCHS students. Copying work that another student has completed, cheating on an academic task or assessment, plagiarism, downloading documents or files belonging to another student, or any other type of academic dishonesty is unacceptable. The first offense for academic dishonesty will result in the student being reassessed on the academic task/assessment and a parent contact made. Subsequent offenses will result in the student being reassessed on the academic task/assessment, parent contact made, and ISS or OSS potentially being assigned. The student will also be subject to the loss of exam exemption for the course.
Job Opportunity
The Division of Human Resources is pleased to announce that the application window is now open for employment opportunities with the After School Meal Program.
This program plays a vital role in supporting our students by providing nutritious meals to those participating in after-school care, clubs, athletics, tutoring, and 21st Century programs. If you are interested in working in this program, please see details and apply below.
Program Details & Eligibility:
- Schedule: The program runs weekly, Monday through Thursday, through the remainder of the school year (August 17, 2026 - May 20, 2027).
- Location: Primary meal preparation will take place at the base kitchen located at Waynesboro Primary School, with meals distributed to participating school sites.
- Eligibility: Open to current BCPS employees and BCPS high school students (Grades 9–12).
- Work hours
3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (Monday - Thursday) - Dress Code for Food Safety
- Closed-toe, non-skid-sole shoes
- Long pants
- Short sleeve shirts
- No jewelry/No fingernail polish/No artificial nails
How to Apply:
If interested, click here to access the application. The deadline to submit your application is Friday, August 28, 2026.
Thank you for your continued dedication to supporting our students and school community!
Support the FFA Daviid Yurman Bracelet Fundraiser
$5 raffle tickets for a chance to win a David Yurman Classic Cable Bracelet!
This is a friendly reminder that our FFA chapter is selling $5 raffle tickets for a chance to win a David Yurman Classic Cable Bracelet! All proceeds will help our students travel to Indianapolis, Indiana, in October for the National FFA Convention.
Funds raised will help cover expenses such as flights, housing, convention registration, leadership opportunities, and more.
Ticket Information
Tickets: $5 each
Sales begin: Monday, August 17
Sales end: Friday, September 25
Drawing: Monday, September 28 at 3:15 PM via Facebook Live
Winner will be notified by phone
The winner will be able to choose their own bracelet band size.
Payment Information
Exact cash or check only.
If paying by check, please make checks payable to BCHS FFA Chapter.
If you are interested in purchasing raffle tickets, please see any FFA officer or email me for tickets!
FFA Officers: Madalynn Zittrouer, Audrey Kyzer, Lola Dye, Lilah Neely, Emree Williams, Jack Marchman, Dawson Mobley and Aniston Blackstone.
BCHS Athletic Upcoming Events
2026-2027 Code of Conduct
BCHS Administrative Team
Dr. Justin Durham, Principal
Ms.LaChonna Avery, Assistant Principal
Mr. Maurice Boyd, Assistant Principal
Mr. Garry fulcher, Assistant Principal
Dr. Henry Hankerson, Assistant Principal
Two Way Communication
Contact Us
Our mission at Burke County High School is to ignite a passion for learning that leads to excellence.
We want to prepare students for their future, whether that is getting a job, going to college, joining the military, or starting a business. We want students to graduate with good character and be ready for life after high school.
We also need strong communication with parents and guardians. If you have ideas on how the school can communicate better, you can email Dr. Durham at jdurham@burke.k12.ga.us.
The school sends updates every Sunday through:
Parent Square
The BCHS Facebook page
The school website
The district website
If you are not receiving these messages, please call the school.
Dr. Durham's Contact Information
Email: jdurham@burke.k12.ga.us
Website: Burke County High School - Home
Address: 1057 Burke Veterans Parkway Waynesboro, GA 30830
Phone: (706) 526-3582
Front Office: 706-554-6691