Burgettstown Area School District

A look back at the past week, and a peek at the week ahead. #True2theBlue

• February 9: Act 80 Full Day- No School
• February 16: Snow Day Make Up

Since Monday, January 26th is a good old fashioned snow day, we would like to feature pictures of snow day activities in next week's update. Please consider taking a picture tomorrow and emailing it at some point before Wednesday, January 28tth. Email: snowdayfun@burgettstown.k12.pa.us

So that we know the email/picture is not spam, please put your child's homeroom teacher's name in the subject line. Also, consider giving us a caption to use with the picture. We will do our best to publish all pictures we may receive!

Email: snowdayfun@burgettstown.12k.pa.us

Subject: HR Teacher's name

Congratulations to fifth grader Justin Everett for taking second place at the Intermediate Math 24 Competition at McGuffey High School this week. Way to go, Justin! We are very proud of you!

Students Joely Cimperman, Abby Henke, and Grace Orlosky show off their Burgettstown sketchbooks in Art I.

Ms. Zupancic's English students brought literature to life through creative, visual projects that blend close reading, symbolism, and imagination-- from eerie classics to playful vocabulary storytelling.

Twelve Burgettstown students joined peers from across Washington County this weekend for the annual Washington County Band and Chorus Festival, held at Peters Township High School. On Friday, students spent the day rehearsing under the direction of guest conductors from West Liberty University, Dr. Alvin Simpson (band) and Dr. Douglas C. McCall (chorus). The two-day festival concluded with a public performance on Saturday afternoon. Our middle/high school music department was well represented, as students showcased their musical talent and dedication.

Back Row (L-R): Riley Dhans, Isabella Cooper, Haley Havelka, Hallie Yenchik, Kaylie Cratsley, Shelby Powers, Lucy Snatchko

Front Row (L-R) Annaliese DeFrank, Ellie Halyak, Maleena Henry, Khloe Gill, Marley Douglas

Shelby Powers (percussion) and Riley Dhans (bass 2)

Our BAEC kindergarten students were counting, subtracting, and working on Happy Numbers in math centers on Friday. Despite all of the excitement about the weekend's impending snow storm, teaching and learning took place right up until dismissal!

Students and teachers prepared for all possibilities this week by gathering Chromebooks and other essentials in the event a shift to remote instruction becomes necessary. Our teachers continue to impress with their ability to engage students in virtual learning, and we are proud of our students for embracing this non-traditional approach during periods of inclement weather.

This year, the Burgettstown Athletic Department is introducing digital ticketing for regular season football, volleyball, girls and boys basketball, and wrestling. Though all fans may still purchase a ticket "at the gate," but those who wish to avoid lines and pre-purchase an electronic ticket may do so by accessing the digital ticketing feature on the Hudl Fan page. Single game regular season tickets for both students and adults are available. Also, for those who know that will likely attend all games in a particular season, a season pass can be purchased. Please note: there is a processing fee, per ticket. This fee does not go to the school district, it is a vendor fee in support of the electronic ticketing feature. Scan the QR code or the button below to access the Hudl Fan page.

We remind students, employees, parents, guardians, and community members that smoking, the possession or use of alcohol or other drugs, and the possession of weapons on school grounds, including outdoor athletic areas, by any individual, is prohibited. These acts are subject to police action and must also be reported to the Department of Education.

Our school community has embraced the uniqueness of conducting commencement exercises at Star Lake for decades. The various management groups throughout the years have supported this by donating the use of the facility and we are most appreciative. While it is early in the school year, we want to make note that in order to hold graduation at Star Lake, flexibility in planning is necessary. Believe it or not, the planning for the next year begins shortly after the school year ends. We notify Star Lake management of our desired date and it is recorded as a preferred date. There are no guarantees, and in the past several years, we have not been able to finalize the date until some point in April. We know this causes a bit of anxiousness on the part of our seniors and their families, but if we want to continue this fine tradition, we must remain flexible. After last year's Commencement, we informed the management at Star Lake that our preferred date for this year's Commencement is June 5, 2026. While this is our preferred date, there is no guarantee that we will get it. As the months go by this year, the District will remain in contact with Star Lake management. When we know the confirmed date, we will communicate it to our students and families. Though graduation may be the last thing on anyone's mind this early in the school year, we wanted to communicate this information so there are no misunderstandings.

Student and employee safety is extremely important to us. We are constantly looking for ways to make our schools, school grounds, and property safe for all. Recently, we ordered signage that will be placed on all of our school busses, warning that unauthorized boarding will be subject to criminal prosecution. This is not something new, it is simply something we are creating a greater awareness of.

According to the Pennsylvania Crimes Code:

§ 5517. Unauthorized school bus entry. (a) Offense defined.--A person who enters a school bus without prior authorization of the driver or a school official with intent to commit a crime or disrupt or interfere with the driver or a person who enters a school bus without prior authorization of the driver or a school official who refuses to disembark after being ordered to do so by the driver commits a misdemeanor of the third degree. (b) Notice.--A school district may place a notice at the entrance of the school bus that warns against unauthorized entry.

Our school district prides itself on providing the best possible learning environment for our students, and school buildings and other facilities that can be a source of pride for the community. We are constantly monitoring the conditions of our schools, athletic complexes and other district-owned property but sometimes we miss things. You can help us by completing this form when you notice something that you think needs our attention. It can be something as basic as noticing that there is a light out in our parking areas, or that the trash receptacles at the baseball field need emptied. Just like you have for your home, we have a running list of items that need our attention. These items get prioritized and acted upon. We may already know about the issue you raise, but if we don't, we can't prioritize it until we do. We are all in this together and your input is greatly appreciated. Please click her to access this form: HERE

We know our families and our communities enjoy seeing the various photographs and related information about our students and their activities through the various social media platforms and other methods of communication from our school district. If a parent or guardian objects to the use of their child's image and related information, they must notify the school district. Please see the following document for more details.