BCHS Bears Stakeholder Bulletin
Bear Built
BCHS Stakeholder Bulletin, Monday, September 28, 2026, Week 9, 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,
Congratulations to Lucy Lane, who placed first in the FFA Area Floral Design competition! Lucy will represent BCHS FFA at the State Floral Design Clinic this December. Please join me in celebrating her achievement.
Dual Enrollment and Work-Based Learning Student IDs
To support student safety, all Dual Enrollment and Work-Based Learning students will be issued an ID. Beginning Monday, September 28, students may pick up their IDs in the Media Center. They will need to show their ID when checking in or out at the front kiosk. This will help us verify that students leaving campus are authorized to do so.
Bearden After-School Program
Students who would like extra help with their classes can build their skills through the Bearden After-School Program. Academic support, snacks, dinner, and transportation are provided.
- When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
- Fall session: September 29–December 3
- Sign up: https://forms.gle/9h58LNu856km34Qy6
FAFSA Night
Wednesday, October 14, at 5:30 p.m. in the BCHS Media Center.
Junior/Senior Order Night
Thursday, October 15, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. in the BCHS Mall Area.
Final Week of the September PBIS Attendance Challenge
Students who finish September with perfect attendance or zero tardies will earn a PBIS incentive. Please encourage your student to finish the month strong. They can meet one or both challenges!
Daily Attendance Reminder
School begins at 7:50 a.m. each day. Thank you for helping students arrive on time, attend consistently, and come ready to learn. Every day of instruction matters.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we celebrate excellence and build a culture of success 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
FFA Floral Design- State Bound
Lucy Lane
Lucy Lane
We are very excited that one of our own is headed to the State Floral Design Clinic to represent BCHS FFA this December! Please help me congratulate Lucy Lane on placing 1st in the Area competition!
Overview & Purpose:
Senior Floral Design Career Development Event will test students’ knowledge in floral plant identification and their skill in completing a specific floral design. The competition also evaluates their knowledge of the floral industry. The purpose is to stimulate career interest, encourage proficiency development, and recognize excellence in students of floral design through the agriculture education curriculum.
BCHS After-School Program
Homecoming Top 10. The next vote is September 30!
Scholarship Opportunity for Seniors
BCHS Basketball Tryouts
FAFSA NIGHT AT BCHS
Join Us for In-Person FAFSA Night at BCHS!
Unsure how to pay for college? Completing the FAFSA is the single most important step to unlock money for post-secondary education! It opens the door to federal, state, and school-specific grants, scholarships, and low-interest financial aid options—many of which are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Special guest Gabrielle Poss from the Georgia Student Finance Commission will break down grants vs. loans and guide you step-by-step through the application process.
- Date: Wednesday, October 14
- Time: 5:30 PM
- Location: BCHS Media Center
BCHS Student Spotlight
BCHS Faculty and Staff Spotlight
Homecoming Dates, Events, and Voting Information
School Make-Up Picture Day Oct. 14th
BCHS Alum of the Month
Homecoming Dance
BCHS students, come celebrate and kick off Homecoming Week at our Second Annual PBIS Homecoming Dance! Join us Saturday, October 17, from 6:00–9:00 PM in the BCHS Cafeteria and Mall Area.
Tickets go on sale September 8. Admission is $10, or get the $15 bundle that includes admission, pizza, and a drink. Come dressed casually and enjoy a live DJ, dancing, concessions, and plenty of fun! The dance is open to all BCHS students with no OSS.
Get your ticket, bring your Bear pride, and kick off Homecoming Week with us!
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
