BCHS Bears Stakeholder Bulletin
Bear Built
BCHS Stakeholder Bulletin, Monday, October 12, 2026, Week 11, 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,
We have much to celebrate as our Bears continue to excel! Thank you for partnering with us to support student success, encourage positive choices, and keep our students moving toward their goals.
There will be no school on Monday, October 12. We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, October 13. First nine weeks report cards will be delivered via email on Thursday, October 15. Please review your student’s progress together, celebrate successes, and contact teachers about any concerns.
Lady Bears Softball is playoff bound!
Our Lady Bears will travel to face the Stephens County Indians in the GHSA Class AAA First Round on Monday, October 12! The doubleheader begins with Game 1 at 4:00 p.m. and Game 2 at 6:00 p.m. If the teams split, the deciding third game will be played on Tuesday, October 13, at noon.
Congratulations, Lady Bears Volleyball!
Our Lady Bears have secured the Region 4-AAA Championship! We also congratulate Londyn Williams, Region 4-AAA Player of the Year, and Coach David Skinner, Region 4-AAA Coach of the Year. We are proud of your dedication, teamwork, and outstanding representation of BCHS! The Lady Bears Volleyball team will host the GHSA Class AAA 1st Round of the playoffs on Saturday, October 17. The game time and opponent is TBA.
October PBIS Cohort Challenge
The cohort with the fewest discipline referrals during October will earn a special treat in early November. Bears, represent your cohort with pride and make every choice count!
School Picture Makeups — Wednesday, October 14
Underclassmen picture makeups will take place during 1st and 2nd blocks in the gym on the blue floor.
FAFSA Night — Wednesday, October 14
Join us at 5:30 p.m. in the BCHS Media Center for FAFSA Night as families prepare for the next steps after high school.
BCHS Boys and Girls Basketball Tryouts
Boys and girls basketball tryouts will begin on Monday, October 19. Interested students should sign up during lunch on Wednesday, October 14, or Thursday, October 15.
To participate in tryouts, students must be academically eligible and have a current physical on file at school.
Junior/Senior Order Night — Thursday, October 15
Junior/Senior Order Night will be held from 3:00–6:00 p.m. in the BCHS Mall Area.
Second Annual PBIS Homecoming Dance — Saturday, October 17
BCHS students, come celebrate and kick off Homecoming Week from 6:00–9:00 p.m. in the BCHS Cafeteria and Mall Area!
Admission is $10, or purchase 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 out-of-school suspension (OSS).
Daily Attendance Reminder
BCHS begins promptly at 7:50 a.m. each day. Thank you, families, for helping students arrive on time, attend consistently, and come prepared to learn. Every class matters. Every day matters. Every Bear matters.
Let’s make this a week of positive choices, meaningful learning, and Bear pride!
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
October PBIS Cohort Challenge
BCHS Faculty and Staff Spotlight
Breast Cancer Awareness Free Bracelets
BCHS Student Spotlight
School Make-Up Picture Day Oct. 14th
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 Basketball Tryouts
Pride Of Burke County Give Back Event
Junior/Senior Order Night Thursday, October 15 from 3:00 - 6:00 pm
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.
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!
Homecoming Dates, Events, and Voting Information
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