BCS Insider
July 2024
For the first time in school history, the Musselman High School Applemen Marching Band has captured an Atlantic Coast Championship title, led by drum majors Jonah Smith, a senior, and Lucy Green, a junior.
The winning moment is one neither will forget. Bands from across the East Coast stood waiting as the final placements were announced.
“It was euphoric,” said Smith. “Everything you’ve ever worked for hits you at once.”
Green remembers the crowd’s reaction.
“I heard this big gasp, and I realized—this was really happening,” she said.
When the announcer named the second-place band and it wasn’t Musselman, both drum majors burst into tears. “We just collapsed into a hug,” said Green.
This year’s show sent audiences on an adventure into a mythical new world, complete with explorer-themed costumes and custom choreography. Students prepared for the production from May through November, rehearsing through heat, long hours, and demanding schedules.
“It’s six months of nonstop work,” said Smith. “But this group had a spark I’ve never seen before.”
Green agreed that the effort paid off.
“There was a moment in October when it finally clicked—we could really win this," she said.
Leadership played a major role in shaping the season. Stepping into the position as a junior, Green said she grew quickly.
“I wanted everyone to feel supported, like they belonged," said Green. "Band is a family, and I wanted them to know they could come to us.”
For Smith, the challenge was balancing expectations with encouragement.
“Nothing prepares you for leading 120 students,” he said. “You learn when to push, when to pull back, and how to help people believe in themselves.”
Both drum majors say the championship symbolizes more than a trophy.
“This win was for my friends, my family, and every student who believed we could do it,” said Green.
Smith, who has aimed for this title since freshman year, echoed the sentiment.
“When they called our name, it was relief, pride, and disbelief all at once," said Smith. "It made every hard day worth it.”
As Smith prepares to graduate, he leaves next year’s leaders with advice.
“It’ll push you to your limits, but if you stick with it, you’ll leave with something bigger than a title—the memories and the people," said Smith.
Green says she hopes next year’s band leans into the same unity that defined this season.
“When we’re connected, we’re unstoppable," said Green.
Tips for November, December, and a Smooth Start in January
The holiday season brings excitement, family time, and much-needed breaks. It can also make it a little harder for children to stay focused. November and December often come with disrupted routines, extra activities, and higher stress. Here are some simple, family-friendly strategies to help your child stay confident and engaged through the holidays, and to start January feeling refreshed and ready.
1. Keep a Consistent Routine (as much as possible)
With so many seasonal events, it’s easy for bedtimes and daily habits to shift. Flexibility is part of the fun, but consistency helps children feel secure and better manage their emotions.
Try this:
Keep a steady sleep schedule, even during break.
Maintain predictable after-school habits like homework, unpacking backpacks, and preparing for the next day.
Limit screen time on weeknights to support focus and good sleep.
Even small routines make a big difference, especially for children dealing with stress or big emotions.
2. Connect Learning to the Holidays
When excitement rises, attention spans often shrink. Bringing seasonal themes into everyday learning can help keep kids engaged.
Try these ideas:
Write holiday cards or thank-you notes together (great writing practice).
Cook as a family and let your child help measure ingredients or double a recipe (built-in math skills!).
Read winter or holiday-themed books to keep literacy skills strong.
Learning happens everywhere, not just in the classroom.
3. Stay in Touch with Teachers Before Break Begins
If your child has had academic or emotional challenges this fall, consider checking in early. Teachers appreciate proactive communication and can offer helpful guidance.
Questions you might ask:
Are there any missing assignments my child can finish before break?
What skills would benefit from extra practice at home?
Are there behaviors or emotional signs I should keep an eye on during break?
These conversations help prevent small issues from turning into bigger ones later.
4. Build in Downtime and Emotional Check-Ins
The holidays are joyful, but they can also be overstimulating. Changes in schedule, travel, or family stress can affect children more than adults often realize.
Support your child by:
Creating quiet moments for rest and calm activities
Asking simple check-in questions like, “How are you feeling about school right now?”
Watching for signs of anxiety, fatigue, or withdrawal
At BCS, we understand that emotional well-being is closely connected to learning. A calm child is a better learner.
5. Use Winter Break to Reset, not Retreat
Winter break should feel restorative. Instead of pausing learning completely, think of it as a gentle reset that keeps skills fresh without adding pressure.
Light learning ideas:
Read together or independently for 20 minutes a day
Practice multiplication facts or sight words through games
Visit the library for books or audiobooks your child gets to choose
Encourage journaling about holiday fun or feelings
These activities keep the mind engaged while still allowing plenty of relaxation.
6. Prepare Early for the January Restart
Going back after the holidays can be tough for many children, especially those who thrive on routine. A little preparation can make a big difference.
Helpful steps:
Start returning to school-night bedtimes about 4–5 days before classes resume
Let younger children visit the school playground to reconnect with the environment
Clean out backpacks and organize school supplies
Review your child’s planner or teacher notes together
Help them set one small, achievable goal for January
Small successes build confidence for the new semester.
7. Advocate Early and Often
If your child is struggling with behavior, attendance, focus, or academics, January is a great time to ask for a meeting. It’s a natural mid-year checkpoint where teachers and support staff review progress and plan next steps.
Final Thoughts: Connection and Consistency Matter Most
The holiday season is full of opportunities to strengthen relationships, support emotional health, and make learning joyful. With a few intentional habits, families can help children stay grounded, reduce stress, and begin January ready to succeed.
BCS is here to support families every step of the way.
Farm to You, a partnership between the WVU Health Sciences Center Eastern Division, WVU Medicine, and Berkeley & Jefferson County farmers, offer resources, including farmers markets, food banks and other locations to find food and supplies specifically for children and families.
Connecting School Attendance to Workforce Success
Berkeley County Schools Director of Attendance, Mr. Hal Van Metre, served as a featured speaker and panelist at the Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Committee’s recent event, “From Classroom to Career: Absenteeism and Its Impact on Workforce Readiness.” The session brought together more than 25 representatives from the local business community to explore the connection between student attendance and workplace reliability.
Van Metre was joined on the panel by Patrick Winkelman, Environment, Health and Safety Director at Procter & Gamble, and Justin Ruble, Vice President of Human Resources with WVU Medicine. Together, they discussed how early attendance habits shape long-term workforce performance and community success.
Van Metre shared insights from his 31 years with Berkeley County Schools, emphasizing that “success begins with showing up.” He outlined the district’s chronic absenteeism trends—averaging 23% over the last three years—and highlighted how absences affect academic progress, confidence, social development, and ultimately graduation rates.
Panelists also discussed the cost of absenteeism in the workplace, noting challenges businesses face when employees are frequently absent or late. Employers consistently express that dependability is one of the most critical skills young workers need as they enter the job market.
The discussion underscored a central message: the habits built in school become the habits brought into adulthood. Van Metre stressed that improving attendance requires a community-wide effort—schools, families, employers, and local organizations all play a role in shaping expectations and supporting consistent engagement.
The event provided an opportunity for business and education leaders to collaborate on strategies that strengthen the workforce pipeline and reinforce the importance of attendance from the earliest grades through career entry.
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We're pleased to share that over 3,700 students, staff, families and community members participated in our recent survey to update our Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) and help shape the future of Berkeley County Schools.
Stormy is gearing up for winter, but rumor has it Suzy Snowflake may drift back into town for a surprise visit!
As we trade in our warm-weather gear and prepare for cooler temperatures, we know inclement weather may soon bring early dismissals, delays, or cancellations for Berkeley County Schools.
Be sure you’re informed, connected, and ready for any potential changes to school schedules.
We’re turning up the volume on Applemen pride! This month’s episode of BCS Unplugged celebrates Musselman High School’s award-winning band after their incredible Atlantic Coast Championship victory. Hear from the drum majors about the hard work, artistry, and teamwork that led to this unforgettable performance.
