BCS Insider
July 2024
By: Sarah Warner, Communications Coordinator
Nicholas Halterman, a senior at Hedgesville High School, has always been fascinated by flight. His passion for aviation was solidified through his enrollment in the aerospace engineering program at James Rumsey Technical Institute, where he discovered his dream of becoming a commercial pilot.
“At first, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but taking the aerospace program at James Rumsey gave me a chance to explore the field,” said Halterman. “Now, I’m set on becoming a pilot.”
Nicholas’s dedication and ambition have not gone unnoticed.
“Nicholas Halterman has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and work ethic throughout his time at Hedgesville High School,” said Angie Milliman, principal of Hedgesville High School. “By enrolling in honors courses, he has actively sought academic challenges and has distinguished himself as a model student both at HHS and at JRTI.”
Under the guidance of his instructor, Mr. Eisenhart, Halterman has developed essential skills,
such as critical thinking, time management, problem-solving, and the ability to work independently—skills that form a strong foundation for his future.
“It’s all about preparing us for the real world,” said Halterman.
The program goes beyond classroom learning, offering hands-on experiences and professional certifications, including one from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
“It’s different from traditional high school classes; it’s a work-based environment that tackles real-world projects,” said Halterman. “I feel like it’s preparing me for college and my career better than anything else could.”
One of Halterman’s most exciting moments was flying high-tech simulators, which gave him a glimpse into a pilot’s world.
“The simulators were incredible,” said Halterman. “That experience, combined with the mentorship I’ve received, really solidified my decision to pursue aviation.”
He recently interviewed for Fairmont State University’s aviation program, which offers up to 250 flight hours and prepares students for private, instrument, and commercial pilot licenses.
“They only accept 20 students out of 40 who interview, but they seem to like me,” said Halterman. “They even joked with me during the interview, which felt like a good sign.”
His dream is to become a commercial pilot, inspired by the prospect of traveling to new places and the excitement of an aviation career.
“It’s not a typical 9-to-5 job,” said Halterman. “You’re flying all the time, and it’s just such a cool experience. Plus, the financial stability and adventure it offers are unmatched.”
Berkeley County Schools is proud to recognize our six newest National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and nine certification renewals! We are proud to lead the state with 119 National Board Certified Teachers, setting the standard for excellence in education. National Board Certification is a voluntary, rigorous, and performance-based process that requires educators to demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills, and practices.
Research shows that students taught by NBCTs outperform their peers in the classroom and on achievement tests. Additionally, districts with a high concentration of NBCTs benefit from improved school culture, collaboration, and teacher retention. Congratulations!
New NBCTs:
- Stephen Brown - James Rumsey Technical Institute
- Kelsey Dusing - Martinsburg North Middle School
- Tracy Malcolm - Opequon Elementary School
- Erin Webb - Rosemont Elementary School
- Jennifer Whitmore - Hedgesville Elementary School
- Kelly Zirk - Valley View Elementary School
NBCT Renewals:
- Stefinie Aversa - Winchester Avenue School
- Rebecha Catlett - Spring Mills High School
- Melissa Elliott - Martinsburg High School
- Jodi Kissner -Martinsburg High School
- Brian Kleppner - Musselman High School
- Joe Merkel - Mountain Ridge Middle School
- Sonya Shockey - Hedgesville High School
- Megan Smith - Hedgesville Middle School
- Rachel Yates - Mill Creek Intermediate School
The new 4th Grade Wing at Tomahawk Intermediate was completed earlier this month! Thanks to your support of the November 2022 Bond, five new classrooms will give students a top-notch learning environment to grow and succeed!
This project also helps address the rapid growth in the Hedgesville community, and we're not done yet! Contractors have already started work on the new 3rd Grade Wing, which will add five additional classrooms!
Get an inside look of the new addition with a walkthrough from Dr. Krista Ematrudo, principal of Tomahawk Intermediate School.
Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Virtual School enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year starts on March 10, 2025! By June 30, 2025, students must be four (4) years of age to be eligible for Pre-K, and five years of age (5) to begin Kindergarten.
Students currently enrolled in the BCS Pre-K Program will need to re-enroll for Kindergarten.
We're excited to welcome our newest learners to the BCS Family!
The Marlowe Elementary team joins the BCS Unplugged podcast to talk about all things Pre-K and Kindergarten! Learn more about how Pre-K and Kindergarten equip students with the academic and social/emotional skills they need to prepare them for their educational journeys.
Guests include Principal Katie Worthington, Pre-K Teacher Amanda Robinson, and Kindergarten Teacher Amanda Sorg.
In this newsletter, you’ll find tips on prioritizing self-care, building a support system, and creating a stable environment. We address common hurdles like financial strain and generational gaps, and highlight opportunities for growth and connection.
We're seeing immense progress on the new Hedgesville Early Learning Academy and the Martinsburg High School addition. At HELA, the footers have been poured, underslab plumbing is complete, and foundation work is underway. Meanwhile, at Martinsburg High School, demolition is in progress in the auditorium, stage framing is in progress, and construction of the new band room is well underway.
Watch the video below to see the work in progress!
