Burgettstown Area School District

It was a great (and very busy) week in Blue Devil Country! Please scroll down to learn more. #True2theBlue

• November 18: Act 80 1/2 day
• November 23-28: Thanksgiving Break
• November 29: Full Act 80 Day: No School
• November 29: BAEC Parent-Teacher Conferences

We are so proud of Mrs. Smith's students. 61 eighth grade students were chosen to be published in Twisted Tales. Congratulations!

Below are pictures from the DEAR Choice Board Project presentations. The students are required to read one novel per nine week grading period. At the end each nine weeks, they present their novels to the class by choosing from six options in the DEAR Choice Board. They can choose to create a 3D object, plan a meal, create a playlist, create a movie trailer, write a book report, or create a character analysis. The students are incredibly creative and the projects are amazing. Ms. Zupancic expressed that she was "so proud of them!" Below are just a few pictures that she snapped, but all of the projects were fantastic!

This week, Joe Klumchak, the in-game host of the Pittsburgh Pirates conducted assemblies with our students in grades 2-12. His message was around the theme of achieving one's dreams by changing one's mindset. Mr. Klumchak's story involved him speaking of how he went from being a child with a speech impairment to becoming an announcer for a major league baseball team. He encouraged students to take small action steps toward getting better at a skill, and less time comparing themselves to others. The assemblies were well received.

On November 10th, parents and guardians spent the evening sipping apple cider with us at BAEC while learning about Title I programming, ZEARN math, and ECRI (enhanced core reading instruction), and enjoyed the BAEC students who performed fall poetry and music throughout the evening. The CHAMPS - Kona Ice Truck was a popular spot in the parking lot for everyone to purchase goodies. Below are just a few pictures from the evening. Thank you to all who worked to make the evening a success!

Students in all grade levels are able to receive a free school breakfast. This breakfast is not paid for by the school district, rather, it is an initiative of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We encourage students to start the day with the "most important meal!"

We continue to monitor student and staff COVID cases. We ask that you continue using preventive measures such as keeping your child or children home if they are experiencing symptoms of illness and/or if someone in your home is testing.

When to Quarantine?

According to the CDC, COVID Quarantine for illness or positive test:

• Isolate for 5 days. If no symptoms are present or symptoms are resolving (fever free 24 hrs without medication) on day 5, students may return to school on day 6 with mask wearing days 6-10.

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.

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