BCS Insider
July 2024
At just 10 years old, Isabella Neely, a student at Mill Creek Intermediate School, is already showing her community that kindness and creativity can go hand in hand.
Isabella’s love for baking began simply — mixing ingredients, trying new recipes, and sharing treats with others. Over time, that passion grew into something much bigger. Isabella decided to establish her own bakery, not just to bake, but to help people in need.
“I like baking because it makes people happy,” Isabella shared. “When I found out I could use it to help others, it made it even more special.”
What started as a fun activity quickly became a meaningful mission. Isabella began baking with purpose, using her skills to give back and support individuals and families in her community to those who couldn't afford cookies. Through her bakery, she has learned responsibility, confidence, and the importance of helping others.
“I wanted to do something that mattered,” she said. “Even small things can make a difference.”
Isabella’s story is a powerful reminder that age is no barrier to making an impact. Her initiative reflects the values encouraged at Mill Creek Intermediate — creativity, compassion, and community involvement — and highlights how students can turn their interests into positive action.
“I didn’t know it would grow this much,” Isabella added. “But I’m really proud of it.”
Berkeley County Schools is proud to recognize Isabella Neely for her entrepreneurial spirit and generous heart. Her journey inspires others to look at their own talents and consider how they, too, can make a difference — proving that big change can begin with a simple idea, a love for baking, and a desire to help others.
Berkeley County Schools is proud to recognize the support our volunteers and community partners provide to our schools and students.
These partnerships demonstrate the critical role that businesses, organizations, and local leaders play in fostering a thriving educational environment. Whether through volunteer efforts, funding, mentorship, or program support, these collaborations enhance learning and build stronger connections between schools and the community.
BCS extends its gratitude for your outstanding commitment. We deeply appreciate the support of everyone who helps create an environment where every student can thrive socially, emotionally, physically, and academically.
If your business is interested in becoming a partner with one of our schools, we would love to connect! Partnerships can include career awareness, work-based learning, academic support, and much more. Please contact us to learn how you can make a lasting impact on our students’ success.
A Strong Start After Winter Break: Strive for Less Than Five
As we head into winter break, we wish our students and families a restful and enjoyable time together. When students return for the second half of the school year, it’s an important opportunity to reset routines, refocus on goals, and start strong.
Regular school attendance remains one of the most important factors in student success. Being present each day allows students to stay engaged in learning, maintain connections with teachers and classmates, and continue building academic and social skills. Even a small number of absences can add up over time and impact progress.
That’s why our district encourages families to Strive for Less Than Five absences per semester. Fewer absences help students stay on track academically while also reinforcing responsibility and consistency—habits that prepare students for college, careers, and the workplace, where showing up matters.
We understand that absences are sometimes unavoidable due to illness or family circumstances. Our goal is not perfect attendance, but consistent effort. Families play a critical role in helping students reestablish routines after break, prioritize daily attendance, and communicate with schools when challenges arise.
As we begin the second half of the year, let’s work together to help students show up, stay engaged, and finish the school year strong. Every day a student is present is an investment in their learning and their future.
Thank you for your continued partnership—we look forward to a great second half of the school year.
It's that time of year again. Time to trade in our warm weather gear and prepare for cooler temperatures. We know inclement weather is on the way which could mean early dismissals, delays and cancelations for Berkeley County Schools.
INCLEMENT WEATHER DAYS 1-5: The BCS school community will observe 5 snow days. The first 5 snow days missed due to inclement weather will not be made up through the use of the equivalent time option and will not require additional instructional days to be added to the school calendar.
INCLEMENT WEATHER DAYS 6-10: On inclement weather days 6-10, BCS will observe remote learning instruction online following a schedule similar to that of a normal school day. Watch for details from your school.
INCLEMENT WEATHER DAYS 11+: If schools are closed for more than 10 days, this will require that lost instructional time be made up using other designated dates in the school calendar. Possible days that could be used include Spring Break (April 6-10) or additional days may be added after students last day of May 28, 2026.
How will you know the status of Berkeley County Schools? Once a decision is made, we begin notifying families, staff, and the community through multiple channels, including text, email, social media, local media, our website, and app push notifications.
Be sure to review our communication channels so you can stay connected!
TIP: Have a backup plan for your student and family in case schools are closed or dismissed early.
Comprehensive Educational Facilities Planning (CEFP)
This fall, Berkeley County Schools began updating our Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) to guide facilities and instructional planning for the next decade. The process included an Educational Futures Conference, multiple CEFP Advisory Committee meetings, and community meetings on both the north and south ends of the county. Feedback was collected from students, staff, families, and community members on facility options and proposed amendments.
In November, the Board of Education discussed and acted on CEFP amendments, which were submitted to the West Virginia Department of Education and West Virginia School Business Authority and approved on December 10. In December, the Board also reviewed updated South Berkeley redistricting options and gathered feedback from families impacted by the opening of Mountain Ridge Primary School.
On December 15, the Board unanimously approved boundary changes (option 2B) that will:
Convert Valley View Elementary, Bunker Hill Elementary, and Mill Creek Intermediate to a K–5 grade configuration.
Maintain Mountain Ridge Primary School, Mountain Ridge Intermediate School, and Back Creek Valley Elementary School in their current grade configurations.
Allow families currently living within the Inwood School boundary to choose between Mill Creek Elementary or Mountain Ridge Primary School for the 2026-27 school year.
Planning for staffing, furniture, equipment, and other operational needs at the impacted schools will be coordinated with school leadership. Additional information will be shared with families affected by these changes in the coming weeks.
We greatly appreciate the continued engagement of our school community as we work together to plan for the future of Berkeley County Schools.
In this edition of Showcasing (CTE): Where Education Meets Industry, you’ll find:
From the Shop to Main Street
Teacher Feature: Lisa Woodall & Steven Harris
Community Connections
Student Voice: Jackson Blakeney
Hands-on Highlights
In Berkeley County Schools, our students continue to inspire us in powerful and unexpected ways. This month, we’re highlighting a Mill Creek Intermediate student whose passion for baking has turned into an act of service for others. Through determination, creativity, and a big heart, Isabella Neely is proving that you’re never too young to make a meaningful difference in your community.
