BCS Insider
July 2024
Winter has certainly made its presence known with our first snow days of the season! I hope our students had the chance to enjoy the snow, maybe even build a snowman or go sledding, like those pictured here.
Please remember that the first five inclement-weather days are designated as traditional snow days. If we reach a sixth day, we will shift to remote learning. In the event of remote learning, specific instructions will come directly from your child’s school. We encourage students to continue reading, practicing skills, and staying engaged in learning even when school is not in session.
We are also approaching an exciting milestone—our 100th day of school! This is a great reminder to stay focused, motivated, and committed to finishing the year strong.
In addition, Berkeley County Schools is currently developing a new five-year strategic plan to guide our work and strengthen outcomes for students, staff, and families. This important work includes input from our school community, and you can read more about the planning process and next steps later in this newsletter.
As we move through the winter months, I encourage you to continue reflecting on our theme for the year, EMPOWER, and what it means for each of us. It represents our shared belief in creating an environment where students, staff, and families feel supported, prepared, and inspired to reach their full potential. Together, we are building a school community where every voice is valued, and every individual is encouraged to learn, lead, and thrive. Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and for working alongside us to make this a winter season filled with growth, purpose, and possibility.
Stay warm, stay safe, and stay focused on learning.
Yours in Education,
Dr. Ryan S. Saxe
Superintendent
Hedgesville High School senior Caitlin Hall has been named a QuestBridge Scholar and will attend Duke University this fall.
“It was a moment of joy and a moment of peace,” Hall said. “I felt like everything that I'd worked towards for the past, not even just the past four years, but the past 12 years, my entire life has led up to this moment.”
Hall said the achievement marked the payoff for years of dedication.
“All the late night study sessions, all the hard tests, all the hard classes, everything had led to this moment,” she said. “And it was really just a sense of peace and just overwhelming joy.”
At HHS, Hall has stayed active both academically and in extracurricular activities.
“I try to be involved in a little bit of everything at the school,” she said, noting her participation in varsity soccer, varsity swim, tennis, and track.
Faith and family also play a central role in her life. “I also am a really devout Catholic. I go to church every Sunday,” Hall said. “I have six siblings, so I'm from a very large family and family is really important to me.”
Hall began the QuestBridge process during her junior year. The application process required months of work.
“Before my senior year started, I was already working on QuestBridge and I was already planning out each of my essays,” Hall said. “It was a lot of hard work, 100%, but I knew why I was doing it.”
Hall ranked Duke, Yale, Stanford, and Harvard among her top choices, ultimately selecting Duke as her first choice.
“When I visited, I really just fell in love with the campus and just the environment as a whole,” she said. “Everyone there… was so quick to like smile at you or wave,” Hall added. “And that is an environment that I want to be in.”
At Duke, Hall plans to major in economics and pursue a career in consulting or investment banking. “I've always been really interested in math,” she said. “I've always really tried to push myself as far as I can.”
Hall credited the HHS community for its support throughout the process. She specifically thanked her counselor.
“Ever since my freshman year of high school, [Mr. Ruddek] has been preparing me for it and he's been helping me through every single step of the process,” Hall said.
Reflecting on her high school experience, Hall said she is especially proud of her leadership in the Youth Leadership Association.
“It's really amazing to see people from the community come and be able to enjoy time with their children,” she said.
Hall encouraged younger students to pursue opportunities like QuestBridge.
“The reward is so much greater than the process," said Hall. “Anything is possible if you can commit yourself to it and if you can try hard enough.”
Berkeley County Schools has officially used all five snow days built into the calendar. The next five inclement weather days will transition to Remote Learning Days. On a Remote Learning Day, students will follow a schedule similar to a regular school day, including instruction, enrichment, and independent work.
Students have already practiced logging in and reviewed expectations with their teachers. They will be expected to check in, participate in learning activities, and complete assigned work. Each school will share a specific Remote Learning Day schedule as needed.
High school students who are dual-enrolled should follow guidance from their college or university.
Our goal is to minimize disruptions to learning while remaining mindful of winter weather challenges. If you have questions, please contact your school.
Family Yoga Night
Berkeley County Schools, in partnership with Berkeley County Parks and Recreation, invites families to come together for a free Family Yoga Night! This fun and relaxing event is designed to help students and families move their bodies, unwind, and learn simple wellness practices they can use at home.
Each session is tailored to specific grade levels, creating an engaging and age-appropriate experience for every participant.
Event Schedule
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Grades K–1: Monday, February 23 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.
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Grades 2–5: Tuesday, February 24 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.
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Middle & High School Students: Thursday, February 26 | 6:45–7:45 p.m.
Location
Berkeley County Recreation Center
273 Woodbury Avenue
Martinsburg, WV 25404
Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Be sure to reserve your spot early! For more information, please contact Travis Williams.
We look forward to seeing families come together to relax, recharge, and prioritize wellness!
Equipping Your Child: Navigating Peer Pressure and Cultivating Healthy Choices
As children enter adolescence, peer influence becomes stronger and can impact their choices, academics, and mental health. Negative peer pressure may lead to risky behaviors, including substance use and poor decision-making.
Parents play a key role in helping children make healthy choices. Open communication, clear expectations, and strong family connections can reduce the impact of peer pressure. Talking regularly, modeling positive behavior, and encouraging healthy friendships help children feel supported and confident.
Research shows that teens with strong parent relationships are less likely to engage in risky behaviors, highlighting the importance of staying connected during these critical years. Learn more in this month's Cook Center for Human Connection newsletter.
In this edition of Showcasing (CTE): Where Education Meets Industry, you’ll find:
- Esports Team Shines at WVSEL Fall Finals
Teacher Feature: Rachael Blackford
Community Connections
Student Voice: Jazmine Gutierrez
Hands-on Highlights
In this episode, we sit down with Hedgesville High School senior Caitlin Hall, recently named a QuestBridge Scholar and future Duke University student. Caitlin shares what it felt like to realize her hard work had paid off, calling it “a moment of joy and a moment of peace.”
From balancing academics, varsity athletics, faith, and family to navigating the demanding QuestBridge application process, Caitlin reflects on the journey that led her to Duke and why the campus felt like home. She also talks about her plans to study economics, the support she received from the Hedgesville High School community, and the leadership experiences she’s most proud of.
