Burgettstown Area School District

Every week is a great week in Blue Devil Country! Please scroll down to learn more. #True2theBlue

• September 1: Labor Day (No School)
• September 16: BAEC Open House Grades K-2
• September 17: BMHS Open House
• September 18: BAEC Open House Grades 3-5
• September 19: Act 80 1/2 Day (Early Dismissal)
• October 6: In-Service: No School

Each school day would not be possible without the dedication of our bus drivers. They are the ones who make sure our routes and our students are safe, and that the students arrive to school each day on time and ready for another day of learning. The start of this school year presented new challenges as, due to retirements, resignations, and the lack of applicants to fill vacant positions, we had to redo all routes for the first time since 2018. Change can be difficult, but our drivers make sure that the 106 square miles of our school district are covered in almost under one hour for each run. We appreciate all that they do. We are also appreciative of Green's Taxi Service for providing a driver for us as we continue our attempts to hire more drivers and possibly reduce the roster sizes of some of our runs. We are also thankful for Jake Schneider Bus Contractor for providing all of the van service necessary each year. While all of our runs are within the legal limits, we recognize that they are larger than some are used to. This does not make them less safe, it just makes them different than in the past.

Mrs. Mankey is ready for another year piloting BAEC as the students take flight on a new school year!

It did not take long for teaching and learning to occur at BAEC as the first day photos of all the homerooms below demonstrate. Any fears the kindergarten students had were quickly erased, and we are sure the 5th grade students began to embrace becoming the leaders of the elementary school!

Dr. Cooke met with the grade levels this week to explain "Personalized Learning Time," a new concept in place of the former "club period."

Our seniors could not wait to get a start on their last, first day of school as they got together on the baseball field area for "Senior Sunrise" to kick off their final year of high school.

Students in Ms. Wolos' Math 8 class completed the 100s Task as an introductory icebreaker start to the year.

Mr. Grove's seniors brainstormed and shared ideas to jumpstart Personalized Learning Time. Exclaimed Dr. Cooke when he observed what they were doing, "I love students exercising their agency and being leaders!"

After more than 20 years as an employee of the school district, as a driver, utility person, and finally Director of Transportation, Mrs. Slay has retired and Wednesday was her last day at work. Thank you, Mrs. Slay, for all you have done for our students throughout the years. We wish you much health and happiness, and are sure you will not miss those early morning road condition/weather calls!

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) establishes "testing windows" for Keystone and PSSA tests. These windows are blocks of time in which school districts may schedule their administration of the various assessments. Each of our schools consider events that are occurring within school during these dates and then determine the specific dates that are the most appropriate to use. Attendance at school, and participation in the assessments is important, so we are providing the testing windows that PDE established for 24-25, 25-26, and 26-26 so families may consider if planning vacations or other planned absences. KEYSTONE ASSESSEMNT NOTE: The Burgettstown Area School District does not typically participate in Summer Testing, and rarely utilizes the Winter Wave 1 window.

This year, the Burgettstown Athletic Department is introducing digital ticketing for regular season football, volleyball, girls and boys basketball, and wrestling. Though all fans may still purchase a ticket "at the gate," but those who wish to avoid lines and pre-purchase an electronic ticket may do so by accessing the digital ticketing feature on the Hudl Fan page. Single game regular season tickets for both students and adults are available. Also, for those who know that will likely attend all games in a particular season, a season pass can be purchased. Please note: there is a processing fee, per ticket. This fee does not go to the school district, it is a vendor fee in support of the electronic ticketing feature. Scan the QR code or the button below to access the Hudl Fan page.

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.

Our school community has embraced the uniqueness of conducting commencement exercises at Star Lake for decades. The various management groups throughout the years have supported this by donating the use of the facility and we are most appreciative. While it is early in the school year, we want to make note that in order to hold graduation at Star Lake, flexibility in planning is necessary. Believe it or not, the planning for the next year begins shortly after the school year ends. We notify Star Lake management of our desired date and it is recorded as a preferred date. There are no guarantees, and in the past several years, we have not been able to finalize the date until some point in April. We know this causes a bit of anxiousness on the part of our seniors and their families, but if we want to continue this fine tradition, we must remain flexible. After last year's Commencement, we informed the management at Star Lake that our preferred date for this year's Commencement is June 5, 2026. While this is our preferred date, there is no guarantee that we will get it. As the months go by this year, the District will remain in contact with Star Lake management. When we know the confirmed date, we will communicate it to our students and families. Though graduation may be the last thing on anyone's mind this early in the school year, we wanted to communicate this information so there are no misunderstandings.

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

We know our families and our communities enjoy seeing the various photographs and related information about our students and their activities through the various social media platforms and other methods of communication from our school district. If a parent or guardian objects to the use of their child's image and related information, they must notify the school district. Please see the following document for more details.