Burgettstown Area School District

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

• May 1-4: PSSA Math and Science Testing Window
  
• May 10: Remake Learning Days Event- BMHS 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
• May 12: Senior Awards Ceremony- 8:00 AM
• May 15-26: Keystone Testing Window
• May 18: WACTC Certificate Ceremony- 6:00 PM Chartiers Houston Auditorium
• May 19: Jr/Sr. Prom (Grand March begins at 5:00 PM in the BPAC)
• May 23: CHAMPS Carnival- returns to The Pavilion at Star Lake
• May 28: Baccalaureate- 7:00 PM Paris Presbyterian Church (Not School Sponsored)
• May 31: Commencement- 7:00 PM The Pavilion at Star Lake
• June 1: Last Day of School

Our high school students had the opportunity to explore a wealth of career options this week as they participated in our career fair. (photos below) Organized by our school counseling department, with the help of many others, we were able to host several individuals from a wide spectrum of occupations and these individuals presented information about their careers/fields. In addition to listening to the presentations, students were able to engage with the presenters and ask questions to gain a better understanding of the work that each of our presenters do.

Our Career Fair would not have been possible without the volunteerism of the many presenters who visited with our students. A light luncheon (photos below), with food prepared by the Western Area CTC culinary program students, was provided to the presenters prior to the program as an expression of gratitude. Presenters and their career clusters included:

Mary Burns and Brittanie Smith (Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources)

Louis Bruno, Andrea Grey, and Robert Phillips (Archetecture and Construction)

Enzo Carannante and Christina Kramer (Arts, AV Technology 7 Communications)

Dottie Shubert (Business, Management & Administration)

Dr. Marissa Kelly-Pimentel and Seth Mason (Education and Training)

Michael Bohley, Darra Brock, and Doreen Dingle (Finance)

SSG Connor Mosley and Maria Shaffer (Government and Public Administration)

Nancy Carlino, Michele Eaborn, Michelle Ehrgood, and Erin Murphey (Health Science)

Joshua Egal (Hospitality & Tourism)

Courtney Downey, Michelle Prevost, Jenn Snyder and Daniel Stadnik (Human Services)

Jabril Broaster, Vicky Danko, SFC Charles James, and Chris Navadauskas (Information Tech)

Darren Fisher and Angel Kusturiss (Law, Public Safety and Security)

Gene Baier, Craig Lindley and Mike Toscano (Manufacturing)

Craig Cuckler and Lindsay Leininger (Marketing, Sales & Services)

Dominic Bartoletti, SSG Felicia Mancias, and Bill Perez (Military)

George Bartley, Callie Fry, William Johnston, and Kaitlyn Tautkus-Berry (STEM)

John Higgs and Jennifer Horstman (Transportation, Distribution & Logistics)

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires school districts to create create experiences aimed at helping students understand career possibilities so they can begin to create their own educational path toward their career goals. Students must have evidence of their career exploration activities, and school districts must provide PDE with information that demonstrates students are receiving these experiences. The Burgettstown Area School District utilizes the program to both document these activities and assist them in creating their own career exploration portfolio.

PDE requirements, at a minimum, include:

• Grade 5 Benchmark — 6 pieces of evidence between grades K-5
• Grade 8 Benchmark — 6 pieces of evidence between grades 6-8, including individualized career plan
• Grade 11 Benchmark — 8 pieces of evidence between grades 9-11, including 2 pieces of evidence that demonstrate career plan implementation

PSSA testing continues in both schools next week, with the PSSA Math and Science tests being administered. Math assessments are for all students in grades 3 through 8 and science is for students in grades 4 and 8 only. Parents/Guardians of our 3rd-8th grade students should have received information specific to the testing dates and times in their child's school building.

We were impressed with the testing that took place this week. Students appeared to be well prepared and seemed to give their best effort. We are especially pleased with attendance this week as very few students had to make up testing. Great job!

Penn State Beaver hosts a series of summer STEAM and Sports Camps. Please click HERE for the flyer listing the camps, or click on the logo below to access the Penn State Beaver Summer Camp website.

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