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

• June 5: Class of 2025 Commencement: 7:00 PM @ The Pavilion at Star Lake

It may have been a soggy spring sports season, but our Blue Devils did not let that stop them from marching toward playoff berths. The softball and baseball teams qualified for post-season play, and playoff pairings were announced this week. Our girls softball team will open their playoffs with a game against Neshannock on Tuesday, May 13 at 3:00 PM at North Allegheny. Our boys baseball team tied with Fort Cherry for a share of the section title, but received a higher playoff seeding and a first round bye. The boys will be in action on May 19th at a time an site TBA, and will take on the winner of Tuesday's game between Riverview and California. We wish both teams the best of luck! There are admission fees for all post season playoff games. Tickets will only be sold online, and my be accessed at: https://gofan.co/WPIAL

Second grade students took a deeper dive into musical theater by learning patterns of vocabulary and songs from Mary Poppins!

The third grade recorder ensemble continues to prepare for their concert, which will occur on Remake Learning Night.

First grade students experienced a variety of songs related to animals this week. The pictures above show a "galloping" horse song with scarf movements.

The middle/high school career fair was held this week. Students in both the middle and high school had an opportunity to stop by the various stations arranged in both gymnasiums, and interact with the owners and/or employees of a variety of businesses and specialized fields. Afterward, students were assigned to write reflection pieces as a part of their required career exploration portfolios. We are most appreciative to the many individuals who volunteered their time to attend this event and share their career wisdom with our students. Click HERE for a listing of participants.

It was Teacher Appreciation Week, Wicked Style, at BAEC! Students dressed in green like Elphaba on Monday thank their teachers, and then Tuesday was pink like Glinda!

Teachers in both schools received a variety of treats this week in recognition of all the work they do for our students.

Ms. Elek recognized the members of the senior class who are in the chorus at this week's concert. We wish all of them best of luck with whatever the future holds, and truly thank them for entertaining us during their time at BMHS.

Students in Miss Baker's Math 7 class brainstormed ideas for their Shark Tank project. Students must invent a tool or device to help solve a problem and then they present their ideas and profit projections to real engineers!

Students in Honors Chemistry class performed acid and base tests this week.

The chorus and band students performed their Sounds of Spring concert on Wednesday evening and did not disappoint! The hard work they did this year, under the direction of Ms. Elek and Mr. Cugini was certainly on display as they entertained family, friends, and community members! Well done!

After more than two weeks of PSSA testing in the middle school, students were permitted to tear into their "PSSA mystery box." For their hard work, everyone earned an afternoon of popcorn and a movie in the BPAC.

Whether Team Glinda or Team Elphaba, our wonderful BAEC students' support for our fantastic BAEC teachers was on display all week!

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. This week, the members of the Class of 2025 were informed that Star Lake was contacted on May 31, 2024, and informed that our preferred date for this year's Commencement is June 5, 2025. 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.