Burgettstown Area School District

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

• February 17- Act 80 1/2 Day
• February 20: Presidents Day-No School

Over the past couple weeks, the fourth and fifth grade homerooms were busy as bees! They were practicing for Wednesday's spelling bee. The winners in the homerooms advanced to the bee, with 24 fourth and fifth graders qualifying to compete. The three advance to a regional spelling bee to be held at a later time. We are proud of all of our competitors, and congratulate our top three winners! All were exceptional. E.X.C.E.P.T.I.O.N.A.L. Exceptional. Scroll down for more spelling bee pictures.

This week, a representative of the Washington County Community Foundation organized the formal issuance of a grant award in the amount of $5625.00 that was made possible through the generosity of Washington Financial Bank. The grant money is being utilized for Internet connectivity devices so our students have appropriate access to online workspaces. We are most appreciative of the grant program through WCCF and the funding provided by Washington Financial.

This week, students were actively investigating crime scenes as they tried to uncover who killed Edgar Allen Poe. They investigated the crime scene by identifying context clues and key details in order to solve the mystery!

Mrs. Smith's Honors English 12 students created their own Frankenstein illustrations as they prepared to read the novel.

Mrs. Goodburn stepped out of her classroom at the MSHS this week to conduct a yoga class in Mr. Campa's 2nd grade physical education class. The pictures below show the students in their bee and butterfly positions.

Mrs. Goodburn led Mr. Campa's fourth grade students (below) through the formation of an appreciation circle and an "I'd Simply Crumble Without You" activity.

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