December 2025
December 2025 Newsletter
Mission & Vision
Mission
The mission of the Burke County Public School System is to ignite a passion for learning that leads to excellence.
Vision
Our vision is that each student leaves equipped for a world of possibilities.
Stay up to date with BCHS! Follow us
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
BCHS Website
Previous Monthly Parent Newsletters
Important Dates
December 1: Senior Order Deadline
December 1-5: End of Pathway Assessments for CTAE Courses
December 5: Christmas on Liberty (Downtown Waynesboro)
December 6: Waynesboro, Wadley & Sardis Christmas Parades
December 8-9: Literature & Composition II End of Course Testing
December 10: Algebra EOC
December 11: Biology & US History EOC
December 11: Parent Advisory Council Meeting
December 11: REACH Scholars Meeting
December 12: US History Fieldtrip
December 16-19: Semester Exams (Schedule Forthcoming)
December 19: End of 1st Semester/Early Release
Academics
School Sponsored Activities
School sponsored activities are under the direction and supervision of the school administration. The same student rules and regulations will govern students’ behavior at these activities as during school hours. Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at any and all school sponsored activities. School-sponsored activities include, but are not limited to, athletic events (both home and away), community service projects, field trips, homecoming and prom. All students of the Burke County School System will be required to dress appropriately when attending any school-sponsored function. The principal or designee will determine appropriate dress, rules, and any attendance policy that may govern each school sponsored activity.
GA Futures Eligibility
Are you a HOPE or Zell Miller Scholar? You can now check your academic eligibility with the new My College HOPE Profile feature on GAfutures. Learn how here:
SAT TEST DATES
Test Date (TD); Registration Deadline (RD)
TD: December 6, 2025 (RD: November 21, 2025)
TD: March 14, 2026 (RD: February 27, 2026)
TD: May 2, 2026 (RD: April 17, 2026)
TD: June 6, 2026 (RD: May 22, 2026)
**Be sure to check Collegeboard.org for updates and/or changes**
Photo IDs are required to test
If you need help generating a test ticket in Bluebook, please see Mrs. Griffith (Room 507) prior to test day.
SAT Waivers
Please email Coach Dukes AND Coach Cummings to receive your waiver codes. Waiver priority is given to Seniors during Semester 1. There will be SAT School Day testing for Seniors during Fall 2025 and SAT School Day testing for Juniors during Spring 2026. See Coach Fulcher for more information.
pdukes@burke.k12.ga.us
ecummings@burke.k12.ga.us
ACT TEST DATES
Test Date (TD); Registration Deadline (RD)
TD: December 13, 2025 (RD: November 7, 2025)
TD: February 14, 2026 (RD: January 9, 2026)
TD: April 11, 2026 (RD: March 6, 2026)
TD: June 13, 2026 (RD: May 8, 2026)
TD: July 11, 2026 (RD: June 5, 2026)
**Be sure to check act.org for updates and/or changes**
Photo IDs are required to test
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Updates are posted on our school webpage throughout the year. Check here often for updates. Due dates vary and some are due as early as August.
Guidance & Counseling
The Guidance & Counseling Department provides student services throughout the high school experience that will prepare them for successful transition to postsecondary education and/or the workforce. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from the Guidance & Counseling Department in the areas of: (1) career exploration and planning, (2) individual and/or group counseling services for academic or interpersonal relationship matters, (3) course selection, registration, and advisement, (4) post-secondary education and scholarship opportunities, (5) school withdrawal and/or transfer. Students are encouraged to be proactive and seek the available resources. To ensure that student needs are met promptly and efficiently, please make an appointment with the guidance secretary, cohort advisor, or classroom teacher. A scheduled time and date will be provided. In the event of an urgent or emergency situation, immediately see the guidance secretary, teacher, or a member of the school administration.
Guidance Department
Cohort 2026: Mrs. Loretta Johnson
Cohort 2027: Mrs. Michelle Chancey
Cohort 2028: Mr. George Lee
Cohort 2029: Mrs. Mallory Doyle
Guidance Secretary: Mrs. Lisa Flowers
Transcript Requests
Click here for Augusta Tech Transcript Requests
Click here for Burke County High School Transcript Requests
Athletics
Wrestling
Media Center & Technology
Find Career Matches for Your Student(s)
A Message from the Media Specialist
It has been a pleasure to serve the BCHS Community during my time as teacher and Media Specialist. I am honored to work with the most intelligent and respectful students and teachers around. On December 1, I will transfer to Burke County Middle School to serve as Instructional Coach. I am pleased to still work in the district that supported my growth and shaped my educational experience. It is my hope that BCHS continues to thrive.
-Mrs. Quishawna Henderson
Parent Information
PBIS Connections
PBIS Connections
Yearbooks
Click here to order your yearbook.
Transportation Requests & Attendance Box for Absences
If you have a transportation request for a bus change, please be sure to submit the request in the designated box located near the front office before 12:00 PM each day. This allows our staff the necessary time to verify stops and coordinate with transportation. Requests submitted after 12:00 PM cannot be honored for the same day. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us ensure a safe and smooth dismissal process.
__________________________________________________________________
Be sure to submit attendance notes within the timeframe noted in our school handbook. It is imperative to submit these notes with the student's name, cohort teacher, date of absence and the valid reason before 12:00pm each day. The attendance box is located near the front office. Thank you for your cooperation!
Teen Permit & License Information
Click here for requirements.
Certificate of Attendance
The State of Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles requires a certificate of attendance from students wanting to obtain a driver’s license. This document verifies that a student is actively attending school and has not had any serious disciplinary infraction. To obtain a certificate of attendance, a request must be made in the front office two (2) days in advance. There is a $2.00 notary fee for obtaining this documentation. The Certificate of Attendance is valid for thirty (30) days from the date it is signed by the principal. Students who have ten (10) unexcused absences are ineligible to obtain this document.
Additional information can be found in the BCHS Handbook.
There is a 2 school day turnaround to receive certificates of attendance. For example: Friday requests will be ready on Tuesday. The cost for each certificate of attendance is $3, and if expedited processing is possible, the cost is $5. Please note that a notary is required to notarize certificates of attendance and only select personnel are available to do so. Please allow enough time for the processing turnaround.
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
The faculty of Burke County High School firmly believes that a student is more diverse and prepared for success when extracurricular activities are a part of their high school years. Students are encouraged to participate in one or more academic, athletic, civic, or fine art activities.
PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION
Register for our Parent Square app to RSVP for classroom and school activities, view the calendar, receive important student documents, communicate with faculty/staff and more!
PowerSchool Parent Portal
PowerSchool provides student information, grades, teachers' remarks, attendance/tardiness and discipline. Click the picture to register.
Affordable Internet Options
T-Mobile offers a free hotspot and more for eligible K-12 students. Apply here.
Lifeline lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service for those who qualify. Click here to apply.
Meet Your Teacher (BCHS Faculty/Staff Directory)
Student Spotlight
View the video created by students in Coach Flowers and Mrs. Hillis' classes created to showcase the CTAE program.
Wrestling Spotlight
Congratulations to the members of the Girl's Wrestling team that competed in their first tournament on Saturday, November 15 at Lakeside High School. Jewely Ellison placed 3rd and Dayva Badger placed 4th. Madalynn Catman finished in 5th place. Nyriah Jefferson finished 6th place. Kaitlynn Robbins and Kaloni Hughes both finished 8th place. Overall, the team finished in 9th place being only 1 point behind 8th Place Hart County out of 13 teams.
Beta Club Canned Food Drive
Our School Beta Club hosted its annual canned food drive to benefit local food bands and Burke County families. There were 5,436 items collected from 4 of the district schools. Blakeney Elementary was the highest contributor with 2,500 cans. Thanks to all of the students, faculty, staff, Mrs. Torek and Mrs. Hillis for your hard work!
The donations were given to local food banks including Phillip Grove Baptist Church, Roberson Grove Baptist Church and the BC Health Department Blessing Box.
Community Information
We would love to partner with surrounding businesses. If you are interested in helping BCHS students, please contact us.
Food Pantry
Vineyard Church of Burke County will host a Food Pantry every 1st and 3rd Monday from 6pm-7pm.
2015 Herndon Road
Waynesboro, GA
Community Resources & Food
4675 Mike Padgett Highway
Augusta, GA
**Please note: Burke County High School does not endorse these services. Please conduct proper research to find the best resource that meets your needs. Contact our School Counselors or District Social Worker for assistance.


