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

• September 17: BAEC Open House (Grades 3-5)
• September 18: BMHS Open House
• September 19: BAEC Open House (Grades K-2)
• September 20: Act 80 1/2 day
• October 7: In-Service- No School
• October 30: End of 1st Nine Week Marking Period

The grand opening of the innovation grant-funded Music Discovery Garden was held this week. The grant, funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the EQT Foundation, and the Equitrans Midstream Foundation, and facilitated by Intermediate Unit One, was a joint effort by Mrs. Toni Tasz and Ms. Heidi Betshart. We know our elementary students will get years of educational enjoyment out of the space!

Act 25 of 2024 created a new section of the PA Public School Code, Section 1555, which includes a requirement for each school entity to conduct a moment of silence during instructional hours for students and faculty to observe the anniversary of September 11, 2001, as a remembrance of the thousands of military servicepersons, government employees, civilians and emergency responders who lost their lives or were wounded by terrorist attacks on that date. School entities may provide the moment of silence at any time during instructional hours. At BASD, in addition to a moment of silence at both school buildings, a variety of activities occurred, creating teachable moments that revolved around the events of 9/11/01. Additionally, in accordance with the U.S. Flag code, US and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania flags were ordered to be flown at half-staff in observance of Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Reembrace in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Ms. Kozares' students were learning about cooperation and good team work this week!

If you were in the auditorium/gymnasium hallway on the afternoon of Friday the 13th, you would have heard the band, cheerleaders, team captains and/or coaches (especially Coach Druga!) and the students in grades 4-12 as the a pep rally was held in the gymnasium. The student-athletes of the fall sports programs were all introduced and spirit was built in an effort to get everyone pumped up for the home football game against Cornell. Blue Devil Pride was on display, that's for sure!

This week, students in Mrs. Boni's room worked in their Sort and Display Centers.

Each of Ms. Zupancic's classes have their own set of vocabulary words (20 words per class) and all classes played three vocabulary-related games: Matamoscas (aka the fly swatter game), Sparkle, and Vocab BINGO. In Matamoscas, they have to say the definition of the words or the synonym to get a point. In Sparkle, they have to give the definition of the word if they are the last student standing, and in Vocab BINGO they have to define each word in the row for the win. (they used fruit loops for bingo chips!) Finally, they have to write a story using all of the vocabulary words in contest to be shard and displayed at Open House.

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.