BCS Insider

I am proud to share that our district is seeing positive trends and improvements in the 2024–25 West Virginia Balanced Scorecard data, particularly in English Language Arts and Mathematics. These gains are a direct reflection of the dedication of our students, the commitment of our staff, and the strong support of our families and community.

Adding to this good news, two of our high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs were recently recognized among the very best in West Virginia—a tremendous honor that highlights the strength of our programs and the bright futures our students are preparing for. This recognition is exciting for our schools and reflects the talent, hard work, and determination of both students and staff in these programs.

In addition to celebrating academic progress, we are focused on shaping the future through our new 5-Year Strategic Plan. I want to thank the many stakeholders who participated in our initial planning session this month. This group included parents, students, community members, staff from across the district, and two Board of Education members. Their thoughtful and intentional conversations around our mission, vision, and core beliefs laid a strong foundation for the work ahead. Stay tuned for updates on progress and how your voice is captured in this process.

We are also looking closely at the future of our learning spaces through the Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP). In September, more than 125 students, staff, parents, administrators, and community members came together at the Educational Futures Conference to launch this important effort. Together, we explored ideas for future learning environments, facility improvements, project priorities, and strategies to ensure our schools continue to position students for long-term success. Please see the short video recap below, as well as opportunities to share your feedback as we shape the next decade of facilities and instructional growth in Berkeley County Schools.

Finally, I would like to spotlight a very special recognition. One of our students was recently featured in a national campaign in New York City celebrating children with Down syndrome. This inspiring honor reflects not only the remarkable student being highlighted but also how Berkeley County Schools is committed to supporting and celebrating every child.

Thank you for your continued partnership in empowering students, staff, and families. Together, we are building a bright and inclusive future for all.

Yours in Education,

Dr. Ryan S. Saxe

Superintendent

Jocelyn Sykes, a third-grade student at Potomack Intermediate School, was recently featured on the towering digital screens of Times Square in New York City as part of a national campaign celebrating individuals with Down syndrome.

For Jocelyn, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. She described it as both “shocking and exciting,” adding that her favorite things include dancing and spending time with family and friends.

When asked what message she wanted to share with the thousands of people who saw her photo in Times Square, Jocelyn proudly declared, “There is Nothing Down about me!”

Her mother, Jessica Sykes, recalled Jocelyn’s delight when they first received the news that her photo would appear in the iconic New York landmark.

“‘Awww, me? Jossie? Yay!’” exclaimed Jocelyn, Jessica said with a smile.

The moment was a powerful one for the family, who described it as both meaningful and inspiring.

“It was truly empowering to be included and to showcase Jocelyn’s vibrant spirit to the world,” Jessica said. “With her innate drive and spark, she’s poised to make a profound impact in the years to come.”

Jessica also shared a broader message of encouragement for the community, emphasizing the importance of reframing how society views Down syndrome.

“Down syndrome is not a disease,” she said. “We all have a path in life, and it just takes some a roundabout way to get to the finish line — and that’s okay.”

As part of her advocacy, Jessica introduced an acronym her family embraces to inspire others:

• A for Advocate

• E for Education

• I for Inspire

• O for Open minds

• U for Unite

“These AEIOU principles help us create a more inclusive and compassionate world,” Jessica said.

The family hopes Jocelyn’s moment in Times Square not only celebrated her accomplishments but also served as a reminder that inclusion, advocacy, and awareness can help break down barriers and inspire change.

A Special Olympics Unified Champion School has an inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement and respect for all members of the student body and staff. A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 national standards of excellence. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.

The primary activities within these standards include: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement. National banner schools should also be able to demonstrate they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to sustain these activities into the future.

Congratulations to Hedgesville High, Musselman High, and Spring Mills High on this national recognition!

From past progress to future planning —Berkeley County Schools is building on the successes of our last bond as we look ahead to the next ten years.

The Educational Futures Conference on September 3 brought together students , families , staff , and community members to start shaping what’s next. Together, we explored trends, challenges, and opportunities that will guide the future of education and inform our updated ten-year Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP).

Save the date for these two opportunities to learn more and ask questions.

Community Meetings

• Monday, October 13

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Hedgesville High School (library)

109 Ridge Road North Hedgesville, WV 25427

• Tuesday, October 14

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Musselman High School (cafeteria)

126 Excellence Way Inwood, WV 25428

Local school superintendents will dive into how recent legislation is reshaping the day-to-day realities of classrooms across the region. Together, they’ll unpack the challenges, opportunities, and real-world effects these policy changes bring to educators and students alike.

September 29, 2025, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Spring Mills High School Auditorium

499 Campus Drive, Martinsburg, WV 25404

Panelists:

Dr. Ryan Saxe, Superintendent, Berkeley County Schools

Dr. Chuck Bishop, Superintendent, Jefferson County Schools

Mr. David Banks, Superintendent, Morgan County Schools

The event will be moderated by Hans Fogle, Executive Director of University Communications, Shepherd University. Can’t attend in person? Listen live on the Panhandle News Network.

October is Bully Prevention Month. This issue explores how bullying can lead to school avoidance and what you can do to break the cycle. Learn how to recognize signs, build resilience, and support your child through difficult social dynamics.

Reducing chronic absence plays a critical role in raising graduation rates, boosting academic achievement, and giving students their best chance for success in school and beyond.

Strive for Less Than Five is more than a slogan—it clearly defines our goal: 95% attendance or higher. Students who miss fewer than five days (or less than 5%) each semester are on track for success. Every single day in school moves them closer to that goal.

• Currently, 16 of our 31 schools are meeting the 95% attendance goal.

• Of the remaining 15 schools, 13 have improved in their rates.

Students who miss more than 10% of the time are considered chronically absent. Chronic absence places students at risk of:

• Not reading on grade level by grade three

• Falling behind or failing classes in middle school

• Not graduating on time—or not graduating at all

Our target is to reduce chronic absence so that fewer than 20% of students fall into this category.

Explore exciting employment opportunities with Berkeley County Schools. Representatives from a variety of departments will be on-site to answer your questions and share more about career pathways with our district.

Don’t miss a chance to join our team! 🚀
Stay up to date on job openings and career events—follow BCS Careers today: https://www.facebook.com/BCSCareers

Berkeley County Schools is proud to announce that both Hedgesville High School and Musselman High School have been recognized among the top five high schools in West Virginia for Career and Technical Education (CTE) performance. Out of 114 high schools across the state, their recognition reflects the strength of programs that prepare students for success in college, careers, and beyond.

The West Virginia Department of Education evaluates schools based on seven key indicators: participants, concentrators, completers, work-based learning, National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) passage rate, and teacher endorsement rate. Hedgesville and Musselman’s performance demonstrates a district-wide commitment to high-quality career readiness opportunities.

Hedgesville and Musselman High Schools offer a wide range of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that prepare students for success in diverse fields. Programs include agriculture, baking and pastry, ROTC, building maintenance and operations, hospitality and tourism, marketing, information management, journalism and media (broadcast, social, and multi-media publishing), finance and accounting, and administrative support. Musselman High School also offers ROTC.

“CTE programs open doors for students to gain real-world skills, earn industry certifications, and connect their education to meaningful career pathways,” said Ken Pack, Director of Career and Technical Education. “This recognition is the result of the dedication of our teachers, the hard work of our students, and the support of our community and business partners who help bring these programs to life.”

Berkeley County Schools leadership continues to prioritize and expand CTE opportunities by adding new programs that align with both student interests and local workforce needs.

Superintendent, Dr. Ryan Saxe, praised the achievement, stating: “This honor belongs to our students, our teachers, and the many community partners who make these programs thrive. Our CTE programs are not just strong — they are setting the standard across West Virginia. Together, we are creating an educational experience that connects learning to purpose, passion, and lifelong opportunity.”

The success of Hedgesville and Musselman High Schools reflects the ongoing commitment of students, staff, and community partners to ensure CTE remains a powerful pathway for lifelong success.

The Pre-Kindergarten Readiness and Engagement Program (PREP) is a family-centered initiative supported by Berkeley County Schools’ Pre-K teachers. PREP is designed to empower parents and caregivers of 3-year-old children by providing tools and strategies that support early development.

Over the course of six weeks, families will participate in interactive sessions focused on key developmental domains. Each session is led by experienced Pre-K educators who will model hands-on activities and share practical ways to encourage learning and engagement at home.

This program not only supports school readiness but also strengthens the connection between families and early childhood education. We look forward to partnering with you to help your child build a strong foundation for future success.

PREP classes will be held mostly on Tuesday evenings from 5:15 pm - 6:15 pm at Winchester Avenue Elementary School. Classes will consist of 6 weekly PREP classes. Three separate 6-week sessions are planned for the 2025-2026 school year.

Parents/Caregivers who sign up for the PREP courses agree to attend each class during their chosen 6 week session. Spaces are extremely limited.

First Session Dates:

October 7, October 14, October 21, October 28, November 4, November 12

Second Session Dates:

January 6, January 13, January 21, January 27, February 3, February 10

Third Session Dates:

February 24, March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24, March 31

For more information, contact Amanda Robinson or Katie Ware.

We want to remind families that it’s important to log in to Schoology with your parent account, not your child’s account. When parents use a student login, they often miss messages and updates that are sent directly to them.

If you haven’t set up your parent account yet, please reach out to your child’s school for instructions. Once logged in as a parent, be sure to review your notification settings so you receive timely updates. On the mobile app or desktop, tap your name and select Settings → Notifications to choose how and when you’d like to be notified.

This helps ensure you stay connected with your child’s learning and don’t miss important communication from teachers and the school.

October is here—a month full of crisp mornings and beautiful fall colors. Be sure to mark your calendars with these key dates.

Oct. 1: Faculty Senate Day - 2 Hour Delay

Oct. 13: End of Nine Weeks

Oct. 15: Professional Learning Day - No School

Oct. 20: Report Cards Issued

Oct. 22: Parent Teacher Conferences-Middle

Oct. 23: Parent Teacher Conferences-Intermediate

Mountain Ridge Primary: The first building block is officially in place — the foundation is taking shape! Plumbing, storm drains, and concrete slabs are all coming together, and the new access road is nearly complete, just 100 feet from Gerrardstown Road.

Hedgesville Early Learning Academy: Exciting progress is happening inside! Metal ceiling beams are going up in the front entrance, and painters are rolling on the first coat of primer. Meanwhile, crews are hard at work on heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing — all the behind-the-scenes systems that will keep the school running smoothly.