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

• October 30: End of 1st Nine Week Marking Period
• November 1: Inservice- No School

This week, Max Maltony made the all county cross country team at the Washington County Coaches meet. His finish time was 18:23. Great Job, Max!

On Saturday, October 12, our Cross Country team participated in the Clipper Invitational and earned 6 plaques, 11 medals, 16 ribbons, 2 trophies, and two happy coaches!

On Tuesday, October 15th, the junior high boys took 2nd and the junior high girls took 3rd at the Washington County Coaches meet.

Mrs. Dengel's students spent time this week analyzing propaganda and ideology in their Holocaust and Genocide class.

Reading under the Stars was a K-12 event where staff, students, and community members were able to come together and have a fun, educational experience. Faculty and staff from both schools participated in organizing and working at the event; an event that culminated in having our high school students reading to our elementary students "under the stars" on the lawn behind the elementary center. Said one parent: "The staff was so nice and interactive with the kiddos. [The high school students] were so nice and well mannered during the “free” time. While at the tables they were interacting with the younger students. Both my kiddos were paired with football players and they stated they loved being in the groups with them while they were reading. I hope those high schoolers realize how much the younger students look up to them and how much tonight meant to them." Judging by the excitement, patience, and involvement of our high school students, we are certain that our high school students do in fact realize how much younger students look up to them. We want to give a special shout to the custodians and secretaries who worked behind the scenes to make sure the evening was a success. We also want to give a shout out to the teachers (listed below) who worked at the event, putting their personal schedules on hold for an evening so that our students could benefit from an evening literacy event!

On Wednesday, October 16th, our students, faculty and staff were asked to wear orange in support of Unity Day. Unity Day began in 2011, "...by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center as a signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month. The call to action was to "Make it Orange and Make it End. Unite Against Bullying!" Participants were encouraged to wear orange to show their support for bullying prevention. " (source: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/unity-day.asp)

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.