BCS Insider
July 2024
Please join us in congratulating Penny Creel on being named Berkeley County Schools’ Nurse of the Year!
As the school nurse at Hedgesville Middle School, Penny is known for going above and beyond to support students and families each day. Parents shared numerous stories highlighting her compassion, attention to detail, and unwavering dedication to student well-being.
One parent shared that Penny “always made sure our child had plenty of medications at the school” and even offered to personally deliver medication and pick up a school-issued iPad after their child transferred schools. Another parent described how Penny carefully protected their chronically ill daughter by recognizing another student with the same condition and ensuring both students remained safe throughout the school day.
Families also praised Penny for her communication, kindness, and genuine care for students:
- “Penny always goes above and beyond to ensure Ashton doesn't forget to take his daily medication.”
- “Penny is a great nurse and person.”
- “She cares about the kids and genuinely cares for their well-being.”
Whether she is checking in on former students years later, helping families navigate medication changes, or simply making parents feel supported, Penny’s dedication leaves a lasting impact on everyone she meets.
Congratulations, Penny, and thank you for the incredible care and support you provide to the students and families of Berkeley County Schools!
WVU Medicine is again offering free sports physicals for all middle and high school students on June 2-4, 2026, at the WVU Health Sciences Center. We appreciate their partnership in providing this opportunity for our students!
WVSSAC Student Athletic Physicals are required for middle and high school sports. Download the WVSSAC form at the link below or contact your school's athletic director for more information.
Don't miss this opportunity to complete your required physical and be cleared to play! The Health Fest will also feature food trucks this year in the grassy area beside the pavilion.
Schedule (Registration starts at 5 p.m.):
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 (5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Musselman High School
- Spring Mills High School
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 (5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Martinsburg High School
- Hedgesville High School
Thursday, June 6, 2026 (5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Middle School students
- Make-up day for High School students
Important: Forms must be completed with a parent/caregiver signature before registration, Middle School students must have a parent/caregiver present in order to receive a physical.
Berkeley County Schools is proud to sponsor the federally funded Summer Food Service Program for Children, providing free breakfast and lunch to all children ages 2–18 throughout the summer months.
Meals will be available Monday–Thursday at multiple locations across the county, including Martinsburg North Middle School (June 10–July 21), Mountain Ridge Intermediate, Orchard View Intermediate, and Spring Mills Primary School (June 17–July 16), as well as Rosemont Elementary School (July 7–July 30). Meal times vary slightly by location, with breakfast and lunch served during morning and midday hours.
Nutritious meals help children learn, grow, and stay active throughout the summer, because hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation. Families interested in participating or learning more about meal times and locations may contact the Berkeley County Schools Office of Child Nutrition at 304-267-3500.
Families are encouraged to make sure students are up to date on all required vaccinations before the start of the new school year. This includes immunizations required for pre-K and K–12 enrollment, as well as additional vaccines required for students entering 7th and 12th grades. Staying current on immunizations helps protect students, staff, and the broader school community from preventable illnesses.
West Virginia state law requires all students to have current immunization records on file with their school prior to the first day of classes on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Students without documentation of required vaccinations may not attend school. Families are encouraged to schedule appointments early to avoid delays before the start of the school year.
We want our school calendar to work as effectively as possible for students, families, and staff, and we are asking for feedback on how Berkeley County Schools uses 2-hour delays and 2-hour early dismissals during the school year.
Currently, these abbreviated school days are built into the district calendar as Faculty Senate Days and Teacher Prep Days to provide staff with dedicated time for professional planning and preparation. For the 2026–2027 school year, the scheduled dates include:
- Faculty Senate Days (2-hour delays): October 7, February 3, and April 14
(Please note: December 8 has already been adjusted to a 2-hour early dismissal.) - Teacher Prep Days (2-hour delays): September 16, January 19, and February 24
As a reminder:
- A 2-hour delay begins the school day two hours later than normal.
- A 2-hour early dismissal releases students two hours earlier than normal.
Both options impact instructional time, staff schedules, transportation, and family childcare arrangements in different ways. Feedback from families and staff will help guide thoughtful, balanced decisions as we work to create more consistent schedules on abbreviated school days.
The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, June 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Summer break is an exciting time for students and families, offering a well-earned opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy more time together. As routines shift away from the school year, it can also be a challenging season to balance structure, fun, work, and family needs. The following tips are designed to help Berkeley County Schools families make the most of summer by finding a healthy balance that supports both children’s growth and family well-being.
Don’t Over-Schedule Yourself or Your Kids
While structured activities can be beneficial, it’s important not to over-schedule your kids during the summer break. Try to keep a balance between structured and unstructured time. Children often benefit from the ability to pursue their interests at their own pace, fostering self-motivation and independence. Remember, this is their time to relax and recharge. Having some downtime also allows for spontaneous family activities, promoting creativity and flexibility in your children.
Make Time for Fun
Summer break should be about fun! So prioritize enjoyment and create lasting memories. Think outside the box for fun summer activities. Consider backyard camping, a DIY family arts and crafts day, or a neighborhood scavenger hunt. The possibilities are endless and can be tailored to your family’s interests.
Maintain Structure for Your Children
Despite the break from school, it’s essential to maintain a certain level of routine. Consistent bedtimes, meal times, and chores can give children a sense of security and normalcy during summer.
Be Flexible
While having a game plan for summer is great, be ready to switch things up. Summer is perfect for spontaneous trips to the ice cream shop, water balloon fights in the backyard, or unplanned movie marathons on a rainy day. Sometimes, the best memories are made when you stray from the plan.
Find Balance Between Work and Family
Consider setting specific work hours and clearly communicate them with your employer and family. If possible, take advantage of technology’s flexibility, allowing you to work from different locations or adjust your work schedule when necessary. Employers are increasingly supporting flexible working arrangements, so consider discussing this possibility if it would make the summer months more manageable.
With the increased family time during summer, parents must balance work and family commitments.
Take Some Time for Yourself
Remember, self-care is not selfish. It’s necessary for your well-being and, by extension, your family. So whether it’s a quiet morning coffee, a yoga class, or simply a walk in the park, ensure you set aside some ‘me’ time.
Remember That It Is All Temporary
Summer break, with its unique challenges and joys, is but a season. So, try to enjoy the moments – even the tough ones – because before you know it, the school bell will be ringing again. Try to savor the fleeting moments of summer as they create memories that last a lifetime. Children grow up quickly; these summer breaks are precious times to bond, learn, and grow together as a family.
Also, for engaging family-friendly summer fun ideas, activities, events, and more, be sure to follow Engaging Families WV on Facebook.
Berkeley County Schools is pursuing permitting to operate a new Center for Beauty & Cosmetology Studies beginning in Fall 2026. The proposed program is designed to expand Career & Technical Education (CTE) opportunities for students while helping meet workforce needs in the region, following the recent closure of the International Beauty School.
The Center for Beauty & Cosmetology Studies is expected to offer two certification pathways for eligible students at Hedgesville High School, Martinsburg High School, Musselman High School, and Spring Mills High School:
- Hair Stylist Certification Program – a two-year program for rising juniors
- Nail Technician Certification Program – a one-year program for rising seniors
Pending final approvals and permitting, students accepted into the programs will have the opportunity to complete state-required instructional hours while continuing their high school coursework.
Berkeley County Schools will be conducting informational and interest meetings for eligible students over the next several weeks. Additional details regarding the programs, timelines, and application process will be shared directly with students and families through their high schools.
What's Your Parenting Superpower?
Parenting comes with challenges, busy schedules, and moments that can feel overwhelming—but it also comes with powerful everyday opportunities to positively shape your child’s growth and confidence. From encouraging independence and responsibility to listening, supporting, and building strong connections, small moments at home can make a lasting difference in your child’s development.
In this month’s feature, we explore simple “parenting superpowers” you can use every day to strengthen relationships, support emotional growth, and help your child thrive at every age. Click below to read the full article and learn practical strategies you can start using today.
