Burgettstown Area School District

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

• December 22-January 1: Holiday Break

The beginning of the school year seems like so long ago that it is easy to forget about some of the events. One of the unfortunate events this fall was the emergency situation that caused us to evacuate the MSHS and ultimately cancel school at both the elementary center and the middle/high school on September 18th. We received word this past week that, like other school districts who experienced the same thing, we will not need to make up the day. There is a section of the Public School Code of 1949 that permits emergency closures without a make up. The events of September 18th fall within the scope of what is permitted. Therefore. we still have all of our snow/emergency make-up days intact and available to use should we need them.

Kaitlyn Nease scored her 1,000th career point in a 47-25 win over Apollo-Ridge. Kaitlyn needed 26 points going into the game and was able to reach that mark late in the 4th quarter. She is the 14th Burgettstown player (boys and girls basketball) to reach the 1,000 career points mark. Kaitlyn is the first Blue Devil to score 1,000 career points since 2011 and first female since 2000. Congratulations, Kaitlyn!

Gaven Suica won his 100th career wrestling match on Friday, December 1st at the Chartiers-Houston Invitational Tournament. He is the 16th wrestler to reach the 100 career win mark in Burgettstown's history.

The past week was full of activities at both schools. Some of the activities and learning experiences included: Fifth grade students performed holiday songs for the younger students. "12 days of Christmas" activities were underway and included a light up night theme on Wednesday, a color war on Thursday, and "Flannel Friday" on Friday. A winter sports pep rally. A scholarship seminar for our seniors, and our CTC students continuing their co-op experiences on various worksites.

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.

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