BCS Insider
July 2024

March 2026
Dear BCS Community:
As we welcomed the first day of spring this month, we were reminded that winter wasn’t quite ready to let go, with some lingering cold weather still around. Even so, this time of year brings a renewed sense of energy across our schools.
Our students continue to impress me with their hard work and achievements. Recently, many participated in academic competitions such as ACE, History Bowl, Science and Social Studies Fairs, Science & Engineering Fair, and Math Field Day. In this newsletter, you’ll read about a young student who will be representing our district at the state competition for the first time—an exciting accomplishment!
I have begun visiting schools and connecting with community groups to share information about the 2026 Bond Call. This proposal includes projects designed to address growth, capacity, safety, and workforce readiness, helping ensure our schools can meet both current and future needs. You’ll find a link below to learn more.
As we look ahead to the remainder of the school year, I encourage everyone to stay focused and finish strong. Spring is always a busy and rewarding time in our district, and I look forward to all that’s ahead.
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours in Education,
Dr. Ryan S. Saxe
Superintendent
Student Spotlight: 4th Grader Advances to State Math Field Day in First Year
A Potomack Intermediate fourth grader is already making waves in academic competition. Blake Fuller has qualified for the state Math Field Day competition in his very first year participating—an accomplishment that highlights both his skill and enthusiasm for mathematics.
Fuller earned his spot at states after a strong performance at the regional level. Despite the challenge, he said the experience has been exciting from the start.
“I was really excited,” Fuller said. “It’s really nice to see all the different people, and it’s just a really fun experience.”
Math Field Day brings together students from multiple schools to compete in a variety of math-based challenges. Participants complete written exams, mental math exercises, and estimation tasks, all designed to test both accuracy and problem-solving ability.
“It’s a competition where you go against other schools and try to get the most points by solving problems,” explained Fuller.
Among the different events, Fuller especially enjoys the interactive and hands-on elements, particularly estimation problems that involve measuring objects without standard tools. To tackle these challenges, he relies on practical strategies.
“I know a piece of paper is a bit less than one foot, so I use that to estimate things,” he said.
The competition has also introduced Fuller to more advanced concepts. At regionals, he encountered a question that required converting Celsius to Fahrenheit—a skill he said he learned through outside reading and practice.
“I didn’t really know it at first, but I used some tricks from a book to figure it out,” he said.
Now preparing for the state competition, Fuller continues to sharpen his skills both at home and at school. He works on Math Olympiad practice sheets and participates in additional preparation with his teachers.
While Fuller encourages other students to try Math Field Day, he is honest about the level of difficulty.
“It can be kind of hard,” he said. “You have to compete against people from different schools, and it’s not easy to move on.”
Still, the challenge is part of what makes the experience rewarding. Looking ahead to the state competition, Fuller said he is most excited to meet other students from across West Virginia and take part in the full event experience.
As Fuller prepares to compete at the state level, his achievement serves as an example of what dedication and curiosity can accomplish—even in a student’s first year.
The BCS community wishes Fuller and all Math Field Day participants the best of luck as they head into competition next month.
Family Fun Event Happening Saturday, March 28!
Join us for a morning of fun, fitness, and helpful information as we kick off testing season together!
March 28, 2026
Poor House Farm Park
233 Almshouse Road
Martinsburg, WV 25403
Event Schedule
- 8:00 AM – Onsite registration & activity stations open
- 9:00 AM – Family walk or run on the park’s scenic three-mile trail (join as a family or school team!)
What to Expect
Testing tips and helpful information
Meet your favorite i-Ready characters
Music & entertainment
Fun giveaways
Water & snacks provided
Bring the whole family and help us start testing season feeling confident, prepared, and energized!
Grow Smart This April: Celebrate National Financial Literacy Month!
April is National Financial Literacy Month, a perfect time for families to grow their money smarts, set exciting goals, and build healthy financial habits together!
Here are a few simple and fun ways to get started:
- Track Your Spending: Keep an eye on family expenses for a month and discover easy ways to save. You might be surprised where your money goes!
- Start a “Change Jar”: Empty your pockets each day and watch your savings grow, seeing it add up makes it even more rewarding.
- Set Financial Goals: Create a family vision board filled with your savings dreams and financial goals to stay motivated and inspired.
Stay tuned for Family Financial Literacy events happening throughout April, we can’t wait to learn and grow together!
2026 Bond Call | Building for Growth. Building for Kids.
Berkeley County Schools has officially filed for a bond call measure that will appear on the May 12, 2026 election ballot. This proposal supports the district’s long-range plan to address enrollment growth, replace aging facilities, expand classroom space, and strengthen workforce development programs—all while improving safety and modernizing learning environments for students.
Early voting for the Primary Election will take place beginning April 29 at the Dunn Building, Bedington Ruritan and the South Berkeley Volunteer Fire Substation.
Community members are invited to attend one of our virtual information sessions on April 13 and April 28 at 6 p.m. See links below and save the dates!
Virtual Information Sessions
South Berkeley – April 13 at 6 p.m.
North Berkeley – April 28 at 6 p.m.
Cook Center for Human Connection
Body Image
Pathways in Action: Career & Technical Education (CTE)
BCS Unplugged: 4th Grader Qualifies for State Math Field Day
In this episode of BCS Unplugged, we’re spotlighting an impressive student achievement at Potomack Intermediate School, where fourth grader Blake Fuller has qualified for the state Math Field Day in his very first year. After a strong regional performance, he’s preparing to compete against top students from across West Virginia. Stay with us as we share more about his journey and this exciting accomplishment.
2026-27 School Calendar
The 2026–2027 school year calendar is here! Families can now plan for the first and last days of school, professional learning days, 2-hour delays, holidays, breaks, and graduations. Check out the full calendar at the link below.
April Calendar Highlights
April 1, 2026: Faculty Senate Meetings | 2 Hour Delay
April 6-10, 2026: Spring Break | No School
April 20, 2026: Midpoint: 4th Nine Weeks