The Paw Print
Burke County Public Schools Newsletter
August 24, 2022
Your Paw Print Pals implore that you all work to improve yourselves this year whether that be in your grades, sports or just an aspect of your personality! The first weeks of school are the perfect time to start. :) As always, Stay #BearBuilt!
The Paw Print is released on the 2nd and 4th weeks of every month. The newsletter features sports updates, events in the community, and fun activities for the family... so stay tuned!
Teachers of the Year 2022
Burke County wishes a big congratulations to our 22-23 Teachers of the Year! We are all so appreciative of all that you do for our students and our community. We are grateful that you all have led by example to provide your students with the education they deserve!
(Pictured Left to Right)
Waynesboro Primary: Ryan Williams
Blakeney Elementary: Pamela Green
Burke Co. Middle: Regina Thomas
SGA Elementary: Mary Ann Terry
Burke Co. High: Jeffery Heggs
Save the Date: Friday, October 28th, our Teachers of the Year will be recognized and our District Teacher of the Year will be named during halftime of the Bears vs. New Hampstead football game.
Teacher Ambassadors
Two years ago Burke county was awarded the Literacy for Learning, Living and Leading grant, better known as L4GA. The purpose of the grant is to strengthen literacy in our community from birth through 12th grade. The Burke County Literacy Project was created from the grant. Research conducted by The Annie E. Casey Foundation found that students who were not proficient in reading by the end of third grade were four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers. In fact, 88 percent of students who failed to earn a high school diploma were struggling readers in third grade. Based on this research, the primary goal of the Burke County Literacy Project is to have 100% of all Burke County students reading on grade level by the end of third grade.
Last year we began a partnership with HMH to improve our school district’s literacy outcomes. The company provided professional learning and coaching support to help us implement the "Into Reading" and "Into Literature" programs. HMH has also provided the training and coaching for the System 44 and Read 180 intervention programs. HMH has become a true partner in our journey to reach our reading goal.
We have had educators in our district who have stepped up to take the lead in our literacy journey. They have modeled instruction and allowed their colleagues to visit their classrooms. Some of these educators were filmed teaching to help instructors across the country implement Into Reading and Into Literature in their classrooms. These Teacher Ambassadors are.......... Pictured, L-R: Laurie Dickey, Anna Herrington, Christy Palmer, Cassidy Bentley, Jami Walden, Renee Hickman, Amber Colechin, Leigh Lovett, Yolonda Travis, Kelly Deason, Sara Louise Mims, Stephanie Jones, Heather Hickman, Ambria Lewis, and Julie Jones. (Not pictured: Tasha Brihm)
Homecoming 2022
Click the "Homecoming Week" image below to access the Schedule of Events and Parade Entry Application.
Back to School Bash
Facebook Pages
Burke County Middle School: www.facebook.com/BurkeCountyMiddleSchool
Burke County Sheriff's Office: www.facebook.com/BurkeCountySheriffGeorgia
Electrifying Experience!
The Burke County Bears will reach new heights this fall! Planters EMC partnered with Jefferson Energy to set poles for an upcoming outdoor climbing lab for students in Mr. Mark Flowers' Energy and Power class at Burke County High School. This outdoor classroom will be the first of its kind in the CSRA to provide the opportunity for high school students to receive hands-on experience in electrical line work. We can't wait to see their progress!
Special thanks to Mr. Flowers, CTAE Director Sean Middleton, PEMC Safety Coordinator Ross Zittrouer, PEMC Linemen Tyler Becton and Davis Vasilatos, and JEC Linemen Danny Hobbs and Vinson Miller for their work on this special project.
School is Out, Fun is IN
The Burke County YMCA is offering FREE Monday-Friday after school care for parents who apply. The Primetime program offers children a place where they can finish their homework, chat with friends and explore their interests all before 6 PM every day! Call or visit the Burke County YMCA's website for more information!
Burke County YMCA Phone Number: (706)-426-0122
Burke County YMCA Website: https://thefamilyy.org/branch/burke-county/
Support BC FFA
Support the Burke County FFA and proudly represent your friends and/or family by purchasing a t-shirt(s). Purchasing a shirt(s) will help to provide our members with supplies and/or the chance to attend events that, for some, could be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Youth Sizes - $20 (no pocket)
Adult Sizes - $20
(Comfort Color Shirts)
Cash or Check only - Checks may be made payable to BCHS FFA
*Money can be dropped off at the front office of Burke County High School addressed to Katie Burch. Deadline: September 30
Burke County Apparel
The Burke County Dugout Club is selling Burke County Apparel! The prices go as follows:
Soft Style Tee:$20
(add $3 for 2XL and $4 for 3XL)
Dri-Tech Tee: $20
(add $3 for 2XL and $4 for 3XL)
Gildan Sweatshirt-Blue: $30
(add $3 for 2XL and $4 for 3XL)
Gildan Sweatshirt-Gray: $30
(add $3 for 2XL and $4 for 3XL)
For purchases or further questions, you may email Jamie Mallard with the email jmmallard@hotmail.com
What's For Lunch?
- Breakfast Menus
- BC Social Media News Feeds
- Grades in Powerschool
- Live Streamed Bears Football Broadcasts
- School Calendar Events
- And much more!
The app is compatible with both Iphone and Android. Just search Burke County PS in your phone's respectable app store!
Safety in Our Schools
Watch the Fox 54 News story on BCPS's increased campus security for more information on the safety measures in place. The story is accessible by clicking the link below!
Stay in the Know!
Stay in the know with the Burke County Public Schools Google Calendars! There is a calendar for every school in the district as well as a larger district calendar that covers all district wide events.
All calendars are accessible in the link below. Simply click which calendar you would like to notify you and it will then be added to your own google calendar.
Did You Miss the Call?
Unfortunately, some phones may send this number into a spam folder which leaves you to miss out on all of the news and updates sent by the school.
There is a way to prevent that from happening! Simply add 855-977-0602 to your contacts and you will receive all of the informational updates we send out!
If you haven't received anything from this number, you may have to update your contact information. You can make sure we have the correct contact information by checking with your school office staff, parent coordinator, or student information specialist.
Parents & Guardians Have Homework Too!
The online process replaces the paper forms sent home at the beginning of each school year used to update student information.
We strongly encourage all parents and guardians to complete their student's information update. Updating your current contact information is imperative for receiving report cards and other important messages.
Burke County families will access the online student information update through their existing Power School Parent Portal account by following these simple steps:
1. Check your email, including the junk or spam folders, for an email from noreplyregistration@powerschool.com. This email
contains your student’s unique verification passcode, called a “SnapCode.”
*If you are a parent/guardian of multiple returning students, you received a separate email for each student.
2. Review the emailed directions on completing the online verification form.
3. Follow the link to log into PowerSchool using the provided “Snapcode.”
2022 BCHS Football Schedule
The Broadcast Link below can be located on our Burke County PS App & Website!
Coach Parker 200th Win
Congratulations to the Burke County High School's head football coach, Eric Parker! Last Friday Night's Thompson win was Coach Parker's 200th win of his career. Burke County Public Schools appreciates all that he has done for our school system and football team! Go Bears!
Coach Skinner 100th Win
Congratulations to head volleyball coach, Coach David Skinner! Last Wednesday's game against the Washington County Hawks was the 100th win in his 7 year career. Burke County Public Schools appreciates all that he has done for our school system and volleyball team! Go Lady Bears!
Who's in the Bear Den Today? The New Principals!
Mr. Anthony Chiles, Waynesboro Primary School
Anthony Chiles moved from his position as the Student Support Coordinator to the Waynesboro Primary School principal in the Burke County Public School System in Waynesboro, GA. He began his career teaching music education for six years before moving into administration. Now in his 17th year in education, Mr. Chiles has worked at the elementary, middle, and high school levels of administration, including being an assistant principal and principal. Since 2010, Mr. Chiles has supported schools through professional learning in classroom management, school improvement initiatives, and building culture through collaborative decision-making. Mr. Chiles additionally is a Lead Evaluator for Cognia, the global leader in educational institutions and systems accreditation. He additionally serves on the Georgia state council for Beta Club. Mr. Chiles has his Bachelor of Music Education from Berry College, Masters and Specialist in Educational Leadership from Georgia College and State University, and a STEAM endorsement from Augusta University. Welcome, Mr. Chiles!
Dr. Willie Adkinson, Burke County Middle School
An undergraduate of Paine College, Dr. Adkinson earned his master's degree from Lesley's University, a specialist and doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in Leadership. Dr. Adkinson served as the principal of Spirit Creek Middle School in his previous position. During his career in education, Dr. Adkinson was also a teacher and instructional coach. He is now the principal of Burke County Middle School. Welcome, Dr. Adkinson!
Dr. Walter Seabrooks, Burke County High School
The new Principal at Burke County High School is Dr. Walter Seabrooks. He earned an athletic scholarship to South Carolina State College where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Arts Education. He earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Savannah State University and his Doctoral Degree from South Carolina State University. He has served as a CTAE teacher, assistant principal, and principal in Richmond and Chatham County. Welcome, Dr. Seabrooks!
Kidz Korner
Word of the Day
The Word of the Day is Implore! Implore is a verb that means to beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something. As we mentioned before, the first couple days of school are a great time for self improvement. One way to improve yourself is to become more present. So, on this lazy day, your Paw Print Pals implore you to unplug from your devices and just experience life outside of the screen even if it's just for a couple of minutes. Mental health is very important. :)
We challenge you all to use this word as many times as you can this week, extra points if you use it in the right context, EVEN MORE points if you have to explain to somebody what it means!
National Day Calendar
August 24th commemorates National Connecticut Day, National Smores Day and National Lazy Day. Burke County families can celebrate these special holidays by creating a special s'more from Connecticut chocolate vendors on Connecticut's very own "Chocolate Trail," such as Bridgewater Chocolate or Divine Treasures. Or you can make a s'more, get it through airplane security (in your checked bag, not carry on), and eat it right at Bradley International Airport (the biggest airport in Connecticut). OR.. you know, you could do none of those things. It's National Lazy Day, and both of those things take a LOT of work!
First Day Slay
Facebook: BurkeCountySchools
Instagram: burkecountyps
Twitter: BCPS_Bears
Pictured: First grader Ethan Curd rocking his favorite yellow shirt on his first day of school!
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