The Paw Print
Burke County Public Schools Newsletter
February 10, 2023
Aww February! Love is in the air as Valentine's Day shimmies its way right onto our calendars. You can already taste the heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolate (and the filling roulette-watch out for the Orange Creme filling! YUCK!). Use this Valentine's Day as an opportunity to do something that scares you, like asking that pretty girl in class to be your Valentine!
In the words of the famous Forrest Gump, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get!" So, don't be afraid to do that scary thing, and just go for it! That pretty girl might just say yes ;-)! 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!
Paws With Pens
Waynesboro Primary School recently announced their Young Georgia Author school-level winners! Congratulations to the AUTHORS of WPS!
Top L-R:
1st Grade: (2nd place) Skylar A.,
2nd Grade : (2nd place) Madisyn W., (3rd place) Alfonzo B., (1st Place) Wren W.
Bottom L-R:
1st Grade: (3rd place) Peyton A., (1st place) - Brailyn B.
Kindergarten: (2nd place) Edith W., (3rd place) Rylie H., (1st place) Briggs W.
Burke County High School STARS
Michael "Elliot" Corbitt and Ms. Nidia Oglesby have achieved the titles of Burke County High School Star Student and Teacher.
The PAGE Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program honors Georgia's highest achieving high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic development. The STAR Program is designed to recognize high school seniors with the highest SAT score in their graduating class and meet all the other program requirements.
BCPS thanks you for being such inspirational members of the community!
Valentines's Day Deliveries
Please be mindful of the following Valentine’s Delivery rules for all schools:
Walk-in deliveries are not encouraged. However, if you choose to make a walk-in delivery, the following guidelines MUST be followed:
● All deliveries must arrive before 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14th.
● No glass vases or glass containers
● NO BALLOONS
● No large balloons that contain stuffed animals
● No small Mylar balloons on a stick.
● All deliveries must have the following information listed on each gift:
- Student's Name (First, Middle, Last)
- Grade
- Homeroom Teacher
All Florist deliveries will be made by 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14th.
Winter Break
Superintendent's Advisory Council
BCPS Superintendent, Dr. Angela Williams, selected 16 students to serve on the first BCPS Student Advisory Council. Throughout the year, these students will meet with Superintendent Williams to provide feedback on the impact of district policies and procedures in the classroom.
Students
Standing (L-R): Aiden Olver, (BCMS), DeAsia Roundtree, (BCHS), Dr. LaToscha Evans (Assistant Superintendent), Abby Joyner (BCHS), Liannis Perez (BCHS), Dr. Angela Williams (Superintendent), Trinity Mathis (BCHS), Kayla Chastain (BCHS), Martra Collier (BCHS)
Sitting (L-R): Jamya Price (BCHS), Jocelynn Ahliel (BCMS), Dailey Blanchard (BCMS), Eli Crockett (BCMS), Derrick Mitchell (BCMS), Ta'Nya Ross (BCHS), Kaleigh Jackson (BCHS)
Not pictured: Maggie Lane (BES) and Terrence Ross (BCHS)
Faculty
BCPS Superintendent, Dr. Angela Williams, selected 12 staff members to serve on the first BCPS Superintendent's Advisory Council. Throughout the year, these faculty and staff members will meet with Superintendent Williams to provide feedback on the impact of district policies and procedures.
Standing (L-R): Jeffery Heggs (BCHS), Erica Johnson (BCHS), Annie Roberts-Kelly (WPS), Dr. Angela Williams (Superintendent), Amanda Burke (BES), Nikkia Moore (BCMS), Shironda Brown (BCMS)
Sitting (L-R): Dr. LaToscha Evans (Assistant Superintendent), Ambria Lewis (BCMS), Tamia Bates (BCMS), Jami Walden (WPS), Ashley Goodin (BES)
Not Pictured: Terri Kelley (SGA), Tara Gilpin (BCHS)
Signing Out of the Bear Den
Marshall Flowers
Friday, January 27, 2023, Burke County High Senior, Marshall Flowers, signed a Baseball scholarship to continue his baseball career with the Augusta University Jaguars! Keep bringing your ‘A’ game!
Jordan Franklin
Burke County High School's Jordan Franklin achieved a full ride four-year football scholarship with South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Jordan's signing was held February 1, 2023.
Golden Apples for Golden Teachers
Two Burke County Public School teachers were surprised and honored with the WJBF Golden Apple Award. Representatives from WJBF, with gifts from their sponsors, Augusta Flooring, Great Deals on Furniture and Kroger came to Blakeney Elementary School and Burke County High School to present the awards.
Blakeney Elementary teacher, Barbara Weddon and Burke County High School teacher, Christina Hillis were the two well deserved Golden Apple Award honorees!
Mrs. Hillis' Golden Apple WJBF feature is linked below. Stay tuned for Mrs. Weddon's feature which will broadcast Tuesday, February 14 at 5:30!
Principal Anthony Chiles Receives Jimmy Stokes Service Award
BCPS shouts a big congratulations to Waynesboro Primary School principal, Mr. Anthony Chiles. Mr. Chiles, as a member of the Student Support Team Association for Georgia Educators, received the Jimmy Stokes Exemplary Service Award from the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL).
Each year, the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) provides members the opportunity to nominate fellow members for the Exemplary Service Award. The honor goes to individuals who have provided GAEL and the educational community with exemplary and distinguished service.
Wrap-Around Services
If you would like more information on the helpful resources listed below, parents and students can contact their school counselor, parent coordinator or our school social worker, Monica Payton, 706-554-5101.
2023 Girls & Boys Track Schedule
2023 Varsity Baseball Schedule
FREE Academic Support!
Dear Parent or Guardian,
We’re excited to tell you about a free program, ENGAGE Georgia, that will provide your student with an extra layer of academic support this school year. Here’s what one parent had to say about this program:
“I couldn't ask for better dedication and support for my daughter. Our Academic Success Coach is a blessing and has incredible energy. I love how she got my daughter out of her shell and talking more (and finding her voice to speak up more). Thanks to our coach and this program, my daughter loves school and learning again. This program is the best thing that could ever happen for my daughter and me!” — ENGAGE parent
The state has partnered with Graduation Alliance to provide an extra layer of support for K-12 students and their families to boost school engagement and academic success during the school year.
If your student chooses to participate in the program, they will be assigned an Academic Success Coach who will answer questions, connect them with resources, and develop a plan to help them stay on track and engaged with their schooling!
Their coach will reach out by phone, email, text message, and more to provide support such as:
- Encouragement and motivation to help them stay on track with their studies
- Organization and study tips
- Technical support or assistance connecting with teachers
- Educational resources and exercises to help strengthen reading and math skills
- Referrals to local agencies and organizations that can provide social-emotional support
We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity! If you have any questions, feel free to email the program directly at EngageGA@graduationalliance.com or visit RegisterGA.GraduationAlliance.com.
Don't Miss Another Important Call
855-977-0602 is Burke County Public Schools Mass Notification phone number.
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!
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program provides monthly assistance toward the cost of internet access and a one time subsidy toward the purchase of an eligible device to the parents of students that qualify.
The qualifications include participation in the Free or Reduced Lunch Program, SSI, and SNAP among others. *If your student attends BCPS, then you qualify for the Free or Reduced Lunch Program!
Click the image above for more information!
American Rescue Plans Funds Stakeholder Feedback
American Rescue Plan funds may be spent for learning improvements, educational technology, health and safety, buildings and facilities, and continuity of core staff and services.
Please share with us any suggestions or feedback that you have regarding the use of these funds for Burke County Public Schools.
Clicking here or on the image above will redirect you to a google form that allows you to enter your suggestions. Your feedback is greatly valued and appreciated.
*Images below are hyperlinked.
Attendance Matters
Attendance is a key indicator of a child's academic success. You may reference the Burke County Public Schools attendance page for more information.
BC App How-To Video: Customize Your Calendar Needs
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.”
Kidz Korner ......
Word of the Day
The word of the day is Lackluster. Lackluster is an adjective that means lacking brilliance, radiance, or enthusiasm.
Your Paw Print Pals hope that you do not have a lackluster Valentine's Day! Make sure to eat plenty of different chocolates!
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
February 10th commemorates National Umbrella Day, National Home Warranty Day, and National Cream Cheese Brownie Day. Well, these national days came in perfect timing for Severe Weather Preparedness Week!
Burke County Families can celebrate these special holidays by doing a little dance in the rain under their umbrella as they try to scare away an even bigger storm that could flood their house.
Yet, they still dance because they know that even if their house floods, THEY HAVE A HOME WARRANTY! After their house has been protected from the worst of storms, they can go inside and celebrate with some CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES!
The History of Valentine's Day
Severe Weather Preparedness Week
- Monday: Family Preparedness/NOAA Weather Radio Day
- Tuesday: Thunderstorm Safety
- Wednesday: Tornado Safety
- Thursday: Lightning Safety
- Friday: Flood Safety
Severe Weather can be very detrimental if not properly prepared for. So be sure to do some research (click "research" for more information) on how to properly prepare for different weather situations, and HOLD YOUR LOVED ONES TIGHT in the case of a storm!
Scholarships, Competitions, and Learning Opportunities!
Click this link for upcoming scholarships! The scholarships listed are just a small percentage of all the opportunities that are out there! Stay on the lookout for different scholarships and just any opportunity you can learn from!
Also, don't forget to check with your guidance counselors to learn more about Local Scholarships. Don't delay - Apply Today!
If you have any questions or comments, you may contact your Paw Print Pal:
Jada Curd, BCHS Senior
Looking for a previous edition of The Paw Print newsletter? Each edition of The Paw Print is archived and can be found by clicking the 'Paw Print Archive' button located above.
While the Paw Print has a lot of great highlights, more school and local news can be found in the local newspaper, The True Citizen!