BCS Insider

Happy fall! As cooler weather moves in, it brings with it the anticipation of many traditions and other great activities for our community that make this time of year so special. My family and I had the pleasure of attending our first local football game of the season recently, and it was a wonderful experience to witness the energy and school spirit that unites us all.

This month brought not only excitement but also a focus on important initiatives and challenges that we must face together as a community. We recently held our Annual Bullying Prevention Kick-Off, an event that reflects our deep commitment to creating safe and inclusive environments for all students. You can read more about the event and see some great photos below.

However, we also encountered some challenges. As many of you are aware, threats have increasingly been circulating throughout Berkeley County Schools and neighboring school districts, raising concerns for the safety and well-being of our students. I want to assure you that we continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners and school officials to ensure the highest level of safety and security across our schools. While no direct threats have been made to our district this school year, we remain vigilant in our efforts to protect our students and staff. The safety of our school community is always our top priority, and we will continue to communicate with you promptly should any concerns arise.

As we move through a busy fall, let’s continue to support one another—whether on the sports field, in the classroom, or through the initiatives that make our district stronger. Let’s work together to make this season a positive and productive one for everyone.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in making our schools a place where everyone can thrive. I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events and continuing our tradition of excellence!

Yours in education,

Ryan S. Saxe

Walking the halls of Musselman High School you’ll find a young livestock showman who is quickly blossoming within the agricultural community. Freshman Chelsea Lewis took home the top prize at the West Virginia State Fair as Supreme Champion in Breeding Heifers with her cow, "Sara's Dream."

Lewis credits her achievements to the support of her mentors and family.

“I’m grateful for a lot of people that have helped me along the way,” said Lewis, highlighting the contributions of individuals like Todd Butler, Jared Hoffman, and her parents.

Sara is at the center of her accomplishments; with a distinctive birthmark on her shoulder, she stands out in the show ring.

“Not all Angus cows have white,” noted Lewis, “but she does, and that makes her unique.”

This special bond has grown since Chelsea brought her home as a calf last year. Caring for a show animal requires immense dedication. Chelsea’s daily routine begins early, with feeding and grooming Sara before heading to school.

After school, she balances dance classes and homework, yet always finds time to work with Sara, ensuring she is calm and ready for competition.

Raising Sara has taught her resilience and adaptability— qualities that she says will serve her well in the future. Through her experiences, Chelsea has learned important lessons about respect, discipline, and gratitude.

“You have to take care of your animals; they can’t do it themselves,” said Lewis.

Looking ahead, Chelsea dreams of becoming a livestock veterinarian or a pediatric nurse. She believes her purpose is to help others, envisioning a future where agriculture and compassion intersect.

“I want to be there for people, just like my mentors were for me,” said Lewis, “I’ll probably have cows until I’m too old for them.”

Berkeley County Schools' Bullying Prevention Event at War Memorial Park, brought students, families, and staff together to promote a safer, more inclusive environment.

The event is a key part of BCS's ongoing commitment to addressing bullying and fostering a supportive community, featuring activities, educational sessions, and resources, attendees learn effective strategies to prevent bullying and build positive relationships within the school system.

BCS partnered with local first responders and community organizations to enhance the impact of the event. This collaboration strengthens the connection between schools and the broader community, ensuring a unified effort to protect and empower students.

THANK YOU to all who attended and to our partners for making this event a huge success!

The West Virginia Department of Homeland Security reminds all West Virginians to immediately call 911 if there is an immediate danger or law enforcement intervention is necessary.

Additionally, West Virginia has partnered with My Mobile Witness to implement a “see something, send something” reporting system that can be completed on a smartphone or other mobile device. All West Virginians are encouraged to participate in this initiative by downloading the free See, Send application from the App Store or Google Play.

My Mobile Witness is also compatible with web-based reporting and is not strictly for cell phone use. Once the app is downloaded to a device, users will be prompted to enter their first and last name (though any reporting can be done anonymously, if the user prefers), their phone number, and then select a state of residence. Once those fields are entered, the app will be ready to use. The user may submit tips for “Crime/Suspicious Activity” or “School Threat or Safety Issues,” and they may also request help for “Suicide or Addiction.”

This month, BCS received numerous threats against our schools that severely disrupted the learning process. While many of these were unfounded, they caused our students, staff, and families to worry about their safety.

We want to make clear that threats are not a joke and result in serious consequences, and will not be tolerated. Please help us foster a safe learning and work environment where everyone can thrive!

We want to recognize our law enforcement partners at the Berkeley County Sheriff's Department and Martinsburg City Police, in addition to the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for partnering with us on this important message to our school community.

Berkeley County Schools celebrated the grand opening of the new Berkeley County Adult Learning Center in the Aikens Center plaza.

In addition to helping students receive their High School Equivalency (GED), the Adult Learning Center has space for English Language Learner classes and Strategic Planning in Occupational Knowledge for Employment and Success (SPOKES) programs to help students receive certifications.

BCS would like to give a special shoutout to the Office of Technical and Adult Education at the West Virginia Department of Education, BCS Adult Education and CTE Director Ken Pack, and Eastern Panhandle Instructional Cooperative (EPIC) Director John Holmes for combining their services to crate a centralized location for learning. Thank you for your dedication!

Congratulations to Martinsburg South Middle School's Laura Bohrer for receiving the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Award for 2024-2025 and completing the Nourish the Future Teacher Leader Community program!

Laura’s Fulbright Award will take her teaching and research abroad, enriching her students’ learning experiences with international insights. Completing the Nourish the Future program will allow her to bring agriculture-focused STEM lessons to her classroom and give students real-world experiences. Way to go, Laura!

Don't forget to mark your calendars with these important dates! Can you believe we're approaching the end of the first nine weeks of school? Please make sure your students are caught up on their assignments and talk to your teachers if you have any questions or concerns.

• October 14: Professional Learning Day - NO SCHOOL
• October 15: Faculty Senate Day - 2 HOUR DELAY
• October 17: 1st Nine Weeks Ends
• October 23: Teacher Prep Day - 2 HOUR DELAY
• October 24: Report Cards Issued

We are making excellent progress on our Bond projects! Interior framing of the new Tomahawk Intermediate School addition is in progress and you can clearly see where the new classrooms and bathrooms will be located. This project is still on schedule to be completed by December 2024.

Construction of the Martinsburg High School Fine Arts addition is also underway, with contractors tearing up the old concrete to prepare for demolition of the old auditorium. Significant completion of this project is expected to be completed by August 2025.

We will also be breaking ground on the new Hedgesville Early Learning Academy. A virtual walkthrough is available to watch in the video below.

Click the link to check out the progress! Bond Tracker

Email: info@berkeleycountyschools.org
Phone: 304-267-3500