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BCPS Reminders
BCPS Reminder — Schools are CLOSED today, Monday, Oct 12, for Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day. We know it's a holiday, but we would love for you to join us at 8:55 AM on Liberty St (between 6th & 7th) to cheer on the BCHS Lady Bears as they leave for the State Softball Playoffs at 9:00 AM! Let’s line Liberty Street with cheering fans this morning! Classes will resume on Tuesday, Oct. 13. First 9-Week Report Cards are scheduled to go home Thursday, Oct. 15th. Go Bears!
Monday, Oct 12 2026
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Important Reminder: Student Pickup Guidelines & Safe...
Dear BCPS Families, The safety and security of our students is always our highest priority. To help us ensure every child goes home safely each day, please take a moment to review our pickup procedures: Authorized Pickups Only: Students will only be released to individuals named on their approved pickup list. Updating Information: If you haven't completed your Student Information Update yet, please do so as soon as possible. https://www.burke.k12.ga.us/current-student-information-update To keep our records secure and accurate, we cannot accept contact changes over the phone . Any updates to your pickup list must be submitted in writing or sent via email from a parent or legal guardian. ID Requirements: Please remind anyone picking up your child—including listed family members—to bring a valid photo ID. For the safety of our students, we cannot release a child to anyone without proper identification. Thank you so much for your understanding, cooperation, and partnership in keeping our school community safe!
Wednesday, Oct 07 2026
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SEE YOU AT THE POLE IS TOMORROW!
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me” (from Matthew 11:28) is the theme for See You at the Pole™ 2026 . Wednesday, September 23, students and staff are encouraged to gather at a school flagpole to pray. This means that, all around the world in every time zone, for 24 hours, students will be praying for their school, friends, families, churches, and communities. This is the 36th year for See You at the Pole™. SYATP brings students, staff, & parents together to intercede for their leaders, schools, and families, asking God to bring moral and spiritual awakening to their campuses and countries.
Tuesday, Sep 22 2026
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BCHS Celebrates National Arts in Education Week
The Burke County High School Fine Arts Department was honored to welcome Mayor Jones of Waynesboro to BCHS! Mayor Jones presented an official proclamation recognizing National Arts in Education Week , celebrating the creative achievements of our students and the vital role the arts play in our community. A special thank you to Mayor Jones for championing arts education and supporting our programs! BCHS Fine Arts Team: Dr. Stan Dodson – Fine Arts Department Chair & Visual Art Instructor Rebekkah Crose – Chorus Director Reginald Carswell – Assistant Chorus Director D’Wayne Dubose – Band Director Devon Hill – Assistant Band Director Jennifer Oglesby – Theatre Instructor #BCHSFineArts #BearBuilt #ArtsInEducation
Thursday, Sep 17 2026
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Superintendent Announces Retirement
Superintendent Announces Retirement After Years of Dedicated Service to BCPS On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during the monthly Board of Education meeting, superintendent Dr. Angela Williams announced her retirement from Burke County Public Schools (BCPS) effective June 30, 2027. Wiliams will conclude a distinguished 36-year career in education—all with BCPS—including seven years as superintendent. Prior to becoming Superintendent, Dr. Williams served as a middle school teacher, instructional coordinator, assistant principal, principal, curriculum director, and assistant superintendent. Dr. Williams was appointed Superintendent July 2020, becoming the second woman and first Black woman to lead BCPS. Her first year as superintendent was marked by navigating the district through the unprecedented challenges of the global pandemic. Under her leadership, school operations continued. With approximately 60% of students returning to campus in the fall, she ensured that remote learners continued to receive a high-quality education by working with leaders on remote instructional plans, providing Chromebooks and internet access in homes, partnering with civic and faith-based organizations to provide access throughout the county, and working through the district’s school nutrition and transportation departments to provide meals to families. Post-pandemic, the district shifted focus to address learning loss, including after school tutoring programs for students at no cost. During Superintendent Williams’s tenure, BCPS made significant progress in several key areas, including student achievement, community partnerships, and career and workforce opportunities. With an increased focus on literacy, the district adopted a robust K-12 platform for instruction and intervention, formed partnerships with early learning centers and programs throughout the county, and hosted literacy fairs and carnivals to emphasize the importance of literacy and place books in the homes of preschool children. Opportunities for students to explore career pathways, participate in work-based learning, earn industry credentials, and prepare for postsecondary education and employment also expanded. Student participation in Dual Enrollment more than doubled, as did the number of students applying and being approved for early graduation. Burke County High School’s graduation rate reached its highest level in ten years at 92.83% during the 24-25 school year. The district also experienced enhanced school safety and security while modernizing classrooms and facilities. Safety protocols and security measures—including access controls, cameras, panic alert systems, and online monitoring—were strengthened. Emergency preparedness and collaboration with local law enforcement and community partners were also enhanced, creating a learning environment where students and staff can learn, work, and thrive. Facilities plans addressing current and future instructional and safety needs, including more functional classroom spaces and athletic improvements, were advanced. Key projects included the complete renovation of Burke County Middle School in 2022; renovations to Burke County High School’s auditorium, media center, and restroom facilities in 2026; renovated guest reception areas at several schools; and the newly constructed Burke County Life Center, scheduled to begin in late fall. Stakeholder engagement and communication also improved. With the purpose of elevating staff and student voice on the district’s direction, programs, and initiatives, BCPS’s first Superintendent Advisory Council (SAC) and Superintendent Student Advisory Council (SSAC) were established during the 2022-2023 school year and remain active. Employee recruitment, professional learning, recognition, retention, and the development of a positive and supportive organizational culture were prioritized through initiatives such as competitive salary scales, recruitment and retention packages, and tuition reimbursement and assistance. The use of technology platforms expanded, providing families and stakeholders with timely information and greater access to district and school resources. An increased focus was placed on the whole child, addressing students’ social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs while promoting safe, supportive, and positive learning environments. Wrap-around services include two school-based health clinics and in-school mental health services for students. Organizational effectiveness was strengthened through the conversion of manual processes—such as student registration, annual updates, and compliance training—to paperless systems. Routine processes were automated, standard operating procedures (SOPs) were developed, and digital workflows were expanded for accounts payable processing, employee applications, onboarding, employee contracts, and leave entry. Improved systems were adopted to eliminate redundancy and increase efficiency. Dr. Williams has served on various boards throughout the CSRA, including Communities In Schools of Burke County, United Way of CSRA, Child Enrichment Inc., Burke County Chamber of Commerce, Burke County Health Foundation, Burke County Family Y, CSRA Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA), Augusta Technical College Adult Education Advisory, and Augusta University Leadership Advisory. She has also received a number of awards and honors for her work, including the 2013 Burke County Retired Educator Association (BCREA) Outstanding Educator Award, the 2022 Georgia Women’s Leadership Caucus Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award, and the 2025 Georgia School Superintendent Association (GSSA) President’s Award. “It has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career to serve as Superintendent of Burke County Public Schools,” said Superintendent Williams. “Every accomplishment we have achieved has been the result of dedicated principals, teachers, support professionals, administrators, families, community partners, and, most importantly, our students, those who believe deeply in the future of our children. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and grateful for the opportunity to serve.” Reflecting on the future, Dr. Williams stated that the decision to retire comes with tremendous pride in the work accomplished and confidence in the continued success of Burke County Public Schools. “Retirement is not simply the closing of a chapter; it is an opportunity to reflect on the people, experiences, challenges, and successes that have made this journey so meaningful. I will leave knowing that Burke County Public Schools has dedicated educators and employees who will continue to put students first.” Dr. Williams will continue working with the Board of Education and district leadership to support a smooth transition in leadership and ensure that the district remains focused on its strategic priorities and commitment to student success. In 2021, she led the school district through the COGNIA District Accreditation process and is currently preparing for reaccreditation during the 2027-2028 school year. “While I look forward to the next chapter of my life, I will always cherish my time with Burke County Public Schools,” Williams said. “Thank you for allowing me to serve and to lead. The relationships formed and the lives touched will remain among the greatest rewards of my career. You always want to leave a place better than you found it. I believe that I’m leaving BCPS better than I found it. I am also confident that the best is yet to come.”
Wednesday, Sep 16 2026
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CELEBRATING THE HEART OF BEAR NATION!
Last night, we had the privilege of celebrating some of the very best in Burke County Public Schools—our 2027 Teachers of the Year and Support Staff of the Year! These incredible educators and employees give their time, talent, heart, and countless hours to make a difference for our students every single day. We are so proud to recognize them and celebrate the impact they make across Bear Nation! But the celebration isn’t over… TONIGHT, IT’S GAME TIME! Join us in the Bear Den as the Burke County Bears take on Jones County! Bear Den Burke County vs. Jones County Kickoff: 7:30 PM And be sure to stick around for a SPECIAL HALFTIME PRESENTATION as we recognize some of your star classmates and reveal our 2027 Burke County Public Schools District Teacher of the Year! Come cheer on our Bears, celebrate our amazing educators, and help us make this a night to remember! LET’S PACK THE BEAR DEN!
Friday, Sep 11 2026
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Football Friday Night Reminders and Broadcast Link
Football Friday Night Click here for Important Reminders September 4, 2026 View video for more details: https://bearnation.mixlr.com/
Friday, Sep 04 2026
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IMPORTANT REMINDER: Early Dismissal: Friday, Septemb...
Dear BCPS Families, Please be aware that Friday, September 4, 2026 , will be an early dismissal day for all students to accommodate Parent Conferences. Please review the schedule below for your child's specific dismissal time: Standard Early Dismissal 12:35 p.m. – Burke County Middle School and Burke County High School 1:30 p.m. – Waynesboro Primary, Blakeney Elementary, and SGA Elementary School Special Needs Early Dismissal 12:15 p.m. – Waynesboro Primary School & Blakeney Elementary School 12:20 p.m. – Burke County High School 12:25 p.m. – Burke County Middle School Labor Day Holiday Closure All schools and district departments will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. Classes will resume on their normal schedule on Tuesday, September 8. Thank you for your ongoing partnership and dedication to your child’s education. Best Regards, Dr. Angela Williams Superintendent
Sunday, Aug 30 2026
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THE SIDELINE SCOOP
THE SIDELINE SCOOP #BearBuilt August 19, 2026 GAME UPDATE: The Bears vs. Greenbrier football game originally scheduled for Friday night has been moved to tomorrow at 7:00 PM due to incoming storms expected on Friday. Important Notice: No After-School Activity Buses Thursday (8/20) Due to limited bus availability stemming from a rescheduled athletic game with Greenbrier, no after-school activity buses will run tomorrow, Thursday, August 20. Students who typically remain at school for after-school activities, tutoring, or athletics will need to have alternative transportation arrangements made and should be picked up or otherwise transported home at the regular dismissal time. Please make the necessary arrangements for your child’s transportation home after school tomorrow. Regular morning and afternoon school bus routes will not be affected and will operate on their normal schedules. Students participating in the rescheduled game with Greenbrier should follow the transportation and activity instructions provided by their school or coach. We understand that this change may cause an inconvenience for families, and we sincerely appreciate your flexibility and prompt attention to this temporary transportation adjustment. Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Bears Football Broadcast Team Announces Booth Transition After years of incredible dedication on and off the air, Ben Roberts is stepping down from the Bears' Broadcast Team. With his daughter Sawyer starting college this fall, Ben is stepping back to spend more time with family—though he’ll still be cheering loudly from his blue seat in the Bear Den! Ben played a vital role in carrying on the high-standard legacy set by Dan Wiggins, Chris Henry, and the rest of the crew, while also helping raise roughly $18,000 for the Athletic Fund over the last two seasons. "It has been a true privilege to be trusted with that job, and I have enjoyed every minute of it," Roberts shared, offering his sincere thanks to teammates Mark, Tyler, Amy, Earl, Chris, John, AJ, Jesse, and the late Dan. Stepping into the broadcast booth to fill Ben’s spot will be BCMS Athletic Director and Bears Head Baseball Coach, Tavis Cummings. Welcome to the team, Coach Cummings! We extend our deepest gratitude to Ben for his years of leadership, hard work, and passion for Bears Football! BEARS BROADCAST LINK Huddle Up & Read All About It! Come out and show your support
Wednesday, Aug 19 2026