Burke CountyPublic Schools

The new year brings a new employee assistance program to Burke County Public Schools. Effective Jan. 1, 2020, district employees have access to free, confidential, 24/7 help from McLaughlin Young. Based in North Carolina, McLaughlin Young offers employees short-term counseling and consultation for a broad range of life events an employee may experience, including family and relationship issues, depression and anxiety, resiliency and coping skills, work-relation issues, grief and loss, alcohol or drug use, stress and legal and financial issues. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Chelsey Taylor, an ESL teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School, and Luke Elliot, a junior at East Burke High School, have started teaching an English-as-a-second-language class for those wanting to learn the English language. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, approximately a dozen parents of Hillcrest Elementary School students drop off their children for school and become students themselves. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Burke County art students will be honored at the Asheville Museum of Art’s 2020 WNC Regional Scholastic Art Awards. Patton High School’s Hannah S. won an honorable mention for a contour line drawing, Nelson M. won a Silver Key for a handmade book, and Ellie H. won an honorable mention for a portrait drawing. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Two Burke County schools received recognition from the 5210 Healthy Together program sponsored by Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge. Salem Elementary School earned a Silver award and George Hildebrand Elementary School earned a Bronze and have banners proclaiming the award. “5-2-1-0 encourages kids to eat 5 handfuls of fruits and vegetables per day, limit recreational screen time to 2 hours or less, get 1 hour of exercise or play each day, and drink 0 sugary drinks,” (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Burke County Public Schools is launching its seventh annual Souperintendent’s Souper Bowl Canned-Food Drive. Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Larry Putnam, who first initiated the drive in 2014, said, “It is always exciting to flip the calendar to not only a new year but also a new decade. It also is exciting to continue familiar traditions, such as our annual food drive.” (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Burke County Public Schools students are setting aside their own wish lists to spread holiday cheer to others in the community by volunteering, committing random acts of kindness and organizing fundraisers for those in need.

Brian Hamilton, founder of the Brian Hamilton Foundation, spoke recently to East Burke High School Career and Technical Education students about entrepreneurship and how it can help students succeed. Hamilton told his story of growing up on food stamps, his parents not being able to pay medical bills and having their power cut off multiple times. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

The Burke County 2019-20 Middle and Elementary speech contests were held at the Old Rock School on Dec. 11 and 12. First-, second- and third-place winners were recognized in five categories for each contest. All total, 66 students advanced to the county-wide middle school competition after winning their school level speech contests. The winners were: (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

In partnership with Kramden Institute and STEM West, Burke County Public Schools was able to donate 150 desktop computers to students at nine elementary schools and two middle schools. The computers went home with families just in time for a holiday surprise. Parents have been picking up the computers from their child’s school over the last few weeks. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Several Burke County Public Schools students were awarded at this year’s Continental Science Fair at Liberty Middle School on Nov. 21. The following students’ projects were selected to advance to the regional science fair at Appalachian State University on Dec. 17. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Freedom High School senior Riley C. is a state winner in the 2019 Heisman High School Scholarship program and recipient of a $500 college scholarship. The Heisman High School Scholarship extends the prestige of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding college football player in the nation, to the nation’s most esteemed high school seniors. The high school scholarship recognizes and rewards outstanding scholar-athletes who understand that the most important victories not only happen on the field, but in their schools and communities. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Leviton Manufacturing Company Inc., Geiger International and many other local industries have been visiting middle and high school students to show the connection between what students learn in school and how each industry operates. The visit was a result of teachers, including Liberty science teacher Monique St. Louis, within Burke County Public Schools attending a STEM West professional development... (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

The Burke County Board of Education celebrated a gift of land from the state on Friday during a special called meeting at Liberty Middle School. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture signed over to Burke County Public Schools the nearly 50 acres of land that Liberty Middle and North Liberty School sit on, as well as an additional 28 acres of land near the Liberty property and behind Patton High School. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

BOONE, N.C. — Current seniors at Burke County high schools who meet specific academic requirements and submit an application by Friday, Nov. 1, are guaranteed admission to Appalachian State University through a newly announced program called GEAR UP Guarantee. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Once Foreign Language Teacher Drew Laningham finishes up his fourth period class at East Burke High School, he doesn’t pack up and call it a day. Instead he takes a group of students outside to tend to more than a dozen beehives. Laningham recently started the East Burke High School Beekeeping Club to help students learn about honeybees and how they have a very important job in our society. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Patton High School Principal Sara LeCroy is the 2019 Burke County Public Schools Principal of the year. LeCroy’s fellow Burke County Public Schools principals nominated her for the honor and she was chosen following an interview panel. LeCroy said, “I am humbled and honored to be chosen as this year's Burke County Public Schools Principal of the Year. There are so many amazing administrators in our county who also are deserving of this award. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

The outdoor, athletic tracks at Freedom and East Burke high schools will soon be revamped to have rubberized surfaces by the end of the school year. The track at Freedom High School is currently being worked on and is set to be finished by the end of football season. The renovation of the track at East Burke High School is set to start after the end of football season and be complete before spring. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

The Burke Education Foundation Inc. held its fourth annual golf tournament on Friday, Oct. 11 at Mimosa Hills Golf Club. Twenty-seven teams participated and the players and sponsors helped make the event a success. The Burke Education Foundation was formed in July of 2016 by a group of Burke County Public Schools stakeholders who wanted to find a way to further support the students and staff of the school system. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Patton High School was selected as one of 22 organizations to receive a grant to help further the building of special project within their school. The Duke Energy Foundation awarded the high school a $40,000 grant that will help to restore the Enola Trail Wetlands Area and eliminate erosion and treat runoff. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Burke County Public Schools was recently recognized as a National Board Accomplished District by The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The district was recognized along with 80 other school districts in ten different states due to having greater than 20% of teachers who have achieved National Board certification.

Freedom High School senior Molly McRacken is helping to raise awareness for a special cause by hosting a Conquer Chiari Walk Across America event Sept. 28 at Catawba Meadows Park with registration starting at 9 a.m. and the walk to follow from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Parents and high school seniors - join us at the Old Rock School on September 30th, from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm, to learn how to pay for college. College Foundation of North Carolina Rep. Skip Watts will be giving a presentation on college admission and financial aid. You'll also get to meet with local organizations that have scholarships to offer, whether you're headed to a four-year university or want to attend college locally. (VIDEO)

Several middle and high schools within Burke County Public Schools were awarded and recognized during the MADE (Morganton Art Design and Engineering) Competition at the Historic Morganton Festival. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section)

Students interested in working in the medical and culinary fields had opportunities this summer to explore those careers. Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge sponsored Camp Med and GEAR-UP sponsored the Foodie Adventure Camp. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section.)

Burke County Public Schools recently honored local business and industry partners with a luncheon at the Community House in Morganton and gave them a small token of appreciation for their support of the school system through work-based learning opportunities, including industry tours, internships, apprenticeships, career fairs and job fairs. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section.)

Burke County Public Schools principals recently took a break from preparing their schools for the return of students to immerse themselves in local and national history. The school administrators visited the History Museum of Burke County in downtown Morganton and the Charters of Freedom monument on the square of the old Burke County courthouse. While at the museum, the principals toured the many exhibits on display that tell the rich history of the county...(For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section.)

A national website that researches schools ranks Burke County Public Schools 22nd overall and tied for third compared to districts its size on a list of the best school districts in North Carolina. The site, Niche.com, released its new 2020 Best Schools rankings earlier this month. On its list, Burke County Public Schools is the 13th best district for teachers, the 14th best place to teach and the 15th safest district in North Carolina out of 115 school districts. (For those using the BCPS app - see the full story in the Recent News Section.)

Leaders from Burke County Public Schools and Western Piedmont Community College recently gathered for a special called meeting led by Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Larry Putnam to discuss workforce development. Burke County Public Schools plays an integral part in Western Piedmont Community College’s enrollment and together the two teams discussed ways to get more students involved in workforce programs and earn college credits while still in high school.

All Burke County Public Schools students are now covered under a Pre-K-12 accident insurance program should they become injured during a school-sponsored event. The Burke County Board of Education recently approved the district-paid coverage policy as a secondary insurance policy for students and student athletes. The policy covers students during school time activities and athletes during sports activities and kicks in after any other insurance policies have been paid. The plan was purchased through QBE and cost $28,475.

The National Academy of Engineering has named Lillie Williams an Engineer Girl Ambassador and invited her to attend the Women’s Engineers Conference in Anaheim, California in November. Williams, a rising senior at Draughn High School and dual enrolled at the NC School of Science and Math (NCSSM), applied for the ambassador position and is one of 16 high school female students from across the country to be chosen. Her proposal included creating an outreach project to help get elementary school girls interested in engineering. In addition to attending the three-day conference, Williams will receive a $250 grant to carry out her project back home.

Burke County Public Schools administrators got schooled in workforce development opportunities at their annual retreat Monday and Tuesday. In addition to hearing updates from directors for the upcoming academic year and participating in team building activities, principals visited Western Piedmont Community College, Catawba Valley Community College and the N.C. Center for Engineering Technologies.

Duke Energy and BCPS have partnered to offer FREE Engineering Camps this summer for Middle and High School Students!!! There is a limited number of slots available, sign up NOW! Free lunch is included everyday!

The 14th annual Burke County Youth Band Camp will be held Monday, July 29 through Friday, Aug. 2, 2019 at Patton High School for rising sixth- through ninth-grade band students. This is a wonderful, fun enrichment for band students. The registration fee is $40 before July 22 and $50 afterward.

Raleigh, North Carolina – The Freedom FFA Chapter recently competed in several categories at the 91st North Carolina FFA State Convention held at the Raleigh Convention Center, June 18 – 20.