September 16, 2009
►BKW welcomes new staff
Learn more about the seven new staff members who joined BKW this year. READ MORE

September 14, 2009
►Marcil joins teaching staff
Former Associate Principal Fred Marcil has returned to teaching this school year. READ MORE

August 26, 2009
►View the Fall 2009 Sport Schedules

August 25, 2009
► Finish your back-to-school shopping!
6th Grade Supply List (PDF)
7th Grade Supply List (PDF)
8th Grade Supply List (PDF)

July 1, 2009
►Start your summer reading
A number of summer reading selections from various teachers are posted here.

June 11, 2009
►Middle/High School building receives prestigious ENERGY STAR
The BKW Middle/High School has received an ENERGY STAR from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, classifying the building as one of the most energy efficient in the nation. READ MORE

June 8, 2009
►District considering energy performance contract
The district is reviewing a proposed energy performance contract that, if enacted, would install different energy-saving technologies in and around district buildings to generate energy and money savings - as well as extra revenue for the district - over the next 15 years. READ MORE

May 29, 2009
►BKW community mourns the loss of Wyatt Spencer
The entire BKW community is deeply saddened by the passing of 7th grader James Wyatt Spencer. We realize this is a difficult time for our students, faculty and staff. Our crisis team is providing support to all students and staff who request it, including opportunities to speak with counselors, and will continue to do so as long as it is needed. Please remind your child that it is important that we acknowledge our grief and sadness, even though it may be painful or confusing. We also encourage you to be aware of how your child is reacting to this tragic news, and to make sure you and your child seek appropriate support if needed.
READ MORE

May 19, 2009
►Voters approve 2009-10 budget
Residents of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school district approved the proposed 2009-10 school budget Tuesday by a vote of 499 to161. The $19,791,067 budget carries no increase in the tax levy and a 2.7 percent overall reduction in spending.
READ MORE

May 13, 2009
►Sixth grade moving to Elementary School during capital project construction
The Board of Education recently voted to temporarily move the 6th grade to Berne Elementary School for the 2009-10 school year in order to alleviate space and safety issues during capital project renovations. READ MORE

May 6, 2009
►School is closed Friday, May 8 and Friday, May 22
Since the district used a significantly low number of snow days this year, school will be CLOSED Friday, May 8 (Junior/Senior Prom day) and Friday, May 22 for the long Memorial Day weekend.

May 6, 2009
►Public hearing on proposed 2009-10 budget set for May 11
If you have questions or comments about the proposed 2009-10 budget, please attend the public hearing set for 7 p.m. Monday, May 11 in the High School auditorium. Until then, please visit the budget Web site here.

May 6, 2009
►Place your orders for the BKWTA Chicken BBQ online
The BKWTA Chicken Barbecue set for May 19 (Budget Vote Day) is now accepting online orders until May 13. ORDER ONLINE HERE!

March 20, 2009
►Author Charles R. Smith Jr. visits BKW Middle School
With a positive message of diversity and talent for combining poetry and photography, award-winning author and poet Charles R. Smith Jr. treated Middle School students with recitation of his poems and a writing workshop.
READ MORE

February 23, 2009

►7th Grade "Pays It Forward"
Seventh grade students got together earlier this school year to decide on the focus for the "Pay It Forward" project, an initiative designed to get BKW students working together for common causes within the community. The students chose to donate food a local food pantry as well as collect toys for the Hilltown Resource Center. The students will be planning more "Pay It Forward" projects this spring.

February 23, 2009
►7th-graders get a taste of four different careers
Just before the holiday break, students participated in a career day where they heard presentations from four different representatives of various careers. William McGovern Jr., New York State fire investigator (and his canine Braith), Local historian and author Will Osterhout, Physical Therapist Kathleen Ellis and Speech and Language Pathologist Tricia Cleary all discussed their careers with 7th-graders, who then wrote about what they learned in writing assignments.

February 23, 2009
►Sports physicals to be held February 27
Physicals will be held starting at 8:30 a.m. Friday, February 27. Sign up in the health office if you wish to play a spring sport. Your physical must be up to date in order to play. If you have any further questions, contact Mrs. Besha.

February 11, 2009
►District officials meet with legislators on school budget gap
Faced with a possible $1.5 million budget gap for 2009-2010, district officials recently met with legislators from Albany and Schoharie counties to express their concerns about proposed cuts to state education aid. READ MORE

February 9, 2009
►Contribute to the PTA's "Community Cookbook"
This year, the PTA's spring fundraiser will feature a cookbook full of favorite family recipes from homes across the BKW district. You are cordially invited to contribute your favorite family recipe by Friday, Feb. 13. READ MORE ON THE PTA PAGE

January 12, 2009
►These Middle School students have "RESILIENCE"
Congratulations to the following Middle School students who were recognized during the Bulldog Initiative's December program. The  trait for the month of December was "resilience." According to teachers and staff, these students displayed a remarkable amount of resilience:

December 8, 2009
►Middle School students get caught...doing good
Josh VonHaugg is one 13-year-old who does everything in his power to get caught red-handed by his teachers. But Josh isn't bullying, blowing off schoolwork or committing other negative acts that usually grab the swift attention of the teaching staff. Instead, he's treating his classmates with respect, turning in his homework on time and openly encouraging his friends to do the same. And his teachers have definitely noticed. READ MORE

December 2, 2008
►BKW helping those in need this holiday season
With the holiday season upon us, it's important not to forget those in need. The BKW community is encouraged to join us in helping the Hilltown Holiday Program. Please bring new, unwrapped toys or food to Room 157 at the Middle/High School or to the main office. All donations go directly back into the community.
Thank you for your support!
For more information, please call the main office at 872-1482.

November 5, 2008
►Thanks to all who attended the BKW Community Forum
Candid, productive discussions took place Monday night at the BKW Community Forum, "Preserving Quality Education in Tough Economic Times." READ MORE

October 29, 2008
►PTA notifications are here!
If you are a member of the BKW Parent Teacher Association or simply want to know what this organization is up to, log in to your SNN profile and be sure to check the "PTA News" box. Once you sign up for PTA news, you'll receive the latest updates on upcoming PTA sponsored events, meeting reminders, fundraising information and more! If you'd like to sign up for SNN to receive PTA news, just click the SNN logo in the right column of the BKW homepage and sign up!

October 28, 2008
►No late buses today; 13th period cancelled
Due to the weather, 13th period is cancelled today and no late buses will run. For more information, please call your child's respective school office:
Elementary: 872-2030
Middle: 872-0950
High: 872-1482

October 28, 2008
►Community opinion survey results released
Recently, BKW residents participated in a community opinion survey to provide general feedback about the district. The Board of Education has finished compiling the results and submitted its report Monday.
Click here to download the results and read the report.

October 24, 2009
►BKW to host community forum November 3
District residents are welcome and encouraged to attend a community forum at 7 p.m. Monday, November 3 in the Elementary School cafeteria. The topic for the  forum will be "preserving quality education in tough economic times." More details on the forum to follow.

October 21,2008
►Anderson, Schaefers honored with recognition awards
Thanks to Dave and Nancy Schaefer,  the BKW Golf Team works on their game at a real golf course for free. And if it weren't for dedicated volunteers like Amy Anderson, BKW students may not see the connection between school and community. For these and many more reasons, Dave and Nancy Schaefer and Amy Anderson were honored Monday night at the annual Board of Education Recognition Awards. READ MORE

October 8, 2008
►Fighting flu together: PTA to host flu vaccination clinic
With influenza season fast approaching, your best recommended defense against this serious disease is an annual vaccination. This year, the Berne-Knox-Westerlo PTA will host a vaccination clinic from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. November 4 in the Elementary School cafeteria.  The cost of one flu shot will be $30, but you may qualify for a FREE flu shot or receive reimbursement from your health insurance company. FIND OUT MORE HERE.
Pre-registration is REQUIRED to participate in this event.
You may pre-register online here, or call 1-866-782-3014.
A very limited amount of vaccines for walk-ins will be available.

October 8, 2008
►BKW Sports Boosters invites you to support your athlete
Every year, the BKW Sports Booster Club raises funds to support, promote and celebrate the accomplishments of all BKW athletes. The fundraising kicks off Thursday October 9 at the Middle/High School Open House, where the club will be selling merchant cards for $10 . In addition, the Sports Boosters is conducting a "Spirit Sale" of BKW sports shirts, pants, fleeces and more.
GO TO THE SPORTS BOOSTERS WEB SITE TO ORDER

October 7, 2008
►Recognition Awards to be held October 20
The Board of Education Recognition Awards will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, October 20 in the High School Auditorium. This ceremony recognizes individuals who have given outstanding service or brought outstanding recognition to the BKW School District. Award recipients have been nominated by their BKW community peers and the winners will be revealed at the ceremony. We hope you will attend!

October 1, 2008
►Public Library partners with BKW for reading program
For the next six weeks, the Elementary and Middle/High School public libraries will open their doors to students in the 5th, 6th and 9th grades to gather as their own type of "book club" - with some other fun activities mixed in. READ MORE

September 22, 2008
►BKW Cheerleaders to offer free car washes this weekend
The BKW Cheerleading Squad will offer a free car wash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 27 at the Agway in Altamont. Donations are welcome! For more information, contact the High School Office at 872-1482. We hope you'll stop by to support our cheerleaders!

September 19, 2008
►Support the BKWTA Scholarship Fund with a Chicken BBQ pre-order
The BKW Teachers Association will hold a chicken barbecue fundraiser from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 2.  Proceeds will benefit the BKWTA Scholarship Fund. A $9 full chicken dinner includes 1/2 chicken, baked potato, cole slaw, roll, butter and cookie, and lemonade or iced tea to drink. A $6 half-order includes 1/2 chicken only. PRE-ORDER ONLINE UNTIL SEPT. 26!

September 10, 2008
►Participate in the BKW Community Opinion Survey online
The district is gathering feedback from the BKW community about its educational programs as well as other aspects of our schools. If you live within the district, you are encouraged to take a few minutes to complete this survey online. The survey will be available until October 1. Your valuable feedback is greatly appreciated!
TAKE SURVEY

September 4, 2008
►Students show their spirit on the first day of school
At both the Elementary and Middle/High Schools, students arrived for the first day  of school today ready to learn, have fun and reunite with friends. VIEW PHOTOS

►Fall/Winter sports schedules available
The schedules for fall and winter sports are up and will be expanded upon as more information becomes available. GO TO THE SCHEDULES

►Read the Back-To-School Edition of the Trailblazer
The latest edition of the Trailblazer newsletter will soon be in the mail, but here's your chance to read it online. READ MORE

►Teacher e-mail addresses now available online
Students and parents can now easily get in touch with teachers and administrators via e-mail with the BKW School District's staff e-mail directory. The link to the directory is located on the Web site's "About Us" page, and includes teacher and administrator profiles.
GO TO THE DIRECTORY

►Back-to-school lunch menu now available; new prices for 2008-2009
The new September lunch menu is now available. Students and parents should note that lunch prices will increase 10 cents this year, due primarily to higher fuel and food costs. READ MORE

►Transportation Department changes bus routes for better efficiency
In an effort to save on fuel costs and more efficiently pick up and drop off students from school, the Transportation Department has made changes to some of this year's bus routes. Students whose bus routes are changing will receive a postcard in the mail detailing the new route. Parents and guardians are encouraged to view the new bus routes here and read them carefully for any changes. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Transportation Department at 872-1126.

►Be prepared on the first day of school
School begins in just a few short weeks, and the back-to-school sales have begun. Here are the supplies middle school students will need:

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

►Summer assignments for middle schools students

6th grade summer reading list
You can also find this list on the 6th grade teacher Web site.

Summer reading selection list for 7th grade

MS summer reading program for Social Studies and English

►Full 2008-2009 school calendar now available; weekly listings to begin
You can now access the full 2008-2009 BKW School District calendar of events online. Simply click on the link below the "Mark Your Calendar" button on the district homepage. In an effort to better keep the community updated on upcoming events, www.bkwschools.org will begin listing weekly events on the homepage in addition to the monthly events listing under "Mark Your Calendar." To stay even more connected, be sure to sign up for BKW School News Notifier by clicking on the SNN icon on the district homepage.

►School report card data released
On Monday, August 11, the state released school report cards for the 2006-2007 school year. As in previous years, Berne Elementary School, BKW Middle School and BKW High School are all beginning the new school year "in good standing." Further, BKW students in grades 3 through 8 improved their overall scores on tests in English Language Arts and Math. VIEW THE REPORT CARD HERE.

►7th & 8th Grade Girls Modified Soccer practice
Practice (tryouts) begin on Thursday, September 4, 2008 from 3:15 - 5:00 p.m.  Meet at the track.  Be sure your physical is up to date.  You can not practice if your physical is not current.  If you have any questions, please call Coach Miller at 872-1504.

►7th & 8th Grade Girls Volleyball practice
Practice will begin on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 from 3:15 - 5:30 p.m. in the Elementary Gym.  Be sure your physical is up to date.  You can not practice if your physical is not current.  If you have any questions, please call Coach May at 797-5161.

►6th Grade orientation set for August 26
The transition from 5th grade to 6th grade is an important one for your new 6th-grader. Make sure he or she is prepared and at ease by attending BKW Middle School's 6th grade orientation and open house at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 26.
READ MORE

►BKW Musical Troupe performs The Music Man

►Wrestling team has great season

►BKW Education Expo a success

►Award-winning author visits BKW Middle School

►Invention Convention semi-finalists named

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