Congratulations to Alexander Stanton for being chosen as the ELKS Teen of the Month for February!
Academically, Alexander is an exceptional student who consistently demonstrates intellectual curiosity, strong work ethic, and personal responsibility. He approaches his coursework with maturity and determination, challenges themselves with rigorous classes, and maintains high academic grades while balancing numerous commitments. Beyond the classroom, Alex shows a genuine compassion to make a positive impact, whether through organized service projects, leadership roles in service-oriented clubs, or independent volunteer efforts. Alex balances his responsibilities with maturity and enthusiasm, often stepping up to lead by example. He is a role model among their peers and embodies the ideals of the Elks Teen of the Month program.
Academically, Alexander is an exceptional student who consistently demonstrates intellectual curiosity, strong work ethic, and personal responsibility. He approaches his coursework with maturity and determination, challenges themselves with rigorous classes, and maintains high academic grades while balancing numerous commitments. Beyond the classroom, Alex shows a genuine compassion to make a positive impact, whether through organized service projects, leadership roles in service-oriented clubs, or independent volunteer efforts. Alex balances his responsibilities with maturity and enthusiasm, often stepping up to lead by example. He is a role model among their peers and embodies the ideals of the Elks Teen of the Month program.
This past weekend, senior Breanna Dickey, competed against eight other high school twirlers from across the United States in Nashville, TN. She captured the title of 2026 NashTwirl High School Champion, which came with a decorated guitar that she will pass down to next year's champion.
Her winning routine featured elements of one, two, and three batons while showcasing her showmanship to a curated musical selection with the theme "Red", featuring our very own Bellefonte Fight Song in the mix!
Please join us in congratulating Breanna on this amazing achievement!
Her winning routine featured elements of one, two, and three batons while showcasing her showmanship to a curated musical selection with the theme "Red", featuring our very own Bellefonte Fight Song in the mix!
Please join us in congratulating Breanna on this amazing achievement!
Due to the inclement weather, the Bellefonte Area School District will be operating on a 2 Hour Delay for Monday, February 23, 2026. Please be careful out there!
Please enjoy the Friday Coffee Break newsletter for February 20. Today's newsletter features two alumni that have recently had major accomplishments in their lives. Our Class of 2026 spotlight is Makenna Williams.
BAHS Alumni, Bailey Little is the first Bellefonte FFA member in at least 20 years who has been awarded an American Degree. Often referred to as "The Gold Standard", the American Degree is the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. It shows an FFA member’s dedication to his or her chapter and state FFA association. It demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their supervised agricultural experience and the outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement they exhibited through their FFA career. The American FFA Degree recipients show promise for the future and have gone above and beyond to achieve excellence. Bailey has been an active member of the Bellefonte FFA chapter since her freshman year. Bailey’s FFA projects include raising dairy cows, beef cattle, dairy goats, rabbits, poultry, and dairy beef cattle that she exhibits at shows throughout the year and at the Centre County Grange Fair.
You can read more about this here:
https://www.basd.net/article/2680608
You can read more about this here:
https://www.basd.net/article/2680608
BAMS 7th Grade ELA teacher, Mr. Guiswite, received information about a writing competition through Young Writers USA. Students were asked to write short stories about something “strange.” Mr. Guiswite used small group instruction to work with his students on a more direct level, helping them to refine their short story before submitting - and with great success! 41 of his students were chosen and now have their short stories published in the book Stranger Sagas: Echoes of the Unknown. This book will be published later in the spring. Congratulations to these exceptional writers!
Step back in time and join us for a Grease–themed Sock Hop! This high-energy, family-friendly community event features a live DJ, classic 1950s tunes, dance-offs, themed games & activity stations, soda floats, snacks, photo ops, and basket raffle! Plus, enjoy a sneak peek performance from the cast of Grease School Edition!
This event will be held on Friday, February 20 from 6:30-8:30pm in the Bellefonte Area Middle School Cafeteria.
The cost is $5 per person ($7 at the door the night of the event) and includes admittance, 1 soda float, 1 bag of chips, and participation in all games and activities!
Reserve your tickets here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScI_uEkTtf-16xHUiqleGwndP11CuFycwMZ-xgsAkYk1UoQCg/viewform
Our production of Grease School Edition runs February 26, 27, and 28 at 7pm and March 1 at 2pm. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, don't delay, they are going fast! Here's the link to purchase tickets to our show! https://cur8.com/23428/project/134972
We hope to see you at our Sock Hop and our performance of Grease later this month!
This event will be held on Friday, February 20 from 6:30-8:30pm in the Bellefonte Area Middle School Cafeteria.
The cost is $5 per person ($7 at the door the night of the event) and includes admittance, 1 soda float, 1 bag of chips, and participation in all games and activities!
Reserve your tickets here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScI_uEkTtf-16xHUiqleGwndP11CuFycwMZ-xgsAkYk1UoQCg/viewform
Our production of Grease School Edition runs February 26, 27, and 28 at 7pm and March 1 at 2pm. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, don't delay, they are going fast! Here's the link to purchase tickets to our show! https://cur8.com/23428/project/134972
We hope to see you at our Sock Hop and our performance of Grease later this month!
A group of Bellefonte employees attended the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference from February 1 - 4, 2026. Teachers, administrators, instructional coaches, and members of our management of information services department joined educators and IT professionals from across the commonwealth at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. In addition to inspiring speakers, an expo hall filled with the latest hardware, software, and apps, and opportunities to collaborate with other attendees, PETE&C featured dozens of breakout sessions.
Bellefonte was represented in two concurrent sessions and four poster sessions by eight different staff members. BAHS Biology and Chemistry teacher, Drew Eddinger, presented STEELS and the Phenomenon-Based Classroom. Instructional Technology Specialist, Arlin Roth, and Elementary Technology Teacher, Jena Jodon, lead Technology Coaches Unite. Mr. Roth was also a panel member for Just for Newbies! - PETE&C Orientation.
Poster sessions included: Coding across subjects with Metatalabs with STEM Coach, Allison D’Ambrosia, Calculating Peak Performance with BAHS Math teacher Jonathan Virgillio and BAHS Health and Phys. Ed. teacher Josh Diehl, Bricks for a Strong Curriculum Foundation with Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Jackie Wynkoop, and Learn Brisk! Change your Life! with BAHS English teacher Kelley Kreiger.
Bellefonte was represented in two concurrent sessions and four poster sessions by eight different staff members. BAHS Biology and Chemistry teacher, Drew Eddinger, presented STEELS and the Phenomenon-Based Classroom. Instructional Technology Specialist, Arlin Roth, and Elementary Technology Teacher, Jena Jodon, lead Technology Coaches Unite. Mr. Roth was also a panel member for Just for Newbies! - PETE&C Orientation.
Poster sessions included: Coding across subjects with Metatalabs with STEM Coach, Allison D’Ambrosia, Calculating Peak Performance with BAHS Math teacher Jonathan Virgillio and BAHS Health and Phys. Ed. teacher Josh Diehl, Bricks for a Strong Curriculum Foundation with Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Jackie Wynkoop, and Learn Brisk! Change your Life! with BAHS English teacher Kelley Kreiger.
At BAHS, 9th grade ELA students created a themed literary food truck to represent a novel or story through symbols, imagery, and design. Their truck’s exterior and menu items each connected to important elements like theme, characters, setting, and plot events. Along with the creative model, students wrote explanations showing how their choices reflected deeper literary analysis. This is always an annual hit!
At the Bocce match against the P-O Mounties both teams celebrated cancer survivors including our very own Rees Stewart!
Photos courtesy of studio.twoguys.
Photos courtesy of studio.twoguys.
Please enjoy the Friday Coffee Break newsletter for February 13. Today's newsletter features BAHS, PGE, BN, PETE&C, and more! Connell Stabinger is our Class of 2026 highlight this week.
Last week, classes in Benner Elementary celebrated the 101st day of school! Mrs. Montgomery’s first grade students had a great time with it!
Students at Benner Elementary painted the front hallway windows as part of a BEAR paw drawing. Students were able to put their bear paws in for chances to win different items or activities. The window painting had 6 winners who helped decorate and make the school bright and cheery!
Mrs. Rittenhouse’s fifth grade class at Pleasant Gap Elementary wrapped up their ELA module with a memorable hands-on STEM experience.
After reading informational articles about the Australian bush fires, the Johnstown Flood, and the eruption of Mount St. Helens, students used text evidence to identify the real-life dangers people faced in these extreme disasters. From raging fires to powerful floodwaters and volcanic destruction, students analyzed the obstacles survivors had to navigate.
Students then designed and illustrated detailed maps of these hazardous environments, carefully placing the obstacles they had researched. Their final challenge was to program classroom robots to travel safely through the maps without hitting any dangers.
The room buzzed with excitement as students tested, problem-solved, and adjusted their coding. This creative project blended reading, critical thinking, engineering, and technology — and proved that literacy can power real-world problem solving.
After reading informational articles about the Australian bush fires, the Johnstown Flood, and the eruption of Mount St. Helens, students used text evidence to identify the real-life dangers people faced in these extreme disasters. From raging fires to powerful floodwaters and volcanic destruction, students analyzed the obstacles survivors had to navigate.
Students then designed and illustrated detailed maps of these hazardous environments, carefully placing the obstacles they had researched. Their final challenge was to program classroom robots to travel safely through the maps without hitting any dangers.
The room buzzed with excitement as students tested, problem-solved, and adjusted their coding. This creative project blended reading, critical thinking, engineering, and technology — and proved that literacy can power real-world problem solving.
The Varsity Gymnastics team beat Altoona yesterday for the first time in years! Score: Bellefonte 136.025; Altoona 135.3. Congratulations, girls!
The Bellefonte Area High School Student Council would like to invite you to join them in their first annual Mini-THON 5K Walk/Run to fight Pediatric Cancer, which will be held at the Bald Eagle State Park.
The event is open to all students, staff, families, and community members. To register, please click on the following link: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Howard/BAHSMiniTHONRun
📅 Event Date: Saturday, March 14th, 2026
📍 Location: Bald Eagle State Park
👕 Bonus: Everyone who registers by February 25 will receive a free event T-shirt!
We hope to see you at the starting line!
The event is open to all students, staff, families, and community members. To register, please click on the following link: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Howard/BAHSMiniTHONRun
📅 Event Date: Saturday, March 14th, 2026
📍 Location: Bald Eagle State Park
👕 Bonus: Everyone who registers by February 25 will receive a free event T-shirt!
We hope to see you at the starting line!
CenClear is currently enrolling for the 2026-2027 school year! The CenClear preschool offers a nurturing and educational environment for your child to grow, explore, and thrive. Students must be at least 3 years old on August 31st and the family will need to meet the income requirements. Please see the graphic for more information.
To register, click here: https://cenclear.org/
To register, click here: https://cenclear.org/
Attention: The Bellefonte Area School District will be operating on a 2 hour delay today - Monday, February 9, 2026.
On February 19th, the District will begin the process of creating a Portrait of a Graduate document to explore the following questions:
-What are the hopes, dreams, and aspirations that our community has for our graduates?
-What are the skills and mindsets that our students need for success in this rapidly changing and complex world?
-What are the implications for the design of the learning experiences we provide in our schools?
To make this a truly collaborative process, we invite all staff, students, and parents to participate in an engagement meeting on Thursday, February 19th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at BAHS. If you are interested in attending, please let me know by completing the form link below by February 13th. Please feel free to share this information with your child should they wish to be involved. All students under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Dr. R.
RSVP form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhJI0SpeH1BZyq43NLf8j-dxYRr0EYzB-SyO3vDX_OvnfjGA/viewform
-What are the hopes, dreams, and aspirations that our community has for our graduates?
-What are the skills and mindsets that our students need for success in this rapidly changing and complex world?
-What are the implications for the design of the learning experiences we provide in our schools?
To make this a truly collaborative process, we invite all staff, students, and parents to participate in an engagement meeting on Thursday, February 19th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at BAHS. If you are interested in attending, please let me know by completing the form link below by February 13th. Please feel free to share this information with your child should they wish to be involved. All students under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Dr. R.
RSVP form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhJI0SpeH1BZyq43NLf8j-dxYRr0EYzB-SyO3vDX_OvnfjGA/viewform
Please enjoy today's Coffee Break newsletter featuring the Class of 2026 member - Raven Harter!
