The Chinese 5 students hosted a Chinese Night Market at the end of January. The market consisted of fun games and food created by the Chinese students. They invited other classes to participate in the market and it was a great time for all!
The upper level video production students in Mrs. Cipro’s class had the opportunity to use the studio and studio equipment to film a Jeopardy game this past week. The project consisted of a host, game show contestants, a switchboard operator, and a CG (graphic computer) operator. They will then take that footage, edit it down, add appropriate sound effects, and music to create a professional looking product! It was a fun day of filming!
For Your Calendars:
Tides is hosting a SUPER Tides Night on Thursday, February 20th at the Mount Nittany Middle School. You can register by emailing Ashley. Please see the flier for more information.
On February 15th, Student Council is hosting a Community Day at the High School! Community Day is an afternoon full of fun for families to participate in. Activities include: obstacle courses, arts and crafts, science experiments, and Minute to Win It games. All proceeds will go to Mini-THON. Please see the flier for more information - we hope to see you there!
The Bellefonte Area School District will be operating as Flexible Instruction Day on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Students should expect to see assignments posted in Google Classroom by 8:00AM on Thursday. Teachers will be available via email for any student work questions. Please operate with caution if you should have to go out into the weather!
We are thrilled to share the outstanding accomplishments of our orchestra students who participated in the Keystone String Fest at Clearfield High School in January. Their dedication and talent were on full display as they represented the district with pride and excellence!
The following students were selected to participate in this prestigious event:
Violin 1
Rachel Dorey (grade 9)
Aubrey Fedisson (grade 9)
James Lowery (grade 8)
Meara Maloy (grade 9)
Violin 2
Elisea Hughes (grade 8)
Abigail Lombardi (grade 8)
Timothy Osman (grade 8)
Benjamin Singleton (grade 8)
Viola
Cole Giornesto (grade 9)
Reese Lakatosh (grade 7)
Aaron Stewart (grade 8)
Cello
Riley Benedict (grade 9)
Damien Orfanoudakis (grade 7)
Elizabeth (Libby) Tinik (grade 8)
Bass
Emily Moretz (grade 8)
In addition, three of our students participated in an optional competition against the top students from 12 other school districts. Our students achieved remarkable results:
Meara Maloy, earned 4th chair, competing against seven first violinists.
Aaron Stewart, earned 1st chair, competing against five violists.
Damien Orfanoudakis, earned 3rd chair, competing against eight cellists.
These accomplishments highlight not only their hard work but also the strength of our music program. Please join us in congratulating these exceptional young musicians on their success!
Light of the World Clothing Bank will be hosting their next event on Friday, February 7th and Saturday, February 8th at the St. John's United Church of Christ on Linn Street. Free clothes for everyone! Please see the flier for more details and share the information with those that need it!
The 9th Grade English classes had their annual Literary Food Truck event last week. Students read a novel and then they created and colored a food truck that matches the novel. They also created menus for their food trucks. Such as a fun way to review a piece of literature!
There will be a School Board Meeting tomorrow, February 4th at the Bellefonte Area Middle School cafeteria. The meeting will begin at 7:00PM and the public is encouraged to attend. To see the upcoming agenda, please click the following link:
https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/bellasd/Board.nsf/Public
The next February meeting after tomorrow will be on Tuesday, February 18th.
It is National School Counseling Week!
“National School Counseling Week helps to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.” - American School Counselor Association.
Our school counselors work tirelessly every day to help our students become better learners and better people. We appreciate their efforts enormously. Thank you, school counselors!
In Mr. Montgomery's 4th grade class at Pleasant Gap Elementary, students completed a figurative language unit. After learning about idioms, students were encouraged to dress as an idiom.They took turns coming to the front of the room and having the class guess which idiom they were. Then, they shared the meaning of their idiom.
Please share this information with anyone that has children eligible to enter Kindergarten in the upcoming 2025-2026 school year!
This year the BAMS Drama Club is performing Disney's The Little Mermaid at the beginning of March! The cast would like to invite you to join them for Breakfast Under the Sea on Saturday, February 22, in the middle school cafeteria.
There are two time slots: 8:30am and 9:30am. Tickets are $10 per person ($12 online). A breakfast of French toast sticks, hash browns, sausage, fruit, and drinks will be served. There will be games and activities geared for all ages, performances from the show, and a basket raffle. It should be a great event and we can't wait to see you there! See the attached flyer for more information!
Tickets must be reserved by February 5th. You can reserve tickets here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2S67hLH_mw50Dn51rpdLOGHgRIBQ6hkoZraAgpMClHaSRBA/viewform
During our Professional Learning Day in January, the BASD staff had the chance to listen to keynote speaker, Suzanne Dailey. Suzanne is an instructional coach in the Central Bucks School District and is an inspiring and motivational speaker. Suzanne did a phenomenal job of being relatable and providing useful tips to help manage one’s curveballs in life. Thank you, Suzanne, for taking the time to come and speak to our staff!
On Friday mornings at the high school, Mrs. Andrea Royer and her Life Skills students host the Brew Crew! It is a breakfast cafe that has coffee, tea and light breakfast foods available for purchase to help benefit Student Council and Mini-Thon. They have been doing an excellent job so far!
It is always a fun surprise when Mr. Roth visit's Srta Waite's Spanish classes at BAMS! Mr. Roth popped in during a lesson reviewing 12 Deseos Para El Año Nuevo-12 Wishes For the New Year. He learned the significance behind wearing a certain color of underwear on New Year's Eve and what that is to bring in the coming year: red-amor, verde-salud, or amarillo-dinero. Students are shown with Mr. Roth doing a brain break. Finally, before leaving for the day, Mr. Roth got to feel nostalgic to the Tommy Tutone song: 867-5309 as students are learning numbers 0-20 and for fun listening to the chorus of this song and reciting the phone number in Spanish to a partner. Mr Roth said that he was in 7th grade when that song was big!
Last week, math intervention specialist - Mr. Cipro - hosted a Family Math Night for the families of Bellefonte Elementary. Families had the opportunity to play math games that involved addition, subtraction, and multiplication. They could also learn how to read their report cards and play board games that involve math. Attending families also received a free pizza dinner. Mr. Cipro hopes that students and their families will continue to play these games and continue to learn both inside and outside the classroom!
Coach Prestie “Skip” Headings has been a cheer coach for over 20 years. He has led his teams to state and national competitions all over the country. Recently, Coach Headings has been nominated for the 2025 PIAA Champion Coaches Award! Individuals that are nominated have shown to great extent involvement with school and community activities and programs, commitment and dedication to the organization, a sound coaching philosophy, along with integrity and leadership in the sport of cheerleading. Congratulations, Coach Headings on your nomination! Winners will be announced at the Santander Arena during the PIAA State Competition.
The Bellefonte Area School District is hiring!
Listed below are some of the highlighted positions:
1. Head Varsity and Assistant Varsity Coach - Cross Country
2. Custodian, 2nd Shift - BAMS
3. Utility Assistant - Marion-Walker Elementary
4. Cafeteria Worker - High School
5. Elementary Life Skills Support Teacher
There are many more listed on our website, which can be viewed here:
https://bellefonte.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
Please share with family and friends - a fully employed school district is what our children deserve!
Congratulations to Haley Way for earning the January ELKS Teen of the Month! Haley’s academic resume is truly exceptional. She has taken several AP and honors courses throughout her high school career. What sets Haley apart, however, is not only her ability to excel but also her unwavering curiosity and drive to go beyond the material. Haley approaches challenges with enthusiasm and persistence, qualities that will undoubtedly propel her toward continued success.
Beyond her academic achievements, Haley is a natural leader and a thoughtful collaborator. She has actively engaged with peers, fostering a positive and productive learning environment. Haley has participated in several community based events through the National Honor Society contributing to increasing morale of our school.
Haley Way embodies the qualities of a well-rounded scholar and individual: intellectual curiosity, perseverance, and integrity. She exemplifies the core values celebrated by the Elks Teen of the Month program: academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to making a positive difference.
