Students in Mrs. Kolivoski’s 11th grade Developmental Reading Class showcased their learning through a creative midterm project that combined choice, creativity, and peer engagement. Each student selected an independent reading book from the second quarter and chose their favorite book to highlight through a Google Slides presentation and a handmade poster. Emphasizing student choice, this project allowed learners to explore books that matched their interests while expressing their understanding in creative ways.
Students proudly presented their work to the class, sharing summaries, themes, and personal connections—often inspiring classmates to add new titles to their own reading lists. This midterm project celebrated students' reading motivation, creativity, and the power of peer recommendations.
Students proudly presented their work to the class, sharing summaries, themes, and personal connections—often inspiring classmates to add new titles to their own reading lists. This midterm project celebrated students' reading motivation, creativity, and the power of peer recommendations.
Last week, 7-9th grade orchestra students participated in the Keystone String Fest held at Richland High School. The festival is chance for students to perform beautiful music, but they also had to participate in rigorous blind auditions. BASD students competed against the top players from across the region, and several of our musicians earned distinguished placements:
-Reese Lakatosh, 8th grade, viola: 2nd Chair (Assistant Principal) — A nearly perfect audition score!
-Aaron Stewart, 9th grade, viola: 3rd Chair — An "Excellent/Advanced" rating across all categories.
-Emily Moretz, 9th grade, cello: 9th Chair — A top-ten finish in a highly competitive section.
-Mackenzie Dix, 9th grade, violin: 13th Chair — A courageous successful first-ever audition in the elite 1st Violin section (almost 20 students auditioned in this section!).
Beyond the rankings, Mrs. Renne wanted to extend a massive congratulations to every single student who participated.
8th grade:
-Peyton Gates, violin 1
-Allie Dix, viola
-Alissa Kyte-Yech, cello
7th grade:
-Ayla Hall, violin 2
-Tristan Long, violin 2
-Kathryn Huss, violin 2
-Maddie Claar, violin 2
-Landon Stewart, viola
Each student was an incredible ambassador for the school district, showing kindness to their peers and a deep respect for the craft. Wonderful job to all of these students!
-Reese Lakatosh, 8th grade, viola: 2nd Chair (Assistant Principal) — A nearly perfect audition score!
-Aaron Stewart, 9th grade, viola: 3rd Chair — An "Excellent/Advanced" rating across all categories.
-Emily Moretz, 9th grade, cello: 9th Chair — A top-ten finish in a highly competitive section.
-Mackenzie Dix, 9th grade, violin: 13th Chair — A courageous successful first-ever audition in the elite 1st Violin section (almost 20 students auditioned in this section!).
Beyond the rankings, Mrs. Renne wanted to extend a massive congratulations to every single student who participated.
8th grade:
-Peyton Gates, violin 1
-Allie Dix, viola
-Alissa Kyte-Yech, cello
7th grade:
-Ayla Hall, violin 2
-Tristan Long, violin 2
-Kathryn Huss, violin 2
-Maddie Claar, violin 2
-Landon Stewart, viola
Each student was an incredible ambassador for the school district, showing kindness to their peers and a deep respect for the craft. Wonderful job to all of these students!
The Foods Classes at BAHS held their annual Cupcake War this past week, and these young men displayed their incredible baking skills to win it! Great job to Tristan Liadis, Gavin Chalfa, Ian Valimont, and Nolan Weaver on winning the challenge!
BASD Announcement:
Due to inclement weather, all activities after 5:30PM are canceled for today - January 21, 2026.
Due to inclement weather, all activities after 5:30PM are canceled for today - January 21, 2026.
Bellefonte's Unified Bocce team has a big match against State College today! If you're interested in supporting the team and showing some school spirit, the team would love to see a crowd. The match is today, 4:00PM at BAHS in the gym.
*In case you aren't familiar with the sport or what it means when we say "Unified," here is some info...
Unified Bocce is an inclusive sport program, often part of Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together as equal teammates to play bocce ball, fostering teamwork, friendship, and inclusion in a competitive setting, typically during winter months in schools. Teams usually have an even mix of Special Olympics Athletes (those with intellectual disabilities) and Unified Partners (those without), promoting acceptance and building community through shared goals and fun.
Good luck to the team today!
*In case you aren't familiar with the sport or what it means when we say "Unified," here is some info...
Unified Bocce is an inclusive sport program, often part of Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together as equal teammates to play bocce ball, fostering teamwork, friendship, and inclusion in a competitive setting, typically during winter months in schools. Teams usually have an even mix of Special Olympics Athletes (those with intellectual disabilities) and Unified Partners (those without), promoting acceptance and building community through shared goals and fun.
Good luck to the team today!
BASD is looking for substitutes in all capacities! If this is something you or someone you know is interested in doing, please use the following link to apply:
https://www.applitrack.com/basd/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute
See the graphic for more information.
https://www.applitrack.com/basd/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute
See the graphic for more information.
Happening today! BAHS Student Council is sponsoring a Dine In/Out Night at State Burger in Bellefonte! 10% of the sales will go towards their Mini-THON program. Please see the graphic for more information.
The Boys' & Girls' Swim Teams competed at the Laurel Highland Athletic Conference Championships on Friday, January 16th. This is their results from Coach Edmondson - the student - athletes did an incredible job!
G 200 Medley Relay: 2nd place (2nd Team LHAC All Stars) - Sydney Fetters, Riley Hoy, Lizzy Weaver, and Sarah Litten (2:02.39)
G 200 Free: 6th place (podium) - Elise Hoffman (2:18.73) and 20th place - Kat Barefoot (2:59.11)
B 200 Free: 5th place (podium) - Turner Malik (1:59.73)
G 200 Ind Medley: 4th place (podium) - Riley Hoy (2:26.04) and 11th place - Juniper Ondrasik (2:59.41)
G 50 Free: 9th place - Sarah Litten (:28.59) and 11th place - Sydney Fetters (:28.59)
B 50 Free: 10th place - Turner Malik (:25.16)
G 200 Free Relay: 4th place (podium) - Sydney Fetters, Sarah Litten, Elise Hoffman, Riley Hoy (1:53.15)
* Syd's leadoff 50 was the team's season's fastest 50 so far (:28.08)
G 100 Free: 10th place - Elise Hoffman (1:04.89) and 21st place - Kat Barefoot (1:21.26)
G 500 Free: 11th place - Juniper Ondrasik (7:02.58) Juniper's 1st ever HS 500!!
G 100 Back: 3rd place (podium) - Sydney Fetters (1:05.84)
G 100 Breast: 3rd place (podium) - Riley Hoy (1:13.10) and 5th place (podium) - Sarah Litten (1:18.24)
* Congrats to Riley. Her 1:13.10 moved her from 7th all-time in BAHS history to 4th!!
G 200 Medley Relay: 2nd place (2nd Team LHAC All Stars) - Sydney Fetters, Riley Hoy, Lizzy Weaver, and Sarah Litten (2:02.39)
G 200 Free: 6th place (podium) - Elise Hoffman (2:18.73) and 20th place - Kat Barefoot (2:59.11)
B 200 Free: 5th place (podium) - Turner Malik (1:59.73)
G 200 Ind Medley: 4th place (podium) - Riley Hoy (2:26.04) and 11th place - Juniper Ondrasik (2:59.41)
G 50 Free: 9th place - Sarah Litten (:28.59) and 11th place - Sydney Fetters (:28.59)
B 50 Free: 10th place - Turner Malik (:25.16)
G 200 Free Relay: 4th place (podium) - Sydney Fetters, Sarah Litten, Elise Hoffman, Riley Hoy (1:53.15)
* Syd's leadoff 50 was the team's season's fastest 50 so far (:28.08)
G 100 Free: 10th place - Elise Hoffman (1:04.89) and 21st place - Kat Barefoot (1:21.26)
G 500 Free: 11th place - Juniper Ondrasik (7:02.58) Juniper's 1st ever HS 500!!
G 100 Back: 3rd place (podium) - Sydney Fetters (1:05.84)
G 100 Breast: 3rd place (podium) - Riley Hoy (1:13.10) and 5th place (podium) - Sarah Litten (1:18.24)
* Congrats to Riley. Her 1:13.10 moved her from 7th all-time in BAHS history to 4th!!
There is a School Board Meeting tonight at the Bellefonte Area Middle School cafeteria. The meeting begins at 7:00PM. The public is welcome to attend!
The next meeting will occur on February 3, 2026.
The next meeting will occur on February 3, 2026.
Please enjoy the Friday Coffee Break newsletter for January 16. There are many extra-curricular achievements in this one! Our staff highlight is Torylynne Quick, and the Class of 2026 spotlight is Riley Venable.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Congratulations to the 11 high school singers who represented Bellefonte at the District 4 Chorus festival, hosted by Southern Huntingdon on January 8-10, 2026:
-Soprano 1: Emma Roos, Emily Schreffler
-Soprano 2: Sam Nedrow, Kayla Leddy
-Alto 1: Leah Nicholls, Liz Stack
-Alto 2: Addison Frazier
-Tenor 2: Tucker Murray
-Bass 1: Bennie Grieb
-Bass 2: Eli Rushton, Alex Stanton
Six singers have advanced to Regionals Chorus: Emma, Sam, Kayla, Liz, Tucker and Alex
Special shout-out to Alex Stanton who was 2nd chair in his section!
Congratulations to all of these talented individuals!
-Soprano 1: Emma Roos, Emily Schreffler
-Soprano 2: Sam Nedrow, Kayla Leddy
-Alto 1: Leah Nicholls, Liz Stack
-Alto 2: Addison Frazier
-Tenor 2: Tucker Murray
-Bass 1: Bennie Grieb
-Bass 2: Eli Rushton, Alex Stanton
Six singers have advanced to Regionals Chorus: Emma, Sam, Kayla, Liz, Tucker and Alex
Special shout-out to Alex Stanton who was 2nd chair in his section!
Congratulations to all of these talented individuals!
This season, the Co-ed Cheer Team has won the high school’s fifth District Title. The team recently competed in the PIAA State Championship and earned the top 7th team! The team advanced straight to finals on Friday beating 16 other teams to get there. This is the first time in school history for the cheer program. Congratulations to these hard working student-athletes!
Senior, Anna Tyson, earned her Keystone Degree in FFA and was awarded at the PA Farm Show on Monday, Jan. 12! This award is the highest a student can earn in high school. It recognizes students for their significant achievement in leadership, community service, academics, and their Supervised Agricultural Experience project. This project requires extensive hours of records, earnings or investment, and participation in FFA activities. Anna is currently our chapter vice president and has served in other officer and leadership positions. We are incredibly proud of the hard work she puts in daily and the dedication she has to our chapter, our school, and our community. Congratulations Anna!
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - BAHS Student Council is sponsoring a Dine In/Out Night at State Burger in Bellefonte! 10% of the sales will go towards their Mini-THON program. Please see the graphic for more information.
The dates have been set for Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year! Please see the graphic for building information. Children must be 5 years old BEFORE September 1, 2026. Please view the following link for more specific information:
https://www.basd.net/page/registration
https://www.basd.net/page/registration
Congratulations to Samantha Nedrow for earning the January ELKS Teen of the Month! Academically, Samantha continues to prove that she is committed to improving as a learner. She approaches challenging work with curiosity and resilience, asks questions when she needs help, and uses feedback to raise her performance. Samantha also demonstrates leadership through her involvement in our school’s Mini-THON program, she plays an integral role planning events with the Drama program, and with class cabinet. Samantha gives her time as a volunteer, encourages others, and follows through on responsibilities. Her involvement shows empathy, reliability, and a belief that helping others matters. Whether Samantha is working with classmates, helping at an event, or representing herself in the community, she shows humility, kindness, and integrity.
Discovery Space and the Rivet in State College is offering a Glow Day for middle school aged girls (11-14), on Monday, January 26th. Program participants will create and decorate their own desk-top lamp using fiber optic cable and LED lights. Please use the link for more information and to register: https://discoveryspace.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/component/events/event/387
*This is not a district sponsored event and no transportation will be provided.
*This is not a district sponsored event and no transportation will be provided.
Good morning!
Please enjoy the Friday Coffee Break newsletter for January 9th. Today's newsletter features some events that happened prior to winter break and provides a look at our winter sport progress. Emma Holsinger is our spotlight of the week.
Have a great weekend!
Please enjoy the Friday Coffee Break newsletter for January 9th. Today's newsletter features some events that happened prior to winter break and provides a look at our winter sport progress. Emma Holsinger is our spotlight of the week.
Have a great weekend!
Starting next month, the District will begin the process of creating a Portrait Of A Graduate document to explore the following questions:
1. What are the hopes, dreams, and aspirations that our community has for our graduates?
2. What are the skills and mindsets that our students need for success in this rapidly changing and complex world?
3. 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 click on the link to fill out the short form by February 1st:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhJI0SpeH1BZyq43NLf8j-dxYRr0EYzB-SyO3vDX_OvnfjGA/viewform
1. What are the hopes, dreams, and aspirations that our community has for our graduates?
2. What are the skills and mindsets that our students need for success in this rapidly changing and complex world?
3. 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 click on the link to fill out the short form by February 1st:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhJI0SpeH1BZyq43NLf8j-dxYRr0EYzB-SyO3vDX_OvnfjGA/viewform
The Bellefonte Area School District is hiring! Here are a few highlighted positions:
1. Football Varsity Assistant Coach - BAHS
2. Special Education Paraeducator - Emotional Support - BAMS
3. Itinerant Emotional Support Teacher - BAHS
4. Utility Clerk - BES and BAHS
5. Cafeteria Staff - All Buildings
Please see our Employment Page to apply and to check out more opportunities:
https://www.applitrack.com/basd/onlineapp/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
1. Football Varsity Assistant Coach - BAHS
2. Special Education Paraeducator - Emotional Support - BAMS
3. Itinerant Emotional Support Teacher - BAHS
4. Utility Clerk - BES and BAHS
5. Cafeteria Staff - All Buildings
Please see our Employment Page to apply and to check out more opportunities:
https://www.applitrack.com/basd/onlineapp/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
