►Board of Education calls for Recognition Awards nominations
Do you know a member of the BKW community who always gives outstanding service and makes a difference? Nominate that person for a 2008 Board of Education Recognition Award. READ MORE

►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 supply lists
It's that time of year again, and BKW teachers want your students to be ready when another year of learning begins on Sept. 4. Double-check the supply lists by grade to make sure your student has all he or she needs to hit the ground running on Sept. 4. READ MORE

►Board sets tax rates for the 2008-2009 school year
At its August 18 meeting, the Board of Education approved the tax rates for the 2008-2009 school year after receiving final figures from each town within the BKW school district. READ MORE

►Middle Class STAR rebate program update
The Middle Class STAR rebate program continues this year. If you're a basic STAR recipient who applied for the 2007 rebate, you don't have to reapply as long as your property information remains the same. If you didn't apply in 2007 or if your property information changed this year, you must apply by Dec. 31, 2008. READ MORE

►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

►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 to the right. 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 at the top right of your screen.

►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.

►Transportation Department changes bus routes for better efficiency
In an effort to help 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.

►Letter sent home to parents regarding High School principal
Read the letter sent home to parents concerning the next steps for the high school now that High School Principal Mary Petrilli is on leave.

► Petrilli placed on paid administrative leave
After convening for executive session Monday, the Board of Education placed High School principal Mary Petrilli on paid administrative leave and began the search for an acting high school principal to appoint for the start of the school year.
READ MORE

►Alumni Association announces date for annual dinner dance
The BKW Alumni Association will hold its annual dinner and dance Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Crossgates Restaurant and Banquet House in Albany. Cocktails and registration begin at 6 p.m.
DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION FORM and mail it back by September 22.

Summer (learning) fun!

►Summer School students get a head start on the upcoming school year
From water balloon tosses to science experiments, BKW's summer school uses fun summer activities to spark students' imaginations - and sharpen skills.
READ MORE

►Board of Education elects new president, VP
At its reorganizational meeting July 2, the Board of Education elected Helen Lounsbury as president and Michelle Fusco as vice president. READ MORE

►Get moving! Help your kids develop healthy habits this summer
The sun is shining, the air is warm, the days run long and there's plenty of free time. Summer break is the perfect reward after a long and busy school year - but it doesn't have to be spent inside playing video games. Here's how to use this time to get your kids off the couch and into the habits that make for a healthy, active lifestyle. READ MORE

►BKW schools among state's high-performing, gap-closing elite
The BKW Elementary and Middle/High Schools were for the second year in a row classified as high-performing, gap closing schools by New York State.
READ MORE

►Summer Elementary math facts
Help elementary students keep their math skills sharp this summer. MORE

►Chrysler wins prestigious award Graduating BKW senior and BOCES Career and Technical School student Robert Chrysler was recently honored with a prestigious Joseph N. Fuchs Award. READ MORE

►New e-mail address for BKW Board of Education
The Board of Education has changed its contact e-mail address. The new address is berneknoxwesterloboardofed@gmail.com. Please update your address books, or simply go to http://www.bkwschools.org/BOE/BOE.htm and click on the e-mail link to contact the board.

► How would a property tax cap affect our school?
As many district residents are hearing in the news, the state is considering the placement of a cap on the annual growth of property taxes, which would in turn cap the amount school districts can levy on their residents. While education leaders, including those within our own district, agree something must be done to ease the property tax burden on residents, many are concerned about how a cap might affect the quality of education provided here at BKW, as well as within other districts across the state.
Please read their position on the proposed tax cap here.

►BKW students shine at annual Invention Convention
Ever wished you could channel-surf with your voice or stay toasty warm while ice fishing? The students at left have solved these and many more of life's little inconveniences with their award-winning entries into the Annual Invention Convention.

READ MORE

►BKW announces Elementary summer school dates
This year's Elementary summer school classes will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. from July 28 to August 8.
For more information, please contact Annette Landry at 872-5282.

►Board of Education passes 2008-09 proposed budget
During a special meeting April 21, the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a proposed 2008-2009 budget of $20,347,546, which will go before district voters on May 20. MORE

►Congratulations 3rd Quarter Honor Roll students!

►Congratulations 3rd Quarter Middle School Honor Roll students!

►BKW and the Capital District Writing Project: a proactive partnership

►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

►Summer School Information
High School summer school sessions will run from July 7 - August 12 with Regents exams on August 13 and 14.  Middle School summer school sessions will run from July 14 to August 8.
View the Summer School flyer sent home to parents.

►Bulldog Basketball Camp is back this summer
The BKW Athletic Department is pleased to announce they are taking sign-ups for the 4th annual Bulldog Basketball Camp, to be held Monday, June 30 through Thursday, July 3 in the BKW High School gym. Registration is $100, which includes a camp t-shirt. Please register by June 1. Please download and return the following forms with your registration:
Application form
Permission slip

►Trooper Steve to remain at BKW
Last week, the State Senate passed an amendment to the state budget that reversed a proposal to re-deploy School Resource Officers like BKW's own Trooper Steven Rothwein to higher-crime areas. The budget passed on Wednesday. Read a local story about this topic.

Read about BKW's effort to keep Trooper Steve.

►JV/Varsity Athletic Awards night to be held June 9
Please join us for the JV/Varsity Athletic Awards Night at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 9, in the High School Auditorium. Light refreshments will be served.
►Modified sports reception to be held June 6
All Modified sports athletes are invited to a reception to be held at 6:30 p.m. June 6 in the Elementary School cafeteria. Please RSVP to the Middle School Office at 872-0950 by June 2.
►Adult Education classes return
From professional voice acting to boating certification, BKW's spring adult continuing education classes offer a wealth of learning opportunities. The class list and registration form are now available online. MORE
►Three candidates running for two open seats on the Board of Education
Sean O'Connor is running for the first time this year, Edward Ackroyd seeks to reclaim a seat on the Board after being defeated last year, and Maureen Sikule runs for re-election. MORE
►Concerned about your student's interactions on the Internet? Come to this seminar.
All district parents are invited to an awareness program on Internet safety and cyberbullying to be held Tuesday, May 20 during the budget vote. This informative session only takes 15 minutes and will be offered continuously between the hours of 3:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the technology room next to the shop and music rooms at the High School.
►BKW destroys hamburger affected by beef recall
On February 6, the state Office of General Services notified our food service department that the USDA had put a hold on the use of Westland beef. This hold affected NYS beef distributed by the Advance Food Company and used by our food service department. We complied immediately and have not served any beef  from Advance since February 6. MORE
►Superintendent, BOE members meet with local legislators
BKW Superintendent Steven Schrade, accompanied by Board of Education president Maureen Sikule and Board member Helen Lounsbury, visited the State Capitol on March 7 to talk with local legislators about the district's views on a number of state budget proposals that, in their opinion, would negatively affect the district if enacted. A proposal to re-deploy School Resource Officers out of school districts and a possible cut in state BOCES aid topped the list of concerns when they met with Sen. Neil D. Breslin, D-Albany, and Assemblyman John J. McEneny during the annual Superintendents' Legislative Breakfast. MORE.
►Author Ben Mikaelsen visits BKW Middle School
After a childhood in torment for being different, Ben Mikaelsen finally discovered that the key to living a happy, fulfilling life would be to embrace his individuality - and treat others with dignity and respect. This was his message to Middle School students during his talk,  "Becoming the Author of Your Own Life," on April 4. Mikaelsen also performed a creative writing workshop and signed his award-winning books for his BKW fans. For more information about Ben Mikaelsen and his work, please visit his Web site.
►BKW Theater Troupe presents "The Sound of Music"
The production of this classic musical was a great success! Thanks to all who came to see our talented students in the show.
For more information and pictures, please visit the Music Department Web site!
►BKW opposes Gov's School Resource Officer redeployment proposal
The Governor's office recently announced a proposal to re-deploy state troopers who currently serve as school resource officers in school districts and place them in higher-crime areas. If this proposal stands, BKW would lose the presence of Trooper Steven Rothwein, an invaluable member of the school community that students and staff have come to depend on for safety and support. District officials strongly disagree with this action, and are sending letters to local legislators in an effort to reverse the proposal. Now, the district is enabling members of the community to do the same. LEARN MORE.
►PARP is back
Just in time for spring, the Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) program kicked off on March 15 with an “outdoor adventure” theme and some great reading recommendations from local authors. MORE.
►Music Department launches new Web site
►Sports teams, others honored in Student Recognition Program
►District appoints new business administrator
►Capital project passes, construction to begin in the spring of 2009
►ATTENTION STUDENTS! Submit entries for the PTA Art Contest
The BKW PTA ART CONTEST is again underway!  This year's theme is "I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY...". Suggested mediums to express the theme include: paintings, drawings, poems, essays, photographs and sculptures. Contest is open to all grades from kindergarten to grade 12.  Deadline for entries is Friday, February 8, 2008.  Art work should be submitted at the Elementary or High School Offices.  Only one entry per student. Prizes will be awarded to the winners, and all artwork will be displayed in the Elementary School display case in March.  Artwork will be returned in early April.  If you have any questions, please call Alida Crisafulli @ 872-1868 or Jean Forti @ 872-2245.  Every year we have a great selection of artwork, poems and essays, and we look forward to viewing more of our students' fabulous talents  this year!    
►Don't miss the Jan. 30 and Feb. 5 senior nights!
Special senior nights will be held over the next two weeks. The first will honor the seniors on the Varsity boys' teams at about 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in the High School Gym. The second will honor the seniors on Varsity girls' teams February 5. For more information, please contact Sue May at 872-1482.
►Spaghetti dinner Feb. 5 to benefit Anthony Hill Scholarship Fund
Come support this scholarship in honor of Anthony Hill, a BKW student who lost his courageous battle with Hodgkins lymphoma in 2006. One delicious spaghetti dinner, including a beverage, salad and dessert, is just $5. Come join us February 5 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the High School cafeteria!
►Learn the ins and outs of paying for college during Statewide Financial Aid Day on Feb. 2
►8th Grade Parent Night to be held at 6:30 p.m. TONIGHT in the High School Auditorium
Chris Tacea, Director of Admissions at SUNY Cobleskill, and Mary Grondahl, Vice President for Enrollment Management at The College of Saint Rose, are the featured speakers.
For more information, please contact Annette Landry at 872-5282.
►HS Principal's medical leave extended
►Information about MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)
►Cross Country Team launches new Web site
►Honor Roll students announced
►Congratulations to all Middle School First Quarter Honor Roll students!
► STAR Rebate Program deadline EXTENDED to Dec. 31
►Free Operation Safe Child cards to be offered during capital project vote
►Proposed capital project carries average cost of $6 per year, $2.65 per year for seniors, superintendent says
►High School Principal on 30-day medical leave
►PTA sponsored Family Movie Night Nov. 9 features "Ratatouille"
►Click here to see the rest of Wednesday's Halloween Parade!
►School News Notifier has grown with e-mail alerts for the Board of Education and Class of 2008
►Students now able to sign up for online learner's permit test
►Environmental review on proposed capital project moving forward
► District to begin sending sex offender notifications via SNN
BKW will begin using its School News Notifier service to alert the community when sex offender notifications are received. If you have not yet signed up for School News Notifier, please click the SNN logo on the right side of this Web page.
Directions for receiving sex offender notifications via SNN
►Berne Elementary Pre-K program start date has been changed to Sept. 17, orientation set for Sept. 14
►BKW announces the launch of Class of 2008 web page
►7th Grader Hunter Fortuin completes Tech Valley Summer Camp
►Sikule elected Board of Education president, Harlow VP
►Ready, set...READ.
►Summer School  is now in full swing!
Complete Calendar
Tentative High School Schedule
Tentative Middle School Schedule
Summer School Contract
Motor Vehicle Form
►The Uhai Nature Trail is coming back to life
►Senior Lance Durham defies the odds: 
Student recently won WAC's Dick Gray award for overcoming medical 
adversity
►Congratulations, Class of 2007
Learn who our graduates are and what they'll be up to after graduation.
►Mileto honored as local "Teacher of the Year"
►Builders' Club donates to BKW libraries
►BKW wins top honor for safety
►Youth Garden receives national award
►Middle School students chosen for Invention Convention
►Wrestling Teams pin down another successful year
►Artwork by eight BKW students featured in BOCES Art Show
►Berne Elementary offering parent awareness workshop "Raising Safe Kids in an Unsafe World" May 22
►Author Patricia McCormick coming to BKW
►BKW announces two open seats on the Board of Education
►Happy Birthday Books-R-Us! Berne Elementary School bookstore celebrates 10 years "in business"
►BKW offers learner's permit test online Students 16 years of age or older can now avoid the long wait at the DMV by taking their permit tests online in the library
►Changes begin to boost K-12 curriculum With teachers' help, LaBelle propels plan to improve students' future performance on state tests
►Better fuel efficiency at BKW is saving some green
►BOCES grant buys new science books for Middle/High School library
►BKW Career & Tech students are #1 in the kitchen Julie Capuano, Zachary Davis, Aaron Giebitz and Drew Swint win spots at national culinary competition in April
►BKW Teachers tap local academic resources
►Cast for spring musical "The Wizard of Oz" selected
Caitlyn Osterhout will play the role of Dorothy Gale. Click here for the full cast list!
►See pictures from last week's High School Winter Concert

►BKW's own Justine Crevatas shares her experience singing for "Melodies of Christmas"

►5th grader selected for student ambassador program

Alex Chauvot aims to raise enough money for trip to Alaska

►Middle School Honor Roll

►High School Honor Roll

►For the love of the game: Teacher Don Dennis honored for his commitment to the BKW golf team

►How did your favorite BKW fall sports teams finish this season?
Girls Modified Soccer
Girls Varsity Volleyball
Boys and Girls Varsity Cross Country
JV Girls Volleyball

►School year off to a healthy start

►How BKW students performed on the state ELA and Math tests

►New courses offered at high school

►District selects David Weiser as new business administrator
►Board of Education honors faculty, staff and students at 18th annual Recognition Awards

►Key Club members "trick-or-treat" for UNICEF
►BKW's official 2006-2007 tax rates
►Back-to-school photo gallery

►Diefenbach leaving for private sector

►Corey appointed elementary school principal

►BKW awarded grant to "clean up" school buses

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