Superintendent Blog Post  January 10, 2020

 

Happy New Year!  We have a budget and facilities update and some amazing star students and employees!  

Budget Development Update

Budgeting is a year-round process for us but during the next few months we will take many concrete steps to put together the 2020-2021 school budget.  Our goal is to develop a budget that supports our students to the best of our abilities and to support all of our board goals and strategic plan.  

 

We present the budget in stages to the public through our board meetings over the next several months.  I also do several budget talks at school PTO meetings and other public places to discuss aspects of our school budget.  The schedule for that will be coming in the next few weeks.

Here is the schedule of the BCSD Board of Education Budget Workshops 

January 13- General Budget Overview

January 27- Athletics/Technology

February 10- Transportation and Facilities and Operations

March 9- Instruction and Professional Development

March 23- Presentation of the Overall Budget

April 14- Budget Adoption

May 14- Budget Public Hearing

May 19- Budget Vote and School Board Elections

 

Facilities Update 

We will be working with the Board of Education in the coming months to develop a new capital project that would potentially go to voters in December 2020.  This is all in the draft stages at this point but even though we are just wrapping up our current capital project, due to some debt service being paid off, we have the ability to develop another project.  We are currently working on hiring a new architecture firm and then in the coming months we will be doing a Building Conditions Survey as well as asking stakeholders about building needs. There will be much more to come on this subject in February but we are excited for more improvements to our facilities.

 

Star Students - Beacon High School  

Christopher Crawford submitted by Joanna Driscoll

Christopher Crawford is a 9th grade student who exemplifies all the best qualities of a BHS PRIDE student. He is always upbeat and positive. He greets his teachers when he arrives, and always wishes us a good day when he leaves. Chris is respectful to all those around him, and has wonderful manners. Chris shows integrity in all that he does; from my observations, he gives his very best to whatever task is before him. He never misses homework or classwork assignments and has even gone out of his way to check in with me to ensure that all is in order with his work and grades. Christopher exhibits determination every single day; he is the epitome of the engaged student. Chris Crawford is a true pleasure to teach and we are very grateful to have him for our student this year. ☺

 

Caleb Herrara submitted by Liz King

Caleb Herrera is a true leader among the Beacon High School students.  During the summer months and school year, he shared his knowledge and more importantly, his kindness. He always came to work with a smile and a positive attitude.  What is most striking is his character. The same commitment, hard work ethic, and kindness is witnessed by everyone he comes in contact with. Caleb gets that, what he does each day in some way to encourage, enrich, and empower others, is what is important.  He always has a positive attitude while volunteering in the theater, and juggling a challenging academic schedule. He is an amazing young man and we are blessed to have him as part of our Beacon High School Community.

Eliza Principe Garcia submitted by Ms. Gaspar

Eliza Principe Garcia is a BHS junior on the fast track to well-deserved success. She is the co-president of the Creative Writing Club and is an officer or member of at least four other clubs. Additionally, she is a member of National Honor Society. Eliza’s compassion for all living creatures and the health of our planet is very real, concerns for which she is an advocate and activist. When Eliza is not composing incredible original poetry and short stories, she is studying, busy with an activity, or helping a friend. Eliza has a maturity that belies her years and she stays well-informed of important issues. She is enrolled in honors, AP, and DCC classes and has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll . . . always . . .  

 

Erika DeHass submitted by Ms. Gaspar

Erika DeHaas has turned her penchant for storytelling and her love of fantasy and adventure into a growing portfolio of exciting creative work.  In one short semester, Erika has written several poems – some are amusing, others whimsical and some filled with imagery; a short story – a fable; and a wonderful world of magic and danger in the form of a graphic novel.   

Erika values learning and is a valuable student. She contributes by sharing her completed work and by actively participating in peer critique; comments to fellow writers are praise-filled, respectful, and appreciated. Erika is a courteous, nonjudgmental BHS senior who listens to all points of view with equanimity and graciousness. 

 

Star Employee - Belkys Nunez submitted by Laura Cahill, Principal - South Avenue

 

Belkys Nunez is everything that is right in education today!  She is kind, positive, encouraging, fun, friendly and gracious.  She is typically one of the first people students see when they arrive at South Avenue, and is happy to greet each student by name with a hug or high-5.  Belkys has worked for the BCSD for 16 years. She started as an aide in kindergarten and first grade, and even filled in as a dance teacher for Kindergarten students for a short time.  She is currently a Kindergarten teaching assistant where she continues to inspire our youngest students. Belkys is married with 5 children and 2 grandchildren, and is also a student - working toward her degree in human services/social work.  We are thrilled to recognize Belkys and her work at South Avenue.