Community Foundation Gifts Support District Improvements

The district is pleased to announce generous gifts from the Needham & Petteys Memorial Foundations and the Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundation that will fund significant improvements across our schools.

These foundation funds will enhance facilities and programs in meaningful ways, including:

- Leveling and resodding the BSC south lawn with a new sprinkler system

- Upgrading the sports complex with a fob entrance system

- Installing new sound systems in the BSC auditorium and arena

- Providing a new wrestling mat

- New culinary equipment for middle school students

- Updated athletic uniforms

- New classroom furniture for Beaver Valley students

- Updated district office board room

- Renovated childcare cottages with new flooring and fresh paint

The support of our local foundations continues to make a meaningful difference for students and staff. These investments directly enhance the learning environment and opportunities available throughout the district.

Cross Country Team Advanced to State Competition Brush High School cross country runners qualified for the state championship, with one athlete earning a top placement at the competition.

High School Drama Presented "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" Brush High School students performed a captivating production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow this fall.

BHS Choir Students Selected for Patriot League Honor Choir Congratulations to Brush High School choir students who were selected to perform in the 2025 Patriot League Honor Choir.

Middle School Drama Performed Holiday Production Middle School Drama students delighted audiences with their performance of How Miss Pinch Stole Christmas.

Winter Concerts Showcased Musical Talent Middle School and High School students performed in their annual winter concerts, showcasing the exceptional talent of our music programs.

Our annual financial audit for the 2024–2025 school year is currently underway and nearing completion. Significant progress has been made through the implementation of stronger internal controls, updated policies, and diligent reconciliation of financial records. These improvements have enhanced transparency and ensured that expenditures are necessary and appropriate. This independent audit verifies compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing financial management and accountability. Once finalized, the audit results will be presented to the Board of Education for review and approval in January.

In addition, the district has recently adjusted its final budget, which is statutorily required to be completed and approved by the Board of Education by January 31, 2026. The budget is balanced, aligned with all required guidelines, and reflects the extensive work completed during the first half of the year to address deficiencies, establish sound financial procedures, and reconcile cash, liabilities, and assets. While this process required substantial effort, it has produced meaningful improvements and positions the district on a strong and sustainable financial path.

The Brush School District offers a comprehensive wellness benefit for all full-time staff through Vitality, an interactive and personalized wellness program. Employees earn points—called Vitality Bucks—by engaging in healthy activities, health courses, health reviews, games, etc, which can be redeemed for gift cards or exercise devices. 
As a district, we regularly participate in a variety of wellness challenges, including steps, fitness, and workout activities. Since April 7th, we have completed five challenges, with participation increasing each time. These challenges provide a fun, motivating, and collaborative way to connect with colleagues while improving our overall well-being, which makes us better able to support students, our co-workers, and the community. 

Our annual Thanksgiving meal across all buildings in November was a great success, serving 1,081 students and 529 guests. We are currently running quarterly promotions designed to introduce students to exciting new menu options and flavorful dipping sauces. As a result, our meal counts, profitability, total sales, and volume allowance are all trending higher.

On January 20, 2026, we are excited to welcome one of our Celebrity Chef partners, Jonathan Zaragoza, to BSC. Chef Zaragoza will speak with our culinary classes about his experiences in the culinary field and share side dishes inspired by his heritage. During lunch service, all students will have the opportunity to sample his dishes as part of a special station takeover.

New Learning Resources Coming Soon

Our Curriculum Council is reviewing new resources for Science and Social Studies in grades 6-12, which will be implemented in the 2026-2027 school year. These resources will be presented at our DAAC meeting in February and our Board of Education meeting in March. 

Winter Assessment Updates

Students have recently completed their winter NWEA and DIBELS assessments. These tests help us assess your child's progress from fall to winter and guide our teaching to better meet their needs. Thank you for ensuring your child was present and ready to do their best!

Our Multilingual Learners will begin preparing for the WIDA Access assessment when we return from break. This test, administered between January 12 and February 13, 2026, measures English language development and helps teachers provide the right support for each student's language learning journey. Only students who have qualified for Multilingual Learner services will take this assessment. 

Be sure to visit our website for additional information about assessments. https://www.brushschools.org/page/curriculum-and-assessment

Attendance Matters

As we move through the school year, we want to emphasize the critical role that consistent attendance plays in your child's education. Every school day matters for your child's success. When students attend regularly, they build on previous learning, strengthen relationships, and develop habits that lead to academic achievement and graduation. We encourage you to make school attendance a priority whenever possible, and we're here to partner with you when challenges arise.

The holidays are a perfect time to keep your child's mind active while having fun together! Here are some simple, enjoyable ways to support learning at home:

Early Readers (K-2) - Building Sound and Letter Skills:

Growing Readers (3-5) - Building Confidence and Understanding:

For All Ages:

The goal is to keep skills sharp while enjoying quality time together! Find more tips at https://www.readlearnleadco.org/

Connecting with Your Teen Over the Holidays

Engaging teens in learning during extended breaks can be challenging, but it's all about making it natural and enjoyable. Here are some ideas:

Create Low-Pressure Together Time:

Have Meaningful Conversations:

Make Learning Feel Natural, Not Like School:

Encourage Creative and Critical Thinking:

The key is making learning feel relevant and self-directed. When teens have autonomy and see connections to their lives, they're more likely to stay engaged.

As we close out this year, we want to extend our warmest wishes to you and your family for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May your celebrations be safe, peaceful, and filled with the warmth of loved ones. We look forward to all that 2026 will bring!