August 2026
Dear BASD Families,
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! I hope you and your family have enjoyed a wonderful summer and are looking forward to the opportunities that a new school year brings. As we begin another year together, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support of our schools and students.
We are fortunate to have a dedicated and caring staff throughout the Bradford Area School District. Our teachers, support staff, administrators, and employees are committed to helping every student succeed. If you have questions or need assistance at any point during the school year, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help.
As many of you may know, there has been ongoing discussion regarding a potential district consolidation beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. We are currently studying this possibility and anticipate making a decision by November 2026 regarding whether to move forward. If approved, the proposed grade-level configuration for the 2027-2028 school year would be as follows:
• Pre-K through Grade 3: George G. Blaisdell Elementary School (GGB)
• Grades 4 through 7: Fretz Middle School
• Grades 8 through 12: Bradford Area High School
We understand that families will have questions and concerns regarding this possibility. Over the coming months, I will be scheduling parent meetings to provide information, answer questions, and listen to your feedback. Teachers will not address this at the Meet and Greets, as we want to focus on your child and the upcoming school year. Please stay tuned for details about those opportunities.
We are excited about the many events planned to kick off the school year and welcome students back to our buildings. I want to highlight our Back to School Rally being held on Saturday, August 22. This is a free event for all of our students. Each child receives a bookbag, books, school supplies, and much more. Students can be fitted with new sneakers as well.
August 20 from 5:00 – 6:00 School Street Meet and Greet
August 21 from 4:30 – 5:30 GGB Pre-K/ Kindergarten Meet and Greet
August 22 from 10:00 – 12:00 Back to School Rally at Parkway Field
August 24 from 4:30 – 5:30 GGB First/Second Grade Meet and Greet
August 24 from 6:00 – 7:00 Fretz Middle School Meet and Greet
August 25 from 5:00 – 6:00 Ninth Grade Meet and Greet
August 25 from 6:30 – 8:00 Meet the Teams – Fall Sports
I would also like to make families aware of an adjustment to our early dismissal schedule. In previous years, we have utilized two different early dismissal times. To provide greater consistency and make planning easier for families, we will implement one standard early dismissal schedule beginning this year:
• Bradford Area High School: 11:25 a.m.
• Fretz Middle School: 11:40 a.m.
• School Street Elementary & George G. Blaisdell Elementary: 12:30 p.m.
(Parent pick-up times may begin slightly earlier at the elementary buildings.)
Communication with our families remains a priority. If you have not already done so, please download the BASD App to receive important announcements, updates, and district information. You can also stay connected by following the Bradford Area School District Facebook page as well as your child's school Facebook page for news, reminders, and celebrations throughout the year.
Thank you for entrusting us with your children each day. We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to working together to make the 2026-2027 school year a successful and rewarding experience for all students.
Together we Soar!
Erin Waugaman, Superintendent
Dear BASD Families,
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! I hope you and your family have enjoyed a wonderful summer and are looking forward to the opportunities that a new school year brings. As we begin another year together, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support of our schools and students.
We are fortunate to have a dedicated and caring staff throughout the Bradford Area School District. Our teachers, support staff, administrators, and employees are committed to helping every student succeed. If you have questions or need assistance at any point during the school year, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help.
As many of you may know, there has been ongoing discussion regarding a potential district consolidation beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. We are currently studying this possibility and anticipate making a decision by November 2026 regarding whether to move forward. If approved, the proposed grade-level configuration for the 2027-2028 school year would be as follows:
• Pre-K through Grade 3: George G. Blaisdell Elementary School (GGB)
• Grades 4 through 7: Fretz Middle School
• Grades 8 through 12: Bradford Area High School
We understand that families will have questions and concerns regarding this possibility. Over the coming months, I will be scheduling parent meetings to provide information, answer questions, and listen to your feedback. Teachers will not address this at the Meet and Greets, as we want to focus on your child and the upcoming school year. Please stay tuned for details about those opportunities.
We are excited about the many events planned to kick off the school year and welcome students back to our buildings. I want to highlight our Back to School Rally being held on Saturday, August 22. This is a free event for all of our students. Each child receives a bookbag, books, school supplies, and much more. Students can be fitted with new sneakers as well.
August 20 from 5:00 – 6:00 School Street Meet and Greet
August 21 from 4:30 – 5:30 GGB Pre-K/ Kindergarten Meet and Greet
August 22 from 10:00 – 12:00 Back to School Rally at Parkway Field
August 24 from 4:30 – 5:30 GGB First/Second Grade Meet and Greet
August 24 from 6:00 – 7:00 Fretz Middle School Meet and Greet
August 25 from 5:00 – 6:00 Ninth Grade Meet and Greet
August 25 from 6:30 – 8:00 Meet the Teams – Fall Sports
I would also like to make families aware of an adjustment to our early dismissal schedule. In previous years, we have utilized two different early dismissal times. To provide greater consistency and make planning easier for families, we will implement one standard early dismissal schedule beginning this year:
• Bradford Area High School: 11:25 a.m.
• Fretz Middle School: 11:40 a.m.
• School Street Elementary & George G. Blaisdell Elementary: 12:30 p.m.
(Parent pick-up times may begin slightly earlier at the elementary buildings.)
Communication with our families remains a priority. If you have not already done so, please download the BASD App to receive important announcements, updates, and district information. You can also stay connected by following the Bradford Area School District Facebook page as well as your child's school Facebook page for news, reminders, and celebrations throughout the year.
Thank you for entrusting us with your children each day. We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to working together to make the 2026-2027 school year a successful and rewarding experience for all students.
Together we Soar!
Erin Waugaman, Superintendent
The Bradford Area School District is seeking applicants to fill a vacant position on the Board of School Directors. Individuals interested in serving are encouraged to submit a letter of interest to Mr. Sam Johnson at sjohnson@bradfordareaschools.org no later than 3:00 p.m. on August 17.
Serving on the school board is a meaningful opportunity to support the students, staff, and families of BASD and the greater Bradford community. Board members should be committed to public service and prepared to dedicate the time and effort necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
Join us on Saturday, August 22, for Bradford's Back to School Rally at Parkway Field!
Kindergarten Transition Camp Transportation Reminder
Attention Kindergarten Parents!
If your child will be attending Kindergarten Transition Camp on August 4, 5, and 6, and is returning to GGB, please log in to the MyRideK12 app to review your child's pickup and drop-off times before camp begins.
Check your transportation details today to ensure a smooth start to camp.
Thank you for helping us get our youngest learners off to a great start!
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students that are enrolled at GGB for the 2026-2027 school year are invited to join us at Transition Camp! Meet your teachers, new classmates, and learn all about our building! If you haven't registered yet, please do so before Friday, 7/17.
Click the link to register:
https://forms.office.com/r/CNpXFq9Pyi?origin=lprLink
Click the link to register:
https://forms.office.com/r/CNpXFq9Pyi?origin=lprLink
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students that are enrolled for the 2026-2027 school year are invited to join our Transition Camp! Registration closed July 19, 2026. Click the link to register: https://forms.office.com/r/CNpXFq9Pyi?origin=lprLink
Notice:
Bradford Area School District Board of Directors intend to vote on the 26/27 School District Budget on June 22, 2026, at 6:30pm in the LGI room at Fretz Middle School located at 140 Lorana Ave. Bradford PA.
Call GGB for your Pre-Kindergarten Application!
https://www.youtube.com/@WOWLTV
Watch the Live Stream Broadcast of the BAHS Graduation Ceremony
7pm
June 4, 2026
Watch the Live Stream Broadcast of the BAHS Graduation Ceremony
7pm
June 4, 2026
All student laptops and tablets are now due to be returned to Bradford Area School District. If you have not already done so, please have your child return their school-issued device and charger as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation!
550+ pounds of brass parts from Parkway Industrial - finished, packed, and shipped off to American Refining Group.
#OwlPride #CTE
Congratulations to the Bradford Bees Envirothon team as they captured 9th out of 66 at the Pennsylvania State Envirothon competition today. The team consisting of Autumn Neumann, Cecily Bell, Emmy Kemick, Joe Bukowski, and Jake Whitlow finished 1st in McKean county earlier this month to earn a berth at the state competition.
#OwlPride
GGB held its first Pre-Kindergarten Clinic for accepted students yesterday! We are excited to see these smiling faces back for the 2026-2027 School Year.
Pre-Kindergarten applications are being reviewed!
📚 Pre‑Kindergarten Applications Now Under Review! 📚
GGB has begun reviewing Pre‑Kindergarten applications for the upcoming school year.
⏰ Don’t miss out!
Submit your application and all required documents as soon as possible.
ℹ️ Important Reminder:
PA Pre‑K Counts is a grant‑funded program, and families must meet eligibility guidelines to apply.
📞 Questions?
Call 814‑362‑6834 for more information.
GGB has begun reviewing Pre‑Kindergarten applications for the upcoming school year.
⏰ Don’t miss out!
Submit your application and all required documents as soon as possible.
ℹ️ Important Reminder:
PA Pre‑K Counts is a grant‑funded program, and families must meet eligibility guidelines to apply.
📞 Questions?
Call 814‑362‑6834 for more information.
Please submit Pre-Kindergarten applications as soon as possible so you don't miss out on important information. Don't forget the additional documents (birth certificate, proof of residency, household income and immunization records)!
Highlights from last weeks CTE Open House for local members to tour our facilities.
#OwlPride #CTE
2026-2027 Kindergarten Registration now open! Call today to get an apt scheduled, 814-362-6834.
Congratulations to Bradford Area High School Early Childhood Education (ECE) students Laney Cook and Lilly Lasher for being awarded the National Child Development Associate (CDA) Certification by the CDA Council, Washington DC. They were observed teaching Pre-Kindergarten Classes for 2 hours, prepared a Portfolio, worked over 480 hours with children, and over 220 hours of learning in their 3 year - 3 period a day ECE Class.
#OwlPride #CTE
Congratulations to Bradford Area High School Early Childhood Education (ECE) students Aron McKinney and Brooke Arnold for being awarded the National Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential by the CDA Council, Washington DC. They were observed teaching Pre-Kindergarten Classes for 2 hours, prepared a Portfolio, worked over 480 hours with children, and over 220 hours of learning in their 3 year - 3 period a day ECE Class.
#OwlPride #CTE
