08/17/2026
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 page as well as your child's school 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
