The Golden Herd
Volume 1, Issue 1
Welcome from Dr. Marshall
A new school year presents
opportunities for new beginnings – new
classes, new faces, and many new teachers to
get to know. Hopefully, all of our students and
staff have had a chance to re-energize and are
ready to commit to making each other better
each day here at Buffalo Gap.
Together at Buffalo Gap High School, we
continue to work hard to meet changing
objectives for student graduation and strive to
challenge each student to achieve excellence.
In order to maintain the high level of
achievement we are accustomed to, we must
make every effort to improve student
attendance and involvement in our school.
Good attendance and involvement in school
bring about astonishing rewards now and in life
beyond high school.
As long as we-as students, parents,
teachers, and administrators-work together,
doing what is best for each other, we can be
assured of success in the coming year.
I look forward to continuing to serve the
Buffalo Gap community and to working with all
of our amazing families.
Thank you for being part of our family,
Dr. Marshall
Drop Off/Pick Up Zone
Parents and students, please be aware that
the drop off/pick up zone before and after school is
located at the side of the school next to the
Cafeteria. Students should NOT be dropped off in
front of the school unless otherwise approved by
administration. The front parking lot of the school is
for busses and student/faculty parking only.
Yearbook Information
Copies of the 2016 BGHS yearbook are on
sale now. Order by Friday, Oct. 30th, and receive up
to four icons free. In addition, you will save $5.
Please go to www.shopjostens.com or bring your
completed order form with a check made payable to
Buffalo Gap to Mrs. Matherly in Room 1. Yearbook
prices will increase after Friday, Oct. 30th!
MUM FUNDRAISER
The Music Department will be having a mum
fundraiser. The sale will begin on Tuesday, Aug.
25th, when music students will receive order forms.
Orders forms are due back Tuesday, Sep. 8th.
Mums can be picked up in the Band Room on
Thursday, Sep. 17th.
August/September 2015
Attendance Policy
It is very important that BGHS students are at school
each day. At BGHS we are going to be: On time to school, on
time to class, and on time to graduate. If a student does miss a
day of school, please make sure that he/she returns to school
with a signed note.
Under the Code of Virginia, the Commonwealth
Compulsory Attendance Law requires that students attend school
regularly. Student attendance is vital for academic success.
Students are considered “Not in Good Standing” if the following
occur: (All Unexcused)

Accumulate 10 Late Arrivals to school

Accumulate 10 Early Dismissals from school

Accumulate 10 Absences from school
Third party documentation (doctor’s note or court
subpoena) will be required for excusing a late arrival, early
dismissal, or absence after reaching the 10 unexcused in each
category.
Students not in good standing may not participate in
and/or attend extra-curricular activities (including dances, prom,
sporting events, sport team participation, etc.). Students may lose
their driving privileges to school, and seniors will not be allowed
to be exempt from final exams. Exception: Students will be
allowed to participate in co-curricular activities (band/choral
concerts, drama productions, etc.) as this pertains to the regular
class curriculum and is a requirement for a grade.
BGHS Welcomes New Faces
Ms. Elizabeth Batdorf is not new to the school.
During the Spring of 2015, Ms. Batdorf student taught with
Mrs. Lauren Hutchings. Ms. Batdorf is replacing Mrs.
Hutchings and will be teaching Spanish 1 and 2 this year.
She studied in Ecuador for six months; talk about
immersing in a culture! She is a martial artist.
Mr. William Boyd is replacing Mr. Michel Harmon,
who retired at the end of the 2014-2015 school year. Mr.
Boyd is also not a newcomer to Gap as he taught here in
the 1980s. Mr. Boyd will be teaching Biology and
Advanced Biology. He is married to retired Augusta
County School Librarian, Rebecca Brooks Boyd, and
together the couple has one daughter, Brooke.
Mrs. Shirley Matherly joins the faculty from Wilson
Middle School. She is taking over in the Business
Department for Mrs. Tonya Cleveland. Mrs. Matherly will
be teaching Finance and Yearbook. Mrs. Mathery is the
wife of John Matherly, Principal at Riverheads Elementary
School. The couple has three children: Tyler, Tara, and
Jack.
Mr. Patrick Torrens is replacing Mr. Josh Herndon.
Mr. Torrens has previously coached the Girls’ Tennis
Team here at Gap. Mr. Torrens will be teaching World
Geography, World History II, and Economics and Personal
Finance. Mr. Torrens is a diehard Baltimore Orioles fan
and enjoys hiking, rock climbing, reading historical fiction
and nonfiction, and working in the garden with his family,
especially his 3 ½ year-old stepson, Oliver.
Mr. Chad Ward joins the Gap family from Altavista
High School where he taught for nine years. He is taking
the place of Mr. Patrick Weller in both the classroom and
on the court as the new head Varsity Boys’ Basketball
coach. He will be teaching World History I. He is married
to Gwen, and they have two children: Nolan and Jude.
Mr. Stephen Winslow joins the BGHS faculty from
Staunton City Schools. He is replacing Mrs. Molly
Brady. He will be teaching Advanced Composition,
Speech and Drama, English 11, and English 11B. Mr.
Winslow loves camping, traveling, and fantasy football. He
is also a high-school basketball official. His quest is to be a
mirror so that every student sees the good in
himself/herself that he sees.
Page 1
School Information
From the Counselors’ Desks
Meet the Counseling Department
The BGHS Counseling Department is
pleased to announce Mrs. Shannon Brown as
the new Guidance Coordinator and Counselor for
students with last names L - Z. Mrs. Brown brings
to Gap several years of experience. Her
background includes admissions work for Mary
Baldwin College and the new Murphy Deming
College of Health Sciences, as well as school
counseling for Staunton City Schools. Prior to her
family's move to Virginia, she worked for 10 years
as a school counselor in her home state of
Minnesota. Mrs. Brown can be reached at:
brown.sm@augusta.k12.va.us.
Mrs. Charlene Reed returns for her fifth year as a
School Counselor at Gap! She is the counselor
for students with names A - K. She enjoys
running, fitness, and spending time with her
husband and children. Mrs. Reed can be reached
at:reed.c@augusta.k12.va.us.
Mrs. Kristy Ashby also returns for her thirteenth
year as Counseling Secretary for the Counseling
Department. She enjoys spending time with her
family as well. Mrs. Ashby can be reached at:
kashby@augusta.k12.va.us.
Additional Staff
We are pleased to announce Ms. Sarah
Morris is now the Career Coach at Gap! She will
be with us 3 days each week. She will work with
our students to help them find career direction and
research career opportunities. This is a fantastic
service for our students, and we encourage all of
you to take advantage of this valuable resource!
GRASP
Mrs. Sheba Lane will be back with us this
year as our GRASP Financial Aid Advisor. She
will be meeting individually with every senior and
will also be available to parents and students from
other grade levels. This program has been a
wonderful resource for our students, and we are
excited that it will continue this year!
Classroom Visits
August/September - Counselors will visit 12th
grade classrooms to distribute senior handbooks
and information about post-high school plans.
September - Counselors will visit 11th grade
classrooms to distribute junior handbooks and talk
about post-high school plans.
*Plans for visiting 9th & 10th grade classrooms
Drivers
License Information
are being made for later in the school year.
Still need your license? Be sure to see Coach
Keyser and find out what you need to do to get your
license.
Academic Team
Academic Team will have an interest
meeting on Wednesday, Sep.16th, at 8:10 a.m. in
Room 35. If you are interested in joining the team but
unable to make the meeting, see Mrs. Collins in
Room 35 for more information. Academic Team
practices will begin Monday, Sep. 28th, from 3:154:30 p.m. in the Media Center.
School Passes
Contact the school if you are interested in
purchasing any of the following passes:
2015-2016 Buffalo Gap Athletic Passes
Per Year/Per Season
Family Pass(immediate family only): $250.00/$100.00
Adult Pass(individual):
$175.00/$75.00
Student Pass (individual):
$50.00/$25.00
Senior Citizen-62 years or older (individual):
$50.00/$25.00
These passes are only valid for regular
season home events. There is not a senior citizen
discount at the gate. The only discount that is
applicable is the purchase of a Buffalo Gap Senior
Pass.
See Mrs. Whitmore for a student parking pass:
 Passes are $50
 There is a $5 replacement fee if lost
 You need to have your passes displayed
by September 30th because Mr. Hildebrand
will be checking.
SCA Wants YOU
Elections
Freshman Class Elections will be held on
Friday, Aug. 28th. To run for a Freshmen Class
Office, please see Mrs. Click in Room 3 for an
application.
There is still a position open for Sophomore
Class Vice President. If you are a sophomore and
are interested in filling this position, please see
Mrs. Click in Room 3 for an application as soon as
possible.
Homecoming
The Homecoming Game and Dance will be
Friday, Oct. 16th and Saturday, Oct. 17th,
respectively.
Suggestions and Officers
If you have any suggestions for SCA, please write
a note and drop it in the suggestion box by the TV
in the lobby or ask one of our officers.
Here are the 2015-2016 SCA Executive Officers:
President: Michael Hawes
Vice President: Shelby Stenzel
Secretary: Becca Gains
Treasurer: Brock Moore
Public Relations Coordinator: Heather Galway
…See Page 4 for Class Officers
Page 2
CLUBs & SCHOOL Organizations
Drama Club
FCCLA Information
The first Drama Club meeting will
be Friday, Sep. 18th, in the Auditorium during
Bison Block. If you are interested in acting, set
design, or sound and lighting, come and see what
Drama Club has to offer!
The first FCCLA meeting will take place
on Friday, Sep. 25th, in the Cafeteria. Dues
are $15, and shirts can be purchased for $12.
There will be a tailgate before the
home football game on Friday, Sep. 25th. The
annual trip to the Virginia State Fair is set for
Oct. 1st. Details about the cost will be
forthcoming.
If you want more information about
FCCLA, please see Mrs. Ullrich in Room 6, or
you can ask an officer: Heather Galway,
Morgan Lyle, Tara Ergenbright, Makayla
Prevette, Brianna Campbell, or Brittany Sours.
One Act Auditions
One Act Auditions will take place in the
coming weeks. Listen to the announcements
for specific details. If you are interested
learning more about the One Act Play, please
see Mr. Winslow in Room 25.
Music Department
Happenings
A Parent Information Meeting will take
place on Thursday, Sep. 10th at 5:45 p.m. in the
Band Room regarding the Spring Fine Arts Trip.
The trip is open to students in good standing and
actively participating in the Music Department.
The trip dates are Apr. 14th (leaving after school
on the 13th) through the 17th.
JMU Band Day will be held Saturday, Sep.
12th, and is open to all BGHS Marching Band
students. Students will spend the day with the
James Madison University Marching Royal Dukes
and have the opportunity to perform during
the half time show. The cost is $25 per
student to cover meals and a JMU Band Day
T-Shirt. Students should see Ms. Urry to sign
up before Tuesday, Sep. 1st.
Volleyball Chicken BBQ
The BGHS Volleyball Team is sponsoring
a chicken BBQ on Saturday, Aug. 29th, at
Churchville Community Park. Chicken halves are
$4.00. Pre-sale orders can be placed with
eaashby@augusta.k12.va.us or any volleyball
team member. Please come and support the
volleyball team!
The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is designed
specifically for high school students in grades 9-12. In
1978, the National Art Education Association began the
National Art Honor Society program to inspire and
recognize students who have shown an outstanding
ability and interest in art. The NAHS strives to aid
members in attaining the highest standards in art
scholarship, character, and service, and to bring art
education to the attention of the school and community.
~ Membership in this chapter shall be based upon art
scholarship, service, and character.
~ To be eligible for selection to membership in this
chapter, the candidate must be a high school student
enrolled in grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 in this school, and have
completed a period equivalent to one semester of art at
BGHS.
~ An eligible candidate shall have a minimum art
scholarship average of B.
~ Members may remain active during such time when
there is no art on their class schedule.
~ Students enrolled in home-school on a full-time basis
and who meet all other eligibility requirements may be
considered for NAHS membership.
Did You Know?
2015-16 BGHS NAHS officers:
President – Scarlette Tapley
Vice President – Zach Thompson
Secretary – Shelby Digman
Events coordinator – Rebecca Wilson
August is recognized as Medic Alert
Awareness Month.
September is Whole Grains Month.
International Club
If you are taking a foreign language,
French, Latin, or Spanish, you are invited to join
the International Club. We try to do things that
highlight any and all foreign languages and
cultures. If you are currently enrolled or have
taken 3 years of a foreign language, then you may
join us. See Señor López in Learning Cottage 1
for more information.
NAHS Sponsor – Elizabeth Williams, BGHS Art Teacher
\
At BGHS, NAHS meets during club days. Many times
we will have visiting artists share their work. We also will
meet at other designated times outside of the regular
school day. Officers hope to plan some nature/discovery
walks for photography, sketching, treasure hunting, etc.
We also hope to do a gallery crawl in downtown
Staunton on a Friday evening! Take art. Do your best.
Maintain a B average, and you might be invited to join
NAHS!
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ACADEMIC SUCCESS
BEGINS @ YOUR LIBRARY
FFA News
Library Staff:
Mrs. Amanda Seldomridge – Librarian
Hours of Operation: 8:00 – 3:30 M-F
Students are invited to visit the library before
school, during lunch, after school, and with a
teacher’s permission throughout the day.
Checkout Policy:
Reference materials can be checked out
overnight. All other materials circulate for
two weeks. Students may not check out
additional materials if they have any that are
overdue. Late fees are not assessed to
overdue materials, but students are expected
to pay for lost or damaged materials.
Access to Online Databases:
Online databases, including World Book
Online, Bloom’s Literary Reference, and
Opposing Viewpoints, can be accessed both
at school and at home. These databases
include thousands of articles from scholarly
journals, magazines, and newspapers and
meet research needs across all academic
disciplines.
For More Information:
To find out about special events, new books,
and more visit the library’s webpage.
SCA Class Officers
Sophomore Class Officers:
President: Leah Pultz
Vice President: [Position Available; See Mrs. Click]
Secretary: Alexis Clark
Treasurer: Natalie Wheeler
PRC: Alex Rushing
State FFA Convention was held in June
this year, and Buffalo Gap High School excelled in
the following areas:
Livestock Judging- State Winning Team, Team
Members- Simon Liggett, Bailey Hadacek- 2nd
overall, Cole Reeves- 5th overall, and Sam
Blackwell- 7th overall
Ag Mechanics Team- Harrison Powell, Walton
Sprouse, Mason Mawyer, and Brandon Caricofe
Ag Issues Team- 4th- Emily Hanger, Jeanne
Smith, Sara McCutcheon, and Kelsey Ervine
Vet Science Team – 9th overall- Clay Graham,
Tori Prevette, Carissa Cline, and Caitlyn Harris
Horse Judging and Hippology Team- 5th in
Horse Judging and 6th in Hippology-Megan
Heitman, Kendall Benner, Brooklyn Burns, and
Noel Meadows
Dairy Showmanship- Travis Cash and Wyatt
Lotts- 2nd in the state
FFA State Degrees- Carrie Cromer, Evan
Simmons, Corey Smith and Tori Prevette.
Buffalo Gap earned gold in Public
Relations and a Superior Chapter Award.Tori
Prevette was also the recipient of a FFA
Scholarship for $1,000. FFA will meet for the first
time on Friday, Sep. 11th in the New Gym.
T.S.A
Join the Technology Student Association at
Buffalo Gap High School! Mr. Alexander is the
sponsor. The Valley Regional Technology Student
Association Fall Rally will be held on Saturday,
Sep. 19th, at James Madison University. There will
be lots of technology activities and we will attend a
JMU vs Albany football game in the afternoon.
Total costs are $22. See Mr. Alexander in the
Technology Department if you have any questions
or if you would like to register to attend.
Transportation will be provided. Make checks
payable to BGHS Tech Ed.
Anyone interested in robotics competitions
should also as see Mr. Alexander.
Food for Thought…

Junior Class Officers:
President: Anna Cahill
Vice President: Jacob Gray
Secretary: Anatasia Chittum
Treasurer: Austin Armentrout
PRC: Callie Fowler
Senior Class Officers:
President: Clay Graham
Vice President: Amber Stokes
Secretary: Luke Morgan
Treasurer: Laila Elgayyar
PRC: Leslie Simmons

You have to walk briskly for about 20 minutes in
order to burn off one can of the average soda.
A 20-ounce bottle of soda contains the
equivalent of approximately 16 teaspoons of
sugar. Just for comparison: The American
Heart Association recommends that Americans
consume no more than five to nine teaspoons
of sugar per day.
School Website
Most school news and information is available on the
BGHS website. To access this site, go to
www.augusta.k12.va.us/bghs
DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Augusta County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following
persons have been designated to handle inquires regarding the non-discrimination policies.
Title IX Coordinator
Eric W. Bond, Ed. D.
Assistant Superintendent for Personnel
6 John Lewis Road
Fishersville, VA 22939
(540) 245-5107
Section 504 Coordinator
George Earhart
Assistant Superintendent for Administration
6 John Lewis Road
Fishersville, VA 22939
(540) 245-5108
Page 4
Calendar of Events
September 25th
 Varsity Football—Wilson Memorial: Home/7:00
 Volleyball—Luray: Home/5:30
August
August 25th
 Volleyball—Parry McCluer: Away/6:00
September 26th
 Marching Band—Blast in the Draft
 Cross Country—Stonewall Jackson Invitational:
Away/9:30
August 27th
 Volleyball—Robert E. Lee: Home/5:30
 JV Football—Fort Defiance: Home/6:00
August 28th
 Varsity Football—Fort Defiance: Away/7:00
September 28th
 Golf—Conference Tournament @ Spotswood
CC/ 8:30
September
September 1st
 Volleyball--Parry McCluer: Home/5:30
September 29th
 Volleyball—Stonewall Jackson: Away/5:30
September 3rd
 Volleyball—Robert E. Lee: Away/5:30
 JV Football—Parry McCluer: Away/6:00
September 30th
 Competition Cheer—@ Waynesboro
Invitational: Away/TBD
 Cross Country—Riverheads: Away/5:00
September 4th
 Picture Day
 Varsity Football—Parry McCluer: Home/7:00
October
October 1st
 Volleyball—Page County: Away/5:30
 JV Football—Riverheads: Home/6:00
September 7th
 No School—Labor Day
October 2nd
 Picture Retakes
 Varsity Football—Riverheads: Away/7:00
September 9th
 Cross Country—Stuart Hall: Home: 4:30
September 10th
 JV Football—Bath County: Home/6:00
October 3rd
 Marching Band—Franklin County Classic in
Rocky Mount, VA
 Competition Cheer—Bison Invitational:
Home/TBD
 Cross Country—Stuart Hall Invitational: TBD
September 11th
 Varsity Football—Bath County: Away/7:00
September 12th
 Competition Cheer—@ Fort Defiance:
Away/1:00
 Cross Country—Eastern Mennonite
Invitational: Away/10:00
October 5th
 Golf—Regional Tournament @Kiskiack Course/
TBD
October 6th
 Volleyball—East Rockingham: HOme/5:30
14th
September
 Golf—Wilson Memorial @ Ingleside: Home/4:30
October 7th
 Competition Cheer—@ Stuarts Draft
Invitational: Away/TBD
 Cross Country—Page Country & Stuarts Draft:
Away/5:00
September 15th
 Volleyball—Wilson Memorial: Away/5:30
September 16th
 JV Football—East Rockingham: Away/6:00
September
 Volleyball—Riverheads: Home/5:30
October 8th
 Volleyball—Wilson Memorial: Home/5:30
 JV Football—Stuarts Draft: Away/6:00
September 19th
 Cross Country—Wilson Memorial Invitational:
Away/10:00
October 9th
 End of 1st Six weeks
 Varsity Football—Stuarts Draft: Home/7:00
September 22nd
 Volleyball—Stuarts Draft: Home/5:30
 Golf—Parry McCluer and Rockbridge @
Lexington CC: Away/4:00
October 12th
 Report Cards Distributed
 All County Chorus
September 23rd
 Cross Country—Fort Defiance Invitational: TBD
October 16th
 Varsity Football—Luray: Home/7:00
(Homecoming Game)
17th
Upcoming Dates
September 24th
 10th Grade Hearing and Vision Screening
 JV Football—Wilson Memorial: Away/6:00
October 17th
 Homecoming Dance—8:00-10:30
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Newsletter 8