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Buffalo United Celebrates 20th Anniversary with a Focus on Family

Published: Jun 27, 2024

NHA Communications Team
The end of a normal school year always feels a bit the same, but that was not the case this year for the staff and students at Buffalo United Charter School. The school is celebrating its 20th anniversary and held a special day of activities to commemorate the occasion.

It was 2003 when the school first opened its doors to students, and the dedication to a dedicated Moral Focus program and rigorous college-prep education is still strong. Principal Danelle Backe said she has enjoyed seeing such excellent progress in student learning and growth.

Buffalo United student and staff enjoy the celebration.
Students and staff enjoy the celebration of the school’s 20th anniversary.

“Being the principal at Buffalo United during our 20th year means the world to me,” she said. “It has been amazing to witness the growth of our students and community. Here at Buffalo United we are family, and we support one another in good times and bad. It is truly a team and family approach that is the foundation of Buffalo United.”

The school celebrated the event by hosting its annual field day of activities, Chalkfest, and a live book reading event where students were each given a book to take home.

Buffalo United students wearing class colors.
Students dressed in class colors to celebrate the day. 

City of Buffalo Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart hosted her Zeneta and Zaire’s Book Club for an early evening event, which featured local authors Toni Amos and Kara Michelle Oliver. The pair read their books, answered questions, and discussed what it’s like to be children’s book authors.
 
Ms. Amos read her book “Kind Kid Crew,” which provides behavioral guidance to younger school children with a cast of diverse characters and tongue-twisting rhymes. Ms. Oliver read her book “Baby, Pass the Peas Like We Used to Do!”, a story about the old tradition of recipe sharing and cooking.

City of Buffalo Councilwoman Everhard reads book to Buffalo United students.
City of Buffalo Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart reads a book about Juneteenth.

Principal Backe said she is excited to see what the future holds for BUCS students and the school.

“In the next 20 years we would like to see our school as one of the leading, longest running charter schools in the area. We look forward to seeing our former BUCS students as leaders in our community.”

Buffalo United students creating chalk art.
Chalk artists create during the celebration.
 
Congratulations on your anniversary, BUCS!

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About Buffalo United Charter School
Buffalo United Charter School is a tuition-free, public charter school in Buffalo, New York, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

Visit Buffalo United Charter School's blog to read more stories like this.
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