What's Inside
- Berkley Students Enjoy Halloween
- Berkley Schools Celebrates Halloween with Trunk or Treats
- Berkley Schools Bond Groundbreaking Ceremony
- Congratulations to Middle School Honors Orchestra Students
- Berkley High School eSports Team Ranked #1 in Eastern Time Zone
- Safe Schools Week - Links to Messages
- Berkley High School Sports Update Newsletter
- Unified Basketball to Play at Little Caesars Arena Before Pistons Game
- Camp Invention Registration Open Now
- Berkley High School Dance Team to Perform at Pistons Game
- Register Today for Saturdays for Success
- Berkley Schools PTAs Sponsoring Reflections Art Contest
- Berkley Schools Announces Varsity Tutors - Free for Students
- Have a Cool Job? Tell Our Students About It!
- Calling All Golfers - Tickets on Sale for The BEF Open - Only Spectators Remain
- Autism Alliance of Michigan Partners with Berkley Schools
- What is the Oakland County Parent Advisory Committee?
- November Calendar Highlights - Native American Heritage Month
- How to Subscribe to the District Calendar
- Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring
Berkley Students Enjoy Halloween
Throughout the District, students celebrated Halloween. On Thursday, October 31, elementary students enjoyed parades, middle school students had costume contests, high school students dressed up and played in a Halloween parade and staff dressed up, too.
Enjoy the photo stories below!
Angell
Angell students paraded around their school in the street to showcase their costumes! This year’s staff costume theme was Lions fans.
Burton
Burton students parade around a neighborhood block, led by Huntington Woods Public Safety and the BHS Marching Band. Staff were dressed up as food items.
Norup
Norup elementary students walked around their school campus and in front of the Administrative Offices building. Norup’s staff theme was Uno. The Norup pep band played for the students, too.
Pattengill
Pattengill students walked in costume on their school sidewalk for families to see their costumes. The staff theme was Under the Sea.
Rogers
Rogers students walk down Oxford Rd to the Oxford Towers and show off their costumes to the Oxford Tower residents. This year’s staff costume theme was Toy Story.
Anderson
Anderson students are encouraged to dress up for Halloween and the day ends with a Halloween-themed assembly that includes the annual costume contest. This year, Mike Wazowski, a hippopotamus and a pair of smurfs won!
BHS
On Tuesday, October 29, Berkley High School held their annual orchestra Halloween concert and Korra, a member of the Comfort Crew, came to the concert, too. Orchestra students dress up and play fun songs and invite the audience to trick or treat during the concert as well.
On Halloween, chemistry students enjoyed a pumpkin carving experiment and Comfort Dog Suki joined in the fun.
Angell Photos
Burton Photos
Norup Photos
Pattengill Photos
Rogers Photos
Anderson Photos
BHS Photos
Berkley Schools Celebrates Halloween with Trunk or Treats
Angell Trunk or Treat
On October 25, Angell Elementary PTA organized a Trunk or Treat for families to celebrate the Halloween season. Angell families gathered in the Angell parking lot and playground to parade around collecting treats at different Halloween-themed decorated vehicles.
Norup Trunk or Treat
On Wednesday, October 30, the Norup PTA hosted the annual Norup Trunk or Treat. Students were wrapped around the building waiting to enter the trick or treating area. The Norup PTA provided a DJ and Halloween decorations to make the evening a memorable night. Fun was had by students of all ages.
Pattengill Trunk or Treat
On Friday, October 25, the Pattengill community enjoyed their annual Trunk or Treat, sponsored by the Pattengill PTA. Cars were decorated with Halloween themed things and candy was passed out to the students. Halloween arts and crafts were available as well as a food truck and music for all to enjoy.
Berkley Schools Bond Groundbreaking Ceremony
On Monday, October 28, Berkley Schools held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Bond work. At Pattengill’s construction site, Superintendent Scott Francis thanked the District’s Bond partners McCarthy & Smith construction managers, Stantec architects, SES engineers, Spaulding DeDecker engineers and Foresite Design landscape architects. Superintendent Francis also acknowledged the District’s Bond team, the Board of Education and the community for passing the Bond in August 2023 to set all the upcoming work in motion.
This fall kicks off the three-year build schedule to improve each District building and every classroom environment. To keep updated on the Bond work, visit our Bond Work Updates website.
Congratulations Middle School Honors Orchestra Students
Congratulations to the following middle school students who were nominated and will be participating in this year's MSBOA Middle School Honors Orchestra Program this December!
Anderson Middle School
- Maddie Gordon - Cello - 8th Grade
- Shilo Hurst - Cello - 8th Grade
- Aprilia Pickering - Viola - 7th Grade
- Isabella Samoluk - Violin - 8th Grade
- Niko Wekerle - Viola - 8th Grade
Norup International School
- Estelle Borla - Violin - 7th Grade
- Olivia Herskovic - Viola - 8th Grade
- Maya Monkman - Violin - 8th Grade
- Elliot Sachs - Violin - 8th Grade
- Jovie Stilger - Cello - 8th Grade
Berkley High School eSports Team Ranked #1 in Eastern Time Zone
Congratulations to the BHS eSports Chess Team of Braedon Golarz (senior), Luke Demerre (senior) and Sage Krysiak (sophomore) who are currently ranked as the number one chess team in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States. There are three weeks left in the regular season before playoffs begin.
Coach Frank Guglielmetti said, “We are currently hoping that all of our teams across all games qualify for the playoffs but this chess team in particular is looking to win a championship this season.”
Safe Schools Week - Links to Messages
Last week as part of Safe Schools Week, the District sent messages daily to all families to share important information about the District’s safety plans. If you missed the messages, or didn’t have a chance to read them all, all messages have been added to the District’s News webpage.
Links for the daily messages are below.
- Monday - District Safety Overview
- Tuesday - School Resource Officer and School Nurse
- Wednesday - Testing the Communications System
- Thursday - All About ALICE
- Friday - Community Resources
Berkley High School Sports Update Newsletter
Berkley High School’s Athletic Department published their latest eNewsletter full of information about the Fall sports season and all the student athletes’ accomplishments. Read the fall newsletter online.
Unified Basketball to Play at Little Caesars Arena Before Pistons Game
On March 13, 2025, the Berkley High School Unified basketball team is playing at LCA as part of the Unified Showcase. Berkley High School plays at 12 pm and tickets include a ticket for the Pistons game that evening vs the Washington Wizards.
All tickets include:
- Access to the Pistons game
- Access to Unified games
- Unified Showcase Winter Beanie
- A donation to the Berkley High School Unified Program
Schedule of Events
- 11:30 am - Doors Open
- 12:00 pm - Berkley vs Clarkston
- 12:55 pm - Northwestern vs Avondale
- 1:45 pm - Walled Lake Northern vs Livonia Churchill
- 2:35 pm - Northville Unified vs Hartland Unified
- 7:00 pm - Pistons Game
Buy tickets and learn more on the ticketing website.
Unified sports joins people with and without disabilities on the same team. It is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experience. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
Camp Invention Registration Open Now
What is Camp Invention?
A STEM summer camp where kids build creative inventions. Led by certified local educators, Camp Invention offers new and exciting hands-on activities every year for kids entering grades K-6.
2025 Program: Discover
This year’s brand-new program will illuminate imaginations, inspire curiosity and help kids build essential STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills through collaboration and problem solving. Campers explore hands-on challenges and open-ended adventures designed to unlock creativity and help them shine their brightest!
Secure Your Spot Today
- Register online or call 800-968-4332
- Grades: K - 6th
- Location: Norup International School
- 14450 Manhattan Street, Oak Park, MI 48237
- Date: June 23 - 27, 2025
- Time & Cost: 9 am - 3:30 pm | $275 (before discount)
- Camp Director: Kimberly Ternus | kimberly.ternus@berkleyschools.org | (248) 837-8655
Current Offer: $35 off with code GIFT35 if you sign up by 12/31.
Berkley High School Dance Team to Perform at Pistons Game
The Berkley High School Dance Team will perform on the court at Little Caesars Arena before the Pistons game on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 7 pm. The Dance Team invites the Berkley Schools community to support their program while also enjoying a Detroit Pistons game vs the Toronto Raptors.
Dancers, parents, family and friends receive exclusive ticket savings for the game if tickets are purchased through the Dance Team’s ticket website. Ticket includes: Access to the performance, a free Pistons item and post-game free throw on the Pistons court!
Section 101 tickets are $60 each, and section 208 tickets are $35 each.
Tickets are mobile tickets and details will be emailed to you immediately after purchase.
To access mobile tickets you must log into the Pistons App. Details can be found on the Pistons website.
Register Today for Saturdays for Success
The Saturdays for Success Program (S4S) is sponsored by the Berkley African American Parent Network (BAAPN) in partnership with the Berkley School District. The purpose of S4S is to help all Berkley students have a successful K-12 academic experience by providing educational opportunities in literacy and math, and developing study skills that will ensure long-term success. The S4S Program builds on concepts students are currently learning in their classes.
S4S Schedule
- November 2, 9, 16, 23
- 9:30-11:00 am
- Berkley High School
The cost of the program is $20 per child (fee covers all 6 sessions). If your family is eligible for free and/or reduced meals the cost is $10 per child.
Register for Saturdays for Success today!
Berkley Schools PTAs Sponsoring Reflections Art Contest
All Berkley Schools PTAs are participating in the 2024-25 National PTA Reflections art contest. The Reflections program was founded in 1969 and since its founding, millions of students have participated in the program. The goal of the program is participation in and appreciation for the arts.
This year’s Reflections theme is “Accepting Imperfections.” Students of all ages are invited to create visual art, dance, photography or literature connected to the theme. Berkley PTAs will judge all entries and choose up to four winners in each age range and category. Those winners then move on to be judged at the state level. Top winners at the state level go on to national judging.
General Rules
- Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme may be submitted.
- Students may only submit one entry per category.
- Each entry may only be submitted by one student. For example, if more than one student appears in an entry (like for dance choreography), only the person who is responsible for creating the concept and leading the project can enter their name on the entry form.
- The work must be the child’s. Parents or other grown-ups may not help. (Exceptions apply for the Accessible Arts division.)
- To keep the judging anonymous, do not include the student’s full name on the work. That means no signatures on visual arts pieces and no full names written or spoken in other pieces.
- Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for background music in dance choreography and specific exceptions in visual arts entries. See category guidelines for details.
- Digital technology and/or software can be used to develop, enhance and/or present an entry but may not provide the primary design and/or concept.
- Each entry must have an entry form. This form will include an artist statement, which tells the judges how the project fits with the theme of “Accepting Imperfection.”
- Artists must include a consent form for any person whose face or voice is included in an entry.
Artist Statements
Artist statements must be between 10 and 100 words and must describe what the work is and how it relates to the theme. Artists can share how they got the idea for the project or what “Accepting Imperfection” means to them. Artist statements are an important part of the judging - make sure they are student words – not grown-up words.
How to Enter - Due November 11
Berkley Schools Announces Varsity Tutors - Free for All Students
Berkley Schools has partnered with Varsity Tutors for Schools, an online platform with access to free learning tools.
The Varsity Tutors Platform gives students more opportunities to learn at their own pace, to get support on subjects they might be struggling with, to explore subjects they are learning in class and to support their curiosities. The platform includes the following:
- 24/7 on-demand chat tutoring and on-demand essay review to help students with any questions about homework, classwork or test prep.
- Live group classes, recorded classes and celebrity-led StarCourses allow students to learn more about the subjects they’re interested in and add a touch of fun.
- Assessments and self study practice problems provide opportunities to drill skills towards mastery.
- College prep & admissions resources ensure that students have the best resources available.
How to Access Varsity Tutors
Sign into the Varsity Tutors platform through the student Clever portal. To learn how to log into Clever with your child’s Berkley Schools Google account, follow these directions.
Learn More & Get Started!
Have a Cool Job? Tell Our Students About It!
Berkley Schools is seeking community members willing to share their time and expertise in their career fields with our students! There are a variety of ways to share your journey and knowledge:
- Speak with a group of students or class about your job/career field (in-person or virtual)
- Serve on an Advisory Committee (ex. BHS Marketing Program, etc.)
- Host a student tour/field trip of your workplace
- Host a student job shadow experience at your workplace
- Conduct a student informational interview at your workplace
- Present at Career Fairs and/or Parent Nights
- Participate in other career-related activities (mock interviews, judging career-based projects, etc.)
- Receive emails about any future opportunities or needs
- Participate in an audio and/or video recorded interview with students
Counselors and select teachers will have access to this database of Berkley community contacts from a variety of different professional backgrounds to plan career exploration and readiness experiences with Berkley students.
Share your cool job with us by filling out this form.
Calling All Golfers: Tickets on Sale Now for The BEF Open - Spectator Tickets Remain
Save the Date for the Berkley Education Foundation’s (BEF) annual BEF Open, an X-Golf Tournament, Friday, November 8, 7-10 pm. Guests will have the chance to support the BEF by playing a round of golf, being a spectator, playing golf-related games for prizes and/or sponsoring the event.
Golfers, in teams of four, will have the chance to play 18 holes at X-Golf on a world-renowned course. Teams will play an alternate ball scramble and enjoy hot dogs at the turn. Teams can utilize mulligans and sabotages to help their scores.
Golfers can also enter the Longest Drive contest, Closest to the Pin contest and Putting Challenge. Winners of the contests and the overall tournament will take home big prizes.
Not a golfer? Come for a fun Friday night out!
Enjoy an evening out, courtesy of the BEF, as a spectator. For those who are not golfers, don't want to commit to playing 18, or have never swung a club, stop in and enjoy the party. Spectator tickets are $25/person and include appetizers & hot dogs and an opportunity to play in the individual golf competitions.
Mark Your Calendar
- Friday, November 8
- 7-10 pm
- X-Golf, Royal Oak
Price
- $25/spectator
Support the Event
Businesses and organizations have several opportunities to underwrite the event costs - there are many ways to be involved:
- Sponsor the Event: $1,500 - Sponsored by Stifel
- Sponsor Hot Dogs at the Turn: $1,000 - Sponsored by Interior Environments
- Sponsor Longest Drive: $500 - Sponsored by Huntington Bank
- Sponsor Closest to the Pin: $500
- Sponsor Putting Challenge: $500
Interested in sponsoring? Email berkleyfoundation@berkleyschools.org.
Every dollar the BEF raises supports teacher innovation-grants, the enrichment program, student scholarships and the 8th grade college tour.
Autism Alliance of Michigan Partners with Berkley Schools
Berkley Schools and Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAOM) are pleased to announce a 2024-25 partnership! This partnership strives to elevate neurodivergent students' experiences and increase opportunities across the spectrum. Both groups are committed to continuing to better their resources and experience to best serve the Berkley Schools community.
To learn more about the Autism Alliance of Michigan and the services they provide, visit the AAOM website.
What is the Oakland County Parent Advisory Committee?
The Oakland County Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is comprised of parents of students with an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP) within Oakland County. The Oakland Schools PAC typically meets on the first Wednesday of the following months: October, November, December, February, March, May and June at Oakland Schools or Virtually from 7-9 pm. Meetings include membership work, legal updates, and training on various topics related to special education, and are open to the public.
Two Berkley Schools parents serve on the Oakland County PAC and are available to support Berkley Schools families with questions or to collaborate in celebrating and advocating for all students with IEPs. Reach out to the Berkley Schools PAC reps, below.
- Natasha Hamilton: natashakhamilton@gmail.com
- Carolyn Durant-Blair: cnaomidb@gmail.com
Calendar Highlights: November
The Berkley Schools printed calendar highlights heritage months, holidays, days of observances and recognition days. In the Berkley Beat, we’ll highlight these days with more information for community learning to help us achieve the District goal of creating an environment where all staff, students and community members feel a sense of belonging.
Native American Heritage Month
November is nationally recognized as Native American Heritage Month. The month-long celebration highlights the culture, achievements and contributions of Native Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
Share in the learning about Native American Heritage Month with your family by visiting these resources:
- Bring a Bit of Native America to Your Table!
- National Museum of the American Indian: Hands-on Activities
- Living Nations, Living Words: An Interactive Story Map
- U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Affairs: A History of National Native American Heritage Month
Subscribe to the District and School Calendars
Did you know you can subscribe to our school and District online calendars?
Sync the online calendar to your personal device to ensure you won’t miss a thing!
The District’s online calendar system uses iCal Feeds. To access all the iCal links, visit the District’s Calendar page, and click on the red and white calendar link to the top right of the calendar that’s displayed on the page.
Use this Foxbright tutorial to walk you through connecting our calendars to yours.
Be sure to subscribe to both the District AND your school calendar to ensure you have all important dates in your device.
Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring!
The Berkley School District is hiring! We are looking for talented individuals to fill a variety of positions. Visit our website to apply and share our postings with your networks!
Open Positions
- High School Spanish Teacher - BHS
- Kindergarten Teacher - Norup
- Special Education Teacher - Autism Spectrum Disorders - BHS
- Long-Term Guest Teacher - 1st Grade - Angell
- Long-Term Guest Teacher - 2nd Grade - Norup
- K-8 School Counselor - Norup
- Permanent Building Substitute Teacher - Norup
- Paraeducator - Four positions (BHS, BBB, Pattengill, Rogers)
- Afternoon Custodian Shift Leader - Norup
- Permanent Substitute Custodian - District
- Assistant Teachers - BBB
- Intervention Assistant - Full Time Position
- Lunch Aids - Pattengill & Burton
- Food Service Workers - 5 Open Positions
- Varsity Competitive Cheer Coach -
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