Berkley Beat November 22, 2024

What's Inside

  • Burton Kicks Off Burtonbery
  • BEF Awards 18 Fall Innovation-Grants
  • Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: November 2024
  • District Team Participates in Cultivating Continuous Improvement Series
  • Berkley High School Students Honored by Royal Oak Optimist Club
  • It’s Caring & Sharing Season
  • 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
  • Berkley Schools Announces Varsity Tutors - Free for Students
  • Have a Cool Job? Tell Our Students About It!
  • Autism Alliance of Michigan Partners with Berkley Schools
  • What is the Oakland County Parent Advisory Committee?
  • November Calendar Highlights - Native American Heritage Month, Veterans Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Thanksgiving
  • How to Subscribe to the District Calendar
  • Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring

Burton Kicks Off Burtonbery!

On November 18, Burton 4th and 5th grade students gathered in the media center to kick off Burtonbery. Burtonbery is modeled after the Newbery Award for Best Children's Literature. Throughout most of the school year, students have the option to read 20 books, all contenders for the coveted Burtonbery medal.

Burton Media Specialist Rachel Smith selected the 20 Burtonbery books and revealed the titles to the students at the kick-off assembly. Students have until March to read them. If students read at least 5 books, they will vote in a March-Madness style bracket for their favorites. If students read at least 10 books, they can also go to a committee meeting to select the final winner. At the final committee meeting, students will discuss their favorite book with their groups, and do their best to persuade the committee to vote with them.

BEF Awards 18 Fall Innovation-Grants

Congratulations to the following Berkley Schools staff members for receiving a Fall 2024 Berkley Education Foundation Innovation-Grant. The BEF funds innovative project requests, special materials to enhance lessons and educational technology. Innovation-Grants are for more than basic classroom supplies. They are an opportunity for staff members to be creative, push the envelope and expand learning for students. The BEF has an annual $15,000 allocation to support Innovation-Grants. If you’d like to donate to the BEF to support the Grant program, you can do so online.

Anderson Middle School

  • Beth Hanna, Growing Through Games. Games to help students improve their executive functioning skills and the automaticity of math facts.
  • Heather Roesner & Briana Black, Life Skills Cooking Class. Students will take a cooking class at Crispelli’s Bakery and Pizzeria in Troy.
  • Heather Roesner & Briana Black, Disability Awareness Workshop. The Disability Awareness Workshop provides kits with hands-on activity stations. AMS students will experience each station in order to gain a deeper understanding of each disability and simulate the challenges of living with a disability.
  • Heather Torrente, Updates to FCS Lab. Cooking tools to update the kitchen classroom at AMS including Instant Pots, Crock Pots and hand mixers.

Angell Elementary School

  • Julie McKeeman, Calm Carpet Time. Items for students to play with and hold during reading time.
  • Laurie Ovies, Hills & Slopes Play in TK! Rubber Ramp with Stackers from Kodo Kids to allow students more open ended play opportunities.
  • Sherry Riddle, Magnet Minds: Empowering Learning Through Engaging Manipulatives. Magnetic manipulative tools will support students' working memory by helping them process complex tasks.
  • Lauren Wexler, SumBlox: Engaging the Senses in 1st Grade Mathematics. SumBlox tools allow students to engage in hands-on exploration of the idea of 10 and how it can be decomposed into smaller parts.
  • Kellie Zimcosky, Reading, Writing and STEAM, Oh My! New Tonie Box stories and supplies for morning Creation Stations.

Berkley Building Blocks

  • Lea Austin, Creating a Helpful Community Through BBB Responsibilities. Dress up and pretend play supplies that mimic adult responsibilities. The grant is intended to help students to become even better citizens and members of the community starting in preschool.
  • Anne Nolan, Inclusion and Accessibility for Complex Communicators. Large core vocabulary portable boards and software to support understanding patterns in speech sound disorders.

Berkley High School

  • Kay Cole, Jenga for Play-Based Learning. Bringing play into the English classroom for high school students. Using Jenga as a game board to review literary terms, practice writing skills, discuss novels and more.
  • Natalie Ford, Portable Recording Studio. Two portable recording studios for the BHS Podcasting classes to help block out noise and echo when the students travel throughout the school to record.
  • Jennifer Plater, Enrichment Classroom Supplies and Technology Applications. Jeopardy-like game to facilitate learning and sensory fidgets for students to use in class.
  • Stacey Walters, Focus Tools. Fidget supplies to help students focus in class.
  • Robyn Weiss & Susie Sims, Magnifying Mental Health. Sources of Strength merchandise to help the class run successful campaigns.

Burton Elementary School

  • Erin Fisher, Kim Ternus and Christian Wiegand, First Grade Chick & Duck Habitats. New incubators and brooder boxes for chicks and ducks to hatch during the first grade life cycle unit.

Rogers Elementary School

  • Nikki Stone, Slab Roller. Slab rollers allow teachers and students to roll clay quickly and evenly for hand building projects. This tool will increase the amount of ceramics lessons at the elementary level as well as improve efficiency and project quality.
New District Maintenance Building

Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: November 2024

With the passing of the August 2023 Bond, Berkley Schools teams are busy planning for upcoming construction projects. In addition to the Bond projects, the District has a list of Sinking Fund projects that are also in the works to improve and update our facilities. The Sinking Fund was approved by voters in 2018. Because both Bond and Sinking Fund projects are ongoing, these monthly updates will include details on both.

The November update includes construction updates on the new maintenance building, construction updates for Burton and Pattengill, new site rendering and updates for The BEAR Complex, timelines for BHS and the ATP & Robotics space, updates on Phase II projects and technology updates.

These monthly Bond & Sinking Fund updates will be maintained on the District’s website. See below for updates on the Phase I projects that are taking place in 2024 and 2025.

Project Updates

Maintenance Building - Sinking Fund

The new Maintenance building is located at the Administrative Offices site in Oak Park, at the end of the parking lot, just north of the Norup playground. Construction is moving along on schedule. The outside structure is complete, outside concrete work is complete, fence posts are installed and the garage doors are installed. Inside, the HVAC system, plumbing, electrical, tile and ceiling grids are being installed. The building will be connected to its outside power source in the coming weeks as it gets closer to construction work wrapping up. The building is anticipated to be completed by January 2025.

District-wide Furniture Purchase - Bond - Phase II

Phase I of the furniture project is complete with a few punch list items to complete for the all new classroom furniture. Phase II(A) of the furniture project will receive their new furniture soon. This phase is for additional kindergarten sections, specialized classrooms, and the Early Intervention program at BBB. The design process for Phase II(B) (art rooms, media centers, music rooms, science labs, etc.) has begun. The design development phase will continue through January 2025 to allow for installation to begin in June.

Phase 1: Burton & Pattengill Multi-Purpose Additions - Bond - Fall 2024

Burton & Pattengill multi-purpose/cafeteria additions are underway. Ground has been broken at both sites.

Burton

  • Burton’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition will be attached to the building at the northeast corner of the playground by the gym. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration.
  • The foundation footings have been marked out and cement pouring has begun on the addition.
  • For the new playground area inside of the track, fencing is up and excavation has begun to prepare the site for the monkey bars, tubes, swings and shade sails.
  • Once the new playground area is completed in the field, the Nadine parking lot and sidewalk adjacent to the parking lot will be closed to the public through the end of August 2025. At that time, Burton families and students will use a gate near the field for drop off and pick up.
  • The street-side parking on Nadine plus the sidewalk will remain open through November/December.

Pattengill

  • Pattengill’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition will be attached to the building at the north doors, in the current concrete area. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration.
  • The foundation footings for the new addition are ready for cement at Pattengill; the area has been dug out and reinforcing bars are in place.
  • Excavation of the baseball field is complete and that area is ready for staging for the project.
  • A new concrete area will be poured to the south of the playground as part of the later construction plans.
  • In addition to the multi-purpose addition, the District is adding parking spaces near the baseball field on Royal as part of the construction.
  • During construction, both Royal and Oakshire will have short time periods where the streets will have construction to tie into the building projects. We will notify the community ahead of time when these projects are slated to begin.

Phase 1: BHS Performing Arts Wing - Bond - Spring 2025

Berkley High School’s Performing Arts Bond team details were finalized and the bid divisions were approved at the November Board of Education Regular Meeting. The Performing Arts wing updates include the Auditorium complete renovation, Auditorium lobby addition, the Black Box Theatre/Choir Classroom addition, a new instrument commons and upgrades to both the Band and Orchestra rooms as well as upgrading practice rooms. This work will begin in the Spring 2025 (Black Box in March, Auditorium in May) and is scheduled for completion in early 2026.

Phase 1: BHS Science Wing - Bond - Summer 2025

The BHS Science Wing planning and drawings are complete and the bid divisions were approved at the November Board of Education Regular Meeting. The science work includes a complete renovation and redesign for the lab spaces, updates to chemical storage rooms, and creating new lab spaces. The Science Wing will be packaged along with the rest of the BHS projects. The Science Wing project timeline includes work beginning once school is complete in June 2025 and the labs reopening in October 2025.

Phase 1: BHS BEAR Complex - Bond - Spring 2025

The District Field House project is now named The BEAR Complex (The Berkley Education, Athletics and Recreation Complex). The BEAR Complex includes a 60-yard indoor fieldhouse that includes a new weight room, team room and trainer room, an outdoor 120-yard turf performance field with lights, parking lot expansion and new configuration, and a grass field north of the turf field. The project came back from the bid process under budget and the Board of Education approved the contractors, minus landscaping and sports flooring, which will be presented to the Board at the January meeting. Asbestos abatement in the tunnels near the current Maintenance Annex is complete. Demolition will begin during the month of April 2025. See the new site plan, below.

Phase 1: BHS Pool - Bond - Spring/Summer 2025

The professional teams are working on finalizing plans for the space to prepare the work for the bid documents. The original pool scope includes a new HVAC system, new starting blocks, new diving board, updating tile areas, redoing the pool office and restroom and updates to the chemical system. In addition to this work, the team is adding a new filter system, additional tile replacement scope, a new timing system and additional plumbing work. Pool updates will take place starting as soon as the boys swim season is complete in March 2025.

ATP & Robotics at former Cana Lutheran Church - Sinking Fund - Spring 2025

The Adult Transition Program (ATP) and Robotics programs will be housed at the former Cana Lutheran Church. The work for both of these projects was bundled with the BHS Bond projects and the bid divisions were approved at the November Board of Education Regular Meeting. The goal is to have ATP in their new space by August 2025 for the start of the school year and Robotics soon after and prior to their 2025 build season. Asbestos abatement has been taking place during the month of November and is nearing completion. The District notified the neighbors of the work taking place as well.

Phase 2: Angell & Rogers Multi-Purpose Additions - Bond - Fall 2025

Design team meetings have begun to plan and shape the Bond work for Angell and Rogers multi-purpose/cafeteria additions, gym updates and any resulting playground adjustments. Design teams consist of building staff, District staff, architects and construction management team. These teams are led by Stantec, the District’s architects, and a core team of Berkley Schools Administrative staff. The team has held three meetings so far and are working to refine details to inform the final design.

Technology - Bond

New interactive flat panels and new classroom sound system installation will begin at Berkley High School in December. The team will work through 3-4 classrooms each day and will have the project completed in early January 2025. In addition, the District is working to improve the fiber network and has hired IDS as a technology consultant to assist with Bond project planning specific to technology needs. The new staff laptop distribution plan is coming together and will begin in December.

Team Meetings

The District teams participate in Steering Committee meetings twice a month with Stantec (architecture, engineering, design), McCarthy & Smith (construction management), and SES (engineering and mechanical systems) to plan timelines of construction, prepare bid documents, as well as pour over details of the scopes of work. Each project has a standard sequence of work: design phase, project cost estimating, bidding for contractors, awarding contracts, construction phase (demolition and building) and finally, project completion.

District Team Participates in Cultivating Continuous Improvement Series

Elementary principals, District coaches, and members of the Teaching and Learning Department participated in job embedded learning labs at various elementary schools this November. This group is participating in the Cultivating Continuous Improvement series through Oakland Schools.

This series looks at organizational practices from a system level perspective in order to improve the implementation of evidence based instructional strategies. These learning labs focused on small group instruction in literacy. The team observed grades K-4 and saw students engaged in a variety of small groups including groups focused on skill based strategies, letter recognition, repeated texts and more. The goal of this learning is to build and refine systems that support continuous learning and growth.

Berkley High School Students Honored by Royal Oak Optimist Club

On Wednesday, November 20, three students from Berkley High School were honored at the annual Optimist Club Youth Appreciation Breakfast. Hannah Collins, Hannah Fairman and Lucia Tesolin-Pietraszewski were recognized by the Royal Oak Chapter and nominated by their counselors for their innate positivity and kindness. In alliance with The Optimist Creed, Hannah, Hannah and Lucia, "Look at the sunny side of everything...are just as enthusiastic about the success of others as they are about their own...give so much time to the improvement of themselves to have little time to criticize others."

Students were honored in front of Optimist Club Members and their families. For more information about The Optimist Creed and the Royal Oak Optimists, visit their website. Congratulations to this year's recipients!

It’s Caring & Sharing Season

Caring & Sharing is a Berkley Area PTSA Council annual event that provides holiday gift cards to families in the Berkley School District and local Veterans. Historically, this event has been a partnership inside schools through non-perishable food drives and PTAs purchasing turkeys, extra food & fresh produce to distribute holiday baskets.

Since 2020, the PTSA Council has collected funds through online fundraising, hoping to raise as much money as possible to give families generous gift cards to purchase groceries to meet their needs.

In 2023, Caring & Sharing raised $20,420, fed 85 families and gave over $1,000 to the American Legion. In addition to monetary donations through Memberhub, substantial donations were also received as part of the Berkley Cares Days at each school.

If you know of a family in need, or your family is in need this holiday season, please complete the Caring & Sharing 2024 Referral Form. All referral information will be used confidentially to provide families in need with a gift card this holiday season.

We are asking for your support as we come together to help our friends & neighbors this holiday season. Please make a donation today and spread the word within our Berkley School Community!

If you would like to make a monetary donation, please visit the Caring & Sharing donation site.

Any questions? Contact this year’s Caring & Sharing Chair Abby Watteny

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.

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.

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:

Veterans Day

Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

US Department of Veteran Affairs shared the following on the history of Veterans Day:

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Transgender Day of Remembrance - November 20

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. It serves as a solemn occasion to raise awareness about the challenges faced by transgender people and advocate for a more inclusive and accepting society. Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded by transgender activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith in 1999 to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman murdered in 1998.

Learn more:

Thanksgiving - November 28

Thanksgiving Day, according to Britanicca, is an annual national holiday in the United States and Canada celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. Americans generally believe that their Thanksgiving is modeled on a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people.

In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation designating the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.

Learn more:

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

  • Technology Integration Specialist - Admin Offices
  • Permanent Building Substitute Teacher - Norup
  • Long-Term Guest Teacher 1st Grade - Angell
  • Campus Monitor - Berkley High School
  • Special Education Paraeducators (3 Positions) - Anderson, Burton, Rogers
  • Lead Teacher - GSRP Extended Program Teacher - BBB
  • Assistant Teacher(s) - 6 Open Positions - BBB
  • Afternoon Custodian Shift Leader - Norup
  • Afternoon Custodian - Norup
  • Permanent Substitute Custodian - District
  • Lunch Aides - Burton & Pattengill
  • Food Service Workers - 5 Open Positions
  • Intervention Assistant - Full Time Position
  • Kids’ Zone Assistant Teacher

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