What's Inside?
- Rogers 4th Graders Create Sustainability Action Plans
- Snow Day Decisions - Understanding the Process
- BHS Students Develop Podcast Shows, Present to Panel of Judges
- Kindergarten Information for All: Information Nights (more next week!), Registration & Schools of Choice
- Berkley, Clawson & Royal Oak Honor Dr. King with “Day On, Not a Day Off”
- Travel Opportunities for 2025: The South Pacific, Japan, Panama, France and Spain
- Did You Know Breakfast is Free for All Students?
- Berkley Education Foundation’s 15th Annual Off to the Races - Tickets On Sale
- BHS Unified Basketball to Play at LCA - Tickets on Sale Now
- Calendar Highlights - Orthodox Christmas Day, Orthodox New Year, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- How to Subscribe to the District Calendar
- Join the Berkley Schools Family
- Sign Up for Text Messages
Rogers 4th Graders Create Sustainability Action Plans
On December 20 and 21, Rogers 4th grade students participated in a Sustainability Action Plan. Fourth grade teachers Carolyn Smarjesse, Alice Maten, and Becky Simpson worked together through the science, social studies and ELA curriculum to engage students in various projects promoting environmental awareness. Students, mixed across all three classes, selected tasks such as researching what makes Rogers a Green School, maintaining monthly bulletin boards to educate younger students on waste disposal, creating sustainability posters, and writing letters to District administrators inquiring about the District’s sustainability efforts. Integrating elements from both science and social studies curriculum, the initiative not only enhanced their understanding of Earth's natural resources, but also emphasized sustainability practices. Moving forward, students are committed to sustaining their projects, ensuring proper recycling practices, and actively communicating with staff and the District to foster a greener school community.
Snow Day Decisions - Understanding the Process
Snow Days are fun for the kids but not always fun for families working to find child care. We understand all this and that’s why calling a snow or a cold day is not taken lightly. Everytime the weather looks like it might cause snowy and/or unsafe conditions, Superintendent Scott Francis participates in a phone call, sometimes many calls, with a meteorologist and local superintendents to learn what the prediction is for the weather. Based on the meterologist’s report, the superintendents stay in communication to decide if schools should stay open or close for the safety of the children. The goal is to make this decision as early as possible so families have time to make child care plans.
Here are all the things Superintendent Francis considers when deciding to call a snow day:
- The day’s temperature and wind chill predictions, especially when students will be outside walking to and from school
- Road safety, if ice and/or snow is in the forecast
- Timing of the snow/ice storm and if our maintenance crews, as well as the local municipalities, will be able to clear the streets and sidewalks for our students
- If the snow/ice storm will blanket the region and if the two-thirds of our staff who live out of district will be able to make it to work on time
- If our staff members who take public transportation/walk will be able to make it to work on time
- If ServiCar will be open to transport our students who take the bus every day
- If our students who are walking will have safe conditions to arrive at school
- If local districts will also close which could close CASA and Oakland Schools Technical Campus, where many of our students spend part of their day
- If we stay open, will we have enough students (75%) in attendance to count the day for school funding
In Michigan we know that the weather can be unpredictable. Here in the Berkley Schools, we would like to be open and share learning with our students every day. Sometimes, the weather doesn't cooperate, and a snow or cold day decision is made. As a walking district, with minimal daily busing, we also have to consider both the road conditions and outside conditions for our students who walk to school daily. Hopefully this insight gives you a better understanding of the decision to close school.
Berkley High School Students Develop Podcast Shows, Present to Panel of Judges
Students in the Advanced Podcasting Class at Berkley High School recently completed their end of semester culminating project - creating detailed plans for a new podcast they will launch second semester.
Advanced Podcasting is a new elective for upperclassmen who took Student Podcast Productions last year. In Advanced Podcasting, students spend the first semester working on BearPod, BHS's student podcast. Second semester, students use their audio skills to make their own podcasts.
For their end of the semester projects, students created a presentation to pitch their show to a panel of judges: Jon Dwoskin, business coach and host of the podcast Think Business, Kim Kocsis, MiSTEM Region Director for Oakland Schools, and Jessica Stilger, Communications Director for Berkley Schools. At the end of their presentations, the panel shared feedback to the students on their presentation, episode ideas and design of the logo.
The idea for this project came from a professional learning session on Project Based Learning at Oakland Schools. Teacher Natalie Ford shared, “I attended a three day session on Project Based Learning this summer and one of my many takeaways was the importance of creating experiences where students are able to share work with authentic audiences and get useful feedback.”
After the panel presentations were complete, students reflected on the process to create what was meaningful to them, presenting to a panel, finding their niche and audience and learning in a project-based environment. Many students shared that it was challenging to brainstorm and narrow down their ideas, but they enjoyed the flexibility to decide the direction they wanted to take their learning. Mackinley Howard shared that this process was a great learning experience for the future. It made him reflect on not limiting perspectives and outside sources.
Students were asked what they learned about themselves as part of this final project. Here are the responses:
- I learned that my partner and I have a lot to offer for this.
- I learned that I can share these cool stories with people who are also interested in these people or want to learn about people's dream jobs!
- I learned that it is more difficult than it seems to create an organized show, but still make it sound real and authentic.
- I learned that I struggled to find something I was really passionate about that I would be able to build an entire podcast around.
Jon Dwoskin left the students with this final piece of advice, “People can’t take your name, brand and intellectual capital from you. Keep going.”
Congratulations to the following students for putting their ideas out into the world and presenting to an outside panel of judges:
- Mackinley Howard and David Bartocci, podcast title: We’ve Always Wanted to Know: David and Mack Explore Some of the World’s Most Interesting Questions
- Jaxon Cain, podcast title: Secondhand Stories: Navigating the Thrifting Universe One Find at a Time
- Logan Field, podcast title: Never Work a Day in Your life: A Podcast About People Who Have a Job they Love
- Rayna Kushner and Remy Sollish, podcast title: Girl Talk: Teenage Life, Advice and Everything in Between
Kindergarten Information for All: Information Nights, Registration and Schools of Choice
While it might be hard to believe, it’s time to start thinking about Kindergarten for Fall 2024. In the Berkley School District, Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten information nights, enrollment and the Schools of Choice application windows happen in January and February each year. Starting early allows the District to plan staffing, class sizes and support for students before the year ends. If you have an incoming Kindergarten student this is important information to save. If you know someone who has a child who will be five years old by September 1, 2024, please share this information with them!
Kindergarten Information Nights - More Next Week
Learn about the kindergarten curriculum, how to prepare for the big first day, enrollment options, and Kindergarten/Transitional Kindergarten readiness. All TK and Kindergarten students need to be five years old by September 1, 2024.
During the evening, families will be able to ask the Principal questions, learn more about each school and hear about the #BerkleyDifference. You do not have to be a resident to attend the Kindergarten Information Nights, they are open to all who are interested in the Berkley School District. Learn more about Kindergarten enrollment and readiness by visiting our Enrollment webpage.
- Angell Elementary School: Rescheduled Monday, January 29, 2024 | 6:30 pm
- Norup International School: Wednesday, January 24, 2024 | 6:30 pm
- Pattengill Elementary School: Thursday, January 25, 2024 | 6:30 pm
- Rogers Elementary School: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 | 6:30 pm
Kindergarten Registration for Berkley School District Residents
Berkley School District resident registration for both Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten begins February 5 and runs through February 16, 2024. Registration takes place entirely online, including the required document uploads. Visit the enrollment webpage to begin your registration, verify your residency through our District boundaries document and see what paperwork you need to upload to complete your registration. We can’t wait to meet our new students!
Schools of Choice Window for TK-Grade 5
The Berkley School District Board of Education has approved limited Schools of Choice (Section 105) openings (up to 150 slots) in Kindergarten through 5th grade for Oakland County residents for the 2024-25 school year. Those who are interested in attending the Berkley School District, but who do not live within District boundaries may apply.
Important Schools of Choice details include:
- Schools of Choice application period is February 12 - March 1, 2024
- Completed applications must be submitted online
- No applications will be accepted after the deadline of 5:00 pm, March 1, 2024
- Applicants will receive email notification of their student's Schools of Choice status mid to late April following the lottery
- On the application, families will select which school they’d prefer to attend: Angell, Burton, Norup, Pattengill or Rogers
- For current Schools of Choice families, if you have an incoming TK or Kindergarten student, please be sure to fill out this year’s application as well. Priority is given to siblings.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding the upcoming Kindergarten Information nights, please reach out to school secretaries and/or principals.
If you have any questions regarding the enrollment process, please contact the Enrollment Office at 248-837-8026 or visit the Enrollment website.
If you have any questions regarding Schools of Choice, please contact Stephanie Helterbran, Pupil Accounting and Central Enrollment Supervisor, at 248-837-8045 or visit the Schools of Choice website.
Berkley, Clawson and Royal Oak Honor Dr. King with “A Day On, Not a Day Off”
On Monday, January 15, the cities and school districts of Berkley, Clawson and Royal Oak came together to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the annual Day On, Not a Day Off event. Approximately 250 people attended the event.
Superintendent Scott Francis shared with guests during the auditorium presentation, “Berkley and Royal Oak have been partnering on the ‘Day On’ event since 2017 and are so proud of how our communities come together to celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
During the event, attendees were able to donate items, sort donations, make cards for educators, make blankets for those in need, assemble hygiene kits and make signs honoring Dr. King. The donations collected were to benefit the following Metro Detroit organizations:
- Redford Brightmoor Initiative
- Cass Community Social Services
- The Judson Center
- Royal Oak First Methodist Church
- Teen Clean Closet
Due to the very cold temperatures and wind chill, the annual Freedom Walk did not take place. The walk is planned as part of the day to show our support for Dr. King and his mission to advocate for civil and economic rights. The Freedom Walk calls attention to the greater public and reminds each community of the importance to always speak up for what is right. As Dr. King said, “The time is always right to do what is right.”
In addition to volunteering during the morning, guests were welcomed into the Auditorium to hear from all three superintendents and watch a student-produced video created by students representing the three high schools. The students focused on service and what service means to them. Watch the student video below, which debuted at this year’s MLK Day event.
Travel Opportunities for 2025
Travel to France & Spain in Spring 2025
Students in grades 6-12 (during the time of travel) are invited to travel to France and Spain during Spring Break 2025. This trip will explore cultural experiences, local immersion, and iconic sights. Come to an informational meeting on January 22 at 6:30 pm via Zoom to learn more.
In the informational meeting guests will learn:
- What we’ll see and experience on our trip
- How this opportunity will benefit your child
- Why now is the right time to start planning
- How your investment will be protected
- How your child can earn academic credit
- How we’re keeping this safe and affordable
Can’t make the meeting but want more information? Register and select “No but send info.” If you have any questions, contact Athena Troher at athena.troher@berkleyschools.org
Travel to Panama, Spring Break 2025!
Students in grades 6-9 (during the time of travel) and families are invited to travel to Panama during Spring Break 2025, sponsored by Norup teacher, Liz Reynolds.
In this EF-guided tour to one of the most diverse countries in the world, have lunch with Indigenous people, snorkel along the country’s Caribbean coast, and explore bustling Panama City. Also discover how, long before the canal was built, Panama’s central location attracted pirates like Sir Francis Drake and Henry Morgan.
You are invited to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, January 30 at 6 pm in the Norup Media Center. RSVP to the informational meeting.
Can’t make the meeting but want more information? Register and select “No but send info”. If you have any other questions, contact Liz Reynolds elizabeth.reynolds@berkleyschools.org for more information.
Travel to The South Pacific & Fiji in June 2025
Students in grades 6-12 (during the time of travel), and family members are invited to join an educational travel experience to The South Pacific and Fiji in June 2025! The trip includes visits to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. View the itinerary on the EF Tours website.
If you have any questions, contact Athena Troher at athena.troher@berkleyschools.org
Travel to Japan in Summer 2025
Students in grades 9-12 (during the time of travel) are invited to travel to Japan during the Summer of 2025. This trip will explore cultural experiences, local immersion and iconic sights of the country. Come to an informational meeting on Thursday, January 25 at 6 pm to learn:
- What students will see and experience on the trip
- How this opportunity will benefit your child
- Why now is the right time to start planning
- How your investment will be protected
- How your child can earn academic credit
- How we’re keeping this safe and affordable
Register for the informational meeting. Can’t make the meeting but want more information? Register and select “No but send info.”
If you have any questions, contact Saundra Rathburn at saundra.rathburn@berkleyschools.org or Tracy Burroughs at tracy.burroughs@berkleyschools.org
Did You Know Breakfast is Free for All Students?
The State of Michigan has implemented a new free meal program. This means all students are eligible for a free breakfast and free lunch daily. Check with your school to find out when doors open in the morning.
NEW - Breakfast menus are now on the Food Service website. Check in to see what is for breakfast.
Berkley Education Foundation’s 15th Annual Off to the Races Tickets On Sale
- March 16, 2024
- 7-11 pm
- The Kingsley, Bloomfield Hills, A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
- Tickets on sale now
The Berkley Schools community is invited to the Berkley Education Foundation’s annual fundraising event Off to the Races to support the Berkley School District and fund the #BerkleyDifference.
Off to the Races will take place on Saturday, March 16, from 7-11 pm at The Kingsley, Bloomfield Hills, a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Join the BEF fun: simulated horse racing, owning & naming horses, silent auction (powered by mobile bidding), vacation give-away, connecting with friends, and most importantly, funding the #BerkleyDifference. This year the food theme is desserts and late night snacks.
Tickets on sale.
Don’t miss out on all the fun. Tickets are on sale now: $50/person.
- Bundle event tickets with Off to the Races (OTTR) Bucks for a discount.
- OTTR Bucks pay for horse “betting” and beverages at the event.
- Buy 10 Bucks for $20 at the event, or add them on to an event ticket for a $10 discount.
Horses on sale now.
Buy and name a horse that will race during Off to the Races! 100 regular horses ($30) and 10 golden horses ($250) are available. Horses can be purchased through the “Buy Horses” section of the website. Horses can also be added onto ticket orders! For those who can’t attend the event, buying a horse is an easy way to support the BEF.
Win a vacation.
Don’t miss the Golden Race - the last race of the night. The winner will take home a $2,500 vacation, courtesy of the BEF.
- The prize is bigger so the stakes are higher: guests can “bet” on this race with a Golden Ticket!
- $50 Golden Tickets can be added to event tickets or at the door.
- Must be present to win.
Sponsorships available!
Event sponsorships, race sponsorships and prize sponsorships available for all budgets, ranging from $500 - $10,000. Investing in Off to the Races includes a variety of incentives from social media shoutouts to tickets to the event. Visit the BEF’s Sponsorship Booklet for details.
Interested in sponsoring? Email berkleyfoundation@berkleyschools.org
BHS Unified Basketball to Play at LCA - Tickets on Sale Now
The Berkley Unified Basketball team is excited to invite the community to come watch the team play at Little Caesars Arena on March 17. The BHS team will play after the Detroit Pistons play their game against the Miami Heat as part of the LCA Unified Night, where three Unified Games take place after the pros play. Tickets include access to both the Pistons and Unified Game, a Unified Showcase t-shirt and proceeds from each ticket will go back to the Berkley Unified Program.
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.
Details
- Sunday, March 17, 2024
- Detroit Pistons Game: 3-5 pm
- Unified Night at LCA: 6-8:30 pm
- Berkley Unified (Game #3) - 8 pm
- Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
- Guests can attend the Unified Game only, if they choose
Tickets
- $34/person
- Buy tickets to the March 17 activities today - tickets are limited!
- For any questions please contact Andy Myers at amyers@pistons.com or (313) 771-7588.
Tickets are mobile tickets and details will be emailed to you immediately after purchase. To access mobile tickets you must login to the Pistons App. Details can be found here: www.Pistons.com/mobileticket
The Fine Print
This offer cannot be redeemed at LCA Box Office. All tickets are subject to availability and handled on a first-come, first-served basis. All prices on orders received after the indicated deadline are subject to change. Refunds or exchanges will not be issued. Please provide an accurate cell phone number and email address in order to access your tickets. All tickets purchased will be available on your Pistons Account. You will receive an email once they are available.
Calendar Highlights - January
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.
Orthodox Christmas Day - January 7
Many Orthodox Christians in the United States celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 in the Gregorian calendar. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the son of God.
Orthodox Christians are estimated to number between 250 and 300 million people. The largest number of Orthodox Christians live in eastern and southeastern Europe, including Russia and Ukraine. There are also significant Orthodox Christian populations in the Middle East and in Ethiopia.
The difference in the timing of the Christmas celebrations stretches back to 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII, ruled that the Catholic Church should follow a new calendar – called the Gregorian calendar, as it was closer to the solar calendar than the Julian calendar.
Orthodox New Year - January 14
The Orthodox New Year, otherwise known as the Old New Year, is a traditional holiday, celebrated as the start of the New Year in the Julian calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, this holiday falls on January 14th every year. This holiday is observed by Orthodox Christians in the U.S., and all around the world. Learn more on the Holidays Calendar website.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 15
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (MLK Day) is a federal holiday and is observed in honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the third Monday in January. The day commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. King, who was a minister and leader in the modern American civil rights movement. Dr. King is the only non-president to have a national holiday. While Dr. King was assassinated in 1968, MLK Day was not signed into law until 1983 and was first observed in 1986. The official observance was written into all 50 states and federal law by 2000.
Learn more about Dr. King and the years-long process to honor him with a federal holiday in the links below.
The 15 Year Battle for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - National Museum of African American History & Culture
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Britannica
2024 King Holiday - The King Center
Martin Luther King Jr. - History.com
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!
Now Hiring:
- School Psychologist - AMS & Pattengill
- Special Education Paraeducator - 3 Positions - BBB, Norup & Pattengill
- Assistant Teacher(s) - 6 Open Positions - Berkley Building Blocks
- Lunch Aides - Pattengill
- Permanent Substitute Custodian - District
- Afternoon Custodian - 2 Positions - Angell & BHS
- Afternoon Custodian Split Position - Norup & Pattengill
- High School Girls Swim and Dive Program Assistant
- High School Boys Tennis Program Assistant
- High School JV Girls Tennis Head Coach
- Middle School Football Coach
- Middle School Wrestling Head Coach
Sign Up for Text Alerts
Quick Steps to Receive Text Alerts from Berkley Schools
In order to receive text messages from the District or your school, you must opt-in. Text messages will be sent out when the District closes or there is an emergency situation. Texts may also be sent from the District and schools for reminder messages during the day that are not urgent.
In order to receive text messages, every parent/guardian must opt-in each cell phone listed in MISTAR.
Steps to Opt-In
- Text the word YES (in the message field) to the phone number 67587 (in the To field). Then you are all set!
District News Online
Want to keep up with the latest District news stories? Visit our new News page to see stories, messages from principals, weekly reminders and more. News articles posted on the District News page will also populate each respective school’s News page. Articles that don’t make it into the Beat will also be posted on our News pages, Facebook and Twitter.