Berkley Beat May 2, 2025

What's Inside

  • Norup Hosts Harlem Renaissance Night
  • AMS 8th Grade Visits Washington D.C.
  • Angell Hosts Occupation Day
  • BEF Awards 19 Spring Innovation-Grants
  • Animal Magic Visits Angell
  • Announcing the New Director of Student Services
  • Community is Invited to Burton’s Culture and Diversity Fest
  • Community is Invited to a Community Chat with Superintendent Francis
  • Summer Program Registration Now Open
  • Nurse Rose and Tri-Community Coalition Host Narcan Training for High School Students
  • 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?
  • May Calendar Highlights - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month
  • How to Subscribe to the District Calendar
  • Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring

Norup Hosts Harlem Renaissance Night

On Thursday, May 1, the Norup art department hosted a special night inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. Middle school students from Ms. Hoste's lunch jazz band played music while students and families viewed artwork from Art 6, 7 and 8 classes which was inspired by the Harlem Renaissance artists.

According to Britannica, the Harlem Renaissance was an African American cultural movement that flourished in the 1920s and had Harlem in New York City as its symbolic capital. It was a time of great creativity in musical, theatrical, and visual arts but was perhaps most associated with literature; it is considered the most influential period in African American literary history.

AMS 8th Grade Visits Washington D.C.

From April 23-25 2025, 100 Anderson Middle School 8th graders traveled to Gettysburg and Washington D.C. for an optional visit. This trip has been made available for all 8th graders for the last two decades to connect to the 8th grade social studies curriculum. The first stop on the trip was the Gettysburg Civil War Museum and a guided tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield. Next, the students visited George Washington’s Mount Vernon, toured the US Capitol, stopped to see the National Archives, and visited the Jefferson, FDR, MLK and WWII memorials. Before heading home, students also visited Smithsonian Museums at the National Mall, stopped at the Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean War memorials, and toured Arlington Cemetery including watching the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Angell Hosts Occupation Day

Angell Elementary students participated in Occupation Day on April 29, 2025. Occupation Day features members of the Angell community presenting to students about their careers. This event is organized by Angell School Counselor, Kezziah Chudler with the goal of introducing elementary students to the many types of careers. During the event, students walk through the gym, stopping at tables to learn more from the presenters to see if anything sparks their interest.

15 parents/guardians attended Occupation Day, representing a variety of careers such as a personal trainer, a mechanic, a metal model maker, a motorsport engineer, a physical therapist, software engineer, anesthesia nurses and much more.

BEF Awards 19 Spring Innovation-Grants

Congratulations to the following Berkley Schools staff members for receiving a Spring 2025 Berkley Education Foundation (BEF) 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.

Adult Transition

  • Joseph Altizer, Mixing Up Success: Empowering ATP Students Through Culinary Skills. This grant purchases a KitchenAid stand mixer, to be able to expand the culinary program to include more complex and rewarding recipes, while also making cooking tasks more inclusive.
  • Sharon Berke, Hoppy Puppy Pop Up. Berkley ATP students are the business owners of Hoppy Puppy, a dog treat brand, and they are expanding to host a Pop Up shop. This experience will provide students with direct sales experience and allow them to build their communication, math and employment skills.
  • Sarah Gerds, Independent Living Skills. Equipment to outfit the new apartment learning space in The Den, the new home for ATP. Students will have the opportunity to develop and refine essential skills for independent living, including home management, organization, personal care and social interaction.

Anderson Middle School

  • Heather Roesner & Briana Black, Life Baking Cooking Class. The Life Skills class will visit Cake Crumbs. Cake Crumbs has skilled and fun pastry chefs that will guide students through cake designs and decorating techniques, using a variety of pastry tools and ingredients.
  • Heather Torrente, Stand Mixers for Family and Consumer Science. Four kitchen stand mixers to utilize during cupcake, cake and bread making labs.

Angell Elementary School

  • Melissa Watkins, At Home Reading Program. Decodable books for students to take home for practice and to boost confidence.

Berkley High School

  • Jennifer Bell, LEGO Sets for Speech Therapy Activities: Building Communication and Teamwork. Integration of LEGO sets into speech therapy provides a unique opportunity to enhance communication, foster teamwork and improve social-emotional development for students.
  • Jacob Charlip, Holocaust Center - Inquiry Through Artifacts. Students will take a trip to the Zekelman Holocaust Center and learn about historical artifacts while studying a historical inquiry unit.
  • Kristi Magy, Poetry: Playing with Words. This grant purchases poetry and language games for students and allows students to explore and command language to improve their overall writing skills.
  • Mary Martinuzzi, Independent Reading. Students will be given the opportunity to make book choices for the class independent reading library, by shopping online and at a local bookstore.
  • Sarah Noble, "Lights On!" for Encore! The BHS Encore! Show Choir is excited to utilize technology in creative ways to optimize their storytelling on stage and in competitions with new lighting equipment that is versatile and can be programmed.
  • Jennifer Plater & Jacob Charlip, World History Storytelling Project. This project will engage 11th grade World History students in creating original children’s books using Google Slides. These books will creatively teach key world history topics from 1250 CE to the present, using accurate facts and narrative techniques tailored for a 2nd–5th grade audience.
  • Susie Sims, Connectors to Help Smart Bracelets. Sources of Strength peer leaders will be given smart bracelets that will allow them to give direct access to mental health help.

Burton Elementary School

  • Becky Posey, Ramps and Pathways. The Kodo Kids Rubber Ramp set will support an entirely new level of play and exploration through self-discovery and problem solving in the TK classroom.

Norup International School

  • Danielle Crowder & Valerie Mace, Mini Microphones for Norup 5th Grade News. Fifth graders at Norup have been doing a news broadcast this year which is fostering a sense of community, leadership and creativity. Mini Microphones were purchased to enhance the audio output quality of the news segments.
  • Ben Moy, Clip on Tuners. Clip on tuners for the Middle School Orchestra students will lessen tuning time every day. Tuners will also be used as an instructional tool to help students individually assess their own intonation and give students visual feedback in order to increase their ability to play in tune.

Pattengill Elementary School

  • Samantha Letvin, Gelli Plates - A Curriculum Expansion. Gelli printmaking is a new way to monoprint and offers endless possibilities with the ability to transfer pictures and draw directly on top of them. Gelli prints are made using a special type of plate made from a gel that is not only durable, it’s reusable, vegan, odor free, silicone free, latex free, nontoxic, and yields clear results.
  • Kate McGowan, VersaTiles from Hand2Mind. VersaTiles will help provide students with hands-on learning tasks related to math and literacy and will reduce paper use and waste in the classroom.

Rogers Elementary School

  • Nikki Stone, Slabtastic Clay Cutter. This grant will purchase a multi-slab cutter that cuts 25-pound bricks of clay into 3/8" slabs which will save time and create consistent sizing when prepping student materials.

Animal Magic Visits Angell

On April 30, 2025, students at Angell Elementary School enjoyed a special visit from Animal Magic, a nonprofit organization focused on exotic wildlife conservation and life science education.

Presenter Mark Rosenthal introduced students to a variety of animals while sharing educational facts about their behaviors and habitats. Students learned about how nocturnal animals function, the relationship between predators and prey, and common myths about different types of animals.

During the presentation, students had the opportunity to observe a tarantula, a snake and an armadillo. The visit concluded with Nico the crying parrot. Nico has been featured in viral videos, magazines and talk shows for the ability to talk, laugh and cry, much like a baby.

Announcing the New Director of Student Services

Dear Families,

I am pleased to announce Nic Farquhar as the new Director of Student Services. Mrs. Farquhar begins her new position on July 1, 2025. For the past nine years, Mrs. Farquhar has been the Special Education Supervisor for the District.

Mrs. Farquhar was selected from a pool of over 50 applicants after interviews with special education staff, parents and District administrators. After careful consideration of each candidate’s credentials and the needs of the Student Services department, Mrs. Farquhar was chosen to serve as the next Director of Student Services, overseeing the District’s special education staff, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), 504 plans, assistive technology, paraeducators and the adult transition program.

Prior to her role as the Special Education Supervisor, Nic was an Autism Spectrum Disorder teacher and elementary resource teacher for Berkley Schools, and has been with the District since 2002. In addition, Mrs. Farquhar is a START (Statewide Autism Resources & Training) trainer, a Restorative Practices trainer and has received non-violent crisis prevention and intervention training.

Nic received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education from Clemson University. She earned a Master of Education in Special Education from Oakland University and a Special Education Supervisor and Director Approval as part of her K-12 Administrator Certificate program from Grand Valley State University.

Here is a note from Nic to all of you:

I am incredibly excited to step into the role of Director of Student Services and to begin this new chapter with purpose and passion. This opportunity represents not just a professional milestone, but a chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students, families and educators. I am deeply committed to fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments where every student can thrive. I can’t wait to get started and see all the amazing things we’ll accomplish together!

Please join me in congratulating Nic Farquhar on her new position as Director of Student Services.

Sincerely,

Scott Francis

Superintendent

Berkley School District

Community is Invited to Burton’s Culture & Diversity Fest

The Burton Diversity Alliance & PTA invite the community to stop by the Burton Culture & Diversity Fest Family Night Celebration. This event takes place on Thursday, May 8, 2025,from 5-7 pm in the Burton Gym and Media Center.

Stop by booths to learn more about cultures and customs from around the world. This event includes live performances, cultural displays and tasty samples and interactive activities for all ages.

The following food trucks will be on-site from 4-8 pm: Duetchtroit, Egg Roll Diva, Los Dos Amigos, Rita’s Italian Ice, Simply Spanish and Saucy Joe’s.

The flyer for the event shares, “Let’s come together, learn from one another and honor what makes each of us beautifully different.”

Community is Invited to a Community Chat with Superintendent Francis

Superintendent Scott Francis will host his final community chat of the school year on May 19, 2025. Community members are invited to hear about the Berkley School District Strategic Plan progress at this informal community forum on Monday, May 19, 5:30-6:30 pm, at the Berkley Schools Administrative Offices, 14501 Talbot, Oak Park. Refreshments will be provided.

Summer Program Registration Now Open

Elementary Program - Math & Language Arts + STEM

The Berkley Summer Difference Math & Language Arts program is intended for students currently in Grades TK-5 who need to maintain or grow in their academic achievement from the 2024-25 school year. Students who enroll in the program will have both math and language arts instruction throughout the summer program.

The elementary Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program will focus on problem solving, engineering design and offer hands-on opportunities.

All classes will be taught in-person by certified, highly-qualified elementary teachers. Depending on enrollment, multi-grade sections may be organized to better meet staffing needs. The summer program will be educational and enjoyable!

Program Details for Math & Language Arts

Program Details for Elementary STEM

Middle School Program

Students who just completed their 6th - 8th grade school year can participate in the Berkley Summer Difference program. All classes will be offered in-person. Students have the option to take three types of classes: Math, English Language Arts and Computer Science. Availability of sections will be determined based upon registration.

The middle school summer English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics school programs are intended for students currently in grades 6-8 who need to maintain or grow in their achievement.

The middle school summer Computer Science program provides foundational skills and includes: Encryption, Animation, Machine Learning (pre-AI), Magic School, and Game Design.

Classes will be taught by certified, highly-qualified middle school teachers. Depending on enrollment, multi-grade sections may be organized to better meet staffing needs.

Program Details for Math & English Language Arts Classes

Program Details for the Computer Science Class

High School Program: Credit Recovery

The high school summer program will be focused on Credit Recovery Courses. Credit Recovery Courses should be selected in consultation with each student’s school counselor. Credit Recovery coursework will be delivered through the APEX online learning system, assisted, facilitated, and overseen by certified teachers. Students will complete the coursework in person. These courses are tailored to each student and are mastery-based, which means the length of time students must spend in Credit Recovery will vary and is dependent upon mastery of course objectives.

Program Details for Credit Recovery

Registration

Elementary and Middle School

High School

Nurse Rose and Tri-Community Coalition Host Narcan Training for High School Students

On Monday, May 12, from 5-6 pm in the BHS Collaborative Center, Nurse Rose and the Tri-Community Coalition are hosting a training on Narcan for high school students and their families.

This is a free class for all students (9th-12th grade), families, staff and anyone who wants a refresher course on Narcan. Those who are 14 and older will receive a free narcan kit. No registration needed.

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: May

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.

May is Jewish American Heritage Month

May is Jewish American Heritage Month. On April 20, 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month to honor the contributions and achievements of Jewish Americans and to educate all Americans. It’s been continued every year since then by Presidential Proclamation. Jewish American Heritage Month is a celebration of the contributions and experiences of Jewish Americans and highlights how America’s Jewish communities have shaped, and been shaped, by the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the United States.

Learn more about Jewish American Heritage Month:

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is a celebration of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States. A broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was first signed into law by President Carter on October 5, 1978. During the next decade, presidents passed annual proclamations for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week until 1992 when Congress annually designated May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese person to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

Source: Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month website

Resources to learn more about Asian/Pacific Heritage Month:

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a cornerstone of addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. Mental health refers to our emotional and social well-being and impacts how we think, feel and behave. It plays a role in connecting with others, making decisions, handling stress, and many other aspects of daily life.

The Berkley School District has many resources available for families on our Emotional Support and Wellness Resources webpage. From emergency hotlines to community resources, to mindfulness, to grief and loss resources, our mental health professionals have built a comprehensive site for the community to use.

Additional resources to learn more about Mental Health Awareness 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

  • Special Education High School Social Worker - BHS
  • Permanent Building Substitute Teacher - Norup
  • Long-Term Substitute Middle School Language Arts/Speech Teacher - Norup
  • Payroll Coordinator - Administrative Offices
  • Afternoon Custodian Shift Leader - Norup
  • Afternoon Custodian (2 positions) - Angell, Burton
  • Permanent Substitute Custodian - District
  • Lunch Aides - Angell, Burton, Pattengill
  • Kids’ Zone Assistant Teachers (3 positions) - Angell, Pattengill, Rogers
  • Middle School Football Coach - Anderson
  • 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach - Norup
  • Varsity Basketball Coach - BHS

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