What's Inside?
- Berkley Schools Celebrates Halloween
- Trunk or Treating Fun
- Hurley Field Construction Begins November 6
- BHS DECA: Call for Judges from the Community
- BHS & BAAPN Present HBCU Night - Next Wednesday
- Caring & Sharing Kicks of Community Giving Season
- Da Bears Host Robotics Open House
- BHS Unified Soccer Plays Last Game of the Season
- BHS Encore! Travels to Retreat
- BHS Students Honored by Royal Oak Optimist Club
- Middle School Cross Country Team Earns Six Medals at League Meet
- BHS Be Drama Presents: The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
- Calendar Highlights: Native American Heritage Month
- Travel Opportunities for Spring Break 2024 & 2025: Rome, Spain & The South Pacific
- How to Subscribe to the District Calendar
- Join the Berkley Schools Family
- Sign Up for Text Messages
Berkley Schools Celebrates Halloween
Halloween is a big event in the Berkley School District. Each school celebrates in their own way. The following stories summarize all the fun from October 31, 2023.
Anderson Halloween Assembly
Anderson Middle School held its annual Halloween assembly on October 31, 2023. Principal Mike Ross kicked off the event with a greeting. Then students competed by grade level in various games such as mummy wrap (wrapping staff members in toilet paper) and games pitting all grades against one another (moving Skittles with straws and collecting penne noodles with spaghetti noodles). The assembly concluded with a costume contest for all three grade levels and the winners were announced and presented a certificate.
Angell Halloween Parade
Angell Elementary School celebrated Halloween by having students dressed in a variety of exciting costumes march around the school together as they were cheered on by staff and parents. The annual parade on October 31, 2023, also included the entire staff dressed up as Principal Vince Gigliotti.
Burton Halloween Parade
On Tuesday, October 31, Burton Elementary held its annual Halloween parade. The Berkley High School marching band kicked off the parade while the students walked around a long block in Huntington Woods. The community came out to cheer on the students. This year the staff costume theme was Uno cards.
Burton Halloween Gym
During the week of October 23, Burton students enjoyed a visit to The Halloween Gym - their gymnasium transformed for Halloween! Students rotated through eight spooktacular skill and fitness stations. Gym Teacher Tracy Grabowski shared, “They particularly liked scooting through the candle lit pumpkin patch and tunnels and practicing their overhand throw by throwing Halloween bean bags at spooky characters.”
This year family volunteers came in to help with stations, too. The kids were eagerly anticipating the Halloween set up this year. Ms. Grabowski said, "It is a simple way to celebrate the season with their classmates while getting exercise and practicing various skills."
Norup Halloween Parade
On Tuesday, October 31, Norup International elementary students enjoyed a Halloween parade around their school. Students showed off their costumes to fellow elementary students as well as their middle school friends. The school band was also a part of the festivities as they played spooky tunes while students were cheered on by family members and Berkley School District staff along the way.
Pattengill Halloween Parade
On Tuesday, October 31, Pattengill Elementary students showcased their Halloween costumes during the annual parade. Family members lined the sidewalk perimeter to cheer on the Penguins as they walked around the school grounds.
Rogers Halloween Parade
Rogers students paraded from their building to the Oxford Towers on Tuesday, October 31. The students started from Rogers grade by grade showcasing their exciting costumes as they were led by teachers and cheered on by family members as they headed to Oxford Towers returning with a variety of treats.
BBB Trunk or Treat
Berkley Building Blocks (BBB) families gathered for a Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 26. BBB staff and families passed out candy and decorated their vehicles in various themes such as Jurassic Park, Mario Kart, Little Mermaid and more! This year’s Trunk or Treat was a great opportunity for students to showcase their costumes and connect with friends
Angell Trunk or Treat
The Angell Elementary PTA organized a Trunk or Treat for families to celebrate the Halloween season. Angell families gathered at the Berkley Community Center on October 27, 2023, to parade around the parking lot collecting treats at different decorated vehicles. Pizza was also provided by the PTA.
Burton Trunk or Treat
On Friday, October 27, Burton PTA hosted the school’s first ever Trunk or Treat event. Students enjoyed visiting the decorated cars including going to the movies, Taylor Swift, jungle and The Addams Family themes.
Norup Trunk or Treat
On Friday, October 27, 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 27, the Pattengill community enjoyed their annual Trunk or Treat, sponsored by the Pattengill PTA. Cars were decorated with spooky and sweet things and candy was passed out to the students. Halloween arts and crafts were available as well as a doughnut stand for all to enjoy.
Hurley Field Construction Begins November 6
Due to the August 2023 Bond Proposal and 2018 Sinking Fund being approved by the community, the District is able to make major upgrades to Hurley Field. On Monday, November 6, the Hurley Field turf and track will be removed. This process should take approximately 4-6 weeks. The construction crew will be working during the day to complete this phase of construction.
Hurley Field will be closed to the public and for school use starting Monday, November 6, and will re-open during summer 2024. This means the public will not be able to access the track for walking and running and the spring sports season will be relocated. The field will be locked and signs posted alerting the public of this construction work. The Athletic Department also continues to work with neighboring districts to find practice spaces and game locations for our spring sports.
Starting in the spring, as soon as the ground is thawed, the reconstruction process will begin. Contractors will be installing brand new turf and track surfaces throughout the spring and into the summer months. In addition, the grassy field adjacent to the Anderson parking lot will be converted into parking spaces to create more spots for the public to park and a better traffic flow to aid in school and event parking. The final project that will be completed during this phase of the Bond is lighting. Hurley Field will receive upgraded lighting to help reduce the light pollution for the neighborhood.
Thank you for understanding and please pardon the dust while the District makes greatly needed improvements to the Hurley Field and the Anderson parking lot. You can follow the Bond work updates online here: www.berkleyschools.org/bond
BHS DECA: Call for Judges from the Community
Business Professionals Needed - Help Judge a DECA Competition
Berkley High School is excited to host the DECA District 6 conference on December 9, 2023. This event will draw over 650 students and advisors from high schools across Oakland County. The BHS DECA chapter is looking for professionals from various industries to volunteer as judges. Judges would be asked to arrive at Berkley High School at 9 am and should be finished before 2 pm. Lunch will be provided.
DECA is a co-curricular club with a mission of preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Learn more about DECA on their website.
Interested individuals should contact Joel Hunt at joel.hunt@berkleyschools.org.
Berkley High School & BAAPN Present HBCU Night
On November 8, 2023, Berkley High School and the Berkley African American Parent Network (BAAPN) invite Berkley Schools students and families to HBCU Night.
Guests will learn about the educational opportunities and unique college experience of Historically Black Colleges & Universities!
November 8, 2023 in BHS Library Media Center (2nd floor)
- 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM: HBCU & Organization Fair
- 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM: Breakout Sessions 1
- 7:10 PM - 7:40 PM: Breakout Session 2
Breakout sessions include:
- How to send your child to college and leave your money at home
- HBCU Parent Connect: A conversation connecting current + future HBCU parents
- From BHS to HBCU: The HBCU experience as told by Berkley Bears
- Matriculate to Graduate: Tips on starting and finishing at an HBCU
Register to attend HBCU Night.
Caring & Sharing Kicks Off the Giving 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 our schools through non-perishable food drives and PTAs purchased 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 2022, Caring & Sharing raised $19,580, fed 85 families, and gave $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 REFERRAL FORM - DUE 12/1/23. All referral information will be used confidentially to provide families in need with a gift card this holiday season.
Anyone can make a Donation online. If you would prefer to donate via check, please make a check payable to Berkley Area PTSA Council and mail to 14501 Talbot St., Oak Park, MI 48237 no later than 12/1/23. Attn: Berkley Council PTSA - Caring & Sharing.
Any questions? Contact this year’s Caring & Sharing Chair Abby Watteny
Da Bears Host Robotics Open House
On November 1, the BHS Robotics Team 247, Da Bears, hosted a Robotics Open House. At the event, Team 247 showcased their current and previous robots and showed the community all that the team is working on. It was an opportunity for anyone who was interested in Robotics to learn more.
Visit the Robotics website to learn more about the team.
BHS Unified Soccer Plays Last Game of the Season
On Wednesday, October 25, Unified Soccer played their last game in Dexter. The score ended in a tie, 8-8. Mary Martinuzzi, BHS Teacher and Unified Soccer coach, shared, “The team had a wonderful season and enjoyed every moment building friendships while increasing their soccer skills.”
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.
BHS Encore! Choir Travels to a Retreat
On Friday, October 20, the BHS Encore! Choir traveled to Colombiere Conference & Retreat Center in Clarkston, MI, for their first ever Retreat Weekend. Over the course of the weekend, students participated in rigorous sessions of music rehearsals and choreography as well as bonding activities and folk dancing. This retreat was modeled after the "Choir Conferences" that Encore! director Sarah Noble experienced as a high school choir member. Many of the retreat staff were the same, offering an opportunity for Berkley students to enter into a new tradition with an exceptional level of support.
Berkley High School Students Honored by Royal Oak Optimist Club
On Wednesday, November 1, three students from Berkley High School were honored at the annual Optimist Club Youth Appreciation Breakfast. Anthony Workman, Tyler Mann and Jodhi England were recognized by the Royal Oak Chapter and nominated by their counselors for their innate positivity and kindness.
In alliance with The Optimist Creed, Tyler, Anthony and Jodhi ... "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. www.royaloakoptimists.org Congratulations to this year's recipients!
Middle School Cross Country Team Earns Six Medals at League Meet
On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, Anderson and Norup cross country teams each sent their top ten boys and top ten girls to the COMSAC League Meet. Each team had seven boys and seven girls compete against 18 teams (the top 119 boys and the top 120 girls in the league). Each of the runners had a strong performance during the 2 mile race.
Berkley had a total of six medal winners. In the girl's division Paige Rohda (AMS) took first place with a time of 12:10. Isabella Glibota (NIS) finished in 7th place with a time of 13:43 and Madelynn King (AMS) was a close 8th place with a time of 13:44.
In the boy's division, Henry Georege (NIS) took first place with a time of 11:02. Gabe Van Gorder (NIS) finished in 7th place with a time of 11:46 and Gavin Moore (NIS) was close behind him in 8th place with a time of 11:49.
Congratulations to the runners for a great finish to their season!
Berkley High School Be Drama Presents: The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
Berkley High School’s Be Drama presents its fall play, “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” by John Bishop to the community on November 16, 17 and 18 at 7 pm. The play will be performed on the Berkley High School Auditorium stage.
“The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” is, according to Stage Agent, a delightful slapstick for audiences of all ages. The play includes blizzard conditions, secret passageways, and some musical snippets to create an Agatha-Christie-meets-Clue formula of whodunnit parody.
Location: Berkley High School Auditorium, 2325 Catalpa, Berkley, MI 48072
Tickets are on sale and available for purchase on the Be Drama website:
- Adults: $15
- Students: $10
- Staff: $10
- Seniors: $10
Cast Members
- Charley Burns (Helsa Wenzel)
- Stella Krzysiak (Elsa Von Grossenkneuten)
- Owen Chudler (Michael Kelly)
- Nathan Raimi (Patrick O’Reilly)
- Jacob Gonzales (Ken De La Maize)
- Jordan Rowan (Nikki Crandall)
- Montgomery Smith (Eddie McCuen)
- Aria Gassman (Marjorie Baverstock)
- Sebastian Hames (Roger Hopewell)
- Heiress Brame (Bernice Roth)
Calendar Highlights: Native American Heritage Month
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.
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
Travel Opportunities for 2024 & 2025
Travel to Rome & Pompeii, Spring Break 2024!
Norup Middle School is collaborating with EF Tours on a guided tour of Rome and Pompeii! Italy is a feast for the senses. Whether you’re sampling mozzarella on a farm in Naples or becoming a gladiator for a day in Rome, you’ll experience the culture and traditions of this Mediterranean country through hands-on activities. Spots are still available! This trip is open to all Berkley students, ages 11-15, and their families. Click here to view the slideshow or contact Liz Reynolds elizabeth.reynolds@berkleyschools.org for more information.
Travel to Spain in Spring 2024
BHS Teachers Tracy Burroughs and Saundra Rathburn are collaborating with EF Tours on a tour to Spain during Spring Break 2024. The group will visit Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Costa del Sol, Seville, Córdoba, Puerto Lápice, and Madrid. This trip is open to incoming 9-12th grade students at Berkley High School. Visit this Spain trip website to learn more.
If you have any questions, contact Saundra Rathburn at saundra.rathburn@berkleyschools.org.
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
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:
- Supervisor of Human Resources & Shared Time Services
- Assistant Supervisor of Shared Time Services
- School Psychologist - AMS & Pattengill
- Long Term Substitute Counselor - BHS
- Special Education Paraeducator(s) - Various Locations
- Assistant Teacher(s) - 6 Open Positions - Berkley Building Blocks
- Kids' Zone Assistant Teacher(s) - Various Locations
- Lunch Aides - Burton & Pattengill
- High School JV Girls Tennis Head Coach
- High School JV Volleyball Head Coach
- High School JV Girls Softball Head Coach
- Middle School Football Coach
- Middle School Softball 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.