Berkley Beat August 28, 2025

BHS Named a Best High School from U.S. News & World Report

Congratulations to Berkley High School, once again named a Best High School in the 2025 Rankings from U.S. News & World Report. BHS Ranked #1,418 nationally, #39 in Michigan and #16 in Metro Detroit area high schools. This puts BHS in the top 8% of high schools in the Nation. U.S. News and World Report’s comprehensive rankings methodology reflects how well high schools serve all of their students, not just those who are planning to go to college.

We know that this success is because of the dedication and commitment of all teachers and staff in the District who support and love our students. It is also a result of our community and family support of BHS and all of our schools. You can view the complete listing of this honor on the U.S. News & World Report website.

Breakfast & Lunch Information: How Long Will Meals Be Free?

At this time, the State of Michigan elected officials have not completed their 2025-26 budget, which means it is unclear if the State will fund free meals once again for students. The State’s fiscal year starts on October 1, 2025. If free meals are included in that budget, then our students will continue to receive this benefit. Right now, it is very unclear if this provision will end up in the final budget.

What we know: Meals will be free through September 30, 2025.

Please fill out the Education and Nutrition Benefits Form if you think you may qualify for free or reduced meals. Filling out the form now will mean you’ll be ready if the budget does not pass with the free meals benefit for our students.

If your child would like to eat a la carte items, those funds will be deducted from your child’s food service account. You can add funds for your child into their food service accounts through MISTAR ParentConnection.

Ask Me Anything - Superintendent Francis Edition

Scott Francis is entering his 5th school year as Superintendent. He's a dad, husband and District resident. This school year, the District is launching an Ask Me Anything series, Superintendent Francis Edition. What questions might you have for Superintendent Francis?

Submit your questions in this Google Form and he'll choose a few each month to answer via video. Follow the District on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to see the answers, or see them in the Berkley Beat.

Visitor & Volunteer Protocols in the Berkley School District

Visitors

Berkley School District uses the Raptor Visitor Management System in all our buildings to strengthen the safety of our students and staff. All visitors are required to check in at the office. Visitors will be asked to present a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or state ID. The photo ID scan will happen the first time you visit the building. After the first visit, you will check in using the Raptor system, but will not have to scan your ID.

The Raptor System does the following:

• Screens visitors, contractors and all volunteers in our schools.
• Keeps an electronic record of who is in each building.
• Checks the visitor's name and date of birth for comparison with a number of national databases to identify anyone on the database of registered sex offenders. No other data from the ID is gathered and the information will not be shared with any outside agency.
• Once approved, Raptor will issue a visitor ID badge that contains the visitor's photo, the date, and the purpose/location of the visit.

When leaving the building, guests are required to return to the office to be signed out.

Volunteers

Parents, guardians and family members are encouraged to volunteer in classrooms and chaperone field trips. In order to volunteer in the classroom or on school-sponsored functions, all volunteers must complete the Volunteer Release Form and be approved through the District process prior to any activities. Please allow up to 2 weeks for processing.

• Volunteer forms will be completed online. There is an option to fill out the Chaperone Section within the online Volunteer form.
• Driver forms must be completed using the usual paper copy format. Remember to submit a copy of your current driver's license and proof of insurance to your school office with ALL Driver Forms even if you submitted your driver's license online.

Volunteer forms must be completed every year. If you were an approved volunteer last year, you still must complete the process again for the 2025-26 school year.

How to Log Into Schoology: Parents/Guardians

For the 2025-26 school year, Berkley Schools will continue to use Schoology as an online Learning Management System. Schoology will be used by all teachers. Secondary teachers will use the software for assignments, notes to students, and grades. Elementary teachers will have a page ready to go and will use it as they see fit.

If you have not logged into Schoology, or haven’t done so in a while, here are reminders on how to access the information. You can also subscribe to a weekly summary and Schoology will email you your child’s Schoology status, including assignment grades.

Parent/Guardian Schoology Logins

• Visit the Schoology Parent Login page
• Your username is the same PIN that you use in MISTAR ParentConnection
• If you need your password reset, or are requesting your password from Schoology, click on Forgot My Password. You’ll need to use the email address you have on file in MISTAR.
• If you need to verify which email address is on file, you can either reach out to the building secretary who can help or you can login to the MISTAR Parent Portal to review your information.

Fill Out the Online Back to School Packet ASAP

The Annual Back to School Packet is open in the MISTAR App and MISTAR ParentConnection (formerly known as MISTAR Parent Portal).

The Annual Packet must be completed for each child enrolled with the Berkley Schools.

Please allow approximately 15-20 minutes to complete the Packet per child. For optional online payments in the Packet (pictures, PTA Memberships, etc.) you will need your credit card ready.

PACKET DEADLINE: ASAP

Completing the packet is important so we know your preferences for the year and so we know how to reach you in the event of an emergency.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

1. Read the directions in each section to ensure each step is completed.
2. Verify Information: You will verify information brought over from last year’s Packet or from when you registered if you are new to the Berkley Schools.
3. Phone Type is Important: Make sure to choose the correct phone type per number listed and update your email address to ensure you don’t miss any District and school communications. If your phone number is a cell number, please choose Adult Cell in the packet. If we don’t have the correct phone type we will not be able to text you in case of emergency.
4. Child’s Phone Number: You have the option to add your child’s phone number in the student section of the Packet, if you wish. Be sure to enter your child’s phone number only in this section and your phone numbers in the parent/guardian section to avoid duplicate entries.
5. Recommended Platform: It is recommended to use a personal computer (desktop or laptop) rather than a phone or tablet to complete the Packet, unless you are using the Parent Connection App.
6. Outside Website: Some steps require you to leave the packet and visit an outside website (PTA membership, photo packages, etc). When you click on these links, a new window will open on top of the Packet window.
7. At this time, the State of Michigan has not completed the 2025-26 budget, which means it is unclear if the State will fund free meals once again for students. The State’s fiscal year starts on October 1, 2025. We believe free meals will be covered through September 30, 2025. Please fill out the Education and Nutrition Benefits Form in case the State does not renew free meals. Consider adding some funds for your child into their food service accounts if you plan on having them participate in the school lunch program.
8. Remember to mark each step in the Packet as complete.

HOW DO I FIND THE PACKET IN MISTAR PARENT CONNECTION and APP?

Once you are logged-in to ParentConnection, click on the bright red text in the upper right that says: Back to School packet.

You can also find the Packet in the MISTAR App. To download the app, follow these directions:

• In your mobile device app store, download Q ParentConnection.
• Inside the App, select the State, County and District.
• Select Enter ParentConnection.
• In the upper right, select Log In.
• Enter your MISTAR Parent Connection Pin and Password.
• The App can be used to complete the packet as well as add to food service accounts, track attendance and grades.

QUESTIONS?

If you are having problems logging in, have questions about completing information online or are experiencing technical difficulties, please put in a ticket with the Tech Department. Be sure to include your name, the name of your child and a phone number where you can be reached.

BEF Alumni Directory Project Underway

Attention Alumni

The Berkley Education Foundation Alumni Directory Project is underway. The BEF is working with Publishing Concepts to update our alumni information so the BEF/District can be more proactive connecting with our alumni.

Emails and postcards went out this week on the Foundation's behalf, with messages from Superintendent Scott Francis. You do not need to purchase an alumni directory to update your information.

If you'd like to update your information, call 866-497-0954.

Questions? Email berkleyfoundation@berkleyschools.org or call 248-837-8018.

Calendar Highlights: August

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.

August 26: Women’s Equality Day

Adopted by Congress in 1971, Women's Equality Day is celebrated in the United States on August 26 to commemorate the 1920 adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex. The U.S. Department of the Interior shares, “This historic event was the culmination of the decades-long struggle of courageous suffragists determined to shape the course of our Republic. On Women's Equality Day, we commemorate the efforts of those groundbreaking activists, celebrate the remarkable achievements of women, and reaffirm our commitment to equality under the law.”

Learn more on the Britannica website.