Berkley Beat March 6, 2025

What's Inside

  • Congratulations to the Berkley Schools Teachers of the Year
  • Berkley Education Foundation’s Off to the Races - Silent Auction Open + Tickets on Sale - Event on Saturday
  • Angell Kicks Off March Reading Month
  • Burton Bash Kicks Off Reading Month
  • Rogers Kicks Off March Reading Month
  • Berkley High School Students Develop Podcast Shows, Present to Panel of Judges
  • Important Berkley High School Construction Updates
  • Huntington Woods Men’s Club Invites Community to Annual Auction Benefiting Berkley Schools
  • BHS Spring Flower Sale
  • 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?
  • March Calendar Highlights - Ramadan, Women's History Month, National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, International Women’s Day
  • How to Subscribe to the District Calendar
  • Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring

Congratulations to the Berkley Schools Teachers of the Year

On February 28 and March 3, Berkley Schools administrators surprised District teachers of the year. With flowers, certificates and signs in hand, teachers were surprised while they were teaching. Principals, colleagues and family members joined in on the fun, too. During the surprises, Superintendent Francis asked students to share one word they would use to describe their teachers. Students were eager to share their love for their teachers sharing words like: caring, loving, funny, kind, and smart.

Congratulations to the following Berkley Schools teachers of the year!

Berkley Building Blocks: Stephani Fooy, GSRP Half-Day Preschool

On the nomination form, a parent shared the following about Ms. Stephani: Stephani’s ability to foster each child’s unique interests and creativity is a testament to her remarkable teaching style. She sees and nurtures the individual potential in every student, encouraging them to explore their curiosity and express themselves in meaningful ways.

In addition to inspiring creativity, Stephani actively promotes emotional and social growth in her students. The way she encourages empathy, kindness, and understanding within the classroom sets a beautiful example of the values we hope to instill in all of our children. She creates an environment where children not only grow academically, but also develop into caring, compassionate individuals.

Angell: Angie Huffer, 2nd Grade

On the nomination form, Principal Vince Gigliotti shared this about Ms. Huffer: Her true gift is her ability to connect with all students. Every student in her room feels like a superstar and builds a sense of independence for their work and behavior. Angie is a master at motivating students through authentic feedback and coaching. Angie has a unique ability to find the right words, the right plan and the right people to ensure all of her students are successful. We are truly lucky to have her at Angell.

Burton: Lauren Rentrop, 5th Grade

On the nomination form, Burton Principal Lauren Fragomeni shared: Lauren's classroom is a place where learning comes alive. Her love for science is contagious, making it a hands-on adventure for her students. Whether they're creating "Biomes in a Bottle," presenting at Food Science Night or compiling their fifth-grade recipe book, Lauren finds ways to engage her students that leave a lasting impression. She even secured a grant to bring cooking into the classroom, letting her students choose recipes from home and prepare them together. The excitement and delicious smells wafting through the hallway are proof of the joy and connection she brings to learning.

Norup Elementary: Lindsay Schindler, 2nd Grade

On the nomination form, a colleague shared the following about Ms. Schindler: Lindsay is the kind of educator who constantly seeks innovative ways to engage her students, ensuring that each lesson not only imparts knowledge but also fosters a love for learning. She demonstrates a deep understanding of her students’ needs, offering them personalized attention and creating an environment where they feel both challenged and supported. Lindsay is one of the hardest working individuals I have ever met. Working outside of school hours to support her students, attending and organizing extracurricular events, and always pushing herself to learn more, Lindsay gives her all.

Pattengill: Kenna Parker, 4th Grade

On the nomination form, Principal Shamika Womble shared the following about Ms. Parker: She is a natural leader who takes initiative in every aspect of her work. Whether she is advocating for her students or collaborating with colleagues to enhance the educational experience for all, Kenna consistently goes above and beyond. She has a remarkable ability to inspire others and lead by example, fostering an environment of growth and motivation both in her classroom and throughout our school.

Rogers: Terri Lubanski, Physical Education

On the nomination form, a colleague shared the following about Ms. Lubanski: Terri’s commitment to her students extends far beyond academics. She focuses on the whole child, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, and ensuring that everyone gets a turn. Her approach fosters a sense of belonging and teaches valuable life skills that resonate far beyond the classroom. Terri’s dedication is evident in her regular attendance at student games outside of school hours. These moments are cherished by her students, who often reflect on them in high school and beyond. Her unwavering support creates lasting memories and reinforces the positive impact she has on their lives.

In addition to being the Rogers Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Terri is also the Berkley Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year and will be honored at an Oakland Schools event in May.

Anderson: Kathy Milia, 7th Grade Mathematics

On the nomination form, Principal Michael Ross shared the following about Ms. Milia: On a day to day basis, Kathy consistently models professionalism, positivity, leadership, and a high level of instruction that serves to deepen her students’ understanding on a wide range of mathematics topics while providing a safe environment for students to learn from mistakes. Additionally, she exercises flexibility and is very accommodating to meet the needs of students who may have learning challenges. With high expectations for all students, she holds students accountable for completing their work, often giving up her lunch periods to have students complete work or simply making herself available for assistance with understanding content. At the same time, her flexibility also serves to provide an equitable experience for her students.

In addition to being the Anderson Middle School Teacher of the Year, Kathy is also the Berkley Schools Middle School Teacher of the Year and will be honored at an Oakland Schools event in May.

Norup Middle School: Claire Townsend, 8th Grade ELA & French

On the nomination form, a colleague shared the following about Ms. Townsend: In her eighth grade English Language Arts classes and French classes, Claire consistently adapts her lessons to create exciting and accessible learning experiences. Her classes are vibrant, welcoming spaces where students feel both physically and emotionally safe. One of her students shared, “She’s so nice. You can feel that she cares about you when you’re in her classroom.” Another student said that they appreciate how, “clear her expectations are and they always know when the deadline is for every assignment.” Her ability to manage diverse needs while creating a classroom environment grounded in respect and inclusivity highlights her skillful classroom management.

BHS: Liz Meinhart, Mathematics

On the nomination form, Assistant Principal Evelyn Coleman shared: Her ability to inspire a love of learning is unparalleled. Mrs. Meinhart tailors her lessons to meet the diverse needs of her students, creating engaging, innovative experiences that spark curiosity and encourage critical thinking. She challenges her students to reach their full potential while providing the support they need to succeed. Her tireless dedication has made her one of the most requested teachers in our building—a testament to the profound impact she has on her students’ lives.

In addition to being the BHS Teacher of the Year, Liz is also the Berkley Schools High School Teacher of the Year and will be honored at an Oakland Schools event in May.

Berkley Education Foundation’s 16th Annual Off to the Races -- Silent Auction Open + Tickets on Sale

  • March 8, 2025
  • 7-10:30 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 16th 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 8, from 7-10:30 pm at The Kingsley, Bloomfield Hills, a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Join the BEF for all the 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.

The Berkley Education Foundation (BEF) is a non-profit organization that raises funds to support all students in the Berkley Schools. Their purpose is to maintain and enhance educational opportunities and programs for Berkley Schools students. Every dollar the BEF raises during Off to the Races supports teacher innovation-grants, free enrichment programs, student scholarships and the 8th grade college tour program.

Tickets on sale.

Don’t miss out on all the fun. Tickets are on sale now: $60/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 $40 at the event, or add them on to an event ticket for a $10 discount.

Silent Auction - now open.

This year’s silent auction has big prizes (Tigers tickets in the Tigers Den, autographed Star Wars poster, Berkley business baskets, goods to take home (jewelry, baskets of goodies, home decor, and items from local businesses), experiences (hotel stays, date nights), special offers from our schools and so much more. There is something for everyone and items are added every day!

If you can't attend the event, you can still participate in the auction from home. Here’s how:

Tables on sale for reserved seating.

Buy a table for 10 to guarantee the best seats of the night.

  • VIP Tables: Includes 10 event tickets, $200 worth of OTTR Bucks, two bottles of wine at the table and reserved seating in a prime location. $1,200
  • Reserved Table: Includes 10 event tickets and a reserved table to have guaranteed seating together. $800

Win a vacation.

Don’t miss the Golden Race - the last race of the night. The winner will take home a $3,000 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.

Angell Kicks Off March Reading Month

On Monday, March 3, Angell Elementary students embarked on an exciting literary journey with PAWS to Read Adventure, a fun and engaging play that kicked off March is Reading Month. The play was written and produced by Angell’s Reading Month chairpeople, Kindergarten Teacher Michelle Hoerner and Media Specialist Julie McKeeman.

The performance featured beloved characters, including Bookworm Bella (played by 5th grade teacher Danielle Ozanich), the reluctant reader Distracted Danny (played by 4th grade teacher Josh Wilhelmi), and the heroic Captain Chapter (played by 3rd grade teacher Ann Daniels), who helped everyone discover the magic of books. Special guest Principal Pup (Vince Gigliotti) made a lively appearance, sharing his love of reading and encouraging students to explore new stories.

Through humor, adventure, and an important message about finding the right book, the play inspired students to embrace reading all month long.

This year’s Reading Month theme is “Paws to Read,” which ties directly into the play and sets the stage for a month filled with fun reading events and activities at Angell Elementary. In addition to the play, students will participate in a variety of exciting reading-themed activities throughout the month, such as:

  • Motivating Mondays: Wear a shirt with motivating words
  • Tiger Tuesdays: Wear your favorite TIGER gear
  • Reading Month Wednesdays: Wear your Reading Month shirt
  • Author Assembly
  • Battle of the Books
  • Book Swap
  • Scholastic Book Fair
  • PJ Read-In

And much more, making March a month full of excitement and a celebration of the joy of reading.

Burton Bash Kicks Off Reading Month

On February 27, Burton Elementary held its first annual Burton Bash. The Burton Bash is an integral part of the Leader in Me program, designed to bring the entire school community together in a spirit of unity and shared purpose. This year, Burton was thrilled to host its very first Burton Bash, making it even more special by combining it with the March is Reading Month announcement!

This event served as an exciting kickoff, introducing this year's theme, "Barking About Reading!" It helped students understand the significance of reading, why it is celebrated, and the fun activities they can enjoy both at home and in school. Some of the highlights included:

  • Whole School Read: They Call Me No Sam by Drew Daywalt, with a reading calendar and teacher-recorded readings
  • Dress-Up Days: Favorite book character, shirts with words, and pajama day
  • Classroom Reading Goals: Encouraging students to make reading a regular habit and having a clear target to work toward
  • At-Home Activity Calendar: Fun ways to engage with reading beyond the classroom
  • Special Visit: Oakland County Sheriff's Therapy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will come and visit every classroom, reading a book and talking about how police use comfort dogs to serve the community
  • Movie Celebration: Watching Bolt as a celebration for reaching classroom reading goals
  • Teacher Flash Mob: Teachers surprised students with a flash mob at the end of the Bash to Who Let the Dogs Out. This helped to solidify the fun and excitement that March has in store for students.

Media Specialist Rachel Smith shared, “A heartfelt thank you goes out to the Burton Lighthouse Team and the March is Reading Month Committee for their hard work and dedication in making this event a success.”

Rogers Kicks Off March Reading Month

On Tuesday, March 4, Rogers Elementary held its annual March is Reading Month kickoff assembly. This year’s theme for Rogers Reading Month is Books ARRR a Treasure. During the assembly, Rogers’ staff surprised the students by performing a play “The Cursed Treasure of Books” centered around the students profound love for reading, with a pirate theme. Narrated by fellow pirates who were also reading enthusiasts, the play followed the story of evil pirates who aimed to hide all the books in the world in a cursed treasure chest, so people would never read again. However, the pirate "Captain Book" created a treasure map to the books, which he unfortunately had to throw into the sea.

Years later, a couple of kids (played by Rogers staff) found the treasure map in a bottle and shared it with their uncle, who was captivated by the story of Captain Book and his treasure. After setting out on an adventure across the sea to find the book-filled treasure, accompanied by a crew of book-loving children (Rogers students), the band of adventurers found the treasure. With the help of the students at Rogers, they broke the curse surrounding the treasure and helped fill the world with books once again.

Students in the crowd participated in the play by singing along to the musical numbers. In the end, they were galvanized to read more and participate in the fun activities planned for the month ahead. This reading month kickoff sets the stage for a month filled with exciting events and activities at Rogers Elementary, including:

  • Mar. 6 - Reading Drill
  • Mar. 11 - Family Reading Night
  • Mar. 12 - Talk Like a Pirate Day
  • Mar. 13 - Character Parade
  • Mar. 14 - Reading Drill
  • Mar. 17 - State Rep. Natalie Price reads to classes
  • Mar. 18 - Vocabulary Day
  • Mar. 19 - Battle of the Books
  • Mar. 20 - Author/Illustrator Deann Wiley visits

All in celebration of the joy of reading!

Berkley High School Students Develop Podcast Shows, Present to Panel of Judges

On Monday and Tuesday February 24-25, Berkley High School students in Intro to Podcasting used the skills they’ve learned to create their own podcast show. Their first step was to create a presentation that pitches their show idea to an audience. Authentic audiences are essential to Disciplinary Literacy and this project was the perfect opportunity for students to present to people other than their peers.

The panel of judges consisted of Jamarr Armstrong, Berkley Schools Digital Media Specialist, Jacqueline Terbrack, BHS Media Specialist, Brittney Vaughn, Berkley Schools Secondary Instructional Coach, Jennifer Bell, Speech Pathologist and Caitlin Drinkard, BHS Counselor. At the end of their presentations, the panel shared feedback to the students on their presentation, episode ideas and design of the logo.

Teacher Natalie Ford shared, “Giving students an opportunity to get feedback on a project is essential to project-based learning. Students will take the feedback they get from the judges and make real changes to their work.”

After the panel presentations were completed, students reflected on the process of creating something meaningful to them, which involved presenting to a panel, finding their niche and audience, as well as learning in a project-based environment. When asked, "What did you learn about the process of making a podcast?" and "What did you learn about yourself as a learner?" students shared the following:

  • "I’ve learned that it’s important to connect with listeners and know my audience. Also, quality trumps quantity and content matters." – Freshman Brody Maddin
  • "That creating a podcast isn’t just recording yourself talking, there's prep involved." – Sophomore Cooper Demorest
  • "I learned a lot of things that I wouldn't know about the background of podcasting if I hadn't taken the class." – Freshman Landon Smith
  • "I learned that putting my original ideas down helps me learn how to make them even better and what works and what doesn’t work." – Freshman Lily Applebaum

Congratulations to the following students for putting their ideas out into the world and presenting to an outside panel of judges:

  • The Tea on DEI: Unfiltered Teens Talk on Justice and Policy hosted by Allana Wong, Dallas Turner and Paris Brigham
  • Beyond the Bell: 3 Freshmen Explore Life After High School hosted by Jordan Marx, Ries Tuttle and Sawyer Rhodes
  • Teen Talk with Lily Applebaum
  • Within These Walls: Student Opinions of Berkley High School hosted by Brody Maddin and Jonah Sterling
  • All About Da Bears: Big News in Berkley Athletics hosted by Cooper Demorest
  • Ravaging with the Raptors Radio hosted by Julian Rumsey
  • One Book, One Week hosted by Landen Smith

Important Berkley High School Construction Updates

Dear Berkley Schools Community,

Over the next year and a half, Berkley High School will undergo major building improvements due to the Bond work, and you will begin to see our construction teams preparing the site in the upcoming weeks. These improvements represent a major milestone in our commitment to providing our students with state-of-the-art spaces that will foster their growth and learning in many areas including: academics, athletics, performing arts, and a new space for our Adult Transition Program and Robotics.

One of the first changes you will likely notice or experience is the impact on student and staff parking. The detailed information below outlines the project work, the project timeline and the impact projects will have on parking. Please read through to the end, as construction will cause many parking spaces to be closed this school year and the next school year. To learn more about the overall Bond and Sinking Fund projects, please visit our Bond website and review our monthly updates.

To prepare the community for the construction work, changes in parking lot availability for our students and to share details of the Bond work, the community is invited to attend a meeting at Berkley High School on March 12, 2025 at 7 pm in the Auditorium. Guests will have a chance to see renderings of the new work, hear how the District is working with students regarding parking and where patience is needed through October 2026. Berkley High School neighbors are encouraged to attend.

The following project updates are listed in order by our target completion date and includes scope details and potential impacts on the high school. Also included above is a map of the upcoming parking lot closures.

Pool Upgrades: March 2025 - August 2025

The BHS pool will receive a face lift. The following projects are included in the 2025 work: tile repair, new starting blocks, new diving board, new HVAC system, new lights, painting the ceiling and walls (while preserving the student artwork), new scoreboard and timing system and updating the office. In summer 2026, the pool's mechanical and chemical systems will be replaced.

  • Construction Begins: March 2025
  • Construction Ends: August 2025
  • Parking Impact: No parking impact

Black Box Theatre / Choir Room: March 17, 2025 - January 2026

A Black Box Theatre / Choir Room will be built just east of the BHS orchestra room and Auditorium entrance. This addition will house a choir room by day, Black Box Theatre after school and an instrument commons for band and orchestra instrument storage.

  • Construction Begins: March 17, 2025
  • Construction Ends: January 2026
  • Parking Impact: The Sunnyknoll parking lot will be reduced in half in order to accommodate the construction trailer, truck deliveries and staging area. By law, handicapped spaces will also be reserved. Student parking passes will no longer be enforced and this lot will be multipurpose for staff and student parking.

Performing Arts Center: May 1, 2025 - January 2026

The BHS Auditorium and Auditorium lobby will undergo a major renovation, replacing seats, walls, stage elements, backstage rooms, storage, sound booth, lights and all finishes. An addition will also be added north of the building attached to the current Auditorium lobby to expand the gathering space for school performances.

  • Construction Begins: May 1, 2025 - following the Spring Musical
  • Construction Ends: January 2026
  • Parking Impact: The BHS drop off loop will be closed on May 1, 2025, to accommodate the Performing Arts Center construction, truck deliveries and staging. This will close all parking spots connected to the drop off loop as well as the parking spots behind the Auditorium. All families will be asked to use the lot across from the high school (The BEAR Complex lot) for student drop off from May 1 - June 1, 2025. Families are not allowed to come to a stop on Catalpa to drop off students. Public safety will issue tickets to those that do not follow the drop off rules. Staff will relocate parking to the lot by the West Gym and if staff cannot fit there, they will park in the Sunnyknoll lot. The drop off loop will reopen for school starting in August 2025.

The Den Construction: March 2025 - August 2025

The Den, formerly known as Cana Lutheran Church, will be under construction to create two new spaces: a new home for the Adult Transition Program and a practice and build space for the BHS Robotics team.

  • Construction Begins: March 2025
  • Construction Ends: End of August 2025
  • Parking Impact: The current small church parking lot on Catalpa will be used for the construction crew and for construction staging. The Cana church-goers will park in the Sunnyknoll lot during weekend services only, and their staff will park on Henley in the street during work days.

The BEAR Complex: April 2025 - October 2026

The BEAR Complex, the space across from the high school on Catalpa, will be the home of the new 60-yard indoor fieldhouse, outdoor 120-yard turf field, outdoor grass field and a new expanded parking lot. This space will be used by athletes, musicians, students and community members. The indoor fieldhouse will include four straight 40 yard lanes of track, a weight room, a team room, an athletic trainer room and netting for multi-sport use. This large project will take a year and a half to complete.

  • Construction Begins: April 2025
  • Construction Ends: October 2026
  • Parking Impact: The current parking lot across from the high school will remain open through June 1. The community will begin to see work on the maintenance building in April with asbestos abatement and demolition after the Robotics season is complete. Once the parking lot closes, it will not reopen until the project is complete in October 2026. The current lot is primarily a student parking lot and the students will need to relocate to the Sunnyknoll lot or to legal street parking. For after hours events, visitors will be directed to park near the West Gym for athletics and in the Sunnyknoll lot for other events.

Science Wing Update: June 2025 - October 2025

The BHS science wing will undergo a full renovation updating classrooms and the current labs. Classrooms will be open by the beginning of the school year and labs will open in late October.

  • Construction Begins: June 2025
  • Construction Ends: October 2025
  • Parking Impact: No parking impact

Student Impact

Parking during the school day will be impacted the most. Due to limited access to parking spots starting March 17, 2025, BHS parking passes will no longer be enforced. Students will be encouraged to car pool and students who live close will be encouraged to walk to school, rather than drive. We anticipate an increase in street parking through October 2026 in the surrounding areas. As a result, we are hopeful the community will show students grace and patience as we navigate arrival and dismissal. Additionally, we will always encourage students to park legally, be good citizens in the community and represent Berkley High School with pride.

We will continue to work to find solutions to mitigate congestion and promote safety. The District is investigating parking at or near Anderson and in city lots for our students. To help mitigate after-hours congestion, all non-BHS events traditionally held in the auditorium have been relocated to other schools in the District.

If you have any questions, we encourage you to attend the community meeting on Wednesday, March 12 at 7 pm in the Auditorium. If you cannot make it, please email questions to communications@berkleyschools.org.

Sincerely,

Scott Francis

Superintendent

Berkley Schools

Huntington Woods Men’s Club Invites Community to Annual Auction Benefiting Berkley Schools - Tickets on Sale!

A message from our community partners, The Huntington Woods Men’s Club:

The Huntington Woods Men’s Club’s 44th annual Service Auction is coming up and, this year, it is raising money to improve Burton Community Field, adjacent to Burton Elementary School.

The plan includes improving the field’s drainage and grading, removing the south baseball field, upgrading the north T-ball field and putting up new fencing. The changes would make the green space so much better for students and would drastically decrease the number of indoor-recess days because of mud and puddles!

The Berkley School District also plans to contribute to the project and will continue to manage the field, as the owner of the land. The HWMC contribution helps offset District costs allowing more projects to take place across the District through the Sinking Fund.

You can help by supporting the Huntington Woods Men’s Club Service Auction on April 26 at the Gillham Recreation Center. Tickets are on sale now and there will be online bidding for those who can’t make it to the event.

Find more information on the Huntington Woods Men’s Club website.

BHS Spring Flower Sale

The Berkley High School Senior All Night Party invites the community to order from their annual Spring Flower Sale. All proceeds support the Senior All Night Party.

The sale begins online February 25th and runs through March 11th.

Flowers will be available for pick up on Thursday, May 22 from 1:30-5:30 pm in the BHS athletic parking lot.

Visit the flower sale website to place your order.

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: March

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.

Ramadan - February 28 - March 30

Ramadan, in Islam, is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. Because the Muslim calendar year is shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, Ramadan begins 10–12 days earlier each year, allowing it to fall in every season throughout a 33-year cycle.

Islamic tradition states that it was during Ramadan, on the “Night of Power” (Laylat al-Qadr)—commemorated on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, usually the 27th night—that God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad the Qurʾān, Islam’s holy book, “as a guidance for the people.” For Muslims, Ramadan is a period of introspection, communal prayer (ṣalāt) in the mosque, and reading of the Qurʾān.

Source: Britannica

Here’s a helpful resource to learn more about the facts and traditions of Ramadan

Women’s History Month

Women's History Month is an annual observance to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and currently. Celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women's Day on March 8.

In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women's History Project, Congress passed a bill designating the month of March 1987 as Women's History Month.Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women's History Month.

Today, the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history through a Women’s History Month website.

Learn more about Women’s History Month on the following sites:

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is observed in March in the U.S. NationalToday.com shares, “The campaign seeks to raise awareness about including people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life. It also creates awareness of the difficulties that people with disabilities still face in fitting into the communities in which they live.”

Here are resources to learn more about National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month as well as resources to learn more about disabilities and equity.

Mardi Gras - March 4, 2025

Mardi Gras (also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the final day of Carnival or Shrovetide before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday," reflecting the practice of the last night of consuming rich, fatty foods in preparation for the fasting season of Lent.

In countries such as the United Kingdom, Mardi Gras is more usually known as Pancake Day or (traditionally) Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday).

In the United States the principal Carnival celebration is in New Orleans, Louisiana. This period is filled with elaborate parades, both day and night, building up to Mardi Gras. Beads of yellow, gold, green, and purple are commonly distributed, and the eating of king cake is an iconic part of the celebration.

Source: Britannica

Ash Wednesday - March 5, 2025

Ash Wednesday, in Western Christianity, is the first day of Lent, occurring six and a half weeks before Easter. For those who observe the Christian faith, Ash Wednesday is a solemn reminder of human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God and marks the beginning of the penitential Lenten season. It is commonly observed with the distribution of ashes and with fasting. Eastern Orthodox churches begin Lent on Clean Monday and therefore do not observe Ash Wednesday.

It was the practice in Rome for penitents and grievous sinners to begin their period of public penance on the first day of Lent in preparation for their restoration to the sacrament of the Eucharist. They were sprinkled with ashes, dressed in sackcloth, and obliged to remain apart until they were reconciled with the Christian community on Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter. When these practices fell into disuse (8th–10th century), the beginning of the penitential season of Lent was symbolized by placing ashes on the heads of the entire congregation.

Today, in the Roman Catholic Church, the ashes are applied in the shape of a cross on the forehead of each worshiper on Ash Wednesday. These ashes are obtained by burning the palms used in the previous year’s Palm Sunday service.

Source: Britannica

International Women’s Day - March 8

Wednesday, March 8 is International Women’s Day. International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. Learn more about International Women’s Day on their website.

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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

  • Principal - Angell Elementary School
  • Permanent Building Substitute Teacher - Norup
  • Long-Term Substitute Middle School Language Arts/Speech Teacher - Norup
  • Long-Term Substitute Social Studies Teacher - Berkley High School/CASA
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  • Afternoon Custodian - Burton
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