Berkley Beat April 26, 2024

What's Inside?

Inside:

  • BHS Named a Best High School from US News & World Report
  • Jim “Basketball” Jones Visits Angell
  • Berkley Building Blocks Hosts Art Gala
  • Norup Student Selected for Aspiring Young Journalist Award
  • BEF Awards 14 Spring Innovation-Grants
  • Elementary Students Travel to Michigan Science Center
  • Berkley Students Travel to Rome & Pompeii Over Spring Break
  • BHS Teachers Observe Classrooms and Student Engagement to Deepen Learning, Growing and Reflecting
  • Three Berkley Schools Named Michigan Green Schools & BHS Celebrates Earth Week
  • Save the Date for the Vision 2024 Student Art Showcase
  • BHS Senior All Night Party 2024 - Community Support Opportunities + Information for Senior Families
  • BHS Baseball Team to Play at Comerica Park
  • Berkley Summer Learning Programs - Registration Opens April 22
  • Save the Dates for Food Truck Fridays
  • Travel to Panama, Australia & New Zealand in 2025
  • Calling All Student Musicians: Perform at Concert in the Park this Summer
  • April Calendar Highlights - Autism Acceptance Month, National Arab American Heritage Month, Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, Eid al-Fitr, Passover, Earth Day, Administrative Professionals Day, Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day
  • How to Subscribe to the District Calendar
  • Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring
  • Sign Up for Text Messages

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 2024 Rankings from U.S. News & World Report. BHS Ranked #1,756 nationally, #54 in Michigan and #22 in Metro Detroit area high schools. This puts BHS in the top 9% 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.

Jim “Basketball” Jones Visits Angell

On Monday, April 22, Jim "Basketball" Jones visited Angell Elementary. Students were treated to an assembly of elaborate basketball tricks, showcasing an array of ball spins and dribbles. In addition to his basketball-themed talents, Mr. Jones also organized a variety of fun games where the audience had opportunities to win different prizes. Basketball Jones provided more than just entertainment. The presentation included important themes such as the value of hard work and the power of learning from mistakes. Basketball Jones also shared his journey of perseverance and success with the students, encouraging them not to give up if they get frustrated. The presentation concluded in a spirited dance-off involving teachers mimicking their student’s dance moves, and Mr. Jones teaching participants how to do the “floss” leaving everyone energized and inspired.

Berkley Building Blocks Hosts Art Gala

On Thursday, April 18, Berkley Building Blocks hosted its annual Art Gala. Teachers put student art on display throughout the hallways and in the gym, student art collections were available for all families to enjoy. Students created both 2D and 3D artwork and had fun showing their masterpieces to their families and friends.

Norup Student Selected for Aspiring Young Journalist Award

In January, Journalism II students in 8th grade at Norup International School compiled a media portfolio showcasing their finest work from the two years they spent in class. The portfolios included podcast episodes, blog posts, and advertising created for The Dailey Dose, Norup's student-led podcast. Additionally, they included a photo, introductory letter, resume, letters of recommendation, and a written response to the question: "What is the importance and benefit of middle school journalism programs?" Creating these portfolios prepared students to enter a contest at Norup for the Journalism Education Association Aspiring Young Journalist Award.

A panel of judges comprised of staff members from the Berkley School District evaluated the portfolios. The judges selected one portfolio to be submitted for the Aspiring Young Journalist award, and 8th grader Ronald McCombs was selected for this honor.

Journalism teacher Prima Dailey shared, “Ronald's portfolio showed the breadth of his journalistic capabilities from podcast episodes to blog posts to advertising - all for The Dailey Dose. He can now use this collection of work in high school and beyond!”

Ronald’s portfolio moved on to judging at the national level.

Congrats, Ronald!

BEF Awards 14 Spring Innovation-Grants

Congratulations to the following Berkley Schools staff members for receiving a Spring 2024 Berkley Education Foundation 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.

Berkley Building Blocks

Lisa Soffa & Lauren Reagan - Preschool - Preschool Science & Nutrition. Exploring healthy foods through growing vegetables.

Angell Elementary School

Meghan Thomas, Lauren Wexler & Kellie Zimcosky - 1st Grade - Hatchlings for First Grade Life Science. Each teacher received a new incubator plus accessories to incubate, hatch and care for duck and chicken eggs as part of their annual life cycle unit.

Burton Elementary School

Tracy Grabowski - Physical Education - Go For Your Personal Best! Purchasing a classroom set of stopwatches for students to when running the shuttle run, relays, the mile run, crunches, push ups, and completing minute to win it tasks.

Norup International School

Morgan Rowlik - 4th Grade - Growing Minds: Innovating Plant-Based Learning. Integrating hands-on plant care with cutting-edge technology, while fostering student engagement, responsibility, and collaboration with others in the Norup community.

Kristen Gustafson - 1st Grade - School Learning Garden. To provide all students with outdoor learning experiences and to support social-emotional well being.

Carole Hoste - Band - Digital Tuners and Metronomes. All in one devices to give Norup Band students real time digital feedback about if their notes are in tune and if they are playing in time.

Liz Reynolds (Kindergarten) and Val Mace (5th Grade) - Buddies and Board Games. Purchasing cooperative learning materials including board games and math games that the older students can teach and play with their buddies in small groups.

Rogers Elementary School

Andrea Halas - Kindergarten - Light the Way to Learning. New materials for the light table station to engage students with math and literacy skills.

Sarah Berry - Transitional Kindergarten - Dramatic Play Kitchen Food. Investing in long lasting, year round, dramatic play food items for the kitchen area where kids will be able to communicate, imagine, and play.

Anderson Middle School

Heather Roesner - Special Education - Life Cycle Science Units. Students will observe the life cycle of a butterfly, frog, ladybug, ants and various plants through all stages using live kits.

Berkley High School

Jacqueline Terbrack - Media Specialist - Unlocking Resilience: High School Puzzle Initiative for Stress Relief and Mental Wellbeing. New wood puzzles for the new puzzle table in the LMC.

Mary Martinuzzi - Special Education - Classroom Bank. Students in the BHS Special Education classroom will be working on budgeting/banking skills. Students will be given the opportunity to spend their digital deposits on classroom rewards weekly.

If you’d like to donate to the BEF to support the Grant program, you can do so online.

Elementary Students Travel to Michigan Science Center

Students in Ms. Metz and Ms. Schall's classes, Kindergarten-5th Grade, took a trip to the Michigan Science Center on Tuesday, April 23rd. Students got to explore the many exhibits at the museum together, watch a show with live experiments and see a science film in the IMAX theater. Students learned about many science topics such as panda habitats and conservation, forces of flight, air pressure, space exploration and more. When students returned from the trip, they began working on a student guide for the Science Center. Each student wrote about their experiences and the teachers will assemble the student work together in a book for others to read.

Berkley Students Travel to Rome & Pompeii Over Spring Break

Over Spring Break, a group of students and their family members traveled to Naples, Rome and Pompeii. Led by Norup teacher Liz Reynolds, students spent seven days exploring Italy.

The trip began at Napoli Sotterranea, or Naples Underground, a vast maze of narrow tunnels, shallow pools and vast rooms 35 meters under the street that dates back to the 5th century B.C. While in the Naples area, the group visited Magazzino Buffalo Mozzarella Farm, a small family owned farm, Naples city center, Castel Nuovo and Trattoria Medina where travelers learned about the origins of pizza.

On the third day, the group traveled to the ancient ruins of Pompeii. Students learned about the history of Pompeii, its creation and destruction. Pompeii was home to 30,000 when it was buried under 13 to 20 ft of volcanic ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The group spent the rest of the trip in Rome. Activities included a pasta making class, exploring Piazza Navona, touring Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, participating in gladiator school (students learned how to use the bows, arrows, swords and shields safely before they geared up and participated in the training exercises), a bike ride through Villa Borghese Gardens, touring the Colosseum and the Roman Forum and visiting the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Travelers also visited Vatican City and Saint Peter’s Square.

Ms. Reynolds shared, “It was a fabulous tour full of friendships, breathtaking sights, delicious foods and lifelong memories!”

BHS Teachers Observe Classrooms and Student Engagement to Deepen Learning, Growing and Reflecting

On April 17, the BHS Maroon Cohort (which is composed of newer to BHS teachers) wrapped up their learning progression in April. Maroon Cohort teachers spent time observing classrooms and debriefed the visits using the 8 Cultural Forces (time, routines, language, modeling, expectations, environment, interactions, opportunities). This gave teachers a chance to watch and listen to their colleagues, observe student engagement and consider their own inquiry questions. The day was centered around three inquiry questions: What role(s) do I play as a teacher? How am I attending to the development of a healthy (learning, thinking, growing, reflection) classroom culture? How do curiosity and courage (two pillars of the District’s Portrait of a Learner) show up in our learning spaces?

The Cohort was welcomed into several classrooms and hosted by Stefanie Coburn (art), Liz Meinhart (mathematics), Todd Fadoir (mathematics), Meredith Montgomery (world language), Emily Glosch (social studies), and Michelle Nixon (science).

Secondary Instructional Coach Angie Church shared, “Because these teachers opened up their classroom doors, the Cohort teachers were able to recognize opportunities in their own classrooms to deepen learning, thinking, growing, and reflecting. This is an example of how important collaboration is and models educators as continuous learners.”

Maroon cohort staff members are: Matt Breen (computer science), Frank Guglielmetti (science), Maddie Horvath (math), Kaleb Klein (health & PE), Kristi Magy (English), Logan Nadolski (social studies), Cheyenne Serrato (art), Joe Fredal (foods) and Joel Hunt (marketing).

Three Berkley Schools Named Michigan Green Schools & BHS Celebrates Earth Week

Congratulations to Berkley Schools Green Schools

Congratulations to Angell Elementary, Rogers Elementary and Berkley High School for being named a Michigan Green School. These three schools are among 343 public and private schools in Michigan that participated in the Green Schools program. To obtain Green School status, schools must complete a certain amount of environmentally friendly activities that fall within the following categories: Reduce/Reuse/Recycle, Energy, Environmental Protection, and Miscellaneous. Each Green School status is connected to how many activities a school completes. Green School status: 10-14 activities; Emerald School status: 15-19 activities; Evergreen School status: 20 or more activities

All three schools achieved Evergreen status for the 2023-24 school year.

Michigan Green Schools is a non-profit 501(c)3 agency dedicated to assisting all Michigan schools – public and private – achieve environmental goals which include protecting the air, land, water and animals of our state along with world outreach through good ecological practices and the teaching of educational stewardship of students pre-kindergarten through senior high school.

BHS Celebrates Earth Week

As an Evergreen School, the BHS Environmental Club and Environmental Science students spent time celebrating Earth Week by participating in the following activities. On Monday, students picked up litter around the school. On Tuesday, the Environmental Club students attend the Michigan Green School ceremony at the Detroit Zoo. On Wednesday - Friday, Environmental Science students hosted a free Thrift Store in the East Gym. Students were able to shop at the Thrift Store for free and take home new finds. All leftover items will be donated to a local charity.

Save the Date for the Vision 2024 Student Art Showcase

The Berkley Schools community is invited to attend the District’s Vision 2024 Student Art Showcase at the District Administrative Offices. The showcase will take place on Monday, May 13, from 5-6:30 pm. This wonderful exhibit showcases the artistic vision of Berkley Schools students. The many works of art include various media and views of the world, produced by students from TK-12. This year will feature over 200 pieces of student art from all grades and all schools.

Art Showcase Details

  • May 13, 2024, 5-6:30 pm
  • Administrative Offices
  • 14501 Talbot, Oak Park, MI 48237
  • Art show will remain on display at the Administrative Offices through Monday, May 20.

Berkley High School Senior All Night Party 2024 - Community Support Opportunities + Information for Senior Families

On June 6th, 2024, over 300 students will graduate from Berkley High School. To celebrate and recognize this memorable day, a community-sponsored, volunteer-led party will be held at Berkley High School the night of Commencement. This annual event, known as the Senior All-Night Party (SANP) provides a fun, safe and secure environment for our graduating seniors to celebrate with all of their classmates. This success of this exciting event requires the help of the entire BHS community and there are many options to help.

Donate

  • Become a SANP Sponsor - Visit the SANP website for the opportunity to donate to this annual celebration for the BHS Senior Class.
  • Participate in the year-round Bear Paws and Celebratory Yard Signs delivered to the front yard of your choice - information on booking can be found on the BHS website.
  • Flower Sale each Spring.
  • Well Dressed Prom Dress Resale shop.
  • Wishes Wall - during the month of May you can purchase a wish for a senior to be displayed at the SANP
  • Party donations

Volunteer

This event continues to provide a wonderful celebration for the graduating seniors year after year due to the team of volunteer parents that make up the SANP Committee.

  • Volunteer to help at the event, with set up, or with take down. We especially need help with the 1:30-4 am shift to help ensure we are able to continue this event as an ALL-Night Party and not require us to end the party early due to lack of volunteer support!
  • Join the committee - we are primarily looking for parents of the class of 2027 and beyond students to learn the ropes from our graduating senior parents!

Senior Families Only

  • Purchase a 2024 SANP Ticket. Purchase by graduation rehearsal on June 4, 2024, for $75 advance purchase price. Tickets at the door - $100 (sign free with purchase if any remain) - No physical ticket will be provided. Please include your student's full name and contact info during purchase.
  • Purchase your 2024 Graduate Yard Sign while supplies last.
  • Combo pricing is also available while supplies last.
  • Commencement reserved seating raffle for Senior families. Purchase your tickets by Monday June 3 for your chance to have priority seating reserved for your entire group at Commencement 2024!

If you have any questions please reach out to Melissa Bajcz - melbajcz@gmail.com

Please follow us to keep up to date:

Thank you,

BHS SANP 2024 Committee

BHS Baseball Team to Play at Comerica Park

The Berkley Schools community is invited to watch the Berkley High Baseball team play Country Day at Comerica Park on Sunday, May 5th, at 7 pm. The game is also a fundraiser for the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation in its battle against pediatric cancer. Both teams agreed to donate a portion of ticket proceeds to ChadTough. Tickets are $25 and they include a ticket to the Detroit Tigers game vs. the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, June 11 at 6:40 pm.

Tickets can be purchased via cash, check or Venmo. Checks can be made payable to Berkley Schools, and the Venmo is @Berkley-Baseball. For additional information please contact Coach Rawlik at matthew.rawlik@berkleyschools.org

Berkley Summer Learning Programs - Registration Opens April 22

The Berkley Summer Difference program details are now available for students TK-12. High School summer options will be held in person, for students in current grades 9-12. Classes will focus on Credit Recovery.

Registration for K-8 students will open on Monday, April 22, in the MISTAR Parent Portal. Registration for high school students will open June 10.

See program descriptions and registration instructions, below.

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 2023-24 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

  • June 17-21 (No class June 19)
  • All classes held at Rogers Elementary School
  • 8:30-11 am
  • Breakfast will be available daily at 8 am for a fee, or free/reduced price for those who qualify for free/reduced meals

Additional details are available in the Elementary STEM Program document

Registration

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 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). 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 STEM program is intended for any students interested in exploring STEM topics which could include Coding/Robotics.

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 STEM Class

Registration

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

Save the Dates for Food Truck Fridays

Food Truck Fridays are back! The District is hosting Food Truck Fridays at ArtSpace, the plaza located on Coolidge at the corner of Coolidge and Catalpa south of the gas station. The following food trucks will be set up for students and the community to enjoy for lunch.

Travel to Panama, Australia & New Zealand in 2025

Panama - Spring 2025

Students in grades 6-9 (during the time of travel) and their families are invited to travel to Panama on our upcoming trip: From Pirates to the Present in Panama: Spring 2025! On this tour to one of the most diverse countries in the world, have lunch with Indigenous people, snorkel along the country’s Caribbean coast, and explore bustling Panama City. Also discover how, long before the canal was built, Panama’s central location attracted pirates like Sir Francis Drake and Henry Morgan.

Learn more about the trip at a meeting on May 9th at 6 pm on Zoom. RSVP to the Panama meeting to make sure you learn the most up to date information about the trip.

If you have any questions, contact Liz Reynolds at elizabeth.reynolds@berkleyschools.org

Australia & New Zealand - June 2025

Students in grades 6-12 (during the time of travel), and family members are invited to join an educational travel experience to Australia and New Zealand!

Learn more about the trip at a meeting on May 1 at 6:30 pm on Zoom. RSVP to the meeting to make sure you learn the most up to date information about the trip.

View the itinerary on the EF Tours website.

If you have any questions, contact Athena Troher at athena.troher@berkleyschools.org

Calling All Student Musicians: Perform at Concerts in the Park this Summer

The City of Huntington Woods is looking for elementary, middle school and high school students who would like to be part of an opening act this summer for the city’s annual “Concerts in the Park” series. The City is looking for both instrumentalists and singers who would like to perform as soloists, duos, trios and/or quartets.

Concerts will be held at Burton Field and Scotia Park in Huntington Woods on Tuesdays: June 24, July 9, July 16, July 23, and July 30 and the opening acts will perform from 6:30-6:55 pm. Students would need to bring their own instrument(s), however microphones and a full sized Yamaha digital keyboard will be available.

The concert planners will make every effort to group players at similar proficiency levels. Interested students should contact Harvey Colombo at 248-837-5414.

Calendar Highlights - April

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.

Autism Acceptance Month

Wait? Is it Autism Awareness or Autism Acceptance??

Awareness was the start many years ago but we are now moving on from awareness to acceptance. Most people you ask, will now tell you that they are aware of Autism and probably even know an autistic person.

“Acceptance and awareness come from vastly different mindsets. Awareness is all about the problems and the difficulties, usually as experienced by the neurotypical majority of folks who are wanting to make everyone know. Awareness makes sure the world knows how difficult we make it for those around us. Acceptance looks at commonalities we share and at the strength inherent in diversity. Acceptance says “you are you, and that’s pretty awesome. I am me, and that’s pretty awesome.”” -Kassiane S.

Want to read more on awareness vs acceptance?

Acceptance vs. Awareness Article

As we hear from the Autistic community we are evolving our thinking:

Then: Puzzle piece as the symbol for Autism

Now: Rainbow colored infinity symbol

Then: "Light it up blue" for Autism

Now: Gold, Red, Rainbow - anything but blue

Then: Autism Awareness

Now: Autism Acceptance

What’s wrong with the puzzle piece?

  • The puzzle piece creates the impression that autism is a riddle to be solved or that those with autism are incomplete.
  • In February 2018, the puzzle piece was changed to a rainbow colored infinity symbol to represent a spectrum, diversity, and difference.

Want to read more on the puzzle piece?

What's wrong with “Light it up blue?”

  • “Light it up blue” was started by the organization, Autism Speaks, many years ago. There has been backlash with Autism Speaks for being an organization looking to “cure” or “end” Autism and very little of their budget actually goes to helping autistic people.
  • “Light it up blue” also gives the impression that Autism is a “boys” disorder when in fact, girls can have Autism as well.
  • Article: 5 Shocking Reasons NOT to Light it Up Blue for Autism Day - Autistic Mama

More Resources

Arab American Heritage Month

The Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2017. In 2021, President Biden recognized the month nationally to recognize the 3.5 million Arab Americans that exemplify “so much of what our country stands for: hard work, resilience, compassion, and generosity.”. For National Arab American Heritage month, across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and non-profit organizations issue proclamations and engage in special events that celebrate the Arab American community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society.

Did you know that the first and only museum in the United States devoted to documenting and sharing Arab American contributions that shaped the economic, political and cultural landscapes of American life is a 20 minute drive from the Berkley Schools? The Arab American National Museum (AANM) is located in Dearborn. The Museum brings to light the shared experiences of immigrants and ethnic groups, paying tribute to the diversity of our nation.

The museum tells the Arab American story through the voices and experiences of Arab Americans.

Learn more about the museum on their website, or go for a visit at 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126.

Paraprofessional Appreciation Day - April 3

Paraprofessional Appreciation Day is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of April each year as a way to say thank you to the staff members who work tirelessly to support our students. In the 1960s, paraprofessionals were first hired to work in schools around the U.S. It is unknown when April 3 became the official date to celebrate and honor paraprofessionals.

Eid al-Fitr - Begins at Sundown on April 9 through April 10

Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking Fast) is the Muslim festival marking the end of the fast of Ramadan and is celebrated worldwide by the Muslim community. The holiday is known under various other names in different languages and countries around the world. Eid al-Fitr has a particular salat (Islamic prayer) that consists of two units generally performed in an open field or large hall.

Passover - Begins at Sundown on Monday, April 22

Passover, Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the Jewish religion’s most sacred holidays. Passover commemorates the Hebrew liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. Passover begins at sundown on April 22 and ends on April 30. The first two evenings of Passover are often celebrated with a feast known as a seder.

You can learn more about Passover on the History.com website as well as on the chabad.org website.

Earth Day - April 22

Earth Day was established on April 22, 1970 and has been celebrated every year since. According to National Geographic Kids, the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, when United States senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin organized a national demonstration to raise awareness about environmental issues. Rallies took place across the country and, by the end of the year, the U.S. government had created the Environmental Protection Agency. By 1990, Earth Day was an event celebrated by more than 140 countries around the globe.

Now, Earth Day activities are organized by earthday.org.

Administrative Professionals Day - April 24

National Administrative Professionals' Day, also known as Secretaries Day or Admin Day, recognizes the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals. Administrative Professionals Day falls on the Wednesday of the last full week in April of each year. In Berkley Schools, it allows the District to say thank you to all our outstanding secretaries and executive assistants who go above and beyond every day for our students and staff.

Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day - April 25

Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day was established originally as “Take Our Daughters to Work Day” in 1993, on the fourth Thursday in April. In 2003, the Day was officially expanded to include sons and in 2007, the Take Our Daughters and Sons Foundation (TODSF) was established to create programming for each annual day. The theme for 2024 was "Inspire 2 Aspire." The TODSF Foundation shared on their website, “By bringing children together, we all contribute to creating a more equitable world—at home, at school, and in the workplace. This year, we are celebrating the opportunities that kids will discover and those for parents, mentors, and the community to be involved in this unique educational experience.”

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:

  • Secondary Instructional Coach - Berkley High School
  • Family Consumer Science Teacher - Anderson Middle School
  • School Social Worker - AMS (2024-25 school year)
  • Special Education Paraeducator - BHS
  • GSRP and Head Start Substitute Teacher - Berkley Building Blocks
  • GSRP and Head Start Associate Teacher - Berkley Building Blocks
  • Assistant Teacher(s) - 6 Open Positions - Berkley Building Blocks
  • Early Childhood Special Education Substitute Paraeducator - Berkley Building Blocks
  • Kids’ Zone Assistant Teacher - Pattengill
  • Lunch Aides - Pattengill
  • Afternoon Custodian Positions (2) - Norup
  • Middle School Girls Swim and Dive Head Coach
  • School Social Worker Long Term Substitute - Berkley High School (Beginning of the 2024-25 School Year)
  • School Social Worker Long Term Substitute - Berkley Building Blocks/Beth Jacobs (Beginning of the 2024-25 School Year)

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.

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