Berkley Beat September 27, 2024

BHS Alum Awarded National Art Award

Congratulations to Lauren Schnieders, BHS Class of 2024, for recently receiving the news that one of her art pieces, There Was Never a Cage, received a Silver Key National Scholastic Art Award. Lauren’s digital art piece, was recognized as a Gold Key at the state level from the Southeast Michigan & Thumb Region, and moved on to the National level in the spring of 2024.

The Scholastic Art Awards program is a nationwide competition open to 8th-12th grade students. The Southeast Michigan & Thumb Region of the Scholastic Art Awards is sponsored by the College for Creative Studies and supported by an advisory board of volunteer art teachers. This region receives more than 4500 works of art from middle school and high school students and over 200 portfolios from high school seniors which are then adjudicated and selected for Honorable Mentions, Silver and Gold Key Awards, American Vision nominations, and Best of Show Portfolios.

Congratulations, Lauren!

Food Truck Fridays are Back

Mark your calendar for upcoming Food Truck Fridays at ArtSpace!

All Food Truck Fridays will take place from 12-1:30 pm.

• October 11: Nu Deli. Learn more on the Nu Deli website.
• October 18: House of Mac. Learn more about House of Mac on their website.

ArtSpace is located on Coolidge at the corner of Coolidge and Catalpa south of the gas station.

BHS Cheer Invites Students to Join the BHS Bear Cub Cheer Clinic

The BHS Varsity Cheer Team is hosting a Berkley Bear Cub Cheer Clinic in October. The Clinic includes two days of learning from the high schoolers and performing on the track during a BHS Football game.

All students grades TK-8 are welcome to sign up for the clinic. Each clinic attendee will be paired with a current BHS cheerleader and will receive a bow and t-shirt to wear to the game.

Details

• Cost: $60
• Clinic Dates: October 15 & 16, 5:30-7 pm, BHS East Gym
• Game Day: October 18, 6:45 pm - halftime, Hurley Field
• 40 slots available
• Registration: Email Coach Lindsey

BHS Students Invited to Future Fair

On Wednesday, October 23, from 4:30-6:30 pm, Berkley High School students and their families are invited to a Future Fair! This combined event for Berkley, Royal Oak and Clawson high school students will be held at Royal Oak High school. Students and families will be able to speak to representatives from colleges, trades, military and beyond. Register online to receive additional information.

Flu & Covid Vaccine Clinic Available for Berkley Schools Students

Berkley Schools has partnered with Bloom Pediatrics to offer a Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Thursday, October 10 from 3:30-6 pm in Anderson Middle School cafeteria. Children 6 months and up are welcome to attend.

Register online with Bloom Pediatrics. When selecting your appointment time, select one slot for the entire family. Once you click on the number of patients, the option to click on which vaccine you would like will pop up. During registration families will be ask to upload a parent/guardian ID and insurance card. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome. Any questions? Call 248-645-1740.

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.

Travel to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji in Summer 2025

Students in grades 6-12 (during the time of travel), and family members are invited to join an educational travel experience to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji in June 2025! View the itinerary on the EF Tours website.

Join an informational meeting on October 17 at 6:30 pm on Zoom to learn more:

• What travelers will see and experience on the trip
• How this opportunity will benefit travelers
• Why now is the right time to start planning
• How the investment will be protected
• How the trip is kept safe and affordable

Register for the meeting online.

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

Calling All Golfers: Save the Date for The BEF Open

Save the Date for the Berkley Education Foundation’s (BEF) annual BEF Open, an X-Golf Tournament, Friday, November 8, 7-10 pm. Guests will have the chance to support the BEF by playing a round of golf, being a spectator, playing golf-related games for prizes and/or sponsoring the event.

Golfers, in teams of four, will have the chance to play 18 holes at X-Golf on a world-renowned course. Teams will play an alternate ball scramble and enjoy hot dogs at the turn. Only 10 teams are available. Teams can utilize mulligans and sabotages to help their scores.

Golfers can also enter the Longest Drive contest, Closest to the Pin contest and Putting Challenge. Winners of the contests and the overall tournament will take home big prizes.

Not a golfer? Come for a Friday night out!

Enjoy an evening out, courtesy of the BEF, as a spectator. For those who are not golfers, don't want to commit to playing 18, or have never swung a club, stop in and enjoy the party. Spectator tickets are $25/person and include appetizers & hot dogs and an opportunity to play in the individual golf competitions.

Mark Your Calendar

• Friday, November 8
• 7-10 pm
• X-Golf, Royal Oak

Price

• $500/team
• $25/spectator

Registration coming soon!

Support the Event

Businesses and organizations have several opportunities to underwrite the event costs - there are many ways to be involved:

• Sponsor the Event: $1,500
• Sponsor Hot Dogs at the Turn: $1,000
• Sponsor Longest Drive: $500
• Sponsor Closest to the Pin: $500
• Sponsor Putting Challenge: $500
• Sponsor a Team: $500

Interested in sponsoring? Email berkleyfoundation@berkleyschools.org.

Every dollar the BEF raises supports teacher innovation-grants, the enrichment program, student scholarships and the 8th grade college tour.

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.

Introducing the Little Bears Book Club

Berkley School District is excited to announce the Little Bears Book Club - a way for the District to connect with our youngest District residents and provide them books for their home library.

Four times per year the Berkley School District will mail Little Bears Book Club (LBBC) members an age-appropriate book plus a bonus book for their birthday.

Children who live in the Berkley School District, ages 0-5, who are not yet enrolled in TK/Kindergarten are eligible to participate.

To register, fill out the LBBC Google Form.

Any questions? Call the Berkley Schools Communications Office at 248-837-8095.

We hope our future Book Club members love reading just as much as we do!

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

September Calendar Highlights

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.

Labor Day - September 2

Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September. On June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.

According to the Department of Labor, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.

Read more on the Department of Labor’s website: www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

Grandparents Day - September 8

Grandparents day began in 1978 when the United States Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. A presidential proclamation was signed by President Jimmy Carter and thus began the observation of this special holiday. The proclamation stated, “I urge each citizen to pause and to reflect on the influence his grandparents have had in shaping [their] own destiny, and on the legacy bestowed upon our contemporary society by [their] grandparents' generation.”

Patriot Day - September 11

Patriot Day, a holiday observed in the United States on September 11 to commemorate the lives of those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Virginia and those who perished when the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania. The holiday also recognizes those who died attempting to rescue people trapped by the attacks.

By a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress on Dec. 18, 2001, September 11 was designated as Patriot Day. The resolution calls for the president of the United States to issue a yearly proclamation requesting that all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff.

There are resources and memorials dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives. Visit the 911 Memorial website the Pentagon Memorial website and the National Park Service website to learn more.

National Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15 - October 15:

September 15th - October 15th is nationally recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month. The month-long celebration highlights the culture, achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans who enrich our nation and society.

Learn about Hispanic Heritage Month with your family by visiting these resources:

• PBS: All About the Holidays Hispanic Heritage Month Video
• Library of Congress: National Hispanic Heritage Month Website with Events
• PBS: 11 Picture Books Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
• Scholastic: A Month of Ideas for Celebrating National Hispanic Month
• Learning for Justice: Unmaking “Hispanic”: Teaching the Creation of Hispanic Identity
• Learning for Justice: Honoring LGBTQ Voices During Hispanic Heritage Month

Constitution Day & Citizenship Day - September 17

Constitution Day is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention (the Founding Fathers) signed the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia. To learn more, visit the Constitution Day website.

International Day of Peace - September 21

The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on September 21.

Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, the General Assembly declared this as a day devoted to “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.”

The 2024 theme is Cultivating a Culture of Peace. Learn more on the United Nations website.

Subscribe to the District and School Calendars

Did you know you can subscribe to our school and District online calendars?

Sync the online calendar to your personal device to ensure you won’t miss a thing!

The District’s online calendar system uses iCal Feeds. To access all the iCal links, visit the District’s Calendar page, and click on the red and white calendar link to the top right of the calendar that’s displayed on the page.

Use this Foxbright tutorial to walk you through connecting our calendars to yours.

Be sure to subscribe to both the District AND your school calendar to ensure you have all important dates in your device.

Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring!

The Berkley School District is hiring! We are looking for talented individuals to fill a variety of positions. Visit our website to apply and share our postings with your networks!

Open Positions

• Special Education Teacher - Autism Spectrum Disorders - BHS
• Permanent Building Substitute Teacher - Norup
• Permanent Building Substitute Teacher - Angell
• Part Time English Language Development Teacher
• Community Education Secretary - BBB
• Paraeducator - Seven positions (BHS, Norup, Anderson, ATP, Burton, BBB, Pattengill)
• Afternoon Custodian Shift Leader - Norup
• Maintenance/Food Service Driver - District
• Substitute Custodian - District
• Assistant Teachers - BBB
• Kids’ Zone Assistant Teacher - Pattengill
• Food Service Workers - 5 Open Positions
• Freshman Girls Basketball Coach/Program Assistant - BHS
• Varsity Competitive Cheer Coach - BHS
• Early Childhood Special Education Substitute Paraeducator - BBB

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