What's Inside?
- Rogers Student Council Hosts Occupation Day
- BHS Student Leaders Host Boat Regatta
- BHS DECA Students Travel to Orlando to Learn Sports & Entertainment Marketing Lessons
- Second Grade Teachers Experience Learning Lab, Lead Coding Lessons for Students
- BHS Teachers Shadow Students to Gain Insight Into Student Life
- Save the Date: Count Day is February 14
- BHS Unified Basketball to Play at LCA - Tickets on Sale Now
- It’s Time to Fill Out an Intent to Return Form
- Elementary Families are Invited to African American Read-In
- Free Heart Checks for Students Ages 13-18
- Community is Invited to a Community Chat with Superintendent Francis
- Kindergarten Information for All: Registration & Schools of Choice
- Travel Opportunities for 2025: The South Pacific, Japan, France and Spain
- Berkley Education Foundation’s 15th Annual Off to the Races Tickets On Sale
- Calendar Highlights - Black History Month, Groundhog Day, Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s Day
- How to Subscribe to the District Calendar
- Join the Berkley Schools Family
- Sign Up for Text Messages
Rogers Student Council Hosts Occupation Day
On February 8, 2024, Rogers Elementary School participated in Occupation Day. This annual event was started by the Rogers Student Council in 2019 and serves as a platform for caregivers to highlight the diverse array of career options to students. Utilizing tri-fold posters to showcase the essence of their respective careers, adults engaged with students across various grades in a creative, science-fair-style setup. This interactive format allowed students to gain insights into numerous occupations as they rotated through different stations. From lawyers, engineers, and doctors to martial arts instructors, illustrators, and marketing specialists the event showcased a plethora of professions. Each presenter shared insights and sparked curiosity among the students. Occupation Day aims to provide students with an opportunity to explore a variety of career options empowering students to envision the multitude of professional possibilities awaiting them after graduation.
BHS Student Leaders Host Boat Regatta
On February 2nd, Berkley High School hosted a "Boat Regatta," during lunch led by students from the Diversity Council, Sources of Strength, and Student Leadership classes. Students divided into four teams of two, constructed “boats” from cardboard and challenged each other to a race across the BHS pool.
As the race commenced, the audience of over 100 students and staff cheered the teams on. While some boats encountered immediate challenges, others valiantly navigated the pool, with the combined efforts of paddling from the students inside the boat and the other students swimming to pull the boat along the way. Amidst laughter and encouragement, some vessels gracefully arrived back to their docking stations while others succumbed to the watery depths.
The race concluded with the following results: 1st Place Diversity Council, 2nd Place Student Leadership, 3rd Place Sources Of Strength, and 4th Place Student Leadership Team 2. Overall, the event provided an opportunity to showcase athleticism, creativity and craftsmanship. The Boat Regatta also showcased school spirit and offered the student body a chance to grow closer through a fun activity.
BHS DECA Students Travel to Orlando to Learn Sports & Entertainment Marketing Lessons
From January 31 - February 4, five Berkely High School marketing students traveled to Orlando, Florida, for the DECA Sports and Entertainment Conference with their marketing teacher Joel Hunt.
Students had the opportunity to hear from industry professionals from Universal Studios, Orlando Magic, USA Track & Field, Electronic Arts and Jordan Brand. The conference extends learning beyond the classroom by describing the nature of target marketing and pricing in sports and entertainment marketing and explaining advertising media, use of licensing and career opportunities used in the sports/entertainment industry.
Students also got to experience all of the thrills and wonders of Universal Studios and Volcano Bay Beach Resort.
This trip was offered to any marketing student interested in learning more about the sports and entertainment industry.
Second Grade Teachers Experience Learning Lab, Lead Coding Lesson for Students
On January 29, Elementary Math Coach, Melissa Miller, and Technology Integration Specialist, Lauren Villaluz teamed up to provide a Learning Lab with the Angell Second Grade Teachers. A Learning Lab is a job-embedded experience that allows educators to make real-time observations with a specific learning focus. The purpose of the lab was to learn about Computational Thinking and how it is integrated with the second grade math standards. Students in Angie Huffer’s second grade class were tasked with a challenge to see if they could create a path for the robot Indi to travel. The second graders had to use their coding skills to make Indi move, turn, and stop.
As part of the challenge, students had to measure how far Indi traveled throughout the path. While students were exploring, the teachers were observing how students were participating as well as using their measuring and computational thinking skills.
It was an engaging learning opportunity for both the students and the teachers!
BHS Teachers Shadow Students to Gain Insight into Student Life
In January, the New-to-BHS staff Maroon Cohort selected students to shadow and spent the day traveling through the school day much like our students do. They traveled to each class their student attends, engaged in course activities, and learned many of the routines that have been established in the various classrooms.
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).
Joe Fredal reflected upon the experience with, “Thanks to those that hosted us in their classes. It was especially helpful when we were able to be included in activities, as it provided us an opportunity to possibly feel the unease of being a high school student again.”
Joel Hunt shared, “Not only did I get a glimpse into student life, I also got to observe different classroom practices and procedures.”
Secondary Instructional Coach Angie Church shared, “Members of the Maroon Cohort reflected upon the experience together, connected this experience to the design of their own classrooms, and considered their next steps based on the ups and downs of day as a BHS student. This was a powerful experience for all who were involved.”
Save the Date: Count Day is February 14
Counting every student is important for school funding - please make sure your children attend school on Count Day, Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
Count Day determines our state funding and is based on attendance for the day. If your child will not be in school, please make sure to call in their absence to the school office.
BHS Unified Basketball to Play at LCA - Tickets on Sale Now
The Berkley Unified Basketball team is excited to invite the community to come watch the team play at Little Caesars Arena on March 17. The BHS team will play after the Detroit Pistons play their game against the Miami Heat as part of the LCA Unified Night, where three Unified Games take place after the pros play. Tickets include access to both the Pistons and Unified Game, a Unified Showcase t-shirt and proceeds from each ticket will go back to the Berkley Unified Program.
Unified sports joins people with and without disabilities on the same team. It is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experience. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
Details
- Sunday, March 17, 2024
- Detroit Pistons Game: 3-5 pm
- Unified Night at LCA: 6-8:30 pm
- Berkley Unified (Game #3) - 8 pm
- Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
- Guests can attend the Unified Game only, if they choose
Tickets
$34/person
Buy tickets to the March 17 activities today - tickets are limited!
For any questions please contact Andy Myers at amyers@pistons.com or (313) 771-7588.
Tickets are mobile tickets and details will be emailed to you immediately after purchase. To access mobile tickets you must login to the Pistons App. Details can be found here: www.Pistons.com/mobileticket
The Fine Print
This offer cannot be redeemed at LCA Box Office. All tickets are subject to availability and handled on a first-come, first-served basis. All prices on orders received after the indicated deadline are subject to change. Refunds or exchanges will not be issued. Please provide an accurate cell phone number and email address in order to access your tickets. All tickets purchased will be available on your Pistons Account. You will receive an email once they are available.
It’s Time to Fill Out an Intent to Return Form
It’s time to let the District know which students will be returning to the Berkley School District next year.
The District has created a simple form for all families with students in grades TK-11 to fill out inside of the MISTAR Parent Portal. Responses will help schools create classroom communities and courses for next year. Follow the steps below to complete the form, once per child. Form entries are due Friday, February 16 at the end of the day.
How to fill out the form:
- Log into MISTAR Parent Portal
- In the top right corner click on Intent to Return in bold, red lettering.
- Next to each student, click the Edit button on the right hand side.
- Answer the questions listed, if applicable, and once completed, click the box next to “Click to confirm you have reviewed this section…”
- Click the Submit button at the top.
- Repeat for additional children.
You can also find the Intent to Return form 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 Portal Pin and Password.
- To complete the Intent to Return Form in the App:
- Click the three lines in the upper right corner.
- Click on Re-Enrollment.
- Next to your student's name, click the Edit button.
- Complete the Intent to Return steps.
- Click the submit button.
Please fill out the form by Friday, February 16.
QUESTIONS?
If you are having problems logging in, have questions about completing information online or are experiencing technical difficulties email mistarhelp@berkleyschools.org. Be sure to include your name, the name of your child and a phone number where you can be reached.
Elementary Families Are Invited to an African American Read-In
Berkley Schools is proud to partner with Oakland Schools to host author Don Tate for this year's African American Read-In: Genius in our Stories. Don Tate is an award-winning illustrator of numerous critically acclaimed books for children, including Swish! The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globetrotters, No Small Potatoes: Junios G. Groves and His Kingdom in Kansas, Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions, Hope’s Gift, and many others.
Berkley Schools elementary families are invited to attend a watch party at their elementary school to view Don Tate's presentation as a community from 7-8 pm on February 29. Families are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the presentation. All Berkley Schools families who register will receive a free copy of Don Tate's latest book, Jerry Changed the Game.
Important details
- Genius in Our Stories: 2024 African American/Read-In
- Thursday, February 29, 2024
- 6:45-8 pm
- Attend in person at Berkley Schools elementary schools or watch via Zoom from home
- Register online
Free Heart Checks for Students Ages 13-18
To help detect young people who are at risk for sudden cardiac arrest, Beaumont offers free heart checks to high school students that include:
- medical history evaluation
- blood pressure check
- physical examination
- electrocardiogram, or ECG
- echocardiogram, quick look
On Saturday, February 24th from 9 am to 1 pm, teens aged 13 to 18 are eligible to attend an upcoming Beaumont Heart Check. The event will be held at Avondale High School in the gym: 2800 Waukegan St. Auburn Hills, MI 48326.
Beaumont’s Student Heart Check program combines a simple health history with a noninvasive screening to look for signs of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition that is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. HCM affects approximately one in 500 people and does not usually have any symptoms. The stress on the heart during strenuous activities puts our students at higher risk for sudden cardiac death.
Please direct all questions to Jennifer Shea at jennifer.shea@corewellhealth.org.
Community is Invited to a Community Chat with Superintendent Francis
Superintendent Scott Francis will host community chats this semester. Community members are invited to share thoughts about the Berkley School District at this informal community forum on the following dates:
- Thursday, February 15, 8:30-9:30 am. Topic: Bond & Sinking Fund Facility Updates
- Monday, May 20, 5:30-6:30 pm. Topic: TBD
All Community Chat events will be held at the Berkley Schools Administrative Offices, 14501 Talbot, Oak Park. Refreshments will be provided.
Kindergarten Information for All: Registration and Schools of Choice
While it might be hard to believe, it’s time to start thinking about Kindergarten for Fall 2024. In the Berkley School District, Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten information nights, enrollment and the Schools of Choice application windows happen in January and February each year. Starting early allows the District to plan staffing, class sizes and support for students before the year ends. If you have an incoming Kindergarten student this is important information to save. If you know someone who has a child who will be five years old by September 1, 2024, please share this information with them!
Kindergarten Registration for Berkley School District Residents - Through February 16, 2024
Berkley School District resident registration for both Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten begins February 5 and runs through February 16, 2024. Registration takes place entirely online, including the required document uploads. Visit the enrollment webpage to begin your registration, verify your residency through our District boundaries document and see what paperwork you need to upload to complete your registration. We can’t wait to meet our new students!
Schools of Choice Window for TK-Grade 5
The Berkley School District Board of Education has approved limited Schools of Choice (Section 105) openings (up to 150 slots) in Kindergarten through 5th grade for Oakland County residents for the 2024-25 school year. Those who are interested in attending the Berkley School District, but who do not live within District boundaries may apply.
Important Schools of Choice details include:
- Schools of Choice application period is February 12 - March 1, 2024
- Completed applications must be submitted online
- No applications will be accepted after the deadline of 5:00 pm, March 1, 2024
- Applicants will receive email notification of their student's Schools of Choice status mid to late April following the lottery
- On the application, families will select which school they’d prefer to attend: Angell, Burton, Norup, Pattengill or Rogers
- For current Schools of Choice families, if you have an incoming TK or Kindergarten student, please be sure to fill out this year’s application as well. Priority is given to siblings.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding the enrollment process, please contact the Enrollment Office at 248-837-8026 or visit the Enrollment website.
If you have any questions regarding Schools of Choice, please contact Stephanie Helterbran, Pupil Accounting and Central Enrollment Supervisor, at 248-837-8045 or visit the Schools of Choice website.
Travel Opportunities for 2025
Travel to France & Spain in Spring 2025
Students in grades 6-12 (during the time of travel) are invited to travel to France and Spain during Spring Break 2025. This trip will explore cultural experiences, local immersion, and iconic sights.
If you have any questions, contact Athena Troher at athena.troher@berkleyschools.org
Travel to The South Pacific & Fiji in June 2025
Students in grades 6-12 (during the time of travel) and family members are invited to join an educational travel experience to The South Pacific and Fiji in June 2025! The trip includes visits to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. View the itinerary on the EF Tours website.
If you have any questions, contact Athena Troher at athena.troher@berkleyschools.org
Travel to Japan in Summer 2025
Students in grades 9-12 (during the time of travel) are invited to travel to Japan during the Summer of 2025. This trip will explore cultural experiences, local immersion and iconic sights of the country.
If you have any questions, contact Saundra Rathburn at saundra.rathburn@berkleyschools.org or Tracy Burroughs at tracy.burroughs@berkleyschools.org
Berkley Education Foundation’s 15th Annual Off to the Races Tickets On Sale
- March 16, 2024
- 7-11 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 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 16, from 7-11 pm at The Kingsley, Bloomfield Hills, a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Join the BEF 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.
Tickets on sale.
Don’t miss out on all the fun. Tickets are on sale now: $50/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 $20 at the event, or add them on to an event ticket for a $10 discount.
Horses on sale now.
Buy and name a horse that will race during Off to the Races! 100 regular horses ($30) and 10 golden horses ($250) are available. Horses can be purchased through the “Buy Horses” section of the website. Horses can also be added onto ticket orders! For those who can’t attend the event, buying a horse is an easy way to support the BEF.
Win a vacation.
Don’t miss the Golden Race - the last race of the night. The winner will take home a $2,500 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.
Sponsorships available!
Event sponsorships, race sponsorships and prize sponsorships available for all budgets, ranging from $500 - $10,000. Investing in Off to the Races includes a variety of incentives from social media shoutouts to tickets to the event. Visit the BEF’s Sponsorship Booklet for details.
Interested in sponsoring? Email berkleyfoundation@berkleyschools.org
Calendar Highlights - February
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.
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. Read more on the origins of Black History Month on the History Channel website.
Take time to learn more about Black History and attend events by visiting the following resources:
- Check out the Oakland County blog for a number of programs, film screenings, and more taking place in person and virtually to explore Black history and culture
- PBS: Celebrating Black Leaders
- PBS: Teaching Your Child About Black History
- Common Sense Education: Free Learning Resources for Black History Month (and beyond)
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is a tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2 of every year. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early.
Since 1887 a groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, has been the center of a staged appearance each February 2. In what has become a media event, the groundhog “Punxsutawney Phil” is the center of attention of television weathermen and newspaper photographers.
Lunar New Year - February 10, 2024
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, falls on Saturday, February 10th, 2024, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 24th, 2024.
Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is the most important holiday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and countries with a significant overseas Chinese population. While the official dates encompassing the holiday vary by culture, those celebrating consider it the time of the year to reunite with immediate and extended family.
Commonly known as the Spring Festival in China, Lunar New Year is a fifteen-day celebration marked by many traditions. At home, families decorate windows with red paper cuttings and adorn doors with couplets expressing auspicious wishes for the new year. Shopping for holiday sundries in open-air markets and cleaning the house are also beloved traditions. The Lunar New Year’s Eve reunion dinner is the highlight that kicks off the holiday, a feast with a spread of symbolic dishes, such as a whole fish representing abundance, that bring good luck and fortune. The fifteenth and final day of the holiday is the Lantern Festival, during which people have tangyuan, or sweet glutinous rice balls, and children carry lanterns around the neighborhood at night to mark the end of the celebration.
In the Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the year of the dragon.
Source: The National Museum of Asian Art
Mardi Gras - February 13, 2024
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 - February 14, 2024
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
Valentine's Day - February 14, 2024
Valentine’s Day occurs every February 14. Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine.
Learn more about the history and origins of Valentine’s Day on the History Channel website.
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:
- Special Education Paraeducator - Burton
- Campus Monitor Paraeducator - BHS
- Assistant Teacher(s) - 6 Open Positions - Berkley Building Blocks
- Lunch Aides - Pattengill
- Permanent Substitute Custodian - District
- Afternoon Custodian - Angell
- Afternoon Custodian Split Position - Norup & Pattengill
- Food Service Worker - 5 Positions
- High School Girls Swim and Dive Program Assistant
- High School Boys Tennis Program Assistant
- High School JV Girls Tennis Head Coach
- Middle School Football Coach
- Middle School Wrestling Head Coach
- Middle School Baseball Head Coach - Anderson
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.