Berkley Beat January 24, 2025

What's Inside

  • MLK Day On, Not a Day Off - Wrap Up Video
  • BHS Basketball Teacher Appreciation Night
  • AMS Students Take a Deep Dive into Literature for Battle of the Books
  • Angell 4th and 5th Grade Spelling Bee
  • Thank You, School Board Members for Serving Our Community
  • Middle School Musical Debuts This Weekend
  • Kindergarten Information for All: Information Nights, Registration and Schools of Choice
  • Berkley Education Foundation’s Off to the Races Tickets on Sale
  • City of Huntington Woods Invites Families to Attend a Parenting Workshop on Anti-Racism
  • NASA Power to Explore Student Essay Challenge
  • 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?
  • January Calendar Highlights - Orthodox Christmas Day, Orthodox New Year, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day
  • How to Subscribe to the District Calendar
  • Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring

MLK Day On, Not a Day Off – Wrap Up Video

On Monday, January 20, 2025, the cities and school districts of Berkley, Clawson and Royal Oak came together at Berkley High School to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr for the annual Day On, Not a Day Off event. Approximately 250 people attended the event.

Attendees made fleece blankets for those in the hospital and for those in need at the Welcome Inn, donations were sorted and delivered to the Judson Center, Redford Brightmoor Initiative and the Royal Oak Methodist Church Food Pantry, lunches were made for the unhoused population who visit the Welcome Inn and cards were made for veterans and seniors in assisted living.

Thank you to the Berkley Education Association, Royal Oak Schools Education Association, Michigan Education Association, AFSCME Local 1084, Royal Oak Women's Club, Royal Oak Education Foundation and Clawson Orthodontics for their donations to the event.

Watch the event highlights and hear from volunteers on what took place on Monday, January 20, in honor of Dr. King in the video below.

BHS Basketball Teacher Appreciation Night

On Wednesday, January 15, Berkley High School Freshman, JV and Varsity girls basketball teams hosted a Teacher Appreciation Event where student-athletes had the opportunity to personally invite and express gratitude to educators who have positively impacted their academic journeys as students and players. Girls Basketball Coach Clay Shaver shared the importance of this event and its ideology around "Our Team" to capture the idea that our team isn’t just the 39 players in the program, but also the parents and families who support them, teachers that feed the student part of Student-Athlete, the six coaches, the Admins and Athletic Department that provide the resources, and the community that the team represents.

This year players hand delivered their invitations to the staff member they would be honoring and brought their jersey to capture the moment. During the Teacher Appreciation Event players went one by one publicly expressing their gratitude for their chosen educator with gifts and heartfelt words. The chosen educators mostly stemmed from BHS but a few were from the athlete’s elementary schools. Coach Shaver gave special thanks, sharing, “to the teachers, staff, players, Matt Rawlik and the BHS administration for believing in the value of nights like this, as well as Angie Church a dedicated parent volunteer for her unbelievable effort in pulling the night off, along with the entire coaching staff and North Farmington Girls Basketball for their flexibility and graciousness.”

The event showcased a commitment to recognizing and appreciating the vital role educators play in the lives of student-athletes. Coach Shaver said, “When I accepted the position at Berkley, the only thing I knew with 100% certainty that I wanted to bring with me from my previous school was teacher/staff appreciation night. Even X's and O's and program philosophies would have to be determined once I met the kids, but there's something special about taking the time to stand on the court and tell the people who play an integral role in the student part of the Student-Athlete's life that you appreciate them.”

AMS Students Take a Deep Dive into Literature for Battle of the Books

On Friday, January 17th, to close out the first half of the year Anderson Middle School 8th graders tested their book knowledge in the annual Battle of the Books competition. Using a tournament style bracket, students competed in teams and were asked detailed questions about books they have read so far this year. As part of their answers, students had to identify the title of the book and the author.

After multiple rounds of the Battle, Team “Shine Bright Like a Diamond” (Riley Durany, Maddy King, and Lola Young) squared off against Team “Fluffy Rainbow Unicorns” (Lucy Showler and Bea Verriest) for the final round in the media center. After a tough final round, Team Shine Bright Like a Diamond pulled out the victory! The winning team members each got candy and a cash prize while the runner-up team members each got candy.

Angell 4th and 5th Grade Spelling Bee

On January 16, 2025, Angell 4th and 5th grade students participated in their second annual school-wide spelling bee, sponsored by the student council. After a friendly competition in their classrooms, the top two students from each grade gathered in the media center to showcase their spelling prowess. After multiple rounds of intense spelling that highlighted the students' linguistic talent, a winner was decided when they spelled the word “pressure” correctly.

Congratulations to the winners:

  • 1st - Nina Hamel, 5th grade, $50 gift card
  • 2nd - Ryder Alessandri, 5th grade, $25 gift card
  • 3rd - Brooke Biglow, 4th grade, $10 gift card

This annual spelling bee is eagerly anticipated by students. Julie McKeeman, Angell’s Media Specialist, shared with families prior to the event, “We are confident that this initiative will not only enhance each child's spelling abilities but also foster a sense of camaraderie and school spirit. We appreciate your support in making this event a success and look forward to celebrating the achievements of our talented students.”

Thank you, Berkley School Board Members for Serving Our Community

School board members connect essential pieces of the puzzle, bringing together the vision, expertise and passion needed to support public education.

January is Board of Education Recognition Month, and we are grateful for our Board’s dedication and service to the Berkley Schools.

  • Mike Tripp, President, re-elected 6 yr term November 8, 2022 (term expires 12/31/28)
  • Sarah Mountain, Vice President, elected 6 yr term November 3, 2020 (term expires 12/31/26)
  • Keith Logsdon, Treasurer, re-elected to a 6 yr term November 5, 2024 (term expires 12/31/30)
  • Barrie Frankel, Secretary, elected 6 yr term November 8, 2022 (term expires 12/31/28)
  • Roger Blake, Trustee, re-elected 6 yr term November 3, 2020 (term expires 12/31/26)
  • Jason Deneau, Trustee, elected 6 yr term November 8, 2022 (term expires 12/31/28)
  • Jon Heger, Trustee, elected 6 yr term November 5, 2024 (term expires 12/31/30)

Middle School Musical Debuts This Weekend

Be Drama, Berkley High School’s Drama Department is proud to announce its Middle School Musical - "Crazy For You: Youth Edition."

According to Concord Theatricals,”Crazy For You: Youth Edition” is a zany rich-boy-meets-hometown-girl romantic comedy, telling the story of young New York banker Bobby Child, who is sent to Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a rundown theatre. In Deadrock, Bobby falls for spunky Polly Baker, the theatre owner’s daughter. But Polly takes an instant dislike to the city slicker, so Bobby vows – through cunning, razzmatazz, and a hilarious case of mistaken identity – to win Polly’s heart and save the theatre. Memorable Gershwin tunes from the score include “I Got Rhythm,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “Embraceable You,” “Nice Work if You Can Get It” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.”

See the Show

  • Friday, January 24, 2025, 7:00 pm
  • Saturday, January 25, 2025, 7:00 pm
  • Berkley High School Auditorium
  • 2325 Catalpa Berkley, MI 48072

Ticket Information

  • Buy tickets online
  • Adults: $10.00
  • Students (of any educational institution or grade level): $5.00
  • Staff: $5.00
  • Seniors (60 and better): $5.00

Additional Information

  • Age Range: "Crazy For You: Youth Edition" is appropriate for all audiences
  • Running Time: Roughly 55 Minutes
  • "Crazy For You: Youth Edition" is the last Middle School Musical to be performed on the current stage

Kindergarten Information for All: Information Nights, Registration and Schools of Choice

While it might be hard to believe, it’s time to start thinking about Kindergarten for Fall 2025. 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, 2025, please share this information with them!

TK & Kindergarten Information Nights - NEW DATES for Angell & Pattengill

Learn about the kindergarten curriculum, how to prepare for the big first day, enrollment options, and Kindergarten/Transitional Kindergarten readiness. All TK and Kindergarten students need to be five years old by September 1, 2025.

During the evening, families will be able to ask the Principal questions, learn more about each school and hear about the #BerkleyDifference. You do not have to be a resident to attend the Kindergarten Information Nights, they are open to all who are interested in the Berkley School District. Learn more about Kindergarten enrollment and readiness by visiting our Enrollment webpage.

  • NEW DATE: Angell Elementary School: Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025 | 6:30 pm
  • NEW DATE: Pattengill Elementary School: Monday, Jan 27, 2025 | 6:30 pm

Kindergarten Registration for Berkley School District Residents

Berkley School District resident registration for both Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten begins February 3 and runs through February 14, 2025. 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 2025-26 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 10-28, 2025
  • Completed applications must be submitted online
  • No applications will be accepted after the deadline of 5:00 pm, February 28, 2025
  • 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 upcoming Kindergarten Information nights, please reach out to school secretaries and/or principals.

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.

Berkley Education Foundation’s 16th Annual Off to the Races 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: $50/person through January 31 - increased to $60/person on February 1.

  • 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.

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 ($300) are available. Horses can be purchased through the ticket section of the website. For those who can’t attend the event, buying a horse is an easy way to support the BEF.

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.

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? Buy sponsorships online or Email berkleyfoundation@berkleyschools.org

City of Huntington Woods Invites Families to Attend a Parenting Workshop on Anti-Racism

The City of Huntington Woods Anti-Racism Advisory Committee invites the Berkley Schools community to a parenting workshop on anti-racism. This three-part series will be facilitated by Kenisha Coon - a nationwide leader in Antiracism and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion work through facilitating conversations, training, creating strategic plans, and consulting.

Key Topics

  • Understanding systemic racism and its impact on families and communities
  • Raising racially conscious children
  • Navigating difficult conversations about race
  • Promoting inclusivity in schools and social spaces
  • Strategies for allyship and advocacy within the local community

Workshop Details

  • Monday, 1/27: Virtual session 1 (7 - 8:30 p.m.)
  • Monday, 2/3: Virtual session 2 (7 - 8:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday, 2/8: In-Person Gathering (1 - 3 p.m.) – Woods Gallery – at the HW Public Library

Each session will build on the previous one, incorporating interactive discussions, expert insights, and community dialogue. Participation is free of charge.

Registration Details

  • Registration is required
  • To register, complete the registration form
  • Register by Wednesday, 1/22
  • The first 25 registrants will receive a FREE copy of the accompanying book for this workshop, “Social Justice Parenting How to Raise Compassionate Anti Racist Justice Minded Kids in an Unjust World” by Dr. Tracy Baxley

For questions about this workshop, please contact the HW Anti-Racism Advisory Committee at hwantiracismadvisorycommittee@gmail.com.

NASA Power to Explore Student Essay Challenge

K-12 students are invited to research Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS), a type of nuclear “battery” used in space exploration, and dream up a new RPS-powered space mission to any moon in our solar system as part of NASA’s Power to Explore Challenge.

NASA wants to know what a student’s plan is to explore, the discoveries they hope to make, and how they would use this special power to achieve mission success.

Grand prize winners from each grade category (three total) will receive a trip for two to NASA’s Glenn Research Center to learn about the people and technologies that enable NASA missions. Every student who submits an entry receives a digital certificate and an invitation to a virtual event with NASA experts to learn about what powers the NASA workforce to dream big and explore. Sign up for the contest and learn more on the Future Engineers website. Submission deadline is January 31, 2025.

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: January

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.

Orthodox Christmas Day - January 7

Many Orthodox Christians in the United States celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 in the Gregorian calendar. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the son of God.

Orthodox Christians are estimated to number between 250 and 300 million people. The largest number of Orthodox Christians live in eastern and southeastern Europe, including Russia and Ukraine. There are also significant Orthodox Christian populations in the Middle East and in Ethiopia.

The difference in the timing of the Christmas celebrations stretches back to 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII, ruled that the Catholic Church should follow a new calendar – called the Gregorian calendar, as it was closer to the solar calendar than the Julian calendar.

Orthodox New Year - January 14

The Orthodox New Year, otherwise known as the Old New Year, is a traditional holiday, celebrated as the start of the New Year in the Julian calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, this holiday falls on January 14th every year. This holiday is observed by Orthodox Christians in the U.S., and all around the world. Learn more on the Holidays Calendar website.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 20

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (MLK Day) is a federal holiday and is observed in honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the third Monday in January. The day commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. King, who was a minister and leader in the modern American civil rights movement. Dr. King is the only non-president to have a national holiday. While Dr. King was assassinated in 1968, MLK Day was not signed into law until 1983 and was first observed in 1986. The official observance was written into all 50 states and federal law by 2000.

Learn more about Dr. King and the years-long process to honor him with a federal holiday in the links below.

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

  • Permanent Building Substitute Teacher (2 positions) - Norup & Pattengill
  • Long-Term Guest Teacher 1st Grade - Angell
  • Long-Term Substitute Middle School Language Arts/Speech Teacher - Norup
  • Special Education Paraeducators (5 Positions) - Anderson, BHS, Burton, Pattengill
  • Head Custodian - Berkley High School
  • Afternoon Custodian Shift Leader - Norup
  • Afternoon Custodian - Burton
  • Permanent Substitute Custodian - District
  • Lunch Aides - Angell, Burton, Pattengill
  • Food Service Worker Lead Position
  • Kids’ Zone Assistant Teachers (3 Positions) - Angell, Pattengill, Rogers
  • Varsity Baseball Assistant Coach - Berkley High School
  • Varsity Girls Golf Head Coach - Berkley High School
  • JV Head Baseball Coach - Berkley High School
  • Long-Term Substitute Elementary Intervention Specialist - Rogers

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