What's Inside?
- District Named Best Community for Music Education - 13th Year in a Row
- Anderson Middle School Raises $16,500 to Benefit Camp Casey
- BHS Student Excel at DECA State Competition
- Battle of the Books at Pattengill & Rogers
- BEF Sends All 8th Graders on College + Career Tour - with Video
- Norup 3rd Graders Teach 2nd Graders About Fractions
- Solar Eclipse on Monday - District Plans
- 2024-25 Calendar Now Available
- Tickets on Sale for BHS Spring Musical: Legally Blonde
- Berkley Schools Diversity Clubs Pizza Party
- Save the Dates for Food Truck Fridays
- Community is Invited to Huntington Woods Men’s Club Service Auction
- April Calendar Highlights - Autism Acceptance Month, National Arab American Heritage Month, Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, Eid al-Fitr
- How to Subscribe to the District Calendar
- Join the Berkley Schools Family
- Sign Up for Text Messages
Berkley School District Receives National Recognition: Named 2024 Best Community for Music Education, 13th Year in a Row
District Heralded for Support of Music Education
Berkley School District is proud to announce it is a 2024 Best Community for Music Education! This national designation comes from the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation, for demonstrating outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
Berkley is one of 21 school districts in the state of Michigan to receive the Best Communities for Music Education award, one of 975 nationwide, and has been an award recipient since 2012.
In its 25th year, the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) survey requires districts to answer detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
Scott Francis, Berkley School District Superintendent, said, "Receiving this award for the 13th year in a row is outstanding. I am very proud of our teachers, students, families and community supporters of the music program. Our music teachers continue to engage and inspire students in creative ways and I applaud them for all they do for music in our schools."
Anderson Middle School Raises $16,500 to Benefit Camp Casey
On March 21, Anderson Middle School hosted its annual March Miracles basketball tournament. March Miracles is a building-wide fundraising initiative in support of a charity chosen by the Anderson community. Students can enter the tournament with their team, compete and show off their skills in a March Madness bracket-style competition that began with the preliminary rounds earlier in March.
This year’s event raised $16,500 in support of Camp Casey, a non-profit organization that provides horseback riding programs to children with cancer, rare blood disorders and other life-threatening illnesses. The money was raised through a tournament entry fee, sponsorships from local businesses, concession sales and team sponsorships from AMS staff.
Students enjoyed the event as they cheered on peers in skill competitions and in the basketball championships. Mike Ross, AMS Principal, gave a shout-out to teacher Karen Saltsman who coordinated the event, along with the staff that helped with planning behind the scenes to help make this event possible.
BHS Students Excel at DECA State Competition
Marketing students who are members of the Berkley High School DECA club had the opportunity to showcase their skills at this year's DECA State Career Development Conference, held in downtown Detroit's Huntington Center from March 14-16, 2024. The event brought together more than 4,200 students from all over the state of Michigan, who competed in various marketing events and activities. Berkley High School students walked away with 15 medals and four students moving on to compete at the International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California on April 25th.
While at the conference, students are focused on improving their leadership and professional skills, in hopes of making their way to the finalist stage. These students competed in a wide range of categories, including merchandising, business operations, community awareness, sales and school based enterprise, participating in presenting projects, role play and more.
During the competition, students are placed into flights of 10-12 teams with the top two from each flight getting called on stage as finalists. The top team from each flight advances to Internationals.
Congratulations to the following students for earning medals at the State competition.
Test Medal
Samual George – Business Finance Series. In this event students are required to take a 100 point multiple choice test and perform two role-plays.
Finalist Medals
- Audra Bergman and Rikki Newman – Business Service Operations Research. In this event, students performed extensive research on a local business and prepared a presentation for improving the business based off of their findings.
- Nick Campbell, Daniel Richmond and Annabel Sturtz – Business Solutions Project
- Madelyn Grzegorczyk and Marlen Toma – Sales Project. This event incorporates project management tools used to not only create a plan but execute it and measure results.
- Monica Liverance and Niko Witek – Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan. In this event, students focused on the creation of a business plan.
- Alex Sims, Tayla Steczek and Bryn Wightman – Career Development Plan. This event incorporates project management tools used to not only create a plan but execute it and measure results.
- Sophia Yunker and Ella Hesano – Sports & Entertainment Operations Research. Qualified for International Competition. Students performed extensive research on a local business and prepared a presentation for improving the business based off of their findings.
- Francesca Haley and Hailey Serlin – School Based Enterprise Project. Qualified for International Competition. The school based enterprise project focuses on earning gold certification status for the school store by compiling an extensive report on the store’s complete operations.
Battle of the Books at Pattengill & Rogers
Battle of the Books is a reading challenge for 4th and 5th grade students in which participants are placed on a team, read from a selected list of books and then compete against other teams by answering questions about those books. The goal of Battle of the Books is to encourage students to read various genres of books and to enhance their reading comprehension. Adult family members serve as coaches for each team as well. Both Rogers and Pattengill held their competition on Wednesday, March 20.
Students at Pattengill and Rogers read the same six books for their competitions:
- Booked by Kwame Alexander
- Giant Squid by Mary Cerullo with Clyde Roper
- High Score by Destiny Howell
- How to Heal a Gryphon by Meg Cannistra
- Iceberg by Jennifer Nielsen
- Woke: a Young Poet's Call to Justice by Mahogany Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood
Congratulations to Pattengill’s winning team, “Booking.Yeah” and to Rogers winning team, “Reading Rebels.”
BEF Sends All 8th Graders on College + Career Tour
On March 20th and 22nd, the Berkley Education Foundation sent all 8th graders at Anderson and Norup on a College + Career Tour. Students visited both Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC) Southeast and Oakland University to learn about possibilities for their futures. Students were split into two groups each day, and switched locations halfway through the day.
While at OSTC, students learned about programs offered in high school. OSTC programs are designed for any student who wants to graduate high school with industry certifications, on-the-job experiences, and college credits in programs like culinary, automotive technology, criminal justice, computer programming and health sciences. Students have the opportunity to take courses at OSTC while attending Berkley High School. One group enjoyed lunch that current OSTC culinary students made.
While at Oakland University students learned about admission requirements, college prep and life on a college campus. Students toured the campus grounds and buildings, learned about dorm life and one group had the opportunity to eat lunch in a college dining hall.
The Berkley Education Foundation provides this annual trip free of cost for students. The Berkley Education Foundation's mission is to help maintain and enhance educational opportunities and programs for all Berkley students and has been funding the #BerkleyDifference since 2000.
The BEF accepts donations to continue to fund the 8th grade college tours - every $150 raised sends 5 students on a tour. You can donate online, if you would like to support this initiative.
Watch the video below to see inside the tour.
Norup 3rd Graders Teach 2nd Graders About Fractions
On Thursday, March 21, Norup third graders took on the role of teachers as they guided the second graders in a fraction activity. The second graders designed their own pizza with different toppings and their third grade "teachers" helped them understand how to write fractions to represent the toppings. The third graders enjoyed taking what they have learned for the last few weeks and becoming the expert in order to teach their peers. One student commented, "It was fun teaching someone else something that I know."
Solar Eclipse on Monday - District Plans
In case you haven’t heard, a total solar eclipse is happening on Monday, April 8, and Detroit is in a near totality zone. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth that either fully or partially blocks the Sun’s light in some areas. The eclipse will begin around 1:50 pm and will end at 4:27 pm. The maximum eclipse will take place at 3:14 pm, when most of our schools are dismissing.
The Berkley Schools Teaching and Learning Department has been planning for the eclipse for a couple of months to ensure student learning and student safety. Here are the plans for the day.
- The District purchased solar eclipse glasses for all students and staff.
- No recess will take place during the afternoon of April 8 and gym classes will remain inside.
- Teachers have been provided information to share with their students about the eclipse, how to observe the Sun safely and how often total eclipses happen.
- Classes may go outside during the eclipse with glasses on to observe this rare event.
- Students will be asked to wear their glasses as they exit the building at dismissal time.
- Students will dismiss as usual, but families need to be aware it will be dark at dismissal.
To learn more about the eclipse visit the National Science Teaching Association website or visit the Time and Date website to see the eclipse path for Detroit.
As a reminder, it is never safe to look directly at the Sun. Regular sunglasses, swimming goggles and most camera filters are not safe for looking directly at the Sun. Many local libraries and local retail locations have solar eclipse glasses available for families.
2024-25 Calendar Now Available
The 2024-25 District Important Dates Calendar is ready to share and is posted to our website. This calendar includes school starting before Labor Day, two weeks off for Winter Break, a full week for Mid-Winter Break, a full week for Spring Break and finishing the second week of June.
As you may know, the State of Michigan mandates the number of student days and hours of school per year. Every district starts from that point and builds a schedule that tries to balance respect for major religious holidays, adequate breaks for students, time for professional learning, and traditions among other considerations. We also try to follow the Oakland Schools common calendar as much as possible.
The District's detailed printed calendar with all school events will be mailed in August 2024.
Tickets on Sale for the BHS Spring Musical: Legally Blonde
The Berkley High School Berkley Drama students are proud to present Legally Blonde, the Spring 2024 musical.
Musical Theatre International described the musical as follows:
Based on the movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.
The show will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 18-20 at 7 pm and Sunday, April 21 at 3 pm, in the Berkley High School Auditorium. Staff, seniors (60+), and students tickets are $10 and adults are $15.
- To buy tickets, and view photos and bios for the cast, crew and band, visit the Berkley Drama website.
- The show is two hours and 20 minutes with a 15 minute intermission
- "Legally Blonde: The Musical" is rated PG-13 due to some mature themes and language. The show is not recommended for students in elementary school or younger.
Berkley School District Diversity Clubs Pizza Party - All Are Welcome
The Berkley Area PTSA Council DEI Committee is hosting a pizza party for all Berkley School District families on Friday, April 19 from 5-6:30 pm in the BHS Collaborative Center.
Interested in starting or joining a diversity club at your school?
Come meet with the Diversity Club Representatives from Burton, Pattengill & BHS for pizza, comradery, fun, games & networking.
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.
- Friday, April 12 from 12-1:30 pm, House of Mac
- Friday, April 19 from 12-1:30 pm, Delectabowl
- May 3 from 12-1:30 pm, House of Mac
- Friday, May 17 from 12-1:30 pm, Delectabowl
Community is Invited to Huntington Woods Men’s Club Service Auction
Tickets are on sale for the 43rd annual Huntington Woods Men’s Club Service Auction on April 20 at the Gillham Recreation Center at 5 pm.
The Men’s Club generously has donated to many Berkley School District projects through the years, including playground equipment, club and team uniforms, athletic facility upgrades and in-classroom enrichment.
This year’s auction features more than 200 items (big and small), live music (including BHS students!) and all-inclusive food and refreshments.
Visit the Huntington Woods Men’s Club website to purchase tickets for a night of fun with your Berkley, Oak Park and Huntington Woods neighbors! If you can’t make it in person, you also can bid on silent auction items online, beginning April 17.
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.
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:
- School Social Worker - AMS (2024-25 school year)
- Permanent Building Substitute Teacher - Rogers
- GSRP and Head Start Substitute Teacher - Berkley Building Blocks
- GSRP and Head Start Associate Teacher - Berkley Building Blocks
- Lead Teacher: GSRP/Head Start Blend - Berkley Building Blocks
- Assistant Teacher(s) - 6 Open Positions - Berkley Building Blocks
- Kids’ Zone Assistant Teacher - Pattengill
- Lunch Aides - Pattengill
- Afternoon Custodian Split Position - Norup & Pattengill
- Food Service Worker - 5 Positions
- High School Varsity Cheer Head Coach (Sideline and Competitive)
- High School Varsity Ice Hockey Head Coach
- High School Girls Swim and Dive Program Head Coach
- High School Girls Swim and Dive Program Assistant
- High School Boys Tennis Program Assistant
- Middle School Girls Swim and Dive Head Coach - Anderson Middle School
- Middle School Football Coach - Anderson
- 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)
Food Service Positions: Aramark Careers
- Food Service Worker at Anderson Middle School 10:15-1:15 (3hr position)
- Food Service Worker at Norup International 10:15-1:15 (3hr position)
- Kitchen Manager at Anderson Middle School 7:00-1:30 (6.5hr position)
- Kitchen Manager at Norup International 7:00-1:30 (6.5hr position)
- Kitchen Manager at Pattengill Elementary 7:00-1:30 (6.5hr position)
- Food Service Worker at Norup International 8:30-1:45 (5.25hr position)
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.