Berkley Beat March 15, 2024

Calendar Highlights - March

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.

Women’s History Month

Women's History Month is an annual observance to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and currently. Celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women's Day on March 8.

In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women's History Project, Congress passed a bill designating the month of March 1987 as Women's History Month. Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women's History Month.

Today, the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history through a Women’s History Month website.

Learn more about Women’s History Month on the following sites:

American Women: A guide to Women's History Resources at the Library of Congress A major new online research guide highlights hundreds of sources that tell the stories of women through a wide variety of perspectives and media in the Library of Congress collections.

Celebrate Women’s History at The Henry Ford

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is observed in March in the U.S. NationalToday.com shares, “The campaign seeks to raise awareness about including people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life. It also creates awareness of the difficulties that people with disabilities still face in fitting into the communities in which they live.”

Here are resources to learn more about National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, as well as resources to learn more about disabilities and equity.

• Visit the NationalToday website to learn more.
• ASD 365: Inclusion & Equity Every Day
• The Arc Michigan - The mission of The Arc Michigan is to ensure that people with Developmental Disabilities are valued in order that they and their families can participate fully in, and contribute to, their community.

Ramadan

Ramadan, in Islam, is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. Because the Muslim calendar year is shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, Ramadan begins 10–12 days earlier each year, allowing it to fall in every season throughout a 33-year cycle.

Islamic tradition states that it was during Ramadan, on the “Night of Power” (Laylat al-Qadr)—commemorated on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, usually the 27th night—that God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad the Qurʾān, Islam’s holy book, “as a guidance for the people.” For Muslims, Ramadan is a period of introspection, communal prayer (ṣalāt) in the mosque, and reading of the Qurʾān.

Source: Britannica

Here’s a helpful resource to learn more about the facts and traditions of Ramadan:

• Visit the Britannica article about Ramadan to learn more

International Women’s Day - March 8

Wednesday, March 8 is International Women’s Day. International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. Learn more about International Women’s Day on their website.

St. Patrick’s Day - March 17

St. Patrick's Day was originally celebrated in Ireland with religious services and feasts in honor of St. Patrick, one of Ireland's patron saints. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, St. Patrick was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped, but returned about 432 CE to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools. Many legends grew up around him—for example, that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Ireland came to celebrate his day with religious services and feasts. Source: Britannica

Today's Saint Patrick's Day celebrations have been greatly influenced by Irish people who live outside of Ireland, especially in North America. Until the late 20th century, Saint Patrick's Day was often a bigger celebration among those that had left Ireland, than it was in Ireland. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, Irish traditional music sessions, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks.

Here’s a helpful resource to learn more about the history and celebrations of St.Patrick’s Day

• Visit the Britannica article about St. Patrick's Day to learn more

Oakland County Health Division Spring Travel Alert

Please see the following message from Oakland County Health Division regarding Spring Break travel.

Oakland County Health Division advises residents to get vaccinated against measles before traveling. In late February, Oakland County had its first confirmed measles case since 2019. This case was travel-related. As of March 7, a total of 45 measles cases have been confirmed in 16 states across the United States, including cases in Washtenaw and Wayne counties.

“Get vaccinated for measles if you are not. Vaccination is particularly important before traveling, as there are outbreaks happening right now internationally and within the United States,” said Dr. Russell Faust, Medical Director for Oakland County Health Division. “Receiving both doses of the vaccine is most effective, but if you only have time to get one dose before your trip, that still provides helpful protection.”

Measles cases are usually linked to international travel and then spread to people in the United States. Anyone who is unvaccinated against measles is at risk of getting infected and spreading it to others. One dose of the vaccine provides 93% protection, while two doses provide 97% protection against measles. It’s best to have the vaccine series completed two weeks before travel. The vaccine is also effective if used within 72 hours of measles exposure to prevent illness.

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:

• High fever (may spike to over 104˚F)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) 2-3 days after symptoms begin
• A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms, and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin

Individuals who may have been exposed to measles are advised to watch for symptoms for 21 days after exposure. If symptoms develop, call your health care provider for guidance, and always call ahead before arriving at a provider’s office, urgent care, or hospital. Stay home as much as possible and away from others. If you leave the house, wear an N-95 mask.

The MMR vaccine is available through some health care providers, Oakland County Health Division clinics in Southfield, 27725 Greenfield Road and Pontiac, 1200 North Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, and many pharmacies. Pregnant people should not get the vaccine.

Health Division clinics hours are:

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

No one will be denied access due to inability to pay. There is a discounted/sliding fee schedule available for those who are under or uninsured. The Health Division accepts health insurance, as well as Medicaid, Medicare, Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, cash, and credit. VFC offers vaccines at no cost for eligible children. The MMR vaccine is a two-dose series and costs $76 per dose. There is a $7 fee per vaccination, per client. There are additional fees for credit card payments.

More information about measles can be found on the Health Division’s website at oakgov.com/health or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com. Nurse on Call is available 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and X (formally known as Twitter).

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:

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.