What's Inside?
- BHS Hosts HBCU Night
- BEF Awards 15 Fall Innovation-Grants
- The BEF Open Raises over $11,000 for Berkley Schools Students
- Burton 4th Grade Write Letters, Sends Candy to Service Members
- Norup 3rd Graders Participate In “Operation Day”
- BHS Teachers Observe Colleagues, Grow in Their Practice
- BHS Educators Shadow Students for a Day
- New Berkley Schools Athletics Newsletter for Grades 6-12
- Caring & Sharing Kicks of Community Giving Season
- BHS Be Drama Presents: The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 - Next Week
- Calling All Real Estate Professionals - Learn More About Berkley Schools
- Calendar Highlights: Native American Heritage Month, Veterans Day, Diwali/Deepavali
- Camp Invention Registration Open
- Travel Opportunities for Spring Break 2024 & 2025: Rome, Spain & The South Pacific
- How to Subscribe to the District Calendar
- Join the Berkley Schools Family
- Sign Up for Text Messages
Berkley High School Hosts HBCU Night
On Wednesday, November 8th, the Berkley School District community was invited to attend the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) night hosted by Berkley High School and the Berkley African American Parent Network.
HBCU night included an open house with colleges, sororities, fraternities, and financial aid programs. Students and families were able to meet with representatives from these groups and learn more about what they offer. After the open house students were invited into two different breakout sessions in classrooms where peers shared their HBCU experiences. Parents, families and students were welcomed into the Library Media Center for two question-and-answer panels both consisting of graduates from different HBCUs as well as the parents of students who are currently enrolled at an HBCU. The panelists elaborated on their experiences and provided valuable insight that attendees could learn from.
HBCU Night is an annual event at Berkley High School coordinated by BHS Assistant Principal Evelyn Coleman and BHS College + Career Counselor Christina Belsky.
BEF Awards 15 Fall Innovation-Grants
Congratulations to the following Berkley Schools staff members for receiving a Fall 2023 Berkley Education Foundation Innovation-Grant. The BEF funds innovative project requests, special materials to enhance lessons and educational technology. Innovation-Grants are for more than basic classroom supplies. They are an opportunity for staff members to be creative, push the envelope and expand learning for students. The BEF has an annual $15,000 allocation to support Innovation-Grants.
Adult Transition
Jennifer Plater, Field Trip to Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Anderson Middle School
Heather Roesner, Build in Supports for our Classroom Routine
Angell Elementary School
- Julie McKeeman, Giving Bricks a Second Life
- Meghan Thomas, SumBlox for Sum Math Fun
- Lauren Wexler, Bringing Books to Life in 1st Grade
- Kellie Zimcosky, Making Math Concrete with SumBlox
Berkley Building Blocks
Lea Austin, Support for Social/Emotional/Behavioral Needs
Berkley High School
- Joe Fredal, Kitchen Equipment
- Sarah Noble, Piano Unit Grant
- Mary Martinuzzi, Sensory Supplies
- Kim Sclafani, Microenterprise for ASD Students
Burton Elementary School
- Lauren Rentrop, Classroom Cookbook Project - Part 2
- Madison Stinebaugh & Emily Sroka, Blue Jay Coffee Cart
Norup International School
Prima Dailey, “The Dailey Dose” Podcast - Innovative Podcasting Equipment
Rogers Elementary School
Carli Jones, Rogers Coffee Cart
If you’d like to donate to the BEF to support the Grant program, you can do so online.
The BEF Open Raises Over $11,000 for Berkley Schools Students
On Friday, November 3, the Berkley Education Foundation held its first annual golf tournament, The BEF Open. This X-Golf tournament included 10 teams competing for the big prize, food, sponsors, golf games and spectators enjoying the event. In total, The BEF Open raised $11,215. The BEF funds four large giving initiatives: Teacher Innovation-Grants, FREE student enrichment programs and clubs, 8th grade college tours and student scholarships for the Maxfield Science Symposium. All funds raised made these giving initiatives possible.
Congratulations to the team Dude, Where’s My Par for taking home the prize pack - a round of golf at the Dearborn Country Club, hats, medals and a golf game!
Congratulations to the individual Golf Game winners, too!
- Closest to the Pin: Doug Roberts
- Putting Challenge: Marybeth Schlau (who sank the 40’ putt)
- Longest Drive: Chris Marshall
Each Golf Game winner took home a $100 X-Golf gift certificate and bonus prizes like an indoor putting mat, a driver fitting from Club Champion and a driving range gift certificate to Carl’s Golfland.
The BEF would also like to thank their sponsors for making this event successful.
Event Sponsor: EDSI
Hot Dog Sponsor: Stifel
Team Sponsors: McCarthy & Smith, Inc. & Phoenix Performance Partners
Prize Donors: Carl’s Golfland, Club Champion, Kevin Schnieders, Royal Oak Golf Center, X-Golf Royal Oak
Burton 4th Grade Writes Letters and Sends Candy to Service Members
On October 31, Burton 4th graders enjoyed their Halloween activities: the costume parade and fun games and activities at their class party! The 4th grade teachers also added in an activity that was about giving back. Students wrote letters to US Service Members as part of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Treat for Troops program. They wrote letters wishing the Service Members well, and thanking them for their service. This is an annual tradition for the Burton 4th graders. For a sweet addition, students also brought in their unwanted and leftover Halloween candy to send to the troops along with their letters.
Norup 3rd Graders Participate in “Operation Day”
Norup third graders participated in an “Operation Day” to practice reading and math skills they have been learning. For reading, students dissected “organs” to find nonfiction text features and match them with nonfiction “body parts.” The students loved getting their hands dirty and feeling like an actual doctor.
For math, students pulled numbers out of a “heart” to create equations and applied the order of operations to solve the equations. Students used their answers to help them diagnose their patients.
BHS Teachers Observe Colleagues, Grow in Their Practice
On November 2, 2023, BHS teachers, Lynn Lotter, Pamela Parkinson, Saundra Rathburn, Susie Sims, Brittney Vaughn and Beth Whitehorn spent a full day observing each other teaching and debriefing each classroom visit. This group came together because they all attended the Reading Apprenticeship 3-day Institute and have been implementing various aspects of the Reading Apprenticeship framework. This framework centers metacognitive conversation, nurturing a safe and collaborative classroom environment and supporting cognitive reading, thinking and communicating routines with a range of texts. Secondary Instructional Coach Angie Church, shared “this complex work is best supported when teachers can learn and grow together.”
For this day of learning, each teacher selected a framing question for the observing teachers to focus on. The reflection following each classroom visit was grounded in both the framing questions and the Reading Apprenticeship framework. The teachers spent time at Berkley High School and CASA.
Ms. Church shared, “This was one of the most powerful days of learning that I have been a part of because it was authentic job-embedded professional learning. We were learning from teachers in their classrooms, could ask questions and clarify teaching moves, while also reflecting on our own practices and considering what adjustments we might make for our students.”
Social studies teacher Brittney Vaughn shared, “Time to talk and debrief with fellow educators is valuable for observer and teacher! We often have a block to see our own strengths, especially when it has become routine. Additionally, having more eyes and ears on student engagement can give insight that one person alone in a classroom cannot see.”
Alternative Education teacher Pamela Parkinson said, “I really got the importance of letting students struggle with a text, letting them get comfortable with discomfort. I am also taking back to my classroom ideas for more explicit instruction and scaffolds for interacting with each other and with text. This learning was invaluable!”
BHS Educators Shadow Students for a Day
On October 30, 2023, four BHS educators shadowed students at Berkley High School. Each of the educators selected one student to follow throughout their day. “The intention of this learning experience,” shared Secondary Instructional Coach Angie Church, “was to gain more insight into a day in the life” of a student as well as develop greater empathy for our students. The educators who participated gained valuable insight and the students who were involved were excited to share a little slice of their lives.”
BHS educators who participated were Social Studies teacher Megan Blackwell, Orchestra Director Ben Moy, Counselor Lauren Sloan and Science teacher Saundra Rathburn. The students they shadowed were: Jessie Burns, Keaton Akers, Sarah Schneider and Quinn Loree.
BHS Social Studies teacher, Megan Blackwell said, “It was eye opening to spend a day in the life of one of our students and debriefing the experience with others was insightful and thought provoking. It also allowed us to witness several of the great learning opportunities we provide here at BHS!"
One of the students who participated said, “I really appreciate that the school is doing this because I feel like it helps teachers actually gain real empathy for what we go through on a regular basis.”
Another group of BHS educators will have an opportunity to shadow students this winter.
New Berkley Schools Athletics Newsletter for Grades 6-12
Middle and high school families - did you see the new Berkley Athletics Newsletter last week?
Check out the newsletter for Fall season recaps, upcoming try out information and important information to know if your child is involved in athletics.
Caring & Sharing Kicks Off the Giving Season
Caring & Sharing is a Berkley Area PTSA Council annual event that provides holiday gift cards to families in the Berkley School District and local Veterans. Historically, this event has been a partnership inside our schools through non-perishable food drives and PTAs purchased turkeys, extra food & fresh produce to distribute holiday baskets.
Since 2020, the PTSA Council has collected funds through online fundraising, hoping to raise as much money as possible to give families generous gift cards to purchase groceries to meet their needs.
In 2022, Caring & Sharing raised $19,580, fed 85 families, and gave $1,000 to the American Legion. In addition to monetary donations through Memberhub, substantial donations were also received as part of the Berkley Cares Days at each school.
If you know of a family in need, or your family is in need this holiday season, please complete the CARING & SHARING REFERRAL FORM - DUE 12/1/23. All referral information will be used confidentially to provide families in need with a gift card this holiday season.
Anyone can make a Donation online. If you would prefer to donate via check, please make a check payable to Berkley Area PTSA Council and mail to 14501 Talbot St., Oak Park, MI 48237 no later than 12/1/23. Attn: Berkley Council PTSA - Caring & Sharing.
Any questions? Contact this year’s Caring & Sharing Chair Abby Watteny
Berkley High School Be Drama Presents: The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
Berkley High School’s Be Drama presents its fall play, “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” by John Bishop to the community on November 16, 17 and 18 at 7 pm. The play will be performed on the Berkley High School Auditorium stage.
“The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” is, according to Stage Agent, a delightful slapstick for audiences of all ages. The play includes blizzard conditions, secret passageways, and some musical snippets to create an Agatha-Christie-meets-Clue formula of whodunnit parody.
Location: Berkley High School Auditorium, 2325 Catalpa, Berkley, MI 48072
Tickets are on sale and available for purchase on the Be Drama website:
- Adults: $15
- Students: $10
- Staff: $10
- Seniors: $10
Cast Members
- Charley Burns (Helsa Wenzel)
- Stella Krzysiak (Elsa Von Grossenkneuten)
- Owen Chudler (Michael Kelly)
- Nathan Raimi (Patrick O’Reilly)
- Jacob Gonzales (Ken De La Maize)
- Jordan Rowan (Nikki Crandall)
- Montgomery Smith (Eddie McCuen)
- Aria Gassman (Marjorie Baverstock)
- Sebastian Hames (Roger Hopewell)
- Heiress Brame (Bernice Roth)
Calling all Real Estate Professionals! Learn More About Berkley Schools
Berkley Schools is hosting the Berkley Chamber of Commerce Chamber Chat on Friday, November 17th, 9-10:30 am. Stop by to get to know your local school district.
- Friday, November 17, 2023
- 9-10:30 am
- Administrative Offices
- 14501 Talbot, Oak Park MI 48237
Networking Opportunity
- Learn about the Berkley School District.
- Meet with business owners in the Berkley community.
- Gather information and materials to share with clients/patrons.
- Enjoy a light breakfast and a short presentation by Berkley administrators.
Calendar Highlights: Native American Heritage Month
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.
November is nationally recognized as Native American Heritage Month. The month-long celebration highlights the culture, achievements and contributions of Native Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
Share in the learning about Native American Heritage Month with your family by visiting these resources:
- Bring a Bit of Native America to Your Table!
- National Museum of the American Indian: Hands-on Activities
- Living Nations, Living Words: An Interactive Story Map
- U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Affairs: A History of National Native American Heritage Month
Veterans Day - November 11
Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
US Department of Veteran Affairs shared the following on the history of Veterans Day:
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Diwali/Deepavali - November 12
Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. Diwali is a “festival of lights” that celebrates the triumph of light over dark, good over evil, and the blessings of victory, freedom, and enlightenment. The name comes from Sanksrit dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” On the night of Diwali, celebrants light dozens of candles and clay lamps (called diyas), placing them throughout their homes and in the streets to light up the dark night.
In most of India, Diwali consists of a five-day celebration that peaks on the third day with the main celebration of Diwali.
Followers of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths primarily celebrate Diwali. However, the holiday is celebrated throughout India, Singapore, and several other South Asian countries as a national holiday, meaning that people outside these religions may participate in Diwali celebrations, too. Source: Almanac.com
Learn more:
National Geographic Kids: Diwali, Festival of Lights
Camp Invention Registration Open Now
What is Camp Invention?
A STEM summer camp where kids build creative inventions. Led by certified local educators, Camp Invention offers new and exciting hands-on activities every year for kids entering grades K-6.
2024 Program: Illuminate
This year’s brand-new program will illuminate imaginations, inspire curiosity and help kids build essential STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills through collaboration and problem solving. Campers explore hands-on challenges and open-ended adventures designed to unlock creativity and help them shine their brightest!
SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAY
- Register at INVENT.ORG/CAMP or 800-968-4332
- Grades: K - 6th
- Location: Burton Elementary School
- 26315 Scotia Road, Huntington Woods, MI 48070
- Date: June 24 - 28, 2024
- Time & Cost: 9 am - 3:30 pm | $270 (before discount)
- Camp Director: Kimberly Ternus | kimberly.ternus@berkleyschools.org | (248) 837-8655
Travel Opportunities for 2024 & 2025
Travel to Rome & Pompeii, Spring Break 2024!
Norup Middle School is collaborating with EF Tours on a guided tour of Rome and Pompeii! Italy is a feast for the senses. Whether you’re sampling mozzarella on a farm in Naples or becoming a gladiator for a day in Rome, you’ll experience the culture and traditions of this Mediterranean country through hands-on activities. Spots are still available! This trip is open to all Berkley students, ages 11-15, and their families. Click here to view the slideshow or contact Liz Reynolds elizabeth.reynolds@berkleyschools.org for more information.
Travel to Spain in Spring 2024
BHS Teachers Tracy Burroughs and Saundra Rathburn are collaborating with EF Tours on a tour to Spain during Spring Break 2024. The group will visit Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Costa del Sol, Seville, Córdoba, Puerto Lápice, and Madrid. This trip is open to incoming 9-12th grade students at Berkley High School. Visit this Spain trip website to learn more.
If you have any questions, contact Saundra Rathburn at saundra.rathburn@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
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:
- Elementary K-5 Vocal Music Teacher - Angell
- School Psychologist - AMS & Pattengill
- Long Term Substitute Counselor - BHS
- Special Education Paraeducator(s) - Various Locations
- Assistant Teacher(s) - 6 Open Positions - Berkley Building Blocks
- Kids' Zone Assistant Teacher(s) - Various Locations
- Lunch Aides - Pattengill
- High School Varsity Football Head Coach
- 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 Softball Coach
- Middle School Wrestling Head Coach
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.