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Berkley Beat

May 29, 2026

What's Inside:

  • Rogers Elementary ‘Remembers One’ During Their Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade
  • Pattengill Families Celebrate 100 Years at Annual Ice Cream Social
  • Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: May 2026
  • Angell Students Showcase Their Talent
  • Burton Students Build Pollination Water Station
  • Building Blocks Students Enjoy Ice Cream Social
  • BHS Film Studies Class Hosts End-of-Year Awards Ceremony
  • Rogers Student Wins Local Poetry Contest
  • District Community Survey: Share Your Thoughts on Culture & Equity Progress
  • BHS Bake Shoppe Classes Compete in Cupcake Wars
  • Berkley Schools Adopts New Middle School ELA Curriculum for 2026-27 School Year
  • BHS Seniors Visit Rogers to Share Personal Finance Lessons
  • BHS Choir Performs with Special Guest
  • Oakland County Superintendents Share Information About Regional Enhancement Millage Proposal
  • Summer Drama Camp Registration is Open
  • Michigan Child Protection Registry
  • Summer Program Registration Open for High School Students
  • City of Huntington Woods Invites Students to Participate in Juneteenth Contest
  • Ask Me Anything - Superintendent Francis Edition
  • Calendar Highlights: May
  • Website: Subscribe to our Calendars
  • Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring!

Rogers Elementary ‘Remembers One’ During Their Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade

On Friday, May 22, Rogers students and staff honored fallen soldiers at its annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. The event began with a parade around the school block, led by Berkley Public Safety.  “Remember One,” the theme of the day, connected throughout the morning. The students, wearing red, white and blue, wore a ‘dog tag’ of a fallen soldier around their neck. Teachers shared with students that Memorial Day is not just a day for a parade and barbecue, it is a day to take the time to remember at least one soldier’s name who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. During the ceremony, students performed songs and showcased the number of fallen soldiers as a reminder of the lives lost and the importance of remembering them on this day. In addition, students honored Sgt. Nathaniel Ballor a US Army soldier who passed away while in service. Sgt. Ballor’s mother was a guest of honor at the Rogers Memorial Day event, and she shared, “Fallen soldiers are still with us in our hearts and their sacrifice for our country did not go without consideration.” Mrs. Ballor shared her son’s story with the students and families and was deeply touched by the event. The student body pledged to never forget the person on their dog tags and honor them on Memorial Day. BHS student and former Rogers student Tommy Shelp ended the ceremony with a rendition of Taps on the trumpet.

Pattengill Families Celebrate 100 Years at Annual Ice Cream Social

On May 27, 2026, Pattengill held its annual Ice Cream Social featuring a variety of activities and treats. This year also included a special activity, dedicating a historical marker plaque honoring Pattengill’s centennial birthday. Students enjoyed all the ice cream social activities like carnival games, face painting, an inflatable obstacle course and ice cream. The PTA also had baskets to raffle off, a highlight of the evening.   When it was time to celebrate Pattengill’s 100 years, Superintendent Scott Francis addressed the crowd, sharing fun historical facts and acknowledging Pattengill’s tight community that is 100 years strong. Next, Don Callihan from the Berkley Historical Committee, presented the unveiling of the historical marker plaque. This plaque was a gift from the Berkley Historical Committee and now resides outside of the original main entrance. Mr. Callihan also attended Pattengill as a student, and shared a brief summary of Pattengill’s history, beginning in 1925. Principal Shamika Womble thanked the Pattengill community and encouraged the ice cream social guests to review the historical photos on the front lawn and visit more artifacts in the new multi-purpose room. The event was a fun celebration of another great school year for the entire Pattengill community. Fun Facts About Pattengill’s History, by Don Callihan

  • The third and fourth schools in the district were Pattengill School, formally dedicated on February 3, 1926, and Burton School, in Huntington Woods, dedicated the week of February 14, 1926.
  • Pattengill and Burton were designed by the architectural firm of Lane, Davenport, and Peterson. 
  • Pattengill School was designed to be expanded. The January 8, 1925, edition of the Hazel Park Tribune read, “Only 6 rooms of the plan will be put up at this time. The cost of this portion will be about $53,000.” 
  • The Pattengill cornerstone was laid on May 24, 1925, and was cemented in place after numerous articles had been placed inside.  
  • Pattengill School was named after Michigan’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Henry Romaine Pattengill, 1893 - 1897, who championed free textbooks, compulsory attendance, and teacher certification.

Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: May 2026

With the passing of the August 2023 Bond, and the 2018 Sinking Fund, Berkley Schools teams are busy planning for upcoming construction projects and monitoring current construction projects. Because both Bond and Sinking Fund projects are ongoing, these monthly updates will include details on both. The May update includes construction updates on Angell, Pattengill, Rogers, Burton Field, Berkley High School’s Performing Arts Center, Black Box Theatre, The BEAR Complex project, BHS West Gym, Pool, Norup and Anderson Team Rooms and Tyler Park. Many projects are making outstanding progress. Be sure to read through the whole update and see the photos of the work!    These monthly Bond & Sinking Fund updates will be maintained on the District’s website. See below for updates on the projects that are taking place in 2026.

Bond & Sinking Fund Projects - Phase I & II Timeline

The following is an estimated timeline. These dates may change due to the nature of construction including weather delays, supply chain delays, etc. 

  • Complete: BHS Pool Construction, Phase I
  • Complete: BHS Science Wing Construction
  • Complete: Burton Multi-Purpose Addition and Gym
  • Complete: Robotics Spaces at The Den
  • Complete: Pattengill Multi-Purpose Addition and Gym
  • Complete: Burton Field Renovation - Open to the public end of May
  • Underway: BHS Performing Arts Center (Auditorium, Black Box Theatre, Instrument Commons)
  • Underway: The BEAR Complex
  • Underway: BHS Pool Construction, Phase II
  • Underway: The Den Construction for Adult Transition
  • Underway: Angell & Rogers Multi-Purpose Additions and Sitework
  • Underway: Tyler Park Project
  • Underway: BHS West Gym
  • Underway: Anderson and Norup Team Rooms
  • Underway & Summer 2026: Anderson, Norup & BBB Gyms, Locker Rooms at Anderson and Norup, AMS Foods Classroom, Hurley Field Phase II, AMS Parking Lot Expansion, BHS Courtyard Construction

Project Updates

Black Box Theatre/Choir Room - Bond

The Black Box Theatre/Choir Room is being added to complete the Performing Arts Wing. The space will be used during the day for choir classes and after school for performances and rehearsals, to complement the auditorium. Construction Update:

  • Outside, the crews are working to complete the entrance overhang.
  • Sound baffling is installed.
  • Ceiling grid installation is complete.
  • The curtains and curtain tracks will be installed next.
  • The instrument commons lockers are nearing completion.

Performing Arts Center - Bond

Construction Update:

  • Electrical work continues.
  • The dressing room remodel work is complete.
  • The wood paneling around the stage is complete.
  • The sound baffling in the auditorium lobby is complete.
  • The stage floor painting is complete.
  • The new sound booth work continues.
  • Work continues for the stage rigging system to prepare it for the new digital wall that will be installed as part of the upgrades.
  • New auditorium drapes are in and will be installed once all the work is complete.
  • The auditorium seats have been installed.
  • Carpet installation is nearly complete.
  • Finish work is in progress in the new lobby.

BHS BEAR Complex - Bond

The BEAR Complex (The Berkley Education, Athletics and Recreation Complex) a 60-yard indoor field house that includes a new weight room, team room and trainer room, an outdoor 120-yard turf performance field with lights, parking lot expansion and new configuration and a grass field north of the turf field.   Construction Update:

  • Roof installation is nearly complete.
  • Outside wall panel installation is complete on both the north and south sides. Wall panels are being installed on the east and west ends, including the translucent panels.
  • Crews are preparing the foundations for the concrete columns along the perimeter to attach to the new fence.
  • Site electrical work has begun to prepare for the outdoor field.
  • Inside the field house, glazing has begun around the window areas, window installation has begun, flooring is being prepped for turf and track installation, insulation and wall block filler is being installed in the ceiling and the fire suppression system is being installed.
  • The outside field is being prepped for turf installation.

The Den - ATP and Robotics - Sinking Fund

The Den will house the Adult Transition Program (ATP) and Robotics programs.  Construction Update:

  • The Den is busy with construction.
  • The roofers have installed about 75% of the new roof.
  • The new retaining walls are complete on both the north and south side of the building and waterproofing continues.
  • The elevator shaft was reworked and the new equipment is being installed.
  • Drywall is being installed in the new ATP space.
  • New ductwork is being installed.

BHS Pool: Phase II

The BHS Pool has entered Phase II of the planned updates. This work is mostly on the mechanical side. The pool filtration system is being replaced, a UV filtering system is being added, the tile inside of the pool itself is being repaired, sandblasted and regrouted, and additional work will take place in the mechanical room. Construction Update:

  • Work continues in the mechanical room in July.
  • The tile repair and patching in the pool is complete.

Angell Multi-Purpose Addition - Bond

Angell’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition will be attached to the building at the south side, facing the playground. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration. Angell’s gym is also receiving a makeover, replacing the floor, backboards, padding as well as painting the ceiling. In addition, during the summer months, the old kitchen area will be renovated along with the attached offices. Construction Update:

  • The masons are working on the finish brick being installed over the cinder block.
  • Steel installation continues to frame the roof in the high bay area. Roofing panels are being installed over the steel structure.
  • The vapor barrier was installed on all outside walls.
  • The addition floor slab is being poured.
  • Plumbing roughins are being installed.
  • The Angell parking lot will be redone the week of June 15.
  • Angell’s addition has a target date of opening in Fall 2026.

Rogers Multi-Purpose Addition - Bond

Rogers’ new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition will be attached to the building in the courtyard on the west side of the building, facing the playground. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration. Rogers’ gym is also receiving a makeover, replacing the floor, backboards, padding as well as painting the ceiling. In addition, the remaining courtyard area will receive an update. Construction Update:

  • Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work continues and HVAC work has begun.
  • Windows and doors are being installed.
  • The outside pathways are being leveled.
  • Drywall will be installed next.
  • Rogers’ addition has a target date of opening in early Fall 2026.

Norup, AMS, BHS, BBB & Hurley Field - Spring/Summer 2026

The Norup, AMS, BHS, BBB and Hurley Field project includes updating the school gym floors, paint and equipment at AMS, Norup and BHS as well as renovating the locker rooms and team rooms at Norup and AMS. Hurley Field work includes updating team rooms, restrooms, field lighting, replacing the visitor bleachers, adjusting flow and fence lines, a new scoreboard and expanding the parking lot to improve available spaces as well as traffic flow. In addition, the work includes replacing the gym floor at Berkley Building Blocks, and upgrading the BHS West Gym with air conditioning, lighting and new paint and a renovation of the kitchen space in the AMS Foods Room. The BHS Pool will undergo mechanical work, too.

BHS West Gym

  • The West Gym floor is covered and demolition of ceiling items is complete. 
  • Steel reinforcing for the roof is complete to support additional weight from the air conditioning unit.
  • Electrical work is taking place to set new light fixtures.

Norup & AMS Team Rooms and Locker Rooms

  • The team rooms at Nourp and AMS have been demolished.
  • At Norup, walls have been installed to separate the team room from the boys locker room.
  • Locker room renovations will begin after school ends.

Norup Gym

  • Electrical work is taking place in the Norup gym after school hours. Electricians are placing conduit and conducting wire condition checks in preparation for the new gym lights that will be installed this summer.

BBB Gym

  • The BBB gym floor will be replaced in July.

Hurley Field: Phase II

  • The visitor bleachers were removed and the new concrete pad to hold the new bleachers has been poured.
  • The old field lights will be removed in June.
  • Construction has begun on the underground detention system in the grassy field next to the AMS parking lot.
  • Renovations will begin in early June on the home team room and the restrooms located under the bleachers.
  • Full Hurley construction will begin once school is out to install new lights and scoreboard, move fencing and create better flow in the stadium.
  • Hurley Field and track will be closed to the public starting on June 1 for construction. BHS teams may use the field during this time, following a controlled schedule, but the gates will not be open for public use.

AMS Foods Room

  • The kitchen areas were removed and the floor demoed. 
  • Crews are working on preparing the space for the new kitchen equipment, including new vent hoods.

Roofing Projects - Sinking Fund

The District hired a roofing contractor to evaluate all roofs across the District and created a timeline to repair the most urgent needs first. 

  • Summer roofing work will take place at Norup and the Administrative Offices.

BHS Courtyard Construction

During the current construction, it was discovered that the tunnel running underneath the BHS Courtyard needed attention. After inspections, the decision was made to fill in the tunnel and relocate the utilities that are contained within. This work will take place once school is out in June and is expected to be completed before school begins again in August.

Burton Field - Bond

The District project to improve Burton’s field with its professional partners is nearly complete. The work includes fixing the ponding, replacing the dirt infields with grass infields and preparing the site to have a multi-purpose use as well as include two diamonds to host t-ball games. Construction Update:

  • The construction fencing was removed and students now have access to most of the field.
  • Some areas of the grass need more attention to grow evenly. The contractor will fill these areas, reseed and add snow fencing around the area to keep students off to let the grass grow.

Tyler Park - Sinking Fund

Plans are complete for Tyler Park with City of Oak Park officials. On the District side, a new Varsity softball field will be built with lights, permanent fence, dugouts, stands, scoreboard, bullpens and batting cages. The District property will also have a practice softball/baseball field for middle school students. On the City of Oak Park side, a multipurpose field will be updated to improve the drainage issues. A walking path will also be added to both properties to allow for a full path connecting the parking lots to the fields and for the community to enjoy. On the District side of the property a small restroom facility will be built as well. Construction Update:

  • The underground utilities continue to be installed.
  • The foundations are starting to be poured for the dugouts and stands.
  • Light poles are installed.
  • Crews are grading the site for the dugouts and for the fields.
  • Masonry walls will be installed next for the dugouts.

District Facilities Assessment

The District Facilities Assessment is nearly complete. Integrated Design Solutions is finalizing the report and will present it to the District administrative team in June. The assessment will serve as a roadmap to the next projects and what to prioritize for the Bond savings and Sinking Fund dollars. The team will focus on maximizing the remaining budget to have the highest impact on system efficiencies and student and staff experiences.

Furniture and Fixture Upgrades

  • All the final furniture orders have been placed and will be installed in August.

Technology

  • Additional call switch installations are 90% complete.
  • AMS, Angell, Burton, Norup, Pattengill and The Dens’s PA upgrades are complete. Rogers and BBB are in the pre-test phase.
  • The tech teams are coordinating installation of systems at both the Performing Arts Center and The BEAR Complex.

Angell Students Showcase Their Talent

On Friday, May 22, Angell students showcased their skills at their annual Talent Show, Angell Idol. Students performed dances, songs, played instruments, and much more. Congratulations, students on being so brave and performing your talents for the Angell community.

Burton Students Build Pollination Water Station

Burton third graders celebrated World Bee Day on May 20, with a hands-on extension activity by creating a pollination water station for the Burton Monarch Waystation. As part of their reading and writing research unit on bees, students explored the important role pollinators play in supporting our ecosystem and wildlife.  Through this meaningful project, students applied their learning by designing a safe water source to help bees, butterflies and other pollinators thrive in the school habitat. Teacher Theresa Murphy shared, “This activity encouraged environmental stewardship while deepening students’ understanding of the connection between pollinators, plants, and healthy ecosystems.

Building Blocks Students Enjoy Ice Cream Social

On Thursday, May 21, Berkley Building Blocks students enjoyed their annual Ice Cream Social. At the event students had fun with a dance party, drew with sidewalk chalk and played on the playground. Building Blocks teachers handed out ice cream to families as they enjoyed a warm spring evening.

BHS Film Studies Class Hosts End-of-Year Awards Ceremony

On May 18, the Film Studies class at Berkley High School held their end-of-year awards ceremony. Teacher John Duffy shared that over the past several weeks, students created original short films and applied what they've learned about genre, cinematography, editing, lighting and sound to their projects. The short film projects are a highlight for the students because they make a meaningful shift from analyzing films to producing works of their own. To celebrate all of the hard work, a lighthearted faux-Oscars-style ceremony was created where students voted on categories such as Best Picture, Best Editing, and more, and winners received trophies. This event wrapped the course up on a high note, giving everyone who participated a chance to celebrate their creativity and growth.

Rogers Student Wins Local Poetry Contest

Congratulations to Rogers 5th grader, Brielle Beniot, for being named the youth winner of the ‘If the River Could Sing’ poetry contest sponsored by InsideOut Detroit. Brielle is a member of the Rogers Poetry Club, sponsored by the Berkley Education Foundation. On Saturday, May 16, Brielle had the opportunity to recite her poem, River Poem, at the Spring Into Wilson event at Ralph Wilson Park in Detroit. Brielle wrote her winning poem at school during a special Rogers Poetry Club workshop with local poet Jacqueline Suskin. At the event, Signal Return made prints of her poem which were distributed to guests. Congratulations, Brielle!

District Community Survey: Share Your Thoughts on Culture & Equity Progress

In 2022, the Board of Education approved a new Strategic Plan, the guiding document for our work as a District. As part of that plan, we updated our Vision, Mission and Tagline, created a Portrait of a Learner and established new goals for the next five years. In order for us to know if we are being successful with our work, we will be seeking feedback and input through this annual survey. We hope all families, students and community members take the time to share their thoughts. The annual survey addresses components of the Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan includes five goal areas. Embedded throughout the goal areas are a focus on culture and equity. Those are the areas we're focusing our survey on today. Your feedback will help inform programs, learning and investment. Over the last four years, the community has shared their thoughts with us that are now available to the public. We have developed a dashboard to show the results of what our community has shared. You can review the dashboard to see what progress the District is making and where we need to grow. Here are a few key results:

  • 2,269 people took this survey in total over four years
  • 3.9/5 overall satisfaction with the Berkley Schools culture
  • 4.1/5 welcoming environment
  • 80.5% on average feel diversity, equity and inclusion are valued in the Berkley School District
  • 72.5% on average see evidence of Berkley Schools living into our Vision

Take the Survey

This survey should take no longer than 10-15 minutes and has both multiple choice and open response questions. Many of the questions may look familiar to you and that is purposeful. It allows the District to monitor progress on the related topics. You can take the survey online here. The survey will remain open until June 18, 2026.

BHS Bake Shoppe Classes Compete in Cupcake Wars

The BHS Bake Shoppe classes recently competed in Cupcake Wars and The Great Cake Bake competitions. For each of the battles, each team was required to create entries by finding a recipe, coming up with a theme and team name and then baking their cupcake or cake and decorating it the next day to present to a panel of judges made up primarily of BHS teachers and staff. Judges were required to rate teams on the cleverness of their team name, presentation and taste. Teacher Joe Fredal also rated kitchen cleanliness at the end of each cooking day and assigned a rating based on how difficult it was to make the product to round out the scoring.  The winning teams for the Cupcake Wars were:

  • 1st Hour: The Brookie Monster Mob with a Cookie Monster themed brookie (Asher Averbuch, Grant Gershonowicz, Jackson Gold, Brendan Mullane, Chris Newby)
  • 2nd Hour: The Berry Sweet Squad with a lemon raspberry cupcake (Nahla Hannah, Lou M’Backe, Nataurus McIntosh, Destiny Merian, Serena Warns)
  • 5th Hour: Pumpkin Spice Showdown with a pumpkin spice cupcake (Hudson Bayour, Morgan Bayour, Asher Dean, Noah Lambertsen)

The winning teams for the Great Cake Bake were:

  • 1st Hour: The Swamp Squad with a Shrek themed chocolate cake (Asher Averbuch, Grant Gershonowicz, Jackson Gold, Brendan Mullane, Chris Newby) tied with the Spidermaniacs with a Spiderman themed vanilla cake with strawberry filling and frosting (Parker Daguano, Case Golan, Quinn Golan, Aiden Young)
  • 2nd Hour: Bake It ‘Til You Make It with a white cake with strawberry filling and whipped cream frosting (Henry Daniel, Skyler Gibson, Alyssa Ostrand, Riah Powell, Makayla Rigoulot)
  • 5th Hour: The Glutenous Gamers with a Pacman themed Funfetti cake (Hudson Bayour, Morgan Bayour, Asher Dean, Noah Lambertsen)

The students enjoyed the fun competition and Mr. Fredal rewarded the winners with a pizza luncheon.

Berkley Schools Adopts New Middle School ELA Curriculum for 2026-27 School Year

Berkley’s Middle School Literacy Pilot Team reconvened on Thursday, April 9th to analyze pilot data, evidence and artifacts. The team consisted of seven 6-8th grade teachers from Norup and Anderson. In the meeting, pilot teachers analyzed the results of teacher surveys, family surveys, student surveys, assessment data and artifacts. Additionally, the team reviewed the resources using Berkley Schools’ internal rubric, vision statement and purpose statement. The team evaluated the two pilot programs and completed rubric scores for each component. Great Minds Arts and Letters scored higher than Amplify ELA in every rubric category and met the overall cut score and was adopted by the Board of Education in May. Arts and Letters will be the new ELA curricular resource for middle school starting with the 2026-27 school year.   Arts & Letters helps students build knowledge of the world and develop reading, writing, speaking, listening and language skills. Each day students will read and study award-winning literary and informational books, famous works of art, poetry, articles, videos and photographs. These texts will awaken their curiosity and expand their knowledge about important topics. Students will learn to understand and analyze these complex texts and to speak and write clearly, logically and effectively. Each day students will be engaged and challenged to learn.

BHS Seniors Visit Rogers to Share Personal Finance Lessons

On May 8, 2026, seniors in the BHS Personal Finance class created mini-lessons for Rogers Elementary students to demonstrate their understanding of a finance topic they learned this year. The project incorporated best practices in disciplinary literacy as well as equitable grading, such as student choice, sustained investigation based on student questions, and supported exploration as high school students created their lessons. Seniors were encouraged to create advanced lessons than have been offered in past years. Last year, for example, many groups presented on basic budgeting and saving versus spending. After the class reviewed the findings, it was determined that elementary students were capable of handling more complex concepts related to these topics. This year, students discussed specific budgeting methods, providing younger students with more detailed scenarios involving saving and spending including: investing, stocks, insurance and fraud/scams. Berkley High School Mathematics teacher Natalie Konwinski shared, “This is our 2nd year with this project and both groups really enjoyed it. In future years, we would like to expand options to do this more than once at the end of the year.

BHS Choir Performs with Special Guest

On May 13, the BHS Choirs performed their spring concert. After they performed their traditional pieces, the choirs took part in a special presentation with actor/producer/singer Jonathan Kirkland. Together, the students and Mr. Kirkland performed “Helpless,” “Right Hand Man,” and “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story,” from Hamilton. Mr. Kirkland, who played George Washington in Hamilton, is part of the Local Education Agency Partnership (LEAP) Grant team that earned an “In-Toon: Democracy Has Its Eyes On You” grant that is funded by the US Government. The purpose of the grant is to give opportunity for young people to engage in dialogue about history, civic duty, and democracy through the lens of Hamilton. Berkley High School is one of six Metro Detroit high schools to participate in this three-year grant, along with two schools in Los Angeles. In Fall 2025, BHS choir teacher Sarah Noble was approached by Mr. Kirkland to see if they wanted to be part of this grant. His niece is a current BHS student and Ms. Noble taught her while she was a student at Norup. This spring concert was the first collaboration of this grant. The LEAP organization described this grant as, “This project combines constitutional principles education with creative expression through digital storytelling, animation and musical theatre, bringing founding narrative and constitutional government concepts to life through scholarly inquiry and artistic innovation.” Photos are courtesy of the Berkley Choir Boosters.

Oakland County Superintendents Share Information About Regional Enhancement Millage Proposal

Superintendents from across Oakland County recently joined together in an informational video discussing the Regional Enhancement Millage proposal that will appear on the August 4, 2026 ballot. The video provides community members with background information about the proposal, how a Regional Enhancement Millage works in Michigan, and how additional funding could support local public school districts and eligible public school academies across Oakland County. If approved by voters, the proposal would levy 1.5 mills for six years to provide additional funding directly to local public school districts and eligible public school academies. Funding would be distributed on a per-student basis, estimated at approximately $781 per student annually. Importantly, all funds generated would go directly to local districts and eligible public school academies. Oakland Schools would not receive any of the funding. Potential uses of the funds could include:

  • Attracting and retaining high-quality staff
  • Supporting student academic, social-emotional, and mental health needs
  • Maintaining appropriate class sizes
  • Enhancing school safety and security
  • Sustaining and improving educational programming

Berkley Schools Impact

If approved on the August 4, 2026 ballot, the top priority for Berkley Schools would be to invest the additional funds in attracting new staff members and retaining our outstanding staff. If the Millage passes, the Board of Education has committed to use 90% of the funding for staffing, the same percentage of the District budget that accounts for staffing. Additional priorities include: maintaining small class sizes, supporting social and emotional well-being, closing special education funding gaps, and more.  Additional information regarding the millage, including a tax calculator and a FAQ page, can be found on the Oakland County Regional Enhancement Millage website.  If you have any questions regarding the Regional Enhancement Millage, please email communications@berkleyschools.org.

Summer Drama Camp Registration is Open

Summer Drama Camp, led by Berkley High School Drama Coordinator John Hopkins, consists of multiple classes in different dramatic and performance techniques. The focus of the camps will be on musical theater and acting. Cost is $175 per session or $150 per session if you book more than one session in one transaction. Drama Camp will be held at Berkley High School, 2325 Catalpa, Berkley, MI 48072. Session One: Musical Theatre

  • For students entering 6-8 grade
  • June 22-26, 2026
  • Mon-Fri, 10 am - 3 pm including a 45 minute “brown-bag” lunch

Session Two: Acting Camp

  • For middle and high school students entering grades 6-12
  • August 3-7, 2026 
  • Mon-Fri, 10 am - 3 pm including a 45 minute “brown-bag” lunch or off-campus lunch for high school students only

Session Three: Advanced Musical Theatre

  • For middle and high school students entering grades 6-12
  • August 10-14, 2026
  • Mon-Fri, 10 am - 3 pm including a 45 minute “brown-bag” lunch or off-campus lunch for high school students only

Questions? Contact District Drama Coordinator, John Hopkins at john.hopkins@berkleyschools.org For additional information and to register visit this link.

Michigan Child Protection Registry

The Michigan Child Protection Registry is a do-not-contact service that families can sign up for online. This is a free Registry offered through the State of Michigan that stops adult advertisements from reaching students through e-mail, text, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Discord, Twitch and TikTok. This Registry makes sure kids aren’t being served ads for alcohol, tobacco/vaping, online gambling, pornography or marijuana. Use the link above to register.

Summer Program Registration Open for High School Students

All details on summer program offerings can be found on the Berkley Schools Summer Programs webpage.

High School Program: Credit Recovery

The high school summer program will be focused on Credit Recovery Courses. Credit Recovery Courses should be selected in consultation with each student’s school counselor. Credit Recovery coursework will be delivered through the APEX online learning system, assisted, facilitated, and overseen by certified teachers. Students will complete the coursework in person. These courses are tailored to each student and are mastery-based, which means the length of time students must spend in Credit Recovery will vary and is dependent upon mastery of course objectives.

Program Details for Credit Recovery

  • June 29 - July 23, 2026
  • Classes will be held at Berkley High School
  • Monday - Thursday, 8:00 am - 10:15 am or 10:20 am - 12:30 pm
  • Fee: $100 per credit recovery class for students attending Berkley Schools. Any Berkley Schools student who is eligible for free/reduced meals will receive a reduced rate of $25/class.
  • Students must bring headphones, a notebook and writing utensils.
  • Additional details are available in the High School Summer Learning & Credit Recovery document

Registration

Follow these instructions on how to register via MISTAR ParentConnection

High School

City of Huntington Woods Invites Students to Participate in Juneteenth Contest

LOOK BACK TO LOOK FORWARD: Juneteenth Celebration Student Poetry Contest Juneteenth is a time for remembrance, reflection, and hope. As Huntington Woods celebrates 100 years as a city, it encourages the community to acknowledge our difficult past in order to move forward as a more inclusive and just community. Students have the opportunity to enter the City of Huntington Woods Juneteenth Poetry Contest, to share your voice on what Juneteenth means to you.    Submissions will be accepted until June 1. The 1st place winner will receive $150, and the 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive $100 and $50 respectively. All selected winners will have the opportunity to read their poem at the City of Huntington Woods Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, June 19, from 4-6 pm at the Gilham Recreation Center. All are welcome to attend! Questions about the contest or the Huntington Woods Juneteenth Celebration? Please contact the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee at hwantiracismadvisorycommittee@gmail.com

Ask Me Anything - Superintendent Francis Edition

Scott Francis is in the middle of his 5th school year as Superintendent. He's a dad, husband and District resident. This school year, the District is launching an Ask Me Anything series, Superintendent Francis Edition. What questions might you have for Superintendent Francis?  Submit your questions in this Google Form and he'll choose a few every couple of months to answer via video. Follow the District on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to see the answers, or see them in the Berkley Beat.

Calendar Highlights: May

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.

May is Jewish American Heritage Month

May is Jewish American Heritage Month. On April 20, 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month to honor the contributions and achievements of Jewish Americans and to educate all Americans. It’s been continued every year since then by Presidential Proclamation.  Jewish American Heritage Month is a celebration of the contributions and experiences of Jewish Americans and highlights how America’s Jewish communities have shaped, and been shaped, by the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the United States. Learn more about Jewish American Heritage Month:

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is a celebration of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States. A broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island). Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was first signed into law by President Carter on October 5, 1978.  During the next decade, presidents passed annual proclamations for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week until 1992 when Congress annually designated May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese person to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. Source: Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month website Resources to learn more about Asian/Pacific Heritage Month:

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a cornerstone of addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. Mental health refers to our emotional and social well-being and impacts how we think, feel and behave. It plays a role in connecting with others, making decisions, handling stress, and many other aspects of daily life. The Berkley School District has many resources available for families on our Emotional Support and Wellness Resources webpage. From emergency hotlines to community resources, to mindfulness, to grief and loss resources, our mental health professionals have built a comprehensive site for the community to use. Additional resources to learn more about Mental Health Awareness Month:

National School Principal's Day - May 1

We want to say a heartfelt thank you to our principals: Katie Fotiu, Matt Provost, Lauren Fragomeni, Shamika Womble, Katie Lewis, Paul Yowchuang, Mike Ross and Andy Meloche. We honor our fearless leaders for all they do for our students and staff.

Cinco De Mayo - May 5

Cinco de Mayo, which translates to the fifth of May and is celebrated on May 5, is a holiday recognizing when the Mexican army claimed victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War on May 5, 1862, according to History. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day (September 16), a popular misconception. Instead, it commemorates a single battle. Today, Cinco De Mayo celebrations are more popular in the United States than Mexico. Learn more on the National Geographic Kids website and Britannica website.

National Teacher Appreciation Day - May 5

National Teacher Appreciation Day is on the first Tuesday during the first full week in May as a reminder to show appreciation for teachers everywhere. The National Education Association describes National Teacher Day, "as a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives." In Berkley Schools, it allows the District to say thank you to all our outstanding teachers for all they do for their students.

National School Nurse Day - May 6

According to the National Association of School Nurses, National School Nurse Day has been taking place since 1972. National School Nurse Day was established to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting. National School Nurse Day is celebrated on the Wednesday within National Nurses Week, which is May 6-12 each year. This week we honor Nurse Rose, the Berkley Schools School Nurse!

Shavuot - May 21-23

Shavuot, a Jewish holiday, is one of the three traditional pilgrimage holidays that celebrates the wheat harvest and the gifting of the Torah. Shavuot is a day of rest and traditionally observed by studying the Torah all night and eating only dairy foods. Shavuot takes place seven weeks after the second day of Passover.

Memorial Day - May 25

Memorial Day is a Federal holiday, held on the last Monday in May to honor fallen U.S. soldiers. It is a day of remembrance to honor those who served the country and made the ultimate sacrifice. Memorial Day began as Decoration Day after the Civil War, when flowers were placed on graves of the fallen, with the first national celebration held at Arlington National Cemetery, May 30, 1868. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which moved several federal holidays, including Memorial Day, to designated Mondays—creating three-day weekends for federal workers. The change officially took effect in 1971, establishing the final Monday in May as Memorial Day.

Website: Subscribe to our Calendars

Did you know, families can subscribe to our calendars to sync to your mobile device? Follow these instructions to get this set up.

In addition, if you download the Berkley Schools App, you can choose to see the school calendars that matter most to you. To do this, follow these steps:

  • Click on Events at the bottom
  • Click in the inverted triangle at the top right
  • Uncheck the calendars you want to see
  • See an event you’d like on your calendar? Click on it, and then select the “Add to calendar” button.

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

  • Special Education Teacher - Students with Cognitive Impairments (K-5)
  • School Psychologist - BHS
  • Elementary Teacher (3rd Grade) - Angell 
  • Elementary Teacher (Kindergarten) - Angell 
  • Elementary Teacher (3rd Grade) - Pattengill 
  • Elementary Teacher (5th Grade) - Burton
  • Middle School English Language Arts Teacher (2 positions) - AMS
  • Elementary Orchestra Teacher (Part-Time 50%) - Multiple Buildings
  • Long Term Substitute Teacher (1st Grade) - Angell 
  • Elementary Instructional Secretary - Burton
  • Special Education Paraeducator (2 positions) - ATP
  • Permanent Substitute Custodian - District
  • Kids' Zone Lead Teacher - Norup
  • Lunch Aides - Angell, Burton, Norup, Pattengill
  • Berkley Middle School Robotics Coach
  • High School Varsity Wrestling Associate Head Coach
  • Middle School Volleyball Coach - Norup
  • Varsity Girls Golf Head Coach - BHS
  • Middle School Football Coach - Anderson 
  • 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach - Norup

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