Updates on Snow Days, Case Reporting & Off to the Races

Good morning, Berkley Schools Community,

First, I would like to congratulate our elementary staff and students for transitioning to their first week of being roomies and zoomies with grace and positivity. I have heard nothing but great things, and I applaud everyone for being flexible and patient while we adjust to our new normal. I look forward to hearing the same stories as our middle and high school students transition as well.

Below is a brief update about COVID-19 case reporting, snow days, and supporting the Berkley Education Foundation’s Off to the Races event.

COVID-19 Case Reporting

With students returning to our buildings, I wanted to share how we will notify you if we have any cases of COVID-19 occur at our schools. Per our Return to School Roadmap, families will be notified of any confirmed probable or positive cases in the classroom and/or school, maintaining confidentiality according to ADA and privacy laws. This means, schools will send notifications to the school building community if a staff or student has tested positive for COVID-19. If you are considered a close contact, within 6 feet for more than a collective 15 minutes in a 24 hour period in the previous 48 hours with or without a mask, you will receive a separate contact from the District and Oakland County Health Division (OCHD). Case notifications will be restricted to each building, unless a student who is diagnosed with COVID-19 has siblings in additional buildings and OCHD believes we should notify the greater community. As a general reminder, you will hear from us if a case is reported in your child’s building or program. In most instances, there will be no action items for your child, but we will communicate to maintain transparency and awareness in the community. While everyone was in remote learning, we sent notifications for anyone who tested positive for COVID-19. Now with students in the building, we will keep our notifications to those who have been on school grounds. We continue to encourage families to let their building principal know if they have a positive case in their household.

Snow Days

Snow days are often a fact of life in Michigan in the winter. And while they may pose an inconvenience for adults, they do bring a kind of unbounded joy to children. While I hope never to call them, it is fun to watch pure excitement spread throughout the student body. If I were to call a snow day this winter it would be for all our students, whether they are in-person or virtual. 

Over the last decade we have had at least one snow day per school year and as many as eight (remember the winter of Polar Vortex I, II and III?). Please take the time now to develop a child care plan in the event we have a snow day. A little planning now may save some headaches down the road.

Off to the Races - Saturday, February 6, 2021

I hope you’ll join me at the Berkley Education Foundation’s 12th annual Off to the Races event. This year, the BEF will host the virtual event on their new website as well as on Facebook. All are welcome and the event is free to the public. During the evening adult guests will enjoy a lesson from a mixologist, horse racing, fundraising, and fun. Visit the Off to the Races website for updates.

What is Off to the Races? Pre-pandemic, Off to the Races is a fundraiser for the Berkley Education Foundation. It takes place the Saturday before the Super Bowl, and it is a simulated horse racing event. Guests “bet” on the horse races, name the horses and cheer them on with the hopes of winning a prize. The event also includes a silent auction powered by mobile bidding and live music.

This year, Virtual Off to the Races will have all the same elements – horse racing, live music, and the silent auction. In addition, guests will be able to join in as a mixologist guides everyone through how to make two beverages. A bonus school race will also add to the fun of the virtual event.

New this year: One school will win a mini-grant! Help your school win by donating to the BEF. Choose the school you would like to see win a mini-grant during check out.... The most votes wins!

New this year: Dinner & Drink Kits Available: Order deadline is February 3. Dinner and drink kits are now available for purchase to enjoy during Virtual Off to the Races. Enjoy food options from Berkley Common, Republica and Green Lantern Pizza. It's easy to buy your kits and dinner online. A percentage of all purchases goes back to the BEF.

Silent Auction - Now Open. The silent auction is now open and more items are added daily. Use the BEF’s mobile bidding system to place your bids on silent auction items right from your phone from now through the event. You'll receive a text when you register with a link to bid. Items include many virtual experiences, a shopping spree at a local jeweler, and baskets galore! You’ll get a text message when you’ve been outbid.

Interact with the BEF During Virtual Off to the Races. During the evening, four horse races will "run." Join us on the BEF’s Facebook Page during the races and comment with the horse you think will win. If the horse you choose wins, you'll be entered into a drawing to win great prizes. In the Facebook comments, post photos of you wearing your derby hat, too!

Why Support the Berkley Education Foundation? The Berkley Education Foundation raises funds throughout the year with proceeds from honorariums, employee payroll contributions, the Dollars for the District campaign, the signature event “Off to the Races,” and more. The BEF has supported our schools during COVID-19 learning through staff innovation-grants, dollars to support staff and students while remote learning and stepping in to fill financial gaps where needed, such as SeeSaw subscriptions, supplies to send home to students, tools for teachers while working at home and more.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Dennis McDavid
Superintendent
Berkley Schools