September 24, 2021: Berkley Beat

September 24, 2021: Berkley Beat

• BHS Alumni Shares His 9/11 Survivor Story
• Rogers Students Hold Peace in Their Hearts
• Welcome Back, GSRP and Head Start Students!
• Students Enjoy New Family Consumer Science Space, Cook Pancakes
• Berkley Schools Ranked in Top 25 School Districts in Michigan
• BHS is Named a College Success Award Winner for the Fourth Year in a Row
• Learn About National Hispanic Heritage Month
• Saturdays for Success - Registration Now Open
• Open Hands Food Pantry Distribution for Families
• Affordable Internet and Device Discounts Available to Families
• Berkley School District is Hiring 
• Berkley High School Athletics is Excited to Announce a New Service to Watch the Bears Live!
• Sign Up for Text Alerts

BHS Alumni Shares His 9/11 Survivor Story

Mark Duffy is a 1973 Berkley High School graduate. After high school he attended Michigan State University and then completed a masters program at George Washington University. 35 years ago he moved to New York City, a place he now fondly calls home, although Mr. Duffy never forgets his roots here in Berkley that began at 2360 Bacon Ave. 

Earlier this school year, Mr. Duffy reached out to see if sharing his 9/11 survivor story would be of interest to the Berkley Schools community. On September 15, the Communications Office interviewed Mark to learn about his story and what it was like to witness the tragedies at the twin towers first hand, how he has remembered those who were lost, what it was like living and working in New York after 9/11 and what wisdom he has for current students.

A 9/11 Survivor’s Story

Mark Duffy worked on the 64th floor of the World Trade Center North Tower. He was a senior human resources executive for the Port Authority. On the morning of 9/11/2001, Mr. Duffy got ready for work and voted for the mayoral election. After voting, he took the subway which was supposed to take him directly to the World Trade Center. The first train was packed, so he let it go. The second train ran for a bit and then stopped abruptly. Unaware of what was happening on the outside, Mr. Duffy got out of the subway and planned to walk the last four blocks to work. When he emerged from the subway station, he could see his building, the North Tower, on fire with a large hole in it. He knew right away it was a terrorist attack.

Mark’s instincts kicked in and he ran the four blocks to the World Trade Center Plaza, thinking as a member of the emergency response team for the Port Authority, he would help. Police were blocking his way to get closer to the North Tower. Up for a challenge, Mr. Duffy decided he would go around the post office that was a block away from the towers and get into his building that way. When he was 10 steps from turning the corner, he heard an incredibly close and deafening loudness of a jet airplane. Moments later, he heard the second plane hit the second tower. Debris began to fall from the sky and Mr. Duffy sheltered himself against the post office. He saw falling paper, glass and metal in the air and all over the ground. It was at this moment he knew he had to get away. 

Mr. Duffy ran for blocks before slowing down. When he turned and looked back, he could see people jumping out of the buildings who were above the impact floors. Then he continued on his mission to be of service and made his way to the Holland Tunnel. He was determined to make it to the Emergency Operations Center for the Port Authority in New Jersey. When he arrived the tunnel was blocked by semi-trucks - no one was leaving or entering New York City. Mr. Duffy ran into a friend at the tunnel who was covered in ash, and together they watched the second tower collapse. At this point, the two friends got a soda and headed back to their own apartments.

Luckily, everyone on his floor - 64th floor of the North Tower - got out by walking down the stairs. They had about 100 minutes to evacuate the building. 84 Port Authority employees in both buildings, however, were killed, and many died helping others to get out of the buildings.

The days that followed were chaotic and improvisational. Mr. Duffy describes what it was like to work for the Port Authority, “We had to keep the airports, bridges and tunnels running. All our records were gone. People had been hired and were planning on coming to the World Trade Center for orientation in the next days. We worked ten hours a day, six days a week.” In addition, his department helped the search and rescue efforts by collecting DNA samples of Port Authority employees who were missing.

In addition to needing office space and the work that followed, Mr. Duffy shared that the Executive Director and Chief of Police for Port Authority were killed in the terrorist attack - they were in a meeting on a floor above where the planes hit. “Eventually, we relocated to the Port Authority Tech Center to a space for all departments to come together,” he shared. “Then we moved to various buildings throughout NYC. It took about 11 years for the Port Authority offices to move back into the WTC.”

The first seven years after the attack, Mr. Duffy said, were the most trauma-filled. “As September approached,” he shared, “people would be angry with each other. There was a lot of disruptive behavior and people being sad. And, a lot of therapy took place once people realized they experienced trauma and needed help.” The Port Authority offered post-traumatic stress debriefing with a psychologist for employees, too.

This was the second terrorist attack at the World Trade Center, and Mr. Duffy lived through the first one as well. In February 1993, the World Trade Center was bombed. Mr. Duffy shared he was on the 61st floor when the bomb exploded and he was trapped in the building on the 49th floor, until the smoke cleared and the firemen walked up the stairs to the employees. “I and some of our staff assisted the first responders in evacuating people,” he shared. 

How do you honor those who were lost?

“A way to honor those who were lost is to really embrace your life,” Mr. Duffy said. “Enjoy your life. Celebrate your life. You got to live while others did not.”

At first, Mr. Duffy volunteered with the 9/11 Tribute Center. Before the memorial and museum were under construction, survivors or first responders would guide people through the WTC site. They would share their stories, a person to person history, of those who were there. He also participated in many days of service on 9/11 with other WTC employees to give back to the area. 

For the 20th anniversary, Mr. Duffy, along with other Port Authority employees, placed roses at every Port Authority employee's name at the 9/11 memorial.

What do you hope students remember about 9/11?

“Remember the people who died, yes, but make their life meaningful by honoring them by respecting each other regardless of who you are, what your differences are.”

If you had to share one piece of advice to students today, what would it be?

“Being driven by curiosity is a really important thing. Be curious. Have a critical mind. Don’t assume you can’t do something. Seek out opportunities and work to achieve things. Go into the unknown. There’s a lot of reward in the unknown. Confront your fear. Step out and do it anyway. And if you’re feeling fearful of others, then meet those who are different from you.”

Did any one person or activity inspire you throughout your time in Berkley to become who you are?

“I had a teacher bring reading to life. I didn’t think I would go to college until taking Peggy Metzer’s 11th grade class, an elective on Black Literature. She taught the books Soul on Ice and Algiers Motel Incident, and I remember thinking, ‘Reading is real! Reading can take you into the real world and expand your sense of what the world is.’ That changed my life.”

Watch Mr. Duffy’s personal video of his 9/11 experience on YouTube

Watch him tell his story and give advice to students in the most recent interview:

Rogers Students Hold Peace in Their Hearts

International Day of Peace, a holiday that celebrates world peace, took place on Tuesday, September 21. Students at Rogers celebrated Peace Day, a tradition they have done for many years. This year, instead of the usual whole-school assembly students celebrated in new ways.

Principal Beth Meacham created a video for students to watch with their classes - and the whole school watched at the same time. In the video, students heard stories of peace, the origins of the peace bell and shared a mindful moment together. Then all students went into the hallway to recite their peace pledge and sing songs about peace together.

The crowd favorite was the song “Nothing More,” by the Alternate Routes. The song includes lyrics like, “To be humble, to be kind, It is the giving of the peace in your mind. To a stranger, to a friend... To give in such a way that has no end… We are how we treat each other and nothing more.” Rogers students shared the importance of kindness when speaking about peace including kindness to friends, family and classmates.

Throughout the day classes took trips to see Rogers’ peace pole and students created artwork about peace.

Welcome Back, GSRP and Head Start Students!

Berkley Building Blocks welcomed back GSRP and Head Start preschool students this week! Teachers welcomed their new students and students met new classmates. Some of the week’s activities included playing on the playground, music, dance and crafts.

Students Enjoy New Family Consumer Science Space, Cook Pancakes

Students in Kacy Byron’s Family Consumer Science classes at Berkley High School are in for a treat this year - a fully renovated kitchen space. Over the summer, the kitchen cupboards, appliances and countertops were fully replaced. The renovation was made possible by the 2018 Sinking Fund (thank you, voters!).

On September 22, students had the first opportunity to cook in their new space. Along with teammates, students had to make pancakes from scratch within their class period. They were learning how to prep, clean, time manage and of course, cook. In the Bake Shoppe class, some students brought in extras for their pancakes like chocolate chips and others added food coloring to make their flapjacks stand out.

Mrs. Byron is grateful for the renovation and the ability for students to have a great start to the school year in a new space.

Berkley Schools Ranked in Top 25 School Districts in Michigan

On September 20, Niche released their annual list of the 2022 Best School District rankings in every U.S. state. The 2022 Best School Districts ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, public school district ratings, and more. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

Berkley High School was ranked #19 in the state of Michigan! View Berkley School’s Niche listing on the Niche website.

BHS is Named a College Success Award Winner for the Fourth Year in a Row

Congratulations to Berkley High School for receiving a College Success Award from GreatSchools.org. BHS has been a recipient of the College Success Award in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, and, this year, also received the first-ever College Success Award - Gold distinction for a multiyear track record of preparing students to enroll and succeed in college. Berkley High School is among 1,770 high schools in 26 states to receive the Gold Award and among 163 schools in Michigan to receive this award.

Now in its fourth year, the College Success Award program evaluates public schools based on data that show how well schools prepare students to succeed after graduation, including whether they enroll in college, are ready for college-level coursework, and persist into their second year.

View the BHS listing on the Greatschools.org website.

Learn About National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15th - October 15th is nationally recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month. The month-long celebration highlights the culture, achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.

Share in the learning about Hispanic Heritage Month with your family by visiting these resources:

PBS:  All About the Holidays Hispanic Heritage Month Video

Library of Congress: National Hispanic Heritage Month Website with Events

PBS: 11 Picture Books Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

Scholastic: A Month of Ideas for Celebrating National Hispanic Month

Saturdays for Success - Registration Now Open

The Berkley African American Parent Network (BAAPN), in partnership with the Berkley School District, sponsors the Saturdays for Success (S4S) program. The purpose of S4S is to help all Berkley students have a successful academic experience by providing educational opportunities in literacy and math, and developing study skills that will ensure long term success.

What happens at Saturdays for Success?

• Saturday tutoring, homework help and small group work for students in grades 6-12 for math and language arts

• Money Management class for students in grades 6-12

• National Honor Society High School student volunteers available to assist

When are the S4S Sessions?

• October 9, 16, 23, 30 & November 6, 13

• 9:30-11 am

• Berkley High School

Cost

The cost of the program is $20 per child (fee covers all 6 sessions). If your family is eligible for free and/or reduced lunch benefits the cost is $10 per child.

Location

Berkley High School

Sign Up

Complete this registration form and turn it in to your school office

Open Hands Food Pantry Distribution for Families

Open Hands Food Pantry in Royal Oak offers a mobile drive-through pantry distribution every week.

If you are in need of food assistance, visit the Open Hands Food Pantry at St. John's Episcopal Church, (26998 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, corner of 11 Mile and Woodward - enter at 11 Mile) on Saturdays from 9-11 am.

For the safety of the mobile pantry guests and our volunteers, food will be placed in the trunk / back hatch of a vehicle.

Learn more on the Open Hands Pantry website.

Affordable Internet and Device Discounts Available to Families

The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.

You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting  www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311.

Berkley School District is Hiring 

The Berkley School District is hiring multiple positions including building substitute teachers, custodians, special education paraeducators, childcare assistants and lunch aides. If you or someone you know are interested in these positions, visit the employment page on our website. On this page you will find more information on the positions and how to apply.

Berkley High School athletics is excited to announce a new service to watch the Bears live!

The NFHS Network is your home for LIVE Berkley High athletics.

Full access to ALL content on the Network:

• All Berkley Bears sports that compete on Hurley Field or in the BHS West Gym
• At this time the only locations at BHS that have this service are Hurley Field and the West Gym
• All Bears away games if that school has the NFHS pixellot system
• All other sporting events from around the Nation

 A percentage of each purchase goes back to Berkley Athletics.

Friends and family members who can’t make the game will never miss a play again!

 Subscription Options for Berkley Bears Fans

• Annual Pass- $69.99
• Month Pass- $10.99/month

 Visit www.NFHSnetwork.com – Search for Berkley High School and subscribe

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!