June 10, 2022: Berkley Beat
June 10, 2022: Berkley Beat
- Rogers Elementary ‘Remembers One’ During Their Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade
- BHS Environmental Class Create Bloom Garden
- End of the Year Field Day Fun!
- Berkley Education Foundation Sends 8th Graders on College Tour
- Angell Students Showcase Their Talent at the Annual Show
- Board of Education Recognizes Musicians, Staff and Robotics Students at June Study Session
- Congratulations to this Year’s Retirees
- Berkley Schools 5th Graders Go to Camp!
- BHS Student Receives Honorable Mention in Oakland County Treasurer’s Arts Contest
- Middle School Orchestra Students Visit the DSO
- Berkley Middle School Track Team Wraps Up Season at Oakland County Meet
- Huntington Woods Juneteenth Celebration
- 2022 Drama Camp Registration Now Open for Students Entering Grades 6-12
- Berkley Public Library Summer Reading Program
- LGBTQ+ Pride Month Resources for Families
- Berkley High School Credit Recovery Registration Open
- Berkley School District is Hiring
- Sign Up for Text Alerts
Rogers Elementary ‘Remembers One’ During Their Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade
On Friday, May 27, 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 poems, passages and songs. In addition, students learned about honoring fallen soldiers with the missing man table - and that across the country on Memorial Day restaurants and families dress a table for the fallen.
The student body pledged to never forget the person on their dog tags and honor them on Memorial Day. Russell Calhoun, BHS senior, ended the ceremony with a rendition of Taps on the trumpet.
BHS Environmental Class Create Bloom Garden
On a trip to Germany several years ago, BHS Environmental Science teacher Sandra Rathburn was inspired by the citizen garden beds and natural spaces throughout the city. After sharing photos of her visit with students, the class decided to create a bloom garden at BHS as a class project. Throughout the year, students collaborated on what they wanted to incorporate into the garden with a focus on the space being meditative and educational.
The garden is located in the BHS art wing courtyard and consists of native perennials, a vegetable and herb garden, gathering spaces made with repurposed materials, walking paths, student art and more. A group of students also built a wooden entryway and sign that all students autographed.
Ms. Rathburn shared, “The goal for my students was to collaboratively create a space for nature and for ourselves.” The space will be maintained by the BHS Environmental Club and will continue to grow with the hope of installing rain-barrel systems, increasing plant biodiversity and maintaining habitats for native species. The project was funded in part by a Berkley Education Foundation Innovation-Grant. The grant was used to purchase a greenhouse and necessary tools and materials to keep the garden up and running for years to come!
End of the Year Field Day Fun!
Berkley Building Blocks
The youngest members of the Berkley Schools community participated in Field Day on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Berkley Building Blocks students spent their outside time playing soccer, parachute waving, limbo, sack races and more!
Angell
Students at Angell Elementary enjoyed Field Day on Friday, June 3, 2022. Grade levels in their class color t-shirts spent the afternoon rotating through a variety of stations such as potato sack races, parachute fun, bubble blowing, relay races and more!
Burton
On Friday, June 3, Burton students enjoyed their annual Field Day. Students rotated through stations two grade levels at a time while having fun dancing with Star Trax DJs, racing, jumping with potato sacks, hula hoops and finding out how fast they threw a baseball. The students all came together during the afternoon for their closing ceremonies as well.
Pattengill
Pattengill students celebrated Field Day on Friday, June 3, 2022. Activities were set up around the entire perimeter of the building for students to cycle through. The Pattengill 5th grade class led Field Day by sharing instructions and demonstrating activities to the younger students. Activities included an obstacle course, dodgeball, a relay race, double dutch and more!
Rogers
On Friday, June 3, Rogers students enjoyed their annual Field Day! The whole school was outside enjoying activities like dunking parents in a dunk tank, races to fill up water bottles with sponges, three-legged race, tug-of-war, potato sack races and more.
Berkley Education Foundation Sends 8th Graders on College Tour
On May 25 and June 8, 2022, the Berkley Education Foundation sent all 8th grade students from Norup and Anderson to college. During this trip, students toured the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM).
Before embarking on a campus tour at UDM, students listened to opening remarks from an admissions counselor who talked about preparing for college, college life and answered questions from the students.
While on the campus tours students experienced different components and classes offered in the College of Engineering and Science as well as Architecture.
During the Exploring Biology stop, students visited an engineering lab where a biology teacher shared many animal skulls with the students, talking about what scientists can learn from teeth structure and wear.
During the Chemistry is Fun presentation, students enjoyed learning about the properties of liquid nitrogen, understanding the effects it has on other objects’ properties. During Anderson’s tour, students watched liquid nitrogen mix with hot soapy water and in doing so, explode bubbles. During Norup’s tour, the UDM Chemistry team made ice cream from liquid nitrogen and shared it with all the students.
During the Architecture visit, students visited the School of Architecture and learned about the design process, what an architect does and the many careers that architects can pursue. The Dean of Students had students focus in on what is designed all around them and the details that can’t be overlooked to make things and spaces function productively.
For Anderson’s tour, students also visited the new fitness center where they met with the Theatre department to practice moving intentionally and on queue.
Students returned to school and enjoyed a pizza lunch from the Berkley Education Foundation.
This annual trip to a college campus allowed students an early look toward a post-secondary future. The Berkley Education Foundation's mission is to help maintain and enhance educational opportunities and programs for all Berkley students, and has been funding the #BerkleyDifference since 2000.
The BEF accepts donations to continue to fund the 8th grade college tours - every $150 raised sends 5 students on a tour. You can donate online.
Angell Students Showcase Their Talent at the Annual Show
On Friday, May 27, Angell Students showcased their skills at the annual Talent Show: Angell’s Got Talent. Students performed gymnastics, songs, playing instruments, twirling ribbon and so much more. Congratulations, students on being so brave and performing your talents for the Angell community.
Board of Education Recognizes Musicians, Staff and Robotics Students at June Study Session
At the June 6 Study Session, the Board of Education recognized students and staff for their outstanding accomplishments. The following students were recognized: Norup Robotics team and choirs from Anderson, Norup and Berkey High School. The following staff were recognized at the Study Session: the music department, Director of Student Services and 2022 District retirees.
Student Recognition
Robotics
Norup Robotics students were recognized for competing at the State Robofest. Congratulations to following teams on their work at the State Robofest competition:
- The Wallee’s: Placed 2nd, qualifying for the World competition:
Edgar Wardowski, Zach Bernzweig, Tommy Shelp and Finn Moore
- Penguin Squadron: Owen Chudler & Julian Klose
- Team J.A.S.: Jackson Reynolds, Alex Conti & Sage Krysiak
- The Golden Turtles: Kate Meretsky, Abby Hirschhorn, Leela Dahabra, Claire Levingston
Choirs
Many choir students were recognized at the Board of Education meeting for their recent accomplishments. All seven secondary choirs from Anderson, Norup and Berkley High School received excellent ratings at the District festival, which qualified them for the State festival: AMS 6th grade choir, AMS 7th/8th grade choir, Norup 6th grade choir, Norup 7th/8th grade choir, BHS Concert Choir, BHS A Cappella choir and the BHS Belle Tones choir. At the State festival, each choir performed the pieces they prepared for the District level and added a third piece of music. The pieces selected were required to demonstrate a variety of styles and in the case of the high school choirs, must include one song sung “a cappella'' or without accompaniment.
In addition to the group recognition, the Board recognized three individuals who were successful at the District and State Solo & Ensemble festivals. Each of the following students received an excellent rating at the State Solo & Ensemble festival: Grace Watson, Jordyn Monblatt and Nyla Scarber.
Staff Recognition
Best Community for Music Education
The Berkley School District music educators were honored for receiving the 2022 Best Communities for Music Education Award for the 11th year in a row. Berkley is one of 13 school districts in the state of Michigan to receive the Best Communities for Music Education award, one of 738 nationwide, and has been an award recipient since 2012.
Director of Student Services
Heather Lackey, Berkley Schools Director of Student Services, was recognized by the Board for receiving the Gwisdalla Award from the Special Education Administrators of Oakland County (SEAOC). Heather was selected by her peers for this prestigious award. The Gwisdalla Award has been given annually since 2001 at a SEAOC meeting to a Special Education administrator who has made significant contributions to, and on behalf of, special education in Oakland County, practiced quality service in the field of special education, exhibited integrity in daily work and relationships, has a diverse involvement in both the community and educational areas, demonstrates leadership both in, and beyond, the scope of their position and displays visionary practices.
2022 Retirees
The Board of Education recognized 19 retirees at the Study Session. The 19 employees served a cumulative 479.43 years of service to the District. Earlier in this Berkley Beat is a list of the retirees and a video that debuted at the Board Meeting, honoring each person for the time and talent they shared with Berkley Schools students and staff.
Congratulations to this Year’s Retirees
This year, Berkley Schools says farewell to 19 staff members as they enter their new chapter of life - retirement! Thank you to all 19 for their years of service to the Berkley School District. Watch the video below honoring the retirees with messages from their colleagues. Congratulations to our retirees, we’ll miss you!
- Elizabeth Meacham, 20 years, Rogers Elementary School Principal
- James Cowdrey, 24 years, Anderson Middle School Assistant Principal
- Kelly Transit, 23.6 years, Burton Elementary School Teacher
- Barbara Lawrin, 16 years, Burton Elementary School Teacher
- Julie Finch, 31 years, Norup International School Teacher
- Mark Meacham, 23 years, Berkley High School Teacher
- Maureen Watson, 26 years, Anderson Middle School Media Specialist
- Rose Jakab, 26 years, Burton Elementary School Teacher
- Rene Fox, 31 years, Burton Elementary School Teacher
- Sherri Rosales, 29 years, Anderson Middle School Teacher
- Noelle Sutherland, 20 years, Anderson Middle School Teacher
- Jennifer Simone, 26 years, Berkley High School Teacher
- Theresa Pigeon, 24 years, Angell Elementary School Paraeducator
- Mary Strat, 25 years, Berkley Building Blocks Paraeducator
- Michelle Thompson, 11 years, Rogers Elementary School Paraeducator
- Carol Folk, 23 years, Berkley High School Secretary
- Natalie Hill, 33 years, Rogers Elementary School Secretary
- Sally Savasky, 20.83 years, Technology Secretary
- Larry Naumann, 46 years, Custodial Maintenance Leader
Berkley Schools 5th Graders Go to Camp!
During May 23-25 as well as May 31 - June 2, 5th graders from across the District went to YMCA Camp Storer. Burton and Norup students attended during the first session and Angell, Pattengill and Rogers students during the second session.
While at the two and a half day overnight camp, 5th graders enjoyed activities such as Michigan Country (a role playing game to learn about the lives of early Michigan settlers), Gimme Shelter (learning to make shelter), Mammalian Mayhem (playing "predator / prey" simulation game), Firequest (learning to make fire), and In Cold Blood (learning about and interacting with cold blooded animals). Students also enjoyed campfire songs and skits, played capture the flag, learned about horses and how to care for them, learned about minimizing food waste and took full responsibility for cleaning cabins and bathrooms.
5th Grade Camp helped bring together all the learning 5th graders have done throughout the year and gave students the opportunity to meet some new friends from other elementary schools as they prepare for their transition to middle school.
One teacher summed up the experience by sharing, “Students also learned how to work together to accomplish challenges and reach new goals!”
BHS Student Receives Honorable Mention in Oakland County Treasurer’s Arts Contest
Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg in partnership with Oakland Schools, Flagstar
Bank and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency recognized 22 students as winners and honorable mentions of the 2022 Financial Literacy Arts Contest.
Oakland County public high school students were invited to submit 2-D and multimedia/video pieces of art related to the importance of financial empowerment. The 91 student art submissions included an array of medium including 2-D (drawing, painting, photography, mixed media and illustration) and video. Entries were judged on creativity, artistic execution, and the incorporation of the financial empowerment theme.
Congratulations to Berkley High School senior Angeline Ameloot who was recognized as an honorable mention and received a cash prize of $100 for her artwork. Her art piece “To Eat or Not to Eat” adds to the discussion of financial literacy by depicting how debt can affect the everyday lives of people who struggle with budgeting and finances. Angeline plans on using her cash earnings to assist with college and minimize the risk of debt in her own life.
For more information on the arts contest and to view the winners and submissions, visit the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office website at oakgov.com/treasurer.
Middle School Orchestra Students Visit the DSO
Students from the 7th and 8th grade orchestras from Anderson and Norup traveled to Orchestra Hall in Detroit to hear the Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform a Summer Blockbuster program featuring music from Hollywood favorites like Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jaws, Apollo 13, Up, Aladdin, and others. The tickets were paid for through the generous support of the Berkley Orchestra Association and the program’s Vertical Raise fundraiser.
Berkley Middle School Track Team Wraps Up Season at Oakland County Meet
Congratulations to the combined Norup and Anderson Middle School Track Team on a great season and for competing in the Oakland County Middle School track meet on June 2, 2022.
This year’s team had 160 members and was coached by Lydia DiVito, Alicia Madias, Steve Hanna, Beth Hanna and Craig Rhodes. The season culminated with the Oakland County Meet. Twenty-one Berkley middle school athletes qualified to compete at the County Meet along with students from 50 schools in Oakland County. Below are the results from the Oakland County Meet - congrats to all!
Oakland County Meet Team Results
- Girls: 7th place
- Boys: 19th place
Oakland County Meet Individual Results
- 70 Meter Race
- John Seaton: 9.63 s
- Sarah Lofton: 9.74 s
100 Meter Race
- DJ Ramey: 51.9 s
- Emma Pollock: 14.06 s
200 Meter Race
- Blessing Nweke: 28.09 s, 7th place
200 Meter Hurdles:
- Nicole DeCoster: 32.86 s, 8th place
400 Meter Race
- Katelin Sills: 1:04.15, 6th place
800 Meter Race
- Nathan Calio: 2:09.67, 2nd Place
- Katelin Sills: 2:32.74, 4th Place
1600 Meter Race
- Paige Rohda: 6:05.02
3200 Meter Race
- Owen Rickard: 11:14.43, 7th Place
- Paige Rohda: 13:04.07
Shot Put
- Ruell Estmond: 27’ 7.75”
- Autumn Tuite: 31’ 8.75”, 3rd place
4 x 100 Relay Race
- Ruell Estmond, DJ Ramey, John Seaton, Mekhi Harris: 51.90 s
- Blessing Nweke, Nicole DeCoster, Sarah Lofton, Ese Uwedjojevwe: 53.62 s, 3rd place
4 x 200 Relay
- Maddy Bielecki, Karai Jackson, Violet Mlutkowski, Blessing Nweke: 1:59.42
4 x 800 relay
- Paige Rohda, Lydia Binelli, Brigette Conger, Isabella Glibota: 12:03.59
Huntington Woods Juneteenth Celebration
Join the City of Huntington Woods as they gather as a community to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, celebrated as Juneteenth.
Through this Juneteenth celebration, all are welcome to reflect on the past and look to the future.
Event details:
- Saturday, June 18, 2-5 pm
- In front of the Gillham Recreation Center
- Food will be served
- Activities to learn more about Juneteenth for all ages
Sponsored by the Huntington Woods Anti-Racism Advisory Committee
Interested in volunteering for the event or want to learn more about the anti-racism advisory committee? Contact hwantiracismadvisorycommittee@gmail.com
2022 Drama Camp Registration Now Open for Students Entering Grades 6-12
The Berkley Schools Drama Department announces three opportunities for summer programming for students interested in the dramatic arts. Registration is now open for the following sessions:
- Session 1 - General Musical Theater Camp, June 27 - July 1, for middle school students entering grades 6-8
- Session 2 - Acting Camp, August 1-5, for middle/high school students entering grades 6-12
- Session 3 - Advanced Musical Theater Camp, August 8-12, for middle/high school students entering grades 6-12
Drama Camp Details
- When: Monday-Friday, 10 am - 3:30 pm with a 45 minute lunch ("brown bag" lunch or off-campus lunch for high school students only)
- Location: Berkley High School Auditorium, 2325 Catalpa, Berkley, MI 48072.
- Tuition: $175/session payable via MISTAR Parent Portal. A reduced rate of $150/session if a student pays for more than one session at the time of initial registration. There is a $10 cancellation fee and refunds will not be given after the first class session.
- Behavior/Attendance/Dismissal Policy: Students are expected to arrive on time and follow all provisions outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. The instructor may dismiss a student from the program at any time for behavior deemed inappropriate, and tuition will not be refunded to students dismissed from the program.
Registration
Register now using this Google Form
Payment is made through the MISTAR Parent Portal
- Click on the SBA Info section on the left
- Under Accounts, click on the words “Click Here to Access Online SBA Payments”
- Choose your student
- Under Item, choose how many Drama Camp sessions you signed up for
- Click Add to Cart
- Click Proceed to Checkout to complete the transaction
Berkley Public Library Summer Reading Program
Friends of Berkley Public Library and Vibe Credit Union present the 2022 Summer Reading Program, Oceans of Possibilities! From June 15 - August 13, the Berkley Public library will host weekly activities and story times throughout the summer. In addition, participants can join the children, teen and adult reading challenges to be entered in drawings throughout the summer.
Visit the full calendar of events here.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month Resources for Families
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the United States. During this month, many pride events are held to recognize the impact LGBTQ+ people have had in the world. Pride Month is also celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) Americans.
To learn more about Pride Month, and to see resources to share with your children, check out the list of resources below.
Affirmations LGBTQ+ community center has been the hub for southeast Michigan LGBTQ+ communities and its allies for the last 30 years. Affirmations provides a welcoming space where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities & expressions, and cultures can learn, grow, socialize and access the vital support they need.
Celebrate Pride with Us - Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community. The HRC has developed a website full of Pride month activities, videos and resources.
This collection of Key Concepts and Terms is designed to provide a basic understanding of words, phrases and ideas related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their experiences. All language is constantly evolving; new terms are introduced, while others fade from use or change their meaning over time.
The It Gets Better Project’s mission is to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe.
OUR CHILDREN offers a fresh eye for families and others about what to do when a loved one comes out. Full of useful knowledge, helpful tips, expert opinions and first-person stories, OUR CHILDREN--which has a focus on sexual orientation and gender expression--is a must read for anyone looking to learn more about how to support LGBTQ loved ones...or looking for support for themselves.
LGBTQ+ videos for kids! Host Lindsay and her best stuffed friend, Teddy, we'll be teaching you what gay means, what LGBT stands for, what's up with marriage equality and so much more!
A place where LGBTQ youth and their allies can find answers to frequently asked questions, and explore resources related to sexual orientation, gender identity and more!
Berkley High School Credit Recovery Registration Open
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 27 - July 28, 2022 (no class July 4 & 5)
- All classes held at Berkley High School
- Monday - Thursday, 8-10:15 am or 10:20 am - 12:30 pm
- Fee - $100 per credit recovery class for students attending Berkley Schools. The fee is $220 per class for out of district students. Any Berkley Schools student who is eligible for free/reduced meals will receive a reduced rate of $25/class.
- Additional details are available in the High School Summer Learning & Credit Recovery document
Registration - Now Open!
- May 16 - June 24, 2022
- Families will register via the MISTAR Parent Portal
- Follow these instructions on how to register via the Parent Portal
Berkley School District is Hiring
The Berkley School District is hiring multiple positions including building substitute teachers, head custodians, custodians, GSRP/Head Start associate teachers, paraeducators, childcare assistants and lunch aides and kitchen support. Custodial and Child Care positions include bonuses after completing 60 days of work! 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.
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!
