Berkley Beat: January 20, 2023
Berkley Beat: January 20, 2023
- Hundreds Attend MLK Day Event with Royal Oak Focused on Giving and Collaboration
- Board of Education Elects New Officers, New Trustees Sworn In
- Thank You, Berkley School Board Members for Serving Our Community
- AMS Students Participate in Honors Orchestra
- Pattengill Students Share News with Pattengill Press
- 37 Teams Compete in the AMS Battle of the Books
- Kids’ Zone Mid-Winter Break Opportunities
- Kindergarten Information for All: Information Nights - Continuing Next Week
- Tickets on Sale for Off to the Races 2023
- Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring!
- Sign Up for Text Alerts
Hundreds Attend MLK Day Event with Royal Oak Focused on Giving and Collaboration
The Berkley and Royal Oak cities and school districts came together on Monday, January 16, 2023, to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Over 250 people attended from Berkley, Royal Oak and surrounding communities.
This day of service: A Day On, Not a Day Off, began in the Berkley High School Collaborative Center. Participants were greeted with breakfast and a commemorative button to kick off the 6th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day event. The MLK "A Day On, Not a Day Off" Committee set up sign making stations for community members to decorate signs for the Freedom Walk. Children and adults made signs reflecting Dr. King’s messages and affirmations.
Scott Francis, Superintendent of Berkley Schools, kicked off the Freedom Walk at 9:30 am, and led the participants through the Berkley community alongside Mary Beth Fitzpatrick, Superintendent of Royal Oak Schools. After the walk, volunteers spent the rest of the morning writing letters to first responders, making blankets and sorting donations to deliver to four local nonprofits: Redford Brightmoor Initiative, Cass Community Social Services, Judson Center and Royal Oak First United Methodist Church.
Thank you to everyone for attending and honoring the spirit of Dr. King through service!
A special thank you to the following attendees:
- US Senator Gary Peters Office
- Congresswoman Haley Stevens
- State Representative Regina Weiss
- Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg
- Berkley City Council members
- Royal Oak elected officials
In addition to the Freedom Walk and on-site service projects, the Committee also created a virtual program. The virtual presentation includes the following individuals and groups. To scroll ahead to the specific segment, click the link in the bullet point below.
- A message from U.S. Senator Gary Peters
- A keynote speech by Cornelius Godfrey, Diversity & Equity Consultant for Oakland Schools
- A message from Mayor of Royal Oak, Michael Fournier
- A message from Mayor of Berkley, Bridget Dean
- The Berkley High School Diversity Council
- The Royal Oak Diversity Club: Reflecting on Dr. King
- Performances by the Angell Elementary 5th Grade Choir
- Performances by the Pattengill Elementary 5th Grade Choir
Board of Education Elects New Officers, New Trustees Sworn In
On Tuesday, January 17, at the Board of Education Organizational Meeting, the Board of Education elected Roger Blake as the President of the Board, Mike Tripp as the Vice President, Sarah Mountain as Secretary and Keith Logsdon as Treasurer.
In addition to electing officers, three Board members were officially sworn in by Judge Jaimie Powell Horowitz. Newly elected trustees Jason Deneau and Barrie Frankel, and re-elected trustee Mike Tripp took their oath of office during the meeting.
Thank You, Berkley School Board Members for Serving Our Community
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
January is Board of Education Recognition Month, and we are grateful for our Board’s dedication and service to the Berkley Schools.
- Roger Blake, President, elected to a 6 yr term November 3, 2020 (term expires 12/31/26)
- Mike Tripp, Vice President, re-elected to a 6 yr term November 8, 2022 (term expires 12/31/28)
- Keith Logsdon, Treasurer, re-elected to a 6 yr term November 6, 2018 (term expires 12/31/24)
- Sarah Mountain, Secretary, elected to a 6 yr term November 3, 2020 (term expires 12/31/26)
- Jason Deneau, Trustee, elected to a 6 yr term November 8, 2022 (term expires 12/31/28)
- Barrie Frankel, Trustee, elected to a 6 yr term November 8, 2022 (term expires 12/31/28)
- Ron Justice, Trustee, re-elected to a 6 yr term November 6, 2018 (term expires 12/31/24)
AMS Students Participate in Honors Orchestra
Congratulations to the following Anderson Middle School orchestra students who participated in the first ever MSBOA (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) Honor’s Orchestra!
Directors from MSBOA District IV (Oakland County) and District XVI (Macomb County) were able to nominate up to six students from their program. Because of the large number of students nominated, three students were selected from each school between the two counties. Pam Kilbride, AMS orchestra teacher, nominated six students total and the following students were selected to participate in this event: Cellist Natalie Ellis, violinist Kara Neiman, and violist Lily Pearson.
The students worked to learn four selections of music and rehearsed over 6 hours on Saturday, January 14th at Rochester High School under the direction of guest clinician, Rodney Lamar-Page. The event concluded with an excellent performance of the 60 piece orchestra after a day of sectionals and rehearsals.
Congratulations on a fine performance, Natalie, Kara, and Lily!
Pattengill Students Share News with Pattengill Press
Students in 4th grade at Pattengill Elementary had the opportunity to sign up to be journalists for the school paper, the Pattengill Press. Under the guidance of 4th grade teacher Lillie Zech, 21 students signed up to contribute to telling their school’s story. The Pattengill Press is sponsored through the Berkley Education Foundation’s Enrichment Program.
With so many students eager to join the club, Ms. Zech split the students into three groups. Each group of seven students meets once a week for six weeks to produce their edition of the paper. Students brainstorm what they’d like to report on, assign stories, interview people, create comics and assemble the paper. They also take submissions from students in other grades.
As the stories come together, students work in a shared Google Doc to create the final Pattengill Press. They learn tech collaboration skills as well as practicing finding their voice through reporting.
Sadie, a member of the first group of Pattengill Press staff shared, “I really enjoy writing about things that are happening and entertaining people. The newspaper club is exactly what I like to do. Since it was a choice, I said ‘Yes!’”
Ms. Zech shared, “This club is an opportunity for student leadership. They also have a chance to write in a way they normally wouldn't in class and I like the creativity that they come up with.”
The students shared their audience is both the students and adults in the building. Group one published their edition on Wednesday, January 18 and they hope the Pattengill community enjoys it!
The Berkley Education Foundation funds enrichment courses free of charge to bring unique experiences to students and to enhance their learning. To learn more about the BEF, visit their website. To support the BEF and the Enrichment Program, visit the BEF’s donation site.
37 Teams Compete in the AMS Battle of the Books
On Friday, January 13, Anderson 8th grade students competed in the 5th annual Battle of the Books. Students assembled 37 teams of 3-5 students each to get ready for the competition. In English Language Arts (ELA) class, students read dystopian books in book clubs as part of a dystopian unit in the fall. ELA teacher Erin Burke shared, “Students continued to work together and challenge themselves with their reading and discussions of the books throughout the first semester.”
During the Battle, student teams answer questions about the books they read and receive points for the correct answers. The event runs in a single elimination bracket-style tournament. There are six rounds total. Congratulations to the winning team, the Black Widows: Sophina Runde, Grace Shaik and Sophia Collins. The winning team members each received candy and a cash prize while the runner-up team members each got candy.
This year’s Battle books are as follows:
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Scythe by Neal Shusterman
- Unwind by Neal Shusterman
- Legend by Marie Lu
- The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
- Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith
- Icebreaker by Lian Tanner
- Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
- Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
“The Battle of the Books is a fun competition at the end of the semester to celebrate our reading and teamwork,” shared Ms. Burke.
Kids’ Zone Mid-Winter Break Opportunities
Kids’ Zone Latchkey is offering Mid-Winter Break (February 20-24, 2023) care for current Kids’ Zone families. The program will run at Norup International School, 14450 Manhattan, Oak Park, Monday-Friday from 7 am - 6 pm. Students must already be registered in the Kids' Zone program to attend.
Fees
- $260 for the week
- $65 per day
Program Details
Students will need to bring a bag lunch and snack daily. Students will have options for STEM activities, art and games everyday.
- Tuesday 2/21 - Bring pajamas and a blanket for movie day!
- Wednesday 2/22 - Slurpee day (Bring $2)
How to Register
Pre-registration is required. To register, call Building Blocks at 248-837-8904 or email Andrea Megroet, andrea.megroet@berkleyschools.org.
Kindergarten Information for All: Information Nights - Continuing Next Week
While it might be hard to believe, it’s time to start thinking about Kindergarten for Fall 2023. In the Berkley School District, Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten information nights, enrollment and the Schools of Choice application windows happen in January and February each year. Starting early allows the District to plan staffing, class sizes and support for students before the year ends. If you have an incoming Kindergarten student this is important information to save. If you know someone who has a child who will be five years old by September 1, please share this information with them!
Kindergarten Information Nights
If you have an incoming Kindergarten or Transitional Kindergarten student, mark your calendar for an upcoming Kindergarten Information Night to learn about the kindergarten curriculum, how to prepare for the big first day, enrollment options, and Kindergarten/Transitional Kindergarten readiness. All TK and Kindergarten students need to be five years old by September 1, 2023.
During the evening, families will be able to ask the Principal questions, learn more about each school and hear about the #BerkleyDifference. You do not have to be a resident to attend the Kindergarten Information Nights, they are open to all who are interested in the Berkley School District. Learn more about Kindergarten enrollment and readiness by visiting our Enrollment webpage.
- Norup International School: Wednesday, January 25, 2023 | 6:30 pm
- Rogers Elementary School: Tuesday, January 24, 2023 | 6:30 pm
Kindergarten Registration for Berkley School District Residents
Berkley School District resident registration for both Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten begins February 6 and runs through February 17, 2023. Registration takes place entirely online, including the required document uploads. Visit the enrollment webpage to begin your registration, verify your residency through our District boundaries document and see what paperwork you need to upload to complete your registration. We can’t wait to meet our new students!
Schools of Choice Window for TK-Grade 5
The Berkley School District Board of Education has approved limited Schools of Choice (Section 105) openings (up to 120 slots) in Kindergarten through 5th grade for Oakland County residents for the 2023-24 school year. Those who are interested in attending the Berkley School District, but who do not live within District boundaries may apply.
Important Schools of Choice details include:
- Schools of Choice application period is February 13 - March 3, 2023
- Completed applications must be submitted online
- No applications will be accepted after the deadline of 5:00 pm, March 3, 2023
- Applicants will receive email notification of their student's Schools of Choice status mid to late April following the lottery
- On the application, families will select which school they’d prefer to attend: Angell, Burton, Norup, Pattengill or Rogers
- For current Schools of Choice families, if you have an incoming TK or Kindergarten student, please be sure to fill out this year’s application as well. Priority is given to siblings.
Questions
- If you have any questions regarding the upcoming Kindergarten Information nights, please reach out to school secretaries and/or principals.
- If you have any questions regarding the enrollment process, please contact the Enrollment Office at 248-837-8026 or visit the Enrollment website.
- If you have any questions regarding Schools of Choice, please contact Stephanie Helterbran, Pupil Accounting and Central Enrollment Supervisor, at 248-837-8045
Tickets on Sale for Off to the Races 2023
The Berkley Education Foundation is excited to announce the date and new location for the 2023 Off to the Races fundraiser. Mark your calendar for the 14th annual Off to the Races, taking place on Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 6-10 pm at The Kingsley Hotel in Bloomfield Hills.
What is Off to the Races?
Off to the Races is an annual fundraiser for the Berkley Education Foundation. This fun social event and party is centered around simulated horse racing. Guests watch races, "bet" on the horses running in the races and win prizes. The event also includes an expansive silent auction (powered by mobile bidding), vacation give-away (the winner of the Golden Race will take home a $2,500 vacation), connecting with friends and colleagues, and most importantly, funding the #BerkleyDifference. You can even “buy” and name a horse!
Buy Tickets, Horses, Sponsorships online!
Visit the BEF’s new Off to the Races website to buy tickets, horses, OTTR Bucks, sponsorships and Golden Tickets. Tickets are $40 per person.
Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring!
The Berkley School District is hiring! We are looking for talented individuals to fill a variety of positions. Visit our website to apply and share our postings with your networks!
Now Hiring:
- Berkley Building Blocks Assistant Teachers
- Custodians
- GSRP/Head Start Associate Teacher
- Lunch Aides
- Learning Specialist
- Long Term Substitute Teacher
- Special Education Paraeducator
- Speech Pathologists
- Varsity Head Volleyball Coach
- Middle School Football Coach
Sign Up for Text Alerts
Quick Steps to Receive Text Alerts from Berkley Schools
In order to receive text messages from the District or your school, you must opt-in. Text messages will be sent out when the District closes or there is an emergency situation. Texts may also be sent from the District and schools for reminder messages during the day that are not urgent.
In order to receive text messages, every parent/guardian must opt-in each cell phone listed in MISTAR.
Steps to Opt-In
Text the word YES (in the message field) to the phone number 67587 (in the To field). Then you are all set!
