Berkley Beat: January 27, 2023
Berkley Beat: January 27, 2023
- AMS Students Honor, Learn about Holocaust Remembrance Day
- Angell Student Council Collects Donations for Beaumont Children’s Hospital
- BHS Students Receive Accolades from Scholastic Art Awards
- Berkley Schools Seeks Input - Community Survey Now Open
- BAAPN Black History Essay Contest
- Kids’ Zone Mid-Winter Break Opportunities
- Kindergarten Information for All: Information Nights, Registration and Schools of Choice
- Tickets on Sale for Off to the Races 2023
- Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring!
- Sign Up for Text Alerts
AMS Students Honor, Learn about Holocaust Remembrance Day
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is held on January 27 and marks the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War II. In commemoration of this day, the Anderson Middle School community spent the first hour of the day learning about the Holocaust. Teachers shared what the Holocaust is and had students use thinking routines to share what they already know and what they wonder. Teachers then spent time sharing stories, including videos and photos, from survivors as well as soldiers who liberated the concentration camps. The lesson concluded with students writing what they learned and why the Holocaust should never be forgotten on paper flames. The flames will be assembled as a mural at Anderson.
Angell Student Council Collects Donations for Beaumont Children’s Hospital
The Angell Student Council is made up of elected representatives from 4th and 5th grade classes. In December, the Student Council sponsored a Winter Dance to raise money for Beaumont Children’s Hospital. The Angell community raised over $300 and that money was used to purchase toys and activities for children at Beaumont Hospital.
In addition to this fundraiser, the Student Council has sponsored a food drive for the Berkley Cares Food Pantry and donated to families in need at the holidays. They are currently working on creating “snufflemats” for a local dog rescue.
BHS Students Receive Accolades from Scholastic Art Awards
Congratulations to Berkley High School students Bryn Hazen and Robert Belf on receiving Scholastic Art Awards.
Bryn was awarded the Gold Key and Best in Show for her painting portfolio and received a Silver Key award for her fashion portfolio. Robert received a Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable Mention for his ceramics portfolio.
The Scholastic Art Awards program is a nationwide competition open to 8th-12th grade students. Seniors can also submit for a portfolio award, submitting six original pieces. In addition, seniors must write artist statements for their portfolios. If their portfolio or pieces are chosen, they move on to the National level. The Southeast Michigan & Thumb Region of the Scholastic Art Awards is sponsored by the College for Creative Studies and supported by an advisory board of volunteer art teachers. This region receives more than 4500 works of art from middle school and high school students and over 200 portfolios from high school seniors which are then adjudicated and selected for Honorable Mentions, Silver and Gold Key Awards, American Vision nominations, and Best of Show Portfolios.
The students' art work will be on exhibit at the Walter B. Ford II Building in Detroit, MI, from February 13 - March 3, 2023.
Berkley Schools Seeks Input - Community Survey Now Open
Last spring the Board of Education approved the Berkley Schools new Strategic Plan, the guiding document for the work as a District. As part of that plan, the District updated its Vision, Mission and Tagline, created a Portrait of a Learner and established new goals for the next five years. In order to know if the plan is successful, the District will be seeking community feedback and input twice this year through surveys.
The surveys will address 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 focused on in the survey today. Community feedback will help inform programs, learning and investment for this school year and beyond.
This survey should take no longer than 10-15 minutes and has both multiple choice and open response questions. The survey is online here. The survey will remain open until February 10, 2023.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
BAAPN Black History Essay Contest
The Berkley African American Parent Network is hosting a Black History Month essay contest, open to all Berkley Schools middle and high school students.
Students are being asked to answer the following question in their essay: What is an example of African American influence on American culture, and how does that impact you as a youth?
Essay contest details:
- The essay contest is open to all Berkley middle and high school students.
- The essay should be typed and double-spaced using Microsoft Word. The essay does not have a minimum number of words. The essay should be submitted using either a Microsoft Word or pdf format only.
- Interested students may individually submit their essay and completed contact form by emailing baapninfo@gmail.com between Wednesday, February 1, 2023 through Friday, February 17, 2023. (Students, please do not use your school Google email account to email the essay and contact form.)
- The BAAPN will select three middle school and three high school winners from the submitted entries.
- The first-place prize is $100, second-place $50, and third-place $25.
- Winners may be referenced in a future BAAPN email blast in February 2023 highlighting the BAAPN Black History Month essay contest and winners.
For more information please contact: baapninfo@gmail.com
Kindergarten Information for All: Information Nights, Registration and Schools of Choice
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: Tuesday, January 31, 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.
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.
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.
Buy tickets today: https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-001C000001dlvdzIAA/events/vevt:a48411c7-5789-4514-8b56-f1252505d520/home/story
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
- Early Childhood Special Education Paraeducator
- GSRP/Head Start Associate Teacher
- Lunch Aides
- Learning Specialist
- Long Term Substitute Teacher
- Special Education Paraeducator
- Speech and Language 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!
