Berkley Beat: April 14, 2023
Berkley Beat: April 14, 2023
- Berkley Schools Bond Proposal Information
- Rogers Science Fair Sparks Creativity & Curiosity
- Berkley Building Blocks Hosts Art Gala
- Berkley High School Collect Sneakers for Samaritan’s Feet International
- Norup 6th Grade Students Travel to University of Michigan to Learn about Entrepreneurship
- Angell 5th Grader Wins Gold Medal in International Geography Bee
- Berkley Royal Oak Unified Figure Skating Team Competes at State Championship
- Burton 3rd Grade Learns the Story of the Voyageur
- April is Autism Acceptance Month - Resources for the Community
- BeDrama Presents Spring Musical “The SpongeBob Musical” - Tickets on Sale Now
- April is Arab American Heritage Month
- Travel to the Galapagos Islands Spring Break 2024
- Employee Health and Wellness Fair Vendor Application
- City of Oak Park Presents Juneteenth Student Expression Contest
- Family Code Night for Elementary Students
- Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring!
- Sign Up for Text Alerts
Berkley Schools Bond Proposal Information
Election on August 8, 2023
On April 10th, 2023, at the Regular Board Meeting, the Board of Education approved a ballot measure for $88 million to invest in District-wide classroom furniture, multi-purpose additions at all elementary schools, performing arts upgrades and additions, athletics upgrades and additions, District-wide technology upgrades, and more. The election will be on August 8, 2023.
Why are we adding a ballot initiative now? It’s time that our facilities matched our award-winning programming.
The 2015 Bond primarily tackled urgent issues behind our walls and floors. It provided air conditioning and upgraded air filtration, which proved beneficial during the global pandemic. It added additions and classroom upgrades in crucial areas for all schools. It provided enhanced security measures, But, it wasn’t able to provide new furniture District-wide. It wasn’t able to upgrade our athletics and performing arts spaces. It wasn’t able to provide multi-purpose spaces for all our buildings. And while it did provide upgraded technology at the time, it is now eight years later, and time for another tech upgrade. The 2015 Bond work is complete. It’s time to finish the scope that was established in 2014. It’s time our facilities matched our award-winning programming.
The 2023 Bond would touch every TK-12 classroom, many of our community spaces, and provide the opportunity for a full upgrade to our student and staff daily experiences. The longer the Bond initiative is not placed on the ballot, the longer the work to improve all spaces is delayed.
Here are the highlights of the plan:
- New furniture for all classrooms, TK-12, District-wide, including specialized furniture where needed to support students with special needs
- New media center furniture for all schools except BHS and Anderson, which received upgrades in the 2015 Bond work
- Replacing current interactive projectors in each TK-12 classroom with flat panel interactive monitors
- Renovating the BHS science wing labs: work stations, gas, plumbing, storage, classroom flow
- New multi-purpose / cafeteria additions at Angell, Burton, Pattengill and Rogers
- Updating the performing arts wing at Berkley High School:
- New black box theatre addition: a choir classroom during the day, multi-purpose performance/rehearsal space after hours and instrument storage commons area
- New addition on the lobby of the Performing Arts Center (auditorium), doubling the space for ease of flow and to create another multi-purpose space for the school community
- Complete renovation of the Performing Arts Center (auditorium): new seating, sound, lighting, finishes, moving the control booth to the main floor, new curtain system, updates to backstage rooms and new storage
- Renovating band and orchestra rooms: remove concrete risers in orchestra room and remove instrument lockers in both, plus new furniture and finishes
- Updating athletics facilities and more District-wide:
- New 75-yard indoor field house for training/practice across from the high school on Catalpa: divider system to create separation between groups, restrooms, robotics build & practice spaces, multi-use spaces, additional parking. The field house would be used by athletics teams, physical education classes, marching band, robotics, and community groups.
- New outdoor fields north of the field house: 120-Yard artificial turf field and a natural turf field
- Remodeling gymnasiums for all elementary and middle schools: flooring, lighting, fixtures, equipment
- Hurley Field updates: new LED lighting, expanded parking lot, new locations for shot put and long jump, renovations to the team rooms
- Plans are underway to replace/upgrade the turf, track, restrooms, concession area, sound system and press box at Hurley Field using District Sinking Fund dollars beginning in 2023-2024.
- Upgrades to the BHS pool: new chemical system, new starting blocks and dive stand, tile replacements, ADA upgrades, office upgrade, new sound system, HVAC, acoustics
- Additional baseball, softball and multi-purpose fields are planned to be upgraded with Sinking Fund dollars and potential city partners
The new Bond Information web pages, www.berkleyschools.org/bond, include all the bond details, the cost, frequently asked questions and the ballot language.
What would the Bond cost?
$88,000,000 equates to a 2.25 mill increase which would be collected starting in 2024. This is 2.25 mills on the taxable value of a home, not the total value. An example: A home worth $200,000 typically has a taxable value of $100,000. 2.25 mills levied on this home would cost $225/year, before any income tax considerations. Ultimately, this Bond would cost on average less than a dollar a day. Visit the Tax Calculator on the District website to understand your individual impact.
Key dates for the election:
- Ballot Language Adoption by Board of Education, April 10, 2023
- Absentee Ballots Ready, June 29, 2023
- Last Day to Register to Vote, August 8, 2023
- Last Day to Pick Up an Absentee Ballot, August 8, 2023
- Election Day, August 8, 2023
Upcoming meetings to learn more:
- May 2: Burton PTA Meeting, 7 pm
- May 9: Angell, Pattengill, Rogers, Norup and AMS PTA Meetings, 7 pm
- May 10: BBB Parent Connections Meeting, 9 am
- May 15: Community Informational Meeting, Rogers Elementary School (2265 Hamilton, Berkley) Gymnasium, 7 pm
Questions?
Email: communications@berkleyschools.org.
Rogers Science Fair Sparks Creativity & Curiosity
Rogers students participated in the annual Science Fair on April 12, 2023. Using the Scientific Method, students planned, executed and reported on an experiment of their choosing. Students in all grades participated in the fair whether viewing peer work or creating their own project.
At the fair, students shared what they learned with friends, family and teachers. Fifth graders produced projects ranging in topics from Soil Erosion, What is the Stickiest Liquid?, Infrared Interference and more!
Check out the video for an inside look at the Rogers Science Fair!
Berkley Building Blocks Hosts Art Gala
On Thursday, April 13, Berkley Building Blocks hosted its annual Art Gala. This was the first in-person art gala since 2020. Teachers put student are on display throughout the hallways and in the gym, student art collections were available for all families to enjoy. Students created both 2D and 3D artwork and had fun showing their masterpieces to their families and friends.
Berkley High School Collect Sneakers for Samaritan’s Feet International
Berkley High School participated in Charity Week from March 20-24, 2023. BHS Student Leadership planned a week of events in support of Samaritan’s Feet International. Samaritan’s Feet inspires hope in children by providing shoes as the foundation to a healthy life resulting in the advancement of education and economic opportunities. Student Leadership Advisor Stefanie Coburn shared, “We wanted to support beyond just monetary donations, so we narrowed it down to Samaritan’s Feet as they provide support to the widest range of people in need.”
Students donated pairs of shoes as entry fees to events such as a pancake breakfast, euchre tournament and Bingo. The BHS students, staff & community donated approximately 100 pairs of shoes throughout the week.
Norup 6th Grade Students Travel to University of Michigan to Learn about Entrepreneurship
On Wednesday April 5, Norup International School the Norup 6th grade traveled to the University of Michigan to learn about entrepreneurship. MPowered, UM’s largest and oldest entrepreneurship organization, sponsored the trip which included transportation, lunch, and the day's activities. TrailBlaze, a UM student-lead project team under MPowered, planned and ran the day’s events.
This is the second year that Norup students have participated in this event. Social Studies teacher Michelle Karas shared, “Our relationship with TrailBlaze is the result of our connection to Julie Krasnick, a Berkley High School 2020 graduate, who co-directed the club in 2022.”
While in Ann Arbor, students listened to Professor Frents talk about entrepreneurship. Students also participated in a variety of activities to develop an entrepreneur's mindset. For example, in the ‘Marshmallow Challenge’, students worked in teams to complete a challenge to build the tallest free-standing structure out of marshmallows and sticks, while reflecting on the entrepreneurial mindsets and skills. Students also explored biographies of different entrepreneurs and tried to determine which traits these entrepreneurs shared that helped them be successful in business. Lastly students participated in a mini Shark Tank activity where they had to create a product or service, write a pitch, and present to the group.
Students were asked to reflect on their learning at Entrepreneurship Day. Here is what they said:
- Ella Werber learned entrepreneurship is coming up with ideas and that you have to fail to get better. You don't just get what you want on the first try.
- Konner Gibson: “I learned that you should always ask somebody about your idea so you can get more ideas.”
- Maya Monkman said, "I learned that when you are an entrepreneur you don't just succeed, you have to fail first and learn from your mistakes."
- Sadie Bowering: "Entrepreneurs are people who are creative and come up with something new, even if they fail at first."
- Ainsley McEvoy learned that entrepreneurship isn't just about independence, it's about teamwork and working with one another.
- Chris Newby shared, "I learned that being an entrepreneur meant you could control everything that you do for your job."
- Oliver Kinnen learned that it can be difficult to come up with a new and useful idea.
Angell 5th Grader Wins Gold Medal in International Geography Bee
Over spring break, Angell 5th grader, Lucas, competed in the regional finals for the International Geography Bee, Elementary School Division. The International Geography Bee is a worldwide geography quiz competition for primary and secondary school students.
To qualify for the regional finals, Lucas took an online regional qualifying exam. Based on his score, he qualified for the Regional Finals. The Regional Finals are buzzer-based events. Lucas participated in the Detroit Metro Regional Finals and won! By winning the Regional event, Lucas qualified for the national competition in Washington DC in June. By finishing in the top 25% of the region, Lucas also qualified for the International Geography Championships!
Congratulations on a wonderful accomplishment and best of luck at nationals and internationals!
Berkley Royal Oak Unified Figure Skating Team Competes at State Championship
After completing the regular season in first place, both the Level B Intermediate and Level C Low teams of the Berkley Royal Oak Unified Figure Skating Team were named District 6 Champions.
The teams competed at the Michigan High School Skate State Championship on March 18 and 19 in East Lansing. For the team event on March 19, the B team placed fifth and C team placed second. There are a total of 36 level B teams and 28 level C teams across the state.
Berkley High School skaters include: Senior - Grace Garska; Juniors - Maggie Day, Elena Keenan, and Ally Pollock; Sophomores - Lily Garska, Maddie Gold, and Hannah Wardrope; and Freshmen - Rosabelle Moody, Emma Pollock, and Theresa Solomon.
During Saturday’s individual competitions BHS skaters placed as follows:
- Grace: 7th in Excel Intermediate Free Skate
- Maggie: 2nd in Pre Bronze Solo Dance & 8th in Excel Intermediate Free Skate
- Lily: 3rd (initial round) and 6th (final round) in Excel Intermediate Plus Free Skate
- Hannah: 6th in Excel Preliminary Free Skate (initial round)
- Rosa: 3rd (initial round) and 6th (final round) in Excel Pre-Preliminary Free Skate
- Theresa: 7th (initial round) in Excel Pre-Preliminary Free Skate and 4th in Preliminary Solo Dance
- Elena: 9th (initial round) in Excel Pre-Preliminary Free Skate
Congratulations to all of the BROU skaters on a fabulous season!
Burton 3rd Grade Learns the Story of the Voyageur
On Wednesday, April 12, the third grade classes at Burton were visited by Genot Picor, Storyteller. He presented to the third graders stories, songs, and dances of the Voyageur. Genot Picor is an experienced interactive storyteller who engages students in stories told in the first person, allowing them to become active travelers through Michigan’s fur trade.
The presentation is set in Michigan after the point of contact between the French explorers and the People of the Three Fires. Genot was invited to Burton as enrichment to the social studies inquirED - unit 2, Our State’s History. In this second unit, “students investigate the physical environment of their state and how early and historical Indigenous peoples were connected to the land. They explore how these interactions between people and the environment impact culture and way of life.”
April is Autism Acceptance Month - Resources for the Community
Autism Acceptance Month, previously named Autism Awareness Month, in April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which occurs in one in every 54 children as of 2020 in the United States. Autism, a complex developmental condition affecting the patient’s ability to interact, communicate, and progress, has not one but many subtypes. First held in the year 1972 by the Autism Society, Autism Acceptance Month emphasizes the need for public awareness to promote acceptance, celebrate the differences, and be more inclusive towards autistic individuals around us.
To learn more about Autism and Autism awareness, the START project is a great place to begin. The START project is housed in the Grand Valley State University Autism Education Center, supported by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It is funded by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education to provide evidence-based training, technical assistance and coaching support, and resources to school-based teams in Michigan that support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). START is a statewide collaborative effort to make systems level changes to improve the educational programming and quality of life for students with ASD.
START developed an Autism Acceptance, Advocacy and Action webpage as part of the ASD 365: Equity and Inclusion Every Day campaign to promote autism acceptance and advocacy through action in April and the months after. START encourages the community to use these resources to assure everyone is using practices focused on equity and inclusiveness that value the voices and perspectives of the autistic community. An active, collaborative approach that involves listening, understanding, and taking action will help everyone grow into a truly diverse, equitable community where all perspectives and people are heard and valued.
BeDrama Presents Spring Musical “The SpongeBob Musical” - Tickets on Sale Now
The Berkley Drama Department (BeDrama) invites the community to attend this year’s Spring performance, "The SpongeBob Musical!"
When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up!
The cast and crew will hold their performances on April 20-22, 2023, at 7 pm and April 23, 2023 at 3 pm in the BHS Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, seniors (60 years +) & BSD staff. Tickets are available for purchase at bedramatickets.com.
BeDrama invites the entire community to this family-friendly show!
April is Arab American Heritage Month
Arab America and the Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2017. In 2021, President Biden recognized the month nationally. For National Arab American Heritage month, across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and non-profit organizations issue proclamations and engage in special events that celebrate the Arab American community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society.
Did you know that the first and only museum in the United States devoted to documenting and sharing Arab American contributions that shaped the economic, political and cultural landscapes of American life is a 20 minute drive from the Berkley Schools? The Arab American National Museum (AANM) is located in Dearborn. The Museum brings to light the shared experiences of immigrants and ethnic groups, paying tribute to the diversity of our nation.
The museum tells the Arab American story through the voices and experiences of Arab Americans.
Learn more about the museum on their website, or go for a visit at 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126.
Travel to the Galapagos Islands Spring Break 2024
Anderson Middle School teacher Athena Troher is collaborating with EF Tours to travel to the Galapagos Islands during Spring Break 2024! Travel is open to all Berkley middle school and high school aged students and their families.
There are only 10 spots left! Sign up by May 1st to receive a $100 discount.
For more information, view the slideshow or contact Athena Troher at Anderson Middle School: athena.troher@berkleyschools.org
Employee Health and Wellness Fair Vendor Application
The Berkley School District is hosting an Employee Health and Wellness Fair on May 2, 2023 from 11 am - 1 pm at Berkley High School. Businesses that offer a service or product that promotes physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being are welcome to attend.
This is an opportunity to promote your business for free and interact with over 600 Berkley School District employees. If your business is interested in participating, register at this link.
City of Oak Park Presents Juneteenth Student Expression Contest
The City of Oak Park is sponsoring a student self-expression contest to recognize the Juneteenth holiday. The contest has expanded by welcoming various forms of expression, including music, poems, paintings and more. All K-12 students who either live in Oak Park and/or attend Oak Park schools are encouraged to submit a piece that highlights what Juneteenth means to them. Prizes and scholarships will be awarded to students.
Submissions are due by May 1, 2023 and can be made at bit.ly/OP23JuneteenthExpression or brought to Oak Park City Hall (14000 Oak Park Blvd, Oak Park, MI).
If you have any questions, please contact Juneteenth Sub-Committee Chair Carla Wallace at sweetc248@gmail.com or Oak Park Communications Director Courtney Flynn at cflynn@oakparkmi.gov.
Family Code Night for Elementary Students
Join Berkley Schools for some family fun that gives everyone an opportunity to build their awareness of computer science at Family Code Night!
Family Code Night jumpstarts computer science learning by having TK-5th grade students and their families work together to complete coding tasks, laying a foundation for understanding computer science. Students and families will be introduced to big ideas such as “What is a program?” that are illustrated by fun, easy-to-complete puzzles from Code.org.
Foundational digital literacy and computer science skills are essential for any future path and research indicates that exposure to computer science in elementary school leads students to be more likely to pursue computer science related pathways in middle school and beyond.
- Burton: Tuesday, April 18th (6-7:30 pm)
- Rogers: Wednesday, April 19th (6-7:30 pm)
- Angell: Monday, April 24th (6-7:30 pm)
- Norup: Wednesday, May 3rd (6-7:30 pm)
- Pattengill: Monday, May 15th (6-7:30 pm)
Register for your school’s Family Code Night here: https://bit.ly/familycodenight23
This event is sponsored by the MiSTEM Network: Oakland Region and Berkley Schools
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:
- Special Education Teacher of Students with Autism - Pattengill Elementary School
- Early Intervention Teacher or Speech Pathologist - Berkley Building Blocks
- Early Childhood Education Lead Teacher (GSRP/Head Start)
- Special Education School Social Worker - Berkley High School
- Special Education School Social Worker - Burton Elementary School
- Varsity Head Volleyball Coach - Berkley High School
- Middle School Football Coach
- 8th Grade Girls Basketball Head Coach - Norup International School
- 8th Grade Boys Basketball Head Coach - Norup International School
- Varsity Girls Swim and Dive Head Coach - Berkley High School
- Varsity Cheer Coach (Sideline and Competitive) - Berkley High School
- Middle School Girls Tennis Coach - Anderson Middle School
- Permanent Building Substitute Teacher - Anderson Middle School
- GSRP/Head Start Associate Teacher - Berkley Building Blocks
- Assistant Teacher(s) - 6 Open Positions - Berkley Building Blocks
- Swim Instructor - Berkley High School Kids' Zone Program
- Lunch Aide(s) - Burton Elementary School
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!
