May 8, 2023

Berkley Beat: May 5, 2023

 Berkley Beat: May 5, 2023

What’s inside:

  • Rogers Student Council Hosts Occupation Day
  • Norup Pep Band Performs at Detroit Tigers Game 
  • BHS Orchestra Visits NYC
  • Employee Health and Wellness Fair at Berkley High School
  • AMS 8th Grade Visits Washington DC
  • Rogers Got Talent!
  • District-Wide Art Show - Next Monday
  • Trophy Fundraiser in Support of Berkley High School Athletic Department
  • Visit the BHS Robotics Team at Berkley Days
  • May is Jewish American Heritage Month
  • May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
  • May is Mental Health Awareness Month
  • Join the BHS Sideline Cheer Team - Open to 8th-12th Graders
  • Join the BHS Dance Team - Open to 8th-12th Graders
  • Berkley Summer Learning Programs - Registration is Now Open
  • Travel Opportunities During Spring Break 2024
  • City of Oak Park Presents Juneteenth Student Expression Contest - Deadline Extended
  • Join the Berkley Schools Family - Now Hiring!
  • Sign Up for Text Alerts

Rogers Student Council Hosts Occupation Day

On April 26, 2023, Rogers students participated in Occupation Day. This event provides an opportunity for caregivers to showcase their job to students. Using a tri-fold poster to feature the different aspects of their occupation, the adults spoke with rotating Rogers classes. This science-fair style allowed students to visit with many adults during their allotted session. Students asked questions after listening to the talking points about each occupation and left with many ideas of what they want to be when they grow up.

Occupation Day was introduced by Rogers Student Council in 2019. The goal of Occupation Day is for students to realize the many different jobs that are available in their future and for adults to showcase the hard work it takes to accomplish them.

Watch the video below for a look at Rogers Occupation Day.

Norup Pep Band Performs at Detroit Tigers Game 

Norup Band Director Carole Hoste likes to challenge her students to perform in a variety of environments. She does this to show all the places music can take them, and to share the students' talent and hard work with the community. This mission led to the Norup International School Pep Band performing outside Comerica Park on April 30, 2023. 

Ms. Hoste contacted the Tigers organization and learned about the opportunities they have for student groups to perform before games.The 6th-8th grade band classes are separate at Norup, but all grades came together to learn an impressive setlist of 15 songs. The setlist was a mix of popular stadium classics such as “The Hey Song,” classic rock and pop music. 

On the day of the performance, 46 students and 134 Norup family members gathered outside Comerica Park to watch the band play. The students played for about 40 minutes in front of a cheering crowd, including Paws, the mascot. 

Ms. Hoste shared, “When we debriefed back in school on Monday, one sixth grader described it as ‘a once in a lifetime opportunity’ and many others said they couldn't believe how much music we had really learned.”

BHS Orchestra Visits NYC

Over Spring Break, 30 BHS orchestra students went on a trip to New York City. The trip included visits to Rockefeller Center, Ellis Island, The Statue of Liberty, Central Park, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Times Square among other destinations. 

Orchestra Director Ben Moy shared that, in addition to sight seeing, the students attended a New York Philharmonic concert at Lincoln Center as well as a performance of Hamilton. They also had a clinic with David Hayes from the Mannes School of Music.

Employee Health and Wellness Fair at Berkley High School

The Berkley School District hosted an Employee Health and Wellness Fair on May 2, 2023, in celebration of Staff Appreciation Week. Over 600 staff members met with vendors that promoted physical, financial, emotional and social well-being. Staff members also enjoyed a lunch and socializing with their peers from other buildings. Thank you to all Berkley Schools staff members who go above and beyond every day for our students.

AMS 8th Grade Visits Washington DC

From April 23 - April 30, 2023, 115 Anderson Middle School 8th graders traveled to Gettysburg and Washington DC for an annual visit. While in DC, students visited the Gettysburg Battlefield, the Smithsonian Museums, the National Archives, Ford's Theater, and a tour of Embassy Row and Arlington National Cemetery. At the cemetery, they watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They also made stops at the Capitol, White House and toured all of the major monuments and memorials.

Rogers Got Talent!

On Friday, April 28, 63 Rogers students showcased their talents for the school community.

Students performed in two shows throughout the day. Some of the acts included singing, playing instruments, dance, gymnastics and piano. 

Rogers' Physical Education Teacher, Terri Lubanski shared, “The experience brought out the courage, creativity and talent in each student, as they walked away feeling happy and full of pride to many rounds of applause!”

Congratulations students, on your performances!

District-Wide Art Show - Next Monday

On Monday, May 8, the Berkley Schools Art Department is hosting a District-Wide Art Show at the Administrative Offices, 14501 Talbot, Oak Park. From 5-7 pm, nearly 300 pieces of student art will be on display. Families are welcome to visit the art show, participate in a silent auction with custom painted chairs by students and faculty, and enjoy light refreshments.

Trophy Fundraiser in Support of Berkley High School Athletic Department

On May 17, 2023, from 4-8 pm, the Berkley High School Athletic Department will be hosting a trophy and BHS gear fundraising event open to the community. Attendees can donate any amount of money to take home one of hundreds of BHS athletic trophies from past invitationals, local tournaments, and other events.

The funds raised at the event will be used to establish a jersey storage area equipped with clothing racks to hang team uniforms during the off-season. This new area will help keep team uniforms organized and ensure the materials remain in good condition.

Visit the BHS Robotics Team at Berkley Days

The BHS Robotics Team, Da Bears, will be at Berkley Days on May 13 and 14. The team will be demonstrating their robot, and invite the community to stop by, visit with the team and drive the robots. Learn more about Berkley Days on the event website.

Join the BHS Sideline Cheer Team - Open to 8th-12th Graders

The BHS Sideline Cheer Team will host tryouts on May 22-23, 2023, from 4-6:30 pm in the BHS East Gym. All are welcome to try out and no cuts will be made!

If you have any questions, contact Shelby Roy at cheer.berkley@gmail.com

Join the BHS Dance Team - Open to 8th-12th Graders

Calling all 8th grade and high school students who love to dance! The BHS Dance Team will host tryouts on May 24-25, 2023, from 3:30-5:00 pm in the BHS West Gym. All are welcome to try out for an opportunity to perform at halftime of varsity basketball games, Homecoming and pep assemblies.

If you have any questions, contact Morgan Rawlik at morgan.rawlik@berkleyschools.org or visit @BerkleyDanceTeam on Instagram. 

May is Jewish American Heritage Month

May is Jewish American Heritage Month – On April 20, 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month. is a celebration of the contributions and experiences of Jewish Americans and highlights how America’s Jewish communities have shaped and been shaped by the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the United States.

Learn more about Jewish American Heritage Month:

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. A broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).

The following information on the history of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is provided by https://asianpacificheritage.gov:

Like most commemorative months, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month originated with Congress. In 1977 Reps. Frank Horton of New York introduced House Joint Resolution 540 to proclaim the first ten days in May as Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week. In the same year, Senator Daniel Inouye introduced a similar resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 72. Neither of these resolutions passed, so in June 1978, Rep. Horton introduced House Joint Resolution 1007. This resolution proposed that the President should “proclaim a week, which is to include the seventh and tenth of the month, during the first ten days in May of 1979 as ‘Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.’” This joint resolution was passed by the House and then the Senate and was signed by President Jimmy Carter on October 5, 1978 to become Public Law 95-419 (PDF, 158kb). This law amended the original language of the bill and directed the President to issue a proclamation for the “7 day period beginning on May 4, 1979 as ‘Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.’” During the next decade, presidents passed annual proclamations for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week until 1990 when Congress passed Public Law 101-283 (PDF, 166kb) which expanded the observance to a month for 1990. Then in 1992, Congress passed Public Law 102-450 (PDF, 285kb) which annually designated May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

Resources to learn more about Asian/Pacific Heritage Month:

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health refers to our emotional and social well-being and impacts how we think, feel, and behave. It plays a role in connecting with others, making decisions, handling stress, and many other aspects of daily life.

The Berkley School District has many resources available for families on our Emotional Support and Wellness Resources webpage. https://www.berkleyschools.org/parents/emotional-health--wellness/ From emergency hotlines to community resources, to mindfulness, to grief and loss resources, our mental health professionals have built a comprehensive site for the community to use.

New resources added! Additional resources include:

Berkley Summer Learning Programs - Registration is Now Open

The Berkley Summer Difference program details and registration are now available for students TK-12. High School summer options will be held in person, for students in current grades 9-12. Classes will focus on Credit Recovery.

Registration for all students is now open in the MISTAR Parent Portal.

See program descriptions and registration instructions, below.

Elementary Program - Math & Language Arts + STEM

The Berkley Summer Difference Math & Language Arts program is intended for students grades TK-5 currently enrolled in the Berkley School District who need to maintain or grow in their academic achievement from the 2022-23 school year. Students who enroll in the program will have both math and language arts instruction throughout the summer program.

The elementary Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program will focus on problem solving, engineering design and offer hands-on opportunities.

All classes will be taught in person by certified, highly-qualified elementary teachers. Depending on enrollment, multi-grade sections may be organized to better meet staffing needs. The summer program will be educational and enjoyable!

Program Details for Math & Language Arts

Program Details for Elementary STEM

Registration - Now Open!

Middle School Program

Students who just completed their 6th - 8th grade school year at Norup or Anderson may participate in the Berkley Summer Difference program. All classes will be offered in-person. Students have the option to take three types of classes: Math, English Language Arts and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Availability of sections will be determined based upon registration.

The middle school English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics summer school programs are intended for students currently in Grades 6-8 who need to maintain or grow in their achievement.

The middle school STEM summer school program is intended for any students interested in exploring STEM topics which could include Coding/Robotics.

Classes will be taught by certified, highly-qualified middle school teachers. Depending on enrollment, multi-grade sections may be organized to better meet staffing needs.

Program Details for Math & English Language Arts Classes

Program Details for the STEM Class

Registration - Now Open!

High School Program: Credit Recovery

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

Registration - Now Open!

Travel Opportunities During Spring Break 2024

Galapagos Islands

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

Rome and Pompeii 

Norup MYP is collaborating with EF Tours on a guided tour of Rome and Pompeii! Italy is a feast for the senses. Whether you’re sampling mozzarella on a farm in Naples or becoming a gladiator for a day in Rome, you’ll experience the culture and traditions of this Mediterranean country through hands-on activities. Spots are still available! This trip is open to all Berkley students, ages 11-15, and their families. 

Click here to view the slideshow or contact Liz Reynolds elizabeth.reynolds@berkleyschools.org for more information.

City of Oak Park Presents Juneteenth Student Expression Contest - Deadline Extended 

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. The winners will be recognized at the City of Oak Park’s Juneteenth Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration on June 18, 2023. 

Submissions are due by May 19, 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. 

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 Childhood Education Lead Teacher (GSRP/Headstart)
  • K-5 Learning Specialist - Burton Elementary School
  • Special Education School Social Worker - Berkley High School
  • Elementary Instructional Secretary - Pattengill Elementary School
  • Lead Young Toddler Teacher - Berkley Building Blocks
  • GSRP/Head Start Associate Teacher - Berkley Building Blocks
  • Assistant Teacher(s) - 6 Open Positions - Berkley Building Blocks
  • Afternoon Custodian - Norup International School
  • Kids' Zone (Before/Afterschool Latchkey) 
  • Swim Instructor - Berkley High School Kids' Zone Program
  • Lunch Aide(s) - Burton Elementary School
  • Hurley Field Stadium Manager - Hurley Field (AMS) 
  • 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

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!

 

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