Greetings Berkshire Families:

Thank you, thank you, thank you! The amazing support and recognition that our teachers and support staff have received all week during our teacher and staff appreciation week has been overwhelming. We are so grateful to have a generous PTA and such supportive parents that help make Berkshire such an exceptional learning community.

I also would like to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all of our Berkshire moms that do so much for their families and our school family. Hopefully, you all will get spoiled this weekend by your families at home. We salute and thank you for helping to make so many wonderful things happen for our children.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks in advance for reading the following Berkshire Family Update!

Jason Clinkscale
Principal
Berkshire Middle School 

Upcoming Dates

Districtwide Half Day, students attend virtually in the p.m.: Wednesday, May 12

No School – Memorial Day: Monday, May 31

Last Day of School: Friday, June 11

COVID Testing for 13-Year-Old and Up Berkshire Sports Participants: Monday (5/10)

Our next round of COVID testing will happen Mondays during C3 in the cafeteria.  Please remind your eligible Berkshire student athletes to come directly from 6th hour if they are here for in-person learning.

Virtual Half Day of School: Wednesday (5/12) PM Schedule

Wednesday (5/12) will be a virtual half day of school with all classes running in the afternoon using the following schedule:

Half Day PM Schedule (No C3)

Groves Student Congress Applications due Friday (5/14)

Attention all exiting 8^th graders interested in the Groves Student Congress (GSC), please complete the application and teacher recommendation form/links below:

This is the application form (due 5/14): 

https://forms.gle/ivC2Qm6rnkmXUFuL7

And this is the teacher recommendation form : 

https://forms.gle/s1zmswwQ3RXXZNdb6

This application consists of THREE parts:
1) The completion of all sections of the following Google Form
2) 2 teacher recommendations (it is the applicant's job to reach out to these teachers)
3) A video call interview, which will be conducted by the GSC advisor, Mrs. Mason, and the Elections Committee. More details of the interview will be communicated by email after the submission of your application.

This application is due MAY 14TH at 3PM!

To learn more about GSC, please click on the following video link:

 IMG_31463246.MOV

Please be aware that the DUE DATES ARE FIRM! NO late applications will be accepted. If you have questions at any time about any portion of the application, please reach out to Mrs. Mason at kmason@birmingham.k12.mi.us.

Save the Date: Berkshire 8th grade Ceremony (Wednesday, June 9th, at 7pm)

Berkshire is very excited to be able to recognize our 8th grade students that will be moving on to high school at the end of this school year. Although we were not able to have any type of in-person ceremony last school year, we want to at least be able to safely gather our 8th graders to honor them and their time at Berkshire Middle School Therefore, our current plan is to have an in-person ceremony for all of our exiting 8th graders in the Berkshire gymnasium on Wednesday, June 9th, from 7-8pm. To be able to handle the mandated space limitation, all students will be socially distanced and spread out across the entire gymnasium. Due to the space limitations, families and friends will have to be outside and will be able to view a live-stream feed of the event in their cars in the Berkshire parking lot, at home, or wherever they choose to celebrate.

On the day of the ceremony, we are also encouraging all families to decorate their cars to help make it as celebratory of an event as possible. In addition, prior to the ceremony, we will have photo opportunities with balloon arches set up outside the school from 6-7pm so that families can document this event with their 8th graders. Following the ceremony and weather permitting, we are currently planning an outdoor party for our 8th graders (8-9:30pm) with an ice cream truck, pizza, popcorn, live DJ, and more.

More details are being finalized - we will share soon. Thanks for saving the date and stay tuned!

8th Grade Student Spotlight

 It's time to celebrate our 8th graders! For our 8th Grade Student Spotlight, please fill out this form, 2021 8th grade Student Spotlight, with as much informaion as you would like to share. Spotlights will be shared on Instagram @berkshirewildcats, and on Berkshire's facebook page. A google account is needed to access this form (student's @bps-schools.com account, or a parent's gmail account.) If you aren't able to use your student's account and don't have a google account, please contact Pam Lucken at plucken@birmingham.k12.mi.us or via text at 248-224-5587.

Berkshire Online Book Fair

Get ready for Summer Reading! We are hosting an online book fair May 10th-23rd.

We are excited about this book fair and wanted to share some highlights with you:

• Hundreds of books hand-selected by our book fair vendor Junior Library Guild for quality content and ultra-readability
• Teacher's wish lists for gifting books directly to classroom libraries
• Hard-cover, first-edition books starting at $5—with FREE shipping for orders over $30
• Direct-to-home delivery - Easy peasy!
• Supports our school! Our library receives a percentage of every book fair purchase to add more quality books to our collection. 

The Book fair opens Monday, May 10th. Click here:

https://athomebookfairs.com/home?bfstring=FTHjBUJx

Your support is appreciated.

Summer Volleyball Camps!

This summer join Heather Gambone, Berkshire teacher and Seaholm Varsity volleyball coach for camps that offer players (boys and girls) of all ability levels the opportunity to improve their skills and have a lot of fun! All camps will take place at Seaholm High School. Any questions can be directed to Heather at seaholmvball@gmail.com.

Sign up at: https://forms.gle/oYeyVKoGXv3htBhp8 

Thanks so much!

Heather Gambone

Berkshire Middle School

Seaholm Varsity Volleyball Coach

MSTEP Testing Update

Communication was sent regarding MSTEP testing at the middle school level. As we get ready to enter our next week of testing, we wanted to take time to clarify a few issues.

Testing will occur on the following dates:

8th grade: science- 4/19, 4/20, 4/22 and social studies- 4/26, 4/27

7th grade: ELA- 5/3, 5/4, 5/6 and math- 5/7, 5/10, 5/11

6th grade: math- 5/10, 5/11, 5/14 and ELA- 5/17, 5/18, 5/20

In-person Students

Testing occurs during your student’s scheduled class time.  For example, if your student has 8th grade science during 1st hour, the student tests during 1st hour on that subject’s particular test date. The schedule is determined by the State and is altered by virtual Wednesdays and designated half-days in the BPS schedule. In-person learners will be testing on scheduled days.

Virtual Students

Students who are attending classes virtually are invited to come into the building to test. Please note that transportation must be provided by a parent or guardian. Students should arrive five minutes before their regularly scheduled class time and should report to the office. Students may be picked up at the end of each class/ test session.  While the State is offering the test to all students, it is not mandated.  Therefore, students who are 100% virtual and choose not to take the test will not be penalized.

**Make-up sessions will be offered, but details cannot be determined until each testing session is complete.  Information regarding make-up sessions will be sent in a separate letter.

Due to potential COVID related absences, adjustments will likely need to be made to the schedule.  We will communicate those changes as soon as possible.  We thank you for your continued patience during this unprecedented year.

If you have questions about testing related matters, please contact Wendy Cummins at Wcummins@birmingham.k12.mi.us 

BPS COVID-19 Quarantine and Safety Protocols

If any member in your household test positive for COVID-19, please make sure that you are reporting this information to school. In addition, please also be aware of the quarantine requirements for students that have a COVID-19 positive family member living with them. For those details and more, please click on the following link:

https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/cms/lib/MI01908619/Centricity/Domain/2388/_COVID%20Scenarios_LINKEDintext.pdf

 Student Need to Bring their own Water Bottles

As we continue to deal with COVID-19 safety protocols and our water mitigation process, all students should be bringing their own water bottles from home each day. We do supply bottled water for students in need, but it would be very helpful if more students brought their own water from home. Thank you for your help with this!

BYA Youth In Service Award: Did your student serve the community during the Pandemic?

This year the Birmingham Youth Assistance (BYA) and the Birmingham Optimists are looking for young community heroes who chose to make a difference during the pandemic. We would like to shine a spotlight on the exemplary achievements of these middle school and high school BPS students.  If your student made a significant commitment to serving the community during the pandemic, please email plucken@birmingham.k12.mi.us, or call 248-203-4706. She will then contact you to learn more and submit a nomination for the award. Students from whom we have received complete submissions will receive $10 Amazon gift cards.  In addition, one exemplary middle school and high school student will be selected to receive financial awards of $100 and $500, respectively. All nominees will receive an award certificate and commendation from selected elected officials. Please email BirminghamYouthAssistance21@gmail.com with any questions.. Submissions must be received by May 5th, 2021.

Groves Color Run (Sponsored by the Groves Student Congress

This Spring, the Groves Student Congress is hosting a Color Run to raise money for charity and would like to open it up to the community. It will be a 1 mile run on the grounds of Groves where participants will be splashed with colored powder throughout the course. After the race, they will have food/beverages available for purchase from local businesses. The event will take place on Sunday, May 16, from 1pm-4pm. Admissions will be $5 a person and will include a white mask for each participant to wear for the duration of the event. It is also recommend that participants wear white to show off the color :). Limited T-shirts will be available for purchase at the event. This event will be following all state guidelines, requiring face masks and social distancing, and staggering start times to ensure the health and safety of all the participants. 

All the proceeds will go to Teens Against Cancer, a student led organization that raises money and awareness for pediatric leukemia.

Here is some more information about TAC: 

https://events.lls.org/mi/detroitsoy21/cdelaney

Here is the link to sign up, which includes the start time, payment, and waivers

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuAIZTD4hRCr2-iDZNxg1jK-oAiFMJWraSLjU9ltLmn-txmg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Free Online Debate Workshops

Sponsored by The Freemont Debate Academy & Seaholm High School

DO YOU LIKE TALKING?

DEBATING?

POLITICS?

LEARNING MORE ABOUT THEWORLD AROUND YOU?

We value YOUR voice…. Join us!

LEARN DEBATE BASICS THROUGH

4 FREE ONLINE WORKSHOPS!

WORKSHOPS FORMATTED FOR STUDENTS GRADES 6-8

INTRODUCTORY MEETING 5/5/21 @ 4:30

WORKSHOP DATES:

5/12/21, 5/19/21, 5/26/21, 6/2/21

FROM 4:30- 5:30

For more information and Zoom Links contact:

Charly Ying, CTY1@BPS-SCHOOLS.Com or

Hayley McKinney, HMcKinney@BPS-SCHOOLS.COM

We’re hiring!

Birmingham Public Schools is hiring Noon Aides, Custodial and Transportation staff.

• Noon Aides
  Additional Noon Aides are needed in elementary and middle school buildings now that we have returned to full-day face-to-face.  Noon Aides monitor and supervise students eating in the cafeteria and provide consistent day-to-day care and supervision of children on the playground.  Shifts are 2-2.5 hours per day   Please apply through the Oakland HR Consortium.
• Transportation
  Durham School Services is hiring! For more information, contact Eursella at 248-203-3940 or erlewis@durhamschoolservices.com. Apply today at www.durhamschoolservices.jobs.net/
• Custodial
  Head Custodian, Custodian and Sub-Custodian positions are available throughout the District. Please apply through the Oakland HR Consortium

Paraprofessionals Needed

The Birmingham Public Schools is seeking Paraprofessionals to support students in the special education department. We have several positions that are available for immediate occupancy. Special Education Paraprofessionals provide support to students who need modified instruction or assistance, as described in their Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Depending on the student’s need, a paraprofessional might

• modify or adapt instruction for student(s) with disabilities
• work with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material or skills introduced by the teacher
• providing one-on-one assistance to student(s) with disabilities
• guide independent study, enrichment work, and remedial work with students as set up and assigned by the teacher
• assist students with self-care tasks (as necessary)
• assist in record-keeping 

Paraprofessionals in Michigan must have a high school diploma. BPS Paraprofessionals are eligible for individual health insurance after 90 days of employment and eligible for 2-person or family coverage after 6 months of employment. Interested individuals should apply to the Open Non Certified Position/Special Education Paraprofessional at https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/134 or they may email Laura Mahler at lmahler@birmingham.k12.mi.us or they may call our department office at #248-203-3014.

BPS Saturday School

We are happy to announce that the BPS Saturday School is once again operating throughout the school year to offer academic support and tutoring for all BPS students in grades K – 12.  BPS Saturday School takes place every Saturday (excluding holidays and breaks) throughout the school year. Saturday School is normally hosted in the media center at Berkshire Middle School, but we are now operating virtually through Zoom from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. each Saturday on the following dates:

May: 1, 8, 15, 22

The BPS Saturday School Coordinators will be working together with Groves’ NHS students as well as Oakland University student teachers to provide tutoring through Zoom and the use of “breakout rooms.” Our coordinators will be able to maneuver back and forth between breakout rooms to be able to monitor and support the tutorials.  Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2047672482?pwd=T3pVU1REUXZTN09NM1MvSSsrVTJiZz09

Please visit the BPS Saturday School webpage to learn more and we hope to see you in this year’s virtual setting!  https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/domain/839

Yearbooks for Sale

Please go to the Berkshire Homepage for details: https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/27

VARC Update

With the move to our hybrid schedule, our Virtual Academic Resource Center will continue to be offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, during lunch and rec.  You can access VARC through this VARC Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4127713640

This is a great first stop for academic support! Encourage your child to sign in and touch base with our Berkshire staff. We are so happy to support our Berkshire students! 

VARC updated times:

Monday – 11:21 am-12:58 pm

Wednesday – 11:05-12:40 pm

Friday – 11:21am-12:58 pm

BPS Summer Camps

Summer camps are online now at www.communityed.net – Birmingham Community Education. 

BPS Parent Pride Support Group

Your child may be out or not. Either way, this is a great place to meet other parents, ask questions, learn how to be an ally and give and receive support.

Virtual Meetings@ 7:00 pm: March 2nd, March 23rd, April 27th and May 25th

Please email Angela Lemont for the Zoom link or with any questions: angelalemont@gmail.com

BU Hockey

We are very excited to let you know that we have set the 2021 summer calendar for BU Hockey!  Please note that this is for all incoming students as well as for existing students.  All are welcome!  For new players, we are also hosting a Zoom intro meeting on May 4th at 8pm with our varsity head coach, Zack Warson.  Zack has a long history of coaching success at all levels, including college and AAA.  He is excited about the future of our program and to meet all potential players.  You can also reach him directly at: (810) 287-7877 or zack.warson@gmail.com.  Below are the key dates (if interested in the Zoom meeting, please email steve.carrel@trpfund.com and he can provide the Zoom link):

SAVE THE DATE

Please note that dates and times could change

May 4th at 8pm — Zoom meeting with Head Coach

June 14th – June 17th — BU Spring Camp for ALL prospective players (new and returning) – 3pm JV; 4pm Varsity 

June 14th – July 30th — BU Summer League (Varsity & Junior Varsity) at Orchard Lake 

July and August — Optional Summer Training (off-ice & on-ice); all players are encouraged to train on their own as well

August 23rd – August 25th — Invite only training camp (primarily Varsity players)