Greetings Berkshire Families:

The last week at Berkshire was jammed packed with some very cool opportunities for our students. For most of the week, a number of our 7^th graders were able to experience the Berkshire Adventure Michigan trip (Thanks to Billy Jackson and all of our chaperones for their tireless efforts!). In addition, many of our 8^th grade girls took part in our “For the Girls” assembly last Wednesday that was organized and facilitated by former Berkshire students that are now members of the Groves Student Congress. Speaking of the Groves Student Congress, some of our 8^th graders participated in their interviews to join this student leadership organization next year at Groves. We also saw an absolutely phenomenal event called “The Amazing Shake” that over 50 of our 7^th graders were able to participate in on Friday (Thank you Mrs. Jolokai, Mrs. Lucken and a number of our parent and community volunteers for your hard work on this!). Also, on Friday, we ended the week with some great 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade student performances at our Mock Rock dancing and lip-synching competition. Finally, to end the week, we have our music department competing at Cedar Point this Saturday.
There are only 13.5 days of school left, but we have a lot of learning and fun events still planned. Thanks for staying informed by reading the following Berkshire Family Update!

Jason Clinkscale
Principal
Berkshire Middle School

Monday 5/22
Girls’ Soccer @ BHMS
8^th Grade Washington DC Departure

Tuesday 5/23
Honors Orchestra 7am
Boys’ Tennis @ BHMS

Wednesday 5/24
Kind Club 7:30am, room 120
Read it and Reap with Mrs. Sweeney, 7:40am room 217
Lego Club 7^th/8^th grade lunch/rec, room 119
Forensics 3:15-4:30pm, room 217
Art Club 3:15-4:15pm
Green Club 3:15-4:15pm

Thursday 5/25
Show Choir 7:15am
Boys’ Tennis @ EHMS

Friday 5/26
8^th Grade Washington DC Return
Bagel Sales
6^th graders stay home! 5^th grade visit

Saturday 5/27
NO SATURDAY SCHOOL

6th Grade Families: NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY
On Friday, May 26, 2023 there will be no school for current Berkshire 6th Graders. Berkshire will be hosting 5th grade students for Move Up Day. 7th grade students, and 8th graders not attending DC will have school as usual. 

Congratulations to our top 15 contestants of the Amazing Shake!
First, a huge thank you to our community members who helped us with our first annual Amazing Shake. It was a great day at Berkshire!
Next, a massive congratulations to our top 15 contestants (listed in alphabetical order, our top 5 will be announced at our movie party next week): Kaitlyn B., Ja’Layah B., Anabella C., Kenzie D., Raegan E., Olivia G, Sully K., Nathaniel L., Isla L., Camryn L., Leighton M., Javi P., Kolya R., Teagan T., Katherine Z.

Congratulations to all of the participants of Mock Rock
It takes huge confidence to take the stage! You are all winners!

8^th Grade Ceremony: Save the Date (6/7)
8th Ceremony and Sweet Endings Dance:
For our 8th graders our main celebration comes in the form of our 8th Grade Ceremony followed by the “Sweet Endings” dance.  Following are specific details regarding the night’s events:

• Date: Wednesday (6/7)
• Time:
• Dessert Reception: 6:30 - 7 pm
• Ceremony: 7 – 8 pm
• Dance: 8 – 9:30 pm
• Location - Groves High School:
• Dessert Reception: foyer outside main theater
• Ceremony: 7 - 8 pm: Groves Auditorium  
• Dance: 8 -9:30 pm: Groves Commons Area
• Points of Interest:
• Ceremony Attendance Limit: 2 guests per student (space is limited, but there will be an opportunity for tickets for additional guests…. Read below for details!)
• Dance tickets on sale now in the office:
• $15 through the front office (cash only)

8th Grade Ceremony Attendance Limit & Requesting Additional Tickets
Due to space limitations in the Groves Auditorium, every Berkshire 8th grade student will be provided two tickets for guests that would like to attend.  However, if you would like to request an additional 1 -2 tickets, please send an email request to Julie Walker (jwalker2@birmingham.k12.mi.us) by the 3 pm on Monday (6/5). The additional tickets are based on availability and will be provided on a first come, first serve basis. Those that request additional tickets will be notified Tuesday (6/6) afternoon, if they indeed will get the additional ticket(s).
Parents or guardians of 8th grade students that would prefer to pick up tickets from the Berkshire office can do so from Friday (6/2) at 7:30 am - Tuesday (6/6) at noon. Unclaimed tickets will be sent home with students on the afternoon of Tuesday (6/6)

8^th grade students – we need your t-shirt sizes!!
If they haven’t done so already, please have your student fill out this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelSPXH5xpPwkOxZdxs8KKcqdNp7A8JrRzQBmBrO_FO98uaiQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

8^th Grade Cedar Point Trip (6/8)

• Departure Meeting will take place via Zoom on Tuesday (5/30) at 6 pm – Zoom link to come
• Chaperones still needed (must be 21 years of age) – email xstremetours@gmail.com
• Permission Slip/Medical Forms are past due – Last chance to turn in is Monday (5/22)
• See the attachment link at the bottom of email if you need a copy of the permission slip/medical form (Copies are also be available in the Berkshire office)

Laptop Returns
8th grade students must return their laptops. They will get a new one to help them through their HS journey in the fall. Returned 8th grade laptops will be used for the incoming 6th graders.

In order to prepare the laptops for incoming 6th grade, 8th grade students must return laptops by Friday June 2nd. All Laptops must be returned with a working charger. Computers will be available in the Media Center for students in need of a computer after June 2, 2023.

Reminder:

• 8th grade students must return their laptops by June 2nd
• 7th grade students can return their laptop starting June 3rd to be imaged over the summer.
• 6th grade students can return their laptops starting June 3rd to be imaged over the summer.
• INCOMING 6th graders will receive their laptop the first week of school

Looking into the fall, 6th and 7th grade students will need to get their laptops reimaged. Students can drop their laptop off before they leave for the summer in order for it to be updated and ready for classes in the fall. Those students that do not turn in their laptop will be notified in the fall as to when they can bring theirs in to be r-imaged. If you have no need for your school laptop during the summer, please drop off in the Media Center before school lets out for the summer. Remember-SCHOOL LAPTOPS ARE FOR SCHOOL WORK!

Berkshire Bound Registration
Registration for Berkshire Bound is now live on our website: http://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/berkshire. Berkshire Bound is a fun program is for incoming 6^th grade students who want to become familiar with Berkshire.
For questions, call 248-203-4700 or email: plucken@birmingham.k12.mi.us.

PTA News
For upcoming news and information regarding all of the great things the PTA does for our school, please see the PTA News Update.

Volunteer to make our Wildcat Games great!
Our annual field day for 6^th and 7^th graders will be held on June 8^th: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4cafa62da4fa7-20232#/

4-day Summer Experience (last week of June) at OSTC for current 8^th grade students: https://www.ostconline.com/southeast/student-summer-experiences

8^th graders: Interview for GPAC’s Fall Musical!
Auditions will be held on Tuesday, June 6^th, from 3-6pm. Check in at the Groves High School Auditorium. Information is available on the GPAC page: https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=19469&dataid=34635&FileName=AuditionInformationNewsies.pdf

Youth Action Board's Teen Summer Concert
Friday, June 9th, 7 - 9 pm, Shain Park, Downtown Birmingham 
YAB is looking for performers, and sponsors. Email kmichad@bbcoalition.org for details.

Joy of Coding Online Summer Course at the University of Michigan
The Joy of Coding online course has been specially created by the University of Michigan Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for anyone who wants to experience first-hand the power and thrill of coding computers to do amazing things. We are able to offer need-based financial aid to help students pursue the program. Details are in our application.
Course Dates: June 21 - August 2, 2023
Course Format: completely online, no scheduled lectures
Course Cost: $125 + tax, need-based financial aid available
Prerequisites:  students must be 13 years or older, have taken high school algebra, have a desire to learn, are able to commit 4-6 hours a week and chip away at the material daily.
For priority consideration, please submit an application by May 30 on our website: https://joyofcoding.eecs.umich.edu/. For further questions, please email joyofcoding@umich.edu.

Diabetes Youth Services Summer Camp
This diabetes camp experience allows students aged 5-17 to have the chance to spend time with other children experiencing the same disease, engaged in fun activities and games and also to learn more about diabetes. This camp can be life-changing as students can learn new skills and independence in monitoring this lifelong medical condition. https://dys4kids.org/camp/?blm_aid=154754054

Upcoming Community Events and Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for ways to stay involved with Berkshire, to get your own kids involved in Berkshire service projects, or to find service opportunities for your Groves student?
Bookmark our community service page, which will be updated with signups, and new dates as they are set.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XDxKUVHp71cJlvfxh7AM1o3WERXBK7Pds9DcfjgF_2U/edit?usp=sharing