Greetings Berkshire Families:

Thank you again for all of the families that have reached out to offer support after the passing of Mr. Timothy Quill. As I stated in the initial email. Mr. Quill served as one of our paraprofessionals and as our Berkshire Boys and Girls Assistant Swim Coach. Mr. Quill’s family will be planning a memorial service sometime this summer. We will certainly update everyone with more details once those details are shared with us.
Have a great weekend and thanks in advance for reading the following Berkshire Family Update!

Jason Clinkscale
Principal
Berkshire Middle School 

Upcoming Dates

Last Day of 3^rd Quarter/Middle School and BCS Half Day,: Friday, April 23
Districtwide Half Day, students attend in-person in the a.m.: Friday, April 30
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

Half Day Schedule for Friday (4/23)

Half Day AM Schedule (No C3)

COVID Testing for 13-Year-Old and Up Berkshire Sports Participants: Monday (4/12)
Our next round of COVID testing will happen Mondays during C3 in the cafeteria.  Please encourage your students to come directly from 6th hour if they are here for in-person learning.

For those that are learning virtually, we will move the testing to the Berkshire foyer at the end of the day until the start of practice. Please drop your student off in the front loop before they head to practice or their game and we will process their tests as quickly as possible.

MSTEP Testing Update
Last week communication was sent regarding MSTEP testing at the middle school level. As we get ready to enter our first 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, 4/21
8th grade: social studies- 4/26, 4/27
7th grade: ELA- 5/3, 5/4, 5/6
7th grade: math- 5/7, 5/10, 5/11
6th grade: math- 5/10, 5/11, 5/14
6th grade: 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 8^th grade science during 1^st hour, the student tests during 1^st 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

Autism Acceptance Month 
April has been known as Autism Awareness Month, a time to empower autistic individuals and their families. This year, we shifted from a month of awareness to celebrating Autism Acceptance Month. Schools across the District held spirit weeks and events to celebrate, promote acceptance and show support. 

8^th Grade Student Spotlight
It's time to celebrate our 8th graders! We are proud of the growth and progress they have made during their middle school years, and are excited for their bright futures ahead. This year, we'd like to highlight how they made the most of their middle school years, the connections that they made while at Berkshire, and learn what they are looking forward to getting involved with in high school!
For our 8th grade Student Spotlight, please fill out this form, 2021 8^th Grade Student Spotlight, with as much information as you would like to share. We will share this information 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.  Any files that are uploaded will be shared on social media.

Summer Bridge Program
BPS is excited to announce summer learning opportunities, including the district’s Summer Bridge Program for students currently enrolled in Grades K-8. For more information on the Summer Bridge Program and other resources and opportunities for summer learning, please be sure to visit the BPS Summer Learning Opportunities 2021 website.

Rx For Reading Book Drive- April 12th - May 10th
My name is Jillian Mellon and I am in the 7th grade at Berkshire Middle School. As a community service project in honor of my upcoming Bat Mitzvah, I am partnering with Rx for Reading Detroit and hosting a book drive in our community. Reading has always been an important part of my life. I can’t imagine not having access to books. I want to help other kids have access to books so they, too, can develop a love of reading and set themselves up for a successful future.

Rx for Reading is a non-profit literacy initiative that works to expand access to children’s books in Detroit, Dearborn, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and Ypsilanti and support families in reading with their children. Many of the children they serve have no books of their own. Learn more about their important work- rxreading.org I am collecting all types of new or gently used books for babies, toddlers, kids and teens from Monday, April 12th thru Monday, May 10th. There will be collection bins located at Beverly Elementary School and Berkshire Middle School.  If I am able to collect 350 books I’ll be able to open a new Rx for Reading Library and sustain it for three months. I hope you’ll help me with this goal! Thank you!

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

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:
April: 17, 24
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
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

Caddie Registration at Bloomfield Hills Country Club
It's that time of year again, when we send out our caddie flyer and information to the local school's districts in our area. Our mission is to recruit students, from the local area, to come out and become a caddie at BHCC. Attached to this email, you will find out caddie flyer for this upcoming summer. Please feel freeto share this information with eligilbe students that might be interested.

In addition, we are hosting a Caddie Registration Day on Saturday, April 17th from 10am to 2pm for new recruits to come check out the club, meet staff and fill out applications for this summer. New recruits are boys and girls, who are 13 years & older, who are looking to spend their summer with their friends, working outside on a golf course. Students at both the middle school & high school level, have a chance at the great opportunity. Please click on the flyer link at the bottom of this email (2021 BHCC Caddie Flyer.PDF) for more details.

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

Oakland Youth Innovation Lab Opportunity
Oakland Youth Innovation Lab will ignite a joy of learning for students in grades 6-11! This unique learning experience will be grounded in a strong sense of community and will engage students in deep learning that is meaningful and authentic.
In the spring, students will meet with teachers for community-building activities and to co-create the Design Lab planned for July.  
In July, the Oakland Youth Innovation Lab community will come together for a two-week intensive learning experience that is relationship-rich and infused with choice, self-direction, relevance, and joy.   

• Students will meet daily in advisory groups where they create a network of support, discuss ways to actualize their passions, and engage in service learning.
• Students will participate in master classes in a variety of subjects, such as graphic design, robotics, poetry, portrait photography, and journalism which will be co-taught by teachers and experts from the community. Over the course of two weeks, each student will develop and launch a passion project.
• The two-week Design Lab will culminate in a community exhibition where students share their passion projects with the school and local community.

In the fall, ongoing mentoring will take place and lead to a community celebration in January 2022.
This program allows students from Birmingham, Berkley, Bloomfield Hills, Clarenceville, Oak Park, Southfield, and Troy to attend. All classes will take place at the host site in Oak Park.
For more information, please go to Informational flyer.
To register, please complete the following application: Birmingham - Oakland Youth Innovation Lab - Student Application - Google Forms

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 2^nd, March 23^rd, April 27^th and May 25^th
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 4^th 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 4^th 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)