Greetings Berkshire Families:
While most of the 6th graders had the day off, the Berkshire staff and students thoroughly enjoyed hosting our 5th grade future Wildcats on Friday (5/17). The 5th graders had an opportunity to meet the Berkshire staff, eat lunch in the Berkshire Cafe and get an in depth tour of our school by several of our 6th grade students who volunteered their time to serve as guides on their day off. Thank you students! In addition, a special shout out to Mr. Brooks and the entire 6th grade team for organizing and planning this great experience.
I hope everyone has a great week ahead and please take time to read the following Berkshire Weekly Update!
Jason Clinkscale
Principal
Berkshire Middle School
Stay informed about all things Berkshire by….
…reading this Berkshire Weekly Update email.
…signing up for Mr. Clinkscale’s Remind text messages by texting the message @berks to 81010 from your mobile device.
…visiting the Berkshire Middle School webpage (http://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Berkshire).
…following us on Twitter (@Berkshiremiddle) and Facebook.
Upcoming Events:
Monday (5/20)
Follett Book Fair
Girls Soccer @ West Hills MS (4 pm)
Boys Tennis Finals Tournament – 1 & 2 Singles @ West Hills MS. 3 &4 Singles @ Bloomfield Hills MS
8th grade Washington DC trip (departs in the evening)
Tuesday (5/21)
Follett Book Fair
Boys Tennis Finals Tournament – 1 & 2 Doubles @ West Hills MS. 3 &4 Doubles @ Bloomfield Hills MS
Destination Imagination @ Global Competition (Good luck, team!)
Wednesday (5/22)
Follett Book Fair
Girls Soccer @ Covington (4 pm)
Thursday (5/23)
Follett Book Fair
Friday (5/24)
Follett Book Fair
8th grade Washington DC trip (returns early morning)
Destination Imagination (returns from global competition)
Saturday (5/25)
Orchestra and Band Cedar Point trip
Thanks for visiting, future students!
It was our pleasure to support the transition from fifth to sixth grade as eager students from our feeder elementary schools came together on Friday to visit Berkshire! While here, students were given a variety of hands-on opportunities to get to know the school layout, the teachers, the students, and the day-to-day operations that make Berkshire an awesome place to learn! We are looking forward to welcoming these students at Berkshire Bound to continue building the bridge between elementary school and middle school. We look forward to supporting their learning for the next three years of their education!
Berkshire Bound Registration – now open
Berkshire Bound will be held this year from August 19-23rd. This orientation for incoming Berkshire 6th grade students is a great way for kids to familiarize themselves with Berkshire, meet Berkshire teachers, make new friends, and learn some strategies that will help them in their first year of middle school.
To register online:
Good luck Mrs. Peterson, parents, and our Destination Imagination Team!
The following students will be competing at Destination Imagination Global Competition in Kansas City, Montana, this coming week! We are proud of you all and know you will represent Berkshire well!
J. Jacobs
A. Bastani
M. Peterson
F. MacWilliams
A. Diwadkae
Berkshire Follett Spring Book Fair – Monday – Friday
Come shop at the book fair it will be open until 4 pm each day this week! Purchase your own book and/or donate to your teacher’s classroom library if you’d like! Teachers have created “Wish Lists” for their classroom. Send money with your child or stop in and shop or purchase a digital gift card!
Berkshire PTA Update
Last week was the annual BPS Reflections Reception, where we celebrate participants that advanced in the Reflections Program as well as Volunteers of the Year, and the new PTA boards are sworn in.
Huge congratulations to our very own Berkshire Volunteer of the Year, Nicole Egdell, who is a force to be reckoned with. She has brought a depth of knowledge and moral center to the BPS parent community, always striving to make the partnership stronger and better for the benefit of all our kids. Her calm presence belies just how much she’s doing - and has always done - to contribute to our schools. She always goes above and beyond to make our whole community better whether or not she gets any credit. An inspiration to all who know her and are lucky enough to work with her, Nicole has provided consistent leadership as PTA president at both the elementary and middle school levels, as well as for the district-wide PTA Council. We at Berkshire are so grateful for all her years of hard work, gentle humor and what will certainly be a lasting legacy.
The 2019-2020 PTA Board is:
PTA President - Luz Martinez-Lawton
PTA President Elect - Jodi Roche Forquer
PTA Treasurer - Angie Lawrence Williams
PTA Secretary - Kimberly Bruglio
PTA Past President - Julia Slatcher
VP of Membership - David Carroll
VP of Volunteers - Laura Ferries
We look forward to our work and partnership with our new Berkshire BTA board!
Lunch Time Reminders
8th Grade End of the Year – Information regarding upcoming events
Dear Berkshire 8th Grade Families,
Can you believe that your son/daughter will be in high school soon? As we enter the final stretch, we wanted to keep you informed about all of the great 8th grade activities that your child will be discussing with you soon. Below you will find a list of end-of-the-year activities, including the 8th Grade Ceremony & Dance (6/12) & Cedar Point (6/13), that we would like your child to take part in. Please note that Wednesday (6/12) will be the last official day of school for 8th graders. Thursday (6/13) will be the Cedar Point trip (those 8th graders not attending should stay home) and there will be no school for 8th graders on Friday (6/14).
Cedar Point
Date: Thursday, June 13th
Cost: $72
8th grade students that would like to join the Berkshire staff on the end-of-the-year Cedar Point trip should be at Berkshire Middle School on June 13th by 8 am so we can leave promptly at 8:15 am and return at 9:00 pm. Please be prepared to pick up your child promptly at 9:00 pm.
8th grade Ceremony and Sweet Endings Dance (after 8th grade Ceremony)
Date: Wednesday, June 12th
Reception Time: 6:30-7:00 pm
Ceremony Time: 7:00-8:00 pm
Dance Time: 8:00-9:30 pm
Cost: TBD ASAP (Thank you PTA for partnering with us to cover some costs!)
Please save the date of Wednesday, June 12th for the 8th Grade Dessert Reception to honor our 8th graders that will be leaving Berkshire. Wednesday, June 12th will be the last day of school for 8th grade students this year. The dessert and conversation will take place from 6:30 – 7:00 pm. The ceremony will immediately follow from 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Berkshire gymnasium. Due to space limitations, we ask that each student have no more than two guests in attendance at this event.
Suggested Dress Code for our 8th Graders attending the event:
GIRLS: Dress, skirt and blouse or dressy pants. (Please, no jeans.) Shoulder straps should be at least one inch wide. Skirts must reach fingertips.
BOYS: Long pants. (Please, no jeans.) Dress shirt tucked in and tie or collared shirt, dress shoes. (Please, no athletic shoes.)
Following the ceremony, we will have the annual 8th Grade Sweet Endings Dance from 8:00 – 9:30 pm in the Berkshire cafeteria. Students need to be picked up at 9:30 pm sharp. All students that would like to attend need to purchase their ticket from Ms. Guckian, Mrs. Cummins, or Mrs. Sweeney. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, June 3rd – Tuesday, June 11th; tickets will then be sold at the dance for an increased rate (we want students to purchase tickets ahead of time!). Please consider having your child come and celebrate their time at Berkshire with all their peers.
Thanks in advance for all your support and dedication while we all try to make the last days of your child being an 8th grader memorable. Please encourage your child to finish the year off strong and take every opportunity to make their last days great as a Berkshire Wildcat!
David Brooks
Assistant Principal & Athletic Director
Groves Fall Cheerleading Tryouts – Open Gym Clinics @ Groves May 23
Open gym clinics will be held at Groves in the main gym on May 23rd from 4-5pm. These clinics are designed to give interested students a chance to see what cheerleading is all about before tryouts. Tryouts will take place on June 4th and 5th, from 4-6pm. On the 5th, at the end of the tryouts, the team will be announced. See Mrs. Gacki for more info! (cgacki@birmingham.k12.mi.us)
Seaholm National Honor Society Offering Free Tutoring – May 28 and 30 until 6 pm @ Seaholm Media Center
NHS students have invited Berkshire students to attend the tutoring sessions on the dates above.
Groves Women's JV and Varsity Golf – info meeting for interested 8th grade students Tuesday, June 4 @ 6 pm at Groves, room G2
Any 8th grade students interested in playing for the Groves Women's Golf Team this fall - please join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday, June 4th with Coach White at Groves high School at 6:00 pm in room G2. We will have information on tryouts, golf bags, uniforms, dues, a tentative schedule for the fall season as well as summer tournament information. Please note that the original date of the meeting has changed from June 3 to June 4 due to a school activity conflict.
Groves Boys JV and Varsity Informational Tennis Meeting - Thursday, May 23 @ 7 pm, Groves, cafeteria
On Thursday, May 23rd at 7 p.m., we will have an Informational Tennis Meeting in the Groves cafeteria. Please join tennis Coaches Dave Farmer and Annie Moore, along with the Varsity Booster Parents for a meeting to learn all about Groves Boys JV and Varsity Tennis. You will learn more about tryouts (mandatory for anyone who would like to play), schedules, requirements, and what to expect! Junior Varsity will have cuts this year. Any additional questions, please contact GrovesBoysTennis2019@gmail.com. Please stay in loop for all information on the fall 2019 season by filling out the following form.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DsOdIgZTKXDtzfuuSntPIFxh9bB1MDT4sdysvdki6mM/edit
Front Office Help Needed
We are in need of more parent volunteers to work the front desk with Mrs. Borovsky this month! We would greatly appreciate any parents that are able to volunteer their time at Berkshire and get to know our school on a whole new level. Here is a link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c4badab28aa8-front6
Attention 8th grade Families: Summer School registration information
The 2019 Academic Summer School Brochure: https://birmingham.augusoft.net/customers/birminghamps/files/2019_HS-final.pdf
Questions? Concerns? Contact Catherine Henne * Community Education Office * Seaholm High Direct: (248) 203-3816 * Email: chenne@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Homework Club – Wednesdays weekly 3:15-4:15 room 124a (not on ½ days)
The Berkshire Homework Club has resumed and will throughout the school year on Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15pm in room 124a. It is a great place for students to get caught up, get organized, print off work, or get that little extra help they might need. No sign-up is needed and there is no cost to attend. Parents should be ready to pick-up students promptly at 4:15pm. If you have any further questions, please contact Todd Wriska @ twriska@birmingham.k12.mi.us. *Note: there is no Homework Club on half-days for students.
Want to see a calendar of events by grade level?
Now you can! Simply visit the Berkshire Homepage; click “Quick Links” along the left-hand side; select your child’s grade and check out the calendar events posted on the page. https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/27
2019 Spring Assessment Schedule
Due to absences and testing time, many students are still completing testing. It is most helpful if parents continue to monitor their child’s absences to ensure presence at school to finish testing. Thank you for making this a priority!
Annual Groves Orchestra Forte 5K – May 19 @ 9am, Beverly Park
Please join us for our 7th Annual Groves Orchestra Forte 5K! It will be at Beverly Park on May 19th at 9am. All proceeds will benefit the Groves HS Orchestra Program by subsidizing our orchestra camp in the fall. It will also ensure that all orchestra students will be able to attend the camp, regardless of financial situation. You can register at: www.bit.ly/forte5K (case sensitive). Please contact Mr. Shawver if you have questions.
BPS Family Pride Friends Important Dates and Information
For more information about the BPS Family Pride group feel free to check out their Facebook page @BPS Family Pride.
2019/2020 PAC - Accepting Applications – due by Friday, May 31st, 2019
The Specialized Instruction & Student Services Parent Advisory Council is now accepting applications for interested new members. The committee meets monthly, during the day (typically 9:30am - 11:30am) with SISS Administration to collaborate on existing SISS programs and advise on new programs and services. The PAC is one of the resources that makes our district so strong and is a great resource for our families.
Please visit the PAC page on the district website for more information and application: https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/2260
The deadline for accepting applications is Friday, May 31st, 2019. All applicants must have a student with an IEP attending a district school in the 2019/2020 school year.
If you have questions or require additional information, please contact:
Rachel Farabee* PAC Chair 2018/2019 *(810)348-0573 *rachelfarabee9@gmail.com
District Code of Conduct
https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/cms/lib/MI01908619/Centricity/Domain/45/CODE%20OF%20CONDUCT.pdf
Join us for “An Evening with Jonathan Greenblatt” - Thursday, May 23, 7:00 p.m. The Berman Center for the Performing Arts.
On Thursday, May 23, ADL’s CEO and National Director, Jonathan Greenblatt, will speak about ADL, the national (and global trends) of anti-Semitism, and how hate is being communicated and normalized. Jonathan has led the ADL’s fight on the ground and in the media, in boardrooms and on the internet. ADL is Fighting Hate for Good. Please join us and encourage your family and friends to come.
There is no fee for this program, but you must register to attend.
Register at the link above or visit: https://support.adl.org/event/an-evening-with-jonathan-greenblatt/e233101
Summer Volunteers Needed: Summer Day Camp @ Friendship Circle – June – August 9:30am – 3:15 pm
Looking for a meaningful way to spend your summer and gain volunteer hours? Experience the fun of daily field trips while making a difference in a child’s life by becoming their best friend. All sessions will be at Friendship Circle Meer Center, 6892 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322. Sign up at friendshipcircle.org/summer. Contact: Shelby@friendshipcircle.org, 248-788-7878 ext.244.
Session 1: 6/24-7/5 Session 2: 7/8-7/19 Session 3: 7/2-8/2 Session 4: 8/5-8/16
Summer Volunteers Needed: Friendship Circle Miracle (baseball) League @ Southfield Civic Center, 2600 Evergreen Rd. Southfield, MI 48076
Do you love sports and making a difference? Friendship Circle and Miracle League join together to give children with special needs the chance to be a part of a real baseball league. Volunteers help children with special needs have the opportunity to participate in a non-competitive game where they can hit, field and throw. Sign up at friendshipcircle.org/summer. Contact: Shelby@friendshipcircle.org, 248-788-7878 ext.244.
Wednesdays - June 12, 19, 26; July 10, 17, 24, 31; August 7 - - - 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Summer Volleyball Opportunity!
Heather Gambone (Berkshire teacher and Seaholm Varsity Coach) is offering camps to boys and girls entering grades 5th-10th of all ability levels this July! Participants will learn and 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. *Grade in Fall 2019
Sign up at: https://goo.gl/forms/btIuvArnNXJphZNy1
Summer Forensic and Debate Opportunity in Birmingham
This summer, Courtney Bassett and Hayley McKinney will be running both Debate and Forensic workshops at Birmingham Covington School. This is a MIFA sanctioned event. The Forensics workshop will take place from June 17th to June 21st and students will have an opportunity to explore a variety of forensic categories and participate in a mini tournament. There will be a Debate workshop from August 19th to August 23rd where students will work on basic argumentative skills, learn the basics of public forum debate and begin researching the fall resolution.
Oakland Summer Writers’ Camp – July and August, writers entering grades 5 – 8 @ Clarkston Community Education Center – registration opens online 4/17; in-person/phone 4/22
The Oakland Summer Writers’ Camp is for those who love to write! Each day is filled with opportunities to grow as a writer. Campers will learn about the craft of writing, including how to draft pieces and work with fellow writers and teachers to find golden words and just right lines. Returning students will learn how to add new layers to their writing, pushing it to the next level. During our writing camp, we use popular children’s books as models in our mini lessons. Each writer receives daily one to one attention as they develop each layer of their writing. The camp also includes a walking field trip through historic, downtown Clarkston. Friends and family are invited to attend an end-of-camp celebration where students share their writing as well as take home a published anthology of student work. Campers bring a lunch and enjoy time outside each day (weather permitting). Photographs may be taken. All camp supplies are included in the registration fee along with a camp t-shirt. We are looking forward to an awesome writing camp where we guide your child through a memorable writing adventure. We have many years of experience in teaching young writers. Instructors: Jim Haugh and Jan Finney
A limited number of scholarships are available. Contact Clarkston Area Youth Assistance (248.623.4313), your student’s school PTA, PTO, Clarkston Foundation or the Clarkston Optimist Club for more information.
Session One: M-F, July 8-19 (code: YS19-E11B) 9:00 – 2:00 pm - $275
Session Two: M-F, July 22-August 2 (code: YS19-E11A) 9:00 – 2:00 pm - $275
How to Register: Please make checks payable to Independence Township
Walk-In/Mail: Independence Township Parks, Recreation, 6483 Waldon Center Dr. Clarkston, MI 48346
Phone-In: 248-623-4326 and press 1 for a registration attendant.
Online: At www.indtwp.com
Summer Chess Camps – July 15-19, Birmingham Covington School, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
Join us this summer for tons of challenging chess lessons, exciting games, and cool prizes. You’ll improve your chess skills, meet new friends, and work out your most powerful muscle – your brain! Our camps will include fun team chess games (like bughouse), recess time (of course), snacks, tournaments, and puzzles. Each camper receives a Chess Wizards t-shirt, trophy, and puzzle folder. Unleash your brain power and spend some time of your break with Chess Wizards!
July 15-19: 9 am – 12 pm = 13778; 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm = 13779; 9 am – 3:30 pm = 13780
Sign up online at http://www.community.net/ or call 248-203-3800
Middle School Summer STEM Camp – incoming 6th graders: June 24-28; incoming 7th graders: July 8-12; incoming 8th graders: July 15-19 register at oaklandstem.com
This June and July, Oakland County middle schoolers can participate in hands-on, high-tech, project-based camps at Oakland Schools Technical Campuses. These camps will focus on STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Have your child spend this summer with like-minded students eager to get involved in career and technical education.
Cost? Just $190 per week, including lunch, snack and aftercare!
Questions? Contact Daphne Hoeft at cfe@oakland.k12.mi.us or call 248.209.2516.
Friendship Circle Summer Volunteers Needed
The Friendship Circle is seeking teenage volunteers (13 and up) who are looking for fun opportunities over the summer. Their opportunities include a summer day camp Monday-Friday, as well as Miracle League baseball Wednesday evenings. In both of these programs, teenage volunteers are paired one-to-one with a participant with special needs to have fun and form friendship. It is not only a fun way to spend the summer, but meaningful as well!
Sign Up to Volunteer: friendshipcircle.org/summer
Questions? Contact Shelby - shelby@friendshipcircle.org 248-788-7878j ext. 244
Oakland Summer Writing Camp
The Oakland Summer Writers’ Camp is for those who love to write! Each day is filled with opportunities to grow as a writer. Campers will learn about the craft of writing, including how to draft pieces and work with fellow writers and teachers to find golden words and just right lines. Returning students will learn how to add new layers to their writing, pushing it to the next level. During our writing camp, we use popular children’s books as models in our mini lessons. Each writer receives daily one to one attention as they develop each layer of their writing. The camp also includes a walking field trip through historic, downtown Clarkston. Friends and family are invited to attend an end-of-camp celebration where students share their writing as well as take home a published anthology of student work. Campers bring a lunch and enjoy time outside each day (weather permitting). Photographs may be taken. All camp supplies are included in the registration fee along with a camp t-shirt. We are looking forward to an awesome writing camp where we guide your child through a memorable writing adventure. We have many years of experience in teaching young writers.
Instructors: Jim Haugh and Jan Finney
A limited number of scholarships are available. Contact Clarkston Area Youth Assistance (248.623.4313), Clarkston Foundation or the Clarkston Optimist Club for more information.
Writers Entering Grades 5 thru 8
Session One: M-F, July 8-19 (Code: YS19-E11B) Session Two: M-F, July 22-August 2 (Code: YS19-E11A) 9:00-2:00pm ● $275 Clarkston Community Education Center Registration will open online on 4/17 and in person/phone on 4/22
How to Register???
Please make checks payable to Independence Township
Walk-In/Mail: Independence Township Parks, Recreation, 6483 Waldon Center Dr. Clarkston, MI 48346 Phone-In: 248-623-4326 and press 1 for a registration attendant.
