[BHS Etree] BUSD: A+E-news-Board Committees, Testing, Gardening, English Learners, Forums, TWI

[BHS etree]

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Final Weekend of BHS Hairspray Production
 

 Click on photo to view photo stream from last weekend's production. 

If you haven't seen Berkeley High's Hairspray -  The Musical, you'll want to catch it this Friday or Saturday night (April 27 or 28), at 7 p.m. in the BHS Little Theater on Allston Way.
The cast is great, the show is well worth taking the whole family. This is another great opportunity for middle school families to check out Berkeley High from the inside. 
  BHS PTSA and Safety Committee co-sponsor Cyberbullying Forum

Parenting in the Digital Age: With Power Comes Responsibility

April 30th 7:00 - 8:30
BHS Library 

More info.  


Superintendent Search
 
Application Period Closed
Review of Applications at Closed Session Board Meeting: May 2
Updates and Timeline 
Our Community talks about the Berkeley Public Education Foundation
 
Hear about how BPEF has made a difference for our students and teachers.
Spring Luncheon details below.
 First Day of School for 2012-13 is August 29th.  
Click on the image above to see the full calendar of district-wide meetings, events, and holidays on our website. 
 
Give us your feedback on the A+ eNews


We want the A+ eNews to serve your needs for district-wide information.  Let us know what you think or want to know about! Send us an email at:
A-plus at berkeley.net 

BUSD Calendar 2011-2012

Printable calendar PDF here. 
 
BUSD Calendar 2012-2013

Printable calendar PDF here.
Did you miss the Budget Forums? 
 
If you were not able to make it to the Budget Forums, you can catch up online. Videos of the forum and presentation documents can help you to understand the state of California's budget, how it is affecting education, and more specifically the impact expected on the BUSD budget over the next two years.
Superintendent to set up Ad Hoc Family Engagement Workgroup 

As part of the implementation of the site based parent liaison program recently approved by the School Board, the Superintendent is forming an Ad Hoc Family Engagement Workgroup.  The purpose of the group is to advise on the implementation of the parent liaison program and the formation of a city-wide Parent Advisory Council.  Parent/guardian representatives are needed to support this work.  Contact Jana Jandra in the Office of the Superintendent (644-6206) for more information and a short application.  Deadline: Friday, May 4th at noon.

More information on the parent liaison program is available here. 
English Learner Parent Event 

An English Learner (EL) Parent Forum is taking place Friday, May 11 from 5:45 - 9:00 p.m at Rosa Parks Elementary (920 Allston Way).   This is an event to inform the EL Parent Community about the District's Master Plan for English Learners.  The evening will include student performances, informational fair, and prizes.  Dinner and childcare are provided.  Registration form in English and Spanish on our blog. 
Standardized Testing Underway 

 
You can read the Superintendent's Letter to Families about the STAR program in English or Spanish here. 
 
The STAR Program testing dates are:
High School: April 23-30
Elementary and Middle School: May 6-13
Visit our STAR Program webpage for a listing of the various tests and a short Q&A about the STAR program.
Garden and Cooking Nutrition Program Gets Lifeline

Garden girls who like their veggies

The political battles over the Farm Bill in Washington D.C. and new public campaign strategies to slow the obesity epidemic in California have put the future of Berkeley's garden and nutrition programs in jeopardy.  Funding streams that previously provided the financial support and program incentives are being looked at for other uses.  Read rest of the story.
Two Board Committees Need Members: Surplus Facilities and Facilities Naming 

BUSD property on Gilman could be considered surplus

The Board is looking for parents, educators and community members to serve on a Surplus Facilities Committee to address the possibility of surplusing a small strip of land on the Gilman Street side of the BUSD Transportation facility, and on a Facilities Naming Committee with the purpose of naming the BUSD athletic field located at Derby and Martin Luther King Jr. Way.  Read more... 
Two Way Immersion (TWI) School to be considered by Board in May 

The consolidation of the TWI strands at three schools into one TWI School was considered by the Two Way Immersion Task Force during its proceedings this year and ended with a report of findings and recommendations. The TWI Task Force recommended LeConte Elementary as the school site for a single TWI School.  Concurrently, the English Learner Working Group has been evaluating the District's curricular programs for English Learners.  The work of both groups will inform the Superintendent's recommendation to the Board on the issue of TWI consolidation expected for presentation at either the May 9th or May 25th Board meeting.  
LEARNS Afterschool Program Hosts Showcase 

Berkeley LEARNS Spring Showcase features visual and performing arts by students in all 13 afterschool programs.  All families welcome.

May 18th
6:30-7:00 p.m. gallery walk
7:00-8:30 p.m. student performances
Location: King Middle School, 1781 Rose St.
BHS Band & Orchestra Spring Concert - Big Success 

Hear what these musicians are doing in this sampler of the combined finale, and check out the rest of the Spring Concert videos while you're there.




The Berkeley High Concert Bands and Concert Orchestra performed their Spring Concert on April 19th. These musicians just returned from 
amazing performances at the California Music Educators festival and were eager to have a home audience! The concert featured senior Clarissa Dyas in Leroy Anderson's A Trumpeter's Lullaby, and the finale featured a combined band, orchestra and chorus force of 160 musicians in selections from Carmina Burana. You heard that right, chorus is alive at BHS!
Upcoming School Board Meetings 

May 9th and 25th at 7:30  p.m.
Agenda items: Budget cuts, TWI 
Location: 2134 MLK Jr. Way  
Agendas posted 72 hours prior on this webpage.
 
BSEP P&O Committee
May 1st & 15th from 7:15 - 9:30 p.m.
Location: Malcolm X School, 1731 Prince St.  

Superintendent's Budget Advisory Committee
May 1 from 5:30 - 7:30pm
Location: BUSD Oregon Street Conference Room: 1720 Oregon St.

BPEF Luncheon to Honor Teachers Going 'Above and Beyond'

This year, at its annual spring fundraising luncheon, Berkeley Public Education Foundation will honor three standout middle school teachers for 58 combined years of tirelessly going "above and beyond" for their students and school communities.
   
Akemi Hamai, Science Department Chair, Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School
 
Mary Patterson, AVID and Dual Immersion Humanities Teacher, Longfellow Middle School
   
George Rose, 7th Grade Humanities, Speech and Debate, and Drama Teacher, Willard Middle School
 
The BPEF Spring Luncheon is an annual civic event that brings out over 400 people to celebrate and support Berkeley public schools.  Information and tickets to the event are now on sale.

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