<div dir="ltr">
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:red">PLEASE
do not reply to this email, contact</span><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial"> Principal Sam
Pasarow, <a href="mailto:sampasarow@berkeley.net">sampasarow@berkeley.net</a></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">April 20, 2016</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Dear Berkeley High
School Community,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Over the course of
this school year, my leadership team and I have been working with a group known
as the “Design Team,” a representative group of teachers, staff,
administrators, parents, and students committed to an inclusive process of
learning, research, and design for school change at Berkeley High. I am writing
with an update on the efforts to bring structural change to Berkeley High
School, and to invite you to participate in the discussion. </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">I first informed
you about our re-design process in <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zhti5O90CatLHuC8JDGFCnsrHvKZeWyfdbd4_tFZz5I/edit">a
community-wide email</a> last October, noting that any structural change being
implemented would not go into effect until the 2017-2018 school year for
entering 9th graders. While none of the proposed changes will impact current
students or next year’s incoming 9th graders, we want you to be informed about
our efforts and to have opportunities to give input.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Work of the Design Team</span></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Earlier this year,
the Design Team worked to develop a shared understanding of what the research
says about effective high school design, and then to identify the problems we
are trying to solve with the re-design. </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">We recognize that
Berkeley High School’s current structure does not align with research on
effective high schools, and we have been unable to interrupt predictable and
inequitable outcomes for students based on race, ethnicity and socioeconomic
status. Berkeley High School must do a better job of preparing all students to
graduate career and college ready.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">To further guide
the change process, the Design Team developed a description of what we want for
all BHS graduates and used the research about effective high schools to design
proposals for school-wide change. The Design Team has presented several
possible models to staff, student, and parent groups, and is using community
feedback to craft a final recommendation. We are committed to making changes
that will provide: </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">•<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>support for incoming students with
the middle to high school transition</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">•<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>opportunities for students to develop
relationships with their teachers and peers </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">•<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>access to academic rigor for all
students.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Some specific
elements of the proposals we are considering include:</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">•<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>A regular advisory period for
students</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">•<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Structures that facilitate stronger
relationships between teachers and students</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">•<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>A possible heterogeneous universal
9th grade with houses (smaller communities of students grouped together with
teachers in common)</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">•<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>9-12th grade houses for all students</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">•<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Several proposals maintain the
current small schools (CAS, AHA, and AMPS) as well as AP and IB classes while
many offer a hybrid of the existing models </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">•<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>All proposals focus on improving
instruction in the classroom through culturally responsive teaching,
performance based assessments, access to academic rigor, and college/career
readiness</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">•<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>The proposals also include
collaboration time for teachers to work toward building rigorous content and
curriculum for all students</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Get Involved!</span></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">We would like to
share some of what we have learned so far in the re-design process, some
progress we have already made in strengthening our services and supports for
students, and to ask for your input, ideas, and feedback as we come together to
consider proposals for positive change that will benefit future Berkeley High
School students. Please join us at one of these upcoming workshops:</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">BHS Re-Design
Family Workshop: May 4, 7:00 - 9:00 pm in the BHS Library</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Chicano/Latino
Bilingual Family Workshop: May 5, 7:00 - 9:00 pm in BHS College and Career
Center</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Chicano/Latino
Spanish Only Family Workshop: May 22, 9:00 - 10:30 am in BHS College and Career
Center</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">African American
Family Workshop: Date and Time To Be Determined</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Middle School
Family Workshops: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">the proposed re-design
efforts will impact BUSD's current 7th grade students if they are implemented
in 2017-2018.</i></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Longfellow Middle School: Wednesday,
May 11, 2016, 6:00 - 7:30</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Willard Middle School: Wednesday,
May 18, 2016 7:00 - 8:30</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">King Middle School: Wednesday, May
25, 2016 7:00 - 8:30</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">In addition to a
series of family workshops, Design Team student members will be organizing
opportunities for current BHS students to give input and feedback. We will
continue to create more opportunities for student, parent and community groups
to participate as we move forward.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Next Steps</span></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">The Design Team
will use feedback and input from these workshops and meetings with staff,
parent, and student groups to inform and strengthen the design of the final
proposal that will be presented to staff for consideration. My hope is that
ultimately our re-design proposal(s) will garner widespread support from BHS
faculty and staff, and include robust engagement with the community before I
make a final recommendation to the Superintendent and School Board.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">We are already
making important headway on unifying Berkeley High School within our current
school structure. Examples include a new schoolwide math course sequence, our
9th grade Ethnic Studies / Social Living course and curriculum and important
first steps in implementing Restorative Justice at BHS. In response to a racist
threat left on a library computer, we “Took Back the Day” on December 9th and
embraced anti-racism teaching across our campus. Another positive indicator is
a 50+% decrease in suspensions from last school year. Whether or not we
redesign Berkeley High for 2017-2018, there are initiatives under way that will
continue to unify BHS and create a positive and inclusive school culture. </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">I have been truly
inspired by the students, teachers, staff, parents, and community groups who
have been willing to take up the work of making BHS better for all kids. While
making large scale changes to our high school is a complicated and challenging
process, I am hopeful that this school community will come together to make
changes that will significantly improve the educational experience of every
student at Berkeley High School. Please feel free to reach out to the Design
Team by email: <a href="mailto:designteam@berkeley.net">designteam@berkeley.net</a> with any questions or thoughts. We value
your input and participation in this process and look forward to the upcoming
community workshops.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Sincerely,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Sam Pasarow</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Principal,
Berkeley High School</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><u><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Design Team
Members 2016-2017</span></u></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Amanda Green-
Teacher, Academic Choice</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Amber Lee-
Student, AHA</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Amy
Crawford-Teacher, CAS</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Ardarius
McDonald-Dean of Students</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Christine Staples-
Parent, Academic Choice</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Claudia
Gonzalez-Teacher, AMPS</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Citlalli
Garcia-Student, Special Education</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Dagny
Dingman-Teacher, Academic Choice</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Daniella Maaze
Merschdorf - Teacher, World Language</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">David Luu-
Intervention Coordinator, OCI</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Dave Stevens-
Research and Data for BUSD</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Erin Schweng-
Vice-Principal</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Glenn
Wolkenfeld-PD Coordinator and Teacher, Academic Choice</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Hasmig
Minassian-Design Team Co-Coordinator and teacher in CAS</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Heidi
Ramirez-Weber- Vice Principal</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Janelle Bugarini-
Vice Principal</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Jannya Solwazi-
Student, AMPS</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Jessica Lopez-
Attendance Office</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">John Becker-
Berkeley Federation of Teachers and teacher in AHA</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">John Fike- Parent,
CAS</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Kate Garfinkel-
Teacher, Math 9 coordinator</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Kolondra
Harvey-Parent, AMPS</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Laura Marlin-
Parent, AHA</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Leib Sutcher-
Volunteer Alumni Consultant, Research Assistant Learning Policy Institute</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Matt Meyer-
Teacher, BIHS</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Maya Otey-
Student, Academic Choice</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Naomi Washington
Diouf- Teacher African-American Studies Department</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Neelam Khan-
Student, Newcomers</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Nehar Ali-Student,
Newcomers</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Nya Sandeford- Student,
BIHS</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Peter
Ross-Volunteer BUSD Parent consultant, Chief of Staff at Learning Policy
Institute</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Robin Claire
Barnes- Parent, BIHS</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Ruby
Spies-Student, CAS</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Sam
Pasarow-Principal, Berkeley High</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Steven Saunders-
Safety Officer</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Susannah Bell-
Teacher, Special Education</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Susi Lopez-
Teacher World Languages</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Tamara
Friedman-Design Team Co-Coordinator and PD Coordinator</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Teri
Goodman-Counselor</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(79,129,189);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">_____________________________</span><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:black"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(79,129,189);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">Marguerite Fa-Kaji, Catherine Ference and Dylan Kaufman are
the parent-volunteer facilitators of the Etree; please direct any questions
about the Etree to them at </span><a href="mailto:bhs-owner@lmi.net" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,176,240);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">bhs-owner@lmi.net</span></a><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(79,129,189);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">.</span><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(79,129,189);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(79,129,189);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">BHS etree archives: </span><a href="http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/" target="_blank" title="http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,176,240);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/</span></a><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(79,129,189);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">BHS website: </span><a href="http://bhs.berkeleyschools.net/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,176,240);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">http://bhs.berkeleyschools.net/</span></a><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(79,129,189);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">To post a message, send to: </span><a href="mailto:bhs@lmi.net" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,176,240);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">bhs@lmi.net</span></a><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(79,129,189);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">.</span><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(79,129,189);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">To </span><u><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">unsubscribe</span></u><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(79,129,189);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%"> from the etree, send an
email to </span><a href="mailto:bhs-request@lmi.net" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,176,240);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">bhs-request@lmi.net</span></a><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(79,129,189);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%"> with
one word only in the subject line: <b>unsubscribe </b>(The request must be sent
from the email address that is subscribed to the list.)<br>
To <u>subscribe</u> to the etree, send an email to </span><a href="mailto:bhs-request@lmi.net" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,176,240);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%">bhs-request@lmi.net</span></a><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(79,129,189);background:white none repeat scroll 0% 0%"> with
one word only in the subject line: <b>subscribe</b></span><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial"></span></p>
</div>