A+ news masthead
Jackets Play for State Basketball Title Thursday
Congratulations to the Berkeley High
Boys' Basketball Team! 

Our Northern California Regional Champs will play the Southern California Regional Champs for a shot at the State title.

The State Championship game is this Thurs., March 24 at 8:00 p.m.  at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.

Tickets here
Annual  César Chávez-Dolores Huerta Essay/Poetry/Spoken Word/Art Contest
Cesar Chavez

March 8 - April 8

Students in grades 2 - 12 are encouraged to participate!


Third Tech Talks for Parents - Coming Soon

Tech Workshop 3: A focus on how to make technology your family's friend this summer

Previously announced April 7th Workshop has been postponed to later this school year.
Annual Performing Arts Performance - The Power of Music Education 
Congratulations to all the young musicians and performers who took to the stage on Sunday at the Annual Performing Arts Showcase in Berkeley High's Community Theatre.

Thanks to the Berkeley community, the BSEP measure provides music education for every student!
District Meetings & Events
School Board Members Hold Monthly "Office Hours"
Join a board member in a local cafe and bring your ideas, suggestions, and questions.
 
Find the Board Member Office Hours Schedule

Note: No School for Students Spring Break: 
March 28-April 1
Google Calendar
Brown Act Committees Open to the Public:

Tues., March 22 at 6:00; Longfellow Library

Tues., March 22 from 7:15-9:30pm
2020 Bonar St., Room 126

Wed., March 23, 7:30 p.m.
(School Board Meetings are held in the Board Room at 1231 Addison St.)
All School Board meetings are televised live on local cable channel 33 and stream live on  the BUSD YouTube channel .
2016-17 School Year
Calendar 

Note: The first day of school is TUESDAY, August 30 (not Wednesday as in prior years)!
California State Seal
Don't Wait, Vaccinate!
Starting January 1, 2016, a new state law (Senate Bill 277) no longer allows parents/guardians of students in any school or child-care facility, whether public or private, to submit a personal beliefs exemption form for any currently required immunization.

Read more.
Give us your feedback on the A+ News

Let us know what you think or what you'd like to know more about! 
Send an email to:

State Testing Begins Soon
This spring all public schools in California are participating for the second year in the statewide student assessment program, now known as the "California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress" (CAASPP). This computer-based assessment is designed to measure student learning of the Common Core Standards in English Language Arts and Math for grades 3-8, and 11.*

Note to High School Families: Many California State University and community colleges are using student performance on the state test to assess college readiness and college course placement.  All 11th grade students should participate and put their best foot forward.

You are invited: An information session for families about the state assessment will take place on April 14, 6:30 - 8:30 pm in the School District Board Room (1231 Addison). 

If you would like to look at a sample of the state assessment your child will be taking, you can view practice tests online here.  Just log in as a "Guest" and select the grade level to get started.

* School specific dates will be announced following Spring Break.
Special Education Department Webpage Improved

Do you wonder what is meant by inclusion? Are you interested to know what services and supports are available for students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)? You can find answers to these and other questions on the newly expanded Special Education Department webpage .

Thanks to a collaboration between Special Education staff and interested parents, and with support from the district technology department, more information and links to special education resources are at your finger tips.

Director of Special Education Lisa Graham welcomes families to reach out to her during informal office hours that she holds on the  1st  Tuesday  of the month ( 8-10 am ) at   Westside Bakery Cafe  (corner of 9th & Parker St.).
What is BSEP?
During the months of February and March, parents, teachers, staff, and community members who participated in a community conversation about BSEP enjoyed this video. Now you can also learn about the Berkeley Schools Excellence Program (BSEP) - Berkeley's special tax for public education - in less than three minutes!
Volunteer With Us
Have you been thinking about planting a garden? Why start your own when you can help plant ours with children and young people?

Volunteers are an important part of our work. They help inspire the many students who tell their parents and friends about the tasty veggies they tried in the garden and the seeds they planted in the dirt. Whether it is garden maintenance, instructional support, or event assistance, please consider volunteering your time in the school gardens! You can find details on our Gardening & Cooking page .
BHS Jazz Ensemble at Yoshi's
Every year the BHS Jazz Ensemble is invited to perform at Yoshi's in Oakland, a prestigious jazz and blues venue known throughout the music world. As has become the hallmark of BHS Jazz, the range of performance was exceptional. 

Schools Fund Spring Luncheon: 
Let the Music Play
Berkeley Public Schools Fund's annual Spring Luncheon fundraiser is on Friday, May 6. This year's theme is  Let the Music Play , honoring the BUSD music program. Join us in paying tribute to the power of music education!

The Luncheon will take place from 11am-1:30pm at Hs Lordships Restaurant on the Berkeley Marina. This event always sells out so buy your tickets soon!

Purchase Tickets or Sponsor a Table Here
Berkeley Unified School District

http://www.berkeleyschools.net