It has been exciting to see most BUSD students back at school and engaged in learning. We have received much positive feedback from our families and educators about the return to school. Thank you to our staff who went above-and-beyond in their efforts to make the start of this school year positive for our students. Thank you also to our students who enthusiastically returned to school masked up, prepared to follow COVID-19 safety protocols, and ready to learn. While this was an unusual start of an in-person school year in some respects, in many other ways it felt like a traditional return to school. We are thrilled to be back to in-person learning and look forward to a fun and focused year of learning ahead. |
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Berkeley High School students reconnected with classmates on the first day of school. |
Washington Elementary School students got right to work on the first day. |
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Longfellow Middle School students are on their feet and engaged on the first day of school. |
Berkeley High School students arrive at school on August 16, 2021. |
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BUSD continues to receive revised COVID-19 safety guidance from health officials. Please visit our Campus Safety Information Page often to access recent information and ensure a safe and healthy school year.
COVID-19 testing is available for all elementary and grade 6 students, high school student athletes, and to any student placed on modified quarantine. Students on modified quarantine must test negative twice at their school during the first week of their quarantine period in order to remain in school. As we solve for inventory shortages, we will extend testing to students in grades 7-12. Please register your student for testing here.
Testing is also available to BUSD staff. Any staff member who has not been verified as fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is required to test weekly.
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September 15 - October 15, 2021 |
The Berkeley Unified School District celebrates Latinx Heritage Month to recognize and honor the contributions of generations of Latinx Americans who have enriched and inspired our community and our nation. |
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BUSD Library Services prepared these recommended reading lists, preschool through high school. These reading lists represent books published in the last 5 years that are devoted to celebrating, representing, and affirming Latinx heritage, and celebrating the invaluable contributions of our Latinx community. All of these books are available through BUSD school libraries as a physical and/or digital book. For more information about any of these books, or to check one of them out, ask your school librarian.
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Vaccinations for the BUSD Community
Wednesday, September 29
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The City of Berkeley, in partnership with BUSD, is offering a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Berkeley Technology Academy on Wednesday, September 29. This clinic is open to anyone in the community. Appointments to receive the second vaccine are on Wednesday, October 20.
Walk-ins are accepted, but you can save time by registering at this link. A parent/guardian or a responsible adult must accompany any student under age 16. Please print and sign this consent form for students.
COVID-19 vaccination is an important risk mitigation strategy and helps to keep our schools open and our community safe.
Location: Berkeley Technology Academy, 2701 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley
Time: 1:30pm - 6:30pm
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Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Halls
Your Input is Important
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The district’s middle school enrollment policy is under review and your input is important! Please come to one of two Community Town Halls this week, or one of four affinty town halls in October, to learn more about why the policy is being reviewed and the current policy alternatives — with new draft assignment maps for your consideration.There will be plenty of time for questions and input at each town hall meeting. |
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Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Hall (English)
Tuesday, September 28, 6:00pm
Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Hall (Spanish)
Wednesday, September 29 at 6:00pm
Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Hall for Families of Latinx Students
(English)
Monday, October 4, 6:00pm
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Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Hall for Families of Special Education Students (English)
Tuesday, October 5, 6:00pm
Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Hall for Families of ELL Students (English)
Wednesday, October 13, 6:00pm
Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Hall for Families of African American Students (English)
Thursday, October 14, 6:00pm
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CCEIS Family Engagement Seminar Series
Led by Dr. Mary Bacon
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Parents, guardians, and BUSD staff are invited to “Listen…Educate…Advocate” on a variety of topics related to the goals of BUSD’S Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) Plan in a six-seminar series. These seminars are designed to empower families, in general, and African American/Black families specifically to become more knowledgeable about the educational system and more effective advocates for their children.
Presenters:
- Mary Montle Bacon, Ph.D. Educational Consultant, Images of a Culture
- BUSD Leaders, and Guest Presenters
Although the first session is designed for African American/Black families as the primary audience, this series is appropriate for all families seeking to improve their skills in negotiating the educational system and for BUSD employees who want to become more knowledgeable about this important topic.
Parents/guardians will be engaged on a journey of self-exploration and introspection that will prepare families to work more effectively as authentic partners with educators to advocate on behalf of their children.
Please see this flyer for additional information and the schedule for all six sessions: English / Español
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"Every Shut Eye Ain’t Sleep”: Celebrating the Historical and Contemporary Cultural Capital of African American Families
October 4, 6:00-7:30 pm
Although the presence of implicit and explicit bias- as well as overt racism- has been well-documented in societal institutions, there has been less of an emphasis on the positive aspects of African American culture that have sustained us as a people in challenging situations. This interactive session will focus on the strengths that are inherent in African American culture and the survival skills that families can teach their children to more effectively negotiate a system that often gives them more messages about their deficiencies than their ability to conquer any obstacles that they might face.
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Keeping Up with District News |
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2020-21
Community Report
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The 2020-21 BUSD Community Report covers the arc of the 2020-21 school year, from distance learning to the return to in-person learning, and highlights the spirit and resilience of our school community this year. Take a look and see how our amazing students engaged in public service, created moving performances, and emerged as leaders during this challenging year.
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Berkeley City Council Redistricting |
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Public Map Submission Period Kickoff Meeting |
The City of Berkeley invites you to join the Independent Redistricting Commission’s public hearing. Watch a live demonstration of their online mapping tool that will be available to the public.
Saturday, October 2, 1:00 pm
Participate by phone: (669) 900-9128;
Meeting ID: 876 0578 8482
You will also have the chance to share general thoughts on the redistricting process during the meeting.
or (510) 981-6908.
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Tell the Commission About Your Community
When drawing City Council district boundaries, one important goal is keeping communities with similar interests together in the same voting district. Fill out this online form to tell the City of Berkeley about your community of interest. Where is it located? What things do you have in common with your neighbors? You can also download a form to share with your friends and neighbors (English)/Español)"
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School board meeting agendas/materials are posted at least 72 hours before meetings. All details for upcoming Board Meetings can be found on our webpage.
Cick Here for contact information and office hours for School Board Directors.
Recent 2021-22 School Board Meetings
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Upcoming Meetings
September 28
Construction Bond Oversight Committee | 6:00 pm | Details
September 28
Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Hall (English) | 6:00 pm | Details
September 29
Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Hall (Spanish) | 6:00 pm | Details
September 30
Board Policy Meeting | 2:00 pm | Details
October 4
Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Hall for Families of Latinx Students
October 5
Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Hall for Families of Special Education Students
October 13
Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Hall for Families of ELL Students
October 14
School Board Facilities Subcommittee Meeting
October 14
Middle School Enrollment Policy Town Hall for Families of African American Students
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The Berkeley Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in district programs and activities. Accordingly, BUSD programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression; nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. The Board shall promote programs which ensure that discriminatory practices are eliminated in all district activities. (Board Policy 0410, Board Policy 1311, Board Policy 4030, Board Policy 5145.3, Board Policy 5145.7)
The Board also prohibits retaliation against any district employee or job applicant who complains, testifies or in any way participates in the district's complaint procedures instituted pursuant to this policy. (Board Policy 4030)
For inquiries or concerns regarding BUSD nondiscrimination policy 5145.3 or the filing of discrimination complaints please contact:
Compliance Officer & Title IX Coordinator Megan Farrel
2020 Bonar Street Room 116, Berkeley, CA 94702
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