A+ News - February 2023
Highlights and Happenings from Around BUSD
Black History Month Around BUSD
BUSD has been busy celebrating Black History Month this February. Across the district, students and staff have been enjoying learning about and uplifting BUSD's Black community through classroom activities, books and reading lists, and district and community events and celebrations.

“As a school district that values diversity, we believe Black History and the diverse histories, experiences, stories and voices of Black people should be recognized, honored, and uplifted every day," said Superintendent Ford Morthel. "We also value the fundamental opportunity that Black History Month and Black Lives Matter at School Week provides us to elevate, lift up and affirm the rich history and many contributions of the Black community in all of our lives.”

An Oxford Elementary School kindergarten student performs "Let Freedom Ring" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Oxford Oratorical Fest. Finalists will go on to compete at the district-wide Black History Oratorical Fest on March 20.
Berkeley High School's Advanced Afro-Haitan Dance class performed a piece with Haitan roots about freedom and release for Willard Middle School students.
Students at Willard Middle School's Black Excellence day made hush puppies and collard greens from a recipe selected by the Black Student Union.
Washington Elementary School students enjoy the drumming of One Tribe Edutainement at Black Heritage Night, an event put on by Washington’s African-American Unity Group and PTA.
Longfellow Middle School's Umoja class students along with all Longfellow 8th graders saw a performance of Our Story at UC Berkeley in February.
The production highlighted prominent Black historical figures and societal contributions and acknowledged the erasure of these narratives in typical American education.

The class was provided with free tickets to the show after creator Griot B heard about the work and scholarship they participate in at Longfellow. Read more about the Umoja program and the work they do to uplift Black History year round here.
BUSD staff participated in Black History Month celebrations by creating posters that were displayed at every school to share their unique and affirming stories. See all the staff posters here.
The BUSD community is invited to this year’s Black History Oratorical Fest competition on Monday, March 20 at 5:30 pm in the Oxford Elementary School Auditorium, 1222 University Avenue. Dinner will be provided at 5:00 pm. This year’s theme–Black Joy–promises lively and inspiring performances by our talented students. Find more resources around the Oratorical Fest on the Black History Month district webpage.
Berkeley Adult School
Student Success Profile
Ashkat is pictured in class. Berkeley Adult School seeks to help students reach their goals and improve their lives.
Askhat, who arrived in the US from Kyrgyzstan one year ago, enrolled in Berkeley Adult School's (BAS) ESL Program in March 2022. Through his courses at BAS, he was able to become proficient enough in English to graduate from truck-driving school this past October. Since January 2023, Askhat has been working as a Class A truck driver, driving all around the United States.

Community members may attend Berkeley Adult School this Spring for an array of classes to help earn their diploma, learn English, gain work skills, and enrich their lives — all while making new friends.

The Spring 2023 Berkeley Adult School course catalog is available at this link. Please note that the Catalog PDF is for reference only. Find the most current information at the BAS online registration portal.
I am a Performer! at Malcolm X Elementary School
The fourth grade band performed the song "Eagle Summit March" in front of the school along with the Berkeley Symphony.
The Berkeley Symphony came to Malcolm X Elementary School on February 8 for their “I Am a Performer” series. Students from many grade levels performed in tandem with the symphony. So far, the symphony has come to perform with students at Sylvia Mendez, Washington, and Oxford elementary schools. The opportunity for budding musicians to perform with the symphony in front of their school is an experience many students cherish for years to come.
Meet Student School Board Director Teairra Brown
Teairra Brown, a senior at Berkeley Technology Academy, is the newest Student Director of the School Board for the 2022-2023 School Year.
"At Berkeley Technology Academy (BTA), I am a coordinator and student leader of the Student Union, which is a mixture of the Student Government and Black Student Union. I am able to create assemblies for students and communicate their needs. In this role, I'm able to shape the future that BTA is trying to achieve, and I'm proud to be a part of it. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, writing, listening to music, and attending concerts. My other involvements include being vice president of College Bound. Getting to work with all the great people on the board has been an amazing experience, they are all committed to change, and I hope to follow in their footsteps. In my position as BTA's first School Board representative, I hope to expand opportunities to BTA students. Following graduation, I plan on attending a four-year college, so far I have been accepted into six. I will be the first person in my family to attend college. I haven't decided what I want to major in yet, but I am contemplating either business marketing or media entertainment arts."
Students Can Read Free E-Books at Home With BUSD Chromebooks
Chromebooks are available for checkout for students who need a home device for schoolwork or research. With Chromebooks, students can enjoy e-books and audiobooks at home. Scan the QR code or click here to learn more.
Superintendent's Listening & Learning
Report Out
To ensure an effective, efficient, and orderly transition of leadership, and to keep the district’s focus on continuous improvement and increased access and achievement for all students, Superintendent Ford Morthel engaged the BUSD community in listening and learning events during the fall of 2022.

These events created opportunities to lift the voices, perspectives, and experiences of the Berkeley community in the plan to move the district forward and realize its mission.


After the Listening & Learning Report Out and the sharing of action steps for the school year was presented to the Board of Education on December 14, 2022, Superintendent Ford Morthel has continued to focus on organizational clarity and community engagement and partnership. Read the full report to learn more about this strategic focus.
BUSD's 2023-2024 academic calendar is now available at this link.
Help to sustain the Ethnic Studies Peer Mentor Program by supporting their first fundraiser! Check out the webshop here. T-shirts in both adult and youth sizes as well as tote bags can be purchased, with proceeds going to the Ethnic Studies Peer Mentor Program.

BUSD appreciates the Berkeley Public Schools Fund for supporting this fundraiser.
In-Person School Board Meetings
The Wednesday, March 8 School Board meeting will be a hybrid meeting to begin at 7:00 pm at 1231 Addison Street. Information about how to join the meeting can be found on this BUSD webpage.

School board meeting agendas are posted at least 72 hours before meetings. All details for upcoming Board Meetings can be found at this BUSD webpage.

Cick here for contact information for School Board Directors.

Recent 2022-23 School Board Meetings

Personnel Commission Meeting
March 2 | 4:30 pm | Details >

P&O Finance Subcommittee Meeting
March 6 | 4:00 pm | Details >

School Board Facilities Subcommittee Meeting
March 7 | 5:00 pm | Details >

School Board Meeting
March 8 | 7:00 pm | Details >

BUSD PAC Meeting
March 9 | 6:30 pm | Details >

Facilities Safety and Maintenance Oversight Committee Meeting
March 14 | 6:00 pm | Details >

Planning and Oversight Committee Meeting
March 14 | 6:30 pm | Details >
BUSD Teacher & Staff Hiring Fair
March 18 | 9:00 am | Details >

BUSD Oratorical Fest
March 20 | 6:00 pm | Details >

BUSD DELAC Meeting
March 21 | 6:30 pm| Details >

Construction Bond Oversight Committee Meeting
March 21 | 9:00 am| Details >

CAC Meeting
March 27 | 6:00 pm| Details >

Planning and Oversight Committee Meeting
March 28 | 6:30 pm | Details >

Middle School Open House
March 30 | 6:30 pm | Details >

Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning
March 31 | 6:30 pm | Details >