The Office of Family Engagement and Equity has a new webpage!
Visit the Berkeley Families webpage to stay informed about school and local events, as well as find weekly tips on what families can do at home to help each student succeed in school. Web resources and links to school district services and outside organizations can be found on the new webpage as well. Check back each week for new postings!

The Office of Family Engagement and Equity provides support for parents through one-on-one, small group, and large community events and offers resource referrals for families and trainings for teachers and staff.
Read the first tip here.

In an effort to make our parent-student handbook available online and to cut down on the cost of printing and mailing, families who have internet access are asked to access the handbook online and complete the required forms. Families who have not viewed and submitted the online forms by September 13th, will be sent a paper copy in the mail. Please help us save paper and mailing costs by going online today!

The state's new funding formula for public education in California rewards districts with additional funds for each student who qualifies for free and reduced meal services. It is important to have all BUSD families complete the form so that each student is counted. Please make a concerted effort to complete the free and reduced meal form online or by submitting the form to your school (available at each school).

Many families set up online lunch accounts to manage payment for the nutritious daily lunch service provided in our schools.  Visit EZSchoolPay.com to open an account!  Balances can be easily monitored and email alerts are sent when funds are getting low. Families who held a balance with myschoolbucks.com last school year have had balances transferred to the new service.

Compensation increases for district teachers and staff: All teachers and staff of the district are receiving a 2.5% on-going wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2012. In addition, employees will receive a one-time payment equal to 2.5% of his/her 2012-2013 salary.  Employees will receive their 2.5% retroactive on-going increase plus the additional 2.5% one-time payment for a total of 5% on August 30, 2013.  This is in addition to the 1% bonus negotiated for all employees in the fall of 2012.

Tim Moellering Field, located at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Derby Street, will soon open as a multi-use field designed for all field sports. Named for a beloved Berkeley High teacher and coach, the field includes Berkeley High's first regulation baseball field, and a full basketball court.

Berkeley High and Berkeley Technology High School ("B-Tech") will be the primary users of the field, with scheduling managed by the Berkeley High Athletics Department. Neighbors and community members are welcome to enjoy the space as long as the activity does not interfere with scheduled/permitted activities. For large groups, a Facility Use Request should be directed to the Berkeley High School Facilities Department.

Stay tuned for further details about the September 21st opening. Start time is 11:00 a.m, and you can be sure to find a baseball pick-up game, some hot dogs, and good cheer.