Joint Meeting of Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP) Advisory Committees Tonight
Three LCAP-focused stakeholder groups are meeting together tonight, April 7th from 6:30 - 8:30 to:
  • Review evaluation of LCAP programs,
  • Discuss next steps for the LCAP in year two, and
  • Review the draft board policy regarding the LCAP, and the role of representative LCAP committees.
View the meeting agenda here. This is a Brown Act meeting open to the public with time allotted for public comment at each meeting.
Superintendent's Letter to Families on State Testing
This spring all public schools in California are participating in a new statewide student assessment program which includes a new online test, known as the "Smarter Balanced Assessment" (SBA), designed to assess student learning of the Common Core Standards in English Language Arts and Math for grades 3-8, and 11.

   

The Smarter Balanced Assessment is a big improvement over previous standardized, multiple-choice paper tests because the SBA:

  • Includes a varied set of questions and prompts, going beyond multiple choice questions to allow students to demonstrate research, writing, and analytical skills.
  • Adapts to each student through "computer-adaptive" technology which changes the level of difficulty based on student answers, allowing for a more precise and individualized measurement of student achievement.
  • Removes visual, auditory, and physical access barriers - allowing virtually all students to demonstrate what they know and can do, including tools especially helpful to students with disabilities, and assistance to English language learners.
  • Provides clear, easy-to-understand data on student achievement and growth over time for parents, teachers, principals, and other local and state leaders.
Read the Superintendent's entire letter here. 
State Testing Workshop for Families, April 9

Join us this Thursday to learn more about the 
new state test for all students in grades 3-8, and 11!
 
Smarter Balanced Assessment Workshop

Thursday, April 9th, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Longfellow Middle School Cafeteria, 1500 Derby St. 

  The evening will include:
  • Overview of the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA), and why they are "smarter" and "balanced"
  • Question & Answer (Q&A) period
  • Hands-on Tech: Parents & students try-out the online testing tool
  • Closing Q&A

See you there!

You can also visit our webpage to learn more about the testing program. 

C�sar Ch�vez/Dolores Huerta Commemoration Period cesar & Essay Contest
Every Berkeley school is honoring the legacy of C�sar Ch�vez and the continuing work of Dolores Huerta during the  commemoration period from March 20 - April 23. Service learning activities and school-wide events are being held during this period marked by the spring equinox, the birthdays of both civil rights and social justice leaders, and the beginning of the traditional planting season.

C�sar Estrada Ch�vez Day: March 31 
Dolores Huerta Day: 
April 10 
You can read more about the commemoration period in the recently adopted School Board Resolution.

Essay Contest
Students in grades 2-12 are encouraged to participate!
Submission Deadline: April 17 Contest details here.
Record Number of Musicians Take the Stage for BUSD's Annual Performing Arts Showcase
Music teacher Nancy Boyles conducts Middle School Band

With growing numbers of budding musicians taking part in our middle school music program, this year's showcase had a record number of students participate. The program featured the musical talent of students from 5th to 12th grades, and included performances in jazz, band, orchestra and chorus. You can watch the various performances by starting here.
BUSD is one of the 2015 "Best Communities for Music Education" null

Berkeley Unified School District has been named one of the  Best Communities for Music Education by The NAMM Foundation, for the third year in a row! We are one of 388 school districts across the nation, and one of only 5 in California to be given this distinction for providing quality school-based music education programs to young people in our community.

 

Congratulations to Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts Suzanne McCulloch, who is set to retire this June, and to our dedicated and talented music teachers for taking music education in Berkeley to new heights. Our local BSEP funds and the support of many community partners ensure we continue qualifying for the NAMM Foundation's recognition of "an unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive music education for all students." 

Berkeley Public Schools Fund's Annual Luncheon  
What do teachers John Fike, Matt Tsang, and Naomi Washington-Diouf all have in common? You are invited to the School Fund's Annual Luncheon to find out.