Monday, October 15

Families,

This week, we will be holding a Lockdown emergency drill. Before I go into the logistics of that drill, I’d like to cover some examples of what Berkley Schools has done over the past few years to update our school safety practices:

• NightLock door security systems. These provide an extra layer of security during a lockdown and assist with barricading doors.

• Equipping classrooms with a Go-Bucket. These buckets contain various useful materials, including a first aid kit, in the event of a longer term lockdown in a classroom.

• Emergency Call Buttons. These are a direct line from every classroom to the front office.

• School reunification partners and procedures for pickup in the event of an emergency evacuation.

• Vaping Sensors in all bathrooms at Anderson, Norup and Berkley High School. These sensors alert administrators and allow them to respond quickly.

• School Safety Committees at each school and District Safety Committee. The purpose of the committees is to bring together a broad range of perspectives, thoughts and ideas as they pertain to keeping our schools a safe place.

• Signage inside and outside our buildings to allow easy access and direction for public safety and other first responders.

• Established a critical incident mapping tool to create detailed floor plans for public safety to see and use during training and emergencies.

• Full coverage security cameras. The District has purchased and installed new cameras in all our schools to allow full access to all common areas, inside and out. Our office staff and public safety have a full view of their buildings.

• Medical Emergency Response Teams (MERT). All schools have designated emergency response teams who are being trained to respond to medical emergencies.

• School Resource Officer. Adding a School Resource Officer adds to our increased collaboration with the three public safety departments that serve the Berkley School District.

• Established Behavior Threat Assessment Management: A standard protocol to manage and assess potential threats.

• Raptor Visitor & Emergency Management: The District implemented Raptor Visitor Management to screen and check in visitors every time they come they enter our buildings. In addition, Raptor Emergency Management was established to assist staff during a crisis. It is the tool we use to reunify families and for our staff to receive emergency alerts.

We’ve spent a good deal of time thinking about and planning what our next school Lockdown drill should look like. Through those conversations, there’s been a resounding conclusion that this drill should toe the line between being educational and informative, but also sensitive to the worries that students have about this topic.

With these things in mind, the drill will go as follows:

• I will make a PA Announcement to talk about the drill and explain how it will operate.

• Students will listen to the short Lockdown instructional read aloud, I’m Not Scared, I’m Prepared in their classrooms. This book will teach them the basics of an Lockdown response.

• Along with the book, teachers will be holding classroom discussions about the layout of their classrooms and how they pertain to a Lockdown and a quick overview of the reunification process.

• I will get back on the PA to give a specific scenario and start the drill.

• Teachers will hold classroom discussions, walking through potential responses based upon ALICE training.

• I will get on the PA to conclude the drill and offer several follow up reassurances for students.

• Throughout the day, teachers will continue to reassure students and make sure they are doing okay.

While I realize that this is a lot to take in and process, I want you to know that the Burton staff will be here for your kids every step of the way. Although this drill represents some of the procedural aspects of school safety, I think it’s equally important to recognize the social-emotional component. Our positive school culture, the relationships we’ve built with our students and the kindness we display to one another also contributes greatly to a safe school environment. The staff of Burton cares deeply about your children and will be supporting them both during and after this drill. Our hope is that, although difficult, this will be an empowering experience for students to learn about Lockdowns and that we can collaboratively work through it together.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kindly,

Lauren Fragomeni

October

Wednesday, October 21

• Scholastic Book Fair from 4-8pm in the Media Center
• Mystic Kettle Fundraiser from 11am-6pm
• 5th Grade Party Bake Sale from 3:30-4:30pm

Thursday, October 22

• Scholastic Book Fair from 4-8pm in the Media Center

Tuesday, October 27

• Burton Trunk or Treat from 6pm-7pm at Huntington Woods City Hall

Friday, October 30

• Halloween Parade at 9:00am

November
Monday, November 2 & Tuesday, November 3

• No school for students

Tuesday, November 10

• PTA Meeting

Tuesday, November 17

• Music concerts for grades 2nd, 3rd, and 4th

Monday, November 23

• Evening Parent Teacher Conferences from 5-8pm (in-person)

Tuesday, November 24

• No School for students
• Parent Teacher Conferences from 8am-4pm (in-person)

Wednesday, November 25-Friday, November 27

• No School (Thanksgiving Break)

Monday, November 30

• School resumes

Hello, Burton Community,

I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself! I am Christina Schlenker, Burton Elementary’s new school counselor! This is my ninth year as a school counselor, and I am excited to join the Burton Elementary community. I earned my undergraduate degree from MSU and my master's degree from Oakland University, and I am also a Licensed Professional Counselor. Throughout my career, I have worked with students of all ages, from infants to adults pursuing their GED or high school diploma. This experience gives me insight into how to support your students now so they can excel in the future.

My primary goal for the first few months is to ensure that all children feel welcomed and supported. I have presented a “Meet the Counselor” presentation in every classroom. I have also been meeting with every student 1:1 in brief meetings. This way, I know I have spoken to every student. It helps them feel comfortable and see me meeting with all students. I will start classroom lessons in the next few months to help students navigate social and emotional challenges. I will be joining Mrs. Fragomeni at the November PTA meeting to answer questions and talk more about my role.

A school counselor’s role differs from a social worker’s. My caseload includes all 470+ Burton students. Access to a school counselor is a Tier 1 intervention. Students have access to me during grade-level and school-wide classroom SEL and career exploration lessons. I might also push in to classrooms to work with a teacher or individual student. Some students will need more intervention than others, such as small groups and individual meetings.

School counselors help every student apply academic achievement strategies, manage emotions and interpersonal skills, and explore and plan for future careers. School counselors also collaborate with teachers, support staff, administration, parents, and students to find the best way to help students thrive! I am looking forward to building meaningful connections with students, families, and staff as I support the social and emotional growth of every child at Burton Elementary.

Hello and happy fall season! The fifth grade has been asked to stock the lounge with treats and goodies for November. Please read below for all the ways you can send a snack or donate to stock the lounge.

Make a monetary donation

Families can make a monetary donation to our Stock the Lounge campaign. We will use the funds to purchase whatever is needed and restock the lounges throughout the month.

Monetary contributions will also allow us to provide fresh items such as fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt, and other refrigerated foods that aren't practical to include on the Signup Genius. We’ll "price shop" to make the donations go as far as possible! Click here to donate to Stock the Lounge.

Signup Genius

Take a moment to sign-up for an item here. We ask you bring in your items on Wednesday, November 4th at the morning drop-off time. Annmarie will be at the front door with a cart.

Please note: Snacks do not need to be peanut-free.

Feel free to contact us should you have any questions or concerns and THANK YOU!

Melissa and Annmarie

mostasze@hotmail.com and alsanderson@icloud.com

The October Inclusion Initiative focuses on mental health, reducing stigma, and promoting well-being. It encourages open conversations, compassionate language, checking in on others, and creating supportive environments where everyone feels safe asking for help.

Did you know? More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, yet only 52.1% of them received treatment in 2024, according to NAMI.

Questions, Ideas, Feedback

Please contact Dr. Renee Allen PTA DEI co-chair

reneeallenphd@gmail.com

BAKE SALE for the 5th Grade Party

Wednesday, October 21st
3:30–4:30 PM

Outside the Huntington Woods Rec Center, just before the start of the Book Fair!

ALL ITEMS $1

All proceeds will go toward the 5th Grade End of Year Party!

Cash and Venmo accepted.

Costume Expectations

We want the day to be fun, safe, and age-appropriate for all of our Blue Jays. Please review these expectations with your child:

• Age-appropriate and respectful. Costumes should be suitable for elementary students and follow the Blue Jay Way: kindness, respect, and empathy. Costumes should not make fun of real people, human traits, or cultures.
• No horror or violence themes. Costumes with scary, gory, or violent elements are not allowed.
• No weapons or sports equipment. Students may not bring toy guns, knives, swords, bats, hockey sticks, or similar items as part of their costume.
• No masks or extreme makeup. Full masks and face paint that hide a student's identity are not allowed. Please also skip the fake blood.
• Comfort and safety. Costumes should let students move safely, sit comfortably, and use the restroom on their own.

When to Wear Costumes:

• Students should wear their costumes to school on Friday, October 30th. After the parade and classroom celebrations, teachers will let students know if they may change out of their costumes.
  
  

Burton Trunk or Treat - Tuesday, October 27

Join us on Tuesday, October 27 from 6:00pm-7:00pm at Huntington Woods City Hall for a spooktacular evening of costumes, candy, and Burton fun!

• Decorate a Trunk? Sign up to decorate your car and pass out candy to our Blue Jays!
• Planning to Attend? Please RSVP so we can get an approximate headcount!
  • Nut-Free Candy Donations Welcome! If you’re able, please consider donating a bag of nut-free candy to help us keep our trunks stocked! Donations can be dropped off in the school vestibule near the office.
    

Burton Halloween Parade - Friday, October 30

• The Halloween Parade is an exciting tradition at Burton. All families are invited to watch as our Blue Jays, BHS Marching Band, and the Huntington Woods Public Safety parade around the neighborhood. Weather permitting, the parade will take place outdoors.The parade will begin promptly at 9:00am. Students will exit the Nadine Doors and parade East on Nadine, left onto Newport, left onto Hart. The parade will end at the Plaza Door Entrance. In the event of rain, the parade will be held indoors, and unfortunately, parents will not be able to attend.

Join us for two casual coffee meetups to connect with other Burton parents and caregivers, share experiences, ask questions, and build community. Whether you're new to Burton or have been part of the community for years, we'd love to see you!

BURTON PTA COFFEE MEETUP

Friday, October 23 | 8:15 AM

Das Velo Coffee – Oak Park

A casual opportunity to meet other Burton parents and caregivers, make connections, and enjoy some conversation over coffee.

QUEER CONNECT PTA MEETUP

Friday, November 20 | 8:15 AM

Das Velo Coffee – Oak Park

A welcoming space for LGBTQ+ parents, caregivers, and allies to connect, share experiences, and build community.

ALL BURTON FAMILIES ARE WELCOME!

Come as you are, stay as long as you can!

Questions? Contact ellie.mosko@gmail.com

Our Fall Scholastic Book Fair is coming up!

When: October 21st & 22nd from 4pm-8pm each day

Where: Burton Media Center

Who: All Burton Blue Jays and their families

Our Blue Jays get a sneak peak at the book selection the week before, and we could really use your help setting things up to get things ready for them. Additionally, tearing things down after the last Bookfair date. Please see sign up genius link below to see how you can help!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0948ABA92EAAFA7-66055946-fall

For any further questions, please contact burtonbookfair@gmail.com

Does your 2nd , 3rd , 4th or 5th grade student enjoy math and solving problems?

Maybe Math Pentathlon® is for them!

Mathematics Pentathlon® is a time-tested Program of interactive problem-solving games,

supportive curricular and instructional activities for students. This Program

strengthens math concepts and skills and aligns with National and

State Mathematics Standards. A focus on conceptual understanding and the integration of

spatial, computational, and logical reasoning are key attributes of Mathematics Pentathlon.

This program begins in late fall and is dependent on parent volunteers. Please read below for

grade specific information. Sign-up will run through October 20th .

If have any questions, please contact Melissa Purdy at 586-770-0806

or mostasze@hotmail.com.

Second Graders will attend Math Pentathlon on Monday during lunch recess one day a week

until mid-April with Tammy Hurvitz. We can host up to 16 second graders. If there are more

students interested, we will hold a lottery.

To express your second-grade student’s interest for Burton's 2nd grade Math Pentathlon® Club click here:

https://forms.gle/E2LxeQVcrKeqJxHu9

Third Graders will attend Math Pentathlon on Wednesday during lunch and lunch recess, one

day a week until mid-April with Daniil Gunitskiy and John Kerwin. We can host up to 18 third

graders. If there are more students interested, we will hold a lottery.

To express your third-grade student’s interest for Burton's Math Pentathlon® Club click here:

https://forms.gle/EUUgSjDdwGa8wxzn9

Click here information on the games the second and third grade students will learn.

Currently this grade does not have a volunteer to learn and run the games. Click here

information on the new games the fourth-grade students will learn. Training is available for the

parent volunteer. If we find a volunteer for during the school day, we can host up to 18 fourth

graders. If there are more students interested, we will hold a lottery. The tournament is in mid-

May.

To express your fourth-grade student’s interest for Burton's Math Pentathlon® Club and

interest in leading the group click here: https://forms.gle/4La8Gt3XqrkCB5NW8

Fifth Graders will attend Math Pentathlon on Thursday during lunch and lunch recess until mid-

May with Drew Hansz and Tammy Hurvitz. We can host up to 18 fifth graders. If there are more

students interested, we will hold a lottery.

To express your fifth-grade student’s interest for Burton's Math Pentathlon® Club click here:

https://forms.gle/kjwUtbSxopsKQFRA6

Join PTA Today! Each member is able to vote in our elections and budget meetings and will receive a copy of the 2026-2027 Burton Directory. Note: directories are printed 10/1.

Thank you, Mother Handsome! In addition to signing on as one of our Silver Fun Run Sponsors again this year, Mother Handsome is offering our Blue Jay community 20% off all online takeout orders! Just enter Burton20 at checkout. Code is valid 8/24/26 - 6/12/27.

Show your Blue Jay pride with Burton gear! Students can wear their Burton gear during Birdhouses, Burton Bashes, or any day! Tap the button below to shop! All items will be shipped directly to your home.

All parents/family members volunteering in the classroom or during school-sponsored functions or field trips must complete the Volunteer Release form prior to any activities.

Please keep in mind that the Volunteer Release Form is sent to the Berkley School District Administrative Offices and may take up to three weeks to process so we recommend you submit the required forms well in advance of your planned activity.

You will need to upload an image of your valid driver's license or state-issued ID when completing the Volunteer Release Form.

Office phone number:

• 248-837-8600
  
  

1. In the top right menu, select Report Absence.
2. Select "All Day" for a full day absence, or uncheck the "All Day" box and select the start and end date and time.
3. Select the Reason from the drop-down menu.
4. Click Submit.

*You may also report absences via phone 248-837-8630

Full Day:

• School begins at 8:00am and is dismissed at 3:15pm
• All students will be dismissed at the same location as they enter each morning.

Half Day of School:

• School begins at 8:00am and is dismissed at 11:20am

All medications should be dropped off at the office by a parent, please do not send the medication in with your student.

If your child has a medical condition that requires a prescription medication that needs to be kept at school (such as an asthma inhaler, epi-pen, etc.), each school must have a medication authorization form on file. The form must be filled out by both the parent and your child's doctor and be signed by your doctor. Please bring the medication in the original container.

If your child needs over-the-counter medication during the school day, we must also have a medication authorization form on file, but it does not require a doctor's signature. Medication (in its original package) should be brought to the office along with the completed form by a parent.

Berkley School District uses the Raptor Visitor Management System in all our buildings to strengthen the safety of our students and staff. Major components of the Raptor System:

• Screens visitors, contractors, and all volunteers in our schools.
• It keeps electronic record of who is in our building.
• All visitors will be required to check-in at the office.
• Visitors will be asked to present a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or state ID. The photo ID scan will happen the first time you visit the building. After the first visit, you will check in using the Raptor system, but will not have to scan your ID.
• Raptor will check the visitor's name and date of birth for comparison with a number of national databases to identify anyone on the database of registered sex offenders. No other data from the ID is gathered and the information will not be shared with any outside agency.
• Once approved, Raptor will issue a visitor ID badge that contains the visitor's photo, the date, and the purpose/location of the visit.
• When leaving the building, return to the office to be signed out.
• All parents that are volunteering in classrooms, field trips, mystery readers or plan to be with students at Burton are required to fill out the district required forms (note there is a 2 week turnaround time to complete the background checks.)

Volunteer Form will be available soon!

Please visit the Berkley School Website for more food service information including menus, allergen information, and student accounts.

Burton is a "nut sensitive" school. Please be aware of snacks and lunches to ensure they do not have nut products.

Ala Carte items available for an additional charge. Single milk is $0.75.

Breakfast:

• Students may enter the Multipurpose Doors (The Nest) starting at 7:40am for breakfast. Only families dropping off for breakfast may use the staff parking lot to drop off your child.
• At 8:00am students will arrive at their classrooms. Kindergarten and TK students will be walked to their classrooms.

Lunch Times:

• 11:15-12:00 TK & Kindergarten
• 11:25-12:10 5th Grade
• 11:35-12:20 3rd Grade
• 11:45-12:30 1st Grade
• 11:55-12:40 4th Grade
• 12:05-12:50 2nd Grade

Go Blue Jays!