Berea City School District

February is Black History Month and Love the Bus Month

2/5 Board of Education Meeting

2/5-2/9 National School Counseling Week

2/13 Unified Sports Tournament

2/16 No School, Professional Development Day

2/19 No School, Presidents' Day

2/20 Registration for 2024-25 Preschool and Kindergarten opens

2/22 Grandparents & Other Kinship Caregivers Support Group Meeting

2/22 Community Resource Fair

2/26-3/1 Stay in the Game Spirit Week

2023-2024 School Year Calendar

The spirit of inclusivity and camaraderie at Berea-Midpark High School (BMHS) reached new heights with the Special Olympics Unified Sports program, a new initiative that embodies the true essence of sportsmanship. Through this program, BMHS is providing students with special needs the incredible opportunity to compete in high school sports.

Students with and without disabilities come together to participate in various athletic activities, fostering an environment where every student feels valued and included. The friendships and connections formed through this program extend beyond sports, influencing our school culture positively.

This winter, these athletes are taking the courts and fields alongside their peers in basketball and cheerleading, demonstrating the power of unity and shared passion. The program is set to expand in the spring with competitions in cornhole and kickball, further broadening the scope of inclusivity.

Students in the program have been practicing during Lunch and Learn and competed in their first Special Olympics Unified Sports Basketball Tournament yesterday. The performances of our student athletes were nothing short of amazing. Their determination, teamwork, and sheer joy in the game were palpable, touching the hearts of everyone present.

The leadership and guidance for these teams come from a blend of experienced coaches and varsity student athletes. Head coach Duke Barther, alongside student assistants Brody O'Niel, Lauren Lantow, and Cal Maloney, are working with the basketball team. In cheerleading, head coach Mollie Ballew and with student assistants Hailey Kravec, Emma Kovach, Jordyn Maddox, and Aubrey Trzebuckowski are bringing the energy and spirit into their squad.

A special picture day was held earlier this month to capture the spirit of these athletes, with individual and team photos to be featured in the yearbook. A hype video, similar to those created for other sports seasons, is also in the works, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the program.

Through Unified Sports, our students are also developing Portrait of a Titan competencies. Students cultivate empathy by understanding and appreciating the perspectives and abilities of their teammates. They learn to recognize and value the unique contributions of each individual, fostering an environment of mutual respect. Students are also given opportunities to lead by example, take initiative, and support their teammates in various capacities. We believe that these types of experiences, both in and out of the classroom, are vital in shaping our students into well-rounded, empathetic, and responsible individuals.

Thank you to the Westlake City School District for hosting the first tournament! Berea-Midpark High School will host another tournament on February 13. These events, open to family, friends, and community members without any admission charge, promise to replicate the spirited environment of varsity games, complete with team announcements, music, a student section, and all the excitement of game day!

For more information about this program, visit: https://www.specialolympics.org/what-we-do/sports/unified-sports

Titans Studio is to excited to continue the tradition of honoring and celebrating Black History Month. Throughout February, they will be sharing engaging "Did You Know" videos across social media and morning announcements. These educational segments are fully created by our talented students, offering interesting facts about Black history and culture. You can follow Titans Studio on Instagram to check out more videos during this month.

Our district was thrilled to experience another Gym Class Takeover this time at Brook Park Elementary School. Another huge shoutout to the Cleveland Browns, the Stay in the Game Attendance Network, former Browns star Hanford Dixon, and mascot Chomps for filling our students' day with smiles, joy, and excitement.

These "Gym Class Takeover" events are designed to reward students who have been consistent in their school attendance. They received special t-shirts and participated in a variety of engaging football activities. The kids had a blast playing flag football, catching passes, and practicing different running and throwing drills.

This event was part of the district's "Stay in the Game!" initiative, focusing on supporting children in their educational journey and encouraging consistent school attendance in partnership with the Cleveland Browns. The goal is to motivate and inspire students through events like the one at Brook Park Elementary.

At its core, the "Stay in the Game!" initiative is about supporting children in their educational journey. By associating positive and fun experiences with school attendance, the program reinforces the idea that education is valuable and enjoyable. This can be particularly effective in younger students who are developing their attitudes towards school and learning.

The long-term goal of this initiative is not just to improve attendance in the short term but to instill habits and attitudes that will benefit students throughout their educational journey. Regular attendance is linked to higher academic achievement, better social skills, and increased chances of graduation.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Missing two days of school per month (missing 10% or more of school) is enough to cause a student to become chronically absent. Chronic absence can make it more difficult to succeed.
• Regular school attendance in elementary school improves the chances that your child will read on grade level.
• The odds of achieving reading success by the end of third grade are reduced by 3% for every day of school missed in kindergarten through third grade.
• Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with peer conflicts or facing some other potentially serious difficulty, and help is available.
• The odds of graduating on time are reduced by 6% for every day of school missed during high school.

Help your child Stay in the Game and keep learning every day so he or she is challenged, prepared, and empowered for the future.

The Stay in the Game Attendance Network wants to hear your stories of success, resilience, and achievement! Use the Spotlight Submission Form to showcase the outstanding efforts of students, teachers, or our entire school community.

Monday, February 26 - Mindful Monday

Stay in the Game by wearing outfits that represent mindfulness or mental health awareness, such as T-shirts with positive affirmations or colors that symbolize tranquility (e.g., blue or green).

Tuesday, February 27 - Teamwork Tuesday

Wear Browns gear or your favorite team gear to promote teamwork and collaboration, both in sports and academics.

Wednesday, February 28 - Wacky Wednesday

Wear mismatched and/or brightly colored outfits to show your creativity while learning in school.

Thursday, February 29 - Leap Into Kindness Day

Students and staff are encouraged to perform random acts of kindness throughout the school. Create kindness cards and show gratitude towards teachers, staff, and fellow students who support Staying in the Game.

Friday, March 1 - Titans Day

Be a Titan by coming to school wearing your orange and blue to show school spirit!

Students in Mrs. Silvestro and Mrs. Boscarello's classes at Grindstone Elementary School embarked on an imaginative journey through the Young Playwrights Residency program, conducted by Dobame Theatre. In this unique program, the students explored the art of playwriting. They created their own stories, integrating elements ranging from sports to science fiction. They also engaged in various activities, including miming and presenting their play ideas.

The program focused on blending different subjects and interests into storytelling. This approach demonstrated to our students how classroom learning can evolve into exciting narratives. Through these activities, they enhanced their communication skills and developed their creative thinking.

This wonderful opportunity was made possible by a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation. Additionally, students were encouraged to submit their plays to the 46th Annual Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival. Interested students should send their plays to Education Director Carrie Williams at youngplaywrights@dobama.org by March 1, 2024.

Big Creek Elementary School held a fun assembly with the Cleveland Cavaliers! Cavs Academy coaches led students through an array of skills and drills, emphasizing the FUNdamentals of basketball.

What made the event truly special was seeing students of all skill levels participate and compete in dribbling skills. From beginners taking their first dribble to more seasoned young players showing off their moves, the range of talent was impressive. It was heartwarming to see the smiles, hear the laughter, and watch the pure joy of the game bring everyone together. The event was filled with teamwork, perseverance, and brought absolute enjoyment to all. A big shoutout to Cavs Academy for making this assembly so memorable for our students!

Join us for Berea City Schools night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse with the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, March 5, 2024! Discounted Cavs tickets are available at a special offer to BCSD families! You MUST purchase tickets through this link for access to BCSD Night tickets.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be making the night extra special for a select number of grade K-12 students to participate in pre-game on-the-court activities such as high-fiving Cavs and Celtics players in the Cheer Tunnel or participating as an Anthem Lineup Buddy during the National Anthem.

Families who plan to attend the Cavs game and purchase tickets are asked to please complete this brief entry form for the chance to be one of 40 students selected for a pre-game on-the-court activity representing our schools!

We hope you’ll join Berea City Schools in a night out with your friends and family and our Cleveland Cavaliers!

February is a special month in the world of school transportation, marking the annual 'Love the Bus' celebration. The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) designates the month of February to recognize the invaluable role of school bus drivers in our children's education and safety.

Berea City School District bus drivers play a crucial part in ensuring our children's safety, reliability, and a positive start and end to their school day. This month, we encourage our families to show support and appreciation for the individuals who ensure our children's safe and enjoyable journey to and from school. Below are just a few ideas.

• Personal Thank You Notes: Encourage your children to write thank-you cards or draw pictures expressing their gratitude to their bus drivers.
• Creative Gifts: Small tokens of appreciation, like handmade crafts or baked goods, can make a big difference in showing our drivers how much we value their dedication.
• Social Media Shout-Outs: Use your social media platforms to thank your bus drivers publicly, sharing stories of their kindness and professionalism. Don't forget to use the hashtag #LoveTheBus!

Our bus drivers' commitment to safety and care for our children doesn't just last a month – it's a year-round dedication. Let's continue to acknowledge and support their hard work, ensuring they know their efforts are valued not just during this special month, but always. Your involvement makes a significant impact, reinforcing the importance of our school transportation system and the individuals who make it run smoothly every day.

National School Counseling Week 2024, “School Counseling: Standards-Based, Student-Focused,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 5–9, 2024, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, career options and social/emotional skills. School counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success.

Join us in taking a moment to thank our BCSD school counselors!

Genamarie Catino, Larissa Collins, Lorina Getz , Alyssa Intagliata, Kristen Johnson, Laura Johnson, Sarah Kolis, Johnny Mancuso, Cara McGregor, Tina Medina, Dawn Ruebensaal, Dawn Sansone, Megan Sislowski, Kathryn Thompson, and Nicole Zsilko.

The Portrait of a Titan is a collective vision that articulates aspirations for ALL of our students. The Portrait identifies six key competencies that every student in the Berea City School District should possess by the time they graduate. These competencies are nurtured at every grade level. They are adaptable, communicator, critical thinker, empathetic, innovative, and leader. Our educators are inspiring students to cultivate these essential skills.

The 2nd grade team at Brook Park Elementary has been focusing on working in cooperative groups. First, each class created a list of expectations to be followed when working together. Then, they practiced these expectations during their morning meetings. Lastly, each group completed a cooperative activity, such as a literature circle, a vocabulary assignment, or a scavenger hunt. The students are working on demonstrating the skills outlined in the Portrait of a Titan, which include communicating effectively, thinking critically, being an empathetic listener, and showing leadership

It began with a simple task: students selected a Pet Rock. These rocks soon took on a personality of their own as the Grindstone Titans in Ms. Thomas' class embarked on mini-investigations that challenged their observational skills and sparked their critical thinking.

Students analyzed and documented the unique characteristics of their rocks. They inspected their rocks for crystals and examined their textures. They ultimately learned that each rock's story is as complex as the earth it comes from.

The hard work of our Building and Grounds Department in maintaining our school grounds during these challenging winter conditions does not go unnoticed. From the early hours of the morning, these hardworking individuals clear snow from parking lots, de-ice sidewalks, and ensure that every walkway is safe for passage.

Our Building and Grounds Department plays a crucial role in decisions regarding closures, providing real-time updates on the condition of our grounds and the surrounding roads. Their hard work ensures that when a decision is made to keep the school open, it is done with the confidence that our students and staff can arrive and leave safely. A special shout-out to the city crews of Berea, Brook Park, and Middleburg Heights for their exceptional efforts in treating our roads this winter season, ensuring that our students and staff can travel to and from school safely.

As we progress through the remainder of the winter season, safety and continued learning remain our top priorities. Our decisions regarding school closures or delays are made with the utmost care and consideration for the safety of our students, staff, and families.

Infinite Campus offers a convenient feature for families to report their child’s absence online. You can use the 'Absence Request Online' feature in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, accessible both through the app on your phone and on a computer.

Once you enter the absence online, our staff will be immediately notified. While the option to call your school’s attendance line remains available, using the Parent Portal for this purpose is quick and efficient.

For detailed instructions on how to use this feature, please visit our website.

We know that engaged students are successful students!

To help our students become more engaged in our communities, we are actively recruiting community partners, including clubs, troops, activities, organizations, and more, that focus on engaging and supporting students residing in the three BCSD communities. We invite these groups to participate in the BMMS student-led conference night on February 22, 2024, where they can connect with students and families to foster engagement!

If you lead a club/organization or know of an excellent organization that can engage with our students, please complete the form linked below, and we will get in touch with you!

https://forms.gle/eAQ3eF1isaFDvULB9

All sessions are at Brook Park Elementary School Auditorium

17001 Holland Road

Brook Park, OH 44142

Any questions, please contact -

Meredith Ondak, BCSD Coordinator of Mental Health

mondak@bereaschools.org

View the Community Series flyer

Thursday, March 14, 2024

7:00-8:00pm

• Understand how stress and fear can be protective and adaptive
• Recognize when anxiety is interfering with development and daily functioning
• Learn strategies for helping your child through the anxious moment

Dr. Barlow is a clinical psychologist. She is passionate about providing excellent clinical care to children and adolescents who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges as well as educating the community about these topics.

In a heartwarming community initiative, students from Berea-Midpark High School (BMHS) have teamed up with the City of Berea to create an unforgettable Valentine's Day experience for the senior citizens of Berea, Brookpark, and Middleburg Heights on Thursday, February 15.

This initiative is part of a collaboration with the Effective Leadership Academy, a program in which BMHS students have participated in three sessions focused on developing leadership skills. The forthcoming event, a special Valentine's themed prom, is a testament to the positive impact these young leaders are making in their community.

"Our students are eager to give back to the community and honor our senior citizens," said Dr. Smithberger. "This event is not just about celebrating Valentine's Day; it's about bridging generational gaps and creating joyous moments for those who have contributed so much to our society."

The event promises to be a delightful mix of music, dance, and community spirit, offering senior citizens a chance to relive their prom memories and make new ones. This unique prom is open to senior citizens from Berea, Brookpark, and Middleburg Heights and is an excellent opportunity for them to socialize, enjoy themselves, and feel valued by the younger generation.

Contact the City of Berea to RSVP by calling 440-826-4891.

• Berea Schools to begin state-mandated sexual abuse prevention instruction
  

• Berea Board of Education gets organized for 2024
  

BCSD uses Peachjar, an electronic flyer posting and distribution system to distribute school flyers and approved flyers from community groups and organizations that sponsor activities of an educational/enrichment nature for students and staff >> view current flyers

The Berea Board of Education holds regular community conversations to give the public access to board members outside of the formal public participation setting of a meeting. Residents will have the opportunity to meet and discuss any concerns they may have with two board members during a 30 minute time-slot set aside prior to each regular scheduled Board of Education meeting. The goal of this effort is to more effectively connect with the public and learn more about the community.

Additional district financial information such as our annual financial reports, forecasts, budget documents, etc., can be found on the district website under the Treasurer's Department page or by using the QR code.