Berea City School District
#BeATitan
12/15 Board of Education Meeting
12/15-12/19 Districtwide Spirit Week
12/16 Berea PTA Council Light the World with Love: Snow School Fundraiser
12/22-1/2 Winter Break
Please also check your child’s school newsletter for additional important dates that pertain to your student.
Berea City School District and our schools have earned state recognition for their outstanding work in creating positive, supportive learning environments through the PBIS framework.
What is PBIS Recognition?
PBIS Recognition is awarded to schools that have demonstrated exceptional commitment and success in building positive school climates by effectively implementing the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) framework.
PBIS is an evidence-based approach that helps schools improve how they support students' behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. The goal is simple but powerful: to create learning environments where every student feels safe, supported, and ready to succeed.
How Recognition Works
Schools earn recognition at different levels based on how thoroughly they've implemented PBIS:
- Bronze/Developing schools have established strong universal supports that benefit all students.
- Silver/Proficient schools build on that foundation with additional targeted supports for students who need extra help.
- Gold/Accomplished schools have achieved the highest level of implementation, with comprehensive systems in place to support every student, from universal programs that benefit everyone to intensive, individualized supports for students facing significant challenges.
We're thrilled to announce that Berea City School District earned Gold recognition, the highest level possible. This reflects our district-wide commitment to ensuring every student has the support they need to thrive.
Individual school recognitions include:
- Brook Park Elementary: Gold
- Grindstone Elementary: Gold
- Big Creek Elementary: Bronze
- Berea-Midpark Middle School: Silver
- Berea-Midpark High School: Silver
This recognition reflects the dedicated work of our teachers, staff, and administrators who work every day to create schools where students feel welcomed, valued, and supported. It means your child attends a school where positive behavior is encouraged, clear expectations are set, and help is available when challenges arise.
Thank you for being part of a school community committed to helping every student succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
We are excited to once again announce a special opportunity for our talented artists across the district! We're looking for original artwork that captures the joy, warmth, and wonder of the holiday season.
Selected artwork from each school will become a part of our district's holiday greetings, spreading cheer to our Titans community and beyond.
This is a wonderful chance for students to express their creativity and share their vision of the holiday spirit. The artwork can be any form, be it a drawing, painting, or digital art. All submissions should be sent as a high-resolution image using this ENTRY FORM.
Key Dates:
Submission Deadline: Monday, December 15
Selection Announcement: Friday, December 19
We can't wait to see the festive interpretations of the holiday season from our talented students!
Insights from Heather Zirke’s Board Service
During a recent PTA Council meeting, Berea City School District Board of Education member Heather Zirke shared personal reflections on her four years of service and offered an inside look at the work of the Board of Education. Speaking in her personal capacity, Zirke emphasized her appreciation for the opportunity to serve, the lessons learned through leadership, and the strong partnership between the district and its families.
Understanding the Role of the Board
Zirke began by outlining the primary responsibilities of a Board of Education. The board sets district policy, hires and evaluates the superintendent and treasurer, approves budgets, and serves as a bridge between the district and the community. She praised Superintendent Tracy Wheeler and Treasurer Jill Rowe for their exceptional leadership, noting that both have been recognized among the top in Ohio for their commitment to excellence in education and financial management.
Zirke explained that while board members attend meetings, vote on policy, and represent the community, they do not oversee daily operations or make individual staffing decisions. She also reminded attendees that school board elections are nonpartisan and grounded in service rather than politics.
The Importance of Communication and Leadership
Zirke shared her belief in the importance of open communication and collaboration between the board and district leadership. She discussed the value of leadership transitions and the need for new voices and perspectives to keep organizations strong and forward-thinking. She also spoke about how communication and preparation are essential to building trust and maintaining an effective governance process.
Memorable Moments and Lasting Impact
Reflecting on her time on the board, Zirke shared many meaningful experiences, including participating in parades, attending graduations, and celebrating community partnerships such as the District 46 groundbreaking. One of her most meaningful moments was presenting her daughter with her diploma during the 2025 Berea-Midpark High School graduation ceremony.
Zirke also reflected on serving during a time of great change, from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to difficult discussions about state and national education issues. She described the decision to rescind the district’s diversity statement as one of the hardest moments of her tenure, expressing how deeply she values inclusion and the well-being of all students.
A New Chapter in Education
As an assistant professor at the University of Akron School of Law, Zirke has moved into a new phase of her career focused on higher education, mentoring law students, and advocating for academic freedom. She expressed gratitude for the community's support during her time on the board and encouraged PTA members to continue their strong advocacy for public education.
She closed by urging parents and community members to stay engaged and to consider future opportunities to serve. “You don’t need a specific degree or background,” Zirke said. “You just need to care about public education and your community.”
As her term comes to an end this month, the Berea City School District extends its sincere appreciation to Heather Zirke for her years of dedicated service on the Board of Education. Her leadership, professionalism, and support for students and staff have made a lasting impact on the Titan community.
As winter break approaches, we thank you for helping your students show up, learn, and stay connected each day. We know this season is busy, so we appreciate your efforts to avoid extra days off. Teaching and learning will continue through December 19th.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season, and we look forward to seeing everyone back on January 5th!
We understand that decisions regarding school closures can be challenging and may not meet everyone’s preferences, but please know that our top priority is the safety of our students and staff.
When a decision to close schools is made, we will notify families as quickly as possible using multiple methods in this order:
- Automated Phone Calls: Sent to the phone number(s) provided in your student's Infinite Campus account.
- Text Messages and Emails: Delivered to the contact information listed in your Infinite Campus preferences.
- District Website and Social Media: Closure announcements will appear as a pop-up notification on the website and on Facebook and Instagram.
- Local TV News Stations: Announcements will also be shared to local TV stations, though this is our final method of communication.
To ensure you receive our notifications:
- Verify that your phone number, email address, and contact preferences in Infinite Campus are accurate.
- Confirm that you have not unsubscribed from automated calls, texts, or emails (additional mass notification information).
- Update your information promptly if you change carriers or numbers.
We kindly ask families not to call the district or schools for updates during inclement weather events. Instead, please rely on the communication methods listed above for the most accurate and timely information.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Together, we can ensure clear and effective communication during these times.
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.
Our LEAD students and Key Club members recently delivered "Daisy Thank You" cards, flowers, and Dick's Bakery cookies to the Southwest General Hospital Emergency Room staff as a heartfelt gesture of appreciation for their dedicated service to our community.
The students wanted to recognize a team that shows up every day to care for our neighbors during some of their most challenging moments. Emergency room staff work under high-pressure conditions to provide compassionate care when our community needs it most.
This act of gratitude reflects the Portrait of a Titan competency of being empathetic. Our students demonstrated their ability to recognize and appreciate the impact others have on our community, and they took meaningful action to express that gratitude. By stepping into the shoes of healthcare workers and acknowledging their contributions, these young leaders showed that empathy isn't just about understanding, it's about taking the time to make others feel valued and seen.
Thank you to our LEAD students and Key Club for spreading kindness and showing our community partners how much they matter.
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.
