Berea City School District

5/5-5/9 Staff Appreciation Week

5/15 Wear Green for Mental Health Awareness

5/19 Board of Education Meeting

5/22 Commencement (Rain Date 5/23)

5/26 No School, Memorial Day

5/29 Last Day of School for Students

2024-2025 School Year Calendar

It’s hard to capture the heart of a school district in one morning, but the 3rd Annual School Showcase brought our community together to shine a light on the meaningful experiences taking place in our schools every day.

From student performances to hands-on activities, the morning offered families a firsthand look at the opportunities available across the district. The event also featured our district art show, the popular May Market, and a variety of interactive experiences that brought learning to life.

Thank you to everyone who supported the event! Here are just a few highlights from a wonderful morning filled with Titan pride.

April was a meaningful month in our schools. At the high school, we recognized our Top 20 seniors not only for their academic success, but also for the gratitude they showed by honoring a teacher who made a lasting impact on their journey. It was a powerful reminder of the relationships that help our students succeed.

Berea City School District honored our military-connected families for Purple Up Day on April 23rd. Students and staff wore purple to show their support, and Titans Studio created a special video tribute.

Students also took the stage for this year’s spring musical, The SpongeBob Musical. Whether performing, playing in the pit orchestra, or working behind the scenes, students brought the production to life after months of preparation.

Middle school students extended their learning beyond the classroom with PBIS reward trips and cultural experiences in Cleveland. Elementary students celebrated Earth Day with activities that encouraged curiosity, responsibility, and care for the environment.

Now, as we move into May, we’re entering a season of celebration and appreciation. It’s a time to recognize the contributions of our staff and the accomplishments of our students as they wrap up the school year and celebrate the Class of 2025 as they prepare to leave their mark and take their next steps.

Be kind, be safe, and always be a Titan!

Tracy L. Wheeler

Superintendent

May is Mental Health Month and Berea City School District is raising awareness of the important role mental health plays in our lives. We are encouraging our Titans community to take action toward protecting their mental health and overall well-being.

We live in a rapidly changing world that can be complex to navigate. About half of Americans can remember a time when we were not constantly connected and it was easier to tune out the noise of the world, while the younger half of the population can’t imagine life without the internet.

Finding a sense of calm and focusing on well-being when you are having mental health concerns can be daunting in our fast-paced society. It can be especially challenging to know where to start.

Life can be challenging, but every day shouldn’t feel hard or out of your control. If it does, there is hope and help. One free, private, and easy way to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition is to take a mental health test at mhascreening.org.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting HELLO to 741741.

Our Brook Park Elementary third graders were featured at our School Showcase for their work on a student-run popcorn business. From advertising and order-taking to popping, bagging, and delivering, these students manage the entire process while building skills in teamwork and responsibility.

Want to see how it all comes together? Watch the video for a behind-the-scenes look at this hardworking crew.

A group of outstanding Berea-Midpark High School students were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) at Polaris Career Center.

These students, representing both main campus and satellite programs, were recognized for their academic excellence, technical skills, leadership, and character. Membership in NTHS is one of the highest honors for career-technical education students, and each of these Titans earned their place through commitment, perseverance, and a strong work ethic.

Congratulations to the following inductees:

Aryonna Adamczyk, Makenzi Bowers, Rachael Burnett, MaryGrace Buxton, Jade Burger, Allison Buzinski, Grace Byrnes, Keely Carter, Domanick Cvelbar, Bayler Devins, Jermy Dyal, Rylinn Evans, Emersyn Fleming, Olivia Handa, Olivia Herwerden, Samia Jamal, Jeneen Jamal, Hailey Kravec, Landon Krek, Katelyn Lehmann, Isabella Pendolino, Bianca Rickel, Samarah Santiago, Ian Stewart, Mylah Stone, Madisyn Swancer, Morgan Tome, Amelia Torres, Andrea Trimbitas, Amy Truong, Giulia Turtoi, Vivian Vu, Jasmine West, and Paige Zednik.

Congratulations to each of them, their families, and all involved who helped them get here. Your hard work and dedication continue to make us proud!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Berea City School District is participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows us to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students during the 2024-2025 school year. This may impact your family's eligibility for Summer EBT / Sun Bucks benefits.

The Summer EBT program provides grocery benefits to low-income families with school-aged children during the summer months. Benefits will either be loaded onto your household’s Ohio Direction Card or issued through a separate benefit card mailed to each eligible child.

Each eligible child will receive a one-time benefit of $120.

Many families will receive Summer EBT / Sun Bucks automatically if they are already receiving other benefits. If your household participates in SNAP, OWF, or qualifies based on income for Medicaid, your child will automatically be enrolled and no further action is needed.

Because Berea City School District does not collect free or reduced-price meal applications while participating in CEP, families who believe they may qualify should apply directly at https://sebt.ohio.gov/. You will be asked to enter household and income information to determine eligibility.

The application period runs through August 15, 2025.

Get ready for a summer adventure like no other! Polaris Career Center's Camp Discovery is back and bigger than ever - offering middle school students an exciting, hands-on introduction to the world of career exploration. Designed for students entering grades 6, 7, and 8, this interactive summer camp delivers four days of fun, creativity, and discovery!

Camp Dates: June 9–12, 2025
Morning & Afternoon Sessions
Cost: $150 per student (includes all supplies, lunch each day and a FREE Camp Discovery T-shirt!)

Why Attend Camp?
Campers will explore real-world careers through engaging, hands-on activities taught by experienced instructors in Polaris’ state-of-the-art labs and classrooms. It’s the perfect way to spark curiosity, build skills, meet new friends and make lasting memories!

Seven classes have already sold-out...register TODAY before it's too late! Below is the AMAZING class lineup:

• Cricut™ Crafty Creations
• Junior Police Academy
• Machining Madness
• Medical Mania
• Mini Makeover
• Rescue 911
• Start Your Engines

Who Can Attend?
Registration is initially open to students who reside in the Berea, Brooklyn, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, and Strongsville school districts. Starting May 12, enrollment will be available to students outside of these communities - so don’t delay!

Register TODAY: Click HERE to sign up!
Registration Deadline: Friday, May 30, 2025

For more information, visit www.polaris.edu/campdiscovery, call the Camp Discovery Info Line at 440.891.7666 or email dkarberg@polaris.edu

Explore. Experience. Discover. We’ll see YOU this summer at Camp Discovery!

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.

Berea-Midpark High School recently welcomed the district’s 8th grade students for Transition Day, a special opportunity to experience a day in the life of a high school Titan.

Throughout the visit, students explored key areas of the building, including the Titans Studio and the hands-on makerspace. They stepped into classrooms, met staff members, and walked the same halls they’ll soon travel daily.

More than just a tour, Transition Day encouraged students to embrace change and approach new experiences with confidence. It supported the development of one of our Portrait of a Titan competencies: being adaptable.

By the end of the day, they left feeling more prepared, more connected, and ready to take on this next chapter as adaptable Titans.

Big Creek Elementary’s Science Fair and Ice Cream Social was one sweet night of science, smiles, and sprinkles.

Our 3rd and 4th grade students showed what it means to be Titans by thinking critically, communicating their ideas, and innovating through hands-on experiments and creative projects. Each student selected a topic that sparked their curiosity, then either demonstrated a scientific principle, became an expert in a specific area, or conducted a controlled study to answer a question.

Projects were presented and evaluated by a panel of judges, giving students the chance to explain their thinking and engage with feedback. This event supported the development of the Portrait of a Titan competency of being a critical thinker by encouraging students to explore real-world problems and reflect on the broader impact of their work.

From scientific discovery to ice cream toppings, the evening was filled with learning, laughter, and lots of Titan pride.

All Seniors and students in grade 8 will turn their Chromebooks in at the end of the school year. Please follow your principal's instructions on where to leave them.

Summer Chromebook Care

• Berea Rotary sends 3 to District Speech Contest

• Berea Schools focusing on 8 dimensions of wellness for staff and students

• Berea school board reluctantly rescinds DEI documents

• Berea City Schools officials warn state budget could trigger future cuts, levy request

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.