Naomi Rubalcava Levinthal

Position

Writer

Meet Enikia Ford Morthel: Berkeley’s New Superintendent

News

The district’s superintendent of three years, Brent Stephens, announced he was leaving Berkeley Unified School District this spring. Since then, the search for a successor led to one finalist, Enikia Ford Morthel, the deputy superintendent of instruction in the San Francisco school district.

Aidan Price, class of 2019.

Recent BHS Alumni Kerry Reid, Aidan Price, and Eli Kane Pass Away

News

Berkeley High School alumni Aidan Price, class of 2019, Kerry Reid, class of 2020, and Eli Kane, class of 2019, passed away this summer.  Aidan Price Price died on June 20, Reid on June 25, and Kane on July 15.

Dr. Lisa Hernandez works in the Berkeley Public Health Division educating the public about the COVID-19 vaccine and dispelling misinformation.

Berkeley Public Health Officer Responds to Vaccine Concerns

News

The Jacket spoke with Doctor Lisa Hernandez, Berkeley public health officer, about concerns people may have about getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Open to Everyone 16 and Up in the US

News

On April 15, Everyone in California aged 16 and up became eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Berkeley opened up vaccinations to anyone 16 and older two days prior.

At Ruth Acty Elementary School, teachers have spent the first days of in-person teaching introducing students back into class and ensuring that COVID-19 precautions are followed.

BUSD Kindergarten Through Second Graders Return to In-Person School

News

On Monday, March 29, the majority of Berkeley Unified School District elementary schoolers in transitional kindergarten through second grade returned to full-time, in-person school.

Structural and systemic factors have led to Black and Latinx students being deeply underrepresented in the available music programs at BUSD.

Behind Efforts to Increase Equity in BUSD Music Program

Features

In Berkeley Unified School District elementary schools, all students are required to participate in music education from third to fifth grade. Fourth and fifth grade students can access an instrument for free, and are taught by professional music teachers.

A janitor wheels school supplies into Ruth Acty Elementary School, in preparation for school reopening.

Custodians Prepare BHS Campus With COVID-19 Safety Precautions

Features

In March of 2020, before BUSD closed schools due to the pandemic, custodians were brought in on a weekend to deep clean Berkeley High School. BHS Custodian Supervisor, Clinton Robinson, explained, “We went through cleaning all the high points, wiped all the rails, wiped all the desks.

BHS Health Center Finds New Ways to Serve Students During Pandemic

Features

Despite difficulties created by the pandemic, the Berkeley High School Health Center has remained open, and continues to provide all mental, sexual and reproductive health services that were available before the pandemic, as well as over-the-phone care for students.   To accommodate students during the pandemic, the Health Center has created a warmline, which students

BUSD teachers protest for higher wages.

BUSD Collaborates With the Berkeley Federation of Teachers to Develop a Reopening Plan

Features

As the Berkeley Unified School District moves into its second semester of distance learning for the 2020-21 school year, there are growing questions from community members regarding when and how students will be able to return to in-person instruction.

BUSD Struggles to Support Special Education Students Amidst Pandemic

Features

The pandemic has upended the education system, with most schools pivoting to a fully or mainly online model since March of 2020. For special education students, issues with evaluating those who currently have an Individualized Education Program, or who are requesting one, have been exacerbated over distance learning.

Local residents walk the streets of Oakland in celebration of Joe Biden

Election Results Highlight Progress and Work Ahead for Local Community

Features

The 2020 elections were a stressful whirlwind for most. They involved a drawn-out presidential election, high stakes congressional elections, controversial propositions in California, and multiple electoral positions up for grabs in Berkeley.

Frances Lebowitz works on the operations team of the organization Poll Hero to recruit high schoolers, who have been filling the spots of older poll workers this year.

Students Find Diverse Ways to Get Involved This Election

Features

The importance of voting has been a major topic of discussion as the 2020 election draws nearer. Being ineligible to vote does not mean that students cannot participate in the election.

The Body Positivity Movement Needs Transformation

Opinion

The body positivity movement has proven to be extremely lucrative for large brands and corporations in recent years. Companies like Aerie have become known for being inclusive and body positive, and have raked in millions of dollars banking on the movement.

Ana Vasudeo, vice president of equity and inclusion on the Berkeley PTA council, is running for Berkeley School Board

Why Ana Vasudeo for School Board Should Have Your Vote

Opinion

A school board representative should have experience working with school districts and be dedicated to advocating for equity in our schools. Ana Vasudeo, a candidate for Berkeley Unified School District School Board, meets these qualifications and many more, making her the clear choice for a school board representative.

Should Celebrities be Banned From OnlyFans?

Opinion

Mainstream celebrities already dominate most social media platforms, touting tens of millions of followers across their accounts. However — although it didn’t technically occur on a social media platform — actress Bella Thorne’s recent stint with OnlyFans calls into question the place of well established celebrities online.

Shoppers browse the racks at Goodwill on San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley, a potential victim of thrift store

Thrift Store 'Gentrification' Deprives Low Income Communities of Valuable Resource

Opinion

Partially due to increased awareness around the drawbacks of fast fashion, thrift shopping has rapidly gained popularity among wealthy, young consumers in recent years.  There are now countless videos on YouTube featuring “thrift hauls” and “thrift flips.”  On the surface, it appears to be a positive thing that more people are buying secondhand clothing and