Math Party – Math parties are tutoring “parties” focused specifically on math, as the name suggests. They take place on most weekends on Sunday from 4 to 6 PM at Sports Basement on Milvia Street. There are snacks, tutors, and math teachers to help students with their work. Peter Bloomsburgh, an Advanced Math 1 teacher at Berkeley High School (BHS), said, “Other resources are fantastic and are worth doing as well, but here … the idea is to offer something that is convenient for students, [especially for those] who can’t make an after school program because of an activity or their participation in athletics.”
Free Breakfast – Every student heard it repeatedly throughout their childhood: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!” Research continually proves that breakfast really does have an impact. Eating breakfast actually improves brain function, memory in particular. BHS recognizes that it is not possible for all students to eat a proper breakfast, or anything for breakfast, at home. However, they also realize that the benefits of breakfast are something that every teen needs access to. To account for this, there is free breakfast provided by the school available for all students every day in the cafeteria.
Affinity Students Group – BHS has more than 80 different clubs. Some of these, such as the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Black Student Union, Latinx Unidos, and the Muslim Student Association, are places where students can come for support and community. A multitude of benefits can be reaped from participating in a club; students can enjoy themselves while doing something they love, improve at something they want to get better at, and find ‘their people’. Incredible friendships can blossom from a common identity and spending time together, and friendships are a great aspect of the high school experience.
Health Center – The Health Center at BHS is a valuable resource. Their services fall into four categories: mental health, education, medical services, and first aid. In the Health Center, there is free therapy available. Health Center workers also educate students about topics such as reproductive and sexual health. Additionally, there are medical services including free screening and treatment for STDs, and classic first aid, assuming you have your forms filled out. The Health Center is open 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 to 4 PM on Mondays, and 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM and 1:15 to 4 PM Tuesday through Friday in room H105.
BHS Stress Less – The Berkeley High Stress Less website was created by students on the Mental Health Support Team in Berkeley International High School (BIHS) Leadership. One of the creators, Isabel Anderson, said: “We realized that not many people knew about the mental health support resources that are available to them, so we decided to make a website that is easily accessible to everyone.” The resources on the website include guided meditations created by students, information and hand-picked upcoming events related to de-stressing, and hotlines to contact for urgent help.