How is COVID-19 Impacting Berkeley’s Small Businesses?
It has now been over two months since non-essential businesses in Berkeley closed; many restaurants have switched to delivery-only and a few beloved businesses have closed for good. So, how are Berkeley’s small businesses faring during this pandemic?
15,000 People Attend Student-Led March for George Floyd
Approximately 15,000 East Bay students and residents gathered in front of Oakland Technical High School to show their solidarity and support for George Floyd, a Black man killed by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25.
Transition to Distance Learning Highlights Public and Private School Divide
Whether it be because of access to technology or Wi-Fi, being in a caregiver position, or being an essential worker, across school districts it has become clear that while “we’re all in this together” some students are clearly better equipped for distance
Principal Erin Schweng Bids Farewell to Berkeley High School After 3 Years
In an email on April 20, Schweng announced that she will not be returning next year. Juan Raygoza, the current Vice Principal of CAS and AHA, will take her place. She is the fourth Berkeley High principal to leave in the past decade.
Berkeley High MCSA Hosts First Mixed-Race Speaker Series
On Tuesday, March 3, Berkeley High School’s (BHS) Multicultural Student Association (MCSA) held its first speaker series. The event featured ten mixed speakers who spoke about their experience being of multiple ethnicities or races in today’s climate. The event was organized by BHS junior Gabriella Lerman, senior Jillian Curran, and...
Berkeley City Measures E, G, and H Increase BUSD Funding
On March 3, 2020, measures E, G, and H were passed in the California Primaries, all of which provide funding to Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD). Measures G and H provide funding for the improvement and maintenance of school facilities through 2030, while measure E addresses the lack of compensation...
BUSD Board President Judy Appel Will Run for Re-Election
Judy Appel, Berkeley Unified School District’s (BUSD) school board president, is running for reelection. The BUSD school board is composed of five elected adult members, as well as two student representatives, one from Berkeley High, and one from Berkeley Technology Academy. Appel, who has served on the School Board since...
Berkeley Residents Protest Jewel Lake’s Worsening Conditions
This past February 15, people held hands around the perimeter of Tilden Park’s Jewel Lake to give the water a communal embrace. The event was organized with the hopes of attracting the attention of East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) board member Elizabeth Echols, who represents Ward 1, of which...
BHS Students Volunteer at Polls During Busy Super Tuesday
On Tuesday, March 3, California held its primary elections, joining 13 other United States (US) states in Super Tuesday. California previously held primary elections in June, just weeks ahead of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), giving the state little nationwide impact. By joining Super Tuesday states, California is now much...
Berkeley High School Cancelled to Limit the Spread of COVID-19
BUSD announced that school will be cancelled for Berkeley High students tomorrow while teachers “work on options for students to do home learning while they are away from school.” The rest of BUSD will close on Monday.
CA Secretary of State Alex Padilla Visits BHS to Speak on Voting
On Friday, February 7, 2020, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla visited Berkeley High School (BHS) to promote youth civic engagement and voter registration. California Senator Nancy Skinner was also planning on attending, but unfortunately, a last-minute personal incident meant that she could not attend. A representative for Skinner said...
New Sexual Assault Policy Demanded at School Board Meeting
On Wednesday, February 19, Berkeley High School (BHS) students and staff spoke out about systemic rape culture at a Berkeley School Board meeting. Student organizers of the walkout, which took place the week before, came prepared to call the board to action with seven demands. Students spoke in succession, outlining...
YEAH! Struggles to Find Affordable Space Amidst Rising Costs
The future is unclear for Youth Engagement Advocacy Housing (YEAH!), the city of Berkeley’s solitary youth homeless shelter. Currently located at 1744 University Avenue in the Lutheran Church of the Cross, the shelter may be forced to relocate due to increases in rent and diminished space of their one building. ...
Students Walk Out of Class in Protest of BHS Rape Culture
Hundreds of Berkeley High School (BHS) students gathered in the courtyard wearing red and holding signs with messages such as “Consent is sexy” and “Enough,” starting the first phase of a two-day walkout against rape culture and sexual assault at BHS.
“Coffee With a Cop” Bridges Gap Between BPD and Citizens
On Tuesday, January 21, roughly 10 of Berkeley Police Department’s (BPD) and Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) police officers gathered in the Berkeley Bowl Cafe for their monthly event known as “Coffee with a Cop.” This concept was created by an organization under the same name. According to the organization,...
Students Join Together to Create a Greener South Berkeley
Moving South Berkeley Forward (MSBF), a local group made up of Berkeley High School (BHS) and University of California, Berkeley students, is working on converting a section of the old Santa Fe Railroad, which used to run through Berkeley, into a green area for the community. The focus area for...
The BlackRock Protests: One Month Later
On January 14, CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink announced in a letter to the company’s clients and board that they are going to focus on more sustainable investments. BlackRock is the world’s largest management investment company that currently manages a portfolio of approximately $7 trillion. On December 6, a month...
BART Appoints New Police Chief to Foster A Safer Environment
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) recently announced the appointment of a new Chief of Police, Ed Alvarez. As crime in and around BART stations has surged, this move reflects their ambition to improve safety for it’s hundreds of thousands of daily passengers. BART has stations in many major Bay Area...