BHS students fundraise for cancer research
On Sept. 30, the annual Swim Across America charity event was held. This year, about 200 swimmers attended, including several Berkeley High School students, to raise money for pediatric cancer research.
News
What causes the frequent fire alarms at Berkeley High School?
With the new school year starting, Berkeley High School has already had several fire alarms go off. Many students and teachers assume that the cause of these situations is students pulling the alarm to get out of class. “I believe the main causes are the students pulling the alarm to get out of class or
Administration responds to gun incident on campus
On Wednesday, Sept. 27, firearms were found in the backpacks of two Berkeley High School students. The Berkeley Police Department arrested both students and confiscated the weapons.
Task force begins working on financial reparations within BUSD
The Berkeley Unified School District Reparations Task Force, announced by Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel in March of 2023, is dedicated to exploring and enacting policies that support descendants of formerly enslaved people connected to BUSD.
Latinos Unidos Club plans to host Latinx Heritage Assembly
On Wednesday, Oct. 18, the Latinos Unidos Club will host their annual Latinx Heritage Month Assembly in the Florence Schwimley Little Theater. In the assembly, they plan to showcase various aspects of Latinx culture through performances. “Having this month is such a beautiful way to reconnect with one’s culture: the music, the food, the traditions
School board discusses changes in curriculum and sick leave
On Wednesday, Sept. 20, the Berkeley Unified School District school board approved changes to the BUSD curriculum and heard complaints about teachers’ sick leave policy during a meeting.
Berkeley Poet Laureate Program amplifies youth expression
This year, Berkeley Public Library announced the first ever Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate Program, which was started by a committee of eight Berkeley Public Library staff in late 2022.
AGES Club provides students free gender-affirming clothing
Berkeley High’s Alliance for Gender Expansive Students started a free gender-affirming clothing program towards the end of last school year. AGES is a student-run club dedicated to making a safe space for transgender and gender-nonconforming students. According to club leaders, their goal is to improve the school environment and raise awareness around LGBTQ+ issues.
The BHS Health Center has started offering free Fentanyl strips
This year, the Berkeley High Health Center began offering free fentanyl strips to Berkeley High School students, in collaboration with the Harm Education Reduction Organization. HERO is a student-led organization that promotes harm reduction and aims to create a safe space for drug education through restorative justice rather then zero-tolerance.
Interim Principal Tonia Coleman reflects on goals for the year
Tonia Coleman is the interim Berkeley High School principal for the fall semester. She previously served as a vice principal under Juan Raygoza who is on paternity leave until January. Coleman has worked with Raygoza since she got hired six years ago. “I learned from him every day,” said Coleman. “His decisions are student centered
Berkeley Eviction Moratorium expires: ‘Currently, I’m homeless’
On Aug. 31 2023, Berkeley’s Eviction Moratorium expired, following a 41 month-long hold on evictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium, which enhanced protections for tenants against eviction, kept many families housed within an uncertain situation.
Students who graduate early: What are they planning to do?
In order to graduate high school, students must complete a certain number of required classes such as four years of English, three years of Math and four semesters of physical education.
BHS organizes the annual fall Club Fair
On Thursday, Sept. 7 2023, BHS students attended the annual Club Fair to learn about and join the diverse selection of student-run clubs at BHS. Clubs covered a variety of topics from STEM, to surfing and animal welfare.
School board meets to discuss fiscal year
On Wednesday, Sept. 13, the Berkeley Unified School District School Board convened in order to discuss the end of the 2022-23 fiscal year, along with where the district would be budget-wise.
Teachers across Berkeley take on second jobs to make ends meet
With the cost of living steadily increasing throughout the country, many teachers rely on second jobs during summer break to make ends meet. According to federal data from the 2020-21 school year, 16.8 percent of public school teachers work second jobs outside of the school system in addition to teaching.
Extreme summer weather: Students face an irregular climate
At 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8, Linden Koshland awoke to a sharp knock at her grandmother’s front door. It was a nightwatchman from the neighborhood, informing residents that a massive fire had started east of downtown Lahaina, Maui.
BHS teachers unify against the use of phones within classrooms
In the third year of full in person learning, Berkeley High School teachers have continued to adjust and adapt their classroom practices. Walking into class on Wednesday, a larger proportion of the student body saw the classroom phenomenon phone holders.
Low pay, mental toll: Examining the ramifications of office hours on teachers
“The days I’ve saved for tutoring, I usually finish at about 4:45 p.m. or 5 p.m. and then I either have to drive an hour home or I have to take BART, which takes an hour as well.