'A public education crisis;' BUSD Parents Rally to Open School
Berkeley Unified School District Parents held its third Open Schools rally on Saturday, February 6, across from Berkeley High School at MLK Jr. Civic Center Park.
BUSD
Updated Reopening Requirements Presented at State of BUSD Meeting
On January 27, the annual Superintendent’s State of the District meeting was held from 6 PM to 8 PM through Zoom, and also broadcast live on YouTube.
PTSA Meeting Focuses on Well-Being of Students During Distance Learning
The first Parent Teacher Student Association meeting of the new year was held on January 19. Temporarily setting aside the academic boundaries presented by distance learning, the discussion was focused around a more personal issue; the mental health and emotional well-being of Berkeley High School students. Before the meeting, a survey was sent
Local Official Spotlight: Vasudeo Talks COVID-19 and Inclusion
“My top goal is to help our students and teachers recover from this pandemic,” said Berkeley Unified School District Board Director Ana Vasudeo. Despite the uncertainties and inequities created by COVID-19, Berkeley High School continues to strive for inclusion, a platform for student activism, as well as a supportive environment for its diverse
BUSD Collaborates With the Berkeley Federation of Teachers to Develop a Reopening Plan
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.
Berkeley Youth Commission Considers Trigger Warning Policy
On January 11, the Berkeley Youth Commission held its monthly meeting to discuss potential policy changes to sexual harm education and classroom trigger warnings within Berkeley Unified School District. The Berkeley Youth Commission is a panel of BUSD students — currently composed only of Berkeley High School students — that develop and present
Superintendent Presents COVID-19 Update at January 6 Board Meeting
The Berkeley School Board’s January 6 meeting primarily focused on plans to return to in-person learning. Members also discussed the English learner master plan and approved an energy service contract with Schneider Electric for equipment replacement at the Berkeley High School pool. The first public comment period was mainly about COVID-19.
BUSD Alternative High School Programs Struggle with Distance Learning
Nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the sacrifices and shortcomings of distance learning at Berkeley High School, and within Berkeley Unified School District in general, are clear to all involved.
BUSD Struggles to Support Special Education Students Amidst Pandemic
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.
Jefferson Elementary Renamed After Ruth Acty, First Black Teacher in BUSD
On Thursday, December 10, the Berkeley Unified School District School Board voted to rename Jefferson Elementary School after Ruth Acty, the first Black teacher employed in the district.
BHS's Term System Must Be Adjusted to Preserve Students' Knowledge
At the beginning of this school year, many Berkeley High School students were grateful that they would not be forced to handle all six — or more — classes at once.
Schools Should Require COVID-19 Vaccination for Returning Students
Whether or not a COVID-19 vaccination will be mandatory for students to return to school is a question that has been weighing heavily on the minds of many families.
Babitt and Vasudeo Sworn in as New BUSD School Board Directors
On Wednesday, December 16, Berkeley Unified School District held its annual school board organizational meeting to approve the 2021 agenda and swear in new members to the board. Replacing last year’s school board directors Judy Appel and Beatriz Leyva-Cutler, Ana Vasudeo and Laura Babitt were sworn in as the new directors. Babitt was sworn
Berkeley Community Members Rally to Reopen Schools
On December 5, Berkeley parents and students gathered at MLK Civic Center Park to protest the continued closure of Berkeley Unified School District schools.
BUSD Implements Title IX Reform Demanded by Students
Last spring, hundreds of Berkeley High School students walked out of class in protest of campus rape culture and the administration that enabled it. The event featured a diverse group of speakers who shared their stories of sexual assault and harm, often calling the student body and administration to action.
COVID-19 Dashboard Increases Transparency About Elementary School Reopenings
The Berkeley Unified School District has launched the “COVID-19 Risk Reduction Dashboard.” This resource, a website that can be accessed through the BUSD homepage, lists six areas of preparation, with specific tasks that elementary schools must complete to return to campus: facilities, health practices, school campus logistics, staff, students and families, and agency approvals.
A Continued Fight: The Group That Combated Racial Inequity in BUSD For 20 Years
Parents of Children of African Descent will be dissolved on December 31. For years, PCAD continued to hold the district accountable, packing board meetings and bringing to attention the many racial inequities within Berkeley Unified School District.
Creating APIA Studies at BHS Presents Challenges and Rewards
Read parts one and three of the investigation here. Ethnic Studies teacher Jeren Penalosa grew up hating his Filipino identity. He believed that being an American meant fitting in and assimilating, so that was his goal throughout his high school career at James Logan High School in Union City.