THE BERKSHIRE SCHOOLS
Volume 2 Issue 3
Maximizing each student's potential as an individual and as a responsible citizen
Superintendent’s Report Dear Berkshire Schools Community, Rising to the Challenge During Extended School Closure The 2019-20 school year officially ended on Monday, June 1st, concluding a year that brought unprecedented challenges and displayed the determination and resilience of our proud District. In compliance with state guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19, the Berkshire Schools quickly transitioned to an online only learning platform. Rising to the Superintendent John Stoddard challenge, the Berkshire Schools community came together to ensure our students continued to learn and achieve. Our dedicated teachers and staff created engaging, project-based learning activities using Zoom and other online video conference platforms. To meet the individual learning and social-emotional needs of our students, teachers and staff consistently went above and beyond, delivering instructional materials and Chromebooks, as well as dropping off special treats to brighten the day of their students and their families. Berkshire students demonstrated resiliency in the transition to online learning and maintained a commitment to academic achievement. Examples of recent student successes and learning are featured in this special summer edition of The District Spotlight. Honoring the Class of 2020 The Berkshire Local Schools honored the graduating senior Class of 2020 with an innovative and spirited drive-in graduation ceremony at the Mayfield Drive-In on Wednesday, May 27th. Over 100 cars filled the parking area of the Drive-In, as participants sat in their cars, on tailgates and lawn chairs to celebrate the Class of 2020. The production included footage of graduates crossing the stage as well as remarks by High School Principal Mr. King, the Salutatorian and co-Valedictorians. Congratulations once again to the Class of 2020 and best wishes in your future endeavors!
throughout each building, purchase new sanitation equipment and stock personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect the wellbeing of everyone in our schools. The District will also be ready to serve families who do not feel comfortable sending their children to an in-person school setting with the forthcoming launch of the Badger Virtual Academy. This fully online experience for K-12 students will be piloted with summer school options and fully operational for the start of the 2020-21 school year on Tuesday, September 8th. An optional in-person lab and check-in times will be offered for students who need additional assistance. To learn more, please visit www.berkshireschools.org or contact your building principal or the Superintendent’s Office. Thank you for your continued support and have a safe and enjoyable summer break! GO BADGERS! John Stoddard Superintendent
A districtwide year-end parade was held on June 1st to say goodbye to the 2019-2020 School Year! Read more on Page 4! Thank you to all who participated!
Initial Plans for 2020-21 School Year The Berkshire Schools are currently working to create a plan in response to the Governor’s recently released guidelines for reopening school in the Fall. Families should expect the District’s reopening plan to be released at the end of July 2020. Our goal is to be prepared to open our schools for in-person learning, five days per week, and resume a school schedule that is as close to normal as possible. The health and safety of our students and families remains a top priority. As a result, the District will make adjustments to existing cleaning and sanitation routines, install hand sanitizer stations
Visit us online at: http://www.berkshireschools.org
Congratulations Berkshire High School Class of 2020 On behalf of everyone in the Berkshire Local Schools, congratulations goes out to the Class of 2020. Throughout the unprecedented school closure period, the members of this particular class demonstrated patience, resilience, hard work, responsibility and an uncanny drive to persist until the ends of their school experiences in our District. We commend you. All the best in your future endeavors, and please remember that you’re always a Badger!
Class of 2020 Celebrated with Drive-In Commencement The Berkshire Local Schools honored the graduating senior Class of 2020 with an innovative and spirited drive-in graduation ceremony at the Mayfield Drive In during the month of May. More than 100 cars filed into the Drive-In grounds on a seasonal May evening and participants sat in their cars, on tailgates and lawn chairs to celebrate this special senior class. Once the Drive-In ceremony began, Superintendent Stoddard made invigorated remarks about ‘taking the reins and leading today’ and Board President Wadsworth, a Berkshire alumnus, encouraged students to have fun along the journey because time passes by quickly. In recorded remarks, High School Principal Mr. King shared the talents, treasures and patience of the members of the Class of 2020. After remarks from the Salutatorian and the co-Valedictorians, each member crossed the stage and the video was displayed on the Drive-In screen. Rounds of applause were given throughout the entire ceremony. The Berkshire Local Schools expresses its gratitude to G-TV for filming the graduates cross the stage during the week of May 4th and for compiling the montage that was played during the Drive-In Ceremony!
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Sixth grade students from Burton Elementary spread a little sunshine to patients at Blossom Nursing home during the first week of school shutdowns by creating and mailing them handmade letters and cards. The simple, yet heartwarming gesture of support and encouragement brought smiles to the faces of each patient. These sixth graders truly exemplify the school’s motto: “Be Kind. Be Wise. Be a Friend.�
For the second consecutive year, Berkshire High School was named a Best High School by U.S. News and World Report. In earning this distinction, Berkshire High School is ranked in the top 40% of all high schools in the entire country and is given permission to promote itself with such honor within its community among the 18,000 schools nationwide that were evaluated. Congratulations to the students, staff and entire family of Berkshire High School!
After reading a story titled The Umbrella Trick, 2nd grade students at Ledgemont Elementary were asked to design and build an umbrella using materials at their homes. After submitting their blueprints and list of construction materials, students spent two weeks building their umbrellas using a variety of techniques including welding, taping, rubber bands, glue and legos! With the help of parents, students tested the effectiveness of their umbrellas by dumping water on them. Thank you to all the parents that helped make this project a success and to the students who spent so much time on their work.
Berkshire Science students celebrated Earth Week and the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day in a variety of creative and meaningful ways. Student activities included a Nature photo contest, and cleaning up debris and trash to improve neighborhoods. Chemistry students even researched ways to fight climate change on manure digesters and capturing carbon, creating infographics to explain their findings. Congratulations to all participating students for a job well done!
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GARFIELD Berkshire LocalHEIGHTS Schools CITY SCHOOLS 14259 Claridon Troy Rd. 5640 Briarcliff Drive Burton, OH 44021 Garfield Heights, OH 44125
PRSRT STD US Postage PAID CLEVELAND, OH PERMIT NO. 647
Visit w wuswonline . g a r f iat: e l dhttp://www.berkshireschools.org heightscityschools.com Romie Graham, Linkage Coordinator,
District Spotlight: Garfield Heights City Schools This edition’s District Spotlight shines brightly on a newcomer to the Garfield Heights City Schools who is already making a positive impact on the entire student population, Linkage Coordinator Romie Graham. Using his life story, collegiate athletic accomplishments and professional strides as a basis for his philosophy with the students, Romie is attempting to positively intervene in their lives and help them to make wise, responsible decisions. He is the topic of this spotlight, so that the community can learn a bit more about Romie and what he does for the GHCS.
Romie grew up in Florida, in a single-family home as the oldest of five brothers and sisters. Despite the impoverished upbringing, Romie excelled in football and baseball in high school and made good grades. As the oldest child in his family, he felt the responsibility of being an example to his siblings, which ultimately led him to Muskingum College where he played four years of college football as a wide-receiver. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Health Education. From there, Romie graduated from Otterbein University with a Master’s Degree in Allied Health and Science. Romie used his athletic experience to then serve as an assistant football coach at Allegheny College, and then served as a Special Teams Coaching Intern Burton Elementary second graders recently engaged The Berkshire Local Schools provided a special end-of-year parade for students with the San Francisco 49ers Professional Football Team. Yet despite, all of these promising career opportunities, Romie felt the calling to help students in various reading assignments, engaging experiments and families in theofparking lotCalifornia, of Kent State succeed, avoid making negative choices and give back to the community. In the summer 2016, from Romie University-Geauga applied to become the Campus Linkage on andCoordinator project based learning activities Monday, June 1st. The area was organized into two parade areas, one for the at Garfield Heights High School. to help them
grow in their understanding of the weather around Jr. and Sr. High staff, and theanswers other forquestions Ledgemont and Burton In this role, Romie mentors students. To him, this means that he positively engages in their world, and attempts to helpElementary students on staff them. Examples included the creation of homemade members. The Transportation and Board Office staff, including Superintendent the path toward success. He doesn’t have a set schedule, and every day is something new for Romie. His door is always open. Ultimately as a part of the weather monitoring tools such as wants a weather vane John greeted parade participants entered andtheexited Students of Promise program, Romie students to goand to college, studyStoddard, and work hard and make a positive contributionas to they society. Throughout year, the he takes students college visits helps them with the application process. Some ofstudents the colleges that he has visited Howard University, Morgan measuring cup foronrainfall, andand thoughtfully created facility. Parents, and families in theinclude District added to the excitement State poems Universityabout and Walsh I canto help at Burton least one student, then I havedecorating done my job,”their says Romie. Next year,balloons Romie willand helpstreamers, the Bulldogsas on they acrostic the University. weather.“IfWay go, by pridefully vehicles with the gridiron in some capacity. Please join the Garfield Heights City Schools in welcoming Romie Graham to the district. Elementary School second grade students, for your filed past their teachers who remained socially distanced in the parking lot. . work and critical thinking skills! hard Thank you to all who participated, and Go Badgers! 4