Improved reading scores for Black and Latino elementary students and a new database tracking achievement trends are among Enikia Ford Morthel’s accomplishments in her first year.
Ally Markovich
Ally Markovich, who covers the school beat for Berkeleyside, is a former high school English teacher. Her work has appeared in The Oaklandside, The New York Times, Huffington Post and Washington Post, among other publications. You can spot her running on the trails in Tilden Park.
Posted inCity
Berkeley’s population is rebounding faster than almost any other Bay Area city
Thanks to the return of Cal students and growing university enrollment, Berkeley’s population is recovering but it’s still below pre-pandemic levels.
Posted inCommunity
Where to go for last-minute camping near Berkeley this holiday weekend
Didn’t plan ahead? We’ve got tips for finding a scenic spot to sleep under the stars — even when traditional campsites are already reserved.
Posted inSchools
Fashion designs inspired by moss and iridescent frogs win Berkeley High student a national arts award
Senior Gavin Trotmore is one of 20 students nationwide to be honored with a Presidential Arts Award. His teacher, Miriam Stahl, is also being honored.
Posted inCity
State Supreme Court agrees to hear case for building housing on People’s Park
The court will review a lower court’s decision blocking UC Berkeley from building housing on the historic park.
Posted inCity
Why the South Berkeley ‘Reparations Now’ mural was painted over
A graffiti complaint prompted the city to cover up the mural that helped inspire the City Council to pursue reparations in Berkeley. The neighbors who created the mural are considering next steps.
Posted inSchools
Berkeley college prep program RISE says without BUSD funds, it’s done
The nonprofit has helped hundreds of low-income BUSD students get into college, but it says this will be its last year unless it gets more money.
Posted inSchools
For the first time, 4-year-olds can enroll in Berkeley’s transitional kindergarten program
We visited a Berkeley Unified transitional kindergarten classroom last year to learn more about the expanding program.
Posted inSchools
Why the cost of special education is rising at Berkeley schools
Spending on special education has increased 30% in Berkeley Unified over four years.
Posted inSchools
Berkeley school district’s reparations task force meets privately
A 15- to 20-member task force, convened by the superintendent, held its first meeting last month as it explores giving cash payments to students with enslaved ancestors.
Posted inSchools
UC Berkeley identifies next 2 sites to build student housing
The university hopes to build up to 2,700 more beds in Southside by 2025 or 2026, though the actual number of beds has not been determined yet.
Posted inSchools
‘Building our Emerald City’: Berkeley High students pitch climate solutions
After months of research, students proposed new ideas to help BUSD meet sustainability goals, from a rainwater collection system to a green job fair.
