Anti-Asian harassment widespread in Berkeley, survey suggests
Twice as many Asians and Asian Americans in Berkeley have reported physical attacks during the pandemic, according to preliminary results of a new survey.
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Teens built secret mountain bike course. Now they’re rallying to save ‘The Jumps.’
The city said the unauthorized course would be removed, but demolition has been postponed at Councilmember Susan Wengraf’s request.
Visit Cal’s campus of yore in expanded virtual portal of ‘Blockeley 1893’
Students consulted with historians to replicate in the Minecraft video game what UC Berkeley’s campus looked like during the Victorian era.
School reopening
Missteps, lack of transparency plagued Berkeley Unified school reopening planning
Blunders did not delay the return to in-person instruction, but the district was less than forthcoming with Berkeleyside throughout the process.
‘We’ve waited for this a long time’: Berkeley students grades 3-8 go back in person to school
On April 12, students in grades 3-5 went back five days per week and middle schoolers began hybrid learning.
Middle and high school students will return to school for a few hours a week
Berkeley Unified and the teachers’ union reached an agreement Tuesday on a hybrid learning schedule.
First-day jitters, songs and celebratory pancakes: A taste of Berkeley’s back-to-school day
What was back-to school-day like today? We followed three students and two teachers as many elementary students went back onto campuses after the long months of lockdown.
When elementary schools reopen, most Berkeley Unified students will go back in-person
White families are opting for in-person instruction at higher rates than Black and Latinx families.
Coronavirus
How Berkeley Unified has begun to spend its COVID-19 funds
The district has allocated $3 million of $16 million in COVID relief money. The money is going toward individual schools, technology replacement, special education assessments and more.
Berkeley Unified seniors will graduate in person this June
The graduation will be split into several ceremonies held at Berkeley High’s stadium June 4-6.
In brief
Cal to require vaccines for students, faculty this fall
Exemptions will be made based on religious beliefs or medical history.
Update: COVID-19 outbreak linked to unmasked BHS boys basketball tryouts
This is BUSD’s first COVID-19 outbreak since the start of the pandemic. The city asked the district to pause tryouts for all sports but hybrid learning will continue as normal.
Education Equity
Berkeley schools fund has handed out $400K directly to families in need
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Berkeley Public Schools Fund has given no-strings-attached payments to over 450 families.
Added period at Longfellow Middle School aims to address inequity
Smaller classes and more electives are also in store, but the community remains divided on how best to address persistent disparities.
School board surprised by recommendation to expand police presence in Berkeley high schools
School resource officer program wins over committee but school board members still question if police are needed to keep schools safe.
‘What if that was my grandparents?’— Berkeley students mobilize against AAPI racism, call for improved education
The organizers of a 300-strong rally held Friday in Oakland, three Berkeley High eleventh graders, think schools can do more to educate young people about Asian Americans.
Beyond the Buses
In 1968, Berkeley Unified integrated all its elementary schools, taking an unprecedented approach. On the 50th anniversary of that move, in a three-part series, Berkeleyside examined that history, its legacy and the equity issues that remain unsolved.
A teacher who looks like me
50 years ago Berkeley voluntarily integrated its schools. Even back then the district recognized that newly diverse classrooms demanded a diverse teaching force. In Part 3 of our deep dive we look at the situation today.
All together now
While the universal ninth grade is new, efforts to “redesign” Berkeley High in the name of equity are not. In a special three-part series, Berkeleyside examines the then and now.
A radical decision, an unfinished legacy
Berkeley Unified made history by voluntarily integrating its schools 50 years ago this fall. In a special three-part series, Berkeleyside explores that history and its legacy in a very different present-day Berkeley.
UC Berkeley
In brief
Cal remains country’s top public, 4th best university in new rankings
A new national ranking puts UC Berkeley at the top of all public universities in the U.S.
UC Berkeley can’t build new softball complex without more environmental review, judge rules
Residents of Panoramic Hill sued the university to get it to further study the impacts of the $28 million project.
Berkeley issues scathing response to Cal’s long-range plan; calls for it to be redone
UC Berkeley wants to add 12,000 people to its campus in the next 15 years and build 8 million square feet of housing, research space and parking.
Watch the UC Berkeley peregrine falcons live
This is Annie and Grinnell’s fifth breeding season at the top of the Campanile. They’ve raised 10 chicks so far.
Recent stories
James Manuel, Berkeley High girls volleyball coach, dies at 37
Manuel, who revitalized the school’s volleyball program and turned its players into a family, died April 22.
