District officials say after-school sports can count toward PE credits, but also make it hard to administer state fitness exams to all the requisite students, especially at the ninth-grade level. Photo: Berkeley Unified School District A recent state report that includes fitness test results for Berkeley students in three grades shows the district’s ninth-graders falling […]
Neil Smith
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Fight re-launched to save school nutrition programs
Parents and kids filled Berkeley’s council chambers to speak out to the School Board about the importance of the district’s gardening and cooking programs, Nov. 13, 2012. Photo: Emilie Raguso Parents and kids filled Berkeley’s council chambers to speak out to the School Board about the importance of the district’s gardening and cooking programs, Nov. […]
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2020 Vision symposium highlights progress in Berkeley
A packed cafeteria at the 2020 Vision Symposium, Oct. 11, Longfellow Middle School, Berkeley, CA. Photo: Emilie Raguso Last week, more than 100 community members, educators and city and school officials came together to share a meal and a vision for a future of equal opportunities for all children in Berkeley schools. The theory behind […]
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Berkeley schools show gains on standard tests
The California Department of Education yesterday released its 2012 Accountability Progress Report, which show significant gains for Berkeley schools on both the state Annual Performance Index (API) and the federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). (Details of both district and individual school results for API and AYP can be seen on the state’s Accountability Progress Reporting site.) […]
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BUSD board vows to be more inclusive in new chief search
The Berkeley School Board at its Wednesday night meeting. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel A seemingly chastened Berkeley school board announced Wednesday night that it will restart its search for a new superintendent in early 2013 and will be more open and inclusive in the process. Before opening the meeting to public comments, Leah Wilson read a […]
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Berkeley goes back to school amid transitions
Kindergarteners line up on Wednesday to enter Ms. Maida’s classroom at Emerson Elementary School. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel Kindergarteners line up on Wednesday to enter Ms. Maida’s classroom at Emerson Elementary School. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel School started Wednesday for more than 9,400 students in Berkeley’s 11 elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools. At […]
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Berkeley school district names interim superintendents
Javetta Cleveland and Neil Smith, newly named joint interim superintendents, at the BUSD board meeting on August 22. Photo: Tracey Taylor Berkeley Unified School District has named Javetta Cleveland and Neil Smith, both BUSD staff, as joint interim superintendents for an unspecified period of time until someone is found to fill the shoes of former […]
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Four honored as literacy leaders in Berkeley’s schools
The Berkeley Public Education Foundation this week recognizes four Leaders in Literacy, all of whom have shown imagination and determined effort to broaden student literacy in Berkeley. BPEF says: “We applaud their initiative, leadership, and unwavering belief that access to the written word is a pathway to opportunity, expression, and thoughtful participation in a democratic society.” The honorees will […]