Oxford Elementary School teacher Jackie Omania has been honored with the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. Ms. Omania was selected the 2019 winner from Region 9 of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which includes California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. “Ms. Omania has gone above and beyond in her teaching career to better her student’s […]
Oxford Students Help Inspire Berkeley’s New Disposable Foodware Limits
The City of Berkeley made headlines on Jan. 22 when the City Council approved a new ordinance, to be phased in over the next year and a half, aimed at prohibiting restaurants, including fast-food outlets, from using or offering disposable cups, straws, utensils and other foodware that are not compostable. Less well-known is the key […]
New BUSD Program to Help Young Readers (With Assistance from a Little Green Friend)
There’s a new member of the BUSD family who really stands out – which is quite a feat when you’re only a foot tall. He’s bright green and furry, and his name is “Alphie.” As you might guess from his name, he works with the alphabet. Alphie – an alligator puppet – is helping strengthen […]
4th & 5th Grader Creativity Celebrated at Annual ‘In Dulci Jubilo’ Awards
Impressive elementary school student talent was honored Thursday night, April 19, at the annual In Dulci Jubilo Awards Ceremony, held this year at Malcolm X Elementary School. Open to all BUSD 4th and 5th graders, In Dulci Jubilo‘s Art, Poetry and Essay Contest featured awards in three categories for each of the two grades. Winners […]
Congratulations to Emerson! Named a 2018 California Distinguished School
Berkeley’s Emerson Elementary School has been honored by the California Department of Education as a 2018 Distinguished School. “These schools implement outstanding educational programs and practices that help California students realize their potential, and put them on the path to achieve their dreams,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said in an announcement on […]
BUSD 5th Grader Plays Featured Role at Senator Kamala Harris’ Town Hall
High-profile praise was lavished on a Thousand Oaks Elementary School 5th grader on Wed., Aug. 30, following her impressive performance leading the Pledge of Allegiance at a large Town Hall meeting held by U.S. Senator Kamala Harris. Appearing poised on stage before about 700 people at Beebe Memorial Cathedral in Oakland, 5th grader Isabella Sinclair […]
Mock Trials – 5th Graders Immerse Themselves in Highly Prepared Courtroom Contests
The most suspenseful element of a mock trial conducted by 5th graders is that no one knows the outcome – will the jury find the defendant guilty? The prosecution and defense teams spent weeks carefully preparing their respective cases. They were trained in public speaking skills and techniques for persuasively presenting evidence, questioning witnesses and […]
New Appointments to Four Key BUSD Positions
Congratulations to the four educational leaders appointed unanimously by the School Board on May 31: Michelle Sinclair – Cragmont Principal Juan Raygoza – BHS Vice Principal Heidi Weber – Program Coordinator, Independent Study Susannah Bell Fishman – Program Manager, Special Education On announcing the appointments, Board President Ty Alper provided the following background about each person: […]
4th & 5th Graders’ Creativity Celebrated at Annual “In Dulci Jubilo” Awards
Extraordinary elementary school student talent was honored Thursday night, April 20, at the annual In Dulci Jubilo Awards Ceremony. Open to all BUSD 4th and 5th graders, In Dulci Jubilo‘s (IDJ) Art, Poetry and Essay Contest featured awards in three categories for each of the two grades. Winners in each category (1st, 2nd, 3rd, Honorable […]
Mock Newbery Book Club Launches in Every BUSD Elementary School
This year for the first time, each elementary school is launching a Mock Newbery Book Club and kicking off Berkeley Unified’s Year of The Reader. The Newbery Award is the most prestigious literary award for children’s literature in the United States, awarded annually by the American Library Association (ALA) (along with numerous other awards). Our Mock Newbery […]