At the June 15, 2020 Berea Board of Education meeting, the board approved a change to the calendar for the 2020-21 school year. The first day of school for 1st grade through 12th grade students will be Tuesday, September 8th (previously September 3rd). Kindergarten will start Wednesday, September 9th. The pushback of the start date will allow for additional staff workdays to prepare for our re-start. Additional calendar information is on the district website >> www.berea.k12.oh.us/calendar

The difficult decision was made to cancel Camp Mi-Bro-Be for the 2020-21 school year due to concerns surrounding the health and safety of students and staff participating in the camp. A team, which will include Mr. Muni, will be looking at Camp Mi-Bro-Be moving forward, including but not limited to; staffing, teacher attendance, camp location, number of days, and grade level attending (knowing we will have missed this year’s 6th graders). This was the last year of our contract with Camp Whitewood and they have been informed that we will be looking at all options during this coming school year with regards to camp moving forward.

We know there are a lot of uncertainties for the fall. We will continue to keep you updated during the summer break with information regarding the 2020-21 school year as it becomes available. 

Please continue to stay well,

Tracy L. Wheeler
Superintendent

 

Dear Families,

As our unforgettable school year comes to an end, we are continuing to work and plan as best as we can for the fall during this situation that continues to evolve. The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) released some preliminary guidance on restrictions for the start of the school year. While the ODE’s plan is currently a draft, the physical/social distancing requirement will make it impossible to resume school as it once was. We know that we will have to plan for multiple scenarios and situations. There is not a one size fits all solution.

Wrapping Up Remote Learning
As a reminder, May 26th through June 3rd will be a time for students to have virtual experiences that give them closure and opportunities to say goodbye to their teachers and classmates, as well as opportunities for students to receive support as needed. The last day for accepting assignments in grades K-11 is June 3rd.

We Value Your Feedback...Looking Ahead to 2020-2021
As we develop recommendations and operating procedures for the fall, please continue to submit your questions for our Virtual Community Conversation on June 4 at 6:30 p.m. We also ask that you complete our Remote Learning Survey for each child in your family:

• Grades PK - 4 Remote Learning Survey
• Grades 5-12 Remote Learning Survey

 
Additional opportunities for parent feedback and collaboration will be offered throughout this process. 

Closing of Berea-Midpark High School
The district is hosting a Community Walk-through at Berea-Midpark High School on Sunday, June 7, 2020 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. All attendees participating in the walk-through will be required to wear a mask or facial covering. Please visit our website for important information and updates about the closing and walk-through.

Visitors to Our Buildings
Based on the guidance from the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC, all visitors to the district MUST wear facial coverings upon entering any district building, with the exception of those individuals with specifically documented legal, life, health or safety considerations.  

Use of District Indoor/Outdoor Athletic Facilities
On May 21st, the Lt. Governor announced that non-contact sports/leagues can resume May 26th, and OHSAA announced that sports training can also resume on May 26th.  Even though this guidance has come out, the district has not made a determination on how we will proceed with regard to the use of our facilities for athletics.  

Food Program 
Reminder, Grab & Go Meals are available for pick up from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays throughout the remainder of the school year. Meals are distributed from our school buses outside the elementary schools, middle school, and at the transportation department building. ANY student or child ages 1-18 in the District is eligible for the Grab and Go Meals. Summer meal information will be available soon.

Transportation/Busing Needs for 2020-2021
In order to arrange the safest and most efficient bus routes, we need to identify eligible students who will and will NOT use school bus transportation for the upcoming school year.  Please complete the BCSD Transportation Form for the 2020-2021 school year with your current intent.  Please note, we do understand that your intent could change. Your indication for transportation use can be changed at any time. This form MUST be completed by June 30, 2020.  

Commencement and Celebrating the Class of 2020
Next week is commencement week and we are asking for your support in celebrating our seniors. Show your Titan pride for the Class of 2020 by tying an orange or blue ribbon around a tree or light post in your front yard during commencement week! Then watch the ceremony on the district YouTube channel this Thursday, May 28th at 7 p.m. with a pre-show beginning at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony will re-air on Sunday, May 31st at 4 p.m. on channel 43/WUAB.

We will continue to update you to ensure that you are informed with the latest, most current information as we continue to navigate and make decisions for the upcoming school year. Please remember to continue practicing good social distancing to ensure you remain safe, healthy, and well.

Tracy L. Wheeler
Superintendent

Dear Families,

Thank you for taking a moment to join us and schools across the nation last week in honoring our educators and staff during Staff Appreciation Week. This is not how any of us imagined the end of this school year would go, but our entire Titans community continues to impress me. It is our partnership together that helps to ensure students remain connected, engaged, and supported during this time.

Governor Mike DeWine announced yesterday that day camps would be permitted to reopen beginning May 31st. The district is currently reviewing the complete guidelines for reopening to determine our capability in holding summer day camp. We will provide a decision as soon as possible.

To answer any questions you may have that are not already addressed in our Frequently Asked Question guide for families, I will be hosting a live virtual Community Conversation session on Thursday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m. to provide the community with information pertaining to your questions and concerns. To participate, please complete this brief form and stay tuned for additional information about this event.

Our high school staff has been working endlessly to ensure our seniors experience their walking across stage moment. Seniors, although you weren’t able to graduate among your classmates, we hope the memory of graduating with your closest loved ones cheering you on is one you will cherish forever. The entire Titans community will be able to watch your moment and join in the celebration on Thursday, May 28th at 7 p.m. on the district’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/bereacsd). The ceremony will also air again on Sunday, May 31st at 4 p.m. on channel 43/WUAB.

Medication pick up at all buildings is on Monday, May 18th from 8:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m. Our end of year schedule for assignments and belonging pick up schedules were shared in our communication last week. That information, along with all previous updates and resources can always be found on our website. 

To support planning for the fall, we would like to know how learning has been going for your family. All families will be receiving a remote learning survey next week. There are still a lot of unknowns and uncertainty, but your insights and experiences will help us in our preparation. 

Stay well and be safe,

Tracy L. Wheeler
Superintendent

Dear Families and Staff,

We truly miss having our students, staff, and families in our buildings, and most importantly the opportunity to connect in person. 

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week and we recognize and celebrate our teachers. We truly appreciate the meaningful work that they do each and every day! A quality teacher is the single most important factor in a student's education, and the BCSD is so fortunate to have teachers who truly believe in our students and want nothing but the best for them! If you have not done so already, be sure to reach out and thank your teachers for all that they do for our children! 

Our teachers and staff will continue to serve our students and families through remote learning experiences as we finish the school year. Below is our end of year schedule for assignments:

New Assignments will NOT be posted AFTER the Following Dates:
Grades K - 11:  Friday, May 22nd
Seniors:  Friday, May 8th

Last Day for Accepting Assignments:
Grades K-11 will be June 3rd
Seniors will be May 21st (more information about Senior final grades and failures will come from Dr. Smithberger soon)

May 26th through June 3rd will be a time for students to have virtual experiences that give them closure and opportunities to say goodbye to their teachers and classmates, as well as opportunities for students to receive support as needed. This may include holding alternative end-of-year celebrations and closing activities in a virtual environment. During this time, our teachers will also engage in activities needed to prepare for the 2020-2021 school year.

Belonging Pick Up Schedules & Information

• Big Creek Elementary
• Brook Park Memorial Elementary
• Brookview Elementary
• Grindstone Elementary
• Berea-Midpark Middle School
• Berea-Midpark High School: The official day for seniors to return district property and pick up their personal items is Friday, May 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Underclassmen pick up and return is May 27th and May 28th from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  
  

We will continue to update you to ensure that you are informed with the latest, most current information as we continue to navigate through the end of the school year. Please remember to continue practicing good social distancing to ensure you remain safe, healthy and well.

Tracy L. Wheeler
Superintendent

 

Dear Families, 

On Monday, April 20, 2020, Governor DeWine extended the closure of all schools through the end of the school year. I understand the anxiety, sadness, and frustration the decision to close schools for the remainder of the academic year may cause. This has required us to change our plans as the situation continues to evolve. I want to provide you with an update about several things that I know are concerns for many of our parents and guardians. I appreciate you taking the time to read through this important information. 

As you are already aware, we launched our continuous learning plan on April 6th. This put us in a good position to continue on this long path ahead. Last week, we shared our COVID-19 Grading Plan that was developed with the diverse needs of our district in mind. I am incredibly proud of our students, families, and staff for rising to this historic challenge to continue the learning process and, most importantly, to maintain and enhance connections with students.

Student Belongings
We are preparing for the opportunity to gather student materials and pickup of needed items during the weeks of May 11th and May 18th. This opportunity for picking up materials will take place subject to the following conditions: The Governor’s Stay-at-Home order is in fact lifted on May 1st. Your building principal will be sending more specific information to you and your students in the near future for the exact day of your students’ tentative material pickup. Please be on the lookout for this information in the coming weeks. Once again, as information emerges, BCSD is dedicated to keeping you posted as soon as possible.

Specialized Learning
Students with IEPs will continue to have opportunities to engage through the support of teachers, related-services staff, and families. Special education teachers will continue to engage parents in IEP meetings, parent meetings and otherwise support students in remote learning. Accommodations, modifications, and services will be provided to the greatest extent possible throughout the remote learning.

If your child’s IEP team determined that your child qualified for ESY, the District will provide ESY following the Ohio Department of Health’s guidance to maintain the safety and health of students and staff. The child’s intervention specialist will contact you when we have more details for your child. 

Refunds
The Treasurer's Office is working diligently to process refunds for all of the events that have been canceled. These refunds would include, but are not limited to, preschool tuition, extendED care, spring sports fees, and field trips. We ask for your patience as we work through the refund process.

If you would like to request a refund on your student's MealTime account please contact Briana Cates, Food Service Supervisor, at bcates@bereaschools.org. All amounts left on a MealTime account would roll over to the next school year.  

Celebrating the Class of 2020
Thank you for your patience as we explore and narrow down the best ideas and solutions on how to celebrate the Class of 2020. We are working hard to make sure we get it right. New guidance for graduation from the State Superintendent came out yesterday. Know that any final decisions announced will have involved input and feedback gathered from seniors, parents, and staff. Our goal is to honor our seniors in a safe and responsible way, prioritizing the health needs of students, their families and the community. Dr. Smithberger and I will have more information regarding decisions surrounding Prom and Commencement communicated to families and students next week.  

4th and 8th Graders
We are aware that parents are concerned these students will be missing out on special events as well. Know that the district and our PTAs are also exploring ways to celebrate our 4th graders and 8th graders transitioning to new buildings in the fall.  

Kindergarten
It is that time of year where we want to encourage parents/guardians to register their kindergartner for the 2020-21 school year. Please visit our website for information regarding registering your child for kindergarten. As we prepare you and your child for their kindergarten experience in the fall of 2020, we also want to answer your questions and concerns. Please complete this form to let us know if you have any questions or concerns related to kindergarten. Due to being unable to hold a public gathering for our kindergarten information nights, the district is working on a virtual kindergarten information presentation. We will have more details soon.

Please note that summer Safety Town in the cities of Brook Park and Middleburg Heights has been canceled. The city of Berea will be making a decision on the status of the program next week.

Meals for Students
Grab & Go Meals will continue two days a week throughout the remainder of the school year. Students will receive six meals on Monday (three breakfasts and three lunches) and four meals on Thursday (two breakfasts and two lunches).   ANY student or child ages 1-18 in the District is eligible for the Grab and Go Meals. 

Pick Up Time:
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday and Thursday

Pick Up Locations:

• All Elementary Schools
• Berea-Midpark Middle School
• Transportation Department Building

All Grab & Go Meals will be distributed from our school buses outside the elementary schools, middle school, and at transportation.

Construction Updates for BMHS and BPE
Our construction continues towards completion. We are still on track for our new buildings to open this fall. See the latest look inside our new buildings:

• Brook Park Elementary School
• Berea-Midpark High School

Chromebooks Loaned
Given the uncertainty of the fall school start, we will not be collecting Chromebooks loaned to families until we return to school. Families are asked to refer to the handout they received or visit this website for information. 

Chromebooks Loaned to Seniors: If there are no other family members who would need a Chromebook, seniors must return their Chromebook to the middle school on assigned days/times to be determined. 

More to Come…
As we wait on further guidance from the Governor, we will be able to address questions and concerns regarding ESY, Summer Camp, BMHS Summer School, and Grade Three Reading Camp. 

We cannot wait until the day we are able to welcome students back to school!  Our teachers and staff miss our students so much.
Stay Safe and Be Healthy!

Tracy L. Wheeler
Superintendent