District Support for Families

Except where noted, you may reach any person on this list by email, using their first and last names @berkeley.net. For example, Principal Marco Taylor's email is marcotaylor@berkeley.net.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

*College and Career Day: District-wide event in the spring. via BSEP, Natasha Beery

Gardening programs: Jezra Thompson, Director. Muir garden teacher is Keturah Kornbluth

Sign language interpreters: Neesa Lazarus, Julie Batsel, Kaye Kohler, Donna Suzuki

Mock Newbury book clubs: at each school site. Olivia Sanders, coordinator

*DLAC: District-level group working with English language learners and families. Renee Harris, site rep

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL/BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT

Toolbox: system of social-emotional support, taught District-wide : Baje Thiara

Welcoming Schools: equity and inclusion around LGBT: Baje Thiara

PBIS: District-wide system focused on supporting positive behavior in all students

FAMILY SUPPORT

Office of Family Engagement and Equity (OFEE): Family Engagement reps at each site District-wide. OFEE also organizes Black Oratorical Fest, *Young, Gifted, and Black," and K-To-College giveaways. Anne Marie Caligari, Director. Jocelyn Foreman, site rep.

Services for immigrant and/or undocumented families: https://www.berkeleyschools.net/resources-for-immigrant-families/

*Translation Services: Isabel Parra

*DLAC: District-level group working with English language learners and families. Renee Harris, site rep

Family Pantry: District-wide program providing food to families. Jocelyn Foreman, Helen Reese aidanparents@gmail.com

BEARS: after school option with sliding scale tuition. Includes before and after school, summer school, Winter and Spring Break school. Will accept McKinney-Vento, but they must certify/document. Aaron Jorgenson (Director), Jontanika Battle (Site Coordinator).

LEARNS: After school option with various payment options. LEARNS does not operate at John Muir. No before school or vacation/summer school. Will accept McKiney Vento with District certification. Angela Handy, Director

Student Services: student-related issues including teacher, family, community complaints, attendance, restraining and custody orders, suspensions/expulsions, 504 plans, others. James Wogan

Health screenings: Screenings at John Muir once a year for all students in grades K, 2, and 5, all students with IEP plans, McKinney Vento students, and others by request of teacher and families. Dental (Lifelong Dental), Vision (UC Berkeley Optometry and MCT ), and Hearing (Hearing Conservation Associates). District point person: Pamela Meyer

McKinney-Vento: services for homeless families. District contact: Melody Royal

Sign language interpreters: Neesa Lazarus, Julie Batsel, Kaye Kohler, Donna Suzuki

Literacy Nights: once a year at each site District-wide. Olivia Sanders, coordinator

*Berkeley Research Evaluation and Assessement (BREA): mechanism gathering, analyzing, and delivering District data to school sites

Nutrition Services (school lunch, universal breakfast): Bonnie Christiansen

Berkeley Adult School: "The mission of the Berkeley Adult School is to provide adult learners with equal access to learner-centered lifelong education in a safe, supportive multicultural environment." https://bas.berkeleyschools.net/ https://bas.berkeleyschools.net/contact/administration/

*BUSD Central Office Office Hours: Student Services (8-4), HR (8-5), Cooking/Gardening, Data and Assessement, SPED, Superintendents office, Technology, BSEP, Schools Fund, Payroll (8-5), Library Services, Visual and Performing Arts

*Central Media Library and BUSD Library Services: Eric Silverberg, Director of Library Services. https://library.berkeleyschools.net/

District Nurse: Diana Keys

DISTRICT SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS

Student Services: student-related issues including teacher, family, community complaints, attendance, restraining and custody orders, suspensions/expulsions, 504 plans, others. James Wogan

Sign language interpreters: Neesa Lazarus, Julie Batsel, Kaye Kohler, Donna Suzuki

Unions: BFT, BCCE

*District Leadership: Dr. Brett Stevens (Superintendant), Baje Thiara (Curriculum and Instruction) Susanne Reed (Professional Development).

BUSD IT Lead: Jay Nitschke

District Tech TSA: Jennifer Nguyen.

District Math TSA: Tracy Inglehart

District RTI TSA: Kirsten Snyder

District Nurse:

*Transportation: Sheila Collier

Nutrition Services (school lunch, universal breakfast): Bonnie Christiansen

Family Pantry: District-wide program providing food to families. Jocelyn Foreman, Helen Reese aidanparents@gmail.com

Independent Study: Heidi Weber

Office of Family Engagement and Equity (OFEE): organizes Black Oratorical Fest, *Young, Gifted, and Black, and K-to-college giveaways. Anne Marie Caligari, Director

Equity Training and teacher leaders: Susanne Reed, District Coordinator. BUSD Equity website: https://equity.berkeley.net

*Human Resources: Samantha Tobias Espinosa (Director), Sheila Rose (Certificated) Patricia Duwel (Classified)

Berkeley Public Schools Fund/Berkeley School Volunteers: Erin Rhoades (Director) Duffy Ross (Volunteers)

Berkeley Schools Excellence Project (BSEP): Supports music, class size, libraries, and LCAP funding. Natasha Beery, Director

*BUSD Central Office Office Hours: Student Services (8-4), HR (8-5), Cooking/Gardening, Data and Assessement, SPED, Superintendents office, Technology, BSEP, Schools Fund, Payroll (8-5), Library Services, Visual and Performing Arts

BUSD School Board Meetings: Wednesday evenings at 7.

*Translation Services: Isabel Parra

*DLAC: District-level group working with English language learners and families. Renee Harris, site rep

Music grades 3-5: Pete Gidlund, VAPA coordinator

*Central Media Library and BUSD Library Services: Eric Silverberg, Director of Library Services. https://library.berkeleyschools.net/

Berkeley Symphony assemblies: yearly at the site, every other year there is an I'm A Performer! concert with student participation. Pete Gidlund, VAPA coordinator

BUSD Equity website