Birmingham Education Foundation Helps Students Headed to Destination Imagination

Teams from Berkshire Middle and Pierce Elementary schools advanced to the global finals in Tennessee and will compete against 1,200 teams from the United States and more than a dozen other countries.

A handful of Birmingham Public Schools students will head to Knoxville, Tennessee later this month to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills against some of the best students on the planet. Two teams representing Berkshire Middle School and Pierce Elementary School will compete in the Destination Imagination Global Finals after qualifying in the state finals last month. The teams worked independently in the extracurricular program designed to help students develop creative solutions to complex challenges, according to the Michigan Creativity Association. The Birmingham Education Foundation (BEF) will provide $8,200 to support registration, hotel accommodations and meals during the competition while the 13 students are in …

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Scared Straight With Judge Kimberly Small

The 48th District Court judge presided at Berkshire Middle School and sent students a strong message about choices.

It doesn't take long for the Berkshire Middle School cafeteria to get loud. Like any open space filled with eighth graders, the chatter and raw excitement about a break from the classroom can elevate in a just matter of seconds. Yet it took even less time for 48th District Court Judge Kimberly Small to silence and command the attention of the crowd of about 100 students Friday as she entered the room in her black robe, ready to go to work.  With special permission from the State Court Administrative Office, Small transformed the cafeteria to a courtroom and presided over three cases that represented her usual criminal docket. The special demonstration is part of a larger program Small — a Bloomfield product and University of Michigan …

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Berkshire Students Explore the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Roosevelt Johnson of Mobile Ed Productions spoke with students at Berkshire Middle School Tuesday.

Birmingham's Berkshire Middle School students learned about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. this week. Roosevelt Johnson of Mobile Ed Productions, which puts on live educational programs in schools across the country, spoke to sixth grade students at Berkshire on Tuesday about the life of Dr. King. Johnson's performance took the students on a journey through King's life, from childhood up through his assassination. This photo provided by Birmingham Public Schools. Do you have a photo you want to show off? Upload them to our Pics & Clips Gallery!

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Weekend Planner: Marc-Andre Hamelin Comes to Seligman Performing Arts Center

Also happening this weekend: Berkshire Middle School will be collecting pantry items or toiletries during their movie night fundraiser Friday.

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do this weekend. Birmingham Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your upcoming weekend from Birmingham and the surrounding area: Know of something else happening this weekend (or next)? Let us know by adding it to the Birmingham Patch Event Calendar!

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Berkshire Students Prepare for Martin Luther King Day Donation

Students and staff at Berkshire Middle School have been collecting toiletries, winter clothing and non-perishable foods for a month now.

For many Berkshire Middle School students, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a day of giving. The Berkshire community has been working diligently over the last month to collect items for those in need. All items — including toiletries, winter clothing and non-perishable foods — will be delivered to area organizations by the students on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This photo provided by Birmingham Public Schools. Do you have a photo you want to show off? Upload them to our Pics & Clips Gallery!

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Berkshire Students Get Serious About Civics During Mock Congressional Hearings

This week, the Birmingham middle school held mock congressional hearings that reinforced research and formal writing skills.

Berkshire's Proud Dads to Host 5K, Community Service Project

All proceeds will go toward the Proud Dads' club's basketball project.

Wondering what to do with yourself this weekend? Don't dismay: check out today's Weekend Spotlight: Our pick for today: Berkshire Proud Dads' 5K Run Come back to Birmingham Patch on Tuesday for more weekend things to do in our Weekend Spotlight, or visit our events calendar.

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Feature Photo: Berkshire Students Learn History First-Hand

Middle school students learned about the Civil War last week during a visit from Battery D, the First Michigan Light Artillery.

Berkshire Middle School students took a trip into the past during a recent visit from Battery D, a historical group representing the First Michigan Light Artillery, the unit that fought during the American Civil War. Volunteers from the historical society visited the middle school on March 20, during which Students engaged in hands-on activities as they learned about muskets, Civil War-style tents, a Mountain Howitzer and other historical elements.

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Feature Photo: Local Singer Helps Berkshire Raise Funds for Heart Association

Local singer and songwriter, as well as Birmingham Public Schools alumnus, Mike Posner, participated in Berkshire's student-staff basketball game Friday, helping them raise $8,000 for the American Heart Association.

Singer/songwriter and Birmingham Public Schools alumnus Mike Posner visited Berkshire Middle School on Friday, helping to raise money for the American Heart Association. Posner participated in Berkshire's Hoops for Heart staff and student basketball game, which raised money for the American Heart Association. Posner took a few moments to visit with Berkshire's honoree and three-time open heart sugery patient, Amy Klezek, along with top fundraiser Jasmine Jaggers. The event raised approximately $8,000.

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2011 MEAP Scores: Berkshire Middle School

Reading proficiency levels increase at all grade levels at Berkshire Middle School in 2011.

Despite a dip in scores across the board, Birmingham students continue to exceed statewide MEAP averages, according to the fall 2011 test results released today. During the MEAP exam, taken during fall 2011, students in grades 3-9 were tested in math, reading, writing, social studies and/or science, depending on the grade level. Top of mind concerning this year's MEAP results was the changing cut scores implemented by the state last spring. These cut scores represented career- and college-ready achievement standards and define the cut-off point for the various levels of proficiency on MEAP test: advanced, proficient, partially proficient and not proficient. At the intermediate level, sixth-graders were tested in math, reading and social …

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