List of 20 news stories.

• 

  A Visit to Remember

  Students in grades 1-5 and Mr. Lignier's storytelling class were treated to a quackin' good time when Tad Hills, the author and illustrator of more than 20 books, including "Duck & Goose" and "How Rocket Learned to Read," visited the library on Tuesday.
  
  Mr. Hills read them "Rocket Writes a Story," talked about the writing process, where to find inspiration, and how a book is published. He showed the students how his characters can be drawn using simple shapes and then painted the character of Duck in front of the students! The students asked many questions and made suggestions for future books Mr. Hills could write.
  
  Our guest said he hoped his visit would inspire some of our Bobcats to become author/illustrators in the future.
  This special event was paid for by book fair proceeds. A special thanks to all of our parents for supporting the book fair. Your generosity creates inspiring memories like this.
• 

  Congratulations 2023 Peer Tutoring Team!

  The 2023 Peer Tutoring team was honored at a special assembly this week. The Berkeley Hall School peer tutoring program is a wonderful community building activity that runs every year from January through March. Every afternoon after-school the library was filled with students from 1st to 8th grades, working together in math, reading, writing, homework packets, and even Spanish. Several peer tutors shared their experiences at the year-end assembly, from the joy of working with younger children to the many coaching skills they developed. Many younger students from 1st through 5th grades also reviewed what they enjoyed about working with a peer tutor, which included the lollipops or cookies at the end of each session! The peer tutoring program develops qualities of responsibility, leadership and giving in the tutors, and growth and progress in the students they work with. Congratulations to the entire peer tutoring team, pictured in this photo.

• Math is on the Cards!

  Bobcats and their parents had great fun at the Family Math Game Night in April! It was the second event this year hosted by education consultant and instructional coach, Kristin Hilty. This time students from Kindergarten to fifth grade got to join in the fun with their parents. The focus was on supporting students' learning as they gain a numbers sense. Everyone received a kit and played with special cards and dice as Ms. Hilty guided them in the activities. The event was a great reminder that math can be enjoyable and not stressful. A big shoutout to all the parents who showed up, and to Ms. Hilty and the teachers who organized this wonderful event. We look forward to continuing to encourage our kids in their learning journeys!⁠
• 

  BHS Football Teams are League Champions

  The BHS Junior Varsity football team are this season’s champions! Their game took place on our campus with Berkeley Hall winning 22-0 vs. Buckley, as parents and faculty cheered on. The 6th and 7th grades also took the championship titles in their respective divisions in an impressive performance for BHS in the San Fernando Valley League.

   

  “This was the most success we’ve had,” Coach Myers told us. “There was so much discipline and enthusiasm this season and every team wanted more games and more practices. We love to have wins but it was also great to see a lot of growth in the students’ understanding of how to be an effective teammate.”

   

  Here is a play-by-play account of the Junior Varsity game from Coach Myers:

   

  “On Thursday, the JH football team faced off against the Buckley School in a battle of two undefeated teams with a record of 7-0. After a stop on Buckley’s first drive, the Bobcats marched the ball down the field and capped off the drive with a 10 yard touchdown pass from Cash M. to Lawson T. The team then completed a 2-point conversion to Alex M. for a 8-0 lead. The game was a defensive battle until halftime with the score staying at 8-0. The Bobcats started with the ball in the second half and moved it effectively on the ground before Cash scored a touchdown of his own running the ball in from 15 yards out followed up by a pass to Lawson for a 2-point conversion. Buckley was moving the ball and threatening to score before Ayden S. sealed the game with an interception which he took all the way to the 3 yard line and Cash ended the game with another short rush to lock up Berkeley Hall’s third football championship of the season!

   

  "I'm so proud of all our teams and the way they battled all year long," Coach Myers said. 
  
  Go, Bobcats!

   
• 

  What is House Day?

  House Days are a time for BHS students from 1st to 8th grade to come together in the spirit of collaboration, teamwork, and fun. This was very much the case on our first House Day of the year.

   

  “There were lots of smiles throughout campus,” said Mrs. Brown, the House Day Leader. “Our 8th graders also got to flex their muscles as future leaders. It was great to see them actively include their 1st grade friends – this was their first House Day experience.”

   

  Students also got to practice our school’s four core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and compassion at activities that ranged from scavenger hunts to relay races. This time, most of these were held indoors due to extreme weather. One example was a treasure hunt where a group searched for 100 tiny bobcat cut-outs. The challenge was to stick together by holding on to a rope and moving as a group to find as many bobcats as possible.

   

  Did you Know? School Houses are named after each core value. Students from different grades are grouped together under a House – think Harry Potter. They have designated colors and on House Days they get extra points for wearing their colors instead of uniforms. Students also earn points during each activity. We host several House Days each school year and at the end points are tallied, and a winner is announced. The winning House has its name engraved on the BHS Perpetual Trophy which you can view in the library.
• 

  Introducing Mr. Steadman

  This week in Innovation Lab, classes have been learning about the process they will use to innovate and create new designs. In the Animation class, students are transitioning from 2D optical illusions to working with 3D animation software. Students are excited to be putting their creative minds to work on this project, which is taught by our new Innovation Lab teacher, Mr. Andy Steadman, who joined us this year.

   

  Mr. Steadman has been teaching Science and Arts courses at several schools in Central and South LA for about 5 years. He grew up in Illinois, and received his degree in theatre and music from Illinois State University. After moving to Los Angeles, he worked in the Art Department in television and theaters, which spurred his interest in 3D modeling and printing.

   

  He went on to build a 3D printer and create videos for the Open Source Classroom and in 2018-19, he set up the Maker Space for Westview School of Arts & Technology. Most recently, he taught the technology elective for the Los Angeles Workshop School 

   

  Mr. Steadman pointed out that these last few years of teaching during the pandemic gave him lots of experience with distance and hybrid learning.

   

  “I’m thrilled to be back in-person and to be welcomed into the Berkeley Hall community,” Mr. Steadman told us. “Students are bringing a lot of interest and engagement to the Innovation Lab. I look forward to seeing their abilities blossom as we continue our learning journey together.”
• 

  Warming up with 4th Grade

  How do professionals learn improv? Our Fourth Graders got to find out in Mrs. Kylee Rousselot’s class this week. They participated in a game popular among amateur and professional troops called “What is that?”

   

  Groups of two took turns playing off each other during this game. The pairs start with their backs turned to the audience while a random object is placed in front of them. They then turn to face the object and Partner One starts improv with a question “What is that?“ The only rule of the game? Partner Two has to identify the object as anything except what it actually is.

   

  The class also worked on body and voice warm-ups that they will continue to utilize throughout the year.
• 

  Congratulations to the Class of 2022!

  We celebrated our Class of 2022 and their Berkeley Hall journey at an emotional send-off on Thursday, June 9. The ceremony took place in Hodges theater and captured the resilient spirit of the eighth grade students, with heartfelt speeches, songs, and readings.

   

  The event was attended by close family and friends, and began with a procession of the teachers and administrators who made it all possible. Dr. Gamrath, in her opening remarks, described the class as “wholehearted,” quoting a term used by author Brene Brown.  

   

  “While there have been moments of struggle, some disappointments in our days, some rough patches, some unprecedented circumstances, this group of 8^th graders have, time after time, risen above adversity with bravery and courage,” Dr. Gamrath said.  

   

  She was followed by Student Council co-presidents and students who gave speeches and expressions of gratitude. The event also included a video presentation of the class shield whose motto this year is: Petals of Youth. The Bobcat Chorus gave a touching rendition of The Climb by Miley Cyrus and May the Road Rise to Meet You by Lee Turner.

   

  After being awarded their diplomas, the graduates mingled at an outdoor reception and enjoyed the traditional BHS graduation cake decorated with the new class shield.  

   

  We wish the class of 2022 a great summer and look forward to hearing about the daring new chapter in their stories.
  
  For those who could not attend in person, the ceremony was live streamed over Zoom and will also be available on our website.
• 

  Somewhere Over the Rainbow is a Hit

  Thank you for joining us on Thursday, June 2 for Somewhere Over the Rainbow a performance by the JH Drama elective students. The production was a unique adaptation of L. Frank Baum's classic, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” directed by Ms. Kylee Rousselot, with sets and props designed by the students. The performance took place in Hodges before a live audience and was also streamed to the community.

  
  
• 

  8th Grade Visits the Museum of Tolerance

  The 8th-grade class had the opportunity to visit the newly remodeled Museum of Tolerance this week. The museum was built in 1993 and is dedicated to issues of racism and prejudice around the world, focusing especially on the history of the Holocaust.
  
  Every student had the opportunity to explore powerful exhibits and share their reflections on complex current and historical social dilemmas. What an amazing opportunity this was for our students to consider what choices they will make as they prepare for high school, and to reflect on how Berkeley Hall continues to encourage students to be Responsible, Compassionate, Respectful, and Honest.
• 

  A Strong Year for BHS

  Dr. Gamrath addressed our community at a recent State of School presentation. In her assessment of the 2021-22 school year, she talked about all the ways our community has grown and adapted in this period. She was joined in the presentation by the leadership team, Sarah Colmaire, Dean of Academics, Doug Gibbs, Chief FInancial Officer, Karen Morse, Dean of Students, John Abdelnour, Director of Advancement, and Nathalie Miller, Director of Admissions. 

  
  

  “As we recognize BHS’s one hundred and eleventh year, there is much to celebrate, and as we look forward, there is much that excites us. Bottom line: The State of Berkeley Hall School is STRONG,” she told the community. 

  
  

  Dr. Gamrath also confirmed that all new dean positions have officially been filled. We previously announced that the Dean of Students role starting in the fall will be divided into two full-time roles: AHOS: programs and DEIB, and Director of Student Wellness. Our Dean of Academics role, in the meantime, will be divided into three positions: Assistant HOS for teaching and learning, as well as Lower Division Director, and Upper Division Director.

  
  

  To hear the entire State of School presentation, please click here.

• Many Ways to Mark AAPI Month

  The month of May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month. In 4th grade, students are learning more about the Asian countries and their traditions. Chinese shadow puppets are a lot of fun to make and students are writing a script to perform a Chinese theater show. They are also designing a version of Nirvana, the Asian-Indian Snakes and Ladders game. This game is the origin of the popular game, Chutes and Ladders.

  
  A Thailand Storytelling Cloth is similar to a tapestry that tells the story of the Hmong men who were driven from China. The Thai people preserved their history by making these cloths. Fourth grade is modifying the idea and preserving their own class history and all that they have learned this year. Students are looking forward to seeing where their study of Asian traditions takes them next.

• Grey W. Leaps into Limelight

  We are so proud of 8^th grader, Grey W. who was featured on the cover of the April/March issue of Ventura Blvd. magazine. He was picked as one of 10 extraordinary teenagers who are the faces of the future.

   

  Here’s what they wrote:

   “What amazed us: His razor focus on and commitment to excellence in the sport he has been doing since the age of 3. Grey is considered one of the best elite-level gymnasts in the country. Along with his teammates from Gymnastics Olympica USA, he has twice won the national championship. He is also a member of the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team, earning one of 14 spots last year. The results of that competition made him one the top five gymnasts in the country.” (March/April 2022, Ventura Blvd.)
  
  Kudos to Grey and thank you for setting the bar high for all Bobcats to follow!

   

  To read more visit:

  https://venturablvd.goldenstate.is/meet-the-valleys-top-teens-2/

   

   
• 

  The Secrets to our Gardens

  Nothing says spring like a campus Garden Tour and Workshop. Mr. Brown organized an event that on a recent Sunday that gathered together 20 budding horticulturalists – many from the ECD grades, as well as Primary, Intermediate and JH.  

   

  The tour started in the Pollinator Paradise Garden by the tennis courts, wound its way to the succulent gardens near the arts and science building, and ended in the garden by JH. After snacks and a short talk, volunteers helped transplant tomato seedlings and took home some strawberries.

   

  The talk offered a bouquet of topics relating to different gardens on campus ranging from native plants, to the history of the gardens, and the chaparral that dominates our 66-acre campus. Mr. Brown focused on how plants are being used around our sustainable BHS landscape. He described how a diversity of agave from our succulent garden were used to populate our hills.

   

  At the production garden behind the JH building, the group looked at crops being grown there, including kale, Swiss Chard, potatoes, cilantro, garlic, and many types of annual and perennial flowers. 

   

  Mr. Brown said he enjoyed sharing the garden spaces with our volunteers, many of whom have not had the opportunity to explore our beautiful campus.

   

  “Community events like this are so important because they help shape what it means to be a member of the Berkeley Hall Community,” he noted.

   

  While this was our first tour and garden workshop on campus, there will be more events like this to look forward to this spring.

   

• Bobcats Grow into Peer Tutors

  We love watching our Bobcats grow into role models and leaders and it’s always impressive to see students tutors working with their peers in the library. This year’s Peer Tutoring program kicked off on Monday under the expert guidance of Mrs. Neale, and students and tutors have been working together on math and language arts topics. In the past, the program extended down to the first grade but due to health and safety restrictions, it’s now limited to grades 6-8. But it’s still as popular as ever with no less than 21 tutors and subs. The program takes place after school and will run through March 24. We can’t wait to see the Kindergarteners of today fill those seats in the library one day soon.

• Kindergarteners Have a Dream

  Kindergartners looked ahead at Monday's holiday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with a conversation about the idea he spread beginning with the words "I have a dream." Each student wrote a piece describing their hope or dream for the world. 
  
  "Teachers love working with children because they believe the way to help the world begins with them," said Mrs. Denisi. "These children are on their path to improve their world for themselves and their contemporaries. Right on, kids!"
  
  Read their touching pieces in our album below.

• Student Leaders in Sports

  As students progress through the PE program at BHS, they gain more opportunities for leadership by being team captains, leading exercises and activities, and running games as referees.  It can be a lot of fun for students who play club sports to uplift their classmates with their knowledge and test their own understanding of the game by being coaches of large games, choosing line-ups and game strategies.  This video shows the unique warm-ups that coaches Shyla and Tobias brought to a combined soccer game in 8th Grade PE.
• 

  The Math Olympiads Return to BHS!

  It's time to cheer on the BHS Bobcats again in this year's Math Olympiads! The Math Olympiads contest was established in 1979 and is one of the most influential and fun-filled math competition programs in the United States and throughout the world, with over 150,000 students from every state and 39 countries participating. The objectives of the Math Olympiads are to teach multiple strategies for out-of-the-box problem-solving, develop mathematical flexibility in solving those problems, and foster mathematical creativity and ingenuity. BHS competes with a 4th-6th grade team and a 7th-8th grade team, each made up of 35 students, selected by Ms. Brown in the lower division and Mrs. Neale in the upper division. There are five contests throughout the year, proctored by Ms. Brown and Mrs. Neale, and top ranking students in each class will be recognized at our final trimester awards ceremony in June. Individual students and teams also have the opportunity to rank internationally, at a gold, silver or bronze level, and it's always exciting for our small school when this takes place. So, please help us cheer on this year's teams as they put on their mathematical reasoning caps and go for the gold!
• 

  Girl's Basketball Goes to UCLA Basketball Game!

  After a season of growth and joy, members of the Girl's Basketball team attended a UCLA Women's Basketball game with their families and coaches.  The UCLA Bruins took on the University of Virginia and won with some great team play.  One of the star players of the Bruins, Natalie Chou, actually attended a Zoom class of ours last year during remote learning.  It was exciting to see her talents on the court after hearing her words of wisdom in the (Zoom) classroom.  We are grateful to UCLA for providing these opportunities for our students to get a bigger picture of what's possible in women's sports.  Go Bruins and go Bobcats!
• 

  Mock Trial Team Leapfrogs to Playoffs

  Congratulations to our Mock Trial team for making BHS history! The team advanced straight to the quarterfinals from their round one trials, skipping over the playoffs. Mock Trial is a Junior High elective where students participate in a countywide academic competition run by the Constitutional Rights Foundation (CFR). Our BHS team accomplished this feat thanks to high scores in both their round one trials under the expert guidance of Mr. Fontaine and our amazing Attorney Coach, Marc Guggenheim. The quarterfinals will be held on Zoom on Thursday, November 18.