Weekly Update

Greetings Berkshire Families:

We have a busy few weeks ahead with many exciting opportunities for the Berkshire community! Mark your calendars for the Berkshire Open House this Tuesday, December 9th (5:30 - 7:00 PM), and the wonderful sounds of the season at the Berkshire/Groves Winter Band-O-Rama on Thursday, December 11th. Also, 7^th grade students interested in a unique traveling classroom experience throughout Michigan should remember that Berkshire Adventure Michigan (BAM) applications are due by December 11th at 3:00 PM. Don't forget to support our favorite school dog, Murphy, by joining the Murphy's Holiday Market on Saturday, December 13th, from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Finally, a reminder that the last day to contribute to the Staff & Teacher Holiday Giving organized by the PTA is Friday, December 19th, before we head into Winter Break!

Have a wonderful week and thanks for reading the following Berkshire Family Update!
Jason Clinkscale
Principal
Berkshire Middle School

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Saturday December 5
  • Saturday School (9 - 11 am)
• Monday December 8
  • Jazz Band rehearsal 7:30 - 8:05 AM
  • Black Basketball vs Derby White 4:15 PM (Away) 
  • Silver Basketball vs Norup International 4:15 PM (Home)
• Tuesday December 9
  • Honors Orchestra 7:00 AM
  • eSports 3:20 - 4:20 PM
  • Forensics practice 3:15 - 4:30 PM
  • Berkshire Open House 5:30 - 7:00 PM
• Wednesday December 10
  • Black Basketball vs Oak Park 4:15 PM (Home)
• Thursday December 11
  • Show Choir 7:15 - 8 am 
  • Berkshire/Groves Winter Band-O-Rama 7:00 PM (Groves)
• Saturday December 13
  • Murphy’s Holiday Market 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

BERKSHIRE OPEN HOUSE, DECEMBER 9 
BERKSHIRE/GROVES WINTER BAND-O-RAMA, @ GROVES,  DECEMBER 11
BERKSHIRE WINTER CHOIR CONCERT, DECEMBER 16 
BERKSHIRE WINTER ORCHESTRA CONCERT, DECEMBER 17 
WINTER BREAK, DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 2

SIGN UP FOR THE AMAZING SHAKE!
We are excited to invite all interested 7th and 8th grade students to participate in Berkshire's 4th Annual Amazing Shake. This competition gives students a chance to practice their soft skills, or people skills. We know we have students here who will rock this challenge. Dress professionally and let your personality shine!
The Gauntlet competition will take place on Friday, January 30th. Students will be assigned a time slot to report to The Amazing Shake, outside the media center. It will take each student roughly 30 minutes from their start time to complete the Gauntlet Circuit.
We will invite our top 40 contestants back for the morning of Friday, February 6th for our Work the Room and Circle of Doom Competition.
Students, sign up here: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-bVaCb4TeZ-UDl4BelxtYYTfULrVPEUZnzZZh-M27L57ydQ/viewform?usp=header
We need business professionals, parents and other interested people to volunteer. Please see our signup genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4CAFA62DA4FA7-55006975-berkshires#/

BERKSHIRE PTA
Dear Parents,  
Here’s the link to the PTA Newsletter. 
https://secure.smore.com/n/vbnkc
It’s packed with helpful information regarding PTA events, programs, and volunteer opportunities. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out: Berkshirepta@gmail.com.

2025 Staff & Teacher Holiday Giving
Hello Berkshire Families, 
Once again this year, the Berkshire PTA is facilitating a simple way to give a holiday gift to the hard working teachers and support staff at Berkshire. Simply select your student's teacher or staff member with any amount, and that amount goes towards a selection of various gift cards for that teacher/staff member to choose from . The last day to contribute is Friday, December 19th at noon. Happy Holidays!
Every recipient will be able to see the list of participants (but not their individual contributions) and their greetings.
https://app.giftcrowd.com/app/join-event/NAMEJFRnqS

BERKSHIRE ADVENTURE MICHIGAN (BAM) APPLICATIONS DUE DECEMBER 11
This is a reminder that applications for the 7^th grade Berkshire Adventure Michigan Trip are due Thursday, December 11 at 3:00 PM.  Below is the information slide show:
BAM Parent/Student Meeting Information Slides

Murphy's Holiday Market, Saturday, December 13
Join us for a fun-filled day celebrating community and entrepreneurship in support of our school support dog Murphy! Participants will display, for sale, a favorite craft, DIY project, hobby or recipe! Tables are $5.00 dollars for students. The table fees go to supporting joy - that is Murphy! Students, Parents, Teachers, are welcome to sign up! Please use the google form link below to sign up.
Saturday, December 13, 11-2 pm - Berkshire Cafeteria (Arrival 10:30 for table setup)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfah89NZ3JPbIlGy4l9
LcT98wu28r2kEhCJhaGU-bhAIRI8jw/viewform?usp=header

BIRMINGHAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Early Bird Tickets for this year's Bash event are NOW ON SALE through December 20th!
You won't want to miss this fun night of "Greek Island Magic" with our "MAMMA MIA!" theme. The gala will take place on Saturday, January 31 @ Daxton Hotel, Birmingham and will feature dinner, dancing, live & silent auctions and student performances including a few numbers from the Seaholm musical, MAMMA MIA!
To purchase your tickets today visit:  https://supportbef.ejoinme.org/Bash2026Tickets
For questions, contact Kathy Zanolli, Executive Director: BEF@Birmingham.k12.mi.us.

Birmingham Education Foundation: Unabashed Bash (Saturday 2/1)
Early Bird Tickets for the Unabashed Bash taking place on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Daxton Hotel in downtown Birmingham go on sale December 1st: 
Individual Ticket $225 | Couples Ticket $450
Prices after December 21  $250 Individual Ticket | $500 Couples Ticket
*Staff tickets $225 regardless of purchase date.
This year's Bash theme was inspired by the Groves musical, "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory" and GPAC students will be performing a few numbers at Bash as will the Seaholm Jazz Band and Groves Orchestra.  You won't want to miss this exciting night of dinner, dancing, live & silent auctions and more!
Purchase your tickets today!
For questions or assistance, please contact:  Kathy Zanolli, Executive Director | BEF@birmingham.k12.mi.us | (248)203-3030.

BIRMINGHAM YOUTH ASSISTANCE 43RD ANNUAL KIDS’ DOG SHOW
Get ready for some tail-wagging fun! The Birmingham Youth Assistance (BYA) 43rd Annual Kids' Dog Show is coming up , and we are calling all kids aged 4-14 to sign up their dogs!

🗓️ Event Details

• When: Sunday, February 1st, 2026, from 1 PM - 3 PM.
• Where: Berkshire Middle School.
• Cost: $25 per dog , which includes admission for the whole family.
• Registration Deadline: January 30th. Note: You must pre-register ; no registration will be accepted at the door.

🏆 Show Categories

Kids can compete in up to two wacky performance categories, like:

• Best Dog Costume
• Best Trick
• Waggiest Tail
• Best Looking
• Musical Sit

Participants can win prizes and get goodies.

📋 Important Rules

• Participants must be between 4 and 14 years of age and must participate with their own dog (no one over 14 is allowed to assist ).
• Dogs must have all immunizations required by law.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times and under control.
• Participants must check-in no later than 12:30 PM on show day.
• Dogs in heat may not participate.

💻 How to Register

Ready to sign up your pup? Go to the website: www.birminghamyouthassistance.org.

Check out the attached flyer for full details, including all the show rules.

📧 Questions?

Email: BhamYouthAssistance@gmail.com.

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