About Our District

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Dr. John Stoddard
Superintendent

April 2024

Dear Berkshire Local Schools Community,

At the beginning of April, I thought we were going to start seeing the animals marching two by two toward the Arc, but with some favorable weather starting to knock on our door, let’s hope that warmer temperatures and dry conditions are here to stay. The Berkshire Spring athletic season is underway, and the we encourage you to come out and support our Badger extra-curricular participants.

Our strategic planning committee has now met several times to brainstorm core values, and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in our school family. Nearly 60 individuals are involved and have given their time on a regular basis for a three to five-month period, to help reset the strategic direction for our school district. I thank them for their time, thoughts, and insights. The group will convene next on two occasions in May. Stay tuned for more information.

One important core value that emerged from our early sessions, that affirms a deliberate nuance in the Berkshire Local Schools, and that is our dedication to Career Readiness. Our intention is that students are exposed to career pathways and leave here ready to successfully begin their careers. Fittingly, I am pleased to report some exciting news regarding expanding opportunities for students.

New High School Course in Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources Announced

Berkshire students will have the exciting opportunity to explore potential careers in the growing field of Agricultural and Environmental Systems with the launch of a new high school course for the 2024-25 school year. The Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources class is anticipated to be the first in a four-course Environmental Systems Career Field Pathway, focusing on Agribusiness & Production Systems. Students taking the course will study a wide range of topics, including principles of food science, natural resource management, animal science and management, plant and horticultural science, power technology, and bioscience. Additional courses will be offered during the 2025-26 school year. While the entry level course is open to all students, it is recommended that students enroll during their freshman year to ensure that they are able to take all four courses in the pathway. Read more about this, by clicking here.

Middle School Student Council Members Serve Dinner to Community

Berkshire Middle School student council took time to give back to the local community during a recent service project. Students assisted Claridon Community Helps in preparing and serving dinners to over one-hundred members of the community on Tuesday, March 19^th. Representatives from Claridon Community Helps were appreciative of the students’ support and praised them for their eagerness to serve their fellow neighbors. The act of service by the Berkshire Middle School Student Council is a prime example of the attribute of Civic Responsibility that is a key part of the district’s Graduate Profile. The Berkshire Local Schools recognizes all participating Student Council members for representing themselves and the district with ‘Badger’ pride through their service to community!

Elementary Students and Staff Collaborate on Sensory Motor Wall

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of students and staff at Berkshire Elementary School, students will soon be able to utilize a sensory motor wall in the hallway where specials classes are located. Under the guidance of the district’s occupational therapy team, students in Mr. Kostiha’s Makerspace classroom applied their creativity to design, print, and install sensory and vinyl decals on the new educational feature. The sensory motor wall will serve as a multifunctional tool designed to support various aspects of students' overall development and well-being. A significant benefit of interacting with a sensory wall is the structured environment where students can engage in a variety of sensory experiences and physical activities that promote the development of motor skill development, emotional regulation, sensory integration, and cognitive functions. This very exciting learning tool is certain to benefit our students in their growth and awareness!

Thank you always for your continued support of the Berkshire Local Schools.

At the beginning of April, I thought we were going to start seeing the animals marching two by two toward the Arc, but with some favorable weather starting to knock on our door, let’s hope that warmer temperatures and dry conditions are here to stay. The Berkshire Spring athletic season is underway, and the we encourage you to come out and support our Badger extra-curricular participants.

Our strategic planning committee has now met several times to brainstorm core values, and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in our school family. Nearly 60 individuals are involved and have given their time on a regular basis for a three to five-month period, to help reset the strategic direction for our school district. I thank them for their time, thoughts, and insights. The group will convene next on two occasions in May. Stay tuned for more information.

One important core value that emerged from our early sessions, that affirms a deliberate nuance in the Berkshire Local Schools, and that is our dedication to Career Readiness. Our intention is that students are exposed to career pathways and leave here ready to successfully begin their careers. Fittingly, I am pleased to report some exciting news regarding expanding opportunities for students.

New High School Course in Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources Announced

Berkshire students will have the exciting opportunity to explore potential careers in the growing field of Agricultural and Environmental Systems with the launch of a new high school course for the 2024-25 school year. The Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources class is anticipated to be the first in a four-course Environmental Systems Career Field Pathway, focusing on Agribusiness & Production Systems. Students taking the course will study a wide range of topics, including principles of food science, natural resource management, animal science and management, plant and horticultural science, power technology, and bioscience. Additional courses will be offered during the 2025-26 school year. While the entry level course is open to all students, it is recommended that students enroll during their freshman year to ensure that they are able to take all four courses in the pathway. Read more about this, by

Middle School Student Council Members Serve Dinner to Community

Berkshire Middle School student council took time to give back to the local community during a recent service project. Students assisted Claridon Community Helps in preparing and serving dinners to over one-hundred members of the community on Tuesday, March 19^th. Representatives from Claridon Community Helps were appreciative of the students’ support and praised them for their eagerness to serve their fellow neighbors. The act of service by the Berkshire Middle School Student Council is a prime example of the attribute of Civic Responsibility that is a key part of the district’s Graduate Profile. The Berkshire Local Schools recognizes all participating Student Council members for representing themselves and the district with ‘Badger’ pride through their service to community!

Elementary Students and Staff Collaborate on Sensory Motor Wall

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of students and staff at Berkshire Elementary School, students will soon be able to utilize a sensory motor wall in the hallway where specials classes are located. Under the guidance of the district’s occupational therapy team, students in Mr. Kostiha’s Makerspace classroom applied their creativity to design, print, and install sensory and vinyl decals on the new educational feature. The sensory motor wall will serve as a multifunctional tool designed to support various aspects of students' overall development and well-being. A significant benefit of interacting with a sensory wall is the structured environment where students can engage in a variety of sensory experiences and physical activities that promote the development of motor skill development, emotional regulation, sensory integration, and cognitive functions. This very exciting learning tool is certain to benefit our students in their growth and awareness!

Thank you always for your continued support of the Berkshire Local Schools.

GO BADGERS!

Dr. John Stoddard
Superintendent 
Berkshire Local Schools