Recognizing Berkley Schools

Floor Speech

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Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the 175th Anniversary of Berkley Schools. I appreciate the opportunity to recognize this truly significant milestone in the history of the Berkley School District and the city of Berkley, MI. I am proud of Berkley's enduring commitment to providing quality public education and wish it many more decades of successful service to its students and their families.

Throughout its history, the Berkley School District has set the benchmark in public education, ensuring its students are prepared for success, both as individuals and leaders in an increasingly global community. The district's continued dedication to academics is apparent in its recognition by North Central Accreditation, as well as the many honors its students have received in marketing, communications, literacy and poetry, robotics, and video production. Berkley High School boasts 21 advanced placement and college level courses--more than any other traditional high school campus--and provides the highest math curriculum of any high school in Michigan's Oakland County. Additionally, the district's Norup International School is the United States only K-8 International Baccalaureate program housed on one campus. It is no surprise Berkley High School enjoys a 98 percent graduation rate, with nearly 100 percent of those graduates enrolling in colleges and universities.

In addition to ensuring its students' success in the classroom, the Berkley School District provides an opportunity for students to participate in a wide variety of varsity sports, clubs, and student organizations. From football and softball, to rugby and skiing, students can compete for the Berkley Bears throughout the year. Students also entertain as members of the high school's marching band, symphonic band, concert band, and jazz band, as well as with its three choirs and theater program. I applaud the Berkley School District for providing opportunities for students to explore art, music, and literature.

Berkley had been associated with education for nearly a century when the city was incorporated in 1932. The Berkley School was mentioned as part of the Royal Oak Township School District No. 7 in 1840. It was housed in the Blackmon School, at the corner of Coolidge and Catalpa, from 1840 until a new school building was established in 1901. The new building, named South School, was located at the northeast corner of Coolidge and 11 Mile Road until it was converted into a dormitory for teachers in 1920. The district's growth was swift. In 1921, the district built Angell School, a four-room building, on Bacon Street. Four years later, in 1925, the district added two more schools, Pattengill and Burton, which were occupied before they were even completed.

Despite its success, the Berkley School District was not immune to the hardships of the Great Depression. In January 1930, all pupils were placed on half days, half of the faculty was dismissed, bus service was eliminated, and the gym was closed. The following year, the district was forced to close Burton and Pattengill schools. Fortunately, both schools were reopened in time for the ``baby boom'' that followed the end of World War II. As the district's population grew, Berkley High School opened in 1949, followed by Tyler and Oxford Schools in 1951; Hamilton School in 1952; and the district's two junior high schools, Anderson and Norup, in 1956 and 1957.

Today, the Berkley School District continues to be a leader in providing excellent public education in the State of Michigan. It serves as an example of how community-driven, quality education can not only enrich the lives of students, but also drive the growth and quality of life in the surrounding community for generations. I am pleased to help celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Berkley Schools and wish it many more decades of successful service to its students and their families.

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