Enrolling my kids in a BUSD school
We recently moved back from out of state. We moved the week of 12/12/16. I intentionally moved a week before winter break so I had enough time to enroll my children in school. I went to BUSD on Bonar during that week and had all of my paperwork submitted by that Friday. I still have not received my children's "assignments"! It is infuriating as they have now been out of school for almost a month. Does anyone have any advice? I went back to BUSD this week to follow-up and they said they are working on it.
Also, my 14 year old will be going to Berkeley High in the fall. Does anyone know of any parent groups for Berkeley High? I emailed them to get a school tour but haven't heard back yet. Since it is such a large school, I want to make sure I get him into the correct programs.
Thank you!
Parent Replies
Berkeley high, like all BUSD schools, uses a choice/lottery system. He'll need to sign up for the program(s) (small school, or one of the 2 larger school). By the time high school arrives the kids are largely self-advocating, and you'll likely find you have precious little to do with the classes and/or activities he pursues- it's not really your choice any longer. Just cross your fingers that he gets in with a good group of kids, as hell pretty much be running his own life now.
Hello and welcome back to California and Berkeley. The situation does certainly sound frustrating. I don't have any specific advice about dealing with BUSD other than instinct - be persistent, in person and polite. But that's just an instinct. Your children certainly should be in school.
As far as BHS goes - one thing that ought to be of interest - on Feb. 8 there will be an 8th Grade Information Night. This evening is to introduce parents to the different programs at BHS. The kids in the public schools get their own information sessions at school but many parents do seem to bring their kids to the Info Night. Especially kids who are not currently enrolled in BUSD. Each of the schools - BIHS, AC, AMPS, CAS, etc will do a presentation that night. They don't try and 'sell' themselves in comparison to other programs, but you will learn about the flavor and character of each program. Each program has its merits and best fit for different students though a student can certainly thrive in any of the programs. You might also ask when the 8th graders apply for the school placement lottery. I know they aren't told which program they get until July (I think) but state their preferences much earlier.
I know the school does tours. You might email Lisa Sibony (Volunteer Coordinator) and ask if she knows when there are tours. Or certainly start subscribing to the BHS E-Tree to get a sense of what is going on at school.
Good luck to you.