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Important Info on Berkley Schools
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Raiders Remember received this letter from one of our alumni, and we wanted to share it with everyone, as it affects our current and future students. The situation will affect the education they receive, now and into the future. It also has an impact on both communities as a whole. The communities are working hard to alleviate this impact so that the students can receive the same quality of education that we all were able to receive. Thank you all for your support.

Greetings Blue Raiders!
 
I hope that wherever you are, this email finds you well and enjoying a beautiful summer.  You may have heard that this has been a difficult one for Berkley schools, and I’m writing to ask for your help.
 
On July 15, a Proposition 2 ½ override failed to pass at a special election in Berkley.  The purpose of the override was to restore funding to a stabilization account to pay for Berkley’s share of the SBRHS operating costs.  Town and school leaders in Berkley were very clear leading up to the vote that if the override failed, devastating cuts to the Berkley K-8 district would be necessary.  Unfortunately, on July 24 those proposed cuts became the harsh new reality for Berkley students. 
 
Faced with a deficit of more than $500,000, Superintendent Lynch and the Berkley School Committee were left with no choice but to cut several positions.  Nine teaching positions were eliminated, including math support, special education, Spanish, library, music, and art.  The elimination of the arts positions also necessitated a 30-minute reduction in the school day at Berkley Middle School and Berkley Community School.  Students will now receive only the state-mandated minimum instructional time and zero arts instruction. 
 
Barring a last-minute miracle, Berkley students will start the school year in September without art, music, or library.  It’s hard to imagine what the school year will be like for kids without these crucial opportunities for creativity, joy, and connectedness.  We know that the arts provide students with new ways of seeing and thinking about their world, and that it is so important that arts education begins as early as possible.  Can you imagine having to wait until high school to take your first art or music class? 
 
Neither can I. That’s why I’m asking you, as a Raiders’ Alumni to please support our group of parents who are working on that last-minute miracle.  We have created a fundraising group whose goal is to raise $140,000 by August 21st.  It’s a huge amount, I know, but if we are successful, Berkley will be able to restore 4 arts teachers and return to the regular school day.  In less than 2 weeks, we have received pledges of nearly $83,000, but we won’t be able to reach our goal without your help.  If you are able to contribute, you will help preserve the quality education Berkley has worked hard to develop over many years – the kind of education Berkley students need and deserve. 
 
I’m proud to be a 4th generation Berkley resident, proud to be a graduate of Somerset High School, and most proud to be mom to two great girls.  I’m not too proud, though, to ask for your help in making sure that my girls – and all of the kids in Berkley - get the same educational opportunities that you and I have enjoyed.  Thank you for taking the time to read this.  We are incredibly grateful for any support you are able to give.  If you have any questions I may be able to answer for you, you can email me at berkfundraising@gmail.com or find me on Facebook under Heather Sterling and our fundraising group is Berkley Fundraising in Support of Education
 
There are two ways to contribute:

Online here: http://berkleyfundraising.org

Mail check: If you know someone that cannot donate online, please send a personal check:
Payable to: Berkley Public Schools
Memo line: "Donations for utilities"
Mailed to: Berkley Fundraising, P.O. Box 606, Assonet, MA 02702
 
Recent Taunton Gazette Article:
http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/20170802/berkley-parents-band-together-to-support-schools-in-wake-of-failed-override
 
With warm regards,
 
Heather Martin-Sterling
Class of 1993

Berkley Fundraising in Support of Education
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