Lifestyle

Beverly Hills Elementary Schools Will Reopen Next Week

“We are thrilled to be moving forward as a team together with our teachers, staff, students, and parents to reopen our schools,” Beverly Hills Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy told the Courier. 

Parents and Teachers Speak Out  

We can all agree our teacher’s safety is important, but as a physician myself, my life and the lives of all health workers are just as important. The lives of grocery store workers, police officers, firemen and all the other essential workers are as important. Yet we all have been working the past year for you and your families while our BHUSD teacher’s union is playing politics with our children’s education. The rest of the country and nation is getting back to school.

School District Mourns Three Deaths

Rita Creagh, beloved El Rodeo School teacher, passed away on Jan. 16 from COVID-19. Creagh worked as a special education and 3rd grade teacher at the school for 32 years. 

Sports to Resume in Beverly Hills Unified School District

Outdoor, high-contact sports such as basketball, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby, rowing, soccer and water polo may resume all activities, including practices, training and competitions.

Tentative Agreement Reached in Union Legal Action Against BHUSD

UPDATE March 1: The Beverly Hills Unified School District (District) and the Beverly Hills Education Association (Association) have tentatively reached an agreement after mediation over the weekend. Pending the approval of District and Association leadership, elementary grades TK-2 will return on March 8 and grades 3-5 on March 9. Additional details will be posted as they are available. 

Hawthorne School Welcomes Holocaust Survivor

When a student asked why he shares his painful story, he replied, “I try to keep the memory alive so the next generation knows what happened during the Holocaust and World War II.”

BHUSD Working to Safely Reopen Elementary Schools

The Beverly Hills Unified School District   (BHUSD) has thus far made great strides in preparing for a return to classrooms.

Beverly Hills High School Earns Computer Science Diversity Award

“During an unprecedented year, BHHS female students have demonstrated perseverance and dedication in their study of AP Computer Science,” said Dustin Seemann, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services.

Beverly Hills Parents Encourage District to Reopen Schools

“I think if we continue to decrease, you might hit that number in like two to three weeks,” Ferrer said. “We dropped pretty significantly just in one week. I think we were at 75 cases per 100,000 like a week ago. And I think now we’re 45 — these are adjusted rates that the state uses.”

Security Measures and Vaccines Discussed for Beverly Hills Students

“We’ve extended invitations to people in the state to provide those vaccinations for our staff and perhaps our community,” Bregy said.

Beverly Hills High Graduate Featured in Art Exhibit

Abrahams’ painting chosen by the AP Art and Design Board is titled “Adam and Eve,” inspired by the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis.

WeHo Council Seeks to Name Library After Justice Ginsberg

“Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an icon for women, for the LGBT community, for workers, and every progressive value that West Hollywood holds,” said Councilmember Sepi Shyne. “Justice Ginsburg expanded access to the American promise of liberty and equality for all. Her legacy is felt by all of us and her decisions have positively affected every person living in West Hollywood.”

Jewish Community Foundation of L.A. Awards $3 Million

BHUSD Holds Special Board Meeting

Elementary students will transition back to physical school five days per week for instruction in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Registration Open for Beverly Hills Winter Classes

The teddy bear workshop on Dec. 21 takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is recommended for ages 16 and older. This workshop requires basic hand sewing skills, and a sewing machine is highly recommended. 

BHUSD Installs New Board of Education

“We are delighted to hit the ground running with our newly installed Board of Education. I have every confidence that they will lead us through what is now the worst time of the pandemic for our community toward the best educational decisions for all of our students, staff, and families,” Bregy told the Courier.

Beverly Hills Students Take Virtual Tour of USC

“It’s never too early for students to think about college and their futures, even during a pandemic,” Jeffries, a USC graduate herself, told the Courier.

Beverly Hills Public Library eLearning Classes Available

“I never expected such mass participation during the pilot ranging from high schoolers all the way up to individuals in their 70s,” said Bradley Cook, chair of the Next Beverly Hills Coding Bootcamp.

College Admissions During COVID-19. Separating Fact from Fiction

What does this mean for current juniors, sophomores, and freshmen? As it stands now, the most competitive schools plan to require the ACT and SAT for next year’s application cycle.

Bregy Gives BHUSD Update

“I wanted to share as of this morning, there are no oil derricks on the high school property,” Donald Blake, senior executive bond program manager said. “That is a milestone, and I cannot tell you how happy we are.”

Final Work Finishing on BHUSD Oil Well Project

“Work is now in progress to address minor leaks on the two wells previously identified to require additional plugging work. This additional plugging work is anticipated to be completed by December 2020,” Beverly Hills Director of Public Works Shana Epstein told the Courier.

Beverly Hills High School Livestreams “Hamlet”

Senior Max Love told the Courier he has “studied Shakespeare for three years in anticipation of playing his dream role,” the lead in Hamlet.

BHUSD Considers Waiver Process

“However, and it’s not a popular thing to say. But it certainly would not be my recommendation to bring back these students in December, right before winter break,” said Bregy at the Nov. 10 meeting.

Memorial Held for BHHS Student

Given the ongoing pandemic, the Jewish Club implemented strict social distancing measures and mandatory face coverings at the memorial.

Beverly Hills Courier Endorses Donna Tryfman and Mary Wells for School Board

Beverly Hills Announces New Inter-Commission Collaborative

Arts & Culture Commissioner Deborah Frank pointed out the groundbreaking nature of the new collaboration.

BHUSD Unveils “Ready Together” Plan

While BHUSD is not able to bring back the student body in its entirety yet, the 77-page “Ready Together” reopening plan provides a thorough blueprint for all on how to safely return to—and stay in—the physical classroom.

BHUSD Candidates Make Their Case

The Courier asked the seven candidates vying for one of three open seats to describe how each would address some of the biggest challenges the District faces.

Simon Wiesenthal Center Applauds Newsom’s Veto on Ethnic Studies Requirement

On Oct. 1, the Simon Wiesenthal Center released a statement commending Newsom’s veto of the bill.

UCLA’s Andrea Ghez Wins Nobel Prize in Physics

“Twenty-five years is a long time,” Ghez said of her career.

Beverly Hills Youth Earns Congressional Award Gold Medal

“For voluntary service, I did a few things. I tutored through one of Beverly Hills’ After-School Programs.

Holocaust Education Crucial as Extremism Rises

Since sundown on Sept. 18, Jews around the world began observing their holiest days on the calendar in the strange, virtual format of the era of COVID-19.

How to Support Teens During a Strange and Uncertain School Year Tips for Creating a Sense of Normalcy During These Abnormal Times

While you’re in planning mode, encourage your kids to pin passwords and Zoom log-in information right on their desks, where they can see it easily to avoid a mad scramble during school hours. And be sure they set up systems—binders, digital folders for various subjects, and workspace areas—to help stay organized.

Cafe@BHUSD Will Feed All Beverly Hills Children

“We are delighted to be able to offer at no charge an abundance of fresh, healthy produce for all Beverly Hills children!

Meet Beverly Hills HS Senior Who is Miss California Teen US

I’m looking forward to creating more kindness walls across the United States because I saw how much of an impact it had on others and I saw how much it really changed our school overall.

Historic Beverly Hills School Year Begins

“I’m so excited for you to meet your teachers and see what they have planned for you,” Bregy said.

Beverly Hills High Student Wins Beauty Pageant

Beverly Hills High School student Alana Morgan was crowned Miss California Teen USA on Aug. 9.

Seven Declare Candidacy for Beverly Hills School Board

The Courier spoke to the seven candidates vying for one of three open seats on the BHUSD Board of Education. Here is what they had to say.

Beverly Hills Teachers Reach Agreement with School District

In an Aug. 1 statement, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy emphasized that the ultimate goal remains to return to the classroom safely.

Beverly Hills Scouts Troop 110 Welcoming New Members

During this time, the troop will welcome new members for the 2020/21 school year.

Planning for a Safe Return to Beverly Hills Schools

“I do want to touch on the unique obstacles that are going to be the hardest for the middle school to think through,” Think Tank member Frank Chechel noted.

Remote Learning Isn’t Going Away — Yet.

Finally, I suggest that students always keep their camera turned on during class – this allows teachers to see that they are engaged. Plus, there’s nothing like knowing you’re being watched to keep you on your best behavior!

BHUSD Prepares for Distance Learning

The virtual ILC option for the fall remains the same, offering online learning exclusively for the first full semester. The deadline to enroll in the ILC has been extended to July 27 at 8 a.m., and those who do not apply for the ILC will be automatically placed in Live@BHUSD. As of July 21, 441 students — 13 percent of the student population —have enrolled in the ILC.

Beverly Hills and BHUSD Approve Joint Powers Agreement

Friedman said the City was pleased to continue its strong partnership with BHUSD.

School Is Out. Camps Are Closed. Internships are Cancelled. Now What?

I suggest encouraging your teen to use this summer to pursue twin goals: 1) prepare for adulthood, and 2) relish the joys of childhood.

Other Districts and Private Schools Rollout Fall Plans

“SMMUSD staff want to reopen in-person as soon as possible and had been preparing to recommend an in-person option (Model B, the hybrid model that includes both in-person and distance learning). However, the steady upsurge in coronavirus cases in our region over the past several weeks combined with the advice of public health experts has led us to the conclusion that distance learning is the most prudent model to start the 2020-2021 school year.”