As School Year Winds Down, Birmingham Looks at $2.5 Million Budget Deficit

Expenditures continue to grow and if the district does nothing, they could face a $10 million deficit by 2016, officials say.

Roeper to Celebrate Fiesta-Style at Annual MOSAIC Auction

Prizes at the annual auction include Disney Park Hopper passes and a two-night stay at a Parisian hotel.

Pierce Students Look to Finish a 'Marathon' As Part of New Running Club

The new Pierce Elementary running club will prepare students for the Martian Invasion of Races this spring in Dearborn.

Roeper's Young Chess Players Named State Champs

In addition, 13 players received medals for their performance during the Michigan Scholastic Team Championship, held earlier this month.

Birmingham Students Outpace State Averages on 2012 MEAP Exam

While Birmingham's 2012 MEAP scores exceeded state averages, the district saw a 10 percent drop in the percentage of students proficient in fifth grade science.

Birmingham MEAP Results To Be Released Today

Check back with Birmingham Patch at 10 a.m. Monday for a look at how students fared on their Fall 2012 Michigan Education Assessment Program exams.

Harlan Elementary Library Named 'Exemplary' by Library of Michigan

The Birmingham elementary library and media center was recognized as part of the state's program of measuring how well school libraries serve "21st century schools."

Overnight Snow Closes Birmingham Public Schools Friday

The snow is expected to continue to fall until 10 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service says.

School Safety Recommendations Include Visitor Notification Systems, More Lockdown Drills

Superintendent Daniel Nerad listed his administration's plans for upping security at all Birmingham school buildings during the Tuesday night school board meeting.

Birmingham Education Foundation Hosts Its Biggest Fundraiser Saturday

The nonprofit, which funds grants for Birmingham students and teachers, is hosting its 12th annual Unabashed Bash Saturday night at the Townsend Hotel.

Superintendent to Discuss New School Safety Plan Tuesday

The Birmingham Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the district's administrative offices.

Pierce Parent Asks Birmingham to 'Bet On Our Youth' at March Fundraiser

Betting On Our Youth, a Las-Vegas-themed fundaiser at the Townsend Hotel, will raise money for technology purchases and enrichment programs at the Birmingham elementary school.

Groves Students Win First Place in National Journalism Contest

The staff of Groves student news magazine, Scriptor, won first place in the 2012 American Scholastic Press Association's annual contest.

State Superintendent: Michigan Teachers Should Make $100K

The head of the Michigan Department of Education says higher salaries for teachers is what the state needs to attract better qualified math and science teachers.

Winter Weather Closes Birmingham Public Schools Monday

A Winter Weather Advisory expired at 6 a.m. Monday though several area schools, including Birmingham Public Schools and many private schools, are closed.

Seaholm Lacrosse Player Named a MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Finalist

Two athletes from Detroit Country Day and Cranbrook are also among the 120 student athletes competing for a $1,000 scholarship that looks at a student's academic and athletic success.

Birmingham Schools to Implement New Security Policies Starting Tuesday

Beginning Tuesday, new security guards will be stationed at locked front doors at all Birmingham school buildings. In addition, Pierce Elementary begins a test of an intercom-based visitor notification system.

Berkshire Students Explore the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Roosevelt Johnson of Mobile Ed Productions spoke with students at Berkshire Middle School Tuesday.

Birmingham Students Qualify for Second Round of Michigan Mathematics Competition

Twenty-six students from Seaholm and Groves high schools qualified for the second part of the Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition.

Birmingham Recognizes Its National Merit Semifinalists

Seven students from Seaholm and Groves high schools were recently named National Merit Semifinalists.

Roeper Students Donate More Than $2,000 to Michigan Humane Society

Roeper second and third grade students opened a gift store featuring recycled and reused items to raise money for the Michigan Humane Society.

Birmingham Basketball Players Make Reading Fun for Quarton Students

A group of Groves basketball players made a special visit to Quarton Elementary this week.

Birmingham Recognizes Its Advanced Placement Scholars

231 students at Seaholm and Groves High Schools were recognized.

Anonymous Donation to Fund Renovations at Roeper's Birmingham Campus

The $451,000 donation will be used to "beautify" the school's upper school campus on Adams Road, which dates back to 1921.

Birmingham Schools Will Start Locking Front Doors During the Day

As part of a short-term plan to beef up security throughout the school district, locked front doors at Birmingham school buildings will soon be manned by security personnel.

Birmingham Joins Schools of Choice on Limited Basis In Exchange for State Aid

Birmingham Public Schools will open six spots in its alternative education program in exchange for an additional $430,000 in state aid for meeting state-mandated best practices.

Student Musicians to Partner With Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings, Thanks to New Grant

The Birmingham Education Foundation was selected to receive $2,500 from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs for its new in-school musician residency program.

Local Private Schools Plan Line-Up of Winter, Spring Open Houses

From Marian to the Eton Academy, learn about your options for the 2013-14 school year at more than half a dozen Birmingham-area private schools.

Birmingham's Alternative Education Program Could Join Schools of Choice

Also on the agenda for the Birmingham Board of Education: renovations at the Birmingham Conference Center and budget amendments.

Berkshire Students Prepare for Martin Luther King Day Donation

Students and staff at Berkshire Middle School have been collecting toiletries, winter clothing and non-perishable foods for a month now.

Community House Early Childhood Center Earns 5-Star Rating

The early childhood center is the only Birmingham preschool to receive five stars from Michigan's 'Great Start to Quality' program.

Lawsuit Regarding Overcharged Fees at Birmingham Schools Heads Back to Court

Timothy Mullins, attorney for Birmingham Public Schools, says the lawsuit filed in November by two Derby Middle School parents lacks merit.

Birmingham Preschoolers Team Up With Seniors for Hat, Scarf Drive

Preschoolers from the Midvale Early Childhood Center helped collect hats, mittens and scarves for Lighthouse of Oakland County.

Get Your Questions Answered Next Week During Transition to Kindergarten Meeting

Birmingham Public Schools' presents 'Transition to Kindergarten' next week at Pierce Elementary School.

Registration for Birmingham Covington School Begins Monday

Spots at the Birmingham Covington School for the 2013-14 school year will be available next week. If there aren't enough available spots at the 3-8 school, a lottery will be held on Jan. 16.

Feature Photo: Groves Marching Band Gives Back

The students organized their first food drive just in time for the holidays.

Report Shows Achievement Gap Among Birmingham Minority, Special Education Students

"It's moral imperative to tackle this issue," says one member of Birmingham Schools' Achievement Gap Committee, which presented to the Birmingham Board of Education on Tuesday.

'We Owe It to Our Children': Birmingham Superintendent Vows to Review Safety Rules

Birmingham Schools Superintendent Daniel Nerad says 'we need to feel a sense of shame' about the Newtown shooting, promises review of school safety procedures by end of January.

School Board Approves Spending $556,000 to Renovate Birmingham Conference Center

The renovations will prepare the building to be used as the administrative offices for the Birmingham Public School district. Work is expected to wrap up at the beginning of June 2013.

Feature Photo: Beverly Students Give Back to Bottomless Toy Chest

Those wishing to donate can drop off toys and games for the Bottomless Toy Chest at the Beverly Elementary main lobby.