With 15 months to go until Evanston/Skokie School District 65 opens its planned Foster School in Evanston’s historically Black 5th Ward, the district has named a principal.
At its May 19 meeting, the Board of Education approved an arrangement in which Charlise Berkel, currently principal of the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies, will lead that school until it closes permanently after the 2025-2026 school year and simultaneously plan to start up Foster School for the 2026-2027 school year.
Berkel will officially begin the role of Foster School principal on July 1, 2026.
“Her (Berkel’s) primary responsibilities remain in service to the Bessie Rhodes community while spending time preparing for the opening of Foster School in fall 2026,” said Superintendent Angel Turner in a statement provided to Pioneer Press.
Turner said Bessie Rhodes families were notified of Berkel’s planned transition, and were invited to a virtual call with Berkel on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
“I am deeply honored to unite the strong legacy of Foster School and the amplified global vision we’ve cultivated at Bessie Rhodes,” Berkel said after the school board unanimously approved her reassigned role with the district. “Foster School was built on the powerful foundation of ensuring every child develops a strong sense of self.”
“As someone who embodies multilingualism and multiculturalism through my own family’s heritage, I am excited to continue to help our students explore the rich tapestry of global identities and connections,” Berkel said.
According to her bio on the district’s website, Berkel is the daughter of multilingual Dutch Caribbean immigrants, and began her career in bilingual teaching as a Montessori Elementary teacher.
Next year, Principal Berkel will dedicate two days a week to Foster planning, while continuing to lead Bessie Rhodes alongside Assistant Principal Antrim-Graf, according to Turner.
