About Our School

Bitz Intermediate School is a 3rd through 5th grade school, located aboard the Marine Corps Base at Camp Lejeune, NC. The school opened its doors for the first time on August 24, 2006, as 3rd through 5th grade students and staff from the former Berkeley Manor, Russell and Stone Street Schools merged into one.

We have a student body of approximately 350 and a staff of about 70. Teaching staff includes: 7 third-grade teachers, 5 fourth-grade teachers, and 5 fifth-grade teachers.

Additionally, there are teachers for: music, art, gifted resource education, physical education, strategic literacy interventions, strategic math inventions, learning impaired mild/moderate, learning impaired moderate/severe, speech therapy, and Multilingual Learner Program. We also have educational aides, a media specialist, counselor and nurse. We also have a part-time physical therapist, occupational therapist, hearing impaired specialist and school psychologist that we share with another school.

A comprehensive master schedule provides large blocks of uninterrupted instructional time and common planning time for teachers at each grade level. Other opportunities to build a professional learning community are supported through the allocation of time one Wednesday each month. These times are devoted to consistent and deliberate collaborative instructional planning that promotes productive discussion about student learning. Bitz Intermediate School teachers clearly link collaboration to improvement results in instructional practice and student performance. Bitz Intermediate School routinely communicates effectively with stakeholder groups within the school and school community to ensure shared decision making, to solicit feedback and to respond to stakeholders, and to work collaboratively on school improvement efforts.

Sgt. Michael Bitz

Sergeant Michael Edward Bitz was a United States Marine whose life and service exemplified dedication, courage, and selfless commitment to others. Born on February 14, 1972, in Wishek, North Dakota, Sergeant Bitz graduated from Port Hueneme High School in Oxnard, California, in 1990. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on January 10, 1995, beginning a career marked by professionalism and devotion to duty.

Following recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, he completed Marine Corps Combat Training and the Assault Amphibian Basic Course at Camp Pendleton, California. Over the course of his service, he served with distinction in several units, including Headquarters and Service Company and Company E, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division. He later served as a recruiter in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, before being assigned to Company C, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. In 2001, he deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

In early 2003, Sergeant Bitz deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On March 23, 2003, during combat operations in An Nasiriyah, he displayed extraordinary heroism while serving as a Crew Chief and Assistant Section Leader. During a fierce engagement, his amphibious vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, igniting the vehicle and causing multiple casualties. Despite intense enemy fire, he maneuvered the damaged vehicle to a defensive position and immediately began assisting wounded Marines.

Without hesitation, he exposed himself to enemy fire to move casualties to safety and then joined fellow Marines in a direct assault against enemy forces. Although wounded, Sergeant Bitz continued to fight and assist others, helping evacuate injured Marines and providing security during their movement. While escorting wounded personnel under sustained fire, his vehicle was struck again, and he was mortally wounded.

For his conspicuous gallantry, decisive leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty, Sergeant Michael Edward Bitz was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. His actions reflect the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and stand as a lasting example of honor, courage, and commitment.