Week of 4/26/2021
.... It's a GREAT place to be!
Birmingham Covington Schools (BCS)
Website: https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/bcs
Location: 1525 Covington Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, USA
Phone: 248-203-4444
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Birmingham-Covington-School-257853467700898/
Twitter: @bcs_cobras
4/26/2021 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 4/26
- 7th Grade M-Step, 9:50 a.m. - 12:48 p.m.
- Quarter IV Choice Hour Begins in person (3:25-4:10pm) - Busses run AFTER Choice Hour*
- 3rd and 4th Grade M-Step, 8:45 - 11:45 a.m.
- 5th Grade M-Step, 1:20-2:45 p.m.
- BCS Diversity Committee Meetings every Tuesday 7:30-8am. Please join using this link.
- BCS Pride every Tuesday 4:15-5pm. Please email Rick Joseph at rjoseph@birmingham.k12.mi.us for details.
- 3rd and 4th Grade M-Step, 8:45 - 11:45 a.m.
- 5th Grade M-Step, 1:20-2:45 p.m.
Thursday, 4/29
- 6th Grade M-Step, 8:35 - 9:40 a.m., 12:05 - 2:05 p.m.
- Material Distribution, ALL VIRTUAL STUDENTS 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.*
Friday, 4/30
- Staff Professional Development: Virtual Half Day and No Choice Hour
SPECIAL TESTING SCHEDULE FOR 7TH AND 8TH GRADE
Coming up week of 5/3: M- Step Testing Grades 3-4 and 6-7
All School News
Greetings, BCS Families!
Happy Friday and End of Quarter 3!
A few reminders as we get ready for Quarter 4:
- Next Friday, 4/30 will be a Virtual Half Day for Staff Professional Development. Please see link above for additional information regarding schedules.
- The district sent communication today regarding the following summer learning opportunities: K-8 Summer Bridge Program (Registration closes April 30), K-4 Reading Program, and K-8 Dreambox Math Program
- BCS Road Rally, Sunday 4/26, 3-7PM. Our BCS Road Rally will occur this Sunday, April 25. If you have not registered, please consider doing so. Even if you do not want to participate in-person, you have other ways to participate like the online auction. All proceeds go directly to support enriching classroom activities for our BCS students. Thank you to our incredible PTA for putting together what will be a wonderful event.
- Quarter 4, Choice Hour, and Bussing Update. Quarter 4 begins on Monday, April 26. This marks a change with Choice Hour. We will offer in-person and virtual Choice Hour options; however, all students riding the bus will now need to have an in-person Choice Hour as the bus will now depart at 4:10 as in years past. Busses leaving after the 3:15 dismissal will no longer run. A reminder that any families experencing financial hardship for additional Choice Hour days, please reach out to Mr. Hill or Dr. Hakim.
- COVID-19 Updates. We continue to communicate positive cases to our community in accordance with district and OCHD guidelines. Also, we have added a BCS COVID dashboard on our homepage, and it will be updated each Friday. The dashboard includes the number of BCS members quarrantining/isolating and the number of confirmed positive cases. We hope this helps families who have requested this information to make the best decisions for their individual families.
Looking forward to having a Road Rally BLAST this weekend! :-)
Yours in BCS Solidarity,
Dr. Hakim and Mr. Hill
Spring Testing Updates
Spring testing is underway at BCS! We appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility as we navigate through the changes in schedule and other logistics due to spring assessments.
MSTEP
Individual grade levels have received a MSTEP email including the subject areas they will be taking and their testing dates. The specific times for each week will be provided in the calendar portion of the W.A.G. This state assessment can only be given on site. If your child has been attending BCS in person and missed an initial test session with their teacher, makeup sessions will be held later in the assessment window (5th & 8th: April 12 to May 21, 3rd,4th, 6th & 7th: April 26th to June 4th.) If you would like your child to complete Mstep makeup testing please email our Mstep Testing Coordinator, Karen Kohler at kkohler@birmingham.k12.mi.us
SPECIAL 7TH AND 8TH GRADE TESTING SCHEDULE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11ROZV7SqP-Mj4RoZWGF0v6yd9WiB_j88kqYpd9Q1Z2g/edit
PTA Blast Road Rally
BCS Blast Road Rally Reminders for Sunday:
If you have not picked up your Road Rally Bag at school this past week, please do so by Friday. They will be in the school vestibule. There are instructions on how to play the game in the bag. Please download the GoosChase App on each device you plan to use (Code is listed on the Instructions sheet located in Rally Bag).
Remember to wear your Road Rally Tshirt or BCS Spiritwear. Have some fun and decorate your Car Windows with “BCS Blast Road Rally 2021”.
Complete the following COVID Screener for Each Family.
Road Rally winners will be reviewed and announced on Wednesday of next week.
Blast Volunteers will be wearing bright yellow T-shirts if you have a question.
Look for the name tag table and fill one out one for your student.
Bathrooms will be open in the school if needed. You will need to scan the QR Code to complete the safety clearance which is posted on the building before you enter the school.
Hand in your Capture the Flag (checkered flags found at Rally Locations) to Katie P., PTA Treasurer to collect your gift card.
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Tailgate with Food trucks
5pm-7pm
4 Food Trucks: D & W Street Eatery (Mexican), Estia (Greek), Kona Ice, and Detroit Mini Donuts
Don’t forget to bring a chair to the Tailgate.
VIP Parking Spots will have your Last Name on the spot you purchased.
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Raffle:
You can buy more raffle tickets (and BCS Magnets/Stickers) at the Tailgate. Look for Katie P. our PTA Treasurer. She will be at a table under a Pop up Tent.
Place your filled out Raffle Ticket into the Raffle Container located at the Tailgate (with PTA Treasurer Katie). Name of an adult needs to be on your Raffle Ticket (not a student name). Raffle Participants must be 18 year old or older.
Winners will be announced at 6pm (you do not need to be there to win).
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Auction:
Bidding will end on Wednesday at 10PM.
8th Grade "Then and Now" photos
Hello parents of current 8th graders!
It is hard to believe, but our students time at BCS is coming to an end. Preparations have begun for a graduation celebration…. we still have lots of details to work through and volunteers to solicit, but we want to get started on one of the very touching and fun parts of a traditional BCS graduation - the “Then and Now Photographs”.
Each year, a video is prepared for the BCS 8th Grade Graduating Class to be shown at the graduation ceremony in June. The video includes a “then” and a “now” photo of each graduating student. It is a great remembrance video as they embark on the journey to High School. We are requesting each family submit TWO photographs - one as a baby/toddler and one recent photo. We request actual photos (no digital pictures). Please send solo shots only, minimum size of 4x6 inches. We will make every attempt to return these photos at the graduation in each students gift bag.
Please print and fill out the LINKED FORM to submit with your photos. Please put this all in an envelope and drop it off to the marked folders in the BCS vestibule no later than Friday, April 30th.
Questions - please contact Sue Wright (suewright13@mac.com) or Alifya Vohra (alifya@gmail.com)
Thank you!
-Sue and Alifya
BCS 2021 Community Read
BCS 2021 Community Read is in full swing! The program is designed to inspire a love of reading as well as community connection within BCS. All staff, students, and families are invited to read and participate in our book discussions. A copy of the book has been gifted to each family at BCS. Each week students and families are invited to participate in discussion questions that can be found HERE. The culminating event will be a panel discussion hosted by Joe Leibson and Rick Joseph, using questions/topics similar to our weekly discussion questions. Enjoy!
BCS Choice Hour Updates
Choice Hour Quarter IV Schedules (listed by Student ID Number)
Choice Hour Quarter IV Zoom Links
There will be NO CHOICE HOUR on the following dates:
Friday, 4/30
Wednesday, 5/12
Quarter IV runs Monday April 26 - Thursday June 11, 2021
Please note that BCS busses will be switching to 4:10pm - AFTER CHOICE HOUR - starting Quarter IV (April 26)
Learn more online at https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/domain/1880
There is not a change form this quarter due to the class size restraints and the short quarter. Students can drop (but must be picked up at 3:15) or add/sign up late from the remaining available classes using the forms below.
How to Sign Up
To access the late sign up forms and booklet of open classes visit: https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/6952
Sign ups will be taken and processed on a rolling basis through Sunday, May 2 and changes will take effect on Monday, May 3. You will be notified of your selections via email after processing!
Questions?
BCSchoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Gorillas on the Line - Final Week!
Please help the Warner-Joseph 5/6 students help gorillas by recycling unwanted phones and hand-held devices. A collection bin has been set up inside the front door of BCS for collection between now and Friday, April 30. Thanks to those who have donated. Our goal is to collect 648 devices – one for every BCS student. This project is in cooperation with the Detroit Zoo.
Contact Rick Joseph with questions. Thank you!
Staff Appreciation Week is May 3-7
Coming Soon: BCS Maker Faire
BPS Parent Pride
Early Dismissal Procedures
Please review these procedures to help keep your students and school safe.
Parents
- Buzz the front door
- Show identification to the camera
- Enter building and sign out student on blue sheet on clipboard
- Wait in vestibule for student
Students
- Will be released after the office staff calls the teacher
- Student will be sent to the office
- Student will be released to the parent through the vestibule door
STUDENT IS NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE CLASS UNTIL PARENT IS HERE. STUDENTS MUST BE SIGNED OUT IN THE OFFICE. STUDENTS CANNOT EXIT THROUGH ANY OTHER DOOR.
No Early Dismissal after 3:00 p.m
Schools Offer Support Helps BPS Families
SOS (Schools Offer Support) is helping families across the district. Pick up a week's worth of meals every Wednesday from 11-1 at Groves High School. SOS also provides food boxes the first Wednesday of every month to families with an extra need for food. If you need additional support, we can help with that too. For more information or to request support please contact Maggie Mittelstaedt, CSO at 248-203-4448 or mmittelstaedt@birmingham.k12.mi.us or visit schoolsoffersupport.org and hit the Request Support button.
Material Distribution - Thursdays 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Material distribution for VIRTUAL STUDENTS IN ALL GRADES will take place in the front vestibule of the school. This is the ONLY time we will have distribution during the week. Please confirm with your student's teacher if material will be handed out. If you cannot pick up material at this time, please coordinate with a friend or family member to do so. Not all Grades or Classes will have distributions each week. (If your student is hybrid, they will receive material in school.)
Thursdays: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Breakfast and Lunch by Chartwells
Lunch is available free of charge to all students. There will be 2 cold lunch options provided by Chartwells.
Chartwells Meals for Distance Learning
Travel Guidelines
For those requesting information regarding travel guidelines, please see the following guidelines and recommendations from the CDC:
Domestic Travel Guidelines
If your travel is within the United States, the CDC recommends that you consider getting tested when you return and reducing non-essential activities for a full seven days. The CDC also asks that you practice good social habits, stay 6 feet from anyone you did not travel with, wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and watch for symptoms of COVID-19. All questions regarding travel, including international travel, please review the CDC guidelines linked below.
Student Medications & Medical Updates
Attention to Attendance
Parents/Guardians must email the attendance line at bcsattendance@birmingham.k12.mi.us to provide detailed information regarding your students’ absence or tardiness by 8:45 am each day.
Absences or tardies not reported to the BCS attendance office will be recorded as unexcused (please note that sending a note to your child’s teacher does not excuse your child. Always contact the attendance office in the event of a student absence). Please send an accompanying doctor’s note as well (PDF format) if appropriate.
Starting March 17, 2021, Clear to Go MUST be submitted for your student BEFORE they enter school for the day.
Partnerships@Home Learning Series
The most important thing parents and caregivers can do right now is to keep a love of learning alive for their children. Parents and caregivers are essential partners in supporting learning at home, but what does this mean? Parents do not need to be teachers or content area experts. Please join our Partnerships@Home Learning Series for some ideas about fostering curiosity and a sense of wonder during everyday family life.
Please see this flyer to learn more and register for the events: https://www.smore.com/sb0xg-partnerships-home
This Series is brought to you by Oakland Schools. There is no fee, but registration is required.
BCS Student Opportunities!
Summer Bridge Program
BPS is excited to announce summer learning opportunities, including the district’s Summer Bridge Program for students currently enrolled in Grades K-8. For more information on the Summer Bridge Program and other resources and opportunities for summer learning, please be sure to visit the BPS Summer Learning Opportunities 2021 website.
Birmingham Community Education Spring Programs
Birmingham Community Education just added virtual and in-person Spring programs for all ages! Heartsaver/First Aid/CPR/AED course for Adults | PKSA Karate for adults, family and youth | Kids Kickboxing | Soccer School for Little Folks | Challenge Island STEAM classes | SNAP Spring Flag Football League
Register or for more information go to www.communityed.net
BPS Saturday School
We are happy to announce that the BPS Saturday School will once again be operating throughout the school year to offer academic support and tutoring for all BPS students grades K – 12. Although we are currently operating virtually as a district, BPS Saturday School takes place every Saturday (excluding holidays and breaks) throughout the school year. Saturday School is normally hosted in the media center at Berkshire Middle School, but we are now operating virtually through Zoom from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. each Saturday on the following dates:
November: 21
December: 5, 12, 19
January: 9, 22, 30
February: 6, 27
March: 6, 13, 20
April: 10, 17, 24
May: 1, 8, 15, 22
The BPS Saturday School Coordinators will be working together with Groves’ NHS students as well as Oakland University student teachers to provide tutoring through Zoom and the use of “breakout rooms.” Our coordinators will be able to maneuver back and forth between breakout rooms to be able to monitor and support the tutorials. Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2047672482?pwd=T3pVU1REUXZTN09NM1MvSSsrVTJiZz09
Please visit the BPS Saturday School webpage to learn more and we hope to see you in this year’s virtual setting! https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/domain/839
Register Now for Summer Camp
Summer camps are online now at www.communityed.net – Birmingham Community Education.
Groves Women's Golf
Groves Men's Soccer
8th graders thinking about playing Groves men's soccer in the fall, please send an email to grovessoccerboosters@gmail.com to be added to the contact list for communication. We are planning a meeting for families who are new to the program, and there will also be training in June for incoming freshmen.
Birmingham Bulldogs Lacrosse
Registration for Birmingham Youth Lacrosse Spring Season is Now Open!
Come play the fastest growing sport in America! Please visit 2021 Spring — Birmingham Bulldogs for more information.
Field Hockey League with Oakland Yard Athletics
Field Hockey League Opportunity 3rd - 8th graders!
Come and learn how to play field hockey! No experience necessary! League is open for 3rd - 8th graders, boys and girls. Players will receive basic skill instruction and game play. If you don’t have a stick, you can purchase one through online registration (chose the session indicated "With Starter Equipment”). League will run April 10 - May 15 at Oakland Yard Athletics. Register online at https://www.oaklandyard.com/lg_fieldhockey.asp.
Discover Field Hockey - One day 90 minute clinic Open to boys and girls ages 5 - 17, March 27 10 -11:30 am at The Sports Academy, Chesterfield, MI. Register online.
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Field-Hockey/EVENTS/2021/March/27/Discover-Field-Hockey---Chesterfield
Nurses' Update
Shop BCS!
BCS Tumblers & Bottles
Other Helpful Resource Links...
Counseling Corner
We are here to help support your child academically, socially and emotionally during this time. If you would like to request a counseling appointment for your son or daughter, just email his or her counselor using the contact information below. Your counselor will then respond in order to set up an appointment.
Please keep us updated if we can be of any help at this time.
Your BCS Counselors,
Karen Kohler - Last Names A-K (kkohler@birmingham.k12.mi.us) and
Jenny Wagner - Last Names L-Z (jwagner2@birmingham.k12.mi.us)
Schoology Help
If students are having trouble logging in to Schoology or if they found that upon entering, there were no classes, please contact the Help Desk at HelpDesk@birmingham.k12.mi.us or at (248) 203-3123.
Schoology Parent Introduction:
You should have received more information about Schoology, our learning management system. Please review the attached district resources for additional Schoology information.
Note: Your child's teachers will provide class-specific guidance to students/families as they begin to integrate Schoology's features in their courses.
Parent & Student Schoology Reference Page
Check out the Student Schoology Reference page! This document will provide students and parents with instructions on setting up their Schoology account, navigating Schoology, and performing everyday tasks in courses. This reference sheet may provide helpful resources for you to use to help your students become proficient with Schoology.
Emotional Health & Wellness Resources
BCS Media Center Material Circulation
The BCS Library Media Center is excited to begin circulating materials for the 2020-21 school year! Until we are back in school face-to-face, we are implementing a holds-and-pickup system. All patrons are invited to find materials using our Destiny Library Catalog. If you find something you want, put it on hold! Mrs. Truesdell, your school library media specialist, will pull the materials that are available and have them ready for you by your next grade level pickup day at BCS. Please visit our library website or watch this video for more details.