Week 3/14/2022
.... It's a GREAT place to be!
Birmingham Covington Schools (BCS)
Office Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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
3/14/22 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 3/14
Tuesday, 3/15
- BCS Pride Meeting 4:15-5:00 p.m. in Mr. Emmi's Room
Wednesday, 3/16
Thursday, 3/17
Friday, 3/18
Upcoming Dates:
- Half Day for Students on 3/23 and 3/24 Dismissal at 11:30
- Parent Teacher Conferences on 3/23 and 3/24
- Scholastic Book Fair Week of 3/21
All School News
Greetings, BCS Families!
Here are some important district updates you may find useful as you plan your week:
BPS Strategic Plan Update
This week, BPS administrators and our Strategic Plan consultants Hanover met with members of the Advisory Committee for our second Strategic Plan Workshop session. During the session, participants began work to review data and establish priorities. A homework session will be held prior to the next meeting to review and finalize priority drafts. Our Review Committee will also take a look at priorities and provide feedback to our Advisory Committee. At this time, BPS has completed stakeholder focus groups, which included 225 stakeholders from schools across our District, staff members, students and community members. Data is being tabulated for a full review to provide insights as we develop a final draft to share with the community in May. Learn more about the process and our sessions at www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/stratplan2021.
Virtual Finance Update on the 2021-22 Budget
BPS Finance Update
Location: Zoom
Monday, March 14, 2022
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Join the session on Monday at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88264983476
On Monday, March 14, 2022, continuing our commitment to regular communications, transparency and accountability, BPS invites the community to an informative event regarding our proposed 2021-22 budget amendment. Superintendent Dr. Embekka Roberson, in partnership with Interim Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Dr. Maria Gistinger, will share the Board PowerPoint previously presented on March 1, 2022, Study Session and answer community questions in this session.
This session will provide an opportunity to engage our community prior to the Board of Education meeting and vote on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. To ensure as many questions are answered as possible, you should submit your questions ahead of time to this Finance Question Submission Form. This link is open now and will remain open through the session.
Looking forward to another great week at BCS!
Yours in BCS solidarity,
Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
BCS Happenings
BPS Outdoor Art Event
May 7th from 1-4 at Beverly Park, all of the art departments in the district will be hosting an out-door, hands on art making event in lieu of the normal district wide art show held at the EAC every year. Our hope as a department is this event gives us an opportunity to engage with our community. Every school will be offering a different art experience. BCS will be gathering materials for a large outdoor textile weaving. We are also offering staff, students, and families to participate in a large collaborative mural. If you would like to be a part of the BCS mural you will need to turn in a finished plastic container (see example below) by April 22, 2022.
We appreciate you participation and are excited to see what creative artwork you all make.
Amanda Husband
Art Teacher
BCS
Battle of the Books 2022
Registration for Battle of the Books 2022 is now open! The form can be found at the BPS Battle website: https://www.baldwinlib.org/battle-of-the-books/. Each team should submit only one registration. There is also a form on the website in case you need to make changes to your registration. If you need help finding a team, there will also be a form for that, which will open on Monday, February 21. Keep reading…the Battle is only a month away! :-)
Please return BCS Open House Yard signs!
BCS Choice Hour
Important Reminders
- Choice Hour runs daily from 3:20-4:10pm
- Busses come AFTER Choice Hour
Choice Hour Schedules
Schedules are available online listed by Student ID number HERE.
Updated class lists will also be given to the teachers weekly while we process choice hour changes. The master schedule is also posted on the Choice Hour Board in the main hall. Our teachers do a great job of acclimating our students to Choice Hour the first few weeks!
Reporting a Choice Hour Absence
Email BCSChoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us or leave a message at 248.203.4625
Questions? Contact Courtney Bassett at BCSChoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
BCS Pride
Attention all students! Want to be part of a fun club dedicated to making B C S a safe space for everyone?
Join BCS Pride! We meet every Tuesday 4:15-5pm in Room 600B. Email Mr. Joe for more information: rjoseph@bps-schools.com
PTA Update
5/6 Dance - Save the Date!
2022 BCS Blast Auction - Call for Volunteers
Please help us make the 2022 Blast Auction a huge success! Did you know that PTA fundraising is the primary source of financial support for BCS's unique curriculum? Our annual Blast Auction is the largest PTA fundraiser and supports the purchase of technology, books, supplies and programming not covered by public funds. Last year's Auction raised over $28,000 in funds to support BCS - we need your help to do this again!
Check out the positions we could use YOUR help with and volunteer! Please sign up by February 10th.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4FA8AD2AAAF85-bcsauction
8th Grade Graduation: "Then/Now" Photos
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 “Then and Now” pictures of each graduating student. It is a great remembrance video as they embark on the journey to High School. Check out the 2021 Then and Now video as an example of what we will create for our 2022 graduates.
Details for your child to be included in the video:
Two photographs needed
o one as a baby/toddler (the younger, the better)
o one recent picture
Photo requirements
o Solo shots please
o No digital pictures will be accepted this year, only actual photos printed on PHOTO PAPER
o Minimum size of 4x6 is preferred
o Although your graduate can help, please have the parents approve
1. Student name as you would like it to appear in the video and all graduation materials (first and last name):
2. Parent/Guardian Name, Email and Cell
DEADLINE IS March 25th! We will do our best to return all photos, but please do not send anything that is irreplaceable.
Celebrate BCS!
BEF "Stars of Tomorrow"
BCS PTA Reflections 2021-2022 State Winners
The results from the State level of the Reflections Art Contest have been announced! The following students’ artwork has been recognized for awards at the State level in their specific categories and age groups:
Outstanding Interpretation:
Grace Y – Middle School Dance Choreography
Joseph R – Special Artist Photography
Award of Excellence:
Simreen P – Intermediate Literature
Areeya P – Middle School Photography
Award of Merit:
Charlisa P – Middle School Film Production
The student artwork that was given the award of Outstanding Interpretation now advances to the National level of judging!
Congratulations to all of our BCS winners! We are so proud of your accomplishments!
BPS Community News
Friends Meeting
Join FRIENDS virtually on April 7th at 7PM to learn from guest speaker, Kevin Roberts, on the topic of Neurological Nexus: Screen Addiction. Roberts is a local author, speaker, tutor and coach who helps clients unlock their inherent potential to change the world. Please see attached flyer for details.
MiSelf in Books
The Birmingham Public Schools Library Media Department is pleased to invite our community on a journey into the world of story. We hope to share with our community some of the diverse content in our libraries and how it impacts the way we walk in this world. We are inviting you to listen to a read-aloud and participate in a discussion of a selection of books chosen from the MISelf in Books list. This event occurs weekly on Thursdays 7-7:30pm, excepting school scheduled holidays.
For more information and to register for this event, visit https://www.smore.com/skn6a.
Announcements from Chartwells
BCS is going cashless:
If students would like to continue to make a cash payments, the student can find Mr. Allen in the cafeteria during breakfast.
Other Helpful Resources...
Student Medication
If the BCS Clinic needs to house medication for your student, please drop it off in the Front Office. Be sure you have an updated Permission to Administer form and Action Plan. These forms need to have a physician's signature. Contact Joni Say Gan at JSaygan@birmingham.k12.mi.us with any questions.
Early Dismissal Procedures
Please review these procedures to help keep your students and school safe.
Parents
- Buzz the front door
- Enter building and sign out student
- Show ID
- Student will be called to office
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
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
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
Cobra Crew
On Thursdays during 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 lunch-recesses, we will be hosting Cobra Crew, an opportunity for peer engagement through games and conversation for any interested students.
A limited number of passes will be available each Thursday for those who would like to join. The purpose of Cobra Crew is to promote kindness, empathy and community at BCS.
If you are interested in opting your child out of this opportunity, please email your child’s counselor.