Week of 5/3/2021
.... 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
5/3/2021 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!
Monday, 5/3
- 7th Grade M-Step, 9:50 a.m. - 12:48 p.m.
- 3rd and 4th Grade M-Step, 8:45 - 11:45 a.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.
- 6th Grade M-Step, 12:05-2:05 p.m.
Thursday, 5/6
- 6th Grade M-Step, 8:35 - 9:40 a.m., 12:05 - 1:10 p.m.
- Material Distribution, ALL VIRTUAL STUDENTS 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.*
Friday, 5/7
SPECIAL TESTING SCHEDULE FOR 7TH AND 8TH GRADE
Coming up week of 5/10: Teacher Professional Development on 5/12, Virtual Half Day in afternoon
All School News
Greetings, BCS Families!
Happy Friday!
Can you hardly believe we are springing into May? And into Teacher Appreciation Week? Next week, we will honor and celebrate our teachers and all of our staff who work to support student learning. The best part of the work we do as building leaders is getting to see our students thrive and interact with the inspiring teachers and staff working to uplift each student. On behalf of the entire BCS community, thank you for all you do. We value and honor your tireless work.
We look forward to celebrating you each day of the week!
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
Hearing and Vision Screening by OCHD
Oakland County Health will be at BCS on May 11th and 13th for hearing screening for all 4th graders. They will also be at BCS May 17th - 24th for vision screening for all 3rd, 5th, and 7th graders. Please refer to this document for more information about Vision and Hearing Screening. If you have questions or wish for your child to not be screened, please email mmittelstaedt@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
PTA Blast Road Rally
Thank you to the Road Rally Co-Chairs and Volunteers for making the PTA Blast Road Rally a success! Thank you to all that donated to the auction and placed bids on items. It was a great success. Our Teacher Donation Items were in hot demand until the last minute! :)
**Claiming your Items/Experiences**
If this item was donated by BCS Staff or PTA (such as a parking spot, locker pick, birthday sign, etc.), someone from BCS will follow up via email to confirm your personal information and coordinate how to claim your experience.
All other items can be picked up in person at one of our two Auction Pick Up dates scheduled for Thursday, 4/29 2:45-4:45PM or Monday, 5/3 2:45-4:45PM. Pickup will take place in the BCS bus loop from 2:45-4:00PM and then move to the West parking lot (outside the pool) from 4:00-4:45PM.
If you are unable to pick up your item on either or those dates, please contact our BCS Blast Auction team at bcsblastauction@gmail.com to coordinate an alternative plan.
There are a small number of items that will be distributed via email (these items all had notes in the auction details noting that physical pickup would not be required). If you have won one of these items you will receive an email from the BCS Blast Auction team on Thursday 4/29 with your electronic item or details on how to coordinate redeeming your item.
Thanks so much for participating in the 2021 BCS Blast Auction!
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:
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)
Students who plan on taking the bus MUST be enrolled in Choice Hour
Learn more online at https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/domain/1880
Sign Ups, Drops, and Adds will be accepted through Sunday, May 2 at 11:59pm!
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
How to report a Choice Hour Absence: Call 248-203-4625 or email BCSChoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Coming Soon: BCS Maker Faire
BPS Parent Pride
Kids Read Now
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.
BU Hockey
We are very excited to let you know that we have set the 2021 summer calendar for BU Hockey! Please note that this is for all incoming students as well as for existing students. All are welcome! For new players, we are also hosting a Zoom intro meeting on May 4th at 8pm with our varsity head coach, Zack Warson. Zack has a long history of coaching success at all levels, including college and AAA. He is excited about the future of our program and to meet all potential players. You can also reach him directly at: (810) 287-7877 or zack.warson@gmail.com. Below are the key dates (if interested in the Zoom meeting, please email steve.carrel@trpfund.com and he can provide the Zoom link):
BU Hockey
SAVE THE DATE
Please note that dates and times could change
May 4th at 8pm — Zoom meeting with Head Coach
June 14th – June 17th — BU Spring Camp for ALL prospective players (new and returning) – 3pm JV; 4pm Varsity
June 14th – July 30th — BU Summer League (Varsity & Junior Varsity) at Orchard Lake
July and August — Optional Summer Training (off-ice & on-ice); all players are encouraged to train on their own as well
August 23rd – August 25th — Invite only training camp (primarily Varsity players)
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.
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.