Week of 3/8/2021
.... 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
3/8/2021 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 3/8
- Picture Retakes: Hybrid Students 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Virtual students 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Picture Retakes: Hybrid Students 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Virtual students 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- BCS Diversity Committee Meetings every Tuesday 7:30-8am. Please join at this link: https://zoom.us/j/94515515954?pwd=VGgvWVJUUWQ3SjdCWmhvWU9DRFhKdz09
- BCS Pride every Tuesday 4:15-5pm. Please email Rick Joseph at rjoseph@birmingham.k12.mi.us for details.
- Being Black in BPS - Diversity Committee Panel Discussion 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.* https://zoom.us/j/93044789733?pwd=VGtyZ1hqUHRVME5nYkVjL09PaExmUT09
Thursday, 3/11
- Material Distribution, ALL VIRTUAL STUDENTS 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.*
- Virtual 3rd and 4th Grade Students: Laptop Return 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.*
Friday, 3/12
Coming up... Staff Preparation Days March 15 and March 16, No School and Choice Hour for Students. Full Face-to-Face Return begins on March 17.
All School News
Greetings, BCS Families!
To everyone who attended our Parent Town Hall, thank you! We look forward to working together as we make our next transition with our students return in the full F2F or livestream model on March 17.
If you were not able to attend, please review the following resources:
- Town Hall Recorded Event
- Town Hall Slides
- Parent Checklist - BCS Tips for Success with Virtual Learning
Please complete the linked Selection Survey before midnight tonight, 3/5. The survey also includes a link to a description of both the full face-to-face and livestream learning model. Start/end times and schedules will remain as they are now – 8:30-3:15. Choice Hour will remain virtual through the third quarter, and additional options are being considered for the fourth quarter. Fridays will remain our "all-virtual" day to help create some equity for our learners who will be all virtual. Also note that students will not be in school on Monday 3/15 and Tuesday 3/16 to afford our staff time to prepare appropriately. This means the new model is slated to begin on Wednesday 3/17.
Have a wonderful weekend, Cobras!
Yours in BCS Solidarity,
Dr. Hakim and Mr. Hill
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
Spring Book Fair
The BCS Spring Book Fair from Follett is open (online only) from Monday, March 15 through Monday, March 29. New this spring: all purchases will be shipped directly to your home (or any address of your choosing). All proceeds from the Book Fair fund the purchases of new books and materials for the BCS Media Center. Thank you for your support, and Happy Reading!
PTA Blast Road Rally
Click here BCS Blast Road Rally + Auction 2021 to be a part of the PTA Blast Road Rally Planning Committee!
Picture Retake Day - March 8 and 9
Please reserve a spot for your student, hybrid or virtual, for their school photo. Hybrid students will have their photos taken from 1-3pm. Virtual students will have their picture taken from 3:30-4:30pm. Photos will be taken in the media center.
Parent Teacher Conference Dinner Sign Up
The PTA will provide our teachers with a meal during Parent Teacher Conference days. Please sign up to contribute drinks, snacks, and desserts to the teachers' dinner on March 24th and 25th.
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/4090f4dada922a4fa7-spring
Reflections - State Level Recognitions
We have results for the State level of the PTA Reflections Art Contest! The following BCS artists have won awards at the State level:
Dance Choreography:
Award of Excellence/Intermediate Division: Emme K.
Award of Excellence/Middle School Division: Grace Y.
Honorable Mention/Middle School Division: Abigail M.
Film Production:
Award of Merit/Intermediate Division: Zac M.
Award of Excellence/Middle School Division: Charlisa P.
Award of Merit/Middle School Division: Arielle L.
Literature:
Award of Merit/Intermediate Division: Simreen P.
Music Composition:
Honorable Mention/Intermediate Division: Desmond R.
Award of Excellence/Middle School Division: Charlisa P.
Photography:
*Outstanding Interpretation/Intermediate Division: TJ K.
A special congratulations to TJ K. By being awarded Outstanding Interpretation in his category, his artwork now advances to the National competition!
We are so proud of all of our BCS artists and their hard work! Congratulations!!
Being Black in BPS - Discussion with Covington Diversity Committee
Please join the Covington Diversity Committee from 7-8:30pm on Wednesday March 10 for a panel discussion with Covington School students and teachers Morris Wallington, Roy McCloud and George Mixon. They will discuss the reality of being Black in Birmingham Public Schools and what we can do to build a more equitable community.
Zoom link is here:
https://zoom.us/j/93044789733?pwd=VGtyZ1hqUHRVME5nYkVjL09PaExmUT09
We hope to see you Wednesday ay 7pm.
BPS Parent Pride
BCS Website Update
BPS Has Got Talent
Join in the fun and watch BPS Has Got Talent airing on Thursday, March 11 at 7:00 PM. Cheer on Aidan R. and Dominic B. as they compete to win a $1,000 grant for our school! The show can be viewed by visiting the BEF’s Auction Page on the 11th, or on the BPS YouTube Channel or Cable Access Channel 17.
You can get involved with the event now by purchasing a Watch at Home Charcuterie Kit (limited number remain), bidding in the auction, or by helping our school earn funds & bragging right by playing Capture the Flag!
Battle of the Books Shoutout!
This past Saturday was the first ever VIRTUAL Battle of the Books. Thank you to all BCS participants! A special shoutout to the winning teams:
First Place: Team Laser BEAM from BCS and Quarton – featuring BCS 5th grader Blaise Bongiorno!!
Second Place: The Masked Readers from Harlan
Third Place: The Coloring Books from Pembroke
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.
BCS Choice Hour Updates
Choice Hour Quarter III Schedules (listed by Student ID Number)
Choice Hour Quarter III Zoom Links
There will be NO CHOICE HOUR on the following dates:
MONDAY, 3/15
TUESDAY, 3/16
Wednesday, 3/24
Thursday, 3/25
Friday, 4/23
While Mrs. Bassett, our Choice Hour Coordinator, is out on maternity leave, Ms. Veronica Pilarski will be overseeing Choice Hour. Ms. Pilarski is already a part of our BCS team as a choice hour teacher, noon aid, and office assistant. If you have any questions regarding choice hour, Ms. Pilarski will be answering the bcschoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us email!
Birbery Begins this Week!
Like most things this year, The Birbery Reading Program will be a little different than in the past. We are still excited to share great books from the past year with our 6-7-8th graders, but this year we have even more books to choose from -- and less requirements to participate. Our goal is to get your kids reading new titles with no stress…and the possibility of a small reward. Visit the BCS Media Center’s Birbery webpage for more details: https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/4309.
Water Results
Our follow-up water test for legionella came back negative (hurray). Water filling stations and showers may now be used, though due to Covid-19 restrictions drinking fountains remain inoperable.
Bottled water will no longer be available for students. Please make sure students have a water bottle with their name on it. Filling stations are available throughout the school.
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.
Hybrid Families - Starting January 11, 2021, Clear to Go MUST be submitted for your student BEFORE they enter the building for their cohort 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!
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
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
Nurses' Update
Shop BCS!
2020-2021 Yearbook
Yearbooks for the 2020-2021 school year can be purchased for $35 with the given link.
https://yearbookforever.com/schools/birmingham_covington_school_buy_yearbook_308378/
The Deadline to purchase a 2020-2021 Yearbook is FEBRUARY 28. There will be overruns for sale on distribution day at a first come, first serve basis.
https://snap.yearbookforever.com/index.html#/upload/308378
When uploading photos, use access code BCS.
Yearbook Ads will be for sale until March 12, 2021.
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.