Week of 2/8/2021
.... 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
2/8/2021 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 2/8
- 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.
- COUNT DAY*
Thursday, 2/11
- 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, 2/12
Coming up... Mid-Winter Break February 15-19. School Resumes on Monday, February 22.
All School News
Greetings, BCS Families!
A few updates for this upcoming week on the heels of a snowy virtual Friday:
As you are all most likely aware, the BPS Board of Education passed a resolution for a full in-person return for students scheduled to return on March 15, 2021. Additional details will be forthcoming once the final parameters of the return are available. Currently, we are hard at work planning for this next transition. In the near future, you will receive a selection form asking for your selection- full in-person or virtual. The virtual livestream option will still be available for students should students need to quarantine or isolate. Here is a link to the Board Meeting on 2/2/2021 if you would like additional information regarding the passed resolution.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Work
Our half-day on Thursday (2/4) included some exciting work with regard to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our district, and our district will soon launch a district-wide Equity Audit. Our Diversity Committee here at BCS has already started discussion regarding this work. As part of our professional development, we read and discussed the following article from Paul Gorski and Katy Swalwell, "Equity Literacy for all." All parents & students are welcome to attend our Diversity Meetings which occur every Tuesday at 7:30 AM. See link above to attend!
African-American History Month
February is African-American history month! We are highlighting a variety of African-American voices in our classrooms, including contemporary and historical figures. We encourage you to continue these conversations at home and learn more about African-American history. Here is a link you may find helpful from PBS.Org "Teaching Your Child About Black History".
Upcoming Mid-Winter Break
A few questions have been asked regarding travel guidelines as we prepare for our upcoming Midwinter Break (February 15-19). Please see the following guidelines and recommendations regarding travel 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.
Wishing all families a safe and fun Super Bowl weekend!
Yours in BCS Solidarity,
Dr. Hakim and Mr. Hill
PTA Blast Road Rally - Call for Volunteers
Our next Blast planning meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10th @ 9:00 am.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88207752828?pwd=blFUMER3bXNKWnBoa3YzR1VzQmg5Zz09
Meeting ID: 882 0775 2828
Passcode: 167735
ZOOMusical "Dear Edwina, Jr" Online Edition!
- BCS presents their 2020-21 ZOOMsical: Dear Edwina, Jr Online Edition! Tickets to the musical will be offered virtually and supporters can purchase a ticket and watch the show from anywhere! Tickets are on sale now and the musical can be watched anytime from February 12-21! Tickets start at $5 but allow for “name your own pricing.” BCS students are proud to sell tickets to their virtual musical in support of a great cause – No Kid Hungry. All proceeds from this year’s show will go to help those in need! To purchase a ticket visit www.covingtonproductions.anywhereseat.com.
- Learn more about the BCS Musical and their campaign to raise money for charity by watching this video: https://youtu.be/wRdKWnIOrDM
Picture Retake Day - RESCHEDULED!
BPS Has Got Talent
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
Please direct any Choice Hour questions to BCSchoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
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
Laptop Return - 3rd and 4th Grade Students
Now that students are acclimated to their district supplied chromebook, we are ready to accept devices that were previously checked out. Please label your student's laptop with their name (first and last) and academic lab teacher.
Virtual students who have a BCS or BPS Laptop checked out can return their device during material pick up on Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Engineering Technology Students
All K’nex on loan will need to be returned this week. If you are returning to in-person learning, please bring them to class on your schedule cohort day.
The following cohorts are do not have in person Eng Tech this week. I am asking that you please bring your K'nex to your homeroom class where I will collect it.
- 3/4 students in Cohort B Mrs. Parkin’s homeroom
- 5th grade students in Cohort A of Joseph/Warner
- 5th grade students in Cohort B of Cook/Lowery
If you are a student choosing the always virtual option, you will need to return the kit during the normal materials pick up time.
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
Upcoming Friends Meeting
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!
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.