Week of 10/17/22
.... 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
10/17/22 - Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates:
5/6 Camp, Monday, October 24-Wednesday, October 26
Half Day, Monday October 31, Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Greetings BCS Families!
We had a great week at BCS! On Friday, we finished our PTA-sponsored Community Read, The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Rauf. Students engaged in a cross-grade level culminating activity on Friday planned by our Character Education Committee. Students across grade levels were collaborating and making connections from the text and our Cobra Compass values: Respect, Integrity, Kindness, Empathy, and Responsibility. Our staff spent an incredible amount of time planning and organizing what has been a truly uplifting experience for our community. A special thank you to BCS staff, Mrs. Mandy Pantuso, Mrs. Pauline Roberts, and Mrs. Melissa Desimone, who took the lead on facilitating, organizing, and curating incredible resources for all members of our school community.
Without your support, we would not have been able to implement such a valuable schoolwide experience, and we are so appreciative of your ongoing engagement!
Yours in BCS solidarity,
Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
All School News
Notes from the Front Office...
2. NO early dismissal after 3 p.m. If your student has an after school appointment, please pick them up BEFORE 3 p.m. This is a very busy time throughout the building and it will take more time to find your student.
3. For the safety of our community, dogs are not allowed on campus or in the BCS building. In the future, we will welcome our therapy dog, Riker. She is currently being trained in many settings and will be able to handle the school situation. We are excited to share her with our school community, but in the meantime, please keep your family's four legged members at home.
We are missing Chromebook chargers!
Parents, please check your homes for Chromebook chargers! We are missing over 70 chargers. Please return the chargers to the main office.
PTA Update
PTA October 6th Meeting Minutes
Upcoming Events and Reminders:
1. Join us on October 21st at 9 am via Zoom for your first BLAST planning session. Interested in joining the planning committee, please email us at bcsptsabcs@gmail.com.
2. Would you like to get more involved at BCS? We are seeking two BCS parents to serve as Co-Treasurers with training/shadowing beginning in early 2023. Accounting or other financial experience is helpful, but not required. Please consider joining the PTA board! Email bcsptsabcs@gmail.com for more information.
3. Our next PTA meeting will be November 3rd, at 6:15pm. This meeting will be held in person at BCS with an option to Zoom. See the PTA See the PTA website for an agenda with a zoom link.
Halloween Candy Gram Sales
👻
Boo with a Clue! Halloween Candy Gram Sales
Halloween is about to get even more exciting! Your BCS students can now Boo their friends at school!
Candy bags will be sold for $1 per Boo and will be delivered to homerooms on Friday 10/28. Write a clue or two on the Boo slip and see if the friends can guess the identity of the mystery candy sender. Proceeds benefit the 8th grade graduation celebration, so please send a Boo today!
There are two ways to Boo (cash only, please):
👻 Fill out a Boo slip (attached in flyer or available in office) and return in an envelope with cash payment to the office by Friday 10/21
👻 Let your kids visit the sales desk by the media center on Thursday 10/20 and Friday 10/21 (before school and before Choice Hour)
Thank you for your support and Happy Halloween!
Halloween Party Information
7/8 Grade BCS Parents,
The 7/8 grade students will enjoy a low-key celebration in their Academic Lab classes after a school wide costume parade around 10am. The PTSA will purchase donuts and donated apple cider will be served to the students. The donuts are made in a peanut-free bakery. Gluten free donuts will also be availble for those that need them. Parents are needed to help donate cider and distribute food for these 7/8 Halloween parties. We are also asking 1-2 volunteers per room to help serve/pour the cider. Please sign up below!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044EAEAC23A46-78grade
All donatioins should be delivered to school on Monday, 10/31, between 8-8:30am in the OFFICE! Volunteers helping that day should arrive by 8:15am
Thank you for all your help in advance!
7/8 Room Parent Committee Chairs
Alifya Vohra (8th), Torri Calver (7th), & Kathleen Meyers (7th)
PTA Reflections 2022-23
Calling all BCS artists!! It’s time for the annual PTA Reflections Art Contest!
This year’s theme is: “Show Your Voice!”
Reflections is an annual, nationwide student art competition sponsored by the National PTA. Students should reflect on the theme and create original art in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, visual arts, and special artists. Enter to win recognition, prizes, and scholarships!
Deadline for BCS submissions is Friday, November 4, 2022
Click below to view the introduction video:
PTA Reflections Promo Video 2022-2023.mp4
Submission guidelines, rules, and entry forms are available on the BCS PTA Reflections Homepage: https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/6906. Students can submit their entries online via this link OR in-person at the drop-off bin located at the Media Center. Email Chonrada Penzak and Keri Robson at bcsreflections@yahoo.com if you have additional questions!
Paraprofessionals Needed
If you think you have what it takes and would like to be a part of the BPS Community, please check out the job listing.
BEF Groves Tailgate
Saturday School begins October 15
In partnership with the Birmingham African American Family Network, BPS Saturday School is back and in person within the newly renovated media center at Berkshire Middle School. BPS Saturday School Coordinators work together with NHS students from Groves and Seaholm, as well as student teachers from Oakland University, to provide tutoring to any K-12 BPS student who needs help in any grade level, and in any academic area. Saturday School takes place every Saturday (excluding holidays and breaks) throughout the school year. There is no sign up, but we do ask for a $3 donation to help us provide snacks for the students.
Each session begins with a motivational speaker and/or a welcoming activity led by the Saturday School coordinators. From 9:15-10:55, students are paired with tutors. At 10:55, we bring the group back together to discuss what students learned that day. This year’s sessions begin on October 15th, and can be found on the Saturday School website. For more information about BPS Saturday School, please contact Jason Clinkscale at jclinkscale@birmingham.k12.mi.us or Michael Babcock mbabcock@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
International Food Truck Festival!
The Seaholm Spanish Honors Society, French Club, Chinese Honors Society and all BPS World Language Teachers will be hosting an International Food Truck Festival on Tuesday, October 18th from 3:30-8:30 in the Seaholm Parking Lot. We have 4 food truck vendors, movies from all languages and we are raising donations for Neinas Dual Language Academy in Detroit, Michigan! You can find us on Instagram @Seaholm_SHH or contact advisor January Hladki with any questions or donations jhladki@birmingham.k12.mi.us . We hope to see the whole BPS community there!
BPS Parent Pride Meeting
BPS Girls in STEM opportunity for middle school girls
Explore what it means to be an Engineer. Middle school girls will experience STEM activities with Mr. Simms and his robotics team, Automation Nation, watch Automation Nation compete, and build their own robot. For more information on the three events, click the links below.
November 16: Seaholm STEM Event #1
Middle & Elementary School Students Attending High School Football Games
For the safety and enjoyment of all spectators, the following guidelines for all BPS middle and elementary school students in attendance at Groves or Seaholm home varsity football games must be followed:
- Students must be accompanied by an adult/guardian.
- Students must remain under the supervision of that guardian while at the stadium.
- Students must remain seated with their parent/guardian in the bleachers.
- Middle school students must also have their IDs at all times while in attendance at the stadium.
- Standing, loitering or horseplay under and/or around the bleachers or any other area is prohibited.
Again, our goal is to make sure that that we create a safe environment for all students and families. Thank you very much for your support and cooperation.
Veteran's Day Brunch - November 10
Please join us! Birmingham Public Schools invites veterans to the annual Veterans Day Bunch. This event honors both local veterans and active military personnel during a celebration honoring their service. Please plan on doors opening at 11 a.m, starting with brunch and followed by opening remarks, student entertainment, and more! Please confirm your attendance by calling 248-203-3004, or by emailing Joan Crampton at JCrampton@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
1:1 Laptop Technology Update
We are thrilled to announce that all students will have computer devices at BCS as our district officially becomes a 1:1 district!
For 3-4 students, students will receive Google Chromebooks as they have the past few years. Chromebooks will be distributed to incoming third graders during the first or second week of school.
All 5-8 students will receive a laptop during the first week of school. For all you need to know about 5-8 laptops, please review the linked 5-8 BCS 1:1 Laptop Information & Forms
Parents must review, print, and sign the linked agreement before receiving a laptop.
Insurance for your device can be purchased through eFunds.
For technology support, students should write an e-mail directly to support@birmingham.k12.mi.us. Sending a message to this address will automatically create a ticket for students.
Get a Baldwin Public Library Card!
All BPS K-12 students and staff are eligible for a Baldwin Library card! Use it to check out print books and access most online databases. For example, our Community Read, “The Boy at the Back of the Class” is available as an audiobook on Hoopla. Plus, curbside pickup is available! Go to https://www.baldwinlib.org/get-library-card/ for details, or watch this video for detailed instructions on how to sign up.
No Cell Phones/Smart Watches During School Day
Students will have access to their school-issued 1:1 device- either a Chromebook or Dell Laptop. This is the appropriate tool for all classroom related technology.
We believe this to be the safest and most productive approach we can use to keep students safe and keep them focused on their instructional and educational goals.
Early Dismissal Procedures
Please review these procedures to help keep your students and school safe.
Parents
- Buzz the front door
- Be prepared to show identification if asked
- Sign student out on the sign in/out sheet
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
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 Terri Grantling at tgrantling@birmingham.k12.mi.us with any questions.
Other Helpful Resource Links...
BCS Connect with Us!
All Students, Parents, Staff Can Report Safety Threats Using OK2Say
Not all heroes wear a cape and tights. A real hero speaks up for what's right. Be a real hero. If you see or hear something that threatens student or school safety, submit a confidential tip to OK2SAY.
Safety & Security - School Resource Officer, Kelly McGraw
BCS works in partnership with the Bloomfield Township Police Department given our location in Bloomfield Hills. For the 2022-2023 school year, BCS has been assigned Officer Kelly McGraw, as our School Resource Officer. Her contact information is included for your reference: Office Phone: (248) 433-7772. E-mail: kmcgraw@bloomfieldtwp.org.
BPS & BCS Calendar for 2022-2023 School Year
On our BCS website, you will find the linked BCS 22-23 School Calendar organized by month. There are links for importing this calendar to your devices. If you notice an event missing or not included, please e-mail Joni Saygan, our building secretary, at JSaygan@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
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.
Parent/Guardian Schoology Access (this is separate from PowerSchool access which is the site parents should continue to use to check student grades). Schoology is where assignments are housed. Linked are directions to create your parent account:
Emotional Health & Wellness Resources
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)