Week of 2/27/23
.... 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
2/27/23 - This week at BCS
Monday, February 27: BAAFN Family Quiz Bowl
Tuesday, February 28: Snow Club 3:20 p.m., Girls Volleyball vs. Derby (A)
Wednesday, March 1: First Day of Women's History Month
Thursday, March 2: Girls Volleyball vs. Abbott MS (A), Boys Swim vs. Derby (A), PTA Meeting 6:15 PM
Friday, March 3: Order deadline for 8th Grade Panoramic Photo*
Looking ahead:
March 7: Diversity Panel - Stress and Anxiety
March 15 and 16: Half Day of School, Parent Teacher Conferences
March 22: Half Day of School, Staff Professional Development
March 27-31: Spring Break
Greetings BCS Families!
We wish everyone a wonderful, relaxing, and safe midwinter break!
Yours in BCS Solidarity,
Dr. Omar Hakim
BCS, Principal
Mr. Jason Hill
BCS, Assistant Principal
All School News
8th Grade Panoramic Photo - Order Today!
BCS Diversity Committee Panel Discussion - Coping with Stress and Anxiety
On Tuesday, March 7th, the BCS Diversity Committee will be hosting a panel discussion on coping with stress and anxiety. Panelists will include current and former BCS students, parents, school psychologists, and other mental health professionals. You may join us in person in the BCS Media Center or on Zoom at the following webinar link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87079572364?pwd=MitLdXVwQkJRbXdSazU0bHRVYnJ3QT09
There will be a reception with light snacks provided from 6:00-6:30pm and the panel will go from 6:30-8:00pm. Please contact BCS Diversity Committee Chair Joe Leibson with any questions at jleibson@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Battle of the Books 2023
Welcome to Battle of the Books 2023! This program is for Birmingham Public School students in fourth and fifth grade and is designed to encourage reading. Students form teams with an adult coach, read from a selected list of five books, and then participate in a contest where they compete with other teams by answering trivia questions based on the books. The actual Battle will take place at Groves High School on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
The informational brochure with important dates and official rules can be found here.
Team registration will open on Monday, February 20, 2023. Teams are 2 to 8 students and an adult coach.
Baldwin Library is hosting Battle Book Talks on Mondays from 4:30-5:15pm that are virtual. This is an optional enrichment program to help kids practice answering trivia questions quickly with a large group of kids.
Registration for the Battle Book Talks can be found at https://www.baldwinlib.org/calendar/.
Please email Lynne Rivera if you have any questions. (lrivera@birmingham.k12.mi.us)
Happy Reading!
PTA Update
- Help Needed! Our biggest fundraiser is right around the corner. Please consider helping our awesome Auction Committee. Several roles are available, including donation solicitor, photographer, and editor. Help makes this auction look incredible to ensure we raise vital funds for BCS! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4fa8ad2aaaf85-bcsblast#/
- The PTA is looking for an Incoming 3rd grade liaison to represent each of the elementary feeder schools. It would entail working with new families to allow parents to connect and ask questions in a smaller setting. If you are interested, please reach out to Wendy McDowall: wendymcdowall@outlook.com. Please include the Elementary school you would represent.
- PTA Open Positions for 2023-24 School Year! Are you interested in getting more involved in the PTA? We are currently looking to fill the Reflections Chair position as well as an Executive Board position. If you are interested in finding out more information, please reach out to Wendy McDowall: wendymcdowall@outlook.com.
BPS Community News
BAAFN Family Quiz Bowl
Join the BAAFN as we EDUCATE, CELEBRATE and HONOR the contributions of African Americans in history by participating in the Family Quiz Bowl!
This is an event for all BPS families and staff.
The quiz bowl will take place on Monday, February 27, 2023 from 6:30- 8:00 pm in the Birmingham Covington Media Center.
There is a study guide for this event. Please sign up by scanning the QR code or by clicking this link.
BEF Unabashed Bash
Thanks to all who supported the BEF Unabashed Bash! Whether by attending the gala, bidding in the auction or donating, your participation helped to raise over $183,000 in gross revenue to support BPS teacher grants. Thank you for your generosity!
BBSC Soccer Registration
It is time to sign up for soccer again! If you child is grades PreK-8, BBSC Spring '23 registration is open now through early March.
Find registration link and info on the site @ www.bbscsoccer.com
Seaholm PTA Announcement
8th Grade Parents:
Will you have a student at Seaholm next year? The Seaholm PTA is looking for volunteers to get involved at the board or committee level. This is a great way to get to know the school, staff, and other families!
If you’re interested in one of the positions or have any questions about a position, email Stephanie Showich at stephanie.showich@gmail.com
Executive Board Open Positions:
Committee Chair Open Positions:
BCS Reminders
8th Grade Families
We look forward to helping your student make a successful transition to high school! We have created a page to house all of the information families will need in one place. Please save this link and continue to check back for updates as new details are added.
Community Service/ Service Learning
We are so lucky that members of our Cobra Community are always finding ways to positively impact the school and wider community. If you have an idea for a community service, or service learning project please complete the form below and return it to the office in the bin provided. Please submit your proposal no later than the second Thursday of the month PRIOR to the month you would like to do your project. This ensures that the Service Learning Committee will be able to carefully consider all proposals and properly support those selected to ensure maximum success.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nD6WpbqCqFzW2hq1zinL_zz51qTzXLxUQXCHDTqOdNM/copy
Early Dismissal Procedures
Please review these procedures to help keep your students and school safe. No Early Dismissal after 3:00 p.m
- 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 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.
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.
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.
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)