Week of 2/14/2022
.... It's a GREAT place to be!
Birmingham Covington Schools (BCS)
Office Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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
2/14/22 - Week's Events - BCS Spirit Week
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 2/14 - Valentine's Day
Tuesday, 2/15 - Multiples Day
- BCS Pride Meeting 4:15-5:00 p.m. in Mr. Emmi's Room
Wednesday, 2/16 - Teacher Look Alike Day
- Learning Differences Panel 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, 2/17 - Decades Day
Friday, 2/18 - Pajama Day
Upcoming Dates: Midwinter Break February 21-25
All School News
Greetings, BCS Families!
We hope everyone had a fantastic week!
While you may have already reviewed these updates from our district communication, we wanted to highlight this information again as we have some important district-wide updates we do not want you to miss:
OCHD Mask Mandate
BPS is aware that the Oakland County Health Division will lift their mask mandate for schools on Feb. 28. BPS is prepared to follow the new decision, lifting our mask mandate at the same time. BPS has continued to follow OCHD requirements and guidance and this decision is consistent with our practices. Cases have drastically dropped in our county, as noted on the OCHD dashboard. BPS has also noted a significant drop in cases in our buildings. All BPS COVID cases are reported on our website. OCHD still recommends mask wearing in indoor settings, however, after Feb. 28 this will become a family choice.
Strategic Plan Survey – Be Heard!
Birmingham Public Schools is conducting a survey to inform the development of a new strategic plan. We need the voices of our stakeholders to help shape our priorities and focus as we move BPS forward. Please take a moment to participate in the Strategic Plan survey, open through Monday, Feb. 14. This study is for research purposes only, all information you provide will be maintained on a confidential basis by Hanover Research and will only be reported to Birmingham Public Schools in an anonymized form. To partake in the survey, please visit https://hanover-research.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1MR3jXLkIDaPaIu.
To learn more about the work being done on the BPS Strategic Plan, please visit https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/domain/2559.
Thank you for your participation and collaboration as we continue to build and maintain BCS as an exceptional educational offering for our Cobras!
Yours in BCS solidarity,
Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
BCS Happenings
Panel on Learning Disabilities in reading, writing and math, aka Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia
Consider the ways that learning disabilities like dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia affect people. Join BPS teachers, parents and students as we learn about options, support, and ways forward.
Wednesday February 16 6:30-8pm on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89870037514?pwd=enZ6ZGRMZXZxVjJFRThhUWp6N3k2dz09
Contact the BCS Diversity Committee at rjoseph@birmingham.k12.mi.us for more info.
BCS Spirit Week
The BCS National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) has organized a school wide Spirit Week to run from February 14th - 18th! While students are not required to participate it's a fun way to show school spirit and express their creativity!
Vision and Hearing Screening at BCS
Please see the Hearing and Vision Screening Information Sheet regarding screening scheduled for the 2021-2022 school year. BCS 3rd, 5th and 7th grade students will conclude vision screening on February 15. BCS 4th grade students are scheduled for vision testing February 17-18. Students in grades not listed are not screened. If you do not want your child screened, please email Courtney Basset at mailto:CBassett@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
BPS Outdoor Art Event
May 7th from 1-4 at Beverly Park, all of the art departments in the district will be hosting an out-door, hands on art making event in lieu of the normal district wide art show held at the EAC every year. Our hope as a department is this event gives us an opportunity to engage with our community. Every school will be offering a different art experience. BCS will be gathering materials for a large outdoor textile weaving. We are also offering staff, students, and families to participate in a large collaborative mural. If you would like to be a part of the BCS mural you will need to turn in a finished plastic container (see example below) by April 22, 2022.
We appreciate you participation and are excited to see what creative artwork you all make.
Amanda Husband
Art Teacher
BCS
Battle of the Books 2022
Registration for Battle of the Books 2022 is now open! The form can be found at the BPS Battle website: https://www.baldwinlib.org/battle-of-the-books/. Each team should submit only one registration. There is also a form on the website in case you need to make changes to your registration. If you need help finding a team, there will also be a form for that, which will open on Monday, February 21. Keep reading…the Battle is only a month away! :-)
Class of 2026 Notes
Dear 8th Grade Parents/Guardians,
As we previously communicated, though we are just completing the first semester here at BCS, we are starting to get ready for our 8th graders to transition to high school. We wanted to remind you of some updates that we have for you at this time.
Upcoming Events:
· February 15th: Students will meet with Counselors to input their high school course selections into PowerSchool.
Save this Google Doc:
- BCS 8th Grade Scheduling 2022 This will be updated with additional links and information throughout the scheduling window
We look forward to working with you and your child to help set him/her up for a successful freshman year of high school. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Karen Kohler (last names A-K) - kkohler@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Jen Wagner (last names L-Z) - jwagner2@birmingham.k12.mi.us
8th Grade Celebration Information
8th GRADE CELEBRATION - JUNE 7 at 6:30PM
6pm - Students arrive
6:30-7:30pm - Ceremony
7:30-8:00pm - Reception
8:00 - 10:00pm - Dance (for graduates only)
2021-2022 8th GRADE CELEBRATION PLANNING
Planning for the Class of 2022 8th Grade Celebration is underway. Get involved by joining one of the subcommittees. We have many areas where we can put your talents to use!
Subcommittee Chair (s)
Ceremony
Jen Gregg & Shannon Anderson
Then & Now Video
Open
Reception
Margaret Mann
Dance
Stephanie Toma & Tania Yatooma
T shirts
Julie Bergesen & open
Fundraising
Amy Youn
Class Gift
Lisa Nederlander
Last Day Breakfast
Angie Penney
HOW TO GET INVOLVED/VOLUNTEER?
We are looking for 8th grade parents to join our committees. If you are interested in joining a planning committee, please sign up at this link.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050545a8ab2da13-8thgrade
If you would like to make a monetary donation to help fund the 8th Grade Celebration, you can make a contribution through this link.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DFUXAV7WWW532
We will also be soliciting volunteers to help during the last week of school. That Signup Genius will be sent out via the WAG in the weeks prior to the event.
We would love your help to make this a great celebration for our kids!
Questions? Please contact Shannon Anderson - shannonanderson24@gmail.com
or Jen Gregg - Jen_gregg@comcast.net
Bagel Sales Return - Forget the flowers. Send your sweetheart bagels!
While the pandemic has sidelined several of the 8th Grade fundraising opportunities, we have partnered with the Bagel Boys (Birmingham Public Schools students and BCS alumni!) to bring delicious bagels, cream cheese and lox directly to your home. For the entire month of February, the Bagel Boys will offer BCS family and friends a 10% discount on all bagel orders AND will give 10% of all sales back to the 8th grade class to help supplement graduation fundraising needs.
All orders (due by 1PM on Saturdays) are delivered to your doorstep on Sunday morning fresh from the Original Bagel Factory.
Bagel Boys deliver to: Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Southfield, Lathrup Village, Franklin, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Oak Park, and Royal Oak. So please extend this promotion to your friends and family as well.
Click on the link below and make sure to use coupon code: BCS10
Please return BCS Open House Yard signs!
BCS Choice Hour
Important Reminders
- Choice Hour runs daily from 3:20-4:10pm
- Busses come AFTER Choice Hour
Choice Hour Schedules
Schedules are available online listed by Student ID number HERE.
Updated class lists will also be given to the teachers weekly while we process choice hour changes. The master schedule is also posted on the Choice Hour Board in the main hall. Our teachers do a great job of acclimating our students to Choice Hour the first few weeks!
Reporting a Choice Hour Absence
Email BCSChoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us or leave a message at 248.203.4625
Questions? Contact Courtney Bassett at BCSChoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
BCS Pride
Attention all students! Want to be part of a fun club dedicated to making B C S a safe space for everyone?
Join BCS Pride! We meet every Tuesday 4:15-5pm in Room 600B. Email Mr. Joe for more information: rjoseph@bps-schools.com
PTA Update
Road Rally T-shirt Sponsorship Opportunity
This year we have up to five sponsorship spots for the back of our Road Rally T-shirts!! Just imagine, the name of your business on the shirts of all of the participants running around town and at the tailgate- how fun!!
At this time, we have only THREE spots remaining!! The t-shirt sponsorship is $500 per business. They will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. The final deadline to be considered is March 10th, 2022. Please email Jenny Wheeler at jennybwheeler@gmail.com if interested and complete the T-Shirt Sponsorship Form
2022 BCS Blast Auction - Call for Volunteers
Please help us make the 2022 Blast Auction a huge success! Did you know that PTA fundraising is the primary source of financial support for BCS's unique curriculum? Our annual Blast Auction is the largest PTA fundraiser and supports the purchase of technology, books, supplies and programming not covered by public funds. Last year's Auction raised over $28,000 in funds to support BCS - we need your help to do this again!
Check out the positions we could use YOUR help with and volunteer! Please sign up by February 10th.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4FA8AD2AAAF85-bcsauction
BPS Community News
Birmingham Youth Assistance Nominations
Birmingham Youth Assistance seeks to honor any student in grades 6 through 12 who lives or is educated within the geographic boundaries of the Birmingham Public School district and has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service during the past twelve months. Students nominated for this program will be honored at a reception, receive commendations from national, state, and local government officials, and possibly receive a financial award. Visit https://www.birminghamyouthassistance.org/youth-in-service for more details. All submissions must be received by Thursday, February 17. Students are responsible for following up with the nominator and ensuring that both forms are submitted by the deadline.
Seaholm Girls Basketball Midwinter Break Camp
BEF "Stars of Tomorrow" - Deadline for entries is February 22
Calling all singers, dancers, musicians & special talents! Students and staff of BPS are invited to submit a video showing off their talents to the BEF for their upcoming "BPS Stars of Tomorrow" event which will be broadcast on Thursday, March 10th at 7 pm. Winners will be awarded a $200 Visa gift card for themselves as well as a $1000 grant for their school. Entries are due February 22nd. For more information and to submit your entry click here.
Birmingham Girls Softball
Birmingham Girls Softball returns for its 23rd season! BGS is southeast Oakland County’s largest girls recreational softball league with over 300 players. Online registration is now open at www.birminghamsoftball.com. Birmingham Girls Softball is a community-based, non-profit organization providing girls ages 6 to 14 the opportunity to play organized recreational softball. The group is dedicated to teaching young ladies the fundamentals of softball in a safe and fun environment with teamwork and good sportsmanship being their top priorities. BGS is open to all girls interested in playing softball for the first time and those with prior experience looking to build on and develop the skills needed to play the game for years to come. All that BGS requires is a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. For questions, please email Jeff Weber at jweb666@me.com.
Birmingham Bulldogs Junior Lacrosse
Registration is open to all boys grades 1st through 8th, including those that have never played lacrosse. You can register through the following link - https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/298197. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact info@birminghambulldogs.org or visit www.birminghambulldogs.org for more information.
MiSelf in Books
The Birmingham Public Schools Library Media Department is pleased to invite our community on a journey into the world of story. We hope to share with our community some of the diverse content in our libraries and how it impacts the way we walk in this world. We are inviting you to listen to a read-aloud and participate in a discussion of a selection of books chosen from the MISelf in Books list. This event occurs weekly on Thursdays 7-7:30pm, excepting school scheduled holidays.
For more information and to register for this event, visit https://www.smore.com/skn6a.
Announcements from Chartwells
BCS is going cashless:
If students would like to continue to make a cash payments, the student can find Mr. Allen in the cafeteria during breakfast.
Other Helpful Resources...
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 Joni Say Gan at JSaygan@birmingham.k12.mi.us with any questions.
Early Dismissal Procedures
Please review these procedures to help keep your students and school safe.
Parents
- Buzz the front door
- Enter building and sign out student
- Show ID
- Student will be called to office
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
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
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
Cobra Crew
On Thursdays during 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 lunch-recesses, we will be hosting Cobra Crew, an opportunity for peer engagement through games and conversation for any interested students.
A limited number of passes will be available each Thursday for those who would like to join. The purpose of Cobra Crew is to promote kindness, empathy and community at BCS.
If you are interested in opting your child out of this opportunity, please email your child’s counselor.