Week of 5/15/2023
.... 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
5/15/23 - This week at BCS
Monday, May 15: 3/4 Town Hall, 5/6 Town Hall
Tuesday, May 16: BirBerry Quiz Bowl, Track Meet (A)
Wednesday, May 17: BCS Bagel Morning, PTA Reflections lunch, 7/8 Town Hall, 5th Grade Orchestra Concert
Thursday, May 18: Boys Tennis (A)
Friday, May 19: Volunteer Breakfast
Saturday, May 20: BCS Garden Clean Up
Looking ahead:
6-8 Grade Orchestra Concert 5/24
5th Grade Band Concert 5/25
Maker Faire 5/26
Memorial Day 5/29 - No School
BCS Alumni Breakfast 6/1
Greetings BCS Families!
First, a huge thank you to our BCS parents, families, and PTA for your time and generosity during Teacher & Staff Appreciation! Our staff is incredibly grateful for all of your support, kindness, and thoughtfulness. You really made this an extraordinary week! Next, we want to wish every amazing BCS mother a very Happy Mother's Day! We hope your children recognize you for everything you do for them. BCS would not be the same place without the contributions, time, and dedication of our loving BCS moms. THANK YOU!
As you are aware, one of the top priorities Birmingham Public Schools has outlined in its strategic plan is to create a culture of unity and well-being for all students, parents/caregivers and staff. To accomplish these goals, the district will launch an annual climate survey to assess the perceptions students, families and staff have of the district, schools and departments.
As an important partner in your child’s education, BPS values input from our community and we believe hearing directly from your student(s) is vital. Students' voices are important as we work to improve our communication, academic programming and overall school experience. To learn more about their experiences at school, we will be asking for feedback through an online survey that will be completed at school. The 2022-2023 survey, which is anonymous and takes less than 20 minutes to complete, begins Monday, May 22 and concludes Friday, June 2. Your student will only need to complete the survey once.
We highly encourage all BPS students to participate in the surveys, as their feedback will provide us invaluable insight into their experiences and how the district can improve/adapt to their needs. If a student does not feel they have enough information to answer a question, they are allowed to skip the item altogether. The survey content will ask students to self-reflect on their general perceptions about the school, preparedness to learn, sense of belonging, cultural awareness, and school engagement.
If you have questions about the BPS Climate Survey or wish to visit the school to view the survey questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via telephone or email. Additionally, please notify us if you would like your student not to participate in taking the climate survey by completing this questionnaire https://rb.gy/m6mc9r no later than Friday, May 19.
Thank you for your continued support and for being a partner in your child's learning!
Yours in BCS Solidarity,
Dr. Omar Hakim
BCS, Principal
Mr. Jason Hill
BCS, Assistant Principal
All School News
Annual Character Survey
Please take 5-10 minutes to take this character survey which provides us with valuable information for next year. Thank you for your continued support of our work around the 11 Principles.
Welcome, Riker!
Riker is our newest cobra at BCS! She is a caring and gentle Mini Goldendoodle who began training at about ten weeks old. At Covington, Riker will help reduce stress and anxiety, promote positive feelings and support students and staff. We need your help spreading awareness about our BCS Therapy Dog, Riker and are hoping to enlist support from our Cobra community. Your support is valued and appreciated. Whether you are visiting for a one-time donation, giving a birthday gift to our doodle, or want to support this cause ongoing, thank you!
Save the date for Move Up Day!
Monday, June 5th from 9-10:30 a.m.
New students and parents are invited into our school for this event! While parents are educated on BCS through a series of different presentations, students meet their teachers, classmates and participate in activities to become acclimated to their new school.
Current BCS students will move up to their next grade level and meet their teachers!
We are looking for parent volunteers! Please considering helping out!
BCS School Garden Clean Up - Last One!
We are looking for volunteers to help clean up the BCS garden on the following dates. Please use the attached link to sign up. Thank you!!!
May 20th 10-12pm
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4faea82aa13-bcsschool#/
8th Grade Celebration
Mark your calendars for the 8th Grade Celebration! It will be on Tuesday, June 6th, at 6:30pm.
For more information: 8th Grade Celebration
We need your help for the graduation to be a success! Please see the following sign up genius for opportunities to donate your time and resources!
The first need is to help hang the 8th grade lobby photos at 4pm on Wednesday, 5/24. Please consider helping!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080d45ada72baa8-8thgrade#/
Last day of School (6/9/23): 7th & 8th Grade Parent VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Breakfast Set Up (Cafeteria): 8:00-11:00am
Clean Up (Cafeteria): 8:00-11:00am
Servers (Cafeteria): 8:00-11:00am
Sign up genius will be posted and sent out at a later date
PTA Update
Purchase your school supplies for next year! This year they will be delivered directly to your house! Click here.
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast is May 19th from 8-9:30am in the BCS Media Center.
Move Up Day is Monday, June 5th from 9-10:30am. Move Up Day is an exciting day where students will get to meet their teacher for the fall and we welcome the incoming 3rd graders. We are looking for a few volunteers to help with the day's event. Please sign up here.
Thank you to everyone who donated items for Staff Appreciation week! The staff definitely felt loved this week!
BPS Community News
Save the date and spread the word...
Groves Performing Arts Company Announcement
Seaholm PTA Announcement
Parents of Incoming Seaholm Freshmen, Fall of 2023
Join the Seaholm Class of 2027 PTA Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1804565839921537/?ref=share_group_link
Save the date and spread the word! Next month’s Seaholm PTA Meeting will focus on welcoming incoming freshman parents and will offer a Q&A to help families prepare for the transition to high school. Join on May 9 at 7 PM via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2922464717?pwd=YUl4S29aZXc2QS9MV1gycWc4SmhRdz09
Seaholm PTA Executive Board Opening for 2023/24 School Year
The PTA is looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to serve on the PTA Board next year. The Volunteer Coordinator attends PTA and PTA Executive Board meetings and helps gather volunteers for activities throughout the year. It is a relatively low time commitment and is a great way to meet other Seaholm parents and Seaholm administrators. Contact Andrea Long (a_long00@hotmail.com) if you’re interested in this position.
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)