Week of 1/24/2022
.... 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
1/24/22 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 1/24
Tuesday, 1/25
- BCS Pride Meeting 4:15-5:00 p.m. in Mr. Emmi's Room
Wednesday, 1/26
Thursday, 1/27
Friday, 1/28
Upcoming Dates:
All School News
Greetings, BCS Families!
It has been quite an eventful week here at BCS buzzing with lively games, the spectacular Little Mermaid production and Science Olympiad event tomorrow. We want to take a moment and recognize the exceptional staff members, students, and families who have helped us get there. It is a fierce committment of time, resources, and energy, and we are so grateful for our BCS Cobras.
On Monday, at 8:25 AM, we will host a panel of some esteemed guests from a variety of career pathways, discussing our "Word-of-the-Month," empathy, and its relevance to their work lives. It will last an hour and will be recorded. Some of our students will be watching live to ask questions, and we invite our parents to join if you would like to participate.
- When: Monday, 1/24, 8:25 AM-9:25 AM
- BCS Hosts "Empathy in the Workplace" Panel - ZOOM LINK
- Passcode: m9mhdk
We hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
Yours in BCS solidarity,
Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
BCS Happenings
Unselfie, Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in an All About Me World-Michele Borba
Our word of the month at BCS for January is Empathy and this book by Michele Borba is an excellent resource to learn about how to cultivate empathy in our children. If you do not have the time to read the whole book, linked is a quick break down of each chapter with useful tips. Thank you for supporting our work around character education and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like to become more involved with our character committee.
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:
· Tuesday, January 25th during C-O: 8th grade students will join either Groves or Seaholm Counselors for a presentation about High school scheduling.
· Monday, January 24th: Groves High School 8th Grade Virtual Parent Night
· Tuesday, January 25th: Seaholm 8th Grade Virtual Curriculum Student and Parent Night
· Week of January 31st: 8th grade students will receive their course selection recommendations from their counselor via their school Gmail
· 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
BPS/Baldwin Birbery Reading Program
Save the Date for BPS/Baldwin Birbery Reading Program!
The Birbery Reading Program is a program brought to you by the BPS middle schools and Baldwin Public Library for all BPS 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. It is a “Mock Newbery” program that is aimed at promoting newly released, high quality literature (possible Newbery Award contenders) to our students while fostering their love of reading.
Students read from a selected list of 10 books, attend book clubs, and then participate in a building-level Quiz Bowl style trivia game to see which students will advance onto the Birbery Committee at Baldwin Library.
Titles for this year will be announced at BCS during class checkout visits this coming week! Books will be available for checkout at BCS on Friday, January 28th. They are also available for immediate checkout at Baldwin Public Library…and all BPS students are eligible for a Baldwin Library card!
For more information, visit the BCS Media Center Birbery website at https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/4309.
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
BCS PTA - Pistons Night! LAST CALL
Celebrate BCS!
Congratulations Little Mermaid Jr. Cast and Crew!
PTA Reflections Announcement
We are excited to announce the following BCS student artists who are Birmingham School District winners for the PTA Reflections Art Contest “I Will Change the World By…”. These students’ artwork will now advance to the state level for judging:
Dance Choreography:
Middle School: Grace Y.
Film Production:
Intermediate: Cliff D., Samuel M.
Middle School: Arielle L., Charlisa P.
Literature:
Intermediate: Simreen P.
Middle School: Ella P., Desmond R.
Music Composition:
Middle School: Areeya P., Charlisa P.
Photography:
Intermediate: Lyra G., Noah R.
Middle School: TJ K., Areeya P.
Visual Arts:
Middle School: Megan G., Antonio P.
Special Artist:
Photography: Joseph R.
Visual Arts: Alana K.
We are excited to have BCS so well represented at the state level of competition! What an accomplishment for all of the artists. Bravo!
BPS Community News
Seaholm - Curriculum Night for Incoming Freshman
Curriculum Night for Incoming Freshmen - Class of 2026
We hope you can join us on Tuesday, January 25 for our Virtual Curriculum Night for Incoming Freshmen and Parents!
- 6:00-6:45pm: English/Social Studies/Flex Discussion (Optional)
- 7:00-7:30pm: Curriculum Night General Session
- 7:30-7:45pm: Department Head Breakout Sessions
To learn more about the Academic Departments, Counseling, Athletics, Clubs & Activities and to view some inspirational videos, visit our site Welcome Class of 2026!
English/Social Studies/Flex Discussion, 6pm (Optional)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96661731244?pwd=ZlB0RmdTWkJUVm5WeHB6MWtpU0tmUT09
Curriculum Night General Session, 7pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Seaholm Basketball Middle School Night!
On behalf of the Seaholm Basketball Boosters, we would like to invite all 6th -8th graders to come cheer on the Seaholm Basketball team! Attached is the flyer for our upcoming Middle School night on February 1, 2022. In addition to free admission, the kids will receive a free slice of pizza and a drink.
Friends February Meeting
Skate with the Birmingham United Kings
Seaholm Girls Basketball Midwinter Break Camp
BEF "Stars of Tomorrow"
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. For more information 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.
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.