Week of 10/24/22
.... 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:
Monday, October 24: 5/6 Camp
Tuesday, October 25: 5/6 Camp
Wednesday, October 26: 5/6 Camp
Thursday, October 27: Choice Hour Sign Up Due*
Friday, October 28:
Half Day, Monday, October 31, Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
No School, Tuesday, November 8
Greetings BCS Families!
BCS Community Service Project
The staff and students want to send a HUGE thank you to our PTA for their support of our community read this year. We all enjoyed The Boy at the Back of the Class and it helped us gain a better understanding of our core values and the Cobra Compass. It was such a wonderful experience that we would like to be able to pay it forward and pass this opportunity on to another school. If you would like to donate your copy of the book please return it next week and place it in one of the bins in front of the office. If you loved it so much and want to hang on to it that is absolutely fine too. We are just so grateful for the time and resources to build essential reading skills while developing empathy and comradery, and would love to share that with our neighbors too.
BCS' Character Education Application, National School of Character
Character education is an instrumental aspect of our school culture and its integration into our BCS community enhances learning outcomes for all students. For those unaware, BCS was one of the first schools in the district to receive the prestigious National School of Character designation from Character.Org about 15 years ago. This is a highly competitive recognition and involves thoughtful planning, action, and evidence from all members of our school community. Character.org organizes its program around 11 Principles for Schools. If you would like more information about each of these Principles, feel free to review the linked information: https://character.org/11-principles-in-schools.
We Need Your Feedback!
This year, we are up for recertification and plan to submit our application early in November. Part of the application asks for feedback from all school stakeholders, including our wonderful parents, and we hope you can take about 10 minutes to complete the linked survey: BCS Character Education Survey.
Thank you so much for your investment and trust in helping every student actualize their utmost potential. Without healthy collaboration between all school stakeholders, we would not be able to run such successful educational initiatives and programming. It certainly takes a village!
Yours in BCS solidarity,
Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
All School News
Choice Hour Quarter II
Choice Hour Quarter II
November 9, 2022 - January 19, 2023
Sign up is online and due Thursday, October 27 at 11:59pm!
How to Sign Up
Follow the instructions on the Choice Hour Page of the website. Use the google form to sign up while referencing the course guide.
Questions? Email BCSChoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
PTA Update
PTA October 6th Meeting Minutes
1. Out next PTA meeting will be held on November 3rd at 6:15pm at BCS. We hope to see you there.
2. We hope that everyone can join us for our annual Halloween Parade, beginning at 10:15am. Dr. Hakim and Mr. Hill is lead the students from the tech services around the front loop and returning to the building through the bus loop doors. Parents are welcome to find a spot along to route to snap some photos of their children.
3. 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.
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!
Literati Book Fair November 14-17
What was your favorite book growing up? Help BCS students find the stories they'll love forever by volunteering at our Book Fair! Please consider being a book fair volunteer.
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.
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.
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.
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)