Week of 9/19/22
.... 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
9/19/22 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 9/19
Tuesday, 9/20
- 7 PM - BPS Family Pride, BCS Media Center BPS Parent Pride Flyer
Wednesday, 9/21
Thursday, 9/22
- Picture Day *
- 4:15-4:45 PM Diversity Club Meeting, in person at BCS in Room 600A or join via Zoom Link
- Grades 7/8 Curriculum Night: 6-8:45 p.m. (PTA Meet & Greet 6:00-6:25 p.m.; Principals, Co-Curricular Teachers, and PTA Co-Chairs 6:30-7:00 p.m.; Follow Student Schedule 7:05-8:45 PM)
Friday, 9/23
Upcoming Dates:
- Sun 9/25- Tue. 9/27 - District-Observed Holiday, Rosh Hashanah. We honor and celebrate with all families and staff observing Rosh Hashanah.
- 9/29 - Half Day for Students, Teacher Professional Development in PM
Greetings BCS Families!
It was wonderful to see our 3/4 families during our 3/4 Curriculum Night last night! We appreciate your support, investment, and partnership with us as we help provide your children with the best educational experience possible. Linked are our September Meeting Minutes from our September PTA Meeting and below you will find embedded slides of the Principal's Report. We encourage you to review these notes and the presentation for important school information related to the 22-23 school year.
This week, we celebrated the US Constitution in honor of Constitution Day scheduled nationally on 9/17/22! Today, our 7th and 8th graders attended a field a trip at the Oakland County Circuit Court and our students were able to engage with court staff, officers of the law, judges, and attorneys. Judge Michael Warren provided us with an excellent informative presentation about the US Constitution, its origins, and the rights afforded to every citizen in the United States. He highlighted why it is so important to know the foundational values and vision embedded in our Constitution as it directly impacts our collective aspiration in our pursuit of a more "perfect union." There was a surprise visit from James Madison who hosted the Constitution Day Quiz Bowl, and our 7/8 students were outstanding and excited to participate. Our 3/4 and 5/6 students have engaged in lessons throughout the week around civics education and American Patriotism. Patriot Week lessons were embedded in classroom lessons, including honoring and remembering those lives lost on 9/11. As a community, we hope to take this moment to unite as a community in the Core Democratic Values we hold so dear and give our students the opportunity to engage one another beyond individual beliefs and perspectives in a manner that helps us work together to live up to the ideals of this great nation.
We wish everyone a relaxing weekend and hope to see many of you this evening at our Ice Cream Social!
Yours in BCS Solidarity,
Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
All School News
Community Read Discussion Questions for Home
Beginning the week of 9/12, students will begin a school-wide community read. The book chosen for the 22-23 school year is The Boy at the Back of the Class. This book is about how one ordinary nine-year-old child and three classmates that are full of empathy and curiosity become friends with the new boy in their class. For Ahmet, a boy that comes to their school as a refugee from Syria this means everything.
This week, students read Chapters 4-8 in our community read.
This week’s home discussion topic:
This week we want you to focus on what you know about refugees. Here is a question to think about this week: If you had to run away from a war and leave your house and school behind forever, what three things would you take with you?
BCS Picture Day - 9/22/22
BCS Bagel Sale!
We are excited to bring back bagel mornings to BCS for the 2022-2023 school year! The third Wednesday of each month (beginning 9/21 and ending 5/17) from 8:00-8:18am in front of the Media Center!
If you have not already done so (through Membership Toolkit) you can still pre-order your child’s bagels - $30 per student for the year. Includes bagel and cream cheese (plain or salt bagel only).
If you have not already ordered, please either:
1) Sign up via your Membership Toolkit account at:
bcspta.membershiptoolkit.com
- OR -
2) Turn in the attached form (link) and cash or a check (made out to BCS PTA Clearinghouse) for $30 per student to the main office
Bagels organized by (and proceeds go to) the 8th Grade Celebration Committee.
Questions? Contact Louisa Egido at espanolegido@gmail.com or Julia Christman at vereshju@yahoo.com.
BPS Family Pride- Tuesday, Sept. 20, 7:00 p.m.
Our first meeting of this school year will be Tuesday, September 20th @ 7:00 pm in the BCS Media Center. We will have a guest speaker from Affirmations in Ferndale joining us for our first meeting. Justin Bettcher (he/him) is the Community Engagement Manager at Affirmations and he will be a fantastic source of information/support/resources for anything parents have questions about. Justin knows firsthand from his work at Affirmations what LGBTQ+ kids and teens need from their parents, their families and their school to thrive. BPS Parent Pride Flyer
National Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15-10/15)
Also know BPS sponsors our Latino Family Network (LAFAN) Birmingham Public which meets next Monday, Sept. 26, 7:00 p.m. in the Education and Administration Center, Sycamore Room
This is LAFAN's first meeting of the year. Everyone is welcome to attend, whether you have Latino Heritage, just want to learn more about the culture or make new connections. LAFAN mission is to connect Hispanic/Latino families within our district, to provide educational excellence and equity to our students and to celebrate family traditions and values. All are welcome to join!
District Youth Perfect Tri Long Sleeve T-Shirt Hoodie
BCS Touchstone Logo Bella + Canvas Youth Triblend Short Sleeve Tee
BCS Touchstone Logo District Youth Perfect Tri Long Sleeve T-Shirt Hoodie
PTA Update
Thank you to everyone who has given so generously this year, there is still time to make your donation to the PTA. We are currently short of our fundraising goal by just over $5,000. It is through your generous donation that we are able to fund K'Nex used in Eng Tech, the novels for the Community Read, No Red Ink program used in the 5/6 team, and so much more. Please make your donation here.
Thursday, September 22 is Picture Day. In order to make the day run as smoothly as possible we are looking for some parent volunteers to help out. Please consider helping out for a few hours. Sign up here. Order your student's pictures now using the code, 22BCS23.
3/4 Coney Night is back! 3rd and 4th grade families, join us on Thursday, September 29th from 6-8pm for a fun night of Bingo and Coney Dogs. Please consider pre ordering your ticket so we can prepare appropriately. Return the completed form to the front office by September 26th.
BCS PTA Parent and Volunteer Survey - Please complete!
- The PTA committee is hoping to make improvements to our monthly meetings. We need your help to determine what would be the best direction to move forward with our meetings. Please fill out this PTA survey so we can better support the BCS community.
- The PTA is looking for volunteers. Please let us know where you and your talents will be best used.
- Click surveys embedded below.
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.
5th Grade Physical Education Run!
Seaholm Boys Soccer Clinic
This half day clinic takes place on September 29th, which is a district wide half day. The clinic will be 1:00-3:00 p.m. Sign up here.
Third Annual Strides for SOS Run/Walk
The Strides for SOS 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk is happening October 9th! It's the biggest SOS fundraiser of the year and a fun event for your whole family. Register by October 2nd to be guaranteed a race shirt. You can also help support SOS through a Family Sponsorship. Get all the details and register today: Strides for SOS Registration & Details
SOS assists families in the BPS Community with financial needs and volunteer services. Your participation in Strides for SOS will help ensure that SOS can continue supporting families throughout the year.
Board of Education Candidate Forum
The Seaholm and Groves PTAs are hosting a BPS Board of Education Candidate Forum on October 11 at 7 pm at Seaholm High School. Save the date to hear from and learn about all six BPS Board of Education candidates that are running for the two open spots on this November's ballot. Families from all BPS schools are invited to attend.
Birmingham Education Foundation - Welcome Back to School
Each year, the BEF typically grants upwards of $100,000 towards projects that enrich and enhance education for all BPS students. If every family in our district gave just $35, we would start the year with more than $175,000 to grant, allowing teachers to provide innovative experiences and opportunities that go above and beyond for our kids. Please visit https://www.supportbef.org/make-a-gift.html and make your donation today.
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.
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.
Early Dismissal Procedures
Please review these procedures to help keep your students and school safe.
Parents
- Buzz the front door
- Show identification to the camera
- Enter building and sign out student on blue sheet on clipboard
- Wait in vestibule for student
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
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)