Week of 1/18/2021
.... 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
1/18/2021 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 1/18
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
- Quarter III Choice Hour Begins - ALL VIRTUAL
- BCS Diversity Committee Meetings every Tuesday 7:30-8am. Please join at this link: https://zoom.us/j/94515515954?pwd=VGgvWVJUUWQ3SjdCWmhvWU9DRFhKdz09
- BCS Pride every Tuesday 4:15-5pm. Please email Rick Joseph at rjoseph@birmingham.k12.mi.us for details.
Thursday, 1/21
- Material Distribution, ALL VIRTUAL STUDENTS 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.*
- Virtual 3rd and 4th Grade Students: Laptop Return 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.*
Friday, 1/22
Coming up...
Greetings, BCS Families!
BCS honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrates his legacy rooted in justice, civility, and hope for a better society for all. We encourage everyone to observe his legacy by participating in one or more of the following MLK day activities during this extended weekend in his honor. We hope the links below inspire you to have deeper conversations, make broader connections to current events, and discuss how we protect and uphold the values we all hold so dear.
After you have completed an activity and had time for reflection please share your experience with us by submitting a video to FlipGrid. We encourage you to be creative in your responses feeling free to use art, music, poetry in addition to your voice.
Watch our BCS Diversity Committee Panel on "Being Black at BCS and Beyond". BCS Diversity Committee is led by Mr. Rick Joseph, BCS 5/6 Teacher and Michigan Teacher of the Year 2016. Our Diversity Committee meets every other Tuesday. For more information or to join our BCS Diversity Committee please reach out to Mr. Joseph.
Watch BCS 5th grader Kennedy Flemings share her reflections after participating in a Black Lives Matter march. Listen to her powerful words of wisdom.
Watch BCS Alumni and current Groves Student, Paris Allen read a story about two young girls who help to change history in this inspiring Civil Rights-era book.
“A Sweet Smell of Roses“ By: Angela Johnson, Illustrated by: Eric Velazquez. LINK AVAILABLE THROUGH 1/19 ONLY
To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. consider one of these activities or resources:
- Say Something! Create a symbol of peace and share! Use paint, crayons, art supplies, yarn, recycled materials to create a unique expression of peace.
- Virtually attend and participate in a MLK event. This link is for the 18th Annual Detroit MLK Day brought to you by MLK Detroit.
- Listen to Sometimes People March.
- Discuss some of Martin Luther King Jr famous quotes
- Listen to Say Something. What is something, someone, some group, or purpose that you can advocate for? Think of ways you can start advocating.
- Watch a 30-minute Video “PBS Kids talk about Race and Racism” and have a parent/child discussion. You can download these printable worksheets to facilitate your discussion.
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
Yours in BCS Solidarity,
Dr. Hakim and Mr. Hill
All School News
BCS Choice Hour Updates
Current Choice Hours (Quarter II) end this week - the last day is Thursday, January 14. There is no choice hour on Friday, january 15 (half day).
Quarter III Choice Hour - All Virtual
January 19, 2021 - April 23, 2021
Sign up was due Wednesday, January 13 but you can still submit a late sign up
Key things to know:
Quarter III Choice Hour will run virtually and begins Tuesday, January 19th.
- Quarter III course offerings and sign up can be found here: https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/6952
- Students who are returning in person: Students are urged to sign up on the days they are NOT in school as participating virtually at 3:25pm will be difficult when traveling home.
- M/W students should plan to take Choice Hours on T/Th/F
- T/Th students should plan to take Choice Hours on M/W/F
- All Virtual Students can take choice hour on any day
- Classes will mostly be synchronous, however, there will be some asynchronous offerings as well.
- The schedules for Quarter III will be available electronically by Monday, January 18th
- Any late sign ups submitted after January 15 will not begin until the following week, Monday January 25.
- There will not be a change period for this quarter.
- Students can drop through Monday, January 25, 2021 and receive a refund.
- Late adds will be accepted through Monday, January 25.
Please direct any Choice Hour questions to BCSchoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Material Distribution - Thursdays 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Material distribution for VIRTUAL STUDENTS IN ALL GRADES will take place in the front vestibule of the school. This is the ONLY time we will have distribution during the week. Please confirm with your student's teacher if material will be handed out. If you cannot pick up material at this time, please coordinate with a friend or family member to do so. Not all Grades or Classes will have distributions each week. (If your student is hybrid, they will receive material in school.)
Thursdays: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
ZOOMusical!
3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Engineering Technology Students
All K’nex on loan will need to be returned this week. If you are returning to in-person learning, please bring them to class on your schedule cohort day.
The following cohorts are do not have in person Eng Tech this week. I am asking that you please bring your K'nex to your homeroom class where I will collect it.
- 3/4 students in Cohort B Mrs. Parkin’s homeroom
- 5th grade students in Cohort A of Joseph/Warner
- 5th grade students in Cohort B of Cook/Lowery
If you are a student choosing the always virtual option, you will need to return the kit during the normal materials pick up time.
Breakfast and Lunch by Chartwells
Lunch is available free of charge to all students. There will be 2 cold lunch options provided by Chartwells.
Chartwells Meals for Distance Learning
BCS Picture Retake Day - POSTPONED
Hello BCS Families!
Due to the change in our schedule, Picture Retakes are Postponed. We will update you as soon as a new date is set. Thank you for your patience!
Student Medications & Medical Updates
Attention to Attendance
Parents/Guardians must email the attendance line at bcsattendance@birmingham.k12.mi.us to provide detailed information regarding your students’ absence or tardiness by 8:45 am each day.
Absences or tardies not reported to the BCS attendance office will be recorded as unexcused (please note that sending a note to your child’s teacher does not excuse your child. Always contact the attendance office in the event of a student absence). Please send an accompanying doctor’s note as well (PDF format) if appropriate.
Hybrid Families - Starting January 11, 2021, Clear to Go MUST be submitted for your student BEFORE they enter the building for their cohort day.
PTA Blast Road Rally - Call for Volunteers
The BCS Blast Road Rally is coming on Sunday, April 25, 2021!
The BCS Blast Committee is hard at work preparing this year’s Blast and we could use some help! Please join in supporting your child’s education by volunteering for the Blast! Please contact Donna Kramer dkramer216@yahoo.com or join our next BCS Blast Zoom meeting, January 27, 2021 at 9am.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88207752828?pwd=blFUMER3bXNKWnBoa3YzR1VzQmg5Zz09
Meeting ID: 88207752828 Password: 167735
Partnerships@Home Learning Series
The most important thing parents and caregivers can do right now is to keep a love of learning alive for their children. Parents and caregivers are essential partners in supporting learning at home, but what does this mean? Parents do not need to be teachers or content area experts. Please join our Partnerships@Home Learning Series for some ideas about fostering curiosity and a sense of wonder during everyday family life.
Please see this flyer to learn more and register for the events: https://www.smore.com/sb0xg-partnerships-home
This Series is brought to you by Oakland Schools. There is no fee, but registration is required.
Celebrate BCS!
PTA Reflections District Finalists
Dance Choreography:
Intermediate: Emme K.
Middle School: Abby M., Grace Y.
Film Production:
Intermediate: Zac M.
Middle School: Arielle L., Charlisa P.
Literature:
Intermediate: Megan G., Simreen P.
Middle School: Sienna A., Henry V.
Music Composition:
Intermediate: William M., Desmond R.
Middle School: Arielle L, Charlisa P.
Photography:
Intermediate: TJ K., Sullivan K.
Middle School: Annie J., Leena K.
Visual Arts:
Intermediate: Madison L., Rachain P.
Middle School: Arielle L., Dominic B.
BCS Virtual Showcase
During the school year at BCS our hallways and classrooms are overflowing with our student’s creative projects. With students learning online we are missing the opportunity to collectively celebrate our students’ work. We are looking for students who want to showcase their work created in class at BCS. Each student will be asked to submit a short (less than 30 seconds) video to highlight their project, classwork or assignment. We will be using FlipGrid. We can only invite students through their @bps-schools.com emails. Once the FlipGrid is created and finished we will share with all participants and may also share to our social media or website.
If your student is interested in sharing artwork, a project or assignment please complete This BCS Virtual Showcase Interest Form. If interested, please respond by January 22, 2021. All students will be emailed an invitation to complete their video via FlipGrid.
BCS Student Opportunities!
BPS Saturday School
We are happy to announce that the BPS Saturday School will once again be operating throughout the school year to offer academic support and tutoring for all BPS students grades K – 12. Although we are currently operating virtually as a district, BPS Saturday School takes place every Saturday (excluding holidays and breaks) throughout the school year. Saturday School is normally hosted in the media center at Berkshire Middle School, but we are now operating virtually through Zoom from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. each Saturday on the following dates:
November: 21
December: 5, 12, 19
January: 9, 22, 30
February: 6, 27
March: 6, 13, 20
April: 10, 17, 24
May: 1, 8, 15, 22
The BPS Saturday School Coordinators will be working together with Groves’ NHS students as well as Oakland University student teachers to provide tutoring through Zoom and the use of “breakout rooms.” Our coordinators will be able to maneuver back and forth between breakout rooms to be able to monitor and support the tutorials. Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2047672482?pwd=T3pVU1REUXZTN09NM1MvSSsrVTJiZz09
Please visit the BPS Saturday School webpage to learn more and we hope to see you in this year’s virtual setting! https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/domain/839
3/4 News
Laptop Return
Now that students are acclimated to their district supplied chromebook, we are ready to accept devices that were previously checked out. Please label your student's laptop with their name (first and last) and academic lab teacher.
Virtual students who have a BCS or BPS Laptop checked out can return their device during material pick up on Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
5/6 News
Ms. Sikand's Art Supply List
The required materials:
A. 9" x 12" sketchbook
B. Sketching pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
C. Eraser
D. Blending Stump/tortillions (1-2)
E. Color pencils
F. Fine tip black marker (for illustration work)
Suggestion: The Dollar Stores have most these supplies including the 9"x12" sketchbook if you are on a budget. Craft stores and art stores are another alternative. Walmart has art supplies as well. If you are in need assistance in purchasing these items, please contact Mr. Hill JHIll@birmingham.k12.mi.us or Dr. Hakim OHakim@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
7/8 News
Ms. Sikand's Art Supply List
The required materials:
A. 9" x 12" sketchbook
B. Sketching pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
C. Eraser
D. Blending Stump/tortillions (1-2)
E. Color pencils
F. Fine tip black marker (for illustration work)
G. Calligraphy pen (black) any type
Suggestion: The Dollar Stores have most these supplies including the 9"x12" sketchbook if you are on a budget. Craft stores and art stores are another alternative. Walmart has art supplies as well. If you are in need of assistance in purchasing these items, please contact Mr. Hill JHill@birmingham.k12.mi.us or Dr. Hakim OHakim@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
Nurses' Update
Shop BCS!
2020-2021 Yearbook
Yearbooks for the 2020-2021 school year can be purchased for $35 with the given link.
https://yearbookforever.com/schools/birmingham_covington_school_buy_yearbook_308378/
https://snap.yearbookforever.com/index.html#/upload/308378
When uploading photos, use access code BCS.
BCS Tumblers & Bottles
Other Helpful Resource Links...
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
BCS Media Center Material Circulation
The BCS Library Media Center is excited to begin circulating materials for the 2020-21 school year! Until we are back in school face-to-face, we are implementing a holds-and-pickup system. All patrons are invited to find materials using our Destiny Library Catalog. If you find something you want, put it on hold! Mrs. Truesdell, your school library media specialist, will pull the materials that are available and have them ready for you by your next grade level pickup day at BCS. Please visit our library website or watch this video for more details.