Week of 6/7/2021
.... 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
6/7/2021 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 6/7
- Alumni Gathering, Seaholm High School 4:30-5:30 p.m.
- 8th Grade Celebration, Seaholm High School 6:00 p.m.
- BCS Diversity Committee Meetings every Tuesday 7:30-8am. Please join using this link.
- BCS Pride every Tuesday 4:15-5pm. Please email Rick Joseph at rjoseph@birmingham.k12.mi.us for details.
- Medication Pick Up 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, 6/10
- Medication Pick Up 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Material Distribution, ALL VIRTUAL STUDENTS 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Last day of Choice Hour
Friday, 6/11
- Half Day - All Virtual
All School News
Greetings, BCS Families!
Well, we have arrived- the last week of school in what has been a challenging but incredible year! We faced tough realities to emerge resilient as a result, and we could not be prouder of our BCS team and community who make BCS such "a great place to be."
This week, we had so much to celebrate- concerts, ice cream trucks (thank you PTA!), foosball tournaments to name a few. In addition, we had the great honor of celebrating 3-4 Teacher, Lynne Parkin, who received the BEA Dr. Francis S. Randhal - MEEMIC Educator Excellence Award for the Elementary level. Dr. Heitsch, Lynne's family, and BCS colleagues were here to award her with an incredibly deserved recognition. Congratulations, Mrs. Parkin!
Then we learned more great news - BCS was recognized with a Promising Practice Award from Character.Org. This honor was received on account of our BCS TLC Team, who work tirelessly to live into our core values and mission, building school culture with relationships rooted in tender, loving care. Special thank you to our BCS TLC Team- Pauline Roberts, Kathy Barnas, Jessica Heckman, Jennifer Thompson, Teresa Strobel, Rick Joseph, Maggie Mittelstaedt, Melissa DeSimone, and Michelle McNulty. Congratulations and thank you for your work and commitment to character education!
Our last week will is another one planned for celebratory activities. With our 8th Grade Celebration on the 8th, more ice cream (thank you again PTA!), and modified recess activities this week, we want to remind everyone to finish the year strong and with respect to our great school community. It can be easy for students to engage in distracting behaviors, but we hope you encourage students to finish the year strong with behavior that allows them to enjoy the celebrations while still adhering to our school rules and Moral Compass. With added freedom in this last week comes added responsibility, and we want to send our students off for the summer in a celebratory manner, befitting of the challenging school year we survived!
While this is the last edition of this year's WAG, we will be sending additional information regarding end-of-the-year procedures, summer packets, and "to-dos" as we prepare for the next school year. Until then, take solace in the joy of the weekend and continue in the spirit of celebration. It has been an incredible honor to serve the BCS community, and we cannot thank you enough for your support, encouragement, and partnership this year!
Yours in BCS Solidarity,
Dr. Hakim and Mr. Hill
8th Grade Celebration
Hello BCS 8th Grade Families!
Our Farewell Celebration is quickly approaching! We are excited for the 8th graders “Walk of
Fame” while they “zoom” into high school.
Ceremony:
As a reminder, the 8th Grade Farewell Celebration Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 8th
on the Seaholm High School Stadium Field. Doors will open for family and guests at 5:30pm
and the ceremony will start promptly at 6:00pm. We are excited to announce that we no longer have a guest limitation. With the new guidelines provided by the district, ALL family and friends are welcome! Please don’t forget your masks!!
Student Arrival Times:
● 8th Grade Band/Orchestra - Please arrive by 5:00pm for tuning & warm up.
● All other 8th Graders - Please arrive by 5:30pm
● Families - All seating is general seating and will be open starting at 5:30pm.
Suggested Dress Code:
*Please note that the students will be walking on Seaholm’s football field. Comfortable shoes
are recommended. Pointy heels are NOT allowed on the turf!!
● GIRLS: Dress, skirt and blouse, or dressy pants. Please, no jeans. Shoulder straps
should be at least one inch wide. Skirts must reach fingertips.
● BOYS: Long pants or dress shorts. Please no jeans or t-shirts. Button down, polo, or
collared shirt.
Reception:
Immediately following the ceremony, there will be an outdoor reception for everyone. This will
take place outside in the parking lot by the tennis courts (this is the parking lot off of Lincoln
Street). There will be FOOD TRUCKS! Students, siblings, parents, other family members, and friends are all welcome to have a bite to eat!! COME HUNGRY!! The cost of the food is NOT covered.
BCS Alumni Gathering - Spread the Word!
Student Medication Pick Up
If your student has medication in the BCS Clinic, it can be picked up in the BCS Front Office from 9am-4pm on Wednesday, June 9 or Thursday, June 10. Medication will only be released to a parent or guardian. Please contact Joni Say Gan at JSaygan@birmingham.k12.mi.us with any questions. We will dispose of any medication not picked up by Friday, June 18.
Summer Reading for Incoming Groves Students
Groves Community Summer Reading Selection is "This Book is Anti-Racist" by Tiffany Jewell.
The meeting to discuss the text will be held on Zoom this summer, and a date and details will follow.
BCS Media Center News
All books are due past due.
NEW! Empty the Shelves for Summer Program: BCS would like to “Empty the Shelves” this summer to encourage broad reading for our students. Participation is optional and we have a few guidelines.
1. Accounts must have no fines or unreturned books by June 4, 2021.
2. Each student (grades 3-7) may check out up to 10 books for the summer.
3. Students must have parent permission which acknowledges you are responsible for these books and will return them the first week of school in the fall: Permission Form
4. Each student will receive a printed list of titles checked out.
5. BCS Virtual students will be allowed to select their books using the online hold system.
- They will be allowed to place 10 holds, however they need be sure to only place holds on books marked IN.
- Books will be available for pick up on Thursday, June 10 in the BCS office vestibule.
Book Fines
PTA Reflections Announcement
If your student did not receive their PTA Reflections gift bag during school, please check the front vestibule during material distribution times.
Thank you again, BCS community, for supporting the arts and this wonderful PTA program.
Next year’s theme is: I WILL CHANGE THE WORLD BY….
Let the creating begin!!
Amy Youn and Chonrada Penzak
BCS PTA Reflections Co-Chairs
BCS PTA Round Up!
Road Rally Follow Up:
Looking for Road Rally Team named Team Bonny. If you are a member of this team, please contact Kathleen Meyers at kathleen.meyers@gmail.com.
GiftCrowd:
In response to requests from many families for a way to thank *all staff* at BCS (ie: Co-Curriculars, Principals, Support Staff) with an end-of-the-year gift, the PTA Co-Chairs have set up a GiftCrowd page to make gifting simple. The feedback from other schools in the district who have used this site has been very positive! We are excited to offer this option to you as a voluntary way to give back to all of our great staff at BCS at the end of this crazy pandemic year.
GiftCrowd will give you the opportunity to write a personal message of thanks along with your monetary contribution. It will NOT show the recipient the dollar amount that you donate. All staff will receive a message from GiftCrowd on Thursday, June 10th with instructions on how to view all of their personal thank you messages and "spend" their gift money on a wide variety of gift cards.
Please see the message from GiftCrowd for simple instructions on how to make your contribution. Our BCS gifting link: https://www.giftcrowd.com/#/event/e6D81IGonW
Contributions may be made now through Wednesday, June 9th.
If you have any questions, please contact Donna Kramer, BCS PTA Co-Chair, at dkramer216@yahoo.com.
BCS Choice Hour Updates
Choice Hour Quarter IV Schedules (listed by Student ID Number)
Choice Hour Quarter IV Zoom Links
- Quarter IV runs Monday April 26 - Thursday June 11, 2021
- Please note that BCS busses will be switching to 4:10pm - AFTER CHOICE HOUR - starting Quarter IV (April 26)
- Students who plan on taking the bus MUST be enrolled in Choice Hour
Learn more online at https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/domain/1880
Questions?
BCSchoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
How to report a Choice Hour Absence: Call 248-203-4625 or email BCSChoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Kids Read Now
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
Schools Offer Support Helps BPS Families
SOS (Schools Offer Support) is helping families across the district. Pick up a week's worth of meals every Wednesday from 11-1 at Groves High School. SOS also provides food boxes the first Wednesday of every month to families with an extra need for food. If you need additional support, we can help with that too. For more information or to request support please contact Maggie Mittelstaedt, CSO at 248-203-4448 or mmittelstaedt@birmingham.k12.mi.us or visit schoolsoffersupport.org and hit the Request Support button.
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
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
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.
Starting March 17, 2021, Clear to Go MUST be submitted for your student BEFORE they enter school for the day.
BCS Student Opportunities!
Detroit Skating Club Ice Show
Groves Big Brother Big Sister Welcome
Attention future Groves Falcons! You will soon be in the 9th grade, Congratulations! We cannot wait to welcome you to the Groves family. Please fill out this information sheet so that we can connect you with a Big Brother Big Sister mentor. They will be contacting you in August. Enjoy your summer!
Maple Tree Shop
Maple Dance Team
Did you miss Seaholm High Schools Dance Team tryouts? If so, we will have a second round of tryouts to join the program on June 17th and 18th from 6-8pm. If you are unable to attend these tryouts but are interested in joining the program please email Varsity Coach Allie at allie.maplemotion@gmail.com to learn how to submit a video instead. We are looking to grow our program and continue our tradition of excellence, we want you to be a part of it! Please save the date and follow our teams Facebook and Instagram at Maple Motion Dance Team. For more information email our Varsity Coach with the contact email above.
Birmingham Baseball Camp
Register Now for Summer Camp
Summer camps are online now at www.communityed.net – Birmingham Community Education.
Seaholm Women's Swim & Dive
Calling all 8th grade girls interested in Seaholm Women’s Swim & Dive. Register here to join a community that is fun and has won the State Championship 2 years in a row https://www.teamunify.com/team/recsa/page/team-registration
Important upcoming dates
May 28; Seaholm activities night 6-8pm captains will be available to answer questions
July 10; fundraising carwash at KFC on Lincoln & Adams
July 11; team bonfire 8-10pm
August 11; 1st day of practice (in the morning with bottle drive afterwards)
August 13-15; team getaway at camp Michindoh
All new and existing swimmers and divers are welcome! Go Maples!
Groves Men's Tennis
Is your son interested in playing tennis at Groves this fall? Please fill out the below form:
https://forms.gle/AV7z4ZePS5W5LxxX7
Please note that tryouts are scheduled to begin on August 11 and are mandatory for Varsity consideration.
Families can also reach out to JV Coach Annie Moore annie.moore11@gmail.com (mobile / text810 434 8671) or Varsity Coach Dave Farmer daf222@msn.com.
Groves Women's Golf
Groves Men's Soccer
8th graders thinking about playing Groves men's soccer in the fall, please send an email to grovessoccerboosters@gmail.com to be added to the contact list for communication. There is a kick-off Zoom meeting on June 2nd from 5-6 P.M. for new and returning players and parents.
Please join using the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84334340946?pwd=Tm1TNlFzcEFjZ252VWVMbitKNWZTZz09
Nurses' Update
Shop 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.