Week of 10/31/22
.... 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
10/31/22 - Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, October 31:
- Half Day for Students; 11:30 dismissal, Staff PD in afternoon
- Halloween Parade at 10:15
Tuesday, November 1:
Wednesday, November 2:
- Picture Retakes
Thursday, November 3:
Friday, November 4:
No School: Tuesday, November 8 - Records Day
Start of Quarter 2: Wednesday, November 9 (New Choice Hours Begin)
Half Day: November 16th and November 17th, 11:30 a.m. dismissal
Parent Teacher Conferences: November 16th and 17th
Greetings BCS Families!
Halloween is on Monday, October 31 (half-day), and we know students are getting excited to wear their costumes and engage in all the festivities planned! Here again, we have included the guidelines for Halloween costumes. We need to be considerate of our young, 8-year-old students who can be easily upset by
costumes that are too scary. Also, we need to be careful that we are not promoting violent behavior that we would find inappropriate on any other day than Halloween.
Guidelines for Costumes:
- All Halloween costumes at BCS must be non-violent.
- No blood, gore, or fake weapons of any kind (including pirate swords and light sabers) will be permitted.
- No masks will be allowed that are violently scary or indicate a particularly violent character.
- No culturally insensitive, profane, or inappropriate outfits will be allowed.
Please also keep in mind that students need to be able to see and breathe easily while wearing a mask if they have one. Students should still feel free to wear costumes such as
"army man" or "pirate" just without the accompanying weapon. We would hate to have a student have to remove their costume, so please make sure that it is appropriate and follows these guidelines. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Hill at 248.203.4430 or jhill@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
Note that we welcome families to attend our parade; we'll be marching outside the front office. So feel free to wait outside the office for our train. Also, note that class parties will follow the parade. Given our space restrictions, these parties are open to room parents only.
We look forward to a fantastic Halloween celebration!
Yours in BCS solidarity,
Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
All School News
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.
Halloween Parade and Party Information
Thank you to BCS parents and the PTA for your generous donations to the Halloween celebrations. Carts will be in the front office for any items dropped of on Monday morning. After the parade 3/4 students will celebrate with festive treats and games, 5/6 will watch a Halloween movie along with their cider and donuts, and 7/8 will have a celebration along with their treats.
The Halloween parade will begin at 10:15 A.M. Parents are welcome to watch the parade outside as the students parade from the east side of the building (Tech Services) to the west (far pool door).
Choice Hour Quarter II
Quarter I Choice Hour continues until Monday, November 7th. Students should attend current classes until then. New classes begin Wednesday, November 9.
Choice Hour Quarter II
November 9, 2022 - January 19, 2023
The sign up deadline is passed. Late submissions are still being accepted. Sign up online.
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.
Quarter II Schedules
New choice hour schedules will be posted in the main hallway and sent home with students no later than Friday, November 4. Teachers will go over new choice hours in class so that students are aware of their new schedules and how to locate their classes.
Questions? Email BCSChoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
5/6 Camp Medication
BCS Community Service Project
Picture Retake Day
National Junior Honor Society Induction
All 8th Graders that have been accepted into NJHS and their families are invited to attend an Induction Ceremony that will take place on Monday, November 7th inside of the BCS gymnasium. Doors open at 7:20am, and the ceremony will begin promptly at 7:30am, followed by a complimentary breakfast funded by our wonderful PTA.
PTA Update
PTA October 6th Meeting Minutes
PTA November 3rd Meeting Agenda
1. Join us on November 3rd at 6:15pm for our next PTA meeting. We are excited to share more about the great BPS program of SOS (Serve Our Schools) and their upcoming holiday giving. This meeting will be a hybrid meeting, both in person and on zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83618755925
2. Did you know that our PTA earns money through Amazon Smile and Kroger Rewards? We would love to have you enroll prior to your holiday shopping! Last quarter, we received $73 from Amazon Smile! Following the instructions below to enroll!
Amazon Smile
Log into your account
Select Your Account
Select AmazonSmile
Select Change Charity
Search Birmingham Covington 3-8 PTSA
Add charity
Kroger Community Rewards
Log into your account
Select Community Rewards
Search Birmingham Covington 3-8 PTSA
Select Enroll
3. Here is a recording of the board of Education Candidate Forum that was held on Monday Oct 24th. https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/12300
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.
BCS Overnight Trip Update
BCS is excited to offer some great, optional trips to our students this year and in the future!
7/8 Trips
BCS will be offering one 7/8 grade trip this year and one music trip this year. Next year, 7/8 hopes to offer a social studies/art themed trip. This trip will be shorter than the Florida trip. More information coming in the spring.
Optional Science Themed Trip to Florida
- Registration is open NOW and closes November 18, 2022.
- Dates: April 14-18, 2023
- Sign Up Information: Trip ID 206583, worldstrides.com/register
- Information Packet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gqxelbpOyY0xcoewwECk5Fw6MKbNFkgW/view?usp=sharing
- Contact Courtney Bassett at cbassett@birmingham.k12.mi.us with questions.
Optional Band/Orchestra Trip to Gatlinburg - more information coming soon!
- Save the dates: April 28-30, 2023
- Contact Olivia Zang ozang@birmingham.k12.mi.us with questions.
5/6 Trips
The 5/6 trip offering this year was camp. Next year, BCS will offer a 5/6 overnight trip. Details and locations TBD and will be released in the spring!
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.
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
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)