Week of 11/15/2021
.... It's a GREAT place to be!
Birmingham Covington Schools (BCS)
Office Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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
11/15/21 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 11/15
- BCS Pride Meeting 4:15-5:00 p.m. in Mr. Emmi's room
Wednesday, 11/17
- Half day in AM for Students: 8:18-11:30 a.m.
- Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, 11/18
- Half day in AM for Students: 8:18-11:30 a.m.
- Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, 11/19
Upcoming Dates:
- Thanksgiving Break, November 24, 25, and 26
All School News
Greetings, BCS Families!
Parent Homework Assignment from Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
Due Date: Complete by Monday, December 20, 2021
The Assignment: What are we supposed to do?
With your BCS student(s), we are asking you to set aside a minimum of 5 minutes each weekday for 4-weeks and use the discussion prompts and/or activities in the resource linked here:
- Parent/Student Four-Week Social-Emotional Learning Calendar - This resource is structured around the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning's (CASEL) five essential social-emotional skill areas: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making.
- Feel free to modify the questions or activities in a way that makes the most sense for you and your family but keep them related to the 5 essential social-emotional learning skills listed above. Even if it feels awkward at first, we encourage you to keep trying, making adjustments as you see fit. Feel free to blame it on the AP and Principal giving you the assignment if you face any resistance.
The Purpose- Why should we consider doing this?
- As we continue to respond to the impact of the pandemic on students' learning, we are noticing an increased need for social-emotional learning and skill-building. The research on social-emotional learning is clear: Social-emotional learning has a direct positive correlation on students' academic, behavioral, and life outcomes. Reinforcing these skills at home as we work to develop them at school is essential for successful social-emotional learning growth and sustainability.
The Goals - What are we hoping to accomplish by doing this?
- Increased dialogue at home around social-emotional learning and the 5 research-based social emotional skills we are all working to provide for our BCS students
- More consistency, reinforcement, and partnership in developing social-emotional learning skills at home and school.
- Improved academic, behavioral, and life outcomes for students
The Product - What do we have to submit?
- A simple reflection Google Form will be sent where we will ask for feedback from parents/students about the impact of the assignment on developing social-emotional learning, suggestions for improvement, and ideas about next steps.
For those joining us in completing this homework assignment, we look forward to engaging in this collective learning experience alongside you. Thank you for your consideration and (hopefully) participation.
Yours in BCS solidarity,
Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
BCS Choice Hour
Important Reminders
- Choice Hour runs daily from 3:20-4:10pm
- Busses come AFTER Choice Hour
Choice Hour Schedules
Schedules are available online listed by Student ID number HERE.
Updated class lists will also be given to the teachers weekly while we process choice hour changes. The master schedule is also posted on the Choice Hour Board in the main hall. Our teachers do a great job of acclimating our students to Choice Hour the first few weeks!
Choice Hour Changes
- The Drop/Add/Change form will be available online starting Monday, November 8. It will close on Thursday, November 11 at 4pm. Changes will be made on a rolling basis and families will be notified by email if a change is made and when the new start date is.
- There are no adds or changes accepted after 11/4. Any drops made after 11/4 will not be refunded.
Reporting a Choice Hour Absence
Email BCSChoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us or leave a message at 248.203.4625
Questions? Contact Courtney Bassett at BCSChoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Cobra Crew
On Thursdays during 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 lunch-recesses, we will be hosting Cobra Crew, an opportunity for peer engagement through games and conversation for any interested students.
A limited number of passes will be available each Thursday for those who would like to join. The purpose of Cobra Crew is to promote kindness, empathy and community at BCS.
If you are interested in opting your child out of this opportunity, please email your child’s counselor.
PTA Clearinghouse
The PTA is providing a catered meal for our teachers and staff on Wednesday, November 17th. Let's show our gratitude by donating treats & drinks to go along with the meal. Please sign up to bring sweet treats, salty snacks, and beverages to stock the staff lounge.
Donations may be dropped off beginning Monday, November 15th to the cart in the office. Please drop off no later than 9:00 am on Wednesday, November 17th. Thank you!
**Homemade treats ARE welcome once again!**
Media Center Notes - Book Fair coming soon!
- We need volunteers!! Sign up to help set up, work the register, or take the fair down here.
- Our eFair is open NOW until Friday, November 19. Visit the eFair here!
- All books purchased through the eFair will be shipped to the school.
- Your child will be invited to make a “wish list” during the week of November 15...stay tuned to see what books your child would love to own!
- All purchases benefit our school library media center and proceeds will be used for the purchase of new library books.
Book Fair Volunteers Needed!
- A Follett Book Fair is coming to BCS during conferences! We are in need of volunteers to help set up, support students during previews, work the register, and take down the fair. Sign up to help out here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904094EA4A823A02-bcsbook1
Friends of Different Learners - December Announcement
Library Cards from Baldwin Public Library
A Baldwin Library card is the ultimate passport to wonderful works of literature, music, movies and more. It also allows you to enjoy our digital media, like our growing selection of eBooks, online music and magazines, and premium research resources.. If you’re a resident, a property owner, a K-12 student, or are employed in our service area of Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms or the ... www.baldwinlib.org
Parents: Did you know that your child qualifies for a free Baldwin Library card? Please use this link to get your child his/her own card. This will allow us to connect all students to a vast library of ebooks and audio books.
MiSelf in Books
The Birmingham Public Schools Library Media Department is pleased to invite our community on a journey into the world of story. We hope to share with our community some of the diverse content in our libraries and how it impacts the way we walk in this world. We are inviting you to listen to a read-aloud and participate in a discussion of a selection of books chosen from the MISelf in Books list. This event occurs weekly on Thursdays 7-7:30pm, excepting school scheduled holidays.
For more information and to register for this event, visit https://www.smore.com/skn6a.
Announcements from Chartwells
BCS is going cashless:
If students would like to continue to make a cash payments, the student can find Mr. Allen in the cafeteria during breakfast.
BCS Pride
Attention all students! Want to be part of a fun club dedicated to making B C S a safe space for everyone?
Join BCS Pride! We meet every Tuesday 4:15-5pm in Room 600B. Email Mr. Joe for more information: rjoseph@bps-schools.com
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 Joni Say Gan at JSaygan@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
- Enter building and sign out student
- Show ID
- Student will be called to office
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
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...
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.