Week of 11/14/22
.... 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
11/14/22 - Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, November 14: Literati Book Fair Begins
Tuesday, November 15:
Wednesday, November 16:
- Half Day Dismissal at 11:30 a.m. - Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, November 17: Last day of Literati Book Fair
- Half Day Dismissal at 11:30 a.m. - Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, November 18:
Thanksgiving Recess: November 23-25
BCS Open House: Sunday, December 4, 1-3 p.m.
Half Day, Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.: Friday, December 9, District Professional Development
Winter Recess: December 22-January 2, School Resumes January 3, 2023
Greetings BCS Families!
We had an incredibly busy week at BCS! Please read below for a few updates as we gear up for another eventful week.
State & National School of Character Application Submitted
- On Friday, we submitted our State & National School of Character application through Character.Org. While incredibly extensive, our Character Education Team felt a great sense of pride reviewing the many ways we uphold the 11 Principles through Character.Org, even through the global pandemic. The research regarding the importance of character education aligns with what we know about its impact on our students' academic achievement and was clearly evident in our application. We will keep you posted on the results as our application is reviewed first by state evaluators, and moves into the national competition for national evaluators if selected.
Parent Eat & Run Event
- Thank you to all families who participated in Friday's Parent Eat & Run Event sponsored by our BCS Proud Dads. It was wonderful to have our parents connecting with each other, their children, and our school.
Parent-Teacher Conferences & Literati Book Fair
- A reminder that Parent-Teacher Conferences are this Wednesday and Thursday (both half days of school). Thank you to all parents and the PTA who help support our staff with snacks, drinks, and dinners on these days. Please see the PTA update below for additional information about how you can sign up to donate.
- We also will be sponsoring the Literati Book Fair (November 14-17), and you can find more information about this below as well as opportunities to volunteer.
- In the Principal's Update linked below you will find links to Parent-Teacher Conference letters and Sign-Up geniuses. This information was shared with you last week and through our Blackboard e-Blast communications.
Thank you for all you continue to do to support BCS! We look forward to a great week!
Yours in BCS solidarity,
Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
All School News
8th Grade Families
We look forward to helping your student make a successful transition to high school! We have created a page to house all of the information families will need in one place. Please save this link and continue to check back for updates as new details are added.
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 are sent home with students Friday November 4 or Monday November 7. Teachers will go over new choice hours in class so that students are aware of their new schedules and how to locate their classes. The choice hour board in the main hallway will be updated on the first day of the quarter, Wednesday November 9.
A choice hour change period is not guaranteed. If classes are full after the registration period, changes will not be accepted. Change forms, if available, will be posted on Monday, November 14.
Drops and adds can be made through Friday, November 18. After that date, no refunds will be given.
Questions? Email BCSChoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
PTA Update
Please donate to our wonderful BCS Staff to fill up their teachers lounge during fall Conferences. You can drop off items in the front vestibule starting Monday Nov 14th and put items on a designated table. Thank you! - BCS PTA
Fall Conference Donation Sign Up
1. We have extra directories. If you are interested, order it through MembershipToolkit. We will deliver them to the students at school.
2. Planning for the BCS Blast has begun. If you are interested in volunteering, please email bcsptsabcs@gmail.com
3. There are available opportunities to volunteer in the front office. Please contact Kate Southby katie_southby@yahoo.com as well as sign up for any open spots.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f44abab2ca0f58-bcsoffice1
If you have not already done so, an ICHAT form will need to be completed.
Literati Book Fair November 14-17
Our e-fair is already open. Parents/students can browse/purchase books and gift cards ahead of time at: https://efairs.literati.com/?school=birmingham-covington-school-bloomfld-hls-mi
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.
Holiday Spirit Wear Store is Open!
Do you need a gift idea? Did you miss buying your spirit wear in the fall? The Store is back open with a few new items for the colder weather. Deadline for orders in November 20th. You will pick your items up at Bloomfield Sports right before the Holidays.
Carhart Watch Cap
Youth Fleece Jacket
Womens Crop Hoodie
Friendship Bracelet Choice Hour - donations needed
Donations needed! Friendship Bracelet Choice Hour is collecting new boxes of character band-aids to donate to The Beaumont Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic. These band-aids bring smiles to the children at the end of their appointments. We will have a box in the office for donations throughout November. Thank you for spreading hope, courage, and happiness for these young patients!
6th Grade Art Elective Mural Progress
6th graders are doing a fantastic job. We are hoping to finish before it gets too cold!! We are still in need of anyone who may be interested in helping us create some out door seating.
5/6 Camp Medication
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.
OCHD Issues Warning in RSV Cases
Oakland County Health Division urges those experiencing cold symptoms to limit their interaction with children at high risk for serve respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illness, as Oakland County has experienced a sharp increase in RSV within the last month. Children at high risk include premature infants, children younger than 2 years old who have chronic lung or heart conditions and children with weakened immune systems. To learn how to prevent the spread of RSV, along with the signs and symptoms of severe RSV infection in infants, please reference OCHD New Release here.
BPS Community News
BEF Annual Campaign
Please help our students to "Shine Brighter...Dream Bigger...Climb Higher" by donating to the BEF Annual Fund Campaign today. Visit https://www.supportbef.org/make-a-gift.html to make your donation or simply use the QR code.
Birmingham United Home Opener
Your defending OAA division champion Birmingham Unified Kings varsity hockey team takes the ice for their first home game of the season this Saturday, November 19 at the Birmingham Ice Arena. The puck drops at 7 pm as the Kings take on Allen Park High School. Help us pack The Kingdom and cheer the team on to victory!
Hype Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUcVXsYtGTE
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
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.
BCS Reminders
Early Dismissal Procedures
Please review these procedures to help keep your students and school safe. No Early Dismissal after 3:00 p.m
- 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 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.
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.
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.
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)
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!