Week of 1/23/23
.... 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
1/23/23 - This week at BCS
Monday, January 23: Third Quarter Begins, Third Quarter Choice Hours Begins, Groves High School and Seaholm High School Presentations for 8th grade during ILD, Groves High School 8th Grade Night 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 24: Snow Club 3:20 p.m.
Wednesday, January 25:
Thursday, January 26:
Friday, January 27: Cartoonist Steve Harpster visit - Grades 3 & 4
Looking ahead:
January 31: Half Day of School, Staff Professional Development in p.m.
February 1: Seaholm High School Class of 2027 Curriculum Night
February 8: Count Day
February 10: Proud Dad's Eat and Run
February 20-24: Midwinter Break, No School
Greetings BCS Families!
We hope this update finds you and your families well! This upcoming week is packed with exciting events and activities for our students.
First, we would like to remind you that the Third Quarter begins on Monday, January 23rd. This also marks the start of Third Quarter Choice Hours, where students can choose from various new offerings to enhance their learning experience at BCS. Additionally, on Monday, we will have presentations from Groves High School and Seaholm High School for our 8th graders during their ILD period. Later that evening, we invite all 8th-grade families to attend Groves High School's 8th Grade Night at 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday, January 24th, we will have another Snow Club adventure at 3:20 p.m. Lastly, on Friday, January 27th, we are thrilled to have cartoonist Steve Harpster visit our school to present to our 3rd and 4th-grade students.
We also want to remind you that our Science Olympiad tournament is taking place on Saturday, January 21st, and we wish all of our students participating in the tournament the best of luck. Special thank you to Tammy Brown, Anne Warner, and Chris Emmi for all of their tireless work in helping make this tournament possible.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Yours in BCS Solidarity,
Dr. Omar Hakim
BCS, Principal
Mr. Jason Hill
BCS, Assistant Principal
All School News
Save the Date for BPS/Baldwin Birbery Reading Program!
The Birbery Reading Program is a program brought to you by the BPS middle schools and Baldwin Public Library for all BPS 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. It is a “Mock Newbery” program that is aimed at promoting newly released, high-quality literature (possible Newbery Award contenders) to our students while fostering their love of reading. Students read from a selected list of 10 books, attend book clubs, and then participate in a building-level Quiz Bowl-style trivia game to see which students will advance onto the Birbery Committee at Baldwin Library. Titles for this year will be announced at BCS on Monday, January 30th. Books will be available for checkout at BCS and Baldwin Library Friday, February 3rd.
PTA Reflections Art Contest “Show Your Voice!”
We are excited to announce the following BCS student artists who participated in the PTA Reflections Art Contest “Show Your Voice!” have been selected as District Winners. These students’ artwork will now advance to the state level for judging:
Literature:
Intermediate: London M, Emilia H.
Middle School: Henry V., Simreen P.
Music Composition:
Intermediate: Myles L.
Middle School: Areeya P.
Photography:
Intermediate: Rachain P.
Visual Arts:
Intermediate: Rachain P.
Middle School: Gillian V., Henley G.
We are excited to have BCS so well represented at the state level of competition! What an accomplishment for all of the artists. Congratulations!
Community Service/ Service Learning
We are so lucky that members of our Cobra Community are always finding ways to positively impact the school and wider community. If you have an idea for a community service, or service learning project please complete the form below and return it to the office in the bin provided. Please submit your proposal no later than the second Thursday of the month PRIOR to the month you would like to do your project. This ensures that the Service Learning Committee will be able to carefully consider all proposals and properly support those selected to ensure maximum success.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nD6WpbqCqFzW2hq1zinL_zz51qTzXLxUQXCHDTqOdNM/copy
PTA Update
1. BCS Red Wings Game. Get your tickets to BCS Night at the Red Wing Game on February 9th. If you are interested in attending please email mmolsen21@gmail.com as we have some parents who need to sell their tickets due to a school related conflict.
2. Help Needed! Join the BCS Blast Auction Committee. Help the BCS PTA with its one and only fundraiser. Several roles are available, including donation solicitor, photographer, and editor. Help makes this auction look incredible to ensure we raise vital funds for BCS! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4fa8ad2aaaf85-bcsblast#/
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.
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
Seaholm Basketball Middle School Night
Birmingham United Hockey - Upcoming Games
Your Birmingham Unified Kings varsity hockey team plays home games this Thursday against Rochester United and Friday against Stoney Creek. Both games start at 8 pm at Birmingham Ice Arena. Come on out and cheer the Kings on to victory!
Remember, home game admission is FREE for all Groves, Seaholm, and International Academy students with valid ID.
Groves HS: 8th Grade Parent Night
Groves will host its 8th Grade Parent Night at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan 23. Families will get the opportunity to hear from administrators, department chairs and counseling staff. In addition, future students get to discover more about the curriculum, course sequencing, scheduling and other items related to the transition into high school. Attending families are asked to park in the north parking lot off Evergreen and enter through the auditorium.
BPS Parent Pride Meeting
Seaholm HS: Curriculum Night for Class of 2027
Seaholm HS: Curriculum Night for Class of 2027
Seaholm is offering an opportunity for families to hear from administration, department chairs, the athletic director and counseling chair regarding curriculum, course selection and transition at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 via Zoom. For additional information, please visit the school's website.
The Unabashed Bash is back!
Only a few days left to get your tickets to the Unabashed Bash "Together at Last"! You do not want to miss this amazing evening of student performances, live & silent auctions, dinner, dancing and more! Tickets are available through Sunday, Jan. 22:
https://supportbef.ejoinme.org/bash2023
Saturday, Feb. 4
The Townsend Hotel, Birmingham
6:30 pm - Midnight
For additional information contact:
Kathy Zanolli
Executive Director
(248) 203-3030 | BEF@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Seaholm Maple Motion Dance Team Clinic
Junior Kindergarten coming to BPS in 2023-2024!
BBSC Soccer Registration
It is time to sign up for soccer again! If you child is grades PreK-8, BBSC Spring '23 registration is open now through early March.
Find registration link and info on the site @ www.bbscsoccer.com
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.
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!