Week of 5/1/2023
.... 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
5/1/23 - This week at BCS
Monday, May 1: First Day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month; National School Principal Appreciation Day
Tuesday, May 2: Boys Tennis VS. Berkshire MS (A)
Wednesday, May 3: Track VS. Clarenceville (H), Girls Soccer VS. West Hills MS (H)
Thursday, May 4: PTA Clearinghouse Meeting, 11:15 AM, Boys Tennis VS. East Hills MS (A)
Friday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo
Looking ahead:
May 8-May 12: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 10: 8th Grade Walk Out Video Filming
May 11: Half Day of School
Greetings BCS Families!
We would like to thank our entire community for participating in the incredible BCS Blast, Auction, and Road Rally event. This year was a wonderful success and we want to acknowledge every parent that had a hand in making this a huge success. It certainly is no easy task. In addition to the wonderful PTA, we want to acknowledge this year's chair of the BCS Blast, Alexis Weisbrod. She did an exceptional job which included countless hours of volunteerism on behalf of BCS. Her work helps ensure our students have access to the innovative and fantastic BCS educational experiences we are able to provide. We could not be more thankful!
As always, thank you for your partnership and investment in BCS! It is a great place to be!
Yours in BCS Solidarity,
Dr. Omar Hakim
BCS, Principal
Mr. Jason Hill
BCS, Assistant Principal
All School News
BCS School Garden Clean Up
We are looking for volunteers to help clean up the BCS garden on the following dates. Please use the attached link to sign up. Thank you!!!
April 30th 1-3pm CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER
May 6th 10-12pm
May 20th 10-12pm
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4faea82aa13-bcsschool#/
Introducing Riker!
We would like to introduce Riker, our BCS Therapy Dog! Please see the slides below to learn more about her and her transition to our school community. We are so thankful for our sponsors, The Rotary Club, Premier Pet Supply, DePorre Veterinary Hospital and Birmingham Education Foundation for their assistance and support! We are excited for our newest cobra to join us here at BCS!
PTA Update
- Thank you to everyone who came out for the Blast on Sunday! We had a great turn out. We hope you enjoyed the event. And thank you to everyone who bid during the auction. It was a great success!! Our Blast wouldn't have been a success without the dedication of our volunteers. Thank you to Alexis Weisbrod, Alaina and Stephen Pardonnet, Jennifer Ruks, Emily Gessner, Katie Pearce, Joanna Bloom, Stephanie Palmer, Kristin Joanna, Kathleen Meyers, and Tori Claver.
- Teacher Appreciation is coming up the week of May 8th thru 12th. See the flyer for details. We would love people to help spoil our teacher. Check out the sign up genius to see what you can bring.
- BCS Parents night out at Dick-O-Dows. May 2nd at 7pm (this is NOT a meeting, but a fun night out)
- Our LAST PTA meeting of the year will be on May 4th at 1:15. Join us via zoom here.
- Purchase your school supplies for next year! This year they will be delivered directly to your house! Click here.
- May 12th is the Eat n Run honoring Moms! Come join your child for lunch and recess!! We will need some volunteers to help with check in. Please sign up here.
- Teacher Appreciation Week May 8th-12th. More information will be sent out next week, but please consider donating food and other items. Click Here!
PTA Volunteer of the Year
The BCS PTA Volunteer of the Year is in recognition of his/her dedication and service to the school community and students, someone that has gone above and beyond all year to support BCS. This year’s recipient is Wendy McDowall!
Wendy was on the Blast Committee that put together a very fun and successful fundraiser at the end of the last school year, which has funded many programs throughout the year. She also stepped into the President Co-Chair position when the school desperately needed that leadership role filled. Taking on this responsibility, together with Shelley Olsen, has been a full time job in itself. Wendy also gives her time by volunteering in the front office. We are so proud to have a leader like Wendy and excited to present her with this award. Thank you for all you do for BCS!!
8th Grade Celebration
Mark your calendars for the 8th Grade Celebration! It will be on Tuesday, June 6th, at 6:30pm.
For more information: 8th Grade Celebration
We are looking for volunteers to help with the 8th grade Lobby Photos! Would you be interested in editing the photos (to include name and future high school) and/or assisting in the hanging of them on Friday, May 26th after school? Please contact Meredith Carrel (mfcarrel@comcast.net) or Alifya Vohra (alifya@gmail.com).
BPS Community News
Birmingham Education Foundation supports Teacher Appreciation Week May 8th-12th
Follow these easy steps:
- Scan the QR code and pick your BEF donation amount or visit: https://www.supportbef.org/teacher-appreciation.html
- Choose a teacher you really appreciate and would like to honor with your donation
- Write a nice note for the teacher
- We will do the rest! Your note, along with a flower, will be dropped off in your school office on Monday, May 8th for you to pick up and deliver to your teacher.
Groves Student Congress Applications
Calling all future Falcons interested in furthering their leadership potential!
Apply to be a part of the Groves Student Congress! GSC is a leadership class and organization that focuses on creating positive change in the Groves Community. GSC plans many schoolwide events such as Spirit Week, Homecoming, Charity Week, and many more events! GSC is looking for positive leaders from all grades to represent the organization.
Interested candidates need to submit the application (below) by May 5th at 4pm. ALL parts of the google form must be completed and no late applications will be accepted! The application will be followed up by an in-person interview on May 16th.
More information about the details of your interview will be communicated via student email after the application deadline. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Mason at kmason@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
Thank you!
Groves Performing Arts Company Announcement
Seaholm PTA Announcement
Seaholm PTA Executive Board Opening for 2023/24 School Year
The PTA is looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to serve on the PTA Board next year. The Volunteer Coordinator attends PTA and PTA Executive Board meetings and helps gather volunteers for activities throughout the year. It is a relatively low time commitment and is a great way to meet other Seaholm parents and Seaholm administrators. Contact Andrea Long (a_long00@hotmail.com) if you’re interested in this position.
Save the date and spread the word! Next month’s Seaholm PTA Meeting will focus on welcoming incoming freshman parents and will offer a Q&A to help families prepare for the transition to high school. Join on May 9 at 7 PM via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2922464717?pwd=YUl4S29aZXc2QS9MV1gycWc4SmhRdz09
Parents of incoming Seaholm Freshmen, Fall of 2023:
Seaholm is looking for six parent volunteers to become Parent Reps for the Class of 2027 (Serve all 4 years). Parent Rep duties include:
- Helping the students with Field Day each year (after school the month of September).
- Assisting the class Teacher Rep and Student Government Reps throughout the year in a volunteer capacity as needed.
- Planning or soliciting volunteers to plan the Senior All Night Party (Senior Year Only).
If you are interested, please contact Leslie Voigt at leslie.voigt@me.com. The six parents will be chosen based on the order the responses are received. Volunteers selected will be notified and invited to an introductory meeting at Seaholm in May (date TBD).
BCS Reminders
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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)