Week of 5/31/2021
.... 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
5/31/2021 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 5/31
- Memorial Day, No School
- BCS Diversity Committee Meetings every Tuesday 7:30-8am. Please join using this link.
- BCS Pride every Tuesday 4:15-5pm. Please email Rick Joseph at rjoseph@birmingham.k12.mi.us for details.
Thursday, 6/3
- Ice Cream Truck Treat for Students
- Material Distribution, ALL VIRTUAL STUDENTS 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 6/4
- Move Up Day - All Virtual
Coming up week of 6/7: BCS Alumni Gathering Tuesday, June 8th; 8th Grade Celebration Tuesday, June 8; Friday, June 11 Virtual Half Day
All School News
Greetings, BCS Families!
Two quick reminders as you prepare for the weekend-
- Technology Return. In the next week, you will be receiving grade-specific information about technology device return. If checked-out a device that you are no longer using, please return the device to the BCS vestibule as soon as possible. In the vestibule near the main entrance of the building, you will find a drop-off area for the device- you should label the device with the student's name and homeroom teacher. If you have questions, please contact our TOA, Rhonda Ernst, rernst@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
- Missing Textbooks! We are still missing many textbooks from the past two years. We need these books back to help us avoid a huge overload in costs that can be allocated for more innovative programming in the future. We will have collection bins in front of the school. LINKED ARE THE COVER IMAGES OF THE TEXTBOOKS WE NEED - We hope this helps you find them around the house. If students are using the textbooks, do not return the textbooks. These are for books from previous years that were not returned.
We wish everyone a relaxing and wonderful Memorial Day extended weekend. We honor the sacred memory of those who have sacrificed for each of us, our country, and our freedom.
Yours in BCS Solidarity,
Dr. Hakim and Mr. Hill
BCS Media Center News
All books are due on Tuesday, June 1.
NEW! Empty the Shelves for Summer Program: BCS would like to “Empty the Shelves” this summer to encourage broad reading for our students. Participation is optional and we have a few guidelines.
1. Accounts must have no fines or unreturned books by June 4, 2021.
2. Each student (grades 3-7) may check out up to 10 books for the summer.
3. Students must have parent permission which acknowledges you are responsible for these books and will return them the first week of school in the fall: Permission Form
4. Each student will receive a printed list of titles checked out.
5. BCS Virtual students will be allowed to select their books using the online hold system.
- They will be allowed to place 10 holds, however they need be sure to only place holds on books marked IN.
- Books will be available for pick up on Thursday, June 10 in the BCS office vestibule.
Book Fines
PTA Reflections Announcement
We wanted to take one more opportunity to congratulate our BCS PTA Reflections participants and winners! If your student participated in the Reflections program THIS YEAR OR LAST YEAR, please have them stop by the front of the Media Center on Wednesday, 6/2 at their lunch hour to pick up their participation certificates, any honors awards, a small gift, and their art work (if material). We can make arrangements as well for students who are virtual; please contact us at bcsreflections@yahoo.com.
Thank you again, BCS community, for supporting the arts and this wonderful PTA program.
Next year’s theme is: I WILL CHANGE THE WORLD BY….
Let the creating begin!!
Amy Youn and Chonrada Penzak
BCS PTA Reflections Co-Chairs
BCS Alumni Gathering - Spread the Word!
BCS Core Values
The last year has changed many of the ways we think about learning, community and education. As we approach the end of another school year we wanted to take a moment to reflect on who we are at BCS. What do we value? What are our common goals? How can we move forward with a common vision and purpose? We would like you to take a few moments of your time to complete this quick form . The purpose is to try and establish a set of core values that we can use as a compass as we continue on this amazing journey together.
Heavy Traffic at Arrival and Dismissal
Please read through the following suggestions to help ease traffic and congestion during arrival and dismissal and see the Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures for guidance. Also, know that it takes on average 10 minutes for our pickup loops to clear.
STUDENT ARRIVAL
- Make use of both the Quarton Loop and the Covington Loop
- Allow for EXTRA time in the mornings and afternoons as traffic will be heavy
- Please park in designated areas if you wish to extend your morning goodbyes
STUDENT PICKUP
- Collect your student at the curb within our campus at one of our two loops
- Please wait in your car in one of the 10-minute spaces in front of the pool area
- Park in one of our lots and walk your child to your car
No student should be entering the parking lot without a parent or crossing anywhere that there is not a crosswalk or sidewalk. Please be PATIENT & KIND and drive with the utmost caution.
BCS PTA Round Up!
Road Rally Follow Up:
Looking for Road Rally Team named Team Bonny. If you are a member of this team, please contact Kathleen Meyers at kathleen.meyers@gmail.com.
GiftCrowd:
In response to requests from many families for a way to thank *all staff* at BCS (ie: Co-Curriculars, Principals, Support Staff) with an end-of-the-year gift, the PTA Co-Chairs have set up a GiftCrowd page to make gifting simple. The feedback from other schools in the district who have used this site has been very positive! We are excited to offer this option to you as a voluntary way to give back to all of our great staff at BCS at the end of this crazy pandemic year.
GiftCrowd will give you the opportunity to write a personal message of thanks along with your monetary contribution. It will NOT show the recipient the dollar amount that you donate. All staff will receive a message from GiftCrowd on Thursday, June 10th with instructions on how to view all of their personal thank you messages and "spend" their gift money on a wide variety of gift cards.
Please see the message from GiftCrowd for simple instructions on how to make your contribution. Our BCS gifting link: https://www.giftcrowd.com/#/event/e6D81IGonW
Contributions may be made now through Wednesday, June 9th.
If you have any questions, please contact Donna Kramer, BCS PTA Co-Chair, at dkramer216@yahoo.com.
Ice Cream Truck:
Ice Cream treat for all students during their lunch period on June 3
Reenactment Art is back!
Calling all BCS students to participate in a special reenactment art project!!! Last year the art students recreated their favorite art pieces by dressing as the subject matters, setting up unique scenes or recreating a project in a different medium. As this crazy year comes to an end, we wanted to invite all students to participate and share amongst the BCS masses. Be creative, have fun and share your reenactments with us. (Please know that these will be shared on the BCS Facebook page)
BCS Choice Hour Updates
Choice Hour Quarter IV Schedules (listed by Student ID Number)
Choice Hour Quarter IV Zoom Links
- Quarter IV runs Monday April 26 - Thursday June 11, 2021
- Please note that BCS busses will be switching to 4:10pm - AFTER CHOICE HOUR - starting Quarter IV (April 26)
- Students who plan on taking the bus MUST be enrolled in Choice Hour
Learn more online at https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/domain/1880
Questions?
BCSchoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
How to report a Choice Hour Absence: Call 248-203-4625 or email BCSChoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Kids Read Now
BPS Friends
Do you have a meeting topic you would like to see on the FRIENDS 2021-2022 meeting agenda? Join us via Zoom on June 3rd at 7pm to plan next year’s topics. For more information, please check out the flyer on our "What's Coming Up at BCS" webpage. https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/bcs
Early Dismissal Procedures
Please review these procedures to help keep your students and school safe.
Parents
- Buzz the front door
- Show identification to the camera
- Enter building and sign out student on blue sheet on clipboard
- Wait in vestibule for student
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
Schools Offer Support Helps BPS Families
SOS (Schools Offer Support) is helping families across the district. Pick up a week's worth of meals every Wednesday from 11-1 at Groves High School. SOS also provides food boxes the first Wednesday of every month to families with an extra need for food. If you need additional support, we can help with that too. For more information or to request support please contact Maggie Mittelstaedt, CSO at 248-203-4448 or mmittelstaedt@birmingham.k12.mi.us or visit schoolsoffersupport.org and hit the Request Support button.
Material Distribution - Thursdays 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Material distribution for VIRTUAL STUDENTS IN ALL GRADES will take place in the front vestibule of the school. This is the ONLY time we will have distribution during the week. Please confirm with your student's teacher if material will be handed out. If you cannot pick up material at this time, please coordinate with a friend or family member to do so. Not all Grades or Classes will have distributions each week. (If your student is hybrid, they will receive material in school.)
Thursdays: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Breakfast and Lunch by Chartwells
Lunch is available free of charge to all students. There will be 2 cold lunch options provided by Chartwells.
Chartwells Meals for Distance Learning
Student Medications & Medical Updates
Attention to Attendance
Parents/Guardians must email the attendance line at bcsattendance@birmingham.k12.mi.us to provide detailed information regarding your students’ absence or tardiness by 8:45 am each day.
Absences or tardies not reported to the BCS attendance office will be recorded as unexcused (please note that sending a note to your child’s teacher does not excuse your child. Always contact the attendance office in the event of a student absence). Please send an accompanying doctor’s note as well (PDF format) if appropriate.
Starting March 17, 2021, Clear to Go MUST be submitted for your student BEFORE they enter school for the day.
BCS Student Opportunities!
Groves Big Brother Big Sister Welcome
Attention future Groves Falcons! You will soon be in the 9th grade, Congratulations! We cannot wait to welcome you to the Groves family. Please fill out this information sheet so that we can connect you with a Big Brother Big Sister mentor. They will be contacting you in August. Enjoy your summer!
Maple Tree Shop
Birmingham Baseball Camp
Register Now for Summer Camp
Summer camps are online now at www.communityed.net – Birmingham Community Education.
Seaholm Women's Swim & Dive
Calling all 8th grade girls interested in Seaholm Women’s Swim & Dive. Register here to join a community that is fun and has won the State Championship 2 years in a row https://www.teamunify.com/team/recsa/page/team-registration
Important upcoming dates
May 28; Seaholm activities night 6-8pm captains will be available to answer questions
July 10; fundraising carwash at KFC on Lincoln & Adams
July 11; team bonfire 8-10pm
August 11; 1st day of practice (in the morning with bottle drive afterwards)
August 13-15; team getaway at camp Michindoh
All new and existing swimmers and divers are welcome! Go Maples!
Groves Men's Tennis
Is your son interested in playing tennis at Groves this fall? Please fill out the below form:
https://forms.gle/AV7z4ZePS5W5LxxX7
Please note that tryouts are scheduled to begin on August 11 and are mandatory for Varsity consideration.
Families can also reach out to JV Coach Annie Moore annie.moore11@gmail.com (mobile / text810 434 8671) or Varsity Coach Dave Farmer daf222@msn.com.
Groves Women's Golf
Groves Men's Soccer
8th graders thinking about playing Groves men's soccer in the fall, please send an email to grovessoccerboosters@gmail.com to be added to the contact list for communication. There is a kick-off Zoom meeting on June 2nd from 5-6 P.M. for new and returning players and parents.
Please join using the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84334340946?pwd=Tm1TNlFzcEFjZ252VWVMbitKNWZTZz09
Nurses' Update
Shop BCS!
BCS Tumblers & Bottles
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.
Emotional Health & Wellness Resources
BCS Media Center Material Circulation
The BCS Library Media Center is excited to begin circulating materials for the 2020-21 school year! Until we are back in school face-to-face, we are implementing a holds-and-pickup system. All patrons are invited to find materials using our Destiny Library Catalog. If you find something you want, put it on hold! Mrs. Truesdell, your school library media specialist, will pull the materials that are available and have them ready for you by your next grade level pickup day at BCS. Please visit our library website or watch this video for more details.