Week of 1/4/2021
.... 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
1/4/2021 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 1/4
- School Resumes
- BCS Diversity Committee Meetings every Tuesday 7:30-8am. Please join at this link: https://zoom.us/j/94515515954?pwd=VGgvWVJUUWQ3SjdCWmhvWU9DRFhKdz09
- BCS Pride every Tuesday 4:15-5pm. Please email Rick Joseph at rjoseph@birmingham.k12.mi.us for details.
Thursday, 1/7
- Material Distribution, ALL GRADES 3:00pm-5:00pm
- Townhall for BCS Families re: Hybrid Model of Instruction (Zoom link forthcoming) 4:00pm
Friday, 1/8
- Material Distribution, ALL GRADES 11:00am-1:00pm
Coming up...
- Hybrid Learning Resumes: Cohort A returns in person on Monday 1/11, Cohort B returns in person on Tuesday 1/12*
Greetings, BCS Families!
It is wonderful to be writing to you all as I look outside at a blanket of freshly fallen snow. I have found that there is very little in this world better at tiring out young kids than romping around in the snow. Moreover, with many of our students returning to in-person instruction in a few days, I am hoping that that our students can have a ball outside during lunch/rec time and we can send them home to you tuckered and content.
We grow more excited as we prepare for our new hybrid model of instruction, set to begin on Monday 1/11/2021. On Tuesday of this week (January 5th), we will send families pertinent schedule and safety protocol information for our return to in-person instruction. On Thursday January 7th at 4 PM we will hold a town hall via zoom to address our schedule and safety guidelines along with the frequently asked questions we have garnered (Zoom link for this event will be emailed to all families later this week).
As you acclimate to the new schedule you will undoubtedly have questions - please continue to write to Omar and I with those questions. We truly hope that winter break afforded you the adventure or rest that you were hoping for.
Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
All School News
BCS Virtual Showcase
During the school year at BCS our hallways and classrooms are overflowing with our student’s creative projects. With students learning online we are missing the opportunity to collectively celebrate our students’ work. We are looking for students who want to showcase their work created in class at BCS. Each student will be asked to submit a short (less than 30 seconds) video to highlight their project, classwork or assignment. We will be using FlipGrid. We can only invite students through their @bps-schools.com emails. Once the FlipGrid is created and finished we will share with all participants and may also share to our social media or website.
If your student is interested in sharing artwork, a project or assignment please complete This BCS Virtual Showcase Interest Form. If interested, please respond by January 22, 2021. All students will be emailed an invitation to complete their video via FlipGrid.
Partnerships@Home Learning Series
The most important thing parents and caregivers can do right now is to keep a love of learning alive for their children. Parents and caregivers are essential partners in supporting learning at home, but what does this mean? Parents do not need to be teachers or content area experts. Please join our Partnerships@Home Learning Series for some ideas about fostering curiosity and a sense of wonder during everyday family life.
Please see this flyer to learn more and register for the events: https://www.smore.com/sb0xg-partnerships-home
This Series is brought to you by Oakland Schools. There is no fee, but registration is required.
Chartwells Meals for Distance Learning
BCS Choice Hour Updates
Quarter II Choice Hours run through Thursday, January 14. There will be a new sign up for Quarter III that goes live towards the end of this week. Quarter III Choice Hour will be virtual and will begin on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
Choice Hour Quarter II Schedules (listed by Student ID Number)
Choice Hour Quarter II Zoom Links
Please direct any Choice Hour questions to Courtney Bassett at cbassett@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
BCS Picture Retake Day - POSTPONED
Hello BCS Families!
Due to the change in our schedule, Picture Retakes are Postponed. We will update you as soon as a new date is set. Thank you for your patience!
Material Distribution
Materials distribution for ALL GRADES will be:
Thursdays: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fridays: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
If you cannot pick up during these times, please coordinate with a friend or family member to do so. Not all Grades or Classes will have distributions each week.
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.
Hybrid Families - Starting January 11, 2021, Clear to Go MUST be submitted for your student BEFORE they enter the building for their cohort day.
Friends Monthly Flyer
BCS Student Opportunities!
BPS Saturday School
We are happy to announce that the BPS Saturday School will once again be operating throughout the school year to offer academic support and tutoring for all BPS students grades K – 12. Although we are currently operating virtually as a district, BPS Saturday School takes place every Saturday (excluding holidays and breaks) throughout the school year. Saturday School is normally hosted in the media center at Berkshire Middle School, but we are now operating virtually through Zoom from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. each Saturday on the following dates:
November: 21
December: 5, 12, 19
January: 9, 22, 30
February: 6, 27
March: 6, 13, 20
April: 10, 17, 24
May: 1, 8, 15, 22
The BPS Saturday School Coordinators will be working together with Groves’ NHS students as well as Oakland University student teachers to provide tutoring through Zoom and the use of “breakout rooms.” Our coordinators will be able to maneuver back and forth between breakout rooms to be able to monitor and support the tutorials. Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2047672482?pwd=T3pVU1REUXZTN09NM1MvSSsrVTJiZz09
Please visit the BPS Saturday School webpage to learn more and we hope to see you in this year’s virtual setting! https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/domain/839
5/6 News
Ms. Sikand's Art Supply List
The required materials:
A. 9" x 12" sketchbook
B. Sketching pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
C. Eraser
D. Blending Stump/tortillions (1-2)
E. Color pencils
F. Fine tip black marker (for illustration work)
Suggestion: The Dollar Stores have most these supplies including the 9"x12" sketchbook if you are on a budget. Craft stores and art stores are another alternative. Walmart has art supplies as well. If you are in need assistance in purchasing these items, please contact Mr. Hill JHIll@birmingham.k12.mi.us or Dr. Hakim OHakim@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
7/8 News
Ms. Sikand's Art Supply List
The required materials:
A. 9" x 12" sketchbook
B. Sketching pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
C. Eraser
D. Blending Stump/tortillions (1-2)
E. Color pencils
F. Fine tip black marker (for illustration work)
G. Calligraphy pen (black) any type
Suggestion: The Dollar Stores have most these supplies including the 9"x12" sketchbook if you are on a budget. Craft stores and art stores are another alternative. Walmart has art supplies as well. If you are in need of assistance in purchasing these items, please contact Mr. Hill JHill@birmingham.k12.mi.us or Dr. Hakim OHakim@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
Nurses' Update
Shop BCS!
2020-2021 Yearbook
Yearbooks for the 2020-2021 school year can be purchased for $35 with the given link.
https://yearbookforever.com/schools/birmingham_covington_school_buy_yearbook_308378/
https://snap.yearbookforever.com/index.html#/upload/308378
When uploading photos, use access code 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.