Week of 9/21/2020

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

*denotes more information provided below

Monday, 9/21

• BPS Plus Continues, 4:30 PM-6:00 PM, Ends 9/24*
• District Religious Observance: Rosh Hashana*
• Rosh Hashana - No tests, new material, or assignments due. No homework assigned.

• 5/6 Materials Pick-Up 3-5 PM*

• 7/8 Materials Pick-Up 3-5 PM*

• 3/4 Materials Pick-Up 3-5 PM*
• Last day of BPS Plus

• Flu Vaccination Clinic for BCS Families -11:00AM-1:00PM*

• District Religious Observance: Yom Kippur - No tests, new material, or assignments due. No Homework assigned.*
• BCS Parent Town Hall 3-4 PM*

We understand many of our families have questions after last week's Board meeting. If you have not had a chance to review the meeting(s), please click the following link to review the district’s plan and resolution. As you are most likely aware from the meeting, we need more information from our staff and parents so that we can communicate detailed and accurate plans for each BCS family. Currently, our district is gathering information from staff to determine which staff members will be able to return in-person fully. Our goal at BCS remains consistent—to continue to offer the best possible options for our BCS students and simultaneously adhere to the requirements of our Board and school district.

I am a parent of a student grade 3, 4, and/or 5, do I need to make a decision to enroll the district’s virtual academy?

• No. For parents of BCS students grades 3, 4, and 5, you DO NOT need to respond to a district e-mail regarding the virtual academy for other K-5 families in a standard K-5 building. We are working within our own BCS structure to provide options for students deciding to return in-person and those returning virtually. Special considerations will be made for our youngest learners in an all-virtual environment, so that we can ensure our virtual model is developmentally appropriate.

When will my 5-8 student have the option to the return?

• Per the Board’s plan, BCS students in Grades 5-8 will return with our Middle Schools on November 4, 2020. For many logistical and planning reasons, we are maintaining this timeline.

I have a 3/4 student at BCS. When should I expect to have an option to return in-person?

• October 14, 2020 as outlined by the proposed district plan. Students will have an in-person option scheduled for a half-day hybrid model. Schedules and details will be provided as we gather all necessary planning information.

What will my student do if we decide to remain virtual?

• Those choosing all-virtual will be offered a virtual live option with the hope of keeping students with their current teachers and peers to the greatest extent possible.

I am not comfortable with a live-streaming option right now. How will I know what the all-virtual option will look like for my child?

• We know some have reservations about live-streaming, especially for our 3/4 students, and we are working to address this. Our district is exploring a variety of tools for our students at this time. Before our return, we plan to share videos of what the virtual configuration will look like for our BCS students. We will do everything possible to ensure we are offering our students attending virtually with as many opportunities possible to participate, collaborate, and be part of the classroom culture and community. Please note that students attending in-person for half of the day will be also be expected to participate in the virtual option when they are not in school. Therefore, all students—all-virtual or in a half-day model—will need a robust virtual learning environment.

What will a half-day in-person school day look like if I send my child back in-person?

• Students returning in person will have a half-day option with two groups, an AM and PM option. Students will be assigned a group once we have initial numbers from staff and families. One group will attend in-person in either the morning or afternoon with a live virtual component for the other half of the day. All students will be required to wear masks, sit six-feet apart, and meet all other district safety protocol requirements outlined in the Board presentation. Students will be facing the front of the classroom with proper social distancing in daily assigned seats (for purposes of contact tracing should we need it). We are looking into creative options for students to collaborate in-person with computers/headsets with students attending in-person and those attending virtually. However, in-person face-to-face collaboration will be limited with our six-feet social distancing.

I have more questions, where can I submit them?

• We know many more questions arise. Please submit other questions you may have to this BCS SUBMIT A QUESTION FORM.

When will I receive additional information?

• We will continue to update you with information as we receive it. In addition, we plan to offer a Virtual Parent Town Hall next Friday, September 25, 2020 from 3-4 PM. Please REGISTER for this event by clicking the following link: PARENT TOWN HALL REGISTRATION.

We know this may be stressful for you and your families as we move forward. However, rest assured, we have an incredible team here at BCS, and your feedback has been overwhelmingly positive regarding our virtual learning platform. In so many of your letters to us and to the Board, you have indicated how our virtual learning program at BCS has far exceeded expectations. Of course, nothing replaces a full in-person return in normal circumstances, and our students attending in-person or all-virtually will unfortunately not be afforded “normal school” given our global pandemic. However, like we started the year, we are working together to address whatever reality we face and maintaining our resilience in the face of it.

Thank you for your ongoing support, trust, and partnership! Whether face-to-face or virtual or somewhere in between, the old adage remains true— it certainly takes a village.

Yours in BCS Solidarity,

Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill

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.

Not all grades will need materials this week. Please follow teacher's instructions should there be a need for additional materials deployment.

Please adhere to mask protocols, thank you!

Tuesdays – Grades 5 and 6

Distribution Days: Tuesdays, 3-5 pm

Next Distribution: Tuesday, September 22

Wednesdays - Grades 7 and 8

Distribution Days: Wednesdays, 3-5 pm

Next Distribution: Wednesday, September 23

Thursdays - Grades 3 and 4

Distribution Days: Thursdays, 3-5 pm

Next Distribution: Thursday, September 24

Flu Vaccination Clinic for BCS Families

Thursday, September 24, 11:00am-1:00pm

Outdoors in Front of Main Office

Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to the flu vaccination clinic last week, Walgreens Pharmacy will be returning to BCS this week for a second vaccination clinic. The minimum age to receive the vaccine is 4 years. A consent form must be completed for each person who will be receiving the vaccine. Print both sides of the form, answer questions 1-6 and sign. Please bring the consent form and a copy of your insurance card. Accepted insurance companies will be billed. Flu shots are covered by most insurance companies. Walgreens will provide vouchers for those not covered by insurance. Masks and social distancing will be enforced. Please enter from Covington Road and stay in your car in the drop-off loop until you are at the front of the line.

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)

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.

Our Curriculum Night dates were postponed once the year started due to the virtual start. We are currently working with our staff and BCS PTA to plan Curriculum Night—with some different options on the table given the virtual return. Once we know more information, we will be sure to communicate it. New dates are forthcoming.

Weekly – Monday/Wednesday OR Tuesday/Thursday; 4 sessions total

4:30pm – 6:00pm

Starting 9/14/20 and ending 9/24/20

Tuition: $65

This is an opportunity for students to interact with their friends and classmates in a supervised outdoor setting. Activities will include combinations of outdoor games, arts and crafts, fitness and community service. Students should use the bathroom beforehand as the building will be closed. Class will be cancelled due to bad weather. NO REFUNDS! Face masks are required. To register, go to www.communityed.net. Class size is limited to ensure appropriate ratio and social distancing.

Choice Hour has launched! As a reminder, our various Choice Hours run M-F from 3:25-4:10pm online. You can find all Choice Hour information including schedules, zoom links, FAQs and more at this link: Quarter I Virtual Choice Hour Information.

Please direct all Choice Hour Questions to Courtney Bassett at cbassett@birmingham.k12.mi.us or 248-203-4625.

Please join us for the first Zoom PTA meeting of the year on Thursday, October 1st @ 1:15 pm. The Zoom link will be sent out in next week’s WAG and will be posted on the PTA Facebook page. We will be voting on the 2020/2021 budget which was posted on the PTA website on August 31, 2020.

...is now available to order! Shop the awesome new designs by clicking the links below. All Spirit Wear proceeds go directly to your BCS PTA. All orders are due by September 20th. If you have any questions contact Kari Skubik (kariej525@gmail.com) or Hollie Murray (holliemmurray@gmail.com). Show your BCS spirit! We’ll notify you when you items are available for pickup at Bloomfield Sports Shop at 3594 W Maple Rd, Bloomfield Hills. If you prefer delivery to your home, the site allows for a flat delivery charge.

Apparel and Masks are available through Bloomfield Sports Shop! You will be notified when your items are available for pickup at Bloomfield Sports Shop at 3594 W Maple Rd, Bloomfield Hills. If you prefer delivery to your home, the site allows for a flat delivery charge. Orders must be received by 9/20.

• https://bcs2020.itemorder.com/sale

BCS water bottles, tumblers, and mugs are available through Wendy's Paper Shoppe! You will be notified when your order is ready and will be at school on Pick up days or can be delivered for a flat rate. Click on the link below to order:

• https://www.wendyspapershoppe.com/shop

To join the PTA and update your contact information please click on the link below. You can also download the Membership Toolkit App onto your phone – this is a great way to have the BCS Directory right at your fingertips!

Here's what you need to do:

Go to: bcspta.membershiptoolkit.comIf this does not bring you straight to your account, you will need to click on the Register/Login button and Login using the same email and password previously created. If you have forgotten your password, you can click "I forgot my password" to resetClick on the Parent/Family and Student Information form and update as needed:

• Complete the Directory/Publish Preferences.
• Should end up seeing two green check marks
• Once these forms are complete, you will be presented with forms for Membership, etc.

YOU CAN UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION AT ANYTIME, BUT IF YOU WANT YOUR CURRENT INFORMATION IN THE 2020-2021 PRINTED DIRECTORY YOU WILL NEED TO UPDATE BY 9/20. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Dear Parents & Guardians,

We have exciting breaking news from the USDA and Michigan Department of Education!!! We may continue to feed all children 7 breakfast and 7 lunches for FREE!!! Please pre-order your meals to ensure we have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables for all. It’s a very easy google survey on Birmingham Public Schools website under the menu link. Simply click on the link for “Pre-order your students meals for pick up during remote learning”.

Meals can be picked up by anyone for the children. Family, friends or neighbors. Children do not have to be enrolled at Birmingham Public Schools.

We recognize that many families may be experiencing a change in financial circumstances and are seeking additional help. Please know that we are here to help connect you to programs and resources that can provide support. Regardless of this exciting announcement, we still need families to complete their free and reduced forms. Having these forms completed will ensure a more smooth transition for families when the Federal funds are depleted. You can complete it online at www.lunchapp.com.

Our priority is the health and well-being of all students so they are able to succeed in their education and beyond. The Dream Team will be serving up happy, healthy and pixie dust!!

Thank you,

Pattie Guck, Director of Dining Services

Birmingham Public Schools

pguck@birmingham.k12.mi.us

(248)228-7172

Picture retake dates forthcoming.

e-mail: cs@kaiserstudio.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE HOURS

Monday - Friday

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

STUDIO LOCATION

Kaiser Studio

1825 Birchwood Drive

Troy, Michigan 48083

T: 248-619-9119

F: 248-619-9143

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.

Friday, Sept. 18, 2020

Dear BPS Families,

Last night, the BPS Board of Education passed a resolution to begin to phase students back into the classroom. The in-person phase-in continues with special education services and welcomes back kindergarten and first grade students to the classroom on Sept. 30. On behalf of the administration and the Board, we want to thank you for your patience and understanding as these shifts and the uncertainties associated with them have surely been a challenge. This remains a time where flexibility has been paramount.

As a District, we have maintained our commitment to bring students back to the classroom as soon as it was safe to do so. The plan that passed last evening took the following factors into consideration: local and national COVID data, social distancing needs, safety protocols such as masks and PPE, continued virtual options for those uncomfortable or unable to return and other factors highlighted in the presentation linked here.

Below, you will find an updated version of the letter sent to families on Wednesday. The updates (noted in red) include a middle school hybrid schedule with a start date of Nov. 4, clarifications for special education and links to the updated presentation and meeting held last night.

The extraordinary lengths taken by volunteers, administrators, staff and parents led to options for both in-person and virtual learning environments that put the needs of our students first. We look forward to our continued work.

Sincerely,
BPS Central Leadership Team