Week of 3/22/2021

BCS inspires students to lead in the global community through a passion for learning, innovating, inquiry and design.

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, 3/22

Tuesday, 3/23

• 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.

Wednesday, 3/24

• Parent Teacher Conferences in p.m. Virtual Half Day in a.m. for students 8:35-11:50 a.m.

Thursday, 3/25

• Parent Teacher Conferences in p.m. Virtual Half Day in a.m. for students 8:35-11:50 a.m.
• Material Distribution, ALL VIRTUAL STUDENTS 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.*

Friday, 3/26

Coming up...Spring Break March 29 - April 2. School Resumes on Monday, April 5.

With our transition to our newest learning model this week, we have been incredibly busy preparing & welcoming our students! We want to thank all of our staff for their tireless work each and every day. They deserve our utmost gratitude for all they do to make BCS the exceptional environment it is for all of our students. Parents we also want to thank you for all you do to support us and for raising such wonderful children. Your partnership helps us continue to grow and enrich our school community for all students.

During an announcement on Wednesday, we shared the following with our students, and we will share part of it with you so you may reinforce the message at home, for both our virtual and in-person students:

"We have been so very proud of how well you have represented BCS this year — how responsible, respectful, and resilient you have been during a challenging time. Please continue to model those noble qualities. With so many students back in the building, be safe and follow all the COVID safety protocols, the ones you now know by memory, social distancing, masks, hand-washing, etc... Help when a staff member or peer asks. Or maybe help even if someone does not ask but may need it. Engage in all of the learning opportunities around you with some amazingly talented teachers and staff who are right there alongside you in your educational journies. Try to do your part to help everyone feel included, those who are with us in person and those attending virtually, and not making anyone feel less included because of where they may be learning. Be kind with your words but also, and perhaps more importantly, be kind with your actions. And so today and each day at BCS, we encourage you to aspire to be your "best self"... because it is then, when we are our aspiring to be our best, that we make BCS such "a great place to be."

Yours in BCS Solidarity,

Dr. Hakim and Mr. Hill

Please review these procedures to help keep your students and school safe.

Parents

1. Buzz the front door
2. Show identification to the camera
3. Enter building and sign out student on blue sheet on clipboard
4. Wait in vestibule for student

Students

1. Will be released after the office staff calls the teacher
2. Student will be sent to the office
3. 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

Choice Hour Quarter III Schedules (listed by Student ID Number)

Choice Hour Quarter III Zoom Links

There will be NO CHOICE HOUR on the following dates:

Wednesday, 3/24

Thursday, 3/25

Friday, 4/23

While Mrs. Bassett, our Choice Hour Coordinator, is out on maternity leave, Ms. Veronica Pilarski will be overseeing Choice Hour. Ms. Pilarski is already a part of our BCS team as a choice hour teacher, noon aid, and office assistant. If you have any questions regarding choice hour, Ms. Pilarski will be answering the bcschoicehour@birmingham.k12.mi.us email!

The BCS Spring Book Fair from Follett is open (online only) for one more week, through Monday, March 29! Ask your child for their wish list code, or browse books from the comfort of your home together.

Some of our teachers made wish lists, too! Please consider donating books to the classroom libraries.

Mr. Wallington’s Wishlist Code: JX8737

Mr. Arbaugh’s Wishlist Code: JDX7K4

Mrs. Parkin’s Wishlist Code: JX8LX4

Mr. Joseph’s Wishlist Code: JR78KP

New this spring: all purchases will be shipped directly to your home (or any address of your choosing). All proceeds from the Book Fair fund the purchases of new books and materials for the BCS Media Center. Thank you for your support, and Happy Reading!

Click here BCS Blast Road Rally + Auction 2021 to be a part of the PTA Blast Road Rally Planning Committee!

Details:

This year our school Blast event has been recreated into a Road Rally! Do you know what a Road Rally is and how it will work? Think scavenger hunt!

You will download and log into the Goosechase app, get clues for landmarks or activities to do around the city, upload pics into the app and get points. Top points will win (gift card) prizes!

You can drive through our district or walk through downtown Birmingham answering clues in the app. Clue answers might be pictures in front of store front or similar.

Our app will also have many BCS Trivia questions loaded into it for a chance to gather even more points! Also, 20 checkered flags will be placed in various locations around town that students will bring back to the school to cash in for a small prize.

This is our biggest PTA fundraiser of the year! The dollars collected from this event will directly support the budget for next school year and all the things the kids love most.

It will be a socially distanced competition game with clues and an app, so a device will be needed to enter the Rally. It’s a fun activity for the family or a small group of friends.

The points you collect may win you a nice Amazon gift card. But only paid participants get prizes so buy your $25 entry ticket now on the Auctria website. As you play the game each student will see where they stand with other competitors. Non BCS students/siblings are welcome to enter as well. Did you graduate a previous year from BCS and want to join us? Please join us by purchasing entry admission on the Auctria site.

Parents do not need to purchase a ticket and new 2021-2022 students can enter for free. New students who wish to participate will need to complete the Google Form sent out this week in an email.

Afterwards, we plan to gather in the school bus loop for some outdoor fun with food trucks and music. Covid protocols will be in place. Raffle tickets will continue to be sold at a table in the bus loop and 2 random winners will be picked at 6pm. The Grand Prize is 50% of the raffle sales, and the Runner-Up Prize is a basket filled with $100 worth of Lotto tickets. Maybe you will be a lucky winner!

To purchase entry into the Road Rally event please go to: www.auctria.com/auction/bcsblast. This will also be the link to the online BCS Auction which will open April 21st.

We look forward to bringing our BCS family together and hope to see you there!

If you have any questions, please email: bcsptsabcs@gmail.com

Click https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/cms/lib/MI01908619/Centricity/Domain/16/2021%20BCS%20Blast%20Details%20Overview_.pdf for more details!

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.

Like most things this year, The Birbery Reading Program will be a little different than in the past. We are still excited to share great books from the past year with our 6-7-8th graders, but this year we have even more books to choose from -- and less requirements to participate. Our goal is to get your kids reading new titles with no stress…and the possibility of a small reward. Visit the BCS Media Center’s Birbery webpage for more details: https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/4309.

Our follow-up water test for legionella came back negative (hurray). Water filling stations and showers may now be used, though due to Covid-19 restrictions drinking fountains remain inoperable.

Bottled water will no longer be available for students. Please make sure students have a water bottle with their name on it. Filling stations are available throughout the school.

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 will be distributed to students at the end of the day. Please wash fresh produce before consuming.

Lunch is available free of charge to all students. There will be 2 cold lunch options provided by Chartwells.

See the information below regarding meal pick up for students during remote learning. All students 18 and under can receive meals for free. Read more on the Chartwells Meal Info Flyer.

For those requesting information regarding travel guidelines, please see the following guidelines and recommendations from the CDC:

Domestic Travel Guidelines

If your travel is within the United States, the CDC recommends that you consider getting tested when you return and reducing non-essential activities for a full seven days. The CDC also asks that you practice good social habits, stay 6 feet from anyone you did not travel with, wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and watch for symptoms of COVID-19. All questions regarding travel, including international travel, please review the CDC guidelines linked below.

• Read full travel guidance from the CDC here.

As we return to In-Person Learning, we need to update records for our school clinic. If your child will need medications at school or has the following conditions: Asthma, Severe Allergy, Insect Sting Reaction, Diabetes, Seizure Disorder, Or Other Medical Condition; please contact BCS ASAP for the correct forms that need to be submitted. The forms need to be signed by a parent or guardian and the child's doctor. Forms can also be found at https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/domain/49. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact Jennifer Walker at 248-203-4522 or JWalker@birmingham.k12.mi.us.

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.

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.

Birmingham Community Education just added virtual and in-person Spring programs for all ages! Heartsaver/First Aid/CPR/AED course for Adults | PKSA Karate for adults, family and youth | Kids Kickboxing | Soccer School for Little Folks | Challenge Island STEAM classes | SNAP Spring Flag Football League

Register or for more information go to www.communityed.net

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

Baldwin Public Library now offers all area students Library Cards

Baldwin Public Library has announced that any student in the Birmingham Public School community will have the same opportunity to access Library resources to assist with classroom learning inside and outside of school.

Previously, students who attend Birmingham Public Schools, but who do not live in the Baldwin Public Library service area needed a card from their home community library, which meant varied access to an assortment of electronic resources. By offering all students a Baldwin Public Library card, the question of whether a student can access a specific resource is eliminated.

To acquire a BPL card, students and their parent or guardian will need to apply for a card at https://www.baldwinlib.org/get-library-card/ and collect their card from BPL, which is located at 300 W. Merrill St. in downtown Birmingham. Link to full press release here.

Summer camps are online now at www.communityed.net – Birmingham Community Education.

Calling all 8th grade boy soccer players... Those interested in playing for the Seaholm Boys Soccer Program can now Pre-Register for 2021 Season & Try-Outs on our booster website at www.seaholmboyssoccer.com. Please join us for an informational ZOOM meeting, April 20th @ 6 pm with Varsity Coach Jared Vince. Join Zoom Meeting: http://zoom.us/j/92519706548

Seaholm Dance Team Informational Meeting – April 7th

Have a student that loves to perform? Join Seaholm Dance Team Varsity Coach Allie and JV Coach Gillian for an informational Zoom meeting on Wednesday, April 7th at 7:00 pm. Please check out the flyer linked here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1geFEhs1CPb_BlhI_npFPfNO8tjwFJUNq/view to receive a link to the Zoom Meeting. Join Allie and Gillian on April 7th to learn more about the Seaholm Dance Team!

Registration for Birmingham Youth Lacrosse Spring Season is Now Open!

Come play the fastest growing sport in America! Please visit 2021 Spring — Birmingham Bulldogs for more information.

Field Hockey League Opportunity 3rd - 8th graders!

Come and learn how to play field hockey! No experience necessary! League is open for 3rd - 8th graders, boys and girls. Players will receive basic skill instruction and game play. If you don’t have a stick, you can purchase one through online registration (chose the session indicated "With Starter Equipment”). League will run April 10 - May 15 at Oakland Yard Athletics. Register online at https://www.oaklandyard.com/lg_fieldhockey.asp.

Discover Field Hockey - One day 90 minute clinic Open to boys and girls ages 5 - 17, March 27 10 -11:30 am at The Sports Academy, Chesterfield, MI. Register online.

https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Field-Hockey/EVENTS/2021/March/27/Discover-Field-Hockey---Chesterfield

Don’t forget to order your BCS tumblers & bottles! They are provided by Wendy's Paper Shoppe. You will be notified when your items are available for pickup during the regular BCS Distribution days. There is also a delivery option if you live in the 48025 or 48009 zip codes for a flat delivery charge. Payments accepted are PayPal, Venmo or Credit cards. https://www.wendyspapershoppe.com/bcs-items

New Covington Spirit Wear is now available to order! Shop the awesome new designs by heading to the online store. All Spirit Wear proceeds go directly to your BCS PTA. All orders are due by April 11th. If you have any questions contact Kari Skubik (kariej525@gmail.com) or Hollie Murray (holliemmurray@gmail.com). Show your BCS spirit! Bloomfield Sports will 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.

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)

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.

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.

Please see the following site for great resources from BPS regarding emotional health and wellness. BPS EMOTIONAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

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.