BPS eNews |
Weekly District Newsletter
Helpful resources for parents and students
As outlined in our strategic plan, Birmingham Public Schools is dedicated to fostering a culture of unity and well-being where every student feels safe, valued and empowered to learn. The district is providing our families, staff and community members with resources to help assist students and facilitate conversations regarding what is occurring in the Israel-Gaza region.
Please review this document for tips on how to talk to your children.
State Clear Expectations: Talk to your children about not engaging in acts of violence or making threats
Reaffirm Safety: Let children guide what information they need. Avoid sharing unnecessary, frightening details. Provide brief, simple information with reassurance.
Make Time to Talk: Provide opportunity for your children to discuss concerns and to help separate real from imagined fears. Let their questions guide the conversation.
Acknowledge and Normalize Feelings: Never force but always allow your child to speak about feelings, and validate their reactions.
Limit Exposure to Media and Social Media:
Limit exposure to images or graphic reference to violence.
For youth who are concerned for family and loved ones in the middle of the conflict, manage and structure the amount of time they search for information.
Take time to discuss healthy social media habits and how to know what information is accurate.
Monitor Emotional States: Some children may not express themselves verbally, but changes in their behavior, appetite, or sleep patterns may indicate anxiety or stress.
Know the Signs of More Serious Trauma Reactions: Adults should seek professional help if children exhibit significant changes in behavior or any of the following symptoms for more than 2 weeks.
Preschoolers: thumb sucking, bedwetting, clinging to parents, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, fear of the dark, regression in behavior, withdrawal from friends and routines.
Elementary school children: irritability, aggressiveness, clinginess, nightmares, school avoidance, poor concentration, withdrawal from activities and friends.
Adolescents: sleeping and eating disturbances, agitation, increase in conflicts, physical complaints, delinquent behavior, and poor concentration.
Teach Adaptive Coping Strategies: Teach and model strategies to help children calm themselves in times of stress (e.g., journaling, mindfulness, coloring, etc.).
Additional, resources:
- Talking to Children about Violence in News
- Explaining the News to Our Kids
- Talking to Children About War
- Supporting Youth Affected by Violence
Students should report any incident of bullying, threats, hate or bias directly to the district using our online reporting form. This resource is located on the homepage of your school’s website. If you require additional support for your student(s), please do not hesitate to contact their school counselor, classroom teacher or building administrator.
Furthermore, we have asked for additional law enforcement presence at our schools to align with global events. We have also reviewed safety protocols with our principals and building leaders.
Grand Opening: Seaholm to open new gym Oct. 13
Seaholm is set to unveil its brand-new auxiliary gym, a state-of-the-art facility that features an indoor track, basketball courts, a golf simulator, batting cages and numerous other amenities. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the gym will take place during halftime of Friday's varsity football game against Oak Park. This exciting event is open to the entire BPS community and will commence at 6 p.m.
Youth Football Night
Athletic boosters for the Seaholm football program would like to invite all district middle school and Patriot football players to Youth Football Night on Friday, Oct. 13. Players are asked to wear their jerseys and meet outside of Seaholm's new Field House at 6:30 p.m. Each player will be given a ticket for a free hot dog and beverage.
Players will be escorted onto the field to line up with the varsity football team for the National Anthem and run onto the field prior to kickoff. Players are encouraged to stay until the game's conclusion to ring the celebration bell and take photos.
A Little Princess: The Musical
Dream Arts Company (DACO) returns to the Little Theatre at Groves for a special 20th anniversary presentation of "A Little Princess: The Musical." The show will run Oct. 14-15 at 3 p.m. Founder Tiffany Sims presented the performance as DACO’s first musical production 20 years ago. The production occurred inside the Little Theatre at Groves, kicking off a 20-year arts connection and partnership with BPS and Birmingham Community Education.
The production includes 25 talented local actors and interns from surrounding communities, including 17 current students from BPS and two district alumni, Elizabeth Lyons (Milton) and Laura Eglin (Nanes). General admission tickets are available now for $20, while reserved (fundraiser) seats are $45. There's a $5 discount code for BPS students and staff members: BPS20.
Free preschool opportunity
BPS is still accepting applications for the 2023-2024 Great Start Readiness program, a free preschool opportunity for families that qualify. The child must be four years old by Dec. 1. This full-day program is located at Bingham Farms Elementary from 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday. For more information, please contact Laura Tinsley at LTinsley@birmingham.k12.mi.us or dial (248) 203-5805.
Birmingham Community Ed
Birmingham Community Education offers a wide array of enrichment, recreation classes and programs for adults and youth. Register for programs today as the 2023 fall guide is available online for you to review.
Youth:
- Kids Power Karate, Little Ninjas Karate and Family Power Karate begins Oct. 25.
- Self-Defense for Children ages 6-11 is on Oct. 30.
- Rookie Basketball League session two begins Oct. 30.
- Kids Empowered presents: “American Girl’s Nite Out” on Nov. 3 and “Lego Mania Nite Out” on Nov. 10.
- Soccer School for Little Folks, two session beginning Nov. 9 and Nov. 14.
Adults:
- Yoga Fitness with Lynn Dowe begins Oct. 17
- Self-Defense for Women on Oct. 30
- “Back on Course” Zoom Computer Workshops
- Hospice Volunteer Training on Oct. 19
