Week of 9/14/2020

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, 9/14

• BPS Plus Begins, 4:30 PM-6:00 PM, Ends 9/24*

• Flu Vaccine 1-3 PM, Outside of Main Office*
• 5/6 Materials Pick-Up 3-5 PM*
• BPS Board Meeting 7-9 PM

• 7/8 Materials Pick-Up 3-5 PM*

• 3/4 Materials Pick-Up 3-5 PM*
• District Half-Day for Students -8:15 AM-11:30 AM
• Professional Development for Teachers - PM
• NO CHOICE HOUR

• District Religious Observance Begins: Rosh Hashana*
• Rosh Hashana - No homework assigned for students. Shanah Tova to our celebrating families!

We have a busy week here at BCS as we continue to progress forward with our 2020-2021 school year! We cannot tell you how much we appreciate your support and patience as we adjust to new processes each week. We know this includes a lot of information without a lot of time to process it. Given the nature of our new and fluid learning model, this, unfortunately, will be our reality, and we understand it calls for an incredible amount of flexibility from all of us. But rest assured we will continue working and prototyping until we develop the most effective systems and processes.

Our district's Board will be meeting on Tuesday from 7-9 PM, and we encourage you to view the session, live or recorded, for additional updates from the district. You can view the district board sessions through the BPS YouTube Site (click link). As we anticipate new decisions will be made, we are working tirelessly at BCS to support our current virtual learning program and simultaneously prepare our building for in-person services, some beginning this week. Please review this week's W.A.G. for additional updates regarding everything we have happening this week in more detail.

We wish you a wonderful week at BCS. As always, please reach out to us if we can be of additional assistance and support!

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.

BCS is happy to announce a weekly schedule for distributing materials to students by grade. All distributions will be in the front Main Office loop. We will have people to assist during these times next week. The goal is to have a self-serve process the following week. We will communicate whether certain grades or classes do or do not have distributions each week. This week we anticipate having materials for all grades.

Grade-specific instructions will be communicated the day before each distribution. Please adhere to mask protocols, thank you!

Tuesdays – Grades 5 and 6

Distribution Days: Tuesdays, 3-5 pm

Next Distribution: Tuesday, September 15th

Wednesdays - Grades 7 and 8

Distribution Days: Wednesdays, 3-5 pm

Next Distribution: Wednesday, September 16th

Thursdays - Grades 3 and 4

Distribution Days: Thursdays, 3-5 pm

Next Distribution: Thursday, September 17th

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.

Tuesday, September 15, 1:00-3:00pm

Outdoors in Front of Main Office

The flu vaccine is being offered to BCS families by Walgreens Pharmacy. 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.

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.

...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

All BPS K-12 students and staff are now eligible for a Baldwin Library card! We would like to strongly encourage all families and staff to take advantage of this amazing opportunity to access a wide range of resources. With a Baldwin card, you have the ability to check out print books and access most online databases (including Hoopla -- a favorite for audiobooks and eBooks). Plus, curbside pickup is available during the pandemic! Go to https://www.baldwinlib.org/get-library-card/ for details, or watch this video for detailed instructions on how to sign up. Note: if Baldwin is not your "home" library, you will need to obtain a library card from your home library first.

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.

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020

BPS Families,

Following guidance provided by the state last week and this week, we wanted to share with you our actions surrounding BPS athletics this school year.

Middle School Sports
Middle School athletic opportunities will be offered on an intramural basis this fall. BCS, Berkshire and Derby are members of the COMSAC league for middle school competition. Like most middle school leagues in our area, COMSAC is not offering interscholastic athletics this fall. The league does hope to reinstate competition for the Winter 1 season and we will continue to monitor and share information as it is available.

High School Sports
On Thursday, Sept. 3, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 176, paving the way for practice and interscholastic games in high school sports. The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) immediately followed that announcement by reinstating fall competition in all of its sports – including football.

BPS has worked to prepare fully-compliant programs in all fall sports at Groves and Seaholm. Boys Water Polo remains the only traditional fall sport that will delay competition to the spring of 2021, based on the schedule determined by their governing body (MWPA).

The priority of the return-to-play plan is the safety and well-being of our students. Between the Governor’s Executive Order, MHSAA guidelines and OAA and local BPS standards, all required safety protocols and restrictions will be enforced. Below, find the general protocols in place within BPS. Sport-specific protocols will be shared by coaches to their students and families. For sport-specific protocols, these include some modifications of the playing rules and timing procedures for most sports.

General Protocols

1. Spectators at outdoor events are limited to 2 per participant.
2. Attendees must be screened prior to entry.
3. All spectators, staff and participants (except swimmers) are required to wear facial coverings (see Executive Order 176).
4. Social distancing must be practiced.
5. There will be no spectators at indoor events at Groves or Seaholm.
6. All attendees are asked to leave the venue at the conclusion of the event.