Dear BCS Families,
I hope you enjoyed another beautiful weekend in the Birmingham area!
Finishing strong is our motto and that is exactly what we are doing!
Here are a few ways we are finishing strong at BCS.
-We were fortunate to have a Rachel’s Challenge assembly for our 7/8 students last week. Many of our 7/8 students have accepted Rachel’s Challenge and have signed the banner indicating so. At the 7/8 Open Gym/Dance this past Friday, some of the students began a “chain of kindness.” The chain is now located in the main hallway, and all BCS students, staff, parents and visitors are welcome to add to the chain.
As we continue to finish strong with living by our 3 E’s (Education, Each other, Environment), I am asking families for collaboration. The movie “BULLY, PG-13 Version” is being shown through the end of April at the Birmingham 8 Theater on Old Woodward. I encourage families to go see this movie together. I have heard from a number of families that say it is a great movie about empathy and treating others in a respectful way.
Additionally, the Diversity Committee will begin showing a monthly Friday evening movie on the subject of peer mistreatment. Families are invited to BCS this Friday, April 27 at 7pm, for a free showing of “The Mighty” (PG-13) starring Kieran Culkin, Elden Henson and Sharon Stone.
-The Spring Forensics Tournament was held yesterday at Wayne State University with 21 Michigan Middle Schools competing. We had 16 students participate in 7 different categories. The following students placed:
Ben F. Impromptu
Nick C. Impromptu
Leah W. Declamation (perfect score)
Alex G./Chance S. Duo
Hannah S./Emma S./Caitlin M. Multiple
Haley W./Sarah C./Julia D./Meaghan F. Multiple (perfect score)
Congratulations! Way to Go Cobras!
-The Kids’ Against Hunger Mobile Packaging Unit will be at BCS on Friday, 4/27/12. If you are available for any of the following times, please notify Cindy Balicki at email@example.com.
9:15am-11:00: 10 volunteers to assist the students during the packaging. There will be one parent volunteer/station. Training will be provided.
11:30-1:15: 10 volunteers to assist students during the packaging. Training will be provided.
1:15-2:00: 10 for clean up
Parent volunteers are more than welcome to sign up for consecutive volunteer slots.
For example, they may sign up to unload and then assist with the packaging, therefore, volunteer from 8:30-11:00am.
Thank you, in advance, for your help. I know this will be a truly meaningful experience for our students
-Our teachers continue to work hard to educate each learner and have been working collaboratively on action plans to identify areas of improvement for our learners using both in class and state assessment data!
G.E.E.K.ed about Finishing Strong!
How to finish strong as a parent?
Follow the parking lot procedures-
We MUST keep our students safe! We are still having students cross in front of cars to be picked up/dropped off. You must be in the outside lanes to drop off/pick up.
Also- The entrance/exit to Covington has 2 exits (going right and going left) and only 1 entrance (right hand side coming off of Covington). Please refrain from using the exit lanes as an entrance. This has caused major backups and the Police have stated they will write tickets.
Thank you for keeping our students (and your children) safe!
WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of April 23-27, 2012
To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email firstname.lastname@example.org by THURSDAY 11PM
Monday, April 23
• 4:15PM-6th- 8th CO-ED TRACK Meet-HOME@GROVES
• 6 MILLION PENNIES FOR 6 MILLION LIVES BAKE SALE AT 7/8 LUNCH
• 3:30-4:40-BOYS TENNIS PRACTICE
• 3:15-4:05 PM –GIRLS SOCCER PRACTICE-TEAM PICTURE on the field at 3:20
• 4:05-6PM-BCS PLAY Rehearsal-Cafeteria
Tuesday, April 24
• 6:45-8AM-6th- 8th CO-ED TRACK PRACTICE
• 3:15-5:30PMBCS PLAY Rehearsal-Cafeteria
• 4:00 PM –GIRLS SOCCER GAME –AWAY@East Hills Middle School
• 4:15PM-BOYS TENNIS MATCH @ Detroit Country Day
Wednesday, April 25
• 6:45-8AM-6th- 8th BOYS TRACK PRACTICE AT BCS
• 6:45-8AM-6th-8th GIRLS TRACK PRACTICE –DROP KIDS AT GROVES
• 3:15PM-Delicious Popcorn sold during Choice Hour-only $ 1
• 3:15 PM-SCHOOL STORE RE-OPENS –-School Store is moving to Wednesdays
• 3:30-4:40-BOYS TENNIS PRACTICE
• 4:00 PM –GIRLS SOCCER GAME –AWAY@ Cranbrook Middle School
• 4:05-6PM-BCS PLAY Rehearsal-Cafeteria
Thursday, April 26-
• TAKE YOUR CHILD TO WORK DAY – please, please notify the attendance office if your child will not be in school at 8:20am. A late arrival (tardy) or absence can be emailed to email@example.com or call 248.203.4444, press 2. Thank you very much!!
• 6:45-8AM-6th- 8th GIRLS TRACK PRACTICE AT BCS
• 6:45-8AM-6th-8th BOYS TRACK PRACTICE DROP KIDS AT GROVES
• 8AM-Diversity Champions Breakfast-Community House
• 3:30-4:40-BOYS TENNIS PRACTICE
• 4:05-6:05 PM –GIRLS SOCCER PRACTICE
• 3:15-5:30PM-BCS PLAY Rehearsal-Cafeteria
• 7:30PM-Instrumental Music Concert-4th Graders/ Parents-Groves Auditorium-see below for more information
Friday, April 27
• KIDS AGAINST HUNGER MOBILE PACKAGING EVENT
• DUE-4PM-Choice Hour Change Slips-Changes begin Mon April 30
• DUE-REGISTRATION FOR DELAYED START KIDS CLUB
• 3:30-4:40-BOYS TENNIS PRACTICE
• 4:05-6:05 PM –GIRLS SOCCER PRACTICE
Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)
- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks
Monday – Grilled Turkey or Corned Rueben on Whole Wheat, California Blend, Sweet Potato Fries, Bacon Cheeseburger
Tuesday – Chicken Pot Pie, Whole Wheat Roll, Steamed Peas, Nachos Deluxe
Wednesday – Grilled All Beef Hotdog on Whole Wheat, Baked Potato Wedges, Steamed Vegetable, Pepperoni Calzone
Thursday – Chicken Alfredo on Whole Wheat Penne, Steamed Broccoli, Garlic Breadstick, Cheese Quesadilla
Friday – Baked Potato Bar, Home Style Chili, Green Beans, Hawaiian Pizza
KIDS AGAINST HUNGER MOBILE PACKAGING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! -Friday 4/27/12. (see above)
BCS Student Speaks at the MGM as Youth Ambassador
-BCS would like to share a special event that took place last night. Cameron R. spoke at the MGM Grand Detroit as the 2012 Youth Ambassador for the American Diabetes Association (Michigan). A momentous occasion for him and his family! Here is a video his family has allowed us to share! Nancy Best was a guest of Cameron’s family as he spoke to more than 500 people.
DELAYED START INFORMATION-Our next delayed start is Tuesday,May 1. All schools start time delayed 90 minutes. REGISTRATION FORM is at bcsonline.info. Due date is Friday,April27 Transportation will be running 90 minutes later than the normal pick up time. If your child is normally picked up by the bus at 7:50 a.m. they will be picked up at 9:20. Pickup locations are the same.
BCS teachers will report at the normal time and will be participating in professional development.
PE UPDATE-4th QUARTER-
Monday April 16-Friday May 11-Harvath and Mali will SWIM-pack appropriate clothing
Butzin,Frishman,Davis,Seley.Parkin,Wallington will be in the GYM-PACK SHOES-NO FLIP FLOPS!
Monday May 14-Friday June 15- Butzin,Frishman,Davis,Seley.Parkin,Wallington will SWIM-pack appropriate clothing
Harvath and Mali will be in the GYM-PACK SHOES-NO FLIP FLOPS!
DRESS CODE REMINDER
As the weather gets warmer and shorts, skirts, and tank tops come out, please take a moment to review the dress code with your child (http://www.bcsonline.info/Documents/2011-2012StudentHandbookPlanner.pdf ) on page 9 of the student handbook. Please help your child to remember that shorts/skirts must be below the child’s fingertips and tank tops must have wide enough straps so that undergarments cannot be seen. If a student is not wearing the appropriate clothing to meet dress code, a call will be placed to a parent to have an appropriate item of clothing brought up for the student to change into. Thank you for helping!
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MS SOCIETY WALK-APRIL28
The National MS Society is hosting a walkathon at BCS on Saturday, April 28. They are looking for student volunteers to stand at the finish line and welcome the walkers in. Students may show up any time between 9:30am and 1:00pm. They may stay for as little or long as they would like. Students should check in at the volunteer check in table and parents will need to sign a waiver. This is primarily to approve the publication of photos should they be taken during the event.
MESSAGES TO STUDENTS FROM HOME
We are asking parent cooperation in minimizing the number of messages to be delivered to students during the school day. We recognize, of course, that there are situations where you must get a message to your child.
IN THE EVENT YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY REQUIRING A MESSAGE TO YOUR CHILD, PLEASE DIAL 248-203-4426 for the school receptionist or 248-203-4474 for the parent volunteer at the reception desk. Please be patient and do not leave a message in voice mail but rather call back until you reach a person. We will deliver emergency messages to students if they are received before 2:45 pm. We appreciate the message called in as soon as possible.
Please be sure your child is aware of unusual transportation or pickup arrangements BEFORE leaving for school in the morning. A successful strategy used by parents is to write transportation arrangements or other important information in your child’s planner.Our very busy office staff thanks you!!
Please ensure that your student has and USES a lock on their GYM locker and that all valuables are secured there. Some students have lost valuable items. Locking them is the best protection for everyone
6 MILLION PENNIES FOR 6 MILLION LIVES
Every Monday, starting this Monday, April 16th, our “6 Million Pennies for 6 Million Lives” Bake Sale fundraiser begins. Please donate baked goods for our cause to remember those that died in the Holocaust and to help out to raise money for our Kids Against Hunger – 1 out of 7 people go to bed hungry and we would like to help make a change!
When: During 7/8 Lunch and afterschool if there are leftovers (EVERY MONDAY!)
Where: right outside of the cafeteria
How Much: $1 or less (no change will be given and ALL money will go our cause!)
Why: How do we change the world = 1 act of Kindness at a time
BCS IS JOINING FORCES WITH GLEANERS FOOD BANK TO BATTLE HUNGER!
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012
Time: 9:00-10:30am, 11:00am-12:30pm, or 1:00-2:30pm
Location: 120 E. Columbia Avenue, Pontiac MI
All BCS families are being offered the opportunity to help package food for those in need. Each session can accommodate 40 people. If you would like to volunteer your time and give back to others, please sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084CA4A62EA46-gleaners . Please make sure you include the total number from your family who will be attending. Sessions will be closed once the maximum number of 40 is met.
THE FLAMINGO FLOCKING FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT THE 8TH GRADE CELEBRATION IS BACK!!!
Check bcsonline.info for more information and form
CHOICE HOUR INFORMATION: for Q IV
4th Quarter Choice Hour classes began on Monday April 16th. Choice Hour selections are posted on the Choice Hour board in the main hallway and in each homeroom.
The deadline for requesting a Choice Hour class change is Friday April 27th by 4:00 PM. Choice Hour class change request forms are available in the main office. Classes with openings are listed on the back of the Choice Hour class change request form. Please read the change form very carefully.
Students requesting a change are expected to attend their originally assigned classes for the first two weeks of the new quarter. ALL Choice Hour changes that are approved will go into effect on Monday April 30th. You will receive timely notification if your Choice Hour change request is denied.
Choice Hour drop refunds will be processed for classes dropped during the official Choice Hour change period which ends at 4:00 PM on Friday April 27th. No refunds will be processed after the Friday April 27th deadline.
No Choice Hour drops, adds and/or changes will be accepted over the phone or via email. All Choice Hour change requests require a parent’s signature. Please pick up the proper paperwork in the office.
Thank you for supporting the Choice Hour program!
Choice Hour Planning for 2012-2013 School Year:
Choice Hour planning for the first quarter of the 2012-2013 school year has begun. Several parents have already volunteered to teach some very interesting Choice Hour classes next year that highlight their talents and interests. If you would like to share your time and talents with a small group of students during Choice Hour please contact Linda Stone at 248-203-4625 or email her at firstname.lastname@example.org for more information.
Choice Hour Reminders:
Students that do not have Choice Hour on any given day need to be picked up by 3:20 PM. Students that do not have a Choice Hour class and are not picked up by 3:30 will be charged a $5.00 fee.
If your student has Choice Hour but will not be attending their Choice Hour class please call the Choice Hour attendance line (248-203-4625) to have them excused at 3:15, email Linda Stone at email@example.com or pick up a pink slip in the office to have them released from choice hour.
Choice Hour attendance can be a very time consuming job. The safety of your children is always our priority. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions regarding Choice Hour attendance please feel free to call Linda Stone at 248-203-4625.
ITS TIME FOR BOKS Space is Limited
BOKS is a fun, physical activity program that wakes up your brain and body for school and teaches you healthy habits.
The program runs approximately an hour before the start of school. Each session involves a functional, fun and interactive approach to physical activity and ends with a quick and easy nutrition tip.
Where: Birmingham Covington School
When: Monday and Fridays Starting April 13th at 7:15 am
8 week session ending June 1, 2012
Cost: $35.00 (Write checks payable to BCS) If assistance is needed contact Adam Hartley or Patricia Chinn no one is ever excluded for financial reasons
The Birmingham Education Foundation Brings Author Gary Schmidt to Secondary Schools as its 2011 Author-In-Residence April 23-25, 2012
MEET AUTHOR GARY SCHMIDT!
BCS 6, 7, and 8th grade Students
Date & Time: Monday Morning April 23, 2012
Parents we will not be purchasing books in advance to sell to students for autographing. Instead we want to support the BEF. Please go the the BEF web page (www.supportbef.org) and order Gary Schmidt books via the BEF Amazon link in the upper left hand corner of the page. Have your child bring his/her book to school or to the community program. Each book purchase supports the BEF who funds our Author & Artist in Residency Program each year which links, books children and authors. Learn more about Mr. Schmidt at http://bitgsquad.ning.com/page/bef-author-gary-schmidt. This online Glogster has a Skype interview with Mr. Schmidt, a 3 minute overview of him at home talking about his latest book OKAY For Now, and info about his other honors as well as the reading connection to our district programs .
Gary Schmidt is a National Book Finalist, Newbery Author, and English Professor at Calvin College in Michigan.
BCS 4th & 5th Graders are invited to the Community Program/Reception for 4th-12th graders
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 7:00-8:00pm
Location: Baldwin Public Library, 300 West Merrill Street, Birmingham, MI 48009
The Role of the Writer for Today’s Young Readers”
The Community Program at the Baldwin Public Library will be a time of stories. Students will get an inside look at how stories do what they do: how they entertain and what they mean. Parents and students are invited to this program and reception. Free raffle tickets will be available at the door for a chance to win an autographed copy of a Schmidt book and a photo with the author. Books will be for sale by Book Beat.
INSTRUMENTAL INFORMATION FOR 4TH GRADE FAMILIES FROM BPS INSTUMENTAL INSTRUCTORS
Dear Fourth Grade Parents,
In the fall of each school year, Birmingham Public Schools offers the opportunity for every fifth grader to participate in beginning band/orchestra class. This is in addition, at the 5th grade level, to their vocal music instruction. We recommend that every 4th grader and a parent plan on joining us on Thursday, April 26th at 7:30pm in the Groves High School Auditorium for a concert presentation on instrumental music. Please mark this date on your calendar. This presentation will give students an opportunity to hear each instrument and gain a better understanding of the various groups of instruments. This performance will be presented by our high school students and the instrumental music staff.
In April and May a representative from Anderson Music Company will be coming to each elementary school to test and fit students towards being involved in the instrumental music program. Each child will have the opportunity to try two - three instruments of their choosing from the strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion. If, for some reason, you do not want your child tested, please send a letter to your child’s classroom teacher. A letter will be sent home naming the instruments that your child tried and the one that was recommended for them with their input.
When students go on to middle school, they continue their music performance education in choir, band, or orchestra. Being part of a performance group is such a rewarding and educational experience. Singing in a choral ensemble or playing in a band or orchestra are all amazing experiences. Performing builds self confidence, leadership skills and also helps to keep students focused and happy. We know that music students represent the top of the academic scale in our schools. We also know music students average higher scores on standardized tests then their peers, go on to college and become the leaders in our society.
WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAVEL AND EXCHANGE FOR TWO 7/8 BOYS TO MODENA, ITALY.
Looking for two boys,13 or 14, who want to change the world by building global friendships. The opportunity is for two boys to participate in an interchange with young people in Modena, Italy -- the other Motor City, home to Ferrari and Maserati (and balsamic vinegar).This program run by the nonprofit CISV, which stands for Children's International Summer Villages.For more information contact Emilia Askari,BCS Proud Mom. 248-229-2990 or firstname.lastname@example.org
DOWNLINK ACTIVITY WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
Save the date! We are very excited to announce that on May 23, 2012, Birmingham Public Schools will host a downlink with the International Space Station during the school day. This is an incredible honor and we are one of only six organizations selected to participate in this expedition. Please save the date now to participate in our evening family event where you can watch a replay of the downlink from earlier in the day. You and your family will also be able to visit individual stations that highlight microgravity, space station information and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Younger space explorers will also have the opportunity to build a straw rocket. Mark your calendar now for Wednesday, May 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Seaholm High School Gymnasium. This event is free to all BPS community members and there is no need to RSVP. This great event is made possible through the generosity of the Birmingham Education Foundation
SIGN UP FOR SUMMER CAMPS NOW !!!!!!!
Summer Camp Guide is now available on-line at www.communityed.net, Also a booklet is available in the office
Check out the wide variety of youth enrichment and recreation camps!
This is a friendly reminder that online registration for ACADEMIC SUMMER SCHOOL HAS BEGUN!! Summer school is a great opportunity to replace undesirable grades, credit recovery, or to earn new credits! Some classes fill quickly and there are discounts for registering early!
Registration opened to BPS residents on Thursday on March 1, 2012 and are accepted online only at www.communityed.net
*Classes will not appear on the website until 12:01 AM on March 1st. If you would like to preview a list of class offerings or get more information, a link to the complete high school brochure is shown below. To paste into your browser