Week 5/30/2022
.... It's a GREAT place to be!
Birmingham Covington Schools (BCS)
Office Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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
5/30/22 - Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 5/30
- Memorial Day, No School
Tuesday, 5/31
- BCS Pride Meeting after choice hour in Mr. Emmi's room
Wednesday, 6/1
Thursday, 6/2
- BCS Alumni Breakfast 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Friday, 6/3
Upcoming Dates:
- Move Up Day - Monday, June 6
- 8th Grade Graduation and Dance - Tuesday, June 7
- Wacky Recess - Wednesday, June 8
- Imagination Station 5/6 - Thursday, June 9
- Cedar Point 7/8 - Thursday, June 9
- Last day of School, Half Day of School (11:30 AM Dismissal) - Friday, June 10
All School News
Greetings, BCS Families!
We hope everyone has had some time to spend with family this holiday weekend. We know this has been an incredibly tough week for everyone given the terrible news that unfolded in Uvalde at Robb Elementary School. While we wish we could assure you that every public space in our country is free from risk, we know this is not our current reality. However, we want to assure you that our commitment to the safety and security of students and staff is paramount, and we work thoughtfully and carefully to enhance our safety and security efforts.
Know we have met individually with the leader of the BCS Security Audit, a former FBI agent with an extensive background in school safety and security, specifically related to incidents of violence in schools. He has done a thorough assessment of each school in our district and provided additional recommendations we are adhering to across our schools. He also gave us accolades for the work we have done at BCS to help increase safety and security, including our training techniques, increased supervision with camera views for the parent volunteers, and other emergency preparation tools/materials. In addition, we were praised for modifications regarding entrance procedures during drop-off, so students are not outside for longer. We closed the 5/6 doors and changed the automatic locking system that leads to the locker room so that it is only open for a limited window in the morning for practice. The coaches for morning sports have been instructed to monitor those doors and request late students to enter through the main office. All of these strategies we implemented immediately help bolster our safety.
This situation in Texas, like we are sure it has on you, hits us to our core. Know how seriously and thoughtful we are when it comes to planning for the safety of our building and community. We are constantly thinking about how to better enhance BCS’ safety and security measures.
With two weeks left, we have many celebratory events planned, and you may notice an increased presence of our Bloomfield Hills Police Department as an added precaution. As always, we thank you for your partnership and support, and anticipate a successful end of the school year.
Yours in BCS solidarity,
Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
BCS Happenings
Elective Descriptions and Forms for 2022-2023
Elective selections for 2022-2023 are now available! Please see below for links to the elective descriptions and the selection sheets.
Please complete the elective selection form by Friday, May 27, by 4:00 pm or an elective class will be chosen for your child. Your child will receive one class for the entire year.
5th Grade Elective Descriptions
5th Grade Elective Selection Form
6th Grade Elective Descriptions
Congratulations to the BCS Birbery Student Representatives!
Congratulations to all of our Birbery Quiz Bowl participants and our five BCS Birbery Representatives: Grant C, Samantha K, Kate K, Olivia M, and Aria P. These students traveled to Baldwin Public Library in a limo on Thursday, May 19th, where they collaborated with students from Berkshire and Derby to nominate “Amari and the Night Brothers” as the district’s 2022 Birbery Book Winner. Click here to find out more about the Birbery Program.
Food Delivery to Students
2022 8th Grade Graduation Week
Monday, June 6th
Students on the Washington DC trip return.
Graduation Rehearsal: 2:00-3:00 PM in the gym
Tuesday, June 7th
Graduation Ceremony: 6:30 PM
Reception 7:30 PM
Dance (Graduates only): 8:00-10:00 PM
Thursday, June 9th
Cedar Point
Friday, June 10th
7/8 Farewell Breakfast
Half Day of School
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
To make 8th Grade Graduation week run smoothly, we desperately need your TIME and DONATIONS. Please signup below!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050545a8ab2da13-8thgrade1
Please help us make this day special for them. We ask everyone for their support in set-up/clean-up and donations. And in the tradition of past BCS graduations, 7th Grade parent volunteers are required during this special occasion so that the 8th Grade parents can enjoy the event with their families. After months of planning to make everything special, we will just need your help on graduation day and for the farewell breakfast (that 7th grade students attend as well) on June 10th.
Part of the evening festivities will include a gift card raffle at the dance. Please consider donating cards or giving a monetary donation for our Dance Committee to purchase them. For monetary donations for gift cards, please click the link below and specify that your donation is for the 8th grade dance.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DFUXAV7WWW532
Thank you so much for your support!
Shannon & Jen (8th Grade Celebration Chairs)
Spirit Week: May 31-June 3
Humane Society Pet Supply Drive
Introducing BCS Girls Tennis Fall 2022
BCS is pleased to announce that we will offer girls tennis this fall 2022! While formal registration will not go out/live until late August we want to get a bearing on who is interested in playing. On that note if your child, rising 6-8 grades, is interested in this excellent opportunity please email Lbraisted@birmingham.k12.mi.us with a brief message indicating the players name and what grade they will be entering next fall. This basic info will help us forecast the size of our team and secure adequate practice facilities and staff.
Go Cobras!
BCS Boys and Girls Cross Country Summer Training
We are looking forward to a great Cross Country season in the fall. We created a
training program to help you prepare over the summer. This is optional, but
recommended. The calendar workouts are a guide. Please do as much
as possible to train over the summer. We will have meets early in the fall when school
starts and want to be ready!
For those that are new to BCS Cross Country, welcome! There is only one event at each meet and it is a 2 mile run. The run is typically on a trail or grass and can include hills. We look forward to seeing you all in the fall! Go Cobras!!
-Michelle McNulty, Lauren Bates BCS XC Coaches
Please return BCS Open House Yard signs!
BCS Pride
Attention all students! Want to be part of a fun club dedicated to making B C S a safe space for everyone?
Join BCS Pride! We meet every Tuesday 4:15-5pm in Room 600B. Email Mr. Joe for more information: rjoseph@bps-schools.com
PTA Update
End of the Year Teacher/Staff Gift via GiftCrowd
It is hard to believe that the end of the year is just around the corner! The PTA has set up GiftCrowd again. This is a great way to give a "Thank You" to the BCS Teachers and Staff for all the work they have done for our kids this year. The 3/4 and 5/6 classes have already collected for their teachers, but this is another way to give a little more.
Thank You BCS Family!
Thank You!! Thank You!! Thank You!!
Our Spring Fundraiser was a huge success! We met our fundraising goal. Your support funds curriculum enrichment and other school programs that help to make BCS a great place to be! Thank you to all that helped with our Blast Road Rally and Auction. We cannot meet our annual budget goals without all of you. Whether you donated your time or a auction item, stuffed t-shirt bags, solicited donations/sponsors, baked goods for the Cakewalk, wiped down the wet inflatables after the rain, bid on an auction item, or bought a Rally Admission, Raffle ticket or Wristband we truly appreciate all of your support!
There are only two times a year that the BCS PTA asks for your support; during the annual spring school fundraiser and in the Fall when we collect PTA Memberships and Donations. Our BCS community is truly amazing.
Thank you for supporting the PTA! Go Cobras!!
Top 10 Blast Road Rally Winners!
Congratulations to all teams that participated in the Road Rally! We always have a fun time with our BCS Family!
Big shout out to our Top Ten Teams!
A-Squad #1 Originals - 1495 points
Team Rambo - 1393 points
Squacks - 1390 points
Team ABC - 1363 points
Styles for Miles - 1225 points
Mr Pickles - 1215 points
Money say, Monkey see - 1188 points
OG Material Girls - 1171 points
Team Wolves - 1138 points
McNultyLegends - 1045 points
Thank you Blast T-Shirt Sponsors
A huge THANK YOU to our 2022 Blast T-Shirt Sponsors!!
We truly appreciate your support!
F45 Training West Bloomfield South
Premier Pet Supply
Beach House Day Spa
StockX
Selling Woodward
Volunteers Needed for Wacky Recess
Volunteers needed for Wacky Recess!!
June 8th!
1st Day School Supplies for 2022-2023
This year, 1st Day School Supplies is going to help parents and teachers again.
This is an optional, convenient, easy, and hassle-free way of getting the school supplies you need!
Purchase your school supplies from the comfort of your home TODAY and have one less thing on your to-do list in August! You can make your purchase right now. Get started by clicking the link below:
DON'T DELAY!!! THE DEADLINE TO ORDER IS JULY 1ST!!!
BPS Community News
Cobra Welcome Kit
Seaholm Activities Fair for rising Freshman
We hope you can join us for our Seaholm Activities Fair on June 1st, 5:30-7:00PM in the Seaholm Gym. If you have questions, please contact Suzanne O’Leary, soleary@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
Stacey Broomfield Retirement Celebration
After 25 years of teaching, with 15 years at Bingham elementary and 4 years at Beverly Elementary; the beloved Stacey Broomfield will be retiring. The community is invited to celebrate her farewell on Thursday, June 2 at Beverly Elementary. Details are included in the invitation below:
Birmingham Unified Hockey - Summer Training Camp
Registration is now LIVE for the Birmingham Unified Hockey Summer Training Camp.
You can register at this link – https://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=MCK1196&s=hockey&p=registration
Camp is for all returning players, current high school players who are interested and incoming freshman who are interested.
TWO additional Birmingham Unified Hockey registration forms are now LIVE
To register click on: https://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=MCK1196&s=hockey&p=registration&formID=92344
o Orchard Lake Summer League for JV and Varsity: Begins the week of June 13th
- Schedule has yet to be announced
- Begins the week of June 13th
- Total of eight games for JV and eight games for Varsity
- No games the week of July 4th
- Games held during the evening on Monday – Thursday
o Summer Workouts with Steve Alley:
- Thursdays from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Groves weight room.
- June 16, 30; July 14, 21, 28; Aug. 4, 11, 18
o Summer Skates with Coach Zack (or other BU Coaches):
- Wednesdays 4pm - 5:20 pm at Birmingham Ice Arena; June 15, 29; July 13, 20, 27; Aug. 3, 10, 17
Summer Volleyball Camps
Sign your child up for one of the many volleyball camps run by Seaholm Varsity Coach and Berkshire Middle School teacher, Heather Gambone during the month of July. Heather and Jason Gambone are entering into their 17th year as coaches at Seaholm High School, and their 19th year of coaching National level club volleyball. Students Grades 1st-10th can train with the coaching staff and high school players from both Seaholm and Groves! Camps will be held at Seaholm and Groves High School. Questions can be sent to Heather at: Seaholmvball@gmail.com
For more information and to sign up, see this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcVws_DifCrWaducO1XqE322ygdsQqScqyAZT2tYb4qTkU6Q/viewform
Girls Seaholm Swim & Dive Announcement
Attention all 8th grade girls interested in becoming part of the Girls' Seaholm Swim & Dive Team next year. We want to encourage you to visit our booth at the Seaholm activities fair currently scheduled for 6/1/22. You will have a chance to meet some of your future teammates and learn more about this awesome team. If you are unable to attend the activities fair and want to learn more don't hesitate to reach out to:
Swim Team Reps
Kara Gifford - kara.f.gifford@gmail.com
Amy Murray - ctmurrays@gmail.com
Dive Team Rep
Jessica Ballard - jessicapottballard@yahoo.com
(Note: no prior diving experience necessary)
Be sure to submit your contact information via the activities fair sign-up sheet or through the above contacts, to ensure you receive early communications. We kick things off in July with team events, and practice begins in August. Looking forward to meeting all of you!
MiSelf in Books
The Birmingham Public Schools Library Media Department is pleased to invite our community on a journey into the world of story. We hope to share with our community some of the diverse content in our libraries and how it impacts the way we walk in this world. We are inviting you to listen to a read-aloud and participate in a discussion of a selection of books chosen from the MISelf in Books list. This event occurs weekly on Thursdays 7-7:30pm, excepting school scheduled holidays.
For more information and to register for this event, visit https://www.smore.com/skn6a.
Announcements from Chartwells
BCS is going cashless:
If students would like to continue to make a cash payments, the student can find Mr. Allen in the cafeteria during breakfast.
Other Helpful Resources...
Student Medication
If the BCS Clinic needs to house medication for your student, please drop it off in the Front Office. Be sure you have an updated Permission to Administer form and Action Plan. These forms need to have a physician's signature. Contact Joni Say Gan at JSaygan@birmingham.k12.mi.us with any questions.
Early Dismissal Procedures
Please review these procedures to help keep your students and school safe.
Parents
- Buzz the front door
- Enter building and sign out student
- Show ID
- Student will be called to office
Students
- Will be released after the office staff calls the teacher
- Student will be sent to the office
- Student will be released to the parent
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
Counseling Corner
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)
Schoology Help
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.
Parent & Student Schoology Reference Page
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.
Emotional Health & Wellness Resources
Cobra Crew
On Thursdays during 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 lunch-recesses, we will be hosting Cobra Crew, an opportunity for peer engagement through games and conversation for any interested students.
A limited number of passes will be available each Thursday for those who would like to join. The purpose of Cobra Crew is to promote kindness, empathy and community at BCS.
If you are interested in opting your child out of this opportunity, please email your child’s counselor.