Week of 11/23/2020
.... It's a GREAT place to be!
Birmingham Covington Schools (BCS)
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
11/23/2020- Week's Events
*denotes more information provided below
Monday, 11/23
- Book Fair Ends
- 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.
- No School
Thursday, 11/26
- Happy Thanksgiving - No School
Friday, 11/27
- No School
Coming up...
- School Resumes Tuesday, December 1
Greetings, BCS Families!
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our BCS Cobras, to each of our BCS students, staff, faculty, teachers, and parents, who remain together, even (and perhaps most importantly) when times get tough. We know this year has required an incredible level of humility, patience, and flexibility from everyone, and we are so grateful. It is a testament to the remarkable community that is BCS.
In the continued spirit of gratitude, we would like to extend our enthusiastic thank you to our teachers and instructional faculty for their work conducting our first-ever Parent-Teacher Virtual Conferences. These tireless teachers and instructional faculty members found the energy, during a difficult time, to provide hours of extended time conferencing with BCS families, even while navigating complex individual circumstances at home. To all the staff members working "behind the virtual scenes," those who organize, plan, and communicate, thank you for your seamless work. To our fantastic parents, thank you for sustaining the energy levels of conferencing staff with a Jimmy John's dinner option provided on 11/18. They were certainly grateful, as always, for the generosity and thoughtfulness of our BCS parents. Our administrative team joins our parents in sharing the support you overwhelmingly communicated to us regarding the talented staff and faculty here at BCS.
Let us remember, at BCS, we are an inquiry-based educational community. Our academic and social-emotional educational philosophies are grounded in the belief that we can work together in constructive ways to face complex problems. To be most effective in addressing multifaceted, complex real-world problems, we are best served in modeling constructive ways to address the challenges we face. We are working creatively and strategically on what we can do to address the complex problems we face with innovative ways to try and address them. Expect a more detailed update this week.
Again, thank you, Thanksgiving-style, for your ongoing support and patience through this unusually exhausting, patience-testing time. From your BCS family to yours, we hope you remain safe and find some time to disconnect during the Thanksgiving holiday break. For any family experiencing unusually tough circumstances this holiday for which you believe our school can be of any support, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Yours in "Thanksgiving-Thankful" BCS Solidarity,
Dr. Hakim & Mr. Hill
All School News
Chartwells Special Meal Pick Up
Chartwells Meals for Distance Learning
SOS Holiday Gift Drive
Quarter 1 Grades on PowerSchool
5 - 8 GRADES NOW ACCESSIBLE ON POWERSCHOOL
Quarter 1 grades have been released and are available to view on PowerSchool. You can download the app on your mobile device. District Code ZHHX.
To gain access to PowerSchool from your laptop/desktop computer, go to the link—PowerSchool Parent Portal
3 - 4 GRADES REPORT CARD ACCESS
Quarter 1 report cards have been released online via Power School on Monday, November 9, 2020 and will be available to view until November 24, 2020, a 15-day window.
To gain access to Powerschool (PS), please use your laptop/desktop computer (mobile device will not display data):
1. Go to the linked—PowerSchool Parent Portal
2. Click your Student’s Name (Top-Left)
3. Finally, click Student Report on the left-side menu to access the report card
As always, you are encouraged to communicate with your child’s teacher about what is happening in the classroom. Your partnership in learning is the greatest asset to your son’s or daughter’s growth and development. Teachers and staff look forward to working with you during these important years of academic and social emotional growth.
Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or building principal with any questions you may have about standards-based grading and the reporting system
Book Fair
The BCS Media Center is having a Virtual Book Fair this fall! Visit our eFair to make a wish list and/or purchase books. All proceeds benefit our library and help us fund new books, databases, programs, and other materials. Here’s the info:
1. Visit the BCS eFair! Go to https://efairs.follettbookfairs.com/ and enter code Z6P71.
2. The eFair is open beginning Monday, November 9 through Monday, November 23.
3. Kids can create a wish list to send to parents, grandparents, guardians, or others who love to buy books. Watch the eFair Wish List Video for details. (Note: all students will be invited to create their Wish List during their library time next week.)
- You can also bypass the wish list and purchase books with a credit card directly on the eFair site.
4. Your purchases are delivered to BCS, and we will pass on the books to students via classroom dropoff or through our Distribution of Student Materials process.
5. Ordering a gift? Email the librarian and we’ll make sure you get your order discreetly. ;-)
Please direct all questions to Ann Truesdell, BCS Library Media Specialist, at atruesdell@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
Thank you for supporting our library, and Happy Reading!
Also posted this info at:
BCS Picture Retake Day - POSTPONED
Hello BCS Families!
Due to the change in our schedule, Picture Retakes are Postponed. We will update you as soon as a new date is set. Thank you for your patience!
Quarter II BCS Choice Hour
Choice Hour Quarter II Schedules (listed by Student ID Number)
Choice Hour Quarter II Zoom Links
Please direct any Choice Hour questions to Courtney Bassett at cbassett@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
Material Distribution
No Material Distribution on 11/26 and 11/27.
Materials distribution for ALL GRADES will be:
Thursdays: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Fridays: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
If you cannot pick up during these times, please coordinate with a friend or family member to do so. Not all Grades or Classes will have distributions each week.
Student Medications & Medical Updates
Attention to Attendance
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.
BCS Student Opportunities!
BPS Saturday School
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
Battle of the Books
Battle of the Books 2020-21:
Updated Program Information!
Dear Fourth & Fifth Grade Families,
Battle of the Books 2020 will begin on Monday, December 7, when the six Battle Book titles are announced at the BPS elementary schools and BCS. On this day, students will have the opportunity to view a video about Battle and check-out the books. In the meantime, we’d like to give parents more information about this year’s Battle program. Please view our Battle of the Books 2021 Brochure to learn more!
Questions? Please email Mrs. Truesdell at atruesdell@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
Happy Reading!
Snow Club Registration
We are excited to announce the upcoming arrival of the BCS Snow Club! This awesome club is being offered to kids grades 3-8 of all ski and snowboard ability levels. BCS Snow Club is a winter adventure that your child is sure to enjoy! Participants will relish any opportunity to shred the slopes of Pine Knob, make new friends, practice some independence, and glean some timeless memories with family and friends.
What to do:
- To register click SIGN ME UP
Need to know:
- New this year! Tickets, rentals, and membership cards will be sold and distributed outside BCS, weekly, Thursdays well before we hit the slopes!
- The program takes place at Pine Knob on Tuesdays, 3:30- 8:00 PM from December to March.
- Parents will provide transportation to and from the mountain
- The cost for membership in the club is $22 (lift tickets are $22 each week…)
- For more information click SNOW CLUB INFO
BCS Sports
Registration and a Current Sports Physical are needed to receive a Student Participation Receipt (Orange Slip).
REGISTRATION: Please register your student athlete using the following website: https://secure.infosnap.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=21004&culture=en
SPORTS PHYSICAL: A sports physical dated April 15, 2019 or later is valid with a completed health questionnaire found here: https://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/Documents/health%20safety/healthquestionnaire.pdf If you have any questions regarding the validity of your student's physical, please email Joni Say Gan at JSaygan@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
INTRAMURAL BOYS BASKETBALL - 5th and 6th grade: Practice time is 7:00-7:50am. Please contact Coach Burdick with further questions. Practice dates are noted on the Boys Basketball IM page on the BCS Website: https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/8309
Coach Burdick rburdick@birmingham.k12.mi.us
3/4 News
3/4 Gym Schedule
Monday, November 16 through Friday, December 18:
Butzin, Davis (Grace), Coletti, and Wallington will be in the PE.
Frishman, Seley, Maliszewski, and Parkin will SWIM.
5/6 News
Ms. Sikand's Art Supply List
The required materials:
A. 9" x 12" sketchbook
B. Sketching pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
C. Eraser
D. Blending Stump/tortillions (1-2)
E. Color pencils
F. Fine tip black marker (for illustration work)
Suggestion: The Dollar Stores have most these supplies including the 9"x12" sketchbook if you are on a budget. Craft stores and art stores are another alternative. Walmart has art supplies as well. If you are in need assistance in purchasing these items, please contact Mr. Hill JHIll@birmingham.k12.mi.us or Dr. Hakim OHakim@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
7/8 News
Ms. Sikand's Art Supply List
The required materials:
A. 9" x 12" sketchbook
B. Sketching pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
C. Eraser
D. Blending Stump/tortillions (1-2)
E. Color pencils
F. Fine tip black marker (for illustration work)
G. Calligraphy pen (black) any type
Suggestion: The Dollar Stores have most these supplies including the 9"x12" sketchbook if you are on a budget. Craft stores and art stores are another alternative. Walmart has art supplies as well. If you are in need of assistance in purchasing these items, please contact Mr. Hill JHill@birmingham.k12.mi.us or Dr. Hakim OHakim@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
Celebrate BCS!
Congrats to the BCS Forensics Team
State Champions:
- Julia T in Broadcasting
- Phoebe A in Declamation 5/6
- Dina K in Extemporaneous
- Induvari H in Impromptu
- Ziya Z in Informative
- Eli H in Original Interpretation
- Aria W in Prose
- Vidushani H in Sales
State Finalists
- Nathan S - 2nd Place in Declamation 5/6
- Marina A - 2nd Place in Impromptu
- Ari L - 2nd Place in Sales 5/6
- Daniel S - 2nd Place in Informative
- Clara A - 3rd Place in Informative
- Maddie Z - 3rd Place in Original Interpretation
- Megan G - 4th Place in Prose
- Sofia P - 4th Place in Dramatic Interpretation
- Anna C - 6th Place in Storytelling 5/6
- Nikhilas S - 7th Place in Storytelling
Semi-Finalists
- Cate M in Storytelling 5/6
Nurses' Update
Shop BCS!
2020-2021 Yearbook
Yearbooks for the 2020-2021 school year can be purchased for $35 with the given link.
https://yearbookforever.com/schools/birmingham_covington_school_buy_yearbook_308378/
BCS Tumblers & Bottles
Another chance to order: Covington Spirit Wear Items are Back!
Featuring new items!
...did you forget to order your spirit wear? Are you looking for a holiday gift? 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 November 24th. If you have any questions contact 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.
Other Helpful Resource Links...
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
BCS Media Center Material Circulation
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.