Birmingham Covington School

Feb 13-17, 2012 W.A.G.

2012-02-12T18:30:00.001-08:00

February 12, 2012

Dear BCS Community,

The 11th annual Unabashed Bash, hosted by the Birmingham Education Foundation, was held at the Townsend Hotel last night. BCS was represented well by both parents and former parents. It was a great time for a great cause! A supporting community makes all the difference in the world as we witness each year here at BCS. Our own annual fundraiser, the Blast, is right around the corner. Thank you in advance for getting the word out and for making the 2012 Blast a successful event! This year’s iBlast is on Sunday, March 18th. You can sign up for our facebook page and be the first to receive updates about the Blast and other information regarding BCS.

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BCS/181749138514777

BCS online: http://bcsonline.info/PTSA/Blast.html

Have a great week,

Adam

February is Black History Month:

BCS is recognizing Black History Month through various lessons/activities/projects within the classroom and across grade levels. One example to share is how Mr. Mixon and Mr. Braisted are having their students create biography cards in their science and social studies classes. They have teamed up to create decks of cards for our 3/4 students so they may learn about the many innovators and leaders recognized throughout history.

“On this Date”

February 11, 1977-Clifford Alexander Jr becomes the first Black Secretary of the Army.
1961-Dr. Robert Clifton Weaver was sworn in as an Administrator of the Housing and Home Finance Agency. To date, no other Black man held a higher ranking federal position.

February 10, 1927 - Birthday of Leontyne Price, world lyric soprano and the first Black man to sing opera on television.

1966 -Andrew Brimmer ~ is appointed the first Black person to serve on the Federal Reserve Board.

2008-President Barack Obama won his 2nd Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album (Audacity of Hope).

February 9, 1971 - Leroy "Satchel" Paige inducted to Baseball Hall of Fame

1965 Martin Luther King ~ (civil rights activist) meets with President Lyndon Johnson to discuss Black voting rights.

1995 Dr. Benard A. Harris, Jr ~ becomes the first African American Astronaut to walk in space. He was the Payload Commander on the STS-63 mission, which went from February 2nd - 11th.

February 8, 1986 - Figure skater Debi Thomas became the first African American to win the Women's Singles of the U.S. National Figure Skating Championship competition, was a pre-med student at Stanford University.

1944-Harry S. McAlpin becomes the first Black reporter allowed to a White House press conference.

February 7, 1926 - Carter G. Woodson creates Negro History Week. In 1976 it became Black History Month.

February 1, 1865 - John Sweat Rock (1825-1866), a noted Boston lawyer, became the first African-American to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

February 2, 1839 - Inventor Edmond Berger patented the Spark Plug.

1897 - A.L. Cralle invented the Ice Cream Scooper and patents Ice Cream Mold

1915 -Biologist Ernest E. Just receives the Spingarn medal for his pioneering in cell division and fertilization

WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of February 13-17, 2012

(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

 To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email mz07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by THURSDAY 11PM

Monday, February 13

6:30-8 AM-8^th Grade VOLLYBALL PRACTICE
4:15-5:30 PM-7 th Grade VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE
4 PM- BOYS SWIM MEET-HOME v.DERBY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Tuesday, February 14

6:35-8 AM- 6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
4 PM-7/8 GIRLS VOLLYBALL -@ HOME v. DERBY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Valentine’s Day classroom Celebrations
3:15 PM-SCHOOL STORE WILL BE OPEN-BAKED SALE FOR 8^TH GRADE CELEBRATION
3:30 PM-BCS SNOW CLUB DEPARTS
7 pm Blast Committee Meeting- Media Center

Wednesday, February 15

6:30-8 AM-8^th Grade VOLLYBALL PRACTICE
Delicious Popcorn sold during Choice Hour-only $ 1
4:15-5:30 PM-7 th Grade VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE
4 PM- BOYS SWIM MEET-HOME v. EAST HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL
4:30-7PM-BCS Divrsity Film Series
7PM-Blast Committee Meeting-Media Center

Thursday, February 16

6:35-8 AM- 6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
11:50 AM- Junior Great Books
7:45 AM-Proud Dads(Moms) Cosmic Breakfast-Cafeteria-see below

4 PM-7/8 GIRLS VOLLYBALL -AWAY v. DETROIT COUNTRY DAY MIDDLE SCHOOL
6:30 PM- Technology Committee Meeting- Media Center

Friday, February 17

6:35-8 AM- 6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE

Proud Dad’s Eat and Run

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)

- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks

Monday – Popcorn Chicken Bowl, Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Corn, Mexican Pizza

Tuesday –Spaghetti/Meat Sauce/Garlic Bread Stick, Steamed Broccoli, Deluxe Nachos, Valentine’s Day Brownie

Wednesday – General Tso’s Chicken, Brown Rice, Peas and Carrots, Supreme Pizza

Thursday – Homestyle Turkey w/ gravy, Steamed green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Enchiladas

Friday –BBQ Chicken, Whole wheat Roll, Fresh Coleslaw, Chicken Fajita Pizza

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

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!!

BATTLE FAMILIES-SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT BATTLE UPDATE FROM MRS CLARK

IMPORTANT REMINDER

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

MISSING ITEMS

A black and red duffle bag with a student’s name in it. It was in the locker room with a swim suit and the swim suit has been found but the bag is still missing.

A black North Face jacket with a cell phone in the pocket. It was in the cafeteria.

LOST AND FOUND

The office has many pairs of glasses. If you are missing any please come and look.A casio watch was turned in also.

Also please check the lost and found near the cafeteria for lunch boxes and clothing items.

NEWS FROM THE PTSA

Do your kids love their Wednesday afternoon popcorn? If so, the BCS PTSA needs your help! The popcorn team needs a new leader for the 2012-2013 school year. Our current chair will be leaving BCS when her 8th grader graduates. Please contact Annette Blitstein at 248-647-5279 or annettekizy@yahoo.com for more information. It's very simple and fun. PTSA Budget Committee
The BCS PTSA is currently forming a Budget Committee to review both staff and committee budget requests for next school year. This committee will meet several times in March (dates and times to be announced) to finalize the 2012-2013 PTSA Clearinghouse budget. Interested parties should contact Gina Herdegen or Brier Neel atroyalherd@comcast.net and briermn@gmail.com

iBLAST is coming-- Sunday, March 18th, 3:30pm - 7:30pm.

We will be having an iBlast! meeting on Tuesday, February 14th, at 7:00pm in the Media Center. Anyone interested in attending is welcome. We are still hoping to find 2 parents that might be interested in co-chairing the Blast for 2013.

The Blast is the biggest event of the year at BCS. We still need your help with donations to make the Blast successful. Some of the more popular donations include:

Local Sports Team Tickets: Wings, Pistons, Tigers, Lions, U of M and MSU

Local Arts & Entertainment: Fox Theater, Fisher Theater, Birmingham Village Players, DTE Energy Music Theater, Meadow Brook Music Theater

Vacation Rentals: Northern Michigan, Florida, Arizona, etc...

Donation forms are on the Blast page of the BCS website under PTSA or contact Melinda Stone at mctaggartstone@yahoo.com

We also have 4 exciting raffle prizes this year including a HDTV package, Camera package, iPad and iTouch package and Netbook package.

The Blast is a little over a month away, so mark your calenders for Sunday, March 18th, 3:30pm - 7:30pm. The silent auction preview will be held on Friday, March 16th from 3:30pm - 5:00pm in the Media Center.

Attention all BCS families, the Blast needs you to

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS!!
The Blast Prize Room Committee is currently looking for any unopened games, gadgets, toys or trinkets that you would like to get rid of for our BCS Blast prize room. Maybe you have a stash of never opened toys or "just in case" gifts or gift cards taking up way too much space in your closet. What a great way to do some house cleaning! Kids will be able to "purchase" these items in the prize room with the tickets they win at the BCS Blast.

Please bring your items to the “Closet Clean Out” bin placed just inside the office starting this Monday, February 6^th and we will collect and distribute them to the BCS Blast prize room. Anything we do not use will be delivered to a local children's charity.

The 2012 Blast Prize Room Committee thanks you!

QIII CHOICE HOUR INFORMATION

3^rd Quarter Choice Hour classes started on Monday January 30^th. 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 was Friday February 10^th. ALL Choice Hour changes that were approved will go into effect on Monday February 13^th. Any questions regarding Choice Hour schedules should be directed to Jennifer Brown.

Choice Hour drop refunds will be processed for classes dropped during the Choice Hour change period which ended on Friday February 10^th. No refunds will be processed after the Friday February 10^th deadline.

Additional Choice hour information

The Tuesday School Store will continue to include a bake sale of home baked goods to benefit the 8^th grade celebration. All baked goods will be $1. These baked goods are made by 8^th graders during a Monday Cookie Baking choice hour class and will be sold every Tuesday at the school store.

Choice Hour reminders:

Planning for QIV Choice Hour has started. 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 ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us for more information.

Thank you for always supporting the Choice Hour program!

8TH GRADE FAREWELL VIDEO

Parents, please don't delay in submitting a "then" and "now" photo for your graduating 8th grader. The photo deadline has been extended to February 24th, 2012.

Please refer to the e-mail sent by the BCS PTSA on January19th that includes updated site and log in information as well as directions on how to upload your photos (if you have already loaded your photos, no further action is necessary on your part).

Digital/scanned images are preferred, however, if you are unable to upload your images, you may drop off your photos in the turn-in basket in the BCS office. Please be sure to include your name on the back of the photos so that they can be returned to you. Or, alternately, you may also e-mail your photos to Rob Lawrence, fellow BCS parent and 8th grade celebration committee member, at rob1lawrence@gmail.com and he will upload your images for you.

ANNUAL BCS DIVERSITY FILM SERIES

Dear BCS Parents/Guardians,

The annual BCS Diversity Film Series is back for another exciting season. We are excited to offer films and discussion to all BPS staff, parents, and community members on the following dates: February 15, March 7, April 11 and May 9 from 4:30-7pm in the Professional Development Room at BCS.

The first film we are featuring is called ANYONE AND EVERYONE, a 2007 documentary that runs 57 minutes.

Film Description:

Connected by having a son or daughter who is gay, parents across the country discuss their experiences in the documentary Anyone and Everyone. In it, filmmaker Susan Polis Schutz, depicts families from all walks of life. Individuals from such diverse backgrounds as Japanese, Bolivian, and Cherokee, as well as from various religious denominations such as Mormon, Jewish, Roman Catholic, Hindu, and Southern Baptist, share intimate accounts of how their children revealed their sexual orientation and discuss their responses.

The parents also talk about struggling with the pain of their sons and daughters dealing with not being accepted by relatives or friends, and being ostracized by religious congregations.

Here is the link to the film’s website.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Rick Joseph5/6 NBCT Covington School

http://joberts11.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Joberts+Home

WINTER RECESS CAMP AT BERKSHIRE

Birmingham Community Education Presents

February Recess Camp at Berkshire Middle School High Touch High Tech Science Made Fun Program Or Coach G Sports Shorts Camp Choose 1 to 5 days of February fun!

TO BCS BAND STUDENTS ATTENDING SEAHOLM NEXT YEAR:

If you are planning on participating with the Seaholm band program during your high school years we invite you to go to www.seaholmbands.com for current band information. Please note two important dates:

***Band camp will be held July 29th thru August 3rd

***Band trip will be to Hawaii February break 2013, see the link on the opening page of our web site for trip details and costs. Current students are committing deposits this month but incoming students will have the opportunity to participate during late sign up September 2012. You may also commit to the trip today, just send your deposit and form to Director, Tim Cibor, at Seaholm.

We look forward to your participation in the band program and encourage you to join us in enhancing your student's high school experience! Please contact us if you have any questions, would like more information or are interested in volunteering.

Janet Ames, Band Booster President

janames@mac.com, 248-703-1138

Beth O'Rourke, Incoming Booster President

beorourke@gmail.com

248-602-7325

Battle Update Week of Feb 13, 2012

Attention Battlers…. Important announcements

Parents, please remind Battlers to attend book clubs. (4^th & 5^TH Grade Schedules attached)

T-shirt Order Reminder (Order form attached)

Attention Battlers! …Don’t forget to send in your T-shirt orders

As seen at the Rush, BCS Battle of the Books T-Shirts are available by pre-order only -- see attached form. Orders were due at the BCS office with payment by Friday February 10 4pm. Checks should be made payable to BCS PTSA and turned in to the Basket in the office. Tees are $9. T-shirt questions should be directed to Sarah Schuster (lasb@live.com)

BCS Proud Dads (& Moms) COSMIC Breakfast is Wednesday, February 15.

Join us as we Skype with New York Times best-selling author Frank Cottrell Boyce from England! This Battle event will run from 7:45 - 8:20 am in the BCS Cafeteria.

To reserve your spot you will need to RVSP by Friday, February 10 to the cafeteria email: sm24bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us -- Simply put YES in the subject line with the number attending the breakfast - no message is necessary. You will pay $6 at the door which covers both parent & child. Breakfast includes: Juice, Coffee, Pancake Wrap, Muffin, and Assorted Fruit.

Want to ask Mr. Boyce, author of Cosmic, a question about his book while we Skype at breakfast? Email your questions ahead of time to bcsbattleofthebooks@gmail.com. Questions considered must be received by Tuesday morning. Bring a copy of Cosmic that morning and share your favorite sections at the breakfast table. This Proud Dads COSMIC Breakfast is going to be out of this world!

Feb 15, 2012 Gold Medal Qualifying Day (This is the last day to qualify for the gold medal. Students must turn in AR tests for all ten books by end of day to get a gold medal).

Friday, March 2, 2012 District-Wide Battle Day, BCS Media Center.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 6:30 pm

Battle After-Glow Reception for the Winning Battle Team

Winning Teams will be presented to the Board of Education!

Battle of The Books TShirt Order Form ORDER FORM AND PAYMENT DUE FRIDAY, FEB. 10TH (2/10/12)

(turn into basket in the office)

Student’s Name__________________________________________________

Teacher________________________________________________

Size Adult S_____ Adult M____ Adult L_____ Adult XL____

$9 Cash_______ Check______ (payable to BCS PTSA)

If you have questions regarding the Battle T‐Shirt

Please Contact‐‐‐Sarah Schuster at lasb@live.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Battle of the Books Book Club Schedules

Remaining 4th Grade Book Clubs 11:50-12:30
Bring your completed "Book Club Ticket," your Battle book, and your lunch.
Book Title	Book Club Location	Dates Time-11:50-12:30	Day
Week of Feb 13-17th
Born to Fly by Michael Ferrari	Room 105-Harvath	Mon 2/13/2012	Mon
The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin	Media Center	Tues 2/14/2012	Tue
Operation Redwood by Terrell S. French	Room 201-Davis	Wed 2/15/2012	Wed
Diamond Willow by Helen Frost	Media Center -Rowe	Thurs 2/16/2012	Thurs
Where the Mountain Meets The Moon by Grace Lin	Media Center	Thurs 2/16/2012	Thurs
Stumptown Kid by Carol Gorman and Ron J. Findley	Room205-Wallington	Friday 2/17/2012	Fri
Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner	Media Center-Clark	Friday 2/17/2012	Fri

Remaining 5th Grade Book Clubs 11:00-11:40
Bring your completed "Book Club Ticket," your Battle book, and your lunch.
Battle Book Clubs	Location	Date Time 11:00-11:40	DAY
Week of Feb 13-17th
Born to Fly by Michael Ferrari	Media Ctr	Tuesday 2/13/2012	MON
The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin	Room 507-Burns	Tuesday 2/14/2012	TUES
Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner	Room 508-Cook	Tues Feb 14, 2012	TUES
Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce	Media Center-Hartley	Wed 2/15/12	WED
When You Reach Me By Rebecca Stead	Media Center-Clark	Wed 2/15/12	WED
Where the Mountain Meets The Moon by Grace Lin	Media Center-Kennedy	Thurs 2/16/12	THURS
Stumptown Kid by Carol Gorman and Ron J. Findley	Media Center-Mrs. Wagner	Fri 2/17/2012	FRI
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick	Room 504-Joseph	Fri 2/17/2012	FRI

GREETINGS BIRMINGHAM FAMILIES,

The Birmingham African American Family Network is hosting our 1st annual Black History Program on Monday February 27, 2012 from 6pm-8pm. Please see attached flier and distributed it to other Birmingham families.

NEWS FROM THE BIRMINGHAM BLOOMFIELD COMMUNITY COALITION (BBCC)

· Attention Parents of Teens… To better serve our community, we need to know your attitudes and opinions about youth alcohol use. Please complete a brief, 23 question survey found at http://tiny.cc/k0ydd. We are working with 13 other Oakland County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions on this initiative. Your participation is anonymous and very much appreciated. Thank you!

· BBCC is Biggby Coffee’s Non-profit of the Month… Please bring this form to either their Downtown Birmingham OR Bloomfield Hills locations ANYTIME during the month of February 2012 and a $1.00 donation will be made to BBCC for each 16 oz. bag of coffee you purchase! Also, on February 15 from 4-6 p.m. Derby Middle School Principal, Debbie Hubbell, will be our Guest Barista and $1 from every beverage or bag of coffee sold will go to BBCC. For more info http://tiny.cc/wkoep

For more info on substance abuse prevention focused on our youth visit www.bbcoalition.org

Shop & Support the Coalition

Check out our latest e-newsletter: December2011 Message from Youth Action Board Teens

Now you can shop online through the Coalition's special link at amazon.com and a percentage of your purchase will go to support the Coalition & Substance Free Youth in Our Community!

Our Mission: To raise awareness and mobilize the entire community to prevent the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, with a primary focus on our youth!

BIRMINGHAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION- B E F

Generosity from parents, businesses and over 500 BPS staff members has allowed the Birmingham Education Foundation to reach their goal of $70,000 for the 2011-12 Annual Fund Campaign, now they hope to reach their stretch goal of $80,000 or $10 per student by the end of the school year. Over $97,000 has been granted to our schools this year, but there are many grants waiting approval. If you haven't given to the campaign it is not too late, please join us in supporting our schools by visiting www.supportbef.org

GROVES CHEER TEAM

Are you going to Groves next year? Would you like to be on the cheer team? Then be sure to contact Mrs. Wright-Reamey for more information (313-721-4082).

Feb 6-10, 2012 W.A.G.

2012-02-05T17:13:00.001-08:00

February 5, 2012

Dear BCS Families,

There are many events here at BCS before the mid-winter break. As always, we are excited to feature the great things our students and parents are involved in.

BCS Events

7/8 Orchestra Concert: Monday, February 6th 7-9 p.m.

7/8 Band Concert: Wednesday, February 8th 7-9 p.m.

Lunch with the Principal/PTSA Meeting: Thursday, February 9th 12:30 p.m.

ALL parents welcomed!

BLAST Committee Meeting: Tuesday, February 14th 7:00 p.m.

Technology Committee Meeting: Wednesday, February 15th 6:30 p.m.

Proud Dad’s Eat and Run: Friday, February 17th

Thank you in advance for your continued support and for helping make the next two weeks a quality time for our students.

Have a great week,

Adam

WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of February 6-10, 2012

(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

 To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email mz07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by THURSDAY 11PM

Monday, February 6

3/4 Report cards sent home
6:30-8 AM-8^th Grade VOLLYBALL PRACTICE
3:15-5 PM-6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
4:15-5:30 PM-7 th Grade VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE
7 PM-7/8 Orchestra Concert-cafeteria

Tuesday, February 7

6:35-8 AM- 6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
9:30-11:30 AM-Roberts/Joseph to Bloomfield Hills Nature Center
12:30-2:30 PM-Brown/Fitzgerald to Bloomfield Hills Nature Center
3:15 PM-SCHOOL STORE WILL BE OPEN-BAKED SALE FOR 8^TH GRADE CELEBRATION
3:30 PM-BCS SNOW CLUB DEPARTS
4 PM-7/8 GIRLS VOLLYBALL -@ HOME v. ORCHARD LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
7 PM –Board Of Education Meeting-Administration Building

Wednesday, February 8

6:30-8 AM-8^th Grade VOLLYBALL PRACTICE
9 AM-2 PM- Religious Diversity Journeys-nine 7^th grade students
9:30-11:30 AM Cook/Wikie to Bloomfield Hills Nature Center
12:30-2:30 PM-Burns/Burdick to Bloomfield Hills Nature Center
Delicious Popcorn sold during Choice Hour-only $ 1
3:15-5 PM-6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
4:15-5:30 PM-7 th Grade VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE
4:30-5:30 PM- BATTLE RUSH-Cafeteria
6:30 PM- Battle program at Baldwin-Learn to Finger Talk like Goldie and Toadspit from the book Museum of Thieves
7 PM-7/8 Midwinter Band Concert-cafeteria-musicians report at 6:30 PM

Thursday, February 9

11:50 AM- Junior Great Books

12:30-Lunch with the Principals-Digital Video West
1:15 PM PTSA Clearinghouse Meeting-Digital Video West

4 PM-7/8 GIRLS VOLLYBALL AWAY@ ABBOT MIDDLESCHOOL-go to highschoolsports.net for directions to the school
4 PM- BOYS SWIM MEET-HOME v. BERKSHIRE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Friday, February 10

DUE-CHOICE HOUR CHANGE REQUEST FORMS BY 4 PM

6:30-8 AM-8^th Grade VOLLYBALL PRACTICE
6:35-8 AM- 6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
7-8 AM-7 th Grade VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE
6:30-9PM- 7/8 HOGWARTS DANCE-VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED-CONTACT MRS TOTH

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)

- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks

Monday – Grilled Hot Dog On Whole Wheat Bun, Seasoned Baked Fries, Steamed Green Beans, BBQ Chicken Pizza

Tuesday –Homestyle Beef/Pepperoni Calzone, Steamed Broccoli, Baked Potato Bar

Wednesday – Spicy Chicken Buffalo Wrap, Mixed Vegetables, Sweet Potato Rounds, Supreme Pizza

Thursday – Whole Grain French bread Pizza, Corn And Peppers, Fresh Fruit Cup, Zesty Beef Burrito

Friday –Vegetarian Egg Roll, Brown Rice, Steamed Peas, Bacon Cheeseburger On Whole Wheat Bun

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

BATTLE FAMILIES-SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT BATTLE UPDATE FROM MRS CLARK

3 / 4 PE REMINDERS FOR QUARTER III Please remember to send appropriate clothing with your children

Monday 1/30-Fri 3/2 –Harvath and Mali will SWIMButzin, Frishman, Davis, Seley, Parkin, Wallington will be in the GYM

Monday 3/5-Friday-JUMPROPE FOR HEART-ALL CLASSES IN THE GYM

Mon 3/12-Fri 4/13- Butzin, Frishman, Davis, Seley, Parkin, Wallington will SWIM Harvath and Mali will be in the GYM

MISSING ITEMS

A black and red duffle bag with a student’s name in it. It was in the locker room with a swim suit and the swim suit has been found but the bag is still missing.

A black North Face jacket with a cell phone in the pocket. It was in the cafeteria.

STUDENT RECOGNITION

Five BCS students have been recognized by Math Magazine for finding Major Math Mistakes, taking a picture, and sending them in to the magazine. Chandler R, Len C, Ty F, Eric F, and Phillip H. all received a T-shirt from the magazine!

QIII CHOICE HOUR INFORMATION

3^rd Quarter Choice Hour classes begin on Monday January 30^th. 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 February 10^th by 4:00 PM. Choice Hour class change request forms will be available in the main office after 4:00 PM on Friday February 3^rd. Classes with openings will be listed on the back of the Choice Hour class change request form. Please read the change form very carefully. Any questions regarding Choice Hour schedules should be directed to Jennifer Brown.

Students requesting a change must 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 February 13^th. 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 Choice Hour change period which ends at 4:00 PM on Friday February 10^th. No refunds will be processed after the Friday February 10^th 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 at the front desk in the office.

CHOICE HOUR REMINDERS – please call (248-203-4625), send in a note, or email Linda Stone at ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us if your child is going to be absent from Choice Hour for any reason! 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 PM will be charged a $5.00 fee.

Thank you for always supporting the Choice Hour program!

SMALL APPLIANCES GATHERING DUST ??-Mr. Brown is offering a 7-8 Design Discovery class on Tuesdays.

This hands-on class will allow students to take apart household items ( CD players, camcorders, cameras, computer printers, cell phones, small kitchen appliances, clocks) to learn more about how they are designed and manufactured. If you have small electronic equipment gathering dust please send these items to school – att:Mr. Brown! We CAN’T accept large electronics (microwaves, computer monitors, TVs, vacuum) Thanks for your help!!

SCHOOL STORE UPDATE…BAKE SALE AND GRAND RE-OPENING!!!!

The School Store will be re-open for business this Tuesday February 7 and will include a bake sale of home baked goods to benefit the 8^th grade celebration. All baked goods will be $1. These baked goods are made by 8^th graders during a Monday Cookie Baking choice hour class and will be sold every Tuesday at the school store.

NEWS FROM THE PTSA

BCS BAND NEWS

Parents of 7^th & 8^th graders: The BCS Mid-Winter Band Concert for will take place on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. The concert will be held from 7:00-8:00pm in the BCS cafeteria. Students should arrive at BCS no later than 6:30pm.

FOR ALLBCS Band Parents: Private lessons for band instruments are now available at Groves High School! Please visit the Groves Band website http://www.grovesband.com for more information. This is a fantastic opportunity for our young musicians.

8TH GRADE FAREWELL VIDEO

Parents, please don't delay in submitting a "then" and "now" photo for your graduating 8th grader. The photo deadline has been extended to February 24th, 2012.

TO 7/8 PARENTS AND GUARDIANS: **** A NIGHT AT HOGWARTS 7/8 DANCE-FEB 10, 2012*******
We need chaperones for our next 7/8 dance coming up on Friday, Feb. 10^th, (a Harry Potter themed dance). The shifts are listed below – can you please help out? If your child says they’d rather you not chaperone, tell them you can be in one of the “hallway” spots (monitoring the halls to make sure students don’t go anywhere). We also need parents at the door and inside the cafeteria to help with drinks/food.

Please email Nicole Toth nt06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.usme to let her know which shift you can do!
SHIFT 1 - 6:15-7:45 - Set-up/Chaperone
SHIFT 2 – 7:45-9:15 - Chaperone/Clean-up

ALSO, PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR KIDS TO ATTEND THE DANCE – they always have lots of fun! It is $5 at the door and students are asked to wear clothes to match the theme – wizards, witches, capes, etc. (of course they can always dress like “muggles”, i.e. “themselves”)
Thank you for your help in advance in chaperoning and/or encouraging your children to attend the dance!
Sincerely, Nicole Toth
7/8 Spirit Committee Advisor and the 7/8 Spirit Committee members

Attention all BCS families, the Blast needs you to

The 2012 Blast Prize Room Committee thanks you!

WINTER RECESS CAMP AT BERKSHIRE

Birmingham Community Education Presents

February Recess Camp at Berkshire Middle School High Touch High Tech Science Made Fun Program Or Coach G Sports Shorts Camp Choose 1 to 5 days of February fun!

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NEWS

Thank you to all the parents who helped out at today's competition and to those who helped prepare teams for their events!! We could not have done it without you!

Special thanks to Barbara Pepper who came out to help judge and support the team and to Mr. Owens who made a quick trip out to help when he received an SOS call!!

The kids did an amazing job!!! Please have them wear their shirts and medals/ribbons to school on Monday.

Our next competition in on Saturday, March 17th at Oakland University. Please continue to support your child as they prepare for Regionals!! We are one step closer to Nationals & Orlando!!! Keep pushing the kids to study and practice. They have the talent and ability to win!!

See the results below!The Science Olympiad Team competed against 28 other teams from around Michigan at the International Academy in Troy on Saturday, February 4^th. They did a fantastic job! The following students earned medals or ribbons for their event.

1^st Place

Awesome Aquifer – James R. & Jacob A.

Anatomy – Nadia H. & Noah S.

Rocks & Minerals – Aaron L. & Adam S.

Keep the Heat – Varsha K. & Noah S.

Disease Detectives – Indy A. & Bogdan M.

Mission Possible – Jacob D., Nadia H. & Leila O.

2^nd Place

Forestry – Jacob D. & Bogdan M.

Compute This – Ben F. & Aaron L.

Bottle Rockets – Jacob D. & Michael K.

3^rd Place

Dynamic Planet – Don R. & James R.

4^th Place

Experimental Design – Michael K. Varsha K. & James R

Microbe Mission – Aaron L. & Leila O.

Road Scholar – Don R. & Adam S.

Mousetrap Vehicle – Nick C. & James R.

5^th Place

Mission Possible – Jessie F. & Aliya H.

6^th Place

Crime Busters – Nadia H. & Leila O.

Meteorology – Michael K. & Adam S.

Write It Do It – Trevor M. & Marshall R.

7^th Place

Food Science – Nick C. & Varsha K.

8^th Place

Storm the Castle – Jacob A. & Bogdan M.

Overall the team came in 1^st place!!! Great job everyone.

DEAR BCS FAMILIES!
We have an opportunity to raise up to $500 for Our Kids Against Hunger campaign that is EXTREMELY EASY and requires only a click of your mouse. In addition, while helping our students with their fundraising efforts, you'll be able to take advantage of great local deals! It's a win-win!
Here's what you need to do:

- click on the link www.hipcitydeals.com/s/hcd20
- enter the promo code HCD20

For each new subscriber, HipCityDeals will donate $1 to out Kids Against Hunger campaign (up to $500). All they ask is that students not enter their email addresses. The deadline to subscribe is March 9.

By clicking on the above link, you will become a new subscriber to HipCityDeals, which offers local daily deals on great places to eat, shop and have fun. HipCityDeals also donates a portion of their proceeds to local charities. This month, HipCityDeals is featuring a number of offers in the Oakland County area. Visit the website, http://hipcitydeals.com/, to see which deals you would like to take advantage of.
How simple is that?! Support your school, community and local charities and get great local deals at HipCityDeals.
DON'T WAIT -- CLICK TODAY! Thank you for your support. Together, we can make a difference!!

Battle Update Feb. 4, 2012

Tuesday, Feb 7^th 4:30-5:30, Battle Rush- We are still in need of parent volunteers and want parents to attend. With this many students, all help is appreciated.

Where Battlers attending Battle Rush Should Report (Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012)

Battlers who have Tuesday Choice Hour will report to their choice hour class and to the media center after choice hour.

Battlers who do not have Tuesday Choice Hour will report to the media center when the bell rings at 3:15. Students should sit with team members when they report to the media center. We will organize by teams to go to the cafeteria.

We will have snacks on the numbered team tables along with a Battler Packet for each student (i.e. - Book Club Admission Ticket Form, How to Become an Expert on Your Battle Book, Character Ed Traits, and Core Democratic Values). Teams were posted outside the Media Center on Friday, so students already know their teams. An alpha list and team list will be posted outside the Cafeteria. Table coaches will have a laptop at each table to complete the team data sheets and send to the printer. We want every Battler to leave with a Battle packet and their team list. Teams will design a crest and poster, determine two expert books per team member, and decide on a team name and motto. Place your Battle T-Shirt orders ($9). Color is gold with black letters. Payment must be received before order can be placed.

Families don't forget to send your snack on Tuesday Morning. A cart will be outside the office to receive them. Kids will be hungry. Please see below to find which category of snack your family can provide --

LAST NAMES:

(A - G) = 1 box any flavor of Capri Sun drink pouches (we can recycle this brand)

(H - Q) = 1 dozen individually packaged crackers, chips, or pretzels

(R - Z) = 1 dozen/package of nut-free cookies (please, no cupcakes)

For those families (A-G) assigned to drinks, water will be provided, so please, no water bottles.

Battle Book Clubs begin the week of February 6, 2012. Student admission is a completed Book Club Admission ticket. Copies are at the Media Center.February 8, 2012- Battle program at Baldwin; time-6:30 pm. Learn to finger talk like Goldie and Toadspit from the Battle book Museum of Thieves .RSVP online at the Baldwin site (http://www.baldwinlib.org/)
BCS Proud Dads (or Moms) Cosmic Breakfast, Wed. Feb. 15, 2012, from 7:45-8:20. Featured Battle Book is Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce in BCS Cafeteria. Email invitation is being sent. You must RSVP to the cafeteria email: sm24bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us to reserve your breakfast by Friday, February 10^th. Simply put yes in the subject line with the number attending the breakfast. No message is necessary. If you want a personal copy of Cosmic, you can order from Amazon, via the BEF Amazon website link and help our BEF Foundation (http://supportbef.org/).
Feb 15, 2012 Gold Medal Qualifying Day (must turn in AR tests for all ten books by end of day to get a gold medal).
March 2, 2012 District-Wide Battle Day, BCS Media Center.

NEWS FROM THE BIRMINGHAM BLOOMFIELD COMMUNITY COALITION (BBCC)

For more info on substance abuse prevention focused on our youth visit www.bbcoalition.org

Shop & Support the Coalition

Check out our latest e-newsletter: December2011 Message from Youth Action Board Teens

Our Mission: To raise awareness and mobilize the entire community to prevent the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, with a primary focus on our youth!

BIRMINGHAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION- B E F

3/4 Field Trip to the DSO

The 3/4 Team attended a DSO performance at Orchestra Hall on 2/2/12. This experience will greatly benefit our students musically and culturally. The tickets were paid for by the Birmingham Education Foundation. Please join us in thanking the BEF for their generosity and continued support of BCS.

BYA ANNUAL KIDS’ DOG SHOW FEB. 12 1-3PM

Birmingham Youth Assistance and Birmingham Public Schools present the 31st Annual Kids' Dog Show. Location: Berkshire Gym. Registration is $7 per dog. For complete rules and registration, please visit the BYA website at www.birminghamyouthassistance.org

Jan 30-Feb 3, 2012

2012-01-29T17:05:00.001-08:00

January 29, 2012

Dear BCS Parents,

This week marks our first week of new family meetings with our incoming parents. The 2012-2013 lottery was held with a large number of families entering their children for an opportunity to enroll at BCS. If you recall, the new family meetings are important for us to collect information on our incoming 3rd grade students and their families. Questions focused on academics, personality, and other important information are asked while detailed notes are taken to assure we get a good first impression of our new learners. One question we always ask is, “Why did you choose BCS?” This question is important on many levels as we strive to get better at educating our learners each and every year. One reason we ask the question is to gain the perspective of our customers. Our customers are our students, and the most important people in our customers lives are their parents. Asking the parents the question, “Why BCS?”, helps us build an environment where voices are heard and teamwork is a priority. For the next two months, we will ask this question to close to 108 families and hear a variety of answers. I would like to ask our present parent community the same question to help frame our purpose and mission here at BCS. Please take this short survey and thank you for your continued support!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PJ8BCQR

Have a G.E.E.K.ed week,

Adam

WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of January 30-February 3, 2012

(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

 To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email mz07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by THURSDAY 11PM

Monday, January 30-Start of 3^rd Quarter

6:30-8 AM-8^th Grade VOLLYBALL PRACTICE
3:15-5 PM-6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
4:15-5:30 PM-7 th Grade VOLLEYBALL TRYOURS

Tuesday, January 31

6:35-8 AM- 6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
8 AM BAGELS for Sale- for $1.25 (cream cheese .25 cents)in front of the Media Center
3:15 PM-SCHOOL STORE WILL BE CLOSED THIS WEEK-for inventory

3:15-5:30 PM- Choice Hour 7^th/8^th GIRLS VOLLYBALL PRACTICE

Wednesday, February 1

6:30-8 AM-8^th Grade VOLLYBALL PRACTICE
8 AM-5/6 Room parent meeting-Media Center
Delicious Popcorn sold during Choice Hour-only $ 1
2:45-3:45 PM- Market Day Pick up
3:15-5 PM-6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE-5:15 PM BOYS SWIM TEAM PARENT MEETING
4:15-5:30 PM-7^th Grade GIRLS VOLLYBALL PRACTICE
6:30 PM Webmasters Meeting-Media Center

Thursday, February2- 9:50 AM-DELAYED START DAY-morning kids club pre-registration only

NO SWIM PRACTICE-LATE START DAY
10 AM-1 PM-3/4 DSO Field Trip-bring a bag lunch

3:15-5:30 PM- Choice Hour 7^th/8^th GIRLS VOLLYBALL PRACTICE
4:05 PM- 8^th Grade Parent/Player/Coaches meeting-
5:30-5:45 PM 7^th Grade Parent/Player/Coaches meeting-Gym
7 PM- Friends of Different Learners-Media Center-Impact of Executive Function Deficits & AD/HD

Friday, February 3

Report Cards released for 5-8^th Grades

6:30-8 AM-8^th Grade VOLLYBALL PRACTICE
6:35-8 AM- 6,7,8^TH GRADE BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE

4:15 PM-GIRLS VOLLYBALL SCRIMMAGE-@ HOME v. BLOOMFIELD HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL
3 / 4 Super bowl Reading Party-Gym

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)

- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks

Monday – Sloppy Joe on Wheat Bun, Seasoned Baked Fries, Steamed Carrots, Mexican Pizza

Tuesday – Chicken Gyro, Greek Salad, Fresh Fruit cup, Deluxe Nachos

Wednesday – Taco Bar Chicken or Beef, Steamed Corn, Chicken or Veggie Caesar Wrap, Pasta Salad

Thursday – Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Tomato Soup, Sauteed Green Beans, Beef Enchilada

Friday – Baked Ravioli Meat or Marinara, Garlic Breadstick, Steamed Broccoli, Chicken Fajita Pizza

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Delayed Start Day: Thursday, 2/2/12

Our next late start day is Thursday, 2/2/12. School will begin at 9:50am. For those families needing child care from 8:20 – 9:50am, BCS Community Education is offering morning Kids’ Club. Please complete the registration form and return it to the BCS office no later than Monday, 1/30/12. The fee for this program is $5/student.

The entire BCS staff will be involved in professional development from 8:20 – 9:50am, so there will be no adult supervision in the school prior to the scheduled start time. No child will be allowed in the school unless he/she is registered for the morning Kids’ Club program.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact Cindy Balicki at cb15bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us or 248-203-4448.

3 / 4 PE REMINDERS FOR QUARTER III- Please remember to send appropriate clothing with your children

Monday 1/30-Fri 3/2 –Harvath and Mali will SWIM

Butzin, Frishman, Davis, Seley, Parkin, Wallington will be in the GYM

Monday 3/5-Friday-JUMPROPE FOR HEART-ALL CLASSES IN THE GYM

Monday 3/12-Friday 4/13- Butzin, Frishman, Davis, Seley, Parkin, Wallington will SWIM

Harvath and Mali will be in the GYM

Please keep Mrs. Nast and her family in your thoughts and prayers:

Mrs. Nast was out last week due to the passing of her father-in-law, James Nast. If you have left messages for Mrs. Nast, she will be returning to BCS tomorrow.

Lost Coat:

XLarge, red, Lands End Expedition 4 in 1 Parka was lost last week at BCS. Please return the coat to the office if found or report any information regarding the coat to the office staff. Thank you for your help in this matter.

FUTURE CITIES

The Future City Team, advised by Mrs. Maliszewski, is presenting their city, Catarracta Lux, on Monday in Novi. The team worked for two quarters to create a virtual city using Sim City 4. They also wrote an essay describing the components of the city and then built a physical model of the city. Good luck to the following BCS students:

Andrew A., Thomas B.,Nate C., Aidan C., Meaghan F., Jack G., Alice P., Tucker P., Karlie S., Nathan S.,

Madeline W., Rhys W., Brenden D., Ryan L.,

BCS Science Olympiad

BCS competed against 40 teams from 5 different states (Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, and Tennessee ) and the kids did great! Overall we came in 7th place!!!!!

Individual medals and ribbons were earned by several students.

2nd place - Optics - Bogdan M. & Noah S.

3rd place - Microbe Mission - Aaron L. & Leila O.

3rd place - Dynamic Planet - James R. & Don R.

3rd place - Awesome Aquifers - James R. & Jacob A.

4th place - Road Scholar - Adam S. & Don R.

4th place - Meteorology - Adam A. & Indy A.

5th place - Anatomy - Noah S. & Nadia H.

6th place - Experimental Design - Bogdan M., Michael K., & Varsha K.

7th place - Mousetrap Vehicle - James R. & Nick C.

The students were excellent ambassadors of BCS and we received several compliments about their thoughtfulness.

WORDMASTERS CHALLENGE

Congratulations to all BCS students Grades 3-5 who participated in the 1st Challenge!

The following students placed top at their grade level:

3rd Grade - Anna C. (Butzin) placed 1st; Marlena B. (Wallington) and Charlotte R. (Frishman) tied for 2nd; Daniel X. (Davis) placed 3rd.

4th Grade - Angela R. (Wallington) placed 1st; Jacob F. (Maliszewski) placed 2nd; Phillip W. (Maliszewski) placed 3rd.

5th Grade - Camille W. (Fitzgerald) placed 1st; Mae K. (Roberts) placed 2nd; Azaria J. (Roberts) placed 3rd.

3/4 Field Trip to the DSO

The 3/4 Team will be attending a DSO performance at Orchestra Hall on 2/2/12. This experience will greatly benefit our students musically and culturally. The performance tickets are being paid for by the Birmingham Education Foundation. Please join us in thanking the BEF for their generosity and continued support of BCS.

SMALL APPLIANCES GATHERING DUST ??-Mr. Brown is offering a 7-8 Design Discovery class on Tuesdays.

PTSA NEWS

QIII CHOICE HOUR INFORMATION

3^rd Quarter Choice Hour classes begin on Monday January 30^th. Choice Hour selections are posted on the Choice Hour board in the main hallway.

Choice Hour reminders – please call (248-203-4625), send in a note, or email Linda Stone at ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us if your child is going to be absent from Choice Hour for any reason! 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 PM will be charged a $5.00 fee.

Thank you for always supporting the Choice Hour program!

SAVE THE HONEYBEES—NEW SURVEY

This is a survey made by the Brown/Fitz team. We are trying to save the honeybees. We need as much data as possible if you could please complete the survey. Thank you in advance! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9C68HW5

BCS BAND NEWS

8TH GRADE FAREWELL VIDEO

Parents, please don't delay in submitting a "then" and "now" photo for your graduating 8th grader. The photo deadline has been extended to February 24th, 2012.

WINTER RECESS CAMP AT BERKSHIRE

Birmingham Community Education Presents

February Recess Camp at Berkshire Middle School High Touch High Tech Science Made Fun Program Or Coach G Sports Shorts Camp Choose 1 to 5 days of February fun!

Battle News and Dates =Mark your calendars for the BCS Battle Dates below

Regarding Battle Team s---Buddy list will start after break for students who have already read six books. Pair of buddies will put on teams together, three if possible .depending on number of students participating and books read. Teams will be formed the week after January 27, 2012, qualifying day. Battle teams will consist of 4^th and 5^th graders.

January & February Battle Book Clubs during 4^th and 5^th grade lunch (dates TBD)

If you want a personal copy of Cosmic, you can order from Amazon, via the BEF Amazon website link and help our Foundation (http://supportbef.org/

Feb 7, 2012 Battle Rush at BCS Cafeteria (right after choice hour—we will start promptly at 4:30-5:30. Students meet their teammates; choose team name, motto, and design of a Team Crest for Battle Day in March. Will need parent volunteers and donations of drink and ready to eat snack with little clean-up. A Parent volunteer is needed for each team and a photographer to take pictures of team crest. Watch for separate email.

February 8, 2012- Battle program at Baldwin 6:30 pm.-Learn to Finger Talk like Goldie and

Toadspit from the Battle book Museum of Thieves

Feb 15, 2012 Gold Medal Qualifying Day (must turn in AR tests for all ten books by end of day to get a gold medal)

March 2, 2012 District-Wide Battle Day.

BYA ANNUAL KIDS’ DOG SHOW FEB. 12 1-3PM

Franklin Baseball, Softball & Tee-ball League Registration ongoing
Early registration through Jan. 20. $160 for baseball and softball and $115 for tee ball. Umpires also wanted. For information go to franklinbaseball@comcast.net

Girls Lacrosse Information Night Jan. 31
Attention all 5^th Grade Girls: Birmingham Girls Lacrosse, the feeder program for the Birmingham Unified High School Girls Lacrosse Program, will hold an informational registration meeting on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in the Quarton Media Center. All 5th grade girls (and their parents) who are interested in playing spring lacrosse with Birmingham Girls Lacrosse must attend. No experience necessary! Be a part of the fastest growing sport in the country! Come and find out how lacrosse can be right for you!! If you have any questions, please contact: Coach Sara Sevec at 248-540-0903 (slsevec@aol.com) or Jill Hockman at 248-540-7055 (jillwh@sbcglobal.net) Directions: Quarton Elementary School is located at 771 Chesterfield Road in Birmingham, at the corner of Oak and Chesterfield

Jan 23-27 WAG

2012-01-22T17:11:00.000-08:00

January 22, 2012

Dear BCS Community,

I hope all of you enjoyed your weekend! There are many people that are responsible for BCS being a great place to be and sometimes we forget to say thank you! Our custodians, lunchroom supervisors, and kitchen staff are an important part of our team here at BCS. If you walk in our building early in the morning, the halls and classrooms are always clean and ready for our learners. During the day, our custodians are always on call and take pride in the hard work they do. Lunchtime during the school day can be hectic if there are not organized and caring people leading the way. Our kitchen staff and supervisors continue to do a great job providing time for our students to eat and enjoy each others’ company. I expect another great week at BCS due in part to our custodians, our kitchen staff, and our lunchroom supervisors. THANK YOU!

Have a great week,

Adam

WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of January 23-27, 2012

(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

Monday, January 23

· 3:15-4:05 PM GIRLS SWIM TEAM CHOICE HOUR

· 4;00 PM BOYS BASKETBALL –AWAY-@ CRANBROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL

· 4 PM-Deadline for Wordmasters participation application-see below

Tuesday, January 24

· 8 AM BAGELS for Sale- for $1.25 (cream cheese .25 cents)in front of the Media Center

· LUNCH PERIODS-all grades-WORDMASTERS CHALLENGE-see below

· 2:30 PM-8TH GRADE PANORAMIC PICTURE

· 3:15 PM-SCHOOL STORE OPEN DURING CHOICE HOUR

Wednesday, January 25

· 6:45-8 AM 8th Grade Volleyball Tryouts-ALL PAPER WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED TO TRY OUT

· 9:30-11:30 AM-DAVIS/SELEY to Bloomfield Hills Nature Center

· 12:30-2:30 PM-PARKIN/WALLINGTON to Bloomfield Hills Nature Center

· Delicious Popcorn sold during Choice Hour-only $ 1

· 3:15-4:05 PM GIRLS SWIM TEAM CHOICE HOUR

· 4:15-5:45 PM 7th Grade Volleyball Tryouts-ALL PAPER WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED TO TRY OUT

Thursday, January 26

· 6:35-8 AM- 6,7,8TH GRADE BOYS SWIM TEAM-BEGINS -ALL PAPER WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED TO PARTICIPATE

· 6:45-8 AM 8th Grade Volleyball Tryouts-ALL PAPER WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED TO TRY OUT

· 9:30-11:30 AM-HARVATH/MALI to Bloomfield Hills Nature Center

· 12:30-2:30 PM-FRISHMAN/BUTZIN to Bloomfield Hills Nature Center

· 4:15-5:45 PM 7th Grade Volleyball Tryouts-ALL PAPER WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED TO TRY OUT

· Market Day Internet orders due

Friday, January 27-RECORDS DAY-HALF DAY-DISMISSAL AT 11:20-END OF 2ND QUARTER

· 6:35-8 AM- 6,7,8TH GRADE BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE

· 6:45-8 AM 8th Grade Volleyball Tryouts-ALL PAPER WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED TO TRY OUT

· 7- 8 AM 7th Grade Volleyball Tryouts-ALL PAPER WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED TO TRY OUT

· DUE-7/8 BAND- registration for 2012 Spring Solo & Ensemble Festival

· DEADLINE-LAST Battle Qualifying Day (by end of day)-Students need to have read 6 books and passed 6 AR Tests)

· DEADLINE to preorder discounted yearbooks-go to bcsonline.info or brochure rack in main hall

· 4 PM-BCS 2011-2012 Wait list expires

· 4 PM-DEADLINE for acceptance of Lottery enrollment

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)

- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks

Monday – Egg,Ham and Cheese Biscuit, Potatoes O’Brian, Fresh Fruit cup,

Tuesday – Whole Wheat Penne Chicken Alfredo, Steamed Broccoli, Garlic Breadstick, Cheese Quesadilla

Wednesday – Grilled Turkey/Corned Beef Rueben on Whole Wheat, California Blend, Hawaiian Pizza

Thursday – Chicken Pot Pie, Whole Wheat roll, Steamed Peas, Zesty Beef Burrito

Friday –Grilled Cheese on Whole Wheat, Tomato Soup, Steamed Green Beans, Meat Lovers Pizza

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Delayed Start Day: Thursday, 2/2/12

Our next late start day is Thursday, 2/2/12. School will begin at 9:50am. For those families needing child care from 8:20 – 9:50am, BCS Community Education is offering morning Kids’ Club. Please complete the registration form and return it to the BCS office no later than Monday, 1/30/12. The fee for this program is $5/student.

The entire BCS staff will be involved in professional development from 8:20 – 9:50am, so there will be no adult supervision in the school prior to the scheduled start time. No child will be allowed in the school unless he/she is registered for the morning Kids’ Club program.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact Cindy Balicki at cb15bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us or 248-203-4448.

YEARBOOK ORDERING INFORMATION

Yearbooks AND Proud Parent ads can be ordered online this year. For more information go to http://bcsonline.info/Parent_Resources/Yearbooks.html. Deadline for Proud Parent ads is January 22, 2012

ATHLETICS UPDATES FOR WINTER II

Winter 2 athletics season registration is open! Please visit the BCS athletics page to register your athlete for either Girls Volleyball (7th/8th grade) or Boys Swim (6th/7th/8th grade).SWIM PRACTICE BEGINS THURS. 1/26/2012-please remember your student can not participate in tryouts until all paper work is submitted.

Attention 8th graders attending Seaholm

If you are interested in visiting the FLEX program at Seaholm please email Kyle Hall at kh01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us to reserve a space. Available dates are January 10, 17, 19, 24, and 26.

3/4 Field Trip to the DSO

On Thursday, 2/2/12, our 3/4 students will be attending a performance by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall. This experience will greatly benefit our students musically and culturally. The performance tickets are being paid for by the Birmingham Education Foundation. Please join us in thanking the BEF for their generosity and continued support of BCS.

WordMasters Challenge

For all grades 3-8 will be held during student lunch periods on Tuesday, January 24. A sign-up sheet for students to participate in their grade-level Challenge is located at the front desk in the Media Center. Deadline to sign up is Monday, January 23 by 4pm. Word lists for grades 3-6 are available on our BCS WordMasters blog or by hard copy in the front office. Word lists for grades 7 & 8 are available by hard copy through 7/8 Language Arts teachers. Email any questions regarding WordMasters to . All BCS students are welcome to participate in this fun word analogy challenge!

Choice Hour Information--3rd Quarter 2011 - 2012

The deadline for turning in QIII Choice Hour selections was Monday January 9th. If we have not heard from you regarding your child’s enrollment in the choice hour program, then you will be receiving a choice hour enrollment email reminder with an attachment that lists classes that still have openings. Your options will be limited since most students have already been placed in their classes. Please include proper payment if you are signing your child up for a 4th and/or 5th day of Choice Hour. Do not include payment for classes with materials fees or pay to play fees. A separate billing will be made once students have been placed in their Choice Hour classes.

Students who do not turn in a selection sheet will not be placed in any Choice Hour classes. A signed waiver is required to opt out of the Choice Hour program. Students who did not turn in a selection sheet with payment by the deadline will not be allowed to make a change in their schedule.

QIII Choice Hour begins Monday January 30 – classes will be distributed to homerooms on Wednesday January 25th and posted on the choice hour board after choice hour on Thursday January 26th.

Important request for a QIII choice hour class:

Mr. Brown is offering a 7-8 Design Discovery class on Tuesdays. This hands-on class will allow students to take apart household items like CD players, camcorders, cameras, computer printers, cell phones, small kitchen appliances, clocks, etc. to learn more about how they are designed and manufactured. If you have small electronic equipment gathering dust please send these items to school attention Mr. Brown! We will not accept large electronics like microwaves, computer monitors, TVs, vacuum cleaners, etc. Thanks for your help!!

Choice Hour reminders – please call (248-203-4625), send in a note, or email Linda Stone at ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us if your child is going to be absent from Choice Hour. for any reason! 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 PM will be charged a $5.00 fee.

Thank you for always supporting the Choice Hour program!

BCS KIDS AGAINST HUNGER

If you are interested in making an online donation to help our kids reach their goal of $5600, enabling them to package 20,000 meals for the hungry, please visit http://www.kidsagainsthungercoalition.com/ and follow the link to the BCS Hunger Fundraiser. Thank you for your support

SAVE THE HONEYBEES—NEW SURVEY

This is a survey made by the Brown/Fitz team. We are trying to save the honeybees. We need as much data as possible if you could please complete the survey. Thank you in advance! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9C68HW5

BCS BAND NEWS

Parents of 7th & 8th graders: The BCS Mid-Winter Band Concert for will take place on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. The concert will be held from 7:00-8:00pm in the BCS cafeteria. Students should arrive at BCS no later than 6:30pm.

7th & 8th Grade Band Parents: The registration deadline for the 2012 Spring Solo & Ensemble Festival is Friday, January 27, 2012. This year’s S&E festival will take place on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Lake Orion Oakview Middle School,. This is a volunteer activity available to all 7th & 8th grade band students. Participation details have been presented to the band students during their class meeting times.

FOR ALLBCS Band Parents: Private lessons for band instruments are now available at Groves High School! Please visit the Groves Band website http://www.grovesband.com for more information. This is a fantastic opportunity for our young musicians.

8th Grade Farewell Video

Parents, please don't delay in submitting a "then" and "now" photo for your graduating 8th grader. The photo deadline has been extended to February 24th, 2012.

Please refer to the e-mail sent by the BCS PTSA on January19th that includes updated site and log in information as well as directions on how to upload your photos (if you have already loaded your photos, no further action is necessary on your part).

Digital/scanned images are preferred, however, if you are unable to upload your images, you may drop off your photos in the turn-in basket in the BCS office. Please be sure to include your name on the back of the photos so that they can be returned to you. Or, alternately, you may also e-mail your photos to Rob Lawrence, fellow BCS parent and 8th grade celebration committee member, at rob1lawrence@gmail.com and he will upload your images for you.

Battle News and Dates

Mark your calendars for the BCS Battle Dates below

Regarding Battle Team s---Buddy list will start after break for students who have already read six books. Pair of buddies will put on teams together, three if possible .depending on number of students participating and books read. Teams will be formed the week after January 27, 2012, qualifying day. Battle teams will consist of 4th and 5th graders.

January & February Battle Book Clubs during 4th and 5th grade lunch (dates TBD)

If you want a personal copy of Cosmic, you can order from Amazon, via the BEF Amazon website link and help our Foundation (http://supportbef.org/

January 27, 2012 Battle Qualifying day by end of day to make a Battle Team (Students need to have read 6 books and passed 6 AR Tests)

Feb 7, 2012 Battle Rush at BCS Cafeteria (right after choice hour—we will start promptly at 4:30-5:30. Students meet their teammates; choose team name, motto, and design of a Team Crest for Battle Day in March. Will need parent volunteers and donations of drink and ready to eat snack with little clean-up. A Parent volunteer is needed for each team and a photographer to take pictures of team crest. Watch for separate email.

February 8, 2012- Battle program at Baldwin 6:30 pm.-Learn to Finger Talk like Goldie and

Toadspit from the Battle book Museum of Thieves

Feb 15, 2012 Gold Medal Qualifying Day (must turn in AR tests for all ten books by end of day to get a gold medal)

March 2, 2012 District-Wide Battle Day.

BYA Annual Kids’ Dog Show Feb. 12 1-3pm

Birmingham Youth Assistance and Birmingham Public Schools present the 31st Annual Kids' Dog Show. Location: Berkshire Gym. Registration is $7 per dog. For complete rules and registration, please visit the BYA website at www.birminghamyouthassistance.org

Franklin Baseball, Softball & Tee-ball League Registration ongoing

Early registration through Jan. 20. $160 for baseball and softball and $115 for tee ball. Umpires also wanted. For information go to franklinbaseball@comcast.net

Girls Lacrosse Information Night Jan. 31

Attention all 5th Grade Girls: Birmingham Girls Lacrosse, the feeder program for the Birmingham Unified High School Girls Lacrosse Program, will hold an informational registration meeting on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in the Quarton Media Center. All 5th grade girls (and their parents) who are interested in playing spring lacrosse with Birmingham Girls Lacrosse must attend. No experience necessary! Be a part of the fastest growing sport in the country! Come and find out how lacrosse can be right for you!! If you have any questions, please contact: Coach Sara Sevec at 248-540-0903 (slsevec@aol.com) or Jill Hockman at 248-540-7055 (jillwh@sbcglobal.net) Directions: Quarton Elementary School is located at 771 Chesterfield Road in Birmingham, at the corner of Oak and Chesterfield

ARE YOU IN FOURTH GRADE?? THEN HIT THE SLOPES…FOURTH GRADE KIDS SKI FREE

The Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA) wants to give Michigan kids an opportunity to get out, have fun and get healthy this winter. MSIA has established a state-wide program which provides every fourth grader in Michigan the opportunity to ski for free. Fourth graders can obtain a “Cold is Cool” Ski & Ride Passport that gives them up to three free lift tickets or trail passes at 20 participating ski areas. In order for fourth graders to use the free lift or trail pass coupons, a paying adult must accompany them.

Although the skiing is free, MSIA charges a $15 printing and shipping fee for each passport ordered. For more information and a list of participating ski resorts, please visit: http://www.goskimichigan.com/cold-is-cool.html

Jan. 16-20 2012 W.A.G.

2012-01-16T17:52:00.000-08:00

January 16, 2012

I know what I know, but I need to know what I’m not seeing. What does this sentence mean in our lives? Better yet, what does it mean to today’s learners? In the book, Fierce Conversations, written by Susan Scott, she talks about the Beach Ball Reality. Picture a beach ball and the different colored stripes. Some of us live on blue, some red, some yellow or green, no matter the color, it is where we grew up. The stripe, or what the stripe represents, includes the people that influenced us, good or bad, the experiences we lived, and the future we hope for. It is simply what we know.

Using this beach ball analogy, how does this affect our learners in today’s world?

There are many layers of the beach ball reality worth looking at when educating young learners (and adult learners). Take a class of 27 students for example. Learning styles, family structures, ethnic and socio economic backgrounds, there are many factors that come into play in defining how we think, how we handle situations, and how we perceive the future. This beach ball reality must play a part in creating lessons and opportunities within the classroom. Out of the 27 students, there may be a few living on the yellow, a few on the blue and so on. Allowing students to work in groups, share responsibilities and collaborate on a number of tasks, provides them the opportunity to gain perspectives from others at an early age.

Adding one more layer to the analogy, school as a whole must provide opportunities for learners to go outside the lines of their beach ball stripe and see what they can’t see. The first step is fostering mindsets (including modeling this mindset) that feel the need and desire to look beyond our own world (or stripe). Communicating with, collaborating and connecting with, and valuing the experiences and opinions of our neighbors from the other side of the beach ball cannot be contrived or forced. Establishing the need in today’s schools to gain various perspectives must become a way of life. Take a middle school history class for example. Learning about the Revolutionary War, students, living on the blue stripe, may read a textbook written by people that grew up and are living on the same blue stripe. The teacher, from the blue stripe, may assign a project, or a research paper that will include references from resources made available by others on the same blue stripe. They will learn the history, facts, specific dates or names associated with the war but will they gain a real understanding of what the war meant to people from all sides (or stripes)?

My cousin married a man from England and I often refer to a conversation I had with him years ago regarding the Revolutionary War. Lessons he learned in high school were different from the lessons I learned. We agreed that politics and many other factors we have no control over were the reasons that two men the same age, that share the same opinion on many topics, and to this day get along very well, have two very different views of the Revolutionary War. We also talked about how powerful it is students today can connect and learn collaboratively with others across the globe. Skype, blogs, wikis, and other tools have made our world smaller, making going outside our beach ball reality a priority in learning so we can see what we couldn't see before.

Have a great week,

Adam

WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of January 16-20, 2011

(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

 To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email mz07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by THURSDAY 11PM

Monday, January 16

Tuesday, January 17

VISION SCREENINfor 3^rd,5^th,7^th grade students
6:45-8 AM GIRLS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
8 AM BAGELS for Sale- for $1.25 (cream cheese .25 cents)in front of the Media Center
3:15 PM-SCHOOL STORE OPEN DURING CHOICE HOUR
4;00 PM BOYS BASKETBALL –AWAY @ ANDERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL-visit highschoolsports.net for map to the school
6:30 PM –Technology Committee Meeting-Media Center

Wednesday, January 18

VISION SCREENIN for 3^rd,5^th,7^th grade students
6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL PRACTICE
4;00 PM BOYS BASKETBALL –AWAY-@ DERBY MIDDLE SCHOOL
6:30 PM-Girls Swim MEET away @CRANBROOK mIDDLE sCHOOLvisit highschoolsports.net for map to the school
7-9:30PM-BCS LOTTERY-Staff Development Rooms

Thursday, January 19

VISION SCREENINfor 3^rd,5^th,7^th grade students
6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL PRACTICE
7:45-8:20-COSMIC BATTLE BREAKFAST with PROUD DADS/MOMS –PRE-REGISTRATION-Anticipated breakfast cost is -$6 (includes parent and child) –Contact Mr. Hartley for Nan’s Kids assistance=no one is ever excluded from participating
4:15-6 PM-Girls Swim Team practice

Friday, January 20

6:45-8 AM GIRLS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL PRACTICE
9 AM-1:30 PM -3 /4 Field Trip-Detroit Historical Museum-(Seley/Davis,Harvath/Maliszewski)
4:30 PM-GIRLS SWIM TEAM-COMSAC LEAGUE MEET

Sunday, January 22

Deadline for YEARBOOK ADS

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)

- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks

Monday – No School-MLK Day

Tuesday –Hot Ham and Cheese on Whole Grain Bread, Potato Salad, Steamed Vegetables, Deluxe

Wednesday -Meatballs and Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Small Garden Salad, Supreme Pizza

Thursday – Home-style Cheese Lasgna, Steamed Corn, Ialian Sub Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bun

Friday – Fish Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bun, Steamed Green Vegetables, Chicken Fajita Pizza

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

See below for BATTLE AND 8^TH GRADE PHOTO INFORMATION

YEARBOOK ORDERING INFORMATION --Deadline for Proud Parent ads is January 22, 2012

Yearbooks AND Proud Parent ads can be ordered online this year. For more information go to http://bcsonline.info/Parent_Resources/Yearbooks.html

Important infoRMATION for 8^TH grade families

If you have not turned in your High School Selection Forms to the counseling Department we must know the school your child is planning on attending before they can have their scheduling appointment.

Attention 8^th graders attending Seaholm

If you are interested in visiting the FLEX program at Seaholm please email Kyle Hall at kh01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us to reserve a space. Available dates are January 17, 19, 24, and 26.

ATHLETICS UPDATES FOR WINTER II

Winter 2 athletics season registration is open! Please visit the BCS athletics page to register your athlete for either Girls Volleyball (7^th/8^th grade) or Boys Swim (6^th/7^th/8^th grade).-please remember your student can not participate in tryouts until all paper work is submitted.

GEOGRAPHY BEE UPDATE

The BCS school-wide geography bee was held Tuesday, January 10th. The school champion is Evan G.l, an 8th grader in Mr. McCloud's homeroom. Runner up is David L., a 4th grader in Mrs. Harvath's homeroom. Evan will now take a written geography test to try to qualify for the state geography bee which will be held on March 30th. Good luck to Evan and congratulations to all the geography bee participants. I would like to extend a special thank you to Mr. Braisted for teaching a geography choice hour to help the students prepare. I have gotten many compliments about the class from parents whose children have enjoyed the choice hour.

Choice Hour Information--3rd Quarter 2011 - 2012

The deadline for turning in QIII Choice Hour selections was Monday January 9^th. If we have not heard from you regarding your child’s enrollment in the choice hour program, then you will be receiving a choice hour enrollment email reminder with an attachment that lists classes that still have openings. Your options will be limited since most students have already been placed in their classes. Please include proper payment if you are signing your child up for a 4^th and/or 5^th day of Choice Hour. Do not include payment for classes with materials fees or pay to play fees. A separate billing will be made once students have been placed in their Choice Hour classes.

Students who do not turn in a selection sheet will not be placed in any Choice Hour classes. A signed waiver is required to opt out of the Choice Hour program. Students who did not turn in a selection sheet with payment by the deadline will not be allowed to make a change in their schedule.

QIII Choice Hour begins Monday January 30 – classes will be distributed to homerooms on Wednesday January 25^thand posted on the choice hour board after choice hour on Thursday January 26^th.

Important request for a QIII choice hour class:

Mr. Brown is offering a 7-8 Design Discovery class on Tuesdays. This hands-on class will allow students to take apart household items like CD players, camcorders, cameras, computer printers, cell phones, small kitchen appliances, clocks, etc. to learn more about how they are designed and manufactured. If you have small electronic equipment gathering dust please send these items to school attention Mr. Brown! We will not accept large electronics like microwaves, computer monitors, TVs, vacuum cleaners, etc. Thanks for your help!!

Choice Hour reminders – please call (248-203-4625), send in a note, or email Linda Stone at ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us if your child is going to be absent from Choice Hour. for any reason! 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 PM will be charged a $5.00 fee.

Thank you for always supporting the Choice Hour program!

BCS KIDS AGAINST HUNGER

If you are interested in making an online donation to help our kids reach their goal of $5600, enabling them to package 20,000 meals for the hungry, please visit http://www.kidsagainsthungercoalition.com/ and follow the link to the BCS Hunger Fundraiser. Thank you for your support

SAVE THE HONEYBEES—NEW SURVEY

BCS BAND NEWS

7^th & 8^th Grade Band Parents: The registration deadline for the 2012 Spring Solo & Ensemble Festival is Friday, January 27, 2012. This year’s S&E festival will take place on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Lake Orion Oakview Middle School,. This is a volunteer activity available to all 7^th & 8^th grade band students. Participation details have been presented to the band students during their class meeting times.

Birmingham Covington School-2012 Yearbook Proud Parent Ads-Deadline: 22 January 2012

Straight from the heart and into the yearbook! Our staff is now offering the opportunity to “personalize” the yearbook in a very special way with a recognition ad. Space is available to tell your student how proud you are! Regardless of the occasion, your ad provides a great way to recognize a student or event in a special and unique way. To reserve your space, follow these guidelines:

Prices/sizes:

Process color ads are available in the following sizes for the prices shown.

• 1/8 page: $25.00

• 1/4 page: $40.00

• 1/2 page: $70.00

• Full page: $125.00

Step-by-step instructions

1. Select ad size.

2. Go to www.Jostens.com. Follow directions to purchase a Parent Recognition ad. Our school is Birmingham Covington School.

3. Complete the Order Form provided.

4. Provide photos by uploading at https://images.jostens.com/upload.jsp or drop off a flash drive/CD with photos at the front office (ATTN: Yearbook).

5. Write text for ad and drop off at front office or email it to jj04bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us.

Calling all 8th Grade Parents and Guardians!!! Photos are due January 20th, 2011.
It's time to submit a baby photo (up to age 2) and a current photo of your 8th grader for the Farewell video!
Shortly you will receive the invitation to share your photos on our Grade 8 2012 Google Picasa Web Album. Below you will find directions on how to upload your photos to this album. Please print these directions and have them available for when your invitation arrives.
How to Upload Your Photos:

Click on “Contribute Photos to this Album” in the invitation box

Login as follows:
Email: bcs8thgradevideo
Password: Photos4U (password is case sensitive)

Click on the box that reads “Select Photos from Your Computer”
Select your photo
If the picture you have added needs to be rotated, scroll your mouse over the photo to rotate the image right or left
Click the box that reads “Okay”
Repeat for your second photo
Once you have uploaded both photos, click on the tab that reads “Birmingham Covington’s Gallery”
Click on the “Grade 8 2012” Album (your pictures should appear in the album)
Click on the first photo you loaded. Underneath the photo you will have the option to add a caption.
Click on “Add a Caption” and type in your child’s name. Click on the “Save Caption” Button.
Click on the left or right arrow to find your child’s second photo and add a caption to that photo as well.
Log out of g-mail – you’re done!

Junior Great Books is returning to BCS! ***Attention Third and Fourth Graders ***

We will meet once a week at lunch time, for lively, fun, and thought-provoking discussions about stories contained in the Junior Great Book readers. If you LOVE to read, and share your thoughts and opinions with others - you will love this program!. Students will read engaging stories and have question driven discussions with the group to search for meaning in the stories and challenge yourself and those around you.

The program is open to the first 15 students in 3rd and 4th grade who sign up. Students will be provided with a reader, that will be turned back in after the program has ended. They will be expected to read a story weekly, and come prepared to share thoughts and ideas. Also, bringing a lunch from home would help to maximize discussion time on the days the group meets, but is not mandatory.

To register, please send an email to Chris Graham at christinag123@sbcglobal.net. Please provide name of student and parents, an email address, and their teacher. The first 15 students will be contacted with further details.

INFORMATION ABOUT A SPECIAL STUDENT RUN FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT CITY MISSION

Hello Friends!We're raising funds for City Mission's laptop carts and need your help to attain our goal.
You can purchase or renew subscriptions to your favorite magazines (like People, All You, TIME and Sports Illustrated) at up to 85% off, or enjoy exclusive offers on cookie dough and Restaurant.com eCertificates.
Each time you make a purchase, we'll receive up to 40%.

You can also support us by sharing this page and spreading the word to friends and family.

Battle News and Dates

Mark your calendars for the BCS Battle Dates below

Regarding Battle Team s---Buddy list will start after break for students who have already read six books. Pair of buddies will put on teams together, three if possible .depending on number of students participating and books read. Teams will be formed the week after January 27, 2012, qualifying day. Battle teams will consist of 4^th and 5^th graders.

January & February Battle Book Clubs during 4^th and 5^th grade lunch (dates TBD)

January 19, 2012 Cosmic Breakfast 7:45-8:20 with BCS Proud Dads (or Moms) and Battlers; featured Battle Book is Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce in BCS Cafeteria. Mark your Calendars Anticipated breakfast cost is -$6 (includes parent and child) Pre-registration starts after break. If you want a personal copy of Cosmic, you can order from Amazon, via the BEF Amazon website link and help our Foundation (http://supportbef.org/

January 27, 2012 Battle Qualifying day by end of day to make a Battle Team (Students need to have read 6 books and passed 6 AR Tests)

February 8, 2012- Battle program at Baldwin 6:30 pm.-Learn to Finger Talk like Goldie and

Toadspit from the Battle book Museum of Thieves

Feb 15, 2012 Gold Medal Qualifying Day (must turn in AR tests for all ten books by end of day to get a gold medal)

March 2, 2012 District-Wide Battle Day.

ARE YOU IN FOURTH GRADE?? THEN HIT THE SLOPES…FOURTH GRADE KIDS SKI FREE

The Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA) wants to give Michigan kids an opportunity to get out, have fun and get healthy this winter. MSIA has established a state-wide program which provides every fourth grader in Michigan the opportunity to ski for free. Fourth graders can obtain a “Cold is Cool” Ski & Ride Passport that gives them up to three free lift tickets or trail passes at 20 participating ski areas. In order for fourth graders to use the free lift or trail pass coupons, a paying adult must accompany them.

Although the skiing is free, MSIA charges a $15 printing and shipping fee for each passport ordered. For more information and a list of participating ski resorts, please visit: http://www.goskimichigan.com/cold-is-cool.html

BCS Staff Lead MLK Activities

2012-01-16T10:37:00.000-08:00

(Top)
Rick Joseph, BCS 5-6 teacher, leads a discussion on how we must watch what we say and do as teachers, parents, and students when it comes to using words like gay or retarded. The discussion was a powerful reminder of how we can make others feel bad by the words we choose. Saying thats so gay is not OK.

(Bottom)
BCS 7-8 teachers Chris Emmi, Mat Brown and Roy McCloud help lead a fishbowl activity at Seaholm. The panel included employees of different race and various backgrounds. Key points: Listen to one another, relationships are key and value others' perspectives.

Other BCS staff leading MLK activities:
Tamra Nast, Counselor
Sheara Ferguson, Teacher

Bold Parents=Bold Schools

2012-01-08T17:10:00.001-08:00

January 8, 2012

Dear BCS Families,

I hope you enjoyed the warmer weather this weekend. I recently read an article titled, Are you a Bold School or an Old School?, (http://www.districtadministration.com/article/are-you-old-school-or-bold-school) by Will Richardson. It posed a valid question for principals and teachers while presenting a solid case for all of us to continue forging ahead to make sure education is relevant to our learners. The author lays out the realties in today’s world making the case that we must be bold in order to not be “old”.

Some key points:

Bold schools are places of questions, not answers.

Bold schools are steeped in cultures where everyone, both educators and students, are seen as learners first.

Bold schools are innovating and inventing in the classroom and curriculum, poking the box of traditional education in ways that make sense for kids.

To be fully able to seize the opportunities that access provides, the adults need to be engaged in the learning process as much if not more than the kids in our classrooms.

Bold schools are those that are actively educating around and advocating for meaningful change in their local and state communities.

I would like to add a key point that was not included in the article. A bold school encourages and embraces bold parents. The word bold holds a variety of definitions but the most prominent is:

a : fearless before danger

b : showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit

These characteristics have been rich across our parent community throughout the history of BCS and continue to allow us to preserve our great traditions while consistently placing us on the cutting edge of education. Behind every great school is a community of bold parents. BCS parents provide leadership for programs, provide resources for extra curricular activities, and work side by side with teachers to provide relevant and rigorous learning opportunities. They have always been and continue to be bold!

Knowing we have bold parents, I am excited about the fact we have many leadership positions opened that are crucial in keeping BCS on the cutting edge. In the three years I have been Principal, I have watched one bold parent give his or her leadership opportunity to another bold parent, allowing us to maintain the quality programs and resources our students are accustomed to. These seamless transitions will need to occur this year, and soon, as we have many parents “graduating” out of BCS. Below is a list of leadership opportunities we MUST fill quickly to ensure BCS continues to be bold and not old. Please contact me, Mrs. Chinn, or PTSA co-chairs, Gina Herdegen (royalherd@comcast.net) and Brier Neel (neel_bg@yahoo.com) if you are ready to be bold in 2012. Please go to the PTSA link to see more details. (http://bcsonline.info/PTSA.html)

Leadership Opportunities (2012-2013)

Co-Chair (share leadership with Brier Neel)

Technology/Webmasters (http://bcsonline.info/PTSA/Technology.html)

Blast Co-Chair (Next meeting Tuesday, Jan.10th at 7:00 p.m. BCS)

Contact either Karen Best or Ken Gilbert at BlastChair@bcsonline.info for more information.

Proud Dad Co-Chair (http://bcsonline.info/PTSA/Proud_Dads.html)

Social (http://bcsonline.info/PTSA/Social.html)

Facilities (http://bcsonline.info/PTSA/Facility_Improvements.html)

Recording Secretary

These positions are crucial to our success- If you want any information regarding what the positions entail, contact us!

G.E.E.K.ed about a Bold Parent Community,

Adam

WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of January 9-13, 2011

(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

 To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email mz07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by THURSDAY 11PM

Monday, January 9***CHOICE HOUR SELECTION SHEETS DUE BY 4PM***(with applicable payment)

8 AM-5PM BCS Lottery Registration-Administration Building
3:15-5:00 PM-GIRLS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
4;00 PM BOYS BASKETBALL –HOME v. Berkshire Middle School
7PM- Battle program at Baldwin- Meet Helen Frost, our Battle author for Diamond Willow.

Tuesday, January 10

8 AM-7PM BCS Lottery Registration-Administration Building
VISION SCREENIN BEGINS for 3^rd,5^th,7^th grade students
6:45-8 AM GIRLS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL PRACTICE
8 AM BAGELS for Sale- for $1.25 (cream cheese .25 cents)in front of the Media Center
GEOGRAPHY BEE for 4-8^th grades
3:15 PM-SCHOOL STORE OPEN DURING CHOICE HOUR
7 PM- BLAST Committee Meeting-Media Center –see announcement below

Wednesday, January 11

8 AM-5PM Lottery Registration-Administration Building
6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL PRACTICE
8:30-11:30 AM-BLUE LAKE AUDITIONS-BAND ROOM
8:30-9:15.AM-The Groves Counselors will be coming to speak to our 8^th graders in the media center
4:15 PM-Girls Swim MEET -away v. Derby mIDDLE sCHOOL
7PM Web Team Meeting

Thursday, January 12

8 AM-5PM BCS Lottery Registration-Administration Building
8AM-2PM-Religious Diversity Journey (nine 7^th grade students)
8:30-11:30 AM-BLUE LAKE AUDITIONS-BAND ROOM
9:30-10:30AM. Seaholm Counselors will be coming to speak to our 8^th graders in the media center
12:30-1PM-Lunch with the Principal-Digital Video West
1:15-3PM-PTSA Meeting-Digital Video West
4;00 PM BOYS BASKETBALL –HOME v. Orchard Lake Middle School
4:15-6 PM-Girls Swim Team practice

Friday, January 13

8 AM-5PM BCS Lottery Registration-Administration Building
6:45-8 AM GIRLS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL PRACTICE
9 AM-1:30 PM -3 /4 Field Trip-Detroit Historical Museum-(Parkin,Wallington,Frishman,Butzin)

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)

- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks

Monday – Whole Grain Pancakes. Sausage, Hashbrown Patty, Fresh Fruit Cup, BBQ Chicken Pizza

Tuesday – Chicken Parmesan, Garlic breadstick, Steamed Broccoli, Chicken Quesadilla,

Wednesday – Chicken Fajitas, Corn and Peppers, Refried Beans, Hawaiian Pizza

Thursday – Baked Chicken Drumstick, Au Gratin Potatoes, Whole Wheat roll, Zesty Beef Burrito

Friday – Baked Mac and Cheese, California Blend, Fresh Grapes, Meat Lovers Pizza

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

See below for BATTLE AND 8^TH GRADE PHOTO INFORMATION

ATHLETICS UPDATES FOR WINTER II

Choice Hour Information for quarter iii

Selection sheets were distributed last week. Selections can be viewed online at www.bsconline.info and are due back no later than Monday January 9^th at 4:00PM. Students who do not turn in a selection sheet will not be placed in any Choice Hour classes. Students who do not turn in a selection sheet with payment for the optional 4^th or 5^th day, by the deadline, will not be allowed to make a change in their schedule. Do not include payment for classes with materials fees or pay to play fees, you will be billed separately once students have been placed in their Choice Hour classes.

Important information for 3^rd quarter:

Mrs. Stephenson is offering a Forensics I Choice Hour class on Mondays for students in grades 5-7. This class is a pre-requisite for the competitive Forensics II team. Students must be enrolled in this class to be eligible to audition for the team in the spring of 2012.

The 3-4 and 5-8 Robotech classes are being offered to new students only!! These are not continuing classes.

The 5-8 Zon class will give priority placement to new students. Students currently enrolled in the Zon choice hour and co-curricular classes may have an opportunity to take this class if there are openings. A lottery process will be used to determine student placement if this occurs.

Students interested in applying for the BCS Now Choice Hour class need to have their applications to Mr. Joseph no later than Monday January 9^th at 4:00PM. The application is included in with the choice hour selection sheet! Please read the instructions very carefully!! This class meets every day but students are not expected to be available every day!

6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade boys interested in participating in the BCS swim team program are encouraged to sign up for the Monday/Wednesday swim team Choice Hour class.

Thank you for always supporting the Choice Hour program!

Important infoRMATION for 8^TH grade families

If you have not turned in your High School Selection Forms to the counseling Department we must know the school your child is planning on attending before they can have their scheduling appointment.

Attention 8^th graders attending Seaholm

If you are interested in visiting the FLEX program at Seaholm please email Kyle Hall at kh01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us to reserve a space. Available dates are January 10, 17, 19, 24, and 26.

BCS KIDS AGAINST HUNGER

BCS BLAST MEETING
The BCS Blast committee will be having our monthly meeting this coming Tuesday, January 10th at 7:00PM in the media center. The BCS Blast is the biggest fund raiser of the year for our school. This year's theme is 2012 BCS iBLAST! The BCS Blast is a fun filled afternoon and early evening of carnival games, bouncy inflatables, delicious food, prizes for the kids, cake walk, raffle and silent auction. If you're new to BCS, this is an event you won't want to miss.
The Blast has several committees and we invite all who would like to attend our meeting to join us.
We have one committee opening that needs to be filled for this year's event and need 1 parent for the Boutique (face painting and fun things to buy).
This is also the last year for the existing Co-Chairs, Karen Best and Ken Gilbert. We are looking for 2 volunteers to shadow Karen and Ken this year so they can take over next year. This is the biggest and most important event of the year and we need our BCS Community to STEP UP TO THE PLATE.
This is a great opportunity to meet and work with other BCS parents while helping our school raise much needed funds. WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please get involved and join us on Tuesday, January 10th.
Co-Chairs: Karen Best kbestMI@mac.com Ken Gilbert kjginbham@hotmail.com

Junior Great Books is returning to BCS! ***Attention Third and Fourth Graders ***

We will meet once a week at lunch time, for lively, fun, and thought-provoking discussions about stories contained in the Junior Great Book readers. If you LOVE to read, and share your thoughts and opinions with others - you will love this program!. Great Books provides a forum for open ended discussions and challenging ideas to promote personal growth. Students will read engaging stories and have question driven discussions with the group to search for meaning in the stories and challenge yourself and those around you.

To register, please send an email to Chris Graham at christinag123@sbcglobal.net. Please provide name of student and parents, an email address, and their teacher. The first 15 students will be contacted with further details.

Blue Lake Scholarship Auditions information for summer camp 2012 will take place in the BCS band room on Wednesday, January 11^th & Thursday, January 12. The auditions will run from 8:30 to 11:30am each day. A representative from the camp will be on hand to evaluate student performances and portfolios. Students with special talents in instrumental music (including piano), vocal music, drama and art are invited to present a brief demonstration of their skills for scholarship considerations to Blue Lake. Interested students who do not have band or orchestra classes on Wednesday or Thursday should make arrangements with their classroom teachers to be released during the audition times.

7^th & 8^th Grade Band Parents: The registration deadline for the 2012 Spring Solo & Ensemble Festival is Friday, January 27, 2012. This year’s S&E festival will take place on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Lake Orion Oakview Middle School,. This is a volunteer activity available to all 7^th & 8^th grade band students. Participation details have been presented to the band students during their class meeting times.

7^th & 8^th Grade Band Parents : The BCS Mid-Winter Band Concert for the 7^th & 8^th grade bands will take place on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. The concert will be held from 7:00-8:00pm in the BCS cafeteria. Students should arrive at BCS no later than 6:30pm.

all BCS Band Parents: Private lessons for band instruments are now available at Groves High School! Please visit the Groves Band website http://www.grovesband.com for more information. This is a fantastic opportunity for our young musicians

SAVE THE BEES PETITION

The petition is to pollinate Birmingham. We are taking part in the Disney Planet Challenge, we are trying to save the honey bees from extinction. CCD is causing extinction. The more signatures we get on the petition the better! Please consider signing This website is to the petition that the Fitzgerald/Brown class room made: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/222/574/307/..From: The Fitz/Brown Homeroom

INFORMATION ABOUT A SPECIAL STUDENT RUN FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT CITY MISSION

Hello Friends!

We're raising funds for City Mission's laptop carts and need your help to attain our goal.
You can purchase or renew subscriptions to your favorite magazines (like People, All You, TIME and Sports Illustrated) at up to 85% off, or enjoy exclusive offers on cookie dough and Restaurant.com eCertificates.
Each time you make a purchase, we'll receive up to 40%.

You can also support us by sharing this page and spreading the word to friends and family.

Click on “Contribute Photos to this Album” in the invitation box

Login as follows:
Email: bcs8thgradevideo
Password: Photos4U (password is case sensitive)

Click on the box that reads “Select Photos from Your Computer”
Select your photo
If the picture you have added needs to be rotated, scroll your mouse over the photo to rotate the image right or left
Click the box that reads “Okay”
Repeat for your second photo
Once you have uploaded both photos, click on the tab that reads “Birmingham Covington’s Gallery”
Click on the “Grade 8 2012” Album (your pictures should appear in the album)
Click on the first photo you loaded. Underneath the photo you will have the option to add a caption.
Click on “Add a Caption” and type in your child’s name. Click on the “Save Caption” Button.
Click on the left or right arrow to find your child’s second photo and add a caption to that photo as well.
Log out of g-mail – you’re done!

Battle News and Dates

Mark your calendars for the BCS Battle Dates below

Regarding Battle Team s---Buddy list will start after break for students who have already read six books. Pair of buddies will put on teams together, three if possible .depending on number of students participating and books read. Teams will be formed the week after January 27, 2012, qualifying day. Battle teams will consist of 4^th and 5^th graders.

January & February Battle Book Clubs during 4^th and 5^th grade lunch (dates TBD)

January 9, 2012 Battle program at Baldwin-, 7:00pm Meet Helen Frost, our Battle author for Diamond Willow.

January 27, 2012 Battle Qualifying day by end of day to make a Battle Team (Students need to have read 6 books and passed 6 AR Tests)

February 8, 2012- Battle program at Baldwin 6:30 pm.-Learn to Finger Talk like Goldie and

Toadspit from the Battle book Museum of Thieves

Feb 15, 2012 Gold Medal Qualifying Day (must turn in AR tests for all ten books by end of day to get a gold medal)

March 2, 2012 District-Wide Battle Day.

ARE YOU IN FOURTH GRADE?? THEN HIT THE SLOPES…FOURTH GRADE KIDS SKI FREE

Jan 3-6, 2012 WAG

2012-01-02T15:48:00.001-08:00

January 2, 2012

Dear BCS Community,

I would like to say Happy New Year to everyone! I was watching Forrest Gump last week (it was on every day over break!) and in one of the scenes with Sargent Dan, a woman leans over and tells Forrest, “I love New Year’s Eve, everyone gets a second chance!” (or something like that).

I thought it was a great way to think about the new year. The past is gone and the future is uncertain. Out of all the things in our lives, the most important is what is in front of us right now. Dwelling on the past or spending too much time looking into the future can often keep us from living life the way we were meant to live it.

Taking this mindset in the new year and thinking of BCS, all of us have a chance to work together and make 2012 a year to remember. We have had great projects, amazing parent volunteers, and prestigious awards in the past, we are all excited about the future, but if we can concentrate on what we are doing right now, BCS will continue to do what we do best- educate kids!

Educating 3rd-8th grade learners takes a team approach and all of you are important to help make our mission a successful one. As 2012 begins, and our school year approaches the half way mark, I ask all of you to join me and concentrate on what is right in front of us here at BCS. Whether you are a new BCS parent, if you have been part of the team for a while, or if you are reading this and are awaiting the BCS lottery, your participation in 2012 is as important than ever. The past is over and the future is always a day away. Just like the woman in Forrest Gump stated, “Everyone has a second chance!” Take that chance and get involved in 2012!

G.E.E.K.ed about a new year,

Adam

WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of January 2-6, 2011

(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

 To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email mz07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by THURSDAY 11PM

Monday, January 2

No School
Choice Hour books are online-selections due Mon JAN 9,2012 by 4PM

Tuesday, January 3

6:45-8 AM GIRLS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL PRACTICE
8 AM BAGELS for Sale- for $1.25 (cream cheese .25 cents)in front of the Media Center
3:15 PM-SCHOOL STORE OPEN DURING CHOICE HOUR

Wednesday, January 4

6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL PRACTICE
9:15 AM 5 /6 Room Parent Meeting-Media Center
Market Day pick up in entrance hall
Delicious Popcorn sold during Choice Hour-only $ 1
3:15-5:00 PM-GIRLS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE

Thursday, January 5

9 -AM- Friends of Different Learners Meeting-Staff Development
4;00 PM BOYS BASKETBALL –away @ABBOTT MIDDLE SCHOOL visit highschoolsports.net for map and directions to the school
4:15 PM-Girls Swim Team -away v.east hills middle school-visit highschoolsports.net for map and directions to the school
7 PM- BCS Enrollment Information Meeting-Media Center
7 PM- PTSA Management Meeting=Cafeteria
7PM- Friends of Different Learners-New Year’s Resolutions for your child’s education- Staff Development

Friday, January 6

6:45-8 AM GIRLS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL PRACTICE
8:30 AM -BCS 5^th-8^th Spelling Bee-Media Center

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)

- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks

Monday –

Tuesday – Chef’s Choice!

Wednesday – Baked Chicken Nuggets, Steamed Green Vegetables, Baked Onion Rings, Supreme Pizza

Thursday –Home-style Turkey and gravy, Steamed Corn, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Enchilada

Friday –BBQ Chicken, Wheat roll, Coleslaw, ,Vegetarian Pizza

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

See below for BATTLE AND 8^TH GRADE PHOTO INFORMATION

Important infoRMATION for 8^TH grade families

If you have not turned in your High School Selection Forms to the counseling Department we must know the school your child is planning on attending before they can have their scheduling appointment.

Attention 8^th graders attending Seaholm

If you are interested in visiting the FLEX program at Seaholm please email Kyle Hall at kh01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us to reserve a space. Available dates are January 10, 17, 19, 24, and 26.

Choice Hour Information

3rd Quarter 2011 -2012 Choice Hour selection sheets will be going home the week of January 2^nd, 2012. Selections can be viewed online at www.bsconline.info .Selections are due Monday January 9^th at 4:00PM. Students who do not turn in a selection sheet will not be placed in any Choice Hour classes. Students who do not turn in a selection sheet with payment by the deadline will not be allowed to make a change in their schedule.

Also, please include proper payment if you are signing your child up for a 4^th and/or 5^th day of Choice Hour. Do not include payment for classes with materials fees or pay to play fees. A separate billing will be made once students have been placed in their Choice Hour classes.

Important information regarding 3^rd quarter:

6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade boys interested in participating in the BCS swim team program are encouraged to sign up for the Monday/Wednesday swim team Choice Hour class.

Choice Hour reminders – please email Linda Stone at ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us ,call (248-203-4625 or send in a note if your child is going to be absent from Choice Hour for any reason! 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 PM will be charged a $5.00 fee.

Thank you for always supporting the Choice Hour program!

Junior Great Books is returning to BCS! ***Attention Third and Fourth Graders ***

We will meet once a week at lunch time, for lively, fun, and thought-provoking discussions about stories contained in the Junior Great Book readers. If you LOVE to read, and share your thoughts and opinions with others - you will love this program!Jr. Great Books provides a forum for open ended discussions and challenging ideas to promote personal growth. Students will read engaging stories and have question driven discussions with the group to search for meaning in the stories and challenge yourself and those around you.

To register, please send an email to Chris Graham at christinag123@sbcglobal.net. Please provide the name of the student and parents, an email address, and their teacher. The first 15 students will be contacted with further details.

BCS Spirit Wear is here!
Show your school spirit, stay warm this winter!
Return order forms to the office. Make checks payable to: BCS PTSA
Any questions? Contact Teresa Rea: reateresa@gmail.com
All merchandise is custom ordered and all sales are final.

SAVE THE BEES PETITION

BCS BAND INFORMATION

PARENTS of 7^th & 8^th graders: The BCS Mid-Winter Band Concert for the 7^th & 8^th grade bands will take place on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. The concert will be held from 7:00-8:00pm in the BCS cafeteria. Students should arrive at BCS no later than 6:30pm.

BCS Band Parents: Private lessons for band instruments are now available at Groves High School! Please visit the Groves Band website http://www.grovesband.com for more information. This is a fantastic opportunity for our young musicians

INFORMATION ABOUT A SPECIAL STUDENT RUN FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT CITY MISSION

Hello Friends!

You can also support us by sharing this page and spreading the word to friends and family.

Also, we are holding a book drive to help the kids at City Mission as well. Please bring in New or Gently Used Books to the Cubby near the 200 Hallway with the City Mission banner (across from the lunch line) Below is our wiki explaining more about our project
http://globalliteracies.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Internet+Survey-+Helping+City+MissionThank You!
Meaghan and Jackie
Join our online fundraising campaign- you can earn great prizes too!
Therese F.
City Mission Laptop Cart
P.S. You can buy something for yourself! This will also help our cause.

Calling all 8th Grade Parents and Guardians!!! Photos are due January 20th, 2011.
It's time to submit a baby photo (up to age 2) and a current photo of your 8th grader for the Farewell video!
Shortly you will receive the invitation to share your photos on our Grade 8 2012 Google Picasa Web Album. Below you will find directions on how to upload your photos to this album. Please print these directions and have them available for when your invitation arrives.
How to Upload Your Photos:

Click on “Contribute Photos to this Album” in the invitation box

Login as follows:
Email: bcs8thgradevideo
Password: Photos4U (password is case sensitive)

Click on the box that reads “Select Photos from Your Computer”
Select your photo
If the picture you have added needs to be rotated, scroll your mouse over the photo to rotate the image right or left
Click the box that reads “Okay”
Repeat for your second photo
Once you have uploaded both photos, click on the tab that reads “Birmingham Covington’s Gallery”
Click on the “Grade 8 2012” Album (your pictures should appear in the album)
Click on the first photo you loaded. Underneath the photo you will have the option to add a caption.
Click on “Add a Caption” and type in your child’s name. Click on the “Save Caption” Button.
Click on the left or right arrow to find your child’s second photo and add a caption to that photo as well.
Log out of g-mail – you’re done!

Battle News and Dates

Mark your calendars for the BCS Battle Dates below

Regarding Battle Team s---Buddy list will start after break for students who have already read six books. Pair of buddies will put on teams together, three if possible .depending on number of students participating and books read. Teams will be formed the week after January 27, 2012, qualifying day. Battle teams will consist of 4^th and 5^th graders.

January & February Battle Book Clubs during 4^th and 5^th grade lunch (dates TBD)

January 9, 2012 Battle program at Baldwin-, 7:00pm Meet Helen Frost, our Battle author for Diamond Willow.

January 27, 2012 Battle Qualifying day by end of day to make a Battle Team (Students need to have read 6 books and passed 6 AR Tests)

February 8, 2012- Battle program at Baldwin 6:30 pm.-Learn to Finger Talk like Goldie and

Toadspit from the Battle book Museum of Thieves

Feb 15, 2012 Gold Medal Qualifying Day (must turn in AR tests for all ten books by end of day to get a gold medal)

March 2, 2012 District-Wide Battle Day.

ARE YOU IN FOURTH GRADE?? THEN HIT THE SLOPES…FOURTH GRADE KIDS SKI FREE

Happy Holidays

2011-12-18T06:01:00.000-08:00

Please enjoy the holiday season! It has been a pleasure learning and leading with the BCS community this year!