Friday, October 30, 2009

Happy Halloween


The BCS Staff would like to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!!


The parade was great and the costumes were even better! Thank you to everyone that helped today...the kids loved it!


Please be safe and enjoy the Halloween weekend!


Sunday, October 25, 2009

WAG Oct 26-30

October 25, 2009

Dear BCS Parents,

I recently sat down with a group of new parents and talked about their experiences with BCS thus far and discussed any concerns they had with the transition from a traditional school to one that is more in line with positive deviance. Positive deviance can be defined as doing things differently to reach positive outcomes. The hardest thing for a parent it seems is to let go and allow their children to be more independent and take ownership in their daily schedule. This is hard for anyone that has children!
The traditional classroom in America creates an environment where the teachers and parents make many of the decisions for the students in and out of the classroom. These decisions could be as simple as where the students sit, whom they play with, or how they will spend their time. While some decisions are important for the teacher or parent to make, there are many opportunities we can take advantage of and allow the children to learn about problem solving and independence.
Do you remember when you were a child growing up in different times? Neighborhood baseball games and bike rides highlighted the summer! These games did not involve parents or umpires telling us what to do and how to do it. We discovered how to solve arguments on our own and how to compromise when two sides didn’t see eye to eye. We learned about consensus and understood that if we couldn’t agree on something, the end result may be that the game was over. No one wanted to go home early so we learned to work together even if we didn’t like the people we were working with.
These skills are more important than ever in today’s world as we face many challenges across the globe. BCS understands that in order to equip our students with the essential skills to be problem solvers, the students themselves need to take ownership in their decisions. This is important for parents to not only understand, but to join us in giving each student at BCS the power of independence. This may look like a simple decision to take a choice hour class of their choice or to allow the student to create a plan of action themselves on making sure homework is turned in on time. Remember, even though this is very difficult for the adult, it is a process that will ultimately make your child a confident and motivated person!

Enjoy the week!
Adam


WEEK AT A GLANCE – OCTOBER 26 – OCTOBER 30, 2009
(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

Monday, October 26
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
3:15PM – Conference sign-up sheets posted for 3/4 & 5/6
4 PM – Boys soccer game @ West Hills Middle School.
6-7PM – Proud Dads Co-ed Tennis at Pine Lake Country Club, indoor courts

Tuesday, October 27
7-8AM – Proud Dads 5th & 6th grade girls basketball
8-8:20AM – Bagel sale in front of the media center by the 8th grade celebration committee
3:15-4:00PM – School store is open in the main hallway during choice hour
4 PM – 7th grade girls basketball game vs. Bloomfield Hills Middle School at home; 8th grade immediately following
4:05 – 5:35PM – Boys soccer practice
7:00PM - Community Conversations regarding BPS budget and school funding - Berkshire

Wednesday, October 28
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
4 PM – Boys soccer game vs. Detroit Country Day at home.
Popcorn Day – freshly popped popcorn is sold during choice hour for $1 in the main hallway.
3-4PM-Market Day pick-up in the entrance hall.

Thursday, October 29
7-8AM – Proud Dads 5th & 6th grade girls basketball
4 PM – 7th grade girls basketball game at Derby; 8th grade immediately following. Please visit highschoolsports.net for directions or pick-up a “Maps to Away Athletic Contests” packet in the office.
5-6:30PM – Proud Dads Co-ed Flag Football for 3rd – 8th graders

Friday, October 30
1:45 p.m. - All school Halloween parade – families are invited to watch the parade

BCS Parking Lot Responsibilities

To make sure everyone is safe in our parking lot, The Bloomfield Hills Police Force will be present during drop off and pick up times. We have a larger amount of families picking students up at the end of the day than ever before. This creates problems for both parents and students. There are two areas that the police will be focusing on when they are present. These areas include the blocking of the exit drives on Quarton Rd. and Covington Rd. (cars are not allowed to use this as an entrance) and the illegal parking/blocking of our handicap parking areas.
The safety of your children has been the biggest concern. Please do NOT have your children cross the parking lot between cars. They must stay on the sidewalks!

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)
- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks
Monday –Cheese ravioli w/green beans & wheat roll
Tuesday –Create your own stuffed baked potato w/broccoli or turkey OR chili & toppings
Wednesday –Pizza bagel or entrée salad w/choice of popcorn chicken or turkey
Thursday –Meat loaf w/mashed potatoes & corn or fresh fruit w/yogurt & whole grain muffin
Friday –Grilled cheese w/tomato soup or garden burger

To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email nb01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by FRIDAY 7AM

Open House Stuffing Volunteers Needed
The BCS Community Connections Committee is looking for volunteers to help stuff the 500 folders needed for the upcoming BCS Open House. We will be stuffing folders in the Media Center on Tuesday, November 3rd from 8:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. or until we are done. The more hands we have, the faster it will go and coffee and donuts will be available for all those who help. Please contact Becky Bachand at dbachand@comcast.net for more information and to let us know how many extra hands we can count on.

The Scholastic Book Fair is November 10-12 - Volunteers are needed!! If you love books and are looking for a short term volunteer job... we would love to have your assistance with the BCS/Scholastic Book Fair! Parents are needed to help set up, assist students during their previews, collect $ during the sale and to pack up. This is a fun event and all proceeds go directly to the Media Center to purchase new materials!! If you have a junior or senior BCS alumni high school student who needs community service hours, we would welcome their help too!

Please contact Linda Weitzel (jeffnlinda@hotmail.com or 248-865-7279) if you can help!

2 hour shifts are available during the following times:
Monday, November 9th - book fair set up- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Tuesday, November 10th - student preview times - 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Weds. and Thurs. Nov 11 & 12 - student preview and public sale - 8:30 am to 8:00 pm
Thursday November 12th - book fair pack up - 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm


SPECIAL EDUCATION-BCS COFFEE
You are cordially invited to come meet with Mr. Hartley and Wendy Albanese – Special Education Supervisor. Join us for coffee, meet with other parents who have students receiving special education services in our building and ask questions. This will be a great opportunity for us all to network within our building community! The coffee is hosted by BCS in collaboration with Friends of Different Learners. (November 10, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria)


3rd-4th Grade Parents-
3/4 report cards will come home with the students on the day before conferences…
November 10th.


Attention all 6, 7, and 8th graders!
We are happy to announce that this year's BCS musical production is Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!Every 6-8th grade student who enrolls in the production may participate! All enrolled cast members must audition.Auditions are scheduled for Monday, October 26 after Choice Hour in the BCS cafeteria.Production packets with audition information are available in the Office and by the Media Center.Email Mia Kennedy at peteandmia@comcast.net with questions.This production has an $85 dollar "Pay to Participate" fee.No BCS student will ever be excluded from participating in a school activity for financial reasons. Please contact Principal Adam Hartley at 248-203-4428 or ah07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us if you need support.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

BCS travels to Lansing!


BCS teacher Michelle Snyder took her 7th and 8th grade journalism class to the state conference in Lansing yesterday. The eleven student spent time in breakout sessions that covered anything from how to set up your newspaper to reporting environmental issues. Ms. Snyder and Mrs. Macksood, our building sub and yearbook advisor, spent an hour with other teachers and journalist discussing many topics related to teaching journalism in middle schools and high schools.

The picture above shows the students outside by the Lansing River enjoying lunch and a great day!

Ms. Snyder stated, "Allowing our students to be journalists gives them opportunities to critically assess the world around them and then report their observations in a meaningful format for their audience, the students of BCS. Yesterday, the students learned to do that a little bit better."

Look for the first issue of the Pulse in early December!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Open House

BCS Open House
November 15, 2009
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Parents- you are our most important advocates! Please help us create a list of talking points by leaving a comment on this blog post. Any comment regarding how you or your child feels about BCS will help us describe to potential new families what makes BCS such a great place to learn!

Thank you for your support!

WAG Oct 19-23

October 18, 2009

Dear BCS Parents,

The National School Safety Center, state governors and state school superintendents sponsor America's Safe Schools Week, which is this upcoming week (October 18-24). This will be observed this week in the Birmingham Public School District and here at BCS.
Paul DeAngelis, BPS Deputy Superintendent, will be sharing with the school board the various ways each school will be recognizing this week and discussing the importance of safe schools. BCS will be participating in safe schools week by having safety drills on Wednesday, October 21st. The drills include a bus evacuation drill in the morning and a fire/evacuation drill in the afternoon. BCS will also have a severe weather drill this week and have a second lockdown drill. Our first lockdown drill went very well and the students did a great job of getting to their safe place inside the classrooms.

Hal and I will be talking to our 7th and 8th grade students about being leaders and keeping our school safe from dangerous activity. A big part of keeping schools safe is making sure that each student feels safe when they arrive each morning. We feel our 7th and 8th grade students are the key in maintaining a safe and positive environment. Our “town hall meeting” will include discussions on being respectful, responsible, and working as a team. It will fall under our theme for this year, me2WE. Expect the meeting to take place this week but we do not have a specific day due to the busy MEAP schedule.

A good conversation for parents to have with their child of any age is talking about the difference between being a tattle tale and being a hero. Most students do not want to tattle on their friends or be perceived to be a tattle tale. When it comes to school safety however, telling is sometimes the only way adults will be able to help. Students need to understand that when they tell on other students when there could be dangerous acts or harm could be done to others, they are helping everyone involved. Encourage your child that if they hear or see other students being destructive to school property or starting to fight, it is OK to go tell an adult. I always tell the students that they are the most important factor in keeping our schools safe. They are the ones on the playground, on the busses, and they can have the biggest positive impact on their friends. Thank you for advocating for a safe school here at BCS and a safe community. We are truly fortunate to have parents that work together to assure each child feels safe when they walk through our doors! I have included a few links if you are interested in looking more into Safe Schools Week. School safety is not limited to the classroom but encompasses all aspects of the child’s education. Internet safety, bus safety, and playground safety are just as important in maintaining a positive environment here at BCS.

Again, thank you for helping us keep BCS a safe place to learn!

Adam





School safety

http://www.safekids.org/tips/tips.html

http://school.familyeducation.com/school/safety/34566.html

http://www.keepschoolssafe.org/parents/


Internet safety

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety.html

http://www.netsmartz.org/index.aspx



Bus safety

http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/Kids/kid-schl.htm

http://www.aboutschool.com/busstop.htm

WEEK AT A GLANCE – OCTOBER 19 – OCTOBER 23, 2009
(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

Monday, October 19
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
7:00AM – 3:30PM – Journalism Field Trip to Lansing for 7/8 publication students– Bring a sack lunch
8:30-11:45AM – Brown/Burdick homerooms on field trip to Rouge River – long pants, warm jacket and waders or appropriate footwear are needed.
3:20 – 4:50PM – Boys soccer practice
6-7PM – Proud Dads Co-ed Tennis at Pine Lake Country Club, indoor courts

Tuesday, October 20
7-8AM – Proud Dads 5th & 6th grade girls basketball
7:30-8:00AM - BCS Diversity Committee meeting in Room 505 – All are welcome
8-8:20AM – Bagel sale in front of the media center by the 8th grade celebration committee
FOR TODAY - School store is CLOSED for Inventory, School store will reopen next week
4 PM – 7th grade girls basketball game at Detroit Country Day; 8th grade immediately following. Please visit highschoolsports.net for directions or pick-up a “Maps to Away Athletic Contests” packet in the office.
4 PM – Boys soccer game vs. West Hills Middle School at home.
7:00PM - BPS Board of Education meeting at the BPS Administration building, 550 West Merrill Street, Birmingham. Watch it live on Comcast channel 17.

Wednesday, October 21
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
Morning busses – the bus drivers will be conducting a rear door emergency evacuation drill upon arrival at BCS in the morning. All drills are done on school property regardless of the weather.
Picture Retake Day – If you would like to have your child’s picture retaken, please have your child bring the unwanted picture packet to school to give the photographer. Pictures will be taken during lunchtime on the cafeteria stage.
Popcorn Day – freshly popped popcorn is sold during choice hour for $1 in the main hallway.
E-Bugle Published today!
3:20 – 4:50PM – Boys soccer practice

Thursday, October 22
7-8AM – Proud Dads 5th & 6th grade girls basketball
· 9:00AM – Coffee and Conversation for 3/4 parents – cafeteria
4 PM – 7th grade girls basketball game at Cranbrook; 8th grade immediately following. Please visit highschoolsports.net for directions or pick-up a “Maps to Away Athletic Contests” packet in the office.
4 PM - Boys soccer game vs. Bloomfield Hills Middle School at home.
5-6:30PM – Proud Dads Co-ed Flag Football for 3rd – 8th graders
Market Day internet orders due by midnight. If you are unable to complete your order online, please contact Lori Croad at 248-348-4390.

Friday, October 23
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
· 4 PM – Boys soccer game @ East Hills Middle School
· 6:30-8PM – Coney Bingo Night for 5/6 in the BCS cafeteria

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)
- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks
Monday –Baked chicken nuggets, buttered noodles w/mix veggies
Tuesday –Chicken Vegetable stir fry w/brown rice or crispy noodles
Wednesday –Grilled chicken & cheddar pita wrap, fresh fruit salad & vegetable sticks
Thursday –Baked Popcorn chicken bowl w/mashed potatoes & corn
Friday –Macaroni & cheese w/small salad & carrots or ham & cheese bagel melt

To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email nb01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by FRIDAY 7AM



BCS Flu Shot Clinic Postponed
The seasonal flu shot clinic which was scheduled for next Thursday afternoon October 22 in the BCS cafeteria has been postponed. The Visiting Nurses’ Association has informed us that there is a temporary shortage of the seasonal flu vaccine because production was reduced in order to increase production of the H1N1 vaccine. We are hopeful to be able to notify you of a new date for our seasonal flu shot clinic in the near future. All seasonal flu shot clinics in the area have also been postponed.

We apologize for any frustration this causes you or your family.

It is our understanding that Seaholm High School will be a community location for an H1N1 vaccine clinic in late October, but the exact date has not been confirmed. That clinic will take place in the late afternoon/early evening.

OPEN HOUSE VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe BCS Community Connections Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the upcoming BCS Open House taking place on Sunday, November 15th. We are looking for volunteers to help with many tasks including stuffing packets, hanging signs the Friday before the event, as well as working at the Open House itself. Please contact Becky Bachand at dbachand@comcast.net or 248.593.8234 if you can help. Thanks in advance for your support of this very important school event.

3rd/4th & 5th/6th grade PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE SIGN-UP SHEETS
In order to allow parents that have children in both 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade sign up for parent teacher conference times that are close together, the 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade teams will be positing the signup sheets outside their doors on the same date. This will occur on October 26th at 3:15 p.m.


The Scholastic Book Fair is November 10-12 - Volunteers are needed!! If you love books and are looking for a short term volunteer job... we would love to have your assistance with the BCS/Scholastic Book Fair! Parents are needed to help set up, assist students during their previews, collect $ during the sale and to pack up. This is a fun event and all proceeds go directly to the Media Center to purchase new materials!! If you have a junior or senior BCS alumni high school student who needs community service hours, we would welcome their help too!

Please contact Linda Weitzel (jeffnlinda@hotmail.com or 248-865-7279) if you can help!

2 hour shifts are available during the following times:
Monday, November 9th - book fair set up- 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Tuesday, November 10th - student preview times - 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Weds. and Thurs. Nov 11 & 12 - student preview and public sale - 8:30 am to 8:00 pm
Thursday November 12th - book fair pack up - 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

HALLOWEEN HOOT-Sunday October 25th
Village of Beverly Hills is hosting a free, fun-filled Halloween event for all aged children at Beverly Park. Pumpkin carving begins at noon in the pavilion. Trick-or-treating on the Halloween trail through the
woods is from 6-8PM.



SPECIAL EDUCATION-BCS COFFEE
You are cordially invited to come meet with Mr. Hartley and Wendy Albanese – Special Education Supervisor. Join us for coffee, meet with other parents who have students receiving special education services in our building and ask questions. This will be a great opportunity for us all to network within our building community! The coffee is hosted by BCS in collaboration with Friends of Different Learners. (November 10, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria)


INTERNET SAFETY PRESENTATION for parents
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, Pierce Gymnasium, 7:00 to 8:30 PM

This meeting is in preparation for the information that your child/children will be learning on internet safety during safety week. This is an important meeting for you to attend as you help guide your child in the correct path for internet safety. It will help to make you more aware of what to do, where to go for help and to get your questions answered by experts regarding internet safety.

The format will include a 30 to 45 minute presentation by Trooper Robert Tomassi from the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit followed by a Q & A session. We are also in the process of confirming two additional speakers for the evening’s presentation.


FAMILY FUN TAILGATE
The Birmingham Education Foundation is sponsoring a Family Fun Tailgate before the Seaholm vs. Groves football game on October 23, 2009. Enjoy FREE hotdogs, beverages and grab a pom pom to cheer on your future team! Find our tailgate tent inside the gates at the Seaholm Football Stadium from 6:00 p.m. until game time. Come for dinner before the big game. A special marching band performance will be part of the festivities. All are welcome. www.supportBEF.org

Monday, October 12, 2009

New Poll

Watch this video (click here)

Take a minute and answer the question to the right...

MEAPing Begins Tomorrow!

BCS Parents

Our MEAP window begins tomorrow and we are all looking for it to be a clear and clean window!
Tamra Nast and Karen Sivwright, our two hard working counselors, have again done a great job at scheduling everyone's responsibilities and making sure we have an environment that promotes achievement.
I would like to thank you in advance for helping us keep each student focused on what it means to showcase their talents during this time.
Making sure your child has rest, healthy food choices, and the understanding that we have a different schedule for the next two weeks will help us keep the MEAP window clear!

I have included a few links that are available if you are interested in what your child will be doing during the next two weeks!



http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-22709_31168---,00.html

http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Ref_Michigan_Educational/

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20091012/NEWS05/910120321/1006/NEWS05

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Wordle of the Week- Perseverance

Wordle: perseverance

WAG Oct 12-16, 2009

October 11, 2009

Dear BCS Parents,

I hope your weekend has been enjoyable and restful! While Michigan State pulled off another victory, it looks like it may be a long year for us Michigan fans! We’ll see how the Lions do today against the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers. For you Chips, it looks like your team is the real deal!

This summer I was given a book to read that can be inspirational to all of us. I am Potential, Eight Lessons on Living, Loving and Reaching Your Dreams is written by Patrick Henry Hughes. Patrick Henry was born with a rare genetic disorder. His arms could not straighten, his legs would never allow him to walk, and he was born with no eyes. The eight lessons Patrick points out can motivate every one of us, no matter what we do in life and no matter what challenges have been placed before us. As I read over a few chapters this weekend I was compelled to share these lessons with you and ask that we all reflect on what we can learn from such a brave individual.

The state of Michigan is in horrible shape right now and every school district will feel pressure if they haven’t already. This pressure has already been placed on us in one form or another as many of us have had friends and family members lose their jobs. It should be our mission to persevere through these tough times and build a brighter future for the students at BCS! The eight lessons provide a road map for us to follow so we can turn whatever challenge that lies ahead into an opportunity.

1. When life gives you lemons, accept them and be grateful.
2. Do all you can to change what you can.
3. Pursue your passion as if your life depends on it.
4. Be the you your mother would be proud of.
5. The best personal heroes can be found close to home.
6. Set the course, then burn the map.
7. Love, given freely, multiplies and returns.
8. Live each day like the last day of summer vacation.

BCS… We are Potential!

Have a great week

Adam

“Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.” -Liane Cordes



WEEK AT A GLANCE – OCTOBER 12 – OCTOBER 16, 2009
(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

Monday, October 12
Choice hour booklets for 2nd quarter are available at bcsonline.info
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
8:30-11:45AM – Roberts/Joseph homerooms on field trip to Rouge River – long pants, warm jacket and waders or appropriate footwear are needed.
9:30AM – 3/4 Room Parents Meeting
4 PM – Boys Soccer Game @ Cranbrook.
6-7PM – Proud Dads Co-ed Tennis at Pine Lake Country Club, indoor courts

Tuesday, October 13
7-8AM – Proud Dads 5th & 6th grade girls basketball
8-8:20AM – Bagel sale in front of the media center by the 8th grade celebration committee
8-8:30AM – Pick up Sally Foster orders on the cafeteria stage
9:30 AM – BBFA Meeting - “Sibling Rivalry” at the Gary M. Doyle Center
3-4:15PM – Pick up Sally Foster orders on the cafeteria stage
3:15-4:00PM – School store is open in the main hallway during choice hour
4 PM – 7th grade girls basketball game vs. Anderson at home; 8th grade immediately following
4:05 – 5:35PM – Boys soccer practice
6:30PM – BCS Technology Committee Meeting-Room 70
7PM – BLAST Committee Meeting – media center
7 PM - BBFA Meeting – “Power Struggles” at the Gary M. Doyle Center

Wednesday, October 14
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
8-8:30AM – Pick up Sally Foster orders on the cafeteria stage
8:30-11:45AM – Cook/Bishop homerooms on field trip to Rouge River – long pants, warm jacket and waders or appropriate footwear are needed.
3-4:15PM – Pick up Sally Foster orders on the cafeteria stage
4 PM – Boys soccer game @ Detroit Country Day.
Popcorn Day – freshly popped popcorn is sold during choice hour for $1 in the main hallway.

Thursday, October 15
7-8AM – Proud Dads 5th & 6th grade girls basketball
12:30PM – Lunch with the Principal in Staff Development I (located down 600 Hall). Bring your lunch for this informal time with the principal to ask questions and learn his perspectives.
1:15PM – PTSA Clearinghouse Meeting in Staff Development I-All are invited to learn about the activities and operations of the PTSA at BCS. Bring a friend or meet new friends.
· 4 PM – 7th grade girls basketball game vs. East Hills Middle School at home; 8th grade immediately following.
4:05 – 5:35PM – Boys soccer practice
5-6:30PM – Proud Dads Co-ed Flag Football for 3rd – 8th graders

Friday, October 16
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
8:30-11:45AM – Fitzgerald/Maliszewski homerooms on field trip to Rouge River – long pants, warm jacket and waders or appropriate footwear are needed.
· DEADLINE: Choice hour selections sheets are due by 4PM today.
· Deadline: Articles for E-Bugle due today kyraeg@wowway.com
4:05 – 5:35PM – Boys soccer practice
6:30 – 8:30PM – 7/8 Nightclub Dance - $5 admission payable at the door
Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)
- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks
Monday –Chicken Fajitas w/toppings, steamed rice w/steamed carrots
Tuesday –Baked Chicken Strips w/rice blend & steamed carrots
Wednesday – Calzones, pepperoni & Cheese w/green beans
Thursday –Chicken or vegetable egg rolls w/brown rice or fresh fruit w/yogurt & whole grain muffin
Friday –Vegetable pasta primavera or Greek salad w/diced chicken


OPEN HOUSE VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe BCS Community Connections Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the upcoming BCS Open House taking place on Sunday, November 15th. We are looking for volunteers to help with many tasks including stuffing packets, hanging signs the Friday before the event, as well as working at the Open House itself. Please contact Becky Bachand at dbachand@comcast.net or 248.593.8234 if you can help. Thanks in advance for your support of this very important school event.


3rd/4th 5th/6th grade PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE SIGN-UP SHEETS
In order to allow parents that have children in both 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade sign up for parent teacher conference times that are close together, the 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade teams will be positing the signup sheets outside their doors on the same date. This will occur on October 26th at 3:15 p.m.


The BCS Technology Committee monthly meeting is scheduled for Tuesday October 13 at 6:30. The Technology Committee is the "Think Tank" of parents and staff working together to promote technology at school. New members are needed. Committee chairs are Pam Graham, Ross Kaplan and Jon Rivard. Send an email to tech@bcsparent.com and you'll contact all 3 of us!


VERY IMPORTANT CHOICE HOUR PROCEDURAL CHANGE and Choice Hour Notes!
Quarterly Choice Hour booklets will no longer be distributed to students at BCS. You can visit www.bcsonline.info to view the QII Choice Hour selections.

On Monday, October 12th, all students will receive:
A Choice Hour selection sheet from their homeroom teachers. Please visit the website to make your selections and return the signed form with payment, if applicable, to BCS by 4:00 PM on Friday October 16th. 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 class materials fees. A separate billing will be made once students have been placed in their Choice Hour classes.
A BCS Now News audition form. This class is offered Monday through Friday but students can select the day that works best for them.

-4th and 5th grade students will receive a Science Olympiad parent information letter and student application form (this class is being offered on Wednesday). Students interested in applying for the 2009-2010 4-5 Science Olympiad team need to have their applications to Mrs. Brown no later than Friday October 16th at 4:00PM.

- 7th and 8th graders will receive a yearbook application form. This class is being offered on Monday and Thursday. There are still openings for 7/8 students on the 2009-2010 yearbook staff! Applications are due no later than Friday October 16th at 4:00PM.

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

Please read everything carefully. All forms are due to BCS by 4:00 PM on Friday October 16th. All forms can also be viewed online!

Choice Hour scheduling questions should be directed to Donna Feldmaier 248-203-4522 or df02bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us and all other questions regarding the Choice Hour program should be directed to Linda Stone at 248-203-4625 or ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us .

Choice Hour reminders – If you are unable to come into the building to sign your child out of Choice Hour that day, you have several options. Please call (248-203-4625), send an email to ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us 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!


SEASONAL FLU CLINIC
BCS Community Ed, in collaboration with the Oakland Visiting Nurses Association, is sponsoring a seasonal flu clinic in our cafeteria on Thursday, October 22, 2009 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. Flu shots are $25, Flu mist for healthy people between 2 and 49 years is $30 and Pneumonia shots are $50. No appointments needed.


SPECIAL EDUCATION-BCS COFFEE
You are cordially invited to meet with Mr. Hartley and Wendy Albanese – Special Education Supervisor. Join us for coffee, meet with other parents who have students receiving special education services in our building and ask questions. This will be a great opportunity for us all to network within our building community! The coffee is hosted by BCS in collaboration with Friends of Different Learners. (November 10, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria)


INTERNET SAFETY PRESENTATION for parents
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, Pierce Gymnasium, 7:00 to 8:30 PM

This meeting is in preparation for the information that your child/children will be learning on internet safety during safety week. This is an important meeting for you to attend as you help guide your child in the correct path for internet safety. It will help to make you more aware of what to do, where to go for help and to get your questions answered by experts regarding internet safety.

The format will include a 30 to 45 minute presentation by Trooper Robert Tomassi from the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit followed by a Q & A session. We are also in the process of confirming two additional speakers for the evening’s presentation.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

BCS is Open!

Seaholm is out due to loss of power...BCS is open!
Enjoy the breezy day!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Speaker to visit BPS!

If you are available on Thursday night please consider attending the event below...

Birmingham Public Schools presents internationally speaker Yong Zhao as part of the BPS 21st Century Learning Speaker Series.

Thursday, October 8, 2009
7:00 p.m. @ Seaholm High School Auditorium
There is no charge for this event, and all community members are welcome!

His new book is titled Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Wordle of the Week

BPS Character Education

Wordle: BPS Character Ed

WAG Oct. 5-9

BCS Parents,

The WAG this week is from Hal...He makes a great point!
I am actually in Salt Lake City on a flight delay posting this week's WAG! Technology has truly changed how we can communicate and most importantly...how we can learn!
Enjoy the week!

WAG Oct 5-9

Dear Parents,

The world is forever changing, literally. I am on the Internet typing the WAG at a cruising altitude of 40,000 feet in the air, as I fly back to Michigan from watching my alma mater win the homecoming game 61 to 6! How amazing, the football victory and this new implementation of technology high in the sky are fascinating. Now if I could only get the autopilot feature installed in my car the world would be perfect!

The world of education has undergone a tremendous amount of change since we sat in the seats that our children sit in today. Much of that change has come through the implementation of technology in the classroom. With the all of technology changing and evolving at the speed of light, it takes time to adjust and truly figure out its value and usefulness. Mark Prensky, who often writes on technology and education, wrote an article for Edutopia talking about the typical process of technology adoption in classrooms:

Dabbling with technology- use of a particular piece of technology because it happens to be in the room.

Doing Old things in Old Ways- only replacing the way we have always done things with something that might be faster, easier, and more accurate. In the end however, they are still the same old things we have been doing for years in education.

Doing Old things in New Ways- allows students to learn from people they never would have been able to without it.

Doing New things in New Ways- for the digital age, we need new curricula, new organization, new architecture, varied teaching pedagogy, new student assessments, new parental connections, new administration procedures, and many other elements.

At BCS, we as a learning community are committed to creating new and different learning experiences for our students through the use of technology with

Engage Classes
Technology within our Physical Education classes
Engineering Technology
Hands-on Projects in Art
Foreign Language (Spanish)
Educational Technology
Through our new Promethean Boards (Thanks Parents and BEF!)
Choice Hour program
The hard work of our entire staff each and everyday!
And you our supportive parent community!
Have a GREAT Week!!

Hal


WEEK AT A GLANCE – OCTOBER 5 – OCTOBER 9, 2009
(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

Monday, October 5
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
8:00AM – Cook/Fitzgerald/Bishop/Maliszewski homerooms to Camp Copneconic in Fenton for a day long team building field trip. Field trip busses are loading at 8:00AM SHARP!
9:15AM – 5/6 Room Parent Meeting – media center
4 PM – Boys soccer game vs. West Hills Middle School at home
6-7PM – Proud Dads Co-ed Tennis at Pine Lake Country Club, indoor courts

Tuesday, October 6
7-8AM – Proud Dads 5th & 6th grade girls basketball
7:30-8:00AM - BCS Diversity Committee meeting in Room 505 – All are welcome
8:00AM – Brown/Burdick/Joseph/Roberts homerooms to Camp Copneconic in Fenton for a day long team building field trip. Field trip busses are loading at 8:00AM SHARP!
4PM – 7th grade girls basketball game at Bloomfield Hills Middle School; 8th grade immediately following. Please visit highschoolsports.net for directions or pick-up a “Maps to Away Athletic Contests” packet in the office.
4:05 – 5:35PM – Boys soccer practice
7:00PM - BPS Board of Education meeting at the BPS Administration building, 550 West Merrill Street, Birmingham. Watch it live on Comcast channel 17.

Wednesday, October 7
DUE: Journalism Day permission slips due (7th & 8th grade PUBLICATIONS students only)
Progress reports released
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
9:15AM – 5/6 Room Parent Meeting – media center
Popcorn Day – freshly popped popcorn is sold during choice hour for $1 in the main hallway.
4 PM – Boys soccer game @ Bloomfield Hills Middle School. Maps to away games can be found at www.bcsonline.info (athletics link, sports schedule) or pickup a packet in the office.
7-8:00PM – Parent Meeting for Forensics Team members – room 407

Thursday, October 8
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
7-8AM – Proud Dads 5th & 6th grade girls basketball
4:05 – 5:35PM – Boys soccer practice
5-6:30PM – Proud Dads Co-ed Flag Football for 3rd – 8th graders
7PM - Friends of Different Learners Meeting in BCS Media Center- “What’s Happening in Special Education?” –see write-up below

Friday, October 9
Due: Prepayment orders for Tuesday bagel s for the entire school year
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
· 2-3PM - Training session for parent volunteers for 5/6 Rouge River field trip- Science Lab 600C or 600D
4 PM – Boys soccer game vs. East Hills Middle School at home
· 6:30-8PM – Coney Bingo Night for 3/4 students and families in the BCS cafeteria


Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)
- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks
Monday –Chicken or cheese quesadilla, steamed rice & corn
Tuesday –Roast turkey, mix veggies or chicken noodle soup w/cheese breadstick
Wednesday –Turkey corn dogs, roasted potatoes & green beans
Thursday –Spaghetti, peas & garlic bread or fresh fruit w/yogurt & whole grain muffin
Friday –Baked fish patty w/diced potatoes, steamed broccoli & whole wheat roll

To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email nb01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by FRIDAY 7AM

NOTES
The PTSA needs YOU!!
The BCS PTSA has two positions that are open – please consider utilizing your time and talents to help us out.
· If you don't mind working with numbers and would like a position you can do mostly from home, please consider the Income Treasurer position.
· If you are creative and love working with the kids on a short term project, we need a Reflections Program leader. This requires some in-school time, but is limited in duration.
Please email Susan Davis at SEP@H2Law.com if you can help with either position. Thank you!


CONEY BINGO NIGHT for 3/4 Grades
Join in the fun for an evening of bingo and a coney dog dinner. This is one of the popular social events for 3rd and 4th graders and their families and it’s a great way to meet new friends. Advance sign-up in much appreciated…just return a flyer with payment to the office as soon as possible. Flyers can be downloaded on www.bcsonline.info .


TUESDAY MORNING BAGELS
Hip Hip Hooray Tuesday Morning Bagel Sales Are On Their Way. The PTSA 8th grade Celebration Committee will begin selling bagels on Tuesday, October 13th. Bagels can be purchased each week for $1.00 (cream cheese .25 cents) or can be pre-purchased for the year for $30. To pre-purchase, please download a form at www.bcsonline.info and turn it into the office by this Friday – Oct. 9.


SEASONAL FLU CLINIC
BCS Community Ed, in collaboration with the Oakland Visiting Nurses Association, is sponsoring a seasonal flu clinic in our cafeteria on Thursday, October 22, 2009 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. Flu shots are $25, Flu mist for healthy people between 2 and 49 years is $30 and Pneumonia shots are $50. No appointments needed.

FRIENDS OF DIFFERENT LEARNERS invites you to join them for an informal gathering where we can share ideas, strategies, and successes with each other. Maria Power, Special Education Liaison, will discuss her new role at BPS. There will be an opportunity for questions. 7:00PM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2009 at Birmingham Covington School . www.friendsofdifferentlearners.org



As a service to your district and your parents our sister company Safe Cleaners has developed an informational website on head lice. Below is a link to the site, please share it with your staff and parents.

http://www.headlicehelper.com/