Dear BCS Community,
It’s mid- January and the temperatures are reading in the single digits. The weather is cold and we are all trying to stay warm. While we may be cold, topics in education continue to heat up. One topic that has been popular in the news is America’s slide in standardized test scores. According to the latest numbers, education in the U.S. is what many are referring to as “in a crisis”. In Yong Zhao’s book, Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization, he catches your attention by showing alarming statistics about American graduates. In 2005, a national panel from the National Academies released the following information (Zhao, 2009):
The percentage of college graduates receiving degrees in natural science or engineering in South Korea was 38%, France 47%, China 50%, Singapore 67%..and in the United States, 15%.
Some 34% of doctoral degrees in natural sciences and 56% of engineering PhD’s awarded in the United States were given to foreign born students.
In the U.S. science and technology workforce in 2000, 38% of PhD’s were foreign born.
In the documentary by Robert Compton, 2 Million Minutes, (click to see trailer) he tells the story of 6 high school students from three countries and how they spend their time studying and preparing for college and ultimately the global workforce. It is a controversial movie but certainly can spark conversations on how our young men and women value their time spent in the classroom. Both Compton, in his movie, and Zhao, in his book, refer to America’s response to Sputnik in the 1950’s. In short, Russia’s decision to launch Sputnik, the first satellite launched into space, pushed America to improve its science education and rearrange priorities to propel us at the front of the space race. Many educators and prominent officials are looking at our drop in test scores in math and science as our next Sputnik moment (Zhao, 2009).
So- What if this is the time? What if now some 60 years later we are faced with a crisis once again and our schools are truly slipping in the global arena? Throughout my experiences in the public school system as a teacher, a principal, and as a parent, I have found there are great people doing great things. I have also grown to know that there is always room for improvement and we should always look outside of our walls. Taking Robert Compton’s theme of how we spend our minutesin high school, our students have roughly 3 million minutes at Covington. 3 million minutes to learn, to observe and to be prepared for the next 2 million minutes in their lives that will propel them into the “real world”.
I can assure you that the BCS staff will continue to make the most of the 3 million minutes and will always be looking for ways to stay in front of the ever growing crisis that our nation is warning us of. We will have various opinions on the test scores and the world rankings, but we can all share the same desire to continue our quest to improve and foster a growth mindset as we look to stay ahead of the game.
Have a G.E.E.K.ed week,
Adam
WEEK AT A GLANCE – January 24-28, 2011
(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)
Ø To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email mz07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us
Ø No later thanMIDNIGHT THURSDAY
Monday, January 24
· 6:35-8:00 AM BOYS SWIM PRACTICE BEGINS ***EVERY MORNING THIS WEEK ONLY***
· 6:45-8:00 AM 8th GRADE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS BEGIN
· 4:15-5:30 PM 7th GRADE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS BEGIN
· 4:15-7:00PM- Alice in Wonderland Rehearsals – Tweedles/Alice/Rabbit Cafeteria
Tuesday, January 25
· 6:45-8:00AM Boys Swim Practice
· 6:45-8:00 AM 8th GRADE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS
· 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
· 3:30-8:30PM SNOW CLUB bus leaves for Pine Knob. Students return to BCS at 8:30PM and need to be picked up
· 4:15-6:15PM - Alice in Wonderland Rehearsals – FULL CAST Cafeteria
· 4:15-5:30 PM 7th GRADE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS
· 7:00PM - Curriculum Night at Seaholm for current 8th grade students and their parents will take place on Tuesday, January 25th at 7pm in the auditorium
Wednesday, January 26
· 6:45-8:00AM Boys Swim Practice
· 6:45-8:00 AM 8th GRADE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS
· POPCORN Day – freshly popped popcorn is sold during choice hour for $1 in the main hallway
· 4:15-5:30 PM 7th GRADE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS
Thursday, January 27
· 6:45-8:00AM Boys Swim Practice
· 6:45-8:00 AM 8th grade Girls Volleyball Practice
· 4:05-4:30 PM 8th grade Girls Volleyball Parent Meeting Room 101
· 4:15-5:30 PM 7th grade Girls Volleyball Practice **PARENT MEETING FOLLOWING **
· Market Day Orders Due
Friday, January 28
Half Day – Students Dismissed at 11:20 AM - Buses are running their normal afternoon schedule
· 6:45-8:00AM Boys Swim Practice
· 6:45-8:00 AM 8th grade Girls Volleyball Practice
· 6:45-8:00 AM 7TH grade Girls Volleyball Practice
· 3:15-7:30PM - Alice in Wonderland Rehearsal MANDATORY – FULL CAST - Bring Snack- Cafeteria
· Trash Free Friday
· End of Second Quarter
Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)
Ø Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks
Monday –Baked Potato Bar, Topped with Chicken and a Variety of Vegetables, Steamed Broccoli, Fresh Fruit Cup, BBQ Chicken Pizza
Tuesday –Texas Grilled Cheese or Grilled Ham & Cheese, Cup of Chicken Noodle Soup, Seasoned Vegetable Medley, Nacho Supreme
Wednesday –Sweet & Sour Chicken Choice of Julienne Chicken or Breaded Chicken, Vegetarian Egg Roll, Steamed Brown Rice, Fortune Cookie, Hawaiian Pizza
Thursday – Chicken or Vegetable Soft Taco, Rice Pilaf, Mexicali Corn, Chicken Enchilada
Friday – ½ Day NO MEAL SERVICE
NOTES
CHOICE HOUR INFORMATION3rd Quarter Choice Hour classes begin on Monday January 31st. Choice Hour selections will be posted on the Choice Hour board in the main hallway after school on Thursday January 27th and will be distributed to homeroom teachers on Wednesday January 26th.
Choice Hour reminders – please call 248-203-4625, send in a note or contact 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!
UPDATES BCS ATHLETICS – WINTER II SPORTS
Boys Swim for 6th, 7th & 8th graders starts 1/24/11. Practices will be held Monday/Wednesday 3:15-5:00 PM and Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 6:35 AM-8:00 AM. Practices for the week of 1/24-1/28 ONLY will be from 6:35-8:00 AM every day. The parent meeting will be held 1/31/11 @ 5:15 PM.
7th grade Girls Volleyball tryouts will be held 1/24-1/26 from 4:15-5:30PM. Practices will be 1/27, 4:15-5:30 PM and 1/28, 6:45-8:00 AM. The full season practice schedule is to be determined and will be announced when the team is set. The parent meeting will be held on Thursday, 1/27 at 5:30 PM.
8th grade Girls Volleyball tryouts will be held 1/24-1/26 from 6:45-8:00AM. Practices will be held every day from 6:45-8:00AM. The parent meeting will be held Thursday, 1/27/11 at 4:05 PM.
Online registration for WINTER II Sports The Winter II sports online registration is ready to access. Please feel free to go online and register your athlete for either boys swimming or girls volleyball. All Winter II sports start 1/24! http://bcsonline.info/Athletics.html
STUDENT RECOGNITION and CONGRATULATIONS!
Sophia D. was recognized in the January 2011 edition of Scholastic’s Math Magazine for finding a “Major Math Mistake” in the power point presentation of her math book!
Of 2,591 student entries, two BCS students were recognized by Yak’s Corner Favorite Book Character Contest for their artwork and description of why the character was their favorite. 5th grader Ian H. earned an honorable mention for his grade and 6th grader Stephen P earned 1st place for his grade!
COURT OF DREAMS WITH THE PISTONS
Once again our 7th and 8th grade boys are going to play at the Palace! Be there as the Cobras take on Bloomfield Hills Wednesday, 1/26 starting at 1:45 PM. Tickets are on sale through Tuesday in the main office and cost $35 per seat to see 2 BCS games as well as the Detroit Pistons take on the Denver Nuggets that evening! Fliers/Order Forms are available in the office and online. Please complete the order form, checks made out to BCS PTSA Clearinghouse, and return them to Patricia Chinn or Nancy Best for your tickets. Each player must purchase a ticket in order to play in the game.
BAGELS – PREPAY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR
Didn't prepay for your child's bagels at the beginning of the year? Are you tired of searching for that $1 every Tuesday morning? Here's your chance to streamline your morning!!! We're offering a second chance to prepay for your bagels for the rest of the year ($15)!!!
Don't forget that if you prepay, we include FREE cream cheese every week. Please fill out the bagel form on www.bcsonline.info and return with your check to the BCS Office by Wednesday, February 2nd! No more remembering $ on Bagel Day - your prepaid bagels begin Feb 8th thru May 31st!!
Proceeds from the bagel sales go to the 8th Grade Celebration Committee to fund the 8th grade graduation celebration!
Yearbook Orders Are Still Being Accepted!
If you are interested in purchasing a yearbook there is still time! The deadline for online orders has passed, but hard copy orders are still being accepted. Order before February 1st for only $40. If you would like your yearbook personalized, the orders are due by Monday, January 24, 2011.
Visit http://bcsonline.info/Parent_Resources/Yearbooks.html to find the order form.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
The BCS PTSA is looking for volunteers to coordinate a BCS Box Tops effort and to manage our existing Market Day program for the 2011-2012 school year. Without parent participation, we will be unable to support these programs next year. If you (or someone you know) are interested in getting involved and willing to offer your fellow BCS parents a service that generates revenue for our school, please contact Gina Herdegen or Marnie Lewbel, PTSA Co-Chairs, at ptsachair@bcsonline.info. Thank you!
BCS STUDENTS ARE BRINGING ALICE IN WONDERLAND TO THE STAGE WITH 3 PERFORMANCES!
Tickets for all shows will be available for purchase on Tues and Weds, Jan 25th & 26th in front of the BCS office from 8 to 8:30am and 3:00 to 4:15 pm.
Ticket order forms are available on the BCS website (www.bcsonline.info). Payment will be accepted by check (payable to BCS PTSA) or exact cash only.
Special student/staff afternoon performance on Friday, February 4th at 4:15 in the BCS Cafeteria
Ticket price - $7 per ticket.
This performance will end at approximately 5:30pm - Students will need to arrange their own transportation home after the play!!
Public Performances on Thursday, February 3rd and Friday, February 4th at 7:30 pm
Ticket price - $10 per ticket.
These performances will have an intermission and will end at approximately 9pm. Doors open at 7pm for seating.
Concessions will be available.
REFLECTIONS UPDATES
These are the Reflections participants whose entries have gone on to the State Level.
Literature Entries
• Jillian Lawrence-7
• Claire Burton - 6
• Gwyneth Lietz - 6
• Emma Lietz - 8
• Carlie Suris - 3
• Jordan Barber - 5
Musical Composition Entries
• Leila Owens - 5
• Angela Rea - 3
• Ryan Herster - 3
• Stephen Paige 6
Photography Entries
• Max Cooper - 5
• Ian Herdegen - 5
• Merrill Baughman5
• Hannah Stone - 4
• Philip Henricks - 6
• Gabriella Fill - 6
• Matt Jackson – 6
Visual Arts Entries
• Leila Owens - 5
• Jackson Bergstrom-3
• Colin Cusimano - 6
• Aaron Kaplan - 6
• Alexandria Graham-3
• Taylor Moilanen - 5
• Alexandria Petit - 6
• Sid Bostek - 6
Film/Video Production Entries
• Ethan Brooks - 5
• Olivia Graham - 5
• Chance Stephenson-5
• Joshua Chapnick-5
BIRMINGHAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Birmingham Education Foundation is graciously accepting donations for the 10th Annual Unabashed Bash. This event raises funds that support enrichment and innovation in all Birmingham Public Schools. To make a donation call 248-203-3030. You can also find out more about sponsorship opportunities and tickets for the event at www.supportbef.org.
BIRMINGHAM GIRLS’ SOFTBALL LEAGUE REGISTRATION
Open to girls in grades 2-8, this organization is designed to train and prepare players for competitive high school softball. The Minors Division consists of players in second and third grade; the Majors Division consists of players in fourth and fifth grade; the Seniors Division consists of players in sixth through eighth grade. Prior experience is not needed. For more information visit: http://tiny.cc/ingjv
FRANKLIN BASEBALL & SOFTBALL LEAGUE –
REGISTER ONLINE NOW -
www.franklinbaseball.org
Also WANTED Umpires - if you are 13 or older by the time the season starts the league will train and hire you. Experienced umpires are also welcome.
Contact Info:franklinbaseball@comcast.net, Dean Googasian, President 248-514-4180
INTRODUCTION TO CHEERLEADING GRADES 3-8
Did you know that cheerleading is an MHSAA sport in the State of Michigan? Last year Seaholm reinstituted the sport of cheerleading
Participants will be separated into age groups and taught various skills that are used in the sport of cheerleading including how to stretch and warm-up, correct arm positioning during cheerleading motions, proper jump technique, beginning tumbling skills, and more! They will have opportunities to view the Competitive Cheerleading Team’s routines which demonstrate gymnastics, stunts, and are full of energy to excite the aspiring cheerleader! Participants will learn cheers and chants that will fire up the crowd and then have the opportunity to use those skills to help lead the Maples onto victory at their game on February 18th!!! Each age group will perform a special cheer with the Varsity Cheerleaders and will have a section reserved for them in the stands where they will participate in fun activities with the team throughout the game. This clinic will stress the importance of teamwork in cheerleading and show young girls the benefits of having a positive attitude and supportive environment. It is also a great opportunity for 8th grade girls who want to try out for the 2011-2012 high school team! Tryouts are held in the spring for the following school year. A member of the Seaholm Cheerleading Coaching staff will be on-site to provide valuable tips and advice.
Please read: ALL PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE A FREE T-SHIRT AND HAIR ACCESSORY! Grades 3-5 will perform between the 1st and 2nd quarter and Grades 6-8 will perform between the 3rd and 4th quarter of the February 18th Home Basketball Game at Seaholm High School.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm; 3 sessions starting February 15, 2011, ending February 18, 2011.
Tuition: $60.00 Location: Seaholm High School
Instructors: Coach Szura, Coach Jessica, and the Seaholm High School Cheerleaders
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