Sunday, May 8, 2011

May 9-13 W.A.G.

May 8, 2011

Dear BCS Community,

We hear many educators describe initiatives or programs today using the words "21st Century". While it can mean many things and we all have various visions of what this may look like, it usually describes how our pedagogy, our learning tools, and ultimately our schools as a whole are changing because of the world around us. We hear about the “21st Century teacher” and how they must teach the “21st Century student” “21st Century skills”. We read about the drastic changes in technology, drive new cars that get triple the miles per gallon, and experience other 21st Century innovations that are changing how we live. Change has always been inevitable but in today’s world change seems to be the only constant.
We need balance in our lives. A healthy dose of change is good for us but the existence of consistency in our lives helps us maintain our drive to excellence. On a day like today, it reminds me of something that has been consistent throughout my life. My mother. Thinking of her, and the sacrifices she made throughout my life, I decided to give my definition of the “21st Century Mother”. My mother still “mothers me” as I am sure many of your mothers, no matter how old or how far away she may live, still “mothers” you too! If your mother has passed, I know today marks an even more special day for you and your family as you remember her and the joy she brought to your family.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of our BCS Mother’s! Enjoy your day!

The “21st Century Mother”

Caring:
The 21st Century mother cares. Whether her child is two or thirty, she genuinely cares about their health, their interests, and their future. She wants nothing more for her child to be safe, secure, and happy. The 21st Century mother places love before all things. She often takes time out of her day to take care of what is important to her children.

Strong:
The 21st Century mother is emotionally, mentally, and depending on how much she had to carry her children around when they were babies, physically strong! Her strength often will help her children stand up to a bully at school, push them to do better at their jobs, or make them take out the garbage! They have strong opinions, strong approaches to solving a problem, and it is seldom that other people want to take her on!

Intelligent:
The 21st Century mother is smart. She knows how to trick her children into doing their chores. She understands life and how complicated it can be for a child in second grade, seventh grade, or college. Her advice, while not taken sometimes, can be the best advice one will ever hear. Her knowledge in education, the medical field, and in law, either gets her children in trouble or keeps them out of trouble!



Courageous:
The 21st Century mother not only holds a great sense of courage but instills it in her children. She encourages her children to take risks, whether it is in their school work or finally asking that girl out on a date! Her courage allows her to face adversity in order to stand up for her children. She believes in doing the right thing for her child and understands that the emotional roller-coaster called motherhood is a ride she must take.


A Good Listener:
The 21st Century mother is a good listener. She knows that there will be times where she will have to listen, then listen some more. In fact, she is such a good listener, she will often make her children sit down and make them tell her about their day.

A Guide:
The 21st Century mother is a guide. She allows her children to find their own path, make their own decisions, and help them build a sense of individualism. She does this but never goes too far so if her child fails or needs more guidance, she is there to put them back on the right track.

A Good Example:
The 21st Century mother serves as a good example to every one of how life should be lived. She knows her children, and her children’s friends, watch her every move. She understands that someday the little one sitting in the car seat will grow up and be a mother or father themselves. Setting a good example is the 21st Century mother’s first priority.

Patient:
The 21st Century mother shows an enormous amount of patience. She understands that her child is not perfect and they all have their own path to success. She struggles with their failures but will never let them define who they are. 21st Century mothers see a better tomorrow for their children when they feel their world crashing in.


The 21st Century mother: caring, strong, intelligent, courageous, a good listener, a guide, a good example and patient.

Mothers throughout the history of time have been described many times with the words I wrote above. In the end, the only change we have seen when it comes to mothers is in the years and the decades!
Mothers will always be the one constant in our lives, no matter what the century!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Adam


WEEK AT A GLANCE – May 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 MIDNIGHT THURSDAY
Monday, May 9-
6:45-8:00AM – 6th – 8th Boys and Girls Track Practice
8:35 AM- 8th Grade WALKOUT !!!!!!and individual student pictures
4PM– 7th-8th Grade Girls Soccer Game – Covington v EHMS @HOME
Tuesday, May 10
8th Grade Students bring your socks filled with coins at lunch and receive your class graduation shirt.
6:45-8:00AM – 6th – 8th Boys and Girls Track Practice
8-8:20AM – Bagel sale in front of the media center by the 8th grade celebration committee
10 AM-Burns class to Maple Village
3:15-5:00PM – 7th-8th Grade Girls Soccer Practice.
Wednesday, May 11
8th Grade Students bring your socks filled with coins at lunch and receive your class graduation shirt.
8:30-11AM Gleaners--Wallington/Parkin
8:30 – 10:45 – Bishop/Cook Rouge water testing –please make sure your child is dressed appropriately-
change of clothes and rubber boots suggested
POPCORN Day – freshly popped popcorn is sold during choice hour for $1 in the main hallway
Choice Hour – 6th – 8th Boys and Girls Track Practice
4PM– 7th-8th Grade Girls Away Soccer Game – Covington @ WHMS
6:30 PM Tech Committee Meeting
Thursday, May 12
8th Grade Students bring your socks filled with coins at lunch and receive your class graduation shirt.
6:45-8:00AM – 6th – 8th Boys and Girls Track Practice
8AM-2PM Religious Diversity Journey to Bharatiya Temple,Troy- 8 7/8 students
9:30AM-Harvath class to Baldwin House
12:30 Lunch with the Principals
1:15 PTSA Meeting
3:15-5:00PM – 7th-8th Grade Girls Soccer Practice.
7:00 PM – Friends of Different learners Meeting-Media Center, Appreciation Awards
Friday, May 13
2:30PM Fire Drill-Please be aware when picking up/dropping off your children
Trash Free Friday
4:15PM – 6th – 8th Boys and Girls Track Meet @ Andover High School-Covington v WHMS
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/Beef Chili Dog,Seasoned Fries,Fresh Fruit cup,Mexican Pizza
Tuesday –Chicken Parmesan,Toasted Galic Bread,Glazed Carrots ,Cheese Quesadilla
Wednesday –Chicken or Veggie Stir Fry,Fried Rice,Oriental Blend Veg.,Supreme Pizza
Thursday –Breaded Chicken Drumstick,AuGratinPotatoes,California Blend,Zesty Beef Burrito
Friday –Grilled Chicken/Veggie Caesar Wrap,Pasta Salad,Fresh Fruit Cup,Meat Lover’s Pizza

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SCROLL TO THE END OF THE WAG FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT FAMILY and
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

IMPORTANT REMINDER Please ensure that your student has and USES a lock on their GYM locker and that all
valuables are secured there or in their SCHOOL locker. Some students have lost valuable items. Locking them is the best protection for everyone.

7/8 FOOD DRIVE FOR GLEANERS IS ONGOING-PLEASE SEND IN YOUR CONTRIBUTION

THANK YOU FROM THE BCS STAFF!

The BCS Staff would like to thank you for the amazing lunch and kind gifts last week for teacher appreciation week. We are so fortunate to have a parent group that supports us, recognizes our hard work, and acts as our cheerleader throughout the year! Knowing that you appreciate us makes BCS a great place to work!!

Thank you,

Adam, Patricia, and the BCS Staff

Forensics Results from Last Weekend!
Great Job BCS!!
Brad Freeman- 4th place trophy in Impromptu
Ben Fisher- Plaque in Impromptu
Sydney Rosen-5th place trophy in Sales
Emma Ellis-Plaque in Dramatic Interp
Courtney Wilkie, Marshall Ross, Julia Dickerson, Keely Faris, Gabby Klos)-Plaque in Multiple
Sam Weed, Natalie Nepa, Sally Kalfelghazal, Audrey Belf-5th place trophy in Multiple
Haley West-5th place trophy in Storytelling
Leora Bernard-Plaque in Storytelling
Meaghan Fortney-6th place trophy in Storytelling


DRESS CODE REMINDER
Warm weather is here and so are the summer clothes! Please remember that we have guidelines for our students when it comes to dress code and we will be reminding them of our expectations of dressing appropriately. If a student is in violation of the dress code, a staff member may ask them to contact a parent to bring up a change of clothing. Thank you for helping us maintain the integrity and respect that BCS has always known!
Two dress code violations that are often brought to our attention by staff here at BCS are shorts and tank tops. Shorts should be as long as your child’s fingertips when their arms are at their side and spaghetti strap tank tops are not permitted. Undergarments should not be visible at all. Hats are not allowed to be worn within the school building except for special occasions such as hat day. Thank you again for your support and help in this matter!

BCS FORMER STAFF UPDATE
Former BCS counselor Brian Flatter and his wife Lindsay had a beautiful baby girl recently, Delaney Rose. Unfortunately her health has taken a turn and Brian has allowed us to share the following website with our BCS families that would like more information or to share your thoughts or support: www.delaneyrosefund.blogspot.com

8th GRADE COIN DRIVE COLLECTION
We are collecting coins at lunch starting this Tuesday to raise money for our kid’s 8th grade graduation celebration!
Since families no longer have to purchase tickets for graduatio we now do fund raisers to offset the cost.
It’s time for our students to gather up all extra coins that they can find. Each student has a large tube sock to put their coins in that Mr. Mixon passed out last week. They can use any sock or bag to put the coins in.
We will be collecting the coins during lunch this Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 12:30- 1:15
Students will be given their class T-Shirt when they turn in their coins. Our Kids Thank You For Your Donations.

CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS! LAST DAY FOR PHOTOS IS MAY 20!
We are in process of finalizing the 8th grade graduation/celebration DVD. If you have not sent your pictures in for the DVD, time is running out! Here’s what to do so that EVERYONE is included:
Send a baby picture (up to age 2) AND a current picture of you/your student to bcsfarewellcelebration@gmail.com. Note: We do not have access to regular school pictures, so we need the current picture FROM YOU.
If you have candid photos from any year (3rd grade to current) that feature the 8th graders, please put them on a CD or zip drive and leave them in the office in an envelope marked “Susan Davis”. Send an email to Susan at tomsmom@comcast.net to let her know that there is something for her to pick up. WE STILL NEED LOTS OF CANDID PHOTOS
The deadline to send candid shots is May 20th.

Choice Hour Planning for 2011-2012 School Year:
Choice Hour planning for the first quarter of the 2011-2012 school year has begun. Several parents have already volunteered to teach some very interesting classes next year that highlight their talents and interests.
We are searching for a Forensic coach – let us know if you are interested or if you might know someone qualified to coach our team. Also, students have asked for an acting class that would culminate in some type of performance, a fashion design class and a martial arts class. You have great resources in the community – we need your help!!
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. As always, thank you for supporting the Choice Hour program.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL
Congratulations go to Mrs. Brown and Mr. Joseph’s 5th grade students who were selected at National Finalists for the Siemens Challenge!! The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be announced in the next few weeks. Keep your fingers crossed!
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD RESULTS On Saturday, April 30th, our BCS Middle School Science Olympiad Team competed against the top 49 schools in the state of Michigan. We placed 9th overall and brought home 8 medals! The kids worked hard and had a fantastic time. The team is coached by BCS teachers Tammy Brown and Chris Emmi.

Also, Congratulations to our BCS Kitchen Staff for passing their inspection this week with exemplary marks! We know that they work hard to make sure our students have the finest and it truly shows!!
7/8 Spirit Committee News
For the rest of the year, the 7/8 Spirit Committee will be making fleece tie blankets to donate to Project Linus. Please help our effort by donating FLEECE, FLEECE BLANKET KITS or a NEW HANDMADE BLANKET made by a student, parent or someone you know to the blue bins by the office.
All blanket styles are welcome, including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors. Always remember that blankets must be homemade, washable, free of pins, and come from smoke-free environments due to allergy reasons. (Project Linus donates blankets to children, infants through teens. Many sizes are appropriate depending on chapter need. For example, blankets could be as small as 36" X 36." The majority of Project Linus blankets are about 40" X 60", or what is called “crib size.”)The mission of Project Linus is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers."This company and its volunteers and supporters have distributed over three million blankets to children in need since our inception in 1995.Please visit www. projectlinus.org for more information, blanket patterns, to learn more about this organization, etc. (The FAQs page is very helpful)

BCS Organic Garden/Proud Dad Day - May 21
On Saturday, May 21, the PTSA and Proud Dads are going to start the process of installing the BCS Organic Garden. This is an update, resurrection, of the previous garden. This will be a full day effort and will require all hands on deck. The schedule for the day will be from 9:00am until 6:00pm. Our goal is to work in 3 hour shifts (9-12, 12-3, 3-6)
We need Dad's, Mom's, BCS students, and siblings, to help in this effort. It's a fantastic opportunity to invest some time to help BCS by building an Organic Garden that will be a teaching/learning tool for the school. It will also will include opportunities for vegetable gardening, flower gardening and natural succession.
Please be prepared to do some digging, weeding and fence installation. We'll need yard rakes, garden rakes, weed eaters and gloves, if you have them. Refreshments will be on hand as will some soccer balls and basketballs for the kids.
If you can join us please send your availability to Proud Dad Mike Anderson (mike@mccanco.com). HELP THE

BCS BAND SPRING BAND CONCERTS
The 5th & 6th grade bands will perform their spring concert on Wednesday evening, June 1st in the BCS cafeteria. The performance will begin at 7:00pm. The 7th & 8th grade bands will perform their spring concert on Wednesday, June 8th in the BCS cafeteria. The starting time for the 7th & 8th grade band performance is 7:00pm.
The 8th grade band members will also be making a guest appearance with the BCS orchestra on Thursday, June 2 at 7:30 pm. Specific details for the 8th grade performance with the orchestra will be sent to parents as the concert date gets closer.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Help the Birmingham Education Foundation support our students!
Find out about the Birmingham Education Foundation spring fundraiser at Toast on May 19, 2011 at www.supportbef.org

Vintage Hat Fashion Show & Tea
Wear your favorite hat and plan to attend the Spring Tea and Fashion Show at the Birmingham Area Senior Center (BASCC) on Thursday, May 19 from 12:30-2:30 pm. Hat collector Lori Hoffman will present a fashion show of 100 vintage hats out of her collection of over 400 hats from the 1850’s to the 1950’s. Tea sandwiches from Mrs. Maddox Cake Shop will be served along with delicious desserts and a variety of teas. Pre-register and pay by calling BASCC at 248-203-5270. BASCC is located at 2121 Midvale Street, Birmingham, east of Cranbrook Road and South of Maple.

Birmingham Lacrosse Annual Mulch Sale!
Spring is here and the Birmingham Lacrosse Team has mulch for you! This premium grade product is available in a variety of styles; hardwood, cedar, cypress, red pine, red, black, brown, pine nuggets, pine bark. The mulch will be on sale at the Seaholm High School back parking lot (near the tennis courts) on Saturday, May 7 starting at 10:00 am. Lacrosse Team members will be on site to load your mulch to your vehicle. This annual fundraising effort supports the unified Seaholm/Groves high school lacrosse teams.

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