WAG Oct 24-28

October 23, 2011



Dear BCS Families,

I hope you enjoyed the weekend and again the beautiful Michigan weather! I am happy to be home with my family after two days in San Francisco for the Character Education Conference. The conference proved to be a worthwhile event and experiencing an earthquake (small in California’s eyes but a memorable 3 seconds for this Michigander!) was unforgettable. Our own Tamra Nast did a great job with her presentation, A Bird’s Eye View of Bullying. You can see a summary of her presentation on our parent wiki page at http://geekedmindsetforparents.wikispaces.com/Character+Education+Conference along with other session and keynote summaries I attended. I encourage you to poke around the website and see if there is anything that catches your attention. I have included links to other sites that may be of interest as well.

Out of all the inspiring sessions and keynotes, two people really made an impact on me. I created a page on the wiki to summarize their keynote speech but my page does not come close to their powerful message. Their story is inspiring and motivational but there was a message within their story that really hit me. The two speakers, Soeren Palumbo, a college student from Notre Dame and president of Notre Dame’s Special Olympics Club, and Danielle Liebl, a college student with cerebral palsy, came together to send a message to all of us on giving children opportunities to be human. Seems simple at first, we are all human and therefore know how to be human. But think about it, what is the one thing we all want and need as humans? Food?…yes, shelter?…yes, but beyond those?

Every human has the right to be treated humane, no matter the color of their skin, the amount of money in their pocket and just as Soeren and Danielle emphasized, regardless if they have physical or mental challenges. Their message of inclusion as being a vehicle to teaching students to be human was powerful. Treating one another the same no matter who we are or how we look is the key. I walked away wondering what can I do more as a principal, a father, and a member of the community to give young learners opportunities to be human. The first step for adults to begin helping students realize those opportunities is to take full advantage of them ourselves. Don’t let an opportunity for you to be human pass you by this week!!


G.E.E.K.ed about Leading,

Adam


*Dinner Conversation Starter – One idea from the conference that we would like to include in some of our W.A.G.’s are student written situations that are shared with families to discuss at home. These help students think about situations they may experience and allow you to give them advice! Conversations like these can give our learners the tools they need to be empowered!



Situation: Lindsey sees a girl get picked on and left to sit alone in the cafeteria every day. The girl looks sad and doesn’t say anything back to the bully. Lindsey thinks it is wrong for someone to be treated this way.

Dilemma: On one hand, Lindsey thinks she should report this and say something to a teacher or cafeteria lady and make the bully stop. On the other hand, Lindsey does not want to get involved in someone else’s problem and maybe cause the bully to make things worse.

Discussion: What should Lindsey do?



Let the information find you!

Twitter: bcscovington

“like” BCS on facebook

www.bcsonline.info





WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of October 24-28, 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, October 24

• 6:45 -8 AM Girls Basketball Practice

• 8:30AM 8th Grade Celebration Planning Meeting-Media Center

• 9:30 AM 3/4 Parent Coffee with the Principal

• 4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

Tuesday, October 25

• 6:45 -8 AM Girls Basketball Practice

• 8AM BAGELS ARE BACK-Bagels can be purchased each week for $1.25 (cream cheese .25 cents)in front of the Media Center-check bcsonline.info for the form

• 4PM Boys Soccer @ East Hills middle School. Check highschoolsports.net for directions to the school.

• 7 PM Annual Masquerade Orchestra Concert –Seaholm High School -8th Grade Orchestra students must be in the Seaholm High School Orchestra Room by 6PM for a brief rehearsal before the concert-appropriate costumes can be worn

Wednesday, October 26

• Picture Retake Day during Lunch time-Bring your picture envelope to return to the photographer-NOT THE OFFICE-2 parent volunteers are needed from 10:45-1:15- please email nb01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us

• Delicious Popcorn sold during Choice Hour-only $ 1

• Market Day Pick-Up –entrance hallway

• 4:00PM Girls basketball game v. Bloomfield Hills Middle School. Check highschoolsports.net for directions to the school.

• 4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

Thursday, October 27

• 4PM Boys Soccer @ Detroit Country Day Middle School. Check highschoolsports.net for directions to the school.

• 4:00PM Girls basketball game Home v. Cranbrook Middle School.

• 3:20 PM Cross Country Choice Hour will be running to Strohs-Pick Up at Strohs at 430

Friday, October 28

• Today is “Hats on to Fight Hunger Day” Students and staff can participate by bringing $1 to donate to Kids Against Hunger. 7/8 Spirit Committee members will collect the money during the first class of the day.

• 6:45 -8 AM Girls Basketball Practice

• 4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

• BCS Decal Order Form is Due-Don’t miss out “Drive” your school pride !!!

Saturday, October 15

• 6 PM Proud Dads Tennis-Birmingham Racquet Club





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 or French Toast, Sausages, Fresh Fruit, Mexican Pizza

Tuesday – Whole Wheat Penne Pasta with Chicken and Alfredo Sauce, Garlic Toast, Steamed Broccoli

Wednesday – Home-style Turkey and Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Green Beans, Hawaiian Pizza

Thursday – BBQ Chicken, Side of Mac and Cheese, Flavorful Baked Beans, Beef Enchilada

Friday – Grilled Chicken or Veggie Caesar Wrap, Pasta Salad, Steamed Carrots, Meat Lovers Pizza



PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION





NOTES:

SCHOOL PICTURES INFORMATION: Picture retake day is October 26.

If you ordered pictures before or on picture day, they should have been given to your child . If you ordered after picture day, they will come back with the “RETAKES” sometime later in November. If you are not satisfied with your child’s photograph, the original picture packet needs to be returned to the photographer on RETAKE day. If you think you ordered pictures but did not receive them, please call the picture company, schoolpictures.com at 1-734-677-3400 or 1-800-482-0321.



HAT DAY!!!!Our first “Hats on to Fight Hunger” day is this coming Friday, October 28. Students and staff can participate by bringing $1 to donate to Kids Against Hunger, and then wear their hat on Friday. 7/8 Spirit Committee members will collect the money during the first class of the day.



NEWS FROM PE:

SWIM COACH NEEDED

BCS is in need of a HEAD SWIM COACH and an ASSISTANT SWIM COACH for both the boys and girls swim seasons. If you know of someone interested in this position, please have them forward their letter of interest including relevant coaching experiences to Patricia Chinn at pc02bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us.



Mr. Johansson’s 5/6 classes as well as Brown/Fitz 6th will be swimming during the 2nd Quarter (11/7-1/27).

Mr. Manchester’s classes as well as Cook/Wilkie 5th & Joberts 6th will be swimming during the 3rd Quarter (1/30-4/13).



DO YOU NEED TO CARPOOL FOR QUARTER II-????

We now have a private, unlisted Google map for BCS families who wish to find carpool partners. To be included on the map and receive your link to the map, please email bcscarpool@gmail.com with your Family Name, Contact Person, Address, Phone, and Email.THIS CARPOOL MAP IS ONLY FOR THE USE OF BCS FAMILIES WHO WOULD LIKE TO CARPOOL.

THE BCS DECAL IS BACK!

Place it on your car, your window, or your locker. The BCS decal is available for $5.00 and is removable, repositionable, and restickable. To order your decal(s), return the order form (available at www.bcsonline.info) along with cash or a check payable to the BCS PTSA on or before October 28th, 2011. Decals will be distributed to your child's homeroom the week of November 7th.

DIGITAL BCS UPDATE

We are currently making the switch from DigitalBCS.com to www.BCSonline.info for all of our teacher websites. Please go to www.BCSonline.info and reset your teacher bookmarks from that page as they will no longer be correct with the DigitalBCS

“Wii” NEED YOUR HELP!

The LINKS program is looking to acquire a Wii game system and age appropriate video games to use with the 5/6 grade students during lunch time in the game room. If you have a Wii system, Wii accessories (nunchucks, remote controls, etc.) or any Wii games that you are looking to donate to a good cause, please drop them off in the office for Mr. Bodle! We are also happy to accept any handheld gaming devices (PSP, DS, etc.) that you are look to donate to the game room!

BOYS TENNIS

We are hoping to start a boys tennis team for the 2012 spring season! If you a 6th, 7th or 8th grade boy interested in playing on the team, please email Mrs. Chinn at pc02bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us so that we can determine the level of interest!

BOX TOPS BOX TOPS BOX TOPS---Clip and bring to the office

There is a new promotion for box tops. Check out the boxtopsforeducation.com website. Ford has now partnered with box tops and is offering free eboxtops for watching videos, requesting brochures, and even buying a car.Teresa Rea –Box Tops Coordinator

GEOGRAPHY BEE IS COMING TO BCS

BCS is going to hold a Geography Bee this year. Students in grades 4-8 are eligible to participate. The school-wide bee will be held on Tuesday, January 10th. The winner of the school bee will take a written test to qualify for the National Geographic State Bee. Any 4-8 student who wishes to compete in the GeoBee can sign up for the GeoBee in the Media Center starting November 1.

The National Geographic Society runs the National Bee and provides the materials for the school bee. The website National Geographic Bee - National Geographic has a wealth of information and activities for students interested in the “Bee”. There is also a very fun GeoBee Challenge app available for iPad, iPod touch, and other mobile devices that students can use to quiz themselves

NEWS FROM THE 8TH GRADE CELEBRATION COMMITTEE

8th Grade Celebration Committee wants to remind you to get your orders in for flamingo "flocking" we have been busy nightly. Do not miss out on the fun make sure you turn in your sheets to flock your friends you never know when they are going to head South for the Winter!

THE ANNUAL MASQUERADE CONCERT IS TUESDAY OCT. 25TH WITH THE SEAHOLM ORCHESTRAS AND CHOIRS AT 7PM (SEAHOLM AUDITORIUM).

8th Grade Orchestra students must be in the Seaholm High School Orchestra Room at 6pm for a brief rehearsal with the Seaholm High School Orchestras. Please make sure to allow for travel time, parking, etc. It is VERY IMPORTANT that they arrive on-time because this is our only combined orchestra rehearsal!

Fun Stuff: Students may dress up in a school-appropriate costume. There will be a fantastic after-glow immediately following the concert and prizes for the best costume. Please stay to enjoy some delicious treats!

PARENTS OF 7/8 STUDENTS – our first 7/8 Dance of the year, Cobra Shore, is coming up on Friday, November 11, from 6:30-9 PM in the Cafeteria. We will need chaperones for this dance from 6:15-7:45 (1st shift) and 7:45-9:15 (2nd shift). There are cafeteria and hallway spots available. Please email Nicole Toth to let her know if you can chaperone for either shift, nt06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us. Also, please encourage your children to come. They are invited to wear school-appropriate “beachy” themed clothing. Please remember if your family cannot afford this cost, you can email Mr. Hartley and he will provide funds from Nan’s Kids. Thank you for your help in advance! (This event is sponsored by the 7/8 Spirit Committee and supported by the PTSA).

BCS IS JOINING FORCES WITH GLEANERS FOOD BANK

TO BATTLE HUNGER All BCS families are being offered the opportunity to help package food for those in need. Each session can accommodate 40 people. If you would like to start your Thanksgiving break by giving back to others, please sign up in the BCS office. Please make sure you include the total number from your family who will be attending. Sessions will be closed once the maximum number of 40 is met.

Date: Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Time: 9:00-10:30am, 11:00am-12:30pm, or 1:00-2:30pm

Location: 120 E. Columbia Avenue, Pontiac MI

RED OUT for the AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

Get your RED on at Groves/Seaholm Game! Charity Event for the American Heart Association.

Friday, October 21, 2011, 7:00 pm

Seaholm Football Field

Purchase an American Heart Association red $10 t-shirt at the game to help support a RED OUT where a sea of red fans will unite to raise awareness and funds for the American Heart Association! This event grew in response to the tragic loss of Seaholm’s football coach, Coach Deane, who passed away suddenly this summer. The event has expanded to promote an overall awareness of heart disease and demonstrate unity between the schools.

THERE’S STILL TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THE FUN!!!!! Scholarships are offered for this camp.Please contact Adam Hartley if you need assistance ah07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us

NANCY LIEBERMAN BASKETBALL CAMP- Co-sponsored with Birmingham Community Education

To enhance kids skills, competitiveness, confidence, self-esteem, decision making, and basic basketball fundamentals

WHEN: October 29, 2011

TIME: 9:00am-12:00 noon

WHERE: Seaholm High School 2436 West Lincoln Street Birmingham, Mi 48009

WHO: Boys and Girls ages 5-17

PRICE: $45.00 per camper. $30.00 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your child’s spot in camp. Includes camp T-shirt and signed Nancy Lieberman poster.

Camp is conducted by NANCY LIEBERMAN Basketball Hall of Famer, 2X Olympian, former Head Coach/GM for the Detroit Shock, NBA Development League Head Coach for the Dallas Mavericks Affiliate team (Texas Legends) in Frisco, TX

Things to remember: Please arrive 20 minutes early, bring your own basketball, and don’t forget your smile!! For more information, call (972) 473-2121, visit nancylieberman.com, or fax to 972-473-2139