Sept. 21-25, 2009 WAG

September 21-25, 2009

Dear BCS Families,

I would like to first wish everyone celebrating Eid-Al-Fitr or Rosh Hashanah a peaceful holiday.

The last two weeks have gone by quickly which is exactly how the rest of this year will go. I mentioned at the 3rd and 4th grade parent night that before we know it, our 3rd and 4th graders will be walking across the stage at 8th grade graduation. I invited everyone to have some sort of ownership in their child’s education. You have read letters from me and I am sure you have heard from your child’s classroom teacher on how it is important to be a part of the school experience as parents. BCS parents are not shy and have proven to be an amazing part of the success here. This WAG is not intended to continue to harp on parents to volunteer their time and it is certainly not meant to guilt any of you in calling us on Monday to ask what you can do for BCS. It is simply meant to provide some information as to why we, as educators, need to continue to encourage and welcome parents to be an integral piece to each child’s time at BCS.

I have recently read an article in the September edition of Principal Magazine that discusses research on parent involvement. The article, written by John H. Wherry, president of the Parent Institute, shows that there are connections between parent involvement and student achievement. I will be using this article to spark a discussion with the BCS staff as it relates to our efforts to improve on our MEAP scores, district test scores, and overall achievement. Two barriers listed in the article caught my attention as a building principal advocating for a great start to the year. These barriers point to parents that do not feel that the school welcomes, invites, or encourages their involvement and parents that do not believe they have the ability or knowledge to help their child. This is important as we continuously ask for you to be a part of our mission.

I would like to make sure you are always invited to participate and we value any skills, resources, or time that you may have. As I stated in the two previous parent nights, and will again discuss with the parents attending the 5th/6th grade parent night this Thursday, BCS is committed to utilizing any parent help we receive. This may be in the form of time, donations, and/or sharing your knowledge in a variety of areas. Please do not ever think we do not want or could not use your expertise, it may be just what we need to achieve greater things!

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Adam and Hal


Attendance at BCS

At the beginning of this year we sent out BCS magnets with important contact information. One of the reasons for doing this was to make sure all of you had the email address in order to email your child’s attendance. With our office staff down one person this year, our phone lines have been ringing off of the hook. It has made the attendance procedures much better to handle when we receive emails explaining the absences rather than phone calls. If at all possible, please email your child’s absences. If you do not have access to a computer, then of course call it in! Thank you for your help!

WEEK AT A GLANCE – SEPTEMBER 21-25, 2009
(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

Monday, September 21
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
3:20 – 4:50PM – Boys soccer practice
6-7PM – Proud Dads Co-ed Tennis at Pine Lake Country Club, indoor courts

Tuesday, September 22
7-8AM – Proud Dads 5th & 6th grade girls basketball
4 PM – 7th grade girls basketball game vs. West Hills Middle School at home; 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

Wednesday, September 23
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
E-bugle published today!
Popcorn Day – freshly popped popcorn is sold during choice hour for $1 in the main hallway.
3:20 – 4:50PM – Boys soccer practice
7:00 p.m.- Proud Dad's Executive Board Meeting -BCS

Thursday, September 24
7-8AM – Proud Dads 5th & 6th grade girls basketball
4 PM – 7th grade girl’s basketball game @ East 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
5-6:30PM – Proud Dads Co-ed Flag Football for 3rd – 8th graders
5/6 Curriculum Night Back To School Night for parents of 3rd and 4th grade students
6-6:30PM Refreshments provided by the PTSA Clearinghouse
6:30PM Teacher presentations begin-5th grade parents go to Math; 6th grade parents go
to Language Arts
7:25-7:45PM Co-Curricular Teacher and BCS Principal presentations
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, September 25
6:45AM – 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice
4:05 – 5:35PM – Boys soccer practice

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)
Monday – Salad Bar OR Meatballs & gravy, noodles, green beans
Tuesday – Salad Bar OR Rib-B-Ques, rice, california blend
Wednesday – Salad Bar OR Italian Subs, minestrone soup
Thursday – Salad Bar OR Taco Day with the fixings
Friday – Salad Bar OR Chicken Patty Sandwich, buttered noodles

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

BCS YEARBOOK
Yearbook Choice Hour will begin on Monday October 5th and will be on Mondays and Thursday for the rest of the school year. Yearbook staff members must commit to attending the Yearbook class at least once per week. Creative, fun and hardworking 7th and 8th graders are invited to audition to become staff members of the yearbook. Returning yearbook staff members do not need to audition. Audition packets can be picked up in the main office beginning Monday September 21st and will be due by Wednesday September 30th.

Thank you! Allison Macksood, Yearbook Advisor.
Coming soon…….yearbook order forms.


BCS OFFICE PROCEDURES – some important changes for you to read about
Early Sign-out of students: If you are picking up your child early to attend an appointment or other commitment, please arrive 5- 10 minutes earlier than your needed departure time. The Reception Desk parent volunteers will be happy to call your child down to meet you in the office once you arrive. Due to budget cuts, the BCS office staff is no longer able to take calls for early sign outs. Please be patient as we all adjust to the new school year……the BCS office is a busy place.

Bus Notes: If your child will be going home on the bus with a friend, please send in a dated and signed note that is clear on who your child is riding home with. The note needs to be signed by the office staff (principals or secretary) and copied. Your child will then take the signed note to the bus driver as his/her “pass” to get on the bus.

Choice Hour ONLY Absense: If your child is leaving at 3:15 and is registered for a choice hour class that day, the absence MUST be reported. You may report the absence by: signing your child out in the Student Sign IN/Out Book in the office, OR email the absence to Linda Stone at ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us, OR call the absence into the Choice Hour Line – 248.203.4625.

Forgotten Lunches : – If your child has forgotten their lunch and their lunch account has little or no balance, the cafeteria will provided them with a lunch that meets minimum nutritious standards. The BCS office is no longer issuing Lunch IOUs. To increase your child’s lunch account balance, checks can be made payable to BPS Lunch Program and put into the Turn-In Basket in the office. Coming soon …..you will be able to check your child’s lunch balance on the internet and add money with your credit card. Please watch for a letter from BCS within the next two weeks.

Do you have other questions that you would like answered in future WAGs? Email your questions to nb01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us and watch future WAG’s.


COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

BCS Community Education, in cooperation with the Oakland County Visiting Nurses’ Association, is sponsoring a Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic here in the BCS cafeteria on Thursday, October 22 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. School age children and adults are welcome. Flu shots are $25 and flu mist for healthy individuals between 2 and 49 years is $30. Pneumonia shots are $50. Cash or checks please. No H1N1 shots available. Questions? Please contact Sue Reepmeyer at 248-203-4449.

BASCC (Birmingham Area Seniors Coordinating Council) has two fundraisers underway to help underwrite programs and services for senior citizens in our community. One involves the purchase of gift cards from America’s favorite retailers and the other is a sale of bulbs for your garden. For more information on either of these opportunities to make purchases which support BASCC, please contact the BASCC office in the Midvale Center at 248-203-5270.

Birmingham’s Historical Museum is currently sponsoring an exhibit on the History of Vernor’s Ginger Ale, which runs until October 17, 2009. The museum is open for public tours Wednesday-Saturday from 1-4 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for seniors, students and members. For an extra $2, ice cream floats will be available on Saturday, September 26 between 1 and 3 p.m. A free public lecture about James Vernor and his Ginger Ale will take place on September 22 at 7:00 p.m. at Baldwin Public Library.

BASCC GARAGE SALE, September 26 9-3PM, 2121 Midvale Road, BirminghamVolunteer hours are available as follows: - anytime Thursday, September 24 from 1:30 pm to 10 pm - anytime Friday, September 25th from 9:30 am to 10 pm - Saturday, September 26th either 7:30 am to 12:30 OR noon to 4:30.To volunteer, please email the chairperson at sbricio@hotmail.com