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