WAG Nov. 16-20

Thank you to all of you that attended and helped out with the open house- this was truly a great event!

Dear BCS Parents,

If you are compassionate in your approach to all tasks in life, believing that all "problems" contain valuable lessons, you will find peace of mind. ~Dr. Lee Jampolsky

The Birmingham Optimist Club held their annual Youth Appreciation Breakfast this past week in order to recognize students from area schools that have put forth a great amount of time and effort to make a difference at their schools and within their community. The BCS staff nominated four students based on academic standards and character traits. These four students were to stand in front of their peers and families to receive the awards by a representative from BCS. Due to unfortunate circumstances, they found themselves standing in front of the crowd without a BCS staff member to introduce them and discuss the reasons for their accomplishments. They were faced with a problem!
This problem quickly turned to a valuable lesson when the four students took it upon themselves to communicate with the crowd why they received the awards and showed that they were indeed worthy of such recognition. The BCS students learned that having a great amount of courage and not relying on others to lead the way will allow you to reach your full potential. As their building principal, I have taken away many valuable lessons from that morning that I will carry with me as long as I work with students and their families. One lesson that most struck me was that our true character does not show until we are faced with adversity. This is true of adults and kids.
The students should be proud of how they handled the situation and I know the parents and Optimist members are impressed with the way they stood up and represented BCS. I found that the BCS team found peace of mind knowing that when things do not go as planned, our students will step up to the plate!!
The nominations were a tough decision for our teaching staff and administration since many of our students exhibit the characteristics of a leader. We are proud of all of our students here at BCS and their dedication to making our world a better place!
I asked the teachers to send me information on the four students and I received many detailed responses.
I would like to end by summarizing the responses I received about our four students that were nominated and would like to tell them …”Great job and thank you for representing BCS in such a positive way!”
“…these four students are wonderful children. They are upbeat, friendly and engaging. They are helpful and always positive. They show so much kindness and compassion for everyone and are respected by our student community. They make our classrooms a better place to be.”
-BCS staff

Have a great week!

Adam





WEEK AT A GLANCE – NOVEMBER 16 – NOVEMBER 20, 2009
(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

Monday, November 16
6:45-8AM – Boys basketball try-outs
3:15 – 5:00PM –Girls swim practice
4:15 – 6:30PM – Oklahoma! play practice – full cast

Tuesday, November 17
6:35 – 8AM –Girls swim practice
6:45-8AM – Boys basketball try-outs
7:30-8:00AM - BCS Diversity Committee meeting in Room 505 – All are welcome
8:00 AM – SNOW CLUB applications accepted in the front office – please note the time is 8AM, not this evening
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
6:30-8PM – Technology Committee Meeting– Media Center – see comments below.
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, November 18
6:45-8AM – Boys basketball team practice
Noon – GREEN team meeting – Media Center
Popcorn Day – freshly popped popcorn is sold during choice hour for $1 in the main hallway.
3:15 – 5:00PM –Girls swim practice
4:15-5:50PM—Oklahoma! play practice for the following roles: Laurey; Curly; Gertie; Eller; Jud; Will; Ado Annie; Peddlar; Vivian; Ellen; Kate; Virginia
Thursday, November 19
6:35 – 8AM –Girls swim practice
6:45 - 8AM – Boys basketball team practice Deadline: 8th grade permission slips for high school visits due to homeroom teachers by today.
7:00 AM – Breakfast with the Principal in the Media Center. Bagels will be provided.
7:00 PM – PTSA Clearinghouse Meeting in the Media Center-All are invited to learn about the operations of the PTSA at BCS.

Friday, November 20
6:35 – 8AM –Girls swim practice
6:45-8AM – Boys basketball team practice
Deadline: Articles for E-Bugle due today kyraeg@wowway.com
4:00PM Deadline – Choice Hour change forms and refund requests for dropped classes for the 2nd quarter are due by 4:00PM today.
Saturday, November 21
· 9AM -4PM - The BCS Robotics team is competing in the Lego Robotics Tournament at Carman Ainsworth Middle School, 1409 Maple Ave, Flint, MI 48507. Team members need to be there by 7:30 a.m. to register. All team member friends and family as well as other BCS kids and families are invited to root for the Crazy Cobra Crafters!


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, diced potatoes, and mixed veggies.
Tuesday – Hot dog w/ or without chili, chips or onion rings, and garden peas.
Wednesday – Chicken fajitas w/ choice of toppings, brown rice, and soup.
Thursday – Turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, fresh fruit, yogurt, and muffin.
Friday – Grilled cheese, tomato soup, carrots, and celery.

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

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MEETING
The November Technology Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday November 17 at 6:30PM.
On the agenda for this meeting is planning a “Tech Café” session for the BCS community in December. We will also begin planning “Engineers Week” for the spring.
Everyone is welcome at the meeting. Contact tech@bpsparent if you have any questions.

To parents of Nicole Toth's 7/8 Spanish 1 classes,
Nicole's long-term sub, Nora Krol, now has her own email address up and running. Feel free to email her if you have any questions or concerns throughout the time she is here, or just to introduce yourself! Her email address is nk05bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us.

Blue Lake Scholarship Auditions for summer camp 2010 will take place in the BCS band room on Wednesday, December 2nd during the regular band classes. A representative from the camp will be on hand to evaluate student performances. Students with special talents in instrumental music (including piano), vocal music, drama, art and dance are invited to present a brief demonstration of their skills for scholarship considerations to Blue Lake. Students who are not in band or orchestra should see Mr. Rodgerson on Wednesdays or Thursdays to reserve an audition time.

BUDGET CRISIS – Q & A SESSION WITH LEGISLATORS
Due to the ongoing financial crisis facing Michigan public schools, Birmingham Public Schools is hosting a community Q & A with area legislators on Monday, November 23, 7:00 pm. at the Groves High School Auditorium, 20500 West Thirteen Mile, Beverly Hills. This important meeting will allow community members an opportunity to address their questions and concerns regarding Michigan public school funding. At this time, the following legislators have confirmed attendance: Sen. Gilda Jacobs, Sen. John Pappageorge, Representative Marty Knollenberg, and Representative Vincent Gregory. Other legislators have been invited but have not yet confirmed their attendance. Please join us for this important event.

PTA REFLECTIONS Program Unleashes Your Artistic Talents!
The theme is “Beauty Is…” and the possibilities are endless. All BCS students are eligible to submit their creative works. There is a category for everyone… so all of you artists, dancers, photographers, musicians, writers and filmmakers - get ready. The deadline is December 8th, so let’s get started now! For rules and entry forms, go the BCS Website and click on Reflections.


ROBOTICS CLUB NEEDS YOUR OPINIONS
“The students of BCS’s Crazy Cobra Crafters robotics club are doing a research project on this year’s theme, transportation for the FLL Competition. They have taken Mass Transit as the most relevant topic for our time, both from a global and local perspective. As a part of their research, they have put together a survey which they would like all their classmates and their parents to answer. We would like you to spend a few minutes of your time to help them formulate their answer. This is time-boxed (the competition is on the 21st), so please take it by the 18th ”. The link is:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=m75vQT3GishMyRikS5Tf5A_3d_3d


GREEN TEAM: The BCS recycling committee (comprised of staff, parents and students) is meeting Wednesday, November 18th at noon in the BCS Media Center. If you are interested in helping BCS strengthen its green initiatives, please join our effort. If you have questions or would like additional information contact Betsy Erwin at ejerwin3@gmail.com

EIGHTH Grade Families
Please provide a BABY PICTURE and a CURRENT PICTURE of your student for the class DVD. Remember to write your name on the back of the pictures so we can return them to you at the Farewell Celebration (and identify your child). The class DVD is a HIGHLIGHT of our year-end celebration; please make sure YOUR STUDENT IS PART OF THE FUN by ensuring their pictures are submitted to the Photo Box in the Main Office by December 18. If you would like to submit high-quality digital images, please send them to BCSFarewellPhotos@gmail.com. Don’t forget to provide your student’s name!


EIGHTH GRADE PARENTS
Seaholm would like to extend an invitation to 8th grade students to visit the English/Social Studies and Flex programs. We are reserving spaces on any Wednesday in December or January to come and view the classes. The visit would last from approximately 8:45 to 12:00, and they would visit at least two classes. Transportation will need to be provided by a parent. If you would like to reserve a space for your child, please contact Kyle Hall, English Department head, at 248 203-3746 or kh01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us to review the details of the visit and confirm available space.

Nutrition Nibbles: An enthusiastic “thumbs-up” from students in Mr. Seley’s Class, who had the opportunity to enjoy a healthy snack of apple slices and yogurt dip last week. One of Mr. Seley’s students was the drawing winner from Michigan Apple Week, which took place October 19-23. His class won a quick and tasty apple snack prepared by Mrs. Hitch, Sodexo Dietitian. Check out the recipe for this well-received yogurt dip at http://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Departments/Food+Services/Nutrition+Nibbles/.


COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
GROVES HIGH SCHOOL annual garage sale is on Sunday, November 22, 9AM-3PM. Early entry at 8AM for $1 fee. Please consider donating saleable items. Donation drop off in the cafeteria on Fri, Nov. 20 3-7PM and Sat, Nov 21, 8AM-6PM.