Welcome Back- Happy New Year!

January 3, 2010

"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives - not looking for flaws, but for potential."
Ellen Goodman

January is named for the Roman God of beginnings and endings. He could look backward and forward at the same time. This is something many of us found ourselves doing in 2009. We reflected on a turbulent year and looked back on ten years that may prove to be the decade that saw the most changes in our nation’s educational system. We also have looked ahead to forecast our economy and wonder if it will ever get back to a place that we can call “good”. One thing is for certain, 2010 has potential. Each year begins with potential, but it is what we do to better ourselves during that year that will make it a success. So, here it is- a new year, a fresh start. 2010 has come whether we were ready or not and it is full of potential. Looking backward can be productive only if we learn from past mistakes and remember those that are most influential in our lives. Looking forward can be dangerous unless we look with courage and hope. January comes from the Etruscan word jauna which means "door." Let’s walk through this “door” that leads to 2010 with confidence, a positive attitude, and most of all…together!

Welcome back to BCS and Happy New Year!
Adam


WEEK AT A GLANCE – JANUARY 4 – JANUARY 8, 2010
(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

Monday, January 4
• 7-8AM – Proud Dads 6th grade boys basketball
• 3:15 – 4:30PM – Boys basketball teams practice
• 3:15 – 5:00PM –Girls swim practice


Tuesday, January 5
• 6:35 – 8:00AM –Girls swim practice
• 6:45-8AM – Boys basketball teams practice
• 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


Wednesday, January 6
• 7-8AM – Proud Dads 6th grade boys basketball
• 8:30 – 9:30AM – Seaholm Counselor Visit to BCS for 8th graders to review 9th grade scheduling - MC
• Popcorn Day – freshly popped popcorn is sold during choice hour for $1 in the main hallway.
• 3-4PM-Market Day pick-up in the entrance hall.
• 4:00PM – Boys basketball game @ home vs. Cranbrook MS – 7th grade game at 4PM, 8th grade game immediately follows.
• 4:15PM –Girls swim meet vs. Berkshire Black @ Home


Thursday, January 7
• 6:35 – 8:00AM –Girls swim practice
• 8AM – Religious Diversity Journey – for 8 students
• 4:00PM – Boys basketball game @ Country Day MS – 7th grade game at 4PM, 8th grade game immediately follows. Maps to away games can be found on highschoolsports.net .
• 7:00PM Enrollment Information Session for the 2010-2011 school year in the Media Center – for prospective new families who were unable to attend the Open House. No registrations are taken.


Friday, January 8 - Trash –Free Friday – see comments below
• 8-11:30AM – Schoolwide Spelling Bee – Media Center. Parents are welcome to attend.
• 6:35 – 8:00AM –Girls swim practice
• 6:45-8AM – Boys basketball teams practice


Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)
- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks
Monday –Meat Balls and Gravy, Noodles and Broccoli
Tuesday –All Beef Hot Dogs, Chili, Chips and Carrots and Celery
Wednesday –Baked Popcorn Chicken, Roasted Potatoes and Corn
Thursday – Baked Chicken Tenders, Brown Rice and Broccoli
Friday –Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup

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


YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE-Preorder a yearbook to ensure you have a copy
2010 yearbooks are now available! If you are interested in getting a yearbook there are a few ways to order. You can go online www.digitalbcs.com/yearbook/. Click on the orange link to order. Also, order forms are available in the brochure rack in the main hall and can be turned into the main office. Yearbooks cost $40, so order soon!

DISABILITY AWARENESS WORKSHOP
In alternating years, Covington hosts a disability awareness workshop to raise awareness in our students of the challenges faced by people with disabilities. This year the workshop will take place over two days, on January 12 and 13. We are looking for volunteers to work either the morning or afternoon shift of either day. While 5th and 6th grade students will be participating in the workshop, we would welcome volunteers who have children in any grade. If you are interested in helping, please contact Diana Moak at 248-594-7245 or DPMoak@aol.com.

REDUCING TRASH AT BCS-TRASH FREE FRIDAYS
The Joseph/Roberts (“Joberts”) fifth graders are entering the Siemens We Can Change the World challenge this year. For their project, they are trying to reduce the amount of trash we generate at BCS, focusing particularly on the cafeteria. They would like to initiate “Trash Free Fridays” at BCS and they are asking for your help. Each Friday they will be collecting data after lunch about the amount of trash we generate in the cafeteria. They would like the students to think about packing a Trash free lunch and have put together the following tips:

• Use a lunch box or reusable sack.
• Pack a cloth napkin and reusable utensils.
• Put food in reusable food and drink containers.
• If you must use a disposable plastic bag, wash it out and keep reusing it.
• Purchase your snacks in bulk size and repack into individual reusable containers.
• Pack fresh fruit since it doesn't require any additional packaging.

Disposable lunches can create between 4–8 ounces of garbage every day.

That can add up to as much as 100 pounds per year! With your help, the Joberts kids believe that we truly can become agents of change!!

If you buy lunch, please buy only what you believe you can eat and try not to have any waste!!