WAG March 1-5

February 28, 2010


If you are a college football fan you may have heard of Tim Tebow. Tim has been the quarterback for the Florida Gators for the past four years. During that time he won the Heisman trophy and two national championships. In all, he became one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game at the University of Florida. His accomplishments however may not have been enough for NFL teams to make him one of their draft picks this upcoming April. There are many experts that are now saying that even though Tim Tebow excelled on the college field, his mechanics and style of play are not enough to catapult him to the next level. To take the debate further, some are saying that the coaches at the University of Florida are to blame. There are people that believe the coaches failed Tim for their own benefit. It raises a valid question. Are coaches responsible for teaching within the system and using players’ talents for the benefit of the University, or should they prepare each player individually for the next level?
The Tebow debate that has been heard on every sports radio station from here to Gainesville can be also debated from the perspective of an educator. What exactly is the best way to approach education today? School districts deliver rigorous curriculum, write and follow policy, and try to uphold high standards in order to maintain their excellent reputations. Much like the University of Florida’s football program was hesitant to change their star player’s mechanics, school districts are cautious in changing certain programs, personnel, or “ways of doing things” in fear it may not be the best decision for the organization.
Coach Urban and his staff at the University of Florida stated that they felt it was too risky to change Tim’s playing style at the risk of the team’s success. Hearing this debate unfold, it made me question what our responsibilities in preparing students for the next level. MEAP scores are high and students are excelling in the classroom but are we preparing them for the real world? What is expected from our students as they go off to college and into the workplace is not something they can learn from a textbook or test. Coach Urban did what was expected with Tim Tebow. He coached within the system and reached the goals that were set forth by his superiors and fans. School Districts, especially Birmingham, should be commended for the same efforts and accomplishment s they have in reaching goals set forth by the school board and the community. The Tebow debate points out, however, that while we should be maintaining the same high standards and expectations, we need to also find ways to adapt to the ever changing skills that are needed for our students to be successful when they leave BCS.
I believe that we are doing both here at BCS. We are working within the system, maintaining high scores, and delivering rigorous curriculum. At the same time, we are looking at each student’s individual skill set and adapting to meet their needs. The BCS staff is taking steps that Coach Urban and his staff would not, they are sacrificing their own agendas for the benefit of their students.
No matter what side you are on in the Tebow debate, no one can argue the efforts that each BCS team member puts in to “winning a championship” and preparing their star players for the next level!




WEEK AT A GLANCE – MARCH 1 –5, 2010
(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)

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

Monday, March 1
• 8:45-11:50AM - Field Trip - 8:45-11:50AM - Field Trip - 5th graders in Mr. Burdick & Mrs. Brown’s class go to the Environmental Center. Please ensure children are dressed for the weather – jackets/coats, gloves/mittens, rain gear, hats & boots may all be needed.
• 4:30PM –Girl’s Volleyball game vs. Ferndale MS @ home. 7th grade game begins at 4:00PM and 8th grade game immediately follows.
• 5:30PM–Boys swim team meet vs Bloomfield Hills Middle School and West Hills Middle School @ Andover High School

Tuesday, March 2
• 6:35 – 8:00AM –Boys swim team practice
• 7-8AM – Proud Dads Volleyball for 6th Grade Girls
• 8-8:20AM – Bagel sale in front of the media center by the 8th grade celebration committee
• 8:45-11:50AM - Field Trip - 6th graders in Mr. Burdick & Mrs. Brown’s class go to the Environmental Center. Please ensure children are dressed for the weather – jackets/coats, gloves/mittens, rain gear, hats & boots may all be needed.
• 3:15-4:00PM – School store is open in the main hallway during choice hour
• 4:00PM –Girl’s Volleyball game vs. Derby @ home. 7th grade game begins at 4:00PM and 8th grade game immediately follows.
• 6:30-8:00PM – Proud Dad’s CO-ED Basketball – 3rd-6th grades
• 7:00PM – BLAST Committee meeting – Media Center
• 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, March 3
• 8:45-11:50AM - Field Trip - 5th graders in Mrs. Maliszewski & Mrs. Fitzgerald’s class go to the Environmental Center. Please ensure children are dressed for the weather – jackets/coats, gloves/mittens, rain gear, hats & boots may all be needed.
• 9:15AM – 5/6 Room Parent Meeting – Media Center
• 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.
• 4:15PM–Boys swim team meet @home versus Berkshire
• 4:00PM –Girl’s Volleyball game vs. Cranbrook @ home. 7th grade game begins at 4:00PM and 8th grade game immediately follows.

Thursday, March 4
• Fiesta Latina Field Trip – Chicago, IL – for 7/8 students previously signed up.
• 6:35 – 8:00AM –Boys swim team practice
• 7-8AM – Proud Dads Volleyball for 6th Grade Girls
• 8:15 – 9:30AM – 8th Grade Farewell Celebration Planning Meeting-media center
• 8:45-11:50AM - Field Trip - 6th graders in Mrs. Maliszewski & Mrs. Fitzgerald’s class go to the Environmental Center. Please ensure children are dressed for the weather – jackets/coats, gloves/mittens, rain gear, hats & boots may all be needed.
• 3:20-4:05PM ––7th & 8th grade Girls Volleyball practice during choice hour.
• 6:30-8:00PM – Proud Dad’s CO-ED Basketball – 3rd-6th grades
• 7 PM – Friends of Different Learners Meeting – “Understanding Dyslexia” in the BCS Media Center


Friday, March 5
• Fiesta Latina Field Trip – Chicago, IL – for 7/8 students previously signed up.
• 6:35 – 8:00AM –Boys swim team practice
• 7 – 8:00 AM–7th grade Girls Volleyball practice
• 8:45-11:50AM - Field Trip – 5th graders in Mr. Bishop & Mrs. Cook’s class go to the Environmental Center. Please ensure children are dressed for the weather – jackets/coats, gloves/mittens, rain gear, hats & boots may all be needed.

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)
- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks
Monday –Sloppy Joe on Wheat bun -Chips, Corn
Tuesday –Mini Corn Dogs-Butter Noodles, Peas and Carrots
Wednesday –Pizza Bagels or Greek Salad-Small salad
Thursday – Baked Chicken Tenders-Mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables
Friday –Egg Roll/Chicken or Vegetable-Rice or broccoli


7/8 WINTER BAND CONCERT
The BCS 7th & 8th grade winter concert was postponed because of the snow day on Wednesday, February 10. The concert has been re-scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, 2010 in the BCS cafeteria. The concert begins at 7:00pm.

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART – 3rd & 4th GRADERS
Attention 3rd and 4th graders and their families!!!! It’s time for Jump Rope For Heart and all of the information will be coming to you this week! This 3rd /4th grade event will take place during your child’s physical education class March 10th through 12th. We will be in need of numerous parent volunteers on those days so please check your schedules. You can contact Mr. Johansson (wj01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us) or Mrs. Kelmigian (jk11bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us) if you are interested in helping on those days. The class days/times are as follows:

Wednesday, March 10th 2:20-3:10 Parkin/Wallington
Thursday, March 11th 1:25-2:20 Frishman/Butzin
Thursday, March 11th 2:25-3:10 Burns/Harvath
Friday, March 12th 1:35-2:20 Davis/Seley

Your children will be bringing home a letter from the American Heart Association and a collection envelope for donations from family and friends. Cardiovascular disease and strokes are America’s number one and number three killers and touch all of our lives. Jump Rope For Heart raises funds for research and programs to reduce heart disease, stroke and their risk factors and improve health in people of all ages. Please support your child’s efforts in raising money and participating in this fun and worthwhile event.


THE BCS BLAST - Visit the Blast tab on www.BCSonline.info for up-to-date information on THE BLAST
Attention all BCS Families: the BLAST is right around the corner and we are excited to offer these wonderful opportunities to our community:
• Corporate Sponsors - donations with a value of $250 - $499 will receive advertisement on the Corporate Sponsor banner to be displayed in the cafeteria during the Blast. Corporate sponsors will be mentioned on the www.bcsonline.info website and is listed in the 2010 auction booklet and on the Blast T-shirt.
*Donations with a value of $500 or more will receive advertisement on the Platinum Corporate Sponsor banner to be prominently displayed in the cafeteria during the Blast and in the school for the remainder of the school year. Platinum Corporate Sponsor receives a one year advertisement on the www.bcsonline.info home page and is listed in the 2010 auction booklet and on the Blast T-shirt.
• Family Patron - $100 gets you valet parking, priority auction checkout, and a t-shirt.
• We are also looking for donations to our auction:
1) Tickets to sporting events you, or your company, or vendor(s), have access to always work well at the auction.
2) Your company’s product or service.
3) Golf or hunting outings are very popular
4) Sports memorabilia.
5) Access to Houses / Condominiums / Timeshares in resort areas are a huge auction cash generator!

Please email Laura Meso at laurameso@comcast.net or Therese Fortney at therese521@comcast.net with any item you would like to donate to the 2010 Blast auction. Download donation forms at www.bcsonline.com/blast . Thank you all for your continued support to BCS and your children! You’re the best! From your Blast co-chairs, Karen Best & Ken Gilbert.



Football Opportunity at Seaholm
8th graders who are interested in playing football at Seaholm for the Fall 2010 season are invited to attend the Seaholm Football Kick Off Meeting on Sunday, March 28 at 1:00 pm in the Seaholm Cafeteria. For more information, send an email to seaholmFB2010@aol.com or call Booster President Craig Frye at 248.790.0049.

Remember Carpool Thursdays and Trash Free Fridays