March 28, 2010
Dear BCS Families,
Spring is here and our school year will see its last quarter soon! Time flies when we are having fun! Fun can be described in many ways. Fun can be described as sitting and watching your college basketball bracket go sour because of all the upsets or fun can simply be a walk in the park with your family. There are many ways to have fun and many places to have fun in. The one place that I firmly believe that we must have fun is school. Some children simply love to learn and will have fun no matter what the subject is. Others, however, need to be encouraged to have fun. These students do not look at math or science as “fun” but rather something that they are made to do. It is for this reason that we must make learning fun for everyone.
Making learning fun takes a team effort between parents and teachers. It is this partnership that will form a child’s perception of what fun means when it comes to the school environment. This past week our teams here at BCS, along with the help from our parent community, proved that school can be fun! Our 3-4 team took a field trip to Henry Ford and were accompanied by parent volunteers. Our 3rd and 4th grade students learned about Michigan history and from what I hear, had a fun time learning! Our 5th and 6th grade team worked with the PTSA to bring Girls Empowered (for our female students) and Jim Basketball Jones (for our male students) to BCS to encourage our Boy/Girl Reading groups to be the very best they can be! Our 7-8 team had many engaging lessons this past week and continue to make our middle school environment positive and fun! Mr. Heard and I were able to see an example of the fun learning that takes place when we visited Mr. Prisciandaro’s Engineering Technology classroom where 8th grade students were discussing their wind turbine projects just inside from our new Windspire Turbine. These are just a few examples of how our students are having fun while learning with the help from our parent community.
As spring draws closer and the end of the year is near, let’s continue to work together for the benefit of the students and to allow them opportunities to have fun while learning! This can only happen if we ourselves are having fun. I have included a link to a short video that will hopefully inspire you to have fun and keep working as a team!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF4xHCgBaIQ&feature=related
Notice the quote that caught my attention in this video:
People rarely succeed unless they are having fun in what they are doing- Dale Carnegie
Have a great week!
Adam
WEEK AT A GLANCE – MARCH 29 – APRIL 2, 2010
(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)
PASSOVER: We will be observing a “no homework, no quiz or test” policy this upcoming week as many of our students will be absent on Tuesday to observe Passover. Specifically, the staff have been asked not to assign homework on Monday or Tuesday and not give quizzes or tests on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Monday, March 29
• 9:30-10:30 AM – School wide assembly in the gym-African Music and Dance
• 4:05-5:35PM – Optional pre-season girls soccer workout
• Passover begins at sundown
Tuesday, March 30 – PASSOVER
– if your child will be absent from school, please notify the BCS ATTENDANCE office (even if you have notified the teacher)
• 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
• 3:15-4:00PM – School store is closed today for inventory
• 4:05-5:35PM – Optional pre-season girls soccer workout
• 4:10 – 5:15PM – Track Practice
Wednesday, March 31
• 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.
• 4:05-5:35PM – Girls soccer try-outs
• 4:10 – 5:15PM – Track Practice
Thursday, April 1
• 7-8AM – Proud Dads Volleyball for 6th Grade Girls
• BCS Media Center Amnesty Day –return all overdue media center books and materials fine free!
• 8:15 – 9:30AM – 8th Grade Farewell Celebration Planning Meeting-media center
• 4:05-5:35PM – Girls soccer try-outs
Friday, April 2
• No School – Spring Break begins.
Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)
- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks
Monday –Ham and Cheese Bagel Melt- Onion Rings, green beans
Tuesday –Baked Chicken Nuggets-Roasted potatoes, broccoli
Wednesday –Beef Enchiladas-Fried Rice
Thursday – Beef Hot Dog or Chili Dog-Tater Tots
Friday – No School
To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email nb01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by FRIDAY 7AM
BCS Has been awarded…Michigan Green School – Evergreen Level.
Thank you to everyone that has worked hard this year to take BCS to the next level with our green initiatives! The dedication of BCS parent, Betsy Ewrin, and 5-6 Teacher, Pauline Roberts, along with the Green Committee at BCS, has made this award possible. Evergreen status is the highest status in the state!
We are making our carbon footprint smaller and educating our students at the same time!!
ATTENDANCE
We are asking for your assistance regarding absences and tardiness. Please email your child’s appointments and absences to bcsattendance@birmingham.k12.mi.us by 8:45 a.m. DAILY. This also applies if you have contacted your child’s teacher regarding the absence. It would be greatly appreciated if you used the email system, if at all possible. Phone messages are very time consuming and should be used as a last resort. Phone messages are also sometimes difficult to hear. Thanks so much for your cooperation.
BCS LIBRARY AMNESTY DAY - APRIL 1
On Thursday, April 1st, the last day before spring break, look through your lockers, bags, cubbies, classrooms, or anywhere else library books like to hide. Bring these items back to the media center for no-questions-asked, fine-free returns. The media center will be open at lunch and after school until 4:00pm for your book returning convenience. Any questions can be directed to Miss Samet, rs12bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
SPRING BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!!
If you love books and have 2 hours to spare, please contact Shiva Motlagh (shivamotlagh@comcast.net) to volunteer for the upcoming Spring Book Fair! If you have an upper class high school student who needs community service hours, we would welcome their help too! Helping at the fair is lots of fun and 25% of the proceeds go directly to the Media Center to buy books, ipods, materials, and furnishings!!
2 hour shifts are available during the following times:
Monday, April 19th - book fair set up- 8:30 am to 2:00 pm
Tuesday, April 20th - student preview times - 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Weds & Thurs April 21 & 22 - student preview/public sale - 8:30 am to 8:30 pm
Thursday April 22nd - book fair pack up - 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
NEW FAMILY ICE CREAM SOCIAL
The BCS Community Connections Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the New Family Ice Cream Social taking place on Friday, April 16. We are looking for volunteers to greet and help scoop ice cream from 11 - 12:30. Please contact Becky Bachand at dbachand@comcast.net or 248.593.8234 if you can help. Thanks!
GROVES HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
All 8th grade girls interested in playing volleyball at Groves next year should attend the Parent/Player Meeting on Tuesday, March 30 from 6:00-7:30 PM at Groves High School in Room G-1. Coach Lau looks forward to seeing you!
BIRMINGHAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION (BEF) GARAGE SALE
It’s time to do your SPRING cleaning and donate unwanted items to the Birmingham Education Foundation Garage Sale. Remember that the BEF supports education programs at all schools throughout the district. Donations appreciated: Clothing, furniture, toys, books, sports and exercise equipment, electronics, small appliances, pet, garden, and household items…
The garage sale is at @ Berkshire Middle School on Saturday, April 17, 9 am to 3 pm.
Early entry at 8 am for $1, Half price sale at noon, Bag Sale at 1:30.
Drop off you items on Thursday, April 15, 4 to 8 pm or Friday, April 16, 10 am to 7 pm, tax forms available.
Questions or to volunteer please contact Jane Polan, 248 626-2231, J5Polan@aol.com
STRIDES OF HOPE
BPS mom, Jan Wade, is organizing the Strides of Hope walk with her physician, Dr. Pamela Benitez, to take place at the Detroit Zoo on Saturday, April 17th. This event is sponsored by the Shades of Pink Foundation which provides temporary financial assistance to women who are experiencing financial distress as a result of breast cancer. Whether it is helping with a mortgage payment, the grocery bills, or an insurance premium, the Shades of Pink Foundation is committed to easing the financial burden of a breast cancer diagnosis.
Registration and Vendors open at 7:30am. The Opening Ceremony is at 8:30am and the 1 or 3 Mile Walk begins at 9:00am. Your registration includes the whole day at the zoo. Adults: $30 (or $50 with T-shirt), Children 12 and under: $7. Please visit http://www.shadesofpinkfoundation.org/a.html to register.
Elementary Science Olympiad
On Saturday, March 27th, thirty 4th and 5th grade students from BCS competed against eighteen teams at West Maple Elementary. The team worked hard and had a fantastic time. The following students brought home awards for their event.
2nd Place
Starry Starry Night – Zach Gusho & Don Rea
3rd Place
Jeopardy – Nathan Campbell, Tyler Erb, Ben Fisher & Philip Henricks
Water Rockets – Morgan Morrison, Leila Owens & Sierra Williams
4th Place
Jeopardy – Josh Chapnick, Kyle Chisholm, Nick Confer & Will Kingston
5th Place
Barge Building – Philip Henricks & Don Rea
Circuit Wizardry – Zach Gusho & Marshall Ross
6th Place
Circuit Wizardry – Matthew Wilkie & Alberto Whitmer
Crime Busters – Tess Helfrich & Larissa Michel
Overall, BCS Team 1 placed 4th in the Competition!!
Meet Author Kevin Kammeraad!
Date & Time: Thursday, April 15, 2010, at 7pm.
Location: Baldwin Public Library, 300 West Merrill Street, Birmingham, MI 48009
Books will be available for purchase. Contact the Baldwin Library (248-554-4670) for further information.
The Birmingham Education Foundation (www.supportbef.org) Author & Artist in Residency Program links children in the Birmingham Public Schools with a real author and/or artist. The BEF sponsors the author for a full day visit at each school site. Please note date changes for school visits at Pierce-New Date-April 13, 2010, Tuesday, Quarton-New Date-April 26, 2010, Monday, and BCS-New date-May 20, 2010 Thursday. This year the Author in Residence is Kevin Kammeraad. His interactive sessions at schools include performance, singing, spontaneous theatre, and writing. Students also have an opportunity to create a character from various scrap materials along with an original poem using Kammeraad’s The Tomato Collection as a mentor text. Prior to the visit of the guest author, students have read Kammeraad’s books and have been immersed in whole class and center activities.
Kevin Kammeraad, author of The Tomato Collection, has developed a growing collection of books, music, and educational activities. Kevin, a native of Grand Rapids, has a degree in film and video production. He writes, sings, draws and presents workshops at schools and other places. His only public appearance during his residency at the Birmingham Public Schools sponsored by the Birmingham Education Foundation will be at the Baldwin Public library. The April 15, 2010 public program is a family entertainment variety show. Don’t miss this great opportunity to hear and meet this popular author, illustrator and dynamic presenter.
See more pictures from Kevin’s school visits at the district media center web page http://bitgsquad.ning.com.
Please consider joining the new BPSWellness Google Group at www.groups.google.com/group/bpswellness.
The group was formed by the Birmingham Public Schools Wellness Committee. This committee has been responsible for helping to make the food our kids eat in school more healthy. Just recently, for example, the committee met with top managers of Prairie Farms Dairy to urge them to stop using high fructose corn syrup in flavored milks, and to reduce overall the amount of sweetener they are using in those milks. Prairie Farms were very receptive.
The Google Group is a great way to share information on health and wellness. The group is open to anyone, and all posts are public.
To start a new thread, simply send an email to bpswellness@googlegroups.com. To participate in the group through the group site, visit www.groups.google.com/group/bpswellness.
If you choose to join, you can set your subscription to send a copy of every message posted to the group as the messages are posted, or you can choose to receive just one email per day, or none at all.
Thank you to Clint Baller for this information.
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