Sept 26-30 W.A.G.

September 25, 2011

Dear BCS Families,

I hope you were able to enjoy the beautiful weekend!  We need to take advantage of the weather since we know what is around the corner!

I spent this weekend up north with my two sons helping my father bring in the dock, put away the boats, rearrange the furniture, and prepare for a long winter.  This particular weekend is not a weekend we look forward to!  

I quickly found myself out of breath, sore, and losing steam much sooner than usual.  I suddenly realized...I am getting old!  

I remember a time I could move furniture, take the dock out myself, and play a football game with my kids without needing a break.  This weekend reminded me time is not on my side!   

Following the day of physical activity, I picked up a book sitting on the kitchen counter titled, Lists to Live By.  Flipping through the pages, one list jumped out at me, Four Tips For Staying Young.  I know its all relative, I know we all go through the aging process, and I know, at times, our brains tell us we are 18 but our bodies remind us we are not!  The list helped me realize I needed to quit feeling sorry for myself and focus on the positive things about the day. I hope the list helps you do the same.  

Have a great week!

Adam

Four Tips For Staying Young

1. Your mind is not old, keep developing it.

2. Your humor is not over, keep enjoying it.

3. Your strength is not gone, keep using it.

4. Your opportunities have not vanished, keep pursing them.

WEEK AT A GLANCE –   Week of September 26-30, 2011

(Disclaimer:  Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something) 

? To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email mz07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us  by  THURSDAY 11PM 

Monday, September 26

• 6:45 -8 AM Girls Basketball Practice
• 7-8 AM Cross Country Practice
• 8:30-10:30 AM 8^th Grade Celebration Committee Meeting- Media Center
• 4:00 PM Boys Soccer @ Cranbrook Middle School. Check highschoolsports.net for directions to the school. 
• 4:05-6 PM First Lego Robotics Club Meeting - Media Center
• Online Math -IXL - Subscription renewal form and payment due to Office by 4 PM(SEE BELOW FOR FORM)
• 6:30-9 PM Proud Dads Flag Raising and Annual Meeting-Cafeteria

Tuesday, September 27

• 4:00 PM Cross Country Meet-HOME v. Abbot Middle School (all home meets are at Beverly Park)
• 4:00 PM Boys Soccer @ East Hills Middle School. Check highschoolsports.net for directions to the school. 
• 4:00PM Girls basketball game @ Orchard Lake Middle School, 8^th grade game starts after 7^th grade game is finished.  Check highschoolsports.net for directions to the school. 

Wednesday, September 28

• 7-8 AM Cross Country Practice
• 2:45-3:45 PM Market Day Pick-up-Front Hall
• Fresh Popcorn Sold during Choice Hour
• 4:00PM Girls basketball game Derby Middle School, 8^th grade game starts after 7^th grade game is finished.  Check highschoolsports.net for directions to the school. 
• 4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice
• Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown

Thursday, September 29

• 6:45 -8 AM Girls Basketball Practice
• 2:50 PM FIRE DRILL-Parents please be aware when picking up your child
• 3:15-4:05 Cross Country Practice
• 3:15-5:15 7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

Friday, September 30

• 6:45 -8 AM Girls Basketball Practice
• 4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice
• Rosh Hashanah ends

Saturday ,October 1

• MULCH DAY-9 AM-2PM see below for more information
• 6 PM Proud Dads Tennis-Birmingham Raquet Club

Hot Entrée menu for the week:  (subject to change, if necessary)

-          Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks

Monday – Popcorn Chicken Bowl, Mashed Potatoes ,Steamed Corn, BBQ Chicken Pizza

Tuesday – Grilled Cheese or Grilled Ham and Cheese, Cup of Chicken Noodle Soup, Caesar Salad, Nacho Supreme

Wednesday – Hot Turkey or Philly Sub, Pasta Salad, Steamed Carrots, Hawaiian Pizza

Thursday –Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Meat or Marinara Sauce,Steamed Green Beans,Chicken Enchilada 

Friday –Egg,Ham and Cheese Biscuit,Baked Home Fries,Fresh Fruit Cup,Chicken Fajita Pizza

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

NOTES:

3/4 SWIM & GYM SCHEDULE for 1st Marking Period

Harvath and Maliszewski homerooms will be in SWIM CLASS until Thursday, Oct 6th students should be prepared with swimsuits and towels.

Butzin, Frishman, Davis, Seley, Parkin, and Wallington will be in GYM CLASS until Thursday, Oct 6th – students should be prepared with gym shoes 

PROUD DADS OF BCS

The PROUD DADS one and only meeting for the school year is on Monday, Sept 26, 2011.  The doors open at 6:30PM and the flag raising ceremony starts at 6:45PM.  "This meeting is key to perpetuating our collective momentum as fathers interested in providing the best overall experience for our children.  PLEASE JOIN US! 

The PROUD DADS OF BCS

YEARBOOK ORDERING INFORMATION 

Yearbooks AND Proud Parent ads can be ordered online this year. Go to http://bcsonline.info/Parent_Resources/Yearbooks.html for more information. Online price of only $35 for a yearbook ends November 18, 2011. Deadline for Proud Parent ads is January 22, 2012

TUESDAY MORNING BAGELS

Hip Hip Hooray Tuesday Morning Bagel Sales Are On Their Way. The PTSA 8th grade Celebration Committee will begin selling bagels on Tuesday, October 11th.   Bagels can be purchased each week for $1.25 (cream cheese .25 cents) or can be pre-purchased for the year for $35.(which includes cream cheese)  To pre-purchase, please download a form at www.bcsonline.infoThe 8th Grade Celebration Committee 

News from the Green Committee

Now that school is back in session the Green Committee would like to invite you all to participate in out Green Committee .Our purpose is to brainstorm ways to help our students become better environmental stewards.Last year we had great success with parent suggestions like the lunch time gardening club and bottle cap mural. If you would like to particpate please contact Pauline Roberts at pr05bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us

Choice Hour Information

We are no longer accepting choice hour changes but you can drop your child from a choice hour class at any time during the quarter.  Drop forms are available in the office or at bcsonline.info.

There are several procedures that you can follow if your child is unable to attend choice hour.

• You can call 248-203-4625 to leave a message.
• You can send a note to the office with your child.
• You can email Linda Stone at ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us
• You can stop by the office to sign them out.  If you will be picking up your child during the choice hour period, please come into the building to sign them out.  You will be asked to present identification, issued a pink slip and then you will be directed to the Choice Hour desk where the 7^th and 8^th grade Choice Hour assistants will be happy to locate your child for you.  

Students that do not have Choice Hour need to be picked up by 3:20 PM. If they are not in a Choice Hour class and are not picked up by 3:30 PM you will be charged a $5.00 fee.

If your child does not have a Choice Hour class on any given day but needs to stay  please contact Linda Stone so that proper arrangements can be made.  There is a $5.00 fee for this service!

Questions regarding the Choice Hour program should be directed to Linda Stone at 248-203-4625 or ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us.  Questions regarding Choice Hour scheduling should be directed to Jennifer Brown at 248-203-4426 or jb18bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us

BCS Proud Dads Tennis Lessons-Openings STILL available

Lessons are again offered at the Birmingham Racquet Club
Saturday classes will run at 6pm from September 24 to November 12
The cost is $96-
These classes are for beginning and intermediate players grades 3-6

 Students will be registered when they return form(on bcsonline.info) , payment and waiver 

BCS MULCH DAY (DATE CHANGE) - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1^st 

Summer is officially on the wane and it’s time for a bit of Summer is officially on the wane and it’s time for a bit of gardening at BCS. We pride ourselves on being the school where parents give more than almost anywhere else. Sometimes that involves putting on work gloves and getting wood chips in our shoes. Don't look now, but it’s one of those times once again.We need volunteers (at least 20!) to come out at 9:00am on Saturday, October 1 with rakes, brooms and wheelbarrows to spread mulch on our two gardens. With a decent turnout (did I mention that at least 20 would be good?), we should be done by noon. Just in time to watch your favorite team play football.Please reply to Mike Anderson with your intentions to come out and help at mike@mccanco.com.  Please don't leave it to the other guy to do all the heavy lifting. Let's show up, share the load and get it done for BCS. Look forward to seeing you there.

.

INFO FROM THE MEDIA SPECIAST FOR APPLE USERS 

Does your child use an Apple iPod, iPad, or Macbook for school?  If so, it would be beneficial to your child to set up their school email account in the Apple’s mail client.  Here’s what to do:

1.        Go to “Settings”

2.       Select “Mail, Contacts, Calendars”

3.       Select “Add Account”

4.       Select “Microsoft Exchange”

5.       For “Email,” enter the student’s full email.  This is their username @birmingham.k12.mi.us.  (For example, amt1@birmingham.k12.mi.us

6.       Leave the “Domain” field blank

7.       For “Username,” enter the student’s full email address once again – username@birmingham.k12.mi.us.  

8.       For “Password,” enter the student’s password.

9.       The “Description” will automatically be something like “Exchange,” but you can change this to something that may help your child identify it better, such as “BPS School Email.”

10.   Click “Next.”

11.   Another window similar to the previous one will appear, and it will also ask for “Server.”  Enter the following: owa.birmingham.k12.mi.us

12.   Click next.  After verification, be sure to click SAVE! 

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

Clip Box Tops and earn cash for BCS!
Each Box Top coupon is worth 10 cents.
Just clip and turn in to the office.  It's EASY!
Start clipping today

REMEMBER -October 7 and November 4 are "NO SCHOOL" Days for Elementary and BCS students!

Register your children for District-wide Kids Club for Grades K-5 at Bingham Farms Elementary.

 Visit Birmingham Community Education’s website at www.communityed.net and Go to "Courses," and then under YOUTH PROGRAMS choose "Recess Programs" for more information 

Food Service Reaches Out to the Community… During these challenging economic times we want to continue our commitment to the nutritional lunch meal that each student receives at Birmingham Public Schools. If a student or family lunch account becomes behind we will continue to provide students with a meal of milk, cheese and fruit – meeting all of the nutritive guidelines for dairy, protein and fruit / vegetable. Our goal is not to minimize what we are offering but to give the student foods with nutrition value for a limited time while we work with their parents to bring their accounts up to date or pack a lunch for them if necessary. We offer several alternatives for families to pay for meals at Birmingham Public Schools. Online pre-payment through www.mymealtime.com is an excellent alternative and is now available without a surcharge. Through an account at the mymealtime site you can also receive an email notification when your students’ account is low. 

If you would like to investigate the federal programs for providing student meals for free or at a reduced cost, the forms are available at any school office and as well at the www.mymealtime.com site. 

If you have any questions about the foodservices program at Birmingham Public Schools, please contact our foodservice department at 248-203-3966 or 203-3965.

MATH SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

This summer we were fortunate to have the PTSA fund IXL, an online math program that allowed BCS students to practice their math skills at their individual levels and at their own pace.   IXL is an interactive, online program that provides students with practice problems from every content standard in grades K – 8 and Algebra.   IXL generates up to 37 different reports that students, parents and teachers can use to see grade-level proficiency, trouble spots, and progress toward meeting state and common core standards.

 We have had great feedback from parents and students who actively used the program this summer.  Teachers are also excited about the reinforcement and enrichment opportunities it provides for their students.

The summer license will expire next week and we would like to continue to provide access to all BCS students during the 2011-2012 school year.  A year subscription for a personal student account normally costs $99, but If we continue the same subscription, the price is substantially reduced to $5 per student.  

 To make this happen, we are asking each family for a $5 donation per student to help support the renewal of our license. (That is $5.00 for a $99.00 subscription!)

Please fill out the form and send it to the office by Monday, September 26th in an envelope labeled IXL. Payment can be by cash or check (made payable to BCS.)

 If you have any questions about the IXL program please contact Tammy Brown at tb03bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us.

Sincerely, BCS Math Teachers 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Child (ren)’s Name (s): ___________________________________________________________

                                                                         (PLEASE PRINT )

Childr(en)’s Homeroom Teacher(s): ________________________________________________

                                                                                                             (PLEASE PRINT )

Check one:      _____ $5 Cash       _____ $5 Check made out to BCS

Nancy Lieberman BASKETBALL CAMP- Co-sponsored with Birmingham Community Education

To enhance kids skills, competitiveness, confidence, self-esteem, decision making, and basic basketball fundamentals 

WHEN: October 29, 2011 

TIME: 9:00am-12:00 noon 

WHERE: Seaholm High School 

2436 West Lincoln Street 

Birmingham, Mi 48009 

WHO: Boys and Girls ages 5-17 

PRICE: $45.00 per camper. $30.00 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your child’s spot in camp. Includes camp T-shirt and signed Nancy Lieberman poster. 

Camp is conducted by NANCY LIEBERMAN Basketball Hall of Famer, 2X Olympian, former Head Coach/GM for the Detroit Shock, NBA Development League Head Coach for the Dallas Mavericks Affiliate team (Texas Legends) in Frisco, TX 

Things to remember: 

Please arrive 20 minutes early, bring your own basketball, and don’t forget your smile!! 

For more information, call (972) 473-2121, visit nancylieberman.com, or fax to 972-473-2139

NOTE TO BCS/BPS FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Comcast has introduced a program called Comcast Internet Essentials. This offer is for any BPS students receiving free lunches (not reduced lunches) through the National School Lunch Program. In an effort to bridge the “Digital Divide” it provides:

Home Internet Access for $9.95 per month

An Optional Netbook Computer for $149.00

Free Internet Training – Online, Print

Comcast has launched the program and is now accepting applications.For more information, see the Comcast website:http://internetessentials.com/

REQUEST FROM 7/8 ENGAGE

Our 7/8 Engage group would like to ask for help in the success of our project, We have three surveys that we have created for students, teachers and parents.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2ZF76CC -Parent Survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CK6796G -Student Survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C83BVF6 -Teacher Survey

September 18, 2011


Dear BCS Families,

It is uncommon these days for someone to not have some sort of GPS (global positioning system). Many cars are now equipped with this service, there are numerous brands of GPS devices for us to purchase, and now many phones have GPS capabilities. It is almost impossible for us to get lost. Directions to our destinations are only one click away. Depending on the GPS device you own, you hear a voice, see a map, or both. Rarely do these directions steer you in the wrong direction. Overtime, many of us become dependent on our GPS devices and do not leave home without it!

Recently, I drove to Alpena, Michigan. I, of course, sat in my car and typed in the address to my destination. The GPS quickly showed the safest and quickest route…4 hours and 14 minutes. Leaving at 7:30 a.m. gave me enough time to make my 12:00 p.m. meeting. 2 hours into my drive I realized the GPS was taking me in a direction different than what I planned. I wanted to take I-75 to 23 and drive through Tawas, a place where I spent many summer days as a child. My GPS was directing me to drive past 23 and take 65 to Alpena. Knowing the GPS was programmed to take me in the safest, quickest route, I contemplated going with its directions and ignoring the route I wanted to take. It was a long 20 miles going north on 75 trying to decide what to do.

As I approached 23 North and had to make a decision, I realized that the GPS in my car was a lot like the GPS in our lives. We all have destinations in our lives we want to reach and there are always voices or maps that are available to help us get there. These voices and maps come in many different forms, such as parents, friends, college entrance exams, or our careers to name a few. All of our destinations in life have a road map and we often find ourselves contemplating whether to follow the directions or not. In some cases, it makes sense to follow the safest and quickest route, especially since these directions have been researched, tested, and proven to work. There are times in our life, however, where the safest and quickest route will just not do. Driving north on 75 I realized that if I didn’t turn right onto 23, I would miss my opportunity to visit a destination that continues to be an important part of my childhood memories. It certainly was not my final destination that day, but was worth veering off the road map for a short time. Turning onto 23, my GPS reminded me I was off route. I pressed recalculate and it continued to give me routes to go back on 75. It became clear I was on my own if I decided to stick with my plan. When it was all said and done, I made my destination. I was a little late for my 12:00 p.m. meeting and used more gas than what the original route predicted. The GPS was right, the route I took was not the quickest, but as I stood there in Alpena to begin my meeting, I was confident that the route I took was the right route for me.


I was reminded that in life we should use our GPS devices, but let’s not rely on them! Sometimes we have to go our own way!

Have a great week,


Adam



WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of September 19-23, 2011

(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)


Ø To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email mz07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by THURSDAY 11PM







Monday, September 19



· 6:45 -8 AM Girls Basketball Practice



· 7-8 AM Cross Country Practice



· 4:05-6 PM First Lego Robotics Club Meeting - Media Center



4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

Tuesday, September 20



· 4:00 PM Cross Country Exhibition Meet-Beverly Park



4:00PM Girls basketball game @ West Hills Middle School, 8th grade game starts after 7th grade game is finished. Check highschoolsports.net for directions to the school.

· 4:00 PM Boys Soccer @ HOME v. Bloomfield Hills Middle School



· 7:00 PM Blast Committee Meeting-Media Center



· 7: PM Board of Education Meeting



Wednesday, September 21



· 6:45 -8 AM Girls Basketball Practice



· 7-8 AM Cross Country Practice



· Fresh Popcorn sold during Choice Hour



4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

· 6:30 PM Technology Committee Meeting-Media Center



Thursday, September 22



· 6:45 -8 AM Girls Basketball Practice



· 12:30 PM Lunch with the Principals-bring a lunch and join the PTSA in Digital Video West(next to Room 100)



· 1:15 PM PTSA Clearinghouse Meeting immediately following lunch



3:15-5:15 7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

· 4:00 PM Cross Country Meet (Home) at Beverly Park v.WHMS and Berkley



6:00pm PTSA Curriculum Refreshments & Chat for 7 /8

6:30pm 7 /8 Back to School Night - Curriculum Presentations

· Market Day Internet orders due by Midnight



Friday, September 23



· 6:45 -8 AM Girls Basketball Practice



· 4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice



Saturday, September 24



· 6 PM Proud Dads tennis-Birmingham Racquet Club



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, Baked Potato Rounds, Steamed Broccoli, Mexican pizza



Tuesday – Roasted Beef Grinder on Wheat Bun, Scalloped Potatoes, Coleslaw, Cheese Quesadilla



Wednesday – General Tso’s Chicken, Steamed Brown Rice, Steamed Carrots, Supreme Pizza



Thursday – French Bread Pizza, Small Fresh Garden Salad, Fresh Fruit Cup, Zesty Beef Burrito



Friday – Meatballs and Gravy, Tossed Noodles, Steamed Green Beans, Mea Lover’s Pizza











PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION























NOTES:







3/4 SWIM & GYM SCHEDULE for 1st Marking Period



Harvath and Maliszewski homerooms will be in SWIM CLASS until Thursday, Oct 6th students should be prepared with swimsuits and towels.



Butzin, Frishman, Davis, Seley, Parkin, and Wallington will be in GYM CLASS until Thursday, Oct 6th – students should be prepared with gym shoes .



ATHLETICS UPDATES



Basketball heats up on Tuesday, 9/20 as our BCS Lady Cobras take on West Hills Middle School in the first away games of the season! Students will depart from BCS at approximately 3:00 PM and the games will start at 4:00 PM. Please check the girls basketball website for further information (http://bcsonline.info/Athletics/GBasketball.html) on this year’s season.



Cross Country runs their first meet(Exhibition) on Tuesday, 9/20 against Derby and Berkley at Beverly Park at 4:00 PM! Please be sure to see the cross country website (http://bcsonline.info/Athletics/CrossCountry.html) for a listing of the upcoming meets. Home meets will be held at Beverly Park. If you were not able to make it to the parent meeting last week, please be sure to contact Coach Geisler for more information.



Soccer kicks off their first game at home Tuesday, 9/20 at 4:00 PM against Bloomfield Hills Middle School ! Be sure to check out the schedule for this season online (http://bcsonline.info/Athletics/BSoccer.html) and come to root on our BCS Boys Soccer Team.



YEARBOOK ORDERING INFORMATION



Yearbooks AND Proud Parent ads can be ordered online this year. Go to http://bcsonline.info/Parent_Resources/Yearbooks.html for more information. Online price of only $35 for a yearbook ends November 18, 2011. Deadline for Proud Parent ads is January 22, 2012



MATH TOOLS ORDER INFORMATION



The BCS Math department offers families the opportunity to purchase calculators, geotemplates and everyday math games for your child's personal use. Please take a moment to review the “BCS Math Tools Order Form” at bcsonline.info, to see if you are interested in any of the items listed. Each item includes the 6% sales tax required by the state of Michigan. Please contact your child’s math teacher if you need more details.



To place an order, please download the order form, complete it and attach payment and return to your child's math teacher or Laurie Huff by 4:00PM Friday, September 23.



Math tools that are ordered should be available to be delivered to each student in mid October.



News from the Green Committee



Now that school is back in session the Green Committee would like to invite you all to participate in out Green Committee .Our purpose is to brainstorm ways to help our students become better environmental stewards.Last year we had great success with parent suggestions like the lunch time gardening club and bottle cap mural. If you would like to particpate please contact Pauline Roberts at pr05bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us



3 /4 Engage INFORMATION



Your students will be using the software Audacity for several projects. Many students really enjoy this software and love to record their voice and hear it playback. We would like your child to be able to play with this software at home to become familiar with it. It's a free download from:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ (You want to download the application and the LAME MP3 encoder.)

If you would like to know more about using this program, just search Google with the keywords “audacity tutorial” and you will find a bunch. Or, visit our howto wiki.

http://howto.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Audacity



BCS BLAST MEETING

The BCS Blast committee will be having our first meeting on Tuesday, September 20th at 7:00PM in the media center. The BCS Blast is the biggest fund raiser of the year for our school. The BCS Blast is a fun filled afternoon and early evening of carnival games, bouncy inflatables, delicious food, prizes for the kids, cake walk, raffle and silent auction. If you're new to BCS, this is an event you won't want to miss.

The Blast has several committees and we invite all who would like to attend our meeting to join us. We have several openings that need to be filled for this year's event. This is a fun opportunity to meet and work with other BCS parents while helping our school raise much needed funds. Please get involved and join us this Tuesday.







Choice Hour Information



Just wanted to share an interesting tidbit with you! Jennifer Brown has processed close to 300 choice hour changes so far this quarter. Please understand that with this amount of paperwork there are bound to be problems. If for some reason we still haven’t “fixed” your child’s choice hour schedule let us know so that we can get it right. Thank you for your patience with some of these changes !!! Thank you Jennifer! (Jennifer is new to BCS and has done an amazing job. It is not an easy task, and it is not her only responsibility!) We are no longer accepting choice hour changes but you can drop your child from a choice hour class at any time during the quarter. Drop forms are available in the office or at bcsonline.info.



There are several procedures that you can follow if your child is unable to attend choice hour.



· You can call 248-203-4625 to leave a message.



· You can send a note to the office with your child.



· You can email Linda Stone at ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us



· You can stop by the office to sign them out. If you will be picking up your child during the choice hour period, please come into the building to sign them out. You will be asked to present identification, issued a pink slip and then you will be directed to the Choice Hour desk where the 7th and 8th grade Choice Hour assistants will be happy to locate your child for you.



Students that do not have Choice Hour need to be picked up by 3:20 PM. If they are not in a Choice Hour class and are not picked up by 3:30 PM you will be charged a $5.00 fee.







If your child does not have a Choice Hour class on any given day but needs to stay please contact Linda Stone so that proper arrangements can be made. There is a $5.00 fee for this service!







Questions regarding the Choice Hour program should be directed to Linda Stone at 248-203-4625 or ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us. Questions regarding Choice Hour scheduling should be directed to Jennifer Brown at 248-203-4426 or jb18bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us .



First Lego League Club



It will be meeting at 4:05, after choice hour, on Monday September 19. We will gather in the Media Center and walk down to the Lego Robotics classroom. Please be sure to send an extra snack and make arrangements for getting home at 6pm. Any questions, please email newdawnagain@yahoo.com



BCS Proud Dads Tennis Lessons



Lessons will be again offered at the Birmingham Racquet Club

Saturday classes will run at 6pm from September 24 to November 12

The cost is $96

These classes are for beginning and intermediate players grades 3-6

Capacity is limited. Students will be registered when they return form(on bcsonline.info) , payment and waiver



BCS MULCH DAY (DATE CHANGE) - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1st



Summer is officially on the wane and it’s time for a bit of Summer is officially on the wane and it’s time for a bit of gardening at BCS. We pride ourselves on being the school where parents give more than almost anywhere else. Sometimes that involves putting on work gloves and getting wood chips in our shoes. Don't look now, but it’s one of those times once again.



We need volunteers (at least 20!) to come out at 9:00am on Saturday, October 1 with rakes, brooms and wheelbarrows to spread mulch on our two gardens. With a decent turnout (did I mention that at least 20 would be good?), we should be done by noon. Just in time to watch your favorite team play football.



Please reply to Mike Anderson with your intentions to come out and help at mike@mccanco.com. Please don't leave it to the other guy to do all the heavy lifting. Let's show up, share the load and get it done for BCS. Look forward to seeing you there.



NOTE TO BCS/BPS FAMILY AND FRIENDS



Comcast has introduced a program called Comcast Internet Essentials. This offer is for any BPS students receiving free lunches (not reduced lunches) through the National School Lunch Program. In an effort to bridge the “Digital Divide” it provides:



Home Internet Access for $9.95 per month



An Optional Netbook Computer for $149.00



Free Internet Training – Online, Print







Comcast has launched the program and is now accepting applications.



For more information, see the Comcast website:



http://internetessentials.com/







Food Service Reaches Out to the Community…



During these challenging economic times we want to continue our commitment to the nutritional lunch meal that each student receives at Birmingham Public Schools. If a student or family lunch account becomes behind we will continue to provide students with a meal of milk, cheese and fruit – meeting all of the nutritive guidelines for dairy, protein and fruit / vegetable. Our goal is not to minimize what we are offering but to give the student foods with nutrition value for a limited time while we work with their parents to bring their accounts up to date or pack a lunch for them if necessary.



We offer several alternatives for families to pay for meals at Birmingham Public Schools. Online pre-payment through www.mymealtime.com is an excellent alternative and is now available without a surcharge. Through an account at the mymealtime site you can also receive an email notification when your students’ account is low.



If you would like to investigate the federal programs for providing student meals for free or at a reduced cost, the forms are available at any school office and as well at the www.mymealtime.com site.



If you have any questions about the foodservices program at Birmingham Public Schools, please contact our foodservice department at 248-203-3966 or 203-3965.







BCS and Berkshire 8th grade Soccer Players – 8th grade soccer players are invited to a Groves Varsity Soccer Game against Royal Oak on Friday, September 23. The game starts at 7 pm at Groves Stadium. In order to get a free pass to the game, please sign up your name by visiting the Groves Soccer Website, www.grovessoccer.com. Click “invitation to BPS 8th graders” on the page and follow the directions. First 20 8th graders who show at the game will get spirit-items!

New Head Cook- Sharon Morris and Our Free Popcorn Winners!

Sept 12-16 WAG

September 11, 2011

Dear BCS Families,

The first week is over and as I stand back and reflect, I am very excited about the upcoming year! Our 3-4 Curriculum night was held Thursday and seeing new families at BCS is always refreshing! Please join me in welcoming our new students and families as they begin their journey here at Covington!

A few highlights for the first week:
Schedules:
Teachers, students, and parents have been trying to become familiar with our new schedules this year. Changes such as the Monday and Friday 7/8 electives, 5/6 and 3/4 switching lunches, and moving co-curricular times for all grade levels, have created some confusion and anxiety. I have to give credit to our team and to the students for making it through the first week and having an open mind to these necessary changes!

Please know that the adjustments to our schedules have to do with many dynamics, both building and district wide. A good example of how our schedule flexibility may be limited is how we share co-curricular teachers with other buildings. For example, one of our 3-4 Spanish teachers also teaches at Berkshire and Derby Middle Schools. These various dynamics come into play when scheduling our staff and will sometimes limit us on the classes we can offer at various times. If you have any questions regarding our new schedules, please feel free to contact me.

Parking Lot:

The first week seemed to go very well in our new parking lot. If you have not experienced the parking lot yet, but plan on picking up or dropping off your child soon, you may see a short video on the new procedures at http://www.adamhartleybcs.blogspot.com/

Please scroll down under last week’s WAG to see the video.

BCS Team

I would like to express my thanks to our BCS team. Teachers, office staff, custodians, choice hour staff, etc…- THANK YOU for your hard work to make our first week a week to remember!

G.E.E.K.ed and Tweaked

Please join us in advocating for our students to ask questions, reflect on the process of learning, and be empowered to make their own decisions. Here at BCS we want our learners to ask questions about what they are learning, why they are learning it, and how it connects to making their world a better place…

This week, Ms. Share and Mrs. Cruz introduced a new 7/8 elective here at BCS. Global Literacy will connect our students with Seaholm Flex students as they collaborate in publishing online information for a global audience. Global Literacy will focus on 21st Century teaching and learning as it relates to the world of publishing. Ms. Share and Mrs. Cruz have truly Tweaked and G.E.E.K.ed this elective to prepare our learners for the future by providing them real and relevant experiences!!

9/11

We will conduct a moment of silence on Monday in honor of those who were lost ten years ago on this tragic day. Teachers may have various grade appropriate discussions with their classes as well. Feel free to have a conversation with your child about the events of that day as many of them were not born…

The following links have been sent to the classroom teachers- You may want to use these as well if you are looking for resources (Thank you to Bingham Farms Principal- Russ Facione!):

http://www.brainpop.co.uk/humanities/historymodern/september11th/

An overall menu of items for Patriots Day (Sept 11th)

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/911/

Patriot Day Printables

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/911/printables/

The ABC’s of Patriotism- Lots of activities and printable to reinforce the Core Democratic Values of Patriotism.

http://www.abcteach.com/directory/theme_units/us_patriotism/

From Scholastic- Activities for younger children

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/911/teachers/activities.htm

3 E’s @ BCS

Please help us keep our character education on the forefront as we know it is our character that counts!

Education, Environment, Each Other…Our Moral Compass!

BCS Families- Welcome Back and thank you for your continued support in this journey we call learning!

G.E.E.K.ed about Leading,


Adam


WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of September 12-16, 2011

(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)



 To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email mz07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by THURSDAY 11PM


Monday, September 12

• 6:45-8 AM 7-8 Girls Basketball Try-outs

• 7-8 AM Cross Country Practice

• 11:00am PTSA Clearinghouse Management Committee Meeting

• 4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

Tuesday, September 13

• 6:45-8 AM 7-8 Girls Basketball Try-outs

• 7-8 AM Cross Country Practice

• 3:15-5:15PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

Wednesday, September 14

• Smile…..it’s PICTURE DAY at BCS. Every student will have their picture taken today. You can purchase pictures online or by using the picture order form. Read further down for important information

• 6:45-8 AM 7-8 Girls Basketball Try-outs

• 7 AM Cross Country TEAM Pictures

• 7-8 AM Cross Country Practice

• FIRST POPCORN DAY-BRING $ 1 Freshly popped popcorn is sold during choice hour for $1 in the main hall

• 4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice-TEAM PICTURE DAY

• 7 PM- PROUD DADS 7-8 GIRLS TENNIS CLUB MEETING-MEDIA CENTER

• 7:00pm BCS Webmasters Team Meeting- No experience is necessary to join, just an interest in updating and enhancing our website www.bcsonline.info. Please join us in the Media Center

Thursday, September 15

• 6:45-8 AM 7-8 Girls Basketball Try-outs

• 3:15-5:15PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

• 3:15 CHOICE HOUR Cross Country Practice

• 4:15pm 6-8 Cross Country - Parent Meeting Room101

• 6:00pm PTSA Curriculum Refreshments & Chat for 5/6

• 6:30pm 5/6 Back to School Night - Curriculum Presentations

Friday, September 16

• 6:45-8 AM 7-8 Girls Basketball Try-outs

• 7-8 AM Cross Country Practice-optional

• 3:20pm 7-8 Girls Basketball - Parent Meeting

• 4:00pm Deadline to Change Q1 Choice Hour classes

• 4:05-6PM-7-8 Boys Soccer Practice

• 6 PM Boys Soccer Team Parent Meeting

• 6:30pm Ice Cream Social

Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)

- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks

Monday – Whole Grain Pancakes or French Toast,Sausage,Fresh Fruit,BBQ Chicken Pizza

Tuesday – Whole Wheat Penne with Chicken and Alfredo,Garlic toast,Steamed Brocoli,Nachos Supreme

Wednesday – Home-Style Turkey w/Gravy,Mashed Potatoes,Stemed Green Beans,Hawiian Pizza

Thursday – BBQ Chicken w/Mac &Cheese,Flavorful Baked Beans,Beef Enchilada

Friday – Grilled Chicken or Veggie Caesar Wrap.Pasta Salad,Steamed Carrots,Meat Lover’s Pizza



PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

NOTES:

3/4 SWIM & GYM SCHEDULE for 1st Marking Period

Harvath and Maliszewski homerooms will be in SWIM CLASS until Thursday, Oct 6th students should be prepared with swimsuits and towels.

Butzin, Frishman, Davis, Seley, Parkin, and Wallington will be in GYM CLASS until Thursday, Oct 6th – students should be prepared with gym shoes .

ATHLETICS UPDATE

CROSS COUNTRY is off and running… The parent meeting will be held Thursday, 9/15 at 4:15 PM in room 101.

GIRLS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS start Monday at 6:45 AM. You must have an orange slip to try out.

BOYS SOCCER is underway! The Team is still looking for 7 / 8 grade boys who are interested in playing. The parent meeting will be Friday 9/16 6 PM after practice-check with Coach Mat Brown for more details mb06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us

FALL PICTURE DAY

Online ordering is available 24/7 beginning right now at www.schoolpictures.com. The BCS school code is AA0201. You select the background, picture packet and submit payment on the web – there is nothing your child has to bring to school. If online orders are placed before picture day, the photographers will know your background selection. The online ordering period is open through midnight, September 13.

The picture order form was provided in the packet picked up at registration. Extra forms are available in the office. Please send the completed picture form and payment in with your child. Your child will give the order form directly to the photographer.

We are in need of 5 – 10 parent volunteers to assist the photographers. We need volunteers for 2+ hour blocks or for the entire time. The blocks are 8:20-10:30AM and 10:30AM-1 PM. Volunteers will receive a $22 credit towards one portrait package. Please email Nancy Best with your availability at nb01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us to volunteer.

CHOICE HOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS

The 1st Quarter Choice Hour program is IN FULL SWING!. Choice Hour student selections are posted on the Choice Hour board in the main hallway and in each homeroom.

The change and refund deadline for QI Choice Hour is Friday September 16th! Choice Hour class change request forms can be found in the front office!! All approved QI Choice Hour changes will go into effect on Monday September 19th.

Questions regarding the Choice Hour program should be directed to Linda Stone at 248-203-4625 or ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us. Questions regarding Choice Hour schedules should be directed to Jennifer Brown at 248-203-4426 or jb18bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us

INFORMATION ABOUT 3 /4 ENGAGE

In Engage34, your students will be using the software Audacity for several projects. Many students really enjoy this software and love to record their voice and hear it playback. We would like your child to be able to play with this software at home to become familiar with it. It's a free download from:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ (You want to download the application and the LAME MP3 encoder.)

If you would like to know more about using this program, just search Google with the keywords “audacity tutorial” and you will find a bunch. Or, visit our howto wiki.

http://howto.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Audacity

Enjoy!

Engage34 Teachers

IMPORTANT INFORMATION from SODEXO FOOD SERVICES

Effective September 6th, 2011 we will be implementing an alternative lunch program for those students who are at a negative balance exceeding $5.00 in the elementary schools and $5.50 in the secondary schools.

The student will be given the option to have: a milk, a cheese stick and a fresh whole piece of fruit. The student will only be allowed to have an alternative lunch for 5 days.

Please contact David Andrejko if you have any questions

General Manager Sodexo / Birmingham Public Schools248 203 3965



YEARBOOK ORDERING INFORMATION

Please remind parents that they can order yearbooks AND Proud Parent ads online this year. Go to http://bcsonline.info/Parent_Resources/Yearbooks.html for more information. Online price of only $35 for a yearbook ends November 18, 2011. Deadline for Proud Parent ads is January 22, 2012.

FIRST LEGO LEAGUE

This is a Lego Robotics team that competes with area schools. A theme is presented and the team is scored on three parts: research and presentation, team cooperation, and accuracy of the robot in completing tasks. Our first meeting will be at 4:05 on Monday September 12, 2011 in the Lego Robotics classroom. All students in grades 3-8 are welcome. These meetings will be held in the Lego Robotics choice hour classroom on Mondays from 4:05-6:00. There will be no bus service home. The competition will take place (most likely) in Flint on a Saturday in November. Please email newdawnagain@yahoo.com with any questions you may have.

PROUD DADS TENNIS

BCS Proud Dads Tennis Lessons will be again offered at the Birmingham Racquet Club Saturday classes will run at 6pm from September 24 to November 12 The cost is $96 These classes are for beginning and intermediate players grades 3-6 Capacity is limited. Students will be registered when they return form(attached) , payment and waiver

http://www.bcsonline.info/Documents/Registration/17_Proud_Dads_Athletics_Parental_Approval_Form.pdf



A parent organizational meeting for a PROUD DADS GIRLS TENNIS CLUB is scheduled for 7pm Tuesday September 13 in the BCS Media Center. The girls tennis club is for 7/8 Girls with tennis experience. Girls will have 2 afterschool practices per week and several additional opportunities for match play against each other or in exhibition with local middle school teams. The cost of the 6 week program is estimated to be $150. Capacity will likely be limited to 12 girls unless we find additional courts.

Any questions about either activity can be directed to me, Pam Graham. 248.645.5328 (home) or bcstennis2011@gmail.com

BCS MULCH DAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th

Summer is officially on the wane and it’s time for a bit of gardening at BCS. We pride ourselves on being the school where parents give more than almost anywhere else. Sometimes that involves putting on work gloves and getting wood chips in our shoes. Don't look now, but it’s one of those times once again.

We need volunteers (at least 20!) to come out at 9:00am on Saturday, September 24 with rakes, brooms and wheelbarrows to spread mulch on our two gardens. With a decent turnout (did I mention that at least 20 would be good?), we should be done by noon. Just in time to watch your favorite team play football.

Please reply to Mike Anderson with your intentions to come out and help at mike@mccanco.com. Please don't leave it to the other guy to do all the heavy lifting. Let's show up, share the load and get it done for BCS.

Look forward to seeing you there.



NOTE TO BCS/BPS FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Comcast has introduced a program called Comcast Internet Essentials. This offer is for any BPS students receiving free lunches (not reduced lunches) through the National School Lunch Program. In an effort to bridge the “Digital Divide” it provides:

Home Internet Access for $9.95 per month

An Optional Netbook Computer for $149.00

Free Internet Training – Online, Print

Comcast has launched the program and is now accepting applications.

For more information, see the Comcast website:

http://internetessentials.com/