November 6, 2011
Dear BCS Community,
Technology has changed the landscape of education and has changed the way both teachers and students approach teaching and learning. BCS students continue to reap the benefits of new innovations and the research behind the effective ways to motivate and engage our learners. The BCS team understands the importance of using relevant learning tools but also realizes we must be responsible in how and why we introduce tools into the classroom. A conversation I had with a few BCS teachers last week reminded me of this responsible approach and proved we continue to be wise in the area of technology integration.
It’s important we continue to look at technology through the lens of “cool vs school”. “Cool” meaning its new, its engaging, but does it really fit into our goals and desired outcomes? “School” is going beyond “cool”. Does the technology allow our learners to expand their knowledge, learn the expected content and provide them opportunities to customize their learning. Our desire is to take new technologies and move them from “cool” to “school”.
A good example of this are QR codes. Quick response codes are the little square codes you see in magazines or on cereal boxes now. These quick response codes, once scanned by your smartphone or ipod, will take you to any content attached to the code. Many times it is a business website. I have been playing around with QR codes this year and some of our BCS teachers and students have been discussing how they might fit into the classroom. One BCS classroom, under the leadership of students and by collaborating with other Birmingham schools, created a website last week called Traveling Books. The purpose is to share the books our students have enjoyed with others by mailing the books to other schools while receiving other books from them. Inside the books are a QR code that will take the reader to the website where they can write a review, discuss the book with other students across the district (and eventually beyond) and “order” another book. The QR code moved from being “cool” to “school” by making collaborating with others more accessible.
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| 3-4 Teacher Kim Davis' Blog |
The QR code will also allow visitors at BCS to have a quick glance inside our classrooms. For our open house on Sunday, December 4th, each classroom will have a QR code posted outside allowing visitors to scan and instantly see the teachers website, an introductory video, or picture slideshow of the class.
Technology continues to change rapidly making it very hard to keep up. When it is all said and done, we must continue to be responsible and wise when it comes to making sure “cool” moves to “school”. BCS is committed to continuing to use technology when it is appropriate and relevant, not just because it is cool!
Have a great week.
G.E.E.K.ed about Leading,
Adam
WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of November 7-11, 2011
(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed something)
Monday, November 7- HALLOWEEN CANDY COLLECTION IN THE OFFICE-see below
- Second Quarter Begins
- GRADES 3-6-SIGN UP FOR CONFERENCES OUTSIDE YOUR CHILD’S HOMEROOM
- 6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL TRY-OUTS
- 7-8 am Practice for Jingle Bell Run
- BCS Decal distributed to homerooms
- 8:30-9:15 AM-BATTLE OF THE BOOKS LAUNCH for 4TH& 5TH grades-MEDIA CENTER-go to bcsonline.info for informational flyer and permission slip
- Quarter II Choice Hours Begin-see announcement below for change instructions
- 7 PM Proud Dads Snow Club Meeting-Media Center
Tuesday, November 8-ELECTION DAY-REMEMBER TO VOTE
- GRADES 3-6-SIGN UP FOR CONFERENCES OUTSIDE YOUR CHILD’S HOMEROOM
- 6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL TRY-OUTS
- 8 AM BAGELS for Sale- for $1.25 (cream cheese .25 cents)in front of the Media Center
- 7 PM Blast Meeting-Media Center-Come Find Out Why We are a Blast
Wednesday, November 9
- GRADES 3-6-SIGN UP FOR CONFERENCES OUTSIDE YOUR CHILD’S HOMEROOM
- 6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL TRY-OUTS
- 7-8 am Practice for Jingle Bell Run
- Delicious Popcorn sold during Choice Hour-only $ 1
- 7:30 PM Web Team Meeting-Media Center
Thursday, November 10
- GRADES 3-6-SIGN UP FOR CONFERENCES OUTSIDE YOUR CHILD’S HOMEROOM
- 6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL TRY-OUTS
- 7-8 am Practice for Jingle Bell Run
- 1:45-3 PM - Hunger Kick Off Assembly
- 6:30 PM Pizza with the Principal-Media Center
- 7PM PTSA Clearinghouse Meeting-Media Center
Friday, November 11
- GRADES 3-6-SIGN UP FOR CONFERENCES OUTSIDE YOUR CHILD’S HOMEROOM
- 6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL TRY-OUTS
- PROUD DADS ‘EAT AND RUN’- lunch times below
3 /4-11:50-12:30- 5 /6 -11:00-11:40- 7 /8 -12:45-1:25
- Choice Hour change request forms available today
- 6:30-9 PM first 7/8 Dance of the year, Cobra Shore - Cafeteria –Parent volunteers needed-see below
Saturday, November 12
- 6:00pm - 3rd - 6th Grade Tennis Lessons
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, Sausage, Hash Brown Patty, Fresh Fruit
Tuesday – Chicken Soft Tacos, Whole Wheat Pasta Salad, Steamed Carrots, Nacho Supreme
Wednesday – Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Tomato Soup, Caesar Salad w/Whole Wheat Roll, Hawaiian Pizza
Thursday – Whole Wheat Spaghetti w/Meat/Marinara Sauce, Toasted Garlic Bread, Steamed Broccoli, Chicken Enchilada
Friday-Egg, Ham and Cheese Biscuit, Baked Potato Rounds, Fresh Fruit Cup, Chicken Fajita Pizza
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
ATHLETIC NEWS
Online registration is up and running for the Winter 1 season of athletics. Please visit our BCS athletics page http://bcsonline.info/Athletics.html to register for Girls Swim or Boys Basketball!
SWIM COACH NEEDED
BCS is in need of a HEAD SWIM COACH and an ASSISTANT SWIM COACH for both the boys and girls swim seasons. If you know of someone interested in this position, please have them forward their letter of interest including relevant coaching experiences to Patricia Chinn at pc02bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
5/6 SWIM INFO
Mr. Johansson’s 5/6 classes as well as Brown/Fitz 6th will be swimming during the 2nd Quarter (11/7-1/27).
Mr. Manchester’s classes as well as Cook/Wilkie 5th & Joberts 6th will be swimming during the 3rd Quarter (1/30-4/13).
GLEANERS UPDATE
All volunteer sessions for Gleaners have been filled. For those of you who did not get the opportunity to sign up, we will be teaming up with Gleaners again on Saturday, May 19. Please look for an email and sign-up sheets closer to the date.
FALL CONFERENCES
Conferences are coming up on Wednesday, 11/16 and Thursday 11/17. BCS has several staff members that work both at BCS and at other schools. Because of their time commitment to more than one school, they need to be at several conferences each fall in several buildings. Please see the schedule below for more information on these times and dates.
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TEACHER
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WEDNESDAY
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THURSDAY
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Lisa Bultynck
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6:30-8:00 PM
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2:00-4:00 PM
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Angela Geisler
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5:00-8:00 PM
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1:00-4:00 PM
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Jennifer Kron
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5:00-7:00 PM
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Erin Little
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5:00-8:00 PM
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Chris Manchester
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5:00-8:00 PM
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5:00-8:00 PM
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Ron Rodgerson
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5:00-8:00 PM
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6:00-8:00 PM
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CONFERENCE SIGN UP FOR MATH
Due to our flexible math scheduling at BCS, math conferences are organized differently. If your child has a math teacher who is not a part of their core team, you will have an opportunity to meet with their teacher on Thursday, November 17th. The 5/6 Math teachers will be in the Media Center from 7:45 am to 10:30 am. There will be no sign-up sheet. The teachers will meet with you on a first come, first served basis, so please feel free to drop by anytime that morning .
We look forward to seeing you! The 5/6 Team
Families…Remember-NOVEMBER 17 IS A HALF DAY-Cartoons on Half Day November 17
If your child would like to participate in Neal Levin’s Learn to Draw Cartoons! Class on Thursday, November 17, please enroll and pay the $17 fee online at www.communityed.net. Class is for grades 3-8 and it will be in the BCS gym from 12 noon -1:30 p.m. Fee includes lunch supervision between 11:20 and noon; students should bring their own lunch.
Fall Book Fair Volunteers Needed!! Helping at the Fair is lots of fun and 25% of the proceeds go directly to the Media Center to buy books, audio books, ipods, cameras, subscriptions, materials, and furnishings.!!
If you love books and have 2 hours to spare, please contact Shiva Motlagh (shivamotlagh@comcast.net) to volunteer for the upcoming Fall Book Fair! Upper class high school students who need community service hours are welcome.
2 hour shifts are available during the following times:
Monday, November 14 - book fair set up - please e-mail Shiva at shivamotlagh@comcast.net for the hours
Tuesday, November 15 - student preview times - 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Weds. & Thurs. November 16 & 17 - student preview/public sale - 8:30 am to 8:00 pm
Thursday November 17 - book fair pack up - 7:50 pm to 9:00 pm
DO YOU NEED TO CARPOOL FOR QUARTER II-????
We now have a private, unlisted Google map for BCS families who wish to find carpool partners. To be included on the map and receive your link to the map, please email bcscarpool@gmail.com with your Family Name, Contact Person, Address, Phone, and Email.This carpool map is only for the use of BCS families who would like to carpool.
2nd Quarter Choice Hour Announcements
2nd Quarter Choice Hour classes begin on Monday November 7th. Choice Hour selections are posted on the Choice Hour board in the main hallway and in each homeroom.
The deadline to request a Choice Hour class change is Friday November 18th by 4:00 PM. Choice Hour change request forms will be available in the main office on Friday November 11th. Class openings will be listed on the back of the Request form. Please read the form very carefully.
Students requesting a change must attend their originally assigned classes for the first 2 weeks of the new quarter. ALL Choice Hour changes that are approved will go into effect on Monday November 21st. You will be notified if your Choice Hour change request is denied.
Choice Hour drop refunds will be processed for classes dropped during the Choice Hour change period which ends at 4:00 PM on Friday November 18th. No refunds will be processed after the Friday November 18th deadline.
No Choice Hour drops, adds and/or changes will be accepted over the phone or via email. All Choice Hour change requests require a parent’s signature. Please pick up the proper paperwork at the front desk in the office.
There are still several families that have not returned their student’s QII selection sheets. We understand that you may have sent a selection sheet and payment to school with your child but we have not received them.
Choice Hour is not optional! Students are required to attend Choice Hour three days per week. If you are requesting that your child is waived from the Choice Hour program then visit www.bcsonline.info for a waiver form. Waivers require signature approval from Mr. Hartley or Mrs. Chinn.Thank you for supporting the Choice Hour program!
DIGITAL BCS UPDATE
We are currently making the switch from DigitalBCS.com to www.BCSonline.info for all of our teacher websites. Please go to www.BCSonline.info and reset your teacher bookmarks from that page as they will no longer be correct with the DigitalBCS
“Wii” NEED YOUR HELP!
The LINKS program is looking to acquire a Wii game system and age appropriate video games to use with the 5/6 grade students during lunch time in the game room. If you have a Wii system, Wii accessories (nunchucks, remote controls, etc.) or any Wii games that you are looking to donate to a good cause, please drop them off in the office for Mr. Bodle! We are also happy to accept any handheld gaming devices (PSP, DS, etc.) that you are look to donate to the game room!
GOT CANDY?
BCS is collecting Halloween candy again to donate to a local charity. If you candy and want to get it out of your house, or if your child came home with more than they can eat and would like to donate to someone in need of a treat, then please donate that candy to the BCS Halloween Candy Collection. Bring your extra Halloween candy (individually wrapped candy or bags of candy are fine) to the BCS office and put it into the collection box. We will be collecting until Friday, November 11th.Questions, contact Becky Bachand at bachandfamily@att.net. Thank you for your support
Box Tops Update! Way to go!
BCS will receive $132.40 for the first Box Tops submission. Keep clipping and saving to help reach our goal of $1000!
Geography Bee is coming to BCS
BCS is going to hold a Geography Bee this year. Students in grades 4-8 are eligible to participate. The school-wide bee will be held on Tuesday, January 10th. The winner of the school bee will take a written test to qualify for the National Geographic State Bee. Any 4-8 student who wishes to compete in the GeoBee can sign up for the GeoBee in the Media Center starting November 1.
The National Geographic Society runs the National Bee and provides the materials for the school bee. The website National Geographic Bee - National Geographic has a wealth of information and activities for students interested in the “Bee”. There is also a very fun GeoBee Challenge app available for iPad, iPod touch, and other mobile devices that students can use to quiz themselves
PROUD DADS SNOW CLUB INFORMATION MEETING- Monday, November 7th
Please join our BCS Proud Dads at 7pm in the Media Center for the Proud Dads Snow Club kick-off meeting. This meeting is for all parents interested in having their child(ren) participate (ski/snowboard) in the Proud Dads Snow Club.
Parents of 7/8 students – our first 7/8 Dance of the year, Cobra Shore, is coming up on Friday, November 11, from 6:30-9 PM in the Cafeteria. We will need chaperones for this dance from 6:15-7:45 (1st shift) and 7:45-9:15 (2nd shift). There are cafeteria and hallway spots available. Please email Nicole Toth to let her know if you can chaperone for either shift, nt06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us. Also, please encourage your children to come. They are invited to wear school-appropriate “beachy” themed clothing. This event is sponsored by the 7/8 Spirit Committee and supported by the PTSA.Please remember if your family cannot afford this cost, you can email Mr. Hartley and he will provide funds from Nan’s Kids.
BCS BLAST MEETING- Co-Chairs Karen Best and Ken Gilbert
The BCS Blast committee will be having our second meeting on Tuesday, November 8th 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, including Blast Co-Chairs for next year. This is a great opportunity to meet and work with other BCS parents while helping our school raise much needed funds. Please get involved and join us on Tuesday, October 11th.
The BCS Blast committee will be having our second meeting on Tuesday, November 8th 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, including Blast Co-Chairs for next year. This is a great opportunity to meet and work with other BCS parents while helping our school raise much needed funds. Please get involved and join us on Tuesday, October 11th.
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
Reflections
Calling all artists, photographers, dancers, composers, film makers and authors! It is time for Reflections! This program offers all BCS students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition.
Calling all artists, photographers, dancers, composers, film makers and authors! It is time for Reflections! This program offers all BCS students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition.
The theme for 2011-2012 is “Diversity Means….”
Reflect on the theme. Create an original work. Be recognized!
Categories include: Film/Video Production, Dance Choreography, Musical Composition, Photography, Visual Arts and Literature.
This is a way to celebrate the many skills of our students and promote the pursuit of artistic expression. Please encourage all students to reflect on this theme and submit an original work! Detailed information can be found at http://www.ptareflections.org/cs/about_reflections. Also, look for the link on bcsonline.info.
ALL ENTRIES ARE DUE TO THE MEDIA CENTER BY DECEMBER 1, 2011. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL ENTRY GUIDELINES CAREFULLY AS REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED!Questions? Please contact Teresa Rea: reateresa@gmail.com.
HAVE YOU BEEN FLOCKED? Extended Order Deadline: Friday, November 18th. link on bcsonline.info.
Our flamingos are still roosting and have no desire to fly south! It's not too late to flock a friend!
For a donation of $25, a flock of 25 pink plastic lawn flamingos will be delivered to a classmate, friend or family member - anyone you know who resides within the BPS school district. The flock will roost for approximately 24 hours on a lawn before migrating to a new location. Teachers may be “flocked” at school with Pinky, our two foot stuffed flamingo. Pinky will roost in the teacher’s classroom until another teacher's classroom becomes more appealing!
Flock a friend today!
Proceeds to benefit the 8th Grade Celebration.
Questions? Call Liz Weidner 248-202-5122
Bye, Bye, Birdie at Groves!
Groves Performing Arts Company proudly presents Bye, Bye, Birdie
Come see over 120 Groves students on stage, in the orchestra and on the crew sing and dance their way into your heart in the main auditorium.Tickets available in the main office. Student:$10, adults $12.Dates and times are: FRI, Nov 11 at 7:30 pm; SAT, Nov 12 at 7:30 pm; SUN, Nov 13 at 2:30 pm Become a member of the Conrad Birdie Fan Club at http://tinyurl.com/3oc3hf5 Location:Groves auditorium
SANTA IS COMING
The Community House Breakfast with Santa is accepting reservations for the event on December 3, 2011. Please contact www.communityhouse.com.
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