November 20, 2011
Dear BCS Families,
With a short week ahead and a busy few months behind us, I would like to recap some exciting things we have to be thankful here at BCS. I would like to wish you and your family a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving. I would also like to thank our parents that step up and go over and beyond what is usually expected from the community. Everything below is due to your efforts. As BCS moves forward, it will become more and more important to foster a relationship that promotes collaboration, creativity, and effective communication between the BCS staff and parents. It is the only way we will be successful!
Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.
Brian Tracy
Jingle Bell Run at BCS!
For the second consecutive year, the BCS Cobras had the biggest team at the Jingle Bell Run. BCS had more than 50 members. The team raised over $1,800 for the Arthritis Foundation, making BCS one of the top three contributors. We had several strong individual showings, with winners in several age groups!!
(Thank you to David Stone, Proud Dad’s Co-Chair, Angela Geisler and Dawn Walton, BCS Cross Country Coaches, Chris Manchester and Bill Johansson, BCS P.E. Teachers)
Every one of our greatest national treasures, our liberty, enterprise, vitality, wealth, military power, global authority, flow from a surprising source: our ability to give thanks.
Tony Snow
Chipotle Helps with 5/6 Parent Sponsored Dinner for BCS Staff
Thank you from BCS teachers and staff to our 5/6 parents and PTSA for the delicious dinner and dessert served at conferences last week. We graciously acknowledge our sustainable business partner Chipotle for sponsoring the conference dinner through the 5/6 Cyberfair project.
An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.
Irv Kupcinet
BCS named “Beating the Odds School” in Michigan
“Beating the Odds” schools are schools that are outperforming schools with similar demographic composition. These schools were identified by the Department of Education.
“We have good things happening in Michigan schools,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. “These Beating the Odds schools are helping students make progress and finding ways to overcome traditional barriers to academic achievement.”
“Beating the Odds schools have found ways to work smarter and harder, not just harder,” Flanagan said. “They have good leaders, knowledgeable and prepared teachers who engage students and a commitment to involve and embrace parents and the community.”
Flanagan said that while there is no single factor to school success, there are common themes worth studying. “I encourage all educators to explore what similar Beating the Odds schools are doing and, when appropriate, replicate what will work in their buildings,” said Flanagan.
For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/beatingtheodds.
Be thankful for problems. If they were less difficult, someone with less ability might have your job.
James A. Lovell
BCS Takes Carpooling to another Level
The BCS Carpool Map, developed by the PTSA (Thank you Elizabeth Robbins) in response to a family inquiry about the possibility of getting in touch with other families for carpooling. Because BCS is a district-wide school, families come from all over the BPS area. Carpooling allows families to share the transportation burden. This private, unlisted google map, allows interested families to see where other families live who are interested in sharing rides. Google maps allows users to create place marks and annotate them with names, phone numbers, and emails, so the information is readily available. The Carpool Map is another way the BCS PTSA responded to the needs of the BCS community, encouraged energy conservation, and used technology in a purposeful way. Currently, 23 families have added their information to the Map.
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
I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.
Maya Angelou
BCS Open House is Sunday, December 4, 2011
We have the opportunity to again invite the community into our “world” and experience BCS. Led by student ambassadors, visitors are guided on a 5 star tour and are given a chance to see our staff, products created by students, and inquire about what makes BCS a great place to learn. We are always thankful for the turnout and are hoping for the largest open house to date!
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
Lao Tzu
These are just glimpses of how the BCS team (parents, staff, and students) works together to create an amazing environment for learning. I would like to personally thank all of our parent leaders and ask everyone to step up, in one way or another, as we grow and continue to strive for success. Let’s keep the ball rolling.
THANK YOU,
Adam
WEEK AT A GLANCE – Week of November 21-25, 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, November 21
• 6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL PRACTICE
• 11:30-2:30PM 8th Grade Students to SEAHOLM HS Students will need to bring a sack lunch
• 3:15-5:00 PM-GIRLS SWIM PRACTICE
• 5 PM BASKETBALL PARENT MEETING
• 5 PM-GIRLS SWIM TEAM PARENT MEETING
Tuesday, November 22
• 6:45-8 AM BOYS BASKETBALL PRACTICE
• 6:45-8:00 AM GIRLS SWIM PRACTICE
• DUE-8 AM SNOW CLUB APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED
• 8 AM BAGELS for Sale- for $1.25 (cream cheese .25 cents)in front of the Media Center
• 11:30-2:30PM 8th Grade Students to GROVES HS Students will need to bring a sack lunch
• 1:50 PM – LOCKDOWN DRILL
• IT’S BACK!! SCHOOL STORE OPEN DURING CHOICE HOUR TODAY
Wednesday, November 23
BCS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT FOR GLEANERS-THANKS BCS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT
No School-Conference Compensation Day for Teachers
Thursday, November 24
No School-THANKSGIVING - Have a Wonderful Holiday with Family and Friends
Friday, November 25
No School
Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)
- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese Breadsticks
Monday – Whole Wheat Baked Pasta Marinara,Toasted Garlic Bread,Steamed Carrots, BBQ Chicken Pizza
Tuesday –Chicken or Cheeseburger Sliders on Whole Wheat Bun, Crispy Potato Wedges, Coleslaw, Nacho Supreme
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
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
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN DESTINATION IMAGINATION??
If you are interested in leading a DI (Destination Imagination) team during Marking Periods 3 and 4, please contact Adam Hartley at ah07bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us
RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY JOURNEYS
This is an opportunity available to current 7th grade students to learn about the culture, traditions and holidays of religions prevalent in the Metro Detroit area. More information and the application may be found on the BCS website. Applications are due MONDAY, 11/28/11.
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.
PROUD DADS FIGHT HUNGER UPDATE
Thank you again to all of our families for their amazing support of the Gleaners fundraising through Proud Dads Eat and Run! Gleaners shared with us that there was a corporate matching event occurring during our fundraising and so our collected money will now purchase 2544 meals for Gleaners! Thanks for the support!
BOX TOPS COLLECTIONS FOR THE NEXT MONTH WILL BE DONATED TO THE BCS BATTLES WORLD HUNGER CAUSE!
A ton can easily be earned if people do their online shopping via the boxtops site without much effort. Over 100 retailers will give eBoxTops when you shop online at the Marketplace. http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/marketplace/BrowseStores.aspx?WT.ac=Mktplce_HC_SeeAllStores
Forget waiting in long lines! Get your holiday shopping done easily online AND help BCS Battle World Hunger at the same time!
Did you know you can earn eBoxTops by watching a video, requesting a brochure or purchasing a car? Get your mouse in gear and start clicking because this promotion ends on December 1! http://generalmills.promo.eprize.com/btfe/:b=firefox8/?affiliate_id=1c
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
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.
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.
ARE YOU IN FOURTH GRADE?? THEN HIT THE SLOPES…FOURTH GRADE KIDS SKI FREE
The Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA) wants to give Michigan kids an opportunity to get out, have fun and get healthy this winter. MSIA has established a state-wide program which provides every fourth grader in Michigan the opportunity to ski for free. Fourth graders can obtain a “Cold is Cool” Ski & Ride Passport that gives them up to three free lift tickets or trail passes at 20 participating ski areas. In order for fourth graders to use the free lift or trail pass coupons, a paying adult must accompany them.
Although the skiing is free, MSIA charges a $15 printing and shipping fee for each passport ordered. For more information and a list of participating ski resorts, please visit: http://www.goskimichigan.com/cold-is-cool.html
DONATE YOUR BOOTS
Re-Boot Detroit is here: A community service project to help Detroit's homeless through the winter by donating Men's, Women's or Children's gently worn or new boots. Collection bins can be found outside the main office. This need to great as winter comes quickly here in Michigan. The boots will be distributed through Cass Community Services as part of a Boy Scout, Eagle Scout Service Project. You can find out more about "Re-Boot Detroit" on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ReBootDetroit . Please take a look in your closets to see if you might have a unique way of helping others in need. Donations will be accepted through Friday, November 18
A NOTE FROM ANN TRUESDELL-MEDIA SPECIALIST
Below is a list of the BCS database usernames and passwords. It’s something that I’d love for parents to have filed away, for any time that students have to do online research from home. The list has also been sent to all students via their school emails.
Databases – Passwords!
http://www.digitalbcs.com/mc Last updated 11/17/11
Grolier Online Encyclopedia for elementary (“Kids”) & middle school (“Passport”) From Home – username: homework password: help123
World Book Encyclopedia for elementary (“Kids”) & middle (“Student”) From Home – username: homework password: help123
SIRS Discoverer Articles, pictures, current events, and more! customer#:MI5352H password: 48328
CultureGrams Info on countries, states, & provinces username: bcs password: cobra
Gale Virtual Reference BCS's eBooks -- full books online! password: cobra
eLibrary Elementary Newspapers, magazines, pictures, and more! username: SUBMICH286 password: CHILD286
MEL -- Michigan eLibrary Dozens of databases and resources! Login w/a public library card or driver’s license #
Gale Databases Pick one of MANY databases! password: oakland re information please visit their website at www.birminghamyouthassistance.org or call 248-642-4882
BIRMINGHAM YOUTH ASSISTANCE- presents Holiday Breakfast TIME FOR SANTA!!! Dec. 3
Please join Birmingham Youth Assistance at their Holiday Breakfast Event hosted at The Community House in Birmingham on Saturday, December 3, 2011. Tickets are $15 per person with 2 sittings, 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. . Please contact www.communityhouse.com.
BCS Science Olympiad Fundraiser
Script Gift Card Orders
Why is the Middle School Science Olympiad Team having a fundraiser?
This year the team has two opportunities to travel. One trip is to an Invitational Competition in Dayton, Ohio and the other is the National Science Olympiad Competition in Orlando, Florida. Our team has successfully placed as one of the top ten teams in the state of Michigan for the past two years. Luckily the National competitions have been held in the Midwest and would have been an easy drive if we were to be invited to the National competition. However, this year Nationals are being held in Florida and this requires more funding and preparation to get the students there.
To help reduce travel expenses the Science Olympiad team will be conducting a few fundraisers this year. One of these is to sell gift certificates & gift cards to popular stores, restaurants and movie theaters. Please consider making a purchase from any stores that your family regularly visits and/or for holiday gifts. All you need to do is complete the Script Order Form, write a check made out to BCS for the total and turn both in to the office or a Science Olympiad Team member by Friday, December 2nd. Gift Cards will be available for distribution by Monday, December 12th.
What is Script?
Scrip is a term that means “substitute money”. When you purchase scrip, you’re purchasing gift certificates or prepaid gift cards that are used just like cash. You can use scrip to purchase items for your family’s everyday needs or gifts for others. With every purchase you help raise revenue for our organization.
If you are interested in participating, please email Tammy Brown at tb03bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us for an order form.
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