Feb 6-10, 2012 W.A.G.

February 5, 2012

Dear BCS Families,

There are many events here at BCS before the mid-winter break.  As always, we are excited to feature the great things our students and parents are involved in.  

BCS Events

7/8 Orchestra Concert: Monday, February 6th 7-9 p.m.

7/8 Band Concert: Wednesday, February 8th 7-9 p.m.

Lunch with the Principal/PTSA Meeting: Thursday, February 9th 12:30 p.m.

ALL parents welcomed!

BLAST Committee Meeting: Tuesday, February 14th 7:00 p.m.

Technology Committee Meeting: Wednesday, February 15th 6:30 p.m.

Proud Dad’s Eat and Run: Friday, February 17th 

Thank you in advance for your continued support and for helping make the next two weeks a quality time for our students.

Have a great week,

Adam

WEEK AT A GLANCE –   Week of February 6-10, 2012

(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, February 6

• 3/4 Report cards sent home
• 6:30-8 AM-8^th Grade VOLLYBALL PRACTICE 
• 3:15-5 PM-6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
• 4:15-5:30 PM-7 th Grade VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE
• 7 PM-7/8 Orchestra Concert-cafeteria

Tuesday, February 7

• 6:35-8 AM- 6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
• 9:30-11:30 AM-Roberts/Joseph to Bloomfield Hills Nature Center
• 12:30-2:30 PM-Brown/Fitzgerald to Bloomfield Hills Nature Center
• 3:15 PM-SCHOOL STORE  WILL BE OPEN-BAKED SALE FOR 8^TH GRADE CELEBRATION
• 3:30 PM-BCS SNOW CLUB DEPARTS
• 4 PM-7/8 GIRLS  VOLLYBALL -@ HOME  v. ORCHARD LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
• 7 PM –Board Of Education Meeting-Administration Building

Wednesday, February 8

• 6:30-8 AM-8^th Grade VOLLYBALL PRACTICE 
• 9 AM-2 PM- Religious Diversity Journeys-nine 7^th grade students
• 9:30-11:30 AM Cook/Wikie to Bloomfield Hills Nature Center
• 12:30-2:30 PM-Burns/Burdick to Bloomfield Hills Nature Center
• Delicious Popcorn sold during Choice Hour-only $ 1
• 3:15-5 PM-6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
• 4:15-5:30 PM-7 th Grade VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE
• 4:30-5:30 PM- BATTLE RUSH-Cafeteria
• 6:30 PM- Battle program at Baldwin-Learn to Finger Talk like Goldie and Toadspit from the book Museum of Thieves 
• 7 PM-7/8 Midwinter Band Concert-cafeteria-musicians report at 6:30 PM

Thursday, February 9

• 11:50 AM- Junior Great Books 

• 12:30-Lunch with the Principals-Digital Video West
• 1:15 PM PTSA Clearinghouse Meeting-Digital Video West

• 4 PM-7/8 GIRLS VOLLYBALL AWAY@ ABBOT MIDDLESCHOOL-go to highschoolsports.net for directions to the school
• 4 PM- BOYS SWIM MEET-HOME v. BERKSHIRE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Friday, February 10

• DUE-CHOICE HOUR CHANGE REQUEST FORMS BY 4 PM

• 6:30-8 AM-8^th Grade VOLLYBALL PRACTICE 
• 6:35-8 AM- 6,7,8^TH Grade BOYS SWIM TEAM PRACTICE
• 7-8 AM-7 th Grade VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE
• 6:30-9PM- 7/8 HOGWARTS DANCE-VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED-CONTACT MRS TOTH

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

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

Monday – Grilled Hot Dog On Whole Wheat Bun, Seasoned Baked Fries, Steamed Green Beans, BBQ Chicken Pizza

Tuesday –Homestyle Beef/Pepperoni Calzone, Steamed Broccoli, Baked Potato Bar 

Wednesday – Spicy Chicken Buffalo Wrap, Mixed Vegetables, Sweet Potato Rounds, Supreme Pizza

Thursday – Whole Grain French bread Pizza, Corn And Peppers, Fresh Fruit Cup, Zesty Beef Burrito

Friday –Vegetarian Egg Roll, Brown Rice, Steamed Peas, Bacon Cheeseburger On Whole Wheat Bun 

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

BATTLE FAMILIES-SCROLL DOWN FOR IMPORTANT  BATTLE  UPDATE  FROM MRS CLARK

3 / 4 PE REMINDERS FOR QUARTER III Please remember to send appropriate clothing with your children

Monday 1/30-Fri 3/2 –Harvath and Mali will SWIMButzin, Frishman, Davis, Seley, Parkin, Wallington will be in the GYM

Monday 3/5-Friday-JUMPROPE  FOR HEART-ALL CLASSES IN THE GYM

Mon 3/12-Fri 4/13- Butzin, Frishman, Davis, Seley, Parkin, Wallington will SWIM Harvath and Mali will be in the GYM

MISSING ITEMS

A black and red duffle bag with a student’s name in it. It was in the locker room with a swim suit and the swim suit has been found but the bag is still missing.

A black North Face jacket with a cell phone in the pocket. It was in the cafeteria.

STUDENT RECOGNITION

Five BCS students have been recognized by Math Magazine for finding Major Math Mistakes, taking a picture, and sending them in to the magazine. Chandler R, Len C, Ty F, Eric F, and Phillip H. all received a T-shirt from the magazine!

QIII CHOICE HOUR INFORMATION

3^rd Quarter Choice Hour classes begin on Monday January 30^th.  Choice Hour selections are posted on the Choice Hour board in the main hallway and in each homeroom.  

The deadline for requesting a Choice Hour class change is Friday February 10^th by 4:00 PM.  Choice Hour class change request forms will be available in the main office after 4:00 PM on Friday February 3^rd.   Classes with openings will be listed on the back of the Choice Hour class change request form.  Please read the change form very carefully.  Any questions regarding Choice Hour schedules should be directed to Jennifer Brown.

Students requesting a change must attend their originally assigned classes for the first two weeks of the new quarter.  ALL Choice Hour changes that are approved will go into effect on Monday February 13^th.  You will receive timely notification 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 February 10^th.  No refunds will be processed after the Friday February 10^th 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.

CHOICE HOUR REMINDERS – please call (248-203-4625), send in a note, or email Linda Stone at ls06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us  if your child is going to be absent from Choice Hour for any reason!  Students that do not have Choice Hour on any given day need to be picked up by 3:20 PM.  Students that do not have a Choice Hour class and are not picked up by 3:30 PM will be charged a $5.00 fee.

Thank you for always supporting the Choice Hour program!

SMALL  APPLIANCES   GATHERING  DUST ??-Mr. Brown is offering a 7-8 Design Discovery class on Tuesdays. 

 This hands-on class will allow students to take apart household items ( CD players, camcorders, cameras, computer printers, cell phones, small kitchen appliances, clocks) to learn more about how they are designed and manufactured.  If you have small electronic equipment gathering dust please send these items to school – att:Mr. Brown!  We CAN’T accept large electronics (microwaves, computer monitors, TVs, vacuum) Thanks for your help!!

SCHOOL STORE UPDATE…BAKE SALE AND GRAND RE-OPENING!!!!

The School Store will be re-open for business this Tuesday February 7 and will include a bake sale of home baked goods to benefit the 8^th grade celebration.  All baked goods will be $1.  These baked goods are made by 8^th graders during a Monday Cookie Baking choice hour class and will be sold every Tuesday at the school store.

 NEWS FROM THE PTSA

Do your kids love their Wednesday afternoon popcorn? If so, the BCS PTSA needs your help! The popcorn team needs a new leader for the 2012-2013 school year. Our current chair will be leaving BCS when her 8th grader graduates. Please contact Annette Blitstein at 248-647-5279 or annettekizy@yahoo.com for more information. It's very simple and fun.   PTSA Budget Committee
The BCS PTSA is currently forming a Budget Committee to review both staff and committee budget requests for next school year. This committee will meet several times in March (dates and times to be announced) to finalize the 2012-2013 PTSA Clearinghouse budget. Interested parties should contact Gina Herdegen or Brier Neel atroyalherd@comcast.net and briermn@gmail.com

 BCS BAND NEWS

Parents of 7^th & 8^th graders: The BCS Mid-Winter Band Concert for will take place on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. The concert will be held from 7:00-8:00pm in the BCS cafeteria. Students should arrive at BCS no later than 6:30pm. 

FOR ALLBCS Band Parents: Private lessons for band instruments are now available at Groves High School! Please visit the Groves Band website http://www.grovesband.com for more information. This is a fantastic opportunity for our young musicians. 

8TH GRADE FAREWELL VIDEO

Parents, please don't delay in submitting a "then" and "now" photo for your graduating 8th grader. The photo deadline has been extended to February 24th, 2012. 

Please refer to the e-mail sent by the BCS PTSA on January19th that includes updated site and log in information as well as directions on how to upload your photos (if you have already loaded your photos, no further action is necessary on your part). 

Digital/scanned images are preferred, however, if you are unable to upload your images, you may drop off your photos in the turn-in basket in the BCS office. Please be sure to include your name on the back of the photos so that they can be returned to you. Or, alternately, you may also e-mail your photos to Rob Lawrence, fellow BCS parent and 8th grade celebration committee member, at rob1lawrence@gmail.com and he will upload your images for you.

  

TO 7/8 PARENTS AND GUARDIANS:    ****     A NIGHT AT HOGWARTS 7/8 DANCE-FEB 10, 2012*******
We need chaperones for our next 7/8 dance coming up on Friday, Feb. 10^th, (a Harry Potter themed dance). The shifts are listed below – can you please help out? If your child says they’d rather you not chaperone, tell them you can be in one of the “hallway” spots (monitoring the halls to make sure students don’t go anywhere). We also need parents at the door and inside the cafeteria to help with drinks/food.

Please email Nicole Toth nt06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.usme to let her know which shift you can do!
 SHIFT 1 - 6:15-7:45 - Set-up/Chaperone
SHIFT 2 – 7:45-9:15 - Chaperone/Clean-up

ALSO, PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR KIDS TO ATTEND THE DANCE – they always have lots of fun!  It is $5 at the door and students are asked to wear clothes to match the theme – wizards, witches, capes, etc. (of course they can always dress like “muggles”, i.e. “themselves”)
Thank you for your help in advance in chaperoning and/or encouraging your children to attend the dance!
Sincerely, Nicole Toth
7/8 Spirit Committee Advisor and the 7/8 Spirit Committee members

Attention all BCS families, the Blast needs you to 

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS!!
     The Blast Prize Room Committee is currently looking for any unopened games, gadgets, toys or trinkets that you would like to get rid of for our BCS Blast prize room.  Maybe you have a stash of never opened toys or "just in case" gifts or gift cards taking up way too much space in your closet.  What a great way to do some house cleaning!  Kids will be able to "purchase" these items in the prize room with the tickets they win at the BCS Blast. 

     Please bring your items to the “Closet Clean Out” bin placed just inside the office starting this Monday, February 6^th and we will collect and distribute them to the BCS Blast prize room.  Anything we do not use will be delivered to a local children's charity.    

  The 2012 Blast Prize Room Committee thanks you!

WINTER RECESS CAMP AT BERKSHIRE 

Birmingham Community Education Presents

February Recess Camp at Berkshire Middle School High Touch High Tech Science Made Fun Program Or Coach G Sports Shorts Camp Choose 1 to 5 days of February fun!

Register at www.communityed.net> or call 248-203-3800NEWS FROM THE 

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NEWS

Thank you to all the parents who helped out at today's competition and to those who helped prepare teams for their events!! We could not have done it without you! 

Special thanks to Barbara Pepper who came out to help judge and support the team and to Mr. Owens who made a quick trip out to help when he received an SOS call!!

The kids did an amazing job!!! Please have them wear their shirts and medals/ribbons to school on Monday.

Our next competition in on Saturday, March 17th at Oakland University. Please continue to support your child as they prepare for Regionals!! We are one step closer to Nationals & Orlando!!! Keep pushing the kids to study and practice. They have the talent and ability to win!!

See the results below!The Science Olympiad Team competed against 28 other teams from around Michigan at the International Academy in Troy on Saturday, February 4^th. They did a fantastic job! The following students earned medals or ribbons for their event.

1^st Place

Awesome Aquifer – James R. & Jacob A.

Anatomy – Nadia H. & Noah S.

Rocks & Minerals – Aaron L. & Adam S.

Keep the Heat – Varsha K. & Noah S.

Disease Detectives – Indy A. & Bogdan M.

Mission Possible – Jacob D., Nadia H. & Leila O.

2^nd Place

Forestry – Jacob D. & Bogdan M.

Compute This – Ben F. & Aaron L.

Bottle Rockets – Jacob D. & Michael K.

3^rd Place

Dynamic Planet – Don R. & James R.

4^th Place

Experimental Design – Michael K. Varsha K. & James R

Microbe Mission – Aaron L. & Leila O.

Road Scholar – Don R. & Adam S.

Mousetrap Vehicle – Nick C. & James R.

5^th Place

Mission Possible – Jessie F. & Aliya H.

6^th Place

Crime Busters – Nadia H. & Leila O.

Meteorology – Michael K. & Adam S.

Write It Do It – Trevor M. & Marshall R.

7^th Place

Food Science – Nick C. & Varsha K.

8^th Place 

Storm the Castle – Jacob A. & Bogdan M.

Overall the team came in 1^st place!!! Great job everyone.

DEAR BCS FAMILIES!
We have an opportunity to raise up to $500 for Our Kids Against Hunger campaign that is EXTREMELY EASY and requires only a click of your mouse. In addition, while helping our students with their fundraising efforts, you'll be able to take advantage of great local deals! It's a win-win!
Here's what you need to do:

- click on the link www.hipcitydeals.com/s/hcd20
- enter the promo code HCD20

For each new subscriber, HipCityDeals will donate $1 to out Kids Against Hunger campaign (up to $500). All they ask is that students not enter their email addresses. The deadline to subscribe is March 9.

By clicking on the above link, you will become a new subscriber to HipCityDeals, which offers local daily deals on great places to eat, shop and have fun. HipCityDeals also donates a portion of their proceeds to local charities. This month, HipCityDeals is featuring a number of offers in the Oakland County area. Visit the website, http://hipcitydeals.com/, to see which deals you would like to take advantage of.
How simple is that?! Support your school, community and local charities and get great local deals at HipCityDeals.
DON'T WAIT -- CLICK TODAY!  Thank you for your support. Together, we can make a difference!!

Battle Update  Feb. 4, 2012

1. Tuesday, Feb 7^th 4:30-5:30, Battle Rush- We are still in need of parent volunteers and want parents to attend.   With this many students, all help is appreciated. 

Where Battlers attending Battle Rush Should Report (Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012)

Battlers who have Tuesday Choice Hour will report to their choice hour class and to the media center after choice hour.

 Battlers who do not have Tuesday Choice Hour will report to the media center when the bell rings at 3:15. Students should sit with team members when they report to the media center. We will organize by teams to go to the cafeteria.

We will have snacks on the numbered team tables along with a Battler Packet for each student (i.e. - Book Club Admission Ticket Form, How to Become an Expert on Your Battle Book, Character Ed Traits, and Core Democratic Values).  Teams were posted outside the Media Center on Friday, so students already know their teams. An alpha list and team list will be posted outside the Cafeteria. Table coaches will have a laptop at each table to complete the team data sheets and send to the printer.  We want every Battler to leave with a Battle packet and their team list. Teams will design a crest and poster, determine two expert books per team member, and decide on a team name and motto. Place your Battle T-Shirt orders ($9). Color is gold with black letters. Payment must be received before order can be placed.

Families don't forget to send your snack on Tuesday Morning.  A cart will be outside the office to receive them.  Kids will be hungry. Please see below to find which category of snack your family can provide --

LAST NAMES:

(A - G)  = 1 box any flavor of Capri Sun drink pouches (we can recycle this brand)

(H - Q)  = 1 dozen individually packaged crackers, chips, or pretzels

(R - Z)  = 1 dozen/package of nut-free cookies (please, no cupcakes)  

For those families (A-G) assigned to drinks, water will be provided, so please, no water bottles.

1. Battle Book Clubs begin the week of February 6, 2012.  Student admission is a completed Book Club Admission ticket. Copies are at the Media Center.February 8, 2012- Battle program at Baldwin; time-6:30 pm. Learn to finger talk like Goldie and Toadspit from the Battle book Museum of Thieves .RSVP online at the Baldwin site (http://www.baldwinlib.org/)
2. BCS Proud Dads (or Moms) Cosmic Breakfast, Wed. Feb. 15, 2012, from 7:45-8:20. Featured Battle Book is Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce in BCS Cafeteria. Email invitation is being sent. You must RSVP to the cafeteria email: sm24bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us to reserve your breakfast by Friday, February 10^th. Simply put yes in the subject line with the number attending the breakfast.  No message is necessary. If you want a personal copy of Cosmic, you can order from Amazon, via the BEF Amazon website link and help our BEF Foundation (http://supportbef.org/).
3. Feb 15, 2012   Gold Medal Qualifying Day (must turn in AR tests for all ten books by end of day to get a gold medal).
4. March 2, 2012   District-Wide Battle Day, BCS Media Center.

NEWS FROM THE BIRMINGHAM BLOOMFIELD COMMUNITY COALITION (BBCC)

· Attention Parents of Teens… To better serve our community, we need to know your attitudes and opinions about youth alcohol use. Please complete a brief, 23 question survey found at http://tiny.cc/k0ydd. We are working with 13 other Oakland County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions on this initiative. Your participation is anonymous and very much appreciated. Thank you! 

· BBCC is Biggby Coffee’s Non-profit of the Month… Please bring this form to either their Downtown Birmingham OR Bloomfield Hills locations ANYTIME during the month of February 2012 and a $1.00 donation will be made to BBCC for each 16 oz. bag of coffee you purchase! Also, on February 15 from 4-6 p.m. Derby Middle School Principal, Debbie Hubbell, will be our Guest Barista and $1 from every beverage or bag of coffee sold will go to BBCC. For more info http://tiny.cc/wkoep 

For more info on substance abuse prevention focused on our youth visit www.bbcoalition.org 

Shop & Support the Coalition

Check out our latest e-newsletter: December2011 Message from Youth Action Board Teens

Now you can shop online through the Coalition's special link at amazon.com and a percentage of your purchase will go to support the Coalition & Substance Free Youth in Our Community!

Our Mission: To raise awareness and mobilize the entire community to prevent the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, with a primary focus on our youth!

BIRMINGHAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION- B E F

Generosity from parents, businesses and over 500 BPS staff members has allowed the Birmingham Education Foundation to reach their goal of $70,000 for the 2011-12 Annual Fund Campaign, now they hope to reach their stretch goal of $80,000 or $10 per student by the end of the school year. Over $97,000 has been granted to our schools this year, but there are many grants waiting approval. If you haven't given to the campaign it is not too late, please join us in supporting our schools by visiting www.supportbef.org 

3/4 Field Trip to the DSO

The 3/4 Team attended a DSO performance at Orchestra Hall on 2/2/12. This experience will greatly benefit our students musically and culturally. The  tickets were paid for by the Birmingham Education Foundation. Please join us in thanking the BEF for their generosity and continued support of BCS.

BYA ANNUAL KIDS’ DOG SHOW FEB. 12 1-3PM

Birmingham Youth Assistance and Birmingham Public Schools present the 31st Annual Kids' Dog Show. Location: Berkshire Gym. Registration is $7 per dog. For complete rules and registration, please visit the BYA website at www.birminghamyouthassistance.org