BCS...Evergreen Status!

BCS was awarded Evergreen status by the state of Michigan today! I was joined by two BCS students at the 3rd annual award ceremony held at the Oakland Intermediate School District.
Great job to staff, parents, and especially students for their work in making sure we are green! Dylan and Emma represented BCS for their work in Trash Free Fridays and Recycling Program- Great job Dylan and Emma!



GO GREEN!

WAG April 26-30

April 25, 2010
Dear BCS Community,

You have all heard the saying, “things happen for a reason.” We often say this when
something doesn't go right or when we are trying to justify a tough decision we have
made. Whatever the case, “things happen for a reason” is a phrase that is often
associated with an event that we hope turns out to be beneficial in the future. Such an event happened this past week and truly proved to be a valuable lesson. I would like to share with you the short version and hope that you to experience a blackout soon!

4:04 p.m. Receive a call from Nicole (my wife) telling me she cannot open the garage
door, the code was not working.

4:10 p.m. Nicole called me back- she retrieved the key from our neighbor and went into our house to find the power was out!

4:23 p.m. Nicole called me back while on my way to my sonʼs track meet to tell me that
there was an issue with the power breaker outside and that other homes in the
neighborhood were also out. Consumers Power “assures” us that it will be back on by
11:00 p.m and to turn the main electrical breaker off in the house.

10:30 p.m. We arrive home after sonʼs track meet and daughterʼs soccer game to a dark
house. Kids start complaining- “I need to jump on facebook to update pictures”, “ I need to charge my phone for tomorrow”, “How will I dry my jeans for tomorrow?”

10:31 p.m. Nicole and I tell kids to stop complaining.

10:34 p.m.Nicole and I start complaining-”How will I get up early without an alarm?”
“Will there be hot water tomorrow for a shower?”, “I needed to jump online to finish a paper for my class.”

10:36 p.m. Daughter tells me to check the breaker- We go downstairs and flip the
switch- still no power! Daughter sighs and complains!

10:45 p.m. Candles are lit and kids have decided that because we have no power...they
must sleep on our floor. Everyone decides to make one more complaint before trying to
sleep!

10:51 p.m. Both sons tell me to “please try breakers one more time”- middle son MUST
have his jeans dried before going to school tomorrow! (I am hoping that power is back
on also) -I go downstairs to flip the breaker- still no power!

10:55 p.m. Daughter asks if we remember when the power went out up north during the
bad storm five or six years ago. Middle son says yes and that he remembers the his
younger brother was scared and asked, “Where did my eyes go?” We all start laughing!

10:59 p.m. Youngest son tells the story of when he was two years old he was always
scared of candles because of “a scary scene” in the Disney movie Sleeping Beauty.
Older siblings make fun of him, Nicole and I remind older siblings that they too were
afraid of the dark when they were little- everyone laughs!

11:01 p.m. Daughter tells us there is no way she could live without electricity. “I am NOT a country girl!” Middle son reminds us that we are saving “lots of money” by not having lights on! Youngest son tells another “afraid of the dark” story.

11:13 p.m. I tell everyone that I am going to check the breaker one more time- kids tell me “NO! Don't worry about it- its no big deal- we will figure things out in the morning!”

11:15 p.m. - 11:45 p.m. More stories and more laughter!

I am a strong proponent for technology in schools. I firmly believe that kids should
NOT be made to power down when they walk through our doors. This belief comes
from the understanding that kids are plugged in from the moment they wake up to the
moment they go to bed. Multi-tasking is a word that kids these days eat and breathe.
The “blackout” the other night made me realize that even though kids may not need to
power down...families do!

The BCS staff is truly a family that understands the benefits of embedding technology
into everything we do. We also understand, however, that powering down from time to
time will build stronger and everlasting relationships with our students! May all of us experience a “blackout” soon and remember...”Things happen for a reason!”

Adam

WEEK AT A GLANCE – APRIL 26 – APRIL 30, 2010
(Disclaimer: Please check all your calendars and bcsonline.info in case we missed
something)
Monday, April 26
• 7:45-10:30AM – 5th & 6th grade math teachers available for math conferences in
the Media Center on a drop-in basis (scheduled appointments are not
necessary)
• 9:40-10:55AM – Parkin’s (Zink) class to the Baldwin House in Birmingham
(reading to senior citizens)
• Diversity Committee meeting in Room 505 – All are welcome
• 4:00PM – Track meet BCS vs. Bloomfield Hills MS @ Andover High School
• 4:00PM – Girls soccer game @ Berkshire Middle School - Get directions at
highschoolsports.net
Tuesday, April 27 – SPRING PICTURE DAY
• 8-8:20AM – Bagel sale in front of the media center by the 8th grade celebration
committee
• 8:30-11:30 AM – SPRING PICTURES will be taken on the cafeteria stage – see
comments below to order
• 3:15-4:00PM – School store is open in the main hallway during choice hour
• 3:15-Spring Sports pictures –Track & Field and Girl’s soccer
• 4:05-6:00PM – Girls soccer practice
• 4:10 – 5:15PM – Track Practice
Wednesday, April 28
• 9:40-10:55AM – Butzin & Frishman classes to BASCC in Birmingham (reading to
senior citizens)
• Popcorn Day – freshly popped popcorn is sold during choice hour for $1 in the
main hallway.
• 3: 20 – 4:05PM – Track Practice during choice hour
• 4:00PM – Girls soccer games vs. Country Day Middle School @ HOME
• 7:00PM - Forensics Showcase in the Media Center
Thursday, April 29
• Market Day internet orders due by midnight. If you are unable to complete your
order online, please contact Lori Croad at 248-348-4390.
• 4:05-6:00PM – Girls soccer practice
• 4:10 – 5:15PM – Track Practice
Friday, April 30
• 4:00PM – DUE: Choice hour change request for Quarter IV
• Girls Soccer Game @ EHMS (East Hills Middle School).
Saturday, May 1
• 7:30AM- 9:00PM – Science Olympiad - Middle School State Competition-
Michigan State University
Hot Entrée menu for the week: (subject to change, if necessary)
- Available everyday: Salad Bar, Hamburgers, Chicken Patties, Pizza & Cheese
Breadsticks
Monday –French bread pizza, small garden salad, green beans
Tuesday –Beef enchilada, rice, carrots
Wednesday –Make your own sub, choice of turkey, ham or steak and cheese
Thursday – Nachos with meat and cheese, soup, pie
Friday –Baked chicken rings, mashed potatoes, broccoli
 To submit an item for next week’s “WAG”, email
nb01bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us by FRIDAY 7AM
SPRING PICTURE DAY is Tuesday, April 27 – the BCS school code is AA0201.
Picture forms will be sent home with all students on Monday. If your child will be
photographed, they must bring the order form with payment or parents can place
online orders by midnight, April 26th. Extra order forms are available in the office.
REMEMBER to avoid wearing bright shades of green as it interferes with the green
screen technology.
• Check out the various backgrounds on the website, www.schoolpictures.com
and place your order online no later than midnight, April 26, the BCS
school code is AA0201.
RECOGNITION OF BCS BAND STUDENTS
On Saturday, April 17 three BCS band members participated in the M.S.B.O.A. Solo and
Ensemble festival held at Sashabaw Middle School in Clarkston, Michigan. In her first
year of participation 8th grade clarinetist Megan Hoinville received a division II rating
and a red medal for her solo clarinet performance. 8th grade percussionist Sarena
Brown received a division I rating for her snare drum solo. Competing for the first
time, 7th grade band member Addison Horton also received a division I rating for
performing a trombone solo. Congratulations to these young band students for their
fine efforts!
MOM’S EAT & RUN - FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010
Lunchtime:
3/4 ~ 11:00am – 11:40am
5/6 ~ 11:55am – 12:35pm
7/8 ~ 12:45 – 1:25pm
Please arrive 5-10 minutes early at the BCS main entrance to sign-in. Join your BCS
kid(s) & their friends for lunch and fun. Bring your child’s favorite lunch or purchase
from the cafeteria (bring a little extra for a friend)
After lunch, spend some special time with your child on the playground or indoors.
There will be a SPECIAL DRAWING at each lunch period. Mom must be present to win.
If you know in advance you will not be attending, please let your child(ren) know so
they are not disappointed.
DISTRICT SURVEYS – PLEASE COMPLETE (FROM Steve King, Manager of
Contracted Services, BPS)
Below are three links to on-line Customer Service & Satisfaction Surveys for the
District’s Custodial, Food Service & Transportation Departments. The continued
success and improvement of these departments depends on the continuous support
and input of everyone involved. We are conducting surveys so that we may take a look
at what has worked this year and what we can improve upon for the 2010-11 school
year.
Below you will find the survey link for each department. Please take a few minutes to
respond to each survey. The deadline has been extended to the end of the day on
Friday, April 30, 2010.
This year, we have included parents & students; your feedback is essential for our
continued improvement so please be as accurate as possible; if you have children or
attend multiple locations, feel free to submit a survey for each.
TRANSPORTATION SURVEY LINK: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NJT7NTZ
FOOD SERVICE SURVEY LINK: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NCXGTYS
CUSTODIAL SURVEY LINK: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NJP6SS6
The Forensics Competitive Team
The Forensics Competitive Team had their Spring Competition this past Saturday. Even though
it was one of the largest turn-outs and coaches are agreed that it was one of the toughest
years, everyone on the team did a wonderful job. Mrs. Schultz says that everyone on the team
should be congratulated for their hard work and success. The following students placed at the
competition:
2nd place trophy in Oratory=Samantha Weed
Plaque in Sales= Caroline Manning
4th place trophy in Sales= Sydney Rosen
6th place trophy in Dramatic Interpretation= Audrey Kennedy
4th place trophy in Duo-= Sarah Camisa and Haley Werthmann
4th place trophy in Multiple= Lily Douma, Judy Kafelghazal, Sally Kafelghazal, Courtney Wilkie
2nd place trophy in Poetry= Caity Dolan
Plaque in Storytelling= Sarena Brown
Plaque in Storytelling= Emma Ellis
The following students received a ranking of one (100 points) in at least one of their rounds:
Audrey Kennedy
Sarah Camisa/Haley Werthmann
Lily Douma/Sally Kafelghazal/Judy Kafelghazal/Courtney Wilkie
Caity Dolan
Haley West
Samantha Weed
Sydney Rosen
Emma Ellis
https://owa.birmingham.k12.mi.us/OWA/redir.aspx?
C=0c27903744d2423d94ef5f6a3ce9eac6&URL=http%3a%2f%2ftheoaklandpress.com%2farticles
%2f2010%2f04%2f24%2fnews%2flocal_news%2fdoc4bd3592d636cf500234991.txt
Soccer News
Game 1 - @ Cranbrook
The 2010 girls soccer team opened their season at Cranbrook with and 8-1 win. In
a great overall team effort, the Covington girls played a disciplined and aggressive
soccer game. Goals were scored by Julia Gwizdz (3), Delaney Ryan (2), Sophia
Dijkman (1), Sara Kmiec (1) and Sara Simonte (1). Assist were reordered by Delaney
Ryan (3), Julia Gwizdz (1), Sara Kmiec (1) Judy Kafelghazal (1), Sara Simonte.
Notable defensive contributions were made by, Sophia Pryor, Katie Weitzel,
Madison Lennox, Judy Kafelghazal, Sara Simonte, Sam Weed and Delaney Ryan.
Alex Contis made six saves in the win (1).
Please note: Game rescheduled on 4-21 is on Friday @ EHMS (East Hills Middle School).

BCS Celebrates!

Today, BCS celebrated our contribution to the future! Why do we call this a contribution? The new Windspire, donated to us by Mariah Power (now known as Windspire), allows our students to experiment, invent, and create projects that directly relates to clean energy! We are proud of what we have accomplished but know that we have a long way to go! We are eager to continue our quest as pioneers in the 21st century!

The BCS community was represented well today and made a loud statement…the future is here!

Thank you to the following people for their role in bringing the Windspire to BCS!

John Carlos- BCS Proud Dad, Founder of Greeninig Detroit.com, BCS Windspire project leader

Greening Detroit.com – Jennifer Griffin, Paul Ozment

Neil Campbell- Former Executive Director of Maintenance for BPS

John Prisciandaro- BCS Engineering Technology Teacher

The BCS Staff and Students!

BCS Proud Dads – Dave Kiehle, Ross Kaplan

Susan Davis and Marnie Lewbel- PTSA Co-Chairs

Hal Heard and Bill Pugh 2008-2009 BCS Co-Principals

BPS Board of Education – Geri Rinschler, Rob Lawrence

BPS Superintendent –Dr. David Larson

Director of Energy and Labor Development – Skip Pruss

IBEW – Joe Abdou, Ryan Webb, Jennifer Mefford

Centerline Electric – Clyde Jones

Bloomfield Township Supervisor – Dave Payne

TMP Architects – John Milliaco

Electrical Industry Training Center – Anthony Glugla

Brennan Electric – Mike Brennan

Oakland County Commisioner – Jim Nash

City of Birmingham Mayor – Rackie Hoff

WAG April 19-23 (From Hal)

Dear BCS Families,

Growing up in the 21st Century has given today's youth a myriad of positive
learning opportunities. One of the most beneficial tools has been the ability to access information by just clicking a mouse. Our 3 E's(valuing education, environment, and each other) play a significant role in maintaining our culture and climate, especially the "E" of "valuing each other".

"Valuing each other" is an important character trait that we must encourage students to display through their words and actions. One avenue where students can display their mastery of this trait is through their use of the internet. While the internet may be used beneficially to access information via the web, it may also open the door to harmful social interaction as well. One of the main negative concerns is "Cyber Bullying". The following articles outline information that we can use to develop a culture which values and supports each other while addressing an increasing problem for today's youth.

The What, Where, and what to do of Cyber Bullying?

What is Cyber Bullying?

Cyber bullying is defined as threats or other offensive behavior sent online to a victim or sent or posted online about the victim for others to see. (Wolak, Mitchell, Finkelhor et al., 2006).

• It can take the form of a message on email or IM or a social networking site from someone who is threatening to hurt you or beat you up.
• It might be rumors posted on your profile or spread online for others to see.
• It might be the deletion of you on a friend's "buddy list" to make you feel left out.
• It could be a profile made by someone pretending to be you.
• Or, someone hacking into your profile and writing comments pretending they're from you.

In general, cyber bullying is bullying or harassing that happens online.

Where does Cyber Bullying occur?

Including instant messaging, social networking sites, email, and chat
rooms. The most commonplace bullying occurs online is over instant
messenger, but it also can occur via other new technologies such as
text messaging and personal digital assistants (PDAs).



What to do about Cyber Bullying?

If you are being cyber bullied, there are things you can do to stop it:

• Ignore the person. Sometimes the easiest thing to do is to ignore the person and go on about your business.
• Log-off if the harassment is bothering you.
• Block or delete the person. If it is happening on Instant Messaging or some other place online that requires a 'buddy list', you can block certain users based upon their username, or delete them if they are in your buddy list. You can also block emails that are being received from specific email addresses.
• Change your information. If someone has hacked into your profile, change your password. If someone repeatedly sends you messages (like,' add me to your buddy list' over and over), consider changing your username or email address.
• If there is a profile that was created about you without you knowing, contact the company who runs the site to have the profile or language taken off.
• If you are upset about what is being said, talk to someone you trust. Don't feel like you're alone.

When to talk to adults

There may be times that students are able to take care of the cyber bullying on their own. Sometimes, it gets out of hand though, and it's helpful to talk to an adult about what is going on. If student ever feels scared or overwhelmed, maybe even trapped, it's definitely time to talk to an adult.

If students don't feel comfortable speaking with a parent, seek out other adults or authorities like a teacher, coach, school counselor.

In closing, BCS continues to believe that as a school family we can leverage information, our relationship, and the 3 E's to empower our students to greater heights. As always, it continues to be a great joy working with the best students, staff and parents that make up the BCS family!

Hal and Adam


Monday, April 19- First Day of the fourth quarter
Vision screening for students in grades 3, 5,& 7
3: 20 – 4:05PM – Track Practice during choice hour
3:20-4:45PM – Girls soccer practice

Tuesday, April 20
8-8:20AM – Bagel sale in front of the media center by the 8th grade celebration committee
3:15-4:00PM – School store is open in the main hallway during choice hour
4:05-5:45PM – Girls soccer practice
4:10 – 5:15PM – Track Practice
6:30PM – Technology Committee Meeting
7:00PM - BPS Board of Education meeting at the BPS Administration building, 550 West Merrill Street, Birmingham. Watch it live on Comcast channel 17.

Wednesday, April 21
HALF DAY OF SCHOOL – Dismissal at 11:20AM. Busses are provided at the early dismissal time.
1-4 & 5-8 PM Student Led Conferences
1-8:00PM Book Fair in the Media Center
E-Bugle Published today!
4:00PM – Girls soccer games vs. East Hills Middle School @ HOME

Thursday, April 22
HALF DAY OF SCHOOL – Dismissal at 11:20AM. Busses are provided at the early dismissal time.
8:35AM – 5/6 Field Trip to the Palladium for OCEANS movie
1-4 & 5-8 PM Student Led Conferences
1-8:00PM Book Fair in the Media Center

Friday, April 23
Report cards released
3:45PM – Girls soccer game @ Cranbrook Middle School - Get directions at highschoolsports.net
4:00PM – Track meet BCS vs. Berkshire @ Groves High School

BCS Students support City Mission

Bassel Salka and Xavier McCormick led an assembly yesterday that included them handing City Mission a check for $264.00 that BCS raised! Bassel and Xavier have been volunteering at City Mission and helped run a basketball camp there this past summer. Their community service project was chosen by the BCS community to be the school wide project this year. Students brought in games, school materials and other items for the students at City Mission. The money will help purchase lap tops for the school. Nicole Rikens, the executive director of City Mission, is seen here thanking the BCS students for their help. City Mission was represented at the assembly by the principal, executive director, and five students!
If you are interested in helping City Mission School please visit their website at http://city-mission.org/
BCS is very proud of Bassel and Xavier!

7th Grade Student Honored by the Birmingham Youth Assistance Commitee

Emily Weiss, 7th grade student at BCS,was honored yesterday for her community service outreach! For her community service outside of school Emily has donated part of her bat mitzvah money to Haiti to help the children and adults in need.

She worked at her Temple’s Purim Carnival for 10 hours on Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28, 2010 which she said was a blast! There Emily helped little kids and saw the excitement in their eyes once they won a real fish to take home and care for. Although it was a lot of work and required much effort, Emily says she felt very proud after seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when they had left the carnival.

Emily went with her Temple Youth Group to a Lawson trip which consisted of 18 hours of community service. They went to a garden to help grow food for the hungry and also went to the Ronald McDonald house which provides a place to live for families whose children are hospitalized because they are very sick.


Congratulations to Emily and her family!

Lessons From Geese (click link below to see video)

Lessons From Geese