In Focus Newsletter - Birmingham Public Schools

In F cus
Winter 2016
Birmingham Public Schools
Believing great things will happen
Bond update
Since the naming of Plante
Moran CRESA as the owners’
representative in September,
BPS has continued bond
work with the selection of
TMP Architecture as the
architect, Clark Construction
as construction manager
and Barton Malow as the
technology design firm. All of
the firms underwent a bidding
process prior to their selection.
The District is now in the
planning stages for the award
of additional contracts in the
spring of 2016, for work to
begin in the summer of 2016.
For updates on BPS bond
work, including a Bond
Dashboard report, visit http://
bond-2015.birmingham.k12.
mi.us/.
On the cover:
Nick Nastovski, an eighth
grade student at Derby Middle
School, works to create a robotic
gripper that he created to pick
up a wooden egg-shaped object
once complete. Before making
the gripper, he and other
students in his class created
prototypes out of cardboard and
construction materials.
2 Achievement. Character. Community.
We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up
a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the
list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives…not looking for flaws, but
for potential. ~Ellen Goodman
As we begin this new calendar year, I want to thank
you for all you do as community members for the
children of this community. You truly walk the talk
when it comes to the quote “it takes a village to raise a
child.” As your Superintendent of Schools, I continue
to embrace the critical value of working together as
partners if our children are to develop well as learners
and caring citizens.
With a new year upon us, it is tempting to become enamored by the
call for New Year’s Resolutions. Rather than all of us taking this leap,
I would suggest a route where something greater can happen for our
children. It’s the route that underscores the vast potential in all of us to
collectively ensure that all of the children we serve reach their highest
potential. I have come to understand through my work with children that
what we believe about each and every child does matter. The learning
science field refers to this as expectation theory. Simply put, when we
believe each child will learn things beyond which they currently know,
the potential of each child doing just that increases. My call is for us to
believe that great things are possible for each and every child we serve.
So rather than succumb to the thrill of the new year resolution, let’s
commit to ensuring the following:
• Let’s collectively believe that all children can and will reach their
vast potential.
• Let’s work together as parents, community members, students and
staff to ensure we do not compromise our beliefs about the wonder
of every child. By working together and by all of us having high
expectations, we can ensure the best development for every child.
As educators and support staff members we have the great privilege
of serving your children. I thank you for this privilege. The more I work
with you, the more I see how much each of you cares as parents and
community members for the children of this community. As a school
district, we also have the distinction of having a very caring staff.
Together we can make the most difference. In this new year, let’s make
sure we collaboratively engage with each other to ensure a world class
education for all! Let’s put resolution making aside and simply believe
that great things are possible for all of our children.
Sincerely,
Daniel A. Nerad, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
In Focus
Build character with BPS
For over 15 years Birmingham Public Schools has made the teaching
of character a priority, building a foundation for students that lasts a
lifetime. The character education work centers around positive attitudes,
honesty, integrity, respect, kindness, responsibility and accountability.
“Through the character initiative we provide students with
opportunities to
learn and practice
social, emotional
and character
development skills,”
said Tamra Nast,
Character Education
Co-Chair. “The goal is
to help our students
grow into ethical,
empathetic and
responsible learners,
leaders and citizens.”
The teaching of character is evident in myriad ways throughout the
district including service opportunities, both local and global, to give
back to others; impromptu candlelight
vigils to support classmates and their
families, strong parent and family
“The function of education
engagement; partnerships with the
is to teach one to think
senior community through Next and
local care facilities; and green efforts
intensively and to think
and culture shifts within classrooms
critically. Intelligence plus
and schools. These efforts are changing
character – that is the
lives every day.
goal of true education.”
The district and each building
work to embed character into the
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
curriculum and culture at each
school. Today, 11 schools have been
recognized as a National School of
Character by Character.org and BPS character leaders have emerged as
experts in the field.
It is an on-going, core commitment of the BPS staff to prepare
students to be ethical leaders capable of making important decisions for
the next generation. As Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, BPS believes:
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think
critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
Youth engagement
Groves teachers Carman
Smith and Laura Searle, and
Seaholm teachers Ana Urian
and Leslie Martin took a group
of students to the Minority
Student Achievement Network
Student Conference in Madison
Wisconsin. Students engaged in
youth dialogue and established
ideas and plans to integrate in
our school culture for matters
related to social justice and
educational access.
Character pride
• 11 National Schools of
Character
• 5 National Schools of
Character Finalists
• 1 National Profiles in
Character Winner
• 2 National Honorable
Mention Schools of
Character
• 7 State Schools of Character
– 2 repeat winners
• 68 Promising Practice
Awards
Achievement. Character. Community. 3
Birmingham Public Schools
Transition with BPS
On the calendar
Transition to Kindergarten
Jan. 12, 2016
6:30 p.m.
Birmingham Public Schools
Education and Administration
Building
31301 Evergreen
Beverly Hills, MI 48025
This parent program is
designed to help prepare
parents for their child’s
upcoming transition to
kindergarten. Dr. Joan
Firestone, Director of Early
Childhood for Oakland
Intermediate School District is
a nationally recognized speaker
on the topic of kindergarten
readiness. Learn more about
research on readiness and
approaches to learning.
Project Find
Are you concerned that
your child is not keeping up
developmentally with other
children his or her age? Project
Find offers services to children
and youth from birth through
age 25, who may have delays
in physical, social, emotional,
communication, and/or
cognitive development.
Project Find provides
information about programs
and services, and helps
families secure evaluations.
For information, contact the
Project Find Coordinator,
Stacey Theophelis at
248.203.5818.
4 Achievement. Character. Community.
New parents often find a wealth of resources available as they plan
preschool and kindergarten opportunities for their little ones. With
programming dedicated to transitions and kindergarten readiness
(see sidebar), as well as Kindergarten Open House events (see page 10
sidebar), BPS parents can feel confident as they send their child to their
first day of school.
BPS is committed to continuing support for students and their
families as they move
to middle and high
schools. Transition
programming starts
for incoming middle
school students in fifth
grade. Middle school
counselors visit the
elementary schools to
begin a dialogue before
returning for a second
visit to help students
schedule their middle
school classes. Parents
are invited to a Parents’ Night during this time as well, helping provide
information and answer questions. Fifth grade students also spend time
at their soon-to-be middle school where they tour the school, meet the
staff and counselors and begin to get a feel for their new school.
In August, both Berkshire and Derby middle schools invite the
incoming students to spend a week participating in activities during
orientation. Students have time to learn their room and locker
locations, class schedules and get to know their classmates. During this
orientation, parents are invited to sessions to help them transition to the
middle school life as well.
The transition to high school focuses on mentors as well as social
and emotional aspects of the freshman year. In the fall of eighth grade,
students tour the high schools and learn more about them. Parents
are invited to a curriculum night in January to meet the staff and
learn about academic offerings. In May, students are introduced to
extracurricular activities, sports and other ways to become involved
during their high school career. All of the visits and sessions lead up
to an August mentor meeting at each high school, offering incoming
freshmen upperclassman mentors that will stay with them for two years
before they become mentors themselves. Students meet in small groups
with their mentors for activities, which continue throughout their first
trimester.
For more information on transition programming, contact one of the
schools below.
Bershire Middle School - 248.203.4700
Derby Middle School - 248.203.5000
Groves High School - 248.203.3500
Seaholm High School - 248.203.3700
In Focus
Be college ready with BPS
National Merit honors
The communities that make up BPS place an extremely high value
on education. The district meets those expectations by providing the
best possible learning environment and curriculum designed to prepare
students for a successful future.
Birmingham Public Schools
congratulates Jack Dolan of
Groves High School on his
National Merit Semifinalist
designation. Each year the
National Merit Scholarship
Corporation identifies
academically talented high
school students with this
designation.
The BPS staff strives
toward academic
excellence and, as a
result, our schools have
always ranked among
the highest achieving in
the state. Both Seaholm
and Groves high schools
have earned a place on
the top Michigan high
schools by U.S. News and
World Report, BPS staff
members continue to be recognized as experts in their fields and BPS
students are accepted into top universities all over the world.
Additionally, BPS
congratulates eight Groves and
Seaholm high school students
on their National Merit
Commended status. They are
Amanda Bachand, Pauline
Portes, Haley West and Claire
Westerlund of Groves and
Brian Colton, Daniel Evans,
Jillian Lawrence and Joshua
Liddle of Seaholm.
This year, BPS is proud to recognize the 290 Advanced Placement
statuses earned by
high school students,
providing them with
college credits before
they’ve graduated
high school. Sixteen
BPS students earned
National Scholar
status, given to
students that scored
an average of at least 4
on all AP exams taken
and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.
Teacher leader
Seaholm AP Government
teacher Barbara Harte
presented at the 7th annual
Community Leadership/Social
Justice Symposium in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. The symposium
is co-sponsored by Langston
University, The University of
Tulsa and Oklahoma Wesleyan
University. Her presentation
was part of the strand on
politics and she presented on
the nature of power. Harte led
a group of university students,
community leaders and senior
citizens through a simulation
that illustrated Plato’s teachings
on power and justice.
Jack Dolan of Groves High School earned National Merit Semifinalist
status and eight other high school students were commended by
the National Merit Corporation this year. The Michigan Math Prize
Competition advanced 24 BPS students into Part 2 of their statewide
test, which included Daniel Xu, a middle school student from
Birmingham Covington School.
For a complete list of AP Scholars, National Merit students and
Michigan Math Prize honorees, visit http://tinyurl.com/BPS-Success.
Achievement. Character. Community. 5
Birmingham Public Schools
Speak to the world with BPS
International
Academy
Applications are now being
accepted for eighth grade
students to apply to the
International Academy. The
registration deadline is Friday,
Jan. 22, 2016. The lottery will
be conducted on Tuesday, Feb. 2
at 4:00 p.m. at the Birmingham
Administration and Education
Center. Brochures are available
at each of the district middle
schools for more information.
BCS public lottery
for 2016-2017
school year
Thursday, Jan. 13, 2016
In the event that registrations
exceed openings available,
a public lottery will be held
promptly at 6:00 p.m. in
the Birmingham Covington
School cafeteria. Families
will be notified by mail of the
enrollment status of their
child. BCS is located at 1525
Covington Road in Bloomfield
Hills.
6 Achievement. Character. Community.
Today we know that learning a new language isn’t just to aid in
travel and business ventures. World language and cultural studies have
proven benefits that span over a variety of subjects, including character
development.
“Research tells us that the study of languages improves brain function
because multiple areas of the brain are exercised in the learning and
use of different languages,” said Dr. Deborah Gollnitz, Curriculum
Coordinator for
Assessment and Program
Evaluation. “We also
know that as our world
becomes more diverse
and inter-related, people
will need to respond with
more empathy and in
ways authentic to other
cultures. The study of
language and cultures
broadens understanding
of our world as one
community, and that understanding will benefit our students as they
move into future endeavors.”
Beginning in second grade, BPS students are introduced to Spanish
with 45 minutes of instruction every four days. Lessons focus on
acclimating students to the language through greetings, counting,
reference words and Spanish culture. By third grade, students
begin moving toward mastering standards that address cultural
understanding, listening, speaking and reading. In fourth grade,
students begin writing in Spanish.
By middle and high school, world language options broaden with
offerings in Spanish, French, Chinese and Japanese. Middle school
students even have the opportunity to earn high school credit to satisfy
part of their graduation requirement. High school students can earn
college credits through Advanced Placement coursework.
Mexicantown
Berkshire Middle
School students traveled
to Mexicantown in
Detroit on Nov. 2 as part
of their work in Spanish
class. Among the sites
was the mural painted on
the La Jalisience Tortilla
Factory.
Saturday
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Students also have an opportunity to take the new STEM Physics class,
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mixing
physics with engineering concepts. Taught by both
a physics and engineering teacher, students cover topics like electricity,
projectiles, robotics and energy
by building working and moving
models to assist in learning
concepts.
These concepts leave the
classroom with the students as
they travel around the nation
with the FIRST Robotics team.
This combined Groves and
Seaholm team offers students
an opportunity to compete utilizing the skills they’ve learned. Last
year the team was a semi-finalist in their division at the FIRST World
Championship. Awards are given for technical excellence, marketing and
business plans, community outreach and presentation skills.
The STEM Saturday enrichment program takes students deeper into
learning by exposing and engaging students to STEM through work with
educators, professionals and parents. STEM Saturday themes include
force and motion, electricity and magnetism, forensic science, robotics,
alternative energy, electronic music, astronomy, Nano Technology, 3-D
imagery and other topics.
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held most Saturdays throughout
the school year at Berkshire
Middle School. Students can
bring their homework or class
work and they’ll be paired up
with a tutor.
A $2 donation for snacks and
supplies is suggested. See the
calendar below for Saturday
School dates:
Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2016
Feb. 6, 27
March 5, 12, 19, 26
April 23, 30
May 7, 14, 21
Berkshire Middle School is
located at 21707 W. 14 Mile
Road in Beverly Hills.
Achievement. Character. Community. 7
Birmingham Public Schools
Create with BPS
High school plays
Groves Performing Arts
Company presents
The Adventures of
Robin Hood
April 21-24, 2016
7:30 p.m.
April 26, 2016
2:30 p.m.
Groves Little Theatre
20500 W. 13 Mile Road
Beverly Hills, MI 48025
Cost is $10/adult and $8/student
248.203.3530
Seaholm High School presents
Big Fish
The Broadway musical
Feb. 26-27 and March 4-5, 2016
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 28, 2016
2:00 p.m.
Cost is $12/adult, $10/student
and seniors
248.203.3700
Showtix4u.com
BPS students are soaring creatively through concerts, theater
performances, language and visual arts. This year students have already
put on theatre
and musical
productions,
including Grease
at Groves High
School. BPS high
school yearbooks
and newspapers
continue to
win awards for
excellence and are
well underway
in their 2015-16
work. With the availability of tablets, video production has become a
skill students are learning in elementary school and a skill they’re able to
develop throughout their K-12 education. Bands, orchestras and choirs
have already entertained crowds with fall and winter concerts.
In visual arts, students are learning skills that
benefit them beyond their K-12 education with
community-connected projects and problemsolving critical thinking work. Art students in the
district continue to win a plethora of awards for
their work by taking concepts they learned in the
classroom to new creative heights. Students are led
by exceptional educators in their field, including
Michael Orlando, art teacher at Berkshire Middle
School and Michigan Art Education Association Middle School Art
Educator of the Year.
This year the Groves Marching Band received an overall “1” rating
at the MSBOA Marching Band Festival. A “1” is the highest rating a
group can receive. Groves Marching Band is directed by Michael Burkett,
Assistant Director Sean Smith and Percussion Instructor Brian Stukey.
“We are so proud of our band,” said Wendy Christie, Groves Band
Booster co-president. “All the hours and hard work they have been
putting in truly paid off. They definitely showed their Falcon Pride and
brought their ‘A game.’ Kudos also go to our director, Michael Burkett,
assistant director Sean Smith and Percussion Instructor Brian Stukey.
The band could not have achieved this without their dedication to our
kids.”
Join the district this winter and spring for a variety of productions
designed to entertain the BPS community. See the sidebar and save the
date for the high school productions of The Adventures of Robin Hood
and Big Fish. Vocal and band concerts are listed on the website at http://
concert-information.birmingham.k12.mi.us/
8 Achievement. Character. Community.
In Focus
Push the limits with BPS
Hall of Fame
Whether BPS students are running to the finish line, scoring a goal,
building up their teammates or bringing the community together, sports
programs within the district offer opportunities to push the limits.
BCS
physical
education
teacher, Bill
Johansson,
was recently
inducted into
the Albion
College Hall of Fame for track
and football.
BPS is proud to congratulate the following teams, individuals and
their coaches for their outstanding performances in 2015.
Leon Braisted,
seventh/eighth grade
teacher at BCS, led
the Seaholm team to
their third straight and
fifth overall Girls Golf
championship this fall.
Walking
Groves coach Brendan Flaherty led the Varsity Football players
to win the OAA Blue Division
Championship. The Groves Girls
Cross Country team, led by coach Jim
Sherman, won the OAA Blue Division
Championship.
Flaherty also offered students with
special needs a night under the lights
this fall
during
the third
Victory
Night event
on Oct. 15.
The event
offered
middle and
high school students with special needs an opportunity to play football
and serve as cheerleaders for a game on the field, with the help and
support of their Groves peers.
Beverly Elementary School
joined with many other schools
across the country to take
part in Walk to School Day
on Oct. 7. Students who lived
within walking distance were
encouraged to walk to school,
helping the school to meet –
and exceed – their goal of 100
walkers. This year 127 walkers
participated.
Seaholm Girls Cross Country, led by coach Jeff Devantier, won
the State Championship while the Boys Tennis team, led by coach
Keith Cullen, won the Boys Tennis Regional Championship this fall.
Seaholm Coach Heather Lippert led her team to the Volleyball League
Championship as well.
Congratulations go to Groves student Mary Sumner Kauffman on her
state finals qualification in Girls Golf, coached by Andre White. Groves
coaches Megan Kolar and Ashley Nichols brought the Pom Pon team to
a third place finish at the annual High Kick competition.
Achievement. Character. Community. 9
Birmingham Public Schools
Start strong with BPS
Kindergarten
Round-Up dates
* Meetings are for parents only
Beverly
Jan. 26, 6:30 p.m.
18305 Beverly Road
248.203.3150
Bingham Farms
Jan. 26, 7:00 p.m.
23400 W. 13 Mile Road
248.203.3350
Greenfield
Feb. 2, 7:00 p.m.
31200 Fairfax
248.203.3210
Harlan
Jan. 27, 7:00 p.m.
3595 N. Adams
248.203.3265
Pembroke
Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.
955 N. Eton
248.203.3888
Pierce
Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m.
1829 Pierce St.
248.203.4325
Quarton
Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.
771 Chesterfield
248.203.3425
West Maple
Jan. 26, 6:15 p.m.
6275 Inkster
248.851.2667
10 Achievement. Character. Community.
Lifelong learning starts with a world class, collaborative education
beginning with the youngest learners. With neighborhood schools
that keep class sizes small and raise the bar high when it comes to
achievement levels, BPS offers young learners and new enrollments the
strong start they deserve.
Each of the BPS elementary schools offer private tours and
information to help
parents make informed
decisions about their
child’s education.
Tours and packets offer
information regarding
the district’s use of
cutting edge technology
and help students and
parents discover the
many in-school and
after-school enrichment
activities available.
Parents interested in enrolling their children in BPS have many options,
including preschool and kindergarten enrollment and tuition-based
enrollment for out-of-district families.
Preschool enrollment
The BPS preschool program follows the HighScope curriculum,
aligning with the Early Childhood Standards of Quality for the State of
Michigan. BPS preschool programs provide a strong foundation of school
readiness to enhance cognitive, physical and social-emotional creative
development. Registration forms for preschool enrollment are now
available through the Community Education Office at each individual
school. Half-day preschool programs are held at each individual school
and full-day programs are available at the Midvale Early Childcare
Center, located at 2121 Midvale in Birmingham. Interested parents can
contact Laura Tinsley at 248.203.5800 for enrollment information.
Kindergarten Round-Up
Kindergarten enrollment is held at each of the eight neighborhood
elementary schools in January and February. Each school hosts an
informative Kindergarten Round-Up event for parents and guardians. To
learn more, contact the individual schools listed on the side.
Wee Care
BPS offers quality education and care for infants (beginning at six
weeks), toddler and preschool age children at the Wee Care Center
located at Groves High School. Call 248.203.4024 to schedule a tour.
In Focus
Learn from the best with BPS
Welcome
This year has been a banner year for BPS, as the district celebrated the
recognition of Rick Joseph, Birmingham Covington Teacher and 2015
Michigan Teacher of the Year, and Doug Baltz, Seaholm teacher and
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow. Art students at Berkshire
Middle School learn from the 2015 Michigan Art Education Association
Middle School Art Educator of the Year, Michael Orlando. Every day BPS
students learn from the very best.
BPS welcomes Dean
Niforos as the new Assistant
Superintendent of Human
Resources.
Niforos
joins the
district from
the Grosse
Pointe Public
School system
where he
served as the Director of
Human Resources. Prior to
his term with GPPS, Niforos
held HR leadership positions
at the Detroit Medical Center,
WellPoint and the Visiting
Nurse Association. Niforos
holds a Master’s in Business
Administration/Human
Resources from Wayne State
University.
Over 101
Groves staff,
students and
community
members
participated in
the annual Make
a Difference Day
service project
on Oct. 24.
The volunteers
gathered to paint
lockers and walls, in total over 12,000 square feet of work, at Dossin
Elementary-Middle School in Detroit. Staff members included Norman
Hurns, Shirley Chalmers, Jen Kondak, Lilianne Kowalchuk, Monica
Fugedi, Geoff Wickersham, Aaron Guay and Jamie Glover.
Students in the FLEX program have a team of leaders helping them
achieve. This year the FLEX team was invited to present at the Michigan
Council of Social Studies about interdisciplinary and democratic
instructional practices. Additionally, Seaholm ESL and FLEX teacher,
Ben Briere, attended a four-week Summer Institute in which teachers
focused on becoming more effective writers, teachers of writing, and
teacher leaders. At the conclusion of the Summer Institute, he earned the
internationally recognized credential, National Writing Project TeacherConsultant.
Noelle Davis joined
Greenfield Elementary School
as the new principal, following
the retirement of Don Tobe.
Davis joins the school from West
Maple Elementary School where
she served as assistant principal
for the last 13 years. She holds a
degree in Elementary Education,
Master’s of Arts in Teaching:
Language and Arts as well as a
Leadership Certification from
Oakland Leadership Academy
for Aspiring Principals.
Science students at Seaholm are learning from the Teacher Tribute
Initiative honoree, Linda Wichers. This honor is given on behalf of
Stanford University for having a significant impact on a freshman
student there. Additionally, Seaholm Principal Rachel Guinn, received
the Dr. Jacqueline I. Lougheed Endowed Award at Oakland University
this October for exemplary achievement, dedication to educational
leadership, and personal and professional goals.
Jason Pesamoska of West
Maple Elementary School
took over the role of assistant
principal at West Maple
Elementary School. Pesamoska
served as a teacher at the school
prior to his promotion.
Honors like these are found in classrooms and offices throughout BPS.
Teachers and support staff have made a commitment to serve students
first, which continues to earn them the recognition they deserve.
Achievement. Character. Community. 11
Birmingham Public Schools
Engage with BPS
Friends of Different
Learners
Annual Camp and
Resource Fair
Thursday, January 28, 2016
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Groves High School Commons
20500 W. 13 Mile Road
Beverly Hills, MI 48025
The 14th annual Camp and
Resource Fair is an informative
event serving families seeking
camps, therapies, educational,
recreational and healthcare
services and products that
support children with special
needs in both self-contained
and inclusive environments.
The fair is free and all are
welcome.
For information, email
Jo Ellen Schwartz at info@
friendsofdifferentlearners.
org or visit www.
friendsofdifferentlearners.org.
BPS tours
Contact us to schedule a
personalized tour for you and
your family. Learn about BPS
programs, staff, technology,
facilities and enrichment
opportunities during your
visit. Call 248.203.3001 to
be connected with your BPS
neighborhood school and learn
more about the district under
the Prospective Families tab at
www.birmingham.k12.mi.us.
12 Achievement. Character. Community.
Birmingham Public Schools is committed to listening to our
community and
working to build a
district that reflects
the best in each of the
communities we serve.
This winter, CECAC, a
community advisory
group to the BPS
Board of Education,
will conduct a
survey for parents,
staff members and
community members.
The community survey will be available on the distrct website at
www.birmingham.k12.mi.us. Print copies will be available in the BPS
Administration Building, located 31301 Evergreen in Beverly Hills and in
the Next main office, located at 2121 Midvale in Birmingham. Look for
the survey this January.
Communicate with building personnel and administrators through the
Let’s Talk system linked on our website.
This communication tool allows for direct
contact with BPS personnel in the district
including the Superintendent. This line
of communication differs from regular
email in that the user decides whether or
not they want their comment to remain
anonymous. For those who choose to
receive a response, the system will track the district’s customer response
time, enabling the district to improve communication turnaround time.
Keeping student safety in mind, the district also utilizes OK2SAY,
a communication tool that students can use to confidentially report
potential harm or criminal activities. The purpose is to prevent school
violence. Developed by the Michigan
State Police, OK2SAY is available
24/7 by telephone, text, email,
mobile application and via a webbased form on the OK2SAY website
at www.mi.gov/ok2say. Upon receipt of a tip, trained operators will
address the immediate need and, as necessary, forward the information
to the appropriate responding agency or organization. Most tips are
expected to go to schools and local law enforcement agencies, but in some
instances tips may go to local Community Mental Health agencies and/
or the Michigan Department of Human Services. Operators are trained
to recognize and appropriately address mental illness and emotional
disturbance. There is a button on the BPS homepage that connects users
with the service.
In Focus
.
Birmingham Community Education
Personal growth in 2016
Birmingham Community Education has many
opportunities for personal growth in 2016. This
winter, consider classes in Microsoft Word and Excel,
real estate basics, retirement planning, sustainable
landscaping, heartsaver CPR or hospice training.
Those interested in voiceover work may consider,
“Introduction to Professional Voiceovers --- Getting
Paid to Talk.”
If a new puppy is in the plans for 2016,
Birmingham Community Education offers dog
training classes and puppy pre-school, basic
obedience and therapy dog training. “Dance in a Day” for swing and
ballroom dancing and the Wedding Workshop offer opportunities to
learn a new skill in time for the Big Day or a fun event.
For those just needing to express their artistic side, peruse the latest
brochure for classes on digital photography, fiction writing, beading
and piano classes. Fishermen can bring their biggest fish tale to “Fly
Tying,” taught by members of the Challenge Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Language classes are available for those interested in German, Spanish,
French, Italian, and Russian.
Birmingham Community
Education can also make
sticking to those New Year’s
resolutions easy with Zumba
and Interval Training. Yoga
with Lynn Dowe. Mom and
Baby Yoga, and Prenatal
Yoga are also options to
keep on the move in 2016.
Additionally, “Make a Splash”
Community Open Swims are
back at Groves High School on most Sundays through March 20, from
1-3 p.m. To purchase a swim card or for more information visit www.
communityed.net or call 248.203.3800.
Recess Break Camp
Register children in grades
K-5 for Mid-Winter Break, Feb.
15-19. Science or sports camps
are held at Berkshire Middle
School in Beverly Hills.
Spring Break, April 4-8, has
opportunities in science and
sports with Science Camp or
Basketball Camp. Basketball
Camp is open to grades 3-8.
Both the science and basketball
camps are held at Birmingham
Covington School in Bloomfield
Hills.
Ready to plan for summer?
The 2015 Summer Fun Guide
will be online by March 1. You
must pre-register children at
www.communityed.net.
To register or for more information visit
www.communityed.net.
Achievement. Character. Community. 13
Birmingham Public Schools
Boomer Summit Save the Date
Saturday, April 30, 2016
8:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Next is teaming up with
the City of Birmingham, the
Principle Shopping District
and the Baldwin Public Library
to present Boomers Summit.
Huel Perkins from Fox 2 will
deliver opening remarks and
emcee the day. Along with a
vendor showcase, great music
and videos, and area experts
covering topics central to Baby
Boomers – this event is not to
be missed. Topics will include;
creating a meaningful life after
retirement, travel, wellness,
finances, and creativity. Join
hundreds of area Boomers
for this high-energy and
informative event. For more
information check out Boomer
Summit on Facebook or visit
the Next website at www.
Birminghamnext.org.
NEXT website offers added flexibility
Next – Your Place to Stay Active and Connected recently launched
its newly enhanced website, designed to be easier to use and more
interactive. BirminghamNext.org, is filled with information about
Next and all they do, with
registration options, payment
and donation choices and
membership, all at the click
of a mouse. Next is a vibrant
and energetic center serving
the 50 and better community
of Birmingham and beyond,
committed to providing highquality programs in fitness, art,
life-long learning, travel, technology training and support services.
Take part in an intergenerational discussion with students from
Seaholm or share an afternoon with students from Greenfield
Elementary. Enjoy an art class from an instructor from Next partner,
Center of Creative Studies. Play a game of pickleball or take a yoga
class. Hear an engaging and informative lecture on timely topics
ranging from ISIS to the future of metropolitan transportation. All of
these can be done in the same day at Next.
Next provides a warm
and welcoming environment
where the staff’s first and most
important mission is to make
sure every one of their members
has the opportunity and tools
to live a happy, healthy and
meaningful life. For friends
who need a little extra help,
or their adult children in need
of assistance, Next offers
transportation services, Meals
on Wheels, benefit check-ups, information about community resources
and so much more.
Next is located at 2121 Midvale in Birmingham. For more information
on all the fantastic opportunities and excitement that awaits at Next,
visit BirminghamNext.org or the Next office at 248.203.5270.
To contact Next please call 248.203.5270 or
visit us at BirminghamNext.org.
14 Achievement. Character. Community.
In Focus
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Birmingham Education
Foundation
Upcoming events
Unabashed Bash at The
Somerset Collection
Feb. 6, 2016
Bring a teacher’s idea to life
Each fall, the Birmingham Education Foundation asks friends and
families of BPS to
support district
students through
a donation to the
BEF Annual Fund
Campaign. These
donations become
grants that bring the
teacher’s great ideas to
life. Wondering what
these grants support?
Garage Sale at Berkshire
April 16-17, 2016
Drop Off, Berkshire
April 14-15, 2016
Berkshire Middle School is
located at 21707 W. 14 Mile
Road in Beverly Hills.
This year, BEF grants support activities like these:
- Every fourth grader will have the opportunity to see the Detroit
Symphony Orchestra perform live.
- Students at BCS are building a “Farm on Wheels” garden, allowing
them to study life cycles right in their classroom.
- The health classes at both high schools will learn about mental
illness first hand from a powerful speaker through the MINDS
program.
- Students at Berkshire will be using drums from around the world,
and learning about electrical engineering by learning to wire houses
through two grants given to the school.
The 15th annual Unabashed
Bash: Passport to Learning
The community is invited
to join the BEF for the 15th
annual Unabashed Bash,
taking place on Feb. 6, 2016.
This year the event will
be hosted at The Somerset
Collection and will feature
a strolling dinner, as well as
the silent and live auctions
and student entertainment
that have become hallmarks
of this signature event.
Ticket information is now
available at www.supportbef.
org/unabashed-bash.html.
With the community’s
support, the BEF is
able to give more than
$125,000 in grants back
to BPS teachers and
students each year. It’s
not too late to make a
difference in the schools.
Visit www.supportbef.org
to learn how to support
the Foundation, or to
make a donation online.
Learn more today at www.supportbef.org
248.203.3030.
Achievement. Character. Community. 15
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
31301 Evergreen Road
Beverly Hills, MI 48025-3800
www.birmingham.k12.mi.us
Permit No. 8
Birmingham, Michigan
Postal Patron Local
ECRWSS
Board of Education
Rob Lawrence, President
Christopher Conti, Vice President
Geri Rinschler, Secretary
Jessica Thomas, Treasurer
Michael Fenberg, Trustee
Walter Rothschild, Trustee
Steve Scheidt, Trustee
Dr. Daniel Nerad, Superintendent
For information, call 248.203.3000 or e-mail Info@birmingham.k12.mi.us.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION The Board of Education is committed to maintaining a learning/working environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, free from
discrimination and harassment. There will be no tolerance for discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information,
disability or age. The District prohibits harassment and other forms of discrimination whether occurring at school, on District property, in a District vehicle, or at any District related activity or event.
The Superintendent will designate compliance officers and develop and implement regulations for the reporting, investigation and resolution of complaints of discrimination or harassment. The following
people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Students - Inquiries related to discrimination on the basis of disability should be directed to: Executive Director
of Special Education, 31301 Evergreen Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025, 248.203.3000. Direct all other inquiries related to discrimination to: Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, 31301
Evergreen Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025, 248.203.3000.
Accomplish more with BPS
Beverly Elementary
18305 Beverly Road
248.203.3150
West Maple Elementary
6275 Inkster
248.851.2667
Bingham Farms Elem.
23400 W. 13 Mile Road
248.203.3350
BCS Districtwide 3-8
1525 Covington Road
248.203.4444
Greenfield Elementary
31200 Fairfax
248.203.3210
Berkshire Middle School
21707 W. 14 Mile Road
248.203.4700
Harlan Elementary
3595 N. Adams
248.203.3265
Derby Middle School
1300 Derby Road
248.203.3500
Pembroke Elementary
955 N. Eton
248.203.3888
Groves High School
20500 W. 13 Mile Road
248.203.3500
Pierce Elementary
1829 Pierce St.
248.203.4325
Seaholm High School
2436 W. Lincoln
248.203.4882
Quarton Elementary
771 Chesterfield
248.203.3425
Early Childhood Center
2121 Midvale
248.203.5800
This fall, Seaholm
High School students
in the Natural
Resources class spent
time outdoors on the
high- and low-ropes
courses. The class
offers sophomores,
juniors and seniors skill
work in team-building,
trust, communication,
leadership and other
areas of self growth.