Beaver Island Community School
Weekly Memo
Friday, April 10, 2026
Go bIrobot!
The BICS Robotics Team (bIrobot) is competing today, tomorrow, and Sunday at Ferris State
University. After some strategic troubleshooting this morning, they won their second match!
They will continue to play in qualifying matches this afternoon and tomorrow morning. Alliance
selection and playoffs will begin tomorrow afternoon. To watch the action, point your browser
to: https://frc-events.firstinspires.org/2026/team/6098 Go Islanders!
In Sports Action...
Calling all middle schoolers who love to run or want to get in shape for Soccer and
Volleyball—Middle School Track begins on Monday, April 13th. Practices will take place
on Monday, Tuesday and Fridays from 3:30 pm-5:00 pm. We plan to have three meets in May
and will notify the athletes and their parents when the schedule is finalized. If you are interested,
but have not yet signed up, please talk to Mr. Van. Go Islanders!
9th and 10th Graders Heading to Washington D.C.
Our freshes and sophs are heading to the Nation’s Capital next week to learn about democracy. Items on the itinerary include visiting memorials, the Capitol Building, Arlington National
Cemetery, the Holocaust Museum, many of the Smithonians, and a performance of 1776, the
Musical at the historic Fords Theatre. Attention 9th and 10th graders—make sure you prepare for
this trip over the weekend (gather all your required documentation, make sure your parents sign
permission to travel form, and make sure all your gear fits into a single carry-on bag!).
BICS NHS Induction—2:30 pm on Tuesday, April 14th
All parents and secondary students are invited to join us for the annual NHS Induction Ceremony
scheduled to take place at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, April 14th in the High School Commons.
Founded in 1921, the National Honor Society was developed to recognize and support
citizenship and academic excellence. This year, we have one NHS inductee: Faolan McGinnity. Please join us on April 14th as Faolan’s academic achievement and his kind and supportive
presence in our school is celebrated through his induction into the BICS NHS.
Fridays Breakfast Box Pickup Days!
Please note that Breakfast Boxes will henceforth be available for pickup at 2:30 pm on
Fridays. Given that warmer temps are on the way, please remember to pick up your Breakfast
Box in a timely manner on Friday afternoons. There are dairy items in the Breakfast Box and we
would not want any of the items in the box to go to waste.
Char-Em ISD Career Tech Millage Proposal—May 2026
On Tuesday, May 5th, Beaver Island’s voters will be asked to consider a proposed Char-Em ISD
Career and Technical Education (CTE) vocational millage. This millage supports our Business
Education, Science, and Technology (BEST) class, our Health Occupations programs, as well as
our technology connectivity. Call Dr. Cwikiel or see the attached flyer for more information.
Board Meeting at 6:30 pm on Monday, April 13th
BICS BOE’s regular April business meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 13th at 6:30 pm. All
Islanders are welcome to attend!
Have a Great Weekend!
Thank you Donna Stambaugh and Mary Kenwabikise!
Deb Robert and the 5th and 6th graders.
BEAVER ISLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOL
37895 Kings Highway
Beaver Island, Michigan, 49782
(231) 448-2744
Notice of Vacancy: March 10, 2026
Application Deadline: March 18, 2026
Job Title: Special Education Classroom Aide (Full Time or Part Time)
Position Begins: April 7, 2026 (or Sooner)
Location: Beaver Island Community School, Beaver Island, MI
Starting Pay: $18.00-$19.50/hr. (Plus Benefits for Full Time)
Job Responsibilities: Working under the overall supervision of the superintendent-principal and in collaboration with the special education teacher and classroom teachers, the BICS special education classroom aide will be responsible for contributing to a healthy learning environment for all students every day. Specific job duties will be determined by the needs of our students, but at a minimum will involve:
While serving as a one-on-one aide, assist in the educational and social development of pre-school, elementary, and secondary students.
Be physically active and engaged in student activities inside the classroom and during recess.
Provide support for students inside and outside the classroom to enable them to fully participate in activities, while being proactive in matters of health and safety.
Work collaboratively with other professionals, including Char-Em ISD’s speech therapist, social worker, occupational, behavioral, and physical therapists.
Support students with emotional or behavior concerns and assist them in developing appropriate social skills.
Qualifications: Applicants for this position will have at least the following minimum qualifications:
High school diploma.
Enjoy working with children and be capable of assisting students with special needs to support their academic, social, and physical growth and development.
Physically able to run and lift up to fifty pounds.
Have demonstrated the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others.
Support the philosophy of providing individualized instruction to every student.
Be able to pass required background checks and complete all paperwork associated with new hires.
For More Information About This Position: Contact Wilfred Cwikiel, BICS Superintendent-Principal at (231) 448-2744 or wilc@beaverisland.k12.mi.us
To Apply: Hand deliver, e-mail to wilc@beaverisland.k12.mi.us, or send via USPS a resume and cover letter with references to the BICS office. All applications must be received by 3:30 pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
Beaver Island Community School is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity for all members of our educational community and abide by Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information.
The student council has put together another great spirit week schedule for March 9th through March 14th. Please see the attached for the daily theme. There is an Elementary and Secondary Flyer attached.
Beaver Island Community School
Weekly Memo
Friday, February 20, 2026
Lake Genesereth Ice Fishing Tournament Tomorrow--Saturday, Feb 21 st !
The Beaver Island Wildlife Club is hosting the annual Lake Genesereth Ice Fishing Tournament on Saturday, February 21 st . The festivities start at “first light” at the Lake G. boat launch (due to weather and flight issues, the only bait available will be waxworms for youth) and lunch will be provided at noon (donations of food are welcome—if you want to make a dish to share, please contact Levi Connor). There will be 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd prizes for pike and bluegill with separate adult and kids categories (and everyone’s favorite—a special prize for the smallest pike!). Weigh-in is at 5:30 pm. There is a $10.00 entry fee for adults (to be paid at the Lake G. North Arm boat launch), but youth are free. Even if you don’t fish, come on out and enjoy the beauty of Lake G. in the winter!
Save the Date—February 27 th —Annual Crock Pot Cookoff!
Calling all Crockpot Cooks and food lovers! The annual Crock Pot Cookoff is scheduled for 5:00 pm on Friday, February 27 th . In addition to great food, there will be ample entertainment with the cherished parent/athletes games and presentations by the BICS Cheerleaders. See the BICS boys’ basketball team take on their dads…and the BICS girls’ volleyball team take on their moms.
Contact the school office or email Kerry Smith at kerrys@beaverisland.k12.mi.us to let us know if you will be bringing a Crock Pot. Prizes for the top three delicacies as selected by those in attendance. Free will donation. All proceeds go to support BICS Athletics.
Want School Information!—Download the App!
For the last couple of years, information for parents and community members about what’s going on at BICS has been accessible through an app. The BICS app allows you to access documents, school board meeting minutes, weekly news updates, school events, the sports schedule, school calendar, lunch menus, news updates, emergency notification/school closing alerts, and more. If you don’t have the BICS app, you can download it to your computer or phone easily.
Download for Android https://bit.ly/3Lgpsyy
Download for iPhone https://apple.co/45F5Lc0
There is also a parent portal link to PowerSchool so you can access your student’s grades, assignments, and attendance. If you need your sign in or password for PowerSchool or need help downloading the app, please contact the BICS school at 231-448-2744.
Reminder--Dental Clinic Next Week!
Thanks to the Beaver Island Elks Lodge #2886, BI Rural Health Center, and Dental Clinics North, there is a youth dental clinic taking place next Thursday and Friday that will provide free dental exams, x-rays cleanings, and fluoride or sealants (if needed). Thank you to all parents who have signed your students up for the clinic. Dental Clinics North has contacted parents directly to reserve the appointment times for your students. They kindly ask that you use the south entrance (dental entrance) of the BI Rural Health Center and be a few minutes early for your appointment time so that everyone can be seen.
Have a Great Weekend!
Stay Warm!
Bid documents will be available electronically upon request to Maura@GreenwaldBC.com. A hard copy of the Bid
Documents will be available for scheduled viewing at the following locations:
Beaver Island Community School
37895 Kings Hwy.
Beaver Island, MI 49782
231-448-2744
Greenwald & BCInc.
27890 Barney’s Lake Rd. N.
The volunteer is unable to attend BI FIT this morning.
Sorry for the short notice.
Be safe and thank you
Sheri Shepard
Weekly Memo
Friday, February 13, 2026
The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat!
Live from Lake Superior State University, reporting on the Islanders’ status at Northern Lights League Basketball Tournament: On the boys’ side, the Islanders defeated the Paradise Rockets in their first game on Friday morning with a decisive 43 to 25 win. The win took them into the next game against Mackinac Island. The boys played hard and came up short 35 to 56. The Lady Islanders dove into deep competition with the Mackinac Island Lakers in an intense rematch of the final Great Lakes Islands Tournament on Friday afternoon. Despite a strong second half and some amazing play, the Lakers edged the Islanders 56-66. Great play by all the Beaver Island athletes despite a season where all but one of their regular season games were cancelled due to weather. Special thanks to our Seniors! Go Islanders!
Want School Information!—Download the App!
For the last couple of years, information for parents and community members has been accessible through our school app that provides updates on what’s going on at BICS.
The BICS app allows you to access documents, school board meeting minutes, weekly news updates, school events, the sports schedule, school calendar, lunch menus, news updates, emergency notification/school closing alerts, and more. If you don’t have the BICS app, you can download it to your computer or phone easily by using one of the links below:
Download for Android https://bit.ly/3Lgpsyy
Download for iPhone https://apple.co/45F5Lc0
There is also a parent portal link to PowerSchool so you can access your student’s grades, assignments, and attendance. If you need your sign in or password for PowerSchool or need help downloading the app, please contact the BICS school at 231-448-2744.
Lake Genesereth Ice Fishing Tournament Planned for Saturday, Feb 21st
The Beaver Island Wildlife Club is hosting the annual Lake Genesereth Ice Fishing Tournament on Saturday, February 21st. The festivities start at “first light” at the Lake G. boat launch (bait provided) and lunch will be provided at noon (donations of food are welcome—if you want to make a dish to share, please contact Levi Connor). There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes for pike and bluegill with separate adult and kids categories (and everyone’s favorite—a special prize for the smallest pike!). Weigh-in is at 6:00 pm. Even if you don’t fish, come on out and enjoy the beauty of Lake G. in the winter!
Save the Date—February 27th—Annual Crock Pot Cookoff!
Calling all Crockpot Cooks and food lovers! The annual Crock Pot Cookoff is scheduled for 5:00 pm on Friday, February 27th. In addition to great food, there will be ample entertainment with the cherished parent/athletes games and presentations by the BICS Cheerleaders. Free will donation. Contact the school office or email Kerry Smith at kerrys@beaverisland.k12.mi.us to let us know if you will be bringing a Crock Pot. Prizes for the top three delicacies as selected by those in attendance. All proceeds go to support BICS Athletics.
Have a Great Weekend!
Stay Warm!
It's everything BICS, in your pocket.
With the new apps you can access documents, board meeting minutes, weekly news updates from the Principle, school events and sport schedule, school calendar and lunch menus, news updates, emergency notification/school closing alerts and more.
There is also a parent portal link to PowerSchool so you can access your Childs grades, assignments, and attendance. If you do not have a sign in or password please contact the office and we will get you set up.
Download for Android https://bit.ly/3Lgpsyy
Download for iPhone https://apple.co/45F5Lc0
If you need help getting this downloaded or have any questions please contact BICS school at 231-448-2744
Did you know that Char-Em ISD's Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings have grown over the years to now include 23 different programs operating in more than 50 classrooms across Charlevoix, Emmet, and northern Antrim counties? You can find an interactive version of the accompanying map on the CTE website: https://charemisdcareertech.org/interactive-map/
These classes, which take place in every local high school, are a large part of Char-Em's CTE programs and initiatives funded by the CTE millage, which has been approved by voters every four years since 1996 - that's 30 years of support! The next millage request will come before voters on May 5, 2026. Absentee ballots can be requested now. If you'd like to register to vote in person, do so online or by mail by April 20 (or in person up until Election Day).
High school vocational classes are just one part of the K-12 career tech spectrum in Char-Em ISD. Learn more about the many unique initiatives for elementary, middle, and high school students at www.charemisdcareertech.org.
Here are some highlights:
Our Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics work has included dipping our toes into the world of robotics.
Second graders have built creations and programmed sounds and movements of their own
Lego builds. This has taken patience, focus and teamwork.
We have been talking about possible why’s, and figuring out possible ways; that this type of work in the classroom might be used to help solve problems outside of the classroom.
Our fiddle instructor (Miss Ruby John) made her return to BICS in early February! Wild winter
weather had kept her from visiting us for many weeks.
The BICS second graders have made great progress this year in their timing, tone, and
attention.
Another classroom highlight this winter was having our guest reader - the director of the Beaver
Island Historical Society, read to us. We invited the third and fourth graders to join us.
Afterwards, all students were able to pick out a few books to keep in their personal libraries at
home.
Finally, most of the second graders had their first trip snowshoeing. We paired up with the pros
(the third and fourth graders!) as we walked our woods and studied animal tracks. We found a
spot where a fox or coyote had pounced on a snack. We are thankful for our partnerships with
the Beaver Island Library and to the Little Traverse Conservancy for this neat adventure.
