Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, May 20, 2022

BICS Masking Level: Precautionary (Yellow) on Monday, May 23rd

On Thursday and Friday, BICS was operating at the red level in the Middle and High School and the elementary students were remote. We are currently planning on resuming face to face instruction for all students on Monday, May 23rd at the Precautionary Level (yellow). At the yellow level, the wearing of masks in the school building is required for all individuals (K-12 students and staff) in common areas, when working in close proximity, during all-school events, and during community events held in the building. Students may remove their masks when sitting at their desks in a socially-distanced classroom. Teachers may remove their masks when socially distanced from students. Parents and guests are required to wear masks at all times in the building. Notification of any updates or changes will be sent to all parents via e-mail and indicated on the BICS web page atwww.beaverisland.k12.mi.us.

Banquet and Bash Reminder!

In case you didn’t see the note from Mrs. Anderson, Junior Class Advisor, Banquet and Bash will be taking place this Saturday, May 21st. We are very appreciative of the folks who were able to accommodate our need to reschedule this event from last week—thank you Planet X, the Beaver Island Boat Company, and the Harbour Bodega.

We have been in contact with the health department, other school districts, and the BIRHC regarding the COVID situation on the ground, what other schools are doing with their end of the year events, and what might be the best way to proceed. In the interest of providing this opportunity for our students responsibly, Banquet and Bash will take place with the following protective measures:

First and foremost, we ask that all guests and volunteers honestly self-check their symptoms. If you have a runny nose, sore throat, achiness, and other flu-like or allergy-like symptoms, then please stay home.

Secondly, just as we are operating school on Thursday and Friday at the Protective (Red) Level, Banquet and Bash will be conducted in the Protective (Red) Level. In other words, guests and volunteers will be required to wear masks when indoors other than when they are eating. Students will not have to wear masks when outside on the boat (but will need to wear masks when in the cabin) or on the soccer field.  Given the unique nature of the Banquet and Bash, taking masks off for quick pictures will be acceptable.

As a way to provide additional flexibility and choice for guests, those who would rather not wear a mask may opt to take a COVID-19 test at the school on Saturday afternoon. Those testing negative will be able to attend the event without wearing a mask. Those testing positive will not be able to attend the event. Testing will take place at the school on Saturday, May 21, from 12 noon to 2:00 pm. If you would like to test but cannot make this time, contact Mr. Cwikiel.

The Banquet starts at 6:00 pm at the Holy Cross Hall. Doors open at 5:45 pm. Students who are not able to attend due to COVID-19 or other concerns, may still have someone pick up a meal “to go” and have a buddy pick their Bash prizes for them. If you would like a “to go” meal, please contact Mrs. Anderson.

“Wingin’ It” Rescheduled to June 7th

The 4-5-6th grade play, “Wingin’ It,” has been rescheduled to Tuesday, June 7th at 7:00 pm. You don’t want to miss this hilarious coming of age theatrical production!

Monitor for Symptoms

Parents--Please monitor symptoms and make sure you keep your kids home if they are showing symptoms of any illness. Most people who tested positive recently report symptoms similar to “seasonal allergies.” BICS has N-95 masks and COVID-19 tests available for our students and their family members.

Island Cleanup and Track and Field Day

The annual Island Cleanup is planned for the afternoons of Thursday, May 26th and Track and Field Day is planned for May 27th. More information will be sent via e-mail early next week.

June School Board Meetings

The Beaver Island Community School Board of Education will hold their regularly scheduled committee of the whole working meeting on Wednesday, June 8th at 5:30 pm and their regularly scheduled business meeting on Monday, June 13th at 6:30 pm. The Board will hold their annual special budget hearing on Monday, June 27th at 5:30 pm. Parent attendance and public input are always welcome!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, May 6, 2022

Educator Appreciation Week at BICS!

Thanks to parents Patti Pritchett, Cari Ledbetter, Thayer McDonough, Theresa McDonough, Ryann Turner, and the BICS School Board Members, the faculty and staff were feeling a lot of love and appreciation during Teacher Appreciation Week. Thank YOU for your generosity!

Thank You Beaver Island Voters!

Beaver Island’s voters showed overwhelming support for the CTE programs that were on the ballot this week, with 86% voting in favor the renewal of the current .75 mill levy to support existing programs and 74% of voters approving the .25 mill levy that would allow Beaver Island and other Char-Em schools to expand our programs. Thank you Beaver Island voters!

Elementary Basketball Travels to Kinross this Week!

The 4-6th graders head to Maplewood Baptist tomorrow morning to test their mettle against the other teams in the Northern Lights League. Please have your young athlete at the airport by 7:40 am Saturday morning! Go Islanders!

AP Tests on Monday and Tuesday

BICS Juniors and Seniors will be taking the AP Calculus and the English Language and Composition tests next week. Remember, testing starts at 8:00 am at the Peaine Township hall, so be there around 7:50 am. Thank you Juniors and Seniors for taking on the extra challenge of AP coursework—we are so proud of you!

Soccer? You Bet!

Coach Doughman, John Brady Robert, and Mr. Ledbetter will be leading intermural soccer for 4th through 7th Grade students May 10th through 19th on T, W, Th from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Make sure you get your permission slip in so you can participate!

Banquet and Bash Reminder!

Back by popular demand—the BICS Banquet and Bash will take place this Saturday, May 14th. Students, make sure you bring in your permission slips and money for the Bash by May 11th…and hope for good weather on the 14th!

Only a Handful of Tickets Remain for “Wingin’ It”

The 4-5-6th grade students are hard at work preparing for “Wingin’ It,” a hilarious play that captures the milestones of childhood. Tickets are on sale now at the Beaver Island Community Center for $8.00 each. Get your tickets now—you don’t want to miss this event!

BICS Masking Level

Currently BICS is operating at the green level--where mask wearing is recommended but not required. Although cases on the rise in northern Michigan, hospitalizations are staying steady at a low rate. Currently BICS is operating at the green level, and we will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Notification of any updates or changes will be sent to all parents via e-mail and indicated on the BICS web page atwww.beaverisland.k12.mi.us. Please monitor symptoms and make sure you keep your kids home if they are showing symptoms of illness. BICS has N-95 masks and COVID-19 tests available for our students and families.

May School Board Meetings

The Beaver Island Community School Board of Education held their regularly scheduled committee of the whole working meeting on Wednesday, May 4th at 5:30 pm and their regularly scheduled business meeting on Monday, May 9th at 6:30 pm. Parent attendance and public input are always welcome!

Happy Mother’s Day!

We’d like to wish all the moms out there a very Happy Mother’s Day!  If it weren’t for moms, none of us would be here!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, May 27, 2022

BICS Masking Level: Standard (Green) on Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Assuming the current trend lines with COVID-19 cases associated with BICS continue, we will resume school after Memorial Day (on Tuesday, May 31, 2022) in the Standard (Green) COVID level. The standard level involves the continuation of ongoing mitigatory measures (such as cohorting, cleaning, parent screening), providing rapid testing at school for any student or parent who requests it, and adhering to HDNW isolation and quarantine guidelines. All individuals are encouraged and supported in wearing masks if they would like to, but it is not required unless they are within the second 5 day quarantine period. Notification of any updates or changes will be sent to all parents via e-mail and indicated on the BICS web page atwww.beaverisland.k12.mi.us.

BICS Traditions Back in Full Force this Week!

BICS Traditions help connect our students to the Island community and to each other. On Thursday, we held the Island Cleanup with students, staff members, and many parent volunteers scouring the highways and byways of Beaver Island to pick up trash and refuse. Today we have our K-12 teams of students competing in the annual Track and Field Day. Thanks to all who keep the flames of these traditions burning bright!

Thank You for a Great Banquet and Bash Event!

Many thanks to the Mrs. Anderson and the Juniors and their parents for putting on a great banquet and to Ms. Kerry, Mrs. Croswhite and the Seniors for coordinating the Bash. Thanks to our students who Special thanks to the Boat Company for the annual boat ride between Banquet and Bash, Ms. Fingeroot and the Harbor Bodega for catering the food, and Holy Cross for use of the Hall. Shout out to all the parent volunteers who helped make this happen, especially Mrs. Cole and Mrs. Martin for chaperoning Bash to the wee hours of the morning!

Secondary Awards and Honors—Wednesday, June 1 at 3:00 pm!

Parents—especially those of Middle and High School students, you are invited to attend the Secondary Awards and Honors Ceremony in the BICS gym on Wednesday, June 1st at 3:00 pm. Honors include the MS and HS student and citizen of the year, secondary department awards, official announcing our Valedictorian and Salutatorian, and special certifications and scholarships.

“Wingin’ It” Rescheduled to June 7th

The 4-5-6th grade play, “Wingin’ It,” has been rescheduled to Tuesday, June 7th at 7:00 pm. You don’t want to miss this hilarious coming of age theatrical production!

Warblers on the Water Events Open to the Public!

The BIA and Community Center are hosting Warblers on the Water this weekend. There are three free educational presentation held at the Community Center this weekend:

·Saturday, May 28th, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm—Butterflies of the Bird World: A Primer for Warbler Identification presented by Dr. Nancy Seefelt

·Sunday, May 29th, from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm—Tribal Bald Eagle Research and Piping Plover Status and Recovery on the Beaver Island Archipelago by Bill Parsons

·Sunday, May 29th, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm—Forestry for Michigan Birds by Linnea Rowse

Vision and Hearing Checks Next Tuesday

The Health Department Northwest will be on campus on Tuesday, May 31st for free vision and hearing screening for all students. If you do not want your child screened for vision or hearing problems, please e-mail either Ms. Kerry, Ms. Deb, or Mr. Cwikiel over the weekend or contact the office by phone first thing Tuesday to opt out.

“Books, for Christmas??!!” YES!  In June, July, and August for BICS Students!

The students at Beaver Island Community School will have three opportunities to receive books…and hopefully they will be more excited than the three-year old boy who went viral on YouTube a year ago. In addition to the last delivery of the books provided by the Elks of Beaver Island, the school has enrolled our elementary students in the Kids Read Now program, in which our students will be receiving books throughout the summer. As well, the Beaver Island District Library is hosting a summer reading program for Island K-12 students called “Oceans of Possibilities.” See the attached flyer for more information on this program, or call the BIDL at (231) 448-2701.

BIRHC has Boosters for Youth

The FDA has authorized, and the CDC recommended, the use of a single booster dose for individuals 5 through 11 years of age at least five months after completion of a primary series with the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. The Beaver Island Rural Health Center will have this vaccine available on the Island after June 1st. If your child is eligible and you would like to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 231-448-2275!

Monitor for Symptoms

Parents--Please monitor symptoms and make sure you keep your kids home if they are showing symptoms of any illness. Most people who tested positive recently report symptoms similar to “seasonal allergies.” BICS has N-95 masks and COVID-19 tests available for our students and their family members.

June School Board Meetings

The Beaver Island Community School Board of Education will hold their regularly scheduled committee of the whole working meeting on Wednesday, June 8th at 5:30 pm and their regularly scheduled business meeting on Monday, June 13th at 6:30 pm. The Board will hold their annual special budget hearing on Monday, June 27th at 5:30 pm. Parent attendance and public input are always welcome!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, April 8, 2022

Thank You Dr. Khalid el-Hakim

Thanks to planning, coordination, and fundraising by Lori Taylor-Blitz and the Beaver Island Historical Society, our students had the opportunity to learn about Black History from Dr. Khalid el-Hakim today and visit his Black History 101 Mobile Museum that was set up at the Print Shop. If you are interesting in learning more about African American history and would like to meet Dr. el-Hakim, he will be presenting to the greater Beaver Island community tonight at 7:00 pm at the Print Shop Museum. Thank you Dr. el-Hakim and Ms. Taylor-Blitz for making this enrichment opportunity possible for Beaver Island’s students!

Please Welcome Nicole Olson to the BICS Team

Nicole Olson will be serving as the new food service coordinator at BICS. She comes to us with experience as a restaurant owner, commitment to health and nutrition, experience in community service, and a keen understanding of the connection between the school and community on Beaver Island. Welcome Nicole!

Parent-Teacher Conferences Next Week

Ms. Deb sent out the parent-teacher conference schedule yesterday. Please take a look at it to make sure you know when you are scheduled for your conference(s). Call the office if you can’t make the conference time.

PSAT and SAT Testing Next Wednesday and Thursday

Testing season is upon us!  The PSAT and SAT are taking place next week…with M-STEP and the Spring NWEA testing taking place over the next several weeks. We encourage our students to do their best but not get stressed. Exercise, sleep, and healthy foods will keep those brains working on test days!

Tickets Now on Sale for “Wingin’ It”

The 4-5-6th grade students are hard at work preparing for “Wingin’ It,” a hilarious play that captures the milestones of childhood. Tickets are on sale now at the Beaver Island Community Center for $8.00 each. Get your tickets now—you don’t want to miss this event!

BICS Masking Level

Currently BICS is operating at the green level--where mask wearing is recommended but not required. Notification of any updates or changes will be send to all parents via e-mail and indicated on the BICS web page atwww.beaverisland.k12.mi.us.

April School Board Meetings

The Beaver Island Community School Board of Education will hold their regularly scheduled business meeting on Monday, April 11th at 6:30 pm. Parent attendance and public input are always welcome!

Tax Day is Near—Claim Your Child Tax Credit

The IRS is reaching out to America’s public-school districts to help spread the word on the 2021 Child Tax Credit payments, which could be up to $1,800 per qualifying child and the Recovery Rebate Credit (also called stimulus payments or Economic Impact Payments), which is $1,400 per qualifying child. The IRS reminds parents to reconcile tax records before filing their taxes. Compare the total amount of the advance Child Tax Credit received during 2021 with the amount you can claim on your tax return. Visit:https://go.usa.gov/xtmAzfor more information.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, April 15, 2022

Thank you for Attending Parent-Teacher Conferences This Week

I’d like to thank all the parents who participated in Parent-Teacher Conferences this week!  We have “rounded third” in the 2021-2022 school year. This can often be a time of stress for students as we engage in our end of the year progress-monitoring testing and work to complete the year’s curriculum. Remember, parent-teacher communication is not limited to parent-teacher conferences. If you have a question or concern, please contact your student’s teachers or me.

Easter Egg Hunt and Festivities!

BICS students and families are invited to a variety of Island Easter festivities on Saturday. The fun starts at 1:00 pm tomorrow at the Stables Campground with an Easter Egg Hunt.  The Bunny Hop Race starts at 1:45 pm (winners will take home a prize) and an Egg and Spoon Race will take place at around 2:30 pm. After the fun and games at the Stables, everyone is invited to the Beaver Island Community Center for complimentary hot chocolate, popcorn, and a 4:30 pm movie. Happy Easter Everyone!

M-STEP Testing Starts Next Week!

Testing season is upon us! Congrats to our 8th-11th graders on completing their PSAT and SAT tests this week. M-STEP testing starts next week. We encourage our students to do their best but not get stressed. Exercise, sleep, and healthy foods will keep those brains working on test days!

Tickets Now on Sale for “Wingin’ It”

The 4-5-6th grade students are hard at work preparing for “Wingin’ It,” a hilarious play that captures the milestones of childhood. Tickets are on sale now at the Beaver Island Community Center for $8.00 each. Get your tickets now—you don’t want to miss this event!

BICS Masking Level

Currently BICS is operating at the green level--where mask wearing is recommended but not required. Notification of any updates or changes will be sent to all parents via e-mail and indicated on the BICS web page atwww.beaverisland.k12.mi.us.

May School Board Meetings

The Beaver Island Community School Board of Education will hold their regularly scheduled committee of the whole working meeting on Wednesday, May 3rd at 5:30 pm and their regularly scheduled business meeting on Monday, May 9th at 6:30 pm. Parent attendance and public input are always welcome!

Tax Deadline Monday, April 18th—Don’t Forget to Claim Your Child Tax Credit

The IRS is reaching out to America’s public-school districts to help spread the word on the 2021 Child Tax Credit payments, which could be up to $1,800 per qualifying child and the Recovery Rebate Credit (also called stimulus payments or Economic Impact Payments), which is $1,400 per qualifying child. The IRS reminds parents to reconcile tax records before filing their taxes. Compare the total amount of the advance Child Tax Credit received during 2021 with the amount you can claim on your tax return. Visit:https://go.usa.gov/xtmAzfor more information.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, April 22, 2022

Happy Earth Day!

We are so fortunate to live in the midst of clean waters, vibrant wetlands, and deep woods. Take some time this weekend to enjoy our local environment…and take time throughout the year to reduce your impact on the Earth. Every Day is Earth Day!

CTE Students Honored on Tuesday at Boyne Mountain

The region’s top CTE students will be honored at a Char-Em Banquet on Tuesday, April 26th, at Boyne Mountain. This year’s honorees from Beaver Island are Health Occupations student Evelyn Ivy and Business Education Sciences and Technology students Maggie McCafferty and Micah Richards. Congratulations Evelyn, Maggie, and Micah!

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Millage on May 3rd Ballot

Beaver Island’s CTE programs, including Health Occupations (a collaboration with the BI Rural Health Center), Business Education Sciences and Technology (BEST), and our work-based learning programs, are all supported by an ISD-wide (Charlevoix and Emmet Counties) millage. There are two CTE proposals on the May 3rd ballot. One proposal is the renewal of the current.75 mill levy to support existing programs. The other proposal is a .25 mill levy that would allow Beaver Island and other Char-Em schools to expand our programs. If you have any questions, please check out the information on the Char-Em ISD website: https://www.charemisd.org/student-academic-services-programs/career-and-technical-education-cte/2022-cte-millage-information/

Hall Clean-Up Tomorrow

Banquet and Bash are back by popular demand. Parents—your students have signed up for the cleanup sessions at the Hall tomorrow in order to prepare for Banquet. There are two sessions, one from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm and the other from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. Please make sure your secondary student is on time for their cleanup session.

Student Council “All-Nighter” Scheduled for Saturday, April 30th

The BICS Student Council is planning an “All Nighter” from 7:00 pm on Saturday, April 30th to 8:00 am on Sunday, May 1st. Parents, please make sure you have completed the permission form that Mr. Richards sent out last week by Friday, April 29th. Details on this event are in the e-mail from Mr. Richards.

BICS Students Rocking the M-STEP!

Testing season is upon us! Our students will be taking the M-STEP over the next few weeks. We encourage our students to do their best but not get stressed. Exercise, sleep, and healthy foods will keep those brains working on test days!

Elementary Basketball—One More Week Before the Tournament!

Elementary basketball has one more week of practice…and then the 4-6th graders head to Mackinac Island to test their mettle against their Northern Lights League opponents on Saturday, April 30th. Ms. Kerry will have the permission slips next week for parents to fill out.

Tickets Now on Sale for “Wingin’ It”

The 4-5-6th grade students are hard at work preparing for “Wingin’ It,” a hilarious play that captures the milestones of childhood. Tickets are on sale now at the Beaver Island Community Center for $8.00 each. Get your tickets now—you don’t want to miss this event!

BICS Masking Level

Currently BICS is operating at the green level--where mask wearing is recommended but not required. Although there are cases on the rise in Michigan, right now BICS is planning to continue operation at the green level. Notification of any updates or changes will be sent to all parents via e-mail and indicated on the BICS web page atwww.beaverisland.k12.mi.us. Please monitor symptoms and make sure you keep your kids home if they are showing symptoms of illness. BICS has N-95 masks and COVID-19 tests available for our students and families.

May School Board Meetings

The Beaver Island Community School Board of Education will hold their regularly scheduled committee of the whole working meeting on Wednesday, May 3rd at 5:30 pm and their regularly scheduled business meeting on Monday, May 9th at 6:30 pm. Parent attendance and public input are always welcome!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, April 29, 2022

BICS CTE Students Honored at Boyne Mountain Event!

The region’s top Career Technology Education (CTE) students were honored at a Char-Em Banquet on Tuesday, April 26th, at Boyne Mountain. This year’s honorees from Beaver Island were Health Occupations student Evelyn Ivy and Business Education Sciences and Technology students Maggie McCafferty and Micah Richards. Congratulations Evelyn, Maggie, and Micah!

Polls Open Next Tuesday! CTE Millage on May 3rd Ballot

Beaver Island’s CTE programs, including Health Occupations (a collaboration with the BI Rural Health Center), Business Education Sciences and Technology (BEST), and our work-based learning programs, are all supported by an ISD-wide (Charlevoix and Emmet Counties) millage. There are two CTE funding proposals on the May 3rd ballot. One proposal is the renewal of the current .75 mill levy to support existing programs. The other proposal is a .25 mill levy that would allow Beaver Island and other Char-Em schools to expand our programs. If you have any questions, please call Mr. Cwikiel or check out the information on the Char-Em ISD website: https://www.charemisd.org/student-academic-services-programs/career-and-technical-education-cte/2022-cte-millage-information/

Student Council “All-Nighter” Scheduled for Saturday, April 30th

The BICS Student Council is planning an “All Nighter” from 7:00 pm on Saturday, April 30th to 8:00 am on Sunday, May 1st. Parents, please make sure you have completed the permission form that Mr. Richards sent out last week by Friday, April 29th. Details on this event are in the e-mail from Mr. Richards.

Elementary Basketball Travels to Mackinac Island this Week!

The 4-6th graders head to Mackinac Island to test their mettle against their Northern Lights League opponents on Saturday, April 30th. Our young athletes will then compete at Maplewood Baptist on May 7th in Kinross. Go Islanders!

BICS Sports Awards on Tuesday, May 3rd at 6:30 pm in the Gym

Everyone is invited to join us in honoring our soccer, volleyball, and basketball athletes and coaches. We will be meeting in the gym at 6:30 pm. See you there!

Soccer? You Bet!

Coach Doughman, John Brady Robert, and Mr. Ledbetter will be leading intermural soccer for 4th through 7th Grade students May 10th through 19th on T, W, Th from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. See attached permission slip.

Bash Reminder!

Students, make sure you bring in your permission slips and money for the Bash by May 11th. The event is on May 14th—keep your fingers crossed for decent weather!

Only a Few Tickets Remain for “Wingin’ It”

The 4-5-6th grade students are hard at work preparing for “Wingin’ It,” a hilarious play that captures the milestones of childhood. Tickets are on sale now at the Beaver Island Community Center for $8.00 each. Get your tickets now—you don’t want to miss this event!

BICS Masking Level

Currently BICS is operating at the green level--where mask wearing is recommended but not required. Although there are cases on the rise in Michigan, right now BICS is planning to continue operation at the green level. Notification of any updates or changes will be sent to all parents via e-mail and indicated on the BICS web page atwww.beaverisland.k12.mi.us. Please monitor symptoms and make sure you keep your kids home if they are showing symptoms of illness. BICS has N-95 masks and COVID-19 tests available for our students and families.

May School Board Meetings

The Beaver Island Community School Board of Education will hold their regularly scheduled committee of the whole working meeting on Wednesday, May 4th at 5:30 pm and their regularly scheduled business meeting on Monday, May 9th at 6:30 pm. Parent attendance and public input are always welcome!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, March 4, 2022

Islanders are Resilient and Adaptable!

The Model United Nations class had to leave the Island a day early to ensure they made it to the conference due to weather. In true Islander fashion, the BICS Team turned the change in plans into an opportunity by springing into action and setting up a college tour and presentation by the admissions office at Grand Valley State University. Even though our students spend an extra day out of class, they got a chance to experience one of Michigan’s premier public universities. Thank you to GVSU’s admissions office for also being able to work with our students on such short notice! After their university experience, the MUN students visited the Corner Record Shop in Grandville to learn about entrepreneurship and passion in the business world!

Alaskan NetsMovie—Mark Your Calendars!

All secondary students and community members are invited to the Beaver Island Community Center at 4:00 pm on Friday, March 11th for a premier showing ofAlaskan Nets. This new film documents the improbable journey of two cousins that lead their team and town in search of their first state basketball championship in more than thirty years—the only thing that will bring life back to an Island that has been rocked by unimaginable tragedy. This movie is not yet rated, but deals with community tragedy and high-school aged themes and so may not be appropriate for young children. It is recommended that parents accompany any children in 6th grade or younger.

The Beaver Island showing is part of a nation-wide release of the movie during the month of March. Thank you to the Community Center for hosting this event. The movie runs for two hours and will start at 4:00 pm on Friday, March 11th. There is no cost, but pizza and snacks will be provided…and free-will donations are accepted. All proceeds will go toward the BICS Athletic program. For more information, here’s the movie website (and trailer):
https://blog.gci.com/gci-partners-with-alaska-airlines-to-deliver-alaskan-nets-documentary-exclusive-screening/

Alaskan NetsMovie Sweepstakes—Reminder to Basketball Players!

By participating in the nationwide premier showing of Alaskan Nets, Beaver Island Community School’s boys and girls basketball teams have completed the first step in becoming eligible for the Grand Prize (roundtrip tickets for our boys and girls basketball teams to Anchorage, Alaksa to compete in the 2023 Alaska Airlines Classic Basketball Tournament). The next step is to take a picture of both teams with their green jerseys at an iconic location in our community to accompany our sweepstakes application. On Tuesday during lunch, we will be taking the students out to the Whiskey Point Lighthouse to take our picture. Bring your green jersey (if you already handed it in, talk to Ms. Kerry) and wear colorful pants for the photo. You don’t have to wear your jersey to school…you can just wear it over your regular clothes.

March is National Reading Month!

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March is designated as National Reading Month to motivate students of all ages. We are doing lots of reading here at school, and Mrs. Boyle brought some amazing Dr. Seuss-themed treats to keep us all energized to hit the books. But reading is not just a school thing…so, when you have a free moment, turn off the gadget with a screen and grab a book! Establish family reading time! Read to your kids before bed! For, in the words of Dr. Seuss: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go!”

Child Tax Credits

The IRS is reaching out to America’s public-school districts to help spread the word on the 2021 Child Tax Credit payments, which could be up to $1,800 per qualifying child and the Recovery Rebate Credit (also called stimulus payments or Economic Impact Payments), which is $1,400 per qualifying child. The IRS reminds parents to reconcile tax records before filing their taxes. Compare the total amount of the advance Child Tax Credit received during 2021 with the amount you can claim on your tax return. Visit:https://go.usa.gov/xtmAzfor more information.

March School Board Meetings

The Beaver Island Community School Board of Education (BOE) has two meetings scheduled in March—the Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9th at 5:30 pm (this is a discussion meeting—no formal votes will be taken) and the regular monthly business meeting is on Monday, March 14th at 6:30 pm. As with the past two years, we will be discussing COVID updates, policies, and protocols at board meetings. We always welcome parent attendance and public input!

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, March 11, 2022

Alaskan NetsMovie—Today at 4:00pm!

All secondary students and community members are invited to the Beaver Island Community Center at 4:00 pm on Friday, March 11th for a premier showing ofAlaskan Nets. This new film documents the improbable journey of two cousins that lead their team and town in search of their first state basketball championship in more than thirty years—the only thing that will bring life back to an Island that has been rocked by unimaginable tragedy. This movie is not yet rated, but deals with community tragedy and high-school aged themes and so may not be appropriate for young children. It is recommended that parents accompany any children in 6th grade or younger.

The Beaver Island showing is part of a nation-wide release of the movie during the month of March. Thank you to the Community Center for hosting this event. The movie runs for two hours and will start at 4:00 pm on Friday, March 11th. There is no cost, but pizza and snacks will be provided…and free-will donations are accepted. All proceeds will go toward the BICS Athletic program. For more information, here’s the movie website (and trailer):
https://blog.gci.com/gci-partners-with-alaska-airlines-to-deliver-alaskan-nets-documentary-exclusive-screening/

Spirit Week Dress Up Days!

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day and to help beat the late-winter blahs…the BICS Student Council has decreed (with the help of some leprechauns) that next week is Beaver Island Spirit Week. Below you will see the different dress-up days for the Elementary and the Secondary levels:

·For Elementary Students:

oMonday—Pajama Day

oTuesday—Crazy Hair/Hat Day

oWednesday—Mismatch Day

oThursday—Favorite Sports Team Day

oFriday—Celebrate St. Patrick's Day (Green/White/Orange)

·For Secondary Students:

oMonday—Pajama Day

oTuesday—Dress Like a Parent Day

oWednesday—Way-Back Wednesday

oThursday—Jersey Day

oFriday—St. Patrick's Day (Green/White/Orange)

Danny, Brother Jim, and Cindy Kid’s Concert Next Friday!

To help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the trio of Danny, Brother Jim, and Cindy will be playing a concert for our students on Friday, March 18th, starting at 2:30. Family and community members are welcome to attend. More information about this event will be provided next week!

March is National Reading Month!

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March is designated as National Reading Month to motivate students of all ages. We are doing lots of reading here at school, and Mrs. Boyle brought some amazing Dr. Seuss-themed treats to keep us all energized to hit the books. But reading is not just a school thing…so, when you have a free moment, turn off the gadget with a screen and grab a book! Establish family reading time! Read to your kids before bed! For, in the words of Dr. Seuss: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go!”

Child Tax Credits

The IRS is reaching out to America’s public-school districts to help spread the word on the 2021 Child Tax Credit payments, which could be up to $1,800 per qualifying child and the Recovery Rebate Credit (also called stimulus payments or Economic Impact Payments), which is $1,400 per qualifying child. The IRS reminds parents to reconcile tax records before filing their taxes. Compare the total amount of the advance Child Tax Credit received during 2021 with the amount you can claim on your tax return. Visit:https://go.usa.gov/xtmAzfor more information.

Save the date—4th, 5th, 6th, Play—Wingin’ It on May 20th at 7:00 pm!

Mrs. Robert’s students are hard at work preparing for “Wingin’ It,” a hilarious play that captures the milestones of childhood. Plan on joining us for this event at the Community Center at 7:00 pm on Friday, May 20th. Tickets will go on sale at the Beaver Island Community Center after spring break.

March Regular School Board Business Meeting—Monday at 6:30 pm

The regular monthly business meeting of the Beaver Island Community School Board of Education is Monday, March 14th at 6:30 pm. The draft agenda for the meeting and the BICS public input policy for board meetings are attached. We always welcome parent attendance and public input!

Have a Great Weekend!

| | Beaver Island Community SchoolWeekly UpdateFriday, March 18, 2022******Thank you Danny, Brother Jim, Cindy, and Glen!**After a one-year hiatus, the annual St. Patrick's Kids Concert was back at BICS to kick off St. Patrick's Weekend!  A huge thank you to Danny, Brother Jim, Cindy, and Glen for sharing the joy and history of traditional music with our students, parents, and community members! Kudos also to Bridget and Alyssa Martin for their Irish dancing exhibition. Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone!PLEASE NOTE--NO SCHOOL on Friday, March 25, 2022Please note, BICS will be closed next Friday, March 25, 2022. The 1/2 day of school originally planned for Friday, March 25th has been cancelled.****Updates to BICS Masking PolicyAt their regular March business meeting, the BICS Board of Education made the following modification to the school's Adaptive COVID-19 response plan: the requirement for mask wearing when working in close proximity is now part of the precautionary (yellow) level. This change is effective on Monday, March 21st. Currently BICS is operating at the green level--where mask wearing is recommended but not required. Notification of the level we are in, and updates for any changes, is located on the BICS web page atwww.beaverisland.k12.mi.us.****March is National Reading Month--PoWer! Book Bags Coming this Week!In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March is designated as National Reading Month. The Elks will be distributing the next batch of PoWer Book Bags this week...just time for spring break reading fun! Thank you Elks volunteers for coordinating this program!April Lunch Menus and Ordering FormsPlease return your April lunch ordering forms next week so Moses can order the ingredients over spring break.Child Tax CreditsThe IRS is reaching out to America’s public-school districts to help spread the word on the 2021 Child Tax Credit payments, which could be up to $1,800 per qualifying child and the Recovery Rebate Credit (also called stimulus payments or Economic Impact Payments), which is $1,400 per qualifying child. The IRS reminds parents to reconcile tax records before filing their taxes. Compare the total amount of the advance Child Tax Credit received during 2021 with the amount you can claim on your tax return. Visit:https://go.usa.gov/​xtmAzfor more information.**Save the date—4th, 5th, 6th, Play—Wingin’ It on May 20th at 7:00 pm!**Mrs. Robert’s students are hard at work preparing for “Wingin’ It,” a hilarious play that captures the milestones of childhood. Plan on joining us for this event at the Community Center at 7:00 pm on Friday, May 20th. Tickets will go on sale at the Beaver Island Community Center after spring break.April School Board MeetingsThe Beaver Island Community School Board of Education will hold their regularly scheduled Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday, April 6th, at 5:30 pm and their business meeting on Monday, April 11th at 6:30 pm. Parent attendance and public input are always welcome!Have a Great St. Patrick's Day Weekend!--Wilfred Cwikiel, Superintendent-PrincipalBeaver Island Community School(231) 448-2744| | |

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Thursday, March 24, 2022

PLEASE NOTE--NO SCHOOL on Friday, March 25, 2022

Please note, BICS will be closed next Friday, March 25, 2022. The 1/2 day of school originally planned for Friday, March 25th has been cancelled.

PLEASE NOTE—School Resumes on Tuesday, April 5, 2022

March is National Reading Month--PoWeR! Book Bags Distributed!

Thank you to the Beaver Island Elks Club for distributing PoWeR Book Bags this week. Special thanks to Lori Taylor-Blitz for reading to all of our children in honor of National Reading Month. Thank you to Mrs. Anderson for coordinating the in-school celebrations!

April Lunch Menus and Ordering Forms

If you have not yet sent in your order form, please email it to Ms. Deb atdebbiep@beaverisland.k12.mi.usover spring break.

BICS Masking Level

Currently BICS is operating at the green level--where mask wearing is recommended but not required. Notification of any updates or changes will be send to all parents via e-mail and indicated on the BICS web page atwww.beaverisland.k12.mi.us.

Child Tax Credits

The IRS is reaching out to America’s public-school districts to help spread the word on the 2021 Child Tax Credit payments, which could be up to $1,800 per qualifying child and the Recovery Rebate Credit (also called stimulus payments or Economic Impact Payments), which is $1,400 per qualifying child. The IRS reminds parents to reconcile tax records before filing their taxes. Compare the total amount of the advance Child Tax Credit received during 2021 with the amount you can claim on your tax return. Visit:https://go.usa.gov/xtmAzfor more information.

Save the date—4th, 5th, 6th, Play—Wingin’ It on May 20th at 7:00 pm!

Mrs. Robert’s students are hard at work preparing for “Wingin’ It,” a hilarious play that captures the milestones of childhood. Plan on joining us for this event at the Community Center at 7:00 pm on Friday, May 20th. Tickets will go on sale at the Beaver Island Community Center after spring break.

April School Board Meetings

The Beaver Island Community School Board of Education will hold their regularly scheduled Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday, April 6th, at 5:30 pm and their business meeting on Monday, April 11th at 6:30 pm. Parent attendance and public input are always welcome!

Have a Great Spring Break!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, February 4, 2022

Islanders Meet Lakers Tonight!

The Islander Athletes get a chance to put all their hard work at practice for the past two months to the test tonight and tomorrow morning in their match-up with the Mackinac Island Lakers. Tip-off time tonight is at 5:30 pm and tomorrow at 8:00 am. We will honor our seniors and their parents tonight between the boys’ and girls’ games. In addition to honoring senior parents, there will be special presentations of our elementary pom squads at halftime of each game. There will be no concessions nor food or drink allowed in the gymnasium.Parents and community members remember—All persons in the school building watching the game MUST wear properly fitted masks at all times…and no food or drink is allowed in the gymnasium.

Upcoming Games

Hopefully our athletes will get some wins this weekend in preparation for their away games against Ojibwe next Wednesday. Next Friday we host Paradise here at home again! Go Islanders!

Island Vaccinations and Boostinations!

The Beaver Island Rural Health Center has vaccines on hand for first-timers and those who need a booster. Please call the BIRHC at 448-2275 to schedule your appointment.

Beyond the Brush on February 7th and 8th at the Health Center

Thanks to funding from the Good Samaritan Fund and the Beaver Island Elks Lodge (Post #2886), next week Dental Clinics North, the Beaver Island Rural Health Center, and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan are collaborating to provide FREE dental exams, x-rays, and cleanings for all BICS students. Please remember to pick up your child from school in time for their appointment at the Health Center. If you have not yet been called to set up your appointment, please call the Health Center at 448-2275.

Parents—PLEASE Do Not Send Your Student to School if they are Ill!

In order to keep our school open, we need every parent to help us out by checking your student for symptoms BEFORE you bring them to school. If your child is showing any cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them at home and consider having them tested for COVID-19 either at the school or at the Health Center.

Lake Geneserath Ice Fishing Tournament—Saturday, February 19th

Sharpen the hooks on your tip-ups…the Lake G. Ice Fishing Tournament is slated for Saturday, February 19th. This event co-sponsored by the Beaver Island Wildlife Club and the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce involves great food, amazing prizes, and a lot of fun! Unfortunately, most of our secondary students will be at the Northern Lights League Basketball Tournament in Rudyard. Hopefully we will get a good turnout among our elementary students! Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information!

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, February 11, 2022

Islanders Triumph in Paradise!

The Islander Athletes took on the Paradise Rockets in Paradise last night…and both the girls and boys teams were triumphant!  The boys play the boys from Grand Marais on Tuesday at home (exact game time TBD) to determine which team will compete in the Northern Lights League (NLL) Tournament slated for next weekend in Rudyard. Congrats on your wins in Paradise…good luck next Tuesday at home!  Go Islanders!

Beyond the Brush Huge Success!

A huge thanks to the Good Samaritan Fund, the Beaver Island Elks Lodge (Post #2886), Dental Clinics North, the Beaver Island Rural Health Center, and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan for the Beyond the Brush program! Over half of our students participated in dental health program!

Island Vaccinations and Boostinations!

The Beaver Island Rural Health Center has vaccines on hand for first-timers and those who need a booster. Please call the BIRHC at 448-2275 to schedule your appointment.

BICS School Board Meeting at 6:30 pm on February 14th

If you are looking for a Valentine’s Day excursion for you and your sweetheart, the BICS School Board will be meeting at 6:30 pm on February 14th. See you there!

Lake Geneserath Ice Fishing Tournament—Saturday, February 19th

Sharpen the hooks on your tip-ups…the Lake G. Ice Fishing Tournament is slated for Saturday, February 19th. This event co-sponsored by the Beaver Island Wildlife Club and the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce involves great food, amazing prizes, and a lot of fun! Unfortunately, most of our secondary students will be at the Northern Lights League Basketball Tournament in Rudyard. Hopefully we will get a good turnout among our elementary students! Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information! This event is FREE to all participants!

Thank You Parents!

I just want to thank our parents for helping us out by checking your student for symptoms BEFORE you bring them to school. We have not had a positive case of COVID in school for the past two weeks. Thank you…and let’s keep this trend going. If your child is showing any cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them at home and consider having them tested for COVID-19 either at the school or at the Health Center.

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, February 18, 2022

Islanders at Northern Lights League Tournament!

With the boys’ win on Tuesday against the Grand Marais Polar Bears, both Islander Teams made it to Northern Lights League (NLL) Tournament slated for this weekend in Rudyard. The first round of games is tonight, with the boys playing Maplewood and the girls playing Mackinac Island. Send good luck from Beaver Island north starting at 4:00 pm tonight. Go Islanders!

Mask Protocol for Beaver Island Community School

As noted earlier in the week, Beaver Island Community School has adopted an adaptive plan for addressing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The plan calls for three levels of response: 1) standard (green), 2) precautionary (yellow), and 3) protective (red). Today, the first day the plan went into effect, found us opening at the green level. At this level, wearing of masks is recommended, but not required except for when students or staff are working in close proximity. If we need to move from one level to another, notice will be provided via e-mail to parents and posted on our website (www.beaverisland.k12.mi.us). The full plan was e-mailed to parents last week and is posted on our website. If you have any questions, feel free to give Mr. Cwikiel a call at (231) 448-2744.

Other Mitigation Measures...

Although there is lots of focus on mask wearing as it relates to COVID mitigation, I want to remind everyone that there are many other mitigation measures that reduce the transmission of communicable disease such as the common cold, flu, strep throat, lice, MRSA, etc. As we enter the “endemic” phase of COVID-19, I want us to keep in mind all the other mitigation measures that help keep our kids in school. The most important measure is parents keeping their kids home when they have cold and flu symptoms or other signs of illness. The Beaver Island Rural Health Center has vaccines on hand—please call them at 448-2275 to schedule your appointment. At the school, we are following best practices for indoor air quality, sanitizing rooms, and utilizing our space to social distance as much as possible. By working together, these mitigatory measures will ensure that we are able to keep our school open!

Lake Geneserath Ice Fishing Tournament—Saturday, February 19th

Sharpen the hooks on your tip-ups…the Lake Geneserath Ice Fishing Tournament is tomorrow, February 19th. This event is co-sponsored by the Beaver Island Wildlife Club and the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce and involves great food, amazing prizes, and a lot of fun! Unfortunately, most of our secondary students will be at the Northern Lights League Basketball Tournament in Rudyard. Hopefully we will get a good turnout among our elementary students! Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information! This event is FREE to all participants!

Mark your Calendars for the March School Board Meetings

The Beaver Island Community School Board of Education (BOE) has two meetings scheduled in March—the Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9th at 5:30 pm (this is a discussion meeting—no formal votes will be taken) and the regular monthly meeting is on Monday, March 14th at 6:30 pm. As with the past two years, we will be discussing COVID updates, policies, and protocols at board meetings. We always welcome parent attendance!

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, February 25, 2022

Lake Geneserath Ice Fishing Tournament Winners!

Last Saturday, the Beaver Island Wildlife Club and the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce

sponsored the Lake Geneserath Ice Fishing Tournament. Three of our students ventured onto the

ice on a blustery day and had a great time with their guide, Levi Connor. In the panfish division,

Lucas took first, Jason second, and Nate third. Jason took first place in the youth pike division,

with the only pike caught. Thanks again to the Wildlife Club and the Chamber of Commerce for

sponsoring this event and providing the food and great prizes!

Alaskan Nets Movie—Mark Your Calendars!

Although the Northern Lights League basketball season is over, there’s still some basketball to

watch…but this time at the Beaver Island Community Center instead of the BICS gymnasium.

At 4:00 pm on Friday, March 11 th , the Community Center is hosting a showing of Alaskan Nets.

This new film documents the improbable journey of two cousins that lead their team and town in

search of their first state basketball championship in more than thirty years—the only thing that

will bring life back to an Island that has been rocked by unimaginable tragedy. This movie is not

yet rated, but deals with mature themes and tragedy and so is not recommended for young

children. The Beaver Island showing is part of a nation-wide release of the movie during the

month of March. Thank you to the Community Center for hosting this event. The movie runs for

two hours and will start at 4:00 pm on Friday, March 11 th . Community members and secondary

students are welcome to attend. There is no cost, but pizza and snacks will be provided…and

free-will donations are accepted. All proceeds will go toward the BICS Athletic program. For

more information, here’s the movie website (and trailer):

https://blog.gci.com/gci-partners-with-alaska-airlines-to-deliver-alaskan-nets-documentary-

exclusive-screening/

MUN Leaves Wednesday for Conference

Our Model United Nations students head off the Island on Wednesday to participate in this

year’s Mid-American Model United Nations conference in Kalamazoo. This program does a

wonderful job of helping our students understand geopolitical dynamics in this ever-changing

world. This year, our students will represent the island nation of Japan at the conference. Good

luck Islanders—let’s hope that you will be better at resolving global conflict than those currently

in power. Maybe our Model UN students can be role models for our world leaders!

Lunch Menus

March lunch menus are out. If you have not yet returned your lunch menu to the office, please do

so ASAP so Moses can plan ingredient orders for the month.

Child Tax Credits

The IRS is reaching out to America’s public-school districts to help spread the word on the 2021

Child Tax Credit payments, which could be up to $1,800 per qualifying child and the Recovery

Rebate Credit (also called stimulus payments or Economic Impact Payments), which is $1,400

per qualifying child. The IRS reminds parents to reconcile tax records before filing their taxes.

Compare the total amount of the advance Child Tax Credit received during 2021 with the

amount you can claim on your tax return. Visit: https://go.usa.gov/xtmAz for more information.

Thank You for Your Cooperation

I’d like to thank all the students, parents, and staff for their cooperation with the changes in the

masking protocol at Beaver Island Community School. It’s been so great to see everyone’s

smiling faces! Donning masks when working closely together seems to be working well for the

time being. We will continuously monitor the situation and make appropriate adaptations as

COVID transitions from pandemic to endemic. In the meantime, thank you—for the past two

years, we have been in this together…and we will be in this together no matter what comes our

way!

Mark your Calendars for the March School Board Meetings

The Beaver Island Community School Board of Education (BOE) has two meetings scheduled in

March—the Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9 th at 5:30 pm

(this is a discussion meeting—no formal votes will be taken) and the regular monthly business

meeting is on Monday, March 14 th at 6:30 pm. As with the past two years, we will be discussing

COVID updates, policies, and protocols at board meetings. We always welcome parent

attendance!

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, January 7, 2022

Basketball Postponed

The Boys and Girls teams will not be flying to take on Hannahville due to tomorrow’s predicted weather conditions. The games will be rescheduled for later in January. In the meantime, stay healthy and keep practicing!

Vaccination Opportunity for 5-1l Year-Olds Next Week! Five Doses Left!

The Beaver Island Rural Health Center appreciates the response from parents to get their elementary students vaccinated over the holiday break. The second dose clinic is next Tuesday. We have been informed that the BIRHC has FIVE pediatric doses left that can be used on January 11 for the first dose. So, if you have been thinking about having your elementary child vaccinated, now is the time. Otherwise, these doses will go to waste. Please call the Health Center at 2275 to schedule your appointment for next Tuesday.

Parents—PLEASE Check your Child for COVID Symptoms BEFORE School!

In order to keep our school open, we need every parent to help us out by checking your student for symptoms BEFORE you bring them to school. If your child is showing any cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them at home and consider having them tested for COVID-19 either at the school or at the Health Center. Students on quarantine must be symptom-free before returning to school.

HOT TOPICS for Parents of Teens!

Want to learn more about helping your teen through tough times? Sign up for this online educational program offered by the Health Department of Northwest Michigan at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 26th. See the attached flyer for more information!

Beyond the Brush!

The Beaver Island Rural Health Center and Dental Clinics North are providing FREE dental exams, x-rays, and cleanings for all students at Beaver Island Community School. These services are being paid for by the Good Samaritan Fund and the Beaver Island Elks Lodge (Post #2886). All students were given an information and registration packet today. Please note that we need the registration information completed and returned to the BICS school office by February 1st in order to participate. Thanks to the BIRHC, DCN, the Good Samaritan Fund, and the Beaver Island Elks Lodge for making this happen!

Masking Option for Winter Athletes—Testing Every Tuesday Morning

The HDNW mask order allows student athletes who participate in weekly COVID-19 testing to not wear a mask while actively playing or practicing (they still need to wear their masks at all other times). We will be testing at 8:00 every Tuesday morning. Students can sign up for this program anytime.

Celebrate Betty White’s 100th Birthday at the Community Center

On Monday, January 17th, the Community Center is having a birthday party for Betty White. They will be showing some of their favorite episodes of her longstanding career. The party starts at 5:30 pm and will feature hotdogs, chips, and cupcakes. Call the BICC for more information.

Happy Winter!

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, January 14, 2022

Basketball Postponed…Again

The Boys and Girls teams will not be hosting Ojibwe this weekend…but are looking forward to hosting Mackinac Island next weekend. However, the “A-Thon” fundraiser is happening today right after school (see below).

The “A-Thon” Fundraiser

The BICS Student Council’s “a-thon” fundraiser to raise money for Northern Family Intervention Services will take place today from 3:45 pm to 4:15 pm. We ask that all spectators and students not actively shooting, kicking, or serving keep their masks on and over their noses and maintain physical distance from those not in your immediate household.

Island Vaccinations and Boostinations!

The Beaver Island Rural Health Center has vaccines on hand for first-timers and those who need a booster. Please call the BIRHC at 448-2275 to schedule your appointment.

Parents—PLEASE Do Not Send Your Student to School if they are Ill!

There is a strain of flu apparently on the Island in addition to COVID-19. In order to keep our school open, we need every parent to help us out by checking your student for symptoms BEFORE you bring them to school. If your child is showing any cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them at home and consider having them tested for COVID-19 either at the school or at the Health Center.

HOT TOPICS for Parents of Teens!

Want to learn more about helping your teen through tough times? Sign up for this online educational program offered by the Health Department of Northwest Michigan at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 26th. See the attached flyer for more information!

Beyond the Brush!

The Beaver Island Rural Health Center and Dental Clinics North are providing FREE dental exams, x-rays, and cleanings for all students at Beaver Island Community School. These services are being paid for by the Good Samaritan Fund and the Beaver Island Elks Lodge (Post #2886). All students were given an information and registration packet today. Please note that we need the registration information completed and returned to the BICS school office by February 1st in order to participate. Thanks to the BIRHC, DCN, the Good Samaritan Fund, and the Beaver Island Elks Lodge for making this happen!

Celebrate Betty White’s 100th Birthday at the Community Center

On Monday, January 17th, the Community Center is having a birthday party for Betty White. They will be showing some of their favorite episodes of her longstanding career. The party starts at 5:30 pm and will feature hotdogs, chips, and cupcakes. Call the BICC for more information.

Happy Winter!

Stay Warm this Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, January 21, 2022

The Elusive Basketball Season

So far, the combination of weather conditions and COVID-19 outbreaks in our league schools has created an elusive basketball season. I want to express my HUGE appreciation for our athletes and coaches for their ongoing preparation and practice. We will be ready to go as soon as we can meet our opponents on the court!

The “A-Thon” Fundraiser

The BICS Student Council’s “a-thon” fundraiser to raise money for Northern Family Intervention Services was an enormous success! Thanks to the Student Council members for coordinating—and for the Islander athletes for participating—Northern Family Intervention Services will soon be getting a check for $2,758.05. Students will be collecting pledges in the next few days and writing thank-you letters at their next meeting. Thanks again to the Student Council members for their civic-mindedness!

Island Vaccinations and Boostinations!

The Beaver Island Rural Health Center has vaccines on hand for first-timers and those who need a booster. Please call the BIRHC at 448-2275 to schedule your appointment.

Still Time to Sign up for HOT TOPICS for Parents of Teens!

Want to learn more about helping your teen through tough times? Sign up for this online educational program offered by the Health Department of Northwest Michigan at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 26th. See the attached flyer for more information!

Still Time to Get “Beyond the Brush!”

The Beaver Island Rural Health Center and Dental Clinics North are providing FREE dental exams, x-rays, and cleanings for all students at Beaver Island Community School. These services are being paid for by the Good Samaritan Fund and the Beaver Island Elks Lodge (Post #2886).**Please note that we need the registration information completed and returned to the BICS school office by February 1st in order to participate.**Thanks to the BIRHC, DCN, the Good Samaritan Fund, and the Beaver Island Elks Lodge for making this happen!

Parents—PLEASE Do Not Send Your Student to School if they are Ill!

In order to keep our school open, we need every parent to help us out by checking your student for symptoms BEFORE you bring them to school. If your child is showing any cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them at home and consider having them tested for COVID-19 either at the school or at the Health Center.

Halfway Through!

So far, we have had both a challenging and successful school year! We’ve had some awesome student successes in the face of our third school year dealing with a global pandemic. We could not do this without resilient student and supportive parents. Thank you for your positive spirit! Together we can rock the second semester!

Happy Winter!

Stay Warm this Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, January 28, 2022

The Ever-Elusive Basketball Season

So sorry…though both Big Bay and Beaver Island students were COVID-free…the weather conspired against us today. Hang in there Islanders…we will get to play soon and all your hard work will pay off!

Island Vaccinations and Boostinations!

The Beaver Island Rural Health Center has vaccines on hand for first-timers and those who need a booster. Please call the BIRHC at 448-2275 to schedule your appointment.

Rethink the Drink! …and Last Call for Registration Packets!

Courtney DeRuiter (Dental Clinics North) and Dawn-Marie Strehl (NW Michigan Health Department) stopped by the school Wednesday to discuss the importance of dental hygiene and encourage our students to re-think what they drink. The presentations were meant to raise awareness about dental health in advance of next week's FREE dental exams, x-rays, and cleanings for all BICS students. We thank Ms. Courtney and Ms. Dawn-Marie for the information they shared today on behalf of Dental Clinics North, the Beaver Island Rural Health Center, and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. Thanks also to the Good Samaritan Fund and the Beaver Island Elks Lodge (Post #2886) for funding next week's dental health clinic. Reminder to parents: If you have not yet completed your registration packet, you still have time, as the packets are due to the BICS School Office by 8:15 am on Tuesday, February 1st.

Model UN Speaks with Japanese Embassy!

Our Model United Nations students spoke with the Aki Regan of the educational arm of the Japanese Embassy in Washington D.C. this week. She presented aspects of culture, language, and society and how that translates into international policy and the relationship between Japan and the United States. The students did an excellent job of asking question and Aki loved conversing with our students. This was great preparation for the MUN conference in March where Beaver Island students will serve as delegates of Japan.

Lunch Menus Sent Out Yesterday

Sorry we got out the February Lunch Menus out. Please complete the lunch order form as soon as you can and get it back to the front office.

Parents—PLEASE Do Not Send Your Student to School if they are Ill!

In order to keep our school open, we need every parent to help us out by checking your student for symptoms BEFORE you bring them to school. If your child is showing any cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them at home and consider having them tested for COVID-19 either at the school or at the Health Center.

Get Outside…

Again, so sorry that the planes did not fly to Big Bay today. Secondary students—get outside and enjoy this winter wonderland. Though the flying might not be great right now, the sledding, snowshoeing, and skiing is awesome!

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, December 3, 2021

Islanders Meet the Panthers!

The Beaver Island Girls and Boys Basketball Teams (and an entourage of parents and supporters) are in Put-in-Bay, Ohio for the 2021 Great Lakes Islands Tournament. The folks on South Bass Island are excited to host this Island-to-Island exchange. Due to outbreaks of COVID in the other schools, the weekend will feature two teams as they match their skills on the court in double header games.

If you are interested in catching the games, WPIB is bringing all the live action to those who are unable to make the trip to South Bass Island. Below is the link to access their free broadcast of all the action from Put-in-Bay, Ohio:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2QNZPGd09JMvlD_Kt0YGZQ

Here is the game schedule as it now stands:

Beaver Island, Michigan and Put-in-Bay are now scheduled to play a double header:

Varsity Girls - 6:00pm Friday

Varsity Boys - 7:30pm Friday

Varsity Boys - 10:45 am Saturday

Varsity Girls - 12:00pm Saturday

GOOOOOOOOO IIIISSLLAAAAAANDEERS!

The “A-Thon”—Friday, December 10th from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm

The BICS Student Council is sponsoring an “a-thon” fundraiser to raise money for Northern Family Intervention Services. In addition to the free-throwing, goal-kicking, and volleyball serving, there will be a bake sale in the hallway outside the gym. Family and community members are welcome to come and watch the “a-thon” and purchase the tasty baked goods. All spectators will need to wear masks…and please stay home if you are feeling any symptoms.

Friendly Lunch Reminder

Sorry about not getting the December Lunch Menus out before the Thanksgiving Break. If you are still interested in having your child eat school lunch, please complete the attached order form.

Masking Option for Winter Athletes—Testing Every Tuesday Morning

The HDNW has modified their mask order to allow student athletes who participate in a weekly COVID-19 testing protocol to not wear a mask while actively playing or practicing (they still need to wear their masks at all other times). We will be testing at 8:00 every Tuesday morning. Students can sign up for this program anytime—even if they missed the first two weeks of testing.

Holiday Events at the Community Center Cancelled

Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of the Island community, the Beaver Island Community Center is cancelling the indoor events planned for December. They will be bringing the Gingerbread House Kits to the school for distribution to our families who are interested…we will let you know when they are available.

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, December 10, 2021

Islanders Bring Home the Hardware!

The Beaver Island Basketball Teams traveled to Put-in-Bay last weekend to participate in the 3rd Annual Great Lakes Islands Basketball Tournament. The girls team played hard and learned a lot about how to defend a star three-point Panther shooter, but came up short at the final buzzer. The boys team played awesome ball and ended up as the Champions of the Islands!  Thanks to the coaches, parents, and athletes for representing Beaver Island so well!

The “A-Thon” Fundraiser Event is Postponed

The BICS Student Council’s “a-thon” fundraiser to raise money for Northern Family Intervention Services has been postponed until January. However, all the baked goods that were brought in will be sold today at the front of the school to help raise needed funds for this worthy organization. If you want some sweet treats for the weekend, bring your checkbook or open your cash wallet when you pick up your student today.

COVID-19 Cases Associated with the School

We have several active cases of COVID-19 in the BICS student body. We are working closely with the HDNW regarding contact tracing and determining quarantine times. Students who are fully vaccinated do not have to quarantine and may continue in-person learning so long as they remain without symptoms. Assuming the current situation holds steady, BICS will continue to provide in-person learning until winter break. Students who are currently in isolation or quarantine should communicate directly with their teachers regarding homework assignments and virtual learning opportunities.

Parents—PLEASE Check your Child for Symptoms BEFORE School!

In order to keep our school open, we need every parent to help us out by checking your student for symptoms BEFORE you bring them to school. If your child is showing any cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them at home and consider having them tested for COVID-19 either at the school or at the Health Center.

Beaver Island’s Elves!

‘Tis the season of giving…and an Island Elf has worked a deal with Dalwhinnie’s Deli for Beaver Island’s students!  During the month of December, any BICS student may receive one free breakfast or dinner compliments of our own Beaver Island Elf! Thank you!

Wreaths Across America

At 2:00 pm on Monday, December 13th, the 4th-6th grade class will be participating in the Wreaths Across America program. They will be placing a wreath on the grave of every veteran’s grave at both the St. James Township Cemetery and the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. They are eager and excited to be a part of this, and we could not be more proud of their kind hearts for doing it. Thank you parents…good people raising good people!

Meet Secret Santa’s Helper

For those students who have signed up for the Student Council’s Secret Santa celebrations, Ms. Deb will be serving as a helper for getting gifts and goodies to students who are quarantined. She will set up a drop box by the front doors. If your Santee is quarantined, please put your gift in the drop box. If you are at home quarantined, please have someone drop off the gifts to your person in the drop box and pick up the gift with your name on it. Please clearly note to whom the gift is going when you drop off your gift.

Santa’s Workshop—December 16th!

The Beaver Island Friends of Veterans and AMVETS are coordinating the 19th annual Santa’s Workshop at BICS on December 16th. Elementary parents—your child was sent home with gift tags for them to fill out in advance. Helpers will be on hand to help kids shop and to wrap presents. ALL items are priced at $1.00…so send enough money with your student to cover the gifts. After the elementary students are done, the secondary students will have an opportunity to shop too!  Thank you Friends of Vets and AMVETS for continuing this tradition!

Elks Power!

The Beaver Island Elks Lodge was awarded a grant to provide Power Book Bags for Island children.  This program supplies students with new books three times over the school year. The books will be given out to the students just prior to Christmas, Spring, and Summer breaks. At each distribution, the students will be allowed to choose two books and will also receive a goody bag stuffed with enriching activities.  The first distribution will be on December 21st here at school! Thank you Elks!

Masking Option for Winter Athletes—Testing Every Tuesday Morning

The HDNW has modified their mask order to allow student athletes who participate in weekly COVID-19 testing to not wear a mask while actively playing or practicing (they still need to wear their masks at all other times). We will be testing at 8:00 every Tuesday morning. Students can sign up for this program anytime—even if they missed the first two weeks of testing.

Holiday Events at the Community Center Canceled

Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of the Island community, the Beaver Island Community Center is canceling the indoor events planned for December. They will be bringing the Gingerbread House Kits to the school for distribution to our families who are interested…we will let you know when they are available.

Stay Safe and Healthy!

--

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, December 17, 2021

Boys Basketball Postponed

The Boys Basketball trip to Grand Marais has been cancelled for this weekend due to tomorrow’s predicted weather conditions. The games will be rescheduled after the new year. In the meantime, stay healthy and keep practicing!

Thank You Santa’s Workshop Elves

Thanks to the time, talent, and treasure of many Islanders, the 19th Annual Santa’s Workshop went off without a hitch! In addition to the support of the Friends of Vets and the AMVETS, we’d like to give a shout out to the following elves: Theresa McDonough, Ryann Turner, Rose Martin, Tammy LaFreniere, Jessica LaFreniere, Skylar Marsh, and Lisa Gillespie. Thank you for continuing this tradition!

Wreaths Across America

On Monday, December 13th, the 4th-6th grade class and the High School Model United Nations class joined dozens of Islanders in the Wreaths Across America program. Together, they payed tribute to the Island’s veterans by placing a wreath on the grave marker of every veteran at both the St. James Township Cemetery and the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. This was a great opportunity for our students to learn about their past and express their gratitude and respect.

Upcoming Vaccination Dates (some next week)!

In response to parents’ and Islanders requesting to get vaccinated ASAP in the face of the Omicron variant, the Beaver Island Rural Health Center is scheduling several vaccination clinics over the holidays. Because the dosage is slightly different for those who are under 12, and the boosters are available for those who are 16 and older, please note the different days for each category. In order to get your vaccine, please contact the Beaver Island Rural Health Center to schedule your appointment.

·Mon, 12/20/21 (1st dose for 12-15; booster or 1st dose for 16 and older)

·Tues, 12/21/21 (1st dose for 5-11 year-olds)

·Weds, 12/22/21 (1st dose for 12-15; booster or 1st dose for 16 and older)

·Tues, 12/28/21 (1st dose for 12-15; booster or 1st dose for 16 and older)

·Weds, 12/29/21 (1st dose for 12-15; booster or 1st dose for 16 and older)

·Tuesday, 1/11/22 (2nd dose for 5-11 years (but 1st dose welcome too!))

Parents—please note that the HDNW has not planned another vaccination clinic at the school for the foreseeable future. Thank you BIRHC for making this very convenient option available for our students to get vaccinated and for our Island residents to get boosted!

Parents—PLEASE Check your Child for Symptoms BEFORE School!

In order to keep our school open, we need every parent to help us out by checking your student for symptoms BEFORE you bring them to school. If your child is showing any cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them at home and consider having them tested for COVID-19 either at the school or at the Health Center.

Beaver Island’s Elves!

‘Tis the season of giving…and an Island Elf has worked a deal with Dalwhinnie’s Deli for Beaver Island’s students! During the month of December, any BICS student may receive one free breakfast or dinner compliments of our own Beaver Island Elf! Thank you!

Gingerbread House Projects—Courtesy of the Beaver Island Community Center!

Today, our friends at the Beaver Island Community Center dropped off mini Gingerbread House kits for our elementary students (and there were some left over for our secondary students too). At the end of the day, we gave each elementary student a kit to take home so that our families have a fun holiday activity. Thank you BICC staff and supporters for these wonderful gifts!

Elks Power!

The Beaver Island Elks Lodge was awarded a grant to provide Power Book Bags for Island children. This program supplies students with new books three times over the school year. The books will be given out to the students just prior to Christmas, Spring, and Summer breaks. At each distribution, the students will be allowed to choose two books and will also receive a goody bag stuffed with enriching activities. The first distribution will be on December 21st here at school! Thank you Elks!

Masking Option for Winter Athletes—Testing Every Tuesday Morning

The HDNW has modified their mask order to allow student athletes who participate in weekly COVID-19 testing to not wear a mask while actively playing or practicing (they still need to wear their masks at all other times). We will be testing at 8:00 every Tuesday morning. Students can sign up for this program anytime—even if they missed the first two weeks of testing.

Holiday Events at the Community Center and BICS Student Caroling is Cancelled

Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of the Island community, the Beaver Island Community Center is cancelling the indoor events planned for December and we will not be caroling door to door with our students next week. However, keep an eye on the school’s FaceBook page, as there may be some singing posts!

Happy Holidays!

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Happy Holidays

There was a lot of holiday spirit running through the school today--reading holiday stories, field trips, pajamas, and the final Secret Santa reveal at the secondary level! Thanks to all the parents who brought in treats for staff and students (I'm pretty sure I gained five pounds in the last two days) and for the Elks for their great Power Book Bags and for the Community Center for their gingerbread house kits. Happy Holidays to Everyone!

SAVE YOUR RETURNABLES

Due to space constraints the Beaver Island Transfer Station is currently not collecting returnable cans and plastic bottles for the school fundraiser...but they will be resuming collection in January. In the meantime, please save your returnable aluminum cans and plastic bottles while the Transfer Station staff figures out the best way to collect them. Please empty and rinse your cans and plastic bottles and store them in a cardboard box or paper bags (they can get stinky in plastic bags). Also, when you do take them to the transfer station, make sure they are not mixed with any garbage or other recyclable items such as tin cans, glass bottles, or non-returnable plastic drink containers. Thank you for saving your returnables--Islanders donated over 130,000 cans last year! That's over $13,000 that went to help our sports teams, field trips, and other extracurricular activities! Please note, due to the processing requirements of our vendors, we are not able to process beverage bottles for our fundraiser. As well, returnable aluminum cans are the most efficient for processing and transporting. So, if you "can," purchase your beverages in aluminum cans. Thank You!

BIRHC Vaccination Dates

In response to parents’ and Islanders requesting to get vaccinated ASAP in the face of the Omicron variant, the Beaver Island Rural Health Center is scheduling several vaccination clinics over the holidays. Because the dosage is slightly different for those who are under 12, and the boosters are available for those who are 16 and older, please note the different days for each category. In order to get your vaccine, please contact the Beaver Island Rural Health Center at (231) 448-2275 to schedule your appointment.

·         Weds, 12/22/21 (1st dose for 12-15; booster or 1st dose for 16 and older)

·         Tues, 12/28/21 (1st dose for 12-15; booster or 1st dose for 16 and older)

·         Weds, 12/29/21 (1st dose for 12-15; booster or 1st dose for 16 and older)

·         Tuesday, 1/11/22 (2nd dose for 5-11 years (but 1st dose welcome too!))

Parents—please note that the HDNW has not planned another vaccination clinic at the school for the foreseeable future. Thank you BIRHC for making this very convenient option available for our students to get vaccinated and for our Island residents to get boosted!

It's Still December

‘Tis the season of giving…and an Island Elf has worked a deal with Dalwhinnie’s Deli for Beaver Island’s students! During the month of December, any BICS student may receive one free breakfast or dinner compliments of our own Beaver Island Elf! Thank you!

Smile...it will Soon Be February

Thanks to a collaboration between the BIRHC, the Elks, and Dental Clinics North, as well as private contributions, all children on the Island will be able to have a free dental exam, dental x-rays, and cleaning. We will have more details regarding scheduling in early January...but for now, if you are planning dental care for your children, know there is a planned clinic in February to ensure that our students have big grins!  See the Health Center's website for more information on their Big Grins initiative:https://www.​biruralhealth.org

BICS Holiday Break

Whew!  2021 has been a doozy--with the ups and downs of navigating BICS through the changing waters of this pandemic. As I reflect on the past year, all I can say is that the BICS faculty and staff were only able to ensure that Beaver Island was a great place to learn due to the great support of our parents and community. On behalf of the school board, teachers, and support staff, thank you. Have a wonderful time celebrating the season with your friends and family. We look forward with hopeful optimism toward the New Year. We will be back to school on Monday, January 3, 2022.

Happy Holidays!

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, November 5, 2021

**

In Sports Action…

Congrats to all our athletes on a well-played fall season! Both Soccer and Volleyball fielded “young” teams this year. As such, our athletes learned a lot--developing skills and gaining experience that they can apply to the future. Basketball season is just round the corner!

Open Gym Tonight!

To help keep you in shape for the winter season, Coach Francis Bedell is hosting an open gym today at 5:00 pm. Reminder—everyone participating in the open gym must wear a mask.

Save the Date—Next Can Sorting on Sunday, November 21st at 10:00 am

This will be the last can sorting event of the calendar year…so we need every athlete and participant in extra-curricular activities to be there! We especially need our high school athletes to attend—as this will help pay for the trip to the Great Lakes Islands Basketball Tournament!  Mark the date on your calendar now, and plan to come sort cans at 10:00 am on Sunday, November 21st!

Future COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

First of all, thank you to all the Island residents and school families who participated in this week’s vaccine clinic--90 people participated and 133 vaccinations were administered! Now that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for children aged 5-11, we have had several parents asking about when the next clinic will be held. As of right now, we are still in the planning stages with the Health Department, but will let you know as soon as possible when and where the young children’s formulations and doses are available on the Island.

BICS Parent-Teacher Conferences Next Week!

We are looking forward to next week’s parent-teacher conferences here at Beaver Island Community School on Wednesday and Thursday. Ms. Deb e-mailed the conference schedule to parents this week. Please be on time for your scheduled appointment so we can keep things running smoothly and respect everyone’s time.

Check for those Pesky Lice!

We are so sorry to report that there are still some active cases of lice at BICS. PLEASE continue checking your child(ren) daily for any signs of lice or nits. It is important to continue doing this until this infestation is over. Nit removalmustbe done daily before they have a chance to hatch.

Reminder--Segment 2 Drivers Ed starts Today

Segment 2 will be held on November 5th 3:30-5:30 pm; November 6th 8:00 am-10:00 am; and November 7th 8:00 am-1:00 pm.  Mr. Florenski is on the Island and ready to teach!

Thank a Veteran!

Veteran’s Day is coming up next week. Please take a moment this weekend to reach out to those who have served in the armed forces and thank them for their work to protect the freedoms that we enjoy in our country.

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, November 12, 2021

**

Masking Option for Winter Athletes

Reminder—the HDNW has modified their masking order to allow student athletes who participate in a weekly COVID-19 testing protocol to not wear a mask while actively playing or practicing (they still need to wear their masks at all other times). Each athlete was given an information sheet and testing consent form yesterday. As well, AD Kerry Smith sent an electronic copy to all parents. If you would like your student to participate in this mask exemption program, please complete the form and return to the school office by 8:00 am Tuesday morning.

Open Gym Tonight!

To help keep you in shape for the winter season, Coach Francis Bedell is hosting an open gym today from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. Reminder—everyone participating in the open gym must wear a mask.

Basketball Season in Full Swing Next Week

The girls started practice this week…and boys will start practice next week. Girls practice is from 3:30 to 5:00 pm daily and boys is from 5:00 to 6:30 pm.

Thanksgiving Feast for Students on November 18th

Please note that we are going to be having a modified Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, November 18th. So, instead of the manicotti on the menu, our students will be having turkey and all the fixings. Thank you to the parents who have signed up to bring food and help dish it out! We are all set

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for 5-11 Year Olds Next Friday at BIRHC!

We have great news for Beaver Island parents who want to have their elementary students vaccinated! The Beaver Island Rural Health Center will be hosting a vaccine clinic on Friday, November 19th for 5-11 year old Islanders! Because of the limited supply, there are no walk-ins...you must have a scheduled appointment for your child(ren) to get the vaccine. Please call the Health Center at (231) 448-2275 to schedule your appointment ASAP. The vaccine comes in ten-dose vials which must be used within the same day. If there are more than ten appointments requested, the BIRHC will schedule additional vaccinations on Tuesday, November 23rd. Thanks to both the HDNW and the BIRHC for coordinating this vaccine clinic!

Thank You Parents!

We would like to thank all parents and guardians who participated in the BICS Parent-Teacher conferences on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. This was a great time for parents and teachers to talk about our students’ progress. Remember, if you have any questions about your student’s academic progress, do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher—you do not have to wait until the next round of conferences!

Save the Date—Next Can Sorting on Sunday, November 21st at 10:00 am

This will be the last can sorting event of the calendar year…so we need every athlete and participant in extra-curricular activities to be there! We especially need our high school athletes to attend—as this will help pay for the trip to the Great Lakes Islands Basketball Tournament!  Mark the date on your calendar now, and plan to come sort cans at 10:00 am on Sunday, November 21st!

Check for those Pesky Lice and Ticks!

If it’s not one thing it’s another! Just when we think we have the lice outbreak under control (which it appears as though we do—thank you parents for your cooperation), the unseasonably warm weather seems to have caused an explosion in the population of ticks. In addition to making sure lice don’t make a comeback on the Island, please check your pets and kids for ticks, as they do carry Lime and other blood-borne diseases.

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, November 19, 2021

New Date for Can Sorting—Monday, November 22nd at 5:00 pm

This will be the last can sorting event of the calendar year…so we need every athlete and participant in extra-curricular activities to be there! Since this event will help pay for the Great Lakes Islands Basketball Tournament, the Girls and Basketball Teams will be using this as a team-building event (see Monday practice info below). With all hands on deck, it should take around an hour and a half to process the remaining cans…but we will be there until we are done with every can. See you all there!

Monday, November 22—Special Basketball Practice Schedule

So that our athletes can participate in the can sorting, the Girls BBall Team will be meeting in Ms. Loder’s classroom to review game videos from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm. The boys will be practicing in the gym from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm. We will be transporting students who don’t have their own cars to the Transfer Station in the school cutaway van at 4:50 pm. Parents of Athletes—plan on picking your students up from the Transfer Station after 6:30 pm or when we are all finished sorting every last can!

Masking Option for Winter Athletes—Testing Every Tuesday Morning

The HDNW has modified their mask order to allow student athletes who participate in a weekly COVID-19 testing protocol to not wear a mask while actively playing or practicing (they still need to wear their masks at all other times). We will be testing at 8:00 every Tuesday morning. Students can sign up for this program anytime—even if they missed the first week of testing.

Open Gym Tonight!

Coach Francis Bedell is hosting an open gym today from 5:00 to 6:30 pm for secondary students and adults. Reminder—everyone participating in the open gym must wear a mask for this event.

Giving Thanks!

Sending a huge thank you to all the parents who contributed to this year’s Thanksgiving Feast! What a great way to bring everyone together. Thank you to the cooks and servers and cleaner-uppers!

Look for the Helpers…

Our collective hearts go out to the individuals and families affected by last weekend’s tragedy. As we worked through the collective community grief with our students here at the school, we reminded them of the words of Mr. Rogers: “When something scary happens, look for the helpers. There will always be helpers.” We are so fortunate to be living in a community of helpers. As we continue to work through the healing process, we will endeavor to provide support for our students. Parents—if you know of a student or family member in need of support or counseling, please call Mr. Cwikiel so he can find a helper.

Check out the Kid’s Events at the Community Center!

The Beaver Island Community Center is hosting many events for students this December, including wreath making, gingerbread house making and decorating, and lots of movies! Check out the Community Calendar on the BICC website (https://wvbi.biccenter.org/calendar-2) or call the Community Center at (231) 448-2022.

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, October 1, 2021

Beaver Island History Adventure Day HUGE Success

On Thursday, our students had a chance to saw wood with a crosscut saw, churn butter, milk a goat, meet a French fur trader, press apple cider, and participate in many other events that evoked the human history of Beaver Island as they hiked around the north end of the Island on a spectacular autumn day. This adventure day would not have been successful without the help of dozens of volunteers and chaperones—Thank You! A HUGE thank you to Mrs. Robert and Mr. Richards for all the planning and coordination that went into this event!

In Sports Action…

…the Islanders host Ojibwe Friday afternoon for soccer and volleyball…and our volleyball team goes to Mackinac Island for the Mackinac Island Invitational tournament on Saturday. We host Hannahville volleyball and soccer next Wednesday—volleyball starts at noon. Go Islanders!

Beaver Island Boodle Race!

The Beaver Island Boodle 5K Race takes place tomorrow!  This race is for EVERYONE and is a fundraiser for awesome school activities like the Washington DC trip!  If you haven’t signed up for it yet, no worries, as you can register this week and there will be a last-minute in-person signup opportunity in front of the school today (Friday, October 1st) from 5-6 p.m.

Can Sorting this Sunday—We Need YOU!

The next can sorting fundraising extravaganza is scheduled for this Sunday, October 3rd at 11:00 am. With the gaylord boxes that Mr. Rosema has stored for nearly a year (Thank You Mr. Rosema!) and the boxes on hand at the Transfer Station, we will have about 12 boxes to sort. With “all hands on deck” we will be able to complete a quality sorting job and clean up the Transfer Station in 1 hour and 13.5  minutes. So, let’s make sure we have all hands on deck—this will get us completely caught up on all the cans that have been dropped off at the Transfer Station since last fall! Great job to everyone who’s come out to sort cans this year!

National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

All members of the BICS community are invited to join us as we induct Aedan Cole, Aidan Dean, Maggie McCafferty, and Micah Richards into the National Honor Society. The event takes place at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 outdoors behind the school. There will be reception for new NHS members and their family and friends, faculty, school board members, and the student body immediately following the ceremony.

Focus on Mental Health

Again this year we are partnering with Boyne City Public School and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan to provide mental counseling services for our students. If you would like your student to work with a professional counselor as part of this program, please complete the paperwork that Ms. Deb sent out last week and bring it to the office.

Reminder--School Picture Day is Wednesday, October 6th

If you need the information packet, call Ms. Deb and she can get you a new one.

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, October 8, 2021

Schoolwide Spirit Week October 11-15th

The BICS Student Council is coordinating Spirit Week dress up days next week for all BICS students. In addition to the fun of dressing up, everyone who dresses up and puts their name in the hat will have a chance to win basket full of goodies at the end of the week! Here are the themes for each day of spirit week:

Monday—Pajama Day

Tuesday—Twin (or Triplet, Quadruplet…) Day

Wednesday—Hat Day (or Crazy Hair for elementary students)

Thursday—Throwback Day (Mismatch Day for elementary students)

Friday—Dress Like a Celebrity (Green and White for elementary students)

In Sports Action…

…the Islanders host Munising Baptist Thursday afternoon for soccer and volleyball.  Volleyball starts at noon, soccer to follow immediately after Volleyball ends. NLL soccer tournament is Saturday October 16th on Mackinac Island. Go Islanders!

Next Vaccine Clinic—Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Mark your calendars for the next Health Department Vaccine Clinic. This clinic will provide flu shots, COVID vaccines, and other vaccines with prior registration. Call (800) 432-4121 to schedule your appointment!

Focus on Mental Health

Again this year we are partnering with Boyne City Public School and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan to provide mental counseling services for our students. If you would like your student to work with a professional counselor as part of this program, please complete the paperwork that Ms. Deb sent out last week and bring it to the office.

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, October 22, 2021

In Sports Action…

…the Islanders Volleyball team will be having a scrimmage today at 3:30. Parents are welcome to come watch if they would like.  Go Islanders!

Pizza/Movie night at Beaver Island community center:

The BICC is hosting a free Pizza and Movie night on Friday Oct 29th for all students. Pizza will be served at 5:30 pm and the movie “Halloweentown” will start at 7pm.  All grade/ages are welcome to attend. BICC has asked that a parent/adult stay with students 10 years

of age and younger for the movie. There will be supervision during the pizza hour.

Halloween costumes are welcome.

Beaver Island Library Halloween Party:

The BI Library will be hosting (with the help of the National Honor Society Students) a Halloween party on Saturday Oct 30th 3pm – 4:30pm for all student’s preschool to 12th grade.  Wear your costume, there will be a photo booth and a contest as well as games and treats.

Shanty Creek Resorts “Locals Student Season Pass” Program

Shanty Creek is again offering local students a season pass for a discounted price, they no longer have GPA requirements.  This offer is for any student in the area grades 4 to 12th and/or ages 9-17. The pass is an unrestricted season pass for $99.  If you would like more information regarding this please contact the BICS office 448-2744 and we will send you the details of what is needed.

November Lunch menu and order sheet

The November lunch menu is ready, please see attachment and have student lunch orders in to the office by Oct 28th.  Thank you.

Next Vaccine Clinic—Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Mark your calendars for the next Health Department Vaccine Clinic. This clinic will provide flu shots, COVID vaccines, and other vaccines with prior registration. Call (800) 432-4121 to schedule your appointment!  Times have changed 10 am to 3:30 pm.

Focus on Mental Health

Again this year we are partnering with Boyne City Public School and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan to provide mental counseling services for our students. If you would like your student to work with a professional counselor as part of this program, please complete the paperwork that Ms. Deb sent out and bring it to the office.

Keeping all BICS students healthy

Please continue checking your child(ren) daily for any signs of lice or nits. It is important to do this for the next few weeks.  Nit removal must be done daily before they have a chance to hatch.

As there have been a few Covid exposures, we are continuing to encourage unvaccinated students to socially distance as much as possible and wear their masks

Have a Great Weekend!

| | Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update*Friday, October 29, 2021***

In Sports Action……the Islanders Volleyball team are attending the Northern Lights League Volleyball Tournament in Big Bay de Noc today. Go Islanders!****

Pizza/Movie night at Beaver Island Community Center October 29thJust a reminder the BICC is hosting a free Pizza and Movie night on Friday Oct 29th for all students. Pizza will be served at 5:30 pm and the movie “Halloweentown” will start at 7 pm.  All grade/ages are welcome to attend. BICC has asked that a parent/adult stay with students 10 yearsof age and younger for the movie. There will be supervision during the pizza hour. Halloween costumes are welcome.

Beaver Island Library Halloween Party October 30thThe BI Library will be hosting (with the help of the National Honor Society Students) a Halloween party on Saturday Oct 30th 3 pm – 4:30 pm outside for all student’s preschool to 12th grade.  Wear your costume--there will be a photo booth and a contest as well as games and treats! If the weather is inclement, the party will be moved indoors and attendees will be required to wear masks.

Beaver Island Trunk or Treat and Trick or Treating October 31stThere will be outdoor trunk or treat at the Gregg Fellowship Center on October 31st from5:00-6:30 pm, there will be hotdogs and chips provided by the Beaver Island Elks.Children will be doing regular house to house trick or treating as well. And…don’t forget to come by the Beaver Island Community School to see Junie B. and get your treats (including toothbrushes, apples, candy, pop, and a bag of goodies from Leroy and Liz Schwandt)!**

Next Vaccine Clinic—Tuesday, 10:00 am to 3:30 pm on Tuesday, November 2, 2021If you haven’t already, call and register for the next vaccine clinic. This clinic will focus on flu shots and COVID vaccines—including COVID-19 boosters for both Pfizer and Moderna. Although walk-ins are welcome, scheduled appointments help keep things moving and reduce wait times for everyone. Call (800) 432-4121 to schedule your appointment!

No School for Students November 1stReminder there is no school for students on Monday November 1st, 2021, this is an ISD Wide Professional Development day for BICS teachers.

Keeping all BICS Students HealthyPlease continue checking your child(ren) daily for any signs of lice or nits. It is important to continue doing this for the next few weeks.  Nit removalmustbe done daily before they have a chance to hatch. There will be another lice check on Wednesday, November 3, 2021.

Segment 2 Drivers EdSegment 2 will be November 5th 3:30-5:30 pm; 6th 8:00 am-10:00 am; 7th 8:00 am-1:00 pm, please make sure you are signed up with Dave Florensky, Driver’s Ed instructor, eligible students/parents should have received an email from him.

Have a Safe and Enjoyable Halloween!--Wilfred Cwikiel, Superintendent-PrincipalBeaver Island Community School(231) 448-2744Attachments area| | |

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, September 17, 2021

Call to Register for Vaccine Clinic—11 am-3:00 pm on September 29th

The next Beaver Island Community Vaccine Clinic will be held at BICS from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. This clinic is for whatever vaccines any Islander might need. In addition to this clinic being for those who received their first dose of COVID-19 in August, the Health Department will have on hand this year's flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines, and other vaccines. Please call (800) 432-4121 to schedule your appointment and to make sure they bring over your vaccines. When you call this number, listen for the prompts to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine even if you are requesting a different vaccine so you can talk to a live person. Once you get a live person, you can request your vaccines and they will schedule you.

In Sports Action…

…the Islanders soccer and volleyball teams travel to Big Bay De Noc this weekend to take on the Black Bears. On Wednesday, the Islander’s soccer team traveled to Boyne City to take on Boyne City Concord. Though Boyne City Concord was victorious, our soccer athletes got some good experience on the soccer pitch. Best of luck to the Volleyball and Soccer athletes this weekend. Go Islanders!

Beaver Island History Adventure is Back—Call for Volunteers!

Beaver Island Community School is proud to be an important part of the greater Beaver Island community (we are not called a “community” school for nothing!) and we are so lucky to be able to use the entire Island as our classroom. As you can see from our FaceBook page, many of our teachers have been getting their students outside to explore the Island in the last two weeks. On Thursday, September 30th, all K-12 students will be engaged in the Beaver Island History Adventure. We will need some parents and community members to make this happen. We need volunteers to help out from 11:15 am to 3:20 pm on Thursday the 30th to help staff an event or accompany a group of students on the adventure. If you are able to volunteer, please contact the school ASAP so we can get you the volunteer forms to complete and let Mrs. Robert and Mr. Richards know they can count on you.

Focus on Mental Health

Again this year we are partnering with Boyne City Public School and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan to provide mental counseling services for our students. Ms. Deb sent out the paperwork on Thursday via email. If you would like a hard copy to fill out, let us know. If you would like your student to work with a professional counselor as part of this program, please complete the paperwork and bring it to the office.

Be on the Lookout for MRSA

It has been brought to my attention that there have been some outbreaks of MRSA (methicillin-resistant*Staphylococcus aureus)*among Beaver Island’s youth. Please see the attached MRSA fact sheet sent to me by the Beaver Island Rural Health Center. If you think your student might have MRSA, please contact the BIRHC or your family doctor.

Get Your Smile On—School Picture Day Planned for October 6th

Make sure this is on your calendars…the teachers sent home info packets with your students Thursday. If you don’t see it, check the bottom of their backpacks!

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, September 10, 2021

Beaver Island 9/11 Observance 11:00 am

AMVETS Post 46 is coordinating Beaver Island’s observance of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11/01 attacks. Islanders of all ages are encouraged to join in this observance that will take place at St. James Township Fire Station at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Thank you AMVETS Post 46 for coordinating this remembrance.

Great First Week of School!

Kudos to students, parents, faculty, staff, and community members!  Although none of us thought we would be wearing masks to start the school year, the pandemic is on its own timeline. I want to thank everyone for taking care of each other and starting the year off really well.

Sports Scrimmages Tomorrow!

Although Hannahville could not make it due to quarantines, our coaches are coordinating scrimmage matches tomorrow. Volleyball starts at noon and soccer will play right after. Parents are welcome to come and watch the scrimmages. Masks are required for all athletes and spectators inside the building. Go Islanders!

Can Sorting Sunday, September 12, at 11:00 am

The next can sorting event will be held this Sunday at 11:00 am at the Transfer Station. Join us from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm to raise money for school athletics, trips and activities.

Welcome New BICS Faculty and Staff Members

Our new teachers—Sara Mullen and Amanda Bedell—and our new staff members—Jim Bontrager and Moses Stone—are off to a great start and loving working at Beaver Island Community School. Thank you parents and students for giving them a warm welcome as they start the next phase of their careers here at BICS.

Got Breakfast?

Breakfast will be done the same way as last year with weekly breakfast boxes. If you want to participate, please complete the free and reduced lunch application materials sent out earlier. If you have already filled out the lunch applications, you don’t need to redo…all you have to do is let Ms. Deb know that you want to receive the breakfast boxes.

Get School Start-Up Paperwork to the Office!

If you still have school paperwork sitting around your kitchen table, please get it to Ms. Deb at the school office ASAP!

Be on the Lookout for MRSA

It has been brought to my attention that there have been some outbreaks of MRSA (methicillin-resistant*Staphylococcus aureus)*among Beaver Island’s youth. Please see the attached MRSA fact sheet sent to me by the Beaver Island Rural Health Center. If you think your student might have MRSA, please contact the BIRHC or your family doctor.

Get Your Smile On—School Picture Day Planned for October 6th

Mark your calendars for now…we will have more information next week!

Have a Great Weekend!

Beaver Island Community School

Weekly Update

Friday, September 24, 2021

Get a Shot—Win Flag Swag! Community Vaccine Clinic 11-3 on September 29th

The next Beaver Island Community Vaccine Clinic will be held at BICS from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. Thanks to our friends at the Beaver Island Community Center, every person who gets a vaccine will get a chance to win some of their awesome new BI Flag Swag! So, get a shot and put your name in the hat to win a stainless insulated water bottle, a golf shirt, a deck of cards, or a shatterproofSiliPinttumbler. Even if you don’t win a prize, you will have the satisfaction of helping reduce the spread of infectious disease on the island. And, if you are disappointed in not winning the ultra-cool Flag Swag polo shirt, you can just head to the Community Center to check out their store and all the great new programs they are offering.

This clinic is for whatever vaccines any Islander might need. In addition to this clinic being for those who received their first dose of COVID-19 in August, the Health Department will have on hand this year's flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines, and other vaccines. Please call (800) 432-4121 to schedule your appointment and to make sure they bring over your vaccines. When you call this number, listen for the prompts to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine even if you are requesting a different vaccine so you can talk to a live person. Once you get a live person, you can request your vaccines and they will schedule you.

In Sports Action…

…the Islanders soccer and volleyball teams host Mackinac Island this weekend. Soccer starts at 5:00 pm on Friday with Volleyball starting right afterward (around 7:00 pm). Spectators, please remember to bring your masks, as all spectators are to be properly wearing masks when they are in the school building. We will not be providing concessions at these games…and no food or drink in the gymnasium during the games. On Saturday, the Volleyball action starts at 8:30 am with Soccer starting at 10:00 am. Go Islanders!

October Lunch Menus Due (yesterday)!

If you have not let Ms. Deb know your October lunch choice yet, please do ASAP so we are able to order the ingredients to ensure we are able to feed everyone!

Beaver Island History Adventure is Back—Call for Volunteers!

On Thursday, September 30th, all K-12 students will be engaged in the Beaver Island History Adventure. We will need some parents and community members to make this happen. We need volunteers to help out from 11:15 am to 3:20 pm on Thursday the 30th to help staff an event or accompany a group of students on the adventure. If you are able to volunteer, please contact the school ASAP so we can get you the volunteer forms to complete and let Mrs. Robert and Mr. Richards know they can count on you.

Focus on Mental Health

Again this year we are partnering with Boyne City Public School and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan to provide mental counseling services for our students. If you would like your student to work with a professional counselor as part of this program, please complete the paperwork and bring it to the office.

Get Your Smile On—School Picture Day Planned for October 6th

Make sure this is on your calendars…the teachers sent home info packets with your students. If you don’t see it, check the bottom of their backpacks!