🌱 Patch AM: How far will Birmingham schools go with their new cellphone crackdown?

Good morning to you Birmingham! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How far will Birmingham schools go with their new cellphone crackdown?
• Are Birmingham's new $702,000 welcome signs worth the price tag?
• What Greenfield's latest enrollment numbers reveal about Birmingham's changing classrooms

Also on today's calendar: RedCross Blood Drive and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: A sun-and-cloud mix, with a high of 82 and low of 61 degrees.
• Friday: Partly sunny and beautiful, temps: high: 79, low: 60.
• Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 82 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Parents frustrated with extended cellphone policy at Birmingham Public School District (cbsnews.com) — Birmingham Public Schools is tightening its cellphone rules, banning student phone and personal tech use not only in class but also between periods and at lunch starting Aug. 31. Parents are sharply divided, with some arguing it limits safety and independence while others say it will cut distractions and help teachers focus on learning.
   

• Birmingham, Michigan residents sound off on city's new welcome signs (cbsnews.com) — Birmingham has installed new "Birmingham Welcomes You" gateway signs along Woodward and Big Beaver as part of a $702,000 wayfinding and branding plan, and residents are split on whether they're worth the cost. Inspired by Shain Park's public art and the Birmingham 8 marquee, the spire-like sculptures aim to create a stronger first impression and guide visitors to local shops and parking.
   

• Greenfield Elementary School: 137 white students enrolled in 2024-25 (seoaklandnews.com) — Families in Birmingham's public school community can see how Greenfield Elementary's enrollment is shifting, with 137 white students making up just over half the student body in 2024–25. The report also notes Seaholm High's large white enrollment and outlines Michigan's increased per-pupil funding and continued support for free school meals and pre-K.
   

📸 Around Birmingham

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Birmingham

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★ Featured events ★

Wednesday September 9
• Pitbull with Lil Jon →
  Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Resort, 7778 Sashabaw Rd, Independence Township
  8:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Monday August 31
• 1/2 Day Dismissal at 11:50AM
  Greenfield Elementary Birmingham, MI 48009
  8:50 am
• State of Beverly Address
  Beverly Elementary Birmingham, MI 48009
  5:30 pm
• Curriculum Night
  Beverly Elementary Birmingham, MI 48009
  6:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
• 1/2 Day Dismissal at 11:50AM
  Greenfield Elementary Birmingham, MI 48009
  8:50 am
Tuesday September 8
• Preschool Curriculum Night (Both 1/2 Day Preschool and GSRP)
  Greenfield Elementary Preschool Classrooms
  6:00 pm
Friday September 11
• RedCross Blood Drive →
  1730 W Auburn Rd, Rochester Hills
  11:00 am

📣 Birmingham Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday August 28
• FIELDS - ROYSA GAMES
  Keller Elementary Royal Oak, MI 48067
  5:00 pm
Saturday August 29
• Farmers Market →
  City of Royal Oak - Community Events Royal Oak Farmers Market - 316 E 11 Mile Road Royal Oak MI 48067
  7:00 am
Sunday August 30
• Antiques & Collectibles Market →
  City of Royal Oak - Community Events Royal Oak Farmers Market - 316 E 11 Mile Road Royal Oak MI 48067
  8:00 am
• First Pour: New Releases with Domaine Berrien Cellars
  Greater Royal Oak Chamber-Commerce Michigan by the Bottle Royal Oak
  12:00 pm
• Hotel Royal Oak - Sunday Summer Concert Series
  Greater Royal Oak Chamber-Commerce 811 E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067
  4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Birmingham PatchAM possible:

• Senior Care Navigation of SE Michigan — (248) 834-5155
• eLake Tech Solutions LLC — (734) 469-4111
• NeatandTidyMi LLC — (989) 838-9282

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Speaking their Language: the Key to Children's Comfort in Educational Spaces —Simran Shah Read on Patch

• Evereve posted a job opening for Inventory Specialist Stores Part Time-Birmingham Shopping District-Birminham, MI in Birmingham. Apply here.
• The Archdiocese of Detroit posted a job opening for Assistant Musician of Sacred Music in Bloomfield Hills. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Birmingham here.

🗞 Nearby News

Bloomfield Hills

• Step through this Michigan gate into 40 acres of gardens frozen in 1908 (wheninyourstate.com)
• Multiracial enrollment at Conant Elementary School in 2024-25 (seoaklandnews.com)
• Au pairs provide more than just childcare (downtownpublications.com)

Royal Oak

• Birmingham parents split over schools' bell-to-bell cellphone ban (fox2detroit.com)
• Attorney arraigned in fatal Fraser hit-and-run motorcycle crash (clickondetroit.com)

Ok Birmingham! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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