WBSD Weekly Update

WBSD has been celebrating our staff with awards and flowers. Here are a few of the photos we took as we surprised teachers and staff in every building. Please join us in celebrating all of our wonderful winners on social media where each will be profiled individually. Connect with us on: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter. Here is a list by building:

• Oakland Early College - Teacher Kyle Heffelbower, Support Staff Carly Bellairs
• Transition Center - Teacher Chastitie Mitchell, Support Staff Brenda Gotko
• WBMS - Teacher Jacqueline Tomaszewski, Support Staff Debra Zachos
• WBHS - Teacher Ajay Bedi, Support Staff Lisa Sallen
• Adult Education/Alternative Education - Teacher Lisa Maddalena
• Sheiko Elementary - Teacher Jennifer Graham, Support Staff Kristin Cassady
• West Bloomfield Preschool Academy - Gregory (Denny) Hundiak located at Sheiko, Support Staff Collette Goestenkors
• Doherty Elementary - Teacher Tina Polhamus, Support Staff Lisa Reed
• Roosevelt Elementary - Teacher Kristi Law, Support Staff Tiffany Farms
• Gretchko Elementary - Teacher Mary Ann Ayar, Support Staff Judith Lopez-Alcaide
• Scotch Elementary - Teacher Leisa Pulliam, Support Staff Claudia Rogers

West Bloomfield Elementary Families,

By now, you should have received your child’s final elementary placement for the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, this placement letter was also sent home with students in their backpacks today. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s current office staff if you have questions about your child’s placement. We are here to support you with this process. The purpose of this communication is to highlight student & family transition plans, as well as provide reminders about the STEAM programming that will occur at each building.

Redistricting Transition Activities and Events

• Welcoming Caregivers to a New Elementary Building
• Doherty and Sheiko - April 9
• Gretchko and Scotch - April 11
• Students Meet the Principal
• Doherty and Sheiko - April 4
• Gretchko, Roosevelt and Scotch - April 5
• Student Mingle Field Trip
• Rising K/1st Grade - April 26
• Rising 2nd/3rd Grades - May 10
• Rising 4th/5th grades - May 14th
• Preparing all Families for Launch
• At Doherty and Sheiko - May 8
• At Gretchko and Scotch - May 16
• Popsicles with the Principal for Families (dates in August TBD)
  
  

STEAM Information

STEAM programming & experiences will be available to residents & School of Choice (SoC) students. Students that meet STEAM criteria will still attend regular K-5 classes and specials with their classmates. The difference: they will have access to additional learning experiences during the school day, outside of core academic content.

Eligibility is determined as follows:

• Current Students - all current students are in the application pool. NWEA testing will be used to determine who meets criteria. No extra testing is needed. Notification of students that meet criteria will be provided in March.

• Incoming Kindergarten Residents - Kindergarten Readiness/STEAM Assessment will be used to determine who meets criteria.

• Incoming School of Choice Students - SoC STEAM assessment (Kindergarten Readiness/STEAM Assessment OR 1st-5th NWEA) will be used to determine who meets criteria.

• All current STEAM students (Roosevelt) are eligible.

TO VIEW THE LETTER THAT CONTAINS DATES AND MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE.

We'd love your input. Please share ideas in this Transition Activity Ideas form.

To help us plan for the upcoming school year, we are asking parents to submit a form. The form is currently open and will close on March 8th. Your help is appreciated in sharing this Intent to Return information with families as we use this data for budget planning. Families will need to:

• Log into their PowerSchool Parent Portal Account
• Click on the FORMS tab on the side
• Click General tab, select Student Intent to Return

WBSD Registration Support

WBSD Enrollment will be offering on-site kindergarten registration support for residents:

from 9 a.m. -11 a.m.

March 12th

ACS Main Conference Room, 5810 Commerce Road.

You can complete enrollment online. But if you would like assistance, please bring all required materials with them that day. This site has a translated list of required documents and video tutorials: https://www.wbsd.org/parents/enrollment

This week second grade students throughout WBSD talked about ways they can cope with big emotions. They were reminded about the Kids in Charge program and the skills they learned throughout the school year in physical education classes. And then they worked through a Coping Skills Board (see image) and explored a bag of tools made possible through a partnership with the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition and funded by Vibe Credit Union.

Students were reminded to first reach out to a safe and trusted adult, and to know how to reach them in different settings -- home, school, activities.

Students practiced taking deep breaths, using bubbles and the 5-finger breathing method - breathing in through their nose and out through their mouth. Other techniques they discussed include the following:

• Dance, move, exercise, Yoga or sports

• Listen to music-different music for different feelings

• Go outside or take a walk

• Coloring Pages

• Have fun with a friend

• Write in your journal

• Play with a pet

• Practice positive self talk or think of your happy place

• Play with stress ball or play dough

• Play with Fidget

Items in the coping skills bags tied directly to these activities. Students were also reminded that different skills work for different people and they get to pick what works best for them. Classes also discussed how sometimes when we cope we may need just a few minutes, and other times we may need more time.

Action Item

If you know a second grader, ask them about the coping skills that work best for them. Or help them memorize the number of a trusted adult.

Thank you

WBSD expresses its thanks to the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition and Vibe Credit Union for partnering with us on this important life skill. The mission of the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition (GWBCC) is to build community partnerships to reduce high risk behaviors including alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, to help ensure that our youth may grow to their greatest potential. If you would like to learn more about the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition and/or support their efforts,-you can visit their website www.gwbcoalition.org

Congratulations to the Davis twins! Check out the video highlight reels. Hard work in and out of the classroom!

On Friday and Saturday, three Laker wrestlers competed at the MHSAA State Finals tournament, held annually at Ford Field for all wrestlers placing in the top four of their Regional competitions. Participating in States means a wrestler has earned a spot in the top 16 in the state for their weight class.

We’re happy to congratulate junior Alexa Hampton, who placed 5th in the state on Saturday. That makes her a 3-time All State athlete at WB! Amazing work, Alexa!

K-5th Grade
Wednesday, March 6 at Gretchko Elementary 6-7 p.m.
Click Here for More Information

6th-12th Grade
Friday, March 8 at West Bloomfield High School 8-9 a.m.
Click Here for More Information

Laker Opportunity Center offers an alternative learning experience for those that have struggled in the traditional learning environment and need credit recovery. Laker Opportunity Center offers students the opportunity to complete high school and graduate with a diploma. Our school leaders help select the right learning mode for each student. The program is open to all students in the State of Michigan who are 16-22 years old. Learn more on their facebook page or https://www.wbsd.org/lakeroppcenter.

In-Person Cohorts

Students may join an in-person cohort, meeting 2-3 times weekly. Monday & Thursday OR Tuesday & Friday are available, with a Wednesday rotation.

Drop-In

Qualifying students completing coursework from home may qualify for opt-in meet-ups only.

All Online

Qualifying students can learn entirely from home 24/7, communicating with school staff via email and video only. All students must make weekly contact with staff.

For more information please contact Morrison Borders, Principal at morrison.borders@wbsd.org

Congratulations to the essay contents winners at West Bloomfield High School. They enjoyed a catered breakfast and award ceremony.
1st Place - Gabrielle Robinson
2nd Place - Ryan Thomson
3rd Place - Addyson Walker

Book Lists

· Pine Cone 2024 (Youth)

· Pine Tree 2024 (Youth)

· Inspiring Women (Teen)

Winter Reading Finale: Celebrate Mario Day!

Saturday, March 9 from 10-1pm

Main Library Meeting Room

March 10 is Mario Day, but we’re celebrating a day early! Come Mario party with us and make some Mario themed crafts, play some Mario themed games and say hello to some Mario characters. Come dressed as your favorite Mario character. The program is for all ages.

No registration required.

Winter Reading Continues

Now - Sunday, March 10

Library cardholders of all ages are encouraged to enroll in the library’s Winter Reading Program to earn incentives for time spent reading. Students under age 18 can earn up to 3 books to keep! Get started on the Beanstack app or at westbloomlib.beanstack.org.

At this time the location and duration of Summer Camp is to be determined. Please complete the form and we will notify you as we secure a location and dates. THIS FORM DOES NOT GUARANTEE A SPOT IN SUMMER CAMP. THIS IS AN INQUIRY FORM ONLY.

Parent Summer Camp Interest Form

If you need to make Summer Plans as soon as possible check out these camps:

West Bloomfield Parks and Rec

The Sports Club of West Bloomfield

Farmington Hills Community Center-The Hawk

A group of some 50 West Bloomfield School District bus drivers and bus monitors took part in pilot training Feb. 14 offered by the district in collaboration with The J to improve bus rides for students, including those with special needs. The session was the third in a three-part series put on by the school district, the second and third of which were facilitated by The J. The program is designed to help adults on the bus keep their charges comfortable and safe while in transit, says Stephanie Zoltowski-Siordia, director of The J’s Special Needs Enrichment Department. Shayne Beasley-Young, assistant director of the department, also facilitated the training.

Zoltowski-Siordia added that the de-escalation techniques they discussed are effective with all students, those with and without special needs.

Read more in the full article in The Detroit Jewish News.

Grades K-4th x 180 days = 900 + 100 days of 5th grade = 1,000 days!

We celebrated with 1,000-piece puzzles, sharing 1,000 memories, completing 1,000 exercises, and Minute to Win It games. Such a fun afternoon!

• WBSD Employment Opportunities
• GWB Historical Society Events
• Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition
• West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation