WBSD Weekly Update
January 14, 2026
Calendar Information
January is School Board Recognition Month
Thank you to our school board members for answering the call and guiding our district forward. We are so appreciative of our seven school board members who represent our community.
Parent Info Nights - Mark Your Calendar
Details can be found here.
- Learn about WBSD curriculum
- Extracurricular opportunities
- Schedules
Remember, word of mouth from our current families is the most important marketing tool. Help us grow WBSD!
Optimist Essay Contest
The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In addition to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!
Our first place local club winner advances to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 (1st place) / $1,500 (2nd place) / $1,000 (3rd place) college scholarship.
Deadline will be Friday, February 13, 2026 at 2:40 p.m.
More details on their website.
2026-2027 Four-Year-Old PreK for All
NO-COST high-quality PreK is open for enrollment for the 2026-27 school year!
School of Choice
WBSD offers STEAM as a K-12 specialized criteria-based program. This programming is also offered to residents. Residents must meet the same criteria as Schools of Choice applicants in order to be accepted into the STEAM program.
The application window will be from January 13, 2026 to February 11, 2026. Criteria-based testing will take place on February 14, the Lottery for those applicants that meet criteria will take place February 18, 2026 and applicants will be notified of acceptance/non-acceptance by February 20, 2026.
● K-5 Criteria-Based STEAM: 110 students
● 6-8 WBMS Criteria-Based STEAM: 25 students
● 9-10 WBHS Criteria-Based STEAM: 80 students
West Bloomfield Elementary Schools Peace Walks
West Bloomfield elementary students participated in Peace Parades alongside West Bloomfield High School students as part of this year’s United We Walk theme, “One Dream, One World, One Walk,” honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through art, unity, and kindness. New York Times bestselling author Susan Verde joined the celebrations and later hosted a districtwide read-aloud. The community is invited to the event on Sunday, January 18 at West Bloomfield Middle School. Learn more at https://www.wbsd.org/community/united-we-walk
A Visit From Susan Verde
New York Times Bestselling Author Susan Verde, visited the morning peace parades and later hosted a read-aloud streamed to all elementary schools. Her books focus on kindness and mindfulness.
United We Walk - THIS SUNDAY!
Collecting Donations
Click here to donate.
Sunday, January 18
at West Bloomfield Middle School
Guest Speaker
Kenneth Gutman, Oakland Schools Superintendent
MLK Day at the Library
Monday, January 19
Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the West Bloomfield Township Public Library's Main Branch!
10:30-11:15 a.m.: A World of Music and Stories with Ms. Audrey, for ages 5+
7-8 p.m.: Discussion of Dr. King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail led by Larry Castleberry, for ages 13+
K-12 Multilingual Parent Meeting
WBSD English Language Development Department invites families to attend a K–12 Multilingual Parent Meeting focused on:
- Preparing students for WIDA testing
- Supporting reading comprehension at home
WBSD K–12 Multilingual Parent Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 27 at 6 p.m. via Zoom.
Attention 5th Grade Boys in WBSD
Join Us on Friday, January 16, 2026 at WBHS
5:30 p.m.- Students will be directed to the cafeteria at West Bloomfield High School for the beginning of the event.
5:40 - 6 p.m.- Students will have the opportunity for a meet/greet autograph signing with the players from the Varsity Boys Basketball Team. Each student will be provided a team poster for the autographs.
6 p.m.- Head Basketball Coach Arnette Jordan will address the 5th graders and talk about the team and athletics. Athletic Director Eric Pierce and Principal Eric Pace will also address the students and provide a special gift (t-shirt).
6:20 - 6:40 p.m.- Pizza and refreshments will be provided for all 5th graders in attendance.
6:40 p.m.- Students will be walked down to the gymnasium to watch the West Bloomfield Lakers take on Farmington at 7 p.m. Each student and their parent(s) will receive free admission to the game.
RSVP your 5th grade boy by emailing your school Administrative Assistant.
Battle of the Elementaries Community Event
Join us for a FREE volleyball game against each elementary school! All are welcome! Friday, February 27 from 5:30–7 p.m. (Doors open at 5:15 p.m.) Cheer on your elementary school as they battle for the volleyball trophy!
Huge congratulations to eight WBHS Band students who performed in the District 4 Honor Band with students from 25 high schools in metro-Detroit. Five of the students from WBHS earned the top chairs for their respective instruments! The ensembles were under the direction of three of the leading educators in the country. The 9-10th grade Honors Concert Band conductor was Susan Gould (retired band director). Dr. Andrew Bishop (jazz saxophone professor and jazz department chair at University of Michigan) directed the Honors Jazz Band, and Dr. T Andre Feagin (University of Central Washington) was the conductor of the 11-12th grade Honors Wind Symphony.
Bravo to the following students:
Anna Bilkey, clarinet (Wind Symphony) - 12th grade
Gralon Connor*, trombone (Wind Symphony) - 11th grade
Lewis Donaldson, alto saxophone (Jazz Ensemble) - 12th grade
Neel Kamath*, bassoon (Wind Symphony) - 12th grade
Josh Malhotra*, piano (Jazz Ensemble) - 9th grade
Johnathan Scigaj* - euphonium (Wind Symphony) -12th grade
Emmaline Strange, percussion (Concert Band) - 9th grade
Michael Yanitz*, guitar (Jazz Ensemble) - 12th grade
*denotes principal/lead player for their section!
Mark Your Calendar
Join us at Buddy's Pizza (31646 Northwestern Hwy.) on Thursday, February 12th between 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Indulge while supporting West Bloomfield Theater Boosters. RSVP now and help us make a difference! More details here.
Doherty Elementary After the Bell
Monday - Karate for Kids
Tuesday - Chess Wizards
Tuesday - Mad Science
Wednesday - Elementary Drawing with Young Rembrandts
Thursday - Sunset Theatre, Lilo & Stitch
Thursday - FIRST Lego League Explore
Gretchko Elementary After the Bell
Monday - Sunset Theatre, Lilo & Stitch
Monday - Mad Science
Tuesday - Karate for Kids
Thursday - Elementary Drawing with Young Rembrandts
Thursday - FIRST Lego League Explore
Friday - Chess Wizards
Scotch Elementary After the Bell
Monday - Mad Science
Monday - Dodgeball
Tuesday- Sunset Theatre, Lilo & Stitch
Wednesday - Chess Wizards
Wednesday - Karate for Kids
Thursday - FIRST Lego League Explore
Sheiko Elementary After the Bell
Monday - Chess Wizards
Tuesday - Mad Science
Thursday - Karate for Kids
Thursday - Sunset Theatre, Lilo & Stitch
Thursday - FIRST Lego League Explore
WBMS Robotics at LTU
West Bloomfield Middle School Atomigators visited to Lawrence Tech University to kickoff their FRC season recently. Keep up the great work!
January 2026 Menus
All menus can be found on the Nutrition Services page:
Tasty Results from Fork Farm Hydroponic Station
Special Services at the high school successfully grew and harvested produce from their first hydroponic station, including romaine and leaf lettuce and fragrant basil. The fresh greens were used on the deli bar and in bulk salads, while the basil became a tasty addition to tomato soup and the omelet station. Students also monitored nutrients and pH levels, bringing real-world science into the classroom.
WBSD Adult Education Welcomed Oakland 80
Adult Education kicked off the winter term with a visit from Anelia Petrov of Oakland 80. She shared opportunities for career certification and training programs. Oakland 80 provides free education and career navigation support for residents pursuing their educational and career goals. If you know someone that can benefit from the resources, use this link.
Giving To Gleaners
West Bloomfield Adult Education students made a meaningful impact by donating more than 150 pounds of food to Gleaners Food Bank. In recognition of this generosity, Gleaners presented an impact certificate highlighting how these donations directly support children, families, seniors, and veterans in need. Thank you to our Adult Ed community for making a difference and starting the new year with compassion and purpose.