WBSD Weekly Update
Dear West Bloomfield School District Families,
As we prepare to welcome our students back for the 2026-27 school year, I want to share a few important reminders regarding personal technology, school safety, and other back-to-school information.
Student Personal Technology & Cell Phone Expectations
This year, Michigan law prohibits students from using personal wireless devices during instructional time. In West Bloomfield, we have established clear expectations by grade level so students, staff, and families know what to expect from the first day of school.
Elementary School: Personal technology devices are not allowed at school.
Middle School: Personal technology devices are not allowed at school. If a device is brought to school, it must remain in a locker.
High School: Personal tech devices are only allowed before school, during passing time, at lunch, and after school. Personal tech devices must be stored in a student’s locker or in their backpack during instruction time. Wearable technology is prohibited.
Personal Tech Devices Include
Cell phone, Apple watches, Fitbits, IPad, Kindle, AirPods, tablets, earbuds/headphones, and interactive glasses.
If a family needs to reach a student during the school day, please contact the school’s main office. We know this will require partnership and consistency, and we appreciate your support as we work to protect instructional time and keep students focused on learning.
As a reminder, school start and dismissal times have changed for the 2026-27 school year. Please take a moment to review the updated times below and plan accordingly as we begin the new year.
Student and staff safety remains our highest priority. Beginning this year, schools across Michigan will use common Standard Response Protocol (SRP) terminology during emergencies: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. These standardized terms help ensure students, staff, families, and first responders are using the same language during an emergency.
Standard Response Protocol Terms:
Hold: Stay in classroom, continue learning
Secure: Threat outside; lock exterior doors
Lockdown: Immediate danger inside; hide and secure
Evacuate: Leave building
Shelter: Protect from environmental hazard
Our staff continue to train and prepare for a wide range of situations, and our schools will continue practicing required safety drills throughout the year. As always, if an emergency occurs, families should look to official District and school communications for accurate and timely information.
Back to School Packet
The first day of school is Monday, August 31, 2026.
- Families can log in to PowerSchool and complete the Back to School Update Packet. This process needs to be completed before the 8/31, the first day of school. Complete the Back to School Update
- Families are required to do this for each child enrolled with WBSD. If you do not know your login and/or password for PowerSchool, please visit https://www.wbsd.org/parents/powerschool for more information.
- Are you a resident that needs assistance enrolling? Visit ACS at 5810 Commerce Rd, West Bloomfield on Friday, August 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A complete enrollment documentation checklist is available here:
Registration Check List
- First Day of School Printable Signs for all schools
#LAKERNATION #firstdayofschool
Staff, students and visitors may notice new signs near sinks, drinking fountains and bottle-filling stations throughout West Bloomfield School District. These signs are part of Michigan’s Filter First program, which requires schools to clearly identify which water fixtures are intended for drinking and which are intended only for activities such as handwashing, cleaning or laboratory use.
The new signs do not mean that the District’s water supply was previously unsafe. Our buildings receive treated municipal water that is regularly monitored under state and federal drinking-water standards. The Filter First program adds another layer of protection by addressing the possibility that lead could enter water through older plumbing, fittings or fixtures within a building.
The signs provide an easy visual guide:
- Green “Safe Drinking Water” signs identify filtered fixtures intended for drinking and beverage preparation.
- “Do Not Drink” signs identify sinks that remain available for handwashing, cleaning and other non-consumptive uses.
Michigan’s Filter First requirements reflect the state’s broader efforts to reduce potential lead exposure in schools following increased awareness of drinking-water risks, including lessons learned from the Flint water crisis. West Bloomfield School District is committed to meeting these requirements and providing convenient access to filtered drinking water throughout the District.
Additional information about the program is available on Michigan EGLE’s Filter First website.
Jamie Stottlemyer, COD, CFD, CTD
Executive Director of Facilities and Operations
Vote Tommy V. Athlete of the Year
Show your support for one of Sheiko’s very own athletes by voting in the Athlete of the Year competition! Vote once every 24 hours! Tommy V. will be a 5th grader this fall at Sheiko Elementary. Voting ends on August 27th at 11 p.m.
7th Grade Jump Start
9th Grade Jump Start
PTO, PCN & WBEF Volunteers at WBTC
WBSD Welcoming New Teachers
Doherty Elementary
Monday - Karate for Kids
Tuesday - Chess Wizards
Wednesday - Elementary Drawing
Thursday - Future Lakers Soccer Academy
Friday - Mad Science
Gretchko Elementary
Monday - More programs coming soon!
Tuesday - Mad Science, Walk/Run Club
Wednesday - Karate for Kids
Thursday - Walk/Run Club, Elementary Drawing
Friday - Chess Wizards, Soccer Academy
Scotch Elementary
Monday - Soccer Academy
Tuesday - iCode - Intro to Coding and Animation
Wednesday - Chess Wizards
Thursday - Mad Science
Friday - Karate for Kids
Sheiko Elementary
Monday - Chess Wizards
Tuesday - Soccer Academy, Elementary Drawing
Wednesday - Mad Science, iCode - Intro to Coding and Animation
Thursday - Karate for Kids
4th and 5th Grade Robotics
FIRST LEGO League Challenge creates a world where students meet science and technology and want more. Where obstacles and challenges are eagerly met. Where gaining confidence and life skills are by-products of a good time.
The theme for this season is ... BIOGLOW! During this biodiversity-inspired season, teams use STEM and collaboration skills to explore how innovation can support biodiversity, strengthen communities, and help build a healthier, more connected planet. Check out the BIOGLOW Season Welcome Video Here
Kick off the 2026-2027 season in September, 2026. First Lego League “Challenge” is for Grades 4-5th. Practices are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday at Doherty Elementary. Transportation is not provided. Parent involvement is extremely important. Students who have parents volunteer as a coach are guaranteed a spot.
Middle School Robotics
Friendly competition is at the heart of Middle School Robotics, as teams of 6th-8th grade students engage in research, problem-solving, coding and engineering - building and programming a human controlled robot that competes in an alliance format at competitions. Prepare your student for robotics now before the new S.T.E.A.M./CTE wing of WBHS is complete. Click the button below for registration and information.
Laker Update is collecting gently worn, used and new shoes to support its fundraiser! Shoes can be donated today through October 17th in Room 511 at West Bloomfield High School. Collected shoes will help raise funds for Laker Update while also being reused by those in need through microenterprise programs. For questions, contact Jennifer Williamson via email at jennifer.williamson@wbsd.org.
Civic Center TV's Tyler Kieft talks to West Bloomfield Lakers Head Coach Zach Hilbers about the benefits of a preseason scrimmage, as well as what he wants to see improved from this year's team before their week one road game at Dearborn Fordson.
Shop and Support
Our WB Athletics online shop is officially open and it has some GREAT options! The Athletic Department gets a percentage of the sales, so it is a great way to help support WB Athletics. Check out the shop in the link below:
Fall Sports Schedules & More
Fall Basketball, Equestrian, Cheerleading, Field Hockey, Cross Country, Football, Dance and Golf use this link: https://westbloomfieldathletics.com/
Get the ultimate Lakers fan experience. Download the free Go Fan app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
- Tickets
- Notifications
- Fan Analytics
