WBSD Weekly Update

Dear WBSD Family,

As we close out another school year, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you, our parents, caregivers, and community partners, for your continued support throughout 2025–2026. This has been a year of growth, innovation, and incredible progress across the West Bloomfield School District.

Nearly 10% of our senior class was admitted to the University of Michigan, Advanced Pathways will launch next year to create even more enrichment opportunities for students, we successfully implemented EL Education across our elementary schools, and nearing the completion of the new Sheiko Elementary School.

We’re especially proud of the sense of community that continues to grow in our schools. Initiatives like Parent University and One District, One Book help bring students, families, and staff together in meaningful ways. Our survey data shows families feel more connected, students feel a strong sense of belonging, and staff are energized by the direction we’re heading. We are all Lakers, and that spirit continues to move us forward.

Our students are also shining outside the classroom. Eric Pierce, our athletic director is retiring and will be missed. He is passing the baton to Shane Hynes, the new athletic director. Our theatre program is thriving, bringing energy and creativity to the stage. This year also marked the third year of 5th-grade band, choir, and orchestra, and we continue to see these programs grow as more students discover their interests and talents through music and performance.

As we head into summer, I encourage you to keep your child engaged in reading and math practice. For elementary students, IXL is a great tool to keep skills fresh. For all grade levels, our Learning Services team will be sharing additional resources to support learning over the summer months. We encourage all student to read this summer and visit their public library. Reading is a wonderful way to keep your student on track and also a great pastime.

Wishing you and your family a safe, restful, and joy-filled summer.

In partnership,

Dania H. Bazzi, PhD

Superintendent

West Bloomfield School District

We have received feedback from families regarding the transportation updates for the 2026–2027 school year, particularly the decision to discontinue middle school and high school shuttle services for School of Choice families and to combine middle school and high school transportation routes due to budgetary constraints. These updates were discussed at the May 8 and May 22 public Board meetings.

We understand the frustration and concern this has caused. For many families, the shuttle service has been helpful and, in some cases, has supported daily routines for several years. We do not take that lightly. We also understand the concerns about middle school and high school students riding together, changes to pickup and drop-off times, and the impact these decisions may have on family schedules. Some families shared that this change may create hardship with work schedules, school arrival, and dismissal logistics.

At the same time, we need to be transparent about the financial realities facing our district. Public school funding has not kept pace with inflation, rising costs, and enrollment changes. Like many districts, WBSD is being asked to do more with less. These realities require difficult decisions, including reductions to services that, while valued and appreciated by families, are not directly tied to classroom instruction. As we evaluate transportation options, our priority is to preserve the educational experiences that most directly impact students each day, including smaller class sizes, strong instructional programming, classroom materials, Advanced Placement courses, student supports, athletics, theatre, music, clubs, robotics, and other opportunities that contribute to a high-quality student experience.

The School of Choice shuttle service was something the district offered when we had the ability to do so, but it was not a guaranteed service. We are sorry for the impact this change has on families who have come to rely on it.

The decision to combine middle school and high school routes was also based on efficiency and ridership and is a common practice in many districts. Many of our high school routes have very low ridership. In some cases, buses that can seat up to 71 passengers are transporting approximately 10 high school students, with even fewer juniors and seniors riding regularly. While we recognize that combining routes is a change, continuing to operate underutilized routes is not financially sustainable.

These are not easy decisions, and they are not made without careful review. Our goal is to continue protecting the core educational experience for students while managing the district’s resources responsibly.

We will continue to review questions and concerns, provide route information before the start of the school year, and work through implementation details.

As a community, we must also continue advocating for stronger, more sustainable public school funding from the state that keeps pace with inflation. These decisions remind us that school funding impacts us in many ways. We are grateful for our WBSD families and remain committed to working together as one Laker community through difficult decisions.

June 4 - Half Day - All Schools

June 5 - Half Day - Students' Last Day

CONNECT with US!

July 28 - Community Movie Night at WBHS at 6:30 p.m.

August 26 - Popsicles with the Principals at all Elementary Schools 4-6 p.m.
September 18 - Family Fun Night at WBHS

2025-2026 Calendar AND 2026-2027 Calendar

The last day of school is approaching fast. Capture the progress of your student and the moment using our Last Day of School signs. Download the printable version of the Last Day of School 2025-2026 graphic HERE

West Bloomfield High School Class of 2026 officially receives their diplomas in a ceremony at Pine Knob Music Theatre produced by Civic Center TV.

A few photos of the kitchen at the NEW Sheiko Elementary. It is still on schedule to open the fall of 2026. The new space will feature an Early Childhood Center and the NEW Sheiko Elementary.

RESOURCES & FAST FACTS:

Oakland Enhancement Millage Website

Enhancement Millage Flyer

Happy Reading! Click below to unlock a TON of Summer Resources! Thank you to Mrs. Colleen Mestdagh, District iCenter Coordinator, Doherty Teacher/Librarian

This edition of the WB Inclusive newsletter highlights important district updates, upcoming events, and key reminders. It also shares celebrations, opportunities, and resources happening across our schools and district.

Check out the quarterly newsletter that includes important and educational information for our multilingual Laker families.

If you know of residents, community members, and past employees that would like to walk the halls, please have them join us on:

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 6 p.m. at Doherty Elementary
For questions email: andrea.frank@wbsd.org

Tuesday, June 23rd & Monday, July 20th

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

ACS Building - 5810 Commerce Rd. West Bloomfield

• 3 and 4 year old preschool available
• High Quality Curriculum & Play-Based Learning
• Certified Early Childhood Teachers
• Strong Family & Community Connections

Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Road
(Free admission, donations appreciated)
The Greater West Bloomfield Diverse History Project is made possible in part by a major grant from America250MI. Click here for more information

West Bloomfield High School Baseball team are District Champions after defeating Bloomfield Hills, 5-2, in the Final. Congratulations! Go Lakers!

Congratulations to Lauryn Choice, Kamryn Tatum, Mharei Sampson & Ese Uwedjojevwe! Together they broke the school track and field record for the 400M Relay (4x100M) with a time of 46.88. Kamryn also broke the school record for the 200M Dash with a time of 23.31. #LakerNation

Meet Up and Eat Up Site Locator Map, or the USDA Meals For Kids Site Finder and entering their address in the search bar at the top left of the map. Both maps are updated throughout the summer as new sites become available.
https://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/schoolnutrition/

Michigan Summer EBT is a program to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Families will get $120 for each eligible child to buy groceries during the summer. Children who get Michigan Summer EBT can still participate in other summer meal programs.

• WBSD Summer Camp at Scotch Elementary, Info Here
• Camp Invention, Info Here
• Sunset Theatre Camp, Info Here
• Chess Wizards Summer Camp, Info Here
• Mad Science Brixology Summer Camp, Info Here
• Mad Science Science In Motion Summer Camp, Info Here
• Kitchen Kidz 1 Summer Camp, Info Here
• Kitchen Kidz 2 Summer Camp, Info Here
• Resources for Special Services Camps, Info Here
• Other Camps around Oakland County, Info Here
• Makos Pups Baseball Camp, Ages 5-10, Info Here
• Gregory Kelser's 2026 Basketball Camp, Ages 7-17, Info Here
• Brandon Davis-Swain Football Camp & Community Day, Ages 6-13, Info Here
• Maxwell Hairston's Youth Football Camp - June 28th - Email SUNNY@PROSPORTPLEX.COM for info and reservations

The Media Maker Bootcamp gives students in grades 5–8 the chance to explore the exciting world of media production through hands-on learning and real-world storytelling. From filming and editing to anchoring and directing, campers will create their own news stories and productions using professional equipment alongside the experienced Laker Update crew at WBHS

Register now: https://qrco.de/bgieBP

Get ready to celebrate your incoming Kindergarten student with a 2026-27 Welcome Kit!

Order NOW and get ahead of the game! Click here to order!

• “Grow with Me” t-shirt that reflects their graduation year
• Fun yard sign

• West Bloomfield Educational Foundation
• GWB Historical Society Events
• Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition
• West Bloomfield Township Public Library
• West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation
• West Bloomfield Youth Assistance