WBSD Weekly Update

After a rigorous and comprehensive search process involving several rounds of interviews, on-demand performance tasks, and an onsite visit in the West Bloomfield School District, Dr. Jessica Cohen rose to the top as an exceptionally qualified candidate for the role of Director of Student Support Services. Jessica has served as the Director of Student Support Services for the Brandon School District for the past two years. Prior to her work in Brandon, Jessica was the Assistant Director of Student Support Services for Huron Valley Schools and a Teacher Consultant for the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools. Jessica has been a Self-Contained Teacher for Students with Emotional Impairments and a Resource Room Teacher during her twenty-plus-year career in special education.

Jessica holds a PhD in Special Education from Wayne State University, as well as her MA in Educational Leadership, and BS in Special Education and Psychology from Eastern Michigan University. Her extensive special education experience in Oakland County is a wonderful addition to our Student Support Services Department.

We look forward to her leadership as a member of the West Bloomfield School District team! She will start July 1. Her family is pictured here with her; they attended the May 20th board meeting where she was approved.

Fatimah Muhammad was appointed as a member of the Michigan Special Education Advisory Committee to the State Board of Education and the Michigan Department of Education. She will be representing all Michigan school psychologists. Fatimah Muhammad, Psy.S. is a School Psychologist at West Bloomfield Middle School.

Team WB took 3rd place in the Oakland County "Road-eo" team competition for bus drivers, and Jessica Garcia placed 4th, and Shay Ross placed 5th. This event wasn’t just a competition; it was a celebration of the dedication and professionalism of school bus drivers who ensure the safe transportation of students every day.

Team WB participants Amanda DeMar, Jessica Garcia, Nicole (Nikki) Melville, Nakeidra (Shay) Ross, and Alicia Taylor showcased their skills by navigating through a series of challenges designed to test their driving abilities, knowledge of traffic laws, and their capability to handle anything they may encounter on the road. Greg Campbell, Karen Reed, and Lynne Robertson served as judges!

Way to represent, Team WB!

Sahana Chandra, this month's recipient of the Superintendent's Excellence Award, embodies the very essence of resilience, compassion, and determination. As a student at Project SEARCH-Henry Ford Hospital of West Bloomfield, Sahana's journey has been one of remarkable growth and unwavering commitment to her goals. She will graduate this month with her high school diploma.

Nominated by Leah Mattise, Sahana's transformation throughout her time at Project SEARCH is nothing short of inspiring. From initially aspiring to work in a bakery to now setting her sights on becoming a nurse assistant, Sahana's evolution speaks volumes about her tenacity and passion for helping others.

Sahana's inherent qualities of compassion, caring, and kindness shine through in all that she does. Despite facing unexpected challenges, such as assisting in caring for her mother during a medical emergency, Sahana's resilience never wavers. Her ability to find humor and laughter in any situation, coupled with her flexibility, makes her a joy to work with.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Sahana finds solace in spending time with friends and indulging in her passion for baking. Yet, amidst her quiet demeanor, Sahana remains a shining star whose light touches everyone around her.

While Sahana may naturally radiate brilliance, receiving this well-deserved recognition allows her to shine even brighter. She serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us all of the power of perseverance and the beauty of pursuing one's dreams. Congratulations, Sahana, on this remarkable achievement. You truly embody excellence in every sense of the word.

To learn more about Project SEARCH, check out our website here.

Elise Arnoldi, the epitome of dedication and compassion, shines brightly as this month's

recipient of the Laker of the Month award. As a fifth-grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary, Ms. Arnoldi’s impact extends far beyond the confines of her classroom, touching the lives of both

students and colleagues alike.

Nominated by an impressive six staff members, including Kristi Law, Sage Wood, Lisa Jennings,

Erin Pawlaczyk, Sara Rich, and Christina Sipila, Elise's unwavering commitment and genuine

kindness have left an indelible mark on the school community.

She serves as a pillar of support, offering a listening ear to students and staff. Ms. Arnoldi's

wealth of knowledge and mentorship enhances the professional growth of her colleagues, while

her dedication to student success is unwavering. With a focus on individualized instruction, she

ensures every student's needs are met.

Beyond the classroom, Ms. Arnoldi's influence extends into the community through her

leadership in various initiatives. From organizing events like the Tigers' Opening Day celebration

to fostering student leadership as the Safety Patrol Coordinator, she consistently goes above

and beyond.

Her genuine care and dedication to her students' well-being are evident in her daily interactions.

Whether greeting students by name during car line or engaging them in meaningful discussions

during morning meetings, she fosters a nurturing environment where every child feels valued.

In her nearly 30 years of service, Ms. Arnoldi has consistently placed students at the forefront of

her work. Her collaborative spirit, innovative teaching methods, and unwavering commitment to student success make her truly deserving of this recognition.

TEACHERS & BUILDING

Susan Acton - Roosevelt/Scotch

Julie Baeten - Doherty
Anne Dout - Scotch

Ryan Moore - WBMS

Michelle Pierce - Roosevelt

Mary Takata - Gretchko/Scotch

Linda Trotter - WBMS/WBHS

Carol Wild - Gretchko

WBHS
Heather Crewes, John Deierlein, Sheryl Hauk, Mervet Ismail, Suzan Karmo, Robin Loudermilk, Molly Marshall, Janis Schiffer, Kathleen Townsend, Julia Walton

SUPERVISORS

Lisa Perri - ACS/Human Resources

PARAEDUCATORS

Mary Kathleen Anaya - WBHS

Brenda Gotko - WB Transition Center

Shawn Hahn - WB Transition Center

EARLY CHILDHOOD

Janan Kassab - Doherty

Eleonora Vago - ACS Building

The curriculum department executed several elementary school activities and events to ensure a smooth transition. Check out our social media for photos from each.

• Student Mingle Field Trips
• Preparing all Families for Launch

• Popsicles with the Principal for Families will be at all Elementary Schools: August 21, 4-6 p.m.

WBSD is excited to start our playground projects at Gretchko and Scotch Elementary Schools this month. All of the preparations with site surveys and civil engineering are complete. We cannot wait to unveil the new “Apple Island” themed playgrounds that were designed to be inclusive for all students.

Please note: our playgrounds at Gretchko and Scotch will be closed this summer for construction. We will welcome families back as soon as the projects are complete.

If you have any questions or concerns throughout this process, please feel free to reach out to us at rebecca.fannon@wbsd.org or 248-865-6454.

Here are maps outlining the location of the new playgrounds in relation to the schools.

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

WBMS Robotics program concluded the season by attending 3 different events in 3 weeks. On May 19th, 9 of our students competed at Troy MAYhem as the final event of the season.

The Robogators sent a team comprised of 4 middle school students, along with 5 rising 5th graders to this event, and they did great! The team finished a very respectable 12th place in the robot game (out of 32 teams), won 3rd place Design Award, and 2nd place Connect Award!

After 26 years of devoted service to the West Bloomfield School District, Linda Trotter is embarking on a well-deserved retirement, marking the end of an illustrious career spanning over four decades. Ms. Trotter's unwavering dedication to her craft and her students has been a source of inspiration for all who have had the privilege of knowing her.

Throughout her tenure, Ms. Trotter has been a fixture in nearly every school within the WBSD, leaving her musical imprint from Sheiko to West Bloomfield High School. Her journey took her through the corridors of Ealy, Roosevelt, Doherty, Scotch, Abbott, Orchard Lake, and both Middle Schools. However, it was through a heartfelt collaboration with Ms. Rabotnick that Ms. Trotter finally realized a longstanding aspiration: to teach at every school within the WBSD, with Gretchko Elementary serving as the final piece in her educational mosaic (see image).

From the tentative first notes of Beginning Strings and Bands to the triumphant performances of Symphony and Concert Orchestras, Ms. Trotter has been a steadfast guide, nurturing talent and instilling a lifelong love for music in her students. She will be missed, but her impact will be lasting.

JV-B Baseball beats Seaholm 14-4

JV-B Baseball beats Seaholm 6-4

JV-A Baseball falls to Rochester Adams 10-6

Girls Varsity Softball falls to Rochester 8 – 4

The first WB Wrestling Club Clinic was a huge success! Thank you to our guest clinician, Casey Swiderski, for leading a tremendous clinic for 40 of our WB wrestlers!

Summer meal programs keep Michigan kids healthy during summer break from school: https://bit.ly/44GSMa4

To find a Summer Food Service Program site in the community, you can visit the Meet Up and Eat Up locator map at www.michigan.gov/meetupeatup. All information, including meal service times and serving dates, will be available once school is out for summer recess. The locator map website is updated regularly throughout the summer months.

· Friends in Our World – Asian Friends (Youth)

· Camping Trip (Youth)

· Camp Experience (Teen)

Summer Events at the Library
Beginning with the library’s annual Summer Reading Youth Kickoff on Saturday, June 1, mark your calendars for some of the library’s events for all ages throughout the community! Browse events by age range and location in our new Summer Events brochure at: https://www.calameo.com/read/00729524175ee0b8da98d

Summer Reading 2024 Video

Checkout the Library’s Summer Reading 2024 video for more info on this year’s program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRkfj3PbzEk

Memorial Day Closure

Both branches will be closed from Saturday, May 25 through Monday, May 27. The library will reopen on Tuesday, May 28 at 9 AM.

Help us feature our WBSD 2024 senior class and their accomplishments with their own "Senior Spotlight" social media post. If you or your senior would like to be highlighted, complete this quick form: https://forms.gle/yhdAi6YuSn2BDuCD6

Congratulations Class of 2024! Please be patient for your submission to appear.

#WBSeniors #AlwaysALaker #onlyWB

May 27 - Memorial Day - No School

June 5 - Half Day for High School Only

June 6 - Half Day All Levels

June 7 - Half Day - Last Day for Students

For a full calendar, use this link: https://www.wbsd.org/calendar

To view the 2024-25 Calendar, which includes the start and end times for schools next year, Click Here. All start and end times remain the same except for Sheiko which will be on the center tier time schedule (8:20 a.m. start, 3:12 p.m. dismissal) while at the temporary location.

WBSD offers before and after care. Use this link to register!

Thank you Civic Center TV for helping us share our Honoring Roosevelt event for those who could not attend and for all our Husky pack who were able to come.

The West Bloomfield Board of Education recognized the girls for winning the State Championship and being Academic All State. Congratulations!

West Bloomfield is home to several Save A Life Stations. These harm reduction boxes will include Narcan doses, testing strips, safe disposal kits and more. An interactive map detailing the location of each "Save A Life Station" can be found here. More info at: Save a Life Stations | ACHC (achcmi.org)

This information is brought to you by our partner the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition.

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