WBSD Weekly Update

January 24 - Late Start, Kindergarten Showcase 6:30 p.m. WBMS

February 2 - Casino Night 7 p.m. Glen Oaks Golf Course
February 7 - Late Start, Middle School Parent Info Night 6:30 p.m. WBMS
February 27 - Operating Millage Renewal on Primary Ballot

Click here to view other important dates.

On the Presidential Primary Ballot, February 27, 2024, the West Bloomfield School District will be voting on the following operating millage renewal. The actual ballot language is below:

West Bloomfield School District Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

This proposal will allow the school district to maintain the

number of mills required to be levied for the school district to

receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews

millage that will expire with the 2024 tax levy.

Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18.6967 mills ($18.6967 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, and 4.6587 mills ($4.6587 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) against principal residences, qualified agricultural property, qualified forest property, supportive housing property, property occupied by a public school academy, industrial personal property and commercial personal property, in West Bloomfield School District, Oakland County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 10 years, 2025 to 2034, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect from combined property taxes authorized herein if the millage is approved and levied in 2025 is approximately $13,371,684 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2024 tax levy)?

Key points:

• This is not a tax increase. This is a renewal of an existing millage.

• This makes up approximately 17% of our annual operating budget.

• The non-homestead millage proposal is only for non-homestead properties, like commercial, business, rental properties, vacant land, and second-home property owners. This portion does not impact primary residence.

• There is an Operating Millage Renewal FAQ on the district website that contains facts about the ballot proposal.

Paid for by: West Bloomfield School District, 5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48324

Beginning this week, K-8 students will participate in the Winter NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth Assessment for Math and Language Arts. Each school and teacher will be communicating when your child will take the assessment. We need your help in ensuring that your child takes the assessment seriously, gives his/her very best, and is well rested for the assessment. Please read the information below so that we can work together to maximize this assessment experience.

• Please be aware of communication from your child’s school regarding the dates of the assessment so that you can help your child mentally prepare. If you are unsure of the dates, please feel free to connect with your child’s teacher.

• Our mindset and words matter. Please take the time to emphasize the importance of the assessment and to encourage your child to do his/her very best.

• The NWEA MAP Growth Assessment is a computer-adaptive test designed to measure your child’s academic growth in Math and Reading.

• This assessment is a helpful data point that we use to measure your child’s academic progress and growth at three different points of the year–fall, winter, and spring. It is also one of the benchmark assessment options that is required by the state.

• Our teachers use the results of this assessment to shape future lessons, instructional groupings, and individualized instructional strategies.

• The data from this assessment can be used to identify additional instructional support outside of the classroom and to identify students who have not self-selected into accelerated programs, like Advanced Math or Magnet.

For more information regarding the NWEA MAP Growth Assessment in Math and Reading, please read the “Frequently Asked Questions” portion of this communication by clicking on this link. Thank you for your continued partnership and support!

The Board of Education approved the redistricting plan shared previously. Here is the map that shows the new boundaries along major roads (click to enlarge).

For answers to frequently asked questions about this process, please visit the district website - under About Us, click K-5 Redistricting.

There are 4.5 hour and 7.5 hour positions available in food service starting at $13/hour. Work at your child’s school while they’re in class! For more information, click here.

TONIGHT The Laker Express will be performing the National Anthem at the Pistons game, and it is lovely to have our community there with us. Click here to purchase tickets: https://fevo-enterprise.com/Lakerexpress

• Boys Freshman Basketball beats L’Anse Creuse North 52 – 47

• Boys Freshman Basketball beats Groves 50 – 48

• Boys Freshman Basketball falls to Clarkston 56 – 32
  
  

It looks like winter has finally decided to make an appearance and while it’s time to enjoy all the fun activities it brings we want to remember to stay healthy.

Winter Wellness tips to help you stay healthy:

Limit the spread of germs

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands regularly using soap and water

• Drinking enough water each day boosts your immune system and helps you fight viruses. Aim to drink enough water to equal two-thirds of your body weight in ounces every day.

• Low Vitamin D levels can make you susceptible to illness and negatively affect your mental health. Boost your levels by getting sunshine, taking a multivitamin that contains Vitamin D and eating foods high in Vitamin D, like salmon and mushrooms.

• Cold air and low humidity can cause dry, itchy skin. Protect your skin by
• wearing lip balm, using a humidifier in your room, limiting time in the shower or bath and immediately applying lotion after you dry off.

• A lack of sleep can lower your immune system. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night lets your body recover and protect against sickness.

• Get out there and enjoy a little fresh air and exercise. Try out new activities like skiing, snowshoeing, sledding or simply taking a walk.

Shake off those winter blues and support our schools! Enjoy live music by local band Good Gravy. You won't' want to miss this fabulous evening featuring dancing, casino games, raffles, and more!

Tickets are on sale now for the WBEF Casino Night Friday, February 2, 2024. This is their one fundraiser to support all the grants they give to the District.

Four Ways To Support WBEF:

• Sponsor our Annual Casino Night Event on 2/2/24
  
• Attend our Annual Casino Night Event on 2/2/24
• Give online https://www.wbef.org/donate/
• Mail your gift to West Bloomfield Educational Foundation, 5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48324

Presents a Meeting for Multilingual Parents

Please join us! Topics covered include:

• The WIDA ACCESS test

• What it is and when it will be given

• View sample test items

• How can my child practice for the test?

• We will have a special guest speaker, Ms. Emma Loudermilk, to speak about helping your child regulate emotions.

All parents of English Learners in grades K-5th grade are invited. Japanese, Spanish, and Arabic translators will be present. The meeting will be from 6-7 p.m., Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Doherty Elementary School - 3575 Walnut Lake Rd.

The Laker Opportunity Center offers an alternative learning experience for those that have struggled in the traditional learning environment and need credit recovery. The 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

All West Bloomfield School District Schools of Choice openings will be criteria-based through our STEAM program. We have limited openings in the following grade levels:

• Elementary: K-5
• Middle School: 6th grade
• High School: 9-10th grade
  
  

The window is open January 16th - February 14th, apply here!

Interested families can visit wbsd.org to learn more about Schools of Choice. When visiting the site, go to the “Parent” tab and then select Schools of Choice. This document provides all of the key elements. Families should email the following address if they have questions they want answered about Schools of Choice or to submit any required materials for the SoC application: soc@wbsd.org

Register now for Franklin Baseball & Softball

Registration for the Franklin Baseball and Softball Season (April to June 2024) is now open! We are offering Early Bird Special Pricing for all divisions. Save on registration fees if you sign up by February 1st, 2024.

We offer recreational T-Ball for pre-K, Baseball for 1st Grade to 9th grade and Girls Softball from 1st Grade to 9th Grade. Register at www.Franklin-Baseball.com. Our season includes an All-Star game and divisional Playoffs! Games will be played at the historic fields in downtown Franklin Michigan and neighboring fields in West Bloomfield, Farmington, Bingham Farms and Birmingham.

Franklin Baseball and Softball League is a non-profit organization with a goal of serving the local community youth through engaging baseball and softball activities. We serve over 900 youngsters, ages 5 to 15, within the Franklin, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Birmingham, Bingham Farms, and neighboring communities. We strive to facilitate a positive learning environment that assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork, and physical well-being.

Join us on February 11th, 2024 for Franklin Baseball & Softball Family Appreciation Day in partnership with D-Bat of Troy. This is a free event, where the kids and parents can take swings and pitches in the tunnels. This is a great opportunity to get some winter practice in, ask us questions about the upcoming season and if you are signed up to coach or are interested in coaching, we would love to get your thoughts or questions.

Register Here: Family Appreciation Day Registration Form
Cost: Free
2/11/2024 9 a.m. - Noon
Location: 501 Executive Drive Troy, MI 48083

If you are looking for a great way to stay involved with the game of Baseball or Softball, a current or former player that would like to try Umpiring, or a parent looking for a volunteer opportunity, then register to be an Umpire with Franklin Baseball and Softball league this Season! Register at www.Franklin-Baseball.com

Umpire equipment provided by the league will be distributed at the final training session(s).

Feel free to email us with any questions at franklinbaseball@comcast.net or call us at 248-592-7484.

Play Ball!!!

The Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition is working with the Alliance to reduce substance use issues among youth and adults in our community. Your completion of this survey will help create a better understanding of the problems happening in our community.

We will use this information to help in the planning of future coalition efforts.The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 5 - 10 minutes to complete.

Click here to complete The Alliance 2024 Community & Parent Prevention Survey

Book Lists

· Best of 2023 (Youth)

· Chinese New Year (Youth)

· Books about Grief (Teen)

Author Visit with Curtis Chin

Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant

Saturday, February 3 from 1-2 p.m.

Main Library Meeting Room

Join us in welcoming author and Michigan native Curtis Chin as he discusses his recently published memoir: Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. Curtis Chin has written for CNN, Bon Appetit and the Detroit Free Press and was a graduate of the University of Michigan. For grades 9-12. No registration required.

Cozy Up With a Good Book

Winter Reading Program

Started on January 13 and goes through Sunday, March 10

Library cardholders of all ages are encouraged to enroll in the Winter Reading Program to earn incentives for time spent reading.

Do you have a newsworthy story to share? We want to share your wonderful stories with the rest of the community! Please share with us what is happening with your child(ren) and our staff. We would love to hear about your events and activities including awards, honors, good deeds, and accomplishments. Help us share your success stories in art, music, scholastics, athletics, drama, debate, and more. We look forward to sharing your news! Submit a story here.

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