half days:

Thursday and Friday school will end at 11:22

Friday: no bagel sales

Student athletes who have games (basketball and cheerleaders) must go home at 11:22 and come back for the games. See below for details

basketball this week:

Wednesday:

see schedule from coaches

Green team home against Norup and the White team away at Royal Oak for Thursday. (half day of school)

White is home vs East and Green is away at Power on Wednesday.

Our next reward will be our school dance on February 10th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Students with five or less tardies and no office referrals from January 10th-February 3rd will be eligible to buy a ticket. Please encourage your student to get to class on time and to be kind and respectful at all times.

More information will be shared shortly. Ticket sales will take place: February 2-February 10

Mark your calendars: Frozen Jr is our BIG musical for the year. Our 6th graders will travel to the high school on March 3rd at 10am to watch a preview.

Tickets will be on sale soon for March 3rd and 4th performances.

January 18th: evening event for parents: 7pm "Preparing your child for College and 21st Century Careers" see flyer below

January 19th: Half Day - school dismissal at 11:22

January 20th: Half Day - school dismissal at 11:22

-Q2 RAP assignments are due in CANVAS by Friday, Jan. 20th

January 23rd: new semester begins, check Power School for new class schedule

January 25th: Gun Safety Forum (see below for details)

February 1st: No School for Students

February 10th: NJHS applications due (see below for details)

February: current 6th and 7th grade families should look for Advanced Math placement opportunities

March 22nd: National Junior Honor Society Induction (more info to come shortly)

June 2nd: Fun day (all grades) more information to come soon

Volleyball tryouts will begin Monday, January 23. See below for details.

Also, mark your calendars as we are fortunate to have Funding the Future coming to WBMS on April 28th for 8th graders. More information soon!

8th Grade Dates:

June 5th: Cedar Point trip (more information about costs and times coming soon)

June 9th: 8th grade dance (evening event)

June 13th: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony details coming soon

The West Michigan Holocaust Partners have come together to sponsor the Henry Pestka Art & Poetry Contest for 6th through 12th grade students.

The 2022-2023 theme is “Never Forget”. The top ten finalists in each grade will have their work displayed in a collection and be invited to attend and be recognized at our culminating event in April 2023, both in a space generously provided by Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

The top three Finalists in each grade will further qualify for a cash prize (1st Place $150, 2nd Place $100, 3rd Place $50) generously provided by The Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids, Henry Pestka Holocaust Memorial Endowment Fund. We would like to enthusiastically invite your students to participate in the Contest using the link below

An exclusive opportunity for pre-college students to attend the Society of Women’s Engineers STEM Powered EXPO.

Sat, February 18, 2023, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM EST--registration link below

An exclusive opportunity for students to attend the Society of ‘Women’s Engineers STEM Powered EXPO, an event dedicated to introducing and educating students (ages 11-17) about the world of engineering and technology and encouraging the adults in their lives to cultivate these interests. The event will include a variety of STEM organizations doing hands-on activities and the opportunity to participate in a speed mentoring with engineers and technologists.

Tentative Agenda

1:30 - 2:30 PM STEM Powered EXPO

2:30-3:25 PM Speed mentoring programming

3 :25 - 3:00 PM Raffle prize

3:30 PM End of event

Interested in joining SWENext before the event? SWENext is a way for students through the age of 18 to become part of the SWE engineering and technology community. Although our program focuses on girls, all students are welcome. SWENext is free to join and provides students access to programs, mentors, and resources designed to develop leadership skills and self-confidence to #BeThatEngineer.

Recently, there has been media coverage regarding AEDs, or automated external defibrillators. These devices are used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

Our middle school is equipped with 3 AEDs (near the gym, 1st floor and 2nd floor). We have also provided training to all of our staff on the use of these units. The AED placement and number of devices was determined after consultation with district and county nursing staff.

The coming new year brings the end of our first semester of the school year in our new building.

For our students in 6th grade Musical Theatre, that means an opportunity to show off a semester's worth of growth and learning. And what better way to show off, than with a show for family and friends?

Our fourth and fifth hour classes will be performing Free to Be You and Me together on the WBMS auditeria stage on Thursday, January 19 at 10:25 A.M. Family members are welcome to come share in this fun capstone to our class.

Students performing in the show should wear their WMBS House shirts (teal, yellow, or blue). If a student doesn't have a house shirt for some reason, they may wear other WB-branded spirit wear.

Just a friendly reminder about next week's performance of Free to Be You and Me on Thursday 1/19.

Show begins at 10:25 A.M. in the WBMS auditeria.

PLEASE NOTE: For this performance, audience members are to use the Performing Arts entrance (north end of the building), not the main office doors.

Students are to wear their house shirts. If a student for some reason doesn't have a house shirt, other WB branded shirts will do as a substitute

We look forward to seeing you at the show.

PBIS Incentives (Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies)

Last Friday, students that had five or less tardies for the month of December AND no office referrals participated in a virtual escape room during 7th hour. Students who did not earn the reward attended a study hall session that hour. Be sure to ask your student about it!

Our next reward will be our school dance on February 10th from 6-8 p.m. Students with five or less tardies from January 10th-February 3rd will be eligible to buy a ticket. Please encourage your student to get to class on time and to be kind and respectful at all times.

We will also be handing out raffle tickets for students walking in the hallway. At every lunch, we will be raffling off some really cool WBMS swag. We love catching kids doing the right thing!

"WBSD has partnered with Parent Guidance.org to give parents free access to resources and helpful information. We have shared this information with our families. We hope that it will be useful for some of you as well!

ParentGuidance.org is an online service by licensed therapists that provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their children and get answers to mental health questions.

As we near winter break, the WBMS staff wants to make sure all of our families have access to the resources they may need. This is the Oakland County Community Resource Guide, which includes resources about topics including Abuse & Protective Services; Food Pantries, Clothing & Household; Healthcare Services; Housing Assistance; and Parenting & Pregnancy Resources.

211 (United Way) offers resources/connections for family support as well. Parents/adults can call, text, or email. Here is the link to the 211 website, which is searchable by topic. Additionally, see these 211 flyers in English, Spanish, and Arabic.

Finally, here are some resources for Food Pantry/Supplies near WB/Oakland County.

See below for the order form for the Model United Nations club sweatshirts. They are $26 and can be personalized. The last day to order is Thursday, January 19th. Orders can be dropped off in C229 (upper yellow house)

Nutrition Services serves nutritious meals to students daily in all buildings. A school lunch includes an entrée, grain, fruit, vegetable, and milk. A la carte milk prices are $0.50 for students and adults.

Middle School Breakfast: $1.50 Middle School Lunch: $2.95

See below for a list of prices for all alacarte (snack) items

Through the month of January, we will begin Kids in Charge lessons with all students in all 4 core subjects. A kid in charge is someone who makes safe decisions for themself. They will cover alcohol prevention education, tobacco and vaping prevention education, marijuana prevention education, making good choices, refusal skills, safe and trusted adults and coping skills. This is a great opportunity to discuss what they learned on these topics and the rules and expectations you follow in your home on them as well. This program is sponsored by the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition. To learn more about these topics visit www.gwbcoalition.org.

We love our parent volunteers and would like to extend that invitation again to any parent interested:

If you are interested in coming into the building to volunteer, we have a variety of areas to offer you the opportunity to participate in.

If you would like to begin the process of volunteering at the middle school please click on this link and complete the google form.

Once you have completed the form, you will be emailed the required forms to complete. Once those forms are completed and processed you will be contacted to arrange the date(s) and times to volunteer.

We look forward to having parents, and guardians in the building to support the educational process.

Link to google form: Click to begin the volunteer process

REGISTER TODAY!

Attention all parents - have you created your PowerSchool Parent Portal Account? If not, please create a parent portal account today. This allows the District the ability to communicate with you about your child's progress. Additional information can be found here

Mrs. Morton can also help--she is in the main office

Teachers can assign lunch detentions for disrupting class, but most lunch detentions are for tardiness to class.

Here is how they are assigned: the first 3 tardies = warnings, the 4th tardy is a lunch detention, the 5th tardy is a warning, the 5th and 6th tardies are after school detentions.

The pattern then repeats. Consequences reset on the first Monday of each month.

Parents can keep track of your student's tardiness on Power School. If your child is assigned an after school detention, you will receive an automated message from our HERO system as long as your email contact information is updated and accurate.

Additionally, we have updated the HERO system to send email notices when students are late to classes. The email will be sent from HERO notifications.

We only assign after school detentions on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Students will need picked up at 4:00. You do not need to come in the building. Mrs. Henry or Mrs. Berryman (our after school detention teachers) will walk them out to the carline. Mrs. McDowell will also send your student home with a reminder note.

Please help your child and encourage him/her to be on time to class.

Hadley Sawarynski, nominated by Mrs. Kreger - Hadley is such a wonderful student. She works hard, comes to class prepared and participates not only in social studies but in advisory as well. I'm so glad I have Hadley in my class and that I get to begin and end my day with such a positive person!

Maxton Wakeford, nominated by Mrs. Lamerato - Maxton was recently out of town for a week. He was able to get caught up in one day. He works very hard and has an excellent attitude.

Brooke Mellors, nominated by Mrs. Spaman - Brooke is such an amazing young lady and an outstanding student. She is so kind and polite. Brooke is a hard worker and I enjoy starting and ending my day with her in advisory! Keep up the great work, Brooke!

On March 3rd, all 6th graders will take a school bus to West Bloomfield High School at 10am

to view part of the middle school musical "Frozen Jr"

This is what we call a reverse field trip, meaning, all students will attend (no fees, no permission slips). If parents do not want their 6th graders to attend there will be an opt out process in February.

If your student tests positive for CoVID 19 please keep your student at home and email Mrs Graff: Lisa.Graff@wbsd.org with the onset date of symptoms and the test date so she can calculate the days your student must stay home and wear a mask in school. These days are excused.

Route 3 cannot host any extra riders at this time.

If your student needs to ride a different bus home (or to a friend's house) a note must be dropped off in the main office before 1st hour, with a parent's signature. The note will be processed and can be picked up by the student during the day. The notes, authorized with a staff signature must be handed to the driver of the route. Students who do not have signed notes will not be allowed to ride a different bus.

Please mark your calendars! We will take professional photos of every house (pan to wear your house shirt) in the morning of Feb. 6th

Photos will be available for purchase/order soon.

We have a wonderful in school support team to assist students. Counselors, assigned by last name, are the best place to start. We also suggest reviewing with your students:

• Trusted Adults - Please encourage your students to utilize trusted adults in their schools. When we focus on relationship building, the culture of the school becomes one of inclusion and support where students feel comfortable confiding in trusted adults.

• OK2Say - Michigan Student Safety Program - Report anonymous tips on criminal activity, potential harm, or threats using OK2Say. Call 855-565-2729.

• Talk to Us - On our district website. This is a safe place to ask questions and report problems anonymously.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Provides 24/7 confidential support for those in distress and suicide prevention.

Mental Health Resources

WBSD has partnered with Parent Guidance.org to give parents free access to resources and helpful information. ParentGuidance.org is an online service by licensed therapists that provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their children and get answers to mental health questions.

If you know of someone experiencing grief or stress this season, please click here for tips and strategies.

Semester 2 will begin at the end of January.

It is rare that we need to change a student's schedule. We do not change schedules to accommodate requests for a certain lunch, to be in class with friends or to request a specific teacher. PLEASE complete this form only IF you are currently placed in an incorrect class; for example: I have Waller for ELA now and Weiner semester 2.

Please do not email your counselors directly. Counselors will use the responses on this form to make changes in the order which they are received and communicate those changes to you. Students should not assume that the schedule is changed until the updates can be seen in Power School and/or the counselor has communicated with you directly.

Also, if you are interested in being a LINK student, I am attaching the application here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NsAgSBq8kYeyAXmDSF9itBY-Ttp-NjLmAy-JmmnukLw/edit?usp=sharing

Due January 10th

Schedule change request form is here: https://forms.gle/htXssgLFXTMxiL3V6

We require students to wear their lanyards and school IDs every day. To support these positive behaviors, we will be rewarding those students with a raffle ticket.

If a student needs to purchase a lanyard, they are for sale for 2$ in the office

If a student needs to purchase an ID, they are for sale for $5 in the office

We are drawing a winning ticket every day at every lunch!

Our next PBIS reward will run from Dec. 5-Dec. 23rd and January 9-12th. The criteria will be no office referrals and five or less tardies. We love catching our Lakers doing the right thing!

As the weather is getting colder, parents are asking about our procedures for coats, and snow boots.

Coats that fit in a student's locker should stay there for the day (unless it is needed for recess). If a coat does not fit in the locker, students may hang coats on hooks in the Advisory classes during the school day.

Snow boots will be the house collaboration areas (we ordered plastic trays for the boots to be placed on).

We will continue to have an opportunity for students to go outside for recess as long as the students want to go out and the weather cooperates (for example, we will not offer the outside option during an ice storm)

If your student is waiting to be picked up in the car line please make sure they are appropriately dressed for the weather. We are asking that parents pick up those waiting in the car line ASAP due to the changing conditions of MIchigan's cold weather and no after school supervision for students waiting to be picked up.

Every month the Superintendent and the Board of Education will recognize one WBSD student for academic excellence. In addition, the student must be dedicated to their studies, clubs and organizations, and exhibit qualities of a role model. They will be presented with the Superintendent's Excellence Award at the regular board meeting for that month. The Superintendent's Excellence Award is meant to promote success in and out of the classroom. The student must be able to handle many different aspects of student life while maintaining excellence in the classroom. The student must be diligent and complete their assignments on time; show a strong effort to learn subjects to the best of their ability; prepare for class; and have good classroom participation. The student must demonstrate excellent behavior in and out of the classroom, is well mannered, and is respectful to both peers and teachers. This award is designed to nominate and select students who promote and take pride in WBSD and in themselves.

Students will be nominated by WBSD staff and administration each month. Each month the staff will be reminded of the nominations and sent a link to complete the nomination application. Each staff member can only nominate one (1) student per month.

A student cannot receive the award more than once within a year.

If your student will be ABSENT or LATE to school please call the Safeline at

248-865-4482

The line is open 24/7

Absences must be excused within 24 hours of the date

As a reminder, your Quarter 2 RAP Assignment is DUE to be submitted by Friday, Jan. 20th.

You will need to complete the assignment for Quarter 2.
You're responsibility is to READ one book from the Quarter 2 RAP list & submit the Google Form within the Q2 Canvas Assignment.

If you have not checked out a book to read for Q2... get to the West Bloomfield Township Library or Visit SORA from the Canvas Course, you will have access to a digital book through the SORA account. A list of books is provided on the CANVAS Course & the brochure is linked here.

If you are brand new to WBMS this semester & you do not have access to the RAP Canvas Course, please email Mrs. Carson: cindy.carson@wbsd.org to request access to the course.

As of today, there are 120 student who have submitted their Q2 Canvas Assignment. If you are one of those students, thank you for completing your work. We need 100% participation. Let's go Lakers!!!

Questions or concerns should be directed to Mrs. Carson in the iCenter.

If your student must have access to, carry or take ANY prescribed OR over the counter medication while at school, a form attached below, completed and signed by a doctor, must be on file in the main office.

This includes, but is not limited to Tylenol, Tums, prescriptions, and Advil. Under no circumstances can a student be in possession of medication without the proper forms on file. Students possessing medication without the forms on file or distributing medication to other students will be subject to discipline following the district's Code of Conduct.

Nominate an 'Exceptional Educator'

WXYZ (Channel 7) seeks your help in recognizing some of the exceptional educators within WBSD. Nominate a difference-maker today! A winner will be chosen monthly and will receive a $1,000 donation for their respective school or program, along with a $100 gift card to Happy's Pizza. Discover more and nominate a teacher or administrator as an exceptional educator.

Boston University:

Greetings!

It may be cold outside in Boston, but it’s never too early to start planning for summer! Please let your students know they can now apply online for the 2023 Summer Term High School Programs at Boston University, via our website.

Next summer, we are offering five pre-college programs, each of which provides rigorous and collaborative college life experiences that will enable students to gain a strong sense of their personal and academic potential. Here is a brief overview of the one some of our middle school students are eligible for:

• Summer Preview is a one-week, non-credit residential or commuter program in which students explore one subject of interest while previewing the college experience. Students must be entering eighth grade or their freshman or sophomore year of high school in fall 2023.

Current 7th and 8th grade students who are eligible for NJHS may apply for consideration. The google form for applications will be available shortly as well as more detailed requirements.

The following characteristics are considered:

1. must be in 7th or 8th grade

2. GPA

3. Service

4. Leadership

5. Character

6. Citizenship

Amy Hughes, Principal

Jermaine Evans, Assistant Principal

Blaine McDowell, Dean of Student Services

Lisa Graff, Assistant Principal