The Pipeline
December 22th, 2023
A Message from the Director...
Dear Career Tech Students and Families!
On Wednesday night, the Fire/EMT classes went to Beaumont Children’s Hospital-Royal Oak. They were joined by many other teachers and students from our other programs. We attended the Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams event. This is the second year that we have attended, and it is quickly becoming a tradition. This event illuminates the night for young childhood patients, that cannot be home for Christmas due to an illness or injury. It is an incredibly heartwarming display of community spirit that has become a beacon of light for the young patients. The program has become a symbol of the community coming together to brighten the children’s lives that are facing challenging health issues. The initiative was started by Beaumont Hospital, and it aims to bring comfort and joy to children facing medical challenges. The event has been transforming the hospital's night skies with the glow of moonbeams (flashlights) since 2017. The event also celebrates the beauty of the moonlight, and its soothing influence on children’s dreams. We all have dreams of vacations, careers and material items, but these children dream of just going home for the holidays. We all take things for granted, and this event reminded us that our wishes pale in comparison.
Our William D Ford students and staff gathered around the circular drive, below the children’s hospital room windows. At 8 p.m. sharp, we showed support to the children, by shining beams of light up to the windows of the pediatric unit. Through our school community’s incredible and heartwarming efforts, the patients and their families felt supported during what might otherwise be an isolating time. It lets the patients know that they are not alone.
The event also taught us about compassion. Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams reminded us all of the
transformative power of compassion. We were there for the young patients, but in some way it helped us to see that the world is bigger than ourselves. It showed us that caring for each other, brings out the best in each of us. Compassion is defined as the deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering. Compassion stands as one of the most powerful and influential forces in the human experience. It connects us all, and has the ability to bring about positive change on us as individuals, our community and our school. At its core, compassion is the response to the pain and struggles of others. When individuals embrace compassion, they open themselves to the vulnerability and the shared humanity that binds us all. True happiness can be acquired simply through being compassionate.
The flashlights that we used on the Children’s Hospital, brought the hope that many more of the
children’s dreams will be illuminated by this touching initiative. Our wish is that every one of the
children get better, and get to go home soon.
We wish you Happy Holidays. Please stay safe over the break. Enjoy your time with your family and
friends. Be present in the moment, and show compassion to someone in need.
Warm regards,
Stephanie Bigelow M.A., L.P.C.
How You Can Support Our CTE Programs
If you are interested in supporting any of our CTE programs, please feel free to fill out the form:
23-24 Ongoing Work-Based Learning Opportunities at William D. Ford Career Technical Center
The following companies and/or organizations are providing jobs and extended work-based learning activities for our students:
Auto Advantage Collision
Bill Brown Ford
Michigan CAT
Live Your Dream Renovations
Wayne-Westland Community Schools
EMU Bright Futures
Lifetime Fitness
Contract Welding & Fabricating
Gordon Chevrolet
OptimEyes-Henry Ford
Johnson Controls
18th District Court
Iron Workers Local 25
LOC Industries
AWS Welding Society
Lobo Tires
Ford Motor Company (Livonia Transmission)
Gift of Life Michigan
Salvation Army
Haas Automation Inc.
SME Prime
LiUNA Training of Michigan
Automotive News
Social Media
Tis the Season with Future Educators
It was a busy week and a half in the Future Educator classroom with the Sunshine & Rainbows preschool students. There were a number of visits from Sunshine the Elf, which ended with the jolly, old man himself, Santa. Both the preschool students as well as the high school students had a fun time with the silly antics of Sunshine and visiting with Santa.
Frosty Festive Fashion Fiesta
Welcome to Frosty Festive Fashion Fiesta at William D. Ford Career-Technical Center. Here is a sneak peek today's fashion show. The students put a lot of thought into dressing festively. A small contest was held and here is a look at the morning and afternoon winners.
Morning Winners:
Business Santa - Ryan Tennis - Welding
Buddy Elf - Ben Lane- EMT
Reindeer - Miranda Dornbos - Game Design & Programming
Afternoon Winners:
Grinch - Charlie Guidobono - Welding
Snowman - Maddie Jenkinson- Health Occ 1/Szuch
Xmas Tree - Carissa Noble - Health Occ 2/Ritchie
Early Middle College
Did you know that Wayne-Westland Community Schools District (WWCSD) has an Early College Program? Wayne-Westland Early College (WWEC) is a rigorous program that offers high school students an opportunity to earn college credit, industry credentials, and up to an associate degree while still in high school.
While there are many options for high school students to earn college credit while attending WWCSD, this is the only path that provides students with the end result of a degree. We offer this program at no cost to students.
Current 8th, 9th, and 10th-grade WWCSD, as well as Career Tech EMT, Firefighting, and Future Educator students are eligible to apply. WWEC is hosting information sessions to support families in exploring this opportunity on the following dates:
- January 17, 2024 - 6 p.m., William D. Ford Career-Technical Center
- January 31, 2024 - 6 p.m., via Zoom (Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89190989589 )
Visit the WWEC Website to learn more about this program.
Lawrence Technical University Scholarship Opportunity
LTU Blue Devil Promise Scholarship
To be considered for this scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:
- Completed FAFSA on file for every year this scholarship is utilized
- Must be a newly admitted first-year student at Lawrence Tech with around a 3.0 GPA
- 2024 graduate of one of the following high schools:
- John Glenn High School (Westland, MI)
- Wayne Memorial High School (Wayne, MI)
- William D Ford Technical Center (Westland, MI)
Notes:
*Students must submit the application for admission by April 1
*Students who receive this scholarship are not eligible to receive any additional merit, athletic, or LTU funded scholarships.
*Scholarship funds are for tuition use only.
Award Amount: $20,000 annually ($80,000 over 8 semesters)
Mark Your Calendar!
Winter Recess - December 25, 2023 thru January 5, 2024 - No School
Jan. 8 - School Resumes
Jan. 8 - SEMCA Learning - 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Jan. 10 - Exam Day - A.M. students in A.M. - No P.M. classes
Jan. 10 - SEMCA Learning - 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 - Exam Day - P.M. students in A.M. - No P.M. classes - No Wayne-Westland students
Jan. 12 - Exam Day - Make-up Day & Wayne-Westland P.M. students in A.M. - No P.M. classes
Jan. 12 - End of Card Marking - End of Semester
Jan. 15 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
Jan. 16 - Second Semester Begins
Wayne-Westland Attendance Policy:
District Policy:
Wayne-Westland Schools prioritizes student attendance, student safety, and student support. Our District has implemented a comprehensive attendance policy that will identify barriers families face and provide support so that they may attend school regularly. Working with our community partners, our goal is to reduce chronic absenteeism at all grade levels.
Additional details regarding the policy can be found here:
https://www.wwcsd.net/departments/administrative-services/student-services/#Attendance
Family Resource Center
Wayne-Westland Community Schools has a Family Resource Center (FRC), which provides services to any student/family enrolled in our District, free of cost. Some of the services they provide are: basic need assistance, access to over 700 local resources, Laundry Assistance Program and material items for those unable to afford them (emergency toiletries, socks/underwear, hats/gloves/scarves, etc.). They are also able to provide school supplies and backpacks year round for any WWCS student. Please contact our Family Resource Center at: 734-419-2709 or FRC@wwcsd.net. Our FRC also has a Digital Request for Services Form, which can be used to request assistance. Please contact the Family Resource Center directly with any additional questions regarding their services.
High School Newsletters: Pathways to the Workforce
We are seeking interested, qualified students for this paid work experience program. Starting January 2024. WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
15+ years old
Enrolled in Wayne-Westland Community Schools
Less than 3 unexcused absences
Be on track to graduate
Qualified students can register here: https://forms.gle/AYRBVPyyQhLubTPH9