Dear WBHS Community,

It is with great excitement and anticipation that I welcome everyone to WBHS for the

2021-2022 school year.

As we prepare for yet another unprecedented school year, I am excited for the opportunities that are present for us. It is our goal to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of each and every student. We plan to deliver robust and engaging learning opportunities for students in the classrooms through independent and collaborative activities, team oriented thinking processes, and innovative problem solving. We have learned alot about teaching and learning in flexible environments, and we will have new skills and techniques to best reach all of our students. The list below highlights some of our improvements and projects for the 2021-2022 school year:

• Enhancement of Canvas as our dedicated learning platform

• Full time instruction with WBHS teachers for each class

• Reconnecting with friends and community

• Dedicated staff development on trauma-informed teaching, and teaching post-pandemic

• Re-constructed fine arts facilities, including a newly renovated auditorium.

• Turf baseball and softball fields

Our beginning of the year programs such as Jumpstart and Freshman Day will be back on schedule for this year. Please note the information embedded in this newsletter. There is a great deal of information about the coming school year in this issue and I encourage you to read the articles, announcements and calendar and to keep the issue for future reference. August Insights can also be found on the West Bloomfield High School website. Whether your student is beginning, continuing or finishing his/her high school journey with us this year, we look forward to partnering with you for the academic, social, and emotional growth that will prepare them for success later in life. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Eric Pace

Principal, WBHS

What happens at Jumpstart?

School pictures are taken and student IDs are issued, book return/pay fines, (students cannot pick up class schedules until outstanding fines are paid) check out available clubs, purchase family athletic pass, purchase yearbook, purchase parking pass, and pick up your class schedule!

Scheduled times are listed below.

• Wednesday, August 18

• FRESHMAN DAY and Freshman Jumpstart - Freshman Day Orientation will precede Jumpstart for each session.

• Last names A - L

• Freshman Orientation: 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

• Parent information session: 10:00 AM

• Cookies in the Courtyard: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

• Jumpstart: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

• Last names M - Z

• Freshman Orientation: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

• Parent information session: 1:30 PM

• Cookies in the Courtyard: 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

• Jumpstart: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

• Thursday, August 19

• Senior Jumpstart

• 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

• Friday, August 20

• Junior Jumpstart

• 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

• Sophomore Jumpstart

• 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

• Monday, August 23

• Makeup Jumpstart for ALL grades

• 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

As you know, we spent a great deal of time and effort in the spring helping our students select courses for the fall. The counselors presented information to the students and the students were given time to enter their course requests with the guidance of their counselor. We emphasized that students select courses wisely as course requests would not be changed after May 1st due to the fact that staffing assignments and the master schedule are built from student requests.

Student schedules will ONLY be adjusted for the following reasons:

1. Failure from the previous semester in a prerequisite course

2. Completed the course already in a previous academic year or during summer school

3. An incomplete schedule or missing class (there should be seven courses for each semester on your student's schedule)

4. The computer placed your student in two courses that provide the same credit (i.e. World History and AP World History)

For students that need to make a schedule change based on one of the four reasons listed above , a schedule change request form is available at the Counseling office. Please see your counselor.

In order to update student records and have the most current health information, please fill out the medical alert form and send with your student to Jumpstart.

If your child takes medication during the school day, even if it is over the counter, a medication permission form is required to be signed and turned into the Counseling office by the first day of school. We have a med tech on staff to assist your student if needed.

Even if your student self-carries the medication, we require that you please submit the permission form.

A link to the form can be accessed here.

August 30 First Day of School (Full Day)

September 1 Early Release

September 3 No School for Students or Staff

September 6 Labor Day - No School

September 7 No School for Students or Staff

September 16 No School for Students or Staff

September 29 Early Release

October 13 Early Release

October 27 Early Release

November 10 Early Release

November 16 EL K-2 & HS Evening Conferences

November 17 MS only Evening Conferences

November 18 EL 3-5 only Evening Conferences

November 19 Half Day/P.M. Conferences

November 24-26 Thanksgiving Break

December 8 Early Release

Dec. 20-Dec. 31 Winter Break

January 5 Early Release

January 17 MLK Day - No School

January 19 Half Day - HS Only

January 20 Half Day - All Levels

January 21 Half Day - All Levels

February 2 Early Release

February 16 Early Release

February 21-22 Mid-Winter Break

March 2 Early Release

March 16 Early Release

Mar. 28-Apr. 1 Spring Break

April 6 Early Release

April 15 No School for Students or Staff

April 20 Early Release

May 3 No School for Students or Staff

May 11 Early Release

May 30 Memorial Day - No School

June 14 Half Day - HS Only

June 15 Half Day - All Levels

June 16 Students Last Day - Half Day

June 17 Teacher Last Day - Records

West Bloomfield High School will continue to offer parking privileges to eligible 11th and 12th-grade students that purchase and properly display a WBHS parking permit. Criteria for obtaining and maintaining a parking permit can be found on the application form linked below. Students may only park in the main and south lots, NOT in the north lot (by the stadium), which is reserved for staff parking.

Seniors and juniors can purchase their parking pass at Jump Start, provided they bring the permit fee- $100 payment (cash or check payable to West Bloomfield Schools), evidence of a driver's license and vehicle registration, and have filled out the application found at the link below. Parking permits are to be fully adhered to the bottom left-hand side of the windshield of the vehicle for which it was purchased. If a family would like to register additional vehicles, they need to complete the application and provide a $5.00 payment for each.

WBHS Parking Permit Application

Additional information here

NEW CHROMEBOOK REPAIR POLICY FOR 2021-2022

TO HANDLE BROKEN OR LOST DEVICES

Starting in the 2021-2022 school year we will no longer use this past year’s insurance program to handle broken or lost devices.

Starting on the first day of the 2021-2022 school year, West Bloomfield will implement our new Chromebook Repair Policy. This policy will allow for two repairs free of charge for the entire time your student is enrolled at West Bloomfield School District. Once a student has elapsed their two free repairs, they will need to pay a flat rate of $50 per repair after that.

If the device is ever deemed unrepairable or device is lost or misplaced, the student is required to pay a $250 device replacement fee. This will not go towards their two free repair counts.

It is in the best interests of the family to report all issues as soon as they happen. The need for repair of multiple issues increases the chances of a device being deemed unrepairable, leaving the family responsible for paying the $250 replacement fee.

Below you will find the device repair steps.

Warranty Repair - Free

First Repair (If Repairable) - Free

Second Repair (If Repairable) - Free

Third Repair and Beyond (If Repairable) - $50 Each

If Device is Beyond Repair (Total Replacement) - $250

If Device is Lost - $250

The West Bloomfield School District communication network provides many opportunities to showcase our students. Our Board of Education frequently honor students for special accomplishments.

The district newsletter, The Laker, displays photographs and success stories. District and building email and website provide students with an opportunity to share their accomplishments. These and many other opportunities exist within the WBSD to offer public acknowledgement of our students and staff through public communication.

Parents not wishing their student’s image or work included in any school or district communication should send written notification to the Principal’s office before the start of the school year.

The Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that school districts notify parents and/or guardians yearly of their right to review their student’s educational records. Parents wishing to review student records must notify the Counseling Office for an appointment.

If students are receiving or have received special education services, parents should contact the Special Services Office at 248-865-6470.

WBHS will provide information about the school’s vocational education classes in any language. Parents who want this information in their language of origin should contact the Board Office at 248-865-6479.

Public Act 131 requires schools to notify parents and guardians of school students of their right to be informed before application of pesticides on school grounds or in buildings.

As part of the West Bloomfield School District’s pest management program, pesticides are occasionally applied after normal school hours.

Parents who want to be notified before a pesticide treatment should contact the WBHS Principal’s Office for a Pesticide Prior Notification Request form.

Juniors and Seniors who meet the National Honor Society academic criteria (3.5 or above cumulative GPA) will receive an invitation to apply to NHS. More information will be forthcoming after the start of school to answer any application questions.

Prescribing to the four tenants of the National Honor Society (Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, and Service), prospective members must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, show leadership in activities, no ISS or OSS suspensions, and must complete at least ten hours of verifiable community service. The service hours may not have been used for another class or for any type of credit, and must have been completed for a non-profit organization (school, church, senior citizens home, food bank, charitable organizations, etc.). These qualifications are described in more detail in the WBHS Student Handbook on page 12. (see link below)

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1608055937/wbsdorg/ctij0wuddvpm7pxxbmvc/2020-21StudentHandbookforwebsite.pdf

Regular meetings of the Board of education of the WBSD will be held the fourth Monday of each month, starting at 7:00 pm. All community members are welcome to attend. For more information click the link below.

https://www.wbsd.org/about-us/boe/meeting-schedule

WBHS IS A LATEX SAFE ENVIRONMENT. We strongly encourage our students to restrict their use of latex items on the property. Said items may be confiscated or removed from the premises for student safety.

Hello West Bloomfield Lakers!!!

This email is for all families who have students attending West Bloomfield Schools during the 2021-22 school year. Below are several important reminders and fall sports updates.

1. Athlete Registration: Athletes must register through our athletics website and update their physical before they participate. Reminder all physicals must be dated after April 15, 2021. Please go to the following page to register - https://westbloomfieldathletics.com/65011-2/

2. Fall Sports and Tryout Info: Please click on the link below.

https://westbloomfieldathletics.com/2021/07/15/tryout-first-practice-schedule-for-fall-2021/

3. Lakers Athletics On-Line Apparel Store: If you are looking to purchase authentic Lakers Athletic Spirit Wear, please visit the online store at the following

link: https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/WBLakers21. A percentage of your purchase will be donated back to Lakers Athletics and the orders will be shipped to your home address.

4. Social Media/Website: We often get the question, “What is the best way to stay updated on schedule changes and news from the athletic department?” The best way is to follow us on social media- Athletic Director Eric Pierce @therealepap and Principal Eric Pace @ericpaceWBHS on Twitter as well as West Bloomfield Laker Athletics on Facebook. We also post almost everything you need to know on our website, https://westbloomfieldathletics.com/ . For specific team information regarding practices, etc, you will want to see if the team has its own social media account such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

5. Spectator Passes: Parents and students can save money by purchasing an annual pass. These passes will be available at Jumpstart Registration as well as in the West Bloomfield High School Athletic Office.

Family Passes - $100, these passes will get you free admission to home games for all WBHS sponsored sports with the exception of Hockey, Lacrosse, and Field Hockey. These passes also do not provide for free admission for MHSAA tournaments. 4 passes are provided with purchase.

6. Pay to Participate: There is a one-time fee of $325 to be a member of a sports team. Once your son or daughter makes a team please visit http://www.payforit.net/. Payments for non-cut sports are due before the first practice. Please note that this fee is reduced to a one-time $160 fee for students who receive free or reduced-price lunch. You must have applied for free or reduced lunch to have the fee reduced. A new application is required for each school year.

Last, please allow me to take a moment to thank you, WBHS parents, for everything that you do for our students and for West Bloomfield High School. Without your patience, caring, and support our students would not have the many opportunities offered to them in our athletics programs. You truly are the unsung heroes!

We look forward to a wonderful 2021-2022 school year!

Go Lakers!!!!!!!!

Eric Pierce

Athletic Director

West Bloomfield High School

Nutrition Services would like to take this opportunity to welcome your student(s) to the

2021-22 school year!

With day-to-day life beginning to return to normal, we wanted to share some great news that will affect all students: In April 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service extended the program that will provide for FREE MEALS FOR ALL STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF INCOME, FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR. This has been made possible by nationwide waivers that provide for free meals for all students through June 2022.

We are thrilled to safely serve students delicious, fresh and nutritious meals at no charge, and we are equally excited to re-introduce our favorite programs to deliver fun, exciting and tasty experiences to students throughout the coming year:

Some important information regarding meal service this school year:

• Breakfast and lunch meals will be no cost to all students.

• Ala carte items are available. Students must pay for items from their pre-funded cafeteria account; there will be no exchange of cash in the lunch line.

• Online deposits to cafeteria accounts can be made through e~Funds for Schools. There is no service charge for online account deposits.

• Cash payments for cafeteria accounts will be accepted at the Food Service Office or during breakfast service only. All change will be deposited onto student’s cafeteria account.

• Please continue to apply for free or reduced priced meal benefits at Lunchapp.com

For more information, please call the Nutrition Services Office at (248)865-6732.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Transportation is provided for WBHS resident students who reside more than one (1) mile from the high school. In order to ensure safety, students are required to conduct themselves according to school district transportation rules and regulations.

Students are expected to be at their bus stop ten (10) minutes prior to pickup time to allow for weather and traffic variances. If a student is not at their stop when the bus arrives, the bus is not required to stop. Please allow time for drivers and students to familiarize themselves with new routes before calling regarding changes.

Transportation information will be sent to eligible students.

Thank you for your cooperation and together let us look forward to a safe and productive school year.

Please click on the link below for more information.

https://www.wbsd.org/departments/transportation

As you may already know, our district utilizes the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more. This resource is on top of the emails and phone messages you already receive from SchoolMessenger.

You can participate in this service just by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our district’s short code number, 67587.

You can also opt-out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our

messages with “Stop”.

SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy PledgeTM, so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone.

Purchase your yearbook now!

Jump Start (early order) Price = $70.00 - price is good through August 26, 2021

**Price will then increase to $80 after Jumpstart and finally to $100 after January 1, 2022

If you are paying by cash or check made payable to: “WBHS Yearbook” please use this link to access the form that must accompany your order. The form and payment must be mailed or dropped off to the high school. Yearbook order form

Transcripts will be sent electronically by Parchment. No transcript can be sent from WBHS until school begins in the fall and all summer records have been verified. We project the first opportunity to send these transcripts will be September 17. Students may request transcript submission AT ANY TIME from Parchment, but WBHS will release them starting September 17.

The WBHS College and Career Center and the Counseling Department are proud to support our students with their college and career planning. We hosted a variety of college readiness workshops in the spring for the Class of 2022 on topics such as:

• Creating the College List
• Career Search Tools
• Sending Transcripts using Parchment
• Essay Writing
• Scholarships 101 and Financial Aid Basics

We also host a College Application Boot Camp in mid-August where we support seniors with the college application process and get a jump start before school starts. Last Spring, Mrs. Essig emailed a College and Career Prep newsletter to all rising juniors, seniors and their parents. If you missed it, you can find them linked here: Class of 2022 or Class of 2023.

Students and parents are encouraged to check their email frequently so they don’t miss out on opportunities for assistance in this process. We are here to help!

In September, we will offer weekday seminars for seniors who need assistance in the college application process. Seniors will also attend a class meeting and receive information and support. Students can sign up to meet with their counselor or Mrs. Essig in the College and Career Center to seek assistance with the process.

Juniors and seniors (and their parents) are encouraged to visit the College and Career Center Canvas pages for a wealth of information related to all things college and career. Mrs. Essig has an extensive list of videos, presentations and scholarship opportunities listed here. Students are welcome to make an appointment with her using the link on the College and Career Center Canvas page.

Once school starts, we will host many college and university admissions reps on-site or virtually. These admissions representatives will discuss scholarships, programs, and answer student questions. This is a great way to connect with an admissions rep and get a feel for the university. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to attend. Registration details will be provided on the College and Career Center Canvas page in September.

Parents and students should read the Counselor Connection newsletter regularly for specific details on upcoming events and more. The Counselor Connection is emailed to all student and parent email addresses two times per month. If you are not receiving the newsletter, please update your email address in PowerSchool by calling the counseling office secretary at 248-865-6770. You can also follow us on Twitter at @WBHSCounseling. We are happy to assist you during this exciting yet overwhelming time!

The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information or any other legally protected category, (collectively, "Protected Classes"), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

Arrangements can be made to accommodate English as a Second Language (ESL) population. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:

Mr. Eric Whitney

Assistant Superintendent for

Talent Development and Management

West Bloomfield School District

5810 Commerce Road

West Bloomfield, MI 48324