WBSD Weekly Update
Friday, August 11
Back to School Edition
WBSD 2023/2024 School Calendar
Please find the calendar here: https://www.wbsd.org/calendar.
WBSD Community Education offers Before Care and After Care Kids Klub at all elementary schools. For more information, use this link. The registration deadline is August 18.
Powerschool Update for Families
The West Bloomfield School District has moved to an all online Back to School forms process. Each year, families will be required to log into PowerSchool and complete Back to School forms located under the General Forms tab.
If you have not started updating your Back to School information, please do so prior to the start of the school year. Families will be required to do this for each child enrolled in the District. If you not know your login information for PowerSchool, please contact your school for assistance or visit https://www.wbsd.org/parents/powerschool for more information.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES VISIT:
WBSD BACK TO SCHOOL CENTRAL and "HOW TO" VIDEO
WBSD ENROLLMENT
Transportation Information
Resident Families
Bus transportation for West Bloomfield School District is provided by Durham School Services. Information including bus route, bus stop location, and pickup/drop-off times will be mailed (through USPS) during the week of August 14. If you do not receive your bus information prior to August 24, please contact transportation at (248) 865-3680.
School of Choice Families
West Bloomfield School District offers shuttle locations for our School of Choice families. If you are interested in having your child(ren) ride one of our shuttle buses, please complete this form. You must make a copy of it and email it, or print it and turn it in. All shuttle buses are assigned on a first-come/first-serve basis. Therefore, please submit your form ASAP.
IMPORTANT NEWS
After months of extensive research, data-informed planning, and thorough preparation the West Bloomfield School District Strategic Visioning Committee presented the recommended schools configuration to the Board of Education at the July 17, 2023 Board meeting.
The District has seen a notable decline in enrollment over the past five years, with a decrease of 10.8%. Projections further indicate a decline of 11.5% within the next five years. Therefore, informed decisions pertaining to facilities and programming, taking into account the challenges posed by the declining enrollment trend are necessary.
The committee reviewed and analyzed the following elements during the process: 2012 and 2020 Strategic Visions, long-term sustainability, fiscal responsibility, enrollment data and trends, optimal programming, safety, building utilization, modern learning environment, location, equitable opportunities, student population, good for kids and good for the community, number of transitions, transportation, and the impact of Schools of Choice.
Based on a ten-year strategic vision created by the committee, the following recommendations were presented:
- Configure the District to four K-5 elementary schools: Gretchko Elementary School, Scotch Elementary School, Doherty Elementary School, and Sheiko Elementary School.
- Beginning in either the 2024/2025 or 2025/2026 school year, Roosevelt Elementary School students will blend with Gretchko Elementary School and Scotch Elementary School.
- The Magnet Program will move to Scotch Elementary School.
- The old Roosevelt building will be demolished and converted into multi-use fields.
- Per the 2023 Bond, new elementary school buildings will be constructed at the Doherty and Sheiko sites.
- ACS Preschool and administrative staff will move to Abbott. Although, Preschool will remain at ACS if Abbott is needed for surge space while building Sheiko and/or Doherty.
- The District will maintain the ACS building for storage and flexibility through the 2023 Bond construction.
Strategic Visioning Committee and Board of Education welcome your input on these recommendations and encourage you to attend the stakeholder informational and feedback sessions, where you can learn more about the proposal and share your thoughts:
Wednesday, August 23 - Noon ACS & Virtual Option
Tuesday, September 5 - 7 p.m. at ACS
All sessions will be held at the Administrative and Community Services (ACS) Building, located at 5810 Commerce Rd, West Bloomfield.
Important Special Announcement
The Laker Opportunity Center is our New Alternative High School Program
The Laker Opportunity Center (TLOC) offers an alternative learning experience for those that have struggled in the traditional learning environment. TLOC offers students the opportunity to complete high school and graduate with a diploma. Our school leaders will help you select the right learning mode for you or your student. Learn more on their facebook page or https://www.wbsd.org/tloc.
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, communicating with school staff via email and video only.
For more information please contact Morrison Borders, Principal at morrison.borders@wbsd.org
West Bloomfield Athletic Reminders for 2023-2024 School Year
If your child is interested in participating in athletics during the 2023-2024 school year, please check out this page for more info, important dates, and reminders.
Dear Laker Nation,
Athletic competitions remain an important part of the educational experience within our schools. As we prepare for the 2023-24 school year, we continue to make improvements and streamline processes for our fans and spectators.
The West Bloomfield School District will be moving to an efficient digital ticketing service, GoFan, for all home games. We strongly encourage fans and spectators to purchase home game tickets in advance to avoid delays at the gate. Tickets will be for sale at the gate through credit card payment however, we do not recommend utilizing this method as it will cause longer lines at the gate.
Cash will NOT be accepted for ticket sales; families can still use cash to purchase concessions.
To purchase tickets online, please use the following link:
WBHS - https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10121
Many of our opponents use GoFan as well. Ticket sales for away games may also be accessible through the link above.
Admission details are as follows:
Children ages 5 and under are free
West Bloomfield residents 65 years and over with a Laker Senior Gold Card, are free. Please show your Gold Card at the gate for entry. Senior Gold cards can be obtained from the WBSD Athletic Office or by calling (248) 865-6742.
Individual tickets are $5.00, plus a $1.00 service fee
Service fees are paid by the ticket purchaser. All sales are final.
Athletic Yearly Event Passes/Family Passes are available for WBSD families. The Family Pass is $100 and admits up to 4 family members into District home athletic events for that school year except for self-funded sports and MHSAA tournaments. The pass can be purchased at Jump Start or in the Athletic Office at West Bloomfield High School.
Thank you for supporting Laker Nation Athletics at West Bloomfield High School. We look forward to joining you as we cheer on our Lakers!
Go Lakers!
Eric Pierce
Athletic Director
First Lego League “Challenge” for 4th & 5th Graders
Please join us Wednesday, August 16 at 7 p.m. for an informational meeting via Zoom. Approximately 30-45 minutes.
FAST FACTS:
$225 registration fee includes competition fees and a t-shirt (registration will be open after the parent info zoom meeting).
Two head coaches per team, reduced registration fee $125.
Six students per team
Limited space per team - coach a team to guarantee a spot!
Check out the video trailer for the new season: https://youtu.be/QArg43rCMBA
Check out the video specific to the robot game: https://youtu.be/zI_vz9YUw1g
Join Zoom Meeting
https://wbsd-org.zoom.us/j/84953774169
Meeting ID: 849 5377 4169
Congratulations!
Several students from WBSD participated in the 20th Orchard Lake Fine Art Show Youth Art Competition. Congratulations to all of the participants and the winners.
Youth Art Awards of Excellence:
Landon Sikorski, Drawing, West Bloomfield Middle SchoolFitzgerald Williams, Mosaic, Roosevelt Elementary School
Youth Art Awards of Distinction:
Evelyn Gold, Drawing, West Bloomfield Middle School
WBHS Theatre Summer Camp
WEST BLOOMFIELD ROBOTICS FIRST ANNUAL CAR SHOW
Classic, Hot Rod, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Jeep, Exotics
All are welcome to join us at WBHS on Sunday, August 13. All net proceeds benefit WBHS Robotics Team. There will be music, concessions (cash only), and lots of cars!
Parking opens at 8:30 a.m.
Judging Starts at 11:30 a.m.
Awards start at noon
$15 to pre-register
$20 the day of the event
Check out the video here.
SAVE THE DATE
Casino Night 2024
NEW LOCATION: Glen Oaks Country Club
Evening of Friday, February 2, 2024
Live Music - Games - Dancing
West Bloomfield School District’s Portrait of a Graduate Collaborator, Communicator, Contributor, and Critical Thinker
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.