WBSD Weekly Update
Friday, February 24
Thank you WBSD families for your patience this week!
The sun is shining now! Have a wonderful weekend!
There is still time to register for the Oakland County Game & Invention Challenge
All schools in our county will gather on March 11 to display their innovation! This event is intended to inspire students in grades 1-12 to use their creativity, critical thinking, and STEM skills to develop physical or digital games or inventions that solve problems that children/families face in their daily lives. Students will have a chance to demonstrate their games or inventions to a team of judges.
Awards will be given in the following categories:
- Most Marketable Game Concept
- Most Creative Concept (for the younger ages)
- Most Outstanding Presentation
- Best Invention
- Best Solution for a problem that people experience
- Tech Center Challenge Winner
Registration is $25. For more information, including resources to help you get started, please visit www.osedfoundation.org. Take a moment to watch this video and learn about the experience Amy Quinn, Curriculum Consultant at West Bloomfield School District had with the event in 2020. Questions? Contact amy.quinn@wbsd.org
WBMS Student Interviews WBSD Elementary Curriculum Consultant Amy Quinn
Amy has worked for WBSD for 20 years! She has a passion for teaching, learning, and ALL things Robotics! She is an amazing mentor, coach, author, and so much more. Fun fact, Amy was Max's first-grade teacher at Gretchko Elementary School. Take a moment to check out the interview here. We hope to see you at the WBSD LakerBot on April 15 at WBMS.
Max Cool Gamer Columbus is a WBMS student and is part of the FIRST Robotics Middle School team. Be sure to check out his YouTube channel. Thank you Max!
WBMS is the Future of Teaching and Learning
The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals wrote an article illustrating WB's focus on student wellness, teacher collaboration, and student teaming. Read the full article here. Thank you Principal Amy Hughes and team for providing the tour. In photo, Wendy Zdeb, Executive Director of The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), and Tom Lietz, Associate Director of MASSP in front of WBMS.
Resources
We share our deepest sympathy and support for the students, staff, and families of Michigan State University.
The safety and well-being of our West Bloomfield community is our first priority. We recognize the role schools play in attending to the social and emotional needs of our students, staff, friends, families, and neighbors so they have the tools necessary to manage emotions and work through the difficulties associated with the current events.
Tools for Families to Talk to Their Children
If you are looking for a way to speak with your children about the events, you may access the following resources as a starting point:
National Association of School Psychologists. Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers. https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-parents-and-teachers.
NCTSN. Talking to Children About the Shooting. http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/talking_to_children_about_the_shooting.pdf.
Harvard Graduate School of Education. Coping with Community Crisis. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/16/07/coping-community-crisis
Non-specific safety conversations may be more appropriate for younger students and may begin with presentations like the following on the Johns Hopkins site: “Talking to Your Children About Safety” for children in grades K-2 and children in grades 3-5. Using children’s books that use the power of narrative to teach valuable lessons is also a developmentally appropriate method to help our young one's process information. Some examples include the following:
The Rabbit Listened. A child has their castle wrecked and animals come and talk to her to give her advice. The rabbit comes to listen to her and she shares her feelings and gets brave to build the castle again.
After the Fall. Humpty Dumpty gets the courage to climb the wall again.
WBHS' MIFA Theatre Company placed 3rd in their State Competition!! Additional awards were given for set design and construction, and superb acting! Let's give a round of applause to these rising stars!
WB Lacrosse Fundraiser
Order HoneyBaked gift cards and 20% of the proceeds will be donated to support our 100% self-funded High School Varsity club sport. Leave the holiday cooking to HoneyBaked and have a great meal (or two) and help out a great group of kids. Click here to place your order.
WB Bowling
West Bloomfield bowling teams competed last week in the OAA team tournament. Laker girls finished 3 wins 9 losses and 1 tie, to finish in 9th place overall. Laker boys finished with 8 wins and 5 losses. Only 3 pins from making the championship round.
West Bloomfield will be competing in a regional competition this weekend at Century Bowl in Waterford. Congratulations Lakers and good luck this weekend!
On May 2, 2023, the West Bloomfield School District will have a bond initiative on the ballot:
- $148 million 3-series bond proposal
- ZERO ESTIMATED NET INCREASE TO THE TOTAL DEBT TAX RATE over the 2022 total debt tax rate
- Used for high-priority capital improvements - 2 new elementary buildings, STEAM/CTE space, multi-activity spaces, technology upgrades, and dedicated early childhood spaces
- Establishes a 10-year facility improvement plan
WBSD has ambitious aspirations for all of our students and it is our desire that the learning environments reflect this. For more information, please visit https://www.wbsd.org/about-us/bond2023
West Bloomfield Public Library
Book Lists
- Science Comics (Kids)
- History in the Making – Civil Rights (Kids)
- African American Historical Fiction (Teen)
Community Survey
Ensure your voice is heard! Whether you use the library or not, residents are invited to complete the West Bloomfield Library Community Survey by Sunday, March 19. The Friends of the Library are offering 25 $10 Amazon Gift Cards to randomly selected respondents. Complete the survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/wb_lib or pick up a print survey at either branch.
Youth/Teen Focus Group
Monday, March 6 at 5 p.m.
Parents and educators of the West Bloomfield, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake, and Sylvan Lake area are invited to attend a focus group to help the library understand current challenges facing youth and teens and their families. No registration is required. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Two participants will be randomly selected for a $25 grocery gift card as a thank-you, courtesy of the Friends of the West Bloomfield Library.
Drop-In Bookmark Design Craft
Saturday, February 25 from 2-4 p.m.
Drop in and design your own personal bookmark! Recommended for all ages. No registration required.
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.