WBSD Update
A weekly update from the West Bloomfield School District
WBSD Weekly Update - October 1
We hope you'll review this week's Weekly Update filled with news and notes from across the West Bloomfield School District. Stay up to date with District updates by visiting www.wbsd.org and connecting with the District on social media - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Reminder - Count Day is Wednesday, October 6!
Have a great weekend!
Haines earns Star Certificate
The West Bloomfield School District Board of Education recognized Chris Haines with a Star Certificate during their Sept. 27 meeting. The Board thanked him for all he does on a daily basis for the students of the West Bloomfield School District.
Chris Haines currently serves as the lead parent coach for the FIRST Tech Challenge teams within the district. These programs rely heavily on the support of parent volunteers and Mr. Haines has dedicated countless hours sparking student interest and creativity. Mr. Haines follows the FIRST vision - to transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and tech leaders. His efforts have helped inspire countless students to consider pursuing interests within the technology and robotics career fields.
Mr. Haines has also found additional ways to serve the West Bloomfield School District community. During the 2020-21 school year, Mr. Haines served as a leader within the Lakers Online parent community, leading helpful discussions and providing assistance for fellow Lakers Online families while acting as an information liaison between the district and the Lakers Online community. Mr. Haines championed the Lakers Online program and routinely served as the group’s biggest cheerleader, he without a doubt assisted in making the school a success during a truly unique school year.
Summer Readers Recognized!
The West Bloomfield Township Public Library once again hosted its Summer Reading Contest in 2021. Library officials were in attendance at the Sept. 27 Board of Education meeting to recognize the five top readers from each one of the district’s schools.
At the district level, 285 students participated with the group reading 9,735 hours. Each reader read on average 35 hours this summer!
WB Band Students visit the "Big House"
The students shared their overwhelming positive feedback and were inspired by the musicianship, talent, and diligence of the ensembles they observed. It was a memorable evening for all, and they look forward to more music field trips coming up!
Throwback Thursday Submissions
WB Math Pentathlon Informational Zoom
Strengthen Math Skills, Encourage Creative Thinking and Develop Problem Solving Techniques
WBSD Parents! Join us for a Parent Info Meeting via Zoom on Monday, October 4, 2021 at 7 p.m.
We will cover: What is Math Pentathlon? Is this a good fit for my child? When will we practice?
Division 1: K-1st Division 2: 2-3rd Division 3: 4-5th Division 4: 6-7th
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83990932974?pwd=NmZiWnJXSEc5TUZWTTFVbC9LTXVjUT09
Meeting ID: 839 9093 2974
Passcode: 25wtH3
UPDATED INFORMATION RELATED TO BUILDING VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS
When it comes to volunteers, we want parents and community members helping out in the building as much as possible, especially if people are willing and able to give back and help out our school communities. At the same time, given current COVID-19 conditions in our area, we want to be cautious, clear, and consistent with these protocols.
Visitors
Visitors coming to the building will not be permitted to enter past the front office. Items dropped off for students should be left for delivery by school personnel. Meetings and communications with teachers should take place via email, phone and/or Zoom. Exceptions should be rare, but may be made at the principal's discretion for extenuating circumstances, such as an IEP meeting that needs to take place in person.
Volunteers
Volunteers, both parent/community volunteers (Reading Mentors, Watch DOGS, classroom volunteers, etc.) as well as student mentors in programs such as the professional apprenticeship, are permitted under the following circumstances:
- Volunteers must provide proof of vaccine before being allowed to volunteer or may a provide a negative test result 48 hours prior to each time they volunteer in lieu of vaccination proof.
- Volunteers must follow the district masking requirements, including wearing masks at all times indoors.
- Volunteers must have approval from the principal before volunteering. The principal is responsible for verifying that all vaccination information has been submitted.
- Volunteers must complete the health screener (attached) each time they enter the building.
- A list of volunteers with their contact information must be maintained by the school in the event of the need for contact tracing.
- ICHAT background checks are still required for all non-student volunteers.
IRS Advance Child Tax Credit Materials To Share With Michigan Families
As you might be aware, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was recently signed into law and it contains numerous relief provisions for individual taxpayers, including some significant changes to the Child Tax Credit.
As for background regarding this Advance Child Tax Credit, please look at the attached Publications 5534B and 5534C.
The Advance Child Tax Credit is not just available to taxpayers with children that file tax returns, but also to people with children who have low or no income. Which could help many children escape poverty in America.
To qualify for Advance Child Tax Credit payments, individuals must:
· Have a main home in the United States for more than half the year (the 50 states and the District of Columbia) or file a joint return with a spouse who has a main home in the United States for more than half the year; and
· Have a qualifying child who is under age 18 at the end of 2021 and who has a valid Social Security number; and
· If have earned income, made less than Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of:
- $75,000 or less for singles,
- $112,500 or less for heads of household and
- $150,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return and qualified widows and widowers
Advanced Child Tax Credit payments are not considered income and will not affect your access to government benefits like SSI, SNAP, TANF or WIC. See #IRS info at https://go.usa.gov/x6fyE
Blessings in a Backpack Application - 2021-22
If your child qualified for the Free and Reduced Meal Program last year or this year, s/he can also participate in the Blessings in a Backpack program. This program sends six non-perishable meals home each Friday of the school year. Its goal is to make sure that no child goes hungry on the weekend. Run by volunteers, there is NO cost to you.
If your child is going to school Face to Face, s/he will get his/her bag of food at his/her local school. If your child is enrolled in Lakers on Line, please indicate that on the form and we will contact you on food pickup arrangements.
WBSD STAR CERTIFICATE NOMINATION FORM
The purpose of the West Bloomfield School District Board of Education Star Certificate award is to recognize outstanding achievements by the students, staff and community members of the West Bloomfield School District. Honorees are also recognized for service to the district above and beyond the call of duty.
In order to be recognized, nominees must be a member of the district as a student, staff member or community member in West Bloomfield. Student groups and teams are also eligible for nomination.
EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT Information
Enrollment in the program is through broadband providers, in this area primarily Comcast or AT&T. All details are available at http://gwbcable.org/ebb/.
Community Resources
Open Hands Food Pantry
Saturdays from 9:00am - 11:00am at St. John's Episcopal Church, 26998 WoodwardAve. (Royal Oak, corner of 11 Mile and Woodward - enter at 11 Mile)
For the safety of the mobile pantry guests and our volunteers, food will be placed in the trunk / back hatch of a vehicle.
Visit openhandspantry.org for more information
WB Township Library Information
Book Lists
Marketing Survey
We want to hear from you! Complete our marketing survey online or pick up a print copy of the survey from an information desk, available now through October 31st.
Teen: 3D Printed Fashion Pins
Design 3 different pins (symbol, food and text) to proudly display on a backpack or jacket. A video for all three projects will be available from October 1 – December 31. A free Tinkercad account is required. Video links will be sent upon registration. Registration required.
Library on the Go: Stained Glass Mosaic
Register toddler through preschool children for this fall take-and-make craft kit. Kits include all materials necessary to complete the project at home. Kits are limited to residents of West Bloomfield and contract communities. Funded by the Friends of the Library. Registration begins Monday, October 4 and closes after a week. Registration required.
Connect with Us!
Email: daniel.durkin@wbsd.org
Website: www.wbsd.org
Location: 5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 865-6420
Facebook: facebook.com/WestBloomfieldSchools/
Twitter: @wbloomfieldschl