WBSD Weekly Update
Friday, September 1st
Strategic Visioning Committee
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 last stakeholder informational and feedback session, where you can learn more about the proposal and share your thoughts:
Tuesday, September 5 - 7 p.m. at the Administrative and Community Services (ACS) Building, located at 5810 Commerce Rd, West Bloomfield. Bilingual translators will be present.
The Laker Opportunity Center: Alternative High School Completion Program
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
Check Out Fall Sports
Digital Ticketing with GoFan
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
Upcoming Performances
Clue by Sandy Rustin
November 2, 3, & 4 at 7 p.m.
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
December 2 at 2 p.m.
For more information, click here.
Family Fun Night
Boy Scout Troop Opportunity
Troop 326 is unique because they encourage “come when you can” to be inclusive to everyone that has other activities and responsibilities. They have monthly camping opportunities and weekly meetings. For more information check out the flyer.
Blessings in a Backpack
Attention Parents!
If your child is a student (3 to 26 years of age) in the West Bloomfield School District, they can participate in the 2023-24 Blessings in a Backpack program. The 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. To enroll in this program, please fill out the form here and return it to your school office or email it to katherinesheiko@hotmail.com. This registers your child/ren in the Blessings program and alerts us to any allergies they might have. The first backpack of food will be distributed to your child at his/her local school the first week of October.
Casino Night
Casino Night 2024
NEW LOCATION: Glen Oaks Country Club
Evening of Friday, February 2, 2024
Live Music - Games - Dancing
FREE Lunch For All
Free Meal Information
For the 2023-24 school year, the State of Michigan created the Michigan School Meals Program allowing all students to receive one free breakfast and lunch meal daily at school, no matter their free/reduced meal status. However, filling out a free/reduced meal form is very important to families who are eligible and for the District to receive funding.
Family Benefits for Qualifying for Free/Reduced Meals
When families qualify for free/reduced price meals, students may be eligible for the following benefits:
Reduced Summer School fees
Reduced field trip fees with request
Reduced SAT, ACT and AP testing fees
Reduced college application fees
Potential additional benefits for Bridge Cards/P-EBT
Potential support for household cable/internet
Potential programs that provide holiday support
West Bloomfield School District Benefits for Qualifying Free/Reduced Meal Families
Did you know the federal government uses the number of free/reduced meal eligible students to determine how much money the district receives in grant funding?
West Bloomfield School District becomes eligible for Federal funds (Title I) when qualifying families fill out their free/reduced meal applications. If families do not fill out their forms, the District is at risk of losing funding for staff who provide critical services to our students.
Visit the application page to view the complete the application today!
À La Carte Items
Students are welcome to bring meals from home and purchase à la carte items as needed (including milk, second meals, bottled beverages and snack items).
WBSD is Hiring
WBSD Library News
Book Lists
· Parenting Books about Back to School
· Back to School (Picture Books)
Library Closed
Saturday, September 2 – Monday, September 4
The West Bloomfield Library is closed Labor Day Weekend. Both branches will reopen at 9 AM on Tuesday, September 5.
Grandparents Day Celebration
Saturday, September 9 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Main Library Youth Area
Celebrate Grandparents Day at the library! Enjoy a tour of world music at the family fun concert with Guy Louis at 11 AM! Then, have fun taking family selfies, working on craft projects, playing board games, and building puzzles with your family. Keep an eye out for a meet-and-greet with Mario and Princess Peach! 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.