Connections Digital Newsletter

Greetings Wayne-Westland Families,

Our students are out of this world! Team Atlas (John Glenn High School), a part of the Wayne-Westland Robotic Alliance, is competing in the FIRST Robotic World Championships in Houston. This issue of The Wayne-Westland Wrap Up is full of our students' achievements as they continue to succeed academically and creatively.

As the school year comes to a close, we have a lot of important information and great news to share with you. The Wayne-Westland Wrap Up is just one of our main communication methods for the district sent out every other week.

In addition, the Sunday message will be sent when there is additional information to share. Thank you for your continued support of Wayne-Westland Community Schools.

Sincerely,

John Dignan, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Join us at the Zekelman Holocaust Center for a FREE special private event on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The evening will include guided tours of the current core exhibit and a child of a Holocaust survivor will share the story of their parent’s resilience. Light refreshments will be served.

Register here today: https://forms.gle/CPYpuripJtMWaeZc9

Wayne-Westland Community Schools wants to hear from you. Please take a moment to share honest feedback on your child's school and the district. The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for your time, and we look forward from hearing from our parents.

Parent Perception Survey (please respond by April 27, 2023)

The start and dismissal times will change for a few buildings next school year. These changes are to balance the bus routes to make them more efficient. Please see the new school hours below:

• Wayne-Westland Innovative Academy - 7:10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
• Hamilton Elementary School - 8:30 a.m.- 3:20 p.m.
• Wildwood Elementary School - 8:30 a.m.- 3:20 p.m.
  
  

These changes go into effect for the 2023-24 school year.

Stevenson Middle School social studies teacher Sharon Sullivan was nominated for the National History Day® Teacher of the Year award, recognizing teachers' pivotal role in students' lives. Each year, only one high school and one middle school teacher in the state is recognized for this $10,000 award.

Every nominee is a teacher who demonstrates a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through the innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the National History Day Contest.

Wayne-Westland Community Schools has partnered with several community organizations to provide a variety of exciting programs keep your child engaged this summer. Information and registration links can be found in the 2023 Summer Programs Information Guide. Program placement is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Emily Lemus, a Wayne Memorial High School senior, has been named an Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipient. She will receive $40,000 over four years to pursue a computer science or engineering degree at a college of her choice.

Lemus is one of 400 students nationwide to receive the award and a paid internship offer at Amazon after her first year of college to gain hands-on, practical work experience with mentorship from Amazon leaders.

Wayne-Westland Community Schools was awarded a $3 million grant through the FCC's Emergency Connectivity Fund to address the device and connectivity shortcomings experienced by our students. During the 2020-2021 academic year, the district provided devices to all students and internet hot spots to families without internet service. However, this was not a long-term and sustainable solution for challenges that demand simplicity, reliability and portability. The ECF funding provides all kindergarten through fourth-grade students with an iPad with built-in cellular data. In addition, nearly 1,700 more fifth through 12th-grade students received a Chromebook equipped with built-in cellular data.

Seventeen pieces from our high school art and William D. Ford Career-Technical Center media production students have been selected for the Wayne County High School Exhibition. The pieces will be displayed at the Detroit Institute of Arts from June 16, 2023, through July 16, 2023.

Next fall, district students and families can step inside a full health clinic at John Glenn High School. The school-based health clinic, operated by Corewell Health (formerly Beaumont) will offer a comprehensive range of services for ten to 21-year-olds, including physicals, mental health services, immunizations and more.

The district currently has a clinic located at Adams Middle School. The mission of the school-based health clinic is to improve and maintain the overall health and well-being of the children throughout Wayne-Westland Community Schools.

The Wayne Memorial Theatrical Guild put on a special production of Stuart Little for nearly 1,000 district elementary students.

The high school students were able to highlight their talent on the stage and provide an opportunity for the elementary student to compare the book they read to the stage play.

The Wayne Memorial High School marching band recently performed the national anthem for the Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park.

Wayne-Westland Community Schools is launching Peachjar to provide an electronic alternative for distributing flyers making it easier for families to receive school and community information and resources.

How are flyers distributed?

• Families will receive flyers via email based from the school their child attends.
• Flyers are posted on each school's website.

Wayne-Westland Community Schools is committed to the health, safety and well-being of our students, staff and families. To support this ongoing commitment, we have partnered with Care Solace, to support our community.

Care Solace will connect individuals to mental and substance abuse treatment providers by connecting those in need to qualified providers, verifying insurance and making appointments for care quickly. Care Solace can be reached at 888-515-0595 or website.

We are excited to announce the launch of the district’s new mobile app for access to important notifications, the latest district news, school information, calendars and more. There are also quick links to the district's social media channels.

Search Wayne-Westland Schools via the Apple Store and Google Play or scan the QR code below and download today!