24821 Hall Road

Woodhaven, MI 48183

734.783.3300

mywbsd.org

Mark Greathead --- Superintendent

Michael Belcher --- Director of Contracted Services

Greg Roberts --- Director of Human Resources

Joshua Smith --- Director of Finance

Stacy Vespremi --- Director of Curriculum

Matthew Salah --- Director of Special Services

Joshua Satterfield --- Director of Technology & Instructional Integration

Cara Pimer --- President

Mikki Bertin-Kelsay --- Vice-President

Rob Harris --- Secretary

Jennifer Padgett --- Treasurer

Bruce Burke --- Trustee

Shannon Bauer-Perry --- Trustee

Laura Berry --- Trustee

We're changing our format for the CONTACT, the district newsletter we produce five times per school year. We're moving away from the standard paper copy we've produced in the past and are now going digital. We hope you enjoy our new format as much as we do!

Did you miss our last two newsletters? Not to worry! Download them below to see what's been happening in the WBSD.

Click on the link below for editions of the CONTACT from the 2018/19 and 2019/20 school years.

As the WBSD looks ahead and sets the direction for the school district for the next eight to ten years, many things come into play to keep things running smoothly. We take great pride in serving more than 5,500 students on a yearly basis and the unwavering dedication of our staff to make our district a remarkable place for student growth and achievement.

The proposed 2021 no tax-rate increase bond proposal seeks to provide the school district with the resources necessary to sustain our vision as a destination for excellence. This bond will allow the district to continually improve facilities, upgrade technology and equipment, increase program enhancements and provide improvements to athletic fields, playgrounds and site improvements. Read Supt. Mark Greathead's letter to the community below. Check out the Frequently Asked Questions "FAQs", read the actual bond language and take a look at the informational brochure explaining the bond proposal. Most importantly, remember to vote on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

Kindergarten registration for the 2021/22 school year begins Monday, March 1, 2021. Enrollment takes places on line. Visit our website mywbsd.org, click on "Enroll" and follow the instructions. At the completion of the registration process, parents will be directed to a calendar to schedule an appointment to finalize registration by bringing required documentation to the Administration & Board of Education Offices - 24821 Hall Road, Woodhaven.

Woodhaven High School recently named the Valedictorian and Salutatorian and its “Top 10” for the Class of 2021. Senior honors are determined after first semester grades are finalized. Class rank is based on a point system that consists of 50% GPA and 50% SAT score calculated as follows: (GPA x 400) + (SAT) = Ranking. Class ranking is determined after final grades from the 1st semester are calculated, establishing the Top 10 for each graduating class.

A total of 46 students in the Class of 2021 earned the rank of Senior Scholar. Senior Scholar status is determined by the following formula: SAT (GPA x 400) + SAT (totaling 2730 points and above).

The announcement is typically made in February giving students time to celebrate their accomplishments with their families before hectic end-of-year activities begin. Students will be honored at the annual Awards & Honors Night in April.

Congratulations to Woodhaven High School's brightest and best!

The WBSD recently found itself on the receiving end of the generosity of several community partners with the donation of several items which have been put to good use within the district.

Jeff Harris, City Administrator for the City of Woodhaven, recently delivered 2,000 children's masks to the school district. Masks were then divided up between the five elementary schools and Brownstown Middle School.

In addition to the children's masks donated by the City of Woodhaven, Cindy Czarnik, Executive Vice President of Gorno Bros. Inc., notified the district that Gorno Bros. was also donating 1,900 adult facial masks to the district. Ms. Czarnik informed district representatives that the masks were manufactured by Ford Motor Company as part of Ford's Project Apollo - Ford's response to the COVID-19 crisis in designing and manufacturing PPE.

Josh Satterfield, Technology and Instructional Integration Director, was contacted by Stephanie Hauser of Sam's Club Southgate, that Sam's Club wanted to donate some wireless speakers to the school district. Much to the surprise of Mr. Satterfield, Sam's Club donated a total of 48 indoor/outdoor wireless speakers. Mr. Satterfield is in the process of evaluating where best to use the speakers within the district.

Molly Mazei, retired principal of Patrick Henry Middle School, recently reached out to Supt. Mark Greathead informing him that she wanted to donate her baby grand piano to WHS for use by the district's music programs. Arrangements were soon made for pick-up and delivery of the piano to WHS.

Donna Anderson from Meijer Woodhaven, recently informed the district that Meijer would be donating 20 gift cards valued at $1,500 to the district. Through the "Meijer Gives" program, Meijer wanted to acknowledge and recognize community educators who have diligently worked this year to "creatively find ways to educate students" and to "show appreciation" for everything being done.

The WBSD diligently works to foster strong relationships with our community partners recognizing the importance that working together, schools and communities can accomplish great things.

Thank you to the City of Woodhaven, Gorno Bros., Inc., Sam's Club, Meijer and Molly Mazei!

Winning is nothing new to the talented students who make up the Woodhaven Theatre Company. Tackling controversial social issues is nothing new for these students either. In simple words, WTC likes to "shake it up".

The group recently performed The Laramie Project while competing at the Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association (MIFA) theatre district and regional competitions, ultimately advancing to the state theatre festival the weekend of February 12-13, 2021. The group walked away with numerous awards, the most prestigious being the Div. 1 state championship in the "serious" category.

The Laramie Project is set in Laramie, Wyoming, in the aftermath of the murder of 21-year old Matthew Shepard and analyzes the death of Shepard, an openly gay college student, who was brutally murdered in 1998 because of his sexual identity.

According to Mr. Michael Clemons, WTC sponsor, "Picking material has not been easy this year. I was looking for a piece that would: 1) challenge the students in all aspects of production; 2) provide flexibility to prepare asynchronously and transition to virtual if needed; and 3) deal with important social issues that students were either unaware of or felt passionate about". Clemons added, "The Laramie Project hit all those marks, and while it was written over 20 years ago, the hate crime against Matthew Shepard and the intolerance and bigotry that bred such an act are still relevant today."

WTC took home top honors in the following categories:

EXCELLENT AWARD

Lighting - Madison Hittinger

SUPERIOR AWARDS

Sound Design - Jacinta Zinampan & Jaime Maczuga

Set Design - Marcus Castillo & Mason Glenn

Dramaturgy - Kailey Crandall, Alicia Somers, Rian Orcher, Eden Sliwa

Assistant Directing - Madison Hittinger

Ensemble Acting - Noah Candelaria, Marcus Castillo, Rebekah Colon, Kailey Crandall, Nathan

Kriebel, Eric McSweeney, Connor Moran, Rian Orcher, Elaina Primeau, Malina Rowe, Alicia

Somers, Eden Sliwa, Olivia Williams

Congratulations WTC and Mr. Clemons on bringing a Div. 1 state championship home to WHS!