WBSD Weekly Update

Please mark your calendars regarding important dates below.

Winter Break - December 26 through Friday, January 6

(returning to school on Monday, January 9)

January 15 United We Walk
January 16 Dr. MLK Jr. Day - No School
January 18 Half Day - HS Only
January 19 Half Day - All Schools
January 20 Half Day - All Schools

February 1 No School for Students

Timothy Gomez is a 4th grader at Scotch Elementary School. Timothy has the sincere ability to be KIND without being prompted. He truly exemplifies what a "good kid of character” should be. At lunch, when others are sitting alone he joins them. At recess, when fellow peers are arguing he helps mediate. He is one of the reasons Scotch is a 5-time National Showcase School! Read the full story on our WBSD Facebook page, click here.

Congratulations to the WBHS Sailing Team! They were highly successful this season, including the following honors:

• 14th at the Great Lakes Championship
• 3rd in States Doublehanded Championship
• 2nd in States 420 Championship
• 2nd in Silver Fleet at the All-State Sugar Bowl Great Oaks National Championship in New Orleans
• The team ranks 5th for the Midwest Interscholastic Sailing Association and 2nd overall in the East League.

Read the full story on our WBSD Facebook page, click here.

Angela Boyer earned a Star Certificate at the Board of Education Meeting on 12/12. As a former math teacher and overall wonderful human being, Angela makes a positive impact on the school community she serves. Angela is a building substitute teacher at West Bloomfield Middle School. She has been serving in this role for several years and subbing in the West Bloomfield School District for more than ten years. She has a huge heart for kids and brings genuine passion to what she does. Read the full story on our WBSD Facebook page, click here.

Mr. Fraylick's Capstone Science class came to teach Gretchko second graders science concepts. Each high school student demonstrated a science experiment of their choosing. The second graders loved learning about science and were given books of the experiments to try at home! Thank you WBHS students and Mr. Fraylick for a fabulous morning instilling the love of science in our second graders!

WBSD has partnered with Parent Guidance.org to give parents free access to resources and helpful information. ParentGuidance.org is an online service by licensed therapists that provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their children and get answers to mental health questions.

If you know of someone experiencing grief or stress this season, please click here for tips and strategies.

Girl ️Power team tied for 8th Place at the Michigan FIRST LEGO League Challenge State Championship I (One) on December 10. The team with students from Scotch and Roosevelt worked on research, problem solving, coding, and engineering to get ready for their challenges. They were coached by parents Kristen Parker and Shaun Hoffman. Pictured: Brynn Hoffman, Kristen Parker, Lily Adams, Rylee Roper, Bethany Smith, Reagan Leese, Allison Parker, and Shaun Hoffman

Hear about board initiatives, Meet & Eat lunches, who worked at Nickelodeon, and who manages a HR firm. Max Cool Gamer Columbus is a WBMS student and is part of the FIRST Robotics Middle School team. Max has interviewed local tv and radio personalities. Be sure to check out his YouTube channel. Thank you Max!

Click on the image to view the interview with Deborah Evans, Trustee of WBSD Board of Education.

Click on the image to view the interview with Julie Beaty, Secretary of WBSD Board of Education.

WBHS theatre students attended the Michigan Thespian Festival in Lansing, taking part in professional workshops, seeing live shows, and competing with other high school students. They laughed, learned, and bonded! Two students, Eme Duffield and Carley Law, were awarded with Superior medals (the highest award possible) for their competitions. WB is so proud of them both, and of all the theatre students who never stop learning and never stop dreaming!

Laker Bowling Rolled Against Farmington

The Lakers Bowling teams competed against Farmington High School this week. The Boys Bowling team was defeated by Farmington 24.5-5.5. The overall series was 1645-1655. The Lakers were led by Josh Weiss 2-0, Wesley Collins 2-0, and Jalen Jackson 1-1.

The Girls Bowling team picked up their first win of the year 16-14. The overall series was 904-786. Ari Sandiha 2-0, Karsitha Sankaranarayanan 2-0, Emma Marshall 1-1, and Nevaeh Butler 1-1 led the Lakers to the victory.

Best of luck for a wonderful season and many more turkeys!

Piper Smith swam her heart out in the 100 breaststroke finishing 1st at a new personal best time of 1:14.67. With that time she broke a 17 year standing school record set by K.Moore back in 2005. She beat the time by .66 seconds. Keira Pratt took 3rd with a time of 1:23.03. Congratulations!

The event will take place at West Bloomfield MIDDLE School in the Audeteria from 1 - 3 p.m.

1 p.m. - Short program featuring student talents

1:30 p.m. - Walk begins

2 p.m. - Refreshments/Service Projects

We encourage you to participate in a variety of service projects and activities at the event including:

• Blessings in a Backpack – donate small cans of tuna and chicken and Kraft Mac & Cheese

• Lighthouse Pantry – donate Mac & Cheese, canned vegetables, non-perishable items, adult and child diapers, and baby formula

• Open Door Food Pantry – donate non-perishable foods and socks

• Book Donation – donate new or used K - 12 books for West Bloomfield students in need and to Lighthouse

• Decorate Bookmarks

• Peace Rocks – decorate rocks with symbols of Peace. Make 2 and 1 will be placed in the terraces of WB Library or around a peace pole yet to be installed on the administrative grounds and 1 may be taken home

• Peace Mobile – submit designs that will be later painted on a “hippie-type” van which may have variety of uses.

• Bone Marrow Registry

Tickets for Casino Night make great holiday gifts! Purchase tickets and bring your friends and family to support the West Bloomfield Education Foundation! Tickets at www.wbsd.org

Dream Crafts is a student run business. Students make soy wax candles and goat milk soap. The are selling 8oz and 4oz soy wax candles, 2 oz goat milk soap, and gift baskets. Please complete this google order form to place an order. Or purchase over the phone by credit card by calling the WBSD Transition Center at (248) 539-0532.

Attention all parents - have you created your PowerSchool Parent Portal Account? If not, please create a parent portal account today. This allows the District the ability to communicate with you about your child's progress. Additional information can be found here.

Book Lists

· Hanukkah (Kids)

· Christmas (Kids)

· Kwanzaa (Kids)

· YA for the Holidays (Teen)

Winter Reading Kickoff

Saturday, December 17 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Main Library and Westacres Branch Youth Areas
Celebrate the launch of our Winter Reading Program with winter-themed activities at both branches! From 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Anna and Elsa will make a special visit to the Main Library only (not available at the Westacres Branch). No registration required. For all ages.

Winter Reading Program

December 17 – February 12

All ages are invited to log time spent reading for an opportunity to earn incentives in this year’s Winter Reading Program. Sign up at westbloomlib.beanstack.org

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.

• Employment Opportunities
• GWB Historical Society Events
• West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation