Mindful Pathways
College and Career Readiness and Social Emotional Learning
Welcome to the start of the new year in the College and Career Readiness and Social Emotional Learning Department at WWCSD. We hope this edition of our newsletter finds you refreshed and excited for the opportunities that lie ahead. As we embark on another year of growth and achievement, we want to keep you informed about the exciting initiatives and events focused on College and Career Readiness and Social Emotional Learning.
We are enthusiastic about the opportunities the new year brings, and we want to continue to focus on making sure that students are positioned for success. We know that 80% of new job openings in the next decade are expected to require high-level training or postsecondary education. Therefore, it is imperative that students are college and career-ready for higher education or postsecondary training. Being college and career-ready is an excellent way to increase lifetime earnings and ensure success beyond high school.
Our commitment to student success and wellness remains unwavering, and we are dedicated to ensuring that each student is well-positioned for a future of achievement. We hope you enjoy this edition of Mindful Pathways.
Daryl Beebe
Executive Director of Social, Emotional Learning and College and Career Readiness
Big Changes are coming to the FAFSA for the 2024-2025 Award Year! The FAFSA Simplification Act was passed by Congress in 2020 and includes the first major redesign of the FAFSA system in over 40 years.
A better FAFSA means a better future and will offer families an improved interface and seamless filing experience. Updates to the FAFSA will reduce errors, remove barriers, and expand student eligibility for federal aid.
Fiesta of Free Cash Highlights
The Fiesta of Free Cash Event was held on December 7 at Jefferson Barnes Community Vitality Center.
Students and families were introduced to many ways students can access funding for College or Apprenticeships with Skilled Trades.
WWCSD - Family Resource Center Family Resource Center Brenda Ozog ozogb@wwcsd.net 734-419-2709
Michigan Works Youth education and employment Shianne Mcmillian smcmillian@etdinc.com 3138797459
The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Office of Sixty by 30 Michigan Reconnect, Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship, Michigan Achievement Scholarship Michelle Cyrus cyrusm@michigan.gov 734.706.0222
Schoolcraft College Alternative Route to Teacher Certification Karen Young kyoung2@schoolcraft.edu 248-974-1397
Detroit Regional Chamber Detroit Drives Degrees-College Access Dr. Ezella McPherson emcpherson@detroitchamber.com 7346579736
Michigan Workforce Development Instutitute Access for All and Woman in Skilled Trades Si’ Eirria Edmonds Sedmonds@miwdi.org 2693413920
Romulus Adult Education MACAE Wendy Grzych wsgrzych@romulusk12.org 734-634-2313
Graduation Alliance Wayne Westland MI23A Program Carolyn Taylor carolyn.taylor@graduationalliance.com 937-260-3184
Workforce Intelligence Network Regional Training Initiatives Michele Ureste michele.ureste@winintelligence.org 313-495-5958
State of MI LEO MI Reconnect Amber Rosenbrock rosenbrocka1@gmail.com 15862019787
Oakland University College Financial Aid, (FAFSA, Scholarships ETC.) Blake Lasota blasota@oakland.edu 248-370-2550 EX: 3386
Wellness Event with Herman Moore
Hegira Health, Inc. and The Sports Marketing Agency orchestrated a compelling mental wellness event at Adams Middle School.
The event featured Detroit Lions legend and NFL-All Pro Herman Moore, Hegira CEO Carol Zuniga and Executive Director of College and Career Readiness and SEL Daryl Beebe, who emphasized the pivotal role of self-care and mental wellness in achieving success in academics, sports, and various activities, while fostering positive relationships with family and friends.
Following an impactful assembly for the eighth grade students, the team visited classrooms, generously distributing over 600 hats and gloves.
SMASH Academy is a Computer Science-immersive college prep program for current 10th or 11th-grade students with the aim of eliminating barriers faced by underrepresented communities in the tech workforce. Students spend 2 weeks living and learning on the University of Michigan's campus followed by a week of virtual competitions.
How do we SMASH barriers?
100% free college and career prep program
A summer of residential programming at our local partnering college/university
Design Thinking Workshops, Project Based Learning, Computer Science, and College & Career Navigation
Networking Opportunities
Cash Prize Regional and National Competitions
CS-based field trips & more…
January is National Thank You Month
It’s National Thank You Month! Thank You Month is an opportunity to spread kindness by thanking all the people who’ve helped us along the way. Did you know that gratitude makes you happier? Appreciation has been shown to lessen symptoms of depression and improve overall mental health. By thanking others for their support and kindness, we also help our own mental well-being. Taking time to say “thank you” can be a small moment that makes a big difference in someone’s day. As you go through this month, spread gratitude at school and home by thanking a friend, teacher, staff member, or anyone who has made a difference in your life.
To our Families: We want to thank you for your dedication. Every day, you encourage your student(s) to learn and grow. You are a major reason for the success of our students, and it’s an honor to serve your family.
To our Staff: We want to thank you for all of your efforts to bring education to our community and foster a safe and accepting environment for learning. You show so much support for the students who walk through our doors daily. You are truly an incredible group of staff, and we’re thankful for you.
We encourage you to spend some time this January thinking about what you’re thankful for and express gratitude for those who have helped you. Help from others is so appreciated and, at times, needed. If you or a family member needs extra support, Wayne-Westland Community School District partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students and their family members. If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use treatment and would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
Visit caresolace.com/wwcsd and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
Thank you again for your dedication to your students and this community.
Compassion Project
December Compassion Project Winners
On December 4th, students from Wayne-Westland Community Schools were recognized by Westland City Council for random acts of kindness towards their classmates, teachers, and/or classroom. Each of these students showed compassion and empathy in their kindness and were applauded at the Westland City Council meeting.
Liam Bejarano from Edison Elementary's random act of kindness was when he surprised his teacher with her favorite candy. Sophia Bell-Esparza from Elliott Elementary's random act of kindness was helping out in the lunchroom at her elementary school. Angel Payne from Hicks Elementary's random act of kindness is having a willingness to always help her classmates. Congratulations to all!
Wayne-Westland Association of Paraprofessionals
Thank you so much to our Parapros, who made a generous donation to our Family Resource Center. We appreciate your continued support of our program. Your donation will be used to purchase items for students and families in need, attending Wayne-Westland Community Schools.
Alpha Delta Kappa-Beta Sigma Chapter
Thank you to Alpha Delta Kappa Beta-Sigma Chapter for your very generous donation of items to support students and families in need through our Family Resource Center. We greatly appreciate your continued support!
Blessings in a Backpack
Thank you to our seniors at the Mary Browe Senior Center for donating $700 towards our Blessings in a Backpack program! Our students will benefit greatly from your very generous donation.
Blessings in a Backpack is a non-profit organization that feeds school children in the United States who currently are fed during the week on the federally funded Free and Reduced Meal Program and are at risk of going hungry on the weekends. We are currently feeding students in need of food from Hicks Elementary. This program is funded through donations and grants. It costs $155 to feed a student for the entire year through Blessings in a Backpack. See this link for more information if you want to donate to this program. Please indicate that you would like your donation to be applied to Wayne-Westland Community Schools so that our program receives the donation.
Santa Helps High Schoolers
Thank you to Santa Helps High Schoolers, a non-profit group who provides holiday assistance to high school age students. Due to their age, high school age students do not qualify for typical holiday assistance programs. This year, Santa Helps High Schoolers adopted 25 Wayne-Westland Community School students. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our students!
Lunch and Learn at WMHS
During these sessions students have the opportunity to learn what FAFSA is, how to create their FSA IDs, and do practice FAFSA forms.
Sophmores Visit Career Tech
On December 13 th & 14th Wayne Memorial Sophomores went on the annual Career Tech Tours. Pictured, we can see students attending the Career Tech informational session and interacting with current CT students in the different skilled learning spaces.
Scholarships
Michigan Achievement Scholarship
Students and their families looking to secure more financial aid for college are encouraged to register for an informational webinar about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which is the newest State of Michigan scholarship program expected to impact the majority of students. Participants will be able to gather the following information: Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements Michigan Achievement Scholarship award amounts Important action items for students and families Additional resources and program information All sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Register for one session only, as space is limited.
Virtual Financial Aid Webinars
Students and their families interested in learning about financial aid basics are encouraged to register for a virtual presentation provided by Michigan Department of Treasury’s MI Student Aid team.
Participants will be able to gather information on the following financial aid topics:
FAFSA application information
Federal financial aid programs
State financial aid programs
Scholarship searching resources
All sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Register for one session only, as space is limited.
Follow our Tik Tok Channel
College & Career Readiness & Social Emotional Learning TikTok Channel
Check out our new College and Career Readiness & Social Emotional Learning Department TikTok, where we will feature some of the fantastic initiatives we have to support and prepare students and their families.
To follow our CCR/SEL TikTok Channel, please scan the following QR code (TikTok will not work in school buildings, FYI) or search "WWCSD_CCR_SEL" in the search bar on TikTok (at the top).
Upward Bound
We were fortunate at our December meeting to have visits from two of our wonderful community partners. Community Financial Credit Union presented a financial literacy lesson, and helped our students open checking and savings accounts. Chris Raymond, from the Kronk Gym Escot program, shared the mission of his program and community service tutoring opportunities to our group.
Contact us at 734-419-2084
Upward Bound Applications
Our UB application deadline was in December, and we have had tremendous interest in joining UB. We will conduct interviews in January, after first semester grades have posted.
UB students joined WMHS Senate to help with the holiday party at Hamilton Elementary. The bigs and the littles all had a wonderful time!
Yale University Visit
We are so pleased that Yale University reached out to us again this year to meet with some of our students. The Yale representative discussed general information, as well as information on scholarships, and adjusting to college.
Our seniors have been accepted to 178 colleges so far, and we celebrated our seniors with holiday cookie decorating!
"Been There" Event
We were thrilled to co host our annual “Been There” event with the The Guidance Center/Champions of Wayne. WMHS alumni who are college students and recent college graduates donated a day of their time to work with current WMHS juniors and seniors. The event included two panel discussions with a Q&A from our students, as well as college tables staffed by the alumni, enabling students to “speed date” different colleges, and hear about college life from a near-peer perspective. It is also so exciting to hear about our WMHS graduates earning their degrees, applying for graduate school, and entering the workforce.