WBSD Update
A weekly update from the West Bloomfield School District
August 14
Back-to-School Central - 2020-21
First Week of School Sign - 2020-21
As we near the excitement of the first days of school on Aug. 25, 26, & 27, we wanted to create some buzz and excitement by sharing our First Week of School picture sign.
We ask that students hold the sign during any first day of school photo sessions on the mornings of Aug. 25, 26, & 27. We'd encourage parents and family members to then post those first week photos to their social media channel of choice with the hashtags, #WB1stDay2020 #onlyWB.
It is our hope that we see Twitter, Instagram and Facebook filled with photos of our students and families excited for the first day of school. Principals, teachers and building staff members will also be getting in on the fun.
We look forward to seeing an outstanding display of Team WB pride!
West Bloomfield Middle School Update
During the Aug. 10 Board of Education meeting, it was announced that Abbott Middle School and Orchard Lake Middle School will be coming to together a year earlier and starting in the 2020-21 school year, all West Bloomfield middle school students will attend Abbott Campus of West Bloomfield Middle School.
Please a find the link to the letter sent to families by the WBMS admin team as well as a link to their Zoom presentation for families on Aug. 12.
Bennett named Principal of Lakers Online
The West Bloomfield School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Jennifer Bennett as principal of Lakers Online, the district’s 100% remote learning option for the 2020-21 school year. Ms. Bennett will be assuming her role as administrator and leader of the district’s newest learning option including 1,200 students and 50 staff members, effective immediately. Her appointment was made official during the district’s Board of Education meeting on Aug. 10.
Ms. Bennett has held an impressive variety of instructional and leadership positions in school districts around the metro-Detroit area during her career. These positions include a technology media specialist, 4th, 5th and 6th grade teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal and principal in Monroe Public Schools, principal in Northville Public Schools and literacy coach in the West Bloomfield School District. These experiences will serve her well leading the district’s Lakers Online learning community.
Read more about Ms. Bennett's appointment on the district website.
Lakers Online Orientation Sessions
WBSD Canvas 101 Webinars - Aug. 20
West Bloomfield School District will host Canvas 101 for Parents on Thursday, August 20th at 10AM and 7PM. Please join us to learn the many features and tools of Canvas, our new learning management system, available to use as a parent. We will give you all the tips and tricks to make sure you are connected to your child's learning and progress.
Canvas 101 for Parents Webinar Thursday, August 20th at 10AM
Meal Service - August Update
The district will be offering our Meal Service program through the summer. Preorder forms are available at www.wbsd.org/mealservice.
Beginning Monday, Aug 10, curbside meals will be distributed at ROOSEVELT site only.
Pick-ups will be on Monday and Thursday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Families will still receive seven days worth of food per child.
Hurt to Healing Parent Presentation: Covid-19 and the Return to School - Aug. 19
Join the conversation and the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82937522841
WBSD C2C Return to School Plan
Click the link below to view the presentation shared with families on July 21.
Join Our Team! Cloud Care/Before and After School Care
QUALIFICATIONS:
- High school diploma
- Enjoy working with children
- Good communication skills
- Reliable attendance a must
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist the instructor in implementing the program for the students in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the school district.
- Assist the instructor in providing daily activities for the student including remote learning, outside time, games, and arts and crafts.
- Assist the instructor with the organizational duties.
Visit the district's Employment Opportunities page to apply.
Chromebook Information - Additional Pick-Up Days!
The district has distributed Chromebooks to K-12 students the last 2 weeks. Two additional distribution dates have been added for those that were unable to pick-up a device during this time. These dates are below. Anyone still needing a district Chromebook after these 2 additional opportunities must submit an Oakland Schools Service Desk ticket.
Additional Chromebook Distribution Dates and Times:
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19, 2020: 8:00am-12:00pm
TUESDAY AUGUST 25, 2020: 2:00pm-6:00pm
Chromebook pick-up details along with more information regarding hotspots, insurance and forms are available on the Cloud Technology webpage.
WBSD Athletics Update - August 2020
WBHS Cross Country Spirit Store!
Visit the Sprit Store linked here to pick up some gear and show your support for Laker athletics.
The store closes on Aug. 24!
GWBCC presents Pandemic Parenting: Back to School Edition
Join them for an informative Q&A session with child psychologist Nikki O'Donnell, MA, LLP.
They will be discussing:
- How to help our children during these increasingly unpredictable times.
- Navigate in-school/virtual learning uncertainty.
- Manage expectations, evaluate for success and be prepared to change paths.
Federal, State, and/or county funding have been provided through the Oakland Community Health Network - Substance Use Disorder Services to support the project costs.
Thursday, August 20, 2020 @ 7:30pm
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctd-Gvpj8sGdCm6tAeVvfDcenjbnLZ1t0n
Operation Parent - Aug. 24
Back to School: Helping Kids Overcome School Anxiety and Build Resiliency
Living in a world that’s increasingly unpredictable, today’s kids, especially alternative learners, are more anxious than ever before. Dr. Sharon Saline, veteran psychologist and author of What your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life, and The ADHD Solution Card Deck will discuss how anxiety works and what professionals and parents can do to help kids reduce their worries. Dr. Saline will also discuss how to help kids change their relationship to worry and avoid the pitfalls of negative thinking. Learn techniques for separating the person from the anxiety, talking to the worry itself, and creating effective responses to ‘what ifs’. Dr. Saline offers tools for teaching all types of learners how to realistically evaluate situations, tolerate uncertainty, and calm down.
Tuition Based Preschool
Call (248) 865-6466 for additional information and secure your spot today!
GSRP in WBSD
Contact Laura Poxon at laura.poxon@wbsd.org or Kathi Luthe at kathi.luthe@wbsd.org to see if you qualify or call Collette Goestenkors at (248) 865-6466.
WB Community Education Update
West Bloomfield School District Community Education continues to provide online enrichment and fun educational opportunities in this virtual environment.
Since the Community Education department was unable to offer summer camp in June and July due to COVID19, an alternative, Camp in a Box has been created to keep kids engaged and motivated to learn.
Click here for more information.
LAST CALL!!! Fall 2020 ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
First Lego League Grades 4-5th $200
First Tech Challenge Grades 6-8th $275
Registration Link:
https://westbloomfield.digitalsignup.com/
Tumble Bunnies
Grades: K-3
Click here to view all 10 classes
Young Rembrandts The Power of Drawing
Draw on Demand, no set time or dates! Courses range from anime, fashion and more!
Ages: 6-12
Click here
Kids Empowered Classes
View All Kids Empowered Classes Here
Abrakadoodle Remarkable Art Education
Offering 10 different online camps for 1st - 6th graders
Click here
For up to date Community Education Program Summer Offerings, click here. For registration questions contact, andrea.foglietta@wbsd.org
Community Resources
WB Township Library Information
The West Bloomfield Township Main Library and Westacres Branch are now open for Phase 2 services.
The Library’s top priorities continue to be the safety of the public and Library staff and providing our community with access to our large circulating collections. We know that when using indoor spaces – like our Library buildings – density, duration and distance are issues of particular importance. The Library is adhering to all Executive Orders and following federal, state and local guidelines.
Thank you for your consideration and flexibility during Phase 1 of resuming service. We look forward to serving you in Phase 2.
Services Available in Phase 2 include Virtual, Curbside and Grab & Go
The NEW Grab & Go Service forms the basis of Phase 2
- Come into the Main Library or Westacres Branch buildings.
- Browse youth, teen and adult circulating collections.
- Select materials to enjoy at home and pick up materials you’ve placed on hold.
- Ask for reader’s advisory or reference assistance to help with your selections.
- Use self-check stations to check out materials.
- Pick up Summer Reading materials and Reading Reward incentives that have been earned.
- Leave the building after about 45 minutes inside.
- Masks are required in the buildings.
Remember your library card or keytag for self checkout!
Summer Reading Materials and Reading Rewards
The Summer Reading activity booklet, lawn sign and Reading Reward incentives that have been earned can be picked up inside Library buildings, through Parking Lot Pick-Up or at the Main Library Drive-Up Window. The Summer Reading Book Fair will continue until September 4. Select books from displays at the Main Library or Westacres Branch as you earn them. Or, let us know what type of books you like, and a librarian can select your reward books for you to pick up from Parking Lot Pick-Up or the Drive-Up Window. Read more about Summer Reading.
Main Library Drive-Up Window
Pick up items that you've requested be available at the Drive-Up Window, including materials you've placed on hold, a library card or Summer Reading Rewards that have been earned.
Parking Lot Pick-Up
This curbside service is available at both the Main Library and Westacres Branch during Library hours posted on our website.
Renew or request a library card in person
Ask at the Main Library Reception desk or the Westacres Branch Circulation desk. You can also continue to renew or request a library card on the Library’s website.
The online “Contact Us” feature to call, chat with, text or email a librarian
Use the Library’s website to ask questions, use the reader’s advisory service, request materials or obtain/renew a library card.
No other use of building spaces will be available during Phase 2.
The Quiet and Group Study rooms, Activity Centers, Meeting and Conference rooms, Casual Study room, and the Computer Lab will be closed during Phase 2. Other frequently touched surfaces such as computers, toys and play equipment, vending machines, water fountains and bill changer will not be available.
What to Expect When You Come to the Library during Phase 2 - We ask you to protect yourself and others during Phase 2.
- We’re working together to protect each other and everyone in our community. Please don't enter the Library if you have a fever, feel unwell or are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19.
- To enter Library buildings, Library staff and Library users age two years and older are required to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines to stay 6 feet apart from anyone not living with them. We continue to offer Parking Lot Pick-Up and Drive-Up Window service so those who don’t want to wear a mask for any reason can still have access to all circulating collections. There is no need to come inside a Library building to check out the circulating materials you want.
- Protective measures are in place at the Main Library and Westacres Branch. Plexiglass shields have been installed at public service desks. Bathrooms have been upgraded with some additional touchless features. Floor markers indicate 6-feet spacing for social distancing. Hand sanitizer is available.
- Using self-check stations to check out items is strongly encouraged. This helps minimize close interactions to keep everyone safe. Self-check stations will be periodically cleaned throughout the day.
- The number of people allowed inside Library buildings will be limited, per state directives, to 25% capacity. If the capacity limit is reached, arriving visitors will be asked to remain outside the building until others leave. Only the South entrance to the Main Library will be open for use.
- Library staff will be available to help with renewing a library card or issuing a new one, finding materials you want, readers’ advisory and reference assistance, and answering questions about how to use the Library’s digital services such as how to download eBooks to tablets and other devices. Staff will wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
- WiFi will be available. You can use your mobile phone or tablet to check the Library’s online catalog for materials you’d like to check out, in case you don’t want to use the Library’s online public access (OPAC) stations, which will be cleaned periodically. All other computers will be turned off for Phase 2.
- Interior book drops will be available during Library hours. Returned materials will continue to be quarantined and cleaned, per CDC guidelines. Returned materials remain on your library card account until after they have been quarantined and cleaned and are ready to be re-shelved. This may take 5 to 7 days.
More about Phase 2
Virtual programs
We will continue to offer virtual programs during Phase 2. Please check the Event Calendar for a schedule of virtual Summer Reading programs.
Phase 2 Hours
Open hours have been reduced to give staff time to process requests and holds that are received overnight and to provide more time after the Library closes to thoroughly clean and disinfect surfaces.
Monday-Thursday 10 AM – 7 PM
Friday & Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday Noon – 5 PM
REMINDER about returned materials
During Phase 2, returned materials will continue to be quarantined and cleaned. Your returned materials will remain on your library account until they are quarantined, cleaned and ready to re-shelve. This could take 5 to 7 days. If your account isn’t updated within 7 days, please let us know.
The eLibrary is open 24/7
We hope you’ll continue to visit the eLibrary often to connect to the large and growing number of digital resources that are available 24/7. You can:
Enjoy the latest eBook and eAudiobook titles
Watch movies and TV shows
Listen to albums and singles
Read more than 3,600 magazines
Keep up with news from national and international newspapers
Use the Learning Resource Center to match what you want to learn with resources for preschool to high school students, as well as adults
Connect with Us!
Email: daniel.durkin@wbsd.org
Website: www.wbsd.org
Location: 5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 865-6420
Facebook: facebook.com/WestBloomfieldSchools/
Twitter: @wbloomfieldschl