WBSD Update
A weekly update from the West Bloomfield School District
June 26, 2020
Lakers Online
The West Bloomfield School District is pleased to announce our remote learning instructional pathway, Lakers Online. As we shared in our Classroom to Cloud Framework for Instruction, a remote learning option would be available for Fall 2020. Lakers Online will provide a rich, rigorous learning experience for our students from Kindergarten through twelfth grade. The classes will be taught by West Bloomfield teachers and are aligned to our standards, resources and requirements.
To learn more about Lakers Online, please visit our website at: Lakers Online webpage. In addition, we will be hosting informational sessions as well as an opportunity for your questions to be answered.
In addition, we will be hosting informational sessions as well as an opportunity for your questions to be answered. Prospective Student Informational Session: Tuesday, July 7 at 10AM and 7PM via Zoom:
Drive-In for Justice - June 30
West Bloomfield High School is hosting a special Drive-In for Justice event on June 30. The event starts at 6 p.m. with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m. This collaborative event is being organized with assistance from the West Bloomfield School District, the West Bloomfield Township Police Department, the West Bloomfield Township Clerk’s office, Civic Center TV, and more.
The purpose of the event is to bring awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement to West Bloomfield and to unite the community to create change. The event will also serve as a fundraiser for the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization, based in Montgomery, Alabama, that provides legal representation to prisoners who may have been wrongly convicted of crimes, poor prisoners without effective representation, and others who may have been denied a fair trial. Donations benefiting the Equal Justice Initiative are being accepted via Cash App and Venmo at $driveinforjustice.
Visit www.wbsd.org for more information.
District adopts Anti-Racism Stance, Board of Education passes Resolution
The West Bloomfield Board of Education introduced a resolution to support the district’s anti-racism stance during the board’s regular meeting on June 22. The resolution titled “Resolution to Change the System, Eradicate Racism and Create More Equitable and Inclusive Schools for All Children” was carried by a 7-0 vote in support of the resolution.
Dr. Gerald Hill, West Bloomfield School District superintendent, said, “This resolution will serve as our guiding principles in determining how we can create a more equitable and inclusive environment for our students to learn. These action items will be welcome additions to the district’s goals moving forward.”
Board of Education President, Stacy Brickman, said, “The West Bloomfield School District Board of Education stands firmly against all acts of individual and systemic racism. We will openly talk, challenge and confront racism. As a school board and district we value each and every student, family and staff member and are committed to creating an equitable and anti-racist system that honors and elevates all.”
The complete resolution can be found at www.wbsd.org/boe.
Board of Education commends Legislators
The West Bloomfield Board of Education showed their support for local legislators during the board’s June 22 meeting. The Board of Education introduced a motion in support of Senate Resolution No. 124 and House Concurrent Resolution No. 26. These respective resolutions memorialize the Congress of the United States to help the state of Michigan, schools, and local governments address revenue shortfalls during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The motion carried by a 7-0 vote.
Board of Education President, Stacy Brickman, said, “We commend our local leaders for taking this position and supporting the work being done by educators and schools systems across the state of Michigan. During these unprecedented times, we cannot leverage the recovery of our state and country on the backs of our students, teachers and families. We applaud these legislators for taking a stand and doing what is right to help our state recover while providing the funds necessary to educate students safely and effectively during the ongoing global pandemic."
West Bloomfield musicians recognized
The Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association awarded the prestigious MSBOA Scholar Instrumentalist Award to West Bloomfield High School senior, Janelle McManaman and Orchard Lake Middle School’s Jonathan Gabriel. This award is meant to recognize young musicians who achieve both academically as well as musically.
Orchestra Director, Linda Trotter, nominated the student for outstanding accomplishments in music and academics. Each member school may nominate only one scholar per year in orchestra and band, making this an outstanding accomplishment.
The Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association is an organization of over 1,600 band and orchestra educators throughout Michigan, dedicated to improving instrumental music in Michigan. Founded on a single-district basis in 1934, it has grown to 16 regional-district
association in both peninsulas, serving over 1,900 public, parochial, and private schools.
Through numerous student-oriented activities such a festivals, workshops and teacher in-service functions, MSBOA strives to provide continual growth for instrumental music. Each year, over 100,000 students in Michigan participate in MSBOA festivals, either individually or as a part of a larger group.
Congratulations Janelle McManaman and Jonathan Gabriel!
OLMS presents "STRANDED: VIEWS FROM QUARANTINE"
The performances will premiered on the district's YouTube channel on June 19 & 20 and the videos are available On Demand at the links below:
Meal Service Information UPDATE!
The district will be offering our Meal Service program through June 30. Preorder forms are available at www.wbsd.org/mealservice.
The district recently transitioned to Meal Service pick-ups two days per week. Families will still receive seven days worth of food per child with pick-ups on Monday and Thursday each week. Pick-Ups will still take place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. each pick-up day at your pick-up location (Roosevelt Elementary or OLMS).
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.
Summer Facilities Update
Our West Bloomfield School District school playgrounds are now open to the general community following the Oakland County Health Division’s announcement this week. Visitors are still required to practice social distancing (six feet apart), wear a face covering, and frequently wash hands/use hand sanitizer.
The WBSD does NOT plan to regularly disinfect the playgrounds, so the playgrounds and equipment will be used at the individual’s own discretion and risk.
Due to restrictions/protocols in place to keep our student-athletes safe during their summer workouts, we are closing the track and stadium to the general public between 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 4-7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. There will be a number of student-athletes on the field at that time with students following a specific check-in procedure for each work out. Restricting public use during these specific times will help keep our student-athletes and community members safe.
The usual summer outdoor athletic field procedures are now reinstated and outdoor facilities are open. Please practice social distancing (six feet apart), wear a face covering, and frequently wash hands/use hand sanitizer.
SchoolMessenger SMS Messaging Support - Opt In
Our district recently started to utilize the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more. This resource is on top of the emails and phone messages you already receive from SchoolMessenger.
You can participate in this service just by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our district’s short code number, 67587.
You can also opt-out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our
messages with “Stop”.
SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy PledgeTM, so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone.
Kindergarten Enrollment for 2020-21 open NOW!
Appointments are taking place over the phone until further notice due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Please call (248) 865-6453 or email marcia.eden@wbsd.org for more information.
Support the WBEF Today!
Now, more than ever, West Bloomfield School District needs YOUR support! In honor of our graduating class of 2020, we are humbly requesting donations to our 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation in order to support our community’s school district.
Please help us honor this year’s senior class and those who will be continuing their education next fall by visiting www.WBEF.org and clicking on MAKE A DONATION.
All donations are used to fund grants for enhanced learning and providing district staff with a source of funding. These funds are used to assist them in planning, developing and implementing innovative technology, academic tools, and art programs for which funds are not available through WBSD.
Visit https://www.wbef.org/educator-grant-program/ for details on the $200,000 WBEF has raised and donated to the district and how those funds were used.
Thank you to all the WBSD families for your continues support. We look forward to spearheading the effort to keep our children learning at a high level despite these challenging times.
WB Community Education Update
West Bloomfield School District Community Education continues to provide online enrichment and fun educational opportunities in this virtual environment.
Tumble Bunnies
Gymnastics, Zumba, Karate, Hip Hop, Yoga, Ballet and Cheer! Register for one or a few. Note a class time is listed, however, YOU decide when you want to select play and have your child participate in the 1/2 hour video.
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
Slime Time
Girls Empowered Inspired by Frozen 2
Virtual LEGO FUN
Virtual Self-Esteem
View All Kids Empowered Classes Here
Abrakadoodle Remarkable Art Education
Offering 10 different online camps for 10 weeks for 1st - 6th graders
Tour the Museum of Modern Art Collection, create cityscapes, comics and more!
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
News from the West Bloomfield Township Public Library Update
The Library will resume service in phases, beginning Monday, June 8, 2020. Finally!
Since some restrictions on public libraries have been eased, here’s how you can check out and return materials during the first phase of the Library's gradual reopening. Welcome back!
Phase 1 begins Monday, June 8. Exterior book drops will reopen, the online hold service will be available and the new Parking Lot Pick-Up service begins. For complete details about Phase 1, check the Library’s website.
Find out more at the link to info our the district website.
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