Good things are happening in our classrooms
I’m happy to report that good things are happening district-wide as teachers integrate technology throughout their curriculum and delivery of content to students. During our most recent Late Start I visited several professional development sessions with teachers co-constructing assessments designed to align curriculum and ensure equity for all students. It is exhilarating witnessing teacher-to-teacher sharing their instructional strategies and experiencing the energy from “Aha!” moments.
I’m happy to report that good things are happening district-wide as teachers integrate technology throughout their curriculum and delivery of content to students. During our most recent Late Start I visited several professional development sessions with teachers co-constructing assessments designed to align curriculum and ensure equity for all students. It is exhilarating witnessing teacher-to-teacher sharing their instructional strategies and experiencing the energy from “Aha!” moments.
We continue our district-wide focus on informational or non-fiction writing. Many of our teachers are building Classroom Libraries with challenging, engaging, and enticing books. I encourage each of you to talk daily with your child. Their ability to verbally express themselves has a direct correlation to their reading and writing ability. Talk about current events, books they are reading, hobbies, TV shows, etc. Basically talking leads to improved reading comprehension which leads to increased writing fluency. Talking and listening to your child takes minimal financial investment and yields vast academic dividends! Take a moment to read some of the posted student writing in your child’s school. Prepare yourself to be impressed!
Kudos to our Student Athletes and Coaches!
Congratulations to the WBHS Girls Swim & Dive Team that qualified for States.
Tricia Grant was All-State as a diver and finished second place in the state meet. Maison Moore, Mallory Moore, Krysia Cheshire, Elizabeth Piontkowski all made States as part of the swim team.
Claire Forhan, Sara Colville, Dani Blumstein also made States as divers.
Erin Finn not only made States in Cross Country, but she was the National Foot Locker Cross Country Nominee and the Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year Nominee as well.
Our Boys Tennis Team made States as well, while Andrew Cahn made All-State.
Coach Fraylick is the only Division 1 Diving Coach to send four girls to states the last three years.
Coach Bob Crosby achieved 200th Dual Meet Victory for WBHS Girls Swimming and Dive. We should also mention that at this point, the Boys Swim Team has 197 victories, and will hopefully meet this milestone as well. Coach Crosby has also been honored by the Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (MISCA) with the Matt Mann Award, which is the highest, most esteemed honor given by MISCA. Thank you for making us proud.
West Bloomfield continues to do well in co-curricular activities. Congratulations go out to Joel Thursam’s Debate Team as they became State Award Winners again! Those winning the 2010 Debate State Championship were Alec Adimonius, Nick Asker, Akbar Hussain and Justin Zabel.
Sheri Hauk’s choir members Brian Baylor, Chris Brody, Kara Brody, Meghan Jolliffe and Evan Marymee have won the 2011 MSVMA State Honors Choir.
OUR LIBRARY AWARDED NATION’S TOP HONOR
Congratulations to our own West Bloomfield Public Library, Director Clara Bohrer and her staff as they have just received the nation’s highest award given to libraries!
The West Bloomfield Township Public Library is one of only five libraries in the country to receive the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries.
The award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) recognizes libraries and museums that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service and inclusiveness, which exceed accepted standards for community outreach. The United States has more than 123,000 public, school, academic and special libraries, and we are so fortunate to have one of just five that have achieved this level of success
The West Bloomfield Township Public Library will receive the National Medal at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. this month. The library also receives $10,000 in recognition of its contributions.
Community
United We Walk in Style, Fashion Show and Gold Event took place in November at Orchard Mall and was a great event! Tapper’s Jewelry generously donated 10% of the amount of the exchange of supporters’ gold that day, which with ticket sales netted over $1200 to the West Bloomfield School District Fine Arts Program and United We Walk. A huge thank you goes out to Eleganza Boutique, Guys N Gals, Sally’s Designs, Maria’s Bridal and Bricker Tunis Furs, in addition to all of the stores in the mall that contributed prizes and discounts to attendants.
The Fashion Show had students, teachers, and community members modeling the latest fashions from those stores. West Bloomfield Police Sgt. Tara Kane was dazzling in violet, and OEC’s Gary Weisserman, Holy Spirit Church’s Pastor Bill Matlack and student Corey Lee-Martin were all dapper in fur lined leather from Bricker-Tunis Furs. Fashionplates Principal Sally Drummond, Community Cheerleaders Hertha Woodruff and Debbie Macon and several West Bloomfield High School students all strutted down the runway like it was their job. I also had the opportunity to model several lovely fashions which were so beautiful, I ended up purchasing! Thanks go out to exceptional UWW Student Co-Chairs Erin Lasenby and Alyxis Flaggs for organizing the entire event!
Partnerships that are ongoing in our community are priceless. In addition to Tapper’s Jewelry donation, the Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce recently donated over $200 to our academic athletes through funds raised at their Art Auction. The Optimist Club of West Bloomfield and Keego Harbor Optimist Club both hold a holiday party for students in our area to insure that everyone will have a celebration this year. There is a visit from Santa, along with entertainment which this year will come from Orchard Lake Middle School Viking Voices directed by April Tini at West Bloomfield’s celebration. After that, lunch is served to students and parents, and Santa has a gift for every student, through the generosity of the Optimists Clubs.
SNOWMAN PINS STILL AVAILABLE THROUGH DECEMBER 17!
The 2010 Snowman Pins are still available for $10 now through December 17. Our Children’s Fund Holiday Help program sponsored the 15th Annual Showman Pin contest and Yuri Takubo, Green Elementary 4th grader submitted the winning watercolor design that can be seen in the latest edition of the Laker. The money raised will purchase Target gift cards to be given to needy WBSD families during the holidays. Last year over $15,000 in gift certificates were given to 225 students and their families through this great program. You can purchase a pin through any WBSD school office, ACS Special Services office and the WB Township cashier. Contact Randi Sakwa at randisb@yahoo.com for more information.
Our Children’s Fund GIFT CARDS
Our Children’s Fund GIFT CARDS
Please consider a contribution to Our Children’s Fund, which helps district families meet emergency needs throughout the school year, as a way to thank your student’s teachers or other staff members. Gift cards are available individually for $5, or attractively packaged in bundles of 5 for $25, and can be purchased through your school office and social workers. Contact Randi Sakwa at randisb@yahoo.com for more information.
Holiday entertainment!
The West Bloomfield High School Choir Concert will take place at 7:00 pm next Tuesday at the high school auditorium. Senior citizens, don’t forget to use your Senior Gold Cards to attend any of our events free of charge. Continue to monitor our website at www.wbsd.org for sports and entertainment events throughout the year.
Community
Partnerships that are ongoing in our community are priceless. In addition to Tapper’s Jewelry donation, the Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce recently donated over $200 to our academic athletes through funds raised at their Art Auction. The Optimist Club of West Bloomfield and Keego Harbor holds a holiday party for students in our area to insure that everyone will have a celebration this year. There is a visit from Santa, along with entertainment which this year will come from Orchard Lake Middle School Viking Voices directed by April Tini at West Bloomfield’s celebration. After that, lunch is served to students and parents, and Santa has a gift for every student, through the generosity of the Optimists Clubs.
PLEASE SAVE THESE DATES:
COFFEE TALK - Join us at our January and February Coffee Talks as we discuss the future of the West Bloomfield School District.
January 6, Coffee Talk, Abbott, 7:00 pm
January 12, Coffee Talk, West Bloomfield Main Library, 9:30 am
February 3, Coffee Talk, Orchard Lake Middle School, 7:00 pm
February 24, Coffee Talk, Scotch, 9:30 am
January 16, 2011 – 17th , 3:00 – 6:30 pm
Annual United We Walk, Community Walk and Celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King. This year’s theme is United We Remember and Move Forward. The Walk will take place at 3:00, and Whole Foods has donated delicious hot soup and bread, with other food to warm us up after the walk. The program will begin at 4:30 with our keynote Speakers this year Judge Denise Langford Morris who will talk about “How Justice Has Gotten Us Here”, and Attorney Richard Bernstein who will speak to “Where Justice Can Take Us”. The celebration will conclude with a candlelight vigil at 6:00 pm.
January 19 – WBHS Auditorium, 7-9 pm, PCN (Parent Communication Network)
Join me at our next district wide PCN meeting as we present Beyond Internet Safety. This is a message every parent MUST hear, so please come, bring neighbors, friends and family members.
Topics to be covered are:
- Cyberbullying
- Sexting
- Living in a Web 2.0 world
- Protecting your identity and privacy issues
Featured presenters will be:
Frank Hoffman, an attorney and parent
Matt Roth, United States Department of Justice
West Bloomfield Police Department representative
Gary Weisserman, Oakland Early College
Shaindle Braunstein, Director of David B. Hermelin ORT Resource Center and parent
Dr. Neil Currie, Directory of Technology, West Bloomfield School District
January 19 – OCSBA Oakland County School Boards Association presents Tim Skubick, author and producer of Michigan Public television’s Off The Record and the longest serving member of the state capitol press corps. He will focus on the new landscape in Lansing and what changes to expect in education. He will also provide advice on how to best navigate through the new landscapes school communities advocate for their students.
This presentation will take place at 7:30 pm at the Ferndale School District Board Office,
2920 Burdette, Ferndale.
RSVP to Connie Birkle by January 10, 2011 at connie.birkle@oakland.k12.mi.us or call 248-209-2517.
January 31 – 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Oakland Schools, 2111 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford
Parents and Community Members, please join me at a special presentation “Redesigning a Culture of Learning” featuring Alan November. Alan November, recognized internationally as a leader in education technology, has guided schools, government organizations and industry leaders as they plan to improve quality with technology.
In this special presentation, Alan will explore what essential questions and planning processes are needed to prepare our students to have a global work ethic, and how to turn our classrooms into global communication centers.
He will share his work on redesigning the culture of teaching and learning with concrete tools, websites and ideas that educators, parents and community members can take and use with students to create a more empowered authentic model of learning. For information, contact Larry Thomas at 248-209-2297.
Have a great weekend!
