Superintendent’s Message March 19, 2010
Board Meeting
On Monday, March 22, there will be a WBSD Board Meeting at 7 pm at West Bloomfield High School.
We will be giving an update on the Budget and District Finances as well as data on the MEAP scores that have just come in.
Survey
It is important that the community - parents, students, citizens and district staff members - have the opportunity to offer their input into the budget process. We are encouraging everyone to go to our website and take our survey. The goal of this survey is to gather feedback from our school community on the proposed budget reductions for the 2010 - 2011 school year that will be recommended to the West Bloomfield School District Board of Education.
Go to www.wbsd.org and click in the box entitled Decisions About Our Future, and click on Community Survey. We request that community members complete the survey by April 12, 2010.
Spring Events
I attended the International Club’s Annual Ethnic Festival at WBHS last evening and it was exceptional. The food from many of the 54 countries represented in West Bloomfield was artistically presented as well as delicious. Students acted dramatic skits in many languages, there were incredible solo and ensemble performances, and other entertainment varied from French Opera to dancing from India. Talia Hanna and Claudia Sitto are to be commended for providing this rich opportunity for our students.
Next weekend Orchard Lake Middle School Theatre Arts III and Blue Revue students will be presenting FAME on Thursday and Friday, March 25 and 26 at West Bloomfield High School. Directed by Debbie Zazaian and April Tini with choreography by Valerie Mould, this promises to be a hit! Get your tickets soon.
Wall of Champions
Look for the Wall of Champions that will be hanging in the vestibule at West Bloomfield High School beginning next Monday. This is a list of our champion donors to our SOS campaign, who have generously donated $2500 or more to help Save Our Schools. Thank you to all of our donors not only for your acts of kindness and benevolence but also concern over our children’s futures. A special thank you to David and Kathleen Boyd of Boyd Communications for volunteering their services to create this Wall of Champions.
THIS WEEKEND!
Plum Market Hosts Children’s Book Author, West Bloomfield High School Grad
Author Erika Roman Saint-Pierre and Plum Market have teamed up to launch her new book “Hoppa’s Big Move,” during Spa Day on Saturday March 20, 2010 from
10 am – 4 pm. Erika is a former student of Doherty, OLMS and WBHS, and writes about Doherty in the book. “Hoppa’s Big Move” is about Hoppa’s first day of kindergarten where she learns that not everyone is the same and that some people may actually think she’s different, even weird. Hoppa leads readers on a journey to find friends, acceptance, and the understanding that the differences in race, religion, and life experiences are what make true friendships. Publisher Culturatti Kids, a youth-based literary program will donate $4 from each book sold to the West Bloomfield School District. Between now and April 15, 2010 one copy of the book will also be donated for every copy purchased.
On Monday, March 22 from 11 am - 6 pm, the author will also be at the Barnes and Noble Bookfair on Orchard Lake in West Bloomfield. Stop by for a day of family fun and get your copy of "Hoppa's Big Move" signed and have your picture taken with the author. Give them Bookfair ID # 10164655 prior to purchase and a percentage of the net sale will be contributed to WBSD also.
Camp Fair
There’s lots going on at the high school! This weekend is the West Bloomfield Community Education CAMP FAIR at West Bloomfield High School from 11am – 2 pm on Saturday. Camp Instructors will provide a sneak preview of summer camps with hands-on demonstrations, door prizes and lots of cool stuff, including a prize of 1 FREE week of camp. Academic, Science and Sports Camps will all be represented.
Mom-2-Mom Sale
Saturday from 9 am – 2 pm is the popular Mom 2 Mom Sale at West Bloomfield High School. Moms can sell and buy used baby and kid items. There will be great deals on everything from furniture to toys and clothing!
5th Grade Intramural Basketball Tournament
5th grade boys will play from 9 am 12 noon and girls will play from 1pm – 4pm in a round-robin tournament in the gymnasium on Saturday, March 20. Admission is free.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
March 12, 2010
Superintendent’s Message March 12, 2010
MEAP SCORES
MEAP scores were released from the Michigan Department of Education today for schools across the county and state. Staff continues to work aggressively to make sure all of our students are prepared to be successful on the Michigan Education Assessment Program, Michigan Merit Exam and other standardized tests. Our scores were in keeping with state and county trends in relation to increases and decreases in various areas. Certain highlights were middle school reading scores and elementary scores which remain consistently high. Average scores were in the mid 80’s – 90% proficiency for the various tests taken. We will analyze the test data to determine if we need to make alignment adjustments in our curriculum.
Negotiations
Negotiations with our teachers’ union that began in October are still ongoing. We will continue to keep you updated when appropriate. It is always our expectation, and I am sure that of the teachers’ union, to remain professional throughout the negotiations process. Every effort will be made to keep what happens at the bargaining table away from the classroom and students. Our teachers provide a quality education for our children and we expect that to continue.
Spring Musicals
I am proud of the Abbott students for their performance of Big River. I want to thank parents and staff who made this production possible. Join us for Orchard Lake’s performance of Fame March 25 & 26 and West Bloomfield High School’s performance of Les Miserables April 22-24.
American Idol Raffle Tickets
American Idol Raffle tickets will be sold at Hiller’s Markets on Orchard Lake Rd. and in Commerce Township this weekend. Tickets can also be purchased at JAX Kar Wash and Buddy’s Pizza locations as well as all West Bloomfield schools. To order by phone call 1-888-WIN-IDOL (888-946-4365).
Bus Stop Safety
Due to the warmer weather, more students are walking to and from bus stops. Please be cautious, drive slowly, and watch out for students.
Professional Development Day
On March 9, our teachers participated in a full day of professional development on the topic of brain-based learning and how that impacts our children. Students have already begun to experience these strategies in practice in their classrooms.
MEAP SCORES
MEAP scores were released from the Michigan Department of Education today for schools across the county and state. Staff continues to work aggressively to make sure all of our students are prepared to be successful on the Michigan Education Assessment Program, Michigan Merit Exam and other standardized tests. Our scores were in keeping with state and county trends in relation to increases and decreases in various areas. Certain highlights were middle school reading scores and elementary scores which remain consistently high. Average scores were in the mid 80’s – 90% proficiency for the various tests taken. We will analyze the test data to determine if we need to make alignment adjustments in our curriculum.
Negotiations
Negotiations with our teachers’ union that began in October are still ongoing. We will continue to keep you updated when appropriate. It is always our expectation, and I am sure that of the teachers’ union, to remain professional throughout the negotiations process. Every effort will be made to keep what happens at the bargaining table away from the classroom and students. Our teachers provide a quality education for our children and we expect that to continue.
Spring Musicals
I am proud of the Abbott students for their performance of Big River. I want to thank parents and staff who made this production possible. Join us for Orchard Lake’s performance of Fame March 25 & 26 and West Bloomfield High School’s performance of Les Miserables April 22-24.
American Idol Raffle Tickets
American Idol Raffle tickets will be sold at Hiller’s Markets on Orchard Lake Rd. and in Commerce Township this weekend. Tickets can also be purchased at JAX Kar Wash and Buddy’s Pizza locations as well as all West Bloomfield schools. To order by phone call 1-888-WIN-IDOL (888-946-4365).
Bus Stop Safety
Due to the warmer weather, more students are walking to and from bus stops. Please be cautious, drive slowly, and watch out for students.
Professional Development Day
On March 9, our teachers participated in a full day of professional development on the topic of brain-based learning and how that impacts our children. Students have already begun to experience these strategies in practice in their classrooms.
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