Friday, April 30, 2010
Talk Sup't. April 30, 2010
QUALITY ASSURANCE REVIEW EARNS DISTRICT ACCREDITATION
A team of eight educators from AdvancED’s North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the organization that accredits schools in Michigan and other states visited West Bloomfield School District this week to conduct a Quality Assurance Review. The QAR Team is chaired by Dr. Olivine Roberts of North Carolina. Every five years, schools must go through an accreditation process. West Bloomfield School District elected to be evaluated as a district-wide system. Currently, all of our individual schools are accredited.
The culmination of their visit results in an accreditation recommendation and report which is designed to serve as a valuable tool to help school systems continue to improve.
The Quality Assurance Review (QAR) committee arrived in the district on Sunday, April 25 and spent three days meeting with and interviewing Board of Education members, central office administrators, directors, principals, teachers, parents, community members and myself. The QAR team visited four schools: Green and Scotch Elementaries, Abbott Middle School and West Bloomfield High School allowing team members to observe classes in session to assess student/teacher interactions and teaching practices. All other schools had an opportunity to share information about their school with the committee through a series of interviews.
This important process of evaluation is designed to ensure that our schools are competing with those around the nation. This is a very professional team of experts and we appreciated that they volunteered their time and expertise to visit our district. We value their assessment as we strive to continually strengthen the quality of education in the West Bloomfield School District.
Dr. Roberts reported that what she most enjoyed was being in the buildings to see the awesome work being done by West Bloomfield staff, and noted that the students’ passion for learning is evident. She cited West Bloomfield as “a school district to watch!”
Dr. Roberts noted that the staff takes ownership of every SINGLE student, and the QAR Team commends West Bloomfield School District for that.
On behalf of the West Bloomfield School District’s Board of Education and Administration, and speaking for the thousands of students who we prepare to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, I would like to also personally acknowledge the community’s efforts in what I believe was a successful Quality Assurance Review visit.
Our district has accomplished in just two years what other districts have been given five years to do. I was extremely proud of our displays and the information we shared with the Quality Assurance Review team during this visit. This experience was only made possible through school and community involvement. Perhaps the greatest measure of our success is the feedback from the team that acknowledged the efforts and great work of the school district at large.
DIVERSITY CHAMPION HONOR ROLL
This week I was pleased to attend the Diversity Champion Honor Roll celebration sponsored by the Race Relations & Diversity Task Force. The mission of the Task Force is to come together to support each other in our desire to welcome diversity and to build and maintain an open community which will not tolerate racism or prejudice. The goal is to improve race relations within our own communities and throughout the metropolitan Detroit area and to develop a climate that promotes inclusivity and values diversity.
We are proud to have had two honorees from our West Bloomfield School District recognized as 2010 Diversity Champions: Eleanor Squaire and Joshua Zhang.
Eleanor Squaire, has taught at Green School for the past 24 years, and has served on the district’s diversity committee, the DREAM Team. She chairs the team’s Parent & Community Outreach committee which under her leadership has orchestrated activities and events to promote inclusivity among our parents and families. Ms. Squaire has also faithfully served since 1996, on United We Walk, which plans our annual community-wide celebration of MLK’s birthday. Her contributions toward the ideals of an inclusive community are far-reaching and have impacted her own students as well as many others.
Joshua Zhang, a senior at West Bloomfield High School, helped co-found the Asian Community Engagement student group that encourages community service and awareness of Asian-American concerns’ As President of A.C.E. Joshua has welcomed and encourages all students, regardless of ethnicity, to be a part of A.C.E. As a result , we have a diverse group of members and Executive Board, Members. Joshua has organized various community service opportunities for WBHS students that help give them a better awareness of Asian American culture and concerns. Joshua was recently accepted to Harvard University and also received a $40,000 scholarship to the University of Michigan.
A NOTE OF CAUTION
There is an emerging trend that is occurring around the country and is loosely based on a Japanese Manga and Anime series. There are notebooks sometimes associated with this trend that include drawings, names of people and violent acts. The drawings are often graphic in nature and sometimes have specific student names attached to them. One of these games has been referred to as Death Note.
We are addressing this issue in hopes of being proactive, and asking that parents be aware that this is out there. The consequences are severe. If this type of material is brought to school from home, students can be suspended or expelled from school. Participation in this type of inappropriate activity while in school cannot be tolerated.
We encourage parents to talk with their children about this trend and continue to be mindful and alert of the websites they are exploring and the writings and drawings they are creating.
To learn more about this trend, go to your favorite search engine and insert the bolded terms.
PASTA FOR PENNIES
Abbott Student Council sponsored a Children’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society fundraiser raising so much money in 3 weeks that, as of this writing, Abbott is the #1 Fundraising School in the state for the society. The Olive Garden’s Pasta for Pennies program raises vital dollars needed to find a cure for these diseases. We are very proud of our school and their humanitarian efforts.
WBHS ALUM PRODUCES AWARD WINNING FILM
AT TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL
A former student from Kevin Walsh’s Video classes, Jason Potash ('04) produced a short film last summer for the American Film Institute that was screened at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival which is going on right now. It has just been announced that Jason’s film has won in the Short Film Competition Category.
This is a 16 minute short narrative film, directed and written for the screen by Maggie Kiley. Jason’s company is What a World Productions. You may recognize the film's star, Jesse Eisenberg, from "Zombieland" or "Adventureland."
A link to the film, "Some Boys Don't Leave," will allow you to see the trailer. http://someboysfilm.com/
After Sundance, Tribeca is the most prestigious film festival in the U.S. and its winners are seriously considered for Academy Award nomination next March. One of the bonuses of the festival for Jason is that he will have the opportunity to meet Robert Deniro!
Short Film Competition Category
2010 Best Documentary and Student Short Competition• Student Visionary Award – "Some Boys Don’t Leave", directed by Maggie Kiley, written by Matthew Mullen, Maggie Kiley, Producer Jason Potash. (USA).
• Best Documentary Short – White Lines & The Fever: The Death of DJ Junebug, directed and written by Travis Senger. (USA).
After Sundance, Tribeca is the most prestigious film festival in the U.S. and its winners are seriously considered for Academy Award nomination next March. One of the bonuses of the festival for Jason is that he will have the opportunity to meet Robert Deniro!
We congratulate Jason and will watch for him in future works. I’m not surprised that the high caliber of training Jason got through Kevin Walsh has led him to this kind of recognition.
NEGOTIATIONS:
At this time the Board and Union are still in mediation. If this should change, I’ll let you know in the next update.
Again, I thank all of you for your dedication and true commitment to the West Bloomfield School District.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Talk Sup't. April 23, 2010
QUALITY ASSURANCE REVIEW
In all of our buildings next week, you will see visitors from out-of-state who will be evaluating our schools. Every five years, schools must go thorough an accreditation process. Our district has elected to be evaluated as an entire district and have all schools evaluated at the same time. The Quality Assurance Review committee will arrive in the community on Monday morning for three days of evaluation. They will meet with our staff and parents in the morning and begin their school visits in the afternoon. The committee only has time to visit four schools (Green, Scotch, Abbott and WBHS). All other schools will have a chance to share information about their individual school with the committee.
I would like to invite each of you to the committee’s reporting out session at a Special Board Meeting on April 28 at 3:00 p.m. at WBHS to hear first-hand the committee’s comments about our district’s strengths and areas we need to grow.
AMERICAN IDOL RAFFLE
The American Idol Raffle was a great success and the evening of the drawing was one of great anticipation in a warm social atmosphere enhanced by entertainment from our own Abbott Idol, Joey Asker. Mike “Stoney” Stone emceed the evening as celebrities Karen Newman and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bob Seger drew the winning ticket.
Congratulations to the LaDuke family for winning the raffle - they are off to Hollywood! Thanks to everyone in the community who sold or purchased raffle tickets. Thanks also to Lisa Berkey and Stacy Brickman for entering all the payments throughout this process. A very special thank you to Jeff Sakwa, who could have taken his own family to Hollywood, but instead unselfishly donated the package to our Educational Foundation to raise money for our schools. Thank you to Jeff from all of us - there would not have been a raffle without your generous donation.
LES MISERABLES
You will not want to miss our high school production of Les Miserables. Everyone that saw the show last night is raving about it. Tickets are still available for Friday’s and Saturday’s performances at 8:00 p.m. for $10.00. contact Karen Brody at brody@westbloomfield.k12.mi.us.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Legislation continues to change on a daily basis in Lansing. The Retirement Reform bill is still being worked on. The latest version of the bill will be on the House floor next Tuesday for discussion.
If anyone is interested in joining the Grassroots Committee, please feel free to send an email to Julie Beaty at B2andJB@aol.com or Judy Herman at jherman@sambernstein.com and get on their list so you can receive broadcast emails regarding this effort.
We’ll update you as new information becomes available.
In all of our buildings next week, you will see visitors from out-of-state who will be evaluating our schools. Every five years, schools must go thorough an accreditation process. Our district has elected to be evaluated as an entire district and have all schools evaluated at the same time. The Quality Assurance Review committee will arrive in the community on Monday morning for three days of evaluation. They will meet with our staff and parents in the morning and begin their school visits in the afternoon. The committee only has time to visit four schools (Green, Scotch, Abbott and WBHS). All other schools will have a chance to share information about their individual school with the committee.
I would like to invite each of you to the committee’s reporting out session at a Special Board Meeting on April 28 at 3:00 p.m. at WBHS to hear first-hand the committee’s comments about our district’s strengths and areas we need to grow.
AMERICAN IDOL RAFFLE
The American Idol Raffle was a great success and the evening of the drawing was one of great anticipation in a warm social atmosphere enhanced by entertainment from our own Abbott Idol, Joey Asker. Mike “Stoney” Stone emceed the evening as celebrities Karen Newman and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bob Seger drew the winning ticket.
Congratulations to the LaDuke family for winning the raffle - they are off to Hollywood! Thanks to everyone in the community who sold or purchased raffle tickets. Thanks also to Lisa Berkey and Stacy Brickman for entering all the payments throughout this process. A very special thank you to Jeff Sakwa, who could have taken his own family to Hollywood, but instead unselfishly donated the package to our Educational Foundation to raise money for our schools. Thank you to Jeff from all of us - there would not have been a raffle without your generous donation.
LES MISERABLES
You will not want to miss our high school production of Les Miserables. Everyone that saw the show last night is raving about it. Tickets are still available for Friday’s and Saturday’s performances at 8:00 p.m. for $10.00. contact Karen Brody at brody@westbloomfield.k12.mi.us.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Legislation continues to change on a daily basis in Lansing. The Retirement Reform bill is still being worked on. The latest version of the bill will be on the House floor next Tuesday for discussion.
If anyone is interested in joining the Grassroots Committee, please feel free to send an email to Julie Beaty at B2andJB@aol.com or Judy Herman at jherman@sambernstein.com and get on their list so you can receive broadcast emails regarding this effort.
We’ll update you as new information becomes available.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Talk Supt. - April 1, 2010
Talk Supt.
April 1, 2010
ACCREDITATION TEAM VISIT
We are all looking forward to our School Improvement team visit by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the organization that accredits schools in Michigan and other states. All of our schools are accredited.
The Standards Assessment Report is designed to serve as a valuable self-assessment and as a tool to help school systems prepare for their Quality Assurance Review. In order to earn and maintain accreditation, school systems must meet the AdvancED standards, engage in a process of continuous improvement, and demonstrate quality assurance through internal and external review. In completing the report, the school system identifies the data, information, evidence, and documented results that validate that it is meeting each of seven standards. This self assessment helps the school systems identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.
The visit to our school district will be April 25-28, when they will be interviewing our parents, staff, students and the Board of Education. On Wednesday April 28, there will be an opportunity for the public to hear their final report at a regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting at 3:00 pm at West Bloomfield High School. Please save this date so that you can hear first-hand the visiting team’s assessment of our school strengths and opportunities for improvement.
TOWN HALL MEETING
As part of the Save Our Schools effort, five school districts are sponsoring a community meeting, “Spotlight on Education, Revenues and Reforms” event at Walled Lake Northern High School. Our district is being represented by Julie Beaty and Judy Herman through a Grassroots Political Action Committee.
It will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 13 in Northern High School’s auditorium. This collaborative effort with Bloomfield Hills, Farmington, Novi, Walled Lake and West Bloomfield School Districts will feature six legislators that serve the area. This event will allow parents to hear our Senators’ and Representatives’ viewpoints and ideas about the challenges we all face as a result of the cuts that have been made in public education funding. The questions that will be addressed are:
1. What is your position regarding 20j funding?
• What will you do to restore 20j funding?
• Will you commit to vote no on any school aid bill that does not restore 20j?
2. Will you oppose efforts to reduce the foundation?
• What changes do you support or propose to address the projected revenue shortfall for next year?
• Please explain new revenue you support as well as spending existing dollars differently.
3. What do you propose to permanently support school funding in a manner that is not tied to fluctuations in the state economy?
• Do you support a return to local control of school funding, e.g. local millage?
• What suggestions do you have for an adequate and equitable school funding system?
4. Are you in favor of changing the state budget calendar so it coincides with local school districts that are mandated to adopt budgets by June 30? If so, what actions will you take to ensure it happens?
5. What actions will you take to ensure that new education mandates similar to, but not limited to, Race to the Top legislation, are adequately funded?
6. Will you vote to permanently earmark any new service tax revenues to SAF forever and not just the two years the governor proposed?
7. Will you support expanding the use of the sinking fund to include purchase and/or lease of technology, transportation and/or other general fund expenditures and/or broadening local bond opportunities?
Chairs Julie Beaty and Judy Herman can be contacted by email at:
Julie: b2andjb@aol.com and
Judy: bjenherman@aol.com
To be continually updated and involved, please submit your email address to either Julie or Judy.
AMERICAN IDOL RAFFLE
There is still time to purchase your American Idol Raffle tickets – A chance to attend the American Idol Finale in Los Angeles, airfare, 2 nights hotel and tickets to the event for 4 people!
Call 1-888-WIN-IDOL to purchase tickets at $50 each or 3 for $100! They can also be purchased at all West Bloomfield schools, JAX Kar Wash & Buddy’s Pizza locations.
SAVE THE DATE for the drawing at WBHS on April 21 at 7:00 pm.
These dollars all benefit the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation. Please help Save Our Schools.
GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS
There are lots of great things happening with our children around the district at this time. Allow me to share a few with you: Congratulations go to:
• Kevin Walsh and his WBHS students for their film fest feature entry, "Minor Felonies" which has just won a "Best of Show" award at the 42nd Michigan Student Film Festival.
A portion of the film will be shown when the awards are given at the DIA's theater Saturday, April 24th at 12:30 PM (with a pre-glow honoring the winners prior to the show at 11:15). Please feel welcome to join in the celebration!
• The Student Leadership class at WBHS has won 2 of the most prestigious state awards – Award of Excellence and the Star Award under the leadership of Ms. Jill Rosenthal Vinter
• 11 Choir students under the direction of Mrs. Trotter won 1st or 2nd Place at the State Solo and Ensemble competition
SPRING SPORTS
Many spring sports are in full swing or about to begin. Please come out, bring the family and support our athletes as they engage in Girls Tennis, Boys Baseball, Girls Softball, Girls Soccer, Boys Lacrosse and Track and Field for Boys and Girls. Go online at www.wbsd.org to obtain the athletic schedules for these sports. Senior Citizens with Gold Cards will be admitted FREE to any of these events that charge fees. Go to any nearby school office and obtain your Gold Card that will admit any person over 65 years of age free to school sponsored events.
WBHS MUSICAL
High school students will be performing “Les Miserables” Thursday and Friday, April 22-23 in the WBHS Auditorium. This is shaping up to be a sellout performance on both nights, so order your tickets now by emailing Karen Brody at brody@westbloomfield.k12.mi.us. Senior Citizens with Gold Cards will be admitted free of charge.
NEGOTIATIONS
We continue to negotiate with our teachers and administrators. At this time, it is important that you understand that while some districts around us are soliciting concessions in an attempt to protect their fund equity, West Bloomfield School District does not have that luxury. We must continue to cut, cut, cut in addition to asking for concessions from all bargaining units to help us through this crisis. Without drastic cuts, we will never get out of deficit. We will continue to negotiate in ways that allow us to preserve as many of the quality opportunities and experiences as possible that both our staff and our students enjoy. We continue to look at ways to generate revenue and consolidate services with other districts and within our own system. We will continue this collaborative effort and will inform you as decisions are reached.
Happy Holidays to all who are celebrating at this time of year.
Have a wonderful and safe Spring Break!
April 1, 2010
ACCREDITATION TEAM VISIT
We are all looking forward to our School Improvement team visit by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the organization that accredits schools in Michigan and other states. All of our schools are accredited.
The Standards Assessment Report is designed to serve as a valuable self-assessment and as a tool to help school systems prepare for their Quality Assurance Review. In order to earn and maintain accreditation, school systems must meet the AdvancED standards, engage in a process of continuous improvement, and demonstrate quality assurance through internal and external review. In completing the report, the school system identifies the data, information, evidence, and documented results that validate that it is meeting each of seven standards. This self assessment helps the school systems identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.
The visit to our school district will be April 25-28, when they will be interviewing our parents, staff, students and the Board of Education. On Wednesday April 28, there will be an opportunity for the public to hear their final report at a regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting at 3:00 pm at West Bloomfield High School. Please save this date so that you can hear first-hand the visiting team’s assessment of our school strengths and opportunities for improvement.
TOWN HALL MEETING
As part of the Save Our Schools effort, five school districts are sponsoring a community meeting, “Spotlight on Education, Revenues and Reforms” event at Walled Lake Northern High School. Our district is being represented by Julie Beaty and Judy Herman through a Grassroots Political Action Committee.
It will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 13 in Northern High School’s auditorium. This collaborative effort with Bloomfield Hills, Farmington, Novi, Walled Lake and West Bloomfield School Districts will feature six legislators that serve the area. This event will allow parents to hear our Senators’ and Representatives’ viewpoints and ideas about the challenges we all face as a result of the cuts that have been made in public education funding. The questions that will be addressed are:
1. What is your position regarding 20j funding?
• What will you do to restore 20j funding?
• Will you commit to vote no on any school aid bill that does not restore 20j?
2. Will you oppose efforts to reduce the foundation?
• What changes do you support or propose to address the projected revenue shortfall for next year?
• Please explain new revenue you support as well as spending existing dollars differently.
3. What do you propose to permanently support school funding in a manner that is not tied to fluctuations in the state economy?
• Do you support a return to local control of school funding, e.g. local millage?
• What suggestions do you have for an adequate and equitable school funding system?
4. Are you in favor of changing the state budget calendar so it coincides with local school districts that are mandated to adopt budgets by June 30? If so, what actions will you take to ensure it happens?
5. What actions will you take to ensure that new education mandates similar to, but not limited to, Race to the Top legislation, are adequately funded?
6. Will you vote to permanently earmark any new service tax revenues to SAF forever and not just the two years the governor proposed?
7. Will you support expanding the use of the sinking fund to include purchase and/or lease of technology, transportation and/or other general fund expenditures and/or broadening local bond opportunities?
Chairs Julie Beaty and Judy Herman can be contacted by email at:
Julie: b2andjb@aol.com and
Judy: bjenherman@aol.com
To be continually updated and involved, please submit your email address to either Julie or Judy.
AMERICAN IDOL RAFFLE
There is still time to purchase your American Idol Raffle tickets – A chance to attend the American Idol Finale in Los Angeles, airfare, 2 nights hotel and tickets to the event for 4 people!
Call 1-888-WIN-IDOL to purchase tickets at $50 each or 3 for $100! They can also be purchased at all West Bloomfield schools, JAX Kar Wash & Buddy’s Pizza locations.
SAVE THE DATE for the drawing at WBHS on April 21 at 7:00 pm.
These dollars all benefit the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation. Please help Save Our Schools.
GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS
There are lots of great things happening with our children around the district at this time. Allow me to share a few with you: Congratulations go to:
• Kevin Walsh and his WBHS students for their film fest feature entry, "Minor Felonies" which has just won a "Best of Show" award at the 42nd Michigan Student Film Festival.
A portion of the film will be shown when the awards are given at the DIA's theater Saturday, April 24th at 12:30 PM (with a pre-glow honoring the winners prior to the show at 11:15). Please feel welcome to join in the celebration!
• The Student Leadership class at WBHS has won 2 of the most prestigious state awards – Award of Excellence and the Star Award under the leadership of Ms. Jill Rosenthal Vinter
• 11 Choir students under the direction of Mrs. Trotter won 1st or 2nd Place at the State Solo and Ensemble competition
SPRING SPORTS
Many spring sports are in full swing or about to begin. Please come out, bring the family and support our athletes as they engage in Girls Tennis, Boys Baseball, Girls Softball, Girls Soccer, Boys Lacrosse and Track and Field for Boys and Girls. Go online at www.wbsd.org to obtain the athletic schedules for these sports. Senior Citizens with Gold Cards will be admitted FREE to any of these events that charge fees. Go to any nearby school office and obtain your Gold Card that will admit any person over 65 years of age free to school sponsored events.
WBHS MUSICAL
High school students will be performing “Les Miserables” Thursday and Friday, April 22-23 in the WBHS Auditorium. This is shaping up to be a sellout performance on both nights, so order your tickets now by emailing Karen Brody at brody@westbloomfield.k12.mi.us. Senior Citizens with Gold Cards will be admitted free of charge.
NEGOTIATIONS
We continue to negotiate with our teachers and administrators. At this time, it is important that you understand that while some districts around us are soliciting concessions in an attempt to protect their fund equity, West Bloomfield School District does not have that luxury. We must continue to cut, cut, cut in addition to asking for concessions from all bargaining units to help us through this crisis. Without drastic cuts, we will never get out of deficit. We will continue to negotiate in ways that allow us to preserve as many of the quality opportunities and experiences as possible that both our staff and our students enjoy. We continue to look at ways to generate revenue and consolidate services with other districts and within our own system. We will continue this collaborative effort and will inform you as decisions are reached.
Happy Holidays to all who are celebrating at this time of year.
Have a wonderful and safe Spring Break!
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