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!
