WELCOME BACK!!
School began this week with our first full day of classes, and now we have completed our first full week of classes. I have visited every school and will have met with every teacher in the district shortly. I have been getting positive comments from the parents and the community, which has been such a welcome response. Thanks to everyone for a great beginning –
WALKING DISTANCES AND TRANSPORTATION
Our Traffic Engineer Consultant Mr. Robert DeCorte spoke to our PCN meeting yesterday regarding our new transportation efforts. Mr. DeCorte claims to have visited more schools than any other engineer in the WORLD, (true!) and he assured us that ALL schools have similar problems. Those problem issues are 1) Safety and 2) Congestion. To insure that those matters are dealt with appropriately, three areas are defined. Buses, walkers and vehicles (parents) are all confined to different areas, for the safety of everyone.
By law, we cannot have buses or vehicles lined up on the street, so all vehicles must be able to enter our parking lots and entry ways. We re-time our traffic signals to accommodate this need. If it is determined that these lights are not long enough to allow for all vehicles to enter the parking lot, they will adjust that timing once again.
Mr. DeCorte asked for our patience for another week to insure that we have time to amend and improve all of our processes during this transition period.
I also ask you to remind your child to wait at a safe location away from traffic and vehicles as you continue to help them navigate.
Again, I encourage all parents to review the Transportation page on our website, http://www.westbloomfield.k12.mi.us/Safeline.cfm?subpage=1055840 as well as the Transportation Handbook with your children. You can access The Transportation Handbook by clicking on the link on the Transportation page.
As the host of our first PCN (Parent Communication Network) meeting, West Bloomfield High School Co-Principals Tom Shelton and Blake Prewitt spoke briefly about their new positions, new staff and also about many of their Points of Pride. Assistant Principals Mara Hoffert and Pat Watson are getting established and are working together to make this a great year for the students. Points of Pride include the fact that more students took Advanced Placement classes and exams than ever before in school history. Exciting new initiatives are in the works, including two new AP courses AP Statistics and AP English Language. Some AP classes have also opened to ninth and tenth graders. Since we are a top feeder to Michigan State University, the institution has requested that we hold a special “MSU Night at WBHS” in October. Their theme this year Is “World of Opportunity”, which showcases all of the unique programs that make ours a quintessential school . Why is WBHS special? The scope of opportunities include our senior intern programs Political Leadership, and Medical Mentorship, as well as the new Oakland Opportunity Academy at the Oakland Technical Center. Our new CAD teacher, Rosa Everitt has plans to expand opportunities also.
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Robert Martin gave a brief summary report on our accreditation from North Central Accreditation which rates our district against international standards. WBSD received highest commendations, noting that we achieved in 18 months what normally takes 5 years to prepare for. Perhaps the greatest measure of our success is the feedback from a professional team that acknowledges the efforts and great work of our teams, and the school district at large. Please go to our website to read the full report.
Our two new programs, the West Bloomfield Transition Center and the Oakland Opportunity Academy are underway. The West Bloomfield Transition Center is our post-secondary program that will provide school-based and community-based instruction to assist our adult special needs students in their transition to adult life within their own home district. OOA is replacing Laker Academy and is a program designed to provide Alternative Education through Oakland Schools Technical Center, Southwest Campus in Wixom. Learning is provided through several career clusters offering Computer Sciences which includes Business Management and Computer Hardware and Software Applications, Careers in the Health field including Nursing, EMT, Pharmacy Tech and Dental, and also in Culinary Arts/Hospitality focusing on Catering Services, Cooking Processes and Food & Beverage Preparation.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Robert Martin is looking for Parent and Community volunteers to act as AVID Tutors to work with small groups of students on Tuesdays and Thursdays under the direction of an experienced teacher.
Volunteers are needed for these times on Tuesdays and Thursdays:
Orchard Lake MS: 7:30-8:29 am
Abbott MS: 8:15-9:15am and/or 9:19-10:19am
West Bloomfield High School: 9:06-10:06 and/or 10:52-11:52 and/or 11:24 – 12:24
To Volunteer, Contact:
Barb Stapleton at stapleton@westbloomfield.k12.mi.us
or 248.865.6479
ELEMENTARIES AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Go to each of the individual schools’ websites to see the individual events that are already taking place in each building. There is much activity with lots of FundRuns, Open Houses, Ice Cream Socials and other special events geared to each school. Ealy and Scotch held “Popsicles with the Principal” as a getting acquainted event with Principals Rod MacNeal and James Scrivo. Gretchko will be holding a fundraiser in conjunction with Barnes & Noble in November, with proceeds going towards little books for their building. Open House will be held at the high school next Wednesday, September 22. In November, the PTO will be holding a “College Funding” evening with elementary and middle school parents invited. Green is having a Movie Night, Doherty will hold Diversity Day, and Roosevelt will be promoting Lodge Nights in Keego Harbor as their fundraiser. There are many events too numerous to list, but all of this activity is a sign that people are staying involved, sponsoring and supporting our schools.
“When a team outgrows individual performance and
learns team confidence, excellence becomes a reality.”
learns team confidence, excellence becomes a reality.”
- Joe Paterno
