TONIGHT and TOMORROW! FIDDLER ON THE ROOF!
WBHS Drama teacher Micah Greene and his students presented their spring musical, Fiddler on the Roof last night and will perform again tonight and tomorrow. I attended last night and it was “over the top”! Great voices, acting was outstanding for an opening night. The story is set in Tsarist Russia in 1905 and is based on Tevye, the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his family and religious traditions while outside influences encroach upon their lives. He must cope with both the strong-willed actions of his three eldest daughters (each one’s choice of husband moves further away from the customs of her faith) and with the edict of the Tsar that evicts the Jewish population from their village. It’s a wonderful story that everyone should know about, and Micah and his young actors do a fabulous job of portraying the lives of these characters. Performances will take place on tonight, Friday, April 29, at 8 pm, and Saturday, April 30, at 8 pm and tickets are available at the box office. The staff, students, parents and volunteers are to be commended for bringing such quality a performance to our community. Don’t miss it!
STRATEGIC VISIONING/BUDGET PRIORITIZATION
Thank you to the parents, students, and community members that are working diligently on our Strategic Visioning/ Budget Prioritization process.
Many of the committees have met several times now, with more meetings scheduled. From the reports that I am receiving from the Co-Chairs, there are many sound and creative ideas that we are getting from dedicated members who are striving to help us. They are brainstorming, exchanging ideas, and helping to prepare for the serious work that lies ahead. This information will guide us into arriving at methods to generate revenue and cost containment while preserving our educational excellence. On May 16, all committees will report out and we will share in the long term vision of what we need for our school district. Meeting dates are updated on our website constantly, so check there for your individual information. Here are the dates for the committee meetings that we have at this time:BUILDING & ENROLLMENT PLANNING
MEETING DATE: 4/20 7:30 PM WBHS ROOM 210
MEETING DATE: 5/4 4:15 PM SCOTCH MEDIA CENTER
HUMAN RESOURCES
MEETING DATES: 5/3 7:00 PM WBHS DISTANCE LEARNING LAB
5/10 7:00 PM WBHS DISTANCE LEARNING LAB
OPERATIONS
MEETING DATES: 4/28 7:00 PM ACS
5/10 at 7 at ACS
BUS TRANSPORTATION
MEETING DATES: 4/27 7:00 PM OLMS
REVENUE ENHANCEMENT, COMMUNICATION & COMMUNITY EDUCATION
MEETING DATES: 4/20 6:00 PM WBHS MEDIA CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM
4/28 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY
5/4 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM WBHS MEDIA CENTER CONF RM
5/12 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM WB PUBLIC LIBRARY
CURRICULA/ INSTRUCTIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
MEETING DATES: 4/20 7:00 PM WBHS DISTANCE LEARNING LAB
5/2 10:00 AM WBHS ATTENDANCE OFFICE
ATHLETICS & CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
MEETING DATES: 4/21 9:00 AM WBHS ATHLETIC OFFICE
5/ 2 9:00 AM WBHS ATHLETIC OFFICE
CURRICULA/ INSTRUCTIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
MEETING DATES: 4/28 7:00 PM OLMS
CURRICULA/ INSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTARY/PRESCHOOL
MEETING DATES: 4/27 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM GREEN
5/11 6:30 PM DOHERTY
Congratulations!
ART
Congratulations to Molly Marshall’s art students who have their artwork on display at Oakland University (Pawley Hall Foyer) as a part of the 2011 Congressional Art Competition.
Amy Ferguson
David Kakos
Mary Jewel Brown
Tyler Ekizian
Brendan Harmon
Zachary Plantus
Karin Hostettler
Honorable Mention went to:
Zachary Plantus
Mary Jewel Brown
OLMS ART
Three Orchard Lake Middle School students, 7th graders Dunia Zawideh, Melissa Palmer, and 6th grader Dana Korogodsky, made their way through a long and highly anticipated process to be included in the Michigan Art Education Association’s State Elementary and Middle School Exhibition. It began in February when the girls’ work was chosen for the MAEA’s Young @ Art Show for all of Oakland County, along with pieces from 8th grader Aoi Tanaka and 6th grader Diara Walker. After private judgings in Oakland County and Lansing,
Melissa Palmer and Dana Korogodsky were selected in the Top 100 Middle School pieces in the state.
Dunia Zawideh was selected among the Top 15 Middle School pieces in the state.
The Top 100 work will be shown at the Michigan Historical Museum and Library in Lansing, Michigan from June 5-11. The Top 15 work will be shown at the same location from June 5-17, 2011, and during the MAEA 2011 Fall Conference.
OLMS Art Students and Hiller’s Market Celebrate Earth Day
During the weeks before Earth Day (April 22, 2011), all OLMS art students discussed the issues of ecology, the 3Rs, and our responsibility as citizens to do our part for the environment. As a way to celebrate Earth Day, students collaborated with Hiller’s Market to pack their customer’s groceries in paper bags that had been decorated by OLMS art students. The project expanded upon the knowledge they had learned in their Social Studies and Science classes, while building their skills in the visual arts. Students created bags that were informational, educational, and celebratory.
OLMS Art Students Receive a Grant from Target and the DIA for a Field Trip
On April 27, 2011, forty five Creative Arts OLMS students and nine parent chaperones took a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), which was completely funded by a grant through Target and the DIA. As part of enrichment to the art program, students prepared for their trip by creating sketchbooks and researching the collections. While at the museum, students sketched things they saw and commented on the works of artists that span from 3000 B.C.E. to present day. Students stood in awe in the Rivera Courtyard as they drew scenes from Detroit Industry by Diego Rivera. The newest exhibit on display, “It’s a Zoo in Here!” drew reactions of amazement, humor, and admiration from the students. For the rest of the semester, students will use the works they saw as inspiration for their final projects in Creative Arts.
CHOIR
Congratulations to the Orchard Lake Middle School Viking Voices on their invitation to perform at the MSVMA Middle School State Choral Festival. Under the direction of Mrs. April Tini, the Viking Voices and their accompanist, Mrs. Marjorie Haber, will travel to Jackson on May 12, where they will perform for a panel of adjudicators and participate in an educational choral clinic.
We also congratulate April Tini who will celebrate her 10th year as choral director at OLMS with a Special Anniversary Concert on May 19, at 7 PM in the OLMS Cafeteria. The concert will feature musical tributes to current graduating 8th graders as well as OLMS choir alumni. Any students who sang in the OLMS choir program between 2001-2011 is encouraged to attend this fun and festive evening of music and celebration!!
ABBOTT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Lynn Brosnan and the Symphony Orchestra got straight (all 4 judges) First Division ratings Friday night at the MSBOA Band and Orchestra Festival. This is the equivalent of straight A's.
They gave a fantastic performance!
Abbott Strings Orchestra
Congratulations to the Abbott Middle School Strings Orchestra who received the following ratings at the MSBOA Solo & Ensemble recently:
1st Division Ratings:
8th Grade: Megan Ebejer – Violin Solo
Erica Slayton – Viola Solo
Megan Ebejer and Tatiana Habsburg – Violin Duet
Ben Horne and Erica Slayton – Viola Duet
Monaeja Golden and Darian Martin – Violin/Viola Duet
7th Grade: Jourdan Clements and Erin Suchara – Violin/Viola Duet
2nd Division Ratings
7th Grade: Victoria Gardner – Violin Solo
3rd Division Ratings
7th Grade: Nina Eichhorst and Supriya Gupta – Violin/Viola Duet
At the MSVMA State solo/ensemble, Laker Express not only received the score of 1s but was one of few select ensembles to be chosen as a Michigan Youth Arts Festival Finalist.
There are 6 finalists out of hundreds. This is the highest honor for a Michigan Ensemble. Michigan Youth Arts Festival is a comprehensive arts spectacular, culminating a nine-month search for the finest artistic talent in Michigan high schools. More than 250,000 students across the state are involved in the adjudication process that results in nearly 1,000 being invited to participate in the annual three-day event, held in May. We congratulate Laker Express and want you to know how very proud we are of them and our Vocal Music Director, Mrs. Sheryl Hauk. In addition, the following students aslo received 1s; Chris Brody, Rose Fillipp, Claire Jolliffe, Meghan Jolliffe Ciara Jones, and Jocelyn Kirsch.
MARCHING BAND
The West Bloomfield High School Drumline placed Tenth in the Nation in the Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. WGI is a visual performing arts organization that hosts regional and national competitions for color guard (known as winter guard) and indoor percussion ensembles.
I love what the reviews stated about the band’s rendition titled “All Wound Up”: “ The polyrhythms provided a hypnotic effect. Their musical and visual skills were of such considerable quality there was no need for a story – just a feast for the eyes and the ears. Congratulations to Art Ebert and the entire band!
Michigan Industrial & Technology Education Society (MITES) COMPETITION
On Wednesday, eight West Bloomfield Engineering Drawing students competed in the Oakland County MITES (Michigan Industrial & Technology Education Society) regional competition. Of some 4,000 drawings entered, five students will be moving on to the 83rd Annual State Competition in Lansing on May 4-7th.
Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding work and a job well done.
Joshua Oliver 12th grade- 1st place for his Support Bracket in the Mechanical Drawing (Manual)
Christopher Parkhurst 12th grade- 3rd place for his Vice Block in the Mechanical CAD Detail and Working Drawing (CAD)
Zachary Plantus- 10th grade- 1st place for his Contemporary Vacation Home in the Architectural Presentation Drawing (Manual)
Jackie Pyles 12th grade - 1st place for her Log Cabin in the Architectural Presentation Rendering Drawing (CAD)
Derek Smith 12th grade - 3rd place for his Cass Lake Vacation Home in the Architectural Working Drawing!
Also, I would like to give special recognition to the following students whose work was among the many great presentation and working drawings that were presented Wednesday night.
Cameron Enright -11th grade
Cameron Enright -11th grade
Jalen Spellmen - 10th grade
Daniel Roose - 10th grade
Congratulations! These students are definitely on their way to becoming great engineers and architects!
ATHLETICS
National signing day will be held at WBHS on May 5, 2011 in the Media Center. Congratulations to the following athletes who have committed to these universities:
Phil Washington-University Of Michigan - Track
Taylor Gunn- University of Texas at El Paso - Track
Phil Brown- University of Chicago - Football
Derrick Mason-Findlay University - Football
Leonard Sanford- Urbana University – Football
Tricia Grant – Oakland University - Diving
Yasha Moore- Wayne State University - Tennis
Morgan Taylor-Southern University - Tennis
SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS
Yesterday I attended the Twelfth Annual Diversity Champion Honor Roll Breakfast sponsored by the Race Relations & Diversity Task Force. The goal of this organization 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. Our own Kathy Sheiko, Principal at Green Elementary was honored along with 31 other Diversity Champions for her work and dedication towards welcoming diversity and maintaining an open community which will not tolerate racism or prejudice. All of Kathy’s good deeds and support through her school-wide themes, Kaleidoscope of Culture, and E Pluribus Unum to name two, were both programs that developed respect. Kathy was an original administrator of United We Walk, our West Bloomfield diversity initiative. Congratulations, Kathy!
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH (STEM) GRANT
Congratulations to Stephanie Dulmage, another teacher who has written a grant to enhance and enrich the educational opportunities for her children. Stephanie has been awarded a $14,000 Square One Innovation Grant. This grant was given for Stephanie’s three year First Grade Engaged project, designed to empower learners in a developmentally appropriate atmosphere that challenges and excites them as learners, and fosters their creativity and critical thinking. Gretchko students will study force, motion, energy, weather and design, how these are integrated in windmills and solar technologies and the impact this has on our environment and lives. The grant has enabled the purchase of Netbooks, iPod Touches, Routers and Kid Wind Kits, Color Changing beads and science materials for solar ovens.
West Bloomfield Township Public Library WelcomeD Japanese Dignitaries
On Wednesday, our library and partner under the direction of Clara Bohrer, welcomed Mayor Yasuhiro Kado and other representatives from Awaji City, Japan to West Bloomfield. The Awaji City Higashiura Public Library has been our sister library since 1999. Mayor Kado and eight other community members visited West Bloomfield to congratulate the Library on being named a recipient of the
National Medal for Museum and Library Services.
The library held a lovely reception and tribute in honor of the visiting dignitaries attended by our local township officials and many community members. Our Japanese Club led by teacher Joe Nagashima-Trombley from West Bloomfield High School welcomed them in their native language. Afterwards, the group enjoyed a tour of Green School and the hospitality of Kathy Sheiko and many of her Japanese parents who escorted them through their halls and classrooms.
NEGOTIATIONS
The Administration and Union have set a tentative date of May 10 to return to the bargaining table.
LEGISLATION – GOVERNOR SNYDER’S Education Reform Proposal
In a speech on Wednesday in Detroit, Governor Rick Snyder called for some big changes to our state's education system. He wants to allow unlimited charter schools in failing districts, get ineffective teachers out of classrooms and let more students attend schools of choice. He also wants to set up a new office to streamline early childhood education funding and set new rules for teacher layoffs. Governor Snyder’s education reform address comes at a time when school districts all over, like ours, are struggling to survive.
There are two proposals, from the house and the senate each different from the other and that have their own version of school aid for next year. Both proposals are using school aid funds for community college and higher education. Until such time that a school aid bill is adopted, we continue to use the governor’s proposal which consists of a $470 per pupil reduction for next year.
I continue to encourage you to contact your legislators in Lansing to advocate NOT raiding the school aid fund so we can avoid some of the drastic cuts that lie ahead for the WBSD. As mentioned in previous communications, this cut would mean $3.2 million fewer dollars coming in to our district.
PLEASE contact your legislators TODAY!
Senator Mike Kowall
517-373-1758 Phone 517-373-0938 Fax
Post Office Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
State Representative Lisa Brown
517-373-1799 Phone 517-373-8361 Fax
Representative Gail Haines
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
517-373-0615 Phone 517-373-7512 Fax
Representative Chuck Moss
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
517-373-8670 Phone
Have a great weekend!!
