WBSD SETTLES WITH WBEA
The long awaited contract agreement between the district and the WBEA has been settled. I want to thank the WBEA for recognizing this dilemma that we have been placed in and for being willing to work with us. As a result of this agreement, we should be looking at an estimated savings of between $5 and $6 million over a 2 year period.
Now, we look forward to the process of working towards healing our schools and our community. As I go through our buildings I witness the teachers who are still engaging students in meaningful learning, and the relationships are as solid as ever. One teacher who acknowledged that while she was disappointed with the results of the settlement, said “for me, it is still about my kids”. I applaud the teacher’s attitude and I hope we can all follow her lead. While this has been a long process, we knew that this day would come and now we must collaborate to move this district forward.
It is my deepest desire that we can all join the cadre who have embraced the words of Ghandi, who said “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
I am witnessing this already as I am traveling across the district today.
COMEDY EVENT!
It’s finally here! Tonight, June 9, the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation will hold Joe Nipote’s Comedy Slam! at the WBHS Auditorium. Five nationally known comedians will deliver their funniest stuff so you don’t want to miss it!
Tickets can still be purchased online at www.showtix4u.com. They are just $25, or $35 at the door. WBEF VIP $100 tickets include a special VIP reception with dinner catered by the Red Coat Tavern, preferred seating and a special Meet and Greet the comedians after the show! Join us tonight and end the school year with some laughs!
Remember Education is No JOKE! but we can all have fun tonight!
GRADUATION
The class of 2011 Graduation Ceremony took place on Sunday at Compuware Arena in Plymouth. Our seniors were so impressive, and the speeches that were given were the most stirring and engaging that I have heard to date. Tom Shelton, Caroline Maye and Avery Hasenauer all gave the audience a heightened sense of appreciation for what their collective futures may hold in store for them. Avery’s speech emphasizing loving one another was so outstanding and powerful that I know it will resonate for many years with those who attended.
The Laker Express rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, and the musical selection of End of the Road
HONORS CONVOCATION
West Bloomfield Seniors Were Honored for Achievements
The Honors Convocation was held last week, and recognizes students for scholastic achievement, athletics and organizational awards. Many parents attended this special ceremony on June 1, and it is a very impressive event. Among those awarded were National Merit Finalist Beatrice Marie Brenner, along with those commendedThe 2010-11 class earned $2.9 million in scholarships from various colleges and universities around the United States.
WEST BLOOMFIELD HIGH SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
This is a reminder that as you drive down Orchard Lake Road, you’ll notice today that the fences are gone from the tennis courts. They are being demolished to pave the way for new courts that are expected to be much more durable. The tennis courts were in such disrepair that they were becoming dangerous.
This construction is being paid for with AARA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) money from the sale of bonds three years ago.
It may seem odd that we are doing construction at a time when we are asking for concessions from our employees; however, keep in mind that bond dollars cannot be used for wages or salaries. This money must be spent on our buildings.
can to do things to enhance our community.
STRATEGIC VISIONING/BUDGET PRIORITIZATION
I would like to again thank the Strategic Visioning Budget Prioritization committee members who worked so hard to bring their ideas, research and recommendations to our Board of Education on Monday night. The Board was updated on the recommendations from those committees. Some we will move forward on and some may take additional time for long term savings. You can view this workshop on channel 19 WBTV.
WEST BLOOMFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND COMBO
The Orchard Lake Middle School (Jeremy Figlewicz) and Abbott Middle School (Arthur Ebert) Symphony Bands combined to form one ensemble and competed in a Music in the Parks Festival in Clyde Ohio on Saturday, May 28th 2011 and came in First Place out of all middle school and high school concert bands, jazz bands and orchestras with a score of 95.75! In addition to the pride that the students felt by putting on a great performance the students from both schools left with a sense of unity, friendship and respect between the two schools. Thank you Jeremy and Art, for the ways you make us all shine!
GREEN SCHOOL ROCKS FOR DETROIT FINALE!
Green Elementary has concluded their school wide theme this spring: Detroit – Downtown and Around Town with their grand finale Classic and Muscle Car Show and a Thanksgiving Parade complete with some very creative floats made by the students, celebrating afterwards with Vernors floats. The floats were unbelievable, each classroom creating one from a different theme, including Motown with Diana Ross and the Supremes and a boombox playing their music, Mexican Village, a Chevrolet plant, a Ford plant, Ford Field, Detroit Tigers and of course, Greektown with Kathy Sheiko on the front of it. This has been a huge civic, historical and fun experience for the students, that I know they won't forget.
OLMS HONORS ASSEMBLY
An honors assembly was held last night at Orchard Lake Middle School to honor 166 graduating eighth-grade students for excellence in academics and extracurricular activities.
Brooke Bain, 14, and and Maxim Vinogradov, 13, won awards for Viking of the Year, as selected by staff, and will give speeches at the OLMS promotion ceremony next week. Bain also won awards for math, science, history, English/language arts, theater and the choir group Viking Voices, while Vinogradov also won awards for math, science, history, English/language arts and theater. Brooke Bain described it as "a place to learn more than just what's in class." Maxim Vinogradov said "it's a place where everyone could be your friend." http://westbloomfield.patch.com/articles/viewfinder-orchard-lake-middle-school-students-honored#photo-6487616
Both Principal Sonya James and I are so proud of these students who are preparing for studies at West Bloomfield High School. 166 students were recognized and those who maintained a 4.0 grade-point average for their three years at OLMS and honored with outstanding academic achievement awards are:
- Brooke Bain
- Michael Bologna
- Nicole Dean
- Emma Huez
- Ellery Isenstein
- Nicole Ishbia
- Jarrell Ku
- Katy Lau
- Jianella Macalino
- Arhum Mahmood
- Rio Mizuno
- Jasmine Morigney
- Varchas Raman
- Shriya Suresh
- Allyson Todd
2011 YOUTH RECOGNITION AWARDS
The 15th Annual Youth Recognition Awards were presented by the West Bloomfield Youth Assistance on April 27th in the WBHS media center. The purpose of annual Youth Recognition is to recognize and honor area youth who have been nominated for their volunteer services or personal achievements. The youth selected for this honor have demonstrated an active commitment to making their community a better place to live or improving themselves through personal achievement. This is an opportunity to recognize, encourage, and thank both the youth volunteers and their parents.
46 area youths, ranging from elementary to high school age, were honored this year. These special 2011 honorees are:
Nishant | Alluri |
Spandana | Alluri |
Mariah | Bobo |
Amaris | Bradley |
Sara | Brett |
Hailey | Brown |
Brandon | Crawford |
Jocelyn | Deutch |
Brandon | Ehrlichman |
Mallory | Einstandig |
Tyler | Ekizian |
Nicole | Fink |
Nikki | Fleischman |
Brooke | George |
Michelle | Gooel |
Gisele | Hairston |
Brooke | Hammons |
Taryn | Harrison |
Natalie | Herman |
Kiara | Hickey |
Ryan | Horwitz |
Madeleine | Hughes |
Mercedes | Hunter |
Ryan | Ishbia |
Alicia | Jones-Fields |
Peter | Kamash |
Britney | Karcho |
Ashley | Lynch |
Jasmine | Madoun |
Neil | Mankuzhy |
Hannah | Martin |
Edward | Minneweather |
McKenna | Murphy |
Angela | Ng |
Alejandra | Olmos |
Raina | Pintamo |
Trevor | Putnam |
Alex | Risius |
Kevin | Rothstein |
Richard | Selimas |
Nicole | Shammami |
Katelyn | Sheena |
Mara | Soverinsky |
Ali | Vandenbossche |
Rachel | Wasserman |
Alexa | Wujczyk |
ATHLETICS
Middle School Track
Congratulations to the combined Abbott and Orchard Lake Middle School Track Team is the Oakland County Champion!
WBHS Track & Field
What a thrilling weekend it was for Taylor Gunn, our Lakers track and field star who won the State Discus Championship on Saturday, just before walking at Commencement on Sunday. Congratulations, Taylor!
And even more congratulations go to ALL seven of our following TRACK & FIELD student athletes who made All-State!
And even more congratulations go to ALL seven of our following TRACK & FIELD student athletes who made All-State!
Phil Washington
Taylor Gunn
Jalen Campbell
Jeff Arirguzo
C.J. Brathwaite
Lou Daranda
Erin Finn
Girls Tennis Team
Kudos to our Girls Tennis Team who made Academic All-State, which requires a team accumulative grade point of 3.75 or higher.
Boys Golf
Two of our players qualified for regionals:
Michael Mitchell
Ari Siegel
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
House Bill 4152 - the bill to freeze step increases when a collective bargaining agreement expires was signed into law by the Governor this week.
The bill - sponsored by Rep. Knollenberg - is now Act No 54 of Public Acts of 2011.
The bill - sponsored by Rep. Knollenberg - is now Act No 54 of Public Acts of 2011.
It is my deepest desire that we can all join the cadre who have embraced the words of Ghandi, who said “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.
