Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Talk Sup't. September 28, 2011

COMPUTERS DOWN

Our computers will be unavailable all day on Thursday as we perform maintenance and upgrades. There will be NO ACCESS to our website or email during this time. We anticipate that they will be up and running on Friday. It was determined that this would be the best opportunity for maintenance as school is not in session for these two days due to the Rosh Hashanah holiday. We apologize for this inconvenience.

TECHNOLOGY

In the past, elementary students and their parents have used Report Card Maker as the electronic report card system. Instead of being e-mailed reports from Edline, parents will be connecting to the Report Card Maker Portal this year to receive that information. Beginning the first week in October, parents can expect to receive a letter from their teachers asking for an updated email address so that their parent access to the portal can be created. Email addresses change frequently and we ask that you include one that will remain in place for the entire school year. Soon after the email addresses have been collected, passwords will be sent out to that address.

GRANTS

I would like to remind you that the West Bloomfield Education Foundation (WBEF) is offering twenty $500 grants for West Bloomfield teachers to apply for individually or as a team. The focus areas for this grant opportunity are: books, arts, and technology. Completed applications are due to the Community Education office (ACS) before 3 pm on Friday, October 7, 2011.

W-A-Y Program (Widening Advancements for Youth)

W-A-Y Program is a personalized learning experience for students who struggle with traditional high school. W-A-Y offers an alternative approach to education; one that encourages self-esteem, independence, and the development of 21^st century skills that will facilitate a college education and subsequent career paths.

According to Oakland Schools, as of today 20 out of 28 school districts, including West Bloomfield have entered into an inter-governmental agreement with Oakland Schools to provide this research-based program.

Each student is equipped with an iMac workstation and internet connectivity within his or her home. W-A-Y teachers assess and align all projects according to state content standards, ensuring that each student completes the program with a high school diploma. They are invested in the success of each student, providing support 24/7, all year round, allowing students to excel at their own pace. The W-A-Y Program has a 93% retention rate.

STAFF

While at the Family Fun event and around the community this weekend, I heard overwhelmingly positive comments about the district, the staff, and the wonderful opening of school that parents and students experienced. At all of the open houses I heard nothing but high praise for this staff. At the high school open house, I spoke with several parents that had planned to send their students to private school, but had changed their minds and were very pleased that they stayed with us. This is evident in our high school enrollment this year.

I would also like to thank the secretaries working on the front lines in our offices welcoming our students, families, and community members and handling their issues. Customer satisfaction is at an all-time high.

FunD Run to Eliminate Bullying

Students at Scotch Elementary School are lacing up their sneakers to eliminate bullying and pay for leading-edge classroom technology today.

Students will run outside throughout the day in the annual FunD Run. Each student will try to raise $65, and if the school reaches its' $40,000 goal, Principal Jim Scrivo has promised to shave his head! After a few dips in the Dunk Tank last Friday night at Fun Night, Jim along with several other principals and teachers show that they have a good nature when it comes to their kids and supporting our schools.

SECOND GRADERS IN KELLY LEKAS’ CLASS FROM SCOTCH VISIT APPLE ISLAND

This week and last week second graders have been visiting Apple Island, which sits in the middle of Orchard Lake. This has been a tradition for several years that allows our students to travel by pontoon boat to explore the Island owned by the school district. Apple Island was formed 10,000-12,000 years ago as the area's last Ice Age glacier receded, and is inique in that most inland lakes the size of Orchard Lake do not have islands this large. Students also visited the Orchard Lake Museum, learning more about the island as well as seeing artifacts. To see Kelly Lekas’ class of second graders from Scotch Elementary on their adventure, click on

http://westbloomfield.patch.com/articles/viewfinder-second-graders-visit-apple-island

NEXT WEDNESDAY IS COUNT DAY

A reminder that next Wednesday, October 5, is Count Day, so it is very important that all students attend class that day.

SUMMER READING CONTEST

Monday night at our board meeting, we recognized 47 top readers from all levels in the district for their participation in the 2011 West Bloomfield Township Public Library Summer Reading Program.

Over 2368 children from West Bloomfield Township participated in the program which encourages kids to read in the summer to promote reading as a habit, maintain their reading skills, and to continue visiting our award winning library. In the West Bloomfield School District, 998 students read books and logged their hours for the ten week program.

Clara Bohrer, Director of the West Bloomfield Township Public Library and Jill Bickford, Coordinator of Youth Services, presented the top five readers from each school with a medal from our library, which is recognized as one of the Top 100 Libraries in the United States. Congratulations to ALL of our readers – you all are WINNERS!

West Bloomfield High School Choir
Last night the Laker Express performed two songs and their rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at the annual Installation Dinner for the Optimist Club of West Bloomfield.

The West Bloomfield HIgh School choir has been holding fundraisers to help pay for the choir's trip to a jazz competition and workshop in California in February.
If anyone is planning to host a holiday party or corporate event that our choir kids could sing for, please let Sheryl Hauk know and she will try to accommodate. As of this date, the choir has booked the kids to perform at English Gardens in November during the grand opening of their Christmas Wonderland event, and at Birmingham Community House for the Our Town Art Event. If you haven’t heard them perform, you have really missed something, as they are TOP DRAWER under Sheryl’s direction!

BOYS TENNIS – OAA Red Tournament

Senior Andrew Cahn beat Rochester Adams’ Kirstoff Saari Tuesday at the OAA Red Tournament capturing the No. 1 singles title!

CROSS COUNTRY: Erin Finn Races to Another Easy Win

Junior Erin Finn has done it again. After scoring a victory two weeks ago at Forest Akers Golf Course in East Lansing. Yesterday Erin amazed spectators with her endurance, as she clocked 17:14 for the five-kilometer course winning y nearly a half mile as she left the field to battle for second place in the OAA White Jamboree No.2 at Bloomer Park. You are awesome, Erin!

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OAKLAND AREA (LWVOA) CANDIDATES FORUM

Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 5, 7:00 pm in the Media Center at West Bloomfield High School, as the League of Women Voters Oakland Area host a candidates’ forum for the six candidates that are vying for two WBSD Board of Education seats. Please attend or plan to watch the live broadcast on Civic Center TV 15 so that you can make an informed choice at election time.

TRANSPORTATION

Kudos to our transportation staff for delivering our students home safely while continuing to strive to meet scheduled times as they work out glitches within the new four-tier bus system. Four-tiered busing came as a result of the cost-cutting measures aimed at putting funds back into the classrooms.

FIRE STATION EVENT OCTOBER 9

You can Learn how to protect Your Family from fire during Fire Prevention Week
at the West Bloomfield Fire Department OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, October 9^th from 12 pm - 3 pm at Fire Station #5, next to Ealy Elementary.

You can:

Practice calling 911 for emergencies, Crawl low under “smoke”
Learn Stop Drop and Roll as well as many other fire safety lessons
Dunk a fireman for charity! –Watch a helicopter land and look inside it!
Tour our newest fire station and even use a real fire hose!
Get an up close look and sit in one of our cool fire trucks!
WBFD Technical Rescue Team demonstrations
A fun time with lots of great photo opportunities for kids and families

There will be lots of hands on educational events for kids of all ages, so be sure to mark your calendar!

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OAKLAND AREA (LWVOA) CANDIDATES FORUM

FAMILY FUN NIGHT – WHAT A HIT!

I want to thank all of you who organized or attended the Family Fun Night on Friday. It really had that hometown feeling. All weekend long as I traveled about the community, people were talking about how much they enjoyed the evening. Thanks to all of you for a wonderful event, as comments were overwhelmingly positive. It felt inclusive and I cannot thank you enough for your commitment to making this event fun for all of our families.

The West Bloomfield School District paid tribute to our U.S. Military, Police and Fire Heroes, in honor of the tenth anniversary of 9/11. We hope you had the chance to attend the event, as it turned out even better than anticipated with FREE games and fun activities put on by each school in the district before our Friday night Football Game against Troy on September 23. Tailgates and Football, Police and Firefighters, Military and School Spirit all added up to a perfect evening, and even the weather was kind to us! The West Bloomfield Fire Department not only had all of its fire fighting and rescue equipment on display, but they brought the piece of steel from the World Trade Center that was donated by the New York Fire Department and brought a lot of attention from the crowd.

Vehicles were on display from Police and Fire Departments, and each school building had an activity, including Bounce Houses, Face Painting, Inflatable Football Toss, Dunk Tank, and a Rock Climbing Wall and other fun things for kids! The Army made Dog Tags for kids on the spot with their names embossed on them. The Air Force displayed a mini fighter jet that kids could get in and pretend to command. The Marines and Navy and all of our community organizations had tents with giveaways for all. Sgt. Tara Kane, West Bloomfield Police Dept., controlled Timmy the Talking Robotic Police Car for the entertainment of the little ones. The tribute Ceremony before the football game was very moving, as all branches of Military, our Police from all four communities and Firefighters emerged through a large inflated, camouflage tunnel provided by the U.S. Army, and then performed the honor guard ritual to honor our heroes.

The half-time show was bursting with excitement, as the West Bloomfield Marching Band performed flawlessly under the direction of Jeremy Figlewicz, Sally Unrath’s Laker Pom/Dance Team danced to a medley of American and military songs dressed in camouflage shirts, Sheryl Hauk’s Laker Express sang our National Anthem, and cheerleaders pelted the audience with free West Bloomfield School District spirit t-shirts with all schools names emblazoned across the front.

Detroit Lion Quarterback Matt Stafford attended our Football Game vs. Troy. Although he tried to keep a low profile, a photo op with him capped off a perfect evening for seven students who coaxed him into posing with them.

Our school PTO’s, Chairs Julie Beaty and Nancy Cooper, and Athletic Director Pat Watson are to be commended for orchestrating such a perfect evening, which we plan to be an annual affair. It was a huge undertaking and thanks to all of you, comments were overwhelmingly positive. It felt inclusive and I cannot credit you enough for your commitment to making this fun for all of our families.

"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it."

- Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, Chicken Soup for the Soul

Happy New Year to those celebrating ROSH HASHANAH this week!

In closing, I want you to know that I appreciate you and all that you do for our children and community.

Have a great week!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Talk Sup't. September 23, 2011

TALK SUP’T. September 23, 2011 Superintendent’s Weekly Blog

NEW CMT GRADING SYSTEM

This year the high school, OEC and both middle schools will be using the new CMT grading system. Letters were mailed yesterday that you will receive in your mailbox. These letters will provide Parents with User Names and Passwords. Students will receive their User Names and Passwords, next week in class, but are free to use the family codes to access their information. In addition, directions will be given on how to link to this system through our district website.

Unlike Edline, this link will take you directly to the Student EDP Parent Gateway, where you will be able to access much more information about your child including Transcript of Grades, Testing Scores, Schedule and Homework, Grades, Attendance, Previous Year Schedule, Graduation Requirements, and Personal Information.

Previously, it was necessary to activate your account, and this will not be the case with the new system. If you have more than one child at the middle school and/or high school, you will have the option to click on the select box in front of their name.

The first progress report is October 7. All teachers will have a full set of grades at that time.

Regarding elementary report cards and access to the Report Card Maker Portal, parents will be sent their usernames and passwords in the U.S. Mail on Wednesday, September 28^th. Once you have access to the portal, users will be able to view a calendar where teachers, principals and the district can post events, progress reports and report cards will be displayed, parents will receive messages from the teacher, files can be uploaded and printed at home, teachers can poll their parents, and there will be an electronic sign-up sheet if you can assist during a class activity.

Thank you again for all your patience.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ERIN FINN!

CROSS COUNTRY: Finn Captures Spartan Invitational Title

Our own phenomenal runner, Junior Erin Finn, scored a victory, among a field of some of the top female cross country runners in the state Friday at Forest Akers Golf Course in East Lansing.

West Bloomfield’s Finn continued her amazing season by winning the Elite Division race in a course-scorching 17:16 for the five-kilometer layout, putting herself among the fastest high school runners who’ve ever competed at the meet.

Only Hannah Meier of Grosse Pointe South, a nationally-ranked miler last track season, dared to keep up with Finn and she paid the price.

Meier started losing contact with Finn in the third mile after a 5:19 opening mile pace. “It was getting pretty tough because the first mile was so fast.”

Erin, you just keep making us proud!!

IT’S MAGIC!

Students from Oakland Early College were treated to a surprise yesterday when they were invited by Oakland Community College President Jackie Shadko, to join her in another building where they were introduced to basketball legend MAGIC JOHNSON! Magic was speaking on behalf of his MAGIC Workforce Solutions company at a Job Fair at OCC. The audience was made up of experienced professionals seeking work in the Automotive Industry as designers, engineers, programmers, and technicians. Head of School Jen Newman and 150 students were thrilled as they were treated to a photo op with Magic and they were very impressed with his interest in Michigan employment.

OEC Spanish and Leadership teacher Jill Rosenthal said, "It was nice how he singled out our (OEC) students, stating how he wants to make sure there are great jobs available for them in the state of Michigan once they graduate, so that they will stay in Michigan."

Alex Aleman (13th Grader at OEC) said, "I really liked that he took the time to talk to us and encourage us to keep pushing forward. I loved his theme of helping Michigan prosper by keeping great jobs in Michigan."
Jeff Neal, who was photographed individually with Magic said, "I've always looked up to MJ as an Idol. He proves that anything is possible."

EFFICIENCY FIRST!

WBHS Science teacher Josh Barclay and District Supervisor of Operations Bill Wold are in the news again, as the latest article in Green America Magazine talks about the students, the school’s environmental club EARTH (Environmentally Aware and Ready to Help), the district’s efforts to “go green” and reduce energy costs, and Barclay’s own endeavors at his home in White Lake.

To see that Josh practices at home what he preaches in school to our students, is just another reason that his reputation stands tall with our kids. Josh and his wife implemented all of the efficiency steps that Green America (magazine) had recommended in order to cut down on electricity costs. It was after all of those measures were taken that they installed a solar array to power their home, much like the one you see at the high school.

Josh collaborated with Bill Wold to have the students audit the school’s energy use. Bill was also interested in teaching the kids about energy efficiency as well as saving money for our district.

Much of the work that we have done over this summer such as putting in new windows, roofing, and light bulbs, and other retrofits have had positive financial effects, with Wold and Barclay reporting savings of around $100,000 on last year’s heating and electricity bills at the high school.

Last year, Josh and our students made two YouTube videos about energy efficiency: one showing how he and his wife Ledvina took the steps recommended by Green America’s “Efficiency First!” issue, and the other detailing their energy audit and the efficiency steps they made after it took place.

To read the article in its entirety on the internet, and also view the YouTube videos “How to Green Your Home and Save Green for Your Wallet” you can go to http://www.greenamerica.org/pubs/greenamerican/articles/SeptOct2011/why-Josh-Barclay-and-Green-America-say-Efficiency-First.cfm

Keep up the great work, Josh and Bill! You make us shine!

THANK YOU TO WHOLE FOODS MARKET

Congratulations to Heather Crewes, Spanish Teacher and tutor at WBHS for securing a grant for our lunch tutoring program. Also a big thank you to Whole Foods Market who has committed to a $500 donation to this program which provided dinner to our first PTO meeting this month and also snacks to students who come in for noon time tutoring.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT – TONIGHT! SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Tonight, the West Bloomfield School District will hold a Family Fun Night, saluting our U.S. Military, Police and Fire Heroes, in honor of the tenth anniversary of 9/11. We hope you’ll find time to attend this event, as it is intended to be a great evening with FREE games and fun activities put on by each school in the district before our Friday night Football Game against Troy on September 23. Tailgates and Football, Police and Firefighters, Military and School Spirit will all add up to an evening of enjoyment for everyone in the family beginning at 5:00 pm. The West Bloomfield Fire Department will share the piece of steel from the World Trade Center at this event as well.

Vehicles will be on display from Police and Fire Departments, and each school building will have an activity, including Bounce Houses, Face Painting, Inflatable Football Toss, Dunk Tank, and a Rock Climbing Wall with additional surprises and other fun things for kids! Concessions will be open, and there will be a special Tribute Ceremony before the football game to honor our heroes.

There will be a half-time show with giveaways, and all elementary and middle school students who wear their school spirit, will get into the game for free! If you have grandparents or parents who served in the military, police or fire departments, please invite them to join us for our opening ceremony on Friday night at 6:45 pm. Bring your military or official I.D. or Senior Gold cards and you may enter the stadium for free.

CAMP IN CAMP OUT

For families looking for activities after 7:00 pm, West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation will be holding their annual Camp In Camp Out at the beautiful new Marshbank Park on Friday 9/23 as well. After the activities at WBHS, you can make it an evening of celebrating our community as you roast hot dogs and marshmallows over an open fire, make crafts, listen to live music and storytelling and camp under the stars, spend the night and wake up to a scrumptious breakfast. Check out the details at

http://www.westbloomfieldparks.org/home/welcome.shtml

Mark your calendars now and plan on joining us tonight, Friday, September 23, at 5:00 at West Bloomfield High School!

REMINDER: NO SCHOOL on September 29 and 30 due to the Rosh Hashanah holiday.

LWVOA CANDIDATES FORUM

Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 5, 7:00 pm in the Media Center at West Bloomfield High School, as the League of Women Voters Oakland host a candidates’ forum for the six candidates that are vying for two WBSD Board of Education seats. Please attend or plan to watch the live broadcast on Civic Center TV 15 so that you can make an informed choice at election time.

Have a great weekend!

middle school sports

At both OLMS and Abbott, Athletic Director Pat Watson reports that Football, Girls Basketball and Coed Cross Country are all off to a great start!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Talk Sup't. 9/16/2011

TALK SUP’T. September 9, 2011 Superintendent’s Weekly Blog

PARENT COMMUNICATION NETWORK (pcn)

We had a great initial PCN meeting at West Bloomfield High School on Thursday. From listening to the PTO leaders and presidents, it seems all buildings are working to create a positive atmosphere as the feedback they are getting is both positive and constructive. We invite all to join us in our future PCN meetings, so please make a note of these dates and become a part of what is happening in your child’s school.
PCN MEETINGS

Oct 20	DOHERTY	7:00 PM
Nov 17	SCOTCH	10:00 AM
Jan 19	ABBOTT	7:00 PM
Feb 16	GRETCHKO	10:00 AM
Mar 15	EALY	7:00 PM
Apr 19	OLMS	10:00 AM
May 17	SHEIKO	10:00 AM

Our first Late Start went smoothly, and we anticipate that all will continue to go as well. The next Late Start will be on 9/21, and I also remind you that there is no school on the 9/29 and 9/30 Rosh Hashanah holidays.

LWVOA CANDIDATES FORUM

Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 5, 7:00 pm in the Media Center at West Bloomfield High School, as the League of Women Voters Oakland host a candidates’ forum for the six candidates that are vying for two WBSD Board of Education seats. Please attend or plan to watch the live broadcast on Civic Center TV 15 so that you can make an informed choice at election time.

WEBSITE

Our website is evolving each day and again we appreciate your comments and suggestions as you, the users, have made a difference in helping us to make it easier to navigate. Next week, teacher training will be held on 9/23 for teachers to transition their websites with a new program (to our district) called MOODLE, through Oakland Schools. Files can be released and they will begin to communicate with you again. Our goal by the end of the month is that teachers will be back online. Thank you again for all your patience.

TRANSPORTATION

We continue to shave time off of our arrival times. Again, your suggestions have been helpful and Lynne Robertson and our Transportation team appreciate them very much! We also thank the West Bloomfield Police Department for assisting us in the last few days with some of our traffic issues that have taken place around our schools.

Family Fun Night – Save the Date! SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Next Friday, the West Bloomfield School District will hold a Family Fun Night, saluting our U.S. Military, Police and Fire Heroes, in honor of the tenth anniversary of 9/11. We hope you’ll find time to attend this event, as it is intended to be a great evening with FREE games and fun activities put on by each school in the district before our Friday night Football Game against Troy on September 23. Tailgates and Football, Police and Firefighters, Military and School Spirit will all add up to an evening of enjoyment for everyone in the family beginning at 5:00 pm. The West Bloomfield Fire Department will share the piece of steel from the World Trade Center at this event as well.

There will be a half-time show with giveaways, and all elementary and middle school students who wear their school spirit, will get into the game for free! If you have grandparents or parents who served in the military, police or fire departments, pelase invite them to join us for our opening ceremony on Friday nighta at 6:45 pm. Bring your military or official I.D> or Senior Gold cards and you may enter the stadium for free.