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 28th. 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."
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!
