We had a fabulous opening of the school year on many fronts. Students were eagerly working hard on the first day of classes and the teachers and staff were excited and engaged from the minute they entered t he classroom. Some students even received homework assignments the first day!
Weather has not been our friend this week, as we were subject to rain, and power outages. Some things are out of our control, but thanks to a dedicated staff we weather our storms and respond professionally, with our students’ safety as the first priority. Adjusting to our new 4 tier bus system, students coming to new locations, and buses not arriving on time for pickups all contributed to Wednesday’s delays. Thursday’s timings were reduced as we shaved approximately 15 minutes from the first day of bussing, and that time will continue to get closer to our arrival expectations in the next few days and we do appreciate your patience.
We are transitioning our website to make it more user friendly, and we are still working out issues as information is migrated, so please bear with us. All teachers’ websites have been stored and they are receiving training next week through Oakland Schools’ staff so they can communicate with you. The intention is to have a site that is much easier to navigate and we have been getting many positive responses so far as well as feedback on areas where we can improve.
OPENING DAY
We had the pleasure of nine of our students from Abbott, OLMS and WBHS to welcome back our staff and PTO leadership on Opening Day for staff. They touched our hearts through word and song with a beautiful rendition of “You Have Made a Difference”, directed to all of our staff. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as they walked off the stage and through the audience receiving ‘high fives’ and hugs from those in the seats. Thanks to John Deierlein for coordinating and directing this beautiful reception and capping off our opening day!
DMC
With the closing of our District Media Center, we are now limited on what we are able to offer in terms of television coverage. We are still able to get messages and alerts out so you may tune in to Channel 19 for our message board. I encourage you to refer to your most recent edition of the Laker for more information.
THE LAKER
This is another reminder that our Back to School issue of the Laker which was delivered in your mailbox last week insideof your Beacon newspaper, is available at all school buildings if you did not receive it. The center section of the Laker is your 4 page Back to School Supplement that you should save throughout the year to refer to for all contact information, calendar, department contacts, Board of Education meeting dates, and important information on our new Electronic Grading System and Emergency Notification System. This issue is also online for those who wish to view it electronically. Go to our home page at http://www.wbsd.org/ and click on NEWS at the top tab and it will drop down to Laker Online.
REMEMBERING 9/11
This Sunday, we remind you to help remember the attack on our nation on September 11, 2001, by attending the ceremony at our West Bloomfield Fire Station #5 on Maple Road east of Orchard Lake Rd.
At 2:00 Sunday afternoon, the West Bloomfield Fire Department will hold a Remembrance Ceremony, with a presentation of a section of steel that was part of the World Trade Center and that has been entrusted to our Fire Department. Please plan on attending this special event to help honor all who those who lost their lives as well as those who helped save lives on that day of tragedy.
Family Fun Night – Save the Date! SEPTEMBER 23, 2011
Save this date on your calendar! 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.
This will 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.
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!
Mark your calendars now and plan on joining us on Friday, September 23 1at 5:00 at West Bloomfield High School!
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL on September 29 and 30 due to the Rosh Hashanah holiday.
Thank you again for your patience and have a great weekend!
