TALK SUP’T. October 21, 2011 Superintendent’s Weekly Blog
It has been a GREAT week with lots of energy, and good things happening in our schools including MEAP and ACT testing, a wonderful homecoming, PRISM concert, and fundraisers and fun stuff in our elementary buildings!
WBEF
Through the generosity of the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation, the Grant Committee recommended twenty seven $500 grants to twenty four teachers who applied. This money will be applied towards eBooks, web-interactive science laboratories, software and other textbooks. Thank you to all who contribute to our foundation and help keep our district operative.
DISTRICT WIDE OPEN HOUSE
Mark your calendars and SAVE THE DATE for November 15th, as we kick off our District Wide Open House: this year our theme is All Roads Lead to West Bloomfield High School!
WBHS will hold its Curriculum Fair showcasing the best of our district, and a sneak peek for parents of seventh and eighth grade students giving an overview of offerings and programs. Elementary and middle schools will be on site also, so parents of students entering kindergarten should attend as well. Each building will have a table with information for every level, so if you are a parent, plan to visit!
Elementary Parents
A letter went out this week notifying all elementary parents that your first progress report will be available on October 28th. Although some teachers will have sent their report out prior to that time, you can expect it to be there a week from now. Any parents who have not sent in an email address to their son or daughter's teacher should do so by Monday so that we can complete the activation of My Parent Portals, inside the Report Card Maker System.
FACTS ABOUT MICHIGAN’S NEW “CUT SCORES”
There has been much conversation lately regarding the new Cut Scores that I addressed briefly last week. I am including this week some FAQ’s as a follow up to continue this conversation and help clear up any myths that might be out there.
There has been much conversation lately regarding the new Cut Scores that I addressed briefly last week. I am including this week some FAQ’s as a follow up to continue this conversation and help clear up any myths that might be out there.
What are the MEAP and MME Tests?
Each year, public school students in grades 3-9 are required by the state of Michigan to take the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test. Students are tested in Mathematics, Reading, Writing, Science and Social Studies. Eleventh graders take the Michigan Merit Exam (MME). The MME assesses students in English Language Arts (reading and writing), Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. These tests assess students’ learning to ensure they are on track to be college and career ready.
Each year, public school students in grades 3-9 are required by the state of Michigan to take the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test. Students are tested in Mathematics, Reading, Writing, Science and Social Studies. Eleventh graders take the Michigan Merit Exam (MME). The MME assesses students in English Language Arts (reading and writing), Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. These tests assess students’ learning to ensure they are on track to be college and career ready.
What does “proficient” mean?
Students who meet or exceed standards on the MEAP and MME meet Michigan’s definition of proficient.
Students who meet or exceed standards on the MEAP and MME meet Michigan’s definition of proficient.
What does “college and career readiness” mean?
The term “college readiness” indicates a student is ready to succeed in first-semester, credit-bearing college courses. The term “career readiness” indicates a student is ready to succeed in introductory technical career training courses.
What are MEAP and MME “cut scores”?
Cut scores (or cutoff scores) separate test takers into various categories, such as advanced, proficient, partially proficient and not proficient. MEAP and MME cut scores and categories are determined by the Michigan Department of Education and approved by the Michigan State Board of Education.
The term “college readiness” indicates a student is ready to succeed in first-semester, credit-bearing college courses. The term “career readiness” indicates a student is ready to succeed in introductory technical career training courses.
What are MEAP and MME “cut scores”?
Cut scores (or cutoff scores) separate test takers into various categories, such as advanced, proficient, partially proficient and not proficient. MEAP and MME cut scores and categories are determined by the Michigan Department of Education and approved by the Michigan State Board of Education.
HOMECOMING
The Homecoming parade took place last Friday on Green Road starting ending at the high school. Families, band booster parents and marching band students were all tailgating prior to the game, and it turned out to be a great evening. It was an energetic and upbeat parade and our honoree was our own West Bloomfield Police Chief Michael Patton, who rode in a convertible, followed by the PomPon Squad, Cheerleaders, Color Guard, Marching Band, Japanese Club, Earth Club, WBHS African American Awareness Club and each high school level’s floats representing the cities of Hollywood, Las Vegas, New York and Detroit. Bring your little ones to cheer on the Marching Band and then cheer on our Lakers as we face Oak Park at 7:00 pm. The dance on Saturday takes place at 7 at West Bloomfield High School, and goes to 10 pm.
ON-SITE COLLEGE FAIR
Many colleges and universities consider November 1st the deadline for early consideration for admission. This year West Bloomfield High School helped beat that deadline with an On-Site College Admissions Fair.
On Wednesday while 9th graders were taking the state Social Studies MEAP, 10th graders were taking the ACT Plan test and 11th graders were doing a Princeton Review Practice ACT, seniors had the opportunity to meet with admissions counselors from seven universities, including Bowling Green State University, Grand Valley State University, Kettering University, University of Michigan-Flint, Oakland Community College, Eastern Michigan University and Saginaw Valley State University.
Additionally, West Bloomfield High School seniors had the choice of taking an aptitude test offered by the Armed Services, or attending informational meetings on scholarship opportunities and getting ready for college.
Over 100 students registered, and many were immediately accepted upon review of their materials. Afterwards, college reps discussed scholarship opportunities. Several students walked away with thousands of dollars in scholarships, based upon merit.
The fair was so successful they have already planned next year’s for October 17, 2012. There will be more universities represented as several have committed and asked to be invited.
Students from West Bloomfield High School apply to colleges around the world, with the help of counselors and information from the career resource center, lead by staff member Mrs. Hanan Zawideh. Every student must attend a senior seminar with guidance for choosing a college, application rules and essay writing tips. Following the seminar, students may choose to register to meet with college representatives. Recent visits included admissions counselors from Dartmouth, Brown, Michigan State University, University of Michigan and University of Chicago.
Oakland Press ran a short video on our college fair (see link below). http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/10/20/news/local_news/doc4e9f6a5476ade838831325.txt
You can follow Counselor Lisa Graff on Twitter at Twitter.com, by going to counselorgraff. Lisa ‘tweets’ every day posting career and counseling events at West Bloomfield High School.
ATHLETICS
WBHS senior Chauncey Briggs committed to Southern Methodist University (SMU) according to assistant coach Reggie Wynns. “He’s just an athlete,” Wynns added. “He’s an athletic kid, 6-6, 330, kid can run. Just an athlete, very raw, but his potential is phenomenal. ”Besides SMU, Briggs was hearing from the likes of Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Missouri and Michigan State. Briggs is the 17th commit for SMU in the class of 2012, and the second from the state of Michigan, joining Prescott Line.
MUSIC
More students making us proud! The following students have been chosen for the 2011 Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) Regional Honors Choir; Alex Birkinsha, Evan Marymee, Joseph Trate, and Emma Trivax. Vocal Director Sheryl Hauk reports that she is very proud that 90% of our auditioned students were picked! Congratulations!
US Army All American Marching Band
Seniors Zachary Helm and Justin Bronstein were recently selected for participation in the US Army All American Marching Band. They will be representing West Bloomfield on a national stage at the All American Bowl in January. Seniors recently recognized by the National Merit Competition were: National Merit Semifinalist Rebecca Berenbon, National Achievements Semifinalists Calvin Boyd and Olivia Peace and Commended Scholars Justin Bronstein, Rachel Choi, Daniel Lin, Sweta Naik, Zara Pylvainen, Shubhum Sidhar and Jerrit Yang. We are very proud of all of these students and the way they are representing us!
MARCHING BAND West Bloomfield High School will host the 26th Annual West Bloomfield Marching Band Invitational on Saturday at 2 p.m.
16 high school marching bands will compete as West Bloomfield High School hosts the Michigan Competing Band Association event tomorrow. Hard work and dedication will be shown as the bands battle for the best scores. In 2008, the WBHS Marching Band became the 2008 MCBA State Champs.
PRISM
The PRISM concert that was held Tuesday night in our newly renovated auditorium was fabulous! The PRISM Concert is the most energetic of all concerts since all high school music groups perform at one time. Thank you to our staff, Jeremy Figlewicz, Sheryl Hauk, Chad Mielens, Linda Trotter and of course our talented students for the entertainment!
THEATRE
Please put this on your calendar now! WBHS Theatre Arts Program's 2011-2012 season is kicking off with the timelessly appealing, outrageously hilarious comedy Arsenic and Old Lace. The comedy by Joseph Kesselring will be performed Thursday, November 3rd at 7:30pm
Friday, November 4th at 7:30 pm and Saturday, November 5th with a matinee at 2pm and evening performance at 7:30pm. The Brewster sisters exist as the epitome of etiquette and charm. Though childless themselves, they've spent their lives doting on their beloved nephews, contributing to numerous charities, and endeavoring to offer a little comfort and peace to as many lost souls who come upon their doorstep as they possibly can. Of course, even the Brewster sisters have "their peculiarities." Don't miss your opportunity to catch the hilarious madness of the classic comedy tale.
Friday, November 4th at 7:30 pm and Saturday, November 5th with a matinee at 2pm and evening performance at 7:30pm. The Brewster sisters exist as the epitome of etiquette and charm. Though childless themselves, they've spent their lives doting on their beloved nephews, contributing to numerous charities, and endeavoring to offer a little comfort and peace to as many lost souls who come upon their doorstep as they possibly can. Of course, even the Brewster sisters have "their peculiarities." Don't miss your opportunity to catch the hilarious madness of the classic comedy tale.
For information about each production, reserved seating and ticket sales, they are available for most productions by contacting Karen Brody or by calling (248) 865-6720.
Seniors, don’t forget that you can use your Gold Cards to attend our performances at no cost. If you are 65 or older and are a resident of West Bloomfield, you can obtain a complementary Gold Card at any one of our school buildings in the office. I hope to see you in the Auditorium!
ALUMNI
Our graduates continue to shine! We previously featured an item in our Laker highlighting the important work of 1988 graduate and biologist Nathan Wolfe, who has been seen on CNN, Nightline and Good Morning America as well as Anderson Cooper’s Planet in Peril. We welcome him back to our community as he returns to West Bloomfield on November 6 to the Jewish Community Center to promote his new book, The Viral Storm, the Dawn of a New Pandemic Age. The award winning biologist tells the story of how viruses and human beings have evolved side by side through history. His forecast for the future promises to change the way we think about viruses, and perhaps remove a potential threat to the survival of the human race. I can see why through his missions to the jungles of Africa and the rain forests of Borneo, these groundbreaking trips have earned him the nickname “the Indiana Jones of Virus Hunters”.
Please know that I appreciate you and all that you do for our children and community.
Have a great weekend!
