LEGISLATION: Charter Cap Bill Passes Senate
The main bill in the nine-bill Senate Education package - SB 618 - was amended and passed by the Senate earlier today. The bill removes the cap on the number of charter schools (public school academies, urban high school academies and schools of excellence), permits authorizers to operate multiple site locations, and exempts locations of charters from property taxes. The vote on final passage was 20 to 18; Senators representing Oakland County voted as follows:
Supporting SB 618: Marleau, Pappageorge, RobertsonOpposing SB 618: Gregory, Kowall
Other Happenings today:
- Right to Teach legislation (SB 729) introduced in the Senate but it would only apply to schools where MEA is collective bargaining unit. The language refers to exclusive bargaining representatives that represent 50,000 or more personnel)- Governor indicates no replacement revenue guarantee on PPT elimination (Personal Property Tax).
GRANTS
The West Bloomfield Education Foundation (WBEF) offered twenty $500 grants for West Bloomfield teachers to apply for individually or as a team. I’m happy to report that teachers have submitted many applications pursuing your donations for enhancements to their classrooms, focusing on books, arts, and technology. The West Bloomfield Education Foundation (WBEF) is offering twenty $500 grants for West Bloomfield teachers to apply for individually or as a team. Thank you to the WBEF for making this possible and I also remind you that 100% of your donations goes back to programs and opportunities for our kids. FunD Runs
Thank you to all of the parents and staff who have contributed their time and resources to the school Fund Runs. These runs take place at each building and raise funds to pay for leading-edge classroom technology.CONGRATULATIONS!
Seniors Justin Bronstein and Zachary Helm have been selected as members of the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. The band represents the nation’s top high school senior marching musicians. Justin and Zach were nominated by their band director, and had to submit audition videos and applications. They will march in the halftime performance of the All American Bowl, at the Alamodome in Texas, on January 7, 2012.TENNIS CONGRATULATIONS!
Yesterday we won the BOYS’ TENNIS Regional Championship and qualified for states. Coach Stark was named Regional Coach of the Year. Congratulations
BOYS VARSITY SOCCER
Boys Varsity Soccer will play their game on Tuesday against Pontiac , and that winner will become OAA Blue Division League Champions. I wish you all the Best of Luck!
TECHNOLOGY
Each of our schools needs to update the records of their students/parents, so we are asking that parents contact the school to make that happen. This is very important so that we may stay in communication with you. If you are having difficulty with accessing your child’s information, please contact the Help Desk at 248-865-6443.
We will be sending out a form to all parents designating only if we may NOT photograph or videotape your child for educational, informational or publicity purposes. If you do NOT want your child photographed or taped, it is important that you fill out this form and return it to your child’s school office so that we may have it on file and refer to it when needed.
League of Women Voters Oakland Area (LWVOA) CANDIDATES FORUM
On Wednesday evening at West Bloomfield High School, the League of Women Voters Oakland Area hosted our candidates’ forum for the six candidates that are vying for two WBSD Board of Education seats. The candidates are Julie Beaty, Karen Faett, Carol Finkelstein, Nelson Hersh, CharRhonda Moye and John Reed. Nelson Hersh’s and Melanie Torbert’s terms will expire at the end of the year, and Ms. Torbert has elected not to run again. Carol Finkelstein was unable to attend due to an out of town work schedule, but provided opening and closing statements. This was very informative as candidates had the opportunity to answer questions that supported their candidacy, and gave those in the school district a chance to understand their perspectives. If you did not have the opportunity to attend or watch live on Wednesday, you can plan to watch the live broadcast on Xfinity Civic Center TV Channel 15 and 915, or on AT & T U-Verse on Channel 99, so that you can make an informed choice at election time.
The forums will be rebroadcast on October 21, 22, 23 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) at 8:00 am and 7:00 pm all three days; Monday, October 24 and Monday, October 31 at 8:30 pm. In addition, the forum is available on www.civiccentertv.com com for live stream and on-demand access to programs.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
At the West Bloomfield Township Board Meeting Monday night at 7:00 pm, I will address the board during Public Comment, to thank our Township, our Fire and Police Departments for helping us to give our community a fun evening to enjoy for all in our district. This event gave us the opportunity to honor our Police and Fire heroes as well as the military, and we couldn’t have done it without the full support of these heroes who pitched in to stage an educational display for the community. We will have a slideshow showcasing all of the great highlights of the evening’s events. HOMECOMING
Mark your calendar for next Friday as we prepare for Homecoming Weekend. These days are a flurry of excitement around the preparation that takes place to make it a spectacular parade, with float building, banners, band practices, football practice and of course, getting ready for the dance on Saturday evening. The parade will take place on Green Road starting at Prince of Peace church at the corner of Walnut Lake Road, and end at the high school. Bring your little ones to cheer on the Marching Band and then stay for the game at 7:00 pm, as we face tomorrow’s winner of the Oak Park vs. Lathrup game. The dance on Saturday takes place at 7, and goes to 10 pm. GREATER WEST BLOOMFIELD COMMUNITY COALITION
Teens Making Changes is looking for high school teens to plan fun programs for peers, promote a drug free lifestyle, and meet students from other school in order to earn community service hours. Be a voice for youth in the community. You can learn about Teens Making Choices at their meetings which take place at Marshbank Park on Sundays from 3:30 – 5:00 pm.Contact Lisa Kaplan, Coalition Youth Director at lkaplan@gwbcoalition.org or call 248-321-8476.
WEST BLOOMFIELD FIRE DEPT. OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY 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 9th 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, including opportunities to have your picture taken with our local heroes, and encouraging kids to increase their safety awareness.
Please know that I appreciate you and all that you do for our children and community.
Have a great weekend!
