TALK SUP’T. March 30, 2012 Superintendent’s Weekly Blog

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION Last night, the Oakland Press, together with Oakland Schools, recognized three WBSD programs and one WBHS student in its annual Excellence in Education awards ceremony.  Graduating senior Uzair Khan was recognized for his outstanding academic achievement. Excellence in Education students are nominated for achieving academic success and serving their school and community while overcoming family, emotional and or physical difficulties. Congratulations, Uzair!

In addition, Roosevelt’s Magnet Program was recognized as well. The program is a multiage, project-based learning community that provides experiences and opportunities for academically talented students to reach their highest potential. Thank you to the enthusiasm, support and direction of teachers Denny Rapal, Kristi Law and Christina Sipila!  

The Peer Mentoring Program and Class assigns an upperclassman to the approximately 500 incoming freshmen to help with academic, social and emotional transition to high school. Developed by Assistant Principal Mara Hoffert and coordinated by Stephen Larkin and Stasi Mortimore, the program seeks to provide freshmen with a positive role model and help create an environment where everyone belongs.

The Academic Clinic Program is a tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk students, focusing on motivation and grade improvement. This clinic is run by individuals donating their time to help evaluate academic plans and create strategies for students who need more focused attention, targeted support and motivation to improve their academic status. The Academic Clinic was awarded Third in Oakland County for innovative programming. Credit goes to Heather Crewes and Ron Bellamy for their time, and dedication to this program!

Out of just thirteen programs recognized in the Excellence in Education, three programs came from the West Bloomfield School District!

Congratulations to all, and thank you all for making us proud!

SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS NATIONAL WINNER!

The Southeastern Michigan Region of The Scholastic Art Awards is sponsored by the College for Creative Studies and receives over 4000 works of art and almost 300 portfolios each year from middle school and high school students. Those works are adjudicated and selected for Certificates, Silver and Gold Key Awards, American Vision nominations, and Best of Show Portfolios.

WBHS Senior Hailey Rozenberg won a Gold Key in the Scholastic Art Awards, and also won a NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL in the 2012 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards from the Midwestern states for her photograph titled “Alien Abduction”! Hailey will be recognized for her work in New York on June 1st at Carnegie Hall. The exhibit of 1000 works of art and opening ceremony are held annually at the College for Creative Studies and  displayed throughout all four levels of the Walter B. Ford II Building.

Hailey’s mother Shari Rozenberg is a ParaPro at West Bloomfield High School.

WBHS Winter Drumline
The WBHS Winter Drumline will be competing for the State Championship at MCGC’s State Finals at Saginaw Valley State University this weekend on Sunday, April 1 at approximately 4:20 p.m.  The WB Drumline is ranked 1^st in the State of Michigan and its 2012 competition show is entitled “Stuck.” 
Information regarding tickets, the venue, and the state finals schedule can be found at www.mcgc.net.  Please come out and support our Drumline!
Good luck, best wishes and congratulations!!

Three WBHS Students Receive Appointments to West Point
The West Bloomfield School District is proud to recognize the achievement of three WBHS students who have recently received appointments to West Point.  Seniors Alec Fritz, Anthony Fritz and Michael Okorn have received this prestigious award, each accepting an academic scholarship valued at over $450,000.

West Bloomfield High School staff members are very proud of this monumental achievement of Alec, Anthony and Michael.  It is a great honor for a high school to have one student receive an appointment.  To have three students receive appointments the same year is an almost unprecedented achievement! Each year, some thirteen thousand young men and women apply for admission to West Point; this year just one thousand one hundred fifty were accepted.
Those who are accepted will spend the next four years at a beautiful, historic, premier leadership institution - with such famous leaders as Eisenhower, MacArthur, Grant, Lee, Patton and Schwarzkopf among its graduates. It is the number one liberal arts and a top three engineering university. They are at the top of their peer group in academics, leadership and athletics. Academically, the average SAT score for a typical entering class is around 1320 and ACT is 32. In the leadership arena, almost 90% of a typical class earned varsity letters, and nearly 60% were team captains. A significant number of them were also Eagle Scouts, Gold Award winners, Boys or Girls State representatives, or president of their class, student body or a club. Congratulations to all three students and thank you for making us so proud!!

Michigan STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL

Congratulations to Daniel and Adam Cooper, and Chris McClellan who produced West Bloomfield High School’s Film Fest "L.U.C.K." short comedy. Yesterday, it was announced that "L.U.C.K." was awarded Best in Show honors at the Michigan Student Film Festival and will be shown at the DIA on Saturday, April 28th. Kudos to all three future filmmakers!

THE SEAF PROJECT School Enrollment And Facilities Focus Group Meetings

We had very good turnouts and lots of input this week at our Focus Group Meetings for School Enrollment and Facilities. Thank you to all of those that found time to attend and offer your responses and suggestions.
Held this week were: Community Members (Clergy, Business, Civic)
NORTH END Elementary Parents and PTO Members (Gretchko, Roosevelt, Scotch)
SOUTH END Elementary Parents and PTO Members (Ealy, Sheiko)
If you did not have a chance to attend the meetings this week, please join us at any one of the following dates to offer your input on our SEAF Project. At your forum, you will be shown demographic maps of our school district, broken down into enrollment by schools, and enrollment of resident and choice students. You will be given the opportunity to vote anonymously on key issues related to school enrollment, consolidation, and priorities for the district. Meetings will be 2 hours.

Orchard Lake Middle School and Doherty Parents, and PTO Members (note DATE CHANGE)
April 9, Monday  7:00 – 9:00 pm Orchard Lake Middle School

Abbott Middle School Parents and PTO Members
April 10, Tuesday  7:00 – 9:00 pm Abbott Middle School

ALL STAFF

April 24, Tuesday 7:00 – 9:00 pm West Bloomfield High School

ALL PARENTS K-12
All parents and community members are welcome to attend ANY of the above sessions designated for elementary or middle school levels.

Future Dates:

May 14 6:00 pm WBHS Media Center Board Workshop, First Reading for SEAF Plan

June 25 7:00 pm WBHS Media Center Board Meeting, Adoption of SEAF Plan
Please continue to check our website prior to attending meetings in case of changes in the schedule.

SAVE THE DATE – “RACE TO NOWHERE”

A FREE screening of the film "Race to Nowhere" will be shown on April 19 at the West Bloomfield High School Auditorium for our community. This is a documentary film about how schools and parental pressure are affecting students' mental and emotional well being. “Race to Nowhere” is a film and call to mobilize families, educators and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.

A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the culture of hollow achievement and pressure to perform that has invaded Americaʼs schools. This remarkable new film shines a light on the price our kids pay for this “race to nowhere.”

Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people who have been pushed to the brink and
educators who are burned out and worried that students arenʼt developing the skills needed for the global economy. RACE TO NOWHERE is a call to families, educators, experts and policy makers to examine current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become the healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens in the 21st century. Following the film, there will be focus groups for discussion on this topic for those who would like to participate in this relevant experience. The film is being shown free of charge, so join us!

VOTE FOR WBHS STORAGE SYSTEM

The company Spacesaver is going to award a storage system worth $30,000 to the participating school that has the most votes!  Please help WBHS WIN as they need the storage system. 
Just go to www.rockurstorage.com
-        Click on the K-12 edition button
-        Click on Facebook log in button
-        Once you are logged in through Facebook, click on West Bloomfield High School and you can see pictures and a little bit about the storage problems at WBHS. 
-        Scroll down and there will be a button that says “vote for this school”
You may vote ten (10) times a day until May 1, 2012
Please vote often and ask you family, friends, and neighbors! 

MAKE THE WORLD YOUR HOME

Youth for Understanding is looking for some welcoming families to host foreign exchange students for the 2012-2013 school year. Thanks to wonderful local families in West Bloomfield, six (6) YFU students have had a great experience at WBHS this school year.
Families provide a place to live and meals, plus encouragement, guidance, love, and limits. The students pay for their other expenses and become a true family member sharing in the real life fun and responsibilities of the family. Contact Barb Kilkka at 248-932-0811 (Kilkka@yfu.org) to ask for more details on aspiring exchange students.  All kinds of families host from all ethnic and educational backgrounds, different family configurations, with and without, children at home.  Elementary and middle school host siblings are among the greatest beneficiaries of the program.

For those celebrating holidays this break, I wish you all the best! Enjoy your vacations and your time off, and be safe!

Talk Sup't. March 23, 2012

March 23, 2012 

PETER PAN TONIGHT AND TOMORROW!

Remember to get to the High School tonight or tomorrow afternoon to see our creative and talented kids from Orchard Lake Middle School as their Musical Theater Department presents Peter Pan!  The play will be presented Friday, March 23 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, March 24 at 2:00 pm at the West Bloomfield High School Auditorium. This play, directed by Janey Compton, and Musical Direction by April Tini, with choreography by Valerie Mould, is NOT TO BE MISSED. Tickets are available at the door if seats are available.

Senior citizens may also use their Gold Card for complimentary tickets. They are available at all building offices. 

WIN $10,000!

There's just ONE DAY LEFT TO PURCHASE A RAFFLE TICKET! The winner of $10,000 will be picked on Monday! Join the hundreds of people who have already purchased a $10 ticket supporting the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation, in an effort to win $10,000 in their fundraising raffle! Tickets can be purchased by calling Community Education at 248-865-6463, and you must be 18 to purchase one. The drawing will be held Monday, March 26 at 7:00 pm at Gretchko Elementary School. I wish you all much luck, and thank you for supporting the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation!

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

The board wants to thank all of you that participated in our forums for the Superintendent Search that was facilitated by Ray and Associates. Those in our community including all of our own staff, township officials, clergy association, business leaders, parent groups and civic leaders joined us and gave input on their view of what this new profile should look like. The data has been consolidated.  Recruitment has begun, an application forms and promotional material is being sent to interested candidates. There will be recruitment at the National School Boards Association Conference in Boston on April 21 and 22, and the deadline for all applications materials will be April 23. Interested applicants should go directly to Ray and Associates website at www.rayassoc.com. We will keep you updated as this process continues. Continue to check our website to stay informed on the progress.

THE SEAF PROJECT School Enrollment And Facilities Focus Group Meetings

Please join us on the following dates and locations, to offer your input on our School Enrollment And Facilities Project. At your forum, you will be shown demographic maps of our school district, broken down into enrollment by schools, and enrollment of resident and choice students. You will be given the opportunity to vote anonymously on key issues related to school enrollment, consolidation, and priorities for the district. Meetings will be 2 hours.

Community Members (Clergy, Business, Civic)

March 28, Wednesday  3:00 – 5:00 pm ACS Building, 5810 Commerce Road

NORTH END Elementary Parents and PTO Members (Gretchko, Roosevelt, Scotch)

March 28, Wednesday  7:00 – 9:00 pm Scotch Elementary,

SOUTH END Elementary Parents and PTO Members (Ealy, Sheiko)

March 29, Thursday,  7:00 – 9:00 pm Sheiko Elementary, 4500 Walnut Lake Road

Orchard Lake Middle School and Doherty Parents, and PTO Members (note DATE CHANGE)
            April 9, Monday  7:00 – 9:00 pm Orchard Lake Middle School

Abbott Middle School Parents and PTO Members

April 10, Tuesday  7:00 – 9:00 pm Abbott Middle School

ALL STAFF

April 24, Tuesday 7:00 – 9:00 pm West Bloomfield High School

ALL PARENTS K-12

All parents and community members are welcome to attend ANY of the above sessions designated for elementary or middle school levels.

May 14 6:00 pm WBHS Media Center Board Workshop, First Reading for SEAF Plan

June 25 7:00 pm WBHS Media Center Board Meeting, Adoption of SEAF Plan

Please continue to check our website prior to attending meetings in case of changes in the schedule.

SAVE THE DATE – “RACE TO NOWHERE”

A FREE screening of the film "Race to Nowhere" will be shown on April 19 at the West Bloomfield High School Auditorium for our community. This is a documentary film about how schools and parental pressure are affecting students' mental and emotional well being. “Race to Nowhere” is a film and call to mobilize families, educators and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens. A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the culture of hollow achievement and pressure to perform that has invaded Americaʼs schools.

This remarkable new film shines a light on the price our kids pay for this “race to nowhere.”

Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people who have been pushed to the brink and

educators who are burned out and worried that students arenʼt developing the skills needed for the global economy. RACE TO NOWHERE is a call to families, educators, experts and policy makers to examine current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become the healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens in the 21st century. Following the film, there will be focus groups for discussion on this topic for those who would like to participate in this relevant experience. The film is being shown free of charge, so join us!

SUPER  SATURDAY AT WEST BLOOMFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Saturday, March 24
1. MOM 2 MOM SALE from 9 am – 2pm, Moms will be selling gently used baby and kid items at West Bloomfield High School. This is a great way to save money on items that kids grow out of so quickly, and also for grandparents to pick up furniture and toys to keep at their house at a reasonable cost! It’s just $1 admission, and will run in conjunction with the
2. 5^th Grade Intramural Tournament
3. Community Education Summer Camp Fair - come and get a taste of our upcoming Acadeemic, Specialty and Sports Camps! There's lot’ going on so stop by on Saturday!

Doherty and Sheiko Families and Community

The beautiful, warm March weather has brought an infestation of Ground Bees to Doherty and Sheiko School properties. After assessing the situation, it was determined that it is in the best interest of our students and community to treat for the bees immediately. The Doherty and Sheiko properties will be treated for the Ground Bees on Friday, March 23, 2012 after school. The property will be safe for our students again 24 hours later, so when we return on Monday, students will be able to use the playground as usual.

ROOSEVELT WINNERS!
Roosevelt recently took place in an online math contest, called Sumdog's President's Day Contest. Kristi Law, Magnet Teacher and Teacher Mentor Coordinator reports that Roosevelt students were one of the daily winners and won new math software for the building. Students from over 1500 schools had a blast practicing their math skills against one another. Together they answered 55,666,111 math questions in 8 days! Of the top TEN students that answered the most questions in the contest, TWO were from Roosevelt. Roosevelt Elementary also placed number 4 in the 45 schools that competed! 

Orchard Lake Middle School Hosts Career Day

Students at Orchard Lake Middle School were treated to a half-day of college and career education and exploration during the school’s 23rd annual College and Career Fair, organized by counselors Lauren Field and Felicia Neumann, on Wednesday.

I welcomed over 30 guest speakers from a diverse background ranging from doctors of various specialties, entrepreneurs, internet marketing/promotions professionals, human resource managers, public relations specialists, and more.

Several colleges were represented by admissions counselors including Western Michigan University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Albion College, College for Creative Studies, Bowling Green State University, University of Michigan - Dearborn, and Wayne State University. Students rotated with their classes to five, 25-minute presentations for exposure to a wide variety of post-secondary options.

Thank you to Felicia Neumann and Lauren Field for keeping this program alive at OLMS!

RAP (READING APPRECIATION PROGRAM)
Each year Abbott and Orchard Lake Middle Schools feature a Reading Appreciation Program (R.A.P.) under the direction of Media Director Laurie Kuper.  Building on the Pine Tree Program at the elementary level, R.A.P. is a wonderful way to promote reading as a lifelong endeavor.

R.A.P. begins in January each year, and runs through March. Six titles of quality literature are featured. Sixth grade students who read and successfully test on three novels and seventh/eighth graders who read and test on four novels are invited to hear one of the book's authors at a special celebration. This year’s author was Gary D. Schmidt who wrote “Okay for Now”, the featured book. Schmidt also held a Writers’ Workshop during the day for students  followed by a pizza lunch. Those students who read and tested on all six titles attended a special session with the author at West Bloomfield Public Library Wednesday evening. 450 students from both middle schools earned the opportunity to attend the movies “Hugo” and “Hunger Games” this Monday.  

Thanks to the generosity of the West Bloomfield Township Public Library, multiple copies of the titles are ordered and are available for circulation. A big thank you to Director Clara Bohrer, Randy Ernst-Meyer, Young Adult Librarian; and Branch Manager Mary Killian who help us every year with our RAP program!

PUBLISHED!
Jen McQuillan, Language Arts teacher at West Bloomfield High School, is having a scholarly essay published in an academic journal this spring. Specifically, her critical analysis of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is being published in Proteus: A Journal of Ideas through Shippensburg University. Titled "Parsing the Body: Frederick Douglass and the Recorporealization of Self", the essay examines how "Douglass uses the language of the body to fashion a new identity, a new body, and wholly different conception of self."

This is truly a meritorious accomplishment which very few of our colleagues ever come close to achieving. I am extremely proud to have such a distinguished professional like Jen McQuillan as one of our teachers!!

Talk Sup't. March 16

TALK SUP’T. March 16, 2012 Superintendent’s Weekly Blog There are some great things on tap this weekend and in the coming weeks in the West Bloomfield School District, along with some great news to share, so read on!

Roosevelt Winter Carnival

Don’t miss the Roosevelt Carnival tonight, Friday, March 16 from 5:30 – 9:00 pm. Bring the entire family for fun and prizes. It really is Out of This World!
This is such a big event for the Roosevelt Community.  Not only does it provide the families at Roosevelt and the Community the opportunity to come together for a night of family fun, it is also Roosevelt's 2nd biggest fundraiser of the year.
The Silent Basket Auction and the Coffee Can Raffle were the biggest hits last year with some beautiful baskets and great prizes. Bring your family for a fun-filled night!

MUSIC

Congratulations all large choirs, Chorale, Concert Choir B and Concert Choir A for receiving excellent and qualifying at MSVMA District 4 Choral Festival. This is the first time Concert CHhoir B has qualified. They will all be singing at MSVMA State choral festival May 1 &2. WAY TO GO!

OPTIMIST CLUBS: KEEGO HARBOR AND WEST BLOOMFIELD

Abbott Middle School Students Win Keego Harbor Optimist Club Essay Contest
On Thursday, March 1, Abbott Middle School students read their winning essays to the Keego Optimist Club. The topic was “How My Positive Outlook Benefits My Community”. Winners were (from left to right) 1^st Place Nina Ross, 2^nd Place Bridget Farmer, and 3^rd place Josh Plyer.
Nina Ross was awarded a certificate and a medal for the honor. In addition, the essay will be sent to the district level to be judged along with winners from other Optimist Clubs in the district. College scholarships are available for top winners at the district level and that winner will be sent to the international-level contest. “Nina did a wonderful job of articulating this year’s theme. She expressed herself well through the essay and deserved the honor of first place,” Club President Kathy Sparkman said.
Orchard Lake Middle School Students Win
Optimist Club of West Bloomfield Oratorical Contest
On Tuesday, March 13, Orchard Lake Middle School students joined the West Bloomfield Optimist Club to deliver their winning oratories at the Stage Deli for the West Bloomfield Optimist Club.  The topic was “How my Optimism Helps Me Overcome Obstacles”. Eight dynamic and eloquent young speakers, five girls and 3 boys, between the ages of 13 and 16, participated in the competition and wowed the audience with their creativity, articulation, knowledge and use of personal experiences as they spoke to the topic.

Due to the quality of the presentations, the task of selecting the winners for the male and female categories was not an easy one. The qualified judging panel of judges including the Honorable Denise Langford-Morris, the Honorable David Gubow, the Honorable Leo Bowman, and judging coordinator Attorney Jeffrey Leib, however, were up to the challenge. In the female category, first place went to Veronica Liu, 8^th grade who spoke about her trip to Cambodia. Second and third places were won by Olivia Bowyer and Hanna Martin, respectively, all from OLMS.

In the male category, Rishabh Parekh, 6^th grade OLMS, captured first place, with Michael Russo from West Hills Middle School coming in second place and Jake Cohen, OLMS third.

CROSS COUNTRY
MORE kudos to junior Erin Finn, who won the National Indoor Championship in the 5,000 meter run at the New Balance Indoor Nationals at The Armory in New York City last week. Finn led from start to finish, crushing the previous national record by 16 seconds and winning the race by 12 seconds in 16 minutes, 19 seconds. This win at the national indoor championship is simply the latest in a long line of Finn's wins over the past year.

WBHS DECA Marketing Students Capture 87 Awards

Congratulations to Jerry Whitlock and the DECA students!
Eighty three West Bloomfield High School Marketing students attended Michigan DECA’s 69th Annual State Career Development Conference and won 87 awards last weekend. Thirty-five students earned State Finalist awards including 29 moving on to represent Michigan at DECA’s International Career Development Conference being held in Salt Lake City, Utah, in April. DECA is the only international student organization operating through schools to attract young people to careers in marketing, merchandising, management and entrepreneurship.

Also announced, Leah Moskovitz was elected by Michigan DECA to serve as part of the State Officer Team. After a month of intensive campaign planning and implementation, chapter leaders elect Michigan DECA’s candidates for state office. Once elected, these eight leaders will begin their year-long term representing and leading over 7,100 Michigan DECA members.

Every one of the students should be congratulated for the fine way they represented the West Bloomfield School District during the 3 day conference. The West Bloomfield School District wishes all students the best TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS in Salt Lake City.

AVID
Motivational speaker Eric Thomas’ visited AVID students at Abbott Middle School on Friday March 2 and they couldn’t get enough of him. His message to youth might best be summed up in his You-Tube video that has been viewed over 500,000 times: “When you want to be successful as badly as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.”

Now, in its sixth year of existence at Orchard Lake Middle School, AVID is continuing to help students achieve academic success.  One unique element of the AVID program is its use of guest speakers and motivational activities.  Enter Eric Thomas.  When the AVID elective teachers and AVID students saw Eric Thomas for the first time on You-Tube, there was one response: they wanted to meet him. Eric Thomas and his team gave a simple but powerful message to our students. "Dream Big, Think Bigger, Work even harder." You could hear a pin drop as Eric Thomas and CJ provided real life examples of how student's dreams can become reality, and what to do when they seem impossible. Students left the building with a sense of urgency to make their dreams come true.

Board Member Randi Sakwa applauded the staff including Science and AVID Elective Teacher

And AVID Site Coordinator Joe Chagnon and Assistant Principal Eric Pace for the support of programs such as this that at are so beneficial to the academic future of our students. He had a way of connecting with the students by coming down to their level and relating to their world through the examples that he presented. Since his message placed such an emphasis on education, his message resonated strongly with many students who may have thought that academic success was not attainable for them.

Senator Mike Kowall visitS GRETCHKO
Senator Mike Kowall visited Gretchko on Monday of this week and read to first graders in Stephanie Dulmage and Lisa Brown’s classrooms. The senator read the book M is for Mitten by Annie Appleford and beautifully illustrated by Michael Monroe. The students were captivated and enthused each time the Senator talked about one of the wonders of the Great Lake state, particularly if it was a place that they had visited with their family.  When the book gave information on the State Capitol, the senator shared with the students that his wife, Eileen Kowall is a State Representative and that they work in the same building in Lansing. Principal Sally Drummond and I loved watching the kids who constantly had their hands in the air wanting to share their stories with the senator as he went through the alphabet series of Michigan wonders and attractions. Thank you to the senator for taking time out of his schedule to visit our elementary students at Gretchko!

HOCKEY
Congratulations to our Hockey team whose schedule strength of 7.6 this year, in which they compiled a 13-12-1 record, was the second strongest in our division.
Hot off the press:
1. Max Dubin- All League
2. Jacob Charlip- All League
3. Andrew Murphy- All League
Honorable Mention- Luke Andrews
Honorable Mention- Ryan Houle
Also, the OAA Coaches Nominated for Skater MVP was:
#24 Max Dubin- West Bloomfield #1 in league scoring, played 25% of league season on D.
Max has been named The OAA White MVP- Player of the Year!!!!

PINK SLIME or LFTB
We have been hearing a lot in the news this past week about something referred to as Pink Slime and Lean Finely Textured Beef or LFTB. Lori Adkins, WBSD Director of Nutrition and Consultant, Child Nutrition at Oakland Schools has informed us that our school district does not purchase beef for our school lunches that contains LFTB.

·       The West Bloomfield Schools District does not use LFTB Beef in the school lunches we serve to our students. We have received written documentation from both companies that provide the beef that they sell to school meal programs does not contain LFTB beef associated with Pink Slime.

• Just like any parent buying food at a grocery store or a restaurant, schools rely on the federal government to inspect and certify the safety of the foods they purchase.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), after consultation with the Food and Drug Administration, has determined that the use of ammonium hydroxide in the processing of LFTB is safe. Lean Finely Textured Beef (LFTB) must meet federal food safety requirements and undergo food safety inspections.
• Industry experts have estimated that about 70 percent of the ground beef sold in grocery stores, restaurants and food service establishments contain LFTB; however, manufacturers are not required to label a product as containing LFTB.
• For information on LFTB, please visit: http://www.meatami.com/ht/display/ReleaseDetails/i/76164

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
The board wants to thank all of you that participated in our forums for the Superintendent Search that was facilitated by Ray and Associates. There were several opportunities for those in our community including all of our own staff, township officials, clergy association, business leaders, parent groups and civic leaders to join us and weigh in on what your profile of a new superintendent for this school district should look like. The data has been consolidated and the board will finalize the superintendent profile for promotional materials and an application form. There will be a special board meeting held today, Friday, March 16, at West Bloomfield High School at 4:00 pm to finalize that portion of the process.
We will keep you updated as this process continues. Continue to check our website to stay informed on the progress.

SEAF PROJECT (School Enrollment and Facilities Project)

The West Bloomfield School District has begun examining its school enrollment trends and how it utilizes its facilities during the spring of 2012. Western Demographics, Inc. has begun developing a careful analysis of enrollment trends and facilities during the spring. We have held meetings with Western Demographics and our parents and PTO presidents to begin our School Enrollment and Facilities Project (SEAF) process. School district stakeholders will have the opportunity to be involved in the future of their schools by attending community focus groups, open house meetings and other events.

SEAF Focus Group Meetings

Please join us on the following dates and locations, to offer your input on our School Enrollment And Facilities Project. At your forum, you will be shown demographic maps of our school district, broken down into enrollment by schools, and enrollment of resident and choice students. You will be given the opportunity to vote anonymously on 30 key issues related to school enrollment, consolidation, and priorities for the district. Meetings will be 2 hours.

Community Members (Clergy, Business, Civic)
March 28        3:00 – 5:00 pm                        ACS Building, 5810 Commerce Road

NORTH END Elementary Parents and PTO Members (Gretchko, Roosevelt, Scotch)
March 28        6:30 – 8:30 pm                        Scotch Elementary, 5959 Commerce Road
SOUTH END Elementary Parents and PTO Members (Doherty, Ealy, Sheiko)
March 29        6:30 – 8:30 pm                        Doherty Elementary, 3575 Walnut Lake Road
Abbott Middle School Parents and PTO Members
April 10                       6:30 – 8:30 pm                        Abbott Middle School, 3380 Orchard Lake Road
Orchard Lake Middle School Parents and PTO Members
April 11                       6:30 – 8:30 pm                        Orchard Lake Middle School, 6000 Orchard Lake Road
ALL PARENTS K-12
Welcome to attend any of the above sessions designated for elementary or middle school levels.
An additional meeting will be arranged for all staff to attend. Date to be determined.
The district’s School Enrollment and Facilities Committee will guide Western’s work and keep the public aware of opportunities to participate. The Board of Education will review the work and potentially take action in late April and early May. As always, the continued excellence of educational programs offered by the district is its paramount concern. The schedule of upcoming meetings and the results of our first focus group are on our website under SEAF Project in the Main Menu on the left side of the home page.

WIN $10,000!
Join the hundreds of people who have already purchased a $10 ticket supporting the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation, in an effort to win $10,000 in their fundraising raffle! Tickets can be purchased by calling Community Education at 248-865-6463, and you must be 18 to purchase one. The drawing will be held Monday, March 26 at 7:00 pm at Ealy School. I wish you all much luck, and thank you for supporting the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation!

TEENS AND THE LAW
The Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition presents Teens and the Law on Tuesday, March 20^th at 7:00 pm at the West Bloomfield Public Library. The presentation will be hosted by members of Teens Making Changes (TMC).I encourage high school teens and parents to attend this important forum. A panel discussion group will include 48^th District Court Judge Diane D'Agostini , WB Police Department Sergeant Tara Kane, Litigation Attorney Gerry Gleeson with the Miller Canfield Law Firm,  and Lisa Kaplan, LMSW, CAADC, ACSW with C.A.R.E. of SE Michigan. It will be a Q & A format so that you can ask the questions that are important to you.  
Please try to attend this very informative forum.

PETER PAN
Mark the date to see our creative and talented kids from Orchard Lake Middle School as their Musical Theater Department presents Peter Pan, on Friday, March 23 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, March 24 at 2:00 pm at the West Bloomfield High School Auditorium. The play, directed by Janey Compton, and Musical Direction by April Tini, with choreography by Valerie Mould, is NOT TO BE MISSED. Tickets are available by mail, during school office and lunch room hours, by phone 248.865.4480 and at the door if seats are available.
Mail by March 15th to Orchard Lake Middle School, 6000 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 ATTN: April Tini, Checks payable to: Orchard Lake Middle School –
For information please email olmsmusictheater@aol.com.
Senior citizens may also use their Gold Card for complimentary tickets. They are available at all building offices.

MOM 2 MOM SALE
For those parents who would like to sell those gently used baby and kid items that have been piling up in your home.  Sellers, this is a great opportunity for you as you keep your profit, and buyers, it’s a chance to pick up some really nice things for your kids at a great price. Large items will be placed in a designated area and will be sold as a “Large Ticket Item”.  This sale will take place from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 24 at West Bloomfield High School. For information on renting a table and selling items, call Linda Margetin at 248-865-6463 or email her at margetin@westbloomfield.k12.mi.us. This is a GREAT SALE!

WEST BLOOMFIELD YOUTH ASSISTANCE YOUTH RECOGNITION AWARDS
PLEASE NOMINATE A STUDENT!
West Bloomfield Youth Assistance needs your help in identifying young people in our community who have made positive volunteer contributions this year.  Nominations come from schools, hospitals, religious organizations, fire and police departments, and private citizens who have been helped by our youth.  Local, county, and state dignitaries participate in making these events very special because they believe that positive behaviors are often overlooked.  These young people serve as role models for their peers and reassure the community that the future is in good hands.  The winners are honored at the annual Youth Recognition Awards Ceremony to be held on April 25, 2012 at the West Bloomfield High School - Media Center, 7:00-8:30 P.M.
Please nominate a student that you feel deserves recognition. A nominator may be any adult or organization that wishes to submit the name of a deserving youth(s) for performing volunteer services, not related to school or court requirements.
Nominees are judged on the basis of Volunteer Service to an individual, organization or the community. This includes  Personal acts of heroism, or Self-improvement through personal or academic achievement.
Nominees must reside within the boundaries of the West Bloomfield School District or be a West Bloomfield School District Student, and all school age youth are eligible.
Nomination forms and eligibility instructions can be found at www.wbyouthassistance.org
and must be received by Thursday, March 22, 2012.

Have a great weekend!