I want to thank all of you that participated in our forums this week 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.
A suggested timeline was distributed to give everyone an idea of how this process will take form. As Ray and Associates collects information from the survey that was conducted with all of the stakeholders, constituents and board members, they will consolidate that data and the board will finalize the superintendent profile for promotional materials and an application form. There will be a special board meeting held next 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 will be examining its school enrollment trends and how it utilizes its facilities during the spring of 2012. Western Demographics, Inc. has been hired to assist the district with a careful analysis of enrollment trends and facilities during the spring. We have scheduled our first meeting with Western Demographics to begin our School Enrollment and Facilities Project (SEAF) process. Many 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. Immediately after our first meeting, we will announce the dates of the scheduled meetings that you may attend to get involved in this process. These dates will be coming shortly. 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. Again, we will be updating all information on our website regarding the findings of the SEAF Project.
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 Edducation 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!RALLY AGAINST BULLYING!
Tomorrow, Saturday March 10, Defeat the Label and Amp 98.7 Radio will present a RALLY AGAINST BULLYING in conjunction with The Uptown Film Festival at 12 Noon in Shain Parkon Merrill Street in Downtown Birmingham. All are invited to join Defeat the Label
along with guest speakers and performers in this awareness effort as we rally together to combat bullying in our schools and communities.
Following the Rally, Uptown Film Festival will host the Exclusive Michigan Premiere of the movie"BULLY", which will not be in theaters for another month. Visit www.uptownfilmfestival.com for ticket information (limited seating)for more information contact jamie@defeatthelabel.com. I encourage you all to join this effort!
TEENS AND THE LAW
The Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition presents Teens and the Law on Tuesday, March 20th 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 48th 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!EARLY CHILDHOOD OPEN HOUSE
West Bloomfield Preschool Academy will be holding an Open House on Wednesday March 14, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at both Ealy and ACS locations. Model classrooms will be set up, with refreshments and drawings and other fun activities. Registration will also take place on site, so join us for a preview of what your child can experience next fall! For more information call 248-865-6460. CONGRATULATIONS
Congrats go to Jen Newmark at Gretchko Elementary who has been awarded a $1796 minigrant for the “Motor Skills for Academic Success/Motor Moms and Dads” program. The Brooksie Way Minigrant program is a grant to fund projects that support the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles. The Brooksie Way Minigrant board, which reviewed the requests, was impressed by both the quality and scope of our program and the commitment to improving the health and wellness of our students. The maximum award is $2,000.TALK SUP’T. LIVE!
We have been creating a monthly video version of our Talk Sup’t. newsletter, with the help and talent of Kevin Walsh’s students in his Advanced Video classes. Our first episode focused on West Bloomfield High School, and we interviewed Principal Tom Shelton, and Assistant Principals Mara Hoffert, Art Ebert and Pat Watson. You can catch our latest episode highlighting our middle schools, where we invited principals Amy Hughes and Sonja James to join us and talk about the differences and similarities between our two schools. These have become very informative shows, and I encourage you to watch them on Channel 19, our school district channel at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and on Saturdays and Sundays they are re-aired at 10:00 am, 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm. We have just taped our most recent one featuring Oakland Early College with Head of School Jen Newman, and three of our students, Jewell Bell, Christopher Breedlove and Shelby Maurice who all shared their experiences and feelings about attending OEC. Tune in to Channel 19 and see what we have to offer! Thank you to all of Kevin Walsh’s advanced students who work on this show so professionally.
WEST BLOOMFIELD YOUTH ASSISTANCE YOUTH RECOGNITION AWARDS
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!
