Talk Sup't. March 11, 2011

Talk Sup’t. - 3/11/2011

Congratulations!

Senior Avery Hasenauer – Wrestling

Check out our new local online newspaper, the West Bloomfield Patch. They have begun a weekly feature on Wednesday spotlighting Whiz Kids, kids who are ‘successful, talented and just plain awesome’. This week’s Whiz Kids is senior Avery Hasenauer, who placed sixth in the individual wrestling finals last week.

The Green Power of One – What Can *I* do?

The LWVOA (League of Women Voters of Oakland) sponsored a contest to create a Public Service Announcement to emphasize the opportunities and responsibility of each individual to conserve energy.

Students Shelby Bruseloff, Allie Ravid, Nikhil Mankuzhy, Kara Brody and Kelly Giuliani have won SECOND PLACE in the TV category.

Their PSA (Public Service Announcement) will be shown on March 31 at 7 pm at the WB Public Library as they receive their award from LWVOA, and later on several TV stations. Watch for it!!

NEGOTIATIONS

The Administration met with the West Bloomfield Education Association (WBEA), the Union that represents the Teachers of the district, on March 8.

The Board of Education is committed to keeping fiscal responsibility. The union has not put anything on the table that would generate a significant amount to meet the district’s needs or allow us to reach an agreement. We have another negotiation session scheduled with the mediator for March 24. There may be a session before then without a mediator. We will keep you informed.

You may view the Deficit Elimination Plan at http://www.westbloomfield.k12.mi.us/files/filesystem/DeficitEliminationPlan.pdf

COFFEE TALK

Last night at our Coffee Talk at Orchard Lake Middle School, Tom Goulding presented our current financial status and what the Governor’s budget proposal will mean to our funding. 


Differing voices were able to express their positions on all matters of cost cutting.

As has been our practice, Dr. Robert Martin asks all those who attend the Coffee Talks to place suggestions on Post-It notes and apply them to a large sheet divided between Reductions and Non-Negotiable items. All of the suggestions that have been generated from our Coffee Talks are being compiled and will be posted online soon.

Our next step is going to be to establish an online survey of these suggestions so that all members of the community can see the input and the cost cutting measures that have come to the attention of the board.

With this level of communication, these are the voices that we want to help our district to help us move forward. We have the responsibility to help our students to be the best IN and FOR the world.

Tom Goulding attended Fridays’ morning’s legislative breakfast and summarized these comments and suggestions that were made from and to the legislators that were present:

·       Plan on, at least for right now, the $470.00/pupil reduction in the foundation allowance. The legislators indicated they are trying to lessen the blow but for the time being plan on the full amount.

·       The robbing of state aid for community colleges and universities drew considerable discussion>The superintendents felt that if this funding goes through then community colleges and universities should be under the same disclosure and transparency requirements as local school districts. Several superintendents also expressed that they would no longer support community college millage elections if school funding for same is approved. There was also talk of a possible legal challenge but that could take years. We also had lively discussion regarding the true intent of Proposal A, which was to fund K-12 and not higher education.

·       There were ideas that suggested, and in light of the state controlling school funding, that we ego to a state-wide compensation plan for all public school employees and indexed to regional cost differences around the state and further do the same with state-wide healthy insurance. We also told legislators that if you want school district consolidation, then, mandate it.

·       All of this being said, the following is another update on where we might be pending a final state budget:

• Per pupil reduction                           $         470/pupil
• Pension increase                                          230/pupil
• Sp. Ed.  PA-18 Reduction                             152/pupil
• Total per pupil                                 $          852/pupil
• Total Dollars                                    $5,803,824

·       We also expect approval of the EFM bill (Emergency Financial Manager) and also the bill that would restrict payment of step increases and health insurance premium increase until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.

You can view Tom Goulding’s PowerPoint presentation at

http://www.westbloomfield.k12.mi.us/files/filesystem/Budget%20Coffee%20Talk%202011.pdf

PCN – MEET AND GREET YOUR LEGISLATORS

(Parent Communication Network)

The next PCN meeting will be held at West Bloomfield High School on Wednesday evening , March 16 at 7:00 pm. This is a Meet and Greet Your Legislators with Senator Mike Kowall and Representative Lisa Brown who will be there to hear your opinions on the state of our budget. The severity of the proposed cuts from Lansing could devastate school districts like West Bloomfield. If a difference is to be made it will be at the legislative level. Please join us to hear what our legislators have to share with us.

SOC

Applications for School Of Choice are being accepted at this time now through March 30 for Kindergarten -3^rd grade with very limited openings in grades 2-3. The lottery will be held on April 13.

MARCH IS READING MONTH AT EALY

Come to Ealy next Tuesday Wednesday or Thursday and for just fifty cents, you can sit on the Reading Throne during their Read-A-Thon Marathon and read a story to students. Pick any day to read from March 15 - 17, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm, and help keep the Throne occupied all day!

Ready, get set, read! Ealy Elementary students are celebrating March is Reading Month by participating in activities keeping with the theme of "Run With a Good Book ... Exercise Your Mind!”. Each week, students are logging their daily reading and earning "classroom miles" for time spent reading at home. Other highlights of the month include PTO sponsored Pajamas and Cookies Read-in, Spirit Days, All School Reading Bingo, a classroom door decorating contest, and a USED book sale.

I encourage parents to teach their children to engage in all reading opportunities. The pay-off is worth it!

SOS CAMPAIGN – YOUR DONATION STILL MATTERS!

This year the foundation is asking for the same commitment of $1/day for each student or any amount with which you are comfortable.  Please go to our website at  www.wbef.org to make your online donation. The WBEF focus for the 2010-2011 academic year is on the purchase of specific textbooks, adding technology and supporting the Arts.  This year you may earmark your donation where you feel the need is greatest.

If you have any questions regarding the campaign, please contact the foundation at info@wbef.org. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made online at www.wbef.org or by sending checks payable to the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation, 5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield, MI. 48324. 

EARLY CHILDHOOD OPEN HOUSE

On Wednesday, March 16, West Bloomfield Community Education Preschool Academy will be  holding an Open House from 4:00 – 6:30 pm at Ealy Elementary and at our ACS Building at Hiller and Commerce. Come visit us or tell your neighbors about our Preschool that is celebrating 25 years. There will be a model classroom with refreshments, drawings for prizes, fun activities for the kids and registration on-site. Stop in and see what our Preschool Academy is all about.

Have a GREAT WEEKEND!

Talk Sup't. February 24, 2011

Talk Sup’t. - 2/24/2011

NEGOTIATIONS

The Administration met with the West Bloomfield Education Association (WBEA), the Union that represents the Teachers of the district, yesterday, Thursday February 24 for 5 hours.

Concepts discussed still do not generate the level of savings the district needs to assist in addressing our current financial status. Correction from last week’s Talk Sup/t: They will meet again on March 8 and NOT on March 3 as reported last week.

You may view the Deficit Elimination Plan at http://www.westbloomfield.k12.mi.us/files/filesystem/DeficitEliminationPlan.pdf

COFFEE TALK

Yesterday at our Coffee Talk at Scotch Elementary, Tom Goulding presented our current financial status and what the Governor’s budget proposal will mean to our funding.

The Governor’s K-12 Budget Proposal will have disastrous consequences for Michigan’s K-12 school districts if approved by the state legislature.

His plan reduces the 2011-12 foundation grant by $470 per pupil and increases the retirement rate from 20.66% to 24.46% for 2011-12, $230/pupil impact, and to 27.37% for 2012-13.  Total reduction per pupil and including the pension rate increase is approximately $700.00 and represents over $4.7 million for West Bloomfield.

His plan maintains funding for special ed., at-risk, adult education, voc. ed., and early childhood but eliminates $85 million in categorical grants including bilingual ed. For 2012-13, sets aside $300 million that will be available for districts whose employees share in health insurance costs comparable to that of state employees.

This proposal is a direct hit on K-12 education and the original intent of Proposal A which voters approved to adequately fund their public schools.  Now the governor has disinvested in K-12 to aid community colleges and universities. It is estimated that $196 million of state aid will go to community colleges and $700 million to universities for a total of $896 million if his budget proposal is approved.

Please contact your legislators and the governor and do not give them a free pass to once again deplete the school aid fund at the expense of K-12 education.

Senator Mike Kowall

517-373-1758 Phone       517-373-0938 Fax

Post Office Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536

SenMKowall@senate.michigan.gov

State Representative Lisa Brown

517-373-1799 Phone             517-373-8361 Fax

lisabrown@house.mi.gov

Representative Gail Haines

P.O. Box 30014

Lansing, MI  48909-7514

517-373-0615 Phone     517-373-7512  Fax

e-mail:  gailhaines@house.mi.gov

Representative Chuck Moss

P.O. Box 30014

Lansing, MI  48909-7514

517-373-8670 Phone    

e-mail:  chuckmoss@house.mi.gov

You can view Tom Goulding’s PowerPoint presentation at

http://www.westbloomfield.k12.mi.us/files/filesystem/Budget%20Coffee%20Talk%202011.pdf

The next Coffee Talk will be held on March 10 at 7:00 pm at OLMS.  Please join us as this is a chance to share your concerns with us to take to the Board for decisions regarding drafting our final budget. After this last Coffee Talk, we will have an online survey opportunity to weigh in on reductions for the 2011-12 school year. We will look for feedback on the programs that will be selected, staff reductions and consolidations that may have to occur. We will make you aware of the results of the survey in the latter part of March.

PCN

The next PCN (Parent Communication Network) meeting will be held at West Bloomfield High School. Thisa a Meet and Greet Your Legislators. Senator Mike Kowall and Representative will be here to hear your opinions on the state of our budget. The severity of the proposed cuts from Lansing could devastate school districts like West Bloomfield. If a difference is to be made it will be at the legislative level. 

CONGRATULATIONS!

Dreams Really Do Come True! Through the generosity of BestSource Credit Union, one teacher from each of our buildings has won a gift card for their classroom.

Thank you to all who entered their wishes for Teacher Appreciation! We appreciate all you do every day for our youth. The following wishes were selected from each school:

Claudette Daniels - Doherty Elementary

Lisa Earley - Green Elementary

Tricia Bairski - Gretchko Elementary

Julie Baeten - Roosevelt Elementary

Annalisa Franks - Scotch Elementary

Hannah Hanschu - Abbott Middle School

Kimberly Rose - Orchard Lake Middle School

Josh Barclay - West Bloomfi eld High School

Lisa Maddalena - Oakland Early College

BestSource Credit Union has two locations in West Bloomfield and Waterford. We want to thank them for their generosity to our teachers and their classrooms.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Sophomore Allison Kohl and Junior Ashley Lustig, competed in the synchronized skating Spring Cup Competition in Milan, Italy last week and they won a Silver Medal for Team USA! Kudos to both of you and thank you for making us proud!

MARCH IS READING MONTH AT EALY

Ready, get set, read! Ealy Elementary School students will celebrate March is Reading Month by participating in activities keeping with the theme of "Run With a Good Book ... Exercise Your Mind!”. Each week, students will log their daily reading and earn "classroom miles" for time spent reading at home. On Friday, March 11, at 2:00 pm, Daren DeCavitte, motivational speaker from the New Balance Footwear store in Farmington Hills, will address the importance of fitness and its connection with reading. Other highlights of the month include PTO sponsored Pajamas and Cookies Read-in, Spirit Days, All School Reading Bingo, a classroom door decorating contest, and a USED book sale.

Ealy will also host a Read-a-thon Marathon from March 15 - March 17, from 8:30 - 2:30, where students, staff and guests can make a small donation and read on the Ealy Reading Throne during this 72 hour event! Ealy students and staff hope to keep the throne occupied at all times during the school day.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday, March 1

Junior and Senior Students will be taking the MERIT Exams and are the only students to report to class. There will be NO SCHOOL for all other students. This will be a Professional Development Day where teachers will be working on Common Core Standards and Teaching Strategies with Oakland Schools.

DISTRICT ENTERTAINMENT

TONIGHT AND TOMORROW: “13 – THE MUSICAL”

Abbott Middle School Musical Theatre will present the local premiere of the only all teenage show ever to hit Broadway at West Bloomfield High School February 25 & 26, 2011.

With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, "13" is a high-energy musical for all ages about discovering that cool is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it.

The Abbott Musical: 13 The Musical performances will take place:

Friday February 25 - 7:00PM

Saturday February 26 - 2:00PM

Saturday February 26 - 7:00PM

The musical will be held in the WBHS Auditorium. Tickets are now available at the door.

Seats are reserved, and tickets are $11.

SOS CAMPAIGN – YOUR DONATION MATTERS

In 2010, the campaign’s initial year, parents and supporters sent a strong message of how important our schools are by contributing thousands of dollars to the WBEF.  These funds were used to purchase technological equipment, musical instruments, textbooks and science kits.

This year the foundation is asking for the same commitment of $1/day for each student or any amount with which you are comfortable.  Your donation can be made yearly by check or credit card or monthly by credit card.  The WBEF focus for the 2010-2011 academic year is on the purchase of specific textbooks, adding technology and supporting the Arts.  The goal is 100% participation and this year you may earmark your donation where you feel the need is greatest.

If you have any questions regarding the campaign, please contact the foundation at info@wbef.org. 

Donations are tax-deductible and can be made online at http://www.wbef.org/ or by sending checks payable to the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation, 5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield, MI. 48324. 

EARLY CHILDHOOD OPEN HOUSE AND OPEN ENROLLMENT

The West Bloomfield Preschool Academy is hosting their annual Open Enrollment and Open House on March 16, 2011 from 4:00-6:30 PM at ACS and Ealy Elementary.  Parents may choose from a variety of programs to meet the needs of three and four year olds: Junior Kindergarten, Stepping Stones, new 5-half days morning class for 4 year olds only, and our traditional half-day preschool programs.    There will be registration on site, a model classroom, drawings, refreshments and fun activities for little ones to participate in. 

Next fall, we are increasing the traditional preschool day from two and half hours to three hours a day. This additional thirty minutes will provide extra, valuable time for children to experience all the components of a quality preschool day: large group time, small group time (centers), free play (the work-time of a preschooler), snack, and large-motor movement time.  Students will enjoy a non-rushed learning experience in our nurturing preschool environment.  Parents should also know that our preschool program enjoys a thirty-five week school year as compared to programs in neighboring districts that run for only thirty weeks. 

If you would like a personal tour of our program, contact the Community Education office at 248-865-6460.

LAKER NEWSLETTER!
The New February Laker should have been in your mailbox on Wednesday tucked inside the Beacon newspaper. Check out our Arts celebration throughout this issue along with news on students’ accomplishments and happenings in our school district. We continue to shine!

Talk Sup't. 2-17-2011

Talk Sup’t. - 2/17/2011

FACT FINDING REPORT

The Administration has met with the West Bloomfield Education Association (WBEA), the Union that represents
the Teachers of the district, on January 7, January 19, and just this week on February 1, 2011 with a mediator present. Each meeting has lasted from 2-4 hours. The next meetings will be on February 24 and March 3.
There are no new developments to report at this time.  

You may read the Fact Finder’s entire report at http://www.westbloomfield.k12.mi.us/files/filesystem/FactFindersReport.pdf

PCN

PCN met on February 16 at 10:00 am at Roosevelt Elementary as PCN (Parent Communication Network) presented "Innovative Initiatives in Math, Science, English Language Arts
and Social Studies K-12”. Our presenters were Margaret Hendrickson, District Math/Science Curriculum Specialist and Kim Muncie, District ELA/Social Studies Curriculum Specialist. Parents  walked away with a working knowledge of the new National Common Core Standards initiative.  Our presenters offered our
West Bloomfield response as we implement these standards and work collaboratively with districts throughout the county as we move the work forward.

Mark your calendar! Our following PCN meeting will be held on March 16^th at
7:00 pm at West Bloomfield High School Media Center. Join us for a “Meet and Greet”
our new Michigan State Senator Mike Kowall from  the 15th district along with
State Representative Lisa Brown who will answer your questions regarding education in our state.

COFFEE TALKS

Join us for coffee and conversation at our next Coffee Talk Thursday, February 24, 2011
at 9:30 am at Scotch Elementary School. Please join me and Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations, Tom Goulding who will update you on the budget and invite you to give your input. Ass't. Superintendent for Human Resources and Labor Relations,
Mr. Rick Arnett will answer questions regarding Labor Relations.

The next Coffee Talk is scheduled for 7:00 pm on March 10 at Orchard Lake Middle School in the Media Center.

DISTRICT ENTERTAINMENT

You can indulge in activities almost every evening during the week including swimming, diving and basketball and hockey right now. Seniors can enjoy any of our many activities for free by using our Senior Gold Cards, available to anyone living in our district age 65 and up. These cards can be obtained at any one of our school buildings.

“13 – THE MUSICAL”

Abbott Middle School Musical Theatre will present the local premiere of the only all teenage show ever to hit Broadway at West Bloomfield High School February 25 & 26, 2011.

This is a grown-up story about growing up, which I had the pleasure of enjoying a ‘teaser’ at our Keego Harbor Optimist meeting a few weeks ago. The Abbott Middle School students performed several numbers from this hilarious musical and they were over the top! In fact, they were so good that word got out and now they will be repeating the performance for the West Bloomfield Optimist Club on February 15.

When his parents get divorced and he's forced to move from New York to a small town in Indiana, Evan Goldman just wants to make friends and survive the school year.  Easier said than done.  The star quarterback is threatening to ruin his life and his only friend, Patrice, won't talk to him. The school freak sees an opportunity for blackmail and someone is spreading the nastiest rumors.

With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, "13" is a high-energy musical for all ages about discovering that cool is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it.

The Abbott Musical: 13 The Musical performances will take place:

Friday February 25 - 7:00PM

Saturday February 26 - 2:00PM

Saturday February 26 - 7:00PM

The musical will be held in the WBHS Auditorium. Get your tickets now, as I expect sold-out performances! It was THAT GOOD.

Seats are reserved, and $11* tickets are available through www.showtix4u.com or by calling Hanna Hanschu at WBHS 248-865-6720 X 6811.

Impact of State Budget Cuts on the
West Bloomfield School District

February 17, 2011

Information released today has confirmed our fears that Governor Rick Snyder is proposing cuts to K-12 education that, if enacted, are devastating to say the least.

What Is Proposed:

A per pupil cut of $470 per pupil and this cut is on top of the expected increase in the pension rate.  We have heard estimates in the 25% to 27% range, but even if it only grew to 24.5%, that’s equal to about a $230 per pupil increase.  An early rough estimate of what this might mean if these estimates are realized is districts could be facing a potential reduction of $700 per pupil.

Needless to say, these proposed cuts and the effect of the retirement rate increase are huge and are much worse than have been in the recent past, especially when you add in other issues such as rising health insurance rates and declining enrollment.

What Is The Potential Impact On West Bloomfield:

A cut of this magnitude, $700 per pupil, would mean approximately $4.7 million and 6.7% of the district’s current operating revenue.  And this cut would be on top of the current year deficit estimated at $2.9 million.

What’s Next:

We need to start preparing for the worst, but are just at the beginning of a long and contentious process.  Hopefully, Michigan’s children will not be “left behind” by an administration that has indicated education of our young people is important.  We urge everyone to contact their legislators immediately regarding this devastation to K-12 education.

SOS CAMPAIGN

In light of Governor Snyder’s proposed budget, recommending additional cuts to public education, the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation’s Save Our School Campaign is more important than ever. In 2010, the campaign’s initial year, parents and supporters sent a strong message of how important our schools are by contributing thousands of dollars to the WBEF.  These funds were used to purchase technological equipment, musical instruments, textbooks and science kits.

This year the foundation is asking for the same commitment of $1/day for each student or any amount with which you are comfortable.  Your donation can be made yearly by check or credit card or monthly by credit card.  The WBEF focus for the 2010-2011 academic year is on the purchase of specific textbooks, adding technology and supporting the Arts.  The goal is 100% participation and this year you may earmark your donation where you feel the need is greatest.

We acknowledge these are challenging times. It will take some sacrifice right here in our own backyard, but we are confident our district and kids will persevere and succeed with your support.  If you have any questions regarding the campaign, please contact the foundation at info@wbef.org. 

Donations are tax-deductible and can be made online at http://www.wbef.org/ or by sending checks payable to the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation,

5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield, MI. 48324. 

NEGOTIATIONS

Please continue to visit our website for updates as we respond to issues through our Questions and Answers Regarding Negotiations.

This past Tuesday there was an unusually high number of teachers absent at West Bloomfield High School. However, we were prepared and all classes were covered by calling in substitutes and help from other buildings. Students were safe and supervised at all times. Our students were exceptional and we thank them for their cooperation.

BOARD MEETING

There will be a board meeting on Friday, February 18 at WBHS Media Center. There will be a closed session in the Media Conference room from 4:00 – 4:45, with an open session beginning at 4:45 pm.

Please go to our website to address any statements that you believe are rumors or information that you feel is unfounded.  

Talk Sup’t. - 2/4/2011

FACT FINDING REPORT

The Administration has met with the West Bloomfield Education Association (WBEA), the Union that represents the Teachers of the district, on January 7, January 19, and just this week on February 1, 2011 with a mediator present. We will continue this process as we are scheduled for another meeting on February 11. There are no new developments to report at this time.  

You may read the Fact Finder’s entire report at http://www.westbloomfield.k12.mi.us/files/filesystem/FactFindersReport.pdf

SCHOOL CLOSINGS:

Many of you enjoyed a day off on Wednesday due to the weather conditions. The decisions to close schools due to inclement weather are based on several factors.  Our Maintenance and Transportations departments drive the roads at 3:30 am to determine if they will be safe for our buses and also for our employees to make it in to work. Their opinions are reported to the Superintendent, who then confers with the other superintendents in the southwest quadrant of Oakland County at approximately 4:30 am.  This procedure, along with reports from the National Weather Service help us to determine what will be the safest action to take. A wind chill of -25^o, and a minimum of 6” of snow will determine automatic school closings. Common sense always prevails, with safety being our number one factor.

WBHS

Blake Prewitt, Co-Principal at West Bloomfield High School, has accepted a position with a parochial school in Cleveland, Ohio, where much of his family is located. He will finish out the school year with West Bloomfield, and we wish him the best in his new endeavor.

PCN

Join us February 16 at 10:00 am at Roosevelt Elementary as our next PCN (Parent Communication Network) presents "Innovative Initiatives in Math, Science, English Language Arts
and Social Studies K-12”. Our presenters will be Margaret Hendrickson, District Math/Science Curriculum Specialist and Kim Muncie, District ELA/Social Studies Curriculum Specialist. You will walk away with a working knowledge of the new National Common Core Standards initiative.  Our presenters will offer our West Bloomfield response as we implement these standards and work collaboratively with districts throughout the county as we move the work forward.

Mark your calendar! Our following PCN meeting will be held on March 16^th at 7:00 pm at West Bloomfield High School Media Center. Join us for a “Meet and Greet” our new Michigan State Senator Mike Kowall from  the 15th district along with State Representative Lisa Brown who will answer your questions regarding education in our state.

COFFEE TALKS

Join us for coffee and conversation at our next Coffee Talk Thursday, February 24, 2011
at 9:30 am at Scotch Elementary School. Please join me and Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations, Tom Goulding who will update you on the budget and invite you to give your input. Ass't. Superintendent for Human Resources and Labor Relations,
Mr. Rick Arnett will answer questions regarding Labor Relations.

The next Coffee Talk is scheduled for 7:00 pm on March 10 at Orchard Lake Middle School in the Media Center.

DISTRICT ENTERTAINMENT

You can indulge in activities almost every evening during the week including swimming, diving and basketball and hockey right now. Seniors can enjoy any of our many activities for free by using our Senior Gold Cards, available to anyone living in our district age 65 and up. These cards can be obtained at any one of our school buildings.

MIFA

Dinner Theater fund-raiser Wednesday, February 9, at 6:30 pm at WBHS
The drama students at West Bloomfield High School have chosen a Shakespearean comedy of romance and mistaken identity for this year's Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association one-act theater competition.
Twelfth Night centers on the key plot elements of a love triangle involving a girl disguised as a young man and plots hatched by the mischievous Sir Toby Belch.

"This is our first attempt at staging Shakespeare for this competition. We are finding it a challenge because of the high degree of our technical production, the Elizabethan dialogue and the tricky plot lines. The students are up to the task, and they always make us proud" explains the show's director, WBHS technical theater manager Mark Johnson. This is Johnson's 13th year directing for the statewide competition.

The students will present the show as a dinner-theater fund-raiser night at the school Wednesday, Feb. 9. A Middle Eastern buffet dinner begins at 6:30; the show begins at 7:30. Tickets for dinner are $20/adult and $10/child 10 and under. Tickets are $10/adult and $5/students if you would like to just see the show and have dessert after. Call 248 865-6737 for information and reservations.

“13 – THE MUSICAL”

Abbott Middle School Musical Theatre will present the local premiere of the only all teenage show ever to hit Broadway at West Bloomfield High School February 25 & 26, 2011.

This is a grown-up story about growing up, which I had the pleasure of enjoying a ‘teaser’ at our Keego Harbor Optimist meeting a few weeks ago. The Abbott Middle School students performed several numbers from this hilarious musical and they were over the top! In fact, they were so good that word got out and now they will be repeating the performance for the West Bloomfield Optimist Club on February 15.

When his parents get divorced and he's forced to move from New York to a small town in Indiana, Evan Goldman just wants to make friends and survive the school year.  Easier said than done.  The star quarterback is threatening to ruin his life and his only friend, Patrice, won't talk to him. The school freak sees an opportunity for blackmail and someone is spreading the nastiest rumors.

With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, "13" is a high-energy musical for all ages about discovering that cool is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it.

The Abbott Musical: 13 The Musical performances will take place:

Friday February 25 - 7:00PM

Saturday February 26 - 2:00PM

Saturday February 26 - 7:00PM

The musical will be held in the WBHS Auditorium. Get your tickets now, as I expect sold-out performances! It was THAT GOOD.

Seats are reserved, and $11* tickets are available through www.showtix4u.com or by calling Hanna Hanschu at WBHS 248-865-6720 X 6811.

I would like to wish our Chinese families a Happy New year.

Talk Sup't.

Talk Sup’t. - JoAnn Blog 1/7/2011


FACT FINDING REPORT

On Wednesday, January 19, 2010 the Administration met with the West Bloomfield Education Association (WBEA) the Union that represents the Teachers of the district, for nearly 4 hours. We will resume these discussions on February 1, 2011 with a mediator present. The District never loses sight of its purpose of providing a quality education for each child in every one of our buildings. .

You may read the Fact Finder’s entire report at http://www.westbloomfield.k12.mi.us/files/filesystem/FactFindersReport.pdf



SCHOOL TIME

The Board of Educaion and I have been visiting schools on our traditional Walk-Thru’s and are very pleased at the use of technology at the elementary and middle school levels. Teachers are integrating technology in a natural way in the classrooms by providing easy access to Promethean boards for the students. All of our students at the high school and middle school levels are prepping for exams which will take place Monday through Thursday of next week, with no school on Friday, January 28.

KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP

West Bloomfield School District is holding Kindergarten Roundup beginning today for eligible children who will be five years old by December 1, 2011, for the 2011-2012 school year. This information is posted on the home page of our website at www.wbsd.org.

For Green, Doherty, and Ealy, call the schools listed to schedule your appointment.

Roosevelt and Gretchko, please come at the designated time with your child.

Please bring:

a. Your child’s certified birth certificate

b. Three Proofs of Residency

i. Deed or signed lease/rental agreement AND

ii. Two other proofs of residency, i.e gas and electric bill, with your name and address

c. Your child’s immunization records and vision screening



Roundup dates and times for individual schools:

Friday, January 21, 2011: (held today)

Green Elementary - Katherine Sheiko, Principal

8:35 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:15 pm

Call 248-865-6370 to schedule your appointment with your child.



Tuesday, January 25, 2011:

Doherty Elementary - Susan Crocker, Principal

9:30 am, 10:45 am,1:00 pm, 2:15 pm

Call 248-865-6020 to schedule your appointment with your child.



Wednesday, January 26, 2011:

Roosevelt Elementary - Dr. Beth Feiten, Principal

Call 248-865-6620 for more information.

All parents and children come at 7:00 pm.



Thursday, January 27, 2011:

Ealy Elementary - Roderick MacNeal, Jr., Principal

8:35 am, 10:00 am,12:00 pm, 1:15 pm

Call 248-865-6210 to schedule your appointment with your child.



Thursday, January 27, 2011:

Gretchko Elementary - Sally Drummond, Principal

Call: 248-865-6570

All parents and children come at 5:30 pm.

UNITED WE WALK

The 17th Annual United We Walk Celebration took place on Sunday, January 16. The program celebrating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. promoted the theme “United We Remember and Move Forward”. Judge Denise Langford Morris was our Keynote Speaker and she spoke eloquently about how we got to this point and where we go from here. Judge Morris presented a slideshow during her speech that depicted some provocative and emotional photos of scenes which served to help us understand social injustice and King’s desire to help create an integrated and unified America.

Dr. Robert Martin led the audience in an inspiring rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, accompanied by Principal Blake Prewitt on the piano. Co-Chairs Brian Flaggs, Pastor Bill Matlack, Eleanor Squaire-Spears, along with students Alyxis Flaggs, Erin Lasenby and David Kakos and the entire United We Walk Committee did a magnificent job of creating an interesting, dramatic, entertaining and inspiring program. Special thank to the Township and the West Bloomfield Police Department for supporting this event.

VOICES OF TRIUMPH

Orchard Lake Middle School Theater and Choir students performed last night at the “Voices of Triumph” in the OLMS cafeteria. This tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King was a beautiful evening concert of poetry and song .

BEYOND INTERNET SAFETY

The January 19 PCN Meeting at the West Bloomfield High School Auditorium, was a phenomenal presentation of Beyond Internet Safety. Parent and attorney Frank Hoffman, Len Feller from the U.S. Dept. of Justice, Shaindle Braunstein, Director of Hermelin ORT, Gary Weisserman, Head of School at Oakland Early College, West Bloomfield Police Department officer Chuck Mendham, and our Director of Technology, Dr. Neil Currie discussed Cyber Bullying, Protecting your Privacy and Identity, Sexting, and Living in a web 2.0 World. The comments from those parents who attended were all positive, while several called it ‘eye opening’. This is an important topic in today’s world as we all try to protect our children. If you were not able to make it to the meeting, we have posted two of the presentations at the top of the home page of our website for your viewing. See Beyond Internet Safety and Child Safety.