WBMS Update
Week of November 20th, 2023
Celebrations
Cosmo the Therapy Dog
Students have really taken to Cosmo, the WBMS therapy dog! Cosmo is housed in Ms. Wilson's room in Lower Yellow. Students have had the opportunity to take him outside, play fetch with him, or just hang out for a cuddle break. We love having Cosmo at WBMS!
PBIS Punch Cards
Students are given a new punch card each month that is housed in their ID pouch, and can earn hole punches by doing kind or helpful things. Teachers have given hole punches for turning in a lost ID/lanyard, helping someone pick up dropped books, running an errand for a teacher, etc. Once 20 punches have been earned, the student can exchange the punch card for a ribbon and their chosen reward.
We have loved seeing our Leading Lakers in action, and are looking forward to more great things from our students!
Lakers on FOX 2 News!
Reed: 2nd from left
Kaleniecki: 4th from left
Updates
Staffing
West Bloomfield Middle School is diligently working through the hiring process for both
an art teacher and an Assistant Principal.
We will continue with the fourth round of interviews for art candidates the week if
November 27, 2023. So far 8 candidates have been interviewed and our commitment to
find the best fit, highly qualified and exceptional instructor continues with 4 more in the
upcoming weeks.
We are also starting the screening and interview process for the Assistant Principal
position with a projected start date of January 8, 2024. This timeline allows for a
structured and collaborative selection process to ensure that the chosen candidate can
seamlessly transition into their role.
If there are any specific questions or aspects of the processes that need clarity, please
reach out to Mr. Evans or Mr. Gardner.
Reminders
House Meetings
- Collaboration spaces and hallways looking cleaner
- Reduced tardiness to class
- Improved work completion in class
Please refer to the outlined procedures in the next section for guidance. The Student Code of Conduct is linked in this section as well.
Thank you for supporting our behavior expectations at home AND at school!
School Procedures
- Students must have their lanyard and student ID on them at all times.
- Students without IDs will be directed to the homework room for recess.
- New lanyards and IDs may be purchased in the main office: $2 for lanyard, $5 for ID
- Beginning Monday, November 13th, students without their lanyard during Advisory will be assigned an after-school detention
Cell Phones & Smart Watches
- ALL cell phones are to be kept 1) powered OFF, and 2) in lockers
- Smart Watches are not to be used for communication or searching information on the Internet
- If a cell phone is seen or a watch is being used for an unauthorized purpose, it will be confiscated and turned in to the main office
- 1st violation: student pick-up from the main office
- 2nd violation: parent pick-up from the main office
- 3rd violation: parent pick-up from the main office and conference with administration
Backpacks & Coats
- ALL backpacks and coats are to be kept in student lockers
- Those with a medical bag exception are the only students permitted to carry bags
- Small purses are also permitted with limits (similar to the size limits permitted for a stadium or arena)
- If students are having trouble fitting their backpack in their locker, items may be removed for the bag to be condensed, or a smaller bag (i.e. drawstring bag) may be recommended.
- If backpacks are found in collaboration spaces or school spaces other than a locker, an after-school detention will be assigned to the student the bag belongs to
Food, Drink, & Gum
- We have individuals with very severe food allergies at our school.
- All food and drinks (other than water) are not allowed anywhere outside the auditeria.
- If a student is asked by an adult to put food/drink away and refuses, it is an automatic after-school detention.
- Gum is also not allowed at West Bloomfield Middle School for healthy and safety reasons.
- If a student is asked by an adult to spit out their gum and they refuse, it is an automatic after-school detention.
Please reach out to our Dean of Student Services, Haley Barnes at haley.barnes@wbsd.org, if you have any questions regarding these procedures.
Thank you for your support of our school procedures!
Updated Fighting Procedures
- 1st violation: 5 day out of school suspension
- 2nd violation: 5 day out of school suspension + meeting with Superintendent prior to return
The expectation is that students are making safe choices and keeping their hands to themselves. WBMS does not tolerate fighting or physical aggression, as it is not a representation of the school culture and climate.
If you have questions about our updated procedures, please contact Mr. Gardner, Mr. Evans, or Ms. Barnes at your convenience.
Thank you for supporting student safety and comfort!
Tardy Procedures
Students that receive 3+ tardies in one school day will be assigned an after-school detention to be served the following day. Calls are sent out in the evening via the ParentLink program.
Please note that if your student receives 8 tardies in a school week, they will receive an after-school detention to be served the following Monday. Attendance reports will be pulled at the end of each week and you will be notified no later than Sunday afternoon.
Additionally, if your child is assigned an after-school detention and does not serve it within the week it was assigned, your child will be assigned an In-School Suspension for the following Monday.
If you have any questions about these procedures, please contact our Dean of Students, Haley Barnes, at haley.barnes@wbsd.org. Thank you!
After-School Event Procedures
We have provided a set of rules and procedures for students who wish to attend after school activities (primarily after school sports competitions). These guidelines outline the process for attendance and the responsibilities of both students and their parents or guardians. Here's a breakdown of the procedures:
Attendance Requirement:
Students who want to attend after school activities must first go home before the event.
Parent or Guardian Escort: (not school dances)
To participate in after school activities, students must return to school escorted by a parent or guardian.
Parents or guardians must be in attendance during the activity. (Participating athletes are excluded from this procedure.)
Alternate Escort:
If a parent or guardian cannot attend and wishes to send the student with another adult, that adult must be listed on the student's emergency contact list.
After School Detention:
Students assigned to after school detention must go home directly after detention ends at 4:15.
Attending Activities After Detention:
Students assigned after school detention who wish to attend after school activities may return to school with an adult, following the same procedure as other students.
Pick-Up Time After Events: (applies to all events including dances)
Students who participate in after school events must be picked up within 30 minutes of the event's end time.
Failure to be picked up within this timeframe may result in not being allowed to attend future after school events.
These procedures are in place to ensure the safety and accountability of students attending after school activities and to establish clear guidelines for their attendance and supervision. It's important for both students and parents or guardians to adhere to these rules to maintain a safe and organized after school program.
School Breakfast
8th Grade Sweatshirts
Every year we offer all 8th graders an opportunity to purchase an 8th grade sweatshirt
The link for orders is: https://parrotwear.com/wbms28
International Academy (8th Graders)
The application window is from November 1st to January 29th.
Click on this link for details: https://www.iatoday.org/about-us/prospective-students/okma-campus-prospective-students
See Mr. Levitan, the current 8th grade counselor for more details, or send an email to steven.levitan@wbsd.org.
Lost and Found
Project Bracelet
Upcoming Dates
Late Start Dates
Classes on Late Start school days will begin at 9:20 am.
Bus routes will operate one hour later than normal.
Late Start Dates:
Wednesday, November 29th
Wednesday, December 13th
Wednesday, January 10th
Wednesday, January 24th
Wednesday, February 7th
Wednesday, February 28th
Wednesday, March 13th
Wednesday, April 24th
Wednesday, May 8th
Wednesday, May 22nd
Miscellaneous Dates
November 29th - Applebee's Fundraiser (PTO - See details below)
February 2nd - Casino Night @ Glen Oaks Country Club
February 9th - Valentine's Dance
May 8th - Orchestra Concert
May 13th - Dodgeball Tournament (Student Council)
May 15th - Volleyball Tournament
May 17th - Spirit Week Dance
May 28th - Cedar Point Trip (tentative)
May 31st - 8th Grade Dance
Overview
There are no fees to play middle school sports.
We are governed by the state association regarding rules and participation: MHSAA
We compete in the COMSAC league (Central Oakland Middle School Athletic Conference)
All registration takes place on the Final Forms website (see button below)
Things that are required to play:
Complete all forms on Final Forms including:
Basic information
Athletic physical signed by a DR and completed after April 15th 2023 (see button below for blank form)
Signatures on forms by students and parents
Sign the Middle School Athletic Contract (one form per sport, see button below)
***If you played a middle school sport last year, you will have a Final Forms login. Please use that login to sign in, upload a new physical and sign the paperwork. All of the other data, like demographic and contact information will be saved and has rolled over.
Remaining Seasons
Winter 2 Sports: opens Dec 1st for registration
- Wrestling: 6th, 7th, 8th grade
- Volleyball 7th/8th grade
- Start Date: January 24th
Spring Sports: Opens January 10th for registration
- Track: 6th, 7th, 8th grade
- Start Date: April 24th
Please reach out to Mr. Evans at jermaine.evans@wbsd.org with questions about sports schedules, Final Forms, etc.
WBMS PTO
Applebee's Fundraiser
**Save the Date - WBMS PTO Fundraiser Update**
On Wednesday, November 29th the delicious and generous Applebee's (455 Haggerty Hwy.) is donating back 20% of Dine-In, Takeout & Pick up orders to support a great cause -- WBMS PTO! On behalf of WBMS PTO you’re invited to join us and eat out, not only in support of the organization, but to show one of your Commerce Township restaurants some love too! We ask that you RSVP here: https://grouprai.se/e263468 (even if you’re not completely sure) so Applebee's knows roughly how many orders to expect & so you have access to all the event details. We hope you can make it, and please feel free to forward this invitation to your friends and family. Thanks in advance for your support! WBMS PTO
NO BAGEL SALES FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH - NO SCHOOL
TRUE Martial Arts - PTO Fundraiser
Donut Sales
Applebee's Fundraiser - November 29th
Quick Links - PTO
4th Weds 7pm General PTO Meeting series
Donut/Bagel Sales Volunteer Sign Up Genius
Donut/Bagel Sales Google Calendar Friday Series
WBMS PTO Events Sign Up Genius
General PTO Meeting Presentation
2023-2024 School Year Officers
- President - Sherri-Anne Wynter
- Vice President - Monique Williams Esq
- Treasurer - Renai Mayle
- Secretary - Amanda Oliver
- Public Relations - Terri Hoyer Compton
West Bloomfield Middle School
David Gardner, Principal
Jermaine Evans, Assistant Principal
Haley Barnes, Dean of Student Services
Email: haley.barnes@wbsd.org
Website: https://www.wbsd.org/west-bloomfield-middle-school
Location: 6000 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone: 248-865-4480