Dolphin Tales
School Update 2/23
Important Dates
February 28 - Late Start (Doherty will start at 10:10)
March 13- Late Start (Doherty will start at 10:10)
March 23-31 - Spring Break
April 3- Late Start (Doherty will start at 10:10)
Front Page News
The renewal of our operating millage is on the ballot on Tuesday, February 27th. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please remember to exercise your right to vote, and be aware that four of our schools are polling locations:
West Bloomfield Middle School
Doherty Elementary School
Gretchko Elementary School
Scotch Elementary School
We have a separate entrance and exit for those voting in our schools. The schools will be open and in session.
What is the difference between a bond and an operating millage?
A bond proposal is how a public school district asks its community for authorization to borrow money to pay for capital improvements. Voter-approved bond funds may be spent on projects described in the proposal. Funds raised through the sale of bonds cannot be used on operational expenses such as employee salaries and benefits, school supplies, and textbooks. Bond funds must be kept separate from operating funds and must be audited by an independent auditing firm.
An operating millage is just that - funds for day-to-day operations. The WBSD operating millage pays for:
Teachers
Counselors
Social Workers
Bus drivers
Mental health programs
School safety
Educational programs
Summary of the proposal:
This is not a tax increase. This is a renewal of an existing millage.
This makes up approximately 17% of our annual operating budget.
The non-homestead millage proposal is only for non-homestead properties, like commercial, business, rental properties, vacant land, and second-home property owners. This portion does not impact primary residences.
There is an Operating Millage Renewal FAQ on the district website that contains facts about the ballot proposal.
Paid for by West Bloomfield School District, 5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48324
Family RULER Connection Week 9
Mood Meter Part 2: The Mood Meter is a square divided into four quadrants — red, blue, green, and yellow — each representing a different set of feelings. Different feelings are grouped together on the Mood Meter based on their pleasantness and energy level.
RED feelings: high in energy and low in pleasantness (e.g., angry, scared, and anxious)
BLUE feelings: low in energy and low in pleasantness (e.g., sad, disappointed, and lonely)
GREEN feelings: low in energy and high in pleasantness (e.g., calm, tranquil, and relaxed)
YELLOW feelings: high in energy and high in pleasantness (e.g., happy, excited, and curious)
Using it with your family
To use the Mood Meter, encourage family members to plot their feelings several times throughout the day or week. You can use the colors of the Mood Meter to discuss your feelings or inquire about your child’s feelings. For example, you could say: “It seems you’re in the red and you want to feel more green, is there something I can do to help?”
Once you’ve gotten used to identifying feelings with your child using the four colors, try attaching a specific word to the feeling. For example, if your child is in the blue and feeling sad — ask your child if there’s another word that better describes how she feels. Is she lonely, disappointed, or melancholy? Say what you see, as you notice how your child is expressing his or her feelings. “You’re stomping your feet. You must be angry.” Then, talk to your child about strategies for shifting away from this feeling. “If you’re lonely, what can we do to help you feel less lonely and more connected?”
Like anything worthwhile, developing emotional self-awareness takes practice. Over time, the Mood Meter can become an intuitive, powerful tool for families to feel heard and understood, a precursor to deepening emotional self-awareness and building better relationships.
💙 Doherty PTO 💙
From Doherty's School Social Worker Mrs. Schwartz:
Updates from Specials
Outdoor Recess Reminder: Stay ready for the weather!
All students will participate in outdoor recess with their class on a daily basis when the weather meets the minimum feels like temps. Students will only be excused from recess when a doctor's note is provided for medical reasons.
🆓 SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH INFORMATION 🆓
- Students may elect to pack a lunch from home OR order a Free Lunch
- One breakfast and one lunch permitted per student per day
Families who have previously received breakfast and lunch assistance or are currently in a difficult financial position need to fill out the application by clicking the blue button below. There are a variety of important resources that are tied to that application, including Blessings in a Backpack, grant funding, etc. The applications are confidential and should be filled out each year for your students. The goal of completing the forms is to provide extra support for those students who need it.
Capturing Kids Hearts Resources
Each month classrooms will focus on a different character trait through our Capturing Kids Hearts framework. Below you will find a family newsletter that introduces the character trait of Empathy!
BUILDING INFORMATION
📲Student Absences📲
Save the Doherty Safeline # in your phone: 248-865-6002
Leave a message on the Doherty Safeline if you're child will not be attending school.
School Bell Times 2023-2024 SY
Start time 9:10 a.m.
Dismissal time 4:02 p.m.
Late Start Time: 10:10 a.m.
Half-Day Dismissal time: 12:12
Carline Reminders
- Please use crosswalk or sidewalk by the basketball courts.
- Please remain in your vehicle. A staff member will help your student(s) out of the car.
- Neighborhood parking.
Important WBSD contacts:
Nutrition Services
- 248.865.6733
Contact Nutrition Services with any questions regarding lunch accounts, free and reduced lunch applications or account set up.
Jake Sutton Transportation General Manager
Jake Sutton, General Manager
jake.sutton@wbsd.org
Durham School Services, West Bloomfield
3340 Orchard Lake Road
West Bloomfield, Michigan 48324
Phone: (248) 865-3680
- Bethany Helka
Kids Klub Secretary
(248) 865-6468
bethany.helka@wbsd.org
Frequently Asked Questions/Building Info
❔Frequently Asked Questions- We will add more as they come in! ❔
🚌How do I find out where my bus stop is and when the bus picks up and drops off?
The transportation department routes all students eligible for bussing throughout the summer and will mail that information directly to families in mid-August. Other information about transportation is available on the WBSD Transportation website including School Of Choice Shuttle requests.
🔒How does the school keep the building secure throughout the day?
The exterior doors and main entrance are ALWAYS locked at Doherty. All visitors must access the building by being admitted through our main office. Unscheduled visitors are not permitted and guests are accompanied at all times while in the building. We are also equipped with video surveillance and frequent patrols from the West Bloomfield Police Department.
🥜Is the school nut-free?
The school is not nut-free but classrooms are. Any snack consumed in the classrooms must be nut-free. Parents of students with severe allergies should contact the office before school starts.
🎉Can we send in cupcakes, cookies or birthday cake to celebrate my child's birthday?
At this time our district and building policy is to not celebrate birthdays with treats, baked goods, candy, or food of any kind. Elementary teachers will recognize students on their special day in special ways.
✨Will the students go outside for recess all year long?
All Doherty students will participate in outdoor recess when safe and weather permits. Outdoor play is important for a child's social and physical development. Parents are encouraged to acquire various weather-appropriate gear for their student to wear during recess. Students are outside for recess unless there is heavy rain, thunderstorms/lightning or the 'feels like' temperature is below 10* Fahrenheit.
👟How should my child dress for school daily?
Doherty students will play, and use various learning materials and art mediums on a daily basis. They will also foster independence outside on the playground and in the cafeteria. Their clothing should be comfortable, weather-appropriate and ok to get a little dirty sometimes. Closed toe, well-fitting athletic style shoes are strongly encouraged for both safety and practicality.