Happy New Year, Team WB! We hope you enjoyed some much deserved time off and away from your computer screens. We are eager to build on the foundations we set in 2020 as we hope for brighter and better things in 2021.

The West Bloomfield School District welcomes community members to the 27th Annual United We Walk Virtual Showcase on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. This virtual celebration will be broadcast LIVE on Civic Center TV, 89.3 Lakers FM and the West Bloomfield School District Facebook page. The theme for this year’s event is "Everyone Can Be Great Because Anyone Can Serve"

The 2021 Virtual Showcase will present a program featuring speakers, presentations and performances celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King’s Jr’s life, legacy and impact on our country. Following the program, virtual attendees will be encouraged to participate in a virtual one mile walk to simulate the group’s annual walk down Orchard Lake Road. Those participating in this virtual walk will be encouraged to post photos of their walk to their social media channels with #UWW2021.

Prior to the virtual event, at 2 p.m. members of the community will have the opportunity to participate in the UWW watch party event via Zoom at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84738480185

Important information related to the event including event links, walk information and how to support our 2021 charity partner, Blessings in a Backpack - West Bloomfield/Keego Harbor can be found on UWW’s website, www.unitedwewalk.org.

Jennifer Graham, United We Walk Adult Chairperson said, “We strive to continue to uplift the life and legacy of Dr. King and keep his dream alive. We invite the community to join us for our first ever, virtual event.”

For more information, contact the United We Walk committee at unitedwewalk@gmail.com.

The West Bloomfield High School Mentorship Program would like to recognize and thank all the mentors who worked with our Professional Apprenticeship Intern Students this semester.

• List of Fall 2020 Mentors

Jenifer Rosenwasser, WBHS Social Studies Teacher, said, " Thank you to all the 2020 Mentors. We so appreciate you guiding our 11th and 12th grade Professional Apprenticeship students. This program continues to be a wonderful opportunity for students to engage with professionals in a field they are passionate about pursuing in the future. Due to the pandemic, the creativity of our mentors and interns found a way forward to continue making this course viable. Your dedication and willingness to ensure our students engaged in meaningful experiences will help them make informed career choices."

• Eligibility: Open to all students under the age of 19 as of Oct 1, 2020 (and not enrolled as a degree-seeking student of a post-secondary institution)
• Residence: Student must reside in the State of Michigan, Lower Peninsula
• Language: The essay must be written in English only
• How to enter: Students write and submit an essay on their interpretation of this year’s official topic, “Reaching your Dreams by Choosing Optimism”.

This scholarship contest is comprised of 2 levels: A preliminary round, which is conducted by local Optimist clubs across the state (entry deadline is Jan 31, 2021, for West Bloomfield). The winner from each local club advances to the District level, where the overall winner receives a $2,500 scholarship in the spring.

The application, official rules, and entry details can be found on our website: https://michiganoptimists.org/essay

The Optimist Club of West Bloomfield will be awarding $150 to 1st place, $100 to 2nd place, and $50 for 3rd place.

All submissions must meet the rules outlined at https://michiganoptimists.org/essay and the author must attend a school in the West Bloomfield School District area.

Local essays should be submitted to gflynn@wbtownship.org. Please include “OPTIMIST ESSAY ENTRY” in the subject line. Also, include your school name in the body of the email. Entries will be accepted until Jan 31, 2021, at 12 PM.

No cost meals are available for curbside pick up to all children in the community.

Each child will receive:

• 7 breakfast and lunch meals.
• Please pre-order meals on the West Bloomfield School District Food Service page or at the linked order form.

Pick up sites:

• West Bloomfield HS main entrance (4925 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield)
  • Pick-up day: Wednesday or by special arrangement
  • Times: 11:30am-12:30pm or 3:30pm-4:30pm or by special arrangement
• Roosevelt Elementary main entrance (2065 Cass Lake Road, Keego Harbor)
  • Pick-up day: Wednesday
  • Time: 11:00am-1:00pm

As you may already know, our district utilizes the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more. This resource is on top of the emails and phone messages you already receive from SchoolMessenger.

You can participate in this service just by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our district’s short code number, 67587.

You can also opt-out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our

messages with “Stop”.

SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy PledgeTM, so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone.

The public is invited to the University of Michigan's Children and Youth Program on Monday, January 18 from 9-11 am (EST). This event is open to all K-12 students as an opportunity to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. You can learn more about the event on their website (here).

Registration

APPLICATIONS FOR THE CLASS OF 2025 ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED.

• Access the on-line application form HERE.

The deadline for applications for the class of 2025 is January 24, 2021

Virtual Enrollment Meetings

Come join us to learn more about the International Academy and the enrollment process for current 8th graders. Please pre-register for the dates listed below by clicking on the link for the registration form. We will email you a link to a pre-recorded video we ask that you watch before attending our live question and answer sessions on Zoom. The Zoom links will be sent to everyone who pre-registers and they will be posted on the www.iatoday.org website.

West Bloomfield Lottery Date

Tuesday, February 2, 2021
3:00 PM – West Bloomfield H/S. Media Center,
4925 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield
248-865-6720

Please feel free to contact the enrollment office (248) 341-5900 if you have further questions.

Reading Lists for Kids

• Martin Luther King, Jr. (Kids)

• Martin Luther King, Jr. (Teen)

• New Must Read Fiction (2020) (Teen)

• Winter Reading Program - Chapter Books and Graphic Novels (Kids)

• Winter Reading Program - New Picture Books and Easy Readers (Kids)

• Winter Wonderland (Kids)

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Virtually @ Your Library

On January 18 at 10 AM, join Miz Rosie on a storytelling journey and learn through African Tales. Her interactive “edutainment” will educate, enlighten and entertain. At 2 PM, watch an ensemble of dynamic dancers use break dancing and audience participation to explore hip hop’s rich cultural history and its message of respect for self and others. Principles of Hip Hop focuses on youth empowerment, diversity, creativity and working together. Both programs are for all ages, will take place on Zoom, and are open to anyone with a library card in our system. Register to receive connection details.

Join guest host Deb Macon at 7 PM for a special BOOKED for the Evening discussion of The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. by Peniel Joseph. This program will take place on Zoom and is limited to West Bloomfield Library cardholders. Register to receive connection details.

NEW! Winter Reading for Grades K-5 through Sunday, February 14

Elementary students can read for fun 30 minutes each week and earn rewards for reaching reading milestones. Choose to read books, eBooks, graphic novels or magazines. Registration is open to K-5 students who live in the Library’s service area and K-5 students enrolled in the West Bloomfield School District with a WBTPL student card. To register, library cards must be in good standing.

Register for the Winter Reading program online or in-person. A packet of information with a reading log will be available after registration.

Virtual Dungeons and Dragons (Grades 6-12)

January 11 @ 4 PM on Zoom

Whether you are a seasoned gamer or new to D&D, join us for some fantasy adventure and roleplaying.

Register to receive connection details

Virtual Tinkercad (Grades 6-12)

January 9 @ 10:30 AM on Zoom

Tinkercad is a 3D design program that is accessed via the Internet. In each session, follow along as a different object is created, which will then be printed on the Library's 3D printer. Register to receive connection details

The West Bloomfield Township Main Library and Westacres Branch are open for Phase 3 services.

In Phase 3, our priorities continue to be the health and safety of staff, users and the community at large and providing convenient access to collections of materials in all formats. An additional goal of Phase 3 is providing access the Library’s public computers, scanners and printers, equipment that we recognize not everyone in our community may have at home. Please see the Library’s website for the latest updates and temporary hours.

Renew or request a library card

Ask at the Main Library Reception desk or the Westacres Branch Circulation desk. You can also continue to renew or request a library card on the Library’s website.

• Employment Opportunities

• New Middle School Updates

• GWB Historical Society Events

• WB Township Library News and Events

Preparing our students to be their best IN and FOR the world!

Email: daniel.durkin@wbsd.org
Website: www.wbsd.org
Location: 5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 865-6420
Facebook: facebook.com/WestBloomfieldSchools/
Twitter: @wbloomfieldschl