WBSD Weekly Update
Wednesday, January 10, 2023
2024 Calendar
January 14 - 30th event for United We Walk, 1 p.m., WBMS
January 15 - MLK Jr. Day - No School
January 17 - Half Day - HS Only
January 18 - Half Day - All Levels
January 19 - Half Day - All Levels
January 24 - Late Start, Kindergarten Showcase 6:30 p.m. WBMS
February 27 - Operating Millage Renewal on Primary Ballot
Click here to view other important dates.
On the Presidential Primary Ballot, February 27, 2024, the West Bloomfield School District will be voting on the following operating millage renewal. The actual ballot language is below:
West Bloomfield School District Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
This proposal will allow the school district to maintain the
number of mills required to be levied for the school district to
receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews
millage that will expire with the 2024 tax levy.
Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18.6967 mills ($18.6967 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, and 4.6587 mills ($4.6587 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) against principal residences, qualified agricultural property, qualified forest property, supportive housing property, property occupied by a public school academy, industrial personal property and commercial personal property, in West Bloomfield School District, Oakland County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 10 years, 2025 to 2034, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect from combined property taxes authorized herein if the millage is approved and levied in 2025 is approximately $13,371,684 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2024 tax levy)?
Key points:
This is not a tax increase. This is a renewal of an existing millage.
This makes up approximately 17% of our 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 residence.
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
Preparing for K-8 NWEA Testing
Beginning January 16th, K- 8 students will participate in the Winter NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth Assessment for Math and Language Arts. Each school and teacher will be communicating when your child will take the assessment. We need your help in ensuring that your child takes the assessment seriously, gives his/her very best, and is well rested for the assessment. Please read the information below so that we can work together to maximize this assessment experience.
Please be aware of communication from your child’s school regarding the dates of the assessment so that you can help your child mentally prepare. If you are unsure of the dates, please feel free to connect with your child’s teacher.
Our mindset and words matter. Please take the time to emphasize the importance of the assessment and to encourage your child to do his/her very best.
The NWEA MAP Growth Assessment is a computer-adaptive test designed to measure your child’s academic growth in Math and Reading.
This assessment is a helpful data point that we use to measure your child’s academic progress and growth at three different points of the year–fall, winter, and spring. It is also one of the benchmark assessment options that is required by the state.
Our teachers use the results of this assessment to shape future lessons, instructional groupings, and individualized instructional strategies.
The data from this assessment can be used to identify additional instructional support outside of the classroom and to identify students who have not self-selected into accelerated programs, like Advanced Math or Magnet.
For more information regarding the NWEA MAP Growth Assessment in Math and Reading, please read the “Frequently Asked Questions” portion of this communication by clicking on this link. Thank you for your continued partnership and support!
Congratulations to two WBHS Band Alumni (Kylie Harmala '23 and Arthur Yang '22) who performed with the Michigan Marching Band in the 2024 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California and at the College Championship in Houston, Texas! After a selective and rigorous audition process, Kylie and Arthur are among a subgroup of the Michigan Marching Band who were invited to perform. We're so proud of these former Lakers who continue in the tradition of musical excellence and leadership at the college level.
January 24th, The Laker Express will be performing the National Anthem at the Pistons game, and it is lovely to have our community there with us. Click here to purchase tickets: https://fevo-enterprise.com/Lakerexpress
Wrestlers Take 3rd Overall at Girls Tri-County Tournament + 4 Placers!
Out of 30 schools, the Lakers scored 3rd overall as a team! Great job! For more details, click here.
The WBMSwim team is undefeated (4-0) going into our League Meet tonight!
West Bloomfield Varsity Figure Skating Team had another successful showing at their second competition of the season.
WBHS Athletics Recap and Schedule
To check out schedules and all things #LakerNation, click here.
Team WB enjoyed watching former WB students and staff win the 2023 National Championship!
Well done and high fives to Donovan Edwards, Makari Paige, Amir Herring, Semaj Morgan, Payton Harvey, and coach Ron Bellamy!
Way to go U of M!
United We Walk 30th event this Sunday
United We Walk
1-3 p.m., THIS Sunday, January 14
West Bloomfield Middle School - 6000 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield
This is an in-person event and we invite you to join us. Please see the flyer below for the hygiene items and school supplies we're collecting before and at the event.
WBEF Casino Night - Please Join Us!
The WBEF has impacted every grade at every school in the district. Can we count on you to make a lasting impact on our community?
Tickets are on sale now for the WBEF Casino Night Friday, February 2, 2024. This is their one fundraiser to support all the grants they give to the District.
Four Ways To Support WBEF:
- Sponsor our Annual Casino Night Event on 2/2/24
- Attend our Annual Casino Night Event on 2/2/24
- Give online https://www.wbef.org/donate/
- Mail your gift to West Bloomfield Educational Foundation, 5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48324
Do you know a MI student who could benefit from The Laker Opportunity Center?
The Laker Opportunity Center is our New Alternative High School Program
The Laker Opportunity Center offers an alternative learning experience for those that have struggled in the traditional learning environment and need credit recovery. The Laker Opportunity Center offers students the opportunity to complete high school and graduate with a diploma. Our school leaders help select the right learning mode for each student. The program is open to all students in the State of Michigan who are 16-22 years old. Learn more on their facebook page or https://www.wbsd.org/lakeroppcenter.
In-Person Cohorts
Students may join an in-person cohort, meeting 2-3 times weekly. Monday & Thursday OR Tuesday & Friday are available, with a Wednesday rotation.
Drop-In
Qualifying students completing coursework from home may qualify for opt-in meet-ups only.
All Online
Qualifying students can learn entirely from home 24/7, communicating with school staff via email and video only. All students must make weekly contact with staff.
For more information please contact Morrison Borders, Principal at morrison.borders@wbsd.org
WBSD Redistricting FAQ's
The Board of Education approved the redistricting plan shared previously. Here is the map that shows the new boundaries along major roads (click to enlarge). By late January, district administration will decide if we implement for the 2024-25 or the 2025-26 school year.
For answers to frequently asked questions about this process, please visit the district website - under About Us, click K-5 Redistricting.
WBSD English Language Development Department
Presents a Meeting for Multilingual Parents
Please join us! Topics covered include:
The WIDA ACCESS test
What it is and when it will be given
View sample test items
How can my child practice for the test?
We will have a special guest speaker, Ms. Emma Loudermilk, to speak about helping your child regulate emotions.
All parents of English Learners in grades K-5th grade are invited. Japanese, Spanish, and Arabic translators will be present. The meeting will be from 6-7 p.m., Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Doherty Elementary School - 3575 Walnut Lake Rd.
Community Partnerships
Save a Life Stations in our Community
West Bloomfield is home to several Save A Life Stations. These harm reduction boxes will include Narcan doses, testing strips, safe disposal kits and more. An interactive map detailing the location of each "Save A Life Station" can be found here. More info at: Save a Life Stations | ACHC (achcmi.org)
This information is brought to you by our partner the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition.
Register now for Bloomfield Baseball
The Bloomfield Baseball League is now offering recreational baseball in West Bloomfield. Register now at www.bloomfieldbaseball.com, for the Spring 2024 Season (April-June). Save $50 off of registration fees if you sign up by January 31, 2024. We offer co-ed recreational baseball for pre-K through 6th grade players April through June. Middle and high school seasons start in early June and run through July.
West Bloomfield Teams will complete against other West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills based teams in a 12-game season. The season also includes an All Star game and Playoffs! Home games will be played at Marsh Bank Park, Pine Lake Park, and Sylvan Manor Park and away games will be on those fields or Bloomfield Hills School fields.
Coaches, we want you! Every team starts with a dedicated coach. Please consider volunteering as a head or assistant coach on your son or daughter’s team. The BBL provides all equipment and supports our volunteer coaches with equipment, practice plans and coaches workshops. We’re looking for 1-4 coaches per team and we would like to have at least one team for each grade at each elementary school so please let us know if you would like to help run a team in 2024!
2024 Spring Training Academies: If your player is interested in some off-season training, they can sign up for our Spring Baseball Academy. We offer four skills based instruction sessions hosted by Bloomfield High School Coaches Camp; Players, these academies are Feb. 25, March 3rd, 10th , and 17th and are for grades K-6.
For more information about the 2024 Spring Season, registration, the Spring Training Academies or go to www.bloomfieldbaseball.com, Feel free to contact the BBL league administrator, Stephanie Chapa at bloomfieldbaseballinfo@gmail.com or 586-372-6299 or BBL Board Member and West Bloomfield School Rep., James Sheridan at jamesasherida86@hotmail.com, or 248-409-8484. See the FLYER for more info.
Let’s Play Ball!
West Bloomfield Township Public Library
Book Lists
· Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Kids)
· Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Teen)
Library Closed
The Main Library will be closed Wednesday, January 17 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Tuesday, January 23 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. for building maintenance. The Westacres Branch Library will be open 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. both days.
Winter Reading Kickoff: Frozen
Saturday, January 13
Celebrate the start of Winter Reading with a fun snow-themed craft project in the Youth Activity Center and a special visit from Elsa and Olaf from 10-11:30 a.m. Then, enjoy the winter-themed movie Frozen at 11:30 a.m. in the Main Library Meeting Room. Sign up for winter reading to claim your registration reward. No registration required.
MLK Day Events
Monday, January 15
I Have a Dream Storytime – 10:30 a.m. @ the Main Library Youth Activity Center
MLK Jr. Presentation with Professor De Witt Dykes – 1 p.m. @ the Main Library Meeting Room
Continuing Dr. King’s Dream – 2 p.m. @ the Main Library Youth Activity Center
BOOKED for the Evening – 7 p.m. @ the Main Library Meeting Room
Do you have a newsworthy story to share? We want to share your wonderful stories with the rest of the community! Please share with us what is happening with your child(ren) and our staff. We would love to hear about your events and activities including awards, honors, good deeds, and accomplishments. Help us share your success stories in art, music, scholastics, athletics, drama, debate, and more. We look forward to sharing your news! Submit a story here.