WBHS Update
03/08/24
Principal's Update
Hello Laker Nation,
West Bloomfield Girls Basketball will play vs. Farmington Hills Mercy TONIGHT (March 8) at 6:00 PM at Mercy High School for a DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP!
Tickets for this game are only available through GoFan at the following link: https://gofan.co/event/1433458?schoolId=MI10121
Please make sure that you purchase tickets ahead of time to prevent long backups at the gate. Let’s pack the gym and support our team!
Go Lakers!!!!
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Today, March 8, is International Women's Day. I am hoping that you will join me in recognizing and celebrating the amazing contributions that women in education, and in our lives, have provided. Let's continue to champion equal access to education for all women and girls, empowering them to pursue their dreams, break barriers, and shape a brighter future for generations to come. Together, we can create a world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and make her mark. Please find the time and seize the opportunity to thank the women in your lives and in our school.
As warmer weather approaches, we typically see an uptick in some student behaviors. As a reminder, water guns, Orbeez guns, or any other likeness to a weapon are not permitted on school grounds at any time. After spring break, in particular, students tend to participate in a game called water wars. This usually involves the use of these types of toy guns. This game, and these items are strictly prohibited at WBHS. Any student found to have one of these items will be found in violation of our Student Code of Conduct and will be subject to disciplinary action. Please take a moment to have a conversation about this at home.
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At WBHS we are committed to student learning and classroom environments that support this work. In an effort to continue to improve, we are going to focus on students being on time to class. Throughout the month we will be conducting random hall sweeps after classes have started, to identify students remaining in the hallways after classes begin. The first time this occurs, we will discuss the importance of being on time and send students to class. If a student is caught in this again, they may be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, after school detention. Our goals is to have students in class on time, and we hope to have no students receiving consequences.
Please help us with our goals by reminding students that hoods and ski masks cannot be worn indoors at any time. We need to be able to visually identify people in person, and on camera, to keep our school safe and secure. Hoods and ski masks make it very difficult for us to identify who is in our building. Thank you for your support.
Please remember that school dismisses at 2:23 PM and students must be off campus or in a supervised sport, activity, rehearsal, or club by 2:45 PM. If a student is in an IN-SEASON activity, they may check in with a staff member in Laker Commons, across from the cafeteria, by 2:45 for supervision. Students who are not involved in an after school activity must leave by this time. Thank you for helping keep our school safe by complying with this request.
One of our school goals this year is to have 95% of students in attendance every school day. So far this year, we've been doing a good job, but there's always room for improvement! We all know that research shows that students perform better, learn more, and have more meaningful connections with peers and school when they are in school regularly. Please join us in these efforts by making sure students are in school when healthy, they stay in school all day, and that vacations are planned during our scheduled breaks. We are close to our 95% target, but need your help to meet it!
Eric Pace
Principal
West Bloomfield High School
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ATTENDANCE AND OUTPASS CLARIFICATION
In order to support all learners and protect our classes from unnecessary disruption:
- No immediate outpasses
- All outpasses must be called in by noon for the current day in order to be processed
- Students will not be released after 2:00, the release time must be before 2:00
- It is your student's responsibility to come to the attendance office at the time of the outpass, we are unable to call into rooms in order to protect the teaching and learning of the other students.
Drop off items:
If you are dropping off an item for your students please make sure they are aware. They will need to stop by the security desk in between classes. We are unable to call into rooms in order to protect the teaching and learning of the other students.
Teacher Communication:
In order to minimize disruptions we will no longer be calling in for dropped off items or outpasses. Please make sure to check the outpass list when releasing students.
After School Expectations
Thank you for all of your support this year with attendance and student behaviors! As we enter the colder months, there are a couple of areas we are focusing on. We need your help. In order to keep our students and school safe, we cannot have students staying after school for extended periods of time. Anyone who stays after school MUST be in a supervised activity or sport. Students cannot stay beyond 2:45 if they are waiting for a ride. Please make proper arrangements, as we cannot safely supervise students who stay after school with nothing to do. We will ask students to be outside at 2:45 and they will not be permitted to re-enter the building. Students in unsupervised areas will be subject to disciplinary action. As it gets cold outside, it is important to make proper arrangements.
Proud to be a Laker!
Eric Pace
Principal - WBHS
WBHS Teacher and Support Staff Members of the Year!
Mr. Ajay Bedi - WBHS Teacher of the Year
Congratulations!!! Mr. Bedi is a math teacher at WBHS, and has spent time in his career at Abbott Middle School as well as at the High School. He is an outstanding educator, who instills confidence and grit for all of his learners. Each student truly believes that they ARE a successful math student when working with him. His true gift is presented in caring about the whole student. He is able to build such strong relationships and makes each and every person feel valued and seen. Thank you and congratulations, Mr. Bedi!
Mrs. Lisa Sallen - WBHS Support Person of the Year
Congratulations!!! Mrs. Sallen is a long-time paraeducator in West Bloomfield Schools, working throughout the district, but has been a staple at WBHS for over a decade. She currently works with the WBHS Business Department, operating our school store (Laker Landing) and working directly with our award-winning DECA students. If you have ever visited Laker Landing, you have been one of the thousands to experience her warmth, positivity, and genuine care for Laker Nation. Mrs. Sallen is a true support of all sports, clubs, and activities, making her presence felt at nearly all of our events. Thank you, and congratulations to Mrs. Sallen!
MiPHY Survey Notification
Our school is taking part in the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth Survey supported by the Michigan Department of Education. The research survey will ask about the health behaviors of 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students. The survey will ask about behavior and attitude related to nutrition, physical activity, injuries, tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. It will also ask about sexual behaviors that cause AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy.
Students will be asked to complete an online survey at a private computer terminal. Participation in the survey will cause little or no risk to any student. The only potential risk is that some students might find certain questions to be sensitive. The survey has been designed to protect each student’s privacy. Students will not be asked to provide their name or any other identifying information. Also, no school or student will ever be mentioned by name in any reported results. The results of this survey will help students in the future. We would like all selected students to take part in the survey, but the survey is voluntary. No action will be taken against the school, you, or the student if the student does not participate. Students can skip any question that they do not wish to answer. In addition, students may stop participating in the survey at any point without penalty.
If you object to your child’s participation in the survey, please complete the form below. You only need to return this form if you do not give your child permission to take the survey.
The surveys are available at the school for your review. If you have any questions please contact at (248) 865-6757.
Student Surveys in the Month of March
WBHS Breakfast Menu
WBHS Lunch Menu
Special Graduation Party Partnership for WBHS Graduates
Student Attendance MATTERS!
Senior Yard Signs
District Wide Free Meal Information
For the 2023-24 school year, the State of Michigan created the Michigan School Meals Program allowing all students to receive one free breakfast and lunch meal daily at school, no matter their free/reduced meal status. However, filling out a free/reduced meal form is very important to families who are eligible and for the District to receive funding.
Family Benefits for Qualifying for Free/Reduced Meals
When families qualify for free/reduced price meals, students may be eligible for the following benefits:
Reduced Summer School fees
Reduced field trip fees with request
Reduced SAT, ACT and AP testing fees
Reduced college application fees
Potential additional benefits for Bridge Cards/P-EBT
Potential support for household cable/internet
Potential programs that provide holiday support
West Bloomfield School District Benefits for Qualifying Free/Reduced Meal Families
Did you know the federal government uses the number of free/reduced meal eligible students to determine how much money the district receives in grant funding?
West Bloomfield School District becomes eligible for Federal funds (Title I) when qualifying families fill out their free/reduced meal applications. If families do not fill out their forms, the District is at risk of losing funding for staff who provide critical services to our students.
Visit the application page to view the complete the application today!
À La Carte Items
Students are welcome to bring meals from home and purchase à la carte items as needed (including milk, second meals, bottled beverages and snack items).
Girls Basketball to Play for District Championship TONIGHT
West Bloomfield Girls Basketball will play vs. Farmington Hills Mercy TONIGHT (March 8) at 6:00 PM at Mercy High School for a DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP!
Tickets for this game are only available through GoFan at the following link:https://gofan.co/event/1433458?schoolId=MI10121
Please make sure that you purchase tickets ahead of time to prevent long backups at the gate. Let’s pack the gym and support our team!
Go Lakers!!!!
Senior All Night Party
Student Planners Available
Technology Assistance Links
- Help with Canvas
- Help with Chromebook: www.wbsd.org/departments/technology
- Help with PowerSchool: www.wbsd.org/parents/powerschool
Important Updates and Information
ALLERGIES/ASTHMA/MEDICAL CONDITIONS – Students are not allowed to carry medication. The office must have a complete, signed West Bloomfield School District Medical Action Plan to be able to carry out any medication distribution. Each medication requires a separate form. Each year we need an updated plan for students needing medication. If your child requires medication the first day of school you must contact the office before school to verify paperwork and deliver the medication to the office. Further questions, please contact the school office at 248-865-6720.
ATTENDANCE – West Bloomfield School District expects students to be in school and on time for school on a daily basis. Absent and tardy students will be recorded daily and parents will be notified.
If your child will not be in school or will be late to school, you must call the 24-hour answering machine at 248-865-6722. Leave your student’s name, teacher’s name and reason for absence. For the safety of our students, please do your best to remember to call before the start of school (even if you are only going to be “a little” late).
- PROMPT 1 - Excuse an Absence - Absences must be called in within 24 hours of the student missing school, or the absence will be marked as unexcused.
- PROMPT 2 - Excuse a Tardy (only if a student is late to school, not to a class after they've arrived)
- PROMPT 3 - Early Dismissal (Outpass) - These must be submitted prior to the dismissal time if possible. Those trying for an early dismissal at the time that it is needed may experience a delay while the information is processed and the student is retrieved from class.
In an effort to support student safety and proper accountability, all absences should be excused by a parent. If the absent in unexcused, this tells us that the school and the family do not know where the student is, if not in school. Please make sure to excuse all absences. Teachers may not accept work for unexcused absences in an effort to discourage skipping.
Students who accumulate too many tardies may be subject to disciplinary actions such as after school detentions or suspension of school parking.
Students who accumulate too many absences will be referred to Oakland County Youth Assistance for support and may be referred to Oakland County Truancy is absences become excessive.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS - Students are expected to be safe, respectful, and responsible at all times. Specific expectations can be found in the student handbook or the student code of conduct, and key items are listed below.
- Closed campus for lunch - Students MAY NOT receive an outpass to go to lunch or to pick up food for any reason.
- No food deliveries during school hours. This includes Door Dash, Grubhub, etc.
- No inappropriate or revealing clothing for any students
- No clothing with alcohol, drug, sexual, or inappropriate language or images
- No inappropriate language or gestures to be used by students at any time
- No hoods to be worn in school at any time
- No ski masks to be worn in school at any time
- No sunglasses to be worn in school at any time
- Phone use should only occur during passing time or during lunch. During class, it is up to the teacher's discretion as to how students may or may not use phones. If a student violates a teacher's phone policy/expectations, the teacher may confiscate the phone and return it to the student at the end of the period, or turn it in to the Student Relations office.
- Students must be in the cafeteria, Laker Commons, or the courtyard during lunch times. Students may not wander the halls or be in any unauthorized areas during lunches.
AFTER SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS - School dismisses at 2:23 PM. ALL STUDENTS need to be in a supervised activity or out of the building by 2:45 PM. We do not have the ability to safely supervise students after this time. There will be a late stay location for students who are in athletics or activities that begin AFTER 2:45. This supervised location will be in Laker Commons, across from the cafeteria. This supervision is ONLY for students who are in an activity. Students who are staying later than 2:45 who are not in a sport/activity must exit the building at or before this time. Students will be required to sign in with their ID and the activity they belong to.
LATE STARTS – throughout the school year we will participate in professional development that delays the start of the school day. On these days, school will start at 8:30 a.m., and the doors will be open for students beginning at 8:00 a.m.
IMMUNIZATIONS – All students that attend West Bloomfield School District must have accurate shot record information on file. Please be sure records are up to date. New students that do not have a shot record or a waiver on file are not allowed to attend school.
Blessings in a Backpack
If your child is a student (3 to 26 years of age) in the West Bloomfield Schools, s/he can also participate in the 2023-24 Blessings in a Backpack program.
This program sends six non-perishable meals home each Friday of the school year. Its goal is to make sure that no child goes hungry on the weekend. Run by volunteers, there is NO cost to you.
To enroll in this program, please fill out this form and return it to your school office or email it to katherinesheiko@hotmail.com. This registers your child/ren in the Blessings program and alerts us to any allergies they might have. The first backpack of food will be distributed to your child at his/her local school the first week of October.
World Celebrations
WBSD is Hiring
Social Skills for Kids
Attendance Tips
- Talk with your child about the importance of showing up to school every day, on time.
- Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
- Try not to schedule dental and medical appointments during the school day.
- If your child attends an unavoidable appointment during the school day, please ask the dentist, doctor, etc. for a note to excuse them from school. This should be turned in to the main office.
- Communicate with us if your child is sick. Please always call the SAFELINE if your child will be absent.
- Help your child stay engaged--remind them that you are excited to hear about their day when they come home.
- Ask for help from us if you’re having trouble getting your child to school. We are here to partner with you for your child's success!
Mental Health Resources
WBSD has partnered with Parent Guidance.org to give parents free access to resources and helpful information. We have shared this information with our families. We hope that it will be useful for some of you as well!
ParentGuidance.org is an online service by licensed therapists that provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their children and get answers to mental health questions.