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Shark Tales Weekly Update
Sheiko Elementary: February 23, 2024
PRINCIPAL UPDATE
Dear Sheiko Families,
Thank you for all that you do to support us at school! We have so many exciting events coming up, and we can't wait for you to be a part of them.
Our "Big Announcement" this week is about joining us for our basketball game tonight at West Bloomfield High School and our author night on Thursday, February 29th from 7-8 p.m. One of the best ways to foster a smooth transition for next year is to connect with each other. The sign ups and details are in this newsletter.
Stay tuned for even more opportunities!
Have a wonderful weekend! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Sheiko Sharks!
Blaine McDowell
COMMUNITY NIGHT-WBHS GIRLS BASKETBALL
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2024
IMPORTANT DATES AND LINKS
Wednesday, Feb. 28th - LATE START -school starts at 10:10am, dismissal is 4:02pm
Sunday, March 17th- Pistons Event 3pm
Friday, April 5th- PTO Spring Fling Dance 6-8pm
Thursday, May 16th - 4th grade Music Concert 5:30pm
5th grade Camp Tanuga May 28th - 30th
Wednesday, June 5th- Field day
Thursday, June 6th- Half day dismissal is 12:12
Thursday, June 6th- 5th Grade Promotion, more information to follow
Click here for the district calendar.
THANK YOU WBHS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM
The WBHS Girls Basketball team came to Sheiko to sign basketballs and pass out t-shirts to our 5th graders! Our 5th graders are pumped and ready to cheer them on for tonight's game! Good luck girls!
DON'T FORGET TO PURCHASE YOUR PISTONS TICKETS!
5th GRADE ACCELERATED MATH
Dear 5th Grade Math Families,
The West Bloomfield School District has an accelerated middle school math model in which students learn the 6th, 7th and 8th grade math curriculum in a compacted 2-year math sequence. Following this sequence, students enter Algebra 1. Students who are currently in Advanced or Accelerated Math, do not need to be nominated or retested.
5th grade students are invited to test for placement in middle school compacted math for the coming year.
Identifying students who may benefit is a two-step process.
First, it is the parents responsibility to nominate their child.
Then, based on an analysis of a nominated student’s Winter (January) NWEA MAP Math score, qualifying students take the District’s 5th Grade Math Achievement Test.
To nominate your child to test for compacted math, please fill out the online form: Accelerated Math Nomination Form by March 1st. Once this form is filled out, students must meet criteria based on NWEA. Parents will be notified whether or not their child qualified to participate in the district placement testing. Testing will occur at the student’s current elementary school. Each building will determine the specific date(s) and time(s) of each assessment to accommodate for unique features of each building’s schedule. Testing dates will be set up by building testing coordinators between March 15th - 22nd.
Not all students are ready to accelerate their math program. Students ready for this accelerated sequence should be comfortable with a faster-paced curriculum, show high degrees of motivation, and strong work habits. An accelerated math student must understand more than just math facts and “routine” or “prescriptive” solutions to common math problems. Students must be able to persevere through problem solving situations that are contextualized and require multiple solution strategies. Communicating how they solved a problem and providing their reasoning and evidence for their problem solving is equally important. We share this so that you may very carefully make your decision about whether to consider accelerating your student.
Please note that it is not expected, nor is it our intent, that all students take these assessments. As stated earlier, not all students are ready to accelerate their math program. A student is not behind in math if the result of this process determines your student should remain in the grade level math sequence.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact me or your student’s classroom teacher by email.
Sincerely,
Blaine McDowell
Principal
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FEB. 27TH!!
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.
Don't forget to vote on Feb. 27th!
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).
For answers to frequently asked questions about this process, please visit the district website - under About Us, click K-5 Redistricting.
RISING 6TH GRADERS
Greetings to our WBMS Rising 6th Grade Families,
We hope this email finds you well. We are so excited to help prepare you & your student for the 2024-25 School Year!
Please find this special edition newsletter to help you get more acquainted with WBMS: Explore the West Bloomfield Middle School
Please complete this Google Form to have your student considered for STEAM electives. (for in-district families)
Please complete this Google Form to have your student considered for Advanced Math.
We have a page on our website dedicated to our rising 6th Grade Families.
Please remember that the Google Scheduling Form is due Wednesday, March 6th.
In Partnership,
The West Bloomfield Middle School Administration Team
A SHEIKO HERO
We are so thankful to Mrs. Lederman for giving a student the Heimlich maneuver. Her quick response kept the student safe. She was recognized by Nurse Robin for her quick thinking!
NEWS FROM OUR SPECIALS CLASSES
Sheiko iCenter Volunteer Sign-up- https://calendar.app.google/63k5oZT6AvFL5tB37
Video of Sign-up Directions and Opportunities- https://youtu.be/TGXGn8B5I8U
Today is the last day to register for this event
MUSIC- MRS. VIRTA
We have been learning about 20th century Black musicians. We listened to music from the artists, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Berry Gordy, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. Ask your child if they can name any more! Also, we continued to practice our playing technique on the xylophones by accompanying Chuck Berry's "School Day".
BAGEL HELPERS
PROJECT BRACELET
Eliza Sokoli and WBMS students shared “Project Bracelet” with our fifth graders today. Project Bracelet is a non-profit that Eliza started to spread the message of friendship and positivity at school!
WEST BLOOMFIELD TWP. PUBLIC LIBRARY
Book Lists
Puzzle and Game Swap
Saturday, February 10 from 1-3 p.m.
Main Library Meeting Room
Drop off your gently used puzzles and board games to swap with other community members! You don’t need to bring an item to take an item. Participants can take home up to 3 items. The program is for all ages. No registration required.
Black History 101 Mobile Museum
Friday, February 23 from 2-7pm
Main Library Meeting Room
Join us at the library to experience the Black History 101 Mobile Museum. Established by the visionary educator and scholar Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, this national award-winning mobile museum is an innovative and engaging way to explore the rich and complex history of Black Americans and their contributions to our society. The exhibits are interactive and provide an immersive experience that is both educational and inspiring. The program is for all ages. No registration required.
Winter Reading Continues
The winter reading program started in early January and goes through Sunday, March 10
Library cardholders of all ages are encouraged to enroll in the library’s Winter Reading Program to earn incentives for time spent reading.
SUMMER CAMP INTEREST FORM
If you are interested in your student attending a Summer Camp, please fill out the Google form below:
Do you know about our Sheiko Facebook page? We would love for you to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/225210744201191
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
WEEK 13
SEL in Reading
Did you know you can build in SEL to your normal, nightly reading routine? After your child reads, here are some questions you can ask them:
What emotion did you feel when (event) happened?
How did the character feel? Have you felt like this? Explain.
Did any characters struggle with a decision? What did they do?
What are some ways the characters worked together?
What was one way the group compromised in the story?
PTO NEWS
PTO meetings will be in person and you can zoom in.
Please join us at 7:00pm on:
- March 12
- April 9
- May 14
This will be our link for all future dates: https://wbsd-org.zoom.us/j/4211617208
Our spring fling dance will be on Friday, April 5th from 6-8pm. We hope to see you there!
SAVE THESE DATES!
FRIENDLY REMINDERS
Winter is upon us and students should be dressed for outdoor recess. Students are outside for recess unless there is heavy rain, thunderstorms/lightning or the 'feels like' temperature is below 10* Fahrenheit.
Please label everything. It will help eliminate the need for a Lost & Found table.
We are asking that students leave their smart watches at home. They have proven to be a huge distraction to teaching and learning. Students may have phones (but totally not necessary!) as long as they are powered down and in their backpacks. Students will have one reminder to put them away. Otherwise, these items will be turned into the office for parent pick up if they are out.Thank you for your support in this matter!
SICK POLICY INFORMATION
To protect all children from communicable illnesses, students infected with certain diseases are not allowed to come to school while they are contagious. Students should be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school. Please call our Safeline (248-865-6372) if your child will be absent from school. We also have a masking station at the front of the building in which students are welcome to help themselves. For more information regarding the sick policy, please see the attached document.
BRIDGES MATH PROGRAM
The West Bloomfield School District uses the Bridges math program. By clicking on the grade below you will find the family letter for the month of February Unit 4.
FEBRUARY LUNCH MENU
DISTRICT CALENDAR/SAFELINE PHONE NUMBERS
About Us
Email: blaine.mcdowell@wbsd.org
Website: https://www.wbsd.org/sheiko-elementary
Location: 4500 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone: 248-865-6370
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/225210744201191
Twitter: @BlaineMcDowell