WBSD Weekly Update

Every form you need to fill out for the start of the school year and links to key departments are all on the Back 2 School Central page under the Parents dropdown menu on the district website wbsd.org.

• Click the Nutrition button if your child has an allergy or you might qualify for free/reduced lunch. We encourage families to continue to apply for meal benefits online at westbloomfield.familyportal.cloud (more information on that is in an article below). These supplemental programs have the potential to offer additional support for reduced priced sports, ACT, SAT, college application and AP exam waivers. This information is also critical in determining the amount of money our schools receive from a variety of State and Federal supplemental programs.
• Click Transportation for the handbook and bus tracker. Additional forms will be posted August 1.
• Go to PowerSchool to update your address or preferred language for communication. This is required by the first day of school!
• Find the 2024-25 calendar and bell times all in one place.

It is critically important that we have updated contact information for you in the event of an emergency. WBSD has the ability to call, text and email - please make sure you're signed up for all options. You can unsubscribe at any time.

I hope you are enjoying your summer! Thank you for reading our emails. Please take a moment to like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Click the images below to go to our social media and website.

In Education,

Dania H. Bazzi, PhD

The new school year has opened in meal magic so we are ready for free and reduced applications to start coming in. We are serving free meals under Michigan School Meals again this year, but we still need all families to complete an application. The free and reduced meals application is now called the "Education and Nutrition Benefits Application." This is because it is tied to other benefits that families may receive such as Summer EBT. Here is an FAQ letter answering Frequently Asked Questions. All of our applications are taken 100% online.

Our special dietary needs form is also posted online. This needs to be filled out and returned to nutrition services for any students that may have severe medical food allergies. Thank you!

Free and Reduced Meals Application is now called the Education and Nutrition Benefits Application, visit the Nutrition Services page for more information.

Summer EBT is a federally funded program that provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer as a supplement to

summer meal sites. This may include students in Head Start and/or Great Start Readiness Program. The Summer-EBT program is also known federally as Sun Bucks. This program is run by MDHHS not WBSD. This is the contact you should pursue first if you need help with Summer EBT.

• phone: 833-905-0028 option 2
• email: MDHHS-SEBT@michigan.gov
• website: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/food/summer-ebt
• FAQ: Check out answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Thursday, August 15, 2024:

8th Grade Orientation for Students & Parents 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Parent Meeting for Returning Families:
Thursday, August 15, 2024: 7-8 p.m. in the Auditeria

Friday, August 16, 2024:
7th Grade Orientation for Students & Parents 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Tuesday, August 20, 2024:
6th Grade Orientation for Students & Parents 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
(also make-up date for 7th & 8th graders)

Parent Meeting for 6th Grade Parents & New Families:
Tuesday, August 20, 2024: 7-8 p.m. in the Auditeria

The orientation events will be an open format for students to do the following:

• Walk your schedule with a family member
• Lifetouch Professional Photograph for School ID & Yearbook Photo
  (photo ordering will be online or fill out a form on-site)
• Pick up your new lanyard, ID & student planner
• Purchase a Yearbook
• Pre-Order your House Photo
• Purchase WBMS Spirit Wear

Athletic Information Night:

Thursday, August 22, 2024: 7-8 p.m. in the GYM

Students and families will attend together, anytime between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.on their designated grade level day. This will also be a great time to walk around the building to find student’s classes and to practice opening their lockers.

On Orientation Day: Students will get their planners, schedules, and lockers, as well as take their school pictures and receive their school ID and lanyard. They will need to bring each of these items with them to school each day, beginning with our first day on August 26th.

The building will close at 3 p.m. each day. Please plan to spend approximately 45 minutes collecting your materials and touring the building, with your student. We are excited to see you in August!

For the WBHS Jump Start schedule

and more information,

use this link.

Attention K-5 Families

IXL offers individualized and unlimited practice for Math (K-5), aligned with our curriculum. I am thrilled to remind you that IXL is available for free from home over the summer for WBSD students.

This summer, we challenge you to have your child use IXL for at least 30 minutes daily. Each skill takes about 15 minutes, so completing two skills a day can lead to significant growth! My own children will be doing this over the summer as well. Of course, we want kids to relax, play outside, and spend time with family and friends as well, but dedicating a small portion of the day to academics will have an impact on their academic progress.

Your child’s Spring NWEA Math score has been uploaded to IXL, creating a personalized study plan tailored to their needs. To access IXL:

1. Visit IXL Sign-in

2. Click "Sign in with Clever"

3. Select "Log in with Google"

4. Use the student’s WBSD Google email account
   
   

If you have trouble accessing your child's school email account, please email katherine.law@wbsd.org. You can view this slide deck if you would like to view step-by-step instructions for accessing your child’s personalized study plan in IXL.

Also, please ensure your child reads for 20 minutes a day, independently, with a buddy, or with a parent/family member.

In partnership,

Dania H. Bazzi, PhD

Superintendent

Unlock potential and coach 6th-8th Middle School Robotics! Complete this form if you are interested or if your child would like to join the team.
https://forms.gle/DhGg9dFyYcPpSsMn9

For work permit procedures and directions, click here.

For those middle and high school students participating in athletics:

To maintain the scope of programs WBSD provides, allowing students to have a wide variety of opportunities for involvement in activities beyond the school day, it has become necessary to reinstate a fee for those wishing to participate in athletics.

Student-athletes in school-sponsored sports will be required to pay a one-time yearly fee based on the fee structure below. Students can participate in multiple athletic opportunities with this fee.

High School Level:

• Regular Rate $325
• Free/Reduced Lunch Rate $160*

Middle School Level:

• Regular Rate $225
• Free/Reduced Lunch Rate $110*

A family cap of $800, still applies for all athletes in the family, including both Middle School and High School Levels. It is a “true” family cap. *The free/reduced lunch rate is for those who have filed approved paperwork with the Nutrition Office for Free/Reduced Lunch. The FRL form will be available later this month - PowerSchool is being updated now in preparation for next school year.

Students must still provide an updated sports physical. Students participating in self-funded sports (equestrian, field hockey, figure skating, gymnastics, snowboarding, sailing, lacrosse) will pay their fees independently of the fee above.

Important: Please be aware that the fee does not guarantee playing time, only the opportunity to be on the team if selected. Payment will be made upon completion of the Final Forms registration for all teams that are "no cut" sports. Fall no-cut sports include cross country, football, and girls swim. Payments for sports with cuts should not be made until the student has been selected for the team. Please contact the athletic director, Eric Pierce, with any questions. He can be reached at eric.pierce@wbsd.org or 248.865.6743.

The Kids Connect Program is an integral part of the school setting, filling a special need for many children and parents. To register, click here.

KIDS CONNECT IS. . .

• A safe and friendly haven where children can socialize with their peers
• A place where children feel comfortable and can unwind
• A well-equipped area where competent and caring staff can offer creative activities with many choices to meet a variety of children’s needs
• A fun setting where children have opportunities to use indoor and outdoor equipment
• A nurturing environment for children where parents are actively involved in the program
• A pleasant and harmonious atmosphere which enriches and complements the child’s school experience.
• Kids Connect is an elementary school age childcare program available on school days from 6:45 a.m. until the start of school and then from dismissal of school until 6:00 p.m.
  

Anyone high school aged or adult can help volunteer to raise funds for WBHS Performing Arts. Volunteers will receive a FREE festival lunch, FREE Renaissance Festival tickets, a portion of CASH TIPS, and will have the RARE OPPORTUNITY to see some of the behind the scenes of the festival. Volunteers will help at select food booths. The WBHS Performing Arts Program will receive a portion of the food booth proceeds. This is an amazing opportunity for our students and the program!

Details link here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f5nim_up5ALpmskMnaSn-ZteXV6jLCUbQcDNnQ5MIbI/edit?usp=sharing

Sign-up link here: https://forms.gle/SZBJiRTxZxLCvcZc7

To view the 2024-25 Calendar, which includes the start and end times for schools next year, Click Here. All start and end times remain the same except for Sheiko which will be on the center tier time schedule (8:20 a.m. start, 3:12 p.m. dismissal) while at the temporary location.

• WBSD Employment Opportunities
• GWB Historical Society Events
• Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition
• West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation
• West Bloomfield Township Public Library

As you head out on day trips, staycations, vacations, or other summer fun, send us your pictures (bonus points for wearing WBSD gear!) and we’ll share them with our community. Have fun, stay safe, and upload here.