At the September Board of Education Meeting, we celebrated the top thirty-five readers from WBSD, spanning elementary through high school. In total, 660 students participated and logged reading 616,619 minutes! West Bloomfield Township Public Library's Summer Reading Program aims to foster a reading habit in children over the summer, helping to sustain their reading skills and encouraging them to explore the West Bloomfield award-winning library.

Over the summer, kids, teens, and adults submitted new designs for consideration for West Bloomfield's next library card. Library staff selected three designs to print as their new cards! One design selected was created by Elizabeth, a student at Scotch Elementary School. Elizabeth's design, along with the other 2 designs--all limited edition--will be available at the front desk of the Westacres Branch, or West Bloomfield Main Library while supplies last.

TikTok recently partnered with The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) to develop a new “Digital Safety Partnership” agreement for Families, which is an actual contract-style document that can help parents to establish clear boundaries and parameters for social media use. You can download the Digital Safety Partnership template document here and use it for all kinds of platforms.

The Family Online Safety Institute's Good Digital Parenting resources are designed to provide parents and caregivers with the tools they need to confidently navigate the online world with their families, because, as they state, “Online safety is everyone’s concerns - from preschoolers to grandparents.”

WBSD thought this might be of interest to families as you navigate responsible digital citizenship with your student.

October Elementary School, Middle School, and High School Menus are here

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. 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.

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!

Parents of WBSD students can apply to receive six non-perishable meals each Friday of the school year. The goal of Fueling Kids' Futures is to make sure no child goes hungry on the weekend. Run by volunteers, there is NO cost to the families. For the application, click here.

Save the Date: the major fundraiser for Fueling Kids' Futures is Trivia Night Friday, November 8.

What is the West Bloomfield Global Equity Team

G.E.T. exists to build a community that supports a restorative culture through relationships and educational equity for all. The three main focus points of the Global Equity Team are student outreach, culture and climate, and training and development.

Who will we be as a team?

We are students, caregivers, parents, staff; and anyone who is part of the West Bloomfield Community! Anyone passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and social-emotional health and well-being can join our G.E.T. Each building has two slots for partnership at this time.

What kind of work might G.E.T. be involved in?

• Continued learning around equity topics

• Shared articles, learning, and discussion around various topics relevant to our school and district

• Sharing classroom practices that lift equity work

• Discussion of concerns that arise around equity within a building and our community

• Elevating student's and staff's voice

• Community Outreach

• Creating a sense of Belonging in WB

If you are interested in being a member of the Global Equity Team click here.

Additional resources that may help understand our work along with our meeting schedule?

• West Bloomfield School District Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Homepage

• Board of Education Anti-Racism Resolution

• 2024 - 2025 Meeting Dates

Check out the newsletter for events, opportunities, and more! From Sonja James, WBSD Executive Director of Educational Equity and Inclusion

Throughout the academic year, we celebrate a variety of traditions and holidays that hold deep significance for many of our students. It is our goal to ensure that the entire West Bloomfield school community is informed about these important occasions, which are embraced by both students and staff.

As we begin the 2024-2025 school year, it’s important to note that several major Jewish holidays fall within October. During this time, many of our Jewish staff, students, and families may be unable to attend classes or participate in school events due to religious observances.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are among the holiest days in the Jewish calendar. These sacred days are marked by worship services, time with family and community, and abstention from work and extracurricular activities. In 2024, the dates for these holidays are as follows:

• Rosh Hashanah: October 2-4 (begins at sunset on Wednesday, October 2, and ends at sunset on Friday, October 4)
• Yom Kippur: October 11-12 (begins at sunset on Friday, October 11, and ends at sunset on Saturday, October 12)

In keeping with our commitment to fostering an environment of respect and inclusivity, we ask that you consider these holidays when planning assessments, projects, or presentations in your classes. Please note that there is no school on Thursday, October 3.

Please be reminded that documented absences for religious observances will be considered excused, with no negative consequences for students or staff. We appreciate your understanding of the significance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and their potential impact on staff and student participation.

Thank you for your continued efforts in creating a respectful and inclusive learning environment for all.

Respectfully,

Sonja James

Executive Director of Educational Equity and Inclusion

West Bloomfield Parks has partnered with West Bloomfield Township, the West Bloomfield School District and the West Bloomfield Public Library to host our annual Heroes Appreciation Breakfast. We appreciate the hard-work and sacrifices made by those in the military and this event is our way to honor and recognize those individuals and their families.

November 2, 2024, from 9–10:30 am at the West Bloomfield Middle School

Whether you are a veteran or non-veteran, this event is open to you. Veterans and one guest are able to attend for free. Additional guests or non-veterans can attend for $15. ​

Event will include:

Breakfast
Presentation by the West Bloomfield Honor Guard
Guest Speaker Brigadier General Ravindra Wagh
Live Entertainment by HarmonyTown Chorus

To learn more or to register visit wbparks.org/heroes

• Check out the Athletics calendar here for upcoming events.
• Shop Laker spirit gear here.
• Download Go Fan to purchase tickets for upcoming WBHS games

On October, 5th at 2pm come see The Rainbow Fish 45 minute play at West Bloomfield High School. For an additional $5 you can get a special backstage pass in which children can get their photo taken on stage after the show with their favorite cast members, get to hold a jellyfish umbrella, and receive a signed copy of the program. All proceeds go toward the WBHS Theatre IV class's traveling production they take to MIFA this year.

Fall Play-Save the Date!
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

Nov 14, 15, 16 at 7 p.m.

Nov 16 at 1 p.m. - an American Sign Language interpreted matinee

WBSD Community Education offers a wide array of enrichment and recreation classes. Check out what your Elementary School is offering during After the Bell OR evening classes.

• Wrestling
• Soccer
• Karate
  
• Sunset Theatre
• Dodgeball
• Chess Wizards
• Team Handball Coached by former member of Team USA Joey Williams
• Stay tuned for more information
• Math Pentathlon K-7, Parent Info Night via Zoom TOMORROW 9/26 at 7 p.m.
• FIRST LEGO League for 1st-3rd starts Jan/Feb 2025
  

For more information and online registration, click here. Use the search feature to type in the program.

Calling all 6-8th Graders! Does your child enjoy the challenge of story problems and critical thinking exercises? Do they have a passion for math and an interest in competing at a National Level Math Competition? Meetings will be every Saturday, starting September 28, 2024, from 1:30-3 p.m. through February 22, 2025 at West Bloomfield Middle School iCenter.

The focus of the program is to apply concepts learned in elementary and middle school to advanced problem solving for real world applications. Students will use mental math, problem-solving strategies and develop critical thinking skills. Students will be required to complete some homework after each class. We are looking for parent volunteers to help with the Math Counts journey, please indicate on the Google Form if you’re available to help out. The program is open to all WBMS students. There will be a fee of $65 to participate. Additional information is at www.mathcounts.org

Please submit your interest here:

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSe6YF28k7eBJ6.../viewform

Once you submit the interest form, more information will be provided.

2024-2025 SEASON

• Strengthen Math Skills
• Creative Thinking
• Develop Problem Solving Techniques

Calling all K-7th Graders! Season starts in October, Tournaments are in April/May 2025
Please join us on Zoom on Thursday, September 26 at 7 p.m. to hear more about the season, meeting practice schedule, and more. Click here to join the Zoom.

Kids Connect has openings for Before and After Care at ALL Elementary Schools. More info here.

If approved by voters, library millage funds would be used for:

• replacement of aging building components
• updates to IT Infrastructure, including 24/7 holds pickup lockers
• improvements to programming areas, including the Meeting Room and outdoor spaces
• expanded digital collections (eBooks, eAudiobooks, etc.)

Learn more at wblib.org/millage.

Human Library Event

Saturday, October 5 from Noon-4 p.m.
Main Library Meeting Room

Drop in during this event to borrow a person instead of a book! Have a conversation with a Human Book about their life experiences.

The concept is simple; you start at the table outside the event, where you will receive guidance from the Librarians on topics available for lending. Once you have chosen which Human Book you'd like to talk to, you can sit and have an open conversation with them. We look forward to seeing you!

This event is hosted in cooperation with the Human Library organization, which aims to challenge stigmas and stereotypes to create more inclusive communities. Similar events have included titles like Neurodiverse, Immigrant, Depression, Atheist, Veteran, and more. Difficult questions are expected, appreciated, and answered. For Teens, Adults and Seniors. No Registration Required

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

We have some job openings!

Please share these opportunities with your friends and family.

Job Postings.

FINAL SCORE from The Swamp: #LakerNation dominates Southfield with a 44-0 shutout!

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.

October 2: Count Day
October 3: No School
October 30: Late Start

WBSD Board officially welcomed our newest directors to our WBEF Board, Kelly Petrocella and Courtney Marshall. Both have years of volunteer service in our West Bloomfield schools. They know that the out-of-the-box educational materials we raise money for have a big impact on our students.

Mark your calendar! Friday, February 7, 2025 Casino Night will be Glen Oaks Golf Club, more info here.