Update 8-18

Thank you for your patience with our LifeTouch photographers. 8th graders, you were patient & understanding & we appreciate that!!! All 8th graders who were photographed this past week have an ID card waiting in the main office. Please stop in this week between 8-3 sometime this week and Mrs. Morton will provide you with your ID card & LUNCH sticker. Remember lunch is based on your 5th hour class. (If you cannot make it in to the office this week, no worries... you will get your ID card on the first day of school)

Please see the lunch assignments below:

Welcome to our new staff.... there will be more announcements coming soon :)

(Not all staff names have been updated in PowerSchool--- therefore schedules were printed with "NEW teacher" in that class assignment:

NEW History Teacher is MacKenzie Stuart

NEW Sped Teacher is Clint Kernen

NEW PE Teacher is Russell Ball

Mrs. Magoulick is a new Special Eduction teacher

Mrs. Emerson is teaching Theater (NEW Theater)

We have several members of our teaching staff who work at multiple buildings within the District.

Ms. Kang is teaching some Orchestra classes

Mr. Dade is teaching some Choir & Musical Theater classes

Mr. Bryzik is teaching some Choir classes

Mr. Sacks is teaching some Band classes

Mr. Cohen is teaching some PE classes

NEW Spanish teacher, announced soon

NEW ELA Teacher for 7th/8th grade, announced soon

Welcome to our new staff.... there will be more announcements coming soon :)

If you need clarification regarding lunch assignments, please reach out to Mrs. Carson. Thank you!!

Please note we've updated the time to allow for our staff to have a 45 minute lunch break.
We will not "close" during the lunch break, we are attempting to slow the traffic flow during this time to provide a short break for our staff.

We are so excited to have our WBMS Students back in the building with us.

The first stop on the orientation checklist will be SMILE & Say "Hello!".

Next up... Have your school portrait taken for your ID card & the school yearbook.

See the image below for the outline of the Orientation event.

Students are expected to arrive with an adult. This is not a "drop off" event.

Please park in the front lot and enter through the main entrance doors near the office.

Drop in anytime between 9-2, it will take some time to get through the activities, plan to stay for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Doors will be closed at 3:00, as we need to clean & close up the school for the evening.

Thank you!

If your student is not able to access their gmail account or PowerSchool, please submit an online TECH TICKET. LINK to SUBMIT A tech ticket

Parents... we need your help. Some of our school programming & funding depends on ALL parents completing the forms, whether or not you might qualify. Please complete the online forms linked to our nutrition webpage. Here is the Nutrition Website: https://www.wbsd.org/departments/nutriton-services Here is the direct link to the forms: https://westbloomfield.familyportal.cloud/

Because of state funding, ALL students will recieve one FREE breakfast and one FREE Lunch again this year. Additional items are available for purchase. NO CASH. All payments are deducted from the student meal account. (see the nutrition site for details on loading funds to your student's account)

https://www.wbsd.org/parents/back-to-school-central

The West Bloomfield School District has moved to an all-online enrollment process. This process needs to be completed before the first day of school. Please click on the following link:

Complete the Back to School Update

Families are required to do this for each child enrolled with WBSD. If you do not know your login and/or password for PowerSchool, please contact your school for assistance, or visit https://www.wbsd.org/parents/powerschool for more information.

Our WBMS Administrative Assistants are back in the office & able to support parents with PowerSchool login information. Please call 248-865-4480

Please note that student schedules are not displayed through PowerSchool at this time. After Orientation events PowerSchool will be accessible to view schedules. A paper copy of your student schedule will be provided at the WBMS Orientation.

Starting a new school year can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience for middle school students. We are going to feature helpful tips each week, prior to the start of the school year.

Here are the final "4" of our practical tips to help manage back-to-school anxiety and ease those first-day jitters:

Keep in Touch:

• Maintain connections with friends from previous grades and make an effort to reconnect. Familiar faces can provide comfort.

• Nutrition: Eat balanced meals and stay hydrated. Proper nutrition can have a significant impact on your energy levels and mood.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Find an activity you enjoy and stick with it.

Ask for Help

• Reach Out: If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Teachers, school mental health specialist and school counselors

Stay Informed

• Stay Updated: Keep up with school communications, newsletters, and announcements. Knowing what to expect can help reduce uncertainty and anxiety.

Thank you to Ms. Rita Yousif, WBMS Mental Health Specialist for sharing this tips.

To connect with Ms. Yousif via email: rita.yousif@wbsd.org

Ms. Yousif is working over the summer months & you are able to connect with her through email.

Orientation Events are scheduled from 9-11:30 and 12:15-2 PM, plan for 1 hour to complete the activities & walk your student schedule. Parents ATTEND with your student. This is NOT a drop off event. We will close at 3 PM.

Please note we've updated the time to allow for our staff to have a 45 minute lunch break.
We will not "close" during the lunch break, we are attempting to slow the traffic flow during this time to provide a short break for our staff.

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

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

• Lifetouch Professional Photograph for School ID & Yearbook Photo
  (photo ordering will be online or fill out a form on-site)
  

• Walk your schedule with a family member
• Practice your locker combination
• Pick up your new lanyard, ID & student planner
• Purchase a Yearbook - $35 CASH or Check to WBMS
• Pre-Order your House Photo - $20 CASH or Check to WBMS

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

Athletic Participation Fee Reinstated

For those 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.

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.

• Mark your calendars! WBSD Movie Night will be on September 6th (rain date of the 13th) at the football field!.We are excited to host the community and see our new scoreboard in action! More information to come.