Bobcat Blitz
The weekly newsletter from Whiteford MS/HS - 11/17/23
Principal's Update
We would like to wish the best of luck to our varsity football team as they square off against Riverview Gabriel Richard at 1PM Saturday, at Adrian College, in a Division 8 State Semifinal contest. ALL MHSAA Postseason tickets will be digital tickets sold through GoFan. Semifinal tickets are $10 each.
Please scroll to view details of the NHS Blood Drive on Monday, November 20th, in the Multi-purpose Gym, and help as you are able!
Students in grades 8-11 will receive a copy results of their Fall PSAT/NMSQ tests in the upcoming weeks. Please take a moment to review the scores with your student when they come home, but also remember students will complete this test again in the Spring as part of the M-STEP assessment. The goal is to continue to grow/improve. Scores are also available digitally for students through their College Board account, which is independent from their school Google account.
The Holiday season is a busy one, so please make sure to stay current on events by checking our District's Facebook page OR checking the school calendar on the district website.
SEAB Committee Vacancies
Whiteford Agricultural Schools' Sexual Education Advisory Board (WHS SEAB) is looking for new members to contribute. The SEAB is comprised of representatives from the following groups: parents of children in the district, staff/educators, healthcare professionals, students, and a board of education liaison. The committee meets regularly, reviews submitted materials and makes recommendations to the WHS Board of Education regarding the sexual health curriculum. The SEAB functions in accordance with Michigan legal guidelines and works to follow best practices in sexual health education while maintaining compliance with state laws and local community priorities. If you are interested in joining the SEAB please fill out the google form.
NHS FUNDRAISER
High school students can be a part of Friendsgiving! They can sign up to buy (and have delivered) a treat to a favorite friend or staff member!
Mashed potatoes and gravy 1.00
Pumpkin Pie 1.00
Oreo Turkey Pop 1.00
Caramel Apple Sucker .50
Students can purchase these in front of lunchroom during lunch hours!
November Safety Tips from School Resource Officer, Deputy Brandon Benes
Cyber Safety for Students/Parents
The cyber world can be a wealth of information and very valuable to us. Unfortunately there are people out there that want to do harm to our children. No matter what we do the internet and social media is here to stay so we need to educate our children on the potential dangers of social media. Some of these items include communicating with people on social media whom we don’t know, (Stranger awareness) and how these situations can turn into human trafficking practices.
Tip Two: Safe Winter Driving
1. WINTER DRIVING TIPS – The winter months are right around the corner and it important to take the precautions to make sure you’re prepared for anything. Ensure you know what to do in case of an emergency for example,
If you are stopped or stalled in wintry weather, stay focused on yourself and your passengers, your car, and your surroundings.
· Stay with your car and don’t overexert yourself.
· Let your car be seen. Put bright markers on the antenna or windows and keep the interior dome light on.
· Be mindful of carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of any snow and run your car only sporadically — just long enough to stay warm. Don’t run your car for long periods of time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.
· Also make sure your vehicle is stocked with the items you may need in case of an emergency for example, a snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper;
· abrasive material (sand or kitty litter), in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow;
· jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices (flares and emergency markers);
· blankets for protection from the cold; and
· a cell phone and charger, water, food, and any necessary medicine.
ALWAYS DRIVE SAFE AND DRIVE FOR THE CONDITIONS YOU’RE IN.
IMPORTANT: MEAL MAGIC UPDATE
We are asking families to update their Meal Magic accounts as some students have “holds” in place for their children. These holds do not allow students to purchase breakfast and/or lunch. Both are free this year, so we encourage students to take advantage of these free meals. You can access the Meal Magic Family Portal here. If you have any questions regarding your account or process in removing a “hold”, please contact Cathy Machcinski at: cathy.machcinski@whiteford.k12.mi.us.
Free/Reduced Applications - Please Help Us Secure At-Risk Funding
For the 2023-2024 school year, the district will participate in the Michigan School Meals Program, which will allow all students to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each day. We still need your household to complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application if you believe you might qualify. The Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications can be completed electronically using https://whiteford.familyportal.cloud/. Search for Whiteford School District, then click on “Apply for Benefits.” If families would prefer to print a paper copy of the application for free and reduced meals, they can do so by clicking on this link. You may also pick up a copy in either school office. Please complete the paper application and return to either school office.
If families don’t complete this application that might qualify, we risk losing At-Risk money provided by state and federal grants. We have seen a decline in applications being completed during the past two school years, so we encourage families that think they may qualify for Free/Reduced meals to please complete the application. These grant monies help provide student assistance through our academic interventionists at the elementary and remediation classes at the middle school.
Digital Payments = Infinite Campus Fees
School meals are free this year, but students who wish to purchase additional lunch items will still have to fill out envelopes with cash/check, as in years past.
Student Grades and Attendance Reporting
Infinite Campus Parent Portal: Student Registration, marking period and semester grades, credits, and attendance are always visible in the Parent Portal throughout the school year. An app can be downloaded to your phone, or you can click HERE for the web version. Students will also have their own login so they can see their information at any time.
Schoology is our learning management system that teachers utilize to upload and distribute content/curriculum, track day-to-day grades, and to communicate with students/parents. Please click HERE to access your parent account; if you are experiencing problems with Schoology, please contact Corey Mills (mills@whiteford.k12.mi.us).
Medication
If your student will be taking medication during the school day (including over the counter meds) there are forms that need to be completed and turned in to the office. All medications are stored in the MS/HS office. Students are not permitted to keep any medication, including over the counter, in their locker. Parents must drop medicine off at the MS/HS office, as students are not permitted to do so. The office will be open at Registration Day and Open House to receive any medication that is accompanied with the appropriate forms, which can be accessed by clicking HERE and scrolling to the bottom/right of the page.
Updated Cell Phone Policy
Please be advised of the following policy changes regarding cell phones and other wireless communication devices:
Middle school students are prohibited from using cell phones and other personal devices during classes or passing times. Middle school students may use devices before school, after school, or during lunch only.
High school students may possess their device or store it in their locker during class, but the device must be powered off. If possessed in the classroom, the student is prohibited from using the device unless given express and direct consent from the teacher, dean, assistant principal, principal, or other school personnel. High school students may use devices during passing times, before school, after school, or during lunch.
Air Pods, headphones, or other wired/wireless listening devices are prohibited in hallways and classrooms unless given express and direct consent from the teacher, dean, assistant principal, principal, or other school personnel.
Students who need to communicate with parents in regards to matters of illness, safety, transportation, etc., should communicate through the school office so administration is aware of any visitors to the building, medications, or potential illnesses/safety concerns.
Cell Phone Discipline Protocol
First offense - Device is confiscated by school personnel. The administrator will return the phone or device in question at the end of the day. The parents will be informed. The phone or device may be prohibited from school for a period of at least two weeks, and may be prohibited for the remainder of the semester/school year, depending on the nature of offense. The infraction will be documented.
Second offense - The device is confiscated by school personnel and delivered to the office. The parents will be informed and the student will be assigned a detention, restorative action, or other disciplinary action will occur. The phone or device will be returned at the end of the school day; the phone or device will be prohibited from school for a period of one-to-two weeks and may be prohibited for the remainder of the semester/school year, depending on the nature of offense. The infraction will be documented.
Third and successive offenses - The device is confiscated by school personnel and delivered to the office. The parents will be informed and the student may be subject to a one-day in school or out-of-school suspension. The phone or device in question will not be returned until a parent comes in to pick it up. The phone or device will be prohibited from school for a period of at least two weeks, and may be prohibited for the remainder of the semester/school year, depending on the number and nature of previous offenses. The infraction will be documented.
Contact Us
MS/HS Principal
jeremy.fielder@whiteford.k12.mi.us
734 856-1443 ext. 102
Jeremy Simmons
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
734 856-1443 ext. 103
Ken Groch
Dean of Students 6-12
734 856-1443 ext. 240
Jennifer Head
MS/HS Counselor
734 856-1443 ext. 216
Amanda Duval
MS/HS Administrative Assistant
amanda.duval@whiteford.k12.mi.us
734 856-1443 ext. 108
Malinda Luzier
MS/HS/Athletics Administrative Assistant
malinda.luzier@whiteford.k12.mi.us
734 856-1443 ext. 109