The Pipeline

Hello Ford Students and Families!

Wow! The past two weeks have truly been incredible! The level of hands-on instruction has reached new heights, and it’s heartwarming to witness. From constructing the greenhouse to participating in local and state competitions, enjoying field trips, CPR training, and learning from industry professionals—there’s so much to celebrate. The smiles and positive energy that greet us daily are uplifting and inspiring.

As we embark on our longest stretch of the school year, I want to express how proud I am of our students for staying focused and making progress. It's not always easy, but their determination is commendable. Let’s keep nurturing this strong momentum together. A heartfelt thank you to everyone for your hard work and dedication—it truly makes a difference!

Kind regards!

Stephanie Bigelow, M.A., L.P.C.

If you are interested in supporting any of our CTE programs, please feel free to fill out the form:

https://forms.gle/rD22kqhwbJrWVMJL6

Four students from the William D. Ford Career Tech Center's Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking program competed in the Michigan Governor's High School Cyber Challenge on October 16 at the Suburban Collection Showcase in Novi. The team was one of 10 teams in the entire state to qualify, with the school's team made up of members Jordan Ashby, Ian Kluger, Gabe Roberts, and Tony Thompson. The team performed well, taking 6th place. This was the first competition of its kind that these students competed in. Congratulations to these students for their success! We are so proud of you!

MyAna is a second-year Medical Assisting student making a meaningful impact as a Patient Dining Assistant at Glacier Hills Assisted Living Facility. She effectively applies her classroom knowledge of patient care and dietary needs to ensure residents receive nutritious meals and personalized attention. MyAna’s positive energy and compassion create a warm dining atmosphere, bringing joy to the residents. Her dedication and hard work make her an invaluable asset to the Glacier Hills team as she prepares for her future in healthcare.

We are very excited to share our latest venture at Career-Tech. Through hard work and perseverance, we are now creating a greenhouse which will be functional. Students from our Construction Technology program stepped up to help build this incredible structure this past Thursday. There are so many people to thank for this, and we hope everyone knows how appreciative we at William D. Ford Career-Technical Center are. Thank you all!

The fire union, led by Greg Vick, invited Captain Thompson and 10 of his students to the Royal Oak Firefighters Walk to School event on October 15, 2024. Captain Thompson, who started this wonderful tradition 26 years ago, believed last year would be his final walk. However, the spirit of the walk did not fade with his retirement. Greg Vick not only carried on the walk-to-school initiative but also honored Captain Thompson with his retirement axe. It was a truly uplifting day for everyone involved!

1. Magnum Manufacturing

2. Downriver Refrigeration Supply

3. Mountain Machine

4. Contract Welding

5. Avis Ford

6. Woolf Aircraft Products Inc.

7. Ford Motor Company

8. Jack Demmer

9. E & E Manufacturing

October 21 - 8th Graders from Franklin Middle School Visit

October 22 - 8th Graders from Stevenson Middle School Visit

October 24 - 8th Graders from Adams Middle School Visit

OCtober 24- Firefighting students go to Wayne County Community College for Training

October 25 - Digital Divas Field Trip

November 5 - Professional Development - No School

November 12 and 13 - Wayne Memorial 10th Graders Tour Career-Tech

November 19 and 20 - John Glenn 10th Graders Tour Career-Tech

January 20 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School

February 5 - Official Count Day

February 10 and 11 - Reality Fair (Only Seniors)

February 11 - Fire Up Your Future - Open House 6 to 8 PM

March 19 - National Technical Honor Society Induction Ceremony @ 6 PM at JGHS

April 11 thru 13 - SkillsUSA State Competition in Grand Rapids

April 29 - Job Fair

May 6 - Career-Tech Recognition Night at Stockmeyer Auditorium 6 - 8 PM

May 26 - Memorial Day - No School

May 28 - Gear Up For Success Event - 25/26 Student Orientation - 6 - 8 PM

June 23 - 27 - SkillsUSA National Competition - Atlanta, GA

TBD - Summer Camp for Elementary and Middle School Students (more info to come)

Please see the following information regarding transportation and parking:

Please be aware that each sending school has distinct rules, times, and requirements concerning transportation. Students must verify any transportation-related questions and concerns with their home high school. If you intend to drive, you are required to obtain a parking pass from Ford Tech’s administration. These passes are priced at $25 and come with a mandatory arrival time at school. For morning arrivals, drivers must be on-site no later than 7:25 am, and for afternoon arrivals, no later than 11:10 am. Please note that Ford Tech reserves the right to revoke parking privileges in the event of any concerns or issues.

****Attention Wayne-Westland students: Please be mindful that Wayne-Westland students should park ONLY at their respective home high school. Specifically, John Glenn students MUST park at their school, while transportation has been arranged for Wayne Memorial and Innovative Academy students. Due to the limited parking spaces of over 1100 students and the restaurant, we urge strict adherence to this policy. Exceptions are granted for students with higher-level work-based learning experiences, provided they obtain approval from both schools' administrative teams. Students who drive without permission may face disciplinary consequences.

Please click on the link for one of the TikTok videos made for the Fire/EMT program at William D. Ford.

https://www.tiktok.com/@wwcsd_ccr_sel/video/7310370034260430111

Our latest video for our Welding program.

https://www.tiktok.com/@wwcschools/video/7335874530986085678?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7328075319805265451

If you want to see more of what's happening in the district, please follow the link...

https://www.tiktok.com/@wwcschools

Wayne-Westland Attendance Policy:

District Policy:

Wayne-Westland Schools prioritizes student attendance, student safety, and student support. Our District has implemented a comprehensive attendance policy that will identify barriers families face and provide support so that they may attend school regularly. Working with our community partners, our goal is to reduce chronic absenteeism at all grade levels.

Additional details regarding the policy can be found here:

https://www.wwcsd.net/departments/administrative-services/student-services/#Attendance

Wayne-Westland Community Schools has a Family Resource Center (FRC), which provides services to any student/family enrolled in our District, free of cost. Some of the services they provide are: basic need assistance, access to over 700 local resources, Laundry Assistance Program and material items for those unable to afford them (emergency toiletries, socks/underwear, hats/gloves/scarves, etc.). They are also able to provide school supplies and backpacks year round for any WWCS student. Please contact our Family Resource Center at: 734-419-2709 or FRC@wwcsd.net. Our FRC also has a Digital Request for Services Form, which can be used to request assistance. Please contact the Family Resource Center directly with any additional questions regarding their services.

Please see the following link regarding the procedures followed when having to cancel school due to inclement weather. Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q7PF241OdFeYLO2P5KylZZC2J7Q00WEBLzVx7bAeZaY/edit?usp=sharing

Take Charge of Your Internet: To ensure all students have the access they need, the State of Michigan is conducting a Broadband Mapping Challenge, which can help secure federal funds to expand quality broadband to homes in our district. Michigan residents can visit the website to check the map for their home address and submit necessary corrections to the state internet map. This program may be the best opportunity to get all of our students and families online. Link to PDF