WBSD Weekly Update

After 26 years of devoted service to the West Bloomfield School District, Linda Trotter is embarking on a well-deserved retirement, marking the end of an illustrious career spanning over four decades. Throughout her tenure, Ms. Trotter's unwavering dedication to her craft and her students has been a source of inspiration for all who have had the privilege of knowing her.

Ms. Trotter has been a fixture in nearly every school within the WBSD, leaving her musical imprint from Sheiko to West Bloomfield High School. Her journey took her through the corridors of Ealy, Roosevelt, Doherty, Scotch, Abbott, Orchard Lake, and both Middle Schools. However, it was through a heartfelt collaboration with Ms. Rabotnick that Ms. Trotter finally realized a longstanding aspiration: to teach at every school within the WBSD, with Gretchko Elementary serving as the final piece in her educational mosaic.

From the tentative first notes of Beginning Strings and Bands to the triumphant performances of Symphony and Concert Orchestras, Ms. Trotter has been a steadfast guide, nurturing talent and instilling a lifelong love for music in her students. She will be missed, but her impact will be lasting.

The community is cordially invited to a ceremony honoring Roosevelt school. It will be held at 5 p.m., Friday, May 17th, in the gymnasium of the current Roosevelt Elementary (Abbott site), 3380 Orchard Lake Road and will feature students and staff celebrating the people and programs that have made Roosevelt school such an important part of our community.

A memory book is also being compiled with stories and photos through the years. Those interested in receiving a free digital copy of any of the class photos will be able to register for that as well as a brick from the building or walkway.

Special thanks to the planning committee organizing this event which includes: Elise Arnoldi, Taylor Carroll, Kirsten Douglass, Lisa Jennings, Krisi Law, Juliann O'Brien, Lindsay Steinbrecher and the Roosevelt PTO.

This a painting of the building by former teacher David Schweitzer.

Please note: parking will be available at Our Lady of Refuge with a shuttle.

Thank you for attending the informational webinar regarding 5th Grade Music. The purpose of this communication is to recap the content of this meeting and to provide an overall summary of the meeting for those that were unable to attend. Please be sure to complete the Google Form at the end of this communication to select Band, Orchestra, or Choir for your child’s 5th grade Music Special next school year.

The slideshow for the informational webinar is linked here for your convenience. Here is a link to the recording of the webinar. Please review the slideshow for details regarding the program. If you have any questions, please email all of the following staff members:

• Choir: Joshua.Bryzik@wbsd.org

• Band: Karl.Stein@wbsd.org

• Orchestra: Andrea.Cole@wbsd.org

Next Steps

• Due Friday, May 17th: Please complete this form by or before Friday, May 17th.

• May 31st: Confirmation course selection will be provided by May 31st.

• Beginning Friday, August 9th: Begin securing rental

• Rental Website: marshallmusic.com/rentals

• Rental Phone: 248-661-1260

Redistricting Transition Activities and Events

• Student Mingle Field Trip

• May 20th:

• AM: 1st Grade

• PM: Kindergarten




• Preparing all Families for Launch
• Gretchko: May 16th from 6-7 p.m.
  
• Scotch: May 16th from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
  

• Popsicles with the Principal for Families
  
• All Elementary Schools: August 21, 4-6 p.m.

We'd love your input. Please share ideas in this Transition Activity Ideas form.

Thank you to all those who welcomed the second and third graders on their trips as shown here. See WBSD social media for more photos.

WBSD is excited to start our playground projects at Gretchko and Scotch Elementary Schools this month. All of the preparations with site surveys and civil engineering are complete. We cannot wait to unveil the new “Apple Island” themed playgrounds that were designed to be inclusive for all students.

Please note: our playgrounds at Gretchko and Scotch will be closed this summer for construction. We will welcome families back as soon as the projects are complete.

If you have any questions or concerns throughout this process, please feel free to reach out to us at rebecca.fannon@wbsd.org or 248-865-6454.

Here are maps outlining the location of the new playgrounds in relation to the schools.

Laker Opportunity Center offers an alternative learning experience for those that have struggled in the traditional learning environment and need credit recovery. Laker Opportunity Center offers students the opportunity to complete high school and graduate with a diploma. Our school leaders help select the right learning mode for each student. The program is open to all students in the State of Michigan who are 16-22 years old. Learn more on their facebook page or https://www.wbsd.org/lakeroppcenter.

In-Person Cohorts

Students may join an in-person cohort, meeting 2-3 times weekly. Monday & Thursday OR Tuesday & Friday are available, with a Wednesday rotation.

Drop-In

Qualifying students completing coursework from home may qualify for opt-in meet-ups only.

All Online

Qualifying students can learn entirely from home 24/7, communicating with school staff via email and video only. All students must make weekly contact with staff.

For more information please contact Morrison Borders, Principal at morrison.borders@wbsd.org

Two teams of 5th-8th grade students competed in RoboParade at the Robofest World Championship last Friday. Our teams used the 4C's (Collaborator, Creative Thinker & Creative Problem Solver, Communicator, and Contributor), to create robotic parade floats for the theme Down on the Farm.

Out of 19 teams, our teams were 2 of the 9 entries to finish both judged parades! Great job students, coaches and parent volunteers.

The 12th annual Sutton Foster Awards is a state-wide educational initiative celebrating Michigan high school musical theatre. Tickets for the Sutton Foster Awards Showcase are on sale now through the official Wharton Center Ticket Office, online at whartoncenter.com, or by calling 517.432.2000 or 1.800.WHARTON.

Emelia Duffield (Donna) and Logan Faulkender (Sam) have been nominated to compete in the Sutton Foster Awards for the title of Best Leading Actress and Best Leading Actor in the State of Michigan. They were nominated for roles they played in West Bloomfield High School’s production of Mamma Mia!, directed by Kristine Stephens and Sheryl Hauk.

The Sutton Foster Awards program features 130 high school students performing selections from their school musicals and a variety of Broadway medleys. Over sixty schools are participating in this year’s program, which was open to all Michigan high schools regardless of location, school size, or musical budget. Leading up to the showcase, three adjudicators comprised of theatre professionals attended each school’s full musical production. They provided feedback directly to the schools and nominated students intended to promote program and performer growth.

This year’s Sutton Foster Awards also included multiple year-long learning opportunities. Participants worked directly with touring Broadway professionals in musical theatre performance master classes and technical and creative workshops. From shows like Hairspray to Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Michigan students were able to work with some of the best in the business.

The entire year-long program culminates in the Awards Showcase. The 130 high school thespians participating will work with Broadway musical directors and choreographers to rehearse and stage the show. Two performers will be selected to represent Michigan at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (Jimmy Awards) in New York City this June. Cash scholarships and tuition to Wharton Center’s summer Broadway experience, Take It From The Top, will also be awarded.

For a complete list of participating high schools and their productions, visit whartoncenter.com/sutton-foster-awards.

Date/Time: Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 6:30PM

Location: Cobb Great Hall, Wharton Center, East Lansing, MI

Tickets: $15

Ticket Office: www.whartoncenter.com 517.432.2000 or 1.800.WHARTON

The Sutton Foster Awards are sponsored by MSU Federal Credit Union; Piper & Gold Public Relations; with additional support from Nancy Passanante.

Boys Varsity Golf finishes 6th place at Oaa All-League Meet

Summer Clinic For Field Hockey

West Bloomfield Wrestling Club Clinic on Wednesday, May 15th

For more highlights, visit: https://westbloomfieldathletics.com/

Summer meal programs keep Michigan kids healthy during summer break from school: https://bit.ly/44GSMa4

· Friends in Our World – Asian Friends (Youth)

· Friends in Our World - Jewish Friends (Youth)

· May is Mental Health Awareness Month (Teen)

Summer Events at the Library
Beginning with the library’s annual Summer Reading Youth Kickoff on Saturday, June 1, mark your calendars for some of the library’s events for all ages throughout the community! Browse events by age range and location in our new Summer Events brochure at: https://www.calameo.com/read/00729524175ee0b8da98d

Dream Eater Storytime @ Origami Craft with A. Kidd

Thursday, May 16 from 4:30-5:30pm

Main Library Youth Activity Center

Prepare to sprint into summer! Join us for an interactive storytime and craft with local author and children’s librarian A. Kidd. This fun program will celebrate her new picture book, Yasuko and the Dream Eater, a bedtime story which is inspired by a Japanese legend. Enjoy book-related songs and activities, learn about tapirs, and make your own jumping frogs.

For grades K-5, No Registration Required

Westacres – DIY Kaleidoscope

Tuesday, May 21 from 6-7pm

Westacres Activity Center

Explore light and color with this fun STEAM activity! We will create our own unique kaleidoscopes using cardboard rolls, reflective paper, and more.

For grades K-5, Registration is required, click to register @

https://westbloomfield.librarycalendar.com/event/diy-kaleidoscope-1691

Help us feature our WBSD 2024 senior class and their accomplishments with their own "Senior Spotlight" social media post. If you or your senior would like to be highlighted, complete this quick form: https://forms.gle/yhdAi6YuSn2BDuCD6

Congratulations Class of 2024! Please be patient for your submission to appear.

#WBSeniors #AlwaysALaker #onlyWB

May 22 - Late Start

May 27 - Memorial Day - No School

June 5 - Half Day for High School Only

June 6 - Half Day All Levels

June 7 - Half Day - Last Day for Students

For a full calendar, use this link: https://www.wbsd.org/calendar

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.

4th-7th Graders were AMAZING today at Stoney Creek HS!
Congratulations to:

Kairav Joshi (6th Grade WBMS) - Hall of Fame Gold Medal (15 points)

Keaton Douglass (5th Grade Roosevelt) - Gold Medal (14 points)

Chance Haynes (5th Grade Sheiko) - Gold Medal (14 points)

Namo Posuwan (6th Grade WBMS) - Gold Medal (14 points)

Aubrey Sokoli (5th Grade Scotch) - Gold Medal (14 points)

Hassan Eid (4th Grade Sheiko) - Silver Medal (13 points)

Malcolm Fiander (5th Grade Roosevelt) - Silver Medal (13 points)

Kendall Murdock (4th Grade Roosevelt) - Silver Medal (13 points)

Landen Myers (4th Grade Scotch) - Silver Medal (13 points)

Elizabeth Arghavani (7th Grade WBMS) - Bronze Medal (12 points)

Kelly Myles (7th Grade WBMS) - Bronze Medal (12 points)

Lavender Goble (5th Grade Sheiko) - Honorable Mention (11 points)

Zain Mostafa (5th Grade Roosevelt) - Honorable Mention (11 points)

Nathan Sokoli (6th Grade WBMS) - Honorable Mention (11 points)

Becca Barber (7th Grade WBMS) won a trophy for participating in Math Pentathlon for 8 years! What an accomplishment!!

Thank you the Game Leaders, Game Monitors, Coaches, and parent volunteers!

WBSD staff presented at the Michigan Association for Bilingual Education conference. Their topic was geared toward Simple and Practical Scaffolded Strategies for Multilingual Students.

Jennifer Frankowiak - ELD & Newcomer Teacher
Farquad Alfatlawy - ELD District Coach
Jackie Tomaszewski - ELD MS Teacher

Congratulations Michigan Week award recipients! Your dedication to community service is truly appreciated!

Greater West Bloomfield Michigan Treasurers Honor Roll:

Christy Forhan, WBSD

Jodie Ostrowski, Doherty Elementary

Claudia Rodgers, Scotch Elementary

West Bloomfield Educational Foundation

VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD:

Lucy Barber, WBMS Robotics Team

Kelly Denawetz, Scotch Elementary

Lauren Morton, WBSD

Michelle Sokoli, WBSD Math Pentathlon

YOUTH VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP AWARD:

Sara Ahmed, Oakland Early College

JACK FREED EMERGING LEADER AWARD:

Charlotte Brager, WBHS

Christian Maike, WBMS

Jen Teal, Gretchko Elementary

JEFF LEIB LIFETIME LEADERSHIP AWARD:

Susie Aisner, WBHS

Cristina Elsen, West Bloomfield Educational Foundation

DR.SEYMOUR GRETCHKO YOUTH ADVOCATE AWARD (Group)

West Bloomfield Educational Foundation

DR.SEYMOUR GRETCHKO YOUTH ADVOCATE AWARD (Individual)

Chrisy Forhan

• WBSD Employment Opportunities
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• Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition
• West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation