The Pipeline

Hello Ford Students and Families!

This past week marked a significant journey for our Ford Tech students as they celebrated numerous successes and gained invaluable experiences. From constructing houses to exploring the crucial differences between renting and buying, these topics sparked engaging discussions. Students connected with knowledgeable adults who shared insights that illuminated their paths forward. The bottom line is that our students are not just learning; they are passionately preparing to take on the world in their chosen fields and are committed to managing their finances wisely.

Continue to fuel this forward movement through impactful conversations with your kids. Their understanding often surpasses our expectations. I've been consistently inspired by their maturity and their genuine intention to improve. Witnessing their growth is truly heartwarming. It gives me hope to know that our students are thinking creatively about making healthier, well-considered choices.

Kind regards,

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

Our recent Skills to Bills: A Personal Finance Simulation was a success! Students took on the challenge of managing a monthly budget based on a career profile that aligned with their CTE class, complete with an assigned profession, average income, and employer. As they visited booths led by WWCSD volunteers, they made real-world financial decisions—balancing necessities, savings, and lifestyle choices. From engaging discussions to eye-opening money moments, the day was filled with both learning and fun! A huge thank you to our incredible district volunteers for making this experience possible!

The Fire Up Your Future Open House was an exciting evening filled with exploration, learning, and connection! Future students had the opportunity to tour our building, meet instructors, and get a firsthand look at our programs. Current students proudly showcased their projects and skills to friends and family, highlighting the incredible work happening at William D. Ford Career-Tech Center. In addition, students had the opportunity to engage with numerous post-secondary partners to explore future career and education opportunities. A huge thank you to our post-secondary partners, current families, and potential future families for supporting our programs and students!

Any junior or senior who is interested in attending William D. Ford Career-Technical Center should complete a student enrollment request form.

Eligible juniors and seniors in the Wayne-Westland Community School District and surrounding partner schools should complete the enrollment request no later than Friday, February 14, 2025.

Please note, completing an enrollment request does not guarantee a spot at William D. Ford Career-Technical Center. Students will be notified when placements are made based on the timeline listed.

Important Calendar Dates:

• First Round Student Enrollment Request Closes: February 14, 2025
• Returning 2nd Year Application (Application for students who attended WDF in the 24-25 school year who want to return for the 25-26 school year in the SAME program): March 21, 2025
• First Round Placements Sent: April 1, 2025
• Second Round Student Enrollment Request Closes: April 11, 2025
• Final Placement List Completed: May 7, 2025
• Gear Up for Success Night (25-26 Orientation, invitations will be mailed out): May 28, 2025

Application Links

Current Wayne-Westland William D. Ford Career Technical Center Student Enrollment Request - (25-26 School Year)
Out Of District- William D. Ford Career Technical Center Student Enrollment Request - (25-26 School Year)

February is American Heart Month, a time to celebrate the life-saving skills learned by both students and staff at Ford Career Tech, who are all trained and certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED. Thanks to this invaluable training, we already have a growing list of students who have risen to the occasion and become heroes in their own communities.

Students from the Robotics, Manufacturing and Engineering class had an incredible opportunity to visit the SXI preschool classroom at Stottlemyer Early Childhood Center. They spent time getting to know the preschoolers and interviewing staff to gather valuable insights.

Now, the students will take their observations and research back to the classroom, where they’ll begin designing and modifying jeeps to enhance mobility and independence for these young learners. This hands-on project allows them to apply core knowledge while developing essential 21st-century skills under the scope of Ms. Stacey Synowiec-Barnard.

The students from Construction Technology are busy, even in the cold weather, working on the construction of the new House Build program that William D. Ford Career-Technical Centers with the City of Westland. We will be working to create a new home for a lucky family who is interested in living in our beautiful city. Mr. Bryant, Mr. Dudek, Mr. Wysong, and Mr. Helka work diligently to help our students learn all the secrets to becoming an excellent builder. It can be slow at times when factors like even the weather can hinder progress. Here is a quick look at our early progress.

LiUNA Training of Michigan is now accepting applications for their summer program! The Laborers' Pathways to Apprenticeship is a 10-week high school program designed to introduce students to the Michigan Construction Laborers and a Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship opportunity. If you're interested in applying, please see Mrs. McKenzie for more details!

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

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)

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

https://forms.gle/rD22kqhwbJrWVMJL6

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

10. Fox Motors

11. Henry Ford OptimEyes

12. City of Westland-City Hall

13. Detroit Institute of Arts

14. Jade Child Development Center

15. Primrose School of Canton

16. Glacier Hills

17. MedPro New Boston

18. Trinity IHA Cherry Hill

19. Michigan High School Firefighter Combine

20. Praveen Modi, MD, PC

21. Frobel Child Care & Montessori School

22. Carpenter and Millwrights Union

23. Michigan CAT

24. SPE (Inspiring Plastics Professionals)

25. Regency at Westland

If you have a parking pass and plan to drive to Career Tech, please note that there are new start times for ALL DRIVERS beginning in the second semester.

- For the AM session, classes will start at 7:25 AM.

- For the PM session, classes will start at 11:25 AM.

Remember, if you have the privilege of driving, you are expected to arrive at school by these designated start times.

This is an important reminder for all students and families: we have a strict NO Food Service Delivery policy in place. To maintain the safety of our building, visitors are only permitted to enter through the main office. Any students who chooses to open doors and retrieve items from delivery services will face immediate suspension, as this behavior endangers the safety of everyone in the building. Compliance with this policy is non-negotiable.

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