WBSD Update
A weekly update from the West Bloomfield School District
WBSD Weekly Update - August 21
Welcome to the 2020-21 school year, Team WB! We are glad you are on our team!
Important Calendar Reminders!
WBSD Board of Trustee Vacancy
The West Bloomfield School District is seeking applications for the current vacant trustee position. An individual will be appointed to fill the vacant position through Dec. 31, 2022.
Interested persons must submit a letter expressing interest in the board position and their qualifications for the position to the Board Executive Assistant Cynthia.Huyghe@wbsd.org, no later than 4 p.m. on August 27, 2020.
Following a review of the submitted materials, the board will schedule interviews.
If you have any questions concerning the role of the board of education and the responsibilities of a board member, please contact Dr. Gerald Hill, Superintendent of Schools, at Gerald.Hill@wbsd.org.
Candidate interviews will take place Friday, August 28 beginning at 5 p.m. (tentative).
More information is available on the district website.
First Week of School Sign - 2020-21
As we near the excitement of the first days of school on Aug. 25, 26, & 27, we wanted to create some buzz and excitement by sharing our First Week of School picture sign.
We ask that students hold the sign during any first day of school photo sessions on the mornings of Aug. 25, 26, & 27. We'd encourage parents and family members to then post those first week photos to their social media channel of choice with the hashtags, #WB1stDay2020 #onlyWB.
It is our hope that we see Twitter, Instagram and Facebook filled with photos of our students and families excited for the first day of school. Principals, teachers and building staff members will also be getting in on the fun.
We look forward to seeing an outstanding display of Team WB pride!
Back-to-School Central - 2020-21
Food Service Update - 2020-21 School Year
Please contact Anne Stevens with Nutrition Services questions at anne.stevens@wbsd.org or (248) 865-6733.
Hurt to Healing Parent Presentation: Covid-19 and the Return to School - Aug. 19
Join Our Team! Cloud Care/Before and After School Care
QUALIFICATIONS:
- High school diploma
- Enjoy working with children
- Good communication skills
- Reliable attendance a must
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist the instructor in implementing the program for the students in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the school district.
- Assist the instructor in providing daily activities for the student including remote learning, outside time, games, and arts and crafts.
- Assist the instructor with the organizational duties.
Visit the district's Employment Opportunities page to apply.
Chromebook Information - Additional Pick-Up Day!
The district has distributed Chromebooks to K-12 students the last 2 weeks. One final distribution date has been added for those that were unable to pick-up a device during this time. These dates are below. Anyone still needing a district Chromebook after these 2 additional opportunities must submit an Oakland Schools Service Desk ticket.
Additional Chromebook Distribution Date and Times:
TUESDAY AUGUST 25, 2020: 2:00pm-6:00pm
Chromebook pick-up details along with more information regarding hotspots, insurance and forms are available on the Cloud Technology webpage.
WBSD Athletics Update - August 2020
WBHS Cross Country Spirit Store!
Visit the Sprit Store linked here to pick up some gear and show your support for Laker athletics.
The store closes on Aug. 24!
Middle School Athletics Cancelled for Fall Sports Season
The Central Oakland Middle School Athletic Conference (COMSAC) released a statement this week that cancelled all Fall Sports for the Fall 2020 season for its member schools. West Bloomfield Middle School is part of the COMSAC league. The statement is as follows:
After much deliberation and discussion from all schools involved in the Central Oakland Middle School Athletic Conference it has been decided that all fall sports would be cancelled for the year 2020. The decision was made based on that many of our teams are large in size and we could exceed the limitations set by our Governor on outdoor activities. Also, with no guidance yet from our Governor or the MHSAA on Girls Basketball, we felt that there was not a way to offer competitions among different schools safely. Football has previously been postponed by the MHSAA at all levels across the state of Michigan. Transportation is another concern among the schools with many of the schools holding classes virtually.
This decision has been tough for all involved. We are taking the health and safety of our athletes very seriously and we are not making this decision without much thought and concern. Our athletes come first and we need to make sure that they are safe.
Tom Flynn
President
C.O.M.S.A.C.
Operation Parent - Aug. 24
Back to School: Helping Kids Overcome School Anxiety and Build Resiliency
Living in a world that’s increasingly unpredictable, today’s kids, especially alternative learners, are more anxious than ever before. Dr. Sharon Saline, veteran psychologist and author of What your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life, and The ADHD Solution Card Deck will discuss how anxiety works and what professionals and parents can do to help kids reduce their worries. Dr. Saline will also discuss how to help kids change their relationship to worry and avoid the pitfalls of negative thinking. Learn techniques for separating the person from the anxiety, talking to the worry itself, and creating effective responses to ‘what ifs’. Dr. Saline offers tools for teaching all types of learners how to realistically evaluate situations, tolerate uncertainty, and calm down.
Tuition Based Preschool
Call (248) 865-6466 for additional information and secure your spot today!
GSRP in WBSD
Contact Laura Poxon at laura.poxon@wbsd.org or Kathi Luthe at kathi.luthe@wbsd.org to see if you qualify or call Collette Goestenkors at (248) 865-6466.
Back to School Reading List - West Bloomfield Township Public Library
WB Community Education Update
LAST CALL!!! Fall 2020 ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
First Lego League Grades 4-5th $200
First Tech Challenge Grades 6-8th $275
Registration Link:
https://westbloomfield.digitalsignup.com/
For up to date Community Education Program Summer Offerings, click here. For registration questions contact, andrea.foglietta@wbsd.org
Community Resources
WB Township Library Information
The West Bloomfield Township Main Library and Westacres Branch are now open for Phase 2 services.
The Library’s top priorities continue to be the safety of the public and Library staff and providing our community with access to our large circulating collections. We know that when using indoor spaces – like our Library buildings – density, duration and distance are issues of particular importance. The Library is adhering to all Executive Orders and following federal, state and local guidelines.
Thank you for your consideration and flexibility during Phase 1 of resuming service. We look forward to serving you in Phase 2.
Services Available in Phase 2 include Virtual, Curbside and Grab & Go
The NEW Grab & Go Service forms the basis of Phase 2
- Come into the Main Library or Westacres Branch buildings.
- Browse youth, teen and adult circulating collections.
- Select materials to enjoy at home and pick up materials you’ve placed on hold.
- Ask for reader’s advisory or reference assistance to help with your selections.
- Use self-check stations to check out materials.
- Pick up Summer Reading materials and Reading Reward incentives that have been earned.
- Leave the building after about 45 minutes inside.
- Masks are required in the buildings.
Remember your library card or keytag for self checkout!
Summer Reading Materials and Reading Rewards
The Summer Reading activity booklet, lawn sign and Reading Reward incentives that have been earned can be picked up inside Library buildings, through Parking Lot Pick-Up or at the Main Library Drive-Up Window. The Summer Reading Book Fair will continue until September 4. Select books from displays at the Main Library or Westacres Branch as you earn them. Or, let us know what type of books you like, and a librarian can select your reward books for you to pick up from Parking Lot Pick-Up or the Drive-Up Window. Read more about Summer Reading.
Main Library Drive-Up Window
Pick up items that you've requested be available at the Drive-Up Window, including materials you've placed on hold, a library card or Summer Reading Rewards that have been earned.
Parking Lot Pick-Up
This curbside service is available at both the Main Library and Westacres Branch during Library hours posted on our website.
Renew or request a library card in person
Ask at the Main Library Reception desk or the Westacres Branch Circulation desk. You can also continue to renew or request a library card on the Library’s website.
The online “Contact Us” feature to call, chat with, text or email a librarian
Use the Library’s website to ask questions, use the reader’s advisory service, request materials or obtain/renew a library card.
No other use of building spaces will be available during Phase 2.
The Quiet and Group Study rooms, Activity Centers, Meeting and Conference rooms, Casual Study room, and the Computer Lab will be closed during Phase 2. Other frequently touched surfaces such as computers, toys and play equipment, vending machines, water fountains and bill changer will not be available.
What to Expect When You Come to the Library during Phase 2 - We ask you to protect yourself and others during Phase 2.
- We’re working together to protect each other and everyone in our community. Please don't enter the Library if you have a fever, feel unwell or are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19.
- To enter Library buildings, Library staff and Library users age two years and older are required to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines to stay 6 feet apart from anyone not living with them. We continue to offer Parking Lot Pick-Up and Drive-Up Window service so those who don’t want to wear a mask for any reason can still have access to all circulating collections. There is no need to come inside a Library building to check out the circulating materials you want.
- Protective measures are in place at the Main Library and Westacres Branch. Plexiglass shields have been installed at public service desks. Bathrooms have been upgraded with some additional touchless features. Floor markers indicate 6-feet spacing for social distancing. Hand sanitizer is available.
- Using self-check stations to check out items is strongly encouraged. This helps minimize close interactions to keep everyone safe. Self-check stations will be periodically cleaned throughout the day.
- The number of people allowed inside Library buildings will be limited, per state directives, to 25% capacity. If the capacity limit is reached, arriving visitors will be asked to remain outside the building until others leave. Only the South entrance to the Main Library will be open for use.
- Library staff will be available to help with renewing a library card or issuing a new one, finding materials you want, readers’ advisory and reference assistance, and answering questions about how to use the Library’s digital services such as how to download eBooks to tablets and other devices. Staff will wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
- WiFi will be available. You can use your mobile phone or tablet to check the Library’s online catalog for materials you’d like to check out, in case you don’t want to use the Library’s online public access (OPAC) stations, which will be cleaned periodically. All other computers will be turned off for Phase 2.
- Interior book drops will be available during Library hours. Returned materials will continue to be quarantined and cleaned, per CDC guidelines. Returned materials remain on your library card account until after they have been quarantined and cleaned and are ready to be re-shelved. This may take 5 to 7 days.
More about Phase 2
Virtual programs
We will continue to offer virtual programs during Phase 2. Please check the Event Calendar for a schedule of virtual Summer Reading programs.
Phase 2 Hours
Open hours have been reduced to give staff time to process requests and holds that are received overnight and to provide more time after the Library closes to thoroughly clean and disinfect surfaces.
Monday-Thursday 10 AM – 7 PM
Friday & Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday Noon – 5 PM
REMINDER about returned materials
During Phase 2, returned materials will continue to be quarantined and cleaned. Your returned materials will remain on your library account until they are quarantined, cleaned and ready to re-shelve. This could take 5 to 7 days. If your account isn’t updated within 7 days, please let us know.
The eLibrary is open 24/7
We hope you’ll continue to visit the eLibrary often to connect to the large and growing number of digital resources that are available 24/7. You can:
Enjoy the latest eBook and eAudiobook titles
Watch movies and TV shows
Listen to albums and singles
Read more than 3,600 magazines
Keep up with news from national and international newspapers
Use the Learning Resource Center to match what you want to learn with resources for preschool to high school students, as well as adults
Connect with Us!
Email: daniel.durkin@wbsd.org
Website: www.wbsd.org
Location: 5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 865-6420
Facebook: facebook.com/WestBloomfieldSchools/
Twitter: @wbloomfieldschl