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Connections Digital Newsletter
November 10, 2022
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The Wayne-Westland Wrap Up - October 19, 2023
Greetings Wayne-Westland Families,
This week, our schools participated in Be a Buddy, Not a Bully Week to recognize National Bullying Prevention Month and encourage students to show kindness and compassion to each other. These lessons are imperative in creating a supportive school environment and are critical to enhancing student learning and relationships.
This month, the district will also launch the 2023-2024 Wayne-Westland Community Schools Compassion Project, which identifies students who have demonstrated “Random Acts of Kindness” through compassionate acts. The Compassion Project will cooperate with the district’s current Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) strategies. Each month, school administrators review all reported compassionate acts and choose a winner for each school. Each winning student receives a gift card, and three monthly winners attend the City of Westland City Council meeting.
As we strive to encourage our students to act with kindness, we ultimately create a more compassionate community. We are proud to be a part of the Compassion Project and can’t wait to highlight our students’ gestures of kindness.
Sincerely,
John Dignan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
College and Career Readiness Month
Stemming in Specials
At Taft-Galloway Elementary School, the teachers who teach art, music, gym, and media classes hosted a Stemming in Specials event. The event demonstrated the power of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and its accessibility to all learners.
Students participated in various activities showcasing STEM’s potential to inspire students. In Human Coding, students used their bodies to simulate the process of computer coding. Hands-on learning continued with Music with Bananas, where students created musical compositions. 3D pen designing was a hit as students brought their creativity to life in three dimensions.
Stemming in Specials aligned with educational standards, demonstrating that STEM can be seamlessly integrated into everyday learning. By combining education and fun, the Taft specials team showcased the accessibility and relevance of STEM to all learners.
Employee of the Year Recognition
Great Futures Great Staff
Great Futures Start Right Here in Wayne-Westland, and they start with our great staff. In this video, Dr. Alex Ofili, assistant superintendent of human resources, explains the GEM awards and our first annual Employee of the Year recognition.
Former WWE Wrestler Zach Gowen visits Wayne-Westland
Zach Gowen, a former professional wrestler and amputee, stopped by district elementary schools to share his remarkable journey with our eager young learners. With unwavering determination and a never-give-up attitude, Zach has overcome tremendous challenges throughout his life.
As he spoke to the students, Zach emphasized the importance of perseverance, resilience, and believing in oneself. His captivating story of triumph over adversity left a lasting impression on the young minds, reminding them that no obstacle is too great to overcome.
Wayne Memorial Marching Band Competes at State Competition
The Wayne Memorial High School Marching Band will perform at the MCBA State Championships on November 4, 2023, at Ford Field in Detroit. Wayne Memorial will compete in Flight II against ten marching bands across Michigan. Those performances begin at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available on the day of the event at Ford Field. Information on tickets can be found here.
Early College Opportunities
We offer early college options for our high school students. These programs allow students to earn college credit, industry certification, and an associate degree, free of charge, while still in high school.
The application window opens on October 31, 2023. Learn more at wwcsd.net/earlycollege and join us for the informational session on November 1, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the William D. Ford Career-Technical Center.
Career-Technical Center featured on WJR Radio
The William D. Ford Career-Technical Center was featured was featured on WJR's podcast "Building the Future." Our staff discussed the programs and staff, explained how the advisory committees for each program include business and industry professionals and discussed work-based learning opportunities available for our students. Listen to the podcast here.
Save the Date- November 9, 2023
Sneak Peek: District Premieres New Promo Video
Distinguish Young Women of Wayne County
Distinguished Young Women is a national scholarship program that inspires high school women to develop their full individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments. Distinguished Young Women strives to give every young woman the opportunity to further her education and prepare for a successful future.
The Distinguished Young Women of Wayne County is now accepting applications for the 2024 scholarship program! Any high school seniors interested, apply today at DistinguishedYW.org. The deadline to apply is October 22, 2023.