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WBMS Update
Week of February 5, 2024
WBMS Honors & Celebrates Black History Month
We are blessed with strong leadership & influential role models
Tinisha Sherrer-Nealy, ASD Teacher
Mackenzie Peguse, 6th Grade Counselor
Candace Hudson-Jackson, Special Education Resource Room Teacher
Fatimah Muhammad, WBMS School Psychologist
Erica Davis, WBMS Special Education Teaching Consultant / Instructional Coach
Andrea Henry, 8th Grade ELA teacher
Angel Bell, Teacher for the Program for Students with Emotional Impairment
Jazmine Paige, WBMS Administrative Assistant
Get Ready for an Exciting Black History Month Spirit Week!
As we embark on the inspiring month of February, it's time to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of African Americans during Black History Month! To make this month extra special, we're thrilled to announce our Black History Month Spirit Week—a week filled with fun, creativity, and meaningful engagement.
February 26th through March 1st
We will be sending the spirit week schedule & ideas for each day... coming soon!
Highlights from the Week
Thank you to our SUPER AMAZING 6th Grade Parent Volunteers!!
Our STEM hands-on stations were a success! Special thanks to our wonderful parent volunteers. Our students engaged in small group explorations with Ozobots, Bloxels, Little Bits, the Merge Cube, Snap Circuits & Milo from the LEGO WeDo Robotics kit. We were fortunate to have 2 class sessions dedicated to coding, robotics, creating & making. We look forward to more opportunities to explore with these technology kits. Our 6th grade science teachers deserve a HUGE round of applause for planning & faciliating the STEM stations, thank you Mrs. Belli, Mrs. Dershem & Mr. Blatt.
Little Bits
Students use these "snap together" pieces to build a circuit. There are switches, motors, buzzers, and other "bits" that go together.
Snap Circuits
The parts go together to complete a working circuit. There were challenge cards to guide the students & encourage problem solving skills.
Bloxels
Students were able to design components of a video game using the Bloxel cubes.
Advanced Art Students with Mrs. Lijewski
WBMS Student Life
7th Grade - Candy Wrappers in Math Class
Right before Winter Break, students completed their enlarging candy wrapper projects, a culmination of their study of similar figures. This math/art project resulted with a very diverse & colorful arrangement of posters to adorn the walls of the Yellow House. Thank you to Ms. Tolen, Mrs. Birmelin & Mrs. Welton for facilitating this project with our 7th grade mathematicians.
Follow WBMS on Social Media
Twitter, Instagram & FaceBook
Twitter:
@wbmsiCenter
@wbmslakers
@wbloomfieldschool
@miss_weiner
@LindsayDershem
@therealepap (WB Sports)
@kchewins
@belliwbms
@hannakimwrites
@emzwaller
Instagram:
@wbmslakers
FaceBook:
Join the WBMS PTO Group
WBMS "House Photos" on Feb. 15th
Panoramic Photo Opportunity for each house
Students should wear their HOUSE shirt on Thursday, Feb. 15th.
The Lifetouch photographer will be at WBMS to capture panoramic photos of each house.
Students will be assembled on the bleachers in the gym for a group photo.
The "house" is determined by your student's advisory class.
Please complete the order form/online or send back to school with payment, according to your student's assigned house.
Each form has a unique code, to specify the photo you are ordering.
The photo will be 10X30 panoramic group photo, cost is $20.
WBMS YEARBOOK ORDER is ONLINE
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK
Yearbooks are NOT included with picture packages. In fact, it's a separate company that publishes our WBMS Yearbook. You will need to place the order online.
https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/
School order number is: 25753 and click 'continue'
you will see a pop up with
YOU HAVE SELECTED:
WEST BLOOMFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL • WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI • JOB# 25753
Click continue
Click "order a yearbook" and follow the prompts
January 1-Feb 29 to $40
Price increase to $45: March 1-April 15
Assembly: TEENS & Online Responsibilty
Andrew Starr from Oakland Co. Prosecutors Office will be at WBMS to present grade level assemblies.
This event is sponsored by the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition.
Monday, January 29th
2nd Hour- 8th Grade, 3rd Hour- 6th Grade
Thursday, February 8th
2nd Hour - 7th Grade
NWEA Testing at WBMS
For our WBMS students who happened to miss a day of school, or those students who need more time to complete the test, NWEA make-up testing will take place this week. Mrs. Lamerato is the WBMS Testing Coordinator & she will schedule the make-up.
Application for 7th & 8th Grade NJHS
To all 7th and 8th graders interested in joining the WBMS National Junior Honor Society: The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) recognizes students who exemplify leadership and citizenship. In order to be eligible to apply, you must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 or higher (all your middle school grades) and have a positive behavior record. Additionally, if accepted, you are expected to complete 10 hours of community service outside of the school day before the end of the school year. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. McCormick (patricia.mccormick@wbsd.org). Please complete the application by Friday, February 9, 2024 in order to be considered for the induction class of 2024.
If you have already been accepted into the WBMS NJHS, you do not need to reapply!
WBMS Musical Theater presents Aladdin Jr.
WBMS Musical Theater presents Aladdin Jr.
Reserved public tickets sales:
Fill in West Bloomfield as your organization and the show will pop up.
March 1 & 2 at 7:00PM
Performances will be at the West Bloomfield High School
American Mathematics Competition
Congratulations to all honors math students for participating!
Our most prestigious math event took place in Honors Algebra and Honors Geometry classes
last week (January 29-Feb 2).
In the American Mathematics Competition, students are challenged to solve 25 difficult problems in 40 minutes.
We would like to recognize the top scorers.
Project Bracelet
Quarter 3 RAP Reading
Reading Appreciation Program
All WBMS students are expected to read a minimum of ONE RAP book for Quarter 3.
ELA teachers will review their expectations for credit within the ELA course.
Books are available for checkout at the West Bloomfield Township Library locations & our very own WBMS iCenter.
Go ABOVE & BEYOND...
Challenge yourself to read 3 out of the 5 of the NEW titles from the Quarter 3 list & you will receive a prize out of our iCenter prize bin. After you’ve read the 3 books, complete one of these tasks located in the iCenter and hand it in to Ms. Nancy.
Important Info. for 8th Grade Parents
International Academy (8th Graders)
The application window is from November 1st to January 29th.
You must complete the online application to enter the LOTTERY selection.
Click on this link for details: https://www.iatoday.org/okma/prospective-students
See our WBMS 8th grade counselor, Mr. Levitan, for more details or send an email to steven.levitan@wbsd.org.
The lottery selection for IA will be held February 7th at 3pm, room 210 at WBHS
8th Grade Sweatshirts
Every year we offer all 8th graders an opportunity to purchase an 8th grade sweatshirt
The link for orders is: https://parrotwear.com/wbms28
8th Grade Trip to Cedar Point
DATE OF TRIP: Tuesday, May 28, 2024
DESTINATION: Cedar Point
METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION: Motor coach (National Trails)
STUDENT COST: $80.00 per student CHAPERONE COST: $60
PLANNED DEPARTURE POINT AND TIME
FROM: West Bloomfield Middle School
EXPECTED TIME OF DEPARTURE: 7:15 AM SHARP!!!
EXPECTED TIME OF RETURN: 9:30 PM
We will begin collecting permission slips & payment on February 6th.
(see scheduled dates listed on the attached document- Tuesdays will be A-L and Thursdays M-Z)
The LAST day to submit permission slip & payment will be Friday, March 22, 2024
PERMISSION SLIP & ALL details are outlined in the attached document:
Upcoming Dates
Late Start Dates
Late Start at WBMS, class will begin at 9:20 am.
Bus routes will operate one hour later than normal.
Remaining Late Start Dates:
Wednesday, February 7th
Wednesday, February 28th
Wednesday, March 13th
Wednesday, April 24th
Wednesday, May 8th
Wednesday, May 22nd
Other Important Dates
February 8th- 2nd Hour- 7th Grade Assembly
February 5-9: STEMi Truck onsite for 6th Grade Science Classes
February 15th- HOUSE PHOTOS- Group photo of each house (1:30-3:00 PM)
Febrary 5th - March 15th- WIDA testing
May 8th - Orchestra Concert
May 13th - Dodgeball Tournament (Student Council)
May 15th - Volleyball Tournament
May 17th - Spirit Week Dance
May 28th - 8th Grade Cedar Point Trip
May 31st - 8th Grade Dance
Remember to VOTE on February 27th
On the Presidential Primary Ballot, February 27, 2024, the West Bloomfield School District will be voting on the following operating millage renewal. The actual ballot language is below:
West Bloomfield School District Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
This proposal will allow the school district to maintain the
number of mills required to be levied for the school district to
receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews
millage that will expire with the 2024 tax levy.
Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18.6967 mills ($18.6967 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, and 4.6587 mills ($4.6587 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) against principal residences, qualified agricultural property, qualified forest property, supportive housing property, property occupied by a public school academy, industrial personal property and commercial personal property, in West Bloomfield School District, Oakland County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 10 years, 2025 to 2034, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect from combined property taxes authorized herein if the millage is approved and levied in 2025 is approximately $13,371,684 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2024 tax levy)?
Key points:
This is not a tax increase. This is a renewal of an existing millage.
This makes up approximately 17% of our budget.
The non-homestead millage proposal is only for non-homestead properties, like commercial, business, rental properties, vacant land, and second-home property owners. This portion does not impact primary residence.
There is an Operating Millage Renewal FAQ on the district website that contains facts about the ballot proposal.
Paid for by: West Bloomfield School District, 5810 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48324
Remaining Seasons
Spring Sports: Opens January 10th for registration
- Track: 6th, 7th, 8th grade
- Start Date: April 24th
Please reach out to Mr. Evans at jermaine.evans@wbsd.org with questions about sports schedules, Final Forms, etc.
Overview
There are no fees to play middle school sports.
We are governed by the state association regarding rules and participation: MHSAA
We compete in the COMSAC league (Central Oakland Middle School Athletic Conference)
All registration takes place on the Final Forms website (see button below)
Things that are required to play:
Complete all forms on Final Forms including:
Basic information
Athletic physical signed by a DR and completed after April 15th 2023 (see button below for blank form)
Signatures on forms by students and parents
Sign the Middle School Athletic Contract (one form per sport, see button below)
***If you played a middle school sport last year, you will have a Final Forms login. Please use that login to sign in, upload a new physical and sign the paperwork. All of the other data, like demographic and contact information will be saved and has rolled over.
WBMS Volleyball
8th Grade Girls practice at Roosevelt from 3:30-5:45
Coaches Information:
Jason Gold (8) : vballjmg@aol.com, jason.gold@wbsd.org
Michael Armstrong (8) : michael.armstrong@wbsd.org
7th Grade Girls practice at WBMS 3:30-5:15
Coaches Information:
Taylor Strobridge (7) : taylor.strobridge@wbsd.org
Brandy Wilson (7): brandy.wilson-oconnell@wbsd.org
Thank you for your commitment to the West Bloomfield Volleyball program.
WBMS Wrestling for 6th, 7th & 8th grade students
West Bloomfield School District would like to welcome you to join us for the 2023-2024 wrestling season.
Wrestling is open to both middle school boys and girls, grades 6-8.
All practices and home meets will be held at West Bloomfield Middle School.
Coaches: Carlos Acosta (coach.acosta@yahoo.com) &
Tom DeGrand (thomas.degrand@wbsd.org)
Important Dates/Info:
● Practices: Monday through Friday (3:30-5:00 pm)
● Dual Meets: Mondays and Wednesdays starting February 5th (tentative)
● Tournaments: We will participate in 3-4 Saturday tournaments.
● Season Ends: Monday, March 18, 2024 (tentative)
WBMS PTO
Upcoming Bagel Sale - FRIDAY, Feb. 9th
BAGEL SALE $2 cash
Cream Cheese available for 50 cents.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week is the first week in May. We are collecting gift cards as tokens of appreciation/prizes for our teachers, and they will be distributed throughout teacher appreciation week. Please consider purchasing a gift card & send it in to our school secretary, Mrs. Fran Seleski, in the main office. We need all gift cards by April 26th. Thank you!
Quick Links - PTO
4th Weds 7pm General PTO Meeting series
Donut/Bagel Sales Volunteer Sign Up Genius
Donut/Bagel Sales Google Calendar Friday Series
WBMS PTO Events Sign Up Genius
General PTO Meeting Presentation
2023-2024 School Year Officers
- President - Sherri-Anne Wynter
- Vice President - Monique Williams Esq
- Treasurer - Renai Mayle
- Secretary - Amanda Oliver
- Public Relations - Terri Hoyer Compton
Reminders
School Procedures
- Students must have their lanyard and student ID on them at all times.
- The STUDENT ID is necedssary in the lunch line- every student is scanned when they receive their school lunch. The STUDENT ID is also necessary for book check out in the iCenter.
- IDs are checked upon entering the gymnasium and iCenter for lunch recess. Students without IDs will be directed to the homework room for recess.
- New lanyards and IDs may be purchased in the main office: $2 for lanyard, $5 for ID
- Students without their lanyard during Advisory will be assigned an after-school detention
CELL PHONES, SMART WATCHES & HEADPHONES
- ALL cell phones are to be kept 1) powered OFF, and 2) in lockers
- Smart Watches are not to be used for communication or searching information on the Internet
- If a cell phone is seen or a watch is being used for an unauthorized purpose, it will be confiscated and turned in to the main office
- Headphones and Air Pods/Wireless Earbuds are NOT allowed in school
- 1st violation: student pick-up from the main office
- 2nd violation: parent pick-up from the main office
- 3rd violation: parent pick-up from the main office and conference with administration
BACKPACKS
- ALL backpacks are to be kept in student lockers
- Those with a medical bag exception are the only students permitted to carry bags
- Small purses are also permitted with limits (similar to the size limits permitted for a stadium or arena)
- If students are having trouble fitting their backpack in their locker, items may be removed for the bag to be condensed, or a smaller bag (i.e. drawstring bag) may be recommended.
- If backpacks are found in collaboration spaces or school spaces other than a locker, an after-school detention will be assigned to the student the bag belongs to
CONSEQUENCES FOR FIGHTING
The WBMS administrative team is responsive to physical fights on school grounds. The following procedures are in place for physical altercations:
- 1st violation: 5 day out of school suspension
- 2nd violation: 5 day out of school suspension + meeting with Superintendent prior to return
The expectation is that students are making safe choices and keeping their hands to themselves. WBMS does not tolerate fighting or physical aggression, as it is not a representation of the school culture and climate.
If you have questions about student conduct procedures/consequences, please contact Mr. Gardner, Mr. Evans, Mrs. Carson or Ms. Barnes at your convenience.
Thank you for supporting student safety and comfort!
FOOD, DRINK & GUM
- We have individuals with very severe food allergies at our school.
- All food and drinks (other than water) are not allowed anywhere outside the auditeria.
- If a student is asked by an adult to put food/drink away and refuses, it is an automatic after-school detention.
- Gum is also not allowed at West Bloomfield Middle School for healthy and safety reasons.
- If a student is asked by an adult to spit out their gum and they refuse, it is an automatic after-school detention.
TARDY PROCEDURE
Students that receive 3+ tardies in one school day will be assigned an after-school detention to be served the following day. Calls are sent out in the evening via the ParentLink program.
Please note that if your student receives 8 tardies in a school week, they will receive an after-school detention to be served the following Monday. Attendance reports will be pulled at the end of each week and you will be notified no later than Sunday afternoon.
Additionally, if your child is assigned an after-school detention and does not serve it within the week it was assigned, your child will be assigned an In-School Suspension for the following Monday.
Please reach out to our Dean of Student Services, Haley Barnes at haley.barnes@wbsd.org, if you have any questions regarding these procedures.
Thank you for your support of our school procedures!
After-School Event Procedures
We have provided a set of rules and procedures for students who wish to attend after school activities (primarily after school sports competitions). These guidelines outline the process for attendance and the responsibilities of both students and their parents or guardians. Here's a breakdown of the procedures:
Attendance Requirement:
Students who want to attend after school activities must first go home before the event.
Parent or Guardian Escort: (not school dances)
To participate in after school activities, students must return to school escorted by a parent or guardian.
Parents or guardians must be in attendance during the activity. (Participating athletes are excluded from this procedure.)
Alternate Escort:
If a parent or guardian cannot attend and wishes to send the student with another adult, that adult must be listed on the student's emergency contact list.
After School Detention:
Students assigned to after school detention must go home directly after detention ends at 4:15.
Attending Activities After Detention:
Students assigned after school detention who wish to attend after school activities may return to school with an adult, following the same procedure as other students.
Pick-Up Time After Events: (applies to all events including dances)
Students who participate in after school events must be picked up within 30 minutes of the event's end time.
Failure to be picked up within this timeframe may result in not being allowed to attend future after school events.
These procedures are in place to ensure the safety and accountability of students attending after school activities and to establish clear guidelines for their attendance and supervision. It's important for both students and parents or guardians to adhere to these rules to maintain a safe and organized after school program.
West Bloomfield Middle School
David Gardner, Principal
Jermaine Evans, Assistant Principal
Cindy Carson, Assistant Principal
Haley Barnes, Dean of Student Services
Email: cindy.carson@wbsd.org
Website: https://www.wbsd.org/west-bloomfield-middle-school
Location: 6000 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI
Phone: 248-865-4480