WBSD Weekly Update
Friday, February 11, 2022
Mask Mandate Update
The West Bloomfield School District is aware that the Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) has lifted the mask mandate for schools beginning Monday, February 28, 2022. WBSD has consistently followed OCHD requirements and guidance and will continue to do so. Therefore, WBSD will follow the guidance of OCHD, lifting our mask mandate on February 28 as well. COVID-19 cases have dropped drastically in our county, as noted on the OCHD dashboard. Our District has also noted a significant drop in cases in our buildings. All WBSD COVID cases are reported on our website.
“We are now in a place in the pandemic where an emergency order should be replaced by individual action to protect ourselves, especially masking in public and getting vaccinated,” stated Leigh-Anne Stafford, Oakland County’s director of health and human services.
We strongly encourage masking indoors and, although they are not required, you are welcome to continue wearing masks. WBSD will provide further guidance regarding isolation and quarantine, as we learn more. To learn more about the guidance, please visit the Oakland County Government page.
Thank you for your continued support!
District-Wide Lockdown Drills
Next week, on February 18th, our entire school district will engage in the first of four District-wide lockdown drills. The purpose of these lockdown drills is for all of our schools to reinforce and practice safety procedures in the event of an emergency situation. While we always engage in these types of drills at each building throughout the school year, this will be the first time in which we synchronize the drills across the District. The purpose of this effort is to further strengthen safety efforts across the District and to ensure that we create consistent feedback loops across the District about what we can do better with the drill. Recommended by Secure Education Consultants, our first District-wide lockdown drill will focus on mental scripting and verbal rehearsal. In other words, given a scenario provided by the principal, each classroom teacher will talk through what they would do in this scenario in order to remain safe. Afterward, teachers and principals will be given the opportunity to debrief their experiences, so that we continue to improve.
Oakland Early College Celebrates Black History Month
February is Black History Month, and Oakland Early College is finding great ways to celebrate. The best part is that the celebrations are student-driven, including a daily quiz contest, Town Hall presentations, and wonderful displays in the halls of Oakland Early College.
The Black Culture Club created a daily quiz game focused on Black History for all OEC students to participate. Here’s how it works. Each day, students can scan a QR code to answer a new question about Black History. At the end of the month, students with the most correct answers earn prizes. When speaking with students about this fun and competitive opportunity, it was clear that the daily questions provided an opportunity for purposeful reflection about the contributions of our black community while also creating a lot of interest and excitement.
In addition to this fun opportunity, The Black Culture Club led an amazing presentation (click here to view slides) that focused on Black History at their most recent Town Hall meeting last week.
To see more about how Oakland Early College is celebrating Black History Month, check out the video below.
How Advisory Hour Sets a Positive Tone at West Bloomfield Middle School
There’s an ancient Chinese proverb that says, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Sometimes, when you are in middle school, an entire day of school can feel like a thousand miles. But, at West Bloomfield Middle School, our teachers and leaders are committed to creating a positive first step every single day so that the journey is awesome!
Every day, our middle school Lakers begin with a 20-minute soft start called Advisory Hour. There is a different focus for Advisory Hour each day. Sometimes, there is a focus on reading opportunities. Other times, there is a focus on engaging in a fun activity. And, on days like Tuesdays, our learners have the opportunity to work on school assignments, get help from others, and take time to prepare for the day ahead.
As I walked through several different Advisory Hour classrooms, I noticed the following:
The multi-age (6th, 7th, and 8th graders) structure of each Advisory Hour naturally offers the opportunity for peer-to-peer mentoring and support. Several 8th graders shared with me the value of being able to give back and help our 6th graders. Meanwhile, 6th graders told me how cool it was to see their 8th-grade friends and have the chance to be mentored.
There are plenty of choice opportunities embedded in Advisory. Learners involved in the Model UN project, for example, have the chance to collaborate and create with Ms. Weiner, our Model UN staff leader. Embedding extracurricular opportunities into the school day is an added bonus of the flexibility that Advisory offers.
Just like any person, our learners appreciate the soft start to the day. From classroom to classroom, I noticed that our learners had the chance for a soft start to get their minds ready for the day. Some shared with me that they like to use Advisory Hour to engage in calming activities, like drawing or reading. This helps ensure a better day for all!
Our teachers are amazing sources of positive adult support for our learners. When I asked learners what they liked about Advisory Hour, the one common thread was the time they were able to spend connecting with their teacher.
To get a glimpse of Advisory Hour in action at West Bloomfield Middle School, check out the video.
Laker Nation Commitment Day!
WBSD is beyond proud of these 12 athletes that have committed to play sports in college! #AlwaysALaker
How We Are Teaching Black History Month in Schools
- The History Behind Black History Month – Teaching Tolerance
- Do’s and Don’ts of Teaching Black History – Teaching Tolerance
- Five Things Not to Do During Black History Month – Zaretta Hammond
- Mining the Jewel of Black History Month – Emily Chiariello
- Four Black History Month Must-Haves – Zaretta Hammond
- Black History Month Is Over. Now What? – Dena Simmons
Links to West Bloomfield Parks and Rec Activities
Movie Night: Black Boys
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at West Bloomfield High School
BLACK BOYS illuminates the spectrum of black male humanity in America. An intimate, inter-generational exploration, BLACK BOYS strives for insight into black identity and opportunity at the nexus of sports, education, and criminal justice.
https://www.smore.com/rsf9b
Deb Macon, Trustee with Greater West Bloomfield joins the Splash LIVE to chat about Michigan Week!
50th Greater West Bloomfield Michigan Week Community Awards Breakfast
NOMINATE SOMEONE! Shine a bright light on a volunteer you know and appreciate.
All nominations must be submitted electronically starting Friday, January 28, and received by Friday, March 11, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Nominate someone here.
The Awards Breakfast is Friday, May 13, 2022, at Wabeek Country Club.
More information here
WBSD Voice Day
This week, 120 choir and musical theater students from WBMS visited WBHS Choral Department for Voice Day. High School students led sectionals, Q & A, talent time, and choir games. Chamber Choir and Laker Express performed and the morning concluded with everyone singing Love is Love is Love.
Crushing the Snow Covered Slopes
Congratulations and high five to the West Bloomfield co-ed SBX Snowboard Team, they qualified for States this week! The last time they headed to States was seven years ago.
Gun Violence Prevention Seminar
The Rotary District 6380 Peace Committee will be hosting a Seminar relating to Gun Control Violence and Prevention. The event is open to any and all Rotarians, family, friends as well as other Districts. Register here
West Bloomfield Youth Assistance is seeking nominations for our annual Youth Recognition Awards. Each year, Youth Assistance recognizes students for their outstanding efforts to make our community a better place to live through their personal volunteerism, acts of kindness, service to underserved or overlooked individuals, or personal growth and perseverance.
If you know of a student who has overcome personal hardships, persevered in the face of extraordinary challenges, gone above and beyond for others, or stood out to you in any way as a student deserving of recognition, please consider nominating them for a Youth Recognition award. To send your nomination, please use this google form: https://forms.gle/3U28qDVSGSmYyqgY9. Nominations are due Wednesday, March 23.
Nurses Notes
One way to be Heart Healthy is to be more physically active! Find a fun activity to do as a family!
Even though it is cold outside, try to make time to get some physical activity!
Some great ideas to try out:
Walking
Skiing
Snowshoeing - West Bloomfield Parks
Ice Skating
Tip: Try to get outdoors daily for daylight! This will help improve mood and keep you in a healthy state of mind!
Enjoy an indoor activity:
Indoor trampoline/jump
Fitness centers/gyms
History/Art Museum
Stay well! Your West Bloomfield School District Nurses
Gina Mallory, BSN, RN & Cindy Weintraub, RN, BSN, MS
West Bloomfield Township Public Library
Book Lists
Black History Month Events
The West Bloomfield Diversity Task Force has announced a lineup of Black History Month events, including:
· LOVE YOURSELF: Wellness While Black (Ages 16+)
Saturday, February 12, 9 – 11:30 AM at Connect at Orchard Mall
· Virtual History of the Tuskegee Airmen (All Ages)
Wednesday, February 16, 7 – 8:30 PM via Zoom
· Black Expo (All Ages)
Saturday, February 26, 10 AM – 2 PM at Orchard Mall
The Task Force is a partnership between WB Parks, the Library, the Township, and community members. The Task Force’s first event of the month, the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, was featured on Local 4 News[VP1] . To register or learn more, visit wbparks.org/blackhistory.
Graphically Diverse Book Club: Mr. Miracle
Wednesday, February 16 at 7 PM
Young adults in 6th to 12th grade can register for this virtual graphic novel discussion. Those registered will receive a kit containing a copy of the graphic novel, snack, ticket to the virtual author reception in March, and small book tie-in gift—all yours to keep! Registration required.
For more library events, click here.