20152014-15
School Year Ends
Honors S
and
Recognitions!
BackWith
-ToHigh
-School
upplement
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2014
www.wbsd.org
West Bloomfield School District Publication
Educating Students to be their Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015 • Issue 4 • Volume 41
“
We only get one chance
to prepare children
for a world none of us can
possibly predict, what are
we going to do with that
one chance?”
—Principal Muriel Summers, A.B. Combs Elementary
Creator of the first Leadership Elementary School
SHEIKO CELEBRATES A YEAR OF
LEADERSHIP!
by Carrie Bulbuk
This year, Sheiko Elementary began our journey as a Leader
In Me school. Leader in Me is a process that transforms
the school community from the inside out by teaching and
living the principles found in Stephen Covey’s book, The 7
Habits of Highly Effective People. The process teaches 21st
century leadership and life skills to students and creates a
culture of student empowerment based on the idea that
every child can be a leader. The Sheiko staff believes that
the Leader In me program provides a common thread by
using the language of the 7 habits to quilt an embracing
culture that leaves a legacy within our Sheiko students.
We are committed to finding the leader in every student;
preparing all to be their best as grateful leaders and
reflective learners. We are proud
to join over 2000 Leader In Me
schools globally as they create
leaders and learners one student
at a time.
Our journey began in the fall of
2013, when Sheiko staff read The
Leader in Me (Stephen Covey). His
7 habits and reflective language
were introduced over morning
announcements and from stories
read from the children’s version,
The 7 Habits of Happy Kids (Sean
Covey). Securing funding for the
Leader In Me process was the
next step. In May 2014, we received notice that the I Am A
Leader Foundation had selected Sheiko Elementary for a
grant! Staff attended a three-day training on the 7 habits
and in August received training on implementation with
students. Staff also came in to paint and transform the
learning environment prior to school opening.
Nearly one year into the process, Sheiko held their first
annual Leadership Day on May 1. Invitations were sent out
to the local community including parents, board members,
administration and other adults. Sheiko staff and students
prepared for their guests by decorating the school with
Legos for their “Building Leaders and Learners” theme.
Students applied for a variety of leadership jobs including
technology leaders, art designers, caterers, photographers,
sales consultants, appearance patrol, master of ceremonies
and communication experts.
About 100 people attended the Leadership Day and we
were ready! Mrs. McDowell’s third grade students welcomed
our guests to the building as they first entered. In our
multipurpose room, Mrs. Winer’s 4th grade class performed
a leadership song and grade level representatives spoke
about leadership. Mrs. James, our principal, spoke about
our journey and presented the Lighthouse Team (the staff
implementation team) with our official “Leader In Me”
school plaque. The program continued with tours around
the building led by 4th grade tour guides. Our guests saw
classrooms in action and learned how different classes
have implemented the 7 habits and leadership skills in
their room. After the tours, guests reconvened in the
multipurpose room for the Sheiko school song led by Mrs.
Kutsick and the third graders.
It was a wonderful day showcasing our students and
their remarkable leadership skills. We look forward to our
continuing journey as staff and students further progress in
the leadership process.
DECA
West Bloomfield DECA Joins over 17,000
DECA Members at International Career
Development Conference
16 students from the West Bloomfield School
DECA chapter traveled to Orlando, Florida to
attend the 69th annual International Career
Development Conference. Over 17,000 students
representing all 50 states and nine foreign
countries including Canada, China, Mexico and
Spain, attended the leadership and business
conference/competition. The
West Bloomfield DECA team performed
admirably earning Third Place and Top Ten
awards at the competition.
Award winners included:
Third Place - Virtual Business Sports Marketing
Daniel Eilender (12), Jarrell Ku (12)
Top Ten- Financial Operations Research Event
Rupin Balabhadra (12), David Hotz (12),
Jonathan Nirenberg (12)
(continued on page 3)
Students who received honors above: Jonathan Nirenberg, David Hotz,
Rupin Balabhadra, Jarrell Ku, and Daniel Eilender.
Dr. Gerald D. Hill, Superintendent
What the rankings DON’T tell you . . .
VOL. 41 • ISSUE 4
West Bloomfield School District
Office of
Community Relations & Marketing
248-865-6454
www.wbsd.org
Editor/Writer........................ Pamela Zajac
Assistant Editor/Writer............Cynthia Hill
Our Mission:
“The Laker strengthens the
vital relationship between
West Bloomfield School District
and the community by clearly
communicating in a timely and
relevant manner the many
successes of our students,
schools and community.”
Printed on Recycled Paper
West Bloomfield School District
Dr. Gerald D. Hill
Superintendent
W est B loomfield H igh S chool
248-865-6720
O akland E arly C ollege
248-522-3540
O akland O pportunity A cademy
248-209-2025
W est B loomfield T ransition C enter
248-865-6470
A bbott M iddle S chool
248-865-3670
O rchard L ake M iddle S chool
248-865-4480
D oherty E lementary S chool
248-865-6020
G retchko E lementary S chool
248-865-6570
R oosevelt E lementary S chool
248-865-6620
S cotch E lementary S chool
248-865-3280
S heiko E lementary S chool
248-865-6370
N otice
of
N ondiscrimination :
It is the policy of the West Bloomfield
School District that no person shall, on
the basis of race, color, national origin,
sex, age, height, weight, religion, marital
status, disability, or sexual orientation,
be excluded from participation in, be
denied the benefits of, or be subject to
discrimination in employment or any of
its programs or activities.
The following person has been
designated to handle inquiries regarding
the nondiscrimination policies:
Mr. Rick Arnett
Deputy Superintendent
for Human Resources
5810 Commerce Road
West Bloomfield MI 48324
(248) 865-6424
Dr. Gerald D. Hill
E
ach year, several national publications release their “Best
High School” rankings. We all like to see our district and schools
recognized in these lists, but what does it really mean to be the best?
Unfortunately, you can’t put too much stock in these rankings, as the
criteria are somewhat arbitrary, limited in scope and inconsistent
from one ranking to another. In selecting the ranking criteria,
student scores on state accountability assessments and the range
of those scores among students within the school are the primary
factors used to determine a school’s ranking. However, over reliance
on high-stakes assessments in the rankings ignores many other
factors which are equally or more important to student success
beyond high school. Lacking consistency in methodology, it is
possible to be ranked highly by one publication and receive a low
or no ranking from others. I would submit that great schools should
be identified by more real world characteristics and outcomes, in
addition to scores on high stakes external assessments. We need
to consider the internal components of a high school to determine
if it actually delivers results that prepare students for life after
graduation.
By any definition, academic achievement, student accomplishments,
citizenship, and the choices that students have upon graduation
are the key results of great and effective schools. To consistently
get these results, a strong learning culture must exist. In high
performing schools, this learning culture is characterized by: a
safe and secure learning environment; a faculty that understands
and shares the school’s goals; high standards and expectations
for all students; cohesive and collaborative relationships between
and among administrators, teachers, support staff and students;
a relevant curriculum, with innovative instruction measured by
formative and summative assessments that are aligned with State
standards; engaged students taking ownership of their learning; and
an active, involved and supportive parent community.
Does West Bloomfield High School possess these
characteristics and does it effectively prepare
students for success after high school?
While it is difficult to measure each learning culture characteristic,
they are the key components to high-performing schools. As
measures, we gather perspectives from teachers, students and
parents via surveys and we solicit testimonials from graduates and
others familiar with how the school works. We personally visit all
of our schools to observe the cultural dynamics. We also rely on
an assessment from a recognized accreditation agency, AdvancED,
which independently audits our learning processes and results. Each
of these assessments is a valid way to measure the learning culture
and the data gathered reaffirms what we are doing. But what are the
actual results? How do WBHS students perform in those key areas
of academic achievement, student accomplishments and citizenship
and what choices do students have upon graduation?
Academic Achievement and Scholarship
In this important category, WBHS students excel. This year, there are
two National Merit Scholars and 42 seniors who are recognized as
Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars earned through excellent scores
on multiple AP exams. One student has been accepted as a Cadet
at West Point giving WBHS a total of 4 students who will attend
West Point this fall - more than any other high school in the country.
Additionally, WBHS graduates have earned more than $5 million in
college scholarships, with more scholarships being confirmed daily.
They will be attending many prestigious colleges, universities and
technical schools including: Arizona State, Art Institute of Chicago,
Bowling Green State University, Douglas J. Aveda Institute, Emory
University, Georgia State, Grambling State, Lake Erie College, Lincoln
Memorial University, Michigan State, Penn State, Santa Barbara
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER 2
Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
City College, Stanford University, Tuskegee University, University
of Chicago, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania,
University of Southern California, University of Texas, West Point and
Xavier University.
Fine Arts Accomplishments and Recognitions
The WBHS fine arts program consistently receives high honors and
recognitions at MCBA Marching Band State Finals; MCGC State
Championships in Drumline and Color Guard; first division ratings at
the MSBOA Band and Orchestra District Festival. The Drumline and
Color Guard were both 2015 WGI Regional Finalists and the Drumline
was a 2015 WGI World Semi Finalist. Our Orchestra received First
Division Ratings at MSBOA District Festival with many individual
students earning a 1st division rating thus gaining eligibility to
participate at the state level in violin, viola and string quartet. At
the MSBOA Orchestra Festival, the Symphony Orchestra earned a
1st Division Rating at the AA Level; at the State Solo and Ensemble
Festival, several students received 1st Division ratings. The Laker
Express Choir participated in the 2015 Michigan Youth Arts Festival
and two students were selected as Michigan Distinguished Scholars
in Vocal Jazz; three students made the MSVMA State Honors Choir.
At the MSVMA Solo/Ensemble Festival, Laker Express and the
Chamber Choir earned Excellent with Superior Distinction ratings; at
the MSVMA Choral Festival, the Chamber Choir earned Excellent with
Superior Distinction ratings
Athletic Accomplishments and Honors
WBHS Athletics offers 27 varsity sports and just completed a
banner year. The Football team finished with a 9–2 record, making
the playoffs for just the second time in school history and won
its first ever playoff game. Two football players received All-State
honors. Three varsity Girls Swim Team members qualified for state
competition. The Girls Volleyball team advanced to district finals.
The Boys Basketball team won the league championship and had
one All-State player. The Boys Swim and Dive team sent 7 swimmers
to state competition. The Competitive Cheer squad won the league
championship. The Wrestling team had 3 wrestlers qualify for the
state tournament and one wrestler made All-State for the second
year in a row. Boys Golf won the OAA Gold championship. The
Baseball team won the OAA White championship with two players
named MHSBCA All Stars. Eight Track & Field athletes qualified for
state competition. Academically, both the Boys Tennis and the Girls
Volleyball teams were Academic All State, with the Boys Tennis team
having a 3.98 cumulative GPA for the team.
Impressively, 15 student athletes signed National Letters of Intent
to participate in intercollegiate athletics at the following colleges/
universities: Robert Morris, Indiana, Purdue, Michigan State,
Northwood, Wayne State (2), Walsh University, Western Michigan,
Lake Erie College, Saginaw Valley State University, Lincoln Memorial
University, Adrian, Lake Michigan College, and Henry Ford CC.
Several Football, Basketball and Baseball players were awarded
college athletic scholarships, totaling approximately $1.1 million.
Student Leadership/Citizenship Activities and
Contributions
WBHS students exhibited strong leadership skills and contributed to
a high spirited and supportive learning culture.
• The Student Leadership Class and Student Government received the MASC/MAHS Award of Excellence, the highest honor that is bestowed on a leadership class/student government in the state of Michigan through the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies.
• WBHS leadership students had the opportunity to attend 10 different leadership conferences sponsored by the Oakland Activities Association and the Michigan Association of Student (Hill - continued on page 3)
June 2015
Around the district
(Hill - continued from page 2)
Councils and Honor Societies.
• Leadership students connected with students at both middle schools and the elementary schools through their elementary and middle school connections committees.
• The leadership classes gave immensely to charitable organizations this school year through monetary donations, projects, and the donation of time. Projects include: adopt-a-
family, volunteering at the Yad Ezra food pantry, blanket making for a Detroit shelter, spa kits for wish-upon-a-teen, and a dance at the Thursday Night Social Group at the JCC. The leadership class also donated close to $2,500 to various charities throughout the school year.
• WBHS hosted Activist Week, which encouraged students to give back to their communities through item donations. Over 500 cans were collected for Yad Ezra, 980 books were collected for the African Library Project, and $140 for Friends of the Rouge.
• This year's Homecoming was one of the best attended in years. Students were highly motivated to participate in all student activities and the leadership class hosted several events such as float building, dress up days, the football halftime show, pep assembly, parade, and dance.
• School spirit increased through various activities such as Laker Lotto, Staff and Student Laker of the Week, Coffee House, and random give-a-way days.
• An outstanding Winterfest Week and pep assembly included a staff dance and lip sync performances by the administration!
• “The Swamp”, a spirited student group, was designated the top student section in Michigan, creating enthusiasm at athletic events that carried over into school day.
A learning culture rich in the right ingredients
creates the proper conditions for optimal learning
to occur. At WBSD, we challenge students to
master academics while acquiring other skills,
experience and knowledge that successfully equip
them to be their best for the next steps in life
beyond high school.
Jesse Jeppesen, Jacob Rashty, Rupin Balabhadra, Daniel Eilender, David Hotz, Emma Huez, Marcus McLaughlin, Eli Ravid, Matthew
Ladouceur, Aaron Moskovitz, Mitchell Hotz, Jarrell Ku, Jonathan Nirenberg, Jasmine Morigney, Lindsay Czinder, Roberto Escalante.
Team members’ comments on their time in DECA reflect the value of this program.
“Again, ICDC was an amazing experience to learn, grow, and have fun with a lot of my closest friends. It’s been an
integral part of all four years of my high school experience, and has developed me into a better leader, speaker, and
professional. Finishing 3rd in the nation was a sweet ending to an incredible journey.” – Jarrell Ku (12)
“New friends, new experiences, and memories that will last forever. DECA gave me all of this in my past three years
and has made me who I am and has strongly influenced my goals and plans for the future.” – David Hotz (12)
“An unforgettable experience with my friends that I will remember for the rest of my life.” – Aaron Moskovitz (12)
“DECA has truly shaped my career pathway and has had a great influence in my life. ICDC in Orlando this year was
an unreal experience with amazing friends and the best advisors, I could not have asked for a better end to my 4
year DECA career.”
– Rupin Balabhadra (12)
“DECA allowed me to develop leadership and business skills beyond what the classroom can provide. I was able
to network with business people from all over who will influence my future career. DECA is the most amazing
experience!” – Jacob Rashty (12)
DECA is an International Competitive Business Organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs
in four fields of business: marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. The WBHS DECA chapter integrates
classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business, and promotes competition in order to ready the next
generation to be academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, and experienced leaders.
WEST BLOOMFIELD STRONG!
Saluting our U.S. Military, Police & Fire Heroes
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
SAVE THE DATE!
FRIDAY - SEPTEMBER 11, 2015
WEST BLOOMFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
4925 Orchard Lake Road
WB HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
West Bloomfield vs. Clarkston
Adult & HS Football Tickets $500
WBSD Elementary & MS Students
Wear School Spirit Enter Football Game FREE!
Military, Police & Fire I.D. FREE
Half-Time Show & Giveaways!
Family FUN and a TRIBUTE to our armed services, police and firefighters who protect us every day!
• Police, Fire & Military Vehicles
• Face Painting & Airbrush Tattoos
• Inflatable Football Toss
• Dunk Tank & MORE!
• DJ & Bounce Houses
• Photo Booth
• G.I. Johnny Air Balloon
• LIVE BAND!
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
3
Curriculum and Instruction
by Alesia L. Flye, Assistant Superintendent
Continued Excitement around the West Bloomfield
School District K-12 STEAM Instructional Initiatives
Grade Level Reconfiguration Brings Consistent
Alignment
The district’s Strategic Planning & Community Engagement Committee has been very
active this school year. This committee consists of Board of Education Members, the
Superintendent, Administrators, and Community Members, which include the following:
Dr. Nick Hersh, Board of Education President
Alesia Flye, Asst. Supt. Curriculum & Instruction
Randi Sakwa, Board of Education Vice President
Art Ebert, Principal Roosevelt Elementary
Julie Beaty, Board of Education Secretary
Christy Forhan, Community Member
Dr. Gerald Hill, Superintendent
Raman Singh, Community Member
The purpose of this committee is to make recommendations regarding key issues facing
the district. Currently, this oversight committee is focusing on ways to attract and retain
students, through enhanced marketing of the excellent learning experiences that are
available in the West Bloomfield School District.
Beginning with the 2015-16 school year, grade levels will be reconfigured at Gretchko
Elementary and Scotch Elementary to provide consistent alignment throughout the district.
Gretchko will become a grades K-2 school and Scotch will become a grades 3-5 school. This
will mirror Doherty Elementary (grades K-2) and Sheiko Elementary (grades 3-5) on the south
end of the district.
Initial recommendations from this committee include the establishment of Roosevelt
Elementary as a K-5 STEAM focused school and the Grade Level Reconfiguration
of Gretchko Elementary and Scotch Elementary to provide consistent grade level
alignment throughout the district.
As a learning community, we are excited about the instructional continuity of these
consistent reconfigurations. We anticipate a smooth transition, as Gretchko students
who would normally attend Scotch for second grade, will simply remain at Gretchko. This
grade level reconfiguration was approved by the West Bloomfield Board of Education, and
supported by the District’s Strategic Planning & Community Engagement Committee, which
consists of Board of Education members, administrators, and community members. The final
recommendation was brought forward by the Gretchko/Scotch Grade Level Reconfiguration
Sub-Committee, which included parents, teachers, principals, and district administrators.
Transitioning Roosevelt into a K-5 STEAM focused school has been well received!
Enrollment projections have increased and there is great excitement about the
integration of STEAM learning experiences into all content areas. Students will have the
opportunity to work alongside professionals in the field on STEAM related projects. The
following partners have been confirmed for the 2015-16 school year:
Oakland University
West Bloomfield High School Career & Technical Education (CTE) Department
Sundberg Ferar
Civil Air Patrol
Lawrence Technical University College of Architecture & Design
Michigan Design Council
Michigan Science Center
STEAM programs employ a Project Based Learning approach that more closely aligns
with what students experience in college and the work force. Project Based Learning
is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an
extended period of time to investigate and respond to a complex question, problem
or challenge. STEAM incorporates the arts into this framework by recognizing that in
order to be successful in technical fields, students must also be creative and use critical
thinking skills.
In order to continue to provide Project Based Learning experiences for students, the
district also plans to phase in Middle School Pathways beginning at grade six, for the
2015-16 school year. STEAM Pathways will utilize a Project Based Learning approach and
will include the following tiers:
Tier 1: Instructional Core Course Options
• English Language Arts (ELA) with a Project Based Learning Focus. At least one section of this course will be offered at each middle school.
• Science STEAM Focus. At least one section of this course will be offered at each middle school.
• Culminating Learning Experience at West Bloomfield High School
Tier 1 participation is a criteria-based application process. Interested students can still
apply online at www.wbsd.org (click on either Abbott Middle School or Orchard Middle
School for the STEAM Application link), if you would like your child to participate in an
English Language Arts (ELA) 6th grade class, with a Project Based Learning Focus or a
Science STEAM Focus 6th grade class.
All students will have an opportunity to participate in Tiers 2-4 STEAM focused
learning experiences.
Tier 2: Cross Curricular STEAM Focused Projects each quarter/semester
Tier 3: Cross Curricular STEAM Focused School-Wide Project
Tier 4: Extended Learning Experience, such as Space Camp or STEAM Camp
The Middle School STEAM Pathways has also been received with great enthusiasm!
Contact your child’s principal with questions or for additional information.
This grade level reconfiguration will not only provide consistent grade level alignment
throughout the district, but will also increase the opportunities for staff collaboration and
personalization of instruction for students. Gretchko and Doherty will enhance their focus
on early literacy and numeracy as primary schools, while Scotch and Sheiko will continue
to strengthen students’ foundational skills, by fostering greater student independence in
preparation for the transition to middle school.
Families in the Gretchko and Scotch communities will continue to receive updates regarding
this transition. However, if you have immediate questions or would like additional
information,Navigating Online Environments for Positive Summer Learning Experiences please feel free to contract your child’s principal.
by Stephanie Dulmage Navigating Online Environments for Positive Summer Learning Experiences As parents and educators it’s extremely important for us to help our children maximize the internet's benefits, by Stephanie Dulmage while minimizing the risks. The vast resources at our children’s fingertips can support a positive, engaging by Stephanie Dulmage
summer learning experience as well as provide opportunities to learn about digital citizenship and creating As parents and educators it’s extremely important for us to help our children maximize the internet's benefits, responsible digital footprints. The links below represent a number of high­quality educational content to feed As parents and educators, it’s extremely important for us to help our children maximize
while minimizing the risks. The vast resources at our children’s fingertips can support a positive, engaging your child’s thirst for knowledge and support continued learning throughout the summer. Don’t forget to visit the
internet's benefits, while minimizing the risks. The vast resources at our children’s
summer learning experience as well as provide opportunities to learn about digital citizenship and creating the iCenter page on your child’s school website for additional resources. fingertips
can support a positive, engaging summer learning experience as well as
responsible digital footprints. The links below represent a number of high­quality educational content to feed provide
opportunities to learn about digital citizenship and creating responsible digital
your child’s thirst for knowledge and support continued learning throughout the summer. Don’t forget to visit Academic Content Academic Content Keyboarding footprints.
The links below
represent high-quality
educationalExploration of Ideas content to feed yourCoding child’s
the iCenter page on your child’s school website for additional resources. Grades K­5 Grades 6 ­ 12 thirst
for
knowledge
and
support
continued
learning
throughout
the summer. Visit the
Navigating Online Environments for Positive
Summer Learning Experience
iCenter page on your child’s school website for additional resources.
Mel (Michigan Academic Content Mel (Michigan Academic Content Dance Mat Typing Keyboarding Wonderopolis Exploration of Ideas Tynker Coding Coding
Discovery Kids Exploration of Ideas Scratch Learn Zillion Mel (Michigan Ten Marks eLibrary) Kids Newsela (3 ­ 12) Learn Zillion CK­12 Mel (Michigan YouTube Education eLibrary) Teens Primary and Secondary CK­12 Kahn Academy YouTube Education Newsela ( 3 ­ 12) Primary and Secondary Keyboarding (Ages 5 ­ 12) Dance Mat Typing Advanced Keyboarding Typing Club (Ages 8 ­ 12) National Geographic Wonderopolis for Kids Discovery Kids Smithsonian Virtual National Geographic Tour for Kids Grades K­5 Grades 6 ­ 12 eLibrary) Kids eLibrary) Teens Content 6-12 Typing Club Academic
Content K-5 Academic
Keyboarding
CK112 Ten Marks Newsela (3 ­ 12) Keyboarding (Ages 5 ­ 12) Mousing Skills Advanced Keyboarding (Ages 8 ­ 12) Smithsonian Virtual Alice Tynker Build with Scratch Chrome Alice CodeSpark Build with Chrome CodeSpark Tour Kahn Academy Mousing Skills CK112 Throughout the school year, your children have had many opportunities to learn the ins and outs of online Newsela ( 3 ­ 12) safety and how to be a responsible digital citizen. Both classroom teachers and the Information and Technology Specialists provide direct instruction on these topics and opportunities for students to practice Throughout the school year, your children have had many opportunities to learn the ins and
Throughout the school year, your children have had many opportunities to learn the ins and outs of online digital citizenship. As we all know, continued conversations and reinforcement of the importance of online outs of online safety and how to be a responsible digital citizen. Both classroom teachers
safety and how to be a responsible digital citizen. Both classroom teachers and the Information and safety is a must. The links below highlight resources that both you and your children can utilize to support and the Information and Technology Specialists provide direct instruction on these topics
Technology Specialists provide direct instruction on these topics and opportunities for students to practice this important conversation. and opportunities for students to practice digital citizenship. Continued conversations
digital citizenship. As we all know, continued conversations and reinforcement of the importance of online and reinforcement of the importance of online safety is a must. The links below highlight
safety is a must. The links below highlight resources that both you and your children can utilize to support resources thatParent/Guardian Resources both you and your children can utilize to support
this important conversation.
Student Resources this important conversation. Student Resources Parent/Guardian Resources
Common Sense Media Privacy and Internet Safety Parent/Guardian Resources Common Sense Media Cyberbullying Common Sense Media Facebook, Instagram, & Social Media Google Online Safety Center Common Sense Media Privacy and Internet Safety Digital Compass Student Resources NetSmartKidz Digital Compass NetSmartKidz Common Sense Media Cyberbullying Common Sense Media Facebook, Instagram, & Social Media Google Online Safety Center by Kim Muncie
We would like to remind our community of the Summer Reading Programs available to
Much has been written about the importance of keeping kids reading over the summer months.
students at their local public libraries. The West Bloomfield Public Library Summer Reading theme
is “Every Hero Has a Story”. Full details of all the opportunities available through this fun
responsible for completing a summer reading assignment as part of their English courses.
program are at http://www.wblib.org/summer/how_it_works.php. Students in grades 6-12 are
Generally at the secondary level, students are required to read one book and a second book is chosen
from a list of options. A few of the required readings are listed below:
Honors American Literature: The Road, Of Mice and Men, and Their Eyes Were Watching God
• 6th gr.: Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements
• 10th gr.:
• 7th gr.: Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
• American
Literature: Of Mice and Men and one of ten choices to be posted online.
Keep Your Kids Reading This Summer
• Abbott 8th gr.: Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
• OLMS 8th gr.: Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt
• WBHS, 9th gr.: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and Divergent by Veronica Roth
• 11th gr. Honors World Literature: Therese Raquin and another choice
• World Literature: students read two of six titles to be posted online
• 12th gr. AP Literature: The Poisonwood Bible, How to Read Literature Like a Professor, & a choice novel
• AP Language: The Overachievers
Students will receive the details regarding these assignments from their classroom teachers. Links to the supporting materials will be available on the individual school web sites in early
June. We hope that your students will find pleasure in reading the books that have been selected for them by their English teachers! Wishing you and your child a fulfilling journey!
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER 4
Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
Focus on Our Schools
Gretchko Students Learn That
Every Step Matters!
At Gretchko Elementary, students are learning the importance
of helping others in the community. Team “Gretchko Stars”
raised $1,500 and donated over 25 boxes of food and toiletries
to the Lighthouse of Oakland County during their annual
“Hunger Walk” in May. This walk was one of the culiminating
events from their “Community Fair” and assisted the Lighthouse
in achieving its goal of helping people in need move from crisis
to self-sufficiency. Other charities that Gretchko donated to
were the Almost Home Animal Shelter, March of Dimes and
Our Children’s Fund.
Lego Leaders - Jr. First Lego League
Comes to Gretchko!
This year, six teams completed
the Junior First Lego League
challenge “Think Tank” at Gretchko
Elementary School! Jr. First Lego
League uses a real-world scientific
concept that is explored through
research, teamwork, construction,
and imagination. Teams use
LEGO® bricks to build a model
that moves and they develop a
Show Me Poster to illustrate their
journey. The teams researched
learning tools in different settings
including a museum, a zoo, an
amusement park, a firehouse, a farm and a library. They shared
their findings at the school Science and Art Fair on April 30 and
reviewers gave feedback to each team.
What is a Cardboard Challenge?
Gretchko students had the opportunity to “think outside the
box” during the school-wide “Cardboard Challenge” held at the
Art & Science Fair on April 30th! The challenge was to create a
game out of recycled items. The participants went through the
engineering process taking them from “imagine and design” all
the way to “improve and share” their creations. This idea was
inspired by “Caine’s Cardboard Challenge” a film about a boy
who made an arcade out of cardboard boxes. Today’s students
will be tomorrow’s inventers and engineers and they proved
their ambition and creativity through this challenge!
Scotch Elementary Students Reach
Out to 5 Year Old Cancer Patient
When Scotch Elementary 4th grade teacher Liz Costello read
about 5 year old cancer patient Hailey Shores who wanted
nothing more than birthday cards for her 6th birthday, she went
to her class and Ms. Loren Fantich’s 5th grade class to help.
Hailey, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, had gone
through surgery, chemo, radiation and a stem cell transplant
in the past two years, but is now in remission. Going through
medical
treatments for
such a length
of time kept her
isolated, but now
she was looking
forward to her
birthday. Ms.
Costello engaged
her students and
soon other classes
got involved and
happily created
Loren Fantich’s class with their pink cards for Hailey lots of pink cards
(Hailey’s favorite
color) with pictures of “Tangled” characters (from her favorite
movie) and mailed them in time for Hailey to get them on her
birthday.
THE LAKER Tips For Developing Readers
–by Alyse Attenson & Lauren Boruta
Doherty hosted a Parent University
in March for all 2015-16 incoming
Kindergarten parents. The topic was
"Supporting Your Child As A Reader
At Home". Reading consultants, Lauren
Boruta and Jacqueline Mattson, presented
the top 10 tips for supporting children at
home as readers including the importance
of reading every day, limiting screen time,
and helping children understand the
purpose of reading. Parents received information to help develop their
children's comprehension for both fiction and nonfiction text and to help
them develop as writers. Parents created a "question cube." On each side
of the cube is a general comprehension question that can be applied
to any fiction text to encourage deeper thinking about the story. After
reading a book with their child, the child rolls the cube. The child and
parent can discuss that question on the cube.
Sheiko Pine Tree 2015
Sheiko students finished a very successful Pine Tree Reading program.
This district-wide program has been in existence for over 25 years and
the benefits to our students are enormous. This year, students and
teachers read a total of 5,558 books during the 3 months! Some of the
exciting activities surrounding the reading program included:
Pine Tree Technology Project
Students read the graphic novel series called Babymouse illustrated by
Matt Holm. They then used web 2.0 tool, “Make Belief Comix,” to create
their own comic strip based on a theme from the book they read. The
comic strips were printed and shared with Matt Holm when he came to
speak to the students about being a graphic novel illustrator.
5th Graders Take Over
WBHS for
MARCH MADNESS!
West Bloomfield
held its own
“March Madness“
basketball
tournament at
West Bloomfield
High School.
The Roosevelt
Huskies, Scotch
Scottie Terriers
and Sheiko
Sharks 5th
grade boys and
girls took part
Coaches Juliann O’Brien &
having fun while Amanda Bailey
learning valuable
lessons about teamwork, as all left as
winners! Juliann O’Brien (Sheiko and
Doherty Title 1 teacher) and Amanda
Bailey (Sheiko 4th grade teacher)
coached the teams at Sheiko.
Budding Musicians at
Gretchko
Author Reception at the West Bloomfield Public Library
The 45 top reading level students were invited to an author reception at
the public library and received a book illustrated by Matt Holm. Students
had their book signed by Matt and had their picture taken with him.
Celebrations and Assemblies
Certificates of reading achievement, an assembly featuring Matt Holm
and a movie day were enjoyed by all. Levels 1 through 4 received
additional rewards
including the chance
to win a Nook for Level
4 students. We want
to thank the West
Bloomfield Township
Public Library for their
continued partnership
in this wonderful
program. The library
provides our schools
with the Pine Tree
books, sponsors activities at the library to help students earn credit for
the books they have read and brings in an author/illustrator each year to
inspire our students.
Chuck Gaidica Reads to Roosevelt
Calvin Finneran and Lucas George learn how
to play string instruments. Keegan Phillips and
Richard Vieriu watch as Luke Redner grips a
bow and tests its movement across the strings.
Former WDIV Meteorologist Chuck Gaidica read his book “Tommy
Starts Something Big” to students at Roosevelt Elementary during
March is Reading Month. Chuck Gaidica is now partnering
with Grace Centers of Hope sharing the importance of a
cuddle by selling his award winning books with proceeds
going to Grace Centers Hands of
Hope Childcare Center. Hands
of Hope is a state-licensed child
care center that serves children
whose parents are homeless and
recovering from drug or alcohol
addiction.
Tommy Starts Something
Big: Giving Cuddles with
Kindness is a heartwarming children’s story about a young
boy named Tommy who faced his own challenge in life by
deciding to inspire others in their times of need. The book
reminds children and adults about the positive change that
Chuck Gaidica with Roosevelt Students who received a copy of his book.
can happen when people help people.
West Bloomfield School District
Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
5
Focus on Our Schools
African Library Project
Inspires Abbott Student
Abbott students
have been
collecting books
for the African
Library Project,
a non-profit
organization
that coordinates
book drives in
the United States
and partners
with African
schools and
villages to start
small libraries.
At first, Abbott’s Mackenzie carrying some of
efforts supported the books she collected
the book drive
of former student, Jeremy Goldman, a
2010 graduate of West Bloomfield High
School who also attended Abbott MS and
Scotch Elementary. Jeremy graduated
from Western Michigan University in
2014, joined the Peace Corps and now
teaches at the KwaNyezi Primary School
in Nquthu, South Africa.
After hearing Jeremy’s story, Abbott
student, Mackenzie Carter, asked if
she could do a book drive. Mackenzie
collected over 1000 books (beyond
her goal of 500!) and raised money for
shipping the books to Africa. Says her
teacher Kristi Hopper “this is an amazing
project. Mackenzie has taken this initiative
completely on her own and put a lot of
work into it. I'm so proud of her!”
OLMS CELEBRATES
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Abbott Student Honored For “My
Personal Michigan Hero” Essays
Abbott Guest Artist Daniel Friedberg
(Freebo) by John Deierlein
Thousands of eighth grade students from over 400 Michigan
schools participated in the 2014-2015 America & Me Essay
Contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance. The essay
topic was “My Personal Michigan Hero.” Abbott Middle
School students, Sydney Pflaum and Hirializ Ocasio were
named local winners. Both received award certificates for their
achievement and Sydney’s name was engraved on a plaque
for permanent display in the school.
Sydney’s essay was then selected as one of the top ten essays
in Michigan. “It was awesome that everyone in Michigan
knows how much my morn supported me, and continues to
support me, as well as everyone else in my family, they are
always with me, cheering me on with whatever activities I
do; whether it is riding my horse, student council, or extracurricular activities like volunteering” said Sydney.
Abbott theatre students recently were entertained by a true
legend, artist Freebo (Daniel Friedberg) noted bass and tuba player,
guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer known primarily for his
work with Bonnie Raitt. He is also a respected session musician who
has recorded and performed with Ringo Starr, John Mayall, John
Hall, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Willy DeVille, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Maria
Muldaur, Kate & Anna McGarrigle and many others.
John Deierlein frequently brings in guest artists at Abbott to enrich
the students’ theatre education and experience.
OLMS Student to play Carnegie Hall!
Sydney Pflaum and her mother with Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley,
JoAnne Scheloske and Fay Houry in Lansing.
The top ten winners received plaques, a medallion and a cash
award of $1,000 at a banquet in Lansing. They also met with
Michigan’s top governmental leaders and were the featured
guests at a Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball game
dedicated in their honor.
Mrs. Fatme Houry, English Language teacher and organizer
of the contest at Abbott, said “this contest provides students
an opportunity to pay tribute to someone who has touched
their lives. We all have heroes in our lives and too often we
do not take the opportunity to show our appreciation and to
say thank you. For young people like Sydney and Hirializ, this
gives them the chance to explore their sense of expression
and to write from the heart. Both their essays create a
heartfelt and beautiful picture of the very heroes that have
touched their lives.”
Winning essays online at: www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com
under the Corporate and Social Responsibility section.
Congratulations to Ayushi Uppal,
OLMS student who has been
chosen as an Honorable Mention
Winner of the American Protégé
International Piano & Strings
Competition 2015.
Ayushi received this honor for her
piano playing and will have the
opportunity to perform at the
Winners Recital on November 29th
(Thanksgiving Weekend) at Weill
Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
Congratulations to Ayushi on
her selection from a large field of
competitive applicants!
Ayushi also is a choir student under
the direction of April Tini.
Enrich your life!
Host a student from China and embark upon a
memorable cultural experience!
To celebrate Black History Month,
OLMS held its first annual “Black History
Bee”. Nineteen students entered the
contest and all received a certificate of
participation for their efforts.
Joseph Thomas was the 1st place winner;
2nd place went to Nia Reeves and Joshua
Williamson placed 3rd. These winners
received a trophy and other awards for
their achievement. Congratulations to all
of the student participants!
THE LAKER 6
Open your homes
and your hearts to an
international exchange
student - a rewarding
opportunity for the entire
family to learn about
another culture and make
new lifelong friends!
The Mandarin
Program:
• Exchange students are high school age, wishing to improve their English skills
• Families receive a stipend of $125 per week to help offset the cost of hosting a student
• Families receive 24/7 local and
international support
Contact Barb Glessner,
Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
at 248-865-6479 or email at
[email protected]
to apply or for more information
West Bloomfield School District
Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
Focus on Our Schools
Walden in West Bloomfield
West Bloomfield High School English teacher, Jennifer McQuillan,
is delighted to report that she and her students are planning
to break ground on the "Walden in West Bloomfield" garden by
the end of May. Mrs. McQuillan and science teacher Josh Barclay
have been working hard to make this garden a reality. Soil testing
is completed, mulch is on order (thanks to Coach Aaron Avery
and the WBHS Lacrosse Team!) and the plot has been measured
and configured. Science teacher Karen Matynowski and her AP
Environmental Science students are reviewing the soil testing and
making recommendations for the soil mix needed to best help the
plants thrive.
This cross curricular project also has links to the Art Department
since teacher Mimi Hoffman and her students will be contributing
tiles and other pieces to enhance the garden's aesthetic appeal.
Most notably, museums for the American literary giants Louisa May
Alcott, Walt Whitman, and Mark Twain have offered to supply the
garden with plants that have ties to each author.
Special thanks
goes to the
West Bloomfield
Educational
Foundation for
providing the "seed"
money for this
project. If you would like to
contribute in any
way to the garden,
please contact
Jennifer McQuillan
at WBHS.
Members of Earth Club:
Front row: Morgan
Gordon, Ms. McQuillan,
Frank Vawter,
Jenna Kesh
Back row: Roma Valeev,
Seth Goldgrab
Wind
Generator Provides Learning
Opportunities
by Josh Barclay
The West Bloomfield High School EARTH Club was created in
1993 with the mission of promoting environmental awareness, and
preserving the planet. EARTH stands for Environmentally Aware,
Ready to Help.
During its existence,
it has involved
and empowered
hundreds of students
in environmental
action. Just in time
for Earth Day, the
EARTH Club installed
an experimental wind
generator on the roof
of the concession
building by the
football field. One of
the first to be made,
we will be beta
Student Brendan Gimby who designed the
testing the wind
monitoring hardware and software for the project
generator to
determine the levels with teacher Josh Barclay
of power and energy produced. Club members also will track wind
speed through our weather station in order to compare with the
wind generation. Student Brendan Gimby is designing all the
monitoring hardware and software so we can keep track of how
much energy is generated by the system.
Special thanks to David Koyle of Franklin Wind Energy Group for
the donation of the wind generator, and Scott Ringlein of Energy
Alliance Group of Michigan and Tiny Runge of Dynalectric for help
with the installation.
Cape Town Calculus
Educating Others Goes Far Beyond the
Classroom Setting for AP Calculus
Teacher, Dr. Joseph Brandell
In March, Dr. Joseph Brandell of West Bloomfield High School
(WBHS) presented
at the
2015 AISA
Educator’s
Conference held in
Cape Town, South
Africa. As a
representative
of the nonprofit
College Board
organization,
Brandell not only
shared his
knowledge of
the AP calculus
curriculum but also
his own teaching strategies at WBHS.
Brandell has been working for the College Board as an AP consultant
since 2000. He is trained as a presenter for AP Calculus and as a
presenter for both AP vertical teams and Pre-AP vertical teams - the
classes students are required to take before they take AP Calculus or
AP Statistics. In addition to teaching AP calculus at WBHS, Brandell
is one of the three teacher mentoring coordinators for the district
and serves as the math department chairman. According to Brandell,
“What the College Board does around the country is what we do at
West Bloomfield High School. I can see it in our school.”
His presentation on the first day was on Pre-AP strategies, and the
experiences of the students at WBHS. “Advanced Placement is not
just about the tests the first week of May. Advanced Placement is
about the process of rich problem solving, making connections.” On
the second day, Brandell presented from an instructor’s viewpoint
on AP Calculus, talking through different key teaching points and
how to prepare students not only for the exams, but problemsolving skills as well. Finally, Brandell presented on how he organizes
both AP calculus and Pre-AP strategies so that students are well
prepared to succeed in their future AP mathematics courses.
THE AISA Educator’s Conference experience was a truly enriching
one that will not only benefit Brandell’s students, but also students
around the world.
WBHS GRADUATE DEBUTS NEW NOVEL
by Steve Palizzi
Josh Malerman is a 1993 graduate
of WBHS and the author of Bird
Box--an eerie, suspenseful novel
written in Hitchcock-style. His
debut novel received star reviews
from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus
Reviews. Universal Pictures has
purchased the movie rights. Josh
also plays in the successful band,
The High Strung (all members are
graduates of WBHS). One of the
group’s songs is the theme for the
TV series Shameless. Recently,
Josh spoke about his experience
at WBHS, his novel, and answered
questions at
a “Meet The Author” event held in the WBHS
iCenter. He signed books and took time to
speak individually with each person in
attendance.
Josh credits WBHS English teacher, Jim
Corcoran, as one of his most influential
teachers. Read more about Josh, his novel,
and The High Strung band at: http://detroit.
cbslocal.com/2013/08/14/detroit-proudjosh-malerman/
OEC Students Study
Diego Rivera and Frida
Kahlo at DIA
This spring, OEC students in Jill
Rosenthal-Vinter's Spanish classes
studied Mexican art, history, culture,
language, politics, and the colorful
lives of artists Frida Kahlo and Diego
Rivera in anticipation of their spring
field trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts
special exhibition, “Diego Rivera and
Frida Kahlo in Detroit.”
Student Lauren Smith reflected, "I
really like being able to understand
what was going on in her mind and
how she turned her thoughts into art."
Shira Cohen observed,
"Walking through the exhibit, I was
really able to feel the culture and pain
that Diego and Frida had." Reganne
Diener said, "My favorite part of the
DIA was seeing the mural
that Diego Rivera painted. I enjoyed
learning about all of the hidden images
in the courtyard mural."
Angie Sallen, Haley Fulton, Stephanie Peach &
Jill Rosenthal show their love for Frida Kahlo.
OEC students were awe-struck at the size of
Diego Rivera’s murals and the depth
of meaning he included in his work.
Inspired by Frida Kahlo’s self portraits,
students created their own self portraits
and presented to classmates, revealing parts
of their joys, fears, lives and secrets.
Student artwork by Abigail Williams
Oakland Early College (OEC)
Welcoming students
entering grades 10-12 in 2015!
Schools of Choice Application Period:
July 1 - July 30, 2015
Free College Tuition!
Earn an Associate Degree in High School
OEC located on OCC Orchard Ridge Campus
Please call (248) 522-3541 to schedule a
family meeting.
New Student Application:
www.oaklandearlycollege.org
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
7
FOCUS ON FINE ARTS
The OLMS String Scene
The Beat Goes On!
WBHS Band Programs
Succeeding!
By Suzanne Crawford
It’s been quite a year for the West Bloomfield High School
(WBHS) Band program!
To start, the 2015 WBHS Winter Drumline wrapped up their
season placing 3rd in the State in the MCGC Scholastic A
with a score of 85.99 and 26th place in WGI Semi Finals
Percussion World Championship Competition in Dayton,
Ohio, with a score of 83.6
2015 WBHS Winter Drumline - 3rd in State
The 2015 Drumline show theme called, “Assembled” was
based on the auto manufacturing industry in Detroit. The
uniforms were inspired by 1920 assembly line workers
and the music incorporated factory sounds and industrial
revolution era textures. Pat McLaughlin, Director, said, "I
was extremely happy with the overall season performances
and so proud of the group! Congratulations WB! You had
some uncontrollable situations thrown your way at the WGI
World Championship, but you handled them with resilience
and character. You should all be very proud of everything
you have achieved.” McLaughlin commented to the staff
“Your passion for WB is evident as you all go above and
beyond your contractual obligations on a regular basis. It's
a remarkable experience to work side-by-side with a group
of people who are so heavily invested in the development
and success of the members as well as the organization
itself. Thank you for all that you do both inside and outside
of rehearsal.”
The WBHS Winter Drumline provides an opportunity for
students to develop their musical and life skills through
the art of percussion performance. A strong sense of
perseverance, dedication, personal achievement, growth,
self-confidence, music appreciation and work ethic through
the pursuit of excellence is instilled.
The 2015 Varsity Winter Guard placed 9th in State in the
MCGC Scholastic A MCGC Championship with a score
74.28.
WBHS Orchestra Scene
2015 Varsity Winter Guard - 9th in state
MCGC Championship Show Theme: All Will Be Well
Directors: Mark DeDeckere, Betsy Pilon, Katie Bakula, Carlie
Critchett, Megan VanDusen
The 2015 Junior Varsity Winter Guard wrapped up their
season 2nd place in the State in the MCGC Championship
Scholastic A with a score of 72.55.
Show Theme: Hot Air Balloon
Directors: Mark DeDeckere, Betsy Pilon, Katie Bakula, Carlie
Critchett
MSBOA Concert Band District Festival Results were:
Abbott Symphony Band received a rating of 2.
OLMS Symphony Band received a rating of 1.
WBHS Concert Winds received a rating of 1.
WBHS Symphonic Winds received a rating of 1.
WBHS Marching Band registration is now open to all
students currently in grades 7 - 11. Students interested in
registering, should send an email to [email protected]
or go to wbbands.info for the registration form.
"We are excited to kick off another successful fall season.
We are looking forward to continuing the progress our
program has made and to build off the momentum
from last year," said Chad Mielens, WBHS Marching Band
Director. The band is excited to go to Camp Tamarack in
August, and also excited about competing at the Bands of
America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis
in November.
Director: Chad Mielens
Percussion Director: Chris Vilag
Caption Head, Color Guard: Mark DeDeckere
Drum Majors: Hershal Satam & Aidan Brice
The Orchard Lake Middle School Orchestra students
have been very busy the past few months. The Symphonic
String Orchestra competed at the MSBOA District
Orchestra Festival in March. The students, under the
direction of Mrs. Linda Trotter, received a Superior (First
Division rating) in both Performance and Sight Reading.
The OLMS Orchestra students were also adjudicated at the
MSBOA Middle School Solo and Ensemble.
Students earning a 1st Division Rating (Superior Rating)
String Soloists:
Anna Bai,
Zachary Grandetti,
Jasmin Lee,
Janelle McManaman,
Nia Reeves, and
Andrew Schaeffler,
violin
Joshua Tran, cello
String Duos:
Janelle McManaman and Joshua Tran
Dhiya Krupashankar and Vidhi Pandya
String Trio:
Vidhi Pandya, Dhiya Krupashankar and Janell McManaman,
Trio String Ensemble:
Anna Bai, Jasmin Lee, Nia Reeves, Andy Pan, Bhargavi
Kurakula, Cameron Montgomery and Joshua Tran
Students earning a 2nd Division Rating were:
String Duo:
Parker Semanson, violin and Sydney White, viola
Other Participants included cellists: Matthew Hartung and
Nyal Munir
Congratulations to the OLMS Orchestra students.
2015 Junior Varsity Winter Guard - 2nd in state
“Music in the Park”
CONGRATULATIONS!
Karl Stein and Chad Mielens
Abbott Middle School
and Orchard Lake Middle
School 8th Grade Symphony
Band Students take First
Place and Overall Highest
Score on Saturday, May 23,
2015 at "Music in the Park"
in Cedar Point, Sandusky,
Ohio.
The WBHS Orchestra program had one of its most
successful festival seasons this year at both District and
State Levels. The Orchestra, conducted by Mrs. Linda
Trotter, competed in the MSBOA District Orchestra festival.
The results were very impressive; the WBHS Symphonic
String Orchestra earned a Superior Rating (First Division)
with all “A’s” in performance and a superior rating in sight
reading with an overall Superior Rating. The Concert String
Orchestra earned an Excellent Rating (Second Division) in
performance and a Superior Rating (First Division) rating in
sight reading with an overall Excellent Rating.
The State Solo and Ensemble Festival was an opportunity
for our students to showcase their musical performance
as both a soloist or in an ensemble. Student soloists in
the 10th – 12th grade who participated were required to
demonstrate their proficiency on their instrument as part of
their adjudication, which included: performing their solos,
performing major and minor scales and sight reading. Each
proficiency level included more difficult aspects of string
performance.
Students receiving 1st Division ratings were:
Anthony Chen, violin – Proficiency 3
Sahana Shankar, violin – Proficiency 1
Mark Gladshteyn, violin – Proficiency 3
Sabrina Brogniart, violin – Proficiency 3
Nicholas Omron, violin – Proficiency 1
Parker Feldman, violin – Proficiency 2
Robert Sylvester, violin – (9th grade solo)
Matthew Gu, violin – (9th grade solo)
String Octet
Violinists: Anthony Chen, David Wilson, Parker Feldman,
Sabrina Brognairt, Violists: Erica Slayton, MiKayla Tyner,
Cellists: Raina Pintamo, Matthew Rowley
Students receiving 2nd Division ratings were:
Russell Estill, cello – Proficiency 1
Victoria Gardner, violin – Proficiency 1
Erica Slayton, viola – Proficiency 3
Allayah McCormick, viola – Proficiency 2
Congratulations to the WBHS Orchestra students for their
outstanding work and performances.
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER 8
Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Scotch Kids Klub
Rishabh Parekh
Science Fair Winner
Scotch Kids Klub studied Dental Health
during National Dental Health month.
4th grader Anna McIsaac, and fifth grader
Caenell Poindexter brushing and flossing
their pearly whites!
In March the Lion roars away the cold
weather. Amaris Shockley (grade 3), Addyson
Walker (grade 2) and Hayley Beyrand (grade
5) show off their grizzly lion masks.
WBHS teacher is proud to announce that
9th grader Rishabh Parekh qualified
for the Michigan State Fair winning
three professional awards: a $200
prize from Intel, Most Valuable Project
from Michigan Science Center, free
membership for a year to the Science
Center and an award from the Public
Health Department.
Following the State Fair, Rishabh
participated in the 58th Annual Science
and Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit
2014-2015 at Cobo Hall where he came
in third place in the Computer Science
category and won two special awards.
1,242 students from 104 schools in
Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties
competed at SEFMD, one of the longest
running and largest science fairs in
the world. Congratulations!
History Bee National Finals
HUNDREDS GATHER FOR BELL TOWER DEDICATION AT
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY
Hundreds of community members, alumni, students,
parents and staff gathered in May for the dedication of
the resurrected school bell honoring 95 years of education
in Keego Harbor. The bell tower dedication was held
Friday, May 8th.
The tower, designed and crafted by WBHS alumnus,
Robert Laskey, holds a 30" bell thought to be from the
original Keego Harbor School, based on old photos. This
school was built on land donated by Joseph E. Sawyer and
stood at the corner of Pridham and Orchard Lake Road
from 1914-1963. It was torn down and replaced by a gas
station and the land became home to several business
over the following years. The Keego Harbor School
predated Roosevelt and provided overflow classrooms for
the district, held community meetings and served as the
local library for a while. The Keego School has a lasting
legacy in the history of education at Roosevelt.
Below, Superintendent Dr. Gerald Hill and students ring the bell for
the first time. Left Rob Laskey and Mike Floyd stand proudly beside
their work. (Not shown, Kyle Kozemchak)
OLMS students Sydney Brogniart (7th grade) and Raksha Sridharan (6th grade) advanced
to the History Bee National Finals held in Louisville, Kentucky on May 22-24.
Sydney is pictured with his invitation to the National Finals after they competed at the
Regional Finals in Monroe, Michigan on April 1. Raksha shown at the National History Bee.
Jennifer Sepetys, OLMS teacher wished them both well in the competition.
Raksha Sridharan
Sydney Brogniart
West Bloomfield Public Schools
2015 Summer Food Service Program
Site Location:
Hey Kids and Teens!
(Ages 1-18 years)
Join us for Nutritious Summer Meals
at NO CHARGE!
Roosevelt Elementary School
2065 Cass Lake Road, Keego Harbor, MI 48320
June 22, 2015 thru July 31, 2015
Breakfast Program: Monday - Thursday 7:45am - 8:45am
Lunch Program: Monday - Thursday 11:00am - 12:30pm
* In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from
discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability To file a complaint of discrimination,
write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call
(800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
9
Kudos
WBSD Michigan Week
2015 Award Recipients
WBHS senior, Alexandra McDonough
received a Youth Volunteer Leadership
Award at the 2015 Michigan Week
Awards Breakfast while WBHS senior,
Jonathan Nirenberg, and WB Board of
Education Vice-President, Randi Sakwa,
were honored with Hidden Treasure
Awards. The nominating organizations
submitted the following about their
volunteerism:
Alexandra McDonough volunteers as
the assistant volleyball coach at Abbott
Middle School, helps with special needs
adults at the Jewish Community Center,
is a tutor for a sixth-grade student
recovering from a closed-head injury
and has organized various canned food
drives. She is passionate about helping
others whenever and wherever she can
be of assistance.
Jonathan Nirenberg served as an
exceptional United We Walk student
Co-Chair during his senior year at West
Bloomfield High School. Although he
had numerous school and leadership
commitments, the United We Walk
committee could always count on him
to be a thorough and constructive
spokesperson when reports were given
during general meetings.
BOYS GOLF
by Steve Larkin
The 2015 WBHS Boys Golf team has earned both
a league championship as well as berth in the
MHSAA Regional Championship Tournament.
The Boys League Championship was the first in
several years as the Varsity team placed first in
both league tournaments and went undefeated in
match play.
“This is the most complete, competitive group
I've ever coached. We set out at the beginning
of the season with two goals, to win our league
championship and to qualify out of a very difficult
MHSAA district, and the boys completed both
goals. We beat out North Farmington, Southfield,
Harrison, Livonia Stevenson, Birmingham Groves
and Royal Oak at Districts to earn a spot in
Regionals,” stated Coach Larkin.
Justin Frommer, Gurveer Singh, Joey Murzyn, Emerson Lawrey, Sean Wigler and Coach Steve Larkin at
the MHSAA Regional Tournament
Our success can be attributed to all 18 players in our program who made each day competitive. The Varsity team of Sean Wigler, Emerson
Lawrey, Noah Maike, Joey Murzyn, Justin Frommer, Gurveer Singh and others who chipped in helped WBHS achieve great team success
both on the course and in the classroom where the team boasts a collective 3.65 grade point average. The Varsity 5 of Wigler, Murzyn, Singh,
Lawrey, and Frommer will compete May 27th at the MHSAA Regional Tournament at Oak Pointe Country Club in hopes to be among the top
3 teams to move on to the state championships held at Ferris State University June 5. The Lakers are coached by Stephen Larkin, Jeremy
Denha and former player Steven Neville.
(continued from page 12)
Randi Sakwa is a West Bloomfield Board
of Education member who regularly
attends numerous student, staff, PTO
and community events and represents
the school district at local and state
meetings.
2015 Career and
Technical Education
Student Recognition
Awards
WBHS senior, Jacob Rashty, recently
received an Outstanding Technical
Achievement award for his Career
and Technical Education program in
Marketing from Oakland Schools Career
Focused Education.
Nineteenth Annual
Youth Recognition
Awards Ceremony
In 2015, West Bloomfield Youth
Assistance honored 77 area youth for
their efforts to make our community
a better place to live or for improving
themselves through personal
achievement. The awards ceremony is
held each spring to recognize young
people from the community who are
making positive volunteer contributions.
Nominations come from teachers,
school counselors, hospitals, religious
organizations, community organizations
and private citizens.
The West Bloomfield Education Foundation wishes to acknowledge all
individuals, families and business contributors. Your support is critical
and has enabled us to fund programs that maintain the academic
excellence of our school district. We are particularly grateful to those
businesses and community partners who continue to support our efforts.
Jason Mayer
Marlo McAdams
MS. McCallion
Christie McWilliams
Bob Mellen
Daniel Meserve
Chris Mienaltowski
Kristina Mienaltowski
Colleen Miller
Cathy Mintz
Mohammad Moetakef
Roxana Molina
Kendra Montante
Sue Morse
Antoinette Morton
Stasi Mortimore
Tammy Muczynski
Bill Mull
Cathy Mull
Judy Mulroy
Deborah Myers
Neha Nagappa
Chibu Ndukwe
Anna Newman
Jennifer Newman
Jody Nicosia
Ginamarie Nuhn
Victor Nuno Cisneros
Lauren O’Brien
Ayobola Odeyinka
Angel Olmos
Lindsay O’Malley
Siddiqui Omar
Dawn Orta
Eric Pace
Katie Palazzolo
Mayra Palise
Mavis Pannell
Ned Patron
Mike Patton
Jennifer Peesher
Sherry Peoples
Lisa Perry
John & Julie Perryman
Judy Peterson
Craig Peterson
Nichole Pikur
Ann Piper
Nancy Plasterer
Kren Pleasant
Lauren Piontkowski
Ivy Pomeroy
Phyllis Powers
April Pratt
Jennifer Praw
Kelly Prusakiewicz
Yves Pszenica
Jeanne Pyles
Martin Rabinovich
Kim Randall
Dennis Rapal
Susan Rassette
Holly Ratinaud
Arivumani Ravindran
Reid Family
Staphanie Reis
Chris Remishofsky
Laura Richens
Melissa Ringstaff
Julie Robinson
Greg & Julie Root
Linda & Aaron Rosberg
Howard Rosenberg
Alan Rosenberg
Shelly Rouse-Freitag
Lisa & James Rowley
Pat Rubio
Mindy Rubio
Sandra Ruza
Jeff Sakwa
Randi & Stewart Sakwa
Marc Saperstein
Uttiyo & Anuradha Sarkar
Sarah Savek
Linda & Daniel Schaeffler
Donna Schaerer
Rhonda Schmidt
Schneyer Family
Tim Schultz
Amy Schultz
Melissa Schultz
Ann Schumacher
Carla Schwartz
Traci Schwept
Dave Scott
James Scrivo
Lea Seaborn
Ellen Seiss
Olga Selektor
Shpresa Selimas
Richard Selimas
Robert Shady
Faris Sharba
Rita Sharrow
Evan Shaw
Nora Sheena
Ramiz Sheena
Kathy & Paul Sheiko
Kyle Sheiko
Kristin Sheiko
Pete Shelters
Amit Shlagman
Bree & Marc Silski
Daniel Simerl
Ellen Simmons
Lori Simonian
Molly Sinanis
Raman Singh
John Sini
Justin Sklar
Bella Skynar
Maddie Skynar
Jenny Small
Christine Smith
Matt Smith
Kathy Smith
Michell Smith
Richard Somers
Nancy Somers
Lisa Soverinsky
Joey Spano
P Sparlinday
Bob Spencer
Steve Sperling
Lisa Soverinsky
Nancy Stanek
Bob Steeh
Mr. & Mrs. Stephan
Marla Stern
Louis Stone
Michael Stone
Louise Strehl
Kristen Sucher
Lisa Swikoski
Susan Szasz
Emily Tabenske
Grace Tapert
Arya & Simin Tavakoli
Jianna Taylor
LaKeisha Taylor
Claudia Tellez Chavez
Eileen Ten Eick
Paul & Robin Tennison
Jeanne Tepper
Keith Terhall
Gennifer Thav
Shaina Thurmon
April Tini
Asha Tirumala
Tanya Torres
Jason Townsend
Curtis Treadwell
MaryEllen Trott
Sally Unrath
Tanya Vaichaid
Pam Valdez
Amy Vanecar
Katrina & Nick VanMeter
Hector Velazquez
Melissa Velazquez
Jennifer Valente
Ang VandenAvond
Luis Venegas
Christos Vlachos
Matt Vorce
Dave Vukovich
Pearl Walker
James Walsh
Sara Ward
Pat Watson
Susan Weaver
Michael Weingarten
Sara Weitz
Stacey Welford
Lori Wigler
Kristan Williams
Rose Wilson
Stacy Wilson
Rene Wisely
Tannisha Woods
David Wooson
Richard Wszolek
Joanna Wszolek
Ethan Yang
Pattabhi Yarlagadda
Maureen Yessian
David Yono
Adriy Zachaiko
Vicky Zacharek
Pamela Zajac
Walt Zajac
Hana Zawideh
Greg Zerber
Ellizabeth Zubrzycki
Michael Zimnicki
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER 10
Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
Oakland County
Outstanding Teacher of
the Year
Kudos!
DOVE AWARD
Fay Houry, 8th grade ELA teacher from
Abbott, is the middle school rep and
Lisa Brown, from Scotch, is the
elementary school rep for WBSD for
Oakland County Outstanding Teacher of
the Year. Both were honored by Oakland
Schools in May at an awards dinner.
Kay Carpenter, Project SEARCH instructor at Henry Ford West
Bloomfield, has been recognized by The ARC of Oakland County
with a Dove Award for Professional Service.
The Arc of Oakland County is a non-profit, charitable organization
serving individuals and families throughout Oakland County funded
in part by the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, and individual
donors. Through education, research, and advocacy, The Arc works
to improve the quality of life for children and adults with cognitive,
intellectual, and developmental disabilities in every community.
At its annual awards presentation, Arc recognizes the efforts of
individuals within our community and state who, through their
dedication and commitment, have enhanced the lives of persons
with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
The 45th Dove Awards Presentation & Silent Auction was held on
Friday, April 17, 2015 at the San Marino Club. This agency fundraiser
is a celebration of the selflessness and achievements of individuals
who help others.
PROFESSIONAL
SERVICE
AWARD
Kay Carpenter
Special Education Teacher &
Project SEARCH Instructor,
West Bloomfield
School District
EARTH DAY
Transition Center
The students from the West Bloomfield
Transition Center had a great time on
Earth Day, when they partnered with
West Bloomfield Township and cleaned up
the Jacob’s Drain wetland area. The area
is located behind the Transition Center
building. WBT provided gloves, garbage
bags and t-shirts for students and staff. You’re Hired!
Project SEARCH is wrapping up another successful year of finding
jobs for special needs adults. This year Project SEARCH started with
10 students, known as interns, and so far has successfully placed
6 interns in jobs within their communities. Interns have taken
jobs at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, which is where the
Project SEARCH classroom is located, as well as Kroger in Novi,
The Cheesecake Factory in Novi, West Bloomfield’s new ACE
Hardware, and the Palace of Auburn Hills. The remaining 4 interns
will continue to work with the New Horizon’s Rehabilitation Services
job developer and the Michigan Rehabilitation Services career
counselor until they find employment.
Project SEARCH is a one year school-to-work program for special
needs adults, ages 18-26, who have an IEP and have not taken a
diploma. The program takes place entirely at Henry Ford West
Bloomfield Hospital where the interns spend part of their day in
the classroom learning employment and daily living skills. The
remainder of their day is spent in 2-3 work rotations within the
hospital learning competitive employment skills. The goal of Project
SEARCH is to find a paid job.
Students interested in applying or who have questions, please
contact Jennifer Perrone. Space is limited, so those interested
should apply now. For more information, contact Jennifer Perrone
at [email protected] or 248-865-6470.
O.P.I.E. Award
Outstanding Person in Education
This year's Outstanding Person in Education (O.P.I.E.) & Friend
of Education (F.O.E.) Dinner was held at the Wixom Community
Center in Wixom, on Wednesday, April 22, 2015.
The O.P.I.E. award recognizes one person from each MEA local
association who has shown exceptional commitment and
dedication to education in their district.
The F.O.E. award recognizes local individuals or organizations
who have promoted excellence in education in the public
schools of Clarkston, Holly, Huron Valley, Oakland ISD, Pontiac,
South Lyon, West Bloomfield and Walled Lake.
Congratulations to the Outstanding Person in Education and
Friend of Education from West Bloomfield School District!
Kim Abel
Teacher WBHS
Lori Zerber
Media Paraeducator Abbott Middle School
Diane Stumpf
Asst. Principal’s Secretary/Registrar
West Bloomfeild High School
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
11
http:
our schools, it turned into a very enjoyable community event.
Mark your calendars now for the next Fabulous Casino Night
scheduled for Friday, February 5, 2016!
West Bloomfield Educational Foundation
Rounding out the year was the WBEF’s $10 for 10K Raffle.
The winning ticket was drawn at the May 18 board of
education meeting. The lucky winner was Mani Ravindran,
the parent of an elementary and a middle school student.
Your Support,
Our Students’ Success!
“We are very thrilled to win the Educational
Foundation 50/50 raffle! We purchased
By Joey Spano two raffle tickets. We plan to put that
The West Bloomfield Education Foundation wishes
money towards our son, Lokesh and our
to acknowledge all individuals, families and business
daughter Shruthi’s college savings and some
contributors. Your support is critical and has enabled us
percentage to give back to the community.” to fund programs that maintain the academic excellence
of our school district. We are particularly grateful to those
businesses and community partners who continue to
support our efforts.
This year, it was decided early on that we would plan and put
all of our efforts into one major fundraising event. “Fabulous
Casino Night” was born. On Friday the 13th at Edgewood
Country Club, over 360 parents, school district staff and
supporters gathered to play Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and
Bingo (with play money), bid on an array of silent auction
items, putt for a chance to win $10,000 and socialize, all for
a great cause. Not only did we raise thousands of dollars for
Corporate & Community Sponsors Michigan Philharmonic
Abbott Middle School
Adventure Park
Ann Arbor Children's Hands-On Museum
AUCH
Beans & Cornbread
Bellacino's Grinders
Best Buy
Birmingham Bloomfield Credit Union
Birmingham-Bloomfield
Symphony Orchestra
BNI Connectors of Commerce
Bonaventure Family Skating Center
Bosko's
Bugs Beddow Band
C & G Newspapers
Carl Rose/Carl's Golfland
Clark Hill
Color Room
Community Bowling Center
Cookies by Design
Dakota Bread Company
Detroit Pistons
Digital Document Store
Doherty Elementary School PTO
Doubletree Hotel
Dry-Mark Services
Durham School Services
Edgewood Country Club
Ellen's Bakery Café
El Nibble Nook
Executive Energy
Frameable Faces
Friends of WBEF
GCA
Go Comedy Club
GWB Historical Society
Gretchko PTO
Hersh-Beattie Orthodontics
Imperial Bar
Jet's Pizza
Jewelry Boutique
Jodi Lynn Designs
Karagosian Jewelers
Lapointe & Butler
The Lodge
Loya Organic Restaurant
Lusk & Albertson
Marathon Oil Company
Masserman Photography
The Melting Pot
Mezza
Mojo in the Morning 95.5
Nakisher Orthodontics
Orchard Lake Middle School
Plante Moran
Public House
Roosevelt Elementary School
The Root Restaurant
Ricoh Business Solutions
Samsung
SBSI
SEHI Computer
Service Heating & Plumbing
Sheiko Elementary School PTO
Smashburger
Starbucks
Stifel Nicolaus
Super Car Wash
Troxell Communications, Inc
Trifles
Varsity Lincoln
VIP Fitness & Training
Wakely Associates
Whole Foods, West Bloomfield
Willoway
West Bloomfield Community Education
West Bloomfield High School
West Bloomfield Police Foundation
West Bloomfield Preschool Academy
Zap Zone
Zilka Heating and Cooling
Individual Contributors
Kim Abel
Julie Abeska
Allen Adelberg
Deborah Adeniji
Neil Adrian
Maria Aerdker
Dahlia Afr
Victoria Aharauka
Kristin Albani
Maria Alegre
Zina Ali
M Alonso
Jennifer Anderson
Deanna Arnott
Aaron Avery
Mary Ann Ayar
Julie Baeten
Cara Bagosian
– Mani Ravindran
Obviously, these events allow us to support our school
district in various ways. In its 11th year, the WBEF Educators
Grant Program awarded 21 grants totaling over
$13,000 to 36 district teachers in 2014-15. The grants
funded a variety of innovative projects and initiatives
designed to directly impact student achievement at all grade
levels. The grants funded an array of innovative projects
and initiatives including STEM initiatives and reading
support programs.
Raffi Bagosian
Bahorra Family
Darlene Bahri
Al Bahri
Elizabeth Bain
Keith Baldwin
Kathy Bak
Maribeth Baker
Denise Bannash
Kristina Barnett
Ben Barris
Natasza Bartus
Austin Bashi
Tanja Bauer
Julie Beaty
Deb Beaulieu
Doug Beddow
Chiara Beozzo
Lisa Berkey
Jenny Berman
Bill Bertakis
Amy Bertin
Amy Bessallo
Varmi Bhart-Ram
Sheryl Bienstock
Janet Bigelow
Deanne Bigley
Lynn Bloom
Sara Blum-Stapleton
Palcaui Blutta-Ramvari
Vincent & Michelle Boddy
Jouiana Bolis
Jenny Bordelove
Morrison Borders
Hilary Borlack
Leanne Bourassa
Lisa Bower
Jaiden Bowie
Dr. Neil Brickman
Stacy Brickman
Romelia Bringardner
Shawn Broida-McColl
Sharon Brock
Jack Brophy
William Brophy
Aisha Brownlee
Sawdayah Brownlee
Dianna Bruce
Rita Budde
Julie Budin
Ted Bugensiw
Carrie Bulbuk
Jim Bull
Jessica Bullock
Mark Bunda
Elizabeth Burlak
Sally Calkins
Kurt Campbell
Cheryl Caplan
Colleen Carpenter
Cindy Carson
Cynthia Cartwright
Susan Chang
Linda Charter
Alycia Chase
Matt Chase
Jaime Cherfoli
Justin Cherfoli
Kathleen Chester
Melanie Chismody
Brett Chudle
Neisha Chudler
Patricia Chung
Mark Ciechanowski
Amra Cisic
Kathy Clark
Craig Clifford
Veronica Collins
Annette Comaroli
Janey Compton
Bradley Cooper
Michael Cooper
Brenda Coppens
Reisa Corbin
Madeline Costa
Jack Costa
Elizabeth Costello
Rob Coukey
Laura Cowell
Robert Crain
Steven & Katrina Crane
Heather Crewes
Adrienne Crocket
Ray Cruz
Leigh Ann Cusack
Hannah Dagg
Fatema Dahodwala
Mufaddel Dahodwala
Kimberly Daniels
Kelli Danton
Marianne Dardarian
Esther Davidson
Steven Davidson
Michael Davis
Fran & Dan Denawetz
Kelli Denawetz
Jen Denko
Nancy & John Dent
Zina Ali DeSnyder
Dena Dion
Scott Dion
Andrew Donaldson
Simoes Douglas
Karen D’Owyer
Kristin Draper
Jen Duffield
Adi Dzinic
Julie Dziuba
Lisa Earley
Mark Eaton
Susan Eberle
Arthur Ebert
Christine Ebert
David Einstandig
Kari Elliott
Cristina Elsen
S Englehart
Kim Essenmacher
Carol Evans
Sofia Ezmerlian
Cristina Elsen
Tracy & Peter Falkowski
Ann Farrell
Stephanie Faulkender
Connie Fellman
Jill Fill
Carol Finkelstein
Judy Flaherty
David Flaisher
Renee Floer
Alesia Flye
Suzanne & Aaron Fogarasi
Leslie Foreman
Christy Forhan
Adrienne & Terri Foster
Brandon Foster
Kenneth Fowler
Aaron Fox
Ilyse Fox
Hal Freitag
Debbie Frommer
Jeff Frick
Bob Gaarder
Denise Gaarder
Kellie Gabalski
Jill Gardner
Additionally, the WBEF provided support this year to the
theater programs at Abbott, OLMS and WBHS; funded
the Science Fair and an anti-bullying program at Abbott;
sponsored the Health, Body and Mind program for Scotch
fifth grade students and contributed to the WBHS First
Robotics team.
Grant funds were provided to Scotch Elementary for their
Healthy Body and Mind program for 5th graders. The
program is designed to help reduce child obesity and
improve children’s overall health and nutrition, conducted in
partnership with Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. Over
$179,000 has been awarded in the Educators Grant Program
since its inception.
The foundation continued its commitment to the WBHS
First Robotics team with a contribution of $2,500. First
Robotics Competition provides hands-on training in science,
engineering and technology as they compete throughout
Michigan. WBHS teacher, Mr. Buddy Muylaert, guided the
team to the semi-finals in the first district competition and to
the quarter finals in the second.
Since its inception, over $1 million has been generated by
this all-volunteer board. The WBEF relies on your support.
Your donations contribute directly to our foundation’s
success and ultimately to the success of our students. On
behalf of the nearly 6,000 students of the West Bloomfield
School District, we thank you.
Keith Garrison
Letisha Gaulden
Julia Gavrilenko
Tom Gawlik
Nanci Gelsey
Melissa Gervason
Monique Giannetti
Brendan Gimby
Barb Glessner
Amanda Gohl
Kevin Goldman
Rita Goldman
Staci Goldman
Alison Goldstein
Max Goldstein
Melanie Gorman
Sharon Gorman
Mike Gorny
Kay Gorny
Denise Grace
Lisa Graff
Felicia Grant
Jen Green
Edward Greenan
Amy Gross
Marci Grossman
Sandra Grosso
Krista Gryczan
Jane Gundlach
Paulina Hakopian
Ken & Traci Hamilton
Angela Hanna
Bruce Harnish
Deborah Hayden
Dale Halpin
Becky Heitsch
Melanie Hennan
Laura Hennicken
Andy Hernandez
Nelson Hersh
Jennifer Hill
Dr. Gerald & Cynthia Hill
Katie Hill
Mimi Hoffman
Chris & George Holt
Brian Homeszyn
Tim Homeszyn
Laura Horvath
Lisa Hou
Peggy Houle
Amy Hughes
Huynh Family
Ian Hwa
Kelly Isaac
Dana Ishbia
Alicia Jackson
Tamara Jackson
Laurie Jacobs
Lee Jaffke
Mahnaz Jaffry
Martha Jaime
Dan Jakubiak
Sonja James
Jeffery Javeria
Kristina Jenkins
Demetrius Jenkins
Lisa Jennings
Tim Johnson
Jane Johnson
Jennifer Jolliffe
Sheay Jones
Ed Jones
Suzan Jones
Erica Jordan
Rabeh Kajy
Harrison Kakos
Sameesa Kapi
Lisa Kaplan
Wendy Kato
Baida Kashat
Kerry Katsef
Nicholas Kay
Victoria Kean
Joanna Keil
Mark Kellenberg Kathy
Kendall
Taylor Kibler
LaTanya King
Sheila King
Carolann Kinner
Herbert & Debra Kiperman
Brent Kish
Katy Knighton
Larry Kocker
Deanna Kohl
Wendy Kohlenberg
Paula Konfara
Pamela Kornfeld
M. Krolieki
Deborah Kshiminskiy
Fran Kuelske
Anna Kulas Rosenthal
Laurie Kuper
Murali Kurakula
Harry Kuribayashi
Kevin Kuzma
LaShonta Kyles
Rochelle Kyles
Heather Ladouceur
Alan & Barbara LaDuke
Jonathan Lamb
Pete Lamerato
Jennifer Largent
Kristi Law
Jeff Leib
Kelly Lekas
Maureen Levick
Almeade Lewis
Christine Lewis
Mary Link
Erin Livedoti
Abby Long
Scott Long
Yaju Loomis
Juan Luis Lopez
Kimberly Lord
Cristina Lorenzetti
Simoes Lori
Robin Loudermilk
Laura Loughridge
Jennier Love
Sheila Love
Rick Luken
Cheryle Lutwin
Jill Lutz
Martie Lynch
Mary Grace Macalino
Cheryl Macdonald
Miriam MacLean
Patti McCormick
Cathy McCotter
Sydney McCotter
Henry McCurry
Nancy McImis
Karla McIsaac
Mary McLaughlin
Amanda Magill
Henry Maicki
Kristen Maike
Nancy Maisel
Aashish Mangrulkar
Imad Manjo
Masi Mansoori
Lauren Marsh
Anthony Mathew
Teresa Maurer
(continued on page10)
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER 12
Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
Community Education Community Education Summer Camps
Day CampsAge/Grade
DatesTimesFee
Summer Sun & Fun
Camp Superstar!
Get REAL Camp
Academic Camps
Ages 3-K
Grades 1-4
Grades 5-8
June 15 – August 28
June 15 – August 28
June 15 – August 28
9:00-3:00 p.m.
9:00-3:00 p.m.
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$150 per week
$150 per week
$150 per week
Imagination Station
Grades 2-5
June 22 – June 26
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$225
Summer Math & Reading
Grades 7-8
June 29 – July 23
8:00-12:15 p.m.
$200/$350
Summer Scholars
Grades 2-5
August 3 – August 28
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$360
Bridge 6-Abbott
Grade 6
August 10 – August 14
8:00-12:00 p.m.
$100
Bridge 6-OLMS
Grade 6
August 3 – August 14
8:00-12:00 p.m.
$100
GRASPK-8June – AugustHome Based Program
$75/$100
Sports Camps
Pat Watson’s Basketball
Ages 6-14
June 15 – June 19
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$170
Skyhawks Golf/Tennis/Kickball
Ages 5-10
June 15 – June 19
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$169
Cheerleading /Pom Pon
Ages 6-10
June 15 – June 19
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$175
Pat Watson’s Baseball
Ages 6-14
June 22 – June 25
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$150
Skyhawks Soccer/Floor Hockey
Ages 5-10
June 22 – June 26
9:00-5:00 p.m.
$169
Tumble Bunnies
Ages 4-7
June 22-June 26
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$180
Tumbling
Ages 8-12
June 22 – June 26
12:00-3:00 p.m.
$180
Youth Football in a SNAP
Grades 1-4
June 22 – June 26
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$149
Youth Football in a SNAP
Grades 5-8
June 22-June 26
1:00-4:00 p.m.
$149
Lacrosse Technique
Grades 4-8
June 29 – July 2
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$170
Skyhawks Golf/Tennis/Kickball
Ages 5-10
July 6 – July 10
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$169
Flag Football
Ages 6-11
July 6 – July 10
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$180
Active Games
Ages 4-8
July 13 – July 17
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$180
Skyhawks Soccer/Floor Hockey
Ages 5-10
July 13 – July 17
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$169
Tumble Bunnies
Ages 4-7
July 13 – July 17
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$180
Tumbling
Ages 8-12
July 13 – July 17
12:00-3:00 p.m.
$180
Volleyball Skills
Grades 4-8
July 20 – July 23
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$99
Skyhawks Track & Field/Soccer
Ages 7-11
July 20 – July 24
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$169
Skyhawks Soccer/Baseball/Kick
Ages 5-10
July 27 – July 31
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$169
Tumble Bunnies
Ages 4-7
July 27 – July 31
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$180
Tumbling
Ages 8-12
July 27 – July 31
12:00-3:00 p.m.
$180
Greg Kelser Basketball
Grades 1-12
August 3 – August 7
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$225
Skyhawks Track & Field/Soccer
Ages 7-11
August 3 – August 7
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$169
Skyhawks Soccer /Floor Hockey
Ages 5-10
August 10- August 14
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$169
Tumble Bunnies
Ages 4-7
August 24 – August 28
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$180
Tumbling
Ages 8-12
August 24 – August 28
12:00-3:00 p.m.
$180
Science & TechnologyAge/Grade
DatesTimesFee
Mad Science Flight Academy
Ages 6-12
June 22 – June 26
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$205
Mad Science Eureka! Ages 6-12
August 10 – August 14
9:00-3:00 p.m.
$205
Mad Science Preschool Discovery
Ages 3-5
July 20 – July 22
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$135
Mr. Genius Rocketry
Grades 1-4
June 29 – July 2
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$135
Mr. Genius Rocketry
Grades 5-8
June 29 – July 2
1:00-4:00 p.m.
$135
Mr. Genius Pullback Car Frenzy
Grades 1-4
July 6 – July 10
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$149
Mr. Genius Pullback Car Frenzy
Grades 5-8
July 6 – July 10
1:00-4:00 p.m.
$149
Mr. Genius Pullback Car Frenzy
Grades 1-4
August 3 – August 7
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$149
Mr. Genius Pullback Car Frenzy
Grades 5-8
August 3 – August 7
1:00-4:00 p.m.
$149
Game Crazy Robotics
Grades 1-8
June 22 – June 26
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$145
Game Crazy Video Game Design
Grades 3-12
June 22 – June 26
1:00-4:00 p.m.
$145
Game Crazy Minecraft
Grades 1-8
July 13 – July 17
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$145
Game Crazy Minecraft
Grades 1-8
July 13 – July 17
1:00-4:00 p.m.
$145
Game Crazy Minecraft
Grades 1-8
August 3 – August 7
9:00-12:00 p.m.
$145
Game Crazy LEGO Animation
Grades 3-12
August 3 – August 7
1:00-4:00 p.m.
$145
Fine Arts
Violin and Percussion
MusicWise Sounds of the Sea
Sunset Musical Theater
Performing Arts in a SNAP
Grades 3-8
Ages 4-6
Ages 5-13
Grades 4-8
July 20 – July 31
July 6 – July 10
July 20 – July 24
August 24 – August 28
1 hour sessions
9:00-12:00 p.m.
9:00-3:00 p.m.
9:00-4:00 p.m.
$120
$220
$280
$249
Pretty in Pink Princess
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!
Boys Will Be Boys!
International Cooking & Culture
Cooking Healthy for Me in a SNAP
Babysitting and CPR
Skull Island Adventure
Skull Island Adventure
Skull Island Adventure
Ages 4-7
Ages 7-10
Ages 7-10
Ages 7-10
Grades 4-8
Ages 9-14
Grades K-6
Grades K-6
Grades K-6
July 13 – July 17
July 27 – July 31
July 27 – July 31
July 27 – July 31
July 20 – July 24
June 22 – June 26
June 29 – July 2
July 27 – July 31
August 31 – Sept 4
9:00-12:00 p.m.
9:00-3:00 p.m.
9:00-3;00 p.m.
9:00-3:00 p.m.
9:00-4:00 p.m.
9:00-12:00 p.m.
9:00-4:00 p.m.
9:00-4:00 p.m.
9:00-4:00 p.m.
$105
$180
$180
$180
$249
$150
$195
$245
$255
Creative Girls
Boy’s University
Mad Scientist’s Friendship
Mad Scientist’s Friendship
Mad Scientist’s Friendship
Little Boys Super Heroes
Little Girls Let It Go!
Bully Proof Me!
Girls Assertiveness Boot Camp
Grades 1-5
Grades 1-5
Grades 1-5
Grades Pre K-1
Grades K-2
Grades Pre K-2
Grades Pre K-1
Grades K-2
Grades 2-5
July 13 – July 17
July 13 – July 17
July 13 – July 17
July 20 – July 24
August 3 – August 7
July 27 – July 31
July 6 – July 10
August 3 – August 7
July 20 – July 24
9:00-12:00 p.m.
9:00-12:00 p.m.
12:30-3:30 p.m.
9:00-12:00 p.m.
9:00-12:00 p.m.
9:00-12:00 p.m.
12:30-3:30 p.m.
12:30-3:30 p.m.
12:30-3:30 p.m.
$150
$150
$150
$150
$150
$150
$150
$150
$150
Specialty Camps
Kids Empowered
West Bloomfield Community
Education Department offers unique
and interactive camps for campers
ages 3-18. Let our camp experience
fulfill your child’s needs academically,
physically and socially. Professionals and
certified teachers instruct and direct each
of our highly respected camps.
Day Camps offer a variety of fun in a
safe and nurturing environment, with
themed-weeks, swimming, specialized
classes, special activities and on and
off-site field trips. Specialty and Sports
Camps offer a wide range of activities
sure to engage creative minds and please
every aspiring athlete.
Academic Camps reinforce cognitive
learning while enhancing basic skills in
math, reading, language arts and social
studies. Community Education has a
camp that will pique each and every
camper’s interest!
Early Bird and Late Stay is available
for all camps. Register online at
www.wbcommed.org,
in person or by mail to
West Bloomfield Community Education
5810 Commerce Road
West Bloomfield, 48324
By fax: 248-865-6461
By phone: 248-865-6462
Full descriptions can be found online at
wbsd.org, click on Departments then
on Community Education.
Summer Reading
& Summer
Challenge 2015
at the
West Bloomfield Township Public Library
offer seriously smart summer fun for kids and
families. The programs help keep preschool
through high school students active,
entertained and engaged in learning all
summer long.
After reaching reading goals, kids and teens
earn brag tags and books from the Summer’s
End Book Fair. Readers can then take up the
Summer Challenge and choose from dozens
of new learning activities about science, math,
technology, music, art, history and language
arts. They earn an online badge and points for
each activity completed, which count toward
raffle tickets and prize drawings.
Summer Reading and Summer Challenge kick
off Saturday, June 13 from noon to 4 PM at the
Main Library. Activities include a petting zoo,
face and body painting, human hamster balls,
trackless train rides and a comedy show.
Join Summer Reading and Summer Challenge
at the Library or online at
www.westbloomfieldlibrary.org/summer.
It’s summer time well spent!
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
13
Adult Education English as A
Second Language
Dawn Klock, Coordinator (248)539-2390
7071 Orchard Lake Rd, Suite 100 West Bloomfield
ENGLISH AS A
SECOND LANGUAGE
SUMMER CLASSES
Come and learn or
improve your English!
June 1 – June 25, 2015
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
Monday & Wednesday 9:30- 11:30 $159
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 -11:30 $159
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
Monday - Thursday 9:30 - 11:30 $319
Be Cool & Spend Your Summer at School! Kiddie Kite Day
By: Sally Unrath
Supervisor of Enrichment and Education
By: Deborah Kshminskiy
Supervisor of Early Childhood Education
Spend the summer with Community Education! Kids ages 3 through
8th grade will be engaged in a variety of day camp activities all
summer long at West Bloomfield High School. Beginning June 15 and
ending August 28, themed weeks will have activities ranging from
Silly Science to Krazy Kritter to Wet and Wild! On-site and off-site field
trips, weekly classes in Spanish, karate, science and cooking along with
arts and crafts, games and, of course, a daily dip in the pool add up to
Summer FUN! Sign up for one week, two weeks or all eleven weeks!
Once again, we will partner with the West Bloomfield Township
Public Library to co-host programs at the high school and Roosevelt
Elementary school. Campers will have the opportunity to participate
in the library’s Summer Reading Program. We are also excited to
begin a new partnership with Tamarack Camps as they visit and direct
activities with our campers. Mr. Tom DeGrand, 5th grade teacher
at Scotch, again serves as our lead teacher. He and the rest of our
devoted staff are experienced, enthusiastic and excited to work with
the children of the community.
A portion of day camp activities have been funded through a grant
from the PNC Bank Foundation, allowing us to reduce fees, provide
additional field trips, special events and award partial scholarships to
qualifying campers.
Providing academic support is an ongoing focus of community
education and this summer is no exception. Young minds will be
refreshed in GRASP, a 10 week at-home program in math and reading.
Students in 2nd-5th grade can prepare for the new school year in
Summer Scholars. Bridge 6 paves the road for incoming 6th graders to
Abbott and OLMS while Math & Reading Enrichment engages 7th and
8th graders in 5 weeks of lessons.
We offer a full range of specialty and sports camps with district
staff and professionals lending their talent and expertise to our
youth. Along with longstanding regulars, Pat Watson, Greg Kelser,
Skyhawks, DPR, Sunset Theater and Kids Empowered we are
excited to welcome Sylvan Learning, Tumblebunnies, Mr. Genius
Education, SNAPtivities and Advantage First Aid to our summer
line-up. New this year is our Summer Music Program for students in
grades 2-12, for violin and percussion lessons under the direction of
Mr. Dale Anderson, a professional musician. This is an extension of the
elementary music program that we launched last fall.
Camp descriptions and pricing for all summer camps can be found at
www.wbsd.org. Click on Departments then on Community Education.
Register online at www.wbcommed.org. For more information and to
register by phone please call 248-865-6462.
Don’t delay! Register today and spend the summer with us!!!
The West Bloomfield Community Education Department hosted
their third annual Kiddie Kite Day and Summer Camp Fair on
Saturday, May 2, 2015. It was a picture-perfect day, and over 375
parents and children enjoyed several hours of entertainment, kiteflying, music and fun. Families participated in a variety of activities
and learned about our highly-regarded early childhood program
and our sensational summer camps.
“Kiddie Kite Day and Summer Camp Fair” Highlights:
• Free event for all families.
• Activities included kite-making, dancing, bounce houses, raffles, refreshments, face painting, socializing, sand-play, crafts and freebies.
• Instructors and camp directors were on hand to answer questions and promote their camps: Sun & Fun Day Camp, Camp Superstar, Get Real Camp, Sylvan Learning, Greg Kelser Basketball Camp, DPR Educational Services sports and specialty camps, Skyhawks sports, SNAPtivities, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Mr. Genius Education, Game Crazy Technology, Kids Empowered, Summer Strings, Sunset Theater, True Martial Arts, and Pat Watson Baseball and Basketball Camps.
For more information about our camps please visit our website at
www.wbcommed.org
• The Great Start Collaborative and the West Bloomfield Township Public Library participated and distributed literature regarding literacy activities and parenting information.
A special thank you to our generous sponsors:
• The Early Childhood Parent Group
• Whole Foods West Bloomfield
• Costco
The Community Education staff is already planning the 2016 Kiddie
Kite Day and Summer Camp Fair. Visit the West Bloomfield School
District website in February for more information on this event.
July 6 – July 30, 2015
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
Monday & Wednesday 9:30- 11:30 $159
Kiddie
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 -11:30 $159
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
Monday - Thursday 9:30 -11:30 $319
Kite
We’ve got it to rent!
Day!
The West Bloomfield School District offers the use of their
schools with indoor and outdoor facilities available to the
community on a rental basis.
Call Anna Kulas Rosenthal at 248-865-3698 for reservations!
Wafaa Salam (Egypt), Nandaram Kharel (Nepal),
and Maria Vasquez (Mexico)
Auditorium
The West Bloomfield High School Auditorium is fully equipped
providing lights, sound staging and all technical requirements.
Facilities are available for performances, meetings, religious
gatherings and athletic events. Call us today at 248.865.3698!
Areas available to rent include:
• Auditorium
• Athletic Fields
• Multi-purpose rooms
• Turf Track & Field
• Classrooms
• Cafeterias
• Gymnasiums
• Pool
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER 14
Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
Blessings in a Backpack Adds Gretchko and Scotch
by Katherine Sheiko
for 2015-16 School Year
What fun it was to have Eric Malisow’s fourth grade class at Roosevelt
help us pack food bags for Blessings in a Backpack! They did a
great job and we look forward to having other children, adults, and
organizations help us in the future.
As we end our second year of Blessings in a Backpack, we are proud
to share with you that we went from feeding 120 children in the
2013-14 school year to feeding 260 children during the 2014-15 year.
Over 90,000 meals have been sent home for the weekend during this
two-year period!
For the 2015-16 school year, we will offer this valuable program to all
five elementary schools in West Bloomfield School District. Eligible
students (those who qualify for free and reduced lunch) at Gretchko
and Scotch will join students of Roosevelt, Sheiko, and Doherty who
already are benefiting from the program. We anticipate feeding
360 students, which means that we need to raise $36,000 in order
to guarantee that none of our
children come to school hungry
on Monday mornings because
of having limited access to food
over the weekend.
For just $100 a year, you can
sponsor a child who will receive
six non-perishable meals for
each of the forty weekends in the school year. Eligible students
receive a free breakfast and lunch each day at school, but oftentimes
go home to little or no food on the weekends.
Please send your donations made out to
Blessings in a Backpack/West Bloomfield-Keego Harbor to:
Blessings in a Backpack, 5810 E. Long Lake Road
Troy, Michigan 48085. Pay by credit card online at
www. Blessingsinabackpackmi.org/westbloomfield-keegoharbor
ENTERING
KINDERGARTEN
Michigan Law
(Public Health Code, Act 368, and
Michigan School Code, Act 291)
requires a vision screening for
Kindergarten entrance.
Vision screening done by a
health department technician,
a physician or an eye doctor
fulfills this requirement.
Oakland County Health Division
offers free vision screening for
County residents.
Call (248) 424-7070
for an appointment.
Fourth Grade students at Roosevelt had a great time helping to pack food for
Blessings in a Backpack.
Seniors 65+
Get Free Admission
to District Events!
Students are happy to contribute their time because Hunger does not take a
break on the weekends!!
Low Back Pain Expert!
Laker Senior Gold Cards are available
for our West Bloomfield School
District senior residents. Gold
Cards allow senior citizens (65+) to
attend school district events such
as plays, athletic games and musical
performances ALL FREE OF CHARGE.
Laker Senior Gold Cards are
available at district schools and at
the Administrative and Community
Services Building, 5810 Commerce
Road, West Bloomfield MI 48324.
Howard Rosenberg, DC
Howard Rosenberg, DC, is an expert in relieving lower back pain
and is the only Cox Certified Spinal Decompression Specialist in
West Bloomfield and Lakes area.
Along with expert chiropractic care, Dr. Rosenberg offers:
• Deep tissue laser therapy for pain management
and anti-inflammatory treatments to speed healing
• Massagetherapyfor relief of pain and muscle tightness;
reducing muscle spasms and lowering blood pressure
Start Feeling Better Today! Call 248-681-6804
Save $20 on your chiropractic visit as a new or returning patient.*
Call 248-681-6804 to make your appointment.
Cards are non-transferable and
may only be used by the registered
senior. Gold Cards may not be
used for facility use, room rentals,
tuition based programs or MHSAA
Tournament events. The Laker Gold
Card must be presented at the
ticket booth in order to receive a
complimentary ticket.
Come and enjoy what
West Bloomfield School District
has to offer as our gift to you.
*Offer good for new patients or patients who have not had a chiropractic appointment
with Dr. Rosenberg in 2015. Offer good for one visit per person. Offer expires July 31, 2015.
Dr. Howard Rosenberg | 2081 Hiller Road @ Greer, W. Bloomfield
248-681-6804 | www.hillerchiro.com
Medicare
joannebellet-tutoring.com
ADVERTISE IN THE LAKER!
Call 248.865.6454
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015
15
ALUMNI NEWS by Alycia Chase
Arij Nazir ’09
Charlene Wang - ’07
Nishanth Alluri ’11
After graduating from West
Bloomfield High School, Arij
Nazir attended the University
of Michigan in Ann Arbor as a
Pre-med student. Because Arij
was unsure what career path
to pursue, he took classes in an
array of disciplines including
the Natural Sciences, Social
Sciences, and Humanities.
Eventually, he decided to
focus on Biopsychology,
Cognition and Neuroscience
due to his fascination with
the workings of the brain. While at U of M, Arij conducted
research at University Hospital, worked as a Resident
Advisor, played intramural football and soccer, and taught
introductory English to incoming freshman from historically
underrepresented and under-resourced high schools
(including Detroit and Flint). He graduated with a BS in
Neuroscience but decided to pursue another interest.
Charlene is a Cum Laude
graduate of Harvard
University who is
currently finishing her
MBA program at Harvard
Business School. After
HBS, she plans to join the
Corporate Strategy Group
of EMC Corporation,
where she will be working
with senior management
to address strategic
business questions and
the strategic positioning of the company.
Nishanth Alluri is a rising star. An undergraduate senior in
the MedStart (8-yr B.A./M.D.) program, he is co-majoring in
Anthropology and Peace and Conflict Studies in the Irvin
D. Reid Honors College at Wayne State University. “We
are living in an extremely critical period of human history,
one in which countries are at risk of engaging in destructive
battles, including nuclear and biological warfare. There
needs to be an understanding of peace and conflict issues in
anthropological terms in order to actually develop feasible
and long-term solutions to extremely intricate problems.”
Charlene graduated Summa Cum Laude from WBHS and
was actively involved with politics and law throughout high
school. She worked on both state and national level political
campaigns, starting first as a volunteer and then as a paid
campaign staff member, including the 2004 Bush-Cheney
Presidential Campaign, multiple re-election campaigns
for former U.S. Congressman Joe Knollenberg, and Shelley
Arij earned a Masters in Commerce (Finance) at the
Goodman Taub’s Michigan Senate campaign. In the summer
University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. As part of
of 2006, she worked as a U.S. Congressional Page. Charlene
his program, he traveled across Europe. Some highlights
also was involved in Forensics and Debate and won several
included visiting the Chelsea Football Club in London and
accolades in both categories. She founded the Political
being in Moscow during the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict. Action Group Club (PAG) at WBHS to raise engagement
With his wealth of academic and travel experience, Arij
and awareness of political issues. The PAG worked to bring
decided that
prominent speakers to WBHS and also worked to represent
he wanted to
the voice of the students on topics such as budget cuts for
follow his true
academic programming.
passion of
serving other
At Harvard, Charlene majored in Economics with a
people and to
minor in Mind, Brain and Behavior. During this time,
do work on an
she co-founded a non-profit organization, Styleta, which
institutional
received recognition in the national media, business plan
scale. He is
competitions and the Dell Social Innovation Challenge.
currently an
Following her junior year at Harvard, she worked during
intern with
the summer with Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong. She also
Arij Nazir with his former Honors U.S. History
the National
teacher and WBHS Students in Washington, DC.
managed to continue to pursue ballet while in college with
Economic
the Harvard Dance Center.
Council at The White House. “The material is intellectually
challenging, the hours are demanding and the people are
After graduating from Harvard, Charlene joined top
some of the smartest and most motivated people I’ve ever
management consultancy firm, McKinsey & Company where
been around in my life,” says Arij. “I’m confident [that] public she worked with senior executives at many Fortune 500
service is for me and I am trying to carve out my own path.”
companies and with top NGOs across a variety of industries
Eventually, Arij wants to apply his government experience in and functions to develop strategic business solutions.
Detroit to help restore the city to its former glory.
How did Charlene’s experiences at WBHS help her on her
How did WBHS help Arij Nazir on his current path?
current path?
“WBHS is a place where teachers mentor students both
“High School was an important time for me when I
academically and in their extracurricular interests, such
challenged myself to grow and do difficult things that I never
as journalism or the sciences, in order to actively engage
imagined myself to be capable of. I always looked up to those
students in critical thinking.”
who came before me whom I greatly admired. “
He is thankful to have attended a high school that celebrates
What is Charlene Wang’s advice for current WBHS students?
diversity and where he was able to interact with students of
different cultural backgrounds and faiths. Arij believes that
“My advice for those who aspire to do great things is to
he would not be where he is today without the help of many always try. Work hard, believe in yourself, and do not be
WBHS and Orchard Lake Middle School teachers. While at
afraid to fail, because at the end of the day, trying to do the
WBHS, Arij pursued a rigorous academic program including
impossible is an accomplishment in and of itself. And no
many Honors and AP courses. He served as Editor-in-Chief
matter what happens, love yourself, love your family, and
for the school newspaper and volunteered at various
make great friends, because these are some of the most
healthcare institutions.
important things in life.”
st
Blo
omf
vi
si
The Board of Education meets at 7:00 p.m. on
the fourth working Monday of each month
unless otherwise posted. The meetings are
held in the Media Center of West Bloomfield
High School, located at 4925 Orchard Lake
Road (unless otherwise posted). All regular
meetings are open to the public.
We
President..................... Nelson Hersh
Vice President................Randi Sakwa
Secretary. ....................... Julie Beaty
Treasurer........................ Matt Chase
Trustee....................... Cristina Elsen
Trustee......................Stacy Brickman
Trustee..................Carol Finkelstein
on
BOARD OF EDUCATION 2014
ele
ield S c hool Distri ct T
What has Nishanth been up to since graduating from WBHS?
He’s worked with Dr. Eric Montgomery of WSU to conduct
medical anthropology research in Ghana, Togo, and Benin,
West Africa. “I am very passionate about my research and
hope to make a true difference in the world. Beginning with
[my science teacher] Josh Barclay’s solar panel project at
WBHS, I have developed a true desire to make active change
and to make a difference on the local level. My educational
experience has been
phenomenal and each
educator has been crucial
to my success in both the
social and natural sciences.”
Nishanth also serves on
the Executive Board for the
WSU Chapter of “Rebuilding
Detroit Together” working
to provide disabled Detroit
citizens with tools to allow
for a more comfortable
lifestyle. He is involved
with the Wayne State
University Student Senate, having served as the “Senator-At
Large” and currently serving as the “Director of Community
Affairs.” He is Manager of the Economic Development Project
Group that focuses on enhancing community relations and
is the Student Representative on the Promotion and Tenure
Committee for the WSU Board of Governors. Nishanth
has spoken about his experiences at the International
Education Week at WSU, and has presented on his research
at the National Undergraduate Research Conference at the
University of Kentucky. And if that were not enough, he
found time to act in a South Indian Telugu movie called
“Chase” where he plays the role of a comedian.
Nishanth was recently awarded the Abraham Lincoln
Brigades Scholarship through WSU’s History Department.
According to Ali Salamey, Irvin D. Reid Honors College,
Nishanth “exhibits a true sign of academic excellence because
he challenges our assumptions, pushes our understanding and
expands our knowledge in unexpected and new ways.” His
ultimate goal is to use his academic and real life experiences
to practice medicine and promote accessible health care in
poverty-stricken countries.
How did WBHS help Nishanth on his current path?
“I cannot thank the entire WBHS faculty and staff enough for
providing me with the best possible information to succeed
in the world. WBHS educational training has truly equipped
me with the tools necessary to succeed in college and make
a real difference in our local community. ”
In July, Nishanth will begin attending Wayne State Medical
School and is considering a Master’s in Public Health to
further his ultimate goals. His WSU mentor, Dr. Montgomery,
states “Nish will always find happiness in helping the health
and well-being of those in need. He is a first-rate, rock star
student and if we had another thousand like him Wayne
State and Detroit would change for the better overnight.”
Stay informed! Watch Channel 19 WBTV
WBSD’s Media Source
22-time Telly Award Winning Cable Station
West Bloomfield School District
THE LAKER 16
Educating Students to be their
Best IN and FOR the World!
June 2015