WHMS Weekly Update - 1/12/18
West Hills Middle School
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter! For more information, we encourage you to connect with us on social media. Use the icons at the bottom of this email to see updates on a more frequent basis.
Thank you for your support of Bloomfield Hills Schools!
SCHOOL NEWS
 |
Dear West Hills Families,
While we have certainly moved into the winter months, the activity and excitement our students provide us with brings warmth and abundant energy to our school. As we start a new calendar year, West Hills extends to you and yours many well wishes for a happy and healthy 2018!
This week a few activities really stood out to me as we work together to support the development of the whole child. Our sixth grade students had their third lesson in the Upstander curriculum designed and facilitated by the Defeat the Label organization. This unique opportunity is designed to empower our students to take a stand against bullying. Our seventh and eighth grade student leadership students planned and independently facilitated team building activities with our current fourth and fifth grade classes. It was especially exciting to see our oldest students modeling behaviors we wish to develop in all our students, teamwork, patience, and initiative. And lastly, we finished the week with our 7th grade students demonstrating their collaborative and creativity skills founded in the cross curricular work done with the Toshiba competition. Sharing their inventions with a "Shark Tank" that selected an overall winner was truly inspiring. Congratulations to all our students and staff that support these authentic opportunities!
Lastly, I would like to thank all our drivers for adhering to our efforts to improve safety at our pick up and drop off points. It is making a difference. Additionally, if you have not already done so, we need you to sign up for our blood drive and/or our district Multicultural Celebration. We only need 19 more donors to reach our goal for the blood drive, and there is no limit on how many families can participate in the Multicultural Celebration. See the articles below for more details!
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for other?'"
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
It's Great to be a West Hills Warrior!
Rob
Rob Durecka
Principal
West Hills Middle School
2601 Lone Pine Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48323
http://www.bloomfield.org/west-hills/index.aspx
"Enabling learners to become architects of their futures . . ."
01/15 - No School - Martin Luther King Day
01/16 - A Day
01/17 - B Day
01/18 - A Day
01/19 - B Day
Upcoming Events
1/17 - 8th Grade Play Performance - 6:30 p.m.
1/19 - WHMS Omega Warriors Blood Drive - 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
1/26 - Half Day - Students Released at 11:35 a.m.
1/26 - 4/5 Movie Afternoon - 11:35 - 1:30 p.m.
1/29 - 2nd Semester Begins
1/31 - School Store - All Lunches
2/1 - 5th Grade Band and Orchestra Informance - 12:00 - 1:10 p.m.
2/5 - Half Day - Students Released at 11:35 a.m.
2/6 - 4 - 8 Coffee with the Counselors - 10:00 a.m.
2/14 - PTO Meeting - 10:00 a.m.
2/14 - 4/5 Valentine's Class Parties - 12:45 - 2:45 p.m.
2/14 - School Store - All Lunches
2/14 - Bake Sale - 3:00 p.m.
12/19 - No School - Mid Winter Break
12/20 - No School - Mid Winter Break
Embrace Courage to Take Action and Make Positive Change
As we move into the second half our our school year and remember the life and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we continue to talk to students about ways to take action to make our world a better place. This month we foster students becoming courageous thinkers who learn to accept difficulties, set goals and act constructively; who articulately and respectfully defend their beliefs; and who have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are the answer to what Dr. King considers “Life’s most persistent and urgent question ...‘What are you doing for others?’”
| | Beverage Business Students in Mrs. Reed’s class have been courageous as they undertake a new coffee and tea business to serve their school community. Staff are invited to place a digital order from a varied list of teas and coffees that are then made and delivered by the young entrepreneurs mid-morning. It is deeply appreciated by the WHMS staff and a great learning experience for the students. Shanzay Anwar (top) can be seen making the coffee, which she shared is her favorite job! Claudine Gillard (middle) is finding the creamer requested by each customer. And Emma Robinson (bottom) delivered this particular morning’s first cup to Mrs. Allison. She said “I love making it. I love doing this. I love doing everything!” These students are courageous thinkers completing a thoughtful service for others. This Martin Luther King Day, we encourage you to think about how you, as a family, can be courageous in taking action to make positive change in our community and world. Check out these links if you would like to find a volunteer opportunity near you: |
If you’d like to highlight your student’s courageous thinking at home or in our community, we’d love to hear about it. Email jt...@bloomfield.org.
Jen Teal
IB Teacher Leader, West Hills Middle School
 |
 |
We have 19 appointment slots to fill! Please donate and share these donor registration instructions with any family/friends/colleagues who may be able to conveniently come to West Hills on Friday 1/19 from 2-8. The state of Michigan needs 900 pints of blood per day to meet demand--let's all be a part of this life-saving mission!!
The Omega Warriors Robotics FTC Team and American Red Cross are sponsoring a blood drive right here at WHMS (cafeteria) on 1/19/18 from 2-6pm. Please sign up to donate--one pint of donor blood will save up to three lives!! Eligible donors are >16 of age and 110lbs., and have been cleared by a doctor if there is a medical condition/medications that may preclude donation. If you are a regular donor, please plan the 56 day waiting period between donations accordingly.
Signup instructions:
- Go to www.redcrossblood.org
- In the upper right corner blue box ('find a drive'), type in this code: WHMSOmega
- Our drive date/location will pop up; click on it
- Choose the appointment time slot that best works with your schedule
- Once you choose a time, the site will prompt you to make a donor account if you don't have one
- That's it!!!
 |
March 6th 2018
West Hills Families, we are happy to announce that the annual Multicultural Celebration has grown into a district wide event. It will be held in March at Bloomfield Hills High School which can accommodate all the schools in the district. All the information pertaining to the event is included in this new condensed Participation Packet. If you are interested in participating in this event please complete the form in the Participation Packet and drop it off in the West Hills Office by January 23, 2018. If your children have siblings at Lone Pine or the High School, they can work together to make this a truly collaborative event. The theme of this year's event is Inventions, so we look forward to learning about culture and fabulous inventions from all over the world!
If you have any queries about this event please don't hesitate to contact:
Michelle Feneberg michfe...@gmail.com or Leah Abel leah...@hotmail.com
 |
Order your yearbook now for $40. A list of students who have ordered a yearbook is posted on the Media Center front window. If you get a postcard reminder from Jostens, you have not ordered yours. You may order online at jostensyearbooks.com, or send a completed order form with payment to school. All orders must be placed by February 2018. If you have any questions, email Mrs. Seaton at jse...@bloomfield.org, or call 248-341-6124.
 |
8th grade 2nd semester Musical Theatre students who would like to prepare in advance for auditions for the production of Seussical, Jr. may purchase their scripts from Mrs. Bogrette on either Friday, January 19, or Monday, January 22. Auditions will take place the first two weeks of this second semester class, which begins on January 29. All students in the class will be required to purchase scripts for $10, which can be paid to Mrs. Bogrette in the form of exact cash (no change is available) or a check made payable to WHMS. Students will be able to keep their scripts after the show.
 |
Dear Parents,
5th grade band and orchestra students have been working hard learning their instrumental fundamentals since the beginning of the year. Wednesday, February 1, 2018 we will be having an informal performance during the day to show off what we have learned so far. There will be 2 separate performances divided by homeroom and will take place in the cafeteria.
Raines/Toth will perform from 12:00-12:30
O'Grady/Reidt will perform from 12:40-1:10
This is an informal concert so students should just dress in normal school clothes. Please CLICK HERE to view the informational flyer.
Please don't hesitate to email either Mr. Erde or Mrs. Lucas with any additional questions you may have.
Kind Regards,
-Mr Erde and Mrs. Lucas
 |
This Bloomfield Hills Schools Recreation SAT prep course offers 42 hours of classroom time which includes 30 hours of instruction, 3 full-length proctored exams, individualized practice material and a personalized plan of work for every student. There are 15 classes in total - 12 classes dedicated to instructions and 3 exams. There are no classes on 2/20. To learn more or to register, visit our website or give us a call today at 248.433.0885.
 |
 |
On Wednesday, December 20, winners from spelling bees previously held in each WHMS Language Arts class, competed in the school-wide Spelling Bee. After being asked to spell a plethora of words, 8th grader Seamus Keane emerged as this year's WHMS Champion. Our runner up in this year's competition was 7th grader Niranjan Anantharaman. Congratulations to all of the students who made it to the finals, and especially to Seamus, who had previously finished as high as 2nd place in previous school-wide Spelling Bees!
 |
Beginning on January 8th, all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Physical Education classes will be participating in a rollerblading unit.
Rollerblading provides a variety of benefits, which include balance, coordination, motor skills, and a cardio workout. Students will also learn basic skating skills such as starting, stopping, forward skating, cornering, and a number of safety tips for being a smart skater.
The fee for this unit is $10. Rollerblades, helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads will be provided. Students may not use their own rollerblades but may use their own safety equipment. Helmets and wrist guards must be worn by every skater.
Cash or check made out to Bloomfield Hills Schools will be accepted.
Note: Fees for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch have been automatically waived.
Students that choose not to participate will complete a daily fitness circuit and assist rollerbladers during the 5 days.
Thank you for your support.
Scott Grippo
West Hills Middle School
Physical Education Teacher
 |
With the start of a new year, WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please take a moment to review our traffic map for West Hills. We wish to reemphasize the need to utilize the designated drop off and pick up points. For the safety of all students, drivers please watch your speeds and do not double park, especially near student cross walks. The safety of our students is our highest priority. Thank you for your help! Traffic Map
 |
Bloomfield Baseball League 2018 spring season registration is open now! Register Now at www.bblmi.org! For nearly 60 years, BBL has offered baseball for Bloomfield area boys and girls in grades K-12. Teams are formed by school and grade and placement on your school’s team is based on registration date, so register early.
Register by 2/28/18 for the following rates:
- PreK/K $125
- 1-8th Grades: $235
All games and practices are held on Bloomfield Hills school fields. We offer recreational baseball with just enough of a competitive spirit to make it fun. The emphasis on all levels is on improving as a player, growing as a teammate and having fun. Register now or get more information on the divisions and the league at www.bblmi.org or contact our league administrator, Lauri Hoffman at bblexe...@gmail.com. Feel free to contact your BBL school rep., James Sheridan at 248-409-8484, orjamesas...@hotmail.com with any questions.
 |
1. PTO FACEBOOK PAGE
Our West Hills PTO maintains a Facebook Page that is regularly updated with the latest happenings and upcoming events at West Hills. Depending your preference on accessing information, it may wish to join their group! Below is a link to the page.
https://www.facebook.com/West-Hills-PTO-1690035367896632/
2. ONLINE DIRECTORY ACCESS!
Good news! All families who have joined PTO this year will be sent access to the online directory by Monday, October 16th. Please check your spam folder if you haven't received it. You will be given a temporary password that you can change at any time. Members will also be receiving the directory in PDF in the next two weeks! If you haven't joined the WH PTO yet, please fill out the attached PTO membership form and send it in with your PTO dues to the WH Office. http://www.bloomfield.org/uploaded/personal/34705/West_Hills_PTO_2017-18_membership_and_fundraising_letter.pdf
Thanks! If you have any questions or need any help with the school directory, please email: jennif...@antechmail.com.
 |
Do you ever wonder what opportunities and pathways are available for students entering high school? Click here to view the High School Opportunities Packet.
 |
We have a variety of clubs available to our students. Many clubs will be starting this week, and students are encouraged to try out clubs of interest to them. Students can attend a club meeting to see if it is for them before they need to make a commitment to the group. Students just need to show up at the first meeting if they are interested. There have been a few changes to our meeting schedule. For meeting schedules and descriptions of clubs available click here.
Clubs meet typically before school or right after school. If your son or daughter is currently playing a sport and has paid the $150 pay-to-participate fee that fee covers clubs as well. If they have not paid the $150 pay-to-participate fee, or are not playing a sport, the Club ONLY fee for 2017-2018 is $45. All pay-to-participate fees will need to be paid once a student decides the club is for them. Fees are used to cover stipends for sponsors and to offset the materials used for various club activities.
 |
To ensure a smooth start to the school year, please review the dress code with your child prior to the beginning of the school year. We wish to maintain an educational environment at all times. Thank you, families, in advance, for supporting the dress code and assisting us in achieving an appropriate learning environment for our students.
Of special note for new families to West Hills: The dress code remains in effect for clubs, athletic events, and all other school sponsored events.
 |
West Hills Middle School remains nut restricted. As a result, please carefully read and review all food packaging prior to sending food items to school. For further information on food allergies, consult www.foodallergy.org We appreciate in advance your full cooperation.
 |
To further our mission for equity and inclusion, the West Hills Global Education Team (GET) is pleased to announce the continuation of the Warrior Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide access for all students to enjoy school activities (e.g., field trips). As a school community, our desire is for all students to have these learning experiences. Our intention is to provide families with a chance to give funds to assist our students in a direct and meaningful way. Look for upcoming forms regarding field trips, school events, and other specific enrichment activities for opportunities to donate. You may specify how your funds will be directed through future communication (field trip forms and other specific events and opportunities). Over the last two school years, these donations have helped many students to participate in enrichment activities, and we appreciate your continued generosity! Click here for an example of how our field trip permission slips will appear and THANK YOU to our community for your continued generosity!
Bloomfield Hills Schools participates in the National School Lunch Program. Families must apply directly through the Bloomfield Hills Schools Food Services Department for the free and reduced priced meals program. Forms are available online here. Families that were approved last year must fill out a NEW form to continue assistance. All children receiving free or reduced meals are kept confidential.
CALENDAR
DISTRICT NEWS
COMMUNITY NEWS
RECREATION NEWS
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
West Hills Middle School • 2601 Lone Pine Rd., West Bloomfield, MI 48323
