June 3, 2023
Dear West Hills School Community:
It's incredible that we are heading into our second to last week of school! Yesterday, it was great seeing some photos of our fourth-grade students engaged in hands-on learning at Cranbrook Institute of Science. It was a fun, day-long experience for our youngest students. Back at West Hills, our eighth-grade students experienced the Civil War Living History with Battery K. Students loved the drills and ultimately the loud boom from the cannon!
This coming week the growth of our fifth-grade band and orchestra students will be on display on Wednesday evening in their final concert of the year. Additionally, we have our move-up days (trips to the farm and BHHS) for 5th, 6th, and 7th graders as well as field trips for 5th graders to the Nature Center and 6th-grade Spanish classes to the DIA and Mexican Town Restaurant. While incredibly busy, the final weeks of school are filled with enriching opportunities and excitement!
Please be sure to look over the article below related to our Student Device Collection Process. Our teachers will be doing a pre-check this week to help students and families prepare for our June 12th collection date. We appreciate everyone's assistance in making this a smooth process
A reminder that the district communicated this week a change in the calendar for Thursday, June 15. This day will now be a half day with a dismissal time of 11:30 a.m., which is ten minutes earlier than our typical half day dismissal time in order to accommodate the high school buses. Due to this change, the fifth-grade recognition ceremony has been moved up to 10:00 a.m.
On a personal note, tomorrow, my family and I head to EMU's campus to celebrate my daughter's graduation from Walled Lake Northern. Take time this weekend to enjoy some activity with your child(ren). It truly goes by so quickly!
"It always seems impossible until it's done." - Nelson Mandela
Andy Gignac
Principal
West Hills Middle School
Bloomfield Hills Schools
Twitter: @AndyGignac
A/B Schedule: Click HERE for the A/B Calendar from Feb.-June!
Mon., June 5 - A Day
Tues., June 6 - B Day
Wed., June 7 - A Day
Thurs., June 8 - B Day
Fri., June 9 - A Day
KEY DATES
Tuesday, June 6 5th-Grade Students "Move-Up" Field Trip to the Farm/BHHS 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 7 6th-Grade Students "Move-Up" Field Trip to the Farm/BHHS 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 7 5th-Grade Band/Orchestra Concert 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 8 7th-Grade Students "Move-Up" Field Trip to the Farm/BHHS 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Friday, June 9 6th-Grade Spanish field trip to DIA and Mexican Town Restaurant
Monday, June 12 4th-8th Grade Chromebook Turn-In Day (Device and Charging Cord)
Monday, June 12 6th-8th Grade Choir Concert 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 13 4th and 5th-Grade Students Field Day 12:40 - 2:45 p.m. (See article to volunteer)
Tuesday, June 13 8th-Grade Party @ Paradise Park (See article)
Wednesday, June 14 8th-Grade Musical Performances 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 15 5th-Grade Recognition Ceremony 10:00-10:45 a.m. (*Please note the time change due to the 1/2 day)
Thusday, June 15 Half Day with Dismissal at 11:30 a.m. (Please note this is a change from a full day)
Friday, June 16 8th-Grade Recognition Ceremony 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (8th-Grade students dismissed to families at conclusion)
Friday, June 16 Half Day/Last Day of School (Dismissal at 11:40 a.m.)
2022-23 BHS Calendar At-A-Glance (updated 4/5/23)
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During the first week full week of June, current 5th/6th/7th-grade students will participate in grade-level orientation days during the school day at BHHS and Bowers School Farm. On their assigned grade level day, district buses will transport students to both locations for activities and lunch. Students will meet their new classmates, experience both BHHS and the farm, and engage in activities that celebrate their new friends and school community. Students will start the day at the normal time (8:25 a.m. at West Hills), then leave around 10:00 a.m. and return to West Hills around 2:00 p.m. after visiting both the high school and district farm. Upon return to West Hills, students will engage in class activities with their current teachers until the end of the typical day (3:20 p.m.)
- June 6: Incoming 6th graders (current 5th graders)
- June 7: Incoming 7th graders (current 6th graders)
- June 8: Incoming 8th graders (current 7th graders)
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5th-Grade Band and Orchestra Concert
When: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 7:00pm
Location: West Hills Cafeteria
Student Arrival Time: 6:15 PM; Band students report to the band room to store cases. Orchestra students report to the cafeteria. Store cases behind the stage curtain.
Student Attire: Dark-colored pants or skirt, dark socks, your nicest, darkest shoes, and your royal blue WHMS Music t-shirt or royal blue shirt. If wearing a skirt, make sure it covers the knee when seated, and combine it with dark tights.
Cello players: Bring your home instruments to school for your orchestra class on Monday, June 5th.
All Band and Orchestra students are expected to perform in this concert, display proper concert etiquette, and remain for the entire concert. If you anticipate a potential conflict, please email the director as soon as possible. Please contact Mr. Erde at Ne...@bloomfield.org or Mrs. Lucas at Rlu...@bloomfield.org with any questions.
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Dear Middle School Families,
As we prepare for the end of the school year, we wanted to provide some information to help your child return their district Device in working order. Our process is simple, we want to have our students prepare by doing a pre-check the week prior to final check-in. Grade level teams will determine a date this week to do a pre-check with their students as WHMS is scheduled to turn-in devices on Monday, June 12.
Please have your child bring their Chromebook (w/case), “brick” charger, and charging/sync cable with them so they can pre-check these items with their classroom teacher. The Pre-Check process will include review of the following items:
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DEVICE IS MISSING ($300.00)
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Chromebook Charger Returned ($30.00)
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Device Damage/Functions (Power On, etc.) ($50.00)
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Case in good condition (all stickers must be removed) ($30.00)
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Verify Barcode
We understand that cables and chargers might get mixed up at home with other devices, so please review the returned items carefully. As stated in the back-to-school registration agreement, return of all original items is necessary to avoid fees. If items are missing or damaged, this will be an opportunity for you to prepare with payment for the Final Check-in process. Please have your student bring a check (payable to Bloomfield Hills Schools). If you have questions regarding the payment, please contact your school’s Principal.
West Hills Middle School Final Check-In is scheduled for Monday, June 12, so please have your child bring their devices and fee payments (if applicable) to school with them on these days.
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The summer weather is approaching us and the end of the year is just around the corner. There is one event that needs to happen before we can close out the school year…Field Day!!!
Field Day is going to be held on Tuesday June 13th from 12:40 - 2:45. There are a variety of events, and we could use your help. If you are able to volunteer for this fun day,
1) Fill out the background check linked: West Hill Background Check Info
*If you have already filled out this information this year, you do not need to fill it out again.
2) Select from one of the activites found in the link: 2023 West Hills Field Day Volunteer Sign-up
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me ahead of June 13th at dsch...@bloomfield.org. Volunteers may report to me at behind West Hills after checking in with the office. Students will want to bring their own water bottle to stay hydrated. Please note, in the event of inclement weather, a plan to move indoors is in place so that Field Day will still occur that day.
Thank you for your support in making the day a fun and memorable experience!
Sincerely, Dave Schadler
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With the end of the second semester upon us, we have items in our lost and found. Remind your child to check the lost and found area in and near the lobby. The remaining lost and found Items, as well as any medication you may have in the WHMS office, can be picked up 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Monday, June 19 and Tuesday, June 20. All remaining lost and found items will be donated the following day.
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In order to ensure this summer’s transition runs smoothly and on-time, June 15, 2023 will now be a half day for K-8. Please note the dismissal times are different from a typical half day schedule. Wing Lake remains a full day on June 15.
- BHHS at 12:10 p.m.
- Middle Schools at 11:30 a.m.
- Elementary Schools at 12:35 p.m.
June 16 is already scheduled as a half day and will follow the typical half day schedule of:
- BHHS at 11 a.m.
- Middle Schools at 11:40 a.m.
- Elementary Schools at 12:25 p.m.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
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Thursday, June 15 is a half-day with a dismissal time of 11:30 a.m. Students will follow an A-Day p.m. schedule.
Friday, June 16 is a half-day and our last day of school with a dismissal time of 11:40 a.m.! Students will follow a B-Day a.m. schedule.
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We are pleased to announce that we are hosting a recognition ceremony to acknowledge the completion of the elementary grades and to honor our fifth-grade students. This event will take place in the cafeteria on Thursday, June 15, at 10:00 a.m. Students should dress more formally as this event is intended to be a mini-version of the eighth-grade recognition ceremony occurring on Friday, June 16. We are so proud of the hard work and perseverance exhibited by our fifth-grade students this year. We have a practice at West Hills of not pulling siblings from class to attend this ceremony. Thank you!
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8th Grade Party: It's Time to Celebrate the End of Middle School!
8th Grade Party: RSVPs Needed!
8th Graders! It's time to celebrate the end of middle school!
When: June 13, 5:30-8:00 pm (rain date is June 15)
Where: Paradise Park in Novi
What: Dinner, go karts, mini golf, trampolines & more!
Cost: $40
RSVP: CLOSED
8th Grade Parents! Many have inquired about help needed at the upcoming 8th Grade Party - thank you! While we don't need much assistance, we'd love for you to join us! If you'd like to attend, cost is $15 to cover dinner (any attractions you wish to participate in would be extra on-site). Please Venmo @Jaime-Ben or send cash in to the office by Wednesday, June 7. Contact Karen Kaplan (karend...@gmail.com) with questions.
The event is June 13 (with a rain date of June 15) from 5:30-8:00 pm at Paradise Park in Novi.
Send Venmo to @Jaime-Ben with 8th Grade Party noted, or you can send cash in to the office with 8th Grade Party noted and your child's name on the envelope. We welcome any additional monetary donations to help make this party a blast for the kids. Thanks in advance! The goal is for all students to be able to attend. Contact Principal Andy Gignac if school sponsorship is requested. Contact Karen Kaplan with questions regarding the party at karend...@gmail.com.
6th-8th-Grade Choir Concert
June 12 - 7:30 p.m.
8th-Grade Musical
There are two casts for the musical performances. Please reference Mrs. Pierre's emails with rehearsal and other times.
June 14: In-School Performances at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
June 14: Evening Performances at 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
8th-Grade Recognition Ceremony
Friday, June 16 at 9:15 a.m. in the WHMS Cafeteria we will celebrate the final 8th-grade class at West Hills. This event is approximately an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes in length. 8th-Grade students are dismissed to their families at the conclusion of the event. Students do typically dress up for this event. We have a practice of not pulling younger siblings from class for this event.
BHHS Broadcast Messages and Updates
Please make sure to read the District News below for any BH High School related items that may affect your current 8th grader. You can also update your weekly newsletter subscriptions in your Parent Portal to include the BH High School weekly update, so you don't miss out on information for incoming 9th grade families such as orientation, fine arts night, sports try-outs, club information and much more.
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Media Center Specialist, Laura Amatulli, excitedly announced this year‘s Global Read Aloud book to fourth and fifth grade students at Bloomfield, East, and West Hills Middle Schools. The Global Reads program is meant to make the world feel a little smaller, experience the rest of the universe, and look at connections within the world and beyond. As a previous science teacher and space enthusiast, Amatulli announced the book in a unique way by donning the blue captain’s spacesuit worn at camp to deliver the big news. “Captain” Amatulli focused the presentation on Mars and NASA‘s rover, “Perseverance,” which led up to the big reveal…
A Rover’s Story, by Jasmine Warga, is the fictionalized story of a Mars rover named Resilience. As scientists assemble “Res,” it begins to experience human emotions. The story takes the reader through journeys and challenges that Res experienced on Mars. Themes in A Rover’s Story include friendship, family, resilience, feeling worthy, exploration, science, discovery, problem-solving, overcoming obstacles, determination, courage, hope, feelings vs. logic, grit, STEM, and home. Amutulli discovered this book upon its release and loved the story so much, the book was already on order prior to it being selected as the read aloud book this year.
Teachers across the district recorded themselves reading chapters of the book for students to follow along and the author even read the first chapter for students to enjoy. Each chapter has also been interpreted by ASL interpreter, Erin Seipke-Brown. A Rover’s Story is available for students to check out from their media centers or local libraries; recordings are available online. A Rover’s Story is not just for students in fourth and fifth grade, this book will be widely loved by kids, adults, and space explorers of all ages!
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WHMS Sports Team Photos were taken this year!
Please contact Susan Adams Photography for an online link and password to view and purchase your player's photos.
Email: su...@susanadamsphoto.com or text: 248-252-1625
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The Birmingham-Bloomfield Community Coalition (BBCC) Youth Action Board's Teen Summer Concert is coming - Friday, June 9th, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., at the outdoor stage in Shain Park, downtown Birmingham! The BBCC will be showcasing all the talented teens we have in the community and we want your teens to be a part of that! We know West Hills has many teens who are musicians - sing, dance, and have many talents. Please help us get the word out so they can be seen and heard at this amazing event that is being planned by teens for teens!
Youth Action Board's Teen Summer Concert Flyer
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4th and 5th Grade Families - Please see this note below inviting you to join in on the fun for Lone Pine's end of the year carnival.
Join us on Friday, June 16th from 5:30-8:30pm on the lower fields for the annual PTO Spring Carnival! This year the Carnival will include games and prizes, bounce houses, DJ and dancing, airbrush tattoos, face painting, balloon art, food trucks, ice cream, cotton candy AND a silent auction with some amazing prizes! We hope you will join us! Tickets are $15/child in advance or $20 at the door (food truck purchases not included). See this flyer to order your tickets today!
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The IB Learner Profile Trait for June: REFLECTIVE
The school year is winding down and the final Learner Profile trait of the school year begins at the start of June. This trait is fittingly ‘reflective’. Throughout the school year, students and staff have walked their way through the ten Learner Profile traits, examining how these traits are embodied in themselves and others. As the students move through these final weeks, teachers will ask them for their final reflections on their school year.
As an IB World School, reflection is a part of our student and our teacher practice. So, consider taking some time over the weekend to reflect with your student on their school year and consider setting a goal or two to reach for in these last weeks of the school year. We appreciate your efforts at home to help support the Learner Profile Traits each month.
A helpful year-end activity is to have students evaluate their growth in all areas of the Learner Profile:
Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-Takers, Balanced, and Reflective.
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Model an interest in the outdoors. Show your enthusiasm for getting outside and doing some fun things as a family such as hiking, fishing, visiting a wildlife refuge, bird-watching, and biking. A study at Cornell University has shown that children who fish, camp and spend time in the wild before age 11 are much more likely to grow up to be environmentally-minded and committed as adults (Wells, Nancy; 2006).
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Learn about the natural environment along with your student through local, state and national programs and places. State Parks and National Parks are excellent examples, our E.L. Johnson Nature Center is a wonderful place to visit in the summer.
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Consider media balance this summer, and start at an early age to establish the habit of making good media choices. If there are family rules about screen time, children will be more likely to make choices involving outdoor activities.
Wishing everyone a wonderful and relaxing summer!
Kristen Vigier
IB Teacher Leader and k-12 Social Studies Teacher Leader
kvi...@bloomfield.org
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Please be advised that effective immediately, ALL volunteers, including parents assisting with events and/or attending field trips, need to have a background check completed prior to volunteering. Click HERE for the Bloomfield Hills Schools Volunteer Background Check form. Forms need to be completed and submitted at least one week prior to volunteering. Please email completed forms to our Human Resources department, attn. Debbie Steaban at dste...@bloomfield.org.
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If you paid a pay to participate fee for your student(s) for the 2021/2022 school year and the student did not participate in a sport or club, or if you paid a sports fee and your student only participated in a club, you may be entitled to a refund.
Please note, if your student attended a club meeting at least three times, the club fee is applicable. For sports, if they attended at least three meetings (intramural) or one game (travel), the sport fee is applicable and no refund will be issued.
Refund Request Form
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BHHS BOYS LACROSSE OFF SEASON TRAINING, INCLUDING RISING FRESHMEN!!
REGISTER NOW
Summer League: June 14th thru July 26th (minus July 5th)
Games between 6:00-9:00 Wednesdays at Seaholm High school
$75 Boys Lacrosse Off Season Summer League
Questions contact: Coach Jerry Meter bhb...@gmail.com
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Reconnect with nature at the Johnson Nature Center by joining us on a guided hike that reveals the wide, wonderful, and whimsical world of birds!
With an area that spans nearly 45 acres, the nature center has become a popular “stop-over” for migrating birds. This gives interested birders the opportunity to view them within several habitats the nature center offers, such as forest, prairie, and wetland. What birds will be spotted next? What are some crazy bird stories that have happened here? Is a bird a dinosaur in disguise? Find out all these things and more in this recurring program being held the last Saturday of the month, April through August.
Cost: $12 per person (1 year old and younger - Free)
All ages
Time: 8-10 am
Available Dates: May 27, June 24, July 29, Aug 26
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June 6, 2023 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM |
June 7, 2023 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
June 8, 2023 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM |
June 8, 2023 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
June 9, 2023 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM |
What's Happening at Other Schools
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