Schools

FIRST Robotics Team Ready to Form at West Bloomfield High School

Here's a quick-hit, recap of Monday night's Board of Education meeting.

Thanks in part to a donation from the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation, a FIRST Robotics team could begin at West Bloomfield High School as soon as next month.

The competition is modeled after traditional high school varsity athletics, according to Community Education Director Joey Spano, involving training in science and technology to help students prepare for a career in science, engineering or technology.

The $5,000 donation, approved at Monday night's Board of Education meeting at WBHS, could allow for the team to form by November and compete by January 2013, according to Spano.

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"It is an outstanding program ... and we're very enthusiastic," WBEF President Elizabeth Zubrzycki told the board. "Many schools in our area have this and I think this would be a really competitive piece for students to participate. If it's something that goes off really well, it could go to middle school and younger."

Spano added that the district seeks volunteers to help mentor the team. Those interested should contact WBHS Principal Tom Shelton at shelton@westbloomfield.k12.mi.us.

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Educator Grants awarded and more quick hits

  • The board voted to accept the donation of $12,447 from the WBEF to fund the 2012-13 Educator Grants program. Spano said that the program, in its ninth year through the WBEF, supports academic projects which "fuel creativity and ingenuity" among teachers and provides funds to allow those projects to benefit students. Nineteen separate grant applications were approved.
  • The WBEF's annual fundraiser illustration contest winners were announced; five students, Catherine Baker, Olivia Bowyer, Johnita Cody, Emily Tottis, and Brett Welford were honored for their efforts. Proceeds from the sale of cards featuring the kids' drawings will help the WBEF Our Children’s Fund provide financial assistance to families within the district during the holiday season.
  • During public comment, district parent Christy Forhan acknowledged Shelton and WBHS assistant principal Arthur Ebert for their efforts in creating and administering a new program which allows for an Oakland University math professor to teach college-level calculus at WBHS during the day, separate from the dual enrollment program, to accommodate students who wish to participate in extracurricular activities at night.

    "We have a university class being taught two times per week right here at West Bloomfield High School. The professor from Oakland University comes to our campus. Students from Frankel Jewish Academy also come to this class ... how cool is that?" 


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