West Hills Middle School

We want to take a moment to thank the entire West Hills community for an incredible response to the student leadership-sponsored Fun Run that took place during the school day on June 11th. 
 
Back on February 27th, two guest speakers from WE Volunteer Now gave a dynamic presentation to our students around service learning and the importance of taking action. Following the assembly, 30 students attended a workshop with the speakers, and the seeds of the Fun Run were planted. Students wanted to organize an event for their school and felt strongly that child abuse and neglect was an issue about which they wanted to raise awareness. That group of students shared their ideas with the rest of the 4th-8th grade Student Leadership Club comprised of over 70 students, and further details began to take shape. Leadership students researched organizations they could support, planned obstacles for the run, created the sponsorship form for donations, spoke with teachers and administrators about their ideas, planned for music and water stations, made posters to advertise the run, and talked up the event in their classes. June 11th was the day they worked so hard for, and it was a tremendous success. Leadership students at each grade level spoke to their classmates about this important cause and were in charge of all of the events out on the track. 
 
At the end of the day, the Fun Run raised $5000 for CARE House of Oakland County!
 

West Hills IB coordinator Jen Teal reflects on the program: "Exhibition really highlights the importance of the learning process. If you ask students what they think of it during the unit, they will likely talk about being overwhelmed, having disagreements with other group members, struggling to find resources or come up with a solution, and feeling nervous about speaking in front of a large group of adults. The process is not easy. It requires that students critically inquire about their world, grapple with complex issues, look at multiple perspectives, and take responsible action. But on Exhibition Night, when students have an opportunity to share their learning and experience, it is magical. Their pride in what they have accomplished is immense. And the day after Exhibition, when students share what the experience has meant to them, their reflections are profound. Exhibition is a wonderful capstone as well as an important bridge to the next part of their IB journey."
 

For ideas on how to engage students in summer reading and writing experiences, visit www.bloomfield.org/summerreading. Students are invited to participate in the Reading Without Walls Challenge and share their photos with the hashtag #BHSReadingWithoutWalls on social media.

Check out the following summer athletic camps being offered by the Black Hawks athletic program:

• Baseball Camp (Grades K-3 & 4-8)
• Boys Basketball Camp (Grades 4-9)
• Boys Soccer Camp (Grades 9-12)
• Football Camp (Grades 7-8)
• Lacrosse Camps (Grades 3-8)
• Girls Soccer Camp (Grades 6-8 & 9-12)
• Volleyball Camps (Grades 1-12)

The Online Back to School Registration process will open in early July for the 2019-2020 school year. If your child plans to attend school (Kindergarten - 12th grade) in Bloomfield Hills Schools for the 2019-2020 school year, you are required to register annually. We will provide further instructions as the date approaches.

Updated news from Principal Rob Durecka.

It is with many mixed feelings that I share with you that I will be moving to New York at the end of this school year.  My wife recently accepted the position of Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations for the State University of New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Manhattan.  After making the difficult decision to relocate to New York, I was offered the position of Superintendent with Eastchester Union Free School District...

Bloomfield Hills Schools has Summer Camp opportunities for all ages, all abilities, and all interests! New this year, several camps will offer limited transportation services.  We have also expanded our before and aftercare options. Start your adventure today at www.bloomfield.org/summer! Spaces are limited for many of our camps.

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