Webberville Community Schools

The new school year is quickly approaching and the district is hard at work to get things ready for the students return.

The summer has been busy as we continue to revamp and change many areas within the district that will directly improve

One of the first changes you will notice is that the first day of school is after the Labor Day Holiday. This will allow families to enjoy the “last week” of the summer holiday and start school on Tuesday, September 7 th. In addition to the start date of school changing, the school year will end on Friday, May 27 th. How are we able to start in September and end in May? In our desire to be a “family friendly” district, one thing that we wanted to do away with was half-days. Having numerous half-days is a strain on parents, especially those with daycare concerns, and they disrupt the normal schedule for the students. Having no half-days allows parents to plan their schedules knowing that their children’s school schedule will remain consistent for the year. Other changes that have allowed for a family friendly school calendar are; conducting required teacher professional development before the school year starts, parent conferences will be held at the end of the school day and we increased the school day by three minutes for the secondary grades and 15 minutes for the elementary grades.

Webberville High School students will be starting the school year on an eight block schedule. We believe that there are numerous advantages for our students by utilizing the new schedule. More students will be able to get involved in the fine and performing arts. It allows more time for science labs and hands-on applications and demonstrations in the classroom. Students will be able to have a seminar period that will give them increased access to help from their teachers and a mentorship program that will help them explore career opportunities. The seminar program will start the fall of 2005.

Our elementary students will also find several new opportunities when they return in the fall. Fifth and sixth grade student will have the chance to participate in band under the direction of Mr. Don Hyvarinen. In addition to band, 5 th and 6 th grade students will be participating in choir and vocal performances under the direction of our new Director of Choral Music, Mr. Christopher Card. Other exciting changes for our elementary students include learning Spanish and utilizing the new computer lab.

If you have had the opportunity to visit the school campus over the summer you would have noticed that some of our most visible changes are under construction. Work is continuing at a steady pace, or completed, on the projects that were from the 2002 bond project. The new middle school classrooms are completed, the technology education room is completed and outfitted with all new equipment, the media center is finished and waiting for the new furniture, new tile is currently being laid in the hallways and a new ceiling in the cafeteria is being completed. Both schools have been wired for our new technology services which include new 36” TV’s and/or projectors, and teacher phones in every classroom. Construction of the new multi-purpose room at the elementary school is currently underway. When the construction is complete, the elementary will have a new gym, stage area and a warming kitchen that will allow the students to eat lunch at the elementary school. In addition, the old playground equipment has been removed to make way for a brand new play area with all new equipment.

As we focus on completing the work from the previous bond, we are currently in the planning stages for our new projects related to our recent successful bond vote. The new track facility will receive a bleacher system by November of this year, our regional agriculture program will receive a new barn and greenhouse by October of this year, parking areas will be updated and planning has begun for the new athletic/community center which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2006.

One newsletter article cannot completely capture the picture of all that we are doing to provide our kids with the best opportunities available. Everyone connected with the school district is committed to moving the district onward, and creating in Webberville an educational system that is premier and setting a new standard of excellence!