New Programming for 2018
I like to end almost every News and Notes with a simple message, "It's a great day to be a Trojan!" Well, today is a great day to be a Trojan. But, I am dedicated to making sure that tomorrow, and the next day, and next...will all be great days to be a Trojan too.
With that effort in mind and a focus on continued improvement, at the last WLPS Board of Education meeting, a recommendation for foreign language programming for the 2017-18 school was introduced.
WLPS has begun a partnership with BCC International who are proposing to bring Mandarin Chinese teachers to our Early Childhood Center students and WLES students next year. The pilot program is an opportunity that presented itself because WLPS will be hosting some teachers from China this spring. The hosting is part of a larger project with local universities and some neighboring public schools. Teachers from China will learn how WLPS students are taught. Likewise, WLPS teachers will learn how lessons in China are taught. While coordinating that project BCC was impressed with the facilities and staff, as well as the community of Whitmore Lake. Soon, we began working on the plan to introduce our students to a foreign language at a much younger level. The recommendation, currently, will include Mandarin instruction for all pre-K through 3rd grade students. I am very excited about this opportunity for our students.
The addition of foreign language in early elementary is one of several programming recommendations which will be made for next year. The Board has been updated on the following:
- Introduce AP Computer Science at the high school level next year. The training and coursework will be done this summer so this new class can be available to students next year. Only 20% of Michigan high schools qualified for the opportunity to introduce the course in 2017-18. WLHS is one of them and proud of it!
- Modify our upper elementary schedules to assist in the transition from elementary to middle level instruction. A proposed schedule change would allow students grades 5 and 6 to explore strengths and weaknesses in their learning through the use of technology.
- Increase opportunities for students in grades 5 and 6 to participate in the performing arts.
- Expand project based learning lessons (PBL) for early to middle level elementary students. WLPS will likely transition to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning platforms, which are extremely powerful. PBL is the first step in that transition.
These new additions to our instructional programming will better prepare our students for global economies and global learning trends. They create well-rounded students and give them opportunities to explore their own talents further through a personalized approach, which is part of our mission at WLPS--providing an exceptional, personalized education.
I look forward to keeping you updated as we continue to develop these programs for next year.
And, as always, 美好的一天，从特洛伊开始!
Last week was our annual Kindergarten Round Up event at WLES where we met and greeted our future class of 2030 and their families. I wanted to share their "wanted" pictures with you all. Click HERE to see the future of WLPS!
WLES voted "favorite school"
Thanks to the folks over at Macaroni Kid Livingston and our supporters who voted for them, Whitmore Lake Elementary School won the Gold Daisy School Contest! Today, as a thank you for all their hard work, teachers and staff enjoyed a free lunch from Gus' Carryout in Brighton sponsored by Mt Brighton.
Macaroni Kid Livingston is a free website and e-newsletter for families in the Livingston area. You can check them out at www.livingston.macaronikid.com.
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