Homecoming 2024

The return to school and the transition into autumn gets us thinking about cooler temperatures, leaves changing colors, pumpkins and Homecoming.

WHS announced Homecoming Court in October Congratulations to the following students who were elected to Court:

SENIOR COURT

Quincey Robinson

Giada Muti

Adeline Williams

Allyanna Shaffran

Caitlin Kolodziejczyk

Tyler Gates-Lewis

Aiden Moritz

Jonathan Padgett

Malik Hussein

Christian Grantham

JUNIOR CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Zoie Klavinger and Kaden Newsted

SOPHOMORE CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Krystal Illes

FRESHMAN CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Madelynn Grosos and Jayden Dumas

Homecoming Week kicked off on Monday, October 14, 2024,  with theme, ‘Decades’! 

Spirit Week Activities included: Monday - White Lies Day. Students wore a white t-shirt and wrote a funny ‘white lie’ about themselves on it. Tuesday was Anything but a Backpack Day. This one’s always fun—students get really creative with what they bring to carry their things. Wednesday was USA Day and there was a lot of red, white and blue. Thursday was Adam Sandler Day. Students channeled their inner Sandler with their favorite oversized clothes and comfy outfits! Friday - Purple & White Day.

Each grade picked a decade to represent for their Homecoming floats, which were revealed in the Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 18, 2024.

• Freshmen focused on the 90s.

• Sophomores brought it back to the 60s.

• Juniors represented the 80s.

• Seniors took us back to the 70s

The annual Powder Puff games were held on October 16th, during the first round the Sophomores class of 2027 were victorious over the Juniors class of 2026, 8-0. The Seniors class of 2025 won over the Freshman class of 2028, 8-0. The final game came down to Seniors vs Sophomores with the Seniors hanging on to win, 8-6. Congrats to everyone who participated. It was a great night for some Powder Puff fun.

Leading up to Friday's big game against Lincoln Park, Christian Grantham was crowned Homecoming King during the pep assembly, and Caitlin Kolodziejczyk was crowned Homecoming Queen during half-time of the football game. The Woodhaven Warriors unfortunately lost to the Lincoln Park Railsplitters 19-7.

All in all, it was a great week of fun for students where school spirit was on full display.

The Woodhaven-Brownstown School District is pleased to announce that it has received an Unmodified Opinion in its 2023-24 audit, marking the second consecutive year the district has achieved this highest rating. This significant achievement demonstrates WBSD's commitment to financial responsibility and transparency. The independent third-party auditor responsible for the assessment is Maner Costerisan, a respected name in the field of auditing.

• One of the key highlights of the audit report is the impressive Fund Balance of 21.9%. The district, which had total related expenditures of $80,908,959, maintained a fund balance of $17,783,689. WBSD has made prudent financial decisions, positioning itself well for the expected end of all COVID-19 grants in September 2024 as well as the cost of the grade reconfiguration across the district. This fund balance will play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition due to the district’s recent grade level reconfiguration, which brought along additional costs.

• Enrollment and Per Pupil Allocation have also been favorable for WBSD. The state aid allowance was $9,608 per student, and the district maintained an average enrollment of approximately 5,342 students throughout the year. 

• Another noteworthy achievement highlighted in the audit is the percentage of expenses that remain in the classroom. Approximately 80% of WBSD's expenses are allocated to classroom activities. This figure exceeds local, county, and state averages, emphasizing the district's commitment to adequately compensating staff and providing students with a high-quality education.

WBSD remains committed to ensuring that the community's investments in education are managed responsibly and efficiently. The Unmodified Opinion from the audit serves as a testament to the district's financial health, and its dedication to preparing students for a successful future.

“As a district, we take our community’s trust in us very seriously, particularly when it comes to our fiscal responsibilities," Supt. Mark Greathead said. "Our goal is always to ensure that every dollar spent goes towards providing the best possible educational experiences for the children of our community. Achieving another Unmodified Opinion in this year’s audit demonstrates our unwavering commitment to financial transparency and the careful stewardship of resources that allow us to invest in both the present and future of our students."

All throughout the WBSD, students and staff focused on the initiative of “One Kind Word,” as the theme for Anti-bullying Week, October 21-25, 2024. 

Elementary schools had themed dress-up days like Make Someone Smile Monday (wear something to make someone laugh), Unity T-shirt Tuesday (wear orange or a positive message), Welcoming Wednesday (mix and match day), Teamwork Thursday (wear your favorite sports team) and Friendship Friday (wear your friend’s favorite color). Orange shirts and kindness messages were seen throughout the school district during the week.

At Woodhaven High School and Brownstown Middle School, there were additional theme dress-up days as well as other activities. Students who participated in writing kind words on post-its received a donut for “donut bully,” and principals passed out stickers, bracelets, fidgets and other swag during lunchtime. Students at Woodhaven Upper Elementary School made friendship bracelets to share. Finally, students at Erving Elementary School wrote kind messages on orange star balloons. 

Remember, it only takes One Kind Word to lift someone up. How will you show kindness to someone today?

Additionally, Supt. Mark Greathead had this message for all students. Watch the video HERE.

On a seasonally warm fall day, you may see students playing on the playgrounds during recess at Woodhaven Upper Elementary School. If you look a little closer, you may see WUE Principal Roger Gurganus with his Recess Office Cart which is stocked with everything from bandages, WUE Bucks, a megaphone, and his signature Diet Mountain Dew. 

Gurganus, and WUE Assistant Principal Dr. Diana Baldensperger, are committed to making connections with their students, every day. 

Mr. G has made the commitment to be outside with students daily with his mobile office whereas Dr. B has committed to cafeteria time during lunches with all students.

“We pride ourselves on connecting with our students in as many positive ways as possible,” Mr. G said. “From 10:30 to 12:30 every day is our student connection time. From football to just walking and talking, our students deserve our time and attention.” 

Students see and feel the connection too. They aren’t afraid to start conversations with administrators, especially since they aren’t in a formal or classroom setting.  

Studies have proven that teacher/principal-student interaction correlates to higher student achievement inside and outside of the classroom.

Gurganus and Baldensperger want nothing more than student success, and their daily efforts show their commitment. We know that greater things are yet to come at the WUE, and those things are starting in the cafeteria and on the playground.