The Warrior Way Podcast

The Warrior Way Podcast

by Woodhaven-Brownstown School District
EducationKids & Family
Season 2

The Warrior Way Podcast - Episode 7 - Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences: What WBSD Parents Need to Know

Welcome to The Warrior Way, the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District podcast where we talk about all things WBSD. My name is Mark Greathead, the Superintendent of the Woodhaven-Brownstown Schools, and I’ll be your host as we celebrate where we’ve been, what we’re doing, and where we’re going. Today, we're spotlighting how to have a successful Parent Teacher Conference at the elementary level. Parent-teacher conferences are an essential opportunity for parents to connect with their child's teachers, understand their academic progress, and collaborate to support their educational growth. Here today is Michelle Briegel, Wegienka Elementary School Principal to talk more about having a successful conference. Welcome, thank you for being here. Let's start by talking about elementary school parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday, March 12, and Woodhaven Upper Elementary parent-teacher conferences on Thursday, March 13. Parent/Teacher Conferences are on Tuesday, March 12, for all five elementary schools and on Wednesday, March 13, for the upper elementary school. Conference times are 1 to 4 p.m. and again from 5 to 8 p.m. Conferences are a combination of virtual and in person depending on the family’s needs. Parents should make a conference appointment with their student’s teacher. At the elementary level, report cards are standard-based and scoring is on a 3-point scale. 1 – Beginning - Exhibits little understanding of the concept or skill (Cannot be completed independently) 2 - Developing - Demonstrates some understanding with assistance (Errors or misunderstandings still occur) 3 - Secure - Consistently applies the skill or concept accurately and independently It’s important for parents to prepare accordingly as time slots for conferences are 10 minutes long. Parents should prepare a few questions for their student’s teacher before the conference. Some questions to ask would be: How is my student progressing with mastering the grade level standards for English/ELA and math? What is my student’s reading level? How can I help support my student’s learning at home? Parents can also ask about information regarding how your child is engaging with other students and socially in the classroom. Parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions if they don’t understand something - such as what the test scores mean and what they mean for their child. As always, if there are any special needs or accommodations you may need, please feel free to reach out to your school’s principal or social worker as we are here to help. Some other things to consider are to talk to your child about how they feel about school, ask about their favorite subjects or what they enjoy most about school. Parents should approach the conversation as a collaboration with their child’s teacher to help support their success in the classroom and at home as well. The week of parent teacher conferences is generally when many of our elementary schools hold a Scholastic Book Fair. Parents are encouraged to browse the selections either before or after the conference with their student’s teacher. It is a great time to talk about reading and language with teachers and then maybe check out some new materials while the student is excited about their progress.
S2 · E7
Mar 5, 2025
5:15

The Warrior Way Podcast - Episode 6 - The Warrior Welcome: Preparing for High School at WHS

Welcome to The Warrior Way, the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District podcast where we talk about all things WBSD. My name is Mark Greathead, the Superintendent of the Woodhaven-Brownstown Schools, and I’ll be your host as we celebrate where we’ve been, what we’re doing, and where we’re going. Today, we are talking about the upcoming freshman registration (for current 8th grade students) at Woodhaven High School slated for 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Here with me today is Kelsey Smith, one of the counselors at Woodhaven High School to tell us all about it. Thanks for being here, Mrs. Smith. Let’s dive right in about some of the most important things 8th grade students and families will learn about when they come to registration night on Thursday, February 27. One of the most important topics we will discuss is the course selection process and the requirements for graduation. As students begin their high school career, we want them to make informed decisions about courses that will allow them to meet graduation requirements as well as prepare them for their future post secondary education goals. We will present information about required courses, elective options, and all of the amazing academic and career programs available to students at Woodhaven High School. The WHS counseling department is an essential resource for students and parents in this process and we will be there every step of the way until your student walks across the stage at graduation. Our goal in the WBSD is for each and every student to be involved in some kind of sport, club, extracurricular activity by the time they graduate. And there are so many things for students to get involved in. Students can choose from many extracurricular activities including clubs, performing arts, athletics and more. Getting involved is a great way to meet new people and enhance the high school experience. During registration night, many of these opportunities will be represented by club sponsors, coaches, and student leaders to give incoming freshmen the opportunity to hear about what extracurricular activities WHS has to offer and how to get involved. Students and families will also get a chance to come together in the auditorium, meet the school principals and counseling staff, but also have the freedom to take tours and learn more about the building from our students, right? Yes, we will begin the evening in the auditorium with a presentation about the registration process, including course planning and information about career and academic programs. After the initial presentation, students and families are invited to The Commons (FNA the PBLZ) where representatives from both the extracurricular activities and the Department Heads from each content area will be available for additional discussion and questions. During this time NHS students will be providing building tours, while also sharing information on what a typical day may be like for the freshman at WHS. During the tour, students and parents will have the opportunity to explore the school and ask additional questions. A big piece of this support is our Link Crew program, run by one of our wonderful WHS counselors, Mrs. Hagan. Students are invited and encouraged to attend Link Crew orientation on August 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. The link crew orientation is a morning full of fun and celebration for the incoming freshman. Students are “linked” up with upperclassmen and will be able to learn more about WHS, tour the building again and ask any other important question before school starts, which is slated for Tuesday, September 2, 2025. That really is a lot of great information for parents and incoming freshmen at WHS. Thank you, Mrs. Smith for giving everyone a little preview of what to expect for Thursday, February 27.
S2 · E6
Feb 20, 2025
5:12

The Warrior Way Podcast - Episode 5 - WIN Time "What I Need" Time in the WBSD

Welcome to The Warrior Way, the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District podcast where we talk about all things WBSD. My name is Mark Greathead, the Superintendent of the Woodhaven-Brownstown Schools, and I’ll be your host as we celebrate where we’ve been, what we’re doing, and where we’re going. Today, we’re diving into an exciting new program coming to Woodhaven High School and Brownstown Middle School – WIN Time, short for "What I Need Time." WIN Time has already been implemented in our elementary schools, and now, we're expanding this initiative to ensure all students receive the academic support and enrichment they need. Joining us today to talk more about WIN Time and its impact on student success are Joshua Satterfield, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, and Jay Vesperman, Principal of Woodhaven High School. WIN Time is a dedicated 30-minute block, scheduled twice a week, that allows students to focus on targeted intervention, academic support, and enrichment activities. The goal is to ensure excellence in academics, extracurriculars, and social-emotional learning by providing structured support for all students. It aligns with our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework, ensuring that students get the help they need while protecting core instructional time.
S2 · E5
Feb 14, 2025
5:38

The Warrior Way Podcast - Episode 4 - STEM in Action: Inside WBSD’s New SMART Lab

Welcome to The Warrior Way, the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District podcast where we talk about all things WBSD. My name is Mark Greathead, the Superintendent of the Woodhaven-Brownstown Schools, and I’ll be your host as we celebrate where we’ve been, what we’re doing, and where we’re going. Today, we’re talking about an exciting addition to our district—our brand-new STEM SMART Lab at Woodhaven Upper Elementary School. Joining me today is Adrianne Clements, the SMART Lab Facilitator and a passionate advocate for hands-on, student-centered learning. We also have Josh Satterfield, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, with us today. On September 3, 2024, we officially opened the doors to this cutting-edge STEM Lab at Woodhaven Upper Elementary School. The SMART Lab at Woodhaven Upper Elementary is designed to inspire creativity, exploration, and innovation. It’s a dynamic space equipped with some amazing tools, like 3D printers, laser engravers, drones, robotics kits, and advanced programming software. These resources allow students to engage in hands-on projects that not only spark their imagination but also prepare them for the future. Research shows that hands-on STEM learning helps students develop critical thinking, resilience, and collaboration skills—essential for success in today’s world. The lab aligns perfectly with our mission to “Engage, Enlighten, and Empower.” It supports personalized, project-based learning that meets students at their level of interest and ability. Through this approach, we’re not only teaching STEM concepts but also developing critical life skills like leadership, communication, and resilience. Plus, research has shown that environments like this boost student engagement, improve behavior, and enhance social-emotional learning. Over the next two years, we will be adding SMART Labs across the district. In the summer of 2025, Bates Elementary, Brownstown Middle School, and Gudith Elementary will receive their labs. Erving, Wegienka, and Yake Elementary are scheduled for construction in the summer of 2026. Each SMART Lab will be integrated into the student specials schedule in kindergarten through sixth grade and then be available as an elective at Brownstown Middle School. This expansion ensures all K-8 students in WBSD have access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities. Myself, along with our Board of Education, are really excited about how these SMART Labs are going to prepare our students for their futures. By bringing SMART Labs to all K-8 schools, we’re making sure every student in WBSD gets the chance to explore, innovate, and build the skills they’ll need for the future. This initiative aligns with our district’s strategic plan and truly demonstrates how our students are learning and leading for tomorrow. If you’d like to learn more about the SMART Lab and other initiatives in our district, be sure to visit our website and follow us on social media. Until next time, stay engaged, stay enlightened, and stay empowered.
S2 · E4
Feb 7, 2025
5:44

The Warrior Way Podcast - Episode 3 - Weathering the Storm: Inside WBSD’s School Closure Process

The Warrior Way Podcast - Episode 3 - Weathering the Storm: Inside WBSD’s School Closure Process Welcome to The Warrior Way, the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District podcast where we talk about all things WBSD. On today's episode we are talking about the process for school closing days, specifically when there's inclement weather, most commonly known as "Snow Days." Recognizing that our decision to close schools for inclement weather has a significant impact on WBSD families, we thought it would be helpful to share the factors that go into a weather-related school closing. Before making a decision to close school, we utilize a number of resources and multiple factors are considered. This decision is not taken lightly. So, how do we make our decision? We make the decision to open or close the schools in bad weather based on a careful analysis of all relevant factors, such as: ► Weather Forecasts - realizing that as much advance notification of school closures is a great benefit to our families, we rely quite a bit on weather forecasts, including consultations with local meteorologists. This is usually done in concert with county-wide and/or neighboring superintendents. ► Amount of snow and ice expected to accumulate and duration and timing of the snow and/or ice. ► School building conditions (electricity, heat, water) and parking lot and sidewalk conditions. ► Temperature and wind chill (for safety of walkers and students at bus stops). Who makes the decision? The superintendent makes the final decision. Once a decision is made, local media outlets are notified, notification is made via our school messenger system, internet-based resources (district website - mywbsd.org - social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and our Nixel Emergency Alert System. It’s important to be sure your student’s school office has your current contact information on file to be able to contact families quickly and accurately regarding school closings and other important messages. When is the decision made? When the decision is made to close, giving parents as much notification as possible is important to us. More often than not, school closures that are weather related are determined the evening prior; Sometimes, that decision cannot be made until the early morning hours. Texts, calls, emails and social media notifications are released as soon as possible to give families proper planning time. Information is also shared with local radio and television stations. Our earliest weather related closing notifications are delivered via our Nixle Alert System. Text “WBSD to 888777” to receive instant notification from the school district. We can appreciate that not everybody agrees with the decision (whether it’s to close or stay open). When the decision is made to open school on a questionable day, every parent is encouraged to make a decision that they are comfortable with. If you don’t believe that the weather conditions are safe enough to send your child to school, or for young drivers, for them to drive in, then by all means, make the decision that is right for you and keep your child at home.
S2 · E3
Dec 2, 2024
8:00

The Warrior Way Podcast - Episode 2 - Homecoming 2024

Welcome to The Warrior Way, the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District podcast where we talk about all things WBSD. On today's episode we are talking about the Homecoming Festivities this coming week! Special guests are WHS Principal Jay Vesperman, Student Council Advisor Siham Konstantinidis and students Austin VanMarter and Alyssa Ganop. The theme this year is ‘Decades’! Each grade has picked a decade to represent for their Homecoming float. The Freshmen are going with the 90s. Sophomores are bringing it back to the 60s. Juniors are representing the 80s. And the Seniors will take us to the 70s. Now, let’s talk about Spirit Week. Starting Monday, October 14th, we have themed dress-up days to get everyone pumped up for Homecoming. Monday kicks off with White Lies Day. Wear a white t-shirt and write a funny ‘white lie’ about yourself on it. Should be some good laughs! Then, what do we have on Tuesday, Jay? Tuesday is Anything but a Backpack Day. This one’s always fun—students get really creative with what they bring to carry their things. We’ve seen some wild things in the past! And don’t forget USA Day on Wednesday, October 16th. We want to see those red, white, and blue colors flying high! Then on Thursday, we’re having Adam Sandler Day. Channel your inner Sandler with your favorite oversized clothes and comfy outfits! And, of course, we’ll wrap up the week on Friday with School Spirit Day. Wear your purple and white to show your Warrior pride! On Wednesday, October 16th, don’t miss the Powder Puff Game at 6pm. And let’s not forget the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 19th. Tickets are $20 each, and you can buy them before school or during all three lunches. But a heads-up, tickets will not be sold after 3 pm on Wednesday, October 16th, so don’t wait too long! Now, on Friday, October 18th, we’ll have the Homecoming Parade starting at 5 pm, following the parade, we have the big football game at 7 pm against Lincoln Park. We also want to give a special shoutout to our 2024 Homecoming Court. Representing the Freshmen are Madelynn Grosos and Jayden Dumas. For the Sophomores, we have Krystal Illes. Our Juniors are Zoie Klavinger and Kaden Newsted. And for our Seniors, we have a fantastic group of nominees. For the Senior Female Court: Quincey Robinson, Giada Muti, Adeline Williams, Allyanna Shaffran, and Caitlin Kolodziejczyk. For the Senior Male Court: Tyler Gates-Lewis, Aiden Moritz, Jonathan Padgett, Malik Hussein, and Christian Grantham. Congrats to everyone on the court this year! We can’t wait to see who will be crowned during the halftime show of Friday night’s football game. It’s going to be an unforgettable week! So, Warriors, make sure to participate in all the activities, dress up for Spirit Week, and come out to support your school. It’s time to show that Warrior pride!
S2 · E2
Oct 11, 2024
5:13

The Warrior Way Podcast - Episode 2 - Homecoming Festivities 2024

Welcome to The Warrior Way, the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District podcast where we talk about all things WBSD. Today we are talking about Homecoming 2024 and all the festivities for the week! The theme this year is ‘Decades’! Each grade has picked a decade to represent for their Homecoming float. It’s going to be really cool seeing all the creativity on display. The Freshmen are going with the 90s. Sophomores are bringing it back to the 60s. Juniors are representing the 80s. And the Seniors will take us to the 70s. I can’t wait to see those floats! Spirit Week. Starting Monday, October 14th, we have themed dress-up days to get everyone pumped up for Homecoming. Monday kicks off with White Lies Day. Wear a white t-shirt and write a funny ‘white lie’ about yourself on it. Should be some good laughs! Then, what do we have on Tuesday, Jay? Tuesday is Anything but a Backpack Day. This one’s always fun—students get really creative with what they bring to carry their things. We’ve seen some wild things in the past! And don’t forget USA Day on Wednesday, October 16th. We want to see those red, white, and blue colors flying high! Then on Thursday, we’re having Adam Sandler Day. Channel your inner Sandler with your favorite oversized clothes and comfy outfits! And, of course, we’ll wrap up the week on Friday with School Spirit Day. Wear your purple and white to show your Warrior pride! On Wednesday, October 16th, don’t miss the Powder Puff Game at 6pm. It’s always a great time with students competing and showing off their skills! And let’s not forget the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 19th. Tickets are $20 each, and you can buy them before school or during all three lunches. But a heads-up, tickets will not be sold after 3 pm on Wednesday, October 16th, so don’t wait too long! On Friday, October 18th, we’ll have the Homecoming Parade starting at 5 pm. Make sure to check out the route on our website. It’s always a great way to kick off the evening, and following the parade, we have the big football game at 7 pm against Lincoln Park. We also want to give a special shoutout to our 2024 Homecoming Court. Representing the Freshmen are Madelynn Grosos and Jayden Dumas. For the Sophomores, we have Krystal Illes. Our Juniors are Zoie Klavinger and Kaden Newsted. And for our Seniors, we have a fantastic group of nominees. For the Senior Female Court: Quincey Robinson, Giada Muti, Adeline Williams, Allyanna Shaffran, and Caitlin Kolodziejczyk. For the Senior Male Court: Tyler Gates-Lewis, Aiden Moritz, Jonathan Padgett, Malik Hussein, and Christian Grantham. It’s going to be an unforgettable week! So, Warriors, make sure to participate in all the activities, dress up for Spirit Week, and come out to support your school. It’s time to show that Warrior pride!
Oct 11, 2024
5:13
Season 2

The Warrior Way Podcast - Episode 1 - Back to School 2024-25

Welcome to The Warrior Way, the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District podcast where we talk about all things WBSD. The purpose of today’s podcast is to share key dates and times for information our students and parents need for a successful start to the school year. Before and after school care information for our elementary and upper elementary students is now available on the District website. Visit mywbsd.org, under the District menu, you’ll find a link to this information through our partners at Champions. Transportation Routes and Food Service menus are currently being worked on and will be available in the same section of the website no later than August 15. Important reminder … transportation information and food service balances for ala carte items are also available in the Parent Portal. Please be sure to stay current with your Parent Portal login information. In order from earliest to latest start times: Woodhaven High School - grades 9-12 - starts at 7:30 a.m. and regular dismissal is at 2:15 p.m. Brownstown Middle School - grades 7-8 - starts at 8:00 a.m. and regular dismissal is at 2:45 p.m. Woodhaven Upper Elementary School - grades 5-6 - starts at 8:30 a.m. and regular dismissal is at 3:15 p.m. All elementary schools - grades Y5/K-4 - start at 9:00 a.m. and regular dismissal is at 3:45 p.m. The first day of school at all levels is Tuesday, September 3. For Bates, Erving, Gudith, Wegienka, and Yake Elementary Schools, teacher assignments will be available in the Parent Portal on August 23 at 4:00 p.m. Open Houses for these schools will be on August 27, from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Next up is the new Woodhaven Upper Elementary School. As an aside, the Woodhaven Upper Elementary School is located at the site of the former Patrick Henry Middle School. Teacher assignments will be available via the Parent Portal on August 23 and 4:00 p.m. Open house at the Upper Elementary School will be on August 28 from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Building tours, orientation, and other activities designed for getting to know Woodhaven Upper Elementary are being planned and are subject to ongoing construction and remodeling work. More information will be announced soon. Schedule pick-up at Brownstown Middle School is on August 22 for students in 7th grade and August 26 for students in 8th grade. Both dates will be between 9 am - 2 pm. Building tours will also be available at this time. Open House at Brownstown Middle School will be on August 28 from 5 - 6:30 p.m. And for new families to the district, orientation at Brownstown Middle School is available on August 28 at 4:00 p.m. Let’s wrap it up with Woodhaven High School. Student schedules for the new school year are currently available through the Parent and Student portals. Open House at Woodhaven High School is on August 27 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Student orientation dates and times at Woodhaven High School are as follows: Seniors - August 26 at 9:00 a.m. Juniors - August 26 at 1:00 p.m. Sophomores - August 27 at 9:00 a.m. Freshmen - August 27 at 12:30 p.m. Lastly for Woodhaven High School - Link Crew for all 9th and 10th grade students will be on August 29 at 9:00 a.m.
S2 · E1
Aug 5, 2024
6:42
Season 1

The Warrior Way Podcast Episode 18 - Starting Strong: Essential Advice for Woodhaven High’s New Freshmen and Sophomores

Welcome to The Warrior Way, the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District podcast where we talk about all things WBSD. My name is Mark Greathead, the Superintendent of the Woodhaven-Brownstown Schools, and I’ll be your host as we celebrate where we’ve been, what we’re doing, and where we’re going. Today, we're spotlighting our Woodhaven High School Counselors who are here to give advice for all students, but specifically the incoming freshman and sophomore classes who will be new to the building. Here with me today are Stephanie Friel, Jenna Hagan, Teresa Hudkins, Kelsey Smith and Cory Buckner..
S1 · E18
Jul 31, 2024
4:58

The Warrior Way Podcast Episode 17 - Athletic Trainer Brittany Tyler on Hydration, Nutrition and Injury Reduction

Welcome to The Warrior Way, the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District podcast where we talk about all things WBSD. My name is Mark Greathead, the Superintendent of the Woodhaven-Brownstown Schools, and I’ll be your host as we celebrate where we’ve been, what we’re doing, and where we’re going. In this episode, we shine a spotlight on our Athletics Department, which includes a full time athletic trainer, Brittany Tyler.
S1 · E17
Jul 25, 2024
7:10
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