Welcome To William D. Ford Career-Technical Center

Dear Career Tech Families,

Welcome to a new school year at William D. Ford Career-Technical Center! I am excited to begin my first year serving as principal and look forward to partnering with our students, families, staff, and community throughout the year.

Our goal at Career Tech is to provide students with meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for success beyond high school—whether their next step is college, a skilled trade, an apprenticeship, the military, or entering the workforce. Along the way, we want students to develop not only strong technical skills, but also the professionalism, responsibility, confidence, and work ethic that will help them succeed wherever their path takes them.

Communication and partnership with families are an important part of that work. Through our newsletters, we will share important reminders, upcoming events, program highlights, student accomplishments, and opportunities to stay connected with all that is happening at Career Tech.

We are looking forward to a great year of learning, growth, and opportunity. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your student’s journey. I am excited about what we will accomplish together!

NEWSLETTER: Career Tech News - September 17, 2026

At Wayne-Westland Community Schools, we know that every school day matters. That’s why we’ve launched our “Aim for 8” attendance campaign to encourage families to make regular school attendance a priority.

Our goal is simple: students should aim to have 8 or fewer absences for the entire school year. Consistent attendance helps students stay connected to their teachers, classmates, and learning—and gives them the best opportunity to succeed.

Wayne-Westland Wrap Up September 2026

Dear Wayne-Westland Community School District Community,

As we enter September, schools across the nation observe National Suicide Prevention Month, anchored by World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10. Caring for the mental health and safety of our communities is a collective responsibility, and keeping everyone informed is one of the most effective ways to do this.

Recognizing the warning signs of suicidal ideation allows us to step in early. Changes to look for include:

• Behavioral & Social: Withdrawing from friends, family, or favorite activities; giving away prized possessions; self-destructive choices; sudden changes in hygiene or sleep; or a sudden, unexpected boost in mood after a period of deep depression.
• Verbal & Cognitive: Expressing feelings of hopelessness, excessive guilt, or being a burden; talking or writing about death; making statements like "I can't take it anymore"; or struggling to concentrate due to a fixation on dark thoughts.
• Emotional & Situational: Extreme mood shifts, intense irritability, or processing severe stress from recent loss, breakup, bullying, or academic pressures.

As we prepare to welcome our students back for the 2026–27 school year, we want to inform families about an important change regarding cell phones and other personal electronic devices.

Michigan law and Wayne-Westland Community Schools Board Policy now require students to keep personal wireless devices put away during instructional time. This change aims to reduce distractions, increase learning, and create a classroom environment where students can focus on their education and connect with their teachers and classmates.