The Warrior Way Podcast - Episode 4 - The Warrior Way Takeover: Powered by WHS Music Production

In this special student-led episode of the Warrior Way Podcast, the Woodhaven High School Music Production class steps behind the mic to bring you a full lineup of stories, interviews, and updates from around WHS. From performing arts and athletics to student life and school traditions, this episode highlights what our Warriors are learning, creating, and celebrating this month.

Join our students as they share their perspectives, shine a spotlight on their peers, and give listeners an inside look at what’s happening across Woodhaven High School. Tune in and enjoy this takeover episode produced entirely by our talented WHS Music Production students!

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.

I wanted to be the first to welcome you back to a brand-new school year in the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District! I’m excited to kick off another year of growth, opportunity, and success for our students.

I want to start by expressing my gratitude — to our dedicated staff for the passion and professionalism they bring every day, and to our families for the support and partnership that make such a difference in the lives of our students. Together, we are creating an environment where students can thrive.

Our mission at WBSD remains the same — to engage, enlighten, and empower every student who walks through our doors. And our vision is clear: learning and leading for tomorrow. Together - as students, families, staff, and community - we are preparing today’s learners to become tomorrow’s leaders.

Before we dive into day one, here are the top five things everyone needs to know:

1. Transportation – Please be patient with bus routes during the first week. Times may run slightly earlier or later as our drivers adjust, but safety will always be our top priority.
2. Food Services – Breakfast and lunch will be available daily in all buildings. Families can find menus online, and we’re excited to share some new options this year.
3. Champions Before & After School Care – For our elementary families, Champions is back, offering a safe and engaging environment for students beyond the regular school day.
4. Construction Updates – As you visit our schools, you may notice that not everything looks “just right” yet. We’re still in construction mode at several sites, but crews are working diligently, and these improvements will serve our students and staff well for years to come.
5. Communication – Stay connected! Make sure your contact information is up to date in Parent Connect, download the WBSD mobile app, and follow us on social media for timely updates and important announcements.

Looking ahead, I’m excited for the growth, achievement, and positive experiences this year will bring for our students, staff, and community. Our schools are strong because of the commitment, heart, and Warrior pride that define this district.

Here’s to a fantastic school year ahead — filled with learning, leadership, and success. Let’s make it our best year yet.

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 tech. With the 2025-26 school year just around the corner, it's a perfect time to make sure our students, families, and staff are ready to engage with technology in safe, responsible, and forward-thinking ways.

Joining me is someone who’s leading the charge in making that happen - our Director of Technology, Lyndsay Johnson-Lemieux. Lyndsay, welcome!

WBSD Guide to AI - https://docs.google.com/document/d/144t4vep23IzvrEVDsATZ2kzkmrpq-EZG3BB8UFp9G7g/edit?tab=t.0

WBSD Tech Plan - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cDC_aegtSeP5JZlVgRRvSnJPQG9l9UNS7iel9dEUIpw/edit?tab=t.0

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's episode is all about getting our students and families ready for the first day of school.

From getting to and from school, to what’s for lunch, to who’s watching the kids before and after school — we know there’s a lot to think about. That’s why I’ve invited three of our trusted partners to help us walk through the essentials for back-to-school success.

Joining me today are Carri Chambers, our Supervisor of Transportation; Joe Uri, Director of Food Services with Sodexo; and April Standish Area Manager from Champions, our before and after school care provider.

Helpful Links:

WBSD Transportation: https://www.mywbsd.org/page/transportation-support-services

Food Menus - https://mywbsd.nutrislice.com/menu

Free/Reduced School Meals Application: https://sisweb.resa.net/FSApp/Main/Login

Champions Before & After School Care: www.discoverchampions.com

WBSD Website: https://www.mywbsd.org/

Have you downloaded our App yet?? Available in both the Apple or Google Play Stores!

Go Here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/woodhaven-brownstown-sd-mi/id6498863265 or HERE: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apptegy.woodhaven

Host, Mark Greathead: 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 on the Warrior Way Podcast, we’re talking about a topic that energizes students, brings families together, and builds the foundation for lifelong success - Warrior Athletics.

Fall sports are just around the corner, and there’s a lot to be excited about as we gear up for the 2025–26 season. Whether your student is preparing to take the field, court, or course, this episode has everything you need to know - from start dates and safety reminders to how families can get involved in supporting our programs.

Joining me today are two familiar faces in our athletic community: Keith Christnagel, Athletic Director at Woodhaven High School, and Jared Nicholls, Middle School Athletic Director.

The first official day for high school is Monday, August 11and middle school practices begin Monday, August 18. That’s when teams can begin organized training under MHSAA guidelines.

Every student - middle and high school - must have a current MHSAA sports physical on file before they can participate. We have one more chance for families to take advantage of Warrior Day Physicals on Tuesday, August 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at Woodhaven High School. It’s $20, cash only.

Welcome back to The Warrior Way, the official podcast of the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District. I’m your host, Superintendent Mark Greathead, and today we’re going to discuss a topic that was the subject of our district-wide book study this past year - The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.

One of the key themes of the book is how modern childhood has shifted away from unstructured, imaginative, and often outdoor play - and what that means for our kids. Joining me today to talk about this and how we can encourage more play-based learning is WBSD Curriculum Supervisor, Phil Short. Welcome, Phil!

Here are a few ideas that are simple but powerful:

• Backyard adventures – Give kids a flashlight and a mason jar and tell them to go on a bug hunt.
• Make-believe and role play – Let them turn a cardboard box into a rocket ship, castle, or puppet theater.
• Build-it challenges – Use LEGO, blocks, or recycled materials to build a bridge, tower, or invention of the day.
• Create a neighborhood obstacle course – Use jump ropes, hula hoops, and chalk to make it fun and active.
• And don’t underestimate the power of free time with friends - just letting kids figure out what to do on their own is incredibly valuable. The idea is to build independence and confidence.

Here are some fun and educational games you can do at home:

Math-Based Play Ideas

• Card games like War or Uno reinforce number sense and strategy.
• Cooking together builds real-world math skills like measuring and fractions.
• Dice games can help with addition, subtraction, or multiplication facts.
• Create a "store" at home and practice counting money and making change.

Reading Games

• Read-aloud charades – Read a short passage, then act it out!
• Scavenger hunts using clues with age-appropriate vocabulary.
• Story dice or storytelling cards – Kids roll a dice and make up a story based on the pictures or words.
• Library trips – Let them choose their own books, and maybe read outside in the shade with a blanket and snack.

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 on the Warrior Way Podcast, we are going to pull back the curtain on a topic that has such a direct impact on our communities and especially our kids. We're going to do a deep dive into how school bonds function, their real world implications and their tangible effect on learning environments. We'll take a look at the Woodhaven Brownstown School District 2021 Bond, and how parents, students and community members can see how this bond has improved our district.

With me today is WBSD Director of Finance, Josh Smith. Welcome Josh!

Thank you for having me. While I realize that finances aren’t the most exciting topic for a podcast, it's what we’ve been doing with the 2021 bond funds which are the exciting elements to talk about.

What's fascinating here is realizing that school bonds are not just abstract financial jargon. They are, quite literally, the blueprints for new classrooms, the wiring for cutting edge technology, and really, the foundations of safe, innovative spaces where students can, you know, truly thrive.

Understanding them is key to seeing how a community actively invests in its educational future.

Welcome to The Warrior Way, the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District podcast where we talk about all things WBSD. I’m Mark Greathead, Superintendent of the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District, and your host as we celebrate where we’ve been, what we’re doing, and where we’re going.

Today’s episode focuses on a vital part of Warrior Nation - our Athletics Department. With summer in full swing, it’s a time when many of our student-athletes begin preparing for the upcoming school year. From open gyms to strength training and skill development, there's a lot happening. But staying safe, fueled, and hydrated is just as important as performance.

Joining me are two key figures in Warrior Athletics: our Athletic Trainer, Brittany Tyler,and our Athletic Director, Keith Christnagel.

We’ve got summer programs across almost every sport. Here are some highlights:

• Football began lifting - Varsity and JV train from 8 to 10 a.m., and Freshman lift from 10 to 11 a.m. There is a full schedule in the weight room of the summer activities.
• Cross Country started at Hall Road Park, with sessions Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• Dance started June 17 and runs Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
• Sideline Cheer kicked off June 11 with evening practices in the Turf Room.
• Volleyball hosts open gyms starting June 17, Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
• We also have programming or contact opportunities in Girls Golf, Hockey, Boys Soccer, Girls Swim, and Boys Tennis.
• View the June Athletics Newsletter HERE: https://woodhavenbrownstown.edurooms.com/engage/woodhaven-high-school/newsletters/athletics-newsletter-june-2025

And don’t forget, there’s a Summer Dead Week from June 29 to July 5. All athletic activities are paused then to allow athletes and coaches a much-needed break.

Additionally, we have a lot of youth summer camps coming up throughout the summer, too, so there will be a lot of Warriors and future Warriors training.

Athletes must have an MHSAA physical dated after April 15 to participate in sports. We are providing an opportunity on Tuesday, August 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at Woodhaven High School for students to get physicals. The cost is $20 per athlete.

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 School District, and I’ll be your host as we celebrate where we’ve been, what we’re doing, and where we’re going.

Today I’m thrilled to be talking about one of the most exciting and transformational efforts happening in our district: the summer 2025 bond construction projects.

Even though the dismissal bell has rung for summer, the work is only beginning for the WBSD. This summer alone, we are investing more than $31 million in facility upgrades across the district - thanks to the support of our community and the 2021 voter-approved bond.

Read more about the Summer Construction Updates HERE

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 School District, and I’ll be your host as we celebrate where we’ve been, what we’re doing, and where we’re going.

As the school year winds down and summer break approaches, our students will soon have a lot more unstructured time - which often means more time spent online.

That’s why today’s episode is focused on online safety - an essential conversation for families to have as we prepare for those long summer days. Whether your child is gaming, scrolling through social media, or video chatting with friends, it’s critical to make sure they’re doing it safely and responsibly.

To help walk us through best practices, risks, and practical tools for families, I’m joined by our Director of Technology, Lyndsay Johnson-Lemieux. Lyndsay, welcome!

The Risks Parents Should Know

The big five are:

1. Cyberbullying – hurtful messages, exclusion from group chats, impersonation accounts.
2. Inappropriate Content – violence, explicit language, or materials that aren't age-appropriate.
3. Online Predators – adults posing as kids to build relationships and gain trust.
4. Privacy Risks – accidentally sharing personal info like their address or school.

Gaming Risks – exposure to strangers in chat, in-game purchases, or playing games with mature content.

Using Parental Controls Effectively

Almost every device has some form of built-in controls. Here are a few parents can look into:

• Apple Screen Time and Google Family Link let you set app limits, block websites, and monitor screen time.
• Many streaming and gaming platforms have age restrictions and content filters.

You can install third-party tools like Bark or Qustodio for real-time alerts and reports.

What Is Cyberbullying and How to Address It

Cyberbullying is something no child should have to experience, but unfortunately, it’s common. How can parents recognize and respond to it?

First, watch for changes in behavior - like withdrawal, anxiety after using devices, or suddenly deleting accounts. If your child is being bullied online:

• Listen without judgment. Let them talk.
• Document the messages or posts.
• Report the content on the platform.
• Contact your child’s school. We take reports seriously and can help mediate or support.

go-to resources for parents?

Helpful Resources

Here are three excellent places to start:

Common Sense Media – reviews and guides for apps, movies, games.

NetSmartz – interactive safety lessons for kids and parents.

Family Online Safety Institute– tools for digital parenting.

Book: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt