We hope you'll review this week's District Update filled with news and notes from across the Walled Lake Consolidated School District. Stay up to date with the district by visiting www.wlcsd.org and connecting with the district on social media - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn

• Feb. 9-11: WLW presents: "Blithe Spirit" - Tickets available at WLCSD Box Office
  
• Feb. 13: Community Conversation with Dr. Bernia at the Commerce Township Library - 10:30am
• Feb. 15: Name of Love Tour - All four middle schools
• Feb. 15: Community Conversation with Dr. Bernia at the Wixom Public Library - 2pm
• Feb. 19-23: Mid-Winter Break - No School for Students/Staff

Visit www.wlcsd.org/calendar for a complete list of events with details.

During the February 2 Board of Education meeting, the Board of Education voted unanimously to move forward with a $250 million bond election on May 7, 2024.

The 2024 bond proposal is focused on student safety, educational opportunities, technology, and facilities; the millage rates associated with this proposal will provide a tax decrease for residents. Over the past two decades, our community has supported bond proposals in 2019, 2013, and 2004. As a result of this past investment, the school district and our students have been able to thrive.

A list of the 2024 bond projects, by school, will be published on the District’s website, in late February, as well as the bond language, frequently asked questions, videos, and other information. To help inform our community, the District will host a series of informational bond meetings over the next several months. Meeting dates, locations, and times will also be on the bond webpage. I encourage you to attend one or more of these important information sessions.

Walled Lake Northern senior Hannah Hulliberger was named Student of the Year at the 3rd annual Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Black and White Awards Ball.

“It was such a great honor to be named Student of Year!” said Hulliberger. “This experience was extra special because I was able to celebrate with one of my favorite teachers, Mrs. Jarvie. I credit great teachers like her who have helped me succeed, and it's a wonderful feeling to share this experience with her.”

The Student of the Year Award is presented annually to a Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ senior who has demonstrates excellence in leadership, citizenship, and academic and/or career and technical achievement.

Hulliberger is currently the president of the Walled Lake Northern chapter of National Honor Society and was Class Council president her freshman and sophomore year. She is also the captain of the swim and water polo team, first chair in the wind ensemble and section leader in the marching band. In the classroom, Hulliberger holds a 4.211 GPA and is ranked in the 99th percentile with SAT score.

Walled Lake Western junior Mareme Diop took over our Instagram story on Tuesday to give us a behind the scenes look at the preparations for the Warriors' play, "Blithe Spirit".

You can view her takeover on our Instagram page by clicking on the "Blithe Spirit" Highlight.

Show Times

• Friday, February 9 - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, February 10 - 7 p.m.
• Sunday, February 11 - 2 p.m.

Purchase your tickets now at www.wlcstickets.com.

Walled Lake Wild goalie Arianna O’Connell was named the Michigan Girls High School Hockey League (MGHSHL) Player of the Month for January.

The Walled Lake Western sophomore is the top-ranked goalie in the state in Division 2. In ten games this season, O’Connell has only allowed 15 goals on 134 shots.

O’Connell is the second member of the Wild to be recognized as the MGHSHL Player of the Month. Walled Lake Northern senior Lauren Fox received the honor in November.

(Photo: A Time Captured - Roger Martin)

Walled Lake Northern celebrated its athletics history on Friday with its 20th Anniversary All-State Honoree Recognition Night.

It was a blast from the past as 50 former and current All-State student-athletes returned to Northern dating back to 2004. Each one was recognized during halftime of the Knights’ boys’ basketball game against Walled Lake Western. They were presented with a certificate and their All-State photo, if it had already been replaced by more recent honorees. Walled Lake Northern also unveiled its new All-State honoree wall, which is located along the indoor track.

“It was such a good feeling to have former athletes and their parents walking the halls of Northern again and reminiscing about the formative years that they spent here,” said Chuck Froning, Walled Lake Northern athletics coordinator. “It also was so gratifying to see the basketball floor full of athletes who share a common bond, ranging from our current seniors to those Northern student-athlete graduates who were in their 30’s with spouses and children. It was truly a great night to be a Knight!”

(Photo: A Time Captured - Roger Martin)

Walled Lake Northern fielded the district’s first ever snow sculpting team this winter, and the Knights’ put their talents on display at one of the state’s most well-known winter festivals.

Sophomore Lola Grant captained the team made up of Kai Maendel, Grace Molski, Ella Goodley and Macauley Wright. The Knights were among 20 high school teams that competed at the 33rd annual Zehnder’s Snowfest. Walled Lake Northern’s sculpture of a frog titled “The Spirit of Resilience” finished 11th in the program’s first ever competition. Many of the other teams have been a part of the event for more than a decade.

To learn more about the Knights’ sculpture, “The Spirit of Resilience”, please see their artist statement.

Information regarding spring testing for the secondary level is listed below. Schools will be following up directly with families regarding any adjusted time schedules as part of these testing days:

High School

• 9th Grade PSAT - April 9
• 11th Grade SAT - April 10
• 11th Grade Workkeys - April 11
• 10th Grade PSAT - April 11
• M-Step - April 16-17
• PSAT Makeup - April 23
• SAT Makeup - April 24
• Workkeys Makeup - April 25
• PSAT Makeup - April 25

Middle School

• 8th Grade PSAT - April 17
• M-Step - April 22-25 | GMS, SMBS, WCMS
• M-Step - April 30 - May 3 | Clifford Smart

Commerce Elementary guest teacher, Carrol Barratt, received a Golden Apple Award at the February 1, 2024 Board of Education meeting.

Barratt was nominated Barb Winters and Jenny Farough because she has an inner drive to help all students in her care. Barratt is a consistent guest teacher at Commerce Elementary covering multiple grade levels and is prompt in her responsiveness to requests and professionalism.

Continue reading on our website.

Commerce Elementary custodian, Debbie Moor, received a Golden Apple Award at the February 1, 2024 Board of Education meeting.

Moor was nominated by Kristen Gauthier, who’s a kindergarten teacher at Commerce Elementary, because she says Moor is an important part of the Cougar family.

“Debbie is always wiling to help anyone in need and works diligently to ensure that our school is safe and clean,” said Gauthier. “She works extra shifts on her own so that the job gets done to her standards.”

Continue reading on our website.

Are you or someone you know interested in our preschool for the 2024-2025 school year? We encourage you to fill out our preschool interest form. We invite your child to come grow with us!

Since publishing our current school year calendar in early 2023, the State of Michigan’s legislature recently decided to adjust the date of our state’s upcoming presidential primary from March 12, 2024, to February 27, 2024. As you may know, many of our schools serve as polling places for our local municipalities, and this particular election is sure to draw a larger-than-average voter turnout causing increased foot and vehicle traffic around our schools.

After thorough consideration, the Walled Lake Consolidated School District will be CLOSED on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. We acknowledge the potential inconvenience this calendar change may pose for your family and apologize. This decision is rooted in the unique circumstances surrounding this election; a national election outside the traditional election cycle, and an anticipated larger-than-average voter turnout.

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We would like to relay this exciting news from the Department of Health and Human Services. Qualified enrolled school-age students are eligible for Summer EBT Assistance—a total of $120 per child ($40 per summer month per student) in grocery benefits to help fuel your child during the summer break. This program is not administered by Walled Lake Consolidated School District.

For any questions or concerns about the program, please contact:

DHHS Summer EBT Helpdesk 833-905-0028

MDHHS-PEBT@michigan.gov

To qualify for the Summer EBT program, each student must be approved for free/reduced meals for the 23-24 school year, regardless of meals being free this year through the District. If you've received a status notification letter of approval of free/reduced meals from the Food Service Department, no further action is needed. If you are unsure of the status of your application, check Family Access under the Parent Account for Eligibility Letters.

If you believe you qualify and haven't been approved, you must apply for free/reduced meals before February 14th, 2024, through Family Access from the Food Service tab.

If you are eligible for the Summer EBT program, you will receive a letter from the State of Michigan/DHHS that will explain that your student(s) are eligible, how to active and use their card, when their benefits will expire, how to opt out of the program, and what the benefits can or cannot be used for.

Summer EBT Cards will be issued in the name of each eligible student mailed to the address in Family Access. Please make sure your address is correct with the district by checking your Family Access information. If your information is not correct, please contact your student’s school to make any changes.

Families receiving Food Assistance will also get a new Summer EBT Card. DHHS hasn't provided a card issuance date yet.

Remember, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools does not manage this program. All questions should be directed to DHHS using the provided contact information at the beginning of this letter.

Best regards,

Julie Fortner

Food Service Supervisor

Walled Lake Consolidated School District

Year-end presents a great opportunity to celebrate our top senior student athletes and their opportunity to continue their athletic careers in college.

Please provide the following information on SENIOR athletes that have either:

- received a scholarship to play college athletics

- have a spot guaranteed to them on a college roster as a "preferred walk-on."

The Shining Stars Award recognizes outstanding individuals and student peers who have supported the special needs community within Walled Lake Schools.

Love your child's bus driver? Nominate them.

Love your child's Unified coach or buddy? Nominate them!

Some of the qualities of the nominee might include: a positive attitude, dedication, dependability, self-motivation, helpfulness and more.

Nominees can be anyone associated with the special needs community: teacher, para, bus driver, aide, buddy, parent, coach, volunteer, etc. Nominations accepted via the link below.

Every nominee will be recognized and receive a Shining Stars Award at the ceremony on April 30th at Walled Lake Central High School. You don't want to miss this special event!

All nominations must be received on or before April 5, 2024. Questions? Contact WalledLakePAC@gmail.com

Please complete the following form in order to be considered for the Graduate Spotlight section of the WLCSD quarterly Learning newsletter. The nominated student needs to be a 2016 graduate or before. Please contact pamelacole@wlcsd.org with any questions.

In an effort to celebrate our staff, the WLCSD Community Relations department requests that families fill out the form below to nominate staff who are rock stars in their classrooms and school communities.

A sample of what these shout outs will look like on social media and in our district newsletters is on the right.

Our mission, in partnership with parents and the community, is to become the best educational system in America so all students demonstrate they are caring, responsible, and knowledgeable citizens.

Email: danieldurkin@wlcsd.org
Website: www.wlcsd.org
Location: 850 Ladd Road, Walled Lake, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 956-2000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wlcsd/
Twitter: @WalledLkSchools