District Update
A weekly update from Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Walled Lake Consolidated School District Update: October 12, 2023
Important Reminders for Families
- Oct. 13: Warriors for Warriors Pink Out Event
- Oct. 15-21: Safe Schools Week
- Oct. 17: Community Conversation with Dr. Bernia - 2-3pm at Word of Hope 4 Life - The Rail (2071 E West Maple Rd Suite E503)
- Oct. 19: Community Conversation with Dr. Bernia - 10-11am at the Wixom Public Library
- Oct. 23: PTSA Council Meeting at Commerce Elementary
Visit www.wlcsd.org/calendar for a complete list of events with details.
Safe Schools Week
WL Board of Education proclaims Michigan Safe Schools Week in WLCSD
At the regular Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Oct. 5, the Walled Lake Board of Education proclaimed Oct. 15-21 as Michigan's Safe Schools Week in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District. In recognition of this proclamation, please review the following safety resources on a variety of subjects below:
Safe Schools Week - Communications Test
As part of Safe Schools Week, Oct. 15-21, the Walled Lake Consolidated School District will be conducting a Communications Test of its emergency notification system. This test will help identify any shortfalls in the District’s emergency communication procedures and reduce complications in the event of a school closure or other emergency situation where families and staff need to be contacted.
As part of the Communications Test, families and staff will receive:
A phone call with a message from District staff
An email with additional information
A SMS message (if opted in to receive SMS messages)
*See below for instructions in how to sign up for SMS messages from the District.
Signing Up for SMS Messages via Skylert
In addition to receiving phone calls and email notifications from the school district in the event of a school closing or emergency, parents can also sign up to receive SMS Text messages.
Please find the helpful step-by-step instructions linked below as well as the video tutorial on signing up for SMS messages.
Weekly Highlights
Walled Lake Central named to College Board’s AP School Honor Roll
Walled Lake Central High School was recognized by College Board as a 2023 AP School Honor Roll Bronze school.
“Advanced Placement courses are critical to our overall success as an exemplary high school,” said Walled Lake Central principal Kyle Meteyer. “High levels of effort from students, teachers, counselors, and administration, as well as our strong partnership with parents and community, have led to this latest great news about the success of our AP program.”
The AP School Honor Roll distinction is awarded to schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Walled Lake Central celebrates homecoming
Vikings' senior Angelina Virga took over our Instagram story for the day to give us an inside look at Walled Lake Central on the Friday of homecoming.
You can view her takeover on our Instagram page by clicking on the 'WLC Hoco '23' Highlight.
Walled Lake Central tennis punches ticket to state finals
The Walled Lake Central boys' tennis team is headed to the state finals for the first time since 2020. The Vikings punched their ticket on Wednesday finishing 2nd overall at the Division 2 Regional Championships. Freshman Han Chau claimed the individual regional title as well winning the No. 1 singles flight.
The MHSAA Division 2 State Finals are October 20-21 at the Byron Center West Sports Complex.
Two Walled Lake Western golfers qualify for state finals
Walled Lake Western’s Isabelle Kavanaugh and Graci Sauve qualified for the MHSAA Division 2 State Finals on Thursday at Farmington Hills Golf Course. Kavanaugh (7th) and Sauve (10th) finished the Regional Championships as the Top 2 individual qualifiers for states. The Warriors took 4th overall as a team and Walled Lake Central finished 11th.
The MHSAA Division 2 State Finals are October 20-21 at Michigan State University's Forest Akers Golf Course.
Walled Lake Northern's Meredith Roney aces 11th at Twin Lakes Golf Club
Walled Lake Northern's Meredith Roney capped her high school golf career with a bang on Wednesday at Twin Lakes Golf Club in the Division 1 Regional Championships. Roney sank a hole-in-one on the 82-yard 11th with a pitching wedge.
The Knights finished 10th overall as a team shooting a total score of 430.
W.L. Northern, Clifford H. Smart MS shine at the Oakland County Championships
The Walled Lake Northern boys and girls, and Clifford H. Smart Middle School girls’ cross country teams showed off their speed on Saturday each finishing in the Top 5 of their respective races at the 64th Oakland Country Championships at Possum Hollow in Kensington MetroPark.
The Knights took second overall in the boys’ race lead by Ty Parker (6th) and Evan Rice (10th), who both finished in the Top 10. Parker, Rice and Nathan Bruss (17th) earned All-County honors.
The Walled Lake Northern girls’ team earned its fourth-straight Top 5 finish placing 4th overall. Ava Kuczewski (16th), Emily Alt (19th), and Maddie Gordon (23rd) earned All-County honors.
The Clifford H. Smart Middle School girls’ team took second in the middle school race behind four All-County runners: Eliana Fredrick (4th), Quinn Blewett (15th), Kara Alt (21st), and Alyssa Dayton (23rd).
W.L. Northern cross country teams claim city crowns
The Knights cross country teams claimed both the boys and girls city championships on Tuesday, October 10, at the Richardson Center. The Walled Lake Northern boys' team dominated its race taking the Top 6 places to earn a perfect score of 15.
All three high schools will now shift their focus to the postseason with Regionals taking place on October 27-28.
Walled Lake Northern Marching Band earns Div. 1 rating
The Walled Lake Northern Marching Band shined on Monday, October 9, at the 2023 MSBOA District 4 Festival. The Knights earned the highest honors. The Marching Knights received a Division 1 rating in every category: Marching, Music and General Effect.
"It is such a joy to see these musicians achieve at such a high level," said band director Mary Hulliberger. "I am so proud of all of their work!"
Mary Helen Guest Elementary Color Run
Keith Elementary Fun Run
Wixom Elementary Color Run
In the News
District News
Ryan West named the new principal at Commerce Elementary
The Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ Board of Education appointed Ryan West the new principal of Commerce Elementary School during the October 5, 2023 meeting. His first day will be Monday, October 16.
“It is an honor to join the Commerce community and embark on a journey of learning, growth and excellence alongside your children,” said West. “I am committed to fostering an environment where every student feels valued, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.”
Carrie O’Connell will lead Glengary Elementary for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year
The Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ administration appointed Carrie O’Connell as Glengary Elementary’s interim principal for the start of the 2023-24 school year, where she will remain through the completion of the school year.
“I am honored and humbled for this opportunity,” said O’Connell. “It’s been wonderful getting to know this incredible Glengary community since the start of the school year, and I cannot wait to see what amazing things we accomplish together throughout the rest of the school year.”
Jennifer VanWagnen receives Golden Apple Award
Meadowbrook Elementary School principal, Jennifer VanWagnen, received a Golden Apple Award at the October 5, 2023 Board of Education meeting.
Vanwagnen was nominated by Heather Issers, a Meadowbrook Elementary parent, for how well she jumped in and acclimated to her role as principal.
“Mrs. VanWagnen is such a kind person and deserving of this recognition,” said Issers.
WLCSD partners with Words of Hope 4 Life to help support students’ mental health
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools and Words of Hope 4 Life held a “Mental Health ICU” at Walled Lake Northern and Walled Lake Western on September 26.
The “Mental Health ICU” is a unique program that provides students with a basic working knowledge of what to do if a peer, or themselves, is experiencing a mental health challenge. The “ICU” acronym stands for identify, connect, understand. These three actions represent the three steps that students learn to use if they are in a situation where they, or a peer, needs mental health help.
National Principals Month
Please keep an eye out across our social media accounts as we highlight each one of our principals throughout the month of October.
October elementary lunch menu changes
As a result of increasing high demand and not having enough room in our fridge/freezers/kitchens/ovens, the elementary school menu will change to the menu below starting October 16. Light lunch and turkey sandwiches will be offered as a second option.
- Turkey Sandwich is served with a ½ cup of fruit or a ½ cup of vegetable and choice of milk, if they want milk.
- Light Lunch is served with yogurt, one cheese stick, a grain (Gold fish crackers, graham crackers, Chat Graham or Giant Gold Fish) ½ cup of fruit or a ½ cup of vegetable and choice of milk, if they want milk
Staff Shout Out Nomination
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.
Upcoming Events
Community Resources
District Links
WLCSD Stormwater Management
FFE News and Notes
Hospitality House
Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Connect with Us!
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