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

• May 9: Half Day for Students. Staff Professional Development
  
• May 13: PTSA Installation and Awards - 6:30 p.m. at Sarah G. Banks Middle School
• May 20: Board of Education special meeting (board member interviews) - 6 p.m. at the Educational Services Center
• May 22: K-12 Art Show Reception - 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Commerce Township Library
• May 23: Board of Education special meeting (rescheduled from May 2) - 7 p.m. at the Educational Services Center
• May 24: Half Day for Students and Staff
• May 27: No School for Students and Staff - Memorial Day

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

Dear WLCSD families, staff and community members:

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to extend my deepest gratitude for your resounding endorsement of the 2024 bond proposal. Your overwhelming support of this initiative speaks volumes about our collective dedication to providing the best possible education for every child in our district, every single day.

Your support means that we can continue to enhance our facilities, expand educational opportunities, and ensure a nurturing environment where every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Following this clear directive from our community, the Board of Education, alongside the District's administrative team, will embark on Phase 3 of the Facility Utilization Study this fall. This pivotal phase will entail a comprehensive assessment to ascertain the most prudent next steps, ensuring alignment with the objectives entrusted to us by the community.

Approval of this bond proposal is a testament to the strength and unity of our community. Together, we have demonstrated our commitment to investing in the future of our children and the prosperity of our community as a whole. We are dedicated to fulfilling the promises made in this proposal and continuing to uphold the high standards of excellence that define Walled Lake Schools.

Thank you, once again, for your unwavering commitment to the mission of Walled Lake Schools. Together, we will continue to empower every child, every day, ensuring that they reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Dr. John C. Bernia, Jr., Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

Walled Lake Consolidated School District

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.

Loon Lake Elementary principal, Abbie Kidder, took over the district’s Instagram story on Wednesday. She gave us an all access look at the day in the life of a Loon and the excitement in her building for Staff Appreciation Week.

You can view her takeover on our Instagram page by clicking ‘Mrs. Kidder’ under the Highlights section.

Three Walled Lake Northern seniors etched their name in the track and field record books on Saturday at the Farmington Invitational; Matthew Gurwin, Ava Kurczewski, and Ty Parker.

The first to fall was in the discus. Matthew Gurwin set the new program mark with a throw of 167’09”. He finished third in the event behind two other Walled Lake throwers; Walled Lake Central’s Brycen Anderson (188’05”) and Nathan Cody (170’06”).

Kurczewski set a new school record in the 1600 meter (4:57.92) last Friday and followed that up with another lighting fast race this past weekend. She ran a blazing 10:49.63 to set a new record in the 3200 meter, which was 27 seconds faster than the previous program mark. Along with the 3200 meter and 1600 meter, Kurczewski currently holds two other records as part of the 4x400 meter relay (4:01.56) and 4x800 meter relay (9:18.27) teams.

Parker also shined in the 3200 meter on Saturday with a record breaking performance of 9:19.78. He holds the program’s 800 meter record (1:54.85) as well, which he set last May at the Oakland County Championships.

Walled Lake Northern student leadership put together a powerful mock car crash demonstration on Thursday, May 2, to help teach their classmates about the consequences of drunk driving with prom and graduation parties right around the corner.

The mock car crash was set up as a real accident with upperclassman and teachers playing the roles of the students and families involved. First responders from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department and Commerce Fire Department; along with Elton Black and Sons Funeral Home were on scene to show students the minute by minute results of a drunk driving accident.

Congratulations to the top 2 winners of the Shining Stars Awards for their dedication to children with special needs in Walled Lake Schools.

• Cathy Carter, Paraeducator, Twin Sun Early Childhood Center (pictured left)
• Arlene Lendrum, Title 1A Paraeducator, Adult Transitions Program (pictured right - far right)

Congratulations to all those nominated!

A special thank you to our anonymous judges for selecting our winners and to the volunteers from the BuddyUp Club at WLC who helped make this a very special night.

Help us celebrate the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools' Class of 2024!

Click on the picture on the right to complete the form and have your senior recognized for their hard work and achievements! We'll be honoring seniors through June across district social media accounts.

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools has partnered with GoFan for digital ticketing starting this spring for all home athletic events.

Fans can purchase tickets online through each schools’ GoFan page or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the ticket gate. All major credit cards, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, will be accepted.

Fans are encouraged to buy tickets online before arriving at the event. For your convenience, signage will be set up at the venue to help fans make an online purchase quickly and easily.

As the district launches its new partnership with GoFan, cash payments will be accepted as well throughout the remainder of the spring athletic season. No cash options will be available starting in the Fall of 2024.

To purchase tickets, please visit each schools’ GoFan page:

• Walled Lake Central: https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10112
• Walled Lake Northern: https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10113
• Walled Lake Western: https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10114

Preschool registration is now open for the 2024-25 school year. To register, please visit the preschool website. We invite your child to come grow with us!

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."

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.

The Maintenance Department is seeking State of Michigan licensed individuals in the following trades: HVAC, Plumbing or Electrical. The Building Engineer position is tasked with maintaining district mechanical systems, and is full time, full year employment. Contact Dave Watkins, Maintenance Supervisor for additional job details at (248) 956-3074.

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