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.

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• September 23: PTSA Council meeting, Keith Elementary, 7 p.m.
• September 24: WLW Ribbon Cutting and Open House, 5 p.m. - Community Invited!
• September 25: Strategic Plan Survey Deadline
• September 26: League of Women Voters/PTSA School Board Candidate Forum, 7 p.m. at WLC
• September 27: WLC Homecoming game, 7 p.m.
• September 30: Walled Lake Adult Transitions Program (ATP) Open House, 6 p.m. at WLW
• October 1: Special Services PAC Meeting at Geisler MS - Support at All Levels
• October 3: No school for students or staff
• October 4: WLW Homecoming game, 7 p.m.
• October 9: PSAT/NMSQT Testing (juniors)
• October 10: SAT Testing (seniors only)
• October 10: Board of Education regular meeting
• October 16-17: Testing Make-up Days

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is focused on building on its successes over the past decade and set a new course for our district based on the context of the current academic, social, emotional, and economic environment of the community we serve.

Share your voice by completing a short survey that will assist in creating our next strategic plan. The survey will close on Wednesday, September 25.

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is proud to announce that three students have been named semifinalists for the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship: Andrew Borden, Noah Nicholson and Vidya Vuyyuru.

Walled Lake Central senior Andrew Borden plans to double major in electrical engineering and computer science in college. He is a member of National Honor Society, in the marching and jazz bands, and a member of the Walled Lake Robotics team. Outside of school, Borden is a member of Boy Scout Troop 170 and is currently pursuing the rank of Eagle Scout.

Walled Lake Northern senior Noah Nicholson is considering studying computer science, cyber security, or dual majoring in both when he arrives at college in the fall. Nicholson is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, co-founder of the Computer Science Society, Green Club and plays on the Knights’ tennis team.

Walled Lake Western senior Vidya Vuyyuru will pursue a degree in computer science in college. She’s a member of National Honor Society, DECA, the Get I.T. Club, Iasa, and founded Walled Lake Western’s Math Club. Vuyyuru is also works as the building’s technology intern.

Read the full story.

Students across the district celebrated Constitution Day on Tuesday with curious minds and big smiles.

Our country’s future leaders dove into history and learned about the rights and freedoms that shape our country.

Some activities students participated in included creating class constitutions, participating in a Preamble scramble, and comparing the Michigan constitution to the American constitution.

Walled Lake Northern kicked off homecoming weekend on Friday with the annual parade and football game.

The festivities started during school as each grade competed at the homecoming pep assembly. The senior class beat the rest of the school to claim the 2024 crown. Among those seniors was Maddy Birchmeier, who gave us an inside look at the fun with an Instagram takeover. You can watch it by clicking on the “WLN Hoco ‘24” on our Instagram page.

The festivities continued in the evening as families and friends lines the sidewalks around the school. The Knights’ marching band led the way for the annual parade. Class floats, the homecoming court and each elementary school followed behind.

The 2024 homecoming king and queen were then surprised at halftime of the football game. Abagail Novak and Blake Burry were stunned when they saw they took home the honor.

“Honestly, I was just so shocked,” said Novak. “I just couldn’t believe that we won. I would’ve never thought this would happen in one million years.”

“I’m so excited,” said Burry. “I looked over, saw white (flowers), and was like, oh my goodness.”

While the evening was a special one, the Knights’ football team fell to South Lyon East, 42-0.

Read more about Caden from the link in our "In the News" section below.

In an effort to find additional ways to celebrate our staff, the WLCSD Community Relations department requests that families fill out the information below for 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.

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is asking the community to replace its current operating millage with an 18 mill non-homestead millage that represents roughly $31 million and a 3.6297 mill hold harmless that represents approximately $2 million of the district’s budget. The total of $33 million accounts for 18 percent of the district’s $187 million revenue budget.

Every District in the state is expected to levy, with voter approval, 18 mills on all non-homestead properties in order to receive full state funding under Proposal A. The 3 mill "Headlee cushion" will allow the district to collect the full 18 mills over the duration of the operating millage. The proposal will not increase property taxes on any primary residence property that is within Walled Lake Consolidated Schools boundaries. Since the approval of Proposal A in 1994, the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ community has overwhelmingly supported the operating millage, most recently in 2014.

If the November 5, 2024 proposal is not approved, the school district will lose more than $33 million in operating revenue every year and the state will not make up the shortfall.

More information about the 2024 Operating Millage Replacement can be found at www.wlcsd.org/elections.

All calendars updated to include a black and white version on page 2.

During the 2024-25 school year, all Michigan public school students in grades Pre-K through 12 will have access to free breakfast and free lunch everyday through the "Healthy School Meals for All" program. This includes a meat/meat alternative, grain, fruit/vegetable and milk. A la carte items will be available for purchase.

Families are still encouraged to complete the Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application in Skyward to help secure additional funding for the District including Title I funding. By completing the form, eligible families may also receive access to other benefit programs including reduced registration fees for standardized testing, discounted college application fees, pay to participate, discounted home internet access, and more.

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!

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.

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