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 13: WLN Homecoming game, 7 p.m.
  
• 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 Central and Walled Lake Northern took the field on Friday, September 6, in a game that was about a lot more than just football. The Viking and Knights recognized the brave men and women who serve our country in their 11th annual Salute to Service game.

Each player wore a special jersey with the name of a member of the military or first responder. After that game, those jerseys were presented to the veterans, active service members, and their families in a postgame celebration.

“It’s really just bigger than football,” said Walled Lake Central senior Kayin Glass, who played for his grandfather and Navy veteran Kelly Lemerand. “It’s amazing to be able to go out and play for something bigger than myself and see the community come together.”

“It means a lot for all that they do for us,” said Walled Lake Northern junior Reid Widmer, who played for his great grandfather and Navy veteran Jack Dougherty. “It’s a great thing to give back to (members of the military), and I think they really appreciate what we do for them with this game.”

“We have a lot of kids who have connections to service members and people who have past,” said Walled Lake Central head coach Jeff Penrod. “To be able to honor them in any way is just so special.”

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard served as the game’s honorary captain. He took part in the coin toss and was presented a game ball signed by both teams.

On the field, the Vikings defense dominated. Walled Lake Central scored three defensive touchdowns en route to a 28-7 over the rival Knights. Walled Lake Central opens its season 2-0 for the first time since 2017. The Viking defense has also yet to allow any points through their first two games of the season.

Walled Lake Northern senior Maddy Birchmeier will take over our Instagram story on Friday, September 13, to give you a student perspective of the Friday of homecoming and the homecoming football game.

Make sure to follow us on Instagram so you don't miss out on all the fun!

Commerce Elementary students enjoyed a refreshing treat throughout the school day on Tuesday. Commerce's Community Garden parents taught the Cougars about making salsa using tomatoes, onions, peppers and cilantro that were grown right behind the school. Each class was able to taste two different types of salsa during their visit to the garden.

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 Northern media center paraeducator, Jody Rauhut, received a Golden Apple Award at the September 5, 2024 Board of Education meeting.

Rauhut’s nominator wished to remain anonymous, but they shared that she has created such a warm, welcoming, and friendly environment within the media center.

Continue reading.

Dublin Elementary parent volunteer, Cathy Wolfe, received a Golden Apple Award at the September 5, 2024 Board of Education meeting.

Wolfe was nominated by Dublin Elementary teachers Gina Delizia and Jennifer Weckstein for volunteering in every aspect of the school. She tackles any and every project that comes her way, and she tackles them head on with excitement and a never-ending energy.

Continue reading.

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