District Update
A weekly update from Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Walled Lake Consolidated School District Update: August 1, 2024
Important Reminders for Families 📅
- August 7: PTSA President and Principals Breakfast
- August 14-15: High School Registration (WLN & WLW)
- August 19: High School Make Up Registration (WLN & WLW)
- August 19-20: Middle School Registration
- August 20: WL Central Open House
- August 22: Elementary Meet and Greets
- August 22: WL Central New Student Orientation
- August 22: Board of Education Regular Meeting
- August 26: First Day of School - Welcome Back!
Visit www.wlcsd.org/calendar for a complete list of events with details.
As you prepare for the start of the 2024-25 school year on August 26, make sure to visit our Back To School Hub! There you can find a one stop shop for everything you and your family will need to get ready for the first day of school!
Back-to-School Family Access Packet for 2024-25 now OPEN!
The District will be using the online Family Access system to automate the process for updating and completing documents such as the emergency card, FERPA form, Code of Conduct and other important annual school forms that require parental approval. The 2024-25 Back-to-School Family Access Packet must be completed by parents, online, using Family Access, prior to the start of school. It is essential that we receive ALL documents in a timely manner in order for your student to start school on August 26.
What Parents Need to Know...
Starting August 1, parents are to login to Family Access, using their alphanumeric parent account code, to complete the Back-to-School Family Access Packet.
- Need help enrolling? Contact the Office of Student Services at studentenrollment@wlcsd.org or (248) 956-2086.
- For bilingual assistance, contact Kallee Iverson at kalleeiverson@wlcsd.org or (248) 956-2093.
- To acquire a new or lost parent account code, email FamilyAccess@wlcsd.org.
Print out your first day of school sign! 📸
Send a photo of you with the sign to info@wlcsd.org for a chance to be featured on social media!
Food Service Update - Free Meals in 2024-25
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.
Share your summer adventures with us! 🌞
Show us how you're spending Summer Break for a chance to be featured on social media! Send your photos to info@wlcsd.org or tag us on social media with the hashtag #WLSummer.
Amy Pashak named new principal at Walled Lake Western
The Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ Board of Education appointed Amy Pashak the new principal at Walled Lake Western High School during its July 24, 2024 special meeting.
“It is with great enthusiasm that I join this well-respected high school,” said Pashak. “I look forward to serving the students, staff, and families of the Walled Lake Western community.”
Pashak comes from Fowlerville Community Schools, where she served as the principal at Fowlerville High School and Fowlerville Online Learning Academy for the past two years. Prior to arriving in Fowlerville, Pashak spent eight years as an assistant principal at Howell High School’s freshmen campus. Pashak also has more than a decade of experience in the classroom. She began her career as a high school social studies teacher. A role she held for 16 years.
Jami Rose takes over as principal at Loon Lake Elementary
The Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ Board of Education appointed Jami Rose the new principal at Loon Lake Elementary during its July 24, 2024 meeting.
“I am incredibly excited to join the Loon Lake Elementary School family as its new principal,” said Rose. “I am passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging learning environment for all students.”
Rose joined Walled Lake Consolidated Schools in 2019, where she’s most recently served as assistant principal at James R. Geisler Middle School for the past three years. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal at Walnut Creek Middle School. Rose comes to Loon Lake Elementary with more than 12 years of experience at the elementary level having worked as a reading interventionist at Oak Park Schools and a Spanish teacher at Birmingham Public Schools. She also holds two Master’s degrees in Elementary Education and Education Leadership.
Danielle Archie selected to lead Meadowbrook Elementary as new principal
The Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ Board of Education appointed Danielle Archie the new principal at Meadowbrook Elementary during its July 24, 2024 meeting.
“I am deeply honored and privileged to have been entrusted with the responsibility to lead Meadowbrook Elementary with vision, passion, compassion, and resilience,” said Archie. “My commitment is to ensure that Meadowbrook continues to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.”
Archie brings more than two decades of experience working in education. She comes to Meadowbrook Elementary from Detroit Enterprise Academy, where she has served as the K-8 principal for the past two years. Prior to that, she was an upper elementary assistant principal for five years and spent a decade in the classroom as a third and fourth-grade teacher.
Taneia Giles appointed new principal at Wixom Elementary
The Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ Board of Education appointed Taneia Giles the new principal at Wixom Elementary School during its July 24, 2024 special meeting.
“I am truly honored to join this esteemed school community filled with a group of dedicated and talented team of educators,” said Giles.
Giles comes to Wixom from Ann Arbor Public Schools, where she’s served as an elementary administrator for the past six years. Most recently, Giles has led Pattengill Elementary as principal for four years and, prior to that, was an assistant principal at Lawton Elementary School for two years. Before becoming an administrator, Giles spent more than a decade in the classroom as an elementary school teacher, where she taught first, second and fourth grade.
Rebecca Smith elevated to interim assistant principal at Sarah G. Banks Middle School
The Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ administration appointed Rebecca Smith as interim assistant principal at Sarah G. Banks Middle School for the 2024-25 academic year.
Smith has worked within Walled Lake Consolidated Schools since 2000 serving as a physical education and health teacher. She’s taught at all three levels and coached a number of different sports, most recently at Sarah G. Banks Middle School for the past two years.
11th Annual Salute to Service Game - September 6
Since 2014, the Walled Lake Central and Walled Lake Northern Football teams have been honoring United States Military personnel, Veterans, and First Responders during their game each year. This year, the game will be on Friday night, September 6th at WL Central.
You can sponsor your First Responder, Veteran, or Military Personnel in the game for a $100 donation. They can be current or retired, a family member, or a friend. Players for both teams will be wearing a special jersey with the sponsored last name on the back – and playing in their honor. You and the honoree will receive the jersey right after the game – and they are really cool looking!
There will be a brief ceremony at the end of the game where the jersey will be presented to the sponsor. Family and friends are welcome – so, please attend the game. It is a wonderful experience. A roster mentioning each honoree will be included in the program. All proceeds will go to Military Families United of Michigan (an IRS Charity) to benefit Michigan Military Families.
Deadline for Sponsoring a Jersey is August 9th.
There is a form with additional information to fill out at https://www.wlcfootball.com/forms
Walled Lake Central students experience Spanish culture with once in a lifetime trip to Peru
A group of 18 Walled Lake Central students, parents and teachers created a lifetime of memories during a 9-day trip to Peru which included stops in Lima, Machu Picchu and the Amazon Jungle.
“This was truly a trip of a lifetime!” said Walled Lake Central Spanish teacher Nancy Kattoula. “I could not have asked for better students on this trip, and they were wonderful ambassadors.”
The Vikings started in Lima, where they enjoyed a tour of the city and visited the cathedral, Larco Museum and Monastery.
They then departed for Cuzco and had the opportunity to see the city’s annual Winter Solstice celebration. Along with a city tour, they also visited several Incan ruins, the cathedral and enjoyed some time on an alpaca farm.
The Vikings then made their way to Urubamaba and the Sacred Valley, where they immersed themselves in the culture experiencing an Incan Mother Earth Ceremony with a local Shaman. They also enjoyed a traditional Incan lunch which was made by a local family.
From there, they visited some more Incan ruins in Ollantaytambo, and enjoyed lunch and some free time to walk around Aguas Caliente.
Their next stop was a breathtaking experience at one of the seven modern wonders of the world, a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
The group closed out their trip in Amazon Jungle and Puerto Maldonado, where they enjoy several hikes through the jungle, Monkey Island and a few boats tours in order to see all kinds of wildlife. They even had a night boat tour, which was one of the most talked experiences of the trip.
Walled Lake Central choir shined on stage in New York City at the Arts for Autism Benefit Concert
The Walled Lake Central choir enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at the New Amsterdam Theater in Times Square for the Arts for Autism Benefit Concert.
The Vikings’ choir was selected after auditioning in August 2023. Along with their performance, students also had the opportunity to work with Broadway professionals for several days of workshops and clinics. They were able to share the stage with extremely talented Broadway performers who were apart of productions such as Wicked, Hamilton, Aladdin, and Jersey Boys.
District partners with GoFan as digital ticket partner for all athletic events
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
Graduate Spotlight Nomination
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.
WLCSD Stormwater Management
FFE News and Notes
Hospitality House
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