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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• Dec. 22 - Jan. 2: Winter Break - No School for Students or Staff
  
• Jan. 3: School Resumes
• Jan. 4: Board of Education organizational meeting
• Jan. 11: Board of Education regular meeting
• Jan. 15: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School for Students or Staff
• Jan. 15: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration at WL Northern High School
• Jan. 22: PTSA Council Meeting at Glengary Elementary - 7pm
• Jan. 31: Half Day for Students

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

Since publishing our current school year calendar in early 2023, the State of Michigan’s legislature recently decided to adjust the date of our state’s upcoming presidential primary from March 12, 2024, to February 27, 2024. As you may know, many of our schools serve as polling places for our local municipalities, and this particular election is sure to draw a larger-than-average voter turnout causing increased foot and vehicle traffic around our schools.

After thorough consideration, the Walled Lake Consolidated School District will be CLOSED on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. We acknowledge the potential inconvenience this calendar change may pose for your family and apologize. This decision is rooted in the unique circumstances surrounding this election; a national election outside the traditional election cycle, and an anticipated larger-than-average voter turnout.

Walled Lake Northern’s student leadership spread some holiday cheer bringing smiles and joy to students and staff at David Hicks Elementary in Inkster as part of their 8th annual gift drive.

The Knights chose David Hicks Elementary due to its need for resources as a large percentage of the students come from low income families and the entire building qualifies for state-funded free breakfast and lunch.

Along with delivering over 3,000 gifts totaling more than $40,000, Walled Lake Northern student leadership also held a canned food drive to help stock the David Hicks Elementary’s food pantry ahead of winter break.

“I have been in this building for nine years, and I have never seen this much joy as I’ve seen on these kids faces today,” said David Hicks Elementary first grade teacher Malarie Wludyka. “We have so many families that struggle this time of the year and to see that the kids get a Christmas (since) some of them wouldn’t, it’s truly wonderful.”

Lakes Area Youth Assistance made spirits bright for 86 kids in need this holiday season as part of their annual Adopt a Child program. Thank you to all of the incredible sponsors and community partners that made this possible: Huron Valley Hospital, Spencer Roofing, Dublin Elementary PTA, Crossroads Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church of Walled Lake, Wixom DPW and the Wixom Senior Center.

Our local Amazon Distribution Center heroes delivered a sleigh-load of gifts to Wixom Elementary on Tuesday morning. The incredible people at Amazon won a $1500 grant for the school that was used to provide the Wolves with new headphones, classroom learning tools, as well as basketballs and soccer nets for recess!

Walled Lake Central’s Shaylee McCain put together a career performance on Saturday taking first place on the vault and the all around title at the annual Walled Lake Gymnastics Invitational.

The Vikings’ junior is the first Walled Lake gymnast to win an all around title in a decade as McCain scored a 35.0 in the Division 1 competition. Along with her first place finish on the vault (9.2), she also took second place on beam (8.875) and sixth place with her floor routine (9.075).

Two other Walled Lake gymnast also set new career highs over the weekend. Walled Lake Central senior Carley Dymon hit a new best on the bars (7.5), as well as scoring a season high on the vault (8.5). Walled Lake Western freshman Nya Baptiste put together her career-best performance on the vault scoring an 8.6.

Three Walled Lake Northern gymnasts set new season highs as well on the vault: Taylor Sokol (8.5), Jordan Grand (8.4), and Alivia Magner (8.4). Grand had a season-best performance with her floor routine too scoring an 8.425.

The entire Walled Lake Consolidated Schools community is invited to attend the District's 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, January 15, 2024. This year's celebration will at Walled Lake Northern High School with a tour of student exhibits starting at 5 p.m. and a formal program starting at 6:15 p.m.

This year’s theme is “You Belong” with the focus on inclusivity. Our keynote speaker is Kevin Szawala, aka “Mr. Peace”. Kevin is a National Youth Speaker and Michigan native who travels the county speaking to students and schools on the topics of bullying prevention, diversity and inclusion, teen mental health, and suicide awareness.

Get to know your Family Access Food Service access:

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.

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.

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