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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• October 16-17: Testing Make-up Days
  
• October 21: WL PTSA Council meeting. 7 p.m., Hickory Woods El.
• October 25: WLW Warriors for Warriors Pink Out football game vs. WL Central, 7 p.m.
• October 31: Half Day for Students | PD for Staff
• November 1-3: WLN performing arts presents: "She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition" | Tickets on Sale NOW!
• November 5: Election Day - No School for Students or Staff - Remember to VOTE!
• November 7: Board of Education regular meeting

Mary Helen Guest Elementary principal Mark Hess and Wixom Elementary principal Taneia Giles took on the high seas of the cafeteria this week to help celebrate National School Lunch Week.

This year’s theme is School Lunch Pirates Find Your Treasure! Food service staff around the district dressed up each day and, most importantly, served up delicious and healthy treasures to all ye hungry students!

National School Lunch Week was created by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in children’s lives and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom.

You can watch Mr. Hess get into the full spirit of National School Lunch Week on our Instagram page.

ECSE preschools from across the district enjoyed a morning of trick-or-treating, pumpkin picking and playing fun Halloween games.

Clifford H. Smart Middle Schoolers had a blast shooting in design tech class shooting off their aqua rockets. Students designed, built and tracked their rocket’s flight as they learned about Newton’s laws of motion.

Check out students shooting off their rockets in class on our Instagram page.

When the Mustangs meet their goals, things get a little… stringy!

Meadowbrook Elementary principal Danielle Archie didn’t stand a chance against all that silly string as students covered her as a reward for surpassing their fundraising target in the Mustang Mile.

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.

Our hearts are heavy with sympathy, and we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mark Jahn, Keith Elementary second-grade teacher, on Mark's recent and unfortunate passing. Mark was a proud member of our Walled Lake Schools family for over 25 years. He made a lasting impact on the entire Keith Elementary community and his presence will be profoundly missed.

The Celebration of Life is on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024, at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Walled Lake, Michigan. There will be a visitation at 10AM and service at 11AM. A luncheon will follow.

Condolences may be sent to:

1840 Glen Iris Dr.

Commerce, MI 48382

Thank you for sending strength and peace to Mark's family during this difficult time.

Two former Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ principals will return to the district to lead Dublin Elementary. Current interim principal Adam Scher will retire and his last day will be on Friday, October 18.

“We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Mr. Scher for his dedication, hard work, and leadership during this past couple of months,” said Ali Hamka, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. “He has been instrumental in maintaining a stable and supportive learning environment for our students, staff, and families. We are grateful for his commitment to our school community during this time of transition and wish him continued happiness as he reembraces retirement life.”

Jeff Drewno will return to Dublin Elementary as interim principal, where he previously served as principal for nine years from 2012 until 2021. Drewno worked within Walled Lake Consolidated Schools for 32 year before his retirement. He started as a teacher before becoming principal at both Dublin and Twin Beach Elementary. His first day will be Wednesday, November 6.

In the interim, Kristin Froning will lead Dublin Elementary starting Friday, October 18. Mrs. Froning recently retired at the end of the 2023-24 school year. She served as principal at Oakley Park Elementary for the past 14 years.

Continue reading on the district website.

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.

At the regular Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Oct. 10, the Walled Lake Board of Education proclaimed Oct. 21-25 as Michigan's Safe Schools Week in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District. In recognition of this proclamation, please review the following safety resources on a variety of subjects below:

• School Bus Safety
• Bicycle Safety
• Teen Driver Safety
• Home Firearm Safety
• Fire Safety
• Medication Safety

Walled Lake Western English teacher, Anna Murphy, received a Golden Apple Award at the October 10, 2024 Board of Education meeting.

Murphy’s nominator wished to remain anonymous, but shared that she has the ability to connect with her students in meaningful ways, which is evident whenever you walk into her class. The energy her classes have reflects the positive culture Murphy has set.

“Anna's positive, growth mindset is an inspiration,” wrote the nominator. “She continues to have the enthusiasm of a new teacher after many successful years of teaching, and she believes that no matter where you are in your career, you’re never too experienced to keep learning new ways to become a better teacher.”

Continue reading on the district website.

Enviro-Clean substitute custodian, Chad Veenstra, received a Golden Apple Award at the October 10, 2024 Board of Education meeting.

Veenstra’s nominator wished to remain anonymous, but shared that he leads by example, takes pride in his work, and goes above and beyond.

“Chad has worked in the district since 2018, is very reliable, and always does an amazing job,” said Natasha Henry, Enviro-Clean contract manager.

Continue reading on the district website.

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