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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• May 31: Adult Transitions Program (ATP) Graduation - 11 a.m. at WL Western High School
  
• June 2: WLCSD Commencement Ceremonies at Eastern Michigan University
• June 7: Final Day for Students (Half Day)

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

Thank you for taking a moment to provide helpful feedback and insight for our building leaders as we begin to wrap up the 2023-24 school year and look ahead to 2024-25. Please find the appropriate survey linked below:

• Principal Survey for Staff
• Principal Survey for Parents
• Principal Survey for ELEMENTARY Students
• Principal Survey for SECONDARY Students
• AP Survey for Staff
• AP Survey for Parents
• AP Survey for SECONDARY Students

The purpose of this survey is to gather feedback from our parents, staff, community members and former students on the 2023-24 school year.

• WLCSD Parent/Community/Survey 2024

The Class of 2024 took a trip down memory lane for its final day of high school on Thursday, May 23. Seniors returned to their elementary schools for one final clap out at the place their educational journey began in kindergarten.

Help us celebrate the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools' Class of 2024!

Click on the picture on the right to complete the form and have your senior recognized for their hard work and achievements! We'll be honoring seniors through June across district social media accounts.

During the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ Special Board of Education meeting on May 23, the Board voted to enter into contract negotiations with Dr. Michael Lonze to serve as the school district’s next Superintendent of Schools.

Dr. Lonze has served Walled Lake Schools as Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources since joining the District in 2018. Dr. Lonze previously served in administrative and teaching positions with Fraser Public Schools, Birmingham Public Schools, and Oak Park Schools.

As part of the May 23 special meeting, the Board also approved the following administrative appointments:

• Chad Scaling, Deputy Superintendent
• Ali Hamka, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
• Abbie Kidder, Executive Manager of Human Resources
• Katy Hagaman, Supervisor of Special Services
• Carrie O'Connell, Glengary Elementary Principal
• Kelly Smith, Oakley Park Elementary Principal
• Michelle Kalhorn, Walled Lake Northern High School Assistant Principal

James R. Geisler Middle School students and staff started their day on Friday with their 30th annual Flag Raising Ceremony.

The touching ceremony kicked off with the Wolves’ choir singing the Star-Spangled Banner, as well as a performance from the band. Veterans from Wixom VFW Post 224 then spoke about the meaning of Memorial Day followed by four National Junior Honor Society students sharing more about the importance of the national holiday.

The ceremony concluded with a brand new flag being raised up top the school flag pole.

The Walnut Creek Middle School girls’ track and field team edged Clifford H. Smart Middle School to claim the 2024 Lakes Valley Conference championship.

The Hawks beat the Trojan by just one point, 120-119, at the conference championship meet.

Eighth grader Ciana Carson took first in both the 200 and 400 meter. Asia Brown (Shot Put), Melody Dukes, the Hawks’ 4x100 meter relay team, and Johnathon Matthews (200 meter) also won their events.

Clifford H. Smart 6th grader Alyssa Dayton shined in the 3200 meter claiming first place with a time of 12:53.58. Dayton also teamed up with Kara Alt, Addisyn Atwood and Jovie Rickens to win the 4x800 meter relay.

Sarah G. Banks Middle School’s Jasmine Janesak took home an LVC title in the 100 meter with a time of 13.75. On the boys’ side, Kamerin Flowers (Shot Put) and the Bulldogs 4x100 meter relay team also won LVC crowns.

The boys’ 4x800 meter team brought home some hardware representing James R. Geisler Middle School as well.

Parents bid a "bon voyage" last week to WLCSD 8th-grade French students who pioneered a first-ever enriching trip to Quebec City and Montreal, providing real-world immersion in an international bilingual setting!

Creek principal Seth Taboh accompanied Creek French teacher, Nicola Gilson and Clifford Smart French teacher, Alexis Vennard on this combined trip. Seven students enthusiastically sported their student-created WLCSD Quebec hoodies, proudly representing our district in style.

Madame Gilson packed a week's worth of diverse and educational activities for the students in their four-day excursion. Exploring historical sites, experiencing cultural landmarks, and indulging in delicious traditional cuisine, created a most unforgettable adventure. Students from both Creek and Smart were eager to immerse themselves in the French language and culture, effectively expanding the walls of the everyday classroom. Mr. Taboh supported this endeavor from the beginning, and learned a lot of French on the trip as students both taught and challenged him!

Considering the positive impact the adventure had on this group of students, plans are already underway for next year's level 1 French middle school students. A Quebec excursion is an ideal stepping stone for language acquisition, given the dual language safety net. Continuing to offer this opportunity not only enhances language skills but also broadens perspectives and fosters a deeper appreciation for our neighboring culture less than an hour and a half plane ride away. It offers students the chance to apply their language skills in authentic situations, deepen their cultural understanding, and build lasting memories.

Walled Lake Central counseling secretary, Tracy Coram, received a Golden Apple Award at the May 23, 2024 Board of Education meeting.

Coram was nominated by Walled Lake Central counselor Pam Wesley because she always maintains a high level of professionalism while also being warm and inviting.

See the full story on the District website.

Walled Lake Central resource room paraeducator, Marjorie Tarockoff, received a Golden Apple Award at the May 23, 2024 Board of Education meeting.

Tarockoff’s nominator preferred to remain anonymous, but said she assumes responsibility for those around her and is an educator who goes above and beyond every day.

See the full story on the District website.

The Walled Lake Adult Education program was given the Community/School District Award of Excellence at the annual end-of-year celebration by the Oakland County Community and Adult Educators (OCCAE).

"It is an honor for the program as a whole and a lovely acknowledgement for this great crew of teachers and support staff," said Lora Stout, Director of Community Education Programs and Grants.

The Walled Lake Schools Board of Education is currently accepting applications for a vacant position on the Board. This vacancy comes following Christy Tice’s resignation effective immediately.

The process the Walled Lake Schools Board of Education will follow includes:

• Accepting applications to serve on the Board of Education from Thursday, May 23 to Thursday, May 30 at 4 p.m.

• Review of applications and the selection of candidates by the Board of Education at 11 a.m., Monday, June 3 at the Educational Services Center (850 Ladd Road, Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390).

• Interviews of applicants will take place by the Board of Education, at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 10 at the Educational Services Center (850 Ladd Road, Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390).

• Appointment of the candidate will take place during the meeting on June 10.

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!

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.

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