District Update

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 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 2: Count Day
• 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 Western celebrated the grand opening of its brand-new academic wing on Tuesday night giving the community an opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facility.

“(This evening) represents the realization of a dream,” said Dr. Michael Lonze, Superintendent of Schools. “Without your support, we would not be here today celebrating this beautiful addition and beautiful new building of Walled Lake Western.”

Board of Education president Stephanie Kaplan, Walled Lake Western president Amy Pashak, and representatives from Auch Construction and TMP Architecture were among those who spoke in front of community members filling the building’s new learning stairs.

Continue reading on the district website.

Walled Lake Central senior Mirella Yousif will take over our Instagram story on Friday, September 27, 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!

The Walled Lake Northern equestrian team added some hardware to its trophy case over the weekend claiming the District 1, Division B Reserve title.

The Knights’ closed their final district meet of the season with a team high score of 563 points earning them a trip to the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association (MIHA) Regional Championships. The Region B Championships are this coming weekend at the Shiawassee Fairgrounds. The opening ceremonies begin on Friday, September 27, with competition running through Sunday, September 29.

The Walled Lake Junior Equestrian teams enjoyed plenty of success this season, as well, each placing in their respective districts.

Clifford H. Smart and James R. Geisler middle school placed third in District 1, Division A. Sarah G. Banks and Walnut Creek middle schools earned third place in District 1, Division C.

The Walled Lake Competitive Marching Band has shined with its performance of “Enchanted” taking first place at its first two MCBA competitions of the year.

The combined band from Walled Lake Central and Western opened its season at Lakeland High School on September 14, where it took first place with a score of 76.0 and earned three caption awards for Outstanding Music, Outstanding Visual, and Outstanding General Effect.

The Walled Lake Competitive Marching Band amped up its performance a week later with a trip to Grand Blanc, this time scoring an 84.85 to take home first place once again in Flight 1. Along with topping the podium, the band also received caption awards for Outstanding Music, Outstanding Visual, and Outstanding General Effect.

The Walled Lake Competitive Marching Band will have a few weeks off before heading to Novi on October 19 for its next MCBA competition.

Walled Lake Western students sailed the high seas in social studies class on September 19! Mr. Blackney and a few Warriors took advantage of National Talk Like A Pirate Day.

You can check out the fun by watching our Instagram Reel.

Donuts + Friends = The perfect combo! 🍩

Friday morning was all about smiles, laughter, and family fun as the Loons flocked to the playground for Loon Lake Elementary's annual Breakfast with a Buddy!

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is proud to recognize 38 students that earned the prestigious AP Capstone Diploma in 2024. Additionally, six students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate during the 2023-24 school year.

"We are incredibly proud of the 38 Walled Lake students who earned this prestigious distinction in 2024,” said Dr. Michael Lonze, Superintendent of Schools. “Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence are truly inspiring. These students have demonstrated exceptional critical thinking, research, and communication skills that will serve them well in their future endeavors. Their success reflects the strength of our District's academic programs and the unwavering support of our teachers, staff, and families."

Continue reading on the district website.

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 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