

Connections Digital Newsletter
November 10, 2022

The Wayne-Westland Wrap Up - April 2025
Dear Wayne-Westland Families,
March was a busy and exciting month across Wayne-Westland Community Schools!
We had the pleasure of welcoming our newest students and families at our Young 5s and Kindergarten Round-Up events at all 10 elementary schools. It was exciting to meet so many new families and introduce them to our school community.
March was also Reading Month, and many of our schools hosted special guest readers. Student-athletes visited elementary schools to share their love of reading, creating meaningful connections with younger students.
We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes and their achievements. Wayne Memorial High School’s boys’ basketball team advanced to the state finals, while the girls’ team made it to the semifinals. Our Unified Basketball team had an incredible season, showcasing teamwork and determination. Meanwhile, our elementary basketball players and cheerleaders built confidence, learned new skills, and had a fantastic time.
Beyond athletics and literacy, our students continue to excel in STEM, the arts, and hands-on learning experiences that foster creativity and innovation. As we approach the final months of the school year, we look forward to celebrating even more achievements.
We invite you to join us for upcoming events, performances, and activities. Be sure to check our district and school calendars for details.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Wayne-Westland Community Schools!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Curry
Interim Superintendent
Dates to Remember
- April 18 – No School (Good Friday, PreK-12)
- April 30 – No School (District Professional Development, PreK-12)
- May 23-26 – No School (Memorial Day Recess, PreK-12)
- May 31 – Graduation for Wayne-Westland Innovative Academy, John Glenn and Wayne Memorial High Schools at EMU
- June 5 - Last Day of School GSRP preschool
- June 9 – Half Day (High School, morning session only)
- June 10 – Half Day (K-12, morning session only)
- June 11 – Half Day (K-12, morning session only) – Last Day of School
As always, please visit our district website and follow us on social media for the latest news, updates, and event details.
Community Corner
Jack Demmer Ford in Wayne
Thank you to Jack Demmer Ford in Wayne for their incredible generosity. Their employees raised $10,000 through raffles to support our district’s Family Resource Center. This generous donation will help provide essential items like toiletries, school supplies, socks, and underwear for Wayne-Westland students and families in need. We appreciate their commitment to our community!
Student Collaboration Leads to Innovation
Students from Franklin Middle School partnered with a Stottlemyer preschool SXI classroom to design sensory toys for students with special needs. This incredible Project-Based Learning (PBL) unit fostered inquiry, empathy, and cross-curricular learning, making a meaningful impact on students and educators alike.
Their hard work has been recognized as a Samsung Solve for Tomorrow State Winner and is still in the running for national honors! A 7th grader at Franklin created the entire video summarizing this project.
In Honor of Our Teachers
Celebrate Our Amazing Teachers
National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9, 2025, but the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) wants to celebrate all month.
Parents, we need your help. Have your child record a 15-30 second video thanking a special teacher who has made a difference in their life.
✅ Follow the directions on the flyer.
✅ Submit videos & parental consent via the Teacher Appreciation Video Project Google Form
⏳ Deadline: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Let’s show our teachers how much they mean to us.
Culture and Diversity Fair
Registration is Now Open!
Summer Grocery Benefits for Kids
SUN Bucks is the new name for the Summer EBT grocery benefit. Eligible families will receive $120 per child to purchase groceries over the summer.
Once you’re enrolled, SUN Bucks will be automatically added to your SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) account or you will be issued a separate electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card.
Note: Families can receive SUN Bucks on top of other nutrition benefits like SNAP and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children.)
Funds will expire 122 days after issuance – so families are encouraged to use them sooner rather than later.
What can be purchased with SUN Bucks?
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Breads and cereals
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Where can SUN Bucks be used?
In-Store
SUN Bucks can be used at the same stores that accept SNAP or WIC. Use the SNAP Retailer Locator to find grocery stores, farmers markets, and convenience stores near you.
Online
SUN Bucks can now be used at online retailers like Amazon, Costco, and Thrive Market. Click ‘Michigan’ on the Online Purchasing Pilot Map for a full list of participating retailers.
Who is Eligible?
Families will be automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks if they are already enrolled in SNAP, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations) benefits or meet the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals.
Note: Families not automatically enrolled should apply for SUN Bucks directly.
Deadline(s): Apply by April 15, 2025, to be eligible for the first issuance of benefits in May. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until August 31, 2025.
Going Green
Peachjar provides an electronic alternative for distributing flyers, making it easier for families to receive school and community information and resources.
How are flyers distributed?
- Families will receive flyers via email based from the school their child attends.
- Flyers are posted on each school's website.