District Update
A weekly update from Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Walled Lake Consolidated School District Update: March 23, 2023
Important Reminders for Families:
Mar. 23: Board of Education Workshop at 6pm
- Mar. 27-31: Spring Break - No School for Students or Staff
- Apr. 3: School Resumes
- Apr. 7: District Closed - No School for Students or Staff
- Apr. 13: Board of Education Meeting
- Apr. 24: PTSA Council Meeting at Hickory Woods Elementary
Staff Directory Update - WLCSD Website
To enhance network security, the District will be embracing the “Contact Form” option on the District website. This update will take place over Spring Break and be in place when classes resume on April 3. This update comes as part of the District’s ongoing efforts to prevent against cybersecurity threats.
Families can access the “Contact Form” by clicking the email/envelope icon next to a particular staff member’s name in the website directory and following the prompts. The form will then send that message to staff via their District email account.
March is Reading Month Highlights!
District News:
Two Northern students nominated for prestigious Sutton Foster Awards
Walled Lake Northern’s Gabby Alexander and Kade Hopkins have been nominated for the 2023 Sutton Foster Awards for their performances in the Knights’ rendition of “Matilda”.
Alexander, who played Matilda, and Hopkins, who played Harry Wormwood, were both recognized for “Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role”.
Alexander and Hopkins will join Michigan’s other nominees for two weekends at Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing, where they will continue to develop their theatre skills in workshops led by industry professionals. At the conclusion of the workshops in May, they will take part in the Sutton Foster Awards Showcase at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. During that performance, judges will select Michigan’s two “Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role” winners. Those two winners will earn a $1,000 cash prize, free tuition to the Warton Center’s “Take It From The Top” summer performance workshop, and fly to New York City to compete for the National High School Musical Theatre Award on June 26th at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.
Walled Lake PTSA hosts successful Reflections Celebration
Special thanks to Jackie Gurwin and Torry Yu, Reflections co-chairs for their hours of hard work in making this event a reality.
Keith Elementary celebrates World Down Syndrome Day with a 1K walk/run for charity
Keith Elementary celebrated World Down Syndrome Day on Tuesday, March 21, by raising awareness within its school and raising money for the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network of Michigan.
The Dragons participated in a 1K walk/run during their recess, which is three laps around the walking track, and sold t-shirts with all the proceeds benefiting the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network of Michigan. The t-shirts read, “In a world with endless possibilities, celebrate differences, choose kindness, see the able. World Down Syndrome Day.” Every student was also given a unique pair of fun socks to wear, which were donated to a school by a parent.
On Thursday, March 16, principal Marci Augenstein conducted a school wide presentation teaching her students about World Down Syndrome Day with the message, “Making New Friends: It is important for us to learn about people who are different from us so that we can understand and not be afraid of others.”
WL staff compete for charity
Four elementary schools closed out the winter with crosstown volleyball matches for good causes.
The Loon Lake staff played against Glengary for the first time at Creek on Thursday, March 16. Although the Gators were victorious this year, the Loons will have an opportunity to take the title back next year as it will be an annual competition going forward. They did a 50/50 raffle and the proceeds from that raffle will be donated to The Student Pantry.
The annual Wixom vs. Oakley Park Volleyball for a Cause game was held at Creek on Friday, March 17. They raised well over $2,000 for Lakes Area Youth Assistance and Team Wixom brought home the trophy again this year.
How are you spending spring break?
Signing Up for SMS Messages via Skylert
In addition to receiving phone calls and email notifications from the school district in the event of a school closing or emergency, parents can also sign up to receive SMS Text messages.
Please find the helpful step-by-step instructions linked below as well as the video tutorial on signing up for SMS messages.
Students that qualified for reduced meals will now receive free meals
Nomination Information!
Kindness Matters Award Nomination Form
- Any student, teacher, secretary, administrator, bus driver, playground supervisor, or any Walled Lake Schools employee
- Parents, grandparents, or community members
- A company, store, or an organization
Any or all of the above who: demonstrate kindness on a frequent basis, go out of their way to make others feel better, lead initiatives in their school or community to benefit others, or inspire others to show kindness.
Please submit nominations via the Google form through Friday, April 12 and contact Nayal Maktari, principal at Clifford H. Smart Middle School, with questions.
Graduate Spotlight Nomination Form
WLCSD Staff Shoutout Nomination Form
A sample of what these shout outs will look like on social media and in our District newsletters can be found below.
Shining Star nominations accepted until April 6
All nominations must be received on or before April 6, 2023. Questions? Contact: WalledLakePAC@gmail.com
Walled Lake Athletes Committing to Play at the College Level
Year-end presents a great opportunity to celebrate our top senior student athletes and their opportunity to continue their athletic careers in college.
Please provide the following information on SENIOR athletes that have either:
- received a scholarship to play college athletics
- have a spot guaranteed to them on a college roster as a "preferred walk-on."
Pleasant Lake Elementary/Andy Dale Scholarship deadline April 10
*Pleasant Lake Elementary graduate who attended PLE for a minimum of three years
*Walled Lake Central or Northern Graduate
*Actively involved in school or community activities
*Demonstrates leadership qualities
*3.0 minimum GPA
*Accepted to college
*Be willing to accept your award at PLE’s fifth grade graduation in June
*Submit application to counseling office by Monday, April 10th
If the committee does not feel any candidates are worthy then it is up to the discretion of the committee to not award a scholarship in any given year.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or need assistance please reach out to Brendaraymond@wlcsd.org
Registration for GED Classes still available
Spring & Summer Community Education Program Guide Available
Upcoming Events:
Community Resources:
District Links:
WLCSD Stormwater Management
FFE News and Notes
Lakes Area Community Coalition
Hospitality House Food Pantry
Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Connect with Us!
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