District Update
A weekly update from Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Walled Lake Consolidated School District Update: March 9, 2023
Important Reminders for Families:
Mar. 9: Board of Education Closed Session at 5:30pm
Mar. 9: Board of Education Special Meeting at 6pm
Mar. 9: Board of Education Meeting at 7pm
- Mar. 13: Kindergarten Orientation at all 12 WL elementary schools
- Mar. 14: Half Day for Students | Staff Professional Development
- Mar. 20: PTSA Reflections Celebration at WLW
- Mar. 23: Board of Education Workshop at 6pm
- Mar. 27-31: Spring Break - No School for Students or Staff
Board Meetings will be livestreamed starting March 9
During the January 2023 Board of Education meeting, the Walled Lake Board of Education directed District leadership to pursue the option of having regular meetings of the Board of Education livestreamed to the community via the District website. The first Board of Education meeting to be livestreamed will be the March 9 meeting starting at 7pm.
Information related to livestream guidelines, the link to archived meeting recordings, and the link to the watch the current month’s meeting live, please visit the District website and click on Board of Education: https://wlcsd.org/board-of-education/livestream/
District News:
“Miss Patty” receives Betty Campion Distinguished Support Service Award
Patty Thoresen Phillipson, emotional support paraeducator at Wixom Elementary has been selected to receive the Walled Lake Consolidated School District Betty Campion Distinguished Support Service Award for the 2022-23 school year. “Miss Patty”, as the students and families at Wixom Elementary have come to call her, will be formally recognized at the April 13 Board of Education meeting.
Patty was nominated by Cathy Russel, principal at Wixom Elementary because Patty has a heart of gold and cares deeply about everyone at Wixom. Patty is observant and helps throughout our school whenever and wherever she is needed. No matter what it is.
In her nomination letter, Mrs. Russel included: “Patty sees the whole child and makes connections so that she can help students identify their feelings, make a plan, and handle whatever comes their way. She makes everyone feel special, important, and seen (students and staff alike).”
Patty will represent the District in the Oakland Schools Education Foundation’s Support Person of the Year awards contest coming up later this spring.
MAKEUP MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL Chromebook Distribution Day, Monday, March 13
The WLCSD IT Department will be offering a final MAKEUP High School & Middle School Chromebook distribution day at ESC in Room 900 on Monday, March 13.
from 7am-9am and 3pm-7pm for any secondary families still in need of a Chromebook.
After Monday, March 13, new students or students in need of a device after distribution is complete should contact their school office for forms, payment information and procedure for obtaining a device. PLEASE BE AWARE once forms and payment are received by the IT Dept. there is a 5 day turn around for delivery of a device to the building for distribution. We are not able to handle walk-in requests for a device after the March 13 distribution day. Students needing immediate access to a device should be referred to bldg loaner cart procedure.
Northern’s Sean Diffenderfer returns to state finals for the third-straight year
Walled Lake Northern’s Sean Diffenderfer is headed back to the MHSAA Division 2 state swimming championships looking to defend his state crown in the 500 freestyle.
Along with winning gold in 2022, the Knights senior has earned All-State honors in the 500 freestyle each of the past two seasons. Last season, Diffenderfer also claimed All-State in the 200 freestyle.
Diffenderfer will swim both the 500 and 200 freestyle this year with his sights set on the top of the podium.
The MHSAA Division 2 state meet is Friday and Saturday at the Holland Aquatics Center. The prelims on Friday and finals on Saturday both start at Noon.
Trio of gymnasts qualify for the MHSAA Division 1 State Meet
Walled Lake Central’s Shaylee McCain, as well as Walled Lake Northern’s Natalie Vogt and Charlotte Galloway will represent Walled Lake Gymnastics this weekend at the MHSAA Division 1 state meet.
Vogt, who was nominated for the MHSGCJA Senior Gymnast of the Year Award, is making her third-straight appearance at the state meet. The Knight’s senior qualified in all events (all around, bars, beam, floor and vault) for the first time after competing in just the beam the past two years.
“It means a lot to me, and I feel like its been building up over these four years,” said Vogt. “It feels good to have all my hard work rewarded, and I wouldn’t be able to do it without my team supporting me along the way.”
McCain also qualified in all events this season. It’s the second-straight trip to the state meet for the Vikings’ sophomore after competing in beam and vault in 2022.
Galloway will join the two veterans with her first trip to the state meet. The Northern freshman dazzled at Regionals qualifying in bars and beam.
The MHSAA Division 1 State Meet will start at Noon on Saturday, March 11, at Lakeland High School.
Clifford H. Smart 7th grade girls' basketball team claims LVC championship
Clifford H. Smart Middle School added a new trophy to its case on Wednesday night as the 7th grade girls' basketball team took home the Lake Valley Conference championship. The Trojans avenged their only loss of the regular season beating Mason, 24-18.
Smart used a big fourth quarter to seal the victory outscoring Mason 10-4 in the final frame.
"This is a great team but even better children and students," said principal Nayal Maktari. "We are extremely proud of the grit, resilience and effort they’ve shown in excelling in the classroom and on the basketball court."
The Trojans finished their season 11-1 overall.
Western closes out weekend of performances of "Into The Woods"
Meadowbrook Elementary principal Jennifer VanWagnen gets slimed!
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
Walled Lake Robotics opens season at Milford
Monsters 308 finished 10th overall, being selected to the 4th-seeded alliance, and named a finalist.
Yeti 7178 finished 19th overall, being selected to the 6th-seeded alliance, and took home the Creativity Award.
In The News
Guess Who? Revealed!
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
Tuition Expedition 50/50 Raffle Tickets on Sale NOW!
Registration for GED/ESL 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