Walnut Creek Middle School
Principal Newsletter - 11/01/19
Our Mission
We believe in the value of a diverse educational community; in a safe and caring environment where all children can learn.
Staff Highlight - Lynette Van Ameyde
Thank you to our wonderful Band Director, Mrs. Van Ameyde! Mrs. Van Ameyde has been part of the Creek family since 2003, and is one of the many professionals that makes Creek a wonderful place for kids.
This week Mrs. Van Ameyde welcomed our 6th grade band parents to creek for a concert that showcased how quickly our 6th grade students have learned to play their instruments. It was truly amazing to watch how far our 6th grade band students have come in such a short period of time.
Thank you Mrs. Van Ameyde!
End of the day pick up procedures (and a reminder about Drop Off Procedures)
We have decided to make a change to our Afternoon Student Pick up Procedure.
I have attached a PDF document below to explain the new procedure with an overhead map so that you can visualize the new pick up procedure.
We are asking all parents to pull up to the sidewalk along the gym side of the school facing Walnut Lake Rd. When students leave the building at the end of the day they will be able to enter your vehicle from the sidewalk without having to cross the road, or enter the parking lot. When your student is safely in your car, you can pull into the second lane to exit the school.
The parking lot will be closed to parents picking up their children starting Monday.
As a reminder, our school opens at 7:30 AM. Please do not drop students off before this time. When parents are dropping students off, please pull all the way down to the end of the drop off lane. Many parents stop their vehicle directly in front of the entrance door instead of pulling all the way down. This adds to the traffic congestion in the morning.
Math Tutoring - Cancelled this week!
Technology Violation Update
I have asked our teachers to be consistent in the enforcement of this policy. Teachers log violations of the cell phone policy, and the following consequences are applied by administration:
1st phone violation: Lunch Detention
2nd phone violation: Lunch Detention
3rd Phone violation: After School Detention
4th phone violation: Saturday Detention
Additional progressive consequences will apply for further violations.
Smart watches have not been addressed by our staff or administration in the past. Moving forward, I have directed all teachers to ensure that smart watches are not worn during assessments. Smart watches can be used as an informational resource during assessments, which is why teachers will ask that these devices be removed during assessments.
WLSEFCU (Walled Lake School Employee Federal Credit Union) Saving for Your Future is S.I.M.P.L.E Program
WLCSD Middle Schools and the Walled Lake School Employees Federal Credit Union are thrilled to announce our partnership in the inaugural year of the WLSEFCU Saving for Your Future is S.I.M.P.L.E. Program!
SAVING FOR YOUR FUTURE IS S.I.M.P.L.E.:
· S – Start with a goal
· I – Invest when you can
· M – Money management
· P – Plan ahead
· L – Limit spending
· E – Earn interest
Our vision for this new program is to engage our student-members in real-world financial experiences, such as opening a savings account, depositing money, and understanding the value of saving for their future.
One of the desired outcomes for this program is to give students an opportunity to save for their Eighth-Grade Washington D.C. trip. Regularly scheduled deposits could pay for the entirety of the trip. Even if deposits are not used for the Washington D.C. trip, learning the skill of saving is valuable for all of our students.
How To Open a WLSEFCU Student Account
Where: Walnut Creek Middle School
When: Monday, November 4 from 12:30 PM - 8:30 PM (during Parent/Teacher Conferences*)
What You Need to Open a Student Account:
Parents: Unexpired Drivers License or a State ID + Social Security Number
Students: Student ID + Social Security Number
WLSEFCU will graciously make the first $5 deposit for your student account!
*If you are unable to attend Parent/Teacher Conferences, and miss this opportunity to open a WLSEFCU account, the school credit union branches will have student branch times at each middle school.
PTSA Sign-Up Genius for Parent-Teacher Conferences
The PTSA will provide dinner for the incredible and hard-working staff at Parent Teacher conferences on Monday, November 4, 2019.
It truly takes a village. We appreciate any donation or help you can provide.
Please follow the link below to sign up to make a donation or volunteer:
Winter Cheerleading Information
We will also conduct try-outs for or Cheer team on Wednesday, November 6th from 3:15 - 4:30 in the Aux Gym
Walled Lake Central Ski and Snowboard Swap
The annual ski and snowboard swap is coming up at WLC.
Please see the flyer below for additional information.
Swim Team Information
The first practice for our swim team is scheduled for Monday, December 2nd at Northern HS.
For more information, please contact the Swim Coach at coachjessicasmartcreek@gmail.com
Parent Teacher Conferences - November 4th - 12:30 - 8:30
You can sign up for appointments with teachers through Skyward Family Access. Thank you in advance for your participation!
Academic Interventions
Free Math Tutoring:
6th Grade Students are invited to attend free math tutoring on Wednesdays from 3:00 - 3:30 each week in room 117.
7th Grade Students are invited to attend free math tutoring on Thursdays from 3:00 - 3:30 each week in room 117. Occasionally, the 7th grade will meet in the morning due to conflicts with the staff meeting calendar. I will communicate changes to dates/times.
8th Grade Students are invited to attend free math tutoring on Tuesdays from 3:00 - 3:30 each week in room 117.
Peer Tutoring:
Peer Tutoring is an academic intervention which provides students the opportunity to receive academic help from their peers. Peer tutoring will meet each Tuesday in the media center from 3:00 - 4:00.
Upcoming Events: 11/04 - 11/08
Wednesday, November 6th:
- Boys Basketball Away vs. White Lake Middle School
Thursday, November 7th
- Boys Basketball HOME vs. Centennial Middle School
Hawk Nest for Home Games
Students that do not attend the Hawk Nest will not be permitted into an athletic contest unless they are accompanied by their parent/guardian. Parents/Guardians will be required to stay at the event with their child if they did not attend Hawk Nest. Thank you for your cooperation.
Walnut Creek PTSA Membership 2019-2020
Attention all current PTSA Members:
We are currently processing the members into the Membership hub. Please check your email for the PTSA Membership Cards attached to your email receipts. A Student directory will be sent out soon from the walnutcreekptsaWB@gmail.com email.
It should look something like this. Please add to your contact list so it does not get sent to the spam folder.
From: Walnut Creek Middle School PTSA Dues <no-reply@memberhub.com>
Subject: Receipt for Individual Dues
Your support helps the PTSA fund the following projects/areas for our school:
Special Programs (i.e. PALS)
Scholarships
Staff Grants
Staff Appreciation
Installed Gaga Pits
Installed Library Furniture
Reflections National PTA Arts Program
LAYA – Lakes Area Youth Assistance
MLK Annual Celebration Sponsor
School Beautification
8th Grade Extravaganza and Celebration
Funds go back into our school for our children
Thank you for your support!
PTA Michigan Walnut Creek email: walnutcreekptsawb@gmail.com
Follow us on facebook “Walnut Creek Middle School PTSA”
Find the form here: https://wlcsd.org/schools/middle-school-/walnut-creek/parents/ptsa/
PTSA UNfundraiser
Thank you so much to the students and families that have already contributed to our UNfundraiser! Your support has helped us raise $4,500 thus far.
We are over halfway to our goal of $7,000, and we really need your help and support to get across the finish line!
We decided to postpone our first prize drawing that was scheduled to occur today because we have had less than half of our 720 students participate in the UNfundraiser. We want to ensure that as many students as possible have participated and will have the opportunity to win the fantastic prizes that are available.
The number 1 goal of our PTSA is to provide our school, students, and teachers with resources and opportunities to make all of our kids middle school experience great. We are all a team, and all in this together. If you have not done so already, please print the attached UNfundraiser form and send a donation to school with your student. We would truly appreciate it!
Our new prize days are scheduled for November 8th, November 15th, and the grand prize drawing will be November 19th.
Creek Vocal Music and Theater Department Collecting Returnables
The Walnut Creek Vocal Music and Theater Department is collecting returnable cans and bottles as a fundraiser for our Fall Musical, Legally Blonde JR. Returnables can be brought to Room 121 before or after school until December 22nd. Please e-mail Mr. Greene (alexandergreene@wlcsd.org) if you have any additional questions.
International Baccalaureate Programme Informational Meeting
Creek Social Media Accounts
PTSA Social Media:
- Facebook: @WalnutPTSA
- Twitter: @WalnutPTSA
Creek Social Media:
- Twitter: @WalnutCreekMS
- Principal: @tabohs
Teacher Accounts:
- Mrs. King - Instagram: @mrskingwcms
- Mr. Greene - Facebook: facebook.com/wcmsmu Twitter: @Hawks_Choir
Mrs. Sartor - @wcmsdesigntech (Instagram) @gsartor1 (twitter)
Washington D.C. Registration
Girls and Boys Golf Information for 8th Grade Middle School Students
Dear interested golf families and athletes:
The Walled Lake Central Girls/Boys Golf coaches will be offering free golf lessons, beginning January 7th. Sessions will be running on Tuesday’s from 5:30-6:30pm for boys and 7-8pm for girls. Thursday sessions from 4:30-5:30 pm for Girls and 6-7 pm for boys in Walled Lake Central’s Golf Room inside room E100. Any 8th grade girls and boys interested in playing golf at Central please contact Coach Johnston at ryanjohnston@wlcsd.org or 586-549-0111 to sign up for these free lessons.
B.L.D. Coney Island Offering Discount to Walnut Creek Families
Walnut Creek Middle School
Email: sethtaboh@wlcsd.org
Website: https://wlcsd.org/schools/middle-school-/walnut-creek/
Location: 7601 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone: 248-956-2400
Twitter: @tabohs