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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• January 22: Kindergarten Registration OPENS, visit www.wlcsd.org/enrollment for more info.
• January 22: GED/ESL Registration, 5 - 7 pm, WL Central
• January 26: PTSA Council Meeting; 7pm at Commerce Elementary
• January 26: Schools of Choice Application Window OPENS
• January 28: Half Day for Students | Staff Professional Development
• January 29-February 1: WLN presents: "Legally Blonde: The Musical", tickets available now at www.wlcstickets.com.

What an incredible evening celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday night!

Congratulations to Walled Lake Northern junior David Devaney on receiving the 2026 Alec Bender Friend of Diversity Award.

Thank you to everyone who attended our 27th annual event and participated in our District-wide Food Drive to support the Hospitality House Food Pantry.

Make sure to follow us on Instagram so you don't miss out on all of the fun!

Show Times

• Thursday, January 29 - 7 p.m.
• Friday, January 30 - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, January 31 - 7 p.m.
• Sunday, February 1 - 2 p.m.

Walled Lake Western’s Jasalyn Austin and Hanah Masri have been nominated for the 2026 Sutton Foster Awards for their performances in the Warriors’ rendition of Hadestown.

Austin, who played Hermes, and Masri, who played Persephone, were both recognized for Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role.

“Hannah and Jasalyn have put in countless hours perfecting their roles and honing their skills for this show,” said Walled Lake Western musical director, Collin Kay. “I am so proud they were chosen to represent Western’s theatre program at The Sutton Foster Awards. This is such a prestigious opportunity, and I hope they have an incredible experience!”

Austin and Masri 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, they will take part in the Sutton Foster Awards Showcase at the Wharton Center in June. During that performance, judges will select Michigan’s two Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role winners. Those two winners will earn a $1,000 cash prize and fly to New York City to compete for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards on June 22 at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.

The Walled Lake Whitecaps partnered with the Huron Valley Titans to help children in need as they met on the ice in their 10th annual Clash for the Cause on Saturday, January 10, at Lakeland Arena.

The Whitecaps and Titans raised over $18,000 for the Rainbow Connection, whose mission is to grant wishes and provide support services to Michigan children battling life-threatening illnesses.

Each player wore a special jersey with the name of someone that is either currently battling or has battled a life-threating illness. After the game, players presented those jerseys to the person or their family.

On the ice, Huron Valley beat Walled Lake, 6-1.

The Shining Stars Award recognizes outstanding individuals and student peers who have supported the special needs community within Walled Lake Schools.

Love your child's bus driver? Nominate them.

Love your child's Unified coach or buddy? Nominate them!

Nominees can be anyone associated with the special needs community: teacher (including case manager or resource teacher), paraeducator, social worker, physical therapist, speech and language pathologist, bus driver, aide, buddy, parent, coach, volunteer, etc. Some of the qualities of the nominee might include: a positive attitude, dedication, dependability, self-motivation, helpfulness and more.

Nominations accepted via this Google link only: https://forms.gle/4EGfn4LMnmuSUMjQA

A panel of anonymous judges will select two top entries so please be as specific as possible in your nomination.

All nominees will receive their nomination form and be recognized at the awards ceremony at Walled Lake Western High School on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. A top winner (one staff member and one student) will also be selected from all the nominations and receive special recognition.

All nominations must be received on or before April 24, 2026. Only electronic nominations will be accepted.

Questions? Contact us at: WalledLakePAC@gmail.com

The WLW Boys Volleyball Team is seeking for donations to fill gift baskets that will be raffled off at fundraiser events through out the season this Spring 2026. This will help us raise money to go towards the boys volleyball program that will cover tournament fees, referee fees, and equipment including volleyballs for the program.

If you have any questions or need the team's Tax ID # or donation receipt, please contact Coach Kathryn (kathyrich16@gmail.com)

The team is also hosting an ongoing bottle and can drive leading up to their season in the spring. Their goal is to raise $6,000.

Please reach to Mary Crause-Riley (248-225-4427) or Coach Kathryn Richardson

(906-235-4820) to arrange a pick up.

“The Shuman Family Performing Arts Scholarship Fund was established in 2014 and exists to help with small scholarships for students participating in the high school performing arts programs. This year we have $3,200 to split amongst the applicants. We usually have a high number of applicants, and unfortunately, we are unable to fund all students. Those receiving funds can expect to receive somewhere between $50 and $300.

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.

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.

Hear ye, hear ye! Walled Lake Community Education proudly extends a royal invitation to all young princes, princesses, and their honored guests for an enchanting evening at our Family Dance. This semi-formal celebration is designed to bring families together for a night of elegance, joy, and magical memories.

Step into the ballroom and delight in music and dancing, capture the moment at our royal photo booth, create keepsakes at craft stations, and discover prizes worthy of a king or queen. Light refreshments will be served as our royal guests enjoy this unforgettable community gathering.

• Open to Preschool through 5th Grade students
• All children must be accompanied by an adult
• This is a community event and is not sponsored by any school

The Walled Lake Marching Band and Color Guard will be holding an informational meeting and ice cream social for prospective new members and parents on February 3rd at 7:00 PM in the Walled Lake Central Band Room. Any Creek, Banks, WLC, or WLW students are eligible to participate in color guard for 2026. All skills will be taught, and this multi-state championship organization welcomes anyone interested!

For more information, please email:

• Mr. Grant Prater, Director of Bands - WLC grantprater@wlcsd.org
• Mr. Michael Wolf, Director of Bands - WLW michaelwolf@wlcsd.org

the Special Services Parent Advisory Committee is sponsoring an Inclusion event in an effort to increase awareness of Unified Sports & Unified Champion Schools, further promote inclusion throughout the District, and celebrate Walled Lake Staff.

The highlight of the Inclusion event is a Unified basketball game featuring school administration and school board members supporting our Unified athletes. The event also includes appreciation stations for staff and educational sessions to inform and inspire the school community about the values and impact of Unified Sports.

Team Walled Lake (Area 15) Special Olympics Michigan provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults (8 years and older) with intellectual disabilities. We are looking for new athletes this season and participating in Unified Sports alongside Team Walled Lake is possible.

Days: Monday & Friday

Time: 6:30-8:00pm

Location: Sarah Banks Middle School

Address: 1760 Charms Rd, Wixom, MI 48393

There is no cost for athletes to participate.

Please complete this Google Form, if interested. This will be used as the registration for the season.

This year, athletes will be split into two separate groups:

• Athletes that want to compete at tournaments and scrimmages, committing to the entire season.

• Athletes that do not want to participate in tournaments, cannot guarantee attendance, and just want to have fun with their friends.

Both groups are wonderful! The only difference will be is that athletes not competing will not be placed on teams - they will attend practices, but will not 'officially' be on a roster.

During the 2025-26 school year, all Michigan public school students in grades Pre-K through 12 will have access to free breakfast and free lunch every day 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 free/reduced meal form on Skyward Family Access help secure additional funding for the District including Title I funding. By completing the form, eligible families may also receive access to other free and reduced programs within the District including SAT testing, pay to participate and more.

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