C.H.S CHRONICLES

Dear CHS Middle School Families,

As we close out the first semester, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a very positive first half of the school year. Our students have worked hard, grown academically and socially, and contributed to a school culture we can all be proud of.

As we move into the second semester, I ask for your continued partnership in encouraging your child to advocate for themselves and take increasing ownership of their academic and social success. These skills are essential as they continue to grow as learners and young adults.

I also continue encourage families to assume the best when questions and/or concerns arise. Our teachers and staff are deeply committed to your children, and open, respectful communication helps us work together effectively. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions; collaboration is always stronger when we approach one another with trust and shared purpose.

CHS Middle School is truly a special place. We are fortunate to work within a supportive school community made up of wonderful students, amazing and engaged families, and an outstanding staff who care deeply about doing what is best for kids each and every day.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to an even stronger and more successful second semester together.

Respectfully,

Nayal Maktari

Please make sure to check your child's 3rd card marking schedule in Skyward Family Access prior to Wednesday, January 21st. Elective classes will change for students, except for Band and Orchestra.

Dear CHS Middle School Parents and Guardians,

We are looking for qualified candidates to join our amazing CHS Middle School Staff. Please click on the link below for more information and consider sharing with whomever you believe would be interested in applying for the position.

Middle School Science Teacher Posting

Thank you,

Nayal Maktari

In District Transfers

Opened January 5th at 8:00 am and will remain open until January 30th at 4:00 pm. You can apply online on the district website. Go to Enroll, then in a blue box you will see a link for In-District Transfer and you will see a link to click to complete the application. Once completed, the application will automatically be sent to the Student Services Department. Once the transfer window closes, applications will be processed within the Student Services Department and shared with our Deputy Superintendent for approval. You will be contacted by Student Services via email noting if your application has been approved or denied.

School of Choice

Opens January 26th at 8:00 am and will remain open until February 13th at 4:00 pm. You can apply online on the district website. Go to Enroll, then in a blue box you will see a l ink for School of Choice and that will take you to the link to complete the application. Please be sure to complete the entire application BEFORE 4:00 pm on February13th. Applications will not be accepted after that date. Once the application is completed it will automatically be sent to the Student Services Department for processing. Once we make sure it is complete and discipline records are attached, applications are shared with our Deputy Superintendent for approval. You will be contacted by Student Services via email noting if your application has been approved or denied

Please contact Counseling Secretary Mrs. Julie Smith JulieSmith@wlcsd.org if you have any questions.

Thanks to all the families who came out for The Three Mexican Tenors concert. They lit up the DSO stage last month with high-energy performances, powerhouse vocals that had students and families alike singing along. An impromptu afterglow meet-and-greet made the night even more special, giving everyone unforgettable photo moments with the artists.

To sign up for Music Appreciation Club, sign up here (https://forms.gle/3eAmCFB4Vf9FCP626)

Our next Club meet is:

Total Eclipse of the Chart: '80s Chart Toppers Concert and Club Meet, Sat, Jan 10 at Orchestra Hall, Concert at 8pm

Club Meet will be held 30 mins prior to Saturday’s performance at 7:30pm

Tickets will be available to book starting December 29th up until the concert date. Students Soundcard tickets can be booked through visiting or calling the box office 313.576.5111. Do reserve your tickets when they become available as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We are expecting a full house for this concert.

Upcoming concerts where we plan to meet as a group:

· Total Eclipse of the Chart: '80s Chart Toppers, Sat, Jan 10 at Orchestra Hall, 8pm

· The Sounds of Laurel Canyon: '60s and '70s, Sat, Mar 14 at Orchestra Hall, 8pm

· Songs of America, Sat, May 30 at Orchestra Hall, 8pm

***Your student soundcard membership allows you to attend many more concerts in addition to the ones listed above. Please consider making the most of your membership and check out all the concerts available to you here: https://www.dso.org/events-and-tickets/calendar?Special+Offers=Soundcard ***

It is not too late to join now! After attending only 1 concert, your student membership will have paid for itself.

Cost: $25 per student membership unlocks one free ticket to almost every Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) 2024-2025 concert series, including the concerts outside of those we plan to meet at, and up to two companion tickets (bring or invite your parents/sibling/friend/teacher) for $5 each, access to the best seats, access to DSO Replay and online Live streaming performances. Carpooling opportunities are available!

Music Appreciation Club Info and registration link (https://forms.gle/3eAmCFB4Vf9FCP626)

Our Music Appreciation Club is back. Please click on the PDF and link below for more information!

You can also click on the QR code to register your child.

The 2025-2026 CHS Yearbook is in the works! Make sure to order your copy at https://yearbookforever.com/. Enter our school's name as CH Smart. Yearbooks will be distributed during grade level lunches in June 2026.

For specific information, please contact our yearbook advisor, Katie Kalinowski, at katiekalinowski@wlcsd.org.

If you haven't already, we encourage you to join the Clifford H. Smart PTSA for the 2025-26 school year!

Simply scan the QR code below to visit our website, discover some ways our PTSA enriches our school community, and sign up.

As an added perk, members will receive a digital copy of the school directory.

Thank you for your support!

We need your help. Please make every effort to avoid picking up your child during their lunch hours. It often takes quite a bit of time to locate a student during lunch/recess and pulls staff from their lunchroom supervisory responsibilities.

Excluding emergencies, please avoid picking up your child at the times below for any prescheduled appointments and plans.

6th Grade Lunch 11:18 a.m.-11:48 a.m.

7th Grade Lunch 12: 25 p.m.-12:55 p.m.

8th Grade Lunch 11:53 a.m.-12:23 p.m.

Thank you for your support and help!

Process for requesting service for district issued chromebooks if needed:

1. If a student needs support, he/she should fill out a Student Chromebook Support Form linked on all of the Google Classrooms and on the school website under Students. Being logged on to the school google account is required to access the form.
2. The information in the form will be sent to Mrs. Stasak, our Middle School Computer Resource Teacher. She will reply to the student at his/her school gmail account. She will offer suggestions to fix the issue or, if it needs service, she will tell the student to take the chromebook to the office and give it to Mrs. Wilseck in the main office.
3. The chromebook in the case will be sent through inner office and the student will be allowed to use a loaner chromebook AT SCHOOL. It will be the student’s responsibility to pick it up each morning from the office and return it at the end of the day.
4. When the chromebook has been repaired, it will be delivered back to the school for the student to pick up.
5. If the family purchased insurance, the first repair is free and all additional repairs carry a deductible. Deductible invoices or repair invoices, for those that did not choose insurance, must be paid before the repaired chromebook is returned.

If a student with a personal chromebook has a network issue, the same form can be used. We are not able to fix physical problems with personal devices and loaner chromebooks will not be provided.

Please click on the above tab and join our CHS Middle School Remind 101 text group. You will receive helpful reminders, time sensitive information along with other pertinent texts.

*Reply @LEAVE to the number you are receiving messages from if you'd like to leave the text group at anytime.

Medications are administered at school under the supervision of our office staff. This includes BOTH prescription medications AND over the counter (ibuprofen, pain relievers, etc.) medications. BOTH types of medication require a completed and signed WLCSD medication authorization form by BOTH the parent/ guardian AND the child’s doctor.

For safety and confidentiality reasons, we will not be accepting medications at Smart Start. If you would like to drop off medications and the required documentation prior to the start of the school year, please contact our office secretary, Mrs. Jen Schloegl , directly at 248-956-3512.

As you have questions about this process please contact our main office at 248.956.3500.

Please remember to please call 248.956.3090 for ALL bussing questions. Please click on the link below to visit our transportation website for more information. A reminder that bus passes are not allowed.

Please feel free to call our main office with any questions at 248.956.3500. You can also email us.

Counseling Secretary: JulieSmith@wlcsd.org

Principal's Secretary: MelissaWilseck@wlcsd.org

Building/Attendance Secretary: JenniferSchloegl@wlcsd.org

6th Grade Counselor: KathleenHoover@wlcsd.org

7th Grade Counselor: MaureenBratke@wlcsd.org

8th Grade Counselor: JulieBraley@wlcsd.org

DROP OFF 8:00 A.M.

SCHOOL STARTS 8:10 A.M.

DISMISSAL 3:00 P.M.

1/2 DAY DISMISSAL 11:40 A.M.

Nayal Maktari, Principal

Jake Hess, Assistant Principal

Steve Spickard, Dean of Students

Please contact us with positive or constructive feedback, questions, and/or concerns.

Website: www.wlcsd.org/smart
Location: 8500 Commerce Road, Commerce Charter Township, MI, United States
Phone: 248-956-3500
Twitter: @CliffordSmart