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 9: Board of Education regular meeting
• January 11: Day of Strings at WL Central
• January 15-17: HS Semester 1 Exams
• January 20: 26th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration at WL Northern
• January 22: Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten Orientation

Walled Lake Western’s Alyssa Vindershain and Michaela Willingham have been nominated for the 2025 Sutton Foster Awards for their performances in the Warriors’ rendition of The Addams Family.

Vindershain, who played Alice Beineke, and Willingham, who played Morticia Addams, were both recognized for Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role.

"Michaela and Alyssa both work so diligently to bring the best to every performance they have been a part of," said Walled Lake Western musical director Collin Kuss. "Seeing them grow over the years and receive this honor has been truly special."

"Their love of music and theatre, as well as their perseverance, shows in everything they do," added Kuss. "They deserve this honor wholly and completely, and I hope they are proud of carrying on the torch of theatrical excellence at Walled Lake Western."

Vindershain and Willingham 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 23 at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.

Allendale Elementary in Melvindale was glowing with pure joy on Thursday, December 19. Walled Lake Northern Student Leadership surprised more than 900 students and 60 staff members with over 5,000 gifts as part of the Knights’ 9th annual Gift Drive.

Knights' assistant principal Jennifer Caulford took over our Instagram story to give you a behind the scenes look at delivery day. You can view Mrs. Caulford's takeover in the Highlights section of our Instagram page by clicking 'WLN gift Drive'.

Sarah G. Banks Middle School principal Jennifer VanWagnen delivered plenty of smiles and laughter on the eve of winter break. Along with stopping by each classroom with a hot chocolate and coffee cart for staff, she also froze in different locations throughout the building during passing time for the Bulldogs to find her.

You can check out what Mrs. VanWagnen got into and watch the fun on our Instagram.

Hickory Woods Elementary principal Lisa Shannon found the perfect perch to spread holiday cheer! The coolest Elf on the Shelf welcomed Hickory Woods Elementary students to school for the final day before winter break from the sign in front of the building.

From hockey tips to heartfelt cheers, the Walled Lake United Whitecaps brought the energy on the ice with these amazing Miracle League children! It was a night of learning, laughter, and big smiles where the Whitecaps taught children how to skate and play hockey. The boys may have left with even fuller hearts than the players they coached.

On Sunday, December 15th, the Walled Lake Western Varsity Bowling Team won the Lakeland Invitational Tournament held at Century Bowl in Waterford. The boys placed 4th in the qualifying round out of 23 teams. The top 8 teams competed in bracket play with Walled Lake Western beating Walled Lake Northern and then Walled Lake Central to win the tournament! Shown in the picture from left to right are Jackson Bryan (JV), Jake Walton (V), Assistant Coach Michael Orr, Justin Holbrook (V), Colin Smith (V), Matthew Jones (V), Coach Guy DuFresne, Wyatt Proudfit (V), and Trevor Selecman (V). Also not pictured is Mason Tilmos (JV).

Walled Lake Schools 26th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at Walled Lake Northern High School on Monday, January 20th beginning at 5:00 p.m.

This year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration theme is Unity.

“Unity in diversity is unity between all individuals and groups, regardless of differences. It is unity without uniformity, and diversity without divisiveness. It is an understanding that the differences between people enrich our lives and makes our country the special, and unique place it is”.

WLCSD, in partnership with the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, invites parents, guardians, and community members to an important educational presentation by Fentanyl Fathers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about fentanyl prevention and the dangers of misuse.

📅 Date: Monday, January 27
🕔 Time: 5:45–6:45 p.m.
📍 Location: Clifford H. Smart Middle School Media Center

This presentation will take place just before the WLCSD PTSA Council Meeting, which begins at 7:00 p.m. in the same location. Students are also welcome to attend the presentation; however, all three WLCSD high schools will host similar assemblies during the school day that week. High school parents should watch for additional details regarding these events.

We hope to see you there for this crucial conversation!

The Walled Lake Consolidated School District is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our students and families. To help address concerns about vaping, we are sharing valuable resources that provide information on the risks of vaping and strategies for prevention. These tools are designed to empower families with knowledge and support meaningful conversations at home. Together, we can help every child make healthy choices every day.

• E-cigarettes and Vaping: What Parents Should Know - American Lung Association
• E-cigarettes and Youth: What Parents Need to Know - Centers for Disease Control

• E-cigarettes/Vaping Facts - Oakland County Health Department

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.

During the 2024-25 school year, all Michigan public school students in grades Pre-K through 12 will have access to free breakfast and free lunch everyday 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 Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application in Skyward to help secure additional funding for the District including Title I funding. By completing the form, eligible families may also receive access to other benefit programs including reduced registration fees for standardized testing, discounted college application fees, pay to participate, discounted home internet access, 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