C.H.S CHRONICLES
July 28, 2026
2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR INFORMATION
The CHS Staff and I hope you are having an amazing summer. Below you will find some important updates and reminders.
Online Back-to-School Process (Opens Monday, August 3rd)
Parents need to complete the online back-to-school process through Skyward Family Access. This process requires families to verify student information, update parent email addresses, complete required district forms, apply for free and reduced lunch, and make fee/fine payments. The online registration packet includes critical forms and procedures, so please read it thoroughly.
- Log in to Skyward Family Access to begin.
- For more information, visit the WLCSD Back-to-School Hub.
Parents must have their own Family Access login to complete this process; it cannot be completed using a student login. If you do not have a parent login, please email your request to familyaccess@wlcsd.org as soon as possible or call (248) 956-2190. Please include your name, the name of each child in the district, your email address, and a daytime phone number.
This online process opens on Monday, August 3rd and MUST be completed prior Smart Start on Tuesday, August 18th.
1-to-1 Device Program
Students new to Walled Lake Schools and those who did not receive a district device through the 1-to-1 program in the past are required to do so for the upcoming school year.
Please review this step in the back-to-school online process. New this year is the expectation that all students have a district device. All district devices are supported by our District IT department.
School Pictures
Please click on the link below to access our school picture online ordering form. A reminder that school pictures will be taken at Smart Start. We will have a picture make up day later this fall for those that do not attend Smart Start.
Please click YES on the picture date (Tuesday, September 18th), skip the the request for Teacher Last Name, and complete Student First Name, Last Name, and Grade.
SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS
SMART START
REGISTRATION DAY FOR ALL GRADES ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 18TH FROM 9:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.
CHS 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will have the opportunity to have the following:
- Have their school picture taken
- Receive their student I.D.
- Receive their class schedule
- Receive their locker assignment and can practice opening their locker
- Learn general building information
- Walk around the school and see where classes are located
- 7TH AND 8TH GRADE STUDENTS THAT DO NOT HAVE DISTRICT CHROMEBOOK WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ONE ON THIS DAY
Please note that student planners will be distributed to students on the first day of school. Parents will also have an opportunity to join the CHS PTSA at Smart Start.
Please note that there is not a registration make up date if you cannot attend Smart Start. You can locate your child's schedule, locker number and combination through your Skyward Family Access Account. Picture retakes will take place later in the fall and your child can pick up any additional material on the first day of school.
LOCKER DECORATIONS
One of the best things about Smart Start is getting class schedules and finding out locker assignments. As students are getting their lockers set up and finding their classes for the first day of school, many like to personalize their locker. Some students choose to decorate with various shelving units, mirrors, etc. These items can fun and help to personalize the space if a student chooses to do so. As the lockers have plenty of space, please keep in mind that they are lockers and not closets, so less decor may be best.
One type of decor that is NOT permitted inside or outside the locker at any time is contact paper/ wallpaper/ stickers. These items tend to be installed incorrectly causing the locking mechanisms to not work correctly and cause issues with opening and closing the locker. In addition, they are very difficult to remove at the end of year causing damage to the lockers.
Thank you for your help in making good decoration choices with your child.
6TH GRADE ORIENTATION DAY ON MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH FROM 8:00 A.M.-11:45 A.M.
6TH GRADERS ARE ASKED TO ATTEND SMART START AND THE WEB ORIENATION DAY
Hello 6th Grade Parents!
We are very excited that your child will be attending Clifford H. Smart Middle School, and we look forward to seeing them at our 6th Grade Orientation Day on Monday August 17, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. -11:45 a.m. Mark your calendars!
WHAT IS WEB?
WEB is a nationwide program designed to welcome and support 6th graders by connecting them with WEB Leaders, who are positive, responsible, hand-selected 8th graders. 6th graders will participate in a series of team building activities, get a tour of the building, and learn what they need to know for a successful start to the school year! Your student’s WEB Leaders will help them feel more comfortable as well as help them achieve success in their first year of middle school. Orientation Day is just the start!
PLEASE NOTE THAT DISTRICT ISSUED CHROMEBOOKS WILL BE PROVIDED TO EACH 6TH GRADER ON THIS DAY. MORE DETAILS WILL BE PROVIDED SHORTLY.
Thank You,
Mrs. Jessika Golab
Mr. Nathan Bruce
AUTHORIZATION TO ADMINISTER MEDICATION
As we prepare for the start of the school year, we wanted to touch base with you regarding the process of administering medications to students at school.
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. Jennifer Schloegl, directly at 248-956-3512.
As you have questions about this process please contact our main office at 248.956.3500.
CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
Over the summer our cross country coaches like to start checking out the interest of team members for the fall and schedule some group runs over the summer.
If your child is interested in joining the cross country running team this fall, please complete the Google Form link below. In the Google form, there is more information and coaches contact information. Signing up gets you and your child on the information list as well.
https://forms.gle/Ma8Q7pb1Q6VUXT7LA
Please contact Coach Alex Rickens AlexRickens@wlcsd.org with any questions.
STUDENT CELL PHONE BUILDING POLICY
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCESS FOR STAFF AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS
PLEASE DO NOT DROP OFF YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL BEFORE 7:45 AM. THANK YOU.
CHS 8th Grade Washington DC Trip 2026-2027
Dear 8th Grade Parents,
Our Annual 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip is scheduled for Tuesday, June 1st through Friday, June 4th. Additional information will be provided at the start of the school year.
You are also invited to attend our Washington D.C. Trip Parent Meeting immediately following Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 15th.
*Reply @LEAVE to the number you are receiving messages from if you'd like to leave the text group at anytime.
Transportation Information
Transportation information for the 2026-27 school year will be available in Skyward Family Access on Friday, August 14th.
Student enrollments will continue through the start of the school year and bus information may change. Please continue to monitor Skyward Family Access for the most up to date information.
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.
DISTRICT CALENDAR
MAIN OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION
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: JulieBraley@wlcsd.org
7th Grade Counselor: KathleenHoover@wlcsd.org
8th Grade Counselor: ColtonHenning@wlcsd.org
Administrative Team
Principal: NayalMaktari@wlcsd.org
Student Success Coordinator: StevenSpickard@wlcsd.org
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
SCHOOL BELL TIMES
SCHOOL STARTS 8:10 A.M.
DISMISSAL 3:00 P.M.
1/2 DAY DISMISSAL 11:40 A.M.