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 - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn

• Feb. 1: Board of Education Regular Meeting
  
• Feb. 1-4: WLN presents: "Nice Work If You Can Get It" - Tickets available at WLCSD Box Office
• Feb. 4: Schools of Choice Application Closes at 10pm
• Feb. 9-11: WLW presents: "Blithe Spirit" - Tickets available at WLCSD Box Office
• Feb. 13: Community Conversation with Dr. Bernia at the Commerce Township Library - 10:30am
• Feb. 15: Name of Love Tour - All four middle schools
• Feb. 19-23: Mid-Winter Break - No School for Students/Staff

Visit www.wlcsd.org/calendar for a complete list of events with details.

Walled Lake Northern senior Alessandra Plowman took over our Instagram story on Saturday to give us a behind the scenes look at the preparations for the Knight's musical, 'Nice Work If You Can Get It'.

You can view her takeover on our Instagram page by clicking on the 'Nice Work' Highlight.

Show Dates

• Thursday, February 1 - 7 p.m.
• Friday, February 2 - 7 p.m. (ASL Performance)
• Saturday, February 3 - 7 p.m.
• Sunday, February 4 - 2 p.m.

You can purchase tickets now at www.wlcstickets.com.

Band and orchestra students from across the District recently traveled to Grand Rapids on January 27 to participate in the 2024 MSBOA All State performances. Congratulations to the students listed below:

All-State Middle School Band

• Sonakshi Verma, eighth-grade flute player at Sarah Banks Middle School

All-State High School Band

• Natasha Roth, senior piccolo player at Walled Lake Central High School
  
• Ione Inchaustegui, senior bassoonist at Walled Lake Northern High School
  

All-State High School Jazz Band Ensemble

• Carter Tucker-Gough, junior trumpet player at Walled Lake Western High School
  

All-State High School Orchestra

• Hannah Hulliberger, a senior French Horn player at Walled Lake Northern High School
  
• Jorge Palacios-Rodriguez, a senior bassist at Walled Lake Western High School
  

Warriors for Warriors (W4W) concluded their 12th year at the pink out basketball game on January 19 with a check presentation to Angels of Hope and St. Baldrick's for $22,000 each for a total of $44,000 this year.

Jenn Ludwig, W4W chairperson said, "We could not have accomplished raising so much money without the help of the Walled Lake schools students, staff, sports teams, our many sponsors, our volunteers and the entire community. We are excited to start our 13th year raising money so that no one fights alone! Hope you can join us by donating, or volunteering with us!"

Clifford Smart Middle School recently hosted their first annual St. Jude's Archery Tournament on Jan. 26. A total of 90 archers participated in the event including 19 staff members from across the District.

The event raised $700 for the St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Are you or someone you know interested in our preschool for the 2024-2025 school year? We encourage you to fill out our preschool interest form. We invite your child to come grow with us!

Since publishing our current school year calendar in early 2023, the State of Michigan’s legislature recently decided to adjust the date of our state’s upcoming presidential primary from March 12, 2024, to February 27, 2024. As you may know, many of our schools serve as polling places for our local municipalities, and this particular election is sure to draw a larger-than-average voter turnout causing increased foot and vehicle traffic around our schools.

After thorough consideration, the Walled Lake Consolidated School District will be CLOSED on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. We acknowledge the potential inconvenience this calendar change may pose for your family and apologize. This decision is rooted in the unique circumstances surrounding this election; a national election outside the traditional election cycle, and an anticipated larger-than-average voter turnout.

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We would like to relay this exciting news from the Department of Health and Human Services. Qualified enrolled school-age students are eligible for Summer EBT Assistance—a total of $120 per child ($40 per summer month per student) in grocery benefits to help fuel your child during the summer break. This program is not administered by Walled Lake Consolidated School District.

For any questions or concerns about the program, please contact:

DHHS Summer EBT Helpdesk 833-905-0028

MDHHS-PEBT@michigan.gov

To qualify for the Summer EBT program, each student must be approved for free/reduced meals for the 23-24 school year, regardless of meals being free this year through the District. If you've received a status notification letter of approval of free/reduced meals from the Food Service Department, no further action is needed. If you are unsure of the status of your application, check Family Access under the Parent Account for Eligibility Letters.

If you believe you qualify and haven't been approved, you must apply for free/reduced meals before February 14th, 2024, through Family Access from the Food Service tab.

If you are eligible for the Summer EBT program, you will receive a letter from the State of Michigan/DHHS that will explain that your student(s) are eligible, how to active and use their card, when their benefits will expire, how to opt out of the program, and what the benefits can or cannot be used for.

Summer EBT Cards will be issued in the name of each eligible student mailed to the address in Family Access. Please make sure your address is correct with the district by checking your Family Access information. If your information is not correct, please contact your student’s school to make any changes.

Families receiving Food Assistance will also get a new Summer EBT Card. DHHS hasn't provided a card issuance date yet.

Remember, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools does not manage this program. All questions should be directed to DHHS using the provided contact information at the beginning of this letter.

Best regards,

Julie Fortner

Food Service Supervisor

Walled Lake Consolidated School District

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.

In an effort to celebrate our staff, the WLCSD Community Relations department requests that families fill out the form below to nominate 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.

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