The Spartan Family Newsletter

As we enter our second marking period, I want to take a moment to reflect on our progress and share our goal for the rest of the school year. We have experienced some wonderful successes over the past year. Achievements that reflect the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the strong support of our families. But if we want to fulfill our goal of becoming a premier rural school district, we cannot simply sit back and be satisfied with where we are. We must build on this momentum.

To help lead this phase, Mr. Wallace and I have been working closely on a comprehensive plan for our district. I wanted to give Mr. Wallace time to get settled into his role, observe daily operations, and gather insights. From his very first day, he has been incredibly focused, listening, taking notes, and working alongside me. Now, we are fully prepared to roll out our plan to our staff.

Our overarching goal is simple: to create an exceptional environment for both our students and our staff. A positive, supportive building culture is essential to a thriving school. To foster this, we are putting a renewed focus on establishing clear expectations, refining our processes, and putting strong procedures in place. With two administrators actively working together in the building, we now have the capacity to dig deeper into the root causes of challenges, streamline our daily routines, and provide our teachers and staff with the elevated support they deserve.

You and your children will be hearing the word "expectations" a lot more as the year progresses.

I recently came across a quote that resonated with me: "Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end." We've all worked hard through the hard parts and are now starting to navigate the messy middle. But to give our students the high-quality education they deserve, positive change is necessary.

Our goal is not to turn Waldron into an Ivy League campus overnight. Our goal is to provide your children with an awesome educational setting—an environment where they feel valued, challenged, and supported, inspiring pride, curiosity, and lifelong success.

Achieving this takes a collective effort across our entire district, and your partnership at home is crucial. I ask that you join us in reinforcing the importance of high standards. Having regular conversations with your children about expectations, not just in the classroom, but in everyday life is one of the surest pathways to guiding them toward long-term success.

Thank you for your continued partnership, your trust, and your dedication to our school community. Together, we are building something truly special for our students.

It’s a great day to be a Spartan!

We are STRONGER TOGETHER!

As we enter the holiday season, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for our school community. The holidays are a wonderful time to reflect and spend time with loved ones, but we also recognize that this season can bring added stress and financial pressure for many families.

At Waldron Area Schools, we are committed to supporting our students and families both inside and outside the classroom. To ensure everyone in our Spartan family has access to support if needed, we have compiled a list of local community resources across Hillsdale County and neighboring Adrian (Lenawee County) offering assistance with food, winter clothing, and holiday gifts.

Below are local organization contacts and resources available to our community:

1. FOOD & HOUSEHOLD ASSISTANCE

• Hillsdale County Food Pantry & Salvation Army 360 Center

- Services: Emergency food pantry, fresh food distributions, and holiday meal baskets.

- Location: 160 E. Bacon St., Hillsdale, MI 49242

- Contact: (517) 437-4240

• Hudson Area Community Pantry (Serving Western Lenawee & Eastern Hillsdale)

- Services: Supplemental food boxes and emergency grocery support.

- Location: Hudson, MI

- Contact: (517) 448-8941

• The Daily Bread of Lenawee (Adrian)

- Services: Daily warm meals, emergency food pantry, and holiday food assistance.

- Location: 302 S. Tecumseh St., Adrian, MI 49221

- Contact: (517) 266-0937

• St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry (Adrian)

- Services: Food assistance, emergency utility relief, and personal care items.

- Location: 411 N. Locust St., Adrian, MI 49221

- Contact: (517) 263-2496

2. HOLIDAY TOYS & GIFT PROGRAMS

• Salvation Army Angel Tree & Toy Shop (Hillsdale County)

- Services: Provides new toys, winter coats, and gifts for children (ages 0–17) and seniors.

- Contact: Call Pam Cobb at (517) 437-4240 for intake.

• Salvation Army of Lenawee County (Adrian)

- Services: Holiday Toy Shop, Angel Tree gift program, and Thanksgiving/Christmas meal baskets.

- Location: 217 W. Church St., Adrian, MI 49221

- Contact: (517) 265-5357

• Hillsdale & Lenawee County Toys for Tots

- Services: Marine Corps Reserve holiday gift support for local families.

- Details: Applications open in fall via regional website or local DHHS/Salvation Army intake.

3. CLOTHING, COATS & ESSENTIAL GOODS

• Community Clothes Closet (Hillsdale)

- Services: Free or low-cost winter outerwear and clothing.

- Location: 160 E. Bacon St., Hillsdale, MI

• Associated Charities of Lenawee County (Adrian)

- Services: Free winter coats, boots, clothing, and emergency aid for school-aged children.

- Location: 221 S. Tecumseh St., Adrian, MI 49221

- Contact: (517) 265-7255

• Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Michigan (Adrian Store)

- Services: Low-cost clothing, footwear, and household items.

- Location: 1400 U.S. 223, Adrian, MI 49221

- Contact: (517) 759-3600

4. ALL-IN-ONE COMMUNITY REFERRALS

• 2-1-1 Michigan Call Line: Dial 211, text your ZIP code to 898211, or visit mi211.org for 24/7 confidential connection to local resources.

• Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS):

- Hillsdale County: 40 Loomis St., Hillsdale, MI | (517) 437-4461

- Lenawee County: 1040 S. Winter St., Suite 3013, Adrian, MI | (517) 264-6300

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Furtney if your family needs assistance navigating these programs. All inquiries are handled with complete privacy and care.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for making Waldron Area Schools such a supportive community. Wishing you all a safe, warm, and restful holiday season.

We have some exciting news to share from our Agriculture Science department and FFA program!

Our Agriculture Science teacher, Ms. Wolff, recently took our students to participate in the state Broiler Contest. For those unfamiliar with the contest, students raise 25 chickens over 5 to 7 weeks. During this time, they take on full management responsibilities; tracking weekly weights, monitoring feed consumption, managing pen conditions, and maintaining thorough records.

At the end of the raising period, students select their top five birds to take to the competition. In addition to presenting their livestock, students submit detailed management reports and answer panel questions about their feeding regimens and care practices. The birds are judged on overall appearance, symmetry, and care standards. Best of all, students get to keep their processed birds to eat or sell!

This year, we started with six student teams, and five advanced to the contest:

- Elianna Fether

- Isaac Fether & Kaleb Fether

- Ben Leininger & Maddy Leininger

- Jaelynn Shantz & Mathew Cooley

- Silas Williams

- Luke Fether

A total of 25 of our students' chickens were processed and judged today at the Detroit Halal Processing Plant. Silas Williams received great initial remarks on his birds, and while full statewide contest results won't be available for a couple of weeks, we are very optimistic!

Our students had a fantastic time participating, learned valuable agricultural and management skills, and are already looking forward to next year's competition and upcoming FFA events.

Thank you for continuing to support our students and hands-on learning programs!

The Transition Team from the Hillsdale ISD has scheduled agency presentations for 9th and 10th grade students who have an IEP or 504 plan in Waldron's Media Center, Wednesday November 18th at 1:00pm.

They will be presenting on the wide range of services offered through Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) and Key Opportunities, as well as provide an overview of the Transition process in general.

All 9th and 10th grade students with an IEP or 504 plan will be attending, but we'd like to extend the invitation to any parents as well.

Through a new partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension's 4-H STEAM program, students will spend a few class periods exploring the wonderful world of sound! Nisha Ritchie, a retired science teacher and MSU Extension's Hillsdale County 4-H STEAM Instructor, is teaming up with our STEM teacher to help students discover how sounds are made, how our ears help us hear, and how we can use sound to communicate. Students engaged in the engineering design process as “acoustical engineers” and were able to build their own sound mufflers! Testing of their prototype devices will be in early November. Best of all, this experience is part of a new, free 4-H STEAM program bringing fun, hands-on learning opportunities to Hillsdale County schools. We're excited to spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and help our young learners discover just how much fun science can be! Want to learn more about 4-H and the opportunities available for your family? Visit the Michigan 4-H website.

The Waldron High School Student Council is hosting its Annual Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive from October 26 to November 13!

Help us give thanks by donating non-perishable canned/boxed items. Middle and High School students can drop off donations in Room 7, while Elementary students can place items directly in their classroom collection boxes. Winning classes will receive special prizes including a mystery surprise prize and a Special Activity Day for MS/HS classes. Let’s work together to make a difference this season!

Link to our Waldron School Store

Nothing beats seeing our students, staff, and community repping Spartan gear! Need to upgrade your wardrobe? Click the link above to check out the latest collection.

For those of you who have already placed orders, please know that I have been able to use the "profits" to purchase 15 Spartan shirts to hand out to students as rewards. This is the start of getting our halls, games, and community repped with Spartan pride! Thank you!!

Nov 12th - School Board Finance Mtg 6pm in the Media Center

Nov 18th - Waldron School Board Mtg 7pm in the Media Center

Nov 25th - 1/2 Day

Nov 26th - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving

Nov 27th - NO SCHOOL

Dec 3rd - Picture Retake Day

Dec 10th - School Board Finance Mtg 6pm in the Media Center

Dec 16th - Waldron School Board Mtg 7pm in the Media Center

Dec 17th - 1/2 Day - Exams

Dec 18th - 1/2 Day - Exams

Dec 21-31 - NO SCHOOL - Christmas Break

Jan 1st - NO SCHOOL - New Year's Day

Jan 18th - NO SCHOOL - MLK Day - Possible weather make-up day

Waldron’s sports for the week of 11/9 - 11/13

Monday (11/09) - JH Basketball vs Jackson Christian at 5:30pm

Tuesday (11/10) -

Wednesday (11-11) - JH Basketball vs Tekonsha at 5:30pm. HS Boys Basketball practice at 7pm.

Thursday (11-12) -

Friday (11-13) -

Elementary breakfast will be served in the classrooms from 8:00 to 8:15 and HS/MS will have breakfast in the cafeteria from 7:40 to 7:55.

Elementary lunch in the cafeteria 11:00 to 11:30

MS/HS lunch in the cafeteria 11:30 to noon

In Person Support

• Community Action Agency (Hillsdale County Branch)

  • Distance from Waldron: ~25 minutes north

  • What's offered: Free family support resources, developmental programs for young children, weatherization support, and financial counseling.

• Lenawee County Family Resource Center (Adrian, MI)

• Distance from Waldron: ~35–40 minutes northeast

• What's offered: Free play-and-learn groups for toddlers, parenting workshops, car seat safety inspections, and developmental screenings.

Online Support

Waldron Area Schools would like to extend a huge congratulations to 2026 alumni Chase Schaedler on passing the Expert Course at Western Welding Academy!

Not only did Chase master the course, but he finished a whole month ahead of schedule. This is a true testament to his work ethic and dedication. We are incredibly proud of your accomplishment, Chase!

https://www.facebook.com/share/19yowx84U7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

#WaldronWelder

As a reminder, all Waldron 2026/2027 seniors are required to complete the FAFSA this year even if your child is not currently planning to attend a college or trade school, as completing it keeps all post-graduation options open. To ensure a smooth process, please visit FAFSA.gov to create your FSA ID and gather key materials in advance, including Social Security Numbers, driver's licenses, prior-prior tax returns (IRS Form 1040/W-2s), and current financial records for both students and parents. The FAFSA opens on October 1st; we will hold a student session in the media center on October 2nd at noon, and Mrs. Crist will be hosting parent help sessions every Thursday in October until 8:00 p.m. to assist you through the steps.

The Waldron Daycare will be closed on Friday, Sept 4th and Monday. Sept. 7th in observance of Labor Day. We hope you have a wonderful long weekend.
If you are interested in your child(ren) attending the Waldron Daycare, enrollment forms are available in the main office. For questions regarding before-school care, please contact Tammy Fix at tammy.fix@waldronspartans.org.

Please see the attached link to view our new "High School Highlights". Mrs. Crist will be putting these out throughout the year with information guided towards our HS students. If there are any questions in these article, please reach out to Mrs. Crist.

For students that are wanting to join coding club please sign up in the office. The first meeting is Wednesday September 2 from 3-4pm. Coding Meetings will be held every Wednesday from 3-4pm, unless noted.

High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is a welcoming, student-centered group where high school students can come together to grow in their faith, build positive friendships, and encourage one another. Although FCA has its roots in athletics, students do not have to be an athlete to participate! All high school students are welcome.

During meetings, students will have opportunities to participate in short devotionals, Bible discussions, activities, and conversations focused on faith, leadership, character, and making positive choices. FCA provides a supportive environment where students can connect with their peers and explore how their Christian faith can be part of their everyday lives.

Our goal is to create a positive community where students feel welcomed, encouraged, and supported as they grow into confident and compassionate young adults.

High School Literature Club

High School Literature Club is a welcoming and engaging space for students who enjoy books, stories, writing, and discussing literature with others. Students do not have to be avid readers to join! Whether they love reading or simply want to explore new stories and genres, all high school students are welcome.

During meetings, students will have opportunities to discuss books and short stories, share recommendations, participate in creative activities, explore different genres, and connect with other students through a shared appreciation of storytelling. Activities may also include book-themed games, creative writing, movie discussions, and other fun literary experiences.

Our goal is to create a relaxed and positive environment where students can build friendships, express their ideas, discover new interests, and develop a lifelong appreciation for reading and literature.

High School Dungeons & Dragons Club

High School Dungeons & Dragons Club is a fun, welcoming space where students can use their creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills through collaborative storytelling. No previous Dungeons & Dragons experience is required! Whether students are experienced players or completely new to the game, all high school students are welcome.

During meetings, students will work together to create characters, explore imaginative worlds, solve challenges, make decisions, and tell stories as a team. Dungeons & Dragons encourages important skills such as communication, cooperation, critical thinking, creativity, leadership, and respectful decision-making.

Our goal is to provide students with a positive and inclusive environment where they can make new friends, express their creativity, build confidence, and—most importantly—have fun together!

If you have any questions regarding these clubs, please reach out.

OK2SAY is a 24/7 confidential safety tipline for reporting threats against students or schools. Contact them by phone at 855-565-2729, text at 652729, email at okaytosay@mi.gov, the OK2SAY app, or via their website.

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve school safety and daily operations, we are implementing a few updates to our morning drop-off routine.
- Building Opening Time: Doors will open at 7:30 a.m.
- Early Arrival & Before-School Care: Please note that morning supervision with Mrs. Brenda is no longer available prior to 7:30 a.m. If your child needs to arrive before 7:30 a.m., our on-site daycare is available for a fee. Children must be officially enrolled prior to attending; enrollment forms are available in the main office. For questions regarding before-school care, please contact Tammy Fix at tammy.fix@waldronspartans.org.
- Morning Supervision (7:30 a.m. – Bell): Once students are dropped off after 7:30 a.m., they will head directly outside to the playground for morning recess with Mrs. Olivia. In the event of rain or extreme cold, students will gather in the elementary gym until the school day begins.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support in keeping our mornings running smoothly!

As we start the 2026/2027 school year, I would like to remind everyone about the Student Handbook Dress Code. Please know that all students and staff are required to abide by the dress code set forth by the school district. While we understand that some parents might not fully agree with every aspect of the policy, it is part of our official code of conduct and must be followed.

It is never our intention to embarrass or humiliate any student regarding their attire. Should a situation arise, we will always offer an alternative clothing item at school before reaching out to ask a parent or guardian to bring a change of clothes.

If you would like to review the full details, you can view the student code of conduct at the link below. The dress code section can be found on pages 30 and 31:

Waldron Dress Code

If you ever have any questions or concerns regarding the dress code, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.

We are so glad to have you visit and hope you feel welcomed in our building! To best ensure the safety of our students and staff and maintain the daily flow, we have a couple of important requests for visitors:
When you arrive, please use the front doors to check in and sign out at the main office.

Please do not leave your vehicle unattended in the front bus loop during the busy morning drop-off or afternoon dismissal times. We need to keep this lane clear for our buses to maneuver safely and efficiently.

If you are late dropping off your student, after 8am, please be sure to drop them off at the front door. All other doors will be locked at 8am, we can't have any students standing at the door waiting for someone to come let them in. Thank you for help with this.

Your cooperation with these small matters is greatly appreciated!

How to Sign Up for Kroger Community Rewards - benefits Waldron Special Education Classrooms

1. Go to Kroger App

2. Click on person icon in Top Left corner

3. Click on Payments and Resources

4. Click on Community Rewards

5. Type in DW074 to choose Organization or type in Waldron Special Education Classrooms.

6. Click Enroll button

7. Thank you for your support!

As we kick off the new school year, our top priority is providing a safe, engaging, and distraction-free learning environment for all students. With research showing the significant impact of personal screen time on classroom focus and student well-being, we are implementing a district-wide Cell Phone & Personal Technology Policy.

We ask for your partnership and support in reviewing these guidelines with your child before the school year begins.

Important Legal Notice: State Law Mandate

Please be aware that this policy is governed by state law, which mandates restrictions on personal telecommunications devices in public school classrooms. Waldron Area Schools is legally obligated to implement and strictly enforce these requirements. We appreciate your full support and cooperation in helping us comply with state regulations to maintain a focused learning environment for every student.

Policy by Grade Level

Elementary Students

• No Phones Allowed: Elementary students are not permitted to bring cell phones or personal communication devices into the school building.

Middle & High School (MS/HS) Students

• Classroom "Pouch" System: Students may bring cell phones, smartwatches, wireless headphones/earbuds, and other devices to school, but they are strictly prohibited from having them on their person during class time.

• Passing Periods & Lunch: Students are permitted to use their technology responsibly between classes and during lunch.

• Restrooms & Locker Rooms: For privacy and safety, cell phones and personal technology are strictly prohibited in all bathrooms and locker rooms at all times.

How the Classroom System Works (MS/HS)

To ensure consistency across every classroom, we are using a Wall Pouch System:

1. Classroom Arrival: Upon entering every class period, students will immediately place their phone, smartwatch, and headphones into an assigned, numbered pouch on the wall chart.

2. Instructional Focus: Devices must remain in the assigned pouch for the entire class period.

3. Out-of-Class Passes: Students leaving the room during class (e.g., to use the restroom or visit the office) are not permitted to take their technology with them.

4. End of Class: Students retrieve their devices when the end-of-period bell rings.

Consequences (MS/HS)

To keep expectations fair and clear, the following steps will be taken if a student chooses not to place their technology in their designated pouch during class:

Offense and Action Taken

1st Offense

2nd Offense

3rd Offense

4th Offense

📞 How to Reach Your Child During the School Day

We understand that parents sometimes need to contact their children during the day. To help us maintain an uninterrupted learning environment, please keep the following options in mind:

• For Urgent Messages or Emergencies: Please call the Main Office directly at 517-286-6251. Our staff will immediately get a message to your child or bring them to the office.

• For Non-Urgent Messages: Feel free to text or message your child! They are welcome to check their phone and respond during passing periods or their scheduled lunch break.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in helping our students stay focused, engaged, and successful this school year! As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to me: Matt.Furtney@waldronspartans.org.