The Banks Bulletin

We had a great first week here at Banks, and we could not be more proud of how our students demonstrated respectful, responsible and safe behaviors throughout the school day. Learn more about our core values below.

If your student has not ordered a Chromebook, please click here and scroll down to complete the Chromebook Device Agreement and pay the necessary fees through E-fund as soon as possible. As a reminder, each student will be required to bring a device to school each day as the middle schools do not have Chromebook carts in the building for students to use a Chromebook during the day. District issued Chromebooks often work much better within the building than personal devices do as they are set up to connect to the District Wi-Fi.

Our students’ safety is of primary importance to us. The Walled Lake School District uses a video entry system at every school. During school hours, all visitors must enter through the Main Entry and use the video system by pressing the button and stating their name and purpose. Once verified, you will be admitted into a secure vestibule. Please do not attempt to enter through any other doors. We ask for your patience, as our office staff may be busy, and there could be a brief delay at certain times of the day.

For the security of our students and staff, all entrances are locked once the school day begins. Please do not ask a staff member or student to let you in through any door, and do not hold the door for another adult approaching the building. All visitors must be admitted individually through the front entrance by office staff. Your cooperation helps us maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone in our school community.

Check your inbox each week to view the community newsletter and follow our PTSA at https://www.facebook.com/sarahbanksmiddleptsa on Facebook and https://www.instagram.com/p/DMVqRnMP3Zv/ on Instagram to stay connected and catch the greatness that is Banks.

We Are Banks!

Jennifer VanWagnen, Principal

JenniferVanWagnen@wlcsd.org

(248) 956-2200

Please consider the safety of our entire Bulldog Community when you are dropping off or picking up your students. Following the procedures at SLOW SPEEDS is the best way to keep everyone safe. Say long good byes while you are driving to school. When dropping off, make sure your student is prepared to exit the car quickly. Families who are prepared for this will help ensure more efficient traffic flow.

At Banks, we believe that a strong school community is built on three essential values: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe. These principles guide everything we do—how we treat one another, how we approach learning, and how we care for our environment.

Being respectful means showing kindness, listening to others, and valuing differences. It’s about treating classmates, teachers, and staff with dignity and courtesy.

Being responsible means owning your actions, making good choices, and doing your part—whether it’s completing assignments, following school rules, or helping others.

Being safe means looking out for yourself and those around you. It means using technology wisely, moving through the building calmly, and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.

When we live by these values, we create a school where everyone can thrive. Let’s work together to make Banks a place where respect, responsibility, and safety are at the heart of everything we do.

August

8/29-No School for Students or Staff

September

9/1-Labor Day - No School for Students or Staff

9/3-Cross Country Parent Meeting in Cafeteria @ 4:15 PM

9/3- Volleyball Parent Meeting in Main Gym @ 5:00 PM

9/4- Board of Education Regular Meeting

9/8-PTSA Meeting @ 6:30 PM in the Banks Media Center

9/9- Schoolwide iReady Testing-ELA

9/10- Cross Country (CC) Meet @ 4 PM-Home

9/10-Volleyball vs. Smart @ 4 PM-Away

9/11-Schoolwide iReady Testing-Math

9/16-Curriculum Night @ Banks-6:30-8:00 PM

• 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip Parent Meeting @ 5:30 in Cafeteria

Our first fundraiser for the 8th grade Washington, D.C. Trip begins on Tuesday, September 2. Information was provided during Banks Blast Off, including brochures and order forms. Additional copies can be found in the flyer rack by the front office. Click here for more information, including how to sell online to friends and family. This fundraiser will close on September 16th and physical order forms should be turned in to Mr. Yu in room 222 by that date. 6th & 7th grade students are also welcome to participate, and any profits raised will be saved in an account here at school for use when they reach 8th grade.

It's not too early to order a yearbook! Scan the QR code below and order now for $40, which is a savings of $20! Please email TorryYu@wlcsd.org, KaysieStassi@wlcsd.org or LauraShipes@wlcsd.org with any questions or concerns.

All parents are invited to join us for the first PTSA meeting of the year! The meeting will be held on Monday, September 8th beginning at 6:30 pm in the Banks Learning Commons. Future meetings will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. We hope to see you there!

Banks PTSA Board

President: Jolie Abreu

Vice President: Jean Perczak

Treasurer: Dana Gorman

Secretary: Barbara Zajdel

Membership: Sarah Mizen Reese

Events: Open

Fundraising: Open

Advocacy/Legislative: Open

Click on the link below to become a member of the PTSA.

In a world dominated by instant communication, cell phones can be a major distraction during the school day. At Sarah Banks Middle School, our goal is not to limit contact between students and families, but to promote responsible and appropriate use of technology in an academic setting.

Policy Overview:

• Student cell phones must remain in lockers throughout the school day.
• If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian, they must do so through the attendance office.
• Students are not permitted to text or call parents directly during school hours, including when they are feeling unwell or need something.
• In alignment with a district-wide directive, iPads are not permitted at school this year. If used during the school day, iPads will be treated the same as cell phones and subject to the same consequences.

Consequences for Cell Phone Use During the School Day:

• 1st Violation: Phone is confiscated and held in the office until the end of the day. Parents will be contacted with a reminder of the policy and informed of next steps for future incidents.
• 2nd Violation: Phone is confiscated and must be picked up by a parent or guardian in person.
• Repeated Violations: May result in progressive disciplinary action.

• First Bell, 8:00 a.m. - This is when students are permitted to enter the hallways from the front lobby and buses.

• Warning Bell, 8:05 a.m. - This bell lets students know that they have five minutes left to make it to class.

• Tardy Bell, 8:10a.m. - This is the official start of 1st hour. Students arriving after this bell are considered tardy for their first class.

• Each school year, parents/guardians must complete our back-to-school “packet” on Skyward Family Access (also referred to as registration).
  

  
  

  This is different from enrollment and is required for both new and previous students. Online registration is when parents/guardians update student information, emergency contacts, and provide other necessary information.

  
  

  The District will be using the online Family Access system to automate the process for updating and completing documents such as the emergency card, FERPA form, Code of Conduct and other important annual school forms that require parental approval.

  
  

  The 2025-26 Back-to-School Family Access Packet must be completed by parents, online, using Family Access, prior to the start of school. It is essential that we receive ALL documents in a timely manner in order for your student to start school on August 25.

  
  

  What Parents Need to Know...

  Starting August 1, parents are to login to Family Access, using their alphanumeric parent account code, to complete the Back-to-School Family Access Packet.

  
  

  · Need help enrolling? Contact the Office of Student Services at studentenrollment@wlcsd.org or (248) 956-2086.

  · For bilingual assistance, contact Kallee Iverson at kalleeiverson@wlcsd.org or (248) 956-2093.

  · To acquire a new or lost parent account code, email FamilyAccess@wlcsd.org or

  call (248) 956-2190.
  

  
  

  Click on the link below to get started!

  
  

  A Skyward Family Access parent account is required to complete the Online Back-to-School Packet. To acquire a new or lost parent account code, email FamilyAccess@wlcsd.org or call (248) 956-2190. Include ALL of the following information in the body of your message.
  

  
  

  • Guardian name

  • The name of each child in the district and school they attend

  • Guardian's email address that is currently on file with the district

  • Daytime phone number

  
  

  Questions and Support

  • If you have trouble with the Back-to-School packet, visit the Troubleshooting & FAQ page.

  • If you still have issues, contact familyaccess@wlcsd.org. Include your name, the student's name, and the specific question you have.

  
  

Please click on the link below to view the Suggested School Supply List.

WLCSD has a 1-to-1 Chromebook Program in all of our middle and high schools. Please review the information about the 1-to-1 Chromebook Program as part of your Back-to-School Online Registration Process.

Each student will be required to bring a device to school each day as the middle schools do not have Chromebook carts in the building for students to use a Chromebook during the day. District issued Chromebooks often work much better within the building than personal devices do as they are set up to connect to the District Wi-Fi.

Important Highlights

Students will have two choices for technology use while at school:

1. Bring your own device from home

2. Sign up for a District issued Chromebook*

*Additional carts of Chromebooks will no longer be available for students to utilize extra building devices on a daily basis. Students will be expected to bring a charged device (personal device or District issued Chromebook) daily in order to utilize online curricular resources as well as participate in daily instruction within the classroom.

We strongly encourage families to sign up for a District issued Chromebook.

There are advantages to this practice including:

• Better Wi-Fi connectivity in District

• Increased support from District IT staff including

• curriculum resources

• support apps

• Streamline repair process

MIDDLE SCHOOL students (grades 6-8) must complete PAYMENT for the Chromebook deposit ($50) and Technology Protection Plan ($20) in order to receive the District issued Chromebook. Payments made after August 11 will still receive a device, but not until the first few days of school. Please be sure to review the entire 1-to-1 Chromebook Program Information that is linked on our Back-to-School Packet Website. If you are in need of financial assistance to participate in this program, please reach out to Mrs. VanWagnen directly at JenniferVanWagnen@wlcsd.org.

Cross country and volleyball seasons are underway! August 28th is the final day of volleyball tryouts, so no student will be allowed to join after that date. If a student is interested in joining cross country, the deadline to do so is September 10th, which is the day of the team's first meet. In order to join either sport, students must have a physical on file dated after April 15 2025, families must pay the pay participate fee, and complete the Google consent form provided in the August 1st Banks Bulletin. For families whose student is already participating in either sport, there is a parent meeting for each sport being held next week; cross country's meeting is September 3rd at 4:15 pm immediately after practice, and volleyball's meeting is September 3rd at 5:00 p.m. immediately after practice. This meeting is only for those families whose student is participating in the sport. Our winter sport season starts around the third week of October, so expect more information on those sports in the next few weeks. Go Bulldogs!

Please reach out to Assistant Principal Tony McNamara with questions or concerns at AnthonyMcNamara@wlcsd.org. It's a beautiful day to be a Banks Bulldog!

Our students’ safety is of primary importance to us. The Walled Lake School District uses a video entry system at every school. During school hours, all visitors must enter through the Main Entry and use the video system by pressing the button and stating their name and purpose. Once verified, you will be admitted into a secure vestibule. Please do not attempt to enter through any other doors. We ask for your patience, as our office staff may be busy, and there could be a brief delay at certain times of the day.

For the security of our students and staff, all entrances are locked once the school day begins. Please do not ask a staff member or student to let you in through any door, and do not hold the door for another adult approaching the building. All visitors must be admitted individually through the front entrance by office staff. Your cooperation helps us maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone in our school community.

As you are aware, we live in an ever-changing, technological world. A major shift that we are all experiencing is the pervasiveness of artificial intelligence (AI). To help our students navigate this new addition to our world we will be providing background and instruction to our 6-12 grade students on how and when it is appropriate to use AI tools in the classroom this school year. These tools will be introduced thoughtfully and responsibly, with staff receiving ongoing professional development throughout the year.

Please refer to the attached parent letter and student agreement and reach out if you have any questions about the use of AI in the classrooms.

*In-District Transfer and School of Choice Bus Riders-

Every year, IDT and SOC riders must request a bus seat using the Google form on the transportation website. Our drivers will evaluate their ridership through September 12th and our routing staff will respond to parent requests for IDT and SOC request beginning the week of September 15th. Parents will need to have alternative transportation arrangements in place and shall not assume that a seat will be available for the current school year.

*Bus Passes-

Bus passes for students are not allowed. If the family has an emergency, building office staff can issue a one-time emergency bus pass for the student to ride to another student's home. Bus passes must be presented to the bus driver upon boarding, and students can only be transported to an approved existing bus stop location. Please contact the dispatch office to notify the staff of your approval. Please note that transportation office staff will not approve a bus pass if a parent calls and we will direct them to contact their student's building office. On occasion, Crystal or I will approve a bus pass and/or be happy to partner with building staff to make the best determination for the students' safety.

*Bus Discipline-

Transportation utilizes the WLCSD Transportation Handbook to address student behavior concerns. Please email Crystalh@deantrans.com if you have any questions/concerns about that process. While Crystal does have a WLCSD email, that is not monitored and responses to that email will be delayed, if at all.

*Routing-

All routing requests and information should be direct to walledlakerouter@deantrans.com

*Transportation Contact Information-

All transportation contact information can be found on the WLCSD transportation website at https://www.wlcsd.org/departments/transportation.

The Michigan School Meals program will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch for all students through September 30, 2025. Funding for the program beyond that date has not yet been finalized. If the state does not extend funding, families who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals under federal guidelines may need to pay for meals beginning October 1.

To help us prepare, families are encouraged to complete the Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application in Skyward Family Access during online registration. This form helps secure funding, supports educational programs, and may provide additional benefits such as reduced testing fees, discounted college applications, and lower internet costs.

The District's Food Service Department will share updates as soon as more information becomes available.

Please follow the steps below when your student's District Chromebook needs to be repaired.

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 building admin secretary (enter the name for your building).
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.
6. 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.

WALLED LAKE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF HEALTH OR ACCIDENT INSURANCE FOR INJURIES INCURRED BY YOUR CHILD AT SCHOOL.

If your child is injured while at school, all costs are the responsibility of the parents and/or guardians. As a service to students and their families, our District is making available a student accident insurance plan for your child at a very nominal cost. The District offers this program because of trends in rising family health and dental insurance costs, increased deductibles, co-payments or lack of health or dental insurance coverage.

REASONS TO PURCHASE THIS COVERAGE:

1. Deductible and co-pays in your health plan. Many health plans have increased the amount of out-of-pocket expenses.

2. No insurance.

This plan will provide benefits for medical expenses incurred because of an accident. If you have other insurance, benefits can be applied to your deductible or co-pay. If you have no other insurance, this will become your primary accident plan.

First Agency, Inc., will be administering the program for Voluntary Student Accident Insurance. All information is attached to this email is also can be found on the district website under Families.

Parent Letter - To be distributed to your student population and posted to your school’s website.

Student Optional Accident Plans - To be posted on your school’s website ONLY. You may download and print a copy, however, it should be kept in the office and distributed upon parent request.

Schedule of Benefits and Premiums - To be posted to your school’s website ONLY. You may download and print a copy, however, it should be kept in the office and distributed upon parent request only.

All information may be found online, as explained in the Parent Letter, at www.1stagency.com as well as on the District’s website.

Each year we have questions regarding the District’s liability for accidents. Please note the first sentence of the Parent Letter States:

“WALLED LAKE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF HEALTH OR ACCIDENT INSURANCE FOR INJURIES INCURRED BY YOUR CHILD AT SCHOOLS”

In addition to receiving phone calls and email notifications from the school district in the event of a school closing or emergency, parents can also sign up to receive SMS Text messages.

Please find the helpful step-by-step instructions linked below as well as the video tutorial on signing up for SMS messages.

· Signing Up for SMS Messages via Skylert

Jennifer VanWagnen

Principal: jennifervanwagnen@wlcsd.org

Kellan Watkins

Principal's Secretary: kellanwatkins@wlcsd.org

Anthony McNamara

Assistant Principal: anythonymcnamara@wlcsd.org

Jennifer Dean

Assistant Principal's Secretary: jenniferdean@wlcsd.org

Kevin Zurro

Student Success Coordinator: kevinzurro@wlcsd.org

Important Phone Numbers:

Main Line: 248-956-2200

Attendance: 248-956-2290

Email: JenniferVanWagnen@wlcsd.org
Website: https://banks.wlcsd.org/
Location: 1760 Charms Road Wixom, MI 48393
Phone: (248) 956-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sarahbanksptsa