Walnut Creek Weekly Newsletter
5/1/26
Walnut Creek Weekly Update - 5/1/26
Walnut Creek Learning Community,
We've made it to May! This is a time of the year that we absolutely need your support and help keeping your kids focused on the very high expectations that we always have at Walnut Creek. To help keep our students thinking about that internal voice inside of their heads, my morning announcements focused heavily on having a Positive attitude and Empathy. Specifically, I challenged the kids to check their "inner monologue." Before jumping to conclusions about a friend who has been a big distant lately or a frustrating classmate, I asked them to pause and wonder, "What unseen challenges is that person carrying today?"
To help keep the conversation going at home, here are three quick ways to reinforce the topics covered this week:
Model it out loud: Let them hear you reframe your own stressful thoughts into positive ones. Seeing us practice what we preach goes a long way.
Be curious, not judgmental (Like Ted Lasso): When they vent about peer drama, gently ask, "I wonder what kind of morning that person had, or what was going on in their life that we don't know about?" to help them practice seeing different perspectives.
Make empathy an action: Encourage them to check on a friend who seems a little down this week and to actually stick around to listen to the answer.
Thanks for partnering with us to help these kids grow into kind, compassionate young adults. Have a fantastic weekend!
Thank you for your continued support!
NEW INFO In this week’s edition:
- Week Ahead Event Schedule
- 8th Grade Ceremony - Process For Requesting Additional Tickets
- Staff Appreciation Week - Spirit Week Planned!
Week Ahead Event Schedule - NEW INFO
Tuesday, May 5th - 6 PM:
- Washington DC Parent Meeting for Current 8th grade parents of students participating in the trip
Wednesday, May 6th - 4 PM:
- Track Meet Vs. Sarah Banks Middle School @ Walled Lake Northern
8th Grade Ceremony - Process for Requesting Additional Tickets - NEW INFO
As a reminder, our 8th Grade Celebration is a strictly ticketed event. Due to seating capacity limits, we cannot accommodate guests without a ticket. However, the ceremony will be livestreamed so extended family and friends can easily watch and celebrate from home.
We understand that some families may hope for more than their three allotted tickets, while others may only need one or two. To handle requests fairly, next week’s newsletter—which will be emailed at exactly 3:00 PM will include a ticket exchange process. I am sharing this timeline today to ensure every family has an equal opportunity to participate as soon as the email goes out next week.
Next week's newsletter will include two forms:
Donate Extra Tickets: If you do not need all three of your tickets, please complete this form so we can pass your extras along to a family that needs them.
Request Extra Tickets: This form will create a timestamped waitlist. Any donated tickets we receive will be redistributed strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please note that all physical tickets will be distributed to students during the 8th-grade ceremony rehearsal.
Staff Appreciation Week - Spirit Week Planned - NEW INFO
Next week is our staff appreciation week! To show our appreciation for our amazing staff at Walnut Creek, our student council has planned a spirit week. Please encourage your kids to participate!
Monday- Thank You Day, wear neon and write a note to a teacher you admire during lunch
Tuesday- Teacher Red-out/Student Black-out
Wednesday- College/Sports Attire - represent where you went or who you support!
Thursday- Summer Dreams - Hawaiian/summer wear
Friday- "You deserve a break" - PJ day
Staff Appreciation Week - Help Needed! - Previously Communicated
Help Us Make the Magic Happen! ✨
Our staff at Walnut Creek Middle School does "spellbinding" work every single day, and from May 4th–8th, it’s our turn to show them just how magical they truly are! To make our "Our Staff is Magical" Appreciation Week a success, we’re looking for a few "apprentices" to help us pull off the ultimate disappearing act, making stress vanish and replaced with treats!
We are looking for help in three specific ways:
- Edible Enchantments: We need donations of snacks, drinks, and gourmet treats to keep our teachers fueled.
- Golden Galleons: Monetary donations help us fund the "Grand Finale" gifts and catered meals that make the week extra special.
- In-Person Sorcery: We need volunteers to help set up the "Potion Labs" and decorate the staff lounge throughout the week.
Ready to lend a wand?
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044AADAE28A1FDC34-63699758-walnut
Thank you for helping us honor the incredible people who make Walnut Creek a place where magic happens every day!
"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." — Albus Dumbledore (and our amazing teachers!)
Thank you in advance for your help!
- Hillary Glaser, Staff Appreciation Week Chair
Walled Lake Western Football Parent Meeting - Previously Communicated
The Walled Lake Western Football staff invites all future Warrior Football Players and Parents to an informational meeting on Thursday, May 21st at 7 PM at Walled Lake Western.
8th Grade Year-End Activities - Previously Communicated
As we begin to get closer to the end of the school year, I wanted to share some dates with our 8th grade families to add to your calendars. More information on each of these events will be shared as we get closer to the end of the school year:
Monday, June 8th - 1:00 - 3:00 PM:
8th Grade Ceremony Rehearsal
- Required for all students planning to attend the 8th grade Ceremony
Tuesday, June 9th - 9:30 - 10:45 AM:
8th Grade Ceremony:
- Each student will receive THREE tickets during the Rehearsal on June 8th. Due to the capacity of our gym, the 8th Grade Ceremony is a strictly ticketed event.
- Our bleachers have an approximate capacity of 925 - with 311 8th grade students, we can only accommodate three family members per student. Any family member that arrives without a ticket will not be permitted to enter the gym. PLEASE do not put us or yourself into the situation of having to be turned away at the door!
- The ceremony will be live streamed for any family member that would like to watch the event from home.
- Traditionally, students leave with their parents after the event. Students are permitted to stay for the day if they choose, but we've never had more than a couple of students remain at Creek after the ceremony.
Wednesday, June 10th - 11:40 AM:
8th Grade Clap out:
More information will be shared as we approach the last day of school. Parents will be invited to meet their students in the East Courtyard (Gym side) as they are clapped out of the school by our 6th and 7th grade students.
Morning Announcement Script - Previously Communicated
Each morning, we start our school day with morning announcements. After we recite the pledge of allegiance, announce birthdays, and make other reminder announcements, Mr. Taboh reads a morning message to students. To see Mr. Taboh’s morning message, you can always check the document linked below which is updated weekly:
Mr. Taboh’s Morning Message Script - 25/26 School Year
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out!