The Banks Bulletin

The start of the 2026-2027 school year has finally arrived, and we can hardly contain our excitement. Our Bulldog Nation is looking fantastic and we are ready to welcome our students back! We look forward to connecting with our students on Wednesday, August 26th for our first day of school!

Check your inbox each week to view the community newsletter and follow our PTSA on Facebook and check out our Instagram to stay connected and catch the greatness that is Banks.

We Are Banks!

Jennifer VanWagnen, Principal

JenniferVanWagnen@wlcsd.org

(248) 956-2200

August

8/26- First Day of School (Full Day)

8/26- Volleyball Tryouts, First Day, 3-5 PM

8/27- Cross Country (CC) Practice Begins, 3 PM-4:15 PM

September

9/2: PTSA Meeting @ 6:30 PM in the Banks Media Center

9/4-No School for Students or Staff

9/7-Labor Day - No School for Students or Staff

9/10- Board of Education Regular Meeting

9/14-Tentative: Schoolwide iReady Testing-ELA

9/15-Curriculum Night @ Banks-6:30-8:00 PM

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

9/16-Tentative: Schoolwide iReady Testing-Math

9/17: No School for Students, Staff Professional Development and Safety Training

Banks Bulldogs, it's time for Fall Sports! If you haven't already, and you plan to participate in either Girls' Volleyball or Coed Cross Country this Fall, please complete the respective Athletics Sign Up form below. Tryout/1st practice information is as follows:

Volleyball

8th Grade Tryouts: Wednesday, August 26th - Friday, August 28th, Main Gym, 3:00-5:00 pm.

1st day of practice: Monday, August 31st, 3:00-5:00 pm.

6th/7th Grade Tryouts: Monday, August 31st - Wednesday, September 2nd, 3:00-5:00 pm. 6th grade students may try out and participate on the 7th grade team.

1st day of practice: Thursday, September 3rd, 3:00-5:00 pm.

**This is a cut sport.

Cross Country

1st day of practice - August 27th, 3:00-4:15 pm.

**This is a non-cut sport.

Updated Athletics Calendar

We are now using Eventlink for our athletics calendar. Please follow the link below for game schedule and make sure to keep checking throughout the season for any changes/updates.

In addition, if you didn't pick up the athletics flyer from Banks Blast Off, then make sure you and your student read the attachment so that both of you understand the commitment to being a Banks athlete. Important note for eligibility, all athletes must have a physical on file with the school dated after April 15, 2026 and must be turned in order to participate on any team. Physicals can be turned into the front office with the Attendance Secretary, Mrs. Dean. As always, reach out to the Assistant Principal, Mr. McNamara, if you have any general athletics questions.

8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip Information

Our annual 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C. will be from Tuesday, May 4 to Friday, May 7. Save the date for our parent information meeting before Curriculum Night sessions on Tuesday, September 15 at 5:30pm in the Banks Cafeteria.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Yu at TorryYu@wlcsd.org.

Click on the link below to support the PTSA and show your Bulldog spirit! Order today!

*The teacher name entry is required in order to complete the purchase but the name is not important for getting the order to your student. Please fill in JENNIFER VANWAGNEN for teacher name.

• 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.

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.

Please be advised that our traffic patterns have changed for the 2026–2027 school year. Please follow the updated routes identified on the maps below. Parents and guardians should now use the east side of the building for student drop-off and pick-up.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support as we implement these changes!

• Instrument rental includes an instrument repair program and insurance.

• Instruments will be delivered directly to your child’s middle school and will be distributed at the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.

• For rental questions, please call Marshall Music (band only) or Shar Music (orchestra only) directly.

Please rent online as soon as possible to ensure timely delivery for the start of the school year.

Marshall Music (band) and Shar (orchestra) provide twice-weekly service calls to our schools.

Please click on the link below for recommended brands and models if purchasing an instrument.

MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC DEPARTMENT CONTACTS: Sarah Banks Middle School Band -Mrs. Dudzinski KristenDudzinski@wlcsd.org Orchestra - Mrs. Cirihal TeresaCirihal@wlcsd.org

Please Note: YOU CAN STILL SIGN UP FOR BAND OR ORCHESTRA! If your child would like to play an instrument this fall and did not sign up or has not yet been fitted for an instrument, please contact the band or orchestra teacher at your child’s middle school. We will put you in contact with the building counselors, who will get your child scheduled in the correct instrumental music class for the fall – just send us an email. If you feel instrumental music is not an option for your child due to finances, please contact us. We have a small inventory of musical instruments to loan. We want every student to have the chance to play. Remember 6th grade is the ONLY year to start an instrument in the Walled Lake Schools.

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 2026-27 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 26.

What Parents Need to Know...

Starting August 4, 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.

*Bus route information will be available beginning August 14.

NEW THIS YEAR – My Ride K-12 App

Beginning this school year, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools will use the My Ride K-12 app for all transportation notifications and updates. Parents/guardians will need to have the My Ride K-12 app in order to receive important information regarding their student's transportation.

Please note: The Transportation Hotline will no longer be used for transportation updates.

Directions for downloading and setting up the My Ride K-12 app can be found on the District's Transportation website. Visit the Transportation page and scroll down to the “My Ride K-12 App/Website Setup” section for complete instructions.

• https://www.wlcsd.org/departments/transportation

Families who use District transportation are strongly encouraged to download and set up the app before the first day of school so they don't miss important bus updates.

Welcome to ParentSquare! This guide will help you activate your account, find helpful resources, and download the free ParentSquare app so you can start receiving updates from your school.

Activate your ParentSquare account

Your school will send you an invitation using your email address or phone number on file.

1. Open the invitation from ParentSquare in your email or text messages.
2. Click Activate your account or tap the link to go to the account registration page.
3. Enter your email or phone number, then click Get Started. (Optional: You can also sign in with Google or Microsoft.)
4. Check your contact information. If it looks correct, click Confirm. You’ll receive a code by text or email.
5. Enter the verification code when asked.
6. You’ll see your children’s names. Click Confirm next to each child who should be connected to your account. If a child is listed by mistake, click Not my child.
7. If everything looks correct, click Yes, this is me.

If you haven’t already, download the free ParentSquare app for iOS or Android, or log in at www.parentsquare.com.

*If you are not interested in downloading the app, rest assured you will still receive updates from the District and your school community via email.

Access helpful resources

When you’re logged in, you can access resources to help you with using ParentSquare.

On a computer, click the question mark (?) in the top menu.

In the app, tap the Help icon in the app.

You’ll see these options:

• Contact School - Send a question to your school or find contact details.
• Help Articles - Search for answers or step-by-step guides.

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to share an important update to the District calendar.

Thursday, September 17, was originally scheduled as a half day for students, with staff participating in professional development during the afternoon. This date will now be a full day off for students.

On September 17, Walled Lake Schools staff will participate in professional development opportunities focused on continued growth and improvement, along with completing required school safety training and renewal activities.

We appreciate your understanding as we make this adjustment to provide our staff with dedicated time for professional learning and to ensure we continue prioritizing the safety and success of every student.

All Michigan public school students in grades Pre-K through 12 will have access to free breakfast and free lunch every day through the "Healthy School Meals for All" program. This includes a meat/meat alternative, grain, fruit/vegetable and milk. A la carte items will be available for purchase.

Families are still encouraged to complete the free/reduced meal form in Skyward to help secure additional funding for the District including Title I funding. By completing the form, eligible families may also receive access to other free and reduced programs within the District including SAT testing, pay to participate, and more.

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.

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