IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CURRENT 7TH GRADERS INTERESTED IN THE NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY (NJHS)
Attention prospective National Junior Honors Society (NJHS) students and parents. CHS is proud to announce that applications for NJHS will be taken in the fall of the 2025-2026 school year. This is a slight deviation from past practices as middle school redistricting takes place. The idea is that all students being placed into a new school will have time to settle in before we begin the NJHS application process.
Look for information and application forms in September of 2025.
Walled Lake Schools Annual Kindness Matters Award
The purpose of the Kindness Matters award is to honor and recognize those individuals and organizations who exhibit kindness and care toward others. You may nominate any student, teacher, secretary, administrator, bus driver, playground supervisor, or any Walled Lake Schools employee. You may also nominate a parent, grandparent, community member, company, or an organization.
You may select any or all the above who: demonstrate kindness on a frequent basis, go out of their way to make others feel better, lead initiatives in their school or community to benefit others, or inspire others to show kindness.
The deadline to nominate is Monday, April 14th.
Super Star Staff Awards
This April, you can recognize your favorite Walled Lake staff member by nominating them for a "Super Star Staff" award with a $10 donation to the Foundation for Excellence (FFE).
Your nomination enters them into a drawing to win one of two $500 prizes, sponsored by the Walled Lake Schools Federal Credit Union.
Here’s what your $10 donation includes:
- One raffle entry for your nominated staff member
- A personalized certificate with your message to the nominee, delivered to their school mailbox.
All donations go to support the FFE’s mission to bring more resources to Walled Lake classrooms. Just last month, they gave over $51,000 to 70 classrooms! You can nominate any staff member in the district—teachers, bus drivers, administrators, custodians, para-professionals, etc.
Important Dates:
- Nomination Deadline: April 30
- Winners drawn: May 2. (No public announcement will be made as the winners will be identified with a surprise visit to their work location.)
- Surprise Visits to winners' work location: During Staff Appreciation Week (May 5–9).
Click here to submit your nomination: Super Star Staff Nominations
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Jackie Gurwin, Executive Director of the FFE, at JackieGurwin@wlcsd.org.
Let’s celebrate the amazing people who support our kids every day!
YEARBOOK ORDERING INFORMATION
Please see the below information regarding the ordering of your copy of the Smart 2024-2025 yearbook. Please contact Katie Kalinowski, Smart yearbook coordinator with any specific questions: KatieKalinowski@wlcsd.org
YEARBOOK 2024-2025 INFORMATION
Ordering a Yearbook:
Yearbooks may be ordered online only at yearbookforever.com.
Yearbooks are on sale for $40.00 online until May 30, 2025.
The targeted date for distribution is June 5, 2025 during all grade level lunches.
Yearbooks sell out, so please do not wait to try and purchase one during distribution.
Confirming a Yearbook Purchase:
To determine whether or not you purchased a yearbook, go to yearbookforever.com.
Enter our school's name as CH SMART.
Enter the name of the student for which the book was purchased.
PICTURES ARE BEING ACCEPTED UNTIL 4-9-25 online or you may email them to katiekalinowski@wlcsd.org. Every attempt will be made to include your photos. Any photos submitted after 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 will not be included.
April 15th Reminder
A friendly reminder that 8th graders will be taking the PSAT on Tuesday, April 15th. Please note that all Walled Lake 8th graders will be here for a full day and 6th and 7th graders will have a late start on April 15th.
Below is the specific schedule:
Morning Schedule
- 8:00 a.m.-8:05 a.m.-8th Graders arrive
- 8:20 a.m.-11:25 a.m.-Administer the 8th Grade PSAT
- 11:25 a.m.-11:58 a.m.-8th Grade Lunch (6th and 7th Graders will not be provided lunch)
- 6th and 7th graders arrive at approximately 11:45 a.m.
Afternoon 1/2 Day Schedule
- 1st Hour 12:05 p.m.-12:30 p.m.
- 2nd Hour 12:35 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
- 3rd Hour 1:05 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
- 4th Hour 1:35 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
- 5th Hour 2:05 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
- 6th Hour 2:35 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Click on the attachment below to view late start bus pick up times for 6th and 7th graders on April 15th. Please call our Transportation Department at 248.956.3090 with any questions.
Respectfully,
Nayal Maktari
Dear CHS Middle School Parents,
As we enter the final card marking of the school year, I want to take a moment to remind students, parents, and staff the importance of finishing strong. Our students have accomplished so much this year, but we must continue that momentum.
On many occasions we've shared with students the importance of finishing the year on a positive note, continuing to do the things they’re excelling at, and putting in the effort to improve where needed. We kindly ask for your support in reinforcing this message at home.
Our school community is truly exceptional because we work together—parents, children, and staff—to achieve success. With your encouragement, I’m confident we can make this the best end of the school year ever.
Thank you for your continued support!
Respectfully,
Nayal Maktari
Please take a moment to ask your child what was discussed during the visit and to reinforce to them the importance of meeting our behavioral and academic expectations.
Thank you,
The CHS Middle School Administrative Team
June 9-CHS 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony at Walled Lake Northern H.S. Football Field (students and families arrive at 6:40 p.m.). Ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m.
June 10-CHS 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony Makeup Date
June 11-½ day of school for students-Last day of school
June 11- CHS 8th Grade Clap Out beginning at 11:30 a.m.
June 11-PTSA Sponsored 8th Grade Celebration at Oakland Yard Athletics beginning at 1:30 p.m.
PLEASE CLICK ON THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY CALENDAR FURTHER DOWN THIS NEWSLETTER FOR ADDITIONAL DATES AND EVENTS
PTSA REFLECTIONS CELEBRATION
Congratulations again to our students that participated in the District Wide Reflections Contest and those that were honored Monday evening at Walled Lake Northern High School.
Thank you to our PTSA and our Reflections Chair, Mrs. Michelle Brandon, for all of the time and effort she dedicated supporting our children!
Music Appreciation Club April Update
Thanks to all the families who came out for the La Vida Loca concert. Our next Club meet is Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 2:30pm followed by the 3pm Woman Rock! concert.
Tickets will be available April 14th up until the concert date. For those students who usually reserve their free ticket online, please note the DSO has transitioned to only booking Student Soundcard tickets through visiting or calling the box office 313.576.5111. Do reserve your tickets when they become available to avoid disappointment. We are expecting a full house for this concert.
Upcoming concerts where we plan to meet as a group:
· Sunday, April 27 2025, 2:30 Club meet, 3pm Women Rock!
· Saturday, May 24 2025, 2:30 Club meet, 3pm Ben Folds
***Your student soundcard membership allows you to attend many more concerts in addition to the ones listed above. Please consider making the most of your membership and check out other concerts at DSO.org***
It is not too late to join now! After attending only 1 concert, your student membership will have paid for itself.
Cost: $25 per student membership unlocks one free ticket to almost every Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) 2024-2025 concert series, including the concerts outside of those we plan to meet at, and up to two companion tickets (bring or invite your parents/sibling/friend/teacher) for $5 each, access to the best seats, access to DSO Replay and online Live streaming performances. Carpooling opportunities are available!
We will be learning more about the music, the performances, the artists and attend concerts with:
Oldies Music by The Drifters, Roy Orbison, Nat King Cole, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles; Ray Chen; Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker; Broadway Love Songs; Music of Enrique Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, Santana, & Ricky Martin; Women Rock! (Music by Carole King, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Pat Benatar, Tina Turner), Ben Folds and many more!
See Music Appreciation Club Details Document for more information and link to Google form for registration https://forms.gle/3eAmCFB4Vf9FCP626
CHS Student Google Classroom (shared with students)
Hello CHS students,
If you haven't already received an invitation to join the "C.H.S. : Info for Students" Google Classroom, please use the join link or class code below to join.
https://classroom.google.com/c/MTQ5MDkyNzA0NDVa?cjc=nuahofd
Class code : nuahofd
This "classroom" will be used to post announcements from CHS Staff and much more! Be sure to join this class to get all the latest and greatest information on everything Smart!
Thanks,
Mr. Holland
CHS Goals Achievement Program (GAP)
Our Goal Achievement Program (GAP) is sponsored by our PTSA and asks students to achieve one goal per marking period. The information below was shared with students during morning announcements.
MP1: Citizenship: You’re already in for this goal. There’s nothing to turn in, just keep working on those 1’s and 2’s!
MP2: Grade Point Average: Your GPA is automatically calculated and based off of your report card grade. Your goal is a 3.0 GPA or higher.
MP3: Reading: Read at least 400 pages during MP 3 and you’ve achieved the goal! Turn in the log to the counseling office no later than March 21, 2025.
MP4: Community Service: Complete at least 10 hours of community service to achieve the goal. Volunteering your time to help others is community service. For ideas, please ask your parents, teachers, or counselor. This form is due by May 23, 2025.
Rewards are given for the goals you achieve. Special recognition is given for 8th graders that achieve goals for all 3 years at CHS.
Student Chromebook Support Request Form
- If a student needs support, he/she should fill out the link below. The link can also be found on all Google Classrooms and on the school website under Students. Being logged on to the school google account is required to access the form.
- 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).
- The chromebook in the case will be sent through interoffice 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.
- When the chromebook has been repaired, it will be delivered back to the school for the student to pick up.
- 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.
- 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.
As we prepare for the start of the school year, we wanted to touch base with you regarding the process of administering medications to students at school.
Medications are administered at school under the supervision of our office staff. This includes BOTH prescription medications AND over the counter (ibuprofen, pain relievers, etc.) medications. BOTH types of medication require a completed and signed WLCSD medication authorization form by BOTH the parent/ guardian AND the child’s doctor.
For safety and confidentiality reasons, we will not be accepting medications at Smart Start. If you would like to drop off medications and the required documentation prior to the start of the school year, please contact our office secretary, Mrs. Tonya Gray, directly at 248-956-3512.
As you have questions about this process please give Mrs. Gray a call.
FROM THE ATTENDANCE DESK
If your child will be absent, please call the Smart Attendance Hotline (248) 956-3510 as soon as possible. If you know of a vacation or pre planned days off, you can leave those dates on the hotline as well.
If you have not called your child in by 9:30 a.m., you will receive a call from Mrs Gray to verify that your student is not at school for the day. Thank you for partnering with us in keeping your children safe and accounted for.
Smart Administrative Team
Dan Holland, Assistant Principal
Steve Spickard, Dean of Students
Please contact us with positive or constructive feedback, questions, and/or concerns.
Website: www.wlcsd.org/smart
Location: 8500 Commerce Road, Commerce Charter Township, MI, United States
Phone: 248-956-3500
Twitter: @CliffordSmart
MAIN OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION
Please feel free to call our main office with any questions at 248.956.3500. You can also email us.
Principal's Secretary: MelissaWilseck@wlcsd.org
Building/Attendance Secretary: TonyaGray@wlcsd.org
6th Grade Counselor: MaureenBratke@wlcsd.org
7th Grade Counselor: JulieBraley@wlcsd.org
8th Grade Counselor: KathleenHoover@wlcsd.org