District Update

We hope you'll review this week's District Update filled with news and notes from across the Walled Lake Consolidated School District. Stay up to date with the District by visiting www.wlcsd.org and connecting with the district on social media.

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• November 20-23: WLW presents "Hadestown: Teen Edition" - Tickets available now at www.wlcstickets.com
• November 24: PTSA Council Meeting; 7 p.m. at Oakley Park El.
• November 26: Half Day for Students and Staff
• November 27-28: No School for Students or Staff - Thanksgiving Break
• December 5-7: WLC presents "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" - Tickets area available now at www.wlcstickets.com

Show Times

• Thursday, November 20, at 7 p.m.
• Friday, November 21, at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, November 22, at 7 p.m.
• Sunday, November 23 at 2 p.m.

Get your tickets now at the District Box Office.

Walled Lake Western freshman, Kennedy Horton, took over our Instagram story to take you behind the curtain for the final preparations of the Warriors' musical, Hadestown, ahead of tonight's opening performance.

If you missed it, you can check out all the fun by clicking on the 'Hadestown' highlight on our Instagram!

(Photo: Music Travel Consultants)

The Walled Lake Competitive Marching Band closed out its season on Friday at the Bands of America Grand National Championships. The two-time defending state champions charmed the crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis as they competed against 108 bands representing 21 states.

Drum major, Julian Caushaj, took over our Instagram story to give you behind the scenes look at the trip to Indianapolis on prelims day. If you missed it, you can check out all the fun by clicking on the 'WLMB Nationals' highlight on our Instagram!

Eleven swimmers from across the district will chase gold this weekend at the MHSAA state championships.

Four swimmers from the Walled Lake United swim team will head to Oakland University on Thursday for the MHSAA Division 1 State Meet. Walled Lake Western freshman Melanie Ortiz will compete in the 100 Backstroke and 200 Individual Medley, an event she set a new school record swimming earlier in the fall. Fellow Western freshman Abigail Sutton also qualified for the 200 Individual Medley, as well as will compete in the 100 Fly. Ortiz and Sutton will be joined by Walled Lake Central’s Helen Parrow and Hannah Song for the 400 Freestyle Relay for their final event of the state meet.

Seven Walled Lake Northern swimmers qualified for the MHSAA Division 2 State Meet in six different events. The Knights qualified in all three relays for the first time since 2017. Mia Rosender, Brooke Marriott, Josie Behnke and Victoria Hughson will swim in the Medley Relay. Marriott and Hughson will then be joined by sisters Heidi and Molly Zuska in the 200 Freestyle Relay. Finally, Hughson, Behnke and the Zuskas will compete in the 400 Freestyle. Individually, five Knights’ swimmers qualified for the 500 Freestyle: Behnke, Madison Fenner, Marriott and the Zuskas. The Zuskas and Marriott will also swim in the 200 Freestyle, and Behnke is the lone Knight competing in the 100 Fly. The MHSAA Division 2 State Meet will begin on Friday at Eastern Michigan University.

Dublin Elementary’s Levi Kolleth didn’t want anyone to be without food for Thanksgiving, so he decided to be the difference.

The Shamrocks’ fourth grader approached principal, Patty Karban, at the beginning of November to see if he could start a food drive. Kolleth asked that each family donate one non-perishable item each day of the drive. After three days, he well surpassed his goal of 1,500 items.

“I have enjoyed seeing the whole school work together as a community,” said Kolleth. “Honestly, one of my favorite parts was putting the cans in the boxes. I also liked interacting with the whole school instead of just one class.”

After researching local agencies, Kolleth chose to donate the items from his food drive to the Open Door Outreach Food Pantry in Waterford. On Friday, Kolleth, along with the help from his Dublin Community Education soccer team parents, delivered two carloads filled with food.

“It feels good knowing that I helped my community,” said Kolleth. “I won’t know who we’ve helped, but I hope they feel happy and know I care about them.”

The Clifford H. Smart Middle School Student Council and National Junior Honor Society teamed up for a good cause.

The Trojans held a Veteran’s Day Fundraiser Coin Challenge raising $538.41 to benefit Blue Star Service Dogs, which trains shelter dogs to support veterans and first responders who suffer from injuries with no cost to those in need. The eighth grade took home the coin competition crown raising the most money in the school.

Walled Lake Western graduate and building custodian Jay Zachos (’10) started the month of November dealing with tough times, but his Warrior family was there to pick up one of their own.

Zachos lost his mother Analene Davis, who was also a graduate of Walled Lake Western, on November 6, 2025. The Warriors’ staff came together, raised over $1,500 and surprised him with a card to help cover some of the funeral expenses as he mourns the loss of his mother.

Read Analene Patricia Davis' obituary.

Hickory Woods Elementary staff members Mrs. Mangus and Ms. Sidge had an idea brewing and it's spreading fast!

Together, they helped launch a student-run coffee cart. Through the coffee cart, the Hawks are practicing communication, social skills, money skills and teamwork while delivering plenty of smiles (and delicious coffee!) across the building.

Introducing Leo, Hickory Woods Elementary's new therapy dog!

Leo visited his future school this week to take his yearbook photo and to meet some of the students and staff that will fill the hallways of his new home. The Hawks lined the hallways to welcome Leo as he plans to arrive full time early in the new year.

You can watch the fun of Leo's arrival on our Instagram and Facebook.

A Super Star Staff award costs $10 and includes:

• A certificate with your personalized message to your nominee
• Entry into a drawing for one of two $500 prizes from the Walled Lake Schools Credit Union
• Winners will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8)
• You can purchase your award here: Super Star Staff Award

Proceeds support the FFE’s mission to put more funds in classrooms across the district.

Dr. Michael Lonze and district leaders welcomed local law enforcement to Walled Lake Western on Tuesday morning for a collaborative review of our school safety practices.

We are deeply grateful for their ongoing commitment to protecting our students, staff and families. Together, we’re working every day to ensure our schools remain safe and secure places to learn and grow

Walled Lake Western unveiled its brand new weight room on Friday, which was completed as part of the 2019 Bond.

The former cafeteria was converted into a gym space filled with new equipment that is branded with the Warriors' logo. You can check out the new space and hear what students think about it on Facebook and Instagram.

In an effort to find additional ways to celebrate our staff, the WLCSD Community Relations department requests that families fill out the information below for staff who are rock stars in their classrooms and school communities.

A sample of what these shout outs will look like on social media and in our district newsletters is on the right.

Please complete the following form in order to be considered for the Graduate Spotlight section of the WLCSD quarterly Learning newsletter. The nominated student needs to be a 2016 graduate or before.

Please contact pamelacole@wlcsd.org with any questions.

Our mission, in partnership with parents and the community, is to become the best educational system in America so all students demonstrate they are caring, responsible, and knowledgeable citizens.

Email: danieldurkin@wlcsd.org
Website: www.wlcsd.org
Location: 850 Ladd Road, Walled Lake, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 956-2000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wlcsd/
Twitter: @WalledLkSchools