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 - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn

• Sept. 19: Lakes Area Youth Assistance (LAYA) Taste of the Lakes fundraiser
• Sept. 20: Middle School Curriculum Night
• Sept. 21: Half Day for Students
  
• Sept. 22: WLN Homecoming
• Sept. 22: WLW Homecoming
• Sept. 25: No School for Students or Staff
• Sept. 26: PTSA Council Meeting at Dublin Elementary

Visit www.wlcsd.org/calendar for a complete list of events with details.

Wixom Elementary received a generous donation from the Kroger on Grand River Ave in Novi as part of the store’s back to school drive.

Kroger donated three shopping carts filled with school supplies including backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, Kleenex, and more.

“When we received a call from the Novi Kroger telling us they were going to do a back to school supply drive, we never imagined how much they would be donating,” said Wixom Elementary principal Catherine Russel. “We received three shopping carts full of supplies, and we can’t thank our Novi Kroger and Kroger store patrons enough for their support of our school.”

Loons and their families flocked to the playground on Thursday morning for their annual Buddy Breakfast. It was a morning of smiles, fun and, of course, donuts and bagels as each student brought their special someone for breakfast on playground.

Keith Elementary has officially opened its brand new turf courtyard for staff and students to use as an outdoor learning space. This project was made possible in partnership with the school and Dragons’ PTA. See the incredible transformation by viewing this Instagram Post.

Donovan Triplett etched his name in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) and Walled Lake Western record books on Friday, September 8, in the Warriors 47-9 win over South Lyon.

Triplet made the most of his opportunities against the Lions turning his three carries into three touchdowns. His longest was for 99 yards, which tied the MHSAA and Western program record for longest touchdown run. Tommy Bell, who ran for a 99-yard touchdown against Walled Lake Northern on September 2, 2005, is the only other Warrior to hit that mark.

Triplett finished his night against South Lyon with 207 yards on three carries with three touchdowns. The sophomore’s other two touchdowns were for 81 yards and 27 yards.

Walled Lake Western improved to 3-0 with its win over South Lyon. The Warriors hit the road to rival Walled Lake Northern (1-2) on Thursday, 7 p.m., in the Battle of the Wall. Western leads the all-time series against Northern 18-3 and has won each of the past two seasons.

(Photo: Teresa Presty and Richard Bagdasarian)

Dave Routledge, school psychologist at Walled Lake Northern High School, received a Golden Apple Award at the September 7, 2023 Board of Education meeting.

The person who nominated him wished to remain anonymous, but shared that Routledge is the ultimate professional and leader. They also said that he is a role mole for others by being a lifelong learner.

“Dave Routledge is an outstanding school psychologist,” said Walled Lake Northern principal Greg Diamond. “He has the ability to share information to parents in a way that is understandable, reassuring and even comforting.”

“At Walled Lake Northern, we have come to count on Dave’s excellent communication skills to help us make sure that parents fully understand their child’s situation and all of the options we have to help their child,” added Diamond. “Dave is also a great friend and colleague in the building. He always has a cup of coffee or a comforting word in his office should you need one. Dave Routledge is a most deserving recipient of the district’s Golden Apple Award.”

Anne Merchant, food service secretary, received a Golden Apple Award at the September 7, 2023 Board of Education meeting.

She was nominated by Nancy Kattoula, who’s a Spanish teacher at Walled Lake Central, for always looking outside the box to find solutions that best help our students, not just cookie-cutter answers.

“Anne is always trying to help our students in need,” said Food Service director Julie Fortner. “She is helpful by calling the teachers, counselors and parents to research student’s needs and helps them get the proper status for food service so they do not go hungry.”

In an effort to celebrate our staff, the WLCSD Community Relations department requests that families fill out the form below to nominate 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.

As you know, the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency has ended and all remaining state epidemic orders have been rescinded. This, however, does not change the recommendation to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as isolation and masks. The expectation is that students, families, and staff will follow the recommended guidelines regarding COVID-19. With that said, at this time, for the 2023-24 school year, COVID-19 positive cases will no longer be monitored at the District level and timelines will not be provided. Please see below for recommendations should your student test positive for COVID-19:

• Stay home, separate from others, and follow the recommended guidance from your physician, the Centers for Disease Control, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and/or the Oakland County Health Division.
• Report absence to the school secretary.
• Questions or concerns should be directed to your physician or the Oakland County Nurse On Call Line at 800-848-5533.

Thank you for keeping the health and safety of our students and staff a priority in Walled Lake Schools.

During the 2023-24 school year, all Michigan public school students in grades Pre-K through 12 will have access to free breakfast and free lunch everyday 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 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.

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
  

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, along with most school districts in Michigan, have made significant cost reductions as a result of state funding reductions and declining enrollment. At the same time, operational costs including utilities and insurance continue to rise at a rate much faster than incoming revenue. The district implemented athletic participation fees in an effort to limit athletic program reductions.

Current school year fees:

• $255 per high school sport
• $120 per middle school sport
• Students participating in self-funded sports (ice hockey, in-line hockey, equestrian, bowling, figure skating, water polo and lacrosse) are exempt from the fee.

Family Caps:

• $510 for high school sports

• $240 for middle school sports

  
  

Middle School Example:

• 1 middle schooler playing 1 sport. Total Cost = $120
• 1 middle schooler playing 2 sports. Total Cost = $240
• 2 middle schoolers playing 2 sports each (who are siblings). Total Cost = $240

High School Example:

• 1 high schooler playing 1 sport. Total Cost = $255
• 1 high schooler playing 2 sports. Total Cost = $510

Combination Example (MS & HS):

• 2 high schoolers playing 2 sports each (who are siblings). Total Cost = $510
• 1 middle schooler playing 1 sport, 1 high schooler playing 1 sport (who are siblings) Total Cost = $375
• 1 middle schooler playing 2 sports, 1 high schooler playing 2 sports (who are siblings) Total Cost = $510

The maximum amount a family would pay per year, including families with middle school and high school athletes, is $510.

Please contact the Athletic Department at (248) 956-2073 or visit our Pay to Participate webpage should you have any questions or require additional information.

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