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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• January 8: Board of Education regular meeting; 7pm at ESC
• January 10: MS Unified Volleyball Camp, 1pm at WCMS
• January 14-16: High School Half Days - Semester Exams
• January 15: WLCSD MLK Celebration Food Drive Ends
• January 19: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration; 5:30pm at WLN
• January 20: GED/ESL Registration, 5 - 7 pm, WL Central
• January 21: Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten Orientation; 6pm at all 12 elementary schools
• January 22: GED/ESL Registration, 5 - 7 pm, WL Central
• January 26: PTSA Council Meeting; 7pm at Commerce Elementary
• January 26: Schools of Choice Application Window OPENS
• January 28: Half Day for Students | Staff Professional Development

Special Olympics of Michigan celebrated Walled Lake Central’s Unified program on Friday, December 18, presenting the Vikings with their Special Olympics National Unified Champion School banner and ESPN Honor Roll plaque.

Walled Lake Central was named a National Unified Champion School in September, and is one of just 20 schools in the state of Michigan with that distinction. Walled Lake Central earned the title of National Champion Unified School by demonstrating its commitment to inclusion by meeting the ten national standards of excellence: Integrated Sports Offerings, Inclusive Youth Leadership Opportunities, Sustained Whole-School Engagement, Student-Led Activation, Inclusion Campaigns, Collaboration, School Culture of Inclusion, Student Involvement and Planning, Sustainability Plans, and A Self-Sustainable Future.

The Vikings were also recognized by ESPN as one of its Honor Roll schools in October for their outstanding contributions to the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program. Walled Lake Central is one of just 45 schools in the nation and the only one from the state of Michigan to make the 2025 ESPN Honor Roll.

A little elf was stirring up some holiday cheer one smile at a time during lunch on the final day of school before winter break at Hickory Woods Elementary.

Check out what Mrs. Shannon had in store for the Hawks on Facebook and Instagram.

Walled Lake Northern junior Alex Siminovich started the new year with a purpose spending two weeks in Israel helping grow the game of lacrosse.

Siminovich was one of just 18 boys’ and 29 total lacrosse players from the United States who traveled to the Middle East for the Israel Lacrosse service trip, which focused on connecting, inspiring and giving back on a global scale.

“Getting to represent the United States in Israel while teaching and playing the sport I love was an amazing experience and something I will always remember,” said Siminovich. “Lacrosse made it easy to connect with people I had never met before, even being so far from home.”

Along with competing with and against Israeli lacrosse players, Siminovich visited three schools and two after school programs to teach kids about the game of lacrosse.

“I am so grateful I had the opportunity to go,” added Siminovich. “Seeing how excited the kids were when they picked up a lacrosse stick and learned a new sport was definitely the best part of the trip.”

Walnut Creek Middle School alumna Julia Cancellara was back on her old stomping grounds the final day before winter break.

She visited the Hawks to perform and answer their questions. Julia, who graduated from Walled Lake Central this past spring, is studying music education at Western Michigan University.

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ data application specialist, Kathy DeYonker, received a Golden Apple Award at the December 18, 2025 Board of Education meeting.

DeYonker was nominated by Clifford H. Smart Middle School counseling secretary Julie Smith for her dedication to her work and the tremendous value she brings to our school community.

“Kathy is a strong representative of the district thanks to her extensive knowledge of our computer systems,” said Smith. “Kathy is kind, patient and consistently supports our secretarial staff with Skyward, reports, report cards and more. Many secretaries have had limited training, and Kathy is always available to guide them, offer reassurance and ensure they feel confident in what they’re learning.”

Walled Lake Central CI paraeducator, Amy White, received a Golden Apple Award at the December 18, 2025 Board of Education meeting.

White was nominated for consistently opening her heart to her students and providing the love and support they need and deserve.

“Amy goes above and beyond to help her students whether that’s offering a hug, sharing kind words or supporting them in any way within her reach,” wrote her nominator. “She speaks to her students with genuine warmth and helps them feel valued.”

White is also a steady source of support for her coworkers, always ready with a listening ear or encouraging words. She never hesitates to seek support when she or her students need it.

The entire Walled Lake Consolidated Schools community is invited to attend the District's 27th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, January 19, 2026. This year's celebration will be at Walled Lake Northern High School with a tour of student exhibits starting at 5 p.m. and a formal program starting at 6:15 p.m. This year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration theme is Service.“

"Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."

Hear ye, hear ye! Walled Lake Community Education proudly extends a royal invitation to all young princes, princesses, and their honored guests for an enchanting evening at our Family Dance. This semi-formal celebration is designed to bring families together for a night of elegance, joy, and magical memories.

Step into the ballroom and delight in music and dancing, capture the moment at our royal photo booth, create keepsakes at craft stations, and discover prizes worthy of a king or queen. Light refreshments will be served as our royal guests enjoy this unforgettable community gathering.

• Open to Preschool through 5th Grade students
• All children must be accompanied by an adult
• This is a community event and is not sponsored by any school

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.

the Special Services Parent Advisory Committee is sponsoring an Inclusion event in an effort to increase awareness of Unified Sports & Unified Champion Schools, further promote inclusion throughout the District, and celebrate Walled Lake Staff.

The highlight of the Inclusion event is a Unified basketball game featuring school administration and school board members supporting our Unified athletes. The event also includes appreciation stations for staff and educational sessions to inform and inspire the school community about the values and impact of Unified Sports.

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.

The Walled Lake Marching Band and Color Guard will be holding an informational meeting and ice cream social for prospective new members and parents on February 3rd at 7:00 PM in the Walled Lake Central Band Room. Any Creek, Banks, WLC, or WLW students are eligible to participate in color guard for 2026. All skills will be taught, and this multi-state championship organization welcomes anyone interested!

For more information, please email:

• Mr. Grant Prater, Director of Bands - WLC grantprater@wlcsd.org
• Mr. Michael Wolf, Director of Bands - WLW michaelwolf@wlcsd.org

In a partnership between the Novi Public Library and Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, we are pleased to announce to Novi residents that signing your student up for a Novi Library Card is even easier! This current membership drive will run from January 9 to January 30.

To register your student for a library card, complete and submit the online registration form found below. A library card will be created for your student and delivered to their school’s media specialist, who will then distribute the cards to students.

January 13, 2026 *Virtual Meeting

• 5:45-6:30 PM - Conference with Administrators
• 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - The ARC: Guardianship, Power of Attorney

March 26, 2026 *Location TBD

• Inclusion Week - Unified Basketball game vs. WL Administrators and Staff

Questions? Email WalledLakePAC@gmail.com

Mark your calendars for the Walled Lake Cobras Women's Water Polo team's "Dine to Donate" event with Benstein Grille, on Tuesday, January 13, from 12p-9p.

Mention the Cobras to your server, and 10% of your dining bill will be donated back to the Walled Lake Cobras Women's Water Polo team.

The Cobras are completely self-funded; these funds are necessary for our program to function and will help us buy new equipment, host tournaments, and help grow the game of water polo in the Huron Valley and Walled Lake school districts.

Please come out and enjoy an amazing meal from our friends at Benstein Grille on Tuesday, January 13. Help us meet our goal, and support our program. Thank you!

Team Walled Lake (Area 15) Special Olympics Michigan provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults (8 years and older) with intellectual disabilities. We are looking for new athletes this season and participating in Unified Sports alongside Team Walled Lake is possible.

Days: Monday & Friday

Time: 6:30-8:00pm

Location: Sarah Banks Middle School

Address: 1760 Charms Rd, Wixom, MI 48393

There is no cost for athletes to participate.

Please complete this Google Form, if interested. This will be used as the registration for the season.

This year, athletes will be split into two separate groups:

• Athletes that want to compete at tournaments and scrimmages, committing to the entire season.

• Athletes that do not want to participate in tournaments, cannot guarantee attendance, and just want to have fun with their friends.

Both groups are wonderful! The only difference will be is that athletes not competing will not be placed on teams - they will attend practices, but will not 'officially' be on a roster.

During the 2025-26 school year, 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 on Skyward Family Access 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.

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