C.H.S CHRONICLES

Smart Start is our middle school registration day for all students and you can come anytime between 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18th.

During Smart Start, students and/or parents will:

• Have their school picture taken
• Receive their student I.D.
• Receive their class schedule
• Receive their locker assignment and can practice opening their locker
• Receive their daily planner
• Sign up for PTSA
• Learn general building information
• Walk around the school and see where classes are located
• 7TH AND 8TH GRADE STUDENTS THAT DO NOT HAVE DISTRICT CHROMEBOOK WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ONE ON THIS DAY

Please note that there is not a registration make up date if you cannot attend Smart Start. You can locate your child's schedule, locker number and combination through your Skyward Family Access Account. Picture retakes will take place later in the fall and your child can pick up any additional material on the first day of school.

Hello 6th Grade Parents!

We are very excited that your child will be attending Clifford H. Smart Middle School, and we look forward to seeing them at our 6th Grade Orientation Day on Monday August 17, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. -11:45 a.m. Mark your calendars!

WHAT IS WEB?

WEB is a nationwide program designed to welcome and support 6th graders by connecting them with WEB Leaders, who are positive, responsible, hand-selected 8th graders. 6th graders will participate in a series of team building activities, get a tour of the building, and learn what they need to know for a successful start to the school year! Your student’s WEB Leaders will help them feel more comfortable as well as help them achieve success in their first year of middle school. Orientation Day is just the start!

PLEASE NOTE THAT DISTRICT ISSUED CHROMEBOOKS WILL BE PROVIDED TO EACH 6TH GRADER ON THIS DAY. MORE DETAILS WILL BE PROVIDED LATER THIS SUMMER.

Thank You,

Mrs. Jessika Golab

Mr. Nathan Bruce

Dear Parents and Guardians:

I am writing to share an important update regarding instructional technology for the upcoming 2026–2027 school year.

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, Walled Lake Consolidated School District will move to a full one-to-one, District-provided Chromebook program for 6th –12th grade students. Each student will be issued a District-managed Chromebook for use during the school day and at home in the evenings.

As part of this transition, and in alignment with the District’s new electronic communication device policy, students will no longer be permitted to use personally owned devices during instructional time. This change allows us to ensure consistent access, instructional support, safety, and security for all learners.

For families whose students already participate in the District Chromebook program, there is no change to daily device use. However, please note the following update:

• Families enrolled in the Technology Protection Plan will have their coverage automatically extended through August 31. Technology Protection Plan renewal will occur in August and be included in the back to school process.

Families that are newly impacted by this change will receive additional information about Chromebook distribution and procedures during back-to-school communications. Distribution will occur during school orientation/registration days.

Also of note, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, Walled Lake Consolidated School District will implement GoGuardian. This solution provides schools with tools to help manage and monitor student technology use, including focusing classrooms to keep students on task during instruction and a parent portal that gives families visibility into their child’s online activity.

As we continue to plan for this initiative, we would like your input. Please share your thoughts by completing the Family Digital Access survey.

We appreciate your support as we continue to create equitable, safe, and effective learning environments for all students. Again, more details will be shared as we prepare for the new school year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Lonze, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Walled Lake Consolidated School District

My name is Colton Henning. I was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. I attended Evangel University in Missouri to play football and it was there that I obtained my bachelors in Psychology. I then went straight into my Masters for School Counseling. I met my wife, Hannah, in college and we will have been married for 7 years in September. Hannah and I moved up to Michigan about 5 years ago. We have recently been blessed to have a healthy baby boy, Ollie. He is just now reaching four months old and he has been so much fun.

My name is Shanell Eastman. I grew up in Farmington Hills in the Clarenceville district and then attended Eastern Michigan University for my undergraduate and graduate degrees.

I have spent the last twenty years teaching at Walled Lake Central High School and am excited to begin my journey at Clifford Smart! Outside of teaching, I am an animal lover with over twenty pets, so everyone calls my house The Zoo. I also love to cook, bake, garden, craft, read, and spend time with my family.

My name is Molly Anson and I am delighted to introduce myself as a member of the Smart teaching staff. This year marks my 28th year teaching mathematics. I spent 24 years in the Walled Lake School District, including serving as a member of the opening staff at Walled Lake Northern High School. I began my teaching career at Ingleside Middle School in Scottsdale, Arizona, before returning home to Michigan.

My husband and I have two daughters. Maddy will be a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, where she plays softball, and Peyton will be a sophomore at Walled Lake Northern High School. I truly enjoy being part of the community where I live and teach, and I value the relationships that develop between schools, students, and families.

I am honored to be joining the Smart family and look forward to getting to know both students and parents throughout the school year. I can't wait for a great year together!

Hi, my name is Libby Finn and I have worked in education and in Walled Lake Schools since 2009. My most recent position was at Pleasant Lake Elementary where I worked as the Literacy Intervention Specialist for grades 3-5. I received my B.A. in Education from Michigan State University, an M.A. in Teaching and Learning from NOVA Southeastern University, and I am currently working on completing additional graduate coursework to continue to learn and grow as an educator.

I live in Commerce Township with my husband, Anthony, and our four children who attend Keith Elementary. We stay busy coaching and participating in sports, currently baseball and softball, and try to get outdoors as much as possible. I love reading, painting, and going up north during the summer. I am excited to start a new chapter teaching middle school ELA, and I am grateful to be joining the students and staff at CHS in the fall!

Hello Northern Nation,

As we move into summer here are a few points of interest regarding summer practices, fall athletics registration, and the start of the fall season to preview as you start your summer!

• Summer work out sessions: Many of our fall sports are participating in summer sessions. As I will email details as they become available, please reach out to our fall coaches for more information and to get on their email list. Coaches contacts can be found on the WLN Athletics site on the coaches information page.
• Athletics physicals: Now is a great time to get a sports physical done for the fall season. Don’t wait! Physicals must be dated after April 15, 2026 to be valid for the 2026-2027 school year. Students MUST have a physical completed to practice or try out in August. Find a copy of the physical on the MHSAA Physicals website.
• Fall try outs: Try outs and practices officially start for the fall season on August 10th. Specific try out information will be sent later this summer.
• Athletic registration: Walled Lake Schools will now be using EventLink for our athletic registration needs. This replaces our former BigTeams website. Please do not register any information under Big Teams for the fall as we do not have any access to that site. More information about EventLink will be sent out soon.

As always, be sure to reach out via email or call as you have questions.

Thanks,

Dan Holland, WLN Athletic Director

248-956-5333

danholland@wlcsd.org

Please note that Math, ELA, Social Studies, and Science Supply Lists will be provided in late July or early August.

Encore supply lists will be provided at that same time but your child will not know their Encore schedule till they receive their schedule at Smart Start on Tuesday, August 18th.

Congratulations to the following CHS Middle School Teachers who will be retiring at the end of this school year:

Mrs. Maureen Bratke

Mrs. Katie Kalinowski

Mrs. Silvana LaPlante

Mrs. Kim Quinn-Haver

Mrs. Sharon Ratzlaff

You will be missed but we wish you the best moving onto new adventures!

The Oakland County Enhancement Millage will be on the August 4, 2026 ballot. If approved, each public school district and eligible public school academies would receive approximately $781 per student annually. This proposal would cost about $150 per year for a $200,000 home ($100,000 taxable value).

Districts would use the funding for a variety of reasons. Here are some examples on how these general fund dollars would be spent:

· Staff recruitment and retention

· Stabilizing general fund budgets

· Maintaining or reducing class sizes, where possible

· Expanding professional development

· Enhancing student wellness supports

· Improving safety and security

· Maintaining and strengthening district programming

Visit the Enhancement Millage website for more information and a tax calculator.

*Reply @LEAVE to the number you are receiving messages from if you'd like to leave the text group at anytime.

Please remember to please call 248.956.3090 for ALL bussing questions. Please click on the link below to visit our transportation website for more information. A reminder that bus passes are not allowed.

Please feel free to call our main office with any questions at 248.956.3500. You can also email us.

Counseling Secretary: JulieSmith@wlcsd.org

Principal's Secretary: MelissaWilseck@wlcsd.org

Building/Attendance Secretary: JenniferSchloegl@wlcsd.org

6th Grade Counselor: JulieBraley@wlcsd.org

7th Grade Counselor: KathleenHoover@wlcsd.org

8th Grade Counselor: ColtonHenning@wlcsd.org

Principal: NayalMaktari@wlcsd.org

Student Success Coordinator: StevenSpickard@wlcsd.org

Currently interviewing for the position of Assistant Principal

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

SCHOOL STARTS 8:10 A.M.

DISMISSAL 3:00 P.M.

1/2 DAY DISMISSAL 11:40 A.M.