The Spartan Family Newsletter

When you look at a community like ours, it’s impossible to separate the strength of our town from the success of our school. In a close-knit district like Waldron, our school isn’t just a building where learning happens, it is the hub of our community, the place where we gather, cheer, celebrate, and support one another.

To those of you who have felt disconnected or unwelcomed in past years, we extend a sincere, open invitation: our doors are open to you. Every family, alumni, neighbor, and local businesses plays a vital role in our story. Whether you have children currently in our halls or simply want to support the next generation of Spartans, you belong here, and your voice and presence matter.

True student success doesn't happen in isolation. Research consistently shows (and our own hearts know) that when schools, families, and community members team up, incredible things happen for our kids:
- Academic & Personal Growth: Students thrive when they see a united network of adults encouraging their efforts, attending their events, and invested in their future.
- Expanded Opportunities: Local mentorship, volunteerism, and community partnerships open doors for our students that go far beyond the classroom.
- A Lasting Sense of Belonging: When our children grow up seeing a community that shows up for them, they build the confidence, pride, and resilience needed to succeed anywhere.

Building a supportive school environment takes all of us working together. Whether it’s attending a game, volunteering a few hours, joining a school event, or simply sharing a kind word with a student, your involvement makes a tangible difference.
Together, we have the power to shape a resilient future for Waldron, one where every child feels championed and every neighbor has a place at the table. By uniting as a community to invest our time, energy, and care into our school, we do far more than just support our students; we strengthen the very foundation of our town. Let’s build on this shared commitment, show up for one another, and ensure that our Spartan spirit continues to thrive for generations to come.

It’s a great day to be a Spartan!

We are STRONGER TOGETHER!

Join Us for Waldron Area Schools' 1st Annual Trunk or Treat! 🎃

Excitement is building across our district as plans come together for our 1st Annual Halloween Trunk or Treat!

Thanks to the incredible support of our staff and local community members, we already have a fantastic lineup of decorated "trunks" ready to welcome our kids.

Mark your calendars, dress up the kids in their favorite costumes, and join us for an evening of fun and togetherness:

• When: October 27th

• What: Trunk or Treat, hay ride, yard games, cider and donuts, food, and a pumpkin patch!

• Cost: 100% FREE for everyone!

As a special treat, the first 200 kids will receive a free pumpkin from our pumpkin patch!

Everyone is welcome to come out, have fun, and celebrate with the our Waldron School community!

If you have large outdoor decorations we can borrow, please email Matt Furtney at matt.furtney@waldronspartans.org. Want to help plan, set up, or run the event (or join the PTT)? Email PTT Advisor Nichole DiCenso at nichole.dicenso@waldronspartans.org.

Thank you for your continued support. We can't wait to bring another great event to Waldron! 🎃

As highlighted recently in the Hillsdale Daily News, this victory marks several major milestones for our program:

• First Win Over Pittsford Since 2007: Ending a long-standing rivalry drought in dramatic fashion.

• First Double-Digit 8-Player Win: Marking our first double-digit victory over the Wildcats since joining the 8-player division.

• Three Straight Winning Seasons: Locking in a third consecutive winning season under the leadership of Coach Anthony Roney.

• Playoff Contenders: Placing our team squarely in position for a potential postseason berth.

Congratulations to Coach Roney, the coaching staff, and all our student-athletes for their hard work and dedication. Let's keep the momentum going! Go Spartans!

This Saturday two Waldron Spartan teams kicked off their adventure of joining the Future Flight Challenge. Each team received a box of goodies to help them with their adventure. They will spend the next month preparing for the virtual competition against over 100 schools creating a design for the future, space or for our community. Last year’s team earned honorable mention for their design and was able to attend the University of Michigan’s engineering departments. Good luck teams!

Mrs. DiCenso

Here is an insightful labor market snapshot provided by the Workforce Intelligence Network, which offers a clear overview of workforce supply, hiring demand, and demographic insights across Len-Hills County.

With a total regional population of 144,073, an unemployment rate of 4.6%, and 9,316 job postings, this summary highlights current local economic opportunities and workforce dynamics. Key takeaways for families include top regional employer demands—spanning healthcare, business, skilled trades, and technology—as well as essential certifications, skills, and educational levels (where 24.7% of job postings require a High School diploma or GED and 14.1% require a Bachelor’s degree).

We hope this resource helps you better understand local career pathways, align student training and credentials with regional employer needs, and explore future workplace possibilities within our community.

This scholarship listing contains local, national, and graduate student scholarships. Please scroll all the way to the bottom of the listing to view all scholarships.

https://app.smore.com/n/7ubrj

Link to our Waldron School Store

Nothing beats seeing our students, staff, and community repping Spartan gear! Need to upgrade your wardrobe? Click the link above to check out the latest collection.

For those of you who have already placed orders, please know that I have been able to use the "profits" to purchase 15 Spartan shirts to hand out to students as rewards. This is the start of getting our halls, games, and community repped with Spartan pride! Thank you!!

Oct 21st - Waldron School Board Mtg 7pm in the Media Center

Oct 27th - Waldron 1st Annual School Trunk or Treat

Oct 30th - End of Marking Period 1

Oct 30th - Halloween Parade

Nov 5th - Conferences

Nov 6th - 1/2 Day

Nov 12th - School Board Finance Mtg 6pm in the Media Center

Nov 18th - Waldron School Board Mtg 7pm in the Media Center

Nov 25th - 1/2 Day

Nov 26th - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving

Nov 27th - NO SCHOOL

Dec 3rd - Picture Retake Day

Dec 10th - School Board Finance Mtg 6pm in the Media Center

Dec 16th - Waldron School Board Mtg 7pm in the Media Center

Dec 17th - 1/2 Day - Exams

Dec 18th - 1/2 Day - Exams

Dec 21-31 - NO SCHOOL - Christmas Break

Jan 1st - NO SCHOOL - New Year's Day

Jan 18th - NO SCHOOL - MLK Day - Possible weather make-up day

Waldron’s sports for the week of Oct. 19 – Oct. 23

Monday (10/19) – Cross Country @ Sand Creek Invite at 4:30(?) waiting for conformation.
Tuesday (10/20) – HS Volleyball vs Will Carleton at 5:30pm (Parents Night).

Wednesday (10/21) –

Thursday (10/22) – HS Volleyball @ Bellevue at 5:30pm.

Friday (10/23) – HS Football vs Southfield Christian at 7pm

Elementary breakfast will be served in the classrooms from 8:00 to 8:15 and HS/MS will have breakfast in the cafeteria from 7:40 to 7:55.

Elementary lunch in the cafeteria 11:00 to 11:30

MS/HS lunch in the cafeteria 11:30 to noon

In Person Support

• Community Action Agency (Hillsdale County Branch)

  • Distance from Waldron: ~25 minutes north

  • What's offered: Free family support resources, developmental programs for young children, weatherization support, and financial counseling.

• Lenawee County Family Resource Center (Adrian, MI)

• Distance from Waldron: ~35–40 minutes northeast

• What's offered: Free play-and-learn groups for toddlers, parenting workshops, car seat safety inspections, and developmental screenings.

Online Support

As a reminder, all Waldron 2026/2027 seniors are required to complete the FAFSA this year even if your child is not currently planning to attend a college or trade school, as completing it keeps all post-graduation options open. To ensure a smooth process, please visit FAFSA.gov to create your FSA ID and gather key materials in advance, including Social Security Numbers, driver's licenses, prior-prior tax returns (IRS Form 1040/W-2s), and current financial records for both students and parents. The FAFSA opens on October 1st; we will hold a student session in the media center on October 2nd at noon, and Mrs. Crist will be hosting parent help sessions every Thursday in October until 8:00 p.m. to assist you through the steps.

The Waldron Daycare will be closed on Friday, Sept 4th and Monday. Sept. 7th in observance of Labor Day. We hope you have a wonderful long weekend.
If you are interested in your child(ren) attending the Waldron Daycare, enrollment forms are available in the main office. For questions regarding before-school care, please contact Tammy Fix at tammy.fix@waldronspartans.org.

Please see the attached link to view our new "High School Highlights". Mrs. Crist will be putting these out throughout the year with information guided towards our HS students. If there are any questions in these article, please reach out to Mrs. Crist.

For students that are wanting to join coding club please sign up in the office. The first meeting is Wednesday September 2 from 3-4pm. Coding Meetings will be held every Wednesday from 3-4pm, unless noted.

High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is a welcoming, student-centered group where high school students can come together to grow in their faith, build positive friendships, and encourage one another. Although FCA has its roots in athletics, students do not have to be an athlete to participate! All high school students are welcome.

During meetings, students will have opportunities to participate in short devotionals, Bible discussions, activities, and conversations focused on faith, leadership, character, and making positive choices. FCA provides a supportive environment where students can connect with their peers and explore how their Christian faith can be part of their everyday lives.

Our goal is to create a positive community where students feel welcomed, encouraged, and supported as they grow into confident and compassionate young adults.

High School Literature Club

High School Literature Club is a welcoming and engaging space for students who enjoy books, stories, writing, and discussing literature with others. Students do not have to be avid readers to join! Whether they love reading or simply want to explore new stories and genres, all high school students are welcome.

During meetings, students will have opportunities to discuss books and short stories, share recommendations, participate in creative activities, explore different genres, and connect with other students through a shared appreciation of storytelling. Activities may also include book-themed games, creative writing, movie discussions, and other fun literary experiences.

Our goal is to create a relaxed and positive environment where students can build friendships, express their ideas, discover new interests, and develop a lifelong appreciation for reading and literature.

High School Dungeons & Dragons Club

High School Dungeons & Dragons Club is a fun, welcoming space where students can use their creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills through collaborative storytelling. No previous Dungeons & Dragons experience is required! Whether students are experienced players or completely new to the game, all high school students are welcome.

During meetings, students will work together to create characters, explore imaginative worlds, solve challenges, make decisions, and tell stories as a team. Dungeons & Dragons encourages important skills such as communication, cooperation, critical thinking, creativity, leadership, and respectful decision-making.

Our goal is to provide students with a positive and inclusive environment where they can make new friends, express their creativity, build confidence, and—most importantly—have fun together!

If you have any questions regarding these clubs, please reach out.

OK2SAY is a 24/7 confidential safety tipline for reporting threats against students or schools. Contact them by phone at 855-565-2729, text at 652729, email at okaytosay@mi.gov, the OK2SAY app, or via their website.

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve school safety and daily operations, we are implementing a few updates to our morning drop-off routine.
- Building Opening Time: Doors will open at 7:30 a.m.
- Early Arrival & Before-School Care: Please note that morning supervision with Mrs. Brenda is no longer available prior to 7:30 a.m. If your child needs to arrive before 7:30 a.m., our on-site daycare is available for a fee. Children must be officially enrolled prior to attending; enrollment forms are available in the main office. For questions regarding before-school care, please contact Tammy Fix at tammy.fix@waldronspartans.org.
- Morning Supervision (7:30 a.m. – Bell): Once students are dropped off after 7:30 a.m., they will head directly outside to the playground for morning recess with Mrs. Olivia. In the event of rain or extreme cold, students will gather in the elementary gym until the school day begins.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support in keeping our mornings running smoothly!

As we start the 2026/2027 school year, I would like to remind everyone about the Student Handbook Dress Code. Please know that all students and staff are required to abide by the dress code set forth by the school district. While we understand that some parents might not fully agree with every aspect of the policy, it is part of our official code of conduct and must be followed.

It is never our intention to embarrass or humiliate any student regarding their attire. Should a situation arise, we will always offer an alternative clothing item at school before reaching out to ask a parent or guardian to bring a change of clothes.

If you would like to review the full details, you can view the student code of conduct at the link below. The dress code section can be found on pages 30 and 31:

Waldron Dress Code

If you ever have any questions or concerns regarding the dress code, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.

We are so glad to have you visit and hope you feel welcomed in our building! To best ensure the safety of our students and staff and maintain the daily flow, we have a couple of important requests for visitors:
When you arrive, please use the front doors to check in and sign out at the main office.

Please do not leave your vehicle unattended in the front bus loop during the busy morning drop-off or afternoon dismissal times. We need to keep this lane clear for our buses to maneuver safely and efficiently.

If you are late dropping off your student, after 8am, please be sure to drop them off at the front door. All other doors will be locked at 8am, we can't have any students standing at the door waiting for someone to come let them in. Thank you for help with this.

Your cooperation with these small matters is greatly appreciated!

How to Sign Up for Kroger Community Rewards - benefits Waldron Special Education Classrooms

1. Go to Kroger App

2. Click on person icon in Top Left corner

3. Click on Payments and Resources

4. Click on Community Rewards

5. Type in DW074 to choose Organization or type in Waldron Special Education Classrooms.

6. Click Enroll button

7. Thank you for your support!

As we kick off the new school year, our top priority is providing a safe, engaging, and distraction-free learning environment for all students. With research showing the significant impact of personal screen time on classroom focus and student well-being, we are implementing a district-wide Cell Phone & Personal Technology Policy.

We ask for your partnership and support in reviewing these guidelines with your child before the school year begins.

Important Legal Notice: State Law Mandate

Please be aware that this policy is governed by state law, which mandates restrictions on personal telecommunications devices in public school classrooms. Waldron Area Schools is legally obligated to implement and strictly enforce these requirements. We appreciate your full support and cooperation in helping us comply with state regulations to maintain a focused learning environment for every student.

Policy by Grade Level

Elementary Students

• No Phones Allowed: Elementary students are not permitted to bring cell phones or personal communication devices into the school building.

Middle & High School (MS/HS) Students

• Classroom "Pouch" System: Students may bring cell phones, smartwatches, wireless headphones/earbuds, and other devices to school, but they are strictly prohibited from having them on their person during class time.

• Passing Periods & Lunch: Students are permitted to use their technology responsibly between classes and during lunch.

• Restrooms & Locker Rooms: For privacy and safety, cell phones and personal technology are strictly prohibited in all bathrooms and locker rooms at all times.

How the Classroom System Works (MS/HS)

To ensure consistency across every classroom, we are using a Wall Pouch System:

1. Classroom Arrival: Upon entering every class period, students will immediately place their phone, smartwatch, and headphones into an assigned, numbered pouch on the wall chart.

2. Instructional Focus: Devices must remain in the assigned pouch for the entire class period.

3. Out-of-Class Passes: Students leaving the room during class (e.g., to use the restroom or visit the office) are not permitted to take their technology with them.

4. End of Class: Students retrieve their devices when the end-of-period bell rings.

Consequences (MS/HS)

To keep expectations fair and clear, the following steps will be taken if a student chooses not to place their technology in their designated pouch during class:

Offense and Action Taken

1st Offense

2nd Offense

3rd Offense

4th Offense

📞 How to Reach Your Child During the School Day

We understand that parents sometimes need to contact their children during the day. To help us maintain an uninterrupted learning environment, please keep the following options in mind:

• For Urgent Messages or Emergencies: Please call the Main Office directly at 517-286-6251. Our staff will immediately get a message to your child or bring them to the office.

• For Non-Urgent Messages: Feel free to text or message your child! They are welcome to check their phone and respond during passing periods or their scheduled lunch break.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in helping our students stay focused, engaged, and successful this school year! As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to me: Matt.Furtney@waldronspartans.org.