Dear Banks Families:
We look forward to hosting our annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, May 23. Family members of our Banks students who have served our country are invited to have a morning reception of coffee and donuts in the Learning Commons beginning at 8:15 AM. The Ceremony will then begin at 8:50 AM in the gymnasium. As of today, only one Banks family has registered for this special event. To ensure we order enough for our morning reception, please complete the Google Form below by Tuesday, May 20 to register.
In addition, Class of 2025 Seniors from Walled Lake Central, Northern and Western are invited to visit former teachers from 1:00-1:30 PM on Friday, May 23rd. A group photo will be taken in the front of school @ 1:30 PM. Students must wear their Cap & Gown, and parents of graduates are asked to wait outside of the building during the visit.
As a special reminder to 8th grade parents of students attending the D.C. Trip, the final parent meeting will be held on Thursday, May 22nd at 6:30 PM in the Learning Commons.
If you missed it, 4th marking period progress reports are now available to view.
Special thanks to our amazing PTSA and Banks community for their generous support and efforts to make this an incredible Staff Appreciation Week. PTSA President, Mandy Palozzi, and her team went above-and-beyond to make sure we felt loved and appreciated. I am proud to be a part of such a thoughtful community. Thank you for all you do.
As always, it's a beautiful day to be a Banks Bulldog!
Cheers,
Jennifer VanWagnen
We are Banks!
#everychildeveryday #banksproud
Upcoming Events
May
5/20: Half Day for Students, Staff Professional Development
5/20: Spring Open House for New Incoming 6th and 7th Grade Students from 6-7 PM
5/21: LVC Co-ed Track Meet, All Day
5/22: Final DC Parent Meeting @ 6:30 PM
5/23: Memorial Day Ceremony in AM
5/26: Memorial Day, No School for Staff or Students
5/27: Vocal Music Concert @ WLW, 7 PM
5/28: Banks 6/7/8 Orchestra Concert @ WLW, 6:30 PM
5/29: Oakland County Track Meet, All Day
June
6/2: Banks 6/7/8 Band Concert @ WLW, 6:30 PM
6/3-6/6: 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip
6/9: Dress Rehearsal, 8th Grade Ceremony @ 8:20 AM-9:20 AM
6/10: 8th Grade Ceremony @ 8:20 AM
6/10: 8th Grade Dance @ 6:30-8 PM
6/11: End of 4th Marking Period
6/11: Final Day of School, Half Day for Students
Banks Track Update
Congratulations to both the girls and boys track teams for their victories over Mason Middle School on Wednesday, May 14th. It was a perfect day to compete, and many athletes clocked personal best times to close out the regular season. The coaches would like to thank and applaud all those who worked hard to help make our season a success, and we would like to give a congratulatory shout out to those who will be advancing past the regular season and competing at the Lakes Valley Conference Championships next Wednesday, May 21st. Go Bulldogs!
District Chromebook Update
Walled Lake Consolidated School District middle school and high school students participating in the district-provided chromebook program will keep their device this summer. Families who purchased the annual Technology Protection Plan, the WLCSD student device insurance program, for the 2024-25 school year are covered thru June 30, 2025, 11:59 PM.
Families may choose to purchase or renew the Technology Protection Plan for the 2025-26 school year. The cost to participate is $20. If paid by June 30, 2025, 11:59 PM, coverage will start July 1, 2025, 12:00 AM. Families that wait for until the Back-to-School Packet is available will not have coverage between July 1, 2025, and the purchase date.
The final date to purchase the Technology Protection Plan for the 2025-2026 school year is August 24, 2025, 11:59 PM. Families choosing not to purchase the Technology Protection Plan will be responsible for any damage repairs.
Payments should be made through the eFunds. Families can access the eFunds portal via the district website or through Family Access. To purchase, please complete the following steps.
Log on to eFunds
Select Chromebook Insurance in the Optional Fees menu
Completed the purchase for each student that is participating in the program
Please note, families that choose to continue participating in the district chromebook program do not need to repay the $50 deposit fee.
Summer Support
Summer support is available for devices in need of repair. If a chromebook needs repair during the summer break, please complete a repair form.
Return of District-Provided Chromebooks
If a student graduates, plans to leave the district, or does not want to use a district-provided chromebook next school year, the district will host turn-in dates. Please complete the 2025 Chromebook Return form so that we can plan to retrieve the device. We will communicate turn in dates directly to families that complete the form. Graduating seniors will receive a separate communication to support device return.
Please note, students that plan to transfer to Grad Alliance or VLAC should return their district provided device. Grad Alliance and VLAC provide devices for students participating in these programs. Please complete the 2025 Chromebook Return form so that we can plan to retrieve the device.
Deposits will be refunded after the devices have been evaluated for damage. Please note, to receive the full deposit, the case and power cord must be returned with the device.
Devices cannot be returned to schools after June 11, 2025. If a device is not returned prior to the conclusion of school, please return devices to WLCSD Technology Department, Educational Services Center, 850 Ladd Rd, Bldg. D, Walled Lake, Michigan 48390.
If you have any questions, please contact Tawana Berman at TawanaBerman@wlcsd.org.
Congratulations to the newly elected 2025-2026 Banks PTSA Board and Officers
Congratulations to the newly elected 2025-2026 Banks PTSA board:
Jolie Abreu, Jean Perczak, and Barbara Zajdel
Thank you so much for your generous offer of service to the Sarah G. Banks school community! We are looking forward to an amazing year working together.
Nominations are being accepted to fill all positions, including President, Treasurer, Secretary,
Fundraising Chairperson(s), Membership Chairperson(s) and Reflections Chairperson(s).
8th Grade Washington DC Trip Update
The final Washington, DC trip Parent Meeting will be held on May 22nd at 6:30 PM. The trip is now at full capacity and closed to new registrations. To view the meeting presentation from the October 10th parent meeting, please click here. If you have any questions about the DC trip, please reach out to Mr. Morrow at DavidMorrow@wlcsd.org.
Important News for 7th Grade Families
Attention prospective National Junior Honors Society (NJHS) students and parents: Banks is proud to announce that applications for NJHS will open in the fall of the 2025-2026 school year. This is a slight deviation from past practices as middle school redistricting takes place. The idea is that all students being placed into a new school will have time to settle in before we begin the NJHS application process. Look for information and application forms in September of 2025.
Attention 8th Grade Boys Interested in Walled Lake Western Boys Soccer - Fall 2025
Walled Lake Western Boys Soccer - Fall 2025
- Summer practices begin on Monday, June 16th, 7:30pm at WLW soccer field
- Tryouts are August 11-13 and the team's first scrimmage is August 16th
- If your son is interested in playing for the Warriors please email Jenna Houghton at wlwesternsoccer@gmail.com and visit the WLW Boys Soccer Website for the 2025 summer schedule, walled lake western soccer.weebly.com
Attention 8th Grade Girls Interested in Volleyball at Walled Lake Western
Attention 8th Grade Girls Interested in Volleyball at Walled Lake Western:
Stay in the loop with all things Western Volleyball! Join our Band app group to get updates on summer training, important dates, and program information.
Join here
WLC "New Viking" Lawn Signs
WLC welcomes all of our new students!
"New Viking" lawn signs are now available to purchase through May 23.
Click below to purchase a WLC "New Viking" lawn sign:
Staff Shout Outs! 💙
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.
Signing up for SMS Messages in Skylert
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.
Connect With Us
Jennifer VanWagnen
Principal: jennifervanwagnen@wlcsd.org
Kellan Watkins
Principal's Secretary: kellanwatkins@wlcsd.org
Becky Smith
Interim Assistant Principal: rebeccasmith@wlcsd.org
Jennifer Dean
Assistant Principal's Secretary: jenniferdean@wlcsd.org
Important Phone Numbers:
Main Line: 248-956-2200
Attendance: 248-956-2290
Email: JenniferVanWagnen@wlcsd.org
Website: https://banks.wlcsd.org/
Location: 1760 Charms Road Wixom, MI 48393
Phone: (248) 956-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sarahbanksptsa