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End of the Year UPdate

June 17, 2025

End of the Year UPdate June 17, 2025
End of theYear UPdateJune 17, 2025

How Was Your School Year? How Was Your School Year?

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I get that question a good amount this time of year. It is hard not to respond with optimism and enthusiasm. After all, in one week’s time, I watched 5th and 6th graders end their year with a shrill (If you were there, you know what that means.). A few days later, I drove down Main Street with the Class of 2025 celebrating their graduation. And, by June 6, I was smiling ear to ear watching some of WLPS’ youngest students at Go Like The Wind’s End of Year Celebration. How was the year? It had its ups and downs, tragedies and triumphs, and it ended with lots of smiling faces.


This school year was also a scramble for resources - both human and financial resources. Thankfully, WLPS was able to hire people to drive buses, provide food, clean up at the end of each day, and help our students who need extra care. We were also able to secure financial resources to fix some of the building issues I shared with the community in the fall of 2024.


WLPS took a rare step this spring and leveraged its sinking funds to make repairs to its HVAC systems, many of which are running with control set points that cannot be adjusted. Fixing these systems is good news. The bad news? The replacement of our parking lots and sidewalks has to wait. But, I’ll have a plan in place to fix them until more resources can be secured. We are a classroom first type of district, but we want to look as good on the outside as we are on the inside. So, I’ll keep plugging away…I mean patching.

Class of 2025

I do want to extend a special congratulations to the Class of 2025. Our graduation on June 1st was an awesome celebration of successes led by our high school principal, Ms. Jill Henry. One of my favorite moments is always when Ms. Henry asks graduates who received a Community Scholarship to stand. This class had almost every student earning a scholarship, which can be used for any type of advanced learning, whether it be college or career!


Mira Collingham’s speech to her classmates was another favorite moment. Mira is the Joan Bauer Scheel Scholarship recipient as the top student in her class. She’ll be attending the University of Michigan in the fall. She certainly had a successful high school career. But her remarks were all focused on her relationships with her classmates. Her description of the tight bond this class had, and how she’ll miss Friday’s cheering on the Trojans, warmed my heart. It was a special send-off to a tight-knit group of seniors. Congratulations 2025.

Look to Next Year: Academic Calendar & Important Dates Look to Next Year: Academic Calendar & Important Dates

Over the past several weeks, the WLPS BOE has been working in collaboration with the Whitmore Lake Education Association to finalize a teacher contract and calendar. You can download a printable 25/26 Academic Calendar HERE.


Below are also some important dates to add to your calendar.


  • Monday, July 28: Returning Student Online Registration begins (watch your inbox)

    • Due August 8

  • Monday, August 4: Middle & High School Main Office opens for the 25-26 school year

  • Friday, August 15: 25-26 In-person Registration (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM)

  • Wednesday, August 20: WLES Open House (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM)

  • Wednesday, August 20: Camp Kindergarten Kick Off (5:00 PM & 6:00 PM)

    • Watch your inbox for your assigned time.

    • Learn more HERE

  • Thursday, August 21: Back-to-School Meet & Greet (3:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

  • Monday, August 25: First Day of School (½ Day)

A Few Goodbyes (Whether We Like It or Not) A Few Goodbyes (Whether We Like It or Not)

This time of year always sneaks up on us. One minute we’re sending out class lists and schedules, and the next we’re saying goodbye to people who helped build this place, with a ton of non-stop hard work filling the months in between.


Please join me in congratulating the following staff members on their well-earned retirements.

  • Heidi Roy-Borland, WLES Principal

  • Carolyn Otterman, WLPS Instructional Math Coach

  • Yvonne Haynes, WLHS Paraprofessional

  • Anna Borden, WLHS Paraprofessional

  • Bev Fouty, WLES Custodian

  • Theresa Kilkenny, GLTW Montessori Assistant Toddler Teacher


Reflecting on this group, one common thread is each one has brought something irreplaceable to their role–dedication, sense of humor, dependability and a deep belief in doing right by kids even when it was hard and, at times, thankless.


Heidi stepped into leadership during COVID, never backing down from a challenge and leading with an unflappable sense of purpose and positivity. Carolyn consistently cared about her students and colleagues, with a pragmatic ability to improve student learning that is some of the best I’ve ever seen. Yvonne did the work that is foundational to our mission, reminding us that “personalized” isn’t just a buzzword in our mission–it is a daily practice. Anna jumped in with both feet and somehow already understood what it meant to be a Trojan. Theresa–she’s been a steady, loving presence at GLTW for years. Toddlers adore her, families trust her, and watching her care for others has been a masterclass. And Bev- she brought heart and just the right amount of sass to clean our spaces and keep us on our toes.


It’s impossible to capture careers like these in one message. Luckily, they’ve shared some final thoughts and reflections in their retiree Q & As that I’ve included below. You’ll want to read them.


To our retirees: thank you. We’re better because you were here. You made each day a great one to be a Trojan.


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Heidi Roy-Borland

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Carolyn Otterman

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Bev Fouty

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Anna Borden

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Yvonne Haynes

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Theresa Kilkenny

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Tom DeKeyser

Superintendent

Whitmore Lake Public Schools

Tom.DeKeyser@wlps.net

#TrojanPride #TrojanPride

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24/25 MIdweek UPdate Archives 24/25 MIdweek UPdate Archives

  • 4/23/25
  • 3/19/2025
  • 2/19/2025
  • 12/23/2024
  • 11/6/2024
  • 10/31/2024
  • 9/17/2024
Tom DeKeyser
It's a great day to be a Trojan!
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