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.

During Smart Start, students and/or parents will:

• Receive their District Chromebook (if payment is received by August 11th)
• Have their school picture taken (more information below)
• 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
• Get their free CHS t-shirt (a different color for each grade level)
• Walk around the school and see where classes are located

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 their books the first day of school.

LOCKER DECORATIONS

One of the best things about Smart Start is getting class schedules and finding out locker assignments. As students are getting their lockers set up and finding their classes for the first day of school, many like to personalize their locker. Some students choose to decorate with various shelving units, lights, chandeliers, and even the occasional "disco ball". These items can fun and help to personalize the space if a student chooses to do so. As the lockers have plenty of space, please keep in mind that they are lockers and not closets, so less decor may be best.

One type of decor that is NOT permitted inside or outside the locker at any time is contact paper/ wallpaper/ stickers. These items tend to be installed incorrectly causing the locking mechanisms to not work correctly and cause issues with opening and closing the locker. In addition, they are very difficult to remove at the end of year causing damage to the lockers.

Thank you for your help in making good decoration choices, if your child chooses to do so.

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 18, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Mark your calendars!

Our WEB Program will help get your 6th grader off to a great start! Best of all, this is the first year CHS is holding WEB Orientation so your child gets to do it first. How cool is that?

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. 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! Doesn’t that sound great? It is!

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

1. Your child will receive an orientation invitation sent via their WLCSD Gmail account from CHS WEB Coordinators/ Teachers nathanbruce@teachers.wlcsd.org or jessikagolab@teachers.wlcsd.org. If they have not received the invitation, please email Mr. Bruce or Ms. Golab to request one.

2. A day or two before orientation, your child will also receive an email from a WEB Leader personally inviting them to orientation day and giving the details of where to be and what time. The Leaders can also answer any questions they may have.

3. Your student is encouraged not to bring backpacks, purses or other like items as the day is quite active.

4. Because the day is active, please make sure that your student wears comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement.

5. Cell phone use is forbidden on this day. This is a student only function so we encourage you to let your child attend on their own.

WEB is a dynamic opportunity for your 6th grader to start their middle school experience. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to the email listed above.

We look forward to meeting your child on August 18, 2025 at CHS!

Thank You,

Jessika Golab

Nathan Bruce

WEB Leaders of Clifford Smart Middle School Invite the 6th Grade Class To WEB 6th Grade Orientation

WE want you to be here! We need you to be here! It won’t be the same without you!

August 18, 2025 at Clifford Smart Middle School from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

WEB is a program of 8th graders who will be there for YOU throughout the year! The transition from elementary to middle school is a HUGE DEAL! Having a resource in someone that went experienced what you are experiencing is invaluable. CHS’s WEB Orientation is just what you need to get your 6th Grade year off to an AWESOME START!

Wear comfortable clothes. Don’t bring all your stuff. You won’t need your cell phone... travel light! We are excited that you are joining us at Clifford Smart Middle School!

If you have any questions, you can email Ms. Golab jessikagolab@teachers.wlcsd.org or Mr. Bruce nathanbruce@teachers.wlcsd.org

See You Soon,

Ms. Golab

Please note that this is a student only event and ask parents to drop off and pick up students at the main gym/athletic entrance. Students can bring a water bottle with them and snacks will be provided.

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!

Walled Lake Consolidated School District students in grades 6-12 access instructional materials on electronic devices. Students are expected to bring a fully charged computing device to school each day. For the best learning experience that provides access to all WLCSD selected learning resources, the information technology department recommends the use of Chromebooks.

To support this learning need, families may choose to participate in the District Provided Chromebook Program. Advantages to participating in the district program include:

• Enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity in district
• Increased support from district IT staff
• Streamlined repair process

Families that are interested in participating will find more information in the Back to School packet.

I’m excited to welcome Mr. Stuart Riley as our Interim Assistant Principal. Mr. Riley brings over 32 years of experience in education, having recently retired from Walled Lake Consolidated Schools. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher at Walled Lake Elementary, Director of the Walled Lake Outdoor Education Center, Assistant Principal at Walled Lake Central High School, and Principal of Geisler Middle School.

Mr. Riley is committed to fostering strong, positive relationships with students, staff, and families. He looks forward to working collaboratively with the CHS community to support student success in a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.

My name is Jennifer Schloegl, and I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the team as the new building secretary! I have been a part of Walled Lake Schools for nearly four years, all of which I have spent at Meadowbrook Elementary. I began my journey there as the building secretary and later transitioned into the principal’s secretary role.

Outside of school, I stay very busy with my four amazing children—Brynley (13), Charley (7), and our energetic twins, Laine and Lucas (5). We’re always on the go, especially for sports, which is a big part of our family life. I am also a huge football fan—Go Lions!

I am excited to be here and looking forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the band program at Clifford Smart Middle School! We are thrilled that your child will be joining us on an exciting musical journey as they learn to play an instrument. We look forward to getting to know your child and can’t wait to see the amazing things they will accomplish!

Before the school year begins, it is important to ensure that each student has an instrument and all necessary equipment for 6th grade band.

Instrument rentals – reserve by August 12:

Walled Lake partners with Marshall Music as our school service provider and we recommend their rent-to-own program for your child’s instrument. This program includes free maintenance, repair, and insurance, along with the supplies needed to start the year. A Marshall Music representative visits Walled Lake Schools twice a week for all service needs. Complete your rental agreement online at marshallmusic.com/rentals by August 12th to ensure your child’s instrument is delivered to Smart MS before the first day of school. Please note, for clarinet rentals, there is a specific link for CHS families.

Information for families who are not renting:
If you are not renting from Marshall Music, you will need to purchase the required accessory package for your child’s instrument. Click the appropriate link below to purchase the accessory package:

Flute Accessory Package (non-rental)

Clarinet Accessory Package (non-rental)

Trumpet Accessory Package (non-rental)

Trombone Accessory Package (non-rental)

If you plan to purchase an instrument instead of renting, please contact Mr. York at michaelyork@wlcsd.org.

A limited number of school-owned instruments are available to loan to families who are experiencing financial hardship. To request one, please contact Mr. York at michaelyork@wlcsd.org

Marshall Music will be able to answer your rental questions, but we are happy to answer any other questions you may have about 6th grade band. Please feel free to contact us via email.

We look forward to meeting your child on the first day of school!

Sincerely,

Mr. York – 6th Grade Trumpet & Trombone michaelyork@wlcsd.org

Mr. Abbott – 6th Grade Flute & Clarinet davidabbott@wlcsd.org

Our girls volleyball try outs start the first day of school, August 25th. Please complete the Google Form below to sign up if you are child is interested in trying out for volleyball.

In the form you will see try out times and dates and coach information.

Volleyball Sign Up Google Form: Click HERE

As you prepare for try outs, a couple of reminders:

1. Students must have completed MHSAA physical form on file no later than the first day of try outs. They can be turned in at Smart Start or on the first day of school. Please CLICK HERE for a copy of the MHSAA medical form to be completed by you and your child's doctor. Physicals must be dated AFTER April 16, 2025 to be valid for this school year.
2. Volleyball is a pay to participate sport. Once a student makes the team the pay to participate fee must be paid prior to the first game. Please CLICK HERE for pay to participate fee costs and information.
3. We have two teams. 6th and 7th grade try out for one team and 8th grade on the other team.

As you have questions, please contact our 6th/7th grade coach – Amy Monroe AmyMonroe@wlcsd.org with any questions.

Thank you,

Dan Holland

Online Back to School Process - Open to Families on August 1, 2025

Similar to previous years, Parents and Guardians need to complete the online back to school process through Skyward Family Access. The online back to school process requires families to verify their student/family information, update parent email addresses, complete the required district forms, apply for free and reduced lunch (if applicable), make fee/fine payments, and much more. Included in the online registration packet are very important forms and procedures. Please read the online packet very thoroughly.

• Link to Skyward Family Access
• Link to the WLCSD Back To School Hub

Parents must have their own Family Access login in order to complete the online back to school process. The online process CANNOT be completed with a Student Skyward login. If you do not have a Family Access parent login, please send an email request, as soon as possible, to familyaccess@wlcsd.org or call, 248-956-2190. Please be sure to include your name, the name of each child in the district, your email address, and a daytime phone number.

This online process opens to families on Friday, August 1, 2025 and MUST be completed prior to attending "Smart Start" on Tuesday, August 19th.

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

As we prepare for the start of the school year, we wanted to touch base with you regarding the process of administering medications to students at school.

Medications are administered at school under the supervision of our office staff. This includes BOTH prescription medications AND over the counter (ibuprofen, pain relievers, etc.) medications. BOTH types of medication require a completed and signed WLCSD medication authorization form by BOTH the parent/ guardian AND the child’s doctor.

For safety and confidentiality reasons, we will not be accepting medications at Smart Start. If you would like to drop off medications and the required documentation prior to the start of the school year, please contact our office secretary, Mrs. Tonya Gray, directly at 248-956-3512.

As you have questions about this process please contact our main office at 248.956.3500.

You are invited to complete the optional form below. The information you include in this OPTIONAL form will be shared with C.H.S. Middle School Staff only. The intent of this form is to provide our families the opportunity to share some information about their child to start off the school year that we may not be aware of and that you feel is important to share.

PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY NAMES (STAFF, OTHER CHILDREN, ETC.), OTHER THAN YOUR CHILD'S NAME, IN ANY OF YOUR RESPONSES.

The form will close on Friday, August 23rd and should only be completed by a child's parent or guardian.

Please also remember to contact your child's counselor for any concerns and/or questions you may have.

Over the summer our cross country coaches like to start checking out the interest of team members for the fall and schedule some group runs over the summer.

If your child is interested in joining the cross country running team this fall, please complete the Google Form link below. In the Google form, there is more information and coaches contact information. Signing up gets you and your child on the information list as well.

https://forms.gle/5aDTdUdE6o1GNBrV8

Please contact coach Alex Rickens AlexRickens@wlcsd.org with any questions.

Thanks,

Dan Holland

If your child will be absent, please call the Smart Attendance Hotline (248) 956-3510 as soon as possible. If you know of a vacation or pre planned days off, you can leave those dates on the hotline as well.

If you have not called your child in by 9:30 a.m., you will receive a call from Mrs. Jennifer Schloegl to verify that your student is not at school for the day. Thank you for partnering with us in keeping your children safe and accounted for.

Student transportation information for the 2025-2026 school year will be available beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Friday August 15th.

Please check Skyward Family Access for your students bus route information. Student enrollments will continue through the start of the school year and bus information may change. Please continue to monitor Skyward Family Access for the most up to date information.

A reminder that bus passes are not allowed.

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.

Dear 8th Grade Parents,

Our Annual 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip is scheduled for June 1st-4th. Additional information will be provided in August and you are also invited to attend our Washington D.C. Trip Parent Meeting immediately following Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 16th.

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

Principal's Secretary: MelissaWilseck@wlcsd.org

Building/Attendance Secretary: JenniferSchloegl@wlcsd.org

6th Grade Counselor: KathleenHoover@wlcsd.org

7th Grade Counselor: MaureenBratke@wlcsd.org

8th Grade Counselor: JulieBraley@wlcsd.org

SCHOOL STARTS 8:10 A.M.

DISMISSAL 3:00 P.M.

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

Stuart Riley, Interim Assistant Principal

Steve Spickard, Dean of Students

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
Twitter: @CliffordSmart