The Banks Bulletin

Dear Banks Families:

In collaboration with all Walled Lake Middle Schools and Special Services Department, Sarah Banks is proud to host a Spirit Week celebrating inclusion. What is inclusion? Inclusion in the classroom means that all children, no matter their racial, religious, or ethnic background, gender, learning style, or ability have equal access to educational opportunities in a learning environment where all students are equally safe, valued, and respected.

The Spirit Week will take place on Monday, March 23 - Friday, March 27. More details are provided below.

In addition, we hope you will join us for the 6th-7th grade Vocal Concert to be held at Walled Lake Western on Wednesday, March 25th, beginning at 7 PM.

We wish a joyous Lunar New Year, a blessed Ramadan, and a reflective Lenten season to all in our community who are celebrating and observing these traditions. We also recognize the Persian (Iranian) New Year, which is on Friday, March 20th.

The next edition of the Banks Bulletin will be published following Spring Break in April.

Cheers,

Jennifer VanWagnen, Principal

We Are Banks!

March

3/23-3/27: Inclusion Spirit Week (See Below)

3/23: First Day of Track Practice

3/23: PTSA Reflections Celebration; 6:30 p.m. at WLW

3/24: Tornado Drill

3/25- 6th and 7th Grade Vocal Music Concert @ 7 PM, WLW

3/26: Walled Lake Unified Staff Appreciation Event @ 6:30 PM, WLC

3/27: Pep Assembly

3/27: End of 3rd Marking Period

3/30- 4/3: Spring Break, No School for Staff or Students

April

4/6: School Resumes

4/8: Dodgeball for Gus Fundraiser During the School Day

4/8: 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip Parent Meeting @ 5:30 PM in the Cafeteria

4/9: Board of Education Regular Meeting @ 7 PM

4/8: PTSA Meeting @ 6:30 PM in the Media Center

4/13: Report Cards Available to View

4/13: Tentative: MS Track Meet vs. East Middle School @ 4 PM- Away

Middle School Testing Information

• Thursday, April 16: PSAT 8

MSTEP:

• Banks: Week of April 27

Please note: next week is the final week of tutoring. The final day of tutoring for the 25-26 school year will be March 26th, 2026. Thank you!

Toys, stuffed animals and NeeDohs should not be brought to school. Due to a recent increase in these items, students have been reminded that NeeDohs and other toys are disruptive to the learning environment and are not permitted at school. We have also become aware of a current and potentially dangerous TikTok trend involving exploding NeeDohs, which has made its way into classrooms, creating significant messes and disrupting instruction.

Moving forward, any such items brought to school will be confiscated and held until a parent or guardian is able to retrieve them. Thank you for partnering with us to help keep our school safe and maintain a learning environment that is positive and productive for all students.

Sarah G. Banks Middle School science teacher, Jeff Snody, was named this week’s Excellence in Education Award winner by the Michigan Lottery.

“Winning the Excellence in Education award reinforces that teaching is what I was meant to do,” said Snody. “I realize now more than ever that what we do as teachers is so impactful to the students that we interact with every day.”

“Jeff Snody is an exceptional science teacher,” said Sarah G. Banks Middle School Principal, Jennifer VanWagnen. “Over the span of his career, he has coached multiple sports and inspired students to be the best version of themselves.”

Continue reading on district website.

PTSA Reflections

The Michigan PTA has shared the results of state level judging for the Reflections program, and we are excited to announce that 8th graders Nicholas Heuvers and Ava Lengel placed at the state level of judging out of over 500 entries that advanced to the state level of the program across Michigan this year. Nicholas received an Award of Merit in music composition and Ava received an Honorable Mention in dance choreography. Congratulations!

We look forward to celebrating Nicholas, Ava, and all of our school winners at the district Reflections Celebration on Monday, March 23.

Monday (3/23):

Rock Your Socks for “World Down Syndrome Day”

(Wear colorful and/or mismatched socks!) (Officially on Sat. 3/21)

Tuesday (3/24):

Tie-Dye Day!

(We accept, respect, and include all students)

Wednesday (3/25):

Favorite Color Day!

(Be yourself and wear your favorite color!)

Thursday (3/26):

Pajama Day

(Be cozy and comfortable with inclusion)

Friday (3/27):

Banks Spirit Day

(We are ALL Bulldogs!)

Sarah G. Banks Middle School students celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a special treat!

Social studies teacher, Meagan Clancy had the Bulldogs toe tapping and heel clicking by learning the art of Irish dancing!

You can check out the fun on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Our current math standards are more rigorous and demanding than ever. Students are expected to develop a deep understanding of concepts leading to fluency with facts and procedures, and the ability to clearly communicate their mathematical thinking. Further, students must pass a demanding sequence of high school math courses in order to meet graduation requirements. In response to the increased expectations for all students, we have adjusted the content focus and instructional approaches in all of our math courses.

Because of the higher standards and to ensure student success at all points of their

mathematical education, we are using the procedures described below to accelerate students.

In order to skip a course in the math sequence, students must demonstrate proficiency in

the content and skills of the course they are attempting to skip.

The process and procedures described on the following pages (linked below) apply to all students currently in grades 2 through 6. Students attempting to test-out of high school courses will use the existing process described on the district website. If you have questions after reviewing the process, please contact your building principal or me. Thank you for your partnership in education.

Sincerely,

Ellen McDonald

Math/Science Coordinator

ELLENMCDONALD@WLCSD.ORG

248.956.2029

8TH GRADE PSAT TESTING ON THURSDAY, APRIL 16TH

Please note that all Walled Lake 8th graders will be here for a full day and 6th and 7th graders will have a late start on April 16th.

Morning Schedule

• 8:00 a.m.-8:05 a.m.-8th Graders arrive
• 8:20 a.m.-11:25 a.m.-Administer the 8th Grade PSAT
• 11:25 a.m.-11:58 a.m.-8th Grade Lunch
• 6th and 7th graders arrive at approximately 11:45 a.m.

Afternoon 1/2 Day Schedule

• 1st Hour 12:05 p.m.-12:30 p.m.
• 2nd Hour 12:35 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
• 3rd Hour 1:05 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
• 4th Hour 1:35 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
• 5th Hour 2:05 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
• 6th Hour 2:35 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Transportation will be provided to all students to and from school on April 16th. The bus schedule will be posted on the transportation website one day prior.

Please consider the safety of our entire Bulldog Community when you are dropping off or picking up your students. Following the procedures at SLOW SPEEDS is the best way to keep everyone safe. Say long good byes while you are driving to school. When dropping off, make sure your student is prepared to exit the car quickly. Families who are prepared for this will help ensure more efficient traffic flow.

• Front Parking Lot Closed Daily, 7:45–8:10 AM
  To promote safe, calm arrivals, the front lot will be blocked to vehicles during this window. Inconsistent use of the lot has created unsafe drop-off situations. This procedure eliminates those risks.

• Bus Loop Closed Until All Buses Unload
  The bus loop is not open to cars during arrival or dismissal. Please do not park or leave your vehicle in the loop. Timing may vary slightly day to day based on bus arrivals.
• . In the event that you need to pick-up early, you must do so before 2:40 p.m.

How you can help:

• Please use district busing as the primary mode of transportation whenever possible.
• Use the pick-up/drop-off line only if you live outside the busing limits.
• Carpool when possible.
• Have backpacks zipped, instruments ready and goodbyes said before unloading to keep lines moving safely. When dropping off, make sure your student is prepared to exit the car quickly.
• Pull all the way forward even after dropping off to help ensure more efficient traffic flow.
• Refrain from cutting through the parking lot. Refer to the map below and adhere to it.
• Unload at all 6 spots-do not wait until you get to spot #1 to unload

March 23rd is the first day of practice starting at 3:00 p.m., and all are welcome to attend. 6-8th grade, boy and girls, no experience required, and no cuts! A parent meeting will be held on April 7th after practice where season expectations will be reviewed. Remember that your student's physical must be on file at the school and be dated after April 15, 2025. Pay to participate must be paid ($120), unless your family has already reached the family maximum. Reach out to Asst. Principal Tony McNamara for details about this. Meet dates and times will be shared by the coaches ASAP. The coaches (Meagan Clancy and Alex Rickens) will ensure to communicate with all families regarding any changes in the meet locations, dates, and/or times.

Dear Sarah Banks Community,

The Giving Tree Club and National Honor Society at Walled Lake Central are excited to share with you that our Walled Lake Community Wide Make a Blanket Day is officially set for April 18, from 10am-2pm. You can come and join us anytime between then. Our goal this year is 1,000 blankets! We are partnering with Fleece and Thank You to ensure that every child facing an extended stay at the hospital not only receives a comforting fleece blanket, but also receives a personalized message from the person who made the blanket. The patient can also choose to send a video back! This day has historically been a huge and fun event for the whole family, and we would love to have you join us! Purchasing a blanket is not necessary to join the event. We just ask that everyone completes the free registration. Food trucks will be available to purchase food, obstacle courses, face painting, and a team from Mojo in the Morning are all part of this day...with more surprises to come!

Here is a video that helps show just how special this organization is (https://youtu.be/61fJZDjVOIU).

Your school page can be found here:

https://charity.pledgeit.org/t/srsvt7snhv

If you have any questions, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to contact Nancy Kattoula (NancyKattoula@wlcsd.org) or Amanda Swanson (AmandaSwanson@wlcsd.org).

Thank you so much for your support!

D.C. Trip Update

Families should SAVE THE DATE for our Pre-Trip Parent Meeting to be held on Wednesday, April 8 at 5:30pm in the Sarah Banks Cafeteria. We will be reviewing the trip itinerary, packing information, trip expectations, and more!

Additionally, a couple additional seats have opened up on the D.C. trip. Any interested 8th grade student interested in claiming one of these additional seats should reach out to Mr. Yu at TorryYu@wlcsd.org and spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

The Special Services Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is honored to invite the community to a truly special Inclusion Event on March 26, 2026. This evening is dedicated to fostering community, appreciation, and awareness through the power of Unified Sports.

The event will take place on March 26, 2026, from 6 pm to 8 pm at Walled Lake Central High School. At this event, we will also be recognizing All staff in appreciation of all they do to inspire students, Every Child, Every Day. Your presence and support make a meaningful difference in our efforts to empower families and foster an inclusive school community.

We are seeking donations to make this event truly special for staff. Please consider donating at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48ADAE23A6FB6-60897483-unified#/

Let’s come together to celebrate, learn, and build a stronger, more unified community. Mark your calendars for March 26th, from 6-8 pm, and help us make this event a memorable milestone in our journey toward acceptance and partnership.

Community invite - Inclusion Event

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.

In a world dominated by instant communication, cell phones can be a major distraction during the school day. At Sarah Banks Middle School, our goal is not to limit contact between students and families, but to promote responsible and appropriate use of technology in an academic setting.

Policy Overview:

• Student cell phones must remain in lockers throughout the school day.
• If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian, they must do so through the attendance office.
• Students are not permitted to text or call parents directly during school hours, including when they are feeling unwell or need something.
• In alignment with a district-wide directive, iPads are not permitted at school this year. If used during the school day, iPads will be treated the same as cell phones and subject to the same consequences.

Consequences for Cell Phone Use During the School Day:

• 1st Violation: Phone is confiscated and held in the office until the end of the day. Parents will be contacted with a reminder of the policy and informed of next steps for future incidents.
• 2nd Violation: Phone is confiscated and must be picked up by a parent or guardian in person.
• Repeated Violations: May result in progressive disciplinary action.

Please follow the steps below when your student's District Chromebook needs to be repaired.

1. If a student needs support, he/she should fill out a Student Chromebook Support Form linked on all of the Google Classrooms and on the school website under Students. Being logged on to the school google account is required to access the form.
2. The information in the form will be sent to Mrs. Stasak, our Middle School Computer Resource Teacher. She will reply to the student at his/her school gmail account. She will offer suggestions to fix the issue or, if it needs service, she will tell the student to take the chromebook to the office and give it to building admin secretary (enter the name for your building).
3. The chromebook in the case will be sent through inner office and the student will be allowed to use a loaner chromebook AT SCHOOL. It will be the student’s responsibility to pick it up each morning from the office and return it at the end of the day.
4. When the chromebook has been repaired, it will be delivered back to the school for the student to pick up.
5. If the family purchased insurance, the first repair is free and all additional repairs carry a deductible. Deductible invoices or repair invoices, for those that did not choose insurance, must be paid before the repaired chromebook is returned.
6. If a student with a personal chromebook has a network issue, the same form can be used. We are not able to fix physical problems with personal devices and loaner chromebooks will not be provided.

At Banks, we believe that a strong school community is built on three essential values: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe. These principles guide everything we do—how we treat one another, how we approach learning, and how we care for our environment.

Being respectful means showing kindness, listening to others, and valuing differences. It’s about treating classmates, teachers, and staff with dignity and courtesy.

Being responsible means owning your actions, making good choices, and doing your part—whether it’s completing assignments, following school rules, or helping others.

Being safe means looking out for yourself and those around you. It means using technology wisely, moving through the building calmly, and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.

When we live by these values, we create a school where everyone can thrive. Let’s work together to make Banks a place where respect, responsibility, and safety are at the heart of everything we do.

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.

· Signing Up for SMS Messages via Skylert

Jennifer VanWagnen

Principal: jennifervanwagnen@wlcsd.org

Kellan Watkins

Principal's Secretary: kellanwatkins@wlcsd.org

Anthony McNamara

Assistant Principal: anythonymcnamara@wlcsd.org

Jennifer Dean

Assistant Principal's Secretary: jenniferdean@wlcsd.org

Kevin Zurro

Student Success Coordinator: kevinzurro@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