Dear Banks Families:
We had another great week at Banks! Our 6th grade Orchestra and Band students shined during their first concerts of the year. We are so blessed to have the best instructors around!
Also, thank you to all those families that attended Parent/Teacher Conferences. Conferences were very well attended, and I am proud of our partnership and grateful for the efforts our staff pours into their work each day. Our kids deserve it! Special thanks to our generous Banks PTSA for providing a fabulous dinner for the staff to enjoy. The food was delicious!
Next week, we look forward to the PTSA's 1st Annual Turkey Trot on November 20th. Parents can register their students for this awesome event below! Exciting things ahead!
Cheers,
Jennifer VanWagnen, Principal
We Are Banks!
Upcoming Events
November
11/4-11/27: Project Warm: Collecting new hats, gloves, scarves...
11/18: Boys Basketball (BB) vs. Smart MS - Away
11/19: Half Day for Students, Dismissal @ 11:40 AM
11/19: LAYA Taste of the Lakes Fundraiser, Edgewood CC, 5 - 8 p.m.
11/20: PTSA's 1st Annual Turkey Trot in PM
11/20: Boys Basketball (BB) vs. Centennial MS - Away
11/25: Boys Basketball (BB) vs. Mason MS - Home
11/27: Half Day for Staff and Students, Dismissal @ 11:40 AM
11/28-11/29-No School for Staff and Students, Thanksgiving Break
Shop with a Hero Deadline Extended to November 22nd
Due to the extremely low number of applicants for our "Shop With a Hero" programs, we are EXTENDING the deadline to apply from tomorrow, Nov. 8th to Friday, November 22nd. Please consider taking advantage of this opportunity!
The attached application has been updated to reflect the new deadline date, and it is also available on the District website at: https://www.wlcsd.org/community/lakes-area-youth-assistance.
Athletics Update from Ms. Smith
Our boys basketball teams are off to a great start!
7th Grade
The 7th grade Banks boys basketball team went on the road again yesterday to go against the White Lake Warriors. The Bulldogs got off to a slow start in the first period, but with points from Dylan and Bradley Banks was able to hold the early lead 5 to 2. In the second and third period great rebounding by Ryan Johns, Kevin, Will and Cameron allowed Banks to get a lot of second chance points stretching the lead out to 15 at the half. In the second half a strong fourth and fifth periods by Colson, Brendan, Cruz, Roman, Ashton, Quinn, Max, Ryan Tapley and Emmett allowed the Bulldogs to pull away late winning 38-16. The boys will be on the road again on Monday to up against their district rival Clifford Smart.
8th Grade
Our 8th grade team tallied another win this week over White Lake with a score of 44-31. WOW! The team is jelling nicely and working hard! Our clutch moments go to Eli and Gavyn that lead us pass white lake but the win belongs to our team effort .
Keep up the great work, Bulldogs!
TURKEY TROT Sponsored by the PTSA!
Mom, I’ll bring home the turkey! Or maybe a Pie….
Join your fellow students on a spirited obstacle race and bring home the Turkey!
1st Place – Turkey
2nd/3rd Place – Costco Pumpkin Pie
What: Turkey Trot – Obstacle Fun Run Race by Grade and Winner for both Girls and Boys!
When: Wednesday Nov. 20th during School Hours
Where: On the fields behind the School
Cost: $10 to get out of class, race and get in the Turkey Spirit!
Use the link below for payment and entry form OR put $ in envelope with students name and grade on it and have them put it in box in Main Office.
Scholastic Book Fair is Coming to Banks!
-December 9th through December 13th in the Media Center from 8 am - 3 pm
-Volunteers are needed. Here is the link to the signup genius to help. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054CA9AD28A4F58-53074877-sarah
-(All volunteers need a 2024-25 background check form on file) Here is a link to the form or the school has copies for you to fill out and turn it as well.
-Say goodbye to cash and hello to eWallet-your child's digital payment account that can be set up before the fair. Check out how on the fair website: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/sarahbanksmiddleschool
7th annual Stuff the Squad Car Campaign
The Wixom Police Department just kicked off their 7th annual Stuff the Squad Car campaign. They have again partnered with Crime Stoppers of Michigan (CSM). CSM helps police agencies solve crimes through its tip line, 1-800-SPEAK-UP. However, CSM also maintains ongoing, long-term relationships with families that have suffered from violent crime.
As such, CSM will run its Children’s Christmas Party on December 7th. This is when they get donated toys into the hands of kids who come from families that have been victimized by violent crime.
.We would love for our Banks Bulldogs to help us stuff the squad car! The Wixom PD will drive that trailer right up to our front door on December 2nd so that our students can help us fill it!
Thank you for your generosity and continued support of this program!
8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip: It's Not Too Late To Register
It's not too late to register!
Thank you to all the families who were able to attend the Washington, D.C. Trip Informational Meeting on October 10th. For those families who were unable to attend, please visit our Sarah Banks D.C. information and registration link through American Expeditions, click on "GO TO MY TRIP" and enter the tour code: sarahbanksdc2025.
To view the meeting presentation from October 10th, please click here.
If you have any questions about the DC trip, please reach out to Mr. Morrow at DavidMorrow@wlcsd.org.
New Information: PTSA Update
We reached our membership goal! Congratulations to Candice Pytlik-you are the winner of the raffle basket below!
Want to help your child’s school?? JOIN THE PTSA!! Your membership includes volunteering at school events OR not! Monthly meetings OR not! Memberships are still being accepted!
Want to have the inside scoop on what is happening in your child’s school?? JOIN THE PTSA and JOIN US for our monthly meetings! We love to have parents/guardians at our meetings! Join here…
WLN Annual Gift Drive
Hello Walled Lake Middle Schools,
The Walled Lake Northern annual gift drive is just around the corner, and we need your school’s support! If possible, please share this message from our Northern Leadership students with your school’s families. Your involvement will help make this year's drive a success!
Walled Lake Northern proudly hosts an annual gift drive, supporting a school in need each year. Our community "adopts” children, fulfilling their holiday wishes and essential needs.
Northern students thoughtfully wrap every gift, and in December, our Leadership class personally delivers the gifts to the school, bringing joy directly to the children.
We welcome donations of children's clothing, shoes, boots, and toys. Your support will help us fulfill our mission of bringing joy to children in need this holiday season.
Please feel free to follow the link to our Amazon storefront.
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2QEWGD83JR5LN
All donations can be shipped directly to Walled Lake Northern:
WLN Gift Drive
6000 Bogie Lake Rd
Commerce Township, MI 48382
United States
Please reach out to Payten Shepard or Emily Brown with any questions.
Thank you for your support!
Payten Shepard & Emily Brown
Food Service Information-Free Breakfast and Lunch for All!
During the 2024-25 school year, all Michigan public school students in grades Pre-K through 12 will have access to free breakfast and free lunch every day through the "Healthy School Meals for All" program. This includes a meat/meat alternative, grain, fruit/vegetable and milk. A la carte items will be available for purchase.
Families are still encouraged to complete the free/reduced meal form in Skyward to help secure additional funding for the District including Title I funding. By completing the form, eligible families may also receive access to other free and reduced programs within the District including SAT testing, pay to participate, and more.
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