C.H.S CHRONICLES
Week of September 1, 2025
Dear CHS Middle School Families,
What a fantastic first week we’ve had at CHS Middle School! It’s been truly energizing to welcome our students back and see how quickly they’ve embraced the routines, expectations, and the positive culture of our school.
Our school theme this school year: we don’t do average here—we do AWESOME! has been on full display this week.
A huge shoutout goes to our incredible staff, who have been working tirelessly to ensure a smooth and supportive transition for all of our students. Their commitment, preparation, and heart have made this first week a success, and they continue to go above and beyond every day.
We also want to extend a sincere thank you to our CHS families for your ongoing support and partnership. It’s because of the people who learn, work, and live in this community that CHS Middle School is such an amazing place to grow and learn.
We’re looking forward to an AWESOME year ahead! If you ever have questions or need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Respectfully,
Nayal Maktari
CHS Middle School Principal
Process for requesting service for district issued chromebooks if needed:
- 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.
- 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 Mrs. Wilseck in the main office.
- 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.
- When the chromebook has been repaired, it will be delivered back to the school for the student to pick up.
- 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.
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.
We held our Student Expectation Assemblies for each grade level earlier this week. During the assembly we shared with students what our behavioral and academic expectations are.
Each grade level did a fantastic job of listening to the presentation. Please take a moment to ask your child(ren) about the assembly and what was shared with them.
Thank you for your continued support in making our school community the amazing place it is.
Thank you,
Nayal Maktari, Principal
Stuart Riley, Interim Assistant Principal
Steven Spickard, Dean of Students
iReady Testing will take place on September 15th (ELA) and 16th (Math). We will be sharing the specific schedule shortly. The schedule will be very similar to previous years.
I please ask that you make every effort to have your child in school and on time on September 15th and 16th.
Thank you!
Dear Parents.
If you haven't already filled out the new Chromebook device paperwork, please do so here https://app.informedk12.com/link_campaigns/chromebook-device-agreement?token=QyMwthC1mpJ761Rqg3jvZUu6
If you haven't already paid for the new Chromebook device, please pay through Skyward/ EFunds: https://payments.efundsforschools.com/v3/districts/55905 or send cash or check with your student to Mrs. Wilseck in the office.
Chromebooks that have not been picked up or missing documents/payment will be distributed at a later date.
Thank you.
We can expect our car pick up and drop off lines to run a little slower the first few weeks of school. Thank you in advance for your patience as our children and drivers get acclimated to the process.
I strongly encourage parents to have their children, if eligible, ride the school bus to and from school.
Another great tip would be not to arrive early and wait in the car line but to instead wait till after 3:10 p.m. and to pull into our bus loop for pick up only. Please do not attempt to enter the bus loop prior to 3:10 p.m.
PROGRAM: Coming this September is an opportunity for 7th grade students to apply to attend the Religious Diversity Journeys Program.
WHAT IS IT? Students and chaperones travel through the tri-county area to learn about the world cultures they study in 7th grade Social Studies this school year. The Journeys are 6 field trips over several months for first-person learning of different cultures and faith traditions.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN THIS PROGRAM? We travel for six field trips during the school day to 5 places of worship and the Holocaust Memorial to explore Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism. This Program offers a chance to meet people and learn about the values and traditions we all share, regardless of different faiths or cultural traditions.
WHAT WILL I SEE ON A FIELD TRIP? This exploration includes experiencing culture, food, music, writing, service projects and meeting other students from multiple districts to discuss, learn and grow together.
WHO CAN APPLY? All 7th grade students are welcome to apply for one of the 25 spots available in the Program. So you and your friends can apply and travel to learn together.
HOW DO I APPLY? Applications and more information will be available in September.
Click on the video below to see some highlights of the Journeys and hear about the experience.
Contact Mrs. Tina Tranchida-- C.H. Smart Sponsor—with any questions. TinaTranchida@wlcsd.org
PERFORMANCES
December 4th and 5th at 7:00 p.m.
December 6th at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
All 6th, 7th & 8th graders are invited to participate!
Cast: We need you if you like to act, sing and dance or want to learn with friends.
Stage Crew: We need you if you like to build, paint, sew and gather costumes, create and gather props, run lights and sound, design, work behind stage, apply stage makeup, organize and work on a production team. Don't know how? No problem! We will teach you.
AUDITION INFORMATION and CAST & CREW FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER.
Check the Google Classroom--code zjbxzwy4 for new information, listen to the morning announcements or watch for information posted in the cafeteria and outside of room 312!
See Mrs. Tranchida with questions in room 312 OR contact her at TinaTranchida@wlcsd.org
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) opened the nomination period for the 2026-27 Michigan Teacher of the Year this past spring. The nomination window remains open until Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. MDE welcomes nominations from students, parents/guardians, coworkers, and school community members. Individuals wishing to nominate a teacher for this recognition are asked to complete the online form.
District newsletters and social media serve as valuable channels to share the online form, providing an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of dedicated educators in your district. We encourage districts to consider including the nomination information provided (below the closing) in communications.
MDE recognizes some districts and intermediate school districts have established processes to award local teachers of the year. If so, your designated district representatives may email teacher nominations directly to MTOY@Michigan.gov. Please include the teacher’s name, personnel identification code (PIC), email address, and school in which they are employed. An email verifying receipt will be sent within 48 hours. Nominations from districts will be accepted until September 24, 2025.
More information about the program is available on the Michigan Teacher of the Year webpage. Please contact the Office of Educator Excellence at MTOY@Michigan.gov with any questions regarding the program or nomination process. We genuinely appreciate your assistance in sharing this information with your district.
Respectfully,
Michigan Teacher of the Year Team
Our students’ safety is of primary importance to us. The Walled Lake School District uses a video entry system at every school. During school hours, all visitors must enter through the Main Entry and use the video system by pressing the button and stating their name and purpose. Once verified, you will be admitted into a secure vestibule. Please do not attempt to enter through any other doors. We ask for your patience, as our office staff may be busy, and there could be a brief delay at certain times of the day.
For the security of our students and staff, all entrances are locked once the school day begins. Please do not ask a staff member or student to let you in through any door, and do not hold the door for another adult approaching the building. All visitors must be admitted individually through the front entrance by office staff. Your cooperation helps us maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone in our school community.
Thank you for your support and help in keeping our school community safe!
Dear Parents,
As we begin the new school year, we want to make families and students aware of a a new school practice regarding outside beverages.
Students may not bring flavored drinks or iced coffees from places like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or similar establishments into school beyond the CHS Main Lobby or Learning Commons Entrance. These beverages should either be finished before entering the building or left/discarded before entering our halls from the main lobby or learning commons entrance. We also please ask families to not drop off flavored drinks or iced coffees to school for students outside of their assigned lunch times.
Last school year, we experienced a high number of spills in classrooms and hallways, as well as drinks being thrown away—often still full—in classroom and hallway trash cans. These situations create messes, distractions, and additional cleanup that takes time away from learning.
Students are still allowed to bring sealed drinks for lunch, but they cannot leave the lunchroom with their drink.
Please note that this school practice does not pertain to water. Water is encouraged and allowed in classrooms, hallways, and lunchrooms.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a clean and focused school environment. Thank you for your understanding and support!
Dear Walled Lake Families,
We want to provide you with an important update regarding school meals and the State School Aid budget.
While the 2025-26 State School Aid budget has not yet been finalized by the Michigan Legislature, we do know that the current 2024-25 budget remains in effect through September 30, 2025. This means the Michigan School Meals program will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch for all students through the month of September.
However, there is still uncertainty beyond that date. One of the key differences between the House and Senate versions of the proposed budget is funding for the Michigan Free School Meals program. If state funding is not extended, families who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals under federal guidelines may be required to pay for meals again starting October 1, 2025.
What families can do now:
To help us prepare and support all students regardless of funding outcomes, we strongly encourage families to complete the Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application in Skyward Family Access during online registration. This form:
- Helps secure important state and federal funding for our schools
- Supports educational programs
- Ensures meal benefits continue for eligible families
- May provide access to additional benefits like reduced testing and college application fees, discounted internet, and more
We are closely monitoring developments and will keep you informed as updates become available.
Thank you for your continued support of Walled Lake Schools.
—
Walled Lake Schools Food Service Department
*Reply @LEAVE to the number you are receiving messages from if you'd like to leave the text group at anytime.
FROM THE ATTENDANCE DESK
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.
Transportation Information
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.
CHS 8th Grade Washington DC Trip 2025
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.
MAIN OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION
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 BELL TIMES
SCHOOL STARTS 8:10 A.M.
DISMISSAL 3:00 P.M.
1/2 DAY DISMISSAL 11:40 A.M.
Smart Administrative Team
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