The Banks Bulletin
May 1st, 2026
Important News and Updates
Dear Banks Families:
Each May, schools across the nation celebrate their teaching staff through the National Teacher Appreciation Week. Here in Walled Lake Consolidated Schools our Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSA) hosts Teacher Appreciation Week at each of our schools. However, we understand that our teachers do not do this work alone and we actually recognize ALL school staff with Staff Appreciation Week.
This is a week to celebrate and honor the hard work of all school staff who support the students of this community each day. Our teachers and school staff work tirelessly to support our students and we look forward to recognizing them for all of their efforts during the week of May 4th – 8th. We very much appreciate the generous donations we have already received from our community. Feel free to reach out or send a thank you note, as well.
As always, it's a beautiful day to be a Banks Bulldog!
Cheers,
Jennifer VanWagnen
We are Banks!
#everychildeveryday #banksproud
Memorial Day Ceremony on Thursday, May 21
We look forward to hosting our annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Thursday, May 21. Family members of our Banks students who have served our country are invited to have a morning reception of coffee and donuts in the Learning Commons beginning at 8:15 AM. The Ceremony will then begin at 8:30 AM. Please complete the Google Form below to register.
Upcoming Events
May
5/1: MSTEP Testing
5/4-5/8: Staff Appreciation Week
5/4-5/5: M-STEP Make-Up Testing
5/5: Fire Drill
5/6: 5th Grade Visit: LLE
5/6: Co-Ed Track vs. Creek @ 4 PM-WLN
5/7: 5th Grade Visit: Wixom
5/8: Progress Reports Available to View
5/10: Happy Mother's Day
5/11: iReady Diagnostic-ELA
5/11: PTSA Council Installation and Awards Celebration @ 6:30 PM, Walnut Creek Middle School
5/12: 5th Grade Visit, HWE
5/13: iReady Diagnostic- Math
5/13: Co-Ed Track vs. Power MS @ 4 PM-WLW
5/14: 5th Grade Visit: WLE
5/14: Cedar Point Band Rehearsal @ 3 PM
5/14: Cedar Point Chaperone Meeting @ 7 PM
5/15: iReady Make-Up Testing
5/15: SpongeBob Musical @ 7 PM
5/16: SpongeBob Musical @ 7 PM
5/17: SpongeBob Musical @ 2 PM
5/19: Half Day for Students, Staff Professional Development
Athletics Update from Mr. McNamara
All of our track stars continue to make great strides (pun intended) each day! Next week Wednesday, Banks competes against Walnut Creek at WL Northern @ 4:00 p.m. Also, team and individual photos will be taken during next week Thursday's practice. Picture ordering information will be made available soon.
Go Bulldogs!
Kristen Dudzinski is the 2026-27 District IV Band Teacher of the Year
Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District IV selected Kristen Dudzinski as the District IV Band Teacher of the Year for the 2026–2027 school year.
They said that Kristen exemplifies the highest standards of music education. She is deeply committed to her students—not only in their development as musicians, but as young individuals—and she brings a remarkable level of skill, leadership, and service to our profession. This recognition is well deserved.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Ms. Dudzinski has served our district by recently taking
over as chair of the Middle School Honors Band Committee. This position requires countless
hours of volunteer work outside of the school day. Our district, its members, and our students
have truly benefited from her dedication and service.
Teresa Cirihal received a staff shout out 🎉
Sarah G. Banks Middle School orchestra teacher, Teresa Cirihal, was nominated because "her commitment and excitement to impact all students is truly a gift. She not only gives kids the gift of music, but they always know she is in their corner. Even though my kids are in high school, they still light up when they see her out and about at school events!"
Help Needed: Keep Toys, Stuffed Animals and NeeDohs at Home
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.
Pick Up/Drop Off Information
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
Now Accepting Nominations for The Walled Lake Schools “Kindness Matters” Award 2025-2026
Why?
To honor and recognize those individuals and organizations who exhibit kindness and care toward others.
Who?
- Any student, teacher, secretary, administrator, bus driver, playground supervisor, or any Walled Lake Schools employee may be nominated.
- Parents, grandparents, or community members may be nominated.
- A company, store, or an organization may be nominated.
- Any or all the above who: demonstrate kindness on a frequent basis, go out of their way to make others feel better, lead initiatives in their school or community to benefit others, or inspire others to show kindness.
When and Where?
“Kindness Matters” award winners will be honored and recognized at the June 4th WLCSD Board of Education Meeting.
How?
Nominations can be submitted through the Kindness Matters Nomination form. Be sure to include a description which will explain and support your nomination. The submission deadline is Monday, May 4.
Questions?
Please email Nayal Maktari, Principal of Clifford H. Smart Middle School, at NayalMaktari@wlcsd.org, if you have any questions.
Warriors for Warriors t-shirt design contest
CALLING ALL ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS for the 2026 PINK OUT T-Shirt Design Contest!
T-Shirt Design Rules:
- Use only the following colors in the design: Royal Blue, White and Pink.
- Design must fit on the front center chest area of the t-shirt and can only occupy a space 11” wide by 10” tall.
- Design must include:
- “Warriors for Warriors” or “W4W”
- “No One Fights Alone”
- W4W original logo
- Any design submitted is subject to adjustment from the W4W committee or t-shirt company without consent of the artist.
- All designs submitted become the sole property of W4W and may be used anytime without prior consent of the artist.
DEADLINE: Submit art by May 9, 2026 on our website: www.warriorsforwarriors.net
The winning designer will receive a $50 Visa gift card!
Website Updates to Improve Accessibility and Menu Access
As part of our ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, we are making updates to our District and school websites to align with new required ADA compliance standards. These changes are designed to ensure that all members of our community can access important information in a clear, user-friendly manner.
This work is important because it helps remove barriers and ensures equal access to resources for every student, family, and community member.
As updates continue, some content may be reorganized or presented differently. If you are unable to find a resource you need or require information in an alternative format, please contact us at info@wlcsd.org
We are happy to assist and appreciate your patience and support as we make these improvements.
Staff Shout Outs 💙
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.
Cell Phone and Related Technology Policy
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.
District Chromebook Repair Process
Please follow the steps below when your student's District Chromebook needs to be repaired.
- 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 building admin secretary (enter the name for your building).
- 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.
Banks Core Values
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.
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
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