04/20/2026 Gazette

Dear Wattles Families,

We are proud to share that Wattles has received an Honorable Mention from the Character.org Schools of Character program! This recognition highlights the strong foundation we are building around our core values—Kindness, Respect, Responsibility, and Perseverance.

To receive this distinction in our first year of applying is an incredible accomplishment and a reflection of the collective efforts of our staff, students, and families. While we have more work ahead, we are proud of the culture we continue to grow together at Wattles. Thank you for being such an important part of this journey!

With warmth and gratitude,
Amy Wallace
Principal, Wattles Elementary

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Families of current K - 5 students are asked to complete the Are You Returning 2026-27 Survey for EACH OF YOUR CHILDREN attending elementary school.

To complete the survey:

• Open the PowerSchool Parent Portal: https://ps.troy.k12.mi.us
• Click on Forms link in the left navigation column.
• Click on Are you Returning for the 2026-27.

If you have more than one elementary school student, please switch to each student and complete the form for each student.

Please submit the survey by May 1, 2026.

If you need assistance with logging in please email pssupport@troy.k12.mi.us.

Each day, our teachers go above and beyond to support, inspire, and care for our students, and this week is a special opportunity to show just how much we appreciate all that they do. Let’s come together to make them feel valued, recognized, and celebrated for the difference they make every single day! Sign up to donate a snack cart item below!

The Student Equity Council is excited to announce the launch of Operation Belonging, a district-wide initiative focused on making everyone in the Troy School District feel like they belong. The Troy School District has always emphasized that our greatest strength is our diversity and our ability to embrace it. We work hard to ensure everyone feels they belong, a crucial step toward making a lasting impact in this world. With Operation Belonging, we want to be more deliberate about creating that sense of belonging through our pledge, poster, podcast, and much more to come. We aim to make the Troy School District welcoming for all.

Art Competition Details:

Theme: "What does belonging in our district look like to you?"

Who Can Enter: All Troy School District students (Elementary K-5, Middle School 6-8, High School 9-12)

Medium: Drawings and paintings (see attached flyer for full guidelines)

Size: 11x17" or 18x24" (poster size, vertical preferred)

Deadline: April 27th, 2026

Where to Submit: Students should submit their artwork, along with the completed submission form, to their school's main office or art teacher.

The Prize:

The overall Grand Prize winner's artwork will become the official Operation Belonging pledge poster displayed in every school across the Troy School District. Category winners (one per grade level) will also be recognized and receive art kits. All submitted artwork will be displayed at our Operation Belonging Kickoff Event, where we'll unveil the winners and celebrate our district's diversity.

The Oakland County Enhancement Millage will be on the August 4, 2026 ballot. If approved, each public school district and eligible public school academies would receive approximately $781 per student annually. This proposal would cost about $300 per year for a $400,000 home ($200,000 taxable value).

Districts would use the funding for a variety of reasons. Here are some examples on how these general fund dollars would be spent:

• Staff recruitment and retention

• Stabilizing general fund budgets

• Maintaining or reducing class sizes, where possible

• Expanding professional development

• Enhancing student wellness supports

• Improving safety and security

• Maintaining and strengthening district programming

Visit the Enhancement Millage website for more information and a tax calculator.

This week, your child will receive a Troy Summer Sports Camps brochure from the City of Troy Parks & Recreation, in partnership with the Troy School District Athletic Department.

Our summer sports camps are an important part of our community’s seasonal programming, providing valuable opportunities for student engagement, skill development, and active participation. Most of these camps are hosted at our school facilities by TSD coaches, further strengthening the connection between our schools and the community.

Be sure to check out the camps!

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to recognize, celebrate, and support individuals with autism. It’s an opportunity to move beyond awareness and focus on acceptance—embracing differences, promoting inclusion, and ensuring that every individual feels valued and respected. At Wattles, we are committed to fostering a community where all students feel a sense of belonging and are supported to thrive.

Below are the nominations for each position for the 2026-2027 PTO Executive Board. These nominations will be voted on during the May 13, 2026 meeting.

President - Rachel van Dinkel

VP 1 - Tisha Richard

VP 2 - Melissa Laseck

Treasurer - Anne Rasmussen

Secretary - Brandi Lavely

All Wattles parents and caregivers are automatically members of our Parent-Teacher Organization. Our PTO Board helps to keep things running, but many hands and brains are required for the success of our programming! We look forward to having more parents engaged this year - check out some options below!

Check out the options below!

President: Brandi Lavely

1st Vice President: Mandy Kostrewski

2nd Vice President: Tisha Richard

Treasurer: Anne Rasmussen

Secretary: Rachel van Dinkel

A full student lunch consists of 5 components; protein, grain, vegetable, fruit, and a choice of milk. Milk choices include 1% white and 1% chocolate. Allergen and nutritional details are available here.

A la carte items remain available to purchase, if there are funds in the student’s MySchoolBucks account.

* Menu subject to change.

As we look ahead to summer, it’s important to keep learning going in simple, meaningful ways. Regular reading, practicing math facts, writing, and engaging in everyday conversations all help students maintain the strong progress they’ve made this year. Even small, consistent routines can make a big difference in keeping skills sharp and building confidence for the fall. Thank you for supporting your child’s learning all year long!

Please see the district-approved list of tutors below. These individuals have been reviewed by the district and are available to provide additional academic support for students outside of the school day. Families may contact tutors directly to learn more about their services, availability, and areas of focus.

Want to connect with other Wattles' families? Check our our Student Directory!

1. Log into your PowerSchool account (new to PowerSchool? Click here for info from TSD!)
2. Select "Student Directory" from the left navigation bar
3. While individuals have control over what contact info is published, you may be able to find phone or email for caregivers of other students

Phone Numbers

• Attendance Line: 248-823-3401
• Main Office: 248-823-3400

School Hours

• Full Days: 8:39 AM - 3:37 AM
• Half Days: 8:39 AM - 12:29 PM (no lunch service)

School Address

3555 Ellenboro Avenue

Troy, MI 48083