We hope you'll review this week's District Update filled with news and notes from across the Walled Lake Consolidated School District. Stay up to date with the district by visiting www.wlcsd.org and connecting with the district on social media.

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• October 10: SAT Testing (seniors only)
  
• October 10: Board of Education regular meeting
• October 15: High School Early Release
• October 16-17: Testing Make-up Days
• October 21: WL PTSA Council meeting. 7 p.m., Hickory Woods El.
• October 25: WLW Warriors for Warriors Pink Out football game vs. WL Central, 7 p.m.
• October 31: Half Day for Students | PD for Staff

The Clifford H. Smart Middle School girls’ cross country team was clicking on all cylinders on Friday at Kensington Metropark claiming its first Oakland County Championship in program history.

The Trojans took first place beating out 31 other teams competing at the championships and avenging their runner-up finish from a year ago. Quinn Blewitt was Smart’s top finisher taking 7th overall, earning All-County honors. Kara Alt (17th), Ava Montante (18th), Addy Atwood (22nd), and Jovie Rickens (24th) also received All-County medals.

“We knew last year after finishing second at the Oakland County Meet that this could be the year to finally win it,” said head coach Alex Rickens. “This win shows the dedication and drive of these girls who attended summer practices, optional practices and ran on their own over the weekend.”

“After winning the first regional title last year, this is just the cherry on top for a program that has been growing since 2019 to become a top contender in the county and the state when they go to Walled Lake Northern,” added Rickens. “Coach Karbowski and myself are so proud of these girls to achieve two ‘firsts’ for the district, and we always look forward to going to practice to work with the team and help these runners achieve their goals.”

The Trojan boys also earned a spot on the podium in third place, which was their first Top 3 finish since 2019. Anders Olson (21st), Will Neal (23rd), and Zeke Turnbough (30th) earned All-County honors.

The Walled Lake Northern tennis team took home its fourth Lakes Valley Conference Tournament Title on Friday capping another perfect LVC season.

The Knights sat on their edge of their seats as the tournament title came down to an all-important tiebreaker in the 3-singles match. Senior Matthew David sealed it with a powerful backhand return to claim the conference title and win an individual first place medal.

Also taking home first place medals were Dean Babington (4-singles), Mason Mojica and Zev Gayer (1-doubles), Brady Frelich and Alex Nazak (2-doubles), Eli Ostroff and Jac Nuottila (4-doubles), and Adrian Jeffries and Nathan Freese (5-doubles).

Walled Lake Northern capped its season undefeated in Lakes Valley Conference play for the third-straight year with an incredible 21-0 record during that stretch. Head coach Bill Wahlstrom has also led the Knights’ girls’ tennis team to three-straight undefeated seasons heading into this spring.

Walled Lake Northern will now prepare for the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Championships on Thursday, October 10, at Brighton.

Walled Lake Western fans witnessed a historic night from Donovan Triplett on Friday while taking in all the fun that comes along with homecoming.

Triplett put together a monster performance rushing for 348 yards on 24 carries with six touchdowns, tying the program’s single-game record for rushing touchdowns in a game.

“It’s a blessing, it’s just a dream come true, it really is,” said Triplett. “A lot of people doubted that I could do it, and I did it.”

“He’s special,” said Cioroch about Triplett. “He makes plays that are three-yard gains turn into 80 (yards), and he had a special day today.”

Western struggled early on allowing South Lyon East to take a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

“We didn’t play very well early on, but I am very proud of our kids of how we reacted,” said head coach Kory Cioroch. “(South Lyon East) threw the punches, we took them, and then we started throwing back.”

The Warriors used that motivation and responded in a big way. They outscored the Cougars 56-7 the rest of the way en route to a 56-21 win, which is their 25th-straight Lake Valley Conference victory dating back to September of 2021.

Halftime of the football game was jam packed with homecoming festivities. There were performances from both the Walled Lake Western cheerleaders and marching band. It was also the first time the Warriors surprised their king and queen during the game. Shane Rachner and Karin Sekulovski took home the honor.

“It feels really good,” said Sekulovski. “It’s an honor to be her senior year and have all the supporter vote for us.”

“It’s just cool because everybody is out here and more people get to experience what is like (with the surprise coming at halftime),” added Rachner. “We’re going to have that memory forever.”

Hunter Maltese and Lily Jack were named this year’s homecoming Prince and Princess, and Zachary Emmer and Mia Mayer were recognized as the homecoming Warrior and Maiden.

Walled Lake Western senior Marissa Limpus also gave us an inside look at the fun throughout the day with an Instagram takeover. You can watch it by clicking on the “WLW Hoco ‘24” highlight on our Instagram page.

Walled Lake Northern senior Truman Columbus shined over the weekend at the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) Musical Theatre Intensive.

The workshop featured 100 of the state’s top aspiring young artists that were selected to participate through auditions. Those students had the opportunity to work with faculty from the University of Michigan. Each student performed with a small group and after mini recitals, finalists were chosen to perform in front of an audience. Columbus left the audience in awe with his musical talent and was chosen as the MSVMA Musical Intensive Male winner.

“The Musical Theatre Intensive was an awesome experience, and I am overjoyed to have been selected as one of the winners,” said Columbus. “I am super grateful for Mrs. (Ashley) Ward giving me the opportunity, and to MSVMA and the University of Michigan faculty for putting on an amazing event!”

Columbus will return to the stage in January with a solo performance at the MSVMA Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids. He’ll also be a part of the Musical Theatre Honors Ensemble, which will have its showcase performance in the Spring of 2025 at Michigan State University.

Walled Lake Central and Walled Lake Western high schools were recognized by College Board as 2024 AP School Honor Roll Bronze schools.

“I am incredibly proud that we have been named an AP School Honor Roll Bronze recipient,” said Walled Lake Western principal Amy Pashak. “This recognition reflects our commitment to academic excellence and our dedication to providing opportunities for our students to challenge themselves and prepare for the future. This honor is a celebration of our school's collective effort to support every student in achieving their potential, and I am excited about the future successes it represents.”

“I would like to thank all of our students who set high academic standards for themselves by taking AP courses and exams at Walled Lake Central, and to their teachers for guiding them through the curriculum and finding ways to effectively teach difficult topics,” added Walled Lake Central principal Kyle Meteyer.

This the second-straight year Walled Lake Central has been recognized as an AP School Honor Roll Bronze school.

The AP School Honor Roll distinction is awarded to schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Walled Lake Northern students are getting a taste of the outdoors and nature as part of the school’s new pilot physical education class, Outdoor Pursuits.

Some of the skills the Knights are learning include identifying poisonous plants, shelter and fire building, map and compass skills, and essentials to bring with them whether they are day packing or backpacking.

As part of the class, students will also have the opportunity to put their new skills to work with a 3-day and 2-night backpacking trip.

Over 20 students from Garbsen, Germany spent two weeks in Walled Lake learning and immersing themselves in American culture.

The German students arrived on September 21 and had the opportunity to take classes at Walled Lake Central and Walled Lake Northern high schools with their host student. The German students at Walled Lake Central were even able to take part in spirit week and attend the Vikings' homecoming.

Along with attending classes, they also spent two weekends with their local host families. Some of the activities they were able to experience with their host families included exploring Detroit, stopping in Frankenmuth, and visiting Mackinaw Island.

Their final day in Walled Lake was Friday, October 4, before they hit the road to New York City and Washington, D.C. for the remainder of their trip to the United States.

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.

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools is asking the community to replace its current operating millage with an 18 mill non-homestead millage that represents roughly $31 million and a 3.6297 mill hold harmless that represents approximately $2 million of the district’s budget. The total of $33 million accounts for 18 percent of the district’s $187 million revenue budget.

Every District in the state is expected to levy, with voter approval, 18 mills on all non-homestead properties in order to receive full state funding under Proposal A. The 3 mill "Headlee cushion" will allow the district to collect the full 18 mills over the duration of the operating millage. The proposal will not increase property taxes on any primary residence property that is within Walled Lake Consolidated Schools boundaries. Since the approval of Proposal A in 1994, the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ community has overwhelmingly supported the operating millage, most recently in 2014.

If the November 5, 2024 proposal is not approved, the school district will lose more than $33 million in operating revenue every year and the state will not make up the shortfall.

More information about the 2024 Operating Millage Replacement can be found at www.wlcsd.org/elections.

All calendars updated to include a black and white version on page 2.

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 everyday 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 Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application 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 benefit programs including reduced registration fees for standardized testing, discounted college application fees, pay to participate, discounted home internet access, and more.

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools has partnered with GoFan for digital ticketing starting this spring for all home athletic events.

Fans can purchase tickets online through each schools’ GoFan page or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the ticket gate. All major credit cards, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, will be accepted.

Fans are encouraged to buy tickets online before arriving at the event. For your convenience, signage will be set up at the venue to help fans make an online purchase quickly and easily.

As the district launches its new partnership with GoFan, cash payments will be accepted as well throughout the remainder of the spring athletic season. No cash options will be available starting in the Fall of 2024.

To purchase tickets, please visit each schools’ GoFan page:

• Walled Lake Central: https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10112
• Walled Lake Northern: https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10113
• Walled Lake Western: https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10114

Preschool registration is now open for the 2024-25 school year. To register, please visit the preschool website. We invite your child to come grow with us!

Please complete the following form in order to be considered for the Graduate Spotlight section of the WLCSD quarterly Learning newsletter. The nominated student needs to be a 2016 graduate or before. Please contact pamelacole@wlcsd.org with any questions.

Our mission, in partnership with parents and the community, is to become the best educational system in America so all students demonstrate they are caring, responsible, and knowledgeable citizens.

Email: danieldurkin@wlcsd.org
Website: www.wlcsd.org
Location: 850 Ladd Road, Walled Lake, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 956-2000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wlcsd/
Twitter: @WalledLkSchools