Community Ed Times

We’re excited to introduce the Community Ed Times — your new weekly way to stay connected with everything happening in Community Education.

From league updates and program highlights to important reminders and upcoming opportunities, this newsletter is here to keep your family informed and involved.

We are hiring Child Care Aides for our 2026 Summer Adventures program at Walled Lake Central High School.

This is a great opportunity for individuals who enjoy working with children and want to be part of a fun, engaging summer environment.

Position Details:
• Dates: June 12 through August 2026
• Schedule: Monday through Friday
– 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
– 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Pay: $13.75–$16.07 per hour (based on experience)
• Must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate

Child Care Aides will help lead activities, support campers, ensure a safe environment, and assist with daily camp operations. CPR and First Aid certification is required, but training can be provided if needed.

We are currently hiring lifeguards for our 2026 Summer Adventures program at Walled Lake Central High School.

This is a great opportunity for students or community members looking for a summer position in a fun and active environment.

Position Details:
• Dates: June 12 through August 2026
• Schedule: Monday through Friday, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
• Pay: $14.00–$15.00 per hour
• Must be at least 16 years old

Lifeguards will help supervise swimmers, support staff and campers during swim time, and ensure a safe environment for all participants. American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification is required, but training can be provided if needed.

Elizabethmcnamara@wlcsd.org

Meet the people behind Community Ed.
From planning programs to supporting families, this team makes it all happen.

Elizabeth McNamara
Director of Community Education and Recreation

Kaitlin Swinehart
Recreation Coordinator

Gail Darby
Enrichment Community Education Secretary

Carol Fredin
League Coordinator

We are proud to serve our community and create opportunities for students to learn, play, and grow outside the classroom

Our volunteer coaches do so much for our programs, and we want to celebrate them.

Do you know a coach who goes above and beyond? Nominate them for a Volunteer Coach Shoutout in our Community Ed Times.

Whether it’s their positivity, dedication, or the impact they’ve had on your child—we want to hear about it.

Open to students entering 6th–8th grade in Fall 2026, this 7-week intramural basketball league is a great opportunity for players to build skills, be part of a team, and enjoy weekly games.

Dates: June 24 – August 12, 2026
Games: Wednesdays (afternoons)
Location: Walled Lake Central High School and Walled Lake Middle Schools
Fee: $149

Teams will be formed by the WLCE Recreation Department based on school, number of volunteer coaches, and overall enrollment. Each team will have one practice per week, with the day, time, and location determined by the volunteer coach. Games will be held on Wednesday afternoons.

Players will receive a jersey for participating (not guaranteed for late registrations). Middle school basketball rules will be followed.

As we begin planning for our Fall programming, we are looking to expand our offerings and bring in new instructors to join our Community Education team.

We are especially interested in classes focused on:
• Sewing
• Knitting
• Fitness
• Pilates
• Yoga

If you or someone you know has experience teaching in any of these areas and is interested in leading a class, we would love to connect.

Please reach out to our team for more information on how to get involved.

We are currently seeking donations to support our music programs within Community Education.

We offer a variety of classes that utilize instruments such as violins and guitars, and we would love to provide more opportunities for students to participate using donated equipment.

We understand that musical instruments can be a significant investment, and any donations—new or gently used—can make a meaningful impact for our students.

If you have an instrument you are willing to donate, please reach out to our team for more information.

Thank you for helping us continue to grow and expand opportunities for our students.

We are also looking for donations to support a variety of our enrichment and fitness programs.

We are currently accepting items such as:
• Sewing machines and sewing supplies
• Knitting needles, yarn, and materials
• Workout and fitness equipment

Donations—new or gently used—help us expand our programs and provide more opportunities for students to learn new skills and stay active.

If you have items you would like to donate, please reach out to our team for more information.

Thank you for supporting Community Education and helping us grow our programs.

Summer is right around the corner, and our Community Education camps are filling quickly.

We offer a wide variety of camps designed to keep students active, engaged, and having fun all summer long. From sports and enrichment to creative and hands-on experiences, there is something for everyone.

We encourage families to take a look at our full list of offerings and secure their spots early.

We loved seeing everyone out on the fields this past weekend. From big smiles to nonstop energy, our players brought the spirit.

Now we want to know—which school has the most spirit?

Be sure to check out the photos from this weekend and cheer on your school. You might even spot a familiar face.

Week one brought the rain. Week two gave us cold and wind. Let’s hope for some sunshine this weekend.

Before we know it, we’ll be out there in perfect weather—probably saying how hot it is and remembering these early season games.

Thank you to all of our players, coaches, and families for showing up and making it such a great start to the season.

We love celebrating our amazing students and families—and we want to feature YOU.

Parents, we’d love to highlight your child’s experience in our programs. Whether it’s a great moment, a proud achievement, or just something they’ve enjoyed, we want to hear about it.

• Submit a photo of your child participating in a WLCE program
• Or share a short quote about what they’ve enjoyed most

Submissions are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the season. Selected stories may be featured on our Walled Lake Community Education social media pages.

Guitar Club is an exciting music program that gives students the opportunity to build real guitar skills in a fun and supportive learning environment. Participants will study chords, learn scales, read musical notation, and practice playing their favorite songs while developing confidence as musicians.

Classes are led by award-winning instructor and educational writer Wayne Mrdjenovich, owner of The Oakland Guitar Studio, proudly celebrating over 30 years of music education. Guitar Club is designed for students of varying experience levels and encourages creativity, discipline, and a lifelong love of music.

Students must bring their own guitar.

• Instructor: Wayne Mrdjenovich
• Location: Sarah Banks - Choir Room
• Day: Tuesdays
• Grades 2nd–12th: 6:00–7:00 PM
• Adults: 7:00 PM- 8:00 PM
• Sessions: 4
• Fee: $135

• First Aid basics and when/how to call 911
• CPR with hands-on manikin practice
• Choking response and safety skills
• Handling difficult behaviors
• Feeding, diapering, and basic care
• Marketing their babysitting services
• Home-alone safety, including how to handle strangers and protect personal information

**** Students must attend the entire session and arrive on time to be certified.

• Recommended for students who are ready to care for younger children independently.
• Class ends between 2:00 – 3:00 PM depending on completion time.

Students should bring:

• A lunch and snacks

• A fully charged cell phone (if they own one)

• A pen and paper (optional for notes)

• Students will message their ride at lunchtime with pick-up time.
• No cell phone use during class except during breaks.
• Please check students in and out of class.

No refunds or credits with less than 24-hour notice. For medical exceptions, email: info@LiveSafeAcademy.com.

Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Sarah Banks Middle School
Fee: $80.00

Ages: 9+

Take your babysitting skills to the next level! In this fun, hands-on session, students will learn pet first aid and become certified pet sitters — increasing their marketability and helping them care for pets in their own families.

This optional class begins immediately after the babysitter safety course and concludes by 4:00 PM.

****Students must be enrolled in the Babysitter/CPR/First Aid course the same day or have previously completed it through Live Safe Academy.

Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Sarah Banks Middle School
Fee: $20.00

Ages: 9+

If someone wants to hurt our children, they will not choose a time or place with witnesses. That’s why it’s critical our kids know how to recognize danger and respond effectively. This fun, interactive, and age-appropriate workshop teaches lifesaving information about real-world threats, prevention strategies, and techniques designed to reduce the risk of abduction, assault, and other forms of violence.

Most importantly, students learn that they have the right to be safe, that no one has the right to hurt them, and that they are worth protecting.

Walnut Creek Middle School, 7601 Walnut Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township 48323 Cafeteria

Date: Tuesday, May 26th
Time: 5:30PM–6:30 PM
Location: Walnut Creek Middle School– Cafeteria

Fee: $25

Ages: 6-11

Date: Monday, August 10th

Time: 5:30PM–6:30 PM
Location: Sarah Banks Middle School– Cafeteria

Fee: $25

Ages: 6-11

Can you defend yourself and your family in an emergency? You don’t need years of martial arts training to learn simple, lifesaving skills that could make all the difference. This hands-on course teaches realistic, easy-to-learn techniques that build confidence, awareness, and preparedness—all in one evening.

Safe, supportive, and empowering for all skill levels. A great stress reliever and confidence booster.

Note: Open to ages 12 and older. Serious topics are discussed in a professional manner.

Minors should be accompanied by a participating adult when possible.
A release and hold harmless agreement must be signed by a parent or guardian at the start of class.

Unpaid spectators are not permitted.

Time: 6:30–8:30 PM
Location: Walnut Creek Middle School – Cafeteria

Fee: $45

Ages: 12+

Date: Monday, August 10th
Time: 6:30–8:30 PM
Location: Sarah Banks Middle School– Cafeteria

Fee: $45

Ages: 12+

Click the button above:

Need help? call (248) 956‑5000 or email kaitlinswinehart@wlcsd.org

• Registration is completed online through the WLCE Program Guide, accessible from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

• Registration for most programs remains open until 24 hours prior to the start date of the class, or until maximum enrollment is reached.

• A waitlist option is available once classes are full.

• Please provide a valid email address when registering; your receipt will be sent automatically.

Important: A 3.49% non-refundable service fee applies to all online registrations.

• Families will be contacted by email if a class is canceled or if the time, date, or location changes.
• All students must be on the class roster to participate.

• Students must attend classes at their home school only for AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES
• An adult must sign out each student at the end of class
• Families will be notified of any schedule changes, cancellations, or location updates via email
• Please review your schedules carefully for any No Class dates

Follow us on Instagram @wlcommunityed and Facebook at Walled Lake Community Education for updates on programs, events, and opportunities.