C.H.S CHRONICLES
Week of August 18, 2025
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.
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!
Welcome to CHS!
Orchestra Teacher Jennifer Boutin will be not be at CHS to start off the school year, but we are fortunate to have Melissa Parks as our long term substitute teacher while she is out.
You can contact Mrs. Melissa Parks at MelissaParks@wlcsd.org.
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
SMART START INFORMATION
Smart Start is our middle school registration day for all students and you can come anytime between 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
During Smart Start, students and/or parents will:
- Receive their District Chromebook (if payment is received by August 11th)
- Have their school picture taken (more information below)
- Receive their student I.D.
- Receive their class schedule
- Receive their locker assignment and can practice opening their locker
- Receive their daily planner
- Sign up for PTSA
- Learn general building information
- Get their free CHS t-shirt (a different color for each grade level)
- Walk around the school and see where classes are located
Please note that there is not a registration make up date if you cannot attend Smart Start. You can locate your child's schedule, locker number and combination through your Skyward Family Access Account. Picture retakes will take place later in the fall and your child can pick up their books the first day of school.
LOCKER DECORATIONS
One of the best things about Smart Start is getting class schedules and finding out locker assignments. As students are getting their lockers set up and finding their classes for the first day of school, many like to personalize their locker. Some students choose to decorate with various shelving units, lights, chandeliers, and even the occasional "disco ball". These items can fun and help to personalize the space if a student chooses to do so. As the lockers have plenty of space, please keep in mind that they are lockers and not closets, so less decor may be best.
One type of decor that is NOT permitted inside or outside the locker at any time is contact paper/ wallpaper/ stickers. These items tend to be installed incorrectly causing the locking mechanisms to not work correctly and cause issues with opening and closing the locker. In addition, they are very difficult to remove at the end of year causing damage to the lockers.
Thank you for your help in making good decoration choices, if your child chooses to do so.
Hello 6th Grade Parents!
We are very excited that your child will be attending Clifford H. Smart Middle School, and we look forward to seeing them at our 6th Grade Orientation Day on Monday August 18, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Mark your calendars!
Our WEB Program will help get your 6th grader off to a great start! Best of all, this is the first year CHS is holding WEB Orientation so your child gets to do it first. How cool is that?
WHAT IS WEB?
WEB is a nationwide program designed to welcome and support 6th graders by connecting them with WEB Leaders, who are positive, responsible, hand-selected 8th graders. Your student’s WEB Leaders will help them feel more comfortable as well as help them achieve success in their first year of middle school. Orientation Day is just the start! Doesn’t that sound great? It is!
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
1. Your child will receive an orientation invitation sent via their WLCSD Gmail account from CHS WEB Coordinators/ Teachers nathanbruce@teachers.wlcsd.org or jessikagolab@teachers.wlcsd.org. If they have not received the invitation, please email Mr. Bruce or Ms. Golab to request one.
2. A day or two before orientation, your child will also receive an email from a WEB Leader personally inviting them to orientation day and giving the details of where to be and what time. The Leaders can also answer any questions they may have.
3. Your student is encouraged not to bring backpacks, purses or other like items as the day is quite active.
4. Because the day is active, please make sure that your student wears comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement.
5. Cell phone use is forbidden on this day. This is a student only function so we encourage you to let your child attend on their own.
WEB is a dynamic opportunity for your 6th grader to start their middle school experience. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to the email listed above.
We look forward to meeting your child on August 18, 2025 at CHS!
Thank You,
Jessika Golab
Nathan Bruce
Please note that this is a student only event and ask parents to drop off and pick up students at the main gym/athletic entrance. Students can bring a water bottle with them and snacks will be provided.
6th graders will participate in a series of team building activities, get a tour of the building, and learn what they need to know for a successful start to the school year!
Our girls volleyball try outs start the first day of school, August 25th. Please complete the Google Form below to sign up if you are child is interested in trying out for volleyball.
In the form you will see try out times and dates and coach information.
Volleyball Sign Up Google Form: Click HERE
As you prepare for try outs, a couple of reminders:
- Students must have completed MHSAA physical form on file no later than the first day of try outs. They can be turned in at Smart Start or on the first day of school. Please CLICK HERE for a copy of the MHSAA medical form to be completed by you and your child's doctor. Physicals must be dated AFTER April 16, 2025 to be valid for this school year.
- Volleyball is a pay to participate sport. Once a student makes the team the pay to participate fee must be paid prior to the first game. Please CLICK HERE for pay to participate fee costs and information.
- We have two teams. 6th and 7th grade try out for one team and 8th grade on the other team.
I am excited to announce that WLN High School Teacher Amanda Pollock AmandaPollock@wlcsd.org will be our 8th grade coach this season.
As you have questions, please contact our 6th/7th grade coach – Amy Monroe AmyMonroe@wlcsd.org.
Thank you,
Dan Holland
*Reply @LEAVE to the number you are receiving messages from if you'd like to leave the text group at anytime.
OPTIONAL STUDENT INPUT FORM
You are invited to complete the optional form below. The information you include in this OPTIONAL form will be shared with C.H.S. Middle School Staff only. The intent of this form is to provide our families the opportunity to share some information about their child to start off the school year that we may not be aware of and that you feel is important to share.
PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY NAMES (STAFF, OTHER CHILDREN, ETC.), OTHER THAN YOUR CHILD'S NAME, IN ANY OF YOUR RESPONSES.
The form will close on Friday, August 23rd and should only be completed by a child's parent or guardian.
Please also remember to contact your child's counselor for any concerns and/or questions you may have.
CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
Over the summer our cross country coaches like to start checking out the interest of team members for the fall and schedule some group runs over the summer.
If your child is interested in joining the cross country running team this fall, please complete the Google Form link below. In the Google form, there is more information and coaches contact information. Signing up gets you and your child on the information list as well.
https://forms.gle/5aDTdUdE6o1GNBrV8
Please contact coach Alex Rickens AlexRickens@wlcsd.org with any questions.
Thanks,
Dan Holland
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