District Update

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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• March 23: PTSA Council Meeting; 5:30 p.m. at WL Western High School
• March 23: PTSA Reflections Celebration; 6:30 p.m. at WL Western High School
• March 24: Board of Education special meeting; 7 p.m. at the Educational Services Center
• March 26: Walled Lake Unified Staff Appreciation Event; 6:30 p.m. at WL Central High School
• March 30-April 3: No School for Students of Staff - Spring Break
• April 6: School Resumes
• April 9: Board of Education regular meeting; 7 p.m. at the Educational Services Center

The Special Services Parent Advisory Committee is sponsoring an Inclusion event in an effort to increase awareness of Unified Sports & Unified Champion Schools, further promote inclusion throughout the District, and celebrate Walled Lake Staff.

The highlight of the Inclusion event is a Unified basketball game featuring school administration and school board members supporting our Unified athletes. The event also includes appreciation stations for staff and educational sessions to inform and inspire the school community about the values and impact of Unified Sports.

Walled Lake Western’s Dylan Neacato Doolittle was named a candidate for the United States Presidential Scholar Program.

“I was kind of surprised,” said Doolittle. “It means a lot, and it’s just a validation of all the hard work that I have put in.”

Doolittle will attend Michigan Tech in the fall, where he plans to major in aerospace engineering. He currently serves as Walled Lake Western’s National Honor Society President. Doolittle is also the swim team captain, as well as a member of the Warriors’ soccer, cross country, track and field, and forensics teams. He loves music as well playing in the marching band, jazz band and was selected for the District Honors Band.

The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 and one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. Each year, up to 161 students across the country are selected as scholars. The 2026 winners will be announced in June.

Sarah G. Banks Middle School science teacher, Jeff Snody, was named this week’s Excellence in Education Award winner by the Michigan Lottery.

“Winning the Excellence in Education award reinforces that teaching is what I was meant to do,” said Snody. “I realize now more than ever that what we do as teachers is so impactful to the students that we interact with every day.”

“Jeff Snody is an exceptional science teacher,” said Sarah G. Banks Middle School Principal, Jennifer VanWagnen. “Over the span of his career, he has coached multiple sports and inspired students to be the best version of themselves.”

Continue reading on district website.

Ten Walled Lake Consolidated Schools’ bands took the stage at Walled Lake Northern on March 6 and 7 for the District 4 Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) Festival and hit all the high notes.

All three high schools performed, along with two Sarah G. Banks Middle School bands. Eight of those bands were recognized with the highest recognition, a Division 1 rating, while the remaining two bands earned Division 2 ratings.

Walled Lake Central

• Symphony Band – Division 1 Rating
• Wind Ensemble – Division 1 Rating

Walled Lake Northern

• 2nd Hour Symphony Band – Division 1 Rating
• 4th Hour Symphony Band – Division 1 Rating
• Concert Band – Division 2 Rating
• Wind Ensemble – Division 1 Rating

Walled Lake Western

• Symphony Band – Division 2 Rating
• Wind Ensemble – Division 1 Rating

Sarah G. Banks Middle School

• 7th Grade Band – Division 1 Rating
• 8th Grade Band – Division 1 Rating

Sarah G. Banks Middle School students celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a special treat!

Social studies teacher, Meagan Clancy had the Bulldogs toe tapping and heel clicking by learning the art of Irish dancing!

You can check out the fun on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Walled Lake Central’s Joshua Drouillard will lace up his spikes this coming weekend in Virginia Beach, Virginia at the 2026 Adidas Indoor National Track Championships.

The Vikings’ junior will compete against 40 other teams from across the country in the 4x200 meter relay.

A pair of Walled Lake Elementary School students stopped by as mystery readers to have fun and share stories with our district's preschoolers.

Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Cathy Kochanski, visited Mrs. Bastuba's class at Pleasant Lake Elementary.

The Sharks' junior kindergarteners enjoyed the special mystery reader and heard about the adventures of "Knight Owl".

Keith Elementary mystery readers are bringing the fun this March with costumes, silly voices and sneaky clues!

Can the Dragons figure out who’s behind the mask?

There are less than 2 weeks left before a winner is drawn for the FFE 50/50 Tuition Expedition Raffle. If you want a chance to win, you have to buy your tickets NOW!

The winner is guaranteed at least $6,600 in scholarship funds or $5,300 for the cash option, and those numbers will continue to grow until the drawing on March 23rd.

Proceeds from the raffle support the FFE's effort to put more tools and resources in classrooms across Walled Lake Schools.

You can find out where to buy your ticket and other raffle information here: www.wlcsd.org/FFEraffle

Why should you support the Foundation For Excellence? Check out this video to see how the FFE supports teachers and students in Walled Lake Schools.

HS Spring Testing Information

We would like to inform you about the required spring testing for all students in grades 9 through 11. This includes the PSAT 9, PSAT 10, and SAT with Essay exams. All of these exams are administered digitally on school-issued Chromebooks. In addition, 11th-grade students will take the WIN Learning assessment of workplace skills, as well as the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) in Social Studies and Science (digital). Completion of the Michigan Merit Exam (MME - SAT w/ Essay, WIN Learning, and M-STEP) is a graduation requirement for all 11th grade students in Walled Lake.

Save the Date

Below are the important testing dates for your family calendar. Please make every effort to avoid scheduling appointments or planned absences on these days. All spring testing activities are graduation requirements for Walled Lake students. Students should bring fully charged Chromebooks for the dates below.

• Tuesday, April 14: PSAT 9 and PSAT 10
• Wednesday, April 15: SAT with Essay
• Thursday, April 16: M-STEP 11
• Friday, April 17: WIN Learning 11th - Required
• AP Testing: May 4-15

Middle School Testing Information

• Thursday, April 16: PSAT 8

MSTEP:

• Creek: April 22 & 23
• Banks: Week of April 27
• Smart: April 29 & 30

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.

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.

Year-end presents a great opportunity to celebrate our top senior student athletes and their opportunity to continue their athletic careers in college.

Please provide the following information on SENIOR athletes that have either:

- received a scholarship to play college athletics

- have a spot guaranteed to them on a college roster as a "preferred walk-on."

The information will be used by each school to plan their signing days and will also be printed in the LEARNING newsletter (if approved.)

This Saturday, March 21, the Walled Lake Western Boys Volleyball Program will be hosting a Euchre Tournament fundraiser at the VFW Hall at 2652 Loon Lake Rd. in Wixom. Dinner will be served along with a 50-50 drawing, 20 gift baskets raffled and a silent auction. Entry entry is $30 per player or $15 for non-players to join for dinner only. Come join us! Bring friends! Text to 248-225-4427 or email wlwmensvolleyball@gmail.com to request registration form.

Spring is almost here and it’s time to sharpen your skills and get ready for the softball season learning from Walled Lake Northern softball coaches, players and former college athletes! Players will learn and practice techniques and drills to improve their fundamentals. All clinics are for players ages 5-14. New players to the game of softball are welcome!

• March 21 – All Skills (9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
• Emphasis on throwing, bunting, hitting, fielding, base running, position work and more!
• March 22 – Pitchers and Catchers (9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)
• Learn basic pitching and catching fundamentals with planned workouts.
• March 22 – Throwing and Defense (10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)
• Focus on throwing mechanics, fielding footwork, glove work and many drills to improve fielding and throwing skills.

For more information and to register, please contact Walled Lake Northern softball coach Kristen Woodard.

Bowling for Band Fundraiser on Sunday, March 22 from 1-4 p.m. at Wonderland Lanes.

Event Details include:

• Three hours of bowling, shoe rental, two slices of pizza, pop, and 50/50 raffle
• $26 per bowler (limit six bowlers per lane)

Questions? Contact Angela Bryan for more information. Pre-registration is required on the WL Marching Band website.

Join the Walled Lake Marching Band for a delicious way to give back through their Dine to Donate fundraiser at Casey's of Walled Lake (1003 E. West Maple Road, Walled Lake, 48390) on Monday, March 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

10% of all sales will support the WLMB when you dine in or carry out.

The WLW Choir Boosters will be hosting a Dine to Donate Fundraiser opportunity with the Walled Lake Brunch House (602 N. Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake) on Tuesday, March 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Be sure to mention "CHOIR" to your server to participate in the fundraiser.

It's art show season! We are writing to announce our upcoming annual Student Art Show at WL Western High School. Please join us for our Opening Reception on Tuesday, April 7th between 6-8pm, located in and around Western's beautiful new Art Gallery. Our show is open to students and staff during school hours and to the public Tuesday-Thursday from 6-8pm. Please enter through the doors next to our auditorium.

Help us make 1,000 fleece blankets for kiddos in hospitals! Registration is FREE with an optional fundraising component. Hope to see you with us!

When: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Time: 10am-2pm

Where: Walled Lake Central High School, 1600 Oakley Park Rd, Walled Lake, MI 48390

Saturday, April 18 - 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Hospitality House Food Pantry (2075 E. West Maple Road, Suite B-204, Commerce Twp., MI 48390)

Contact mike@hhfp.org or call (248) 960-9975 for more information

Celebrating 25 years of feeding hope!

Walled Lake Northern’s Annual Student Art Show will be on display Monday, April 20th through Thursday, April 23rd.

Opening Night is Monday, April 20th from 5:30 – 7pm, in the Media Center. Please join us to view the art, listen to our student jazz band, and enjoy some light refreshments. If you can’t make it to opening night, we hope you can drop in during the week to check it out! The show will feature 400+ works of art completed in a variety of media, showcasing the skill and creativity of our student artists.

During the 2025-26 school year, all Michigan public school students in grades Pre-K through 12 will have access to free breakfast and free lunch every day 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 free/reduced meal form on Skyward Family Access help secure additional funding for the District including Title I funding. By completing the form, eligible families may also receive access to other free and reduced programs within the District including SAT testing, pay to participate and more.

Elementary Divisions: Sections - Grades 1-3 | Grades 4-5

• Free Entry!
• Trophies/medals for top performers
• Parent Info Session: “Why Math Competitions Matter!”
• Organized by high school mathletes!
• Exciting, Unique new Rounds Emphasizing Teamwork and Collaboration!

Date: Saturday, April 11th, 2026

Time: 1pm - 5pm

Location: Novi High School (24062 Taft Rd, Novi, MI, 48375)

Middle School Division

• Trophies/medals for top performers
• Organized by high school mathletes
• Team Rounds!

Date: Saturday, April 11th, 2026

Location: Novi High School

Time: 9am - 5pm

Cost: $15 per student ($20 after March 11)

Register now on the Motor City Math Club website.

The Hospitality House Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to help:

• Shopping with clients in the pantry
• Sorting goods
• Providing warehouse support

Learn more by visiting www.hhfp.org/volunteer.

Call (248) 858-1306 to schedule your appointment.

Help make a difference by volunteering at the Making Spirits Bright community book bank!

We're located at 28580 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 210, Farmington Hills, MI 483414.

Learn more by visiting www.MakingSpiritsBright.org.

Need a place you can trust to do your banking? Give Walled Lake Schools Federal Credit Union a try!

We serve students and staff of Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, as well as their families.

Learn more at www.wlsfcu.com.

No matter where you live in the United States, you can easily access 24/7 emotional support.

Call or text 988 or visit www.988lifeline.org/chat to chat with a caring counselor. We are here for you!

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