Dear Banks Families:
This week, we proudly celebrate our amazing Administrative Assistants, Jennifer Dean, Sinah Kostik and Kellan Watkins. Today we give a heartfelt thank you to the incredible administrative assistants who are truly the backbone of our school. Their dedication keeps our campus safe, organized, and always welcoming. From supporting staff and students to helping families feel at home, they manage it all with grace, kindness, and tireless energy. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and we are so lucky to have you as the heart of our school community. 💛
Your Forever and Always Proud Principal,
Jennifer VanWagnen
We are Banks!
#everychildeveryday #banksproud
#AdminAppreciation #ThankYou #SchoolHeroes #WeAreGrateful
Upcoming Events
April
4/25: M-STEP Make-Up Testing
4/26: MSBOA District 4 Honors Band
4/28: Rescheduled. Banks PTSA Meeting @ 6:30 PM
4/29: 6th Grade Field Trip to Water Treatment Facility in AM
4/29: Half Day for Students, Staff Professional Development
4/30: Co-ed Track vs Pierce @ Kettering , Dismissal @ 2:05 PM
May
5/2: RESCHEDULED: 8th Grade Panoramic Photo
5/2: Pep Assembly @ 2:05 PM
5/6: LLE 5th Grade Visit
5/7: Wixom 5th Grade Visit
5/7: RESCHEDULED: Cabinet to visit Sarah G. Banks MS
5/7: Co-ed Track Oak Valley @ Lakeland, Dismissal @ 2:20 PM
5/8: Fire Drill
5/8: Band and Orchestra Practice from 3-4:30 PM
5/9: Banks Band and Orchestra Field Trip to Cedar Point
5/11: Happy Mother's Day
5/12-5/16: Banks Staff Appreciation Week
5/12: PTSA Installations & Awards Ceremony @ Geisler MS 6:30 PM
5/13: iReady Testing, Math
5/14: WLE 5th Grade Visit
5/14: Walled Lake K-12 Student Art Exhibition @ Commerce Twnshp. Library, 4:30-7:30 PM
5/14: Co-ed Track vs. Mason @ WLW, Dismissal @ 2:20 PM
5/15: iReady Testing, ELA
5/15: HWE 5th Grade Visit
5/20: Half Day for Students, Staff Professional Development
5/20: Spring Open House for New Incoming 7th and 8th Grade Students from 6-7 PM
5/21: LVC Co-ed Track Meet, All Day
5/22: Final DC Parent Meeting @ 6:30 PM
5/23: Memorial Day Ceremony in AM
5/26: Memorial Day, No School for Staff or Students
5/27: Vocal Music Concert @ WLW, 7 PM
5/28: Banks 6/7/8 Orchestra Concert @ WLW, 6:30 PM
5/29: Oakland County Track Meet, All Day
June
6/1: Banks 6/7/8 Band Concert @ WLW, 6:30 PM
6/3-6/6: 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip
6/9: Dress Rehearsal, 8th Grade Ceremony @ 8:20 AM-9:20 AM
6/10: 8th Grade Ceremony @ 8:20 AM
6/10: 8th Grade Dance @ 6:30-8 PM
6/11: End of 4th Marking Period
6/11: Final Day of School, Half Day for Students
We Are Banks!
It has been a great month at Sarah G. Banks Middle School. Our 8th grade students recently took the PSAT, and I am grateful to all of our families who made sure their child was here on time and ready to give their best effort on the assessment. We had OUTSTANDING attendance on this day! I especially want to thank Mrs. McBride for her leadership in making sure the entire PSAT and M-STEP process was completed with fidelity.
On Friday, May 2nd, we look forward to hosting our 3rd Marking Period Recognition Pep Assembly. Honor roll students along with our winter sports athletes will be recognized for their hard work in the classroom and in competition. A variety of fun games planned by Ms Smith will offer our students the opportunity to play hard after working even harder this past month.
Staff Appreciation Week: May 12th-16th
Lets show our Sarah Banks Staff how special they are... any support for Teacher Appreciation week is appreciated!" There will be a collection box in the vestibule for donation items. Monetary/Gift Cards should be handed to secretary in Attendance Office.
Thank you,
SBMS PTSA
Important News for 7th Grade Families
Attention prospective National Junior Honors Society (NJHS) students and parents: Banks is proud to announce that applications for NJHS will open in the fall of the 2025-2026 school year. This is a slight deviation from past practices as middle school redistricting takes place. The idea is that all students being placed into a new school will have time to settle in before we begin the NJHS application process. Look for information and application forms in September of 2025.
8th Grade Washington DC Trip Update
The Washington, DC trip is now at full capacity and closed to new registrations. To view the meeting presentation from the October 10th parent meeting, please click here. If you have any questions about the DC trip, please reach out to Mr. Morrow at DavidMorrow@wlcsd.org.
Attention 8th Grade Girls Interested in Volleyball at Walled Lake Western
Attention 8th Grade Girls Interested in Volleyball at Walled Lake Western:
Stay in the loop with all things Western Volleyball! Join our Band app group to get updates on summer training, important dates, and program information.
Join here
Staff Shout Outs! 💙
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.
Signing up for SMS Messages in Skylert
In addition to receiving phone calls and email notifications from the school district in the event of a school closing or emergency, parents can also sign up to receive SMS Text messages.
Please find the helpful step-by-step instructions linked below as well as the video tutorial on signing up for SMS messages.
Connect With Us
Jennifer VanWagnen
Principal: jennifervanwagnen@wlcsd.org
Kellan Watkins
Principal's Secretary: kellanwatkins@wlcsd.org
Becky Smith
Interim Assistant Principal: rebeccasmith@wlcsd.org
Jennifer Dean
Assistant Principal's Secretary: jenniferdean@wlcsd.org
Important Phone Numbers:
Main Line: 248-956-2200
Attendance: 248-956-2290
Email: JenniferVanWagnen@wlcsd.org
Website: https://banks.wlcsd.org/
Location: 1760 Charms Road Wixom, MI 48393
Phone: (248) 956-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sarahbanksptsa