Wacousta Weekly Newsletter

August Updates - 8/20/2025

Welcome Back to the 2025-2026 School Year!

I hope your family enjoyed a fun and restful summer and that your children are as eager as we are to begin a brand-new year together. At Wacousta Elementary, we’re excited to open our doors and fill our classrooms with energy, curiosity, and joy. 

Below you’ll find some important details to help you feel prepared for the first day.

Important Dates
August 21, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m Kindergarten Open House
August 21, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. New Family (Grades 1-4) Open House (Library)
August 21, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Elementary Open House
August 26, 8:40 a.m. First Day of School (Early Dismissal 2:50 p.m.)
August 29 - September 1 No School - Labor Day Weekend
September 9th - 9:00 a.m. Picture Day

Morning Drop Off and End of Day Pick Up Times
School begins at 8:55 a.m. The building will open at 8:40 a.m. Due to staffing and supervision logistics, students cannot be released from buses (office entrance) or parent drop off (gym entrance) locations before 8:40 a.m. End of day classroom dismissal for students going to parent pick up (gym door entrance) will start at 3:50 p.m. (The first day of school is an early dismissal beginning at 2:50 p.m.)

Please see the attached Drop Off - Pick Up Route for morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. We will provide you with car window signs to help our pickup process run smoothly. If you lose your window sign, please have your student’s name and grade on an 8 ½ by 11 sheet o paper in your passenger side window. We greatly appreciate your cooperation with this procedure to ensure the safety of all of our students and staff.

If you change your student(s) mode of transportation for the day the office must be notified no later than 2:00 p.m.  Changes after that time cannot be accommodated.

Please complete this Every Day Pick Up form if you plan to pick up your student after school everyday. We will maintain a list so the teachers know who our Every Day Pick Up students are.  All students should be picked up by 3:55 near the gym entrance unless being picked up early.  

Transportation
Bus transportation information should reach homes by the end of this week. Please be sure to download the "Stop Finder" app.  This is a great tool for keeping track of your students' bus transportation each day. If you haven’t heard from the Transportation Department by the end of the week, please call them at 925-5300. Expect the buses returning students home on the first few days of school to run late. 

New Staff Members
Stacy Busis - First Grade: Mrs. Bussis has been a substitute teacher at Wacousta Elementary for the past three years, including a 6 1/2 month assignment as a first grade teacher and a 2 1/2 month assignment as the school counselor. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Calvin University, a Master’s Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences, and over 10 years experience as a social worker. Stacy and her husband have four children, a herd of sheep, a flock of chickens, three farm cats, and one beloved dog. She is very passionate about forming positive relationships with students while providing high-level academic teaching. Stacy looks for the strengths in every student and tries to help each student feel special and valued as a part of our Wacousta community. She is so excited to teach 1st Grade at the school that she loves!

Kylie Foster - STEAM Teacher: This will be Ms. Foster’s fourth year of teaching and first year as a STEAM teacher. She previously taught 2nd grade and recently completed her Master’s degree in Educational Technology over the summer.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys going on walks with her dog, playing sports, and spending quality time with family and friends. She is excited to be part of students’ learning journeys this year and looks forward to exploring, creating, and growing together through STEAM.

Morgan Rogers - Paraprofessional: Morgan is thrilled to be joining Wacousta Elementary as a paraprofessional. She began her career with Grand Ledge Public Schools in April 2025, working in the IRR program. She brings valuable experience supporting students with diverse learning needs. Morgan attended Michigan State University. She is excited to continue her work in education and build strong relationships with students and staff at Wacousta.

Outside of school, Morgan is a proud mom to two daughters, Everly and Harper, who keep her busy and bring her endless joy. In her free time, she enjoys reading and horseback riding, two hobbies that allow her to relax and recharge. Morgan looks forward to contributing her skills, energy, and care to the Wacousta community.

Teacher Assignments
Teacher assignments will be available in PowerSchool beginning August 21, at 3:00 p.m. To view your child’s placement in PowerSchool, log in to the Parent Portal or download the mobile app. For more information on accessing  PowerSchool, setting up your account, or the PowerSchool mobile app, open the  “PowerSchool - Parent / Student Portal” tab in Parent/Student Resources on the District Website. We will also have a list of student placements posted in the building for you to identify your student(s) teacher(s) when you attend the "Open House" on Thursday, August 21st.  Please see open house times posted in the important dates section above.

The Wacousta team has put great care and thought into creating well-balanced classrooms that support the academic and social needs of all students. Many factors are considered when placing students. Our goal is always to create the best possible learning environment for each child. We appreciate your trust and support as we prepare for a great year ahead.

P.T.I.A. (Parents and Teachers In Action)
Our PTIA is a great opportunity for you to get involved. Please see the WELCOME LETTER from the PTIA to learn more.

Important Information About School Meals
GLPS will offer free meals to students at least through September 30, 2025, as part of the Michigan School Meals program, which was funded through the last state budget.  GLPS will have a better idea about the future of the Michigan School Meals program and whether free meals will be provided to students once the state government agrees on a new budget (for the state fiscal year 2026).  GLPS will communicate more about school meals as we learn more. 

In the meantime, you can DO YOUR PART, CHECK THE CHART – your family might qualify for education and meal benefits.  The Education & Meals Benefit Application helps our schools get state and federal funding for education programs.  This application must be completed annually in order to qualify for the education and meal benefits that help both your family and the school district.

Lunch Helpers Needed
We are looking for parent volunteers to help during lunch times. Your support makes a big difference by assisting students, creating a positive lunchroom environment, and lending an extra set of hands to our staff.  If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here. We would love to have you join us!  *You must complete the district "Volunteer Application" process in order to work with students.  The the application can be completed on the district web site under the Family & Student Resources tab. Please note, it could take up to a week to be cleared as a volunteer.

Meet Sandee
In 2021, Grand Ledge Public Schools placed a facility dog in every building. Sandee, a Standard Poodle, is stationed at Wacousta Elementary School. This year will be his 5th year supporting students at Wacousta!

What is a facility dog? Facility dogs are working dogs that have been trained to help multiple people in a facility like a hospital, nursing home or school. Facility dogs are like therapy dogs except instead of traveling to different locations, they work in the same place every day. 

What does Sandee do at school? Sandee is available to staff and students who wish to interact with him in different ways such as reading, practicing math facts, or just cuddling and spending time together. Sandee can also be utilized for PT exercises, breaks, crisis intervention, communication, and friendship building among many other things.

If you have any questions or concerns about Sandee or the Facility Dog Program you may reach out to our building dog handler and Dean of Students Sara Taylor (taylors@glcomets.net). 

Allyson Smith
Principal, Wacousta Elementary School

9325 Herbison Rd., Eagle, MI  48822 (517) 925-5940 FAX (517) 925-5970