Allyson Smith, Principal at Wacousta Elementary
March 13, 2026
Important Upcoming Dates
March 27 - April 3: Spring Break
April 6: No Students - Staff Professional Development
April 7: School Resumes
April 7: PTIA Meeting - 6 pm
April 10: Snack Shop 9:00-11:00 am
Week of April 27: MSTEP Testing
Week of May 4: Spring NWEA Testing
May 12-13: DIBELS Testing
Highlights and Happenings from Ms. Smith
This past week was another fun one at Wacousta! We enjoyed a glimpse of spring weather that had everyone energized on the playground. It looks like next week will bring cold temperatures again, so please make sure students continue to bring winter gear to school.
We continue to enjoy March is Reading Month with Mystery Readers and our Book Bracket. It’s so great to see so many family members in the building reading with students.
Following our winter data meetings, grade levels set specific academic goals focused on improving student performance in two key areas: reading fluency and math fact fluency. These are skills that are easy to reinforce at home with simple, daily practice. For reading fluency, encourage your child to read a text multiple times practicing accuracy, automaticity, and proper expression. For math fact fluency, consistent practice is key - a couple minutes a night of practicing addition, subtraction, multiplication or division (based on grade level) can make a big difference. Please reach out directly to your child's classroom teacher for more details on the specific goals set for their grade level and for ideas on how to support this essential learning at home.
Specials Spotlight: Physical Education
This year, Wacousta students have engaged with a diverse range of activities, building fundamental movement and teamwork skills through various units that include yoga, floor hockey, football, and climbing. Students are currently mastering the fundamentals of bowling, including proper grip and stance, pin setup and clearing procedures, and the scoring mechanics of strikes and spares.
In addition to physical skill development, a core component of our Physical Education curriculum is the development of essential life skills. All students are actively learning and practicing principles of good sportsmanship, emphasizing the importance of being encouraging, supportive, positive, and helpful teammates in the pursuit of a shared win! This focus on character development ensures that our students learn to compete with integrity and work collaboratively.
GLHS Choirs Fundraiser
The GLHS Choirs are excited to present everyone's favorite fundraiser: Designer Purse Bingo! This event will take place on Friday, May 1st, 2026 at Grand Ledge High School. If you're interested in joining us, please click THIS LINK to purchase your tickets!
If you have any questions or issues, please contact Zach Everly at: everlyz@glcomets.net.
March is Reading Month
March is Reading Month, and we are excited to celebrate the joy and importance of reading all month long! This is a special time dedicated to building a love of books, strengthening literacy skills, and helping students see themselves as confident, capable readers. We have many fun activities planned, including a schoolwide Book Bracket, themed spirit days, and special Mystery Readers who will be visiting classrooms. Here is a link to all things March Book Madness.
Families can support Reading Month at home by setting aside time each day for reading, asking your child about what they’re reading at school, visiting the local library, or even reading together as a family. When students see that reading is valued both at school and at home, their confidence and motivation soar. We can’t wait to celebrate a month full of stories and learning together! Check out March is Reading Month at the local library HERE.
Enrollment for the 2026-2027 School Year
Enrollment for next year has begun. If you know a new family or an incoming kindergartener, please tell them to check the website for enrollment information.
Currently enrolled families: If you need to make updates to your current information, address, phone number, email, emergency contacts, please go to the district website at www.glcomets.net, choose the “Our Schools” tab, select Wacousta. Once there you’ll find an Update Contact Information banner. Click on the banner to be taken to our Express Update Gateway to make your changes.
Save the date: Wacousta Family Fun Night - Friday, May 1
Click here for more detail.
International Night
Join us for a night of celebrating cultures from around the world! See flyer HERE for more details.
Developing Opportunities, Building Partnerships with GLADL
Grand Ledge Area District Library (GLADL) is excited to be partnering with GLPS to bring library services back to Wacousta by adding a library space in the old Wacousta Elementary School. The opportunities in this shared space for programs, services, and access to reading collections are exceptional and we look forward to getting community input as we move forward.
GLADL values the input from the community in regards to what they would like to see included in the new branch. Please take a moment to answer our survey to let them know your thoughts!
Grand Ledge Education Foundation
The Grand Ledge Education Foundation is competing in Consumers Credit Union’s March Feel Good Bracket for a chance to win up to $5,200 to support Unified Champions, a program that promotes inclusion by bringing students with and without disabilities together through sports and leadership opportunities. Community voting will help determine the winner. Families are encouraged to follow the Grand Ledge Education Foundation on Facebook to find voting links, updates, and reminders throughout the competition. Let’s rally together and support this incredible program in our schools! Voting goes live on Monday, March 9, at noon!
Morning Arrival
To help ensure a smooth and successful start each morning, we are asking for your support with arrival procedures. Students should be inside the building and in their seats by 8:55 a.m. If you arrive after 8:55, please park in the front lot by the office entrance and walk your student inside and sign them in so we can ensure attendance is marked accurately.
With the exception of days when bus routes are canceled, and we extend our arrival time, our carpool line runs smoothly and we are able to have all students inside by 8:55. Thank you for helping us keep our mornings safe, efficient, and focused on learning.
Wacousta Spirit Wear
Looking for some Wacousta Spirit Wear? Check out our Wacousta Spirit Wear page for some new gear!
March Lunch Menu
Check out the March lunch menu at grandledge.nutrislice.com. This website is helpful to check the breakfast and lunch menus of any building in the district. You can check for nutritional information, filter allergens, and translate the menu into 50+ languages! It's a very helpful tool for parents and staff members.
Upcoming Events, District News, & Community Information
Please review what the school district shares in newsletters about events, news, and information, please visit http://glcomets.net/Upcoming
Allyson Smith
Principal, Wacousta Elementary School
9325 Herbison Rd., Eagle, MI 48822 (517) 925-5940 FAX (517) 925-5970
