Allyson Smith, Principal at Wacousta Elementary
April 10, 2026
Important Upcoming Dates
Week of April 27: MSTEP Testing
May 1: Wacousta Family Fun Night, 6-8 p.m.
Week of May 4: Spring NWEA Testing
May 5: PTIA Meeting 6 p.m.
May 12-13: DIBELS Testing 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
May 15: Fine Arts Night, 6-8 p.m.
May 22: No School - Teacher Professional Development
May 25: No School - Memorial Day Recognition
June 2: Field Day
June 2: PTIA Meeting 6 p.m.
June 5: Last Day - 1/2 Day - Dismissal at 12:10 p.m.
Highlights and Happenings from Ms. Smith
Welcome back from spring break! It’s so great to have everyone back together and to jump into the fun of learning. As a leadership team, we spent time this week mapping out the many exciting events ahead. There is so much to look forward to. This spring will be filled with opportunities to celebrate our students, their growth, and all of their accomplishments. HERE is a one-pager outlining upcoming events. Please note that the dates provided are intended as a general overview of upcoming events. For specific details, times, and expectations, please look for additional communication directly from your child’s classroom teacher.
3rd and 4th Grade MSTEP Testing
MSTEP testing begins the week of April 27. Check out this MSTEP Parent Guide from the State for more information. Here are a few tips to help your child feel ready and successful.
1. Be in attendance and arrive on time to start the school day on testing days. Students arriving late are not able to go to their class until the testing session is finished. They will start or continue testing on the next scheduled testing day with their class or during a make-up testing session.
2. Help your child get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast to support physical and mental engagement during testing.
3. Help your child prepare for testing by taking practice tests at home. Practice test information is shared below.
4. Encourage your child to do his/her best.
MSTEP Practice Test: https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi (must use the Google Chrome browser):
⏺ Select the MSTEP Online Tools Training button.
⏺ Click on the Sample Item Sets
⏺ Select Grade 3rd or 4th Grade
⏺ Complete both the English Language Arts and Mathematics mini-assessments
⏺ Be sure to try out the testing tools located at the top of each passage/problem and question screen. These are useful tools to assist with taking the test.
Wacousta Family Fun Night - Friday, May 1, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Get ready for one of the most exciting nights of the year - Family Fun Night! Join us for an evening filled with games, laughter, and great food from two popular food trucks. It’s the perfect chance to relax, have fun with your kids, and connect with other families in our school community. You won’t want to miss this fun-filled night. We hope to see you there!
Yearbooks
There is still time to order a yearbook! The personal webcode lookup tool can be found here: https://www.geskusphoto.com/lookup
Upcoming Events, District News, & Community Information: Spirit & Celebration Week–International Week & Autism Awareness
Next week is full of opportunities to celebrate our diverse community and support one another! Each day next week offers a unique opportunity to support and celebrate. We look forward to seeing our students show their spirit! Check out the district newsletter to learn more about these events and other upcoming opportunities: http://glcomets.net/Upcoming
National Teacher Appreciation Week: May 4-8, 2026
The Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Educator Excellence wishes to celebrate teachers across Michigan for the entire month of May.
MDE invites parents/guardians to submit 15-30 second videos of their students recognizing and thanking a specific teacher for their impact. Cell phones easily capture the videos. Please follow the directions on the flyer. Videos and parental consent must be submitted via the Teacher Appreciation Video Project Google Form. Videos are currently being accepted until April 15, 2026.
Submitted videos may be posted on the Teacher Appreciation Month webpage and MDE’s YouTube channel. Additionally, the Office of Educator Excellence’s Facebook (@MIeducator) and X (formerly Twitter) will promote the videos throughout the month of May.
If your child has great things to say about a teacher, use the instructions found on MDE’s website to submit a video today!
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.
International Night
Join us for a night of celebrating cultures from around the world! See flyer HERE for more details.
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!
Wacousta Spirit Wear
Looking for some Wacousta Spirit Wear? Check out our Wacousta Spirit Wear page for some new gear!
April 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.
Allyson Smith
Principal, Wacousta Elementary School
9325 Herbison Rd., Eagle, MI 48822 (517) 925-5940 FAX (517) 925-5970
