Allyson Smith, Principal at Wacousta Elementary
April 24, 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
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.
End of Year Grade Level Upcoming Events: Please check HERE
Highlights and Happenings from Ms. Smith
We are loving the warmer weather, sunshine, and the extra energy it brings to our school days! This time of year is full of fun learning and growth, and we want to make the most of every moment together.
One of the best ways to ensure your child is successful is by being at school every day, on time, and ready to learn. Each day brings new opportunities, and even missing a little time can mean missing important instruction, connections, and experiences.
As we move into this season, spring testing is also beginning. While this time can sometimes feel stressful, it is truly an opportunity to celebrate all that our students have learned this year. Our teachers have prepared them well, and we are confident that students will do their very best. It’s also important to remember that testing is just one measure of learning. We are equally excited for all the upcoming opportunities, including fine arts nights, family fun events, field trips, and more, that highlight the growth of the whole child.
We appreciate your partnership in making every school day count!
3rd and 4th Grade MSTEP Testing
MSTEP testing begins the week of April 27. Check out this MSTEP Parent Guide and Video from the State to learn more.
Small group testing is considered a universal accommodation for MSTEP. Therefore, students, even those without special education or 504 accommodations, may be pulled into a small group to create the most supportive testing environment. If you have specific questions about this, please reach out to your classroom teacher.
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
◾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.
4th Grade Recognition T-Shirt Orders
Hello 4th Grade Families,
Our 4th Grade Recognition Ceremony is quickly approaching. The PTIA purchases t-shirts for all of the 4th graders. This shirt is designed by a 4th grade student, and all of the 4th graders were able to vote for their favorite design.
Please take a moment to fill out the Google Form below asking for your child’s t-shirt size. Please complete this by Friday, May 1st.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3G_etQcFh-9bMxURwovb_Y6SR1NrsFktwh1dapBctakx15A/viewform?usp=header
If you have any questions, please contact the PTIA at ptiawacousta@gmail.com.
Thank you, Wacousta PTIA
Wacousta Family Fun Night - Friday, May 1, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
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! Here is a link to the updated flyer.
Wacousta Fine Arts Night
On Friday, May 15, from 6-8 pm, Wacousta will be holding a Fine Arts Night. We invite all Wacousta families to join us! Walk through the halls of Wacousta admiring art from over 430 Wacousta artists! Time your visit so that you can also hear our students sharing some special music throughout the evening.
Students should meet in the gym at their performance time, listed below.
6:15 pm - 4th Grade
6:40 pm - Kindergarten
7:00 pm - 1st Grade
7:20 pm - 2nd Grade
7:40 pm - 3rd Grade
If you have questions, please let us know!
Kelly Parsons parsonsk@glcomets.net
Shirley Ries riess@glcomets.net
PTIA - Galaxy of Gratitude
In preparation for staff appreciation, the week of May 4-8, the PTIA has created a Sign Up Genius with items they still need. If you would like to contribute to the effort, please click this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F4CA5AA23A6FA7-63668623-staff. Donations should be dropped off in the office by Monday, May 4th, at 10 am. Thank you for your support!
Yearbooks
There is still time to order a yearbook! The personal webcode lookup tool can be found here: https://www.geskusphoto.com/lookup
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 can easily capture your 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 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 district’s website for enrollment information at www.glcomets.net.
Information regarding Kindergarten Launch can be found HERE.
Currently enrolled families: If you need to make updates to your current information, address, phone number, email, or 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.
Wacousta Spirit Wear
Looking for some Wacousta Spirit Wear? Check out our Wacousta Spirit Wear page for some new gear!
April Lunch Menu
The March school lunch menu can be viewed 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
