Allyson Smith, Principal at Wacousta Elementary
September 18, 2026
Important Upcoming Dates
September 28: Homecoming Spirit Days - Food Drive
September 29: Curriculum Night
September 29: Dental Assessment
October 2: Homecoming
October 4: Dream Depot Anniversary, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Details forthcoming
October 6: PTIA Meeting, 6:30 p.m. in the library
October 7: Student Count Day
October 9: No School - Staff Professional Development
October 16: Snack Shop
October 16: Trunk-or-Treat, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Highlights and Happenings from Ms. Smith
This week, we celebrated International Dot Day, inspired by Peter Reynolds’ book The Dot. In the story, the main character, Vashti, is convinced she cannot draw, but her teacher encourages her to simply make a mark and see where it takes her. That one small dot becomes the beginning of something much bigger as Vashti discovers her creativity and confidence. The story is a wonderful reminder of our Big Dreams, Small Steps theme. We don’t have to have everything figured out or know exactly where we will end up. We just have to be willing to start. Whether it’s trying something new, tackling something that feels challenging, or sharing an idea, every big accomplishment starts with one small step. We loved seeing our Comets make their marks this week!
Lock-Down Drill
Today, our students participated in a lockdown drill to practice our safety procedures. This was only a drill. As a school, we are required to practice at least three of these each school year. At Wacousta, we work closely with our Student Safety Supervisor, Christopher Chester, to make sure our staff is trained and prepared with best practices to keep students safe.
You might want to consider checking in with your child about the drill. Let them know the school shared that a safety drill took place, so they feel reassured that families and schools are working together. Some children may want to talk about it, while others may process it in quieter ways through play, through spending time with you, or not talking about it at all. All of these responses are normal.
If your child shares that they felt comfortable with the drill, remind them that the purpose of practicing is to be prepared and stay safe. If they express that it made them feel nervous, acknowledge those feelings and help them think of what makes them feel secure. It might be knowing their teacher is there, remembering the steps they took during the drill, or hearing about a time when you felt nervous and what helped you through it.
Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s sense of safety and well-being. Together, we can help students feel both secure and confident while they learn at school.
NWEA - Northwest Evaluation Association
This week students took the MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA®. MAP Growth scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students.
MAP Growth tests are unique and adapt to your child’s responses to measure your child’s knowledge. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of where your child is on their learning journey.
Counselor’s Connection
Over the past couple of weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting each classroom to introduce myself and my intern to our students and kick off our school counseling lessons for the year.
What We’ve Been Learning in Class
Here is a quick look at the topics we’ve covered in our recent classroom counseling lessons:
Meet the Counselor: Students learned who we are and how we support our school community. We talked about how the school counselor is a friendly face available to help every child succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
The Roles of a School Counselor: We explored the many ways a school counselor helps students throughout the day! Students learned that we are here to help with:
◾Managing big feelings (like sadness, anger, or anxiety).
◾Solving conflicts and learning how to be a great friend.
◾Setting goals and staying focused in class.
◾Providing a safe, quiet space to talk when things feel overwhelming.
Counselor’s Tip for Parents:
Normalize asking for help: Teach your child that talking to the counselor is a normal part of succeeding in school, whether they need help with their grades, making friends, or handling feelings.
Map out trusted adults: Talk with your child about different situations they might face at school. Help them identify who to go to for each one - like visiting the front office for a stomachache, the teacher for a tough assignment, or the counselor for friendship problems.
STEAM Classes
Mrs. Kylie Foster, STEAM teacher, has officially begun her maternity leave. Mrs. Kellie Foster, who has been in the classroom since the beginning of the school year, will step in as the full-time teacher. Kylie and Kellie have been collaborating and co-teaching all year, ensuring a smooth transition for students. Kellie Foster’s contact information is fosterk@glcomets.net should you need anything.
PTIA
Fall Fundraiser
Our “Rally Up” Fall Fundraiser has launched, and we are off to a great start! Thanks to your generosity, we have raised about 15% of our $25,000 goal. We look forward to continuing this upward trend so we can continue supporting students and staff at Wacousta Elementary. All students who register will automatically receive a custom-designed 2-inch Grand Ledge water bottle sticker. Any student who raises $60 or more will receive a high-quality, waterproof Grand Ledge drawstring bag. Click this link to register, or text code "Wacousta26" to 33100. Thank you for your generous support! Every little bit helps.
Trunk or Treat
Come join us for a night of fun at our annual “Trunk-or-Treat” event on Friday, October 16th, from 5:30-7:00 pm. This year, we are moving the event inside the gated area by the Dream Depot. Families can sign up to host a space by clicking on this sign-up link, where you’ll find more information. Prizes will be awarded to the top decorated trunk/tailgate/tent!
Snack Shop
Snack Shop is back by popular demand! On the third Friday of every month, students can purchase a variety of allergy-friendly snacks from a mobile snack cart. All items will cost $1. Students can purchase up to 3 items. This year, in addition to sending cash with your student, we have a new "optional" method available for you to pay for Snack Shop. This new option will allow families to pay for the entire year of Snack Shop up front, if they choose to! Please see the announcement sent home with your child for additional information. Contact WacoustaGLPTIA@gmail.com with any questions. The first Snack Shop will be Friday, October 16th.
Save the Date: Curriculum Night
Mark your calendars for Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 29, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. This evening is designed for parents and caregivers, so please plan to leave students at home. We’ll spend the hour sharing more about teaching and learning at Wacousta including everything from literacy and math to social-emotional learning, special areas, and more. We look forward to giving families a closer look at the learning experiences and instructional practices happening in our classrooms each day.
Culture and Community Picnic
Our district-wide Culture & Community Picnic is just 2 weeks away! We hope you’ll join us for an evening of food, fun, and community!
This will be a potluck-style picnic, so if you plan to attend, please bring a dish to share with other community members. We’d love for everyone to have an opportunity to share a favorite dish, family recipe, or something that represents their culture.
A few details about the event:
⚜ Potluck-style meal — please bring a dish to share.
⚜ Covered pavilion — we’ll be gathering under a permanent pavilion, so no blankets are needed.
⚜ Drinks, plates, cups, napkins, and utensils will be provided.
⚜ Limited electrical outlets are available, so please plan accordingly if your dish needs electricity.
⚜ All-accessible playground — kids can enjoy the playground throughout the event.
Everyone is welcome! This is a district-wide event and a great opportunity to connect with other members of our community.
No sign-up is required to attend, but registering is appreciated and helps us plan for the event. If you plan to join us, please take a moment to complete this sign-up form.
We hope to see you there! Come share a meal, meet members of our community, and celebrate the cultures that make our district special.
Volunteering & Chaperoning
Anyone hoping to volunteer for Grand Ledge Public Schools is required to complete the Volunteer Registration Form and be approved prior to serving as a volunteer. All volunteers must check in at the office to receive a BADGE prior to proceeding to any other area on school property. Please visit the district website and complete the District Volunteer Application to complete the process. Please note: the background check takes a week to process, so submit your application in advance based on your volunteer plans.
Cell Phones and Watches
The use of cell phones, smart watches, or any other ECD is prohibited to be used during the school day. It is recognized that some students may need access to these devices for transportation purposes after school; therefore, use is permitted after dismissal. During school, however, cell phones, smartwatches, and other ECDs shall be turned off and stored away out of sight. If you are concerned that an electronic device might be stolen, broken, or inappropriately used, please do not allow your student to bring it to school.
Wacousta Spirit Wear
Looking for some Wacousta Spirit Wear? Check out our Wacousta Spirit Wear page for some new gear!
September Lunch Menu
Please check out the monthly lunch menu at grandledge.nutrislice.com. The website includes breakfast and lunch menus for all district buildings. You can check for nutritional information, filter allergens, and translate the menu into 50+ languages! We currently provide free breakfast and lunch.
Upcoming Events, District News, & Community Information
To 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
