Week Preview - July 17

Updates for WMAES Secondary Families

Our Mission-

West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science strives to provide an environment that will foster creativity, promote academic achievement and develop sound character and citizenship principles emphasizing responsibility to the environment and society while maintaining and improving each child’s self-esteem and self-concept.

WMAES Families,

I hope your summer is off to a fantastic start! Whether you’re enjoying the sunshine, spending time with family, or exploring the great outdoors, we wish you a season full of fun and relaxation.

Summer School and Facility Updates

Summer School is in full swing, providing our students with valuable learning opportunities and enrichment activities. At the same time, our facilities team is hard at work preparing the building for the upcoming school year. Their efforts ensure that our spaces will be safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone when we return.

Upcoming Community Events

We are excited to offer several wonderful community events this summer, and we encourage all families to join us:

Berry Picking & Jam Making Enjoy a sweet adventure as we harvest local berries and learn how to make homemade jam together!
Popsicles on the Playground Cool off and connect with friends at this fun, laid-back gathering for students and families.
Pig Roast and Open House Celebrate our community, enjoy delicious food, and get a sneak peek at what’s new for the upcoming school year.

More information on these and other events can be found below in this update or by visiting our school’s website.

Important Dates and Announcements

First Day of School: Mark your calendars—school begins on August 24!
Adjusted Release Times: Please see the announcement below for details about new release times for the upcoming year. We encourage all families to review this information to ensure a smooth transition back to school.

Looking Ahead

We are looking forward to welcoming all of our students and families back for another amazing year at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science. Thank you for your continued partnership and support—together, we make our community strong!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we hope to see you at our upcoming events!

Thank you again for being such an essential part of our school family. We wish you a safe, restful, and enjoyable rest of the summer!

Kevin

Fall Sports Update

Welcome to an exciting season of fall athletics at WMAES! Below you'll find important dates and details for our upcoming sports. Please read carefully and reach out to the listed coaches if you have any questions. For complete schedules, visit the WMAES Athletics Page.

⚽ 6th–12th Grade Soccer

Coach: Colton Fischer coltonfischer@choiceschools.com
Conditioning:
- When: Monday–Thursday, 9:00–11:00 AM
- Starts: July 27
Practices:
- When: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
- Starts: August 10
Location: Meet outside the Secondary Offices

🏐 High School Volleyball

Coach: Makaela Thornton thornmak@mail.gvsu.edu
Tryouts:
- Dates: August 5 & 6
- Time: 1:00–3:00 PM
Practices Begin:
- Date: August 10
- Time: 1:00–3:00 PM

🏐 Middle School Volleyball

Coach: Sara Ludtke saraludtke@choiceschools.com

Stay tuned! More information on practice schedules will be announced soon!

🏃 6th–12th Grade Cross Country

Coach: TBD- If you know anyone who may be interested, please have them reach out to the secondary office!

Details coming soon!

📅 Complete Schedules & Updates

For full team schedules, please visit the WMAES Athletics Page.

Upcoming WMAES Community Events

We are excited to welcome current families, new families, prospective families, and anyone interested in learning more about West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science to join us for several upcoming community events this summer.

These events are designed to give families a chance to enjoy our beautiful outdoor campus, connect with other WMAES families, meet members of our school community, and experience some of the hands-on environmental learning that makes our school unique.

Wednesday, July 22 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Berry Picking and Jam Making

Join us for a new summer favorite as families have the opportunity to pick berries and learn more about the jam-making process.

Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepyD_nIb97F5WmA7_lnx_cm1qi08seFi3rQJV9I1z914SrMA/viewform?usp=header

Wednesday, August 5 | 5:30–6:30 PM
Popsicles on the Playground

Come enjoy a relaxed evening on the playground with popsicles, connection, and time for students and families to meet others before the school year begins.

Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfg9Vlbx7gOCtfgJY9aQn8bLj0fIryr6f9X0TSRLuPXcbrcpw/viewform?usp=header

Tuesday, August 18 | 5:00–7:00 PM

Pig Roast and Open House

Families are invited to kick off the school year together with a meal, connect with teachers, visit classrooms, explore our facilities and campus, drop off supplies, and access helpful resources to start the year strong.

No Registration Necessary

26-27 Secondary Supply List

New at WMAES: Forest Bathing, a Guided Mindfulness Experience Where You “Bathe” Your Senses in Nature

Join us for Forest Bathing at WMAES!

Forest bathing is a guided experience designed to help you slow down, quiet your mind, and connect with nature through your senses. Led by Rachel Lynn, a WMAES parent, nature enthusiast, and certified Forest Bathing Guide, each session will include gentle activities, quiet reflection, breathwork, mindfulness, and time to be fully present in the forest.

A note from Rachel:

“Hi, I’m Rachel, a mom, nature enthusiast, and certified Forest Bathing Guide. I became a guide after recognizing the need for safe, supportive, and community-based healing experiences in nature. Over the last several years, I’ve spent time exploring many of West Michigan’s forests and nature preserves, discovering a peace and grounding that modern life often pulls us away from.

Through slow, mindful, and intentional time in nature, I found a deep sense of connection and healing. My hope is to guide others in building a nourishing relationship with nature and remembering that we are part of it. The forest is here to support us. Let’s accept the invitation and return to nature together.”

All sessions will meet by the WMAES greenhouse behind the elementary building.

Upcoming Sessions:
Monday, July 20 at 10:00 AM
Monday, August 17 at 10:00 AM

Cost: $15 per session
Adults only (please note child care will not be available)
Limit of 10 attendees per session

What to Bring:
Yoga mat or blanket
Water bottle
Bug spray for biting forest insects

Rachel will also have some of her homemade, all-natural mosquito spray available to purchase.

What to Expect:
Group introductions
Introduction to forest bathing
Exploring the senses
Digital detox with no phones
Silent walk
Barefoot grounding
Breathwork exercise
Savasana/meditation
Closing reflection

Come slow down, breathe deeply, and experience the calming support of nature.

We’re pleased to share our 2026-2027 Overview Calendar!

Please see the calendar below for key dates for the upcoming school year, including the first and last days of school, breaks, events, and early dismissal dates. We hope this helps your family begin planning ahead for a successful year.

For Families - WMAES 25/26 Calendar List

Dress Code Reminder

We’re pleased to share that our uniform provider has all WMAES uniform apparel available for online ordering—with free shipping to your home!

Just click the link below and click “Shop Now”—then navigate to the Uniform category to explore all that’s available. We’re especially excited to let you know that several new, lower-cost uniform t-shirt options have been added for your convenience.

Shop Now: https://wmaesapparel.secure-decoration.com/

As a reminder, here are our uniform policy guidelines:

Uniform requirements include:

All students are expected to wear the approved uniform shirt and pants.
All clothing must be free of writing, adornments, rips, tears, or holes.

Appropriate School Uniform Includes:

WMAES Polo, Sweatshirt, Zip Up, or T-shirt: These must be worn as the outermost layer.
Bottoms: Solid color pants/shorts or WMAES uniform bottoms are acceptable.
Footwear: Closed-toe shoes are mandatory.

We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that all students adhere to these guidelines. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact the school office.

Parent Engagement Request.docx

We've partnered with @ClothesBin to bring a clothing recycling bin to WMAES, and it's being installed today!

Got old clothes you no longer wear? Drop them in!
Keep textiles OUT of our landfills
WMAES earns a deposit for every pound donated
The bin is smart! It has a sensor so Clothes Bin knows when it's full and takes care of everything!

It's easy. It's free. It makes a difference. Head out to the parking lot and drop off your used clothing today! The bin will be on campus for the foreseeable future!

#ClothesBin #Recycling #Sustainability #GiveBack #WMAES #TextileRecycling #GoGreen #CommunityImpact

School Assistance Program

We are pleased to continue our efforts in supporting our students through our assistance programs. Our resources have expanded this school year, and we want to ensure you are aware of the benefits available to our entire community.

Our new counseling service, the School Assistance Program (SAP), is offered through Pine Rest, a professional mental health service. This program provides five free, confidential counseling sessions per episode of care and is available 24/7 to anyone in the student’s household.

To access this service, simply call 800.442.0809, press 1, and follow the prompts. Be sure to mention, “I have an SAP with West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science.”

To learn more about all the benefits provided by this program, please watch the introduction video. Click the link below or paste the URL into any browser:

SAP Video – Password: SAPOrientation
URL: https://vimeo.com/video/956870695?share=copy

Please note that all services provided through the SAP are 100% confidential. We hope this resource can support you and your family whenever needed.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

essentials for everyone

Our National Honor Society students have started an initiative called "Essentials for Everyone" with a cabinet at the secondary entrance stocked with household items (cleaning supplies, personal care products...). WMAES students and families in need can come get items like a "little free library." If your family has extra items, please add them to the cabinet or bring them to the secondary office!

Cell Phones

We would like to remind you of our school policy regarding student phone use during the school day. To ensure a focused learning environment, students are not permitted to use their phones during class hours. If a student needs to contact a parent, they are welcome to visit the office to make a call or send a text.

Students who choose to carry their phones during the school day will be required to store them in a secure area within the classroom while class is in session. Alternatively, students who prefer not to store their phones in the classroom should plan to keep their phones in their lockers.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us maintain an optimal educational environment for all students.

GUARANTEED ADMISSION FOR WMAES STUDENTS

The transition from high school to college just got a whole lot easier for charter school students across Michigan.

Central Michigan University and The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools have partnered on a new initiative called the Charter to CMU Guarantee, which guarantees admission to CMU for students who meet two simple criteria:

Attend one of the 25 CMU-authorized charter high schools
Have a 2.8 GPA or higher

WMAES Recognized as a U.S. News Best School

We are excited to share that West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Middle and High School for 2026.

This recognition reflects the hard work and care of our students, the partnership and support of our families, and the commitment and dedication of our staff. Thank you for being part of a school community where students learn, grow, and feel supported every day. We appreciate your continued support of WMAES!

Calling All WMAES Alumni!

Are you, or is your student, a proud alumnus of West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science? We would be thrilled to hear about the incredible journeys and achievements of our former students and would love to share your stories with our community!

Our alumni have always been a testament to the hard work and dedication fostered within our halls. Whether you've pursued higher education, embarked on exciting career paths, or achieved personal milestones, we want to celebrate you!

Here's How You Can Get Involved:

Share Your Story: Let us know what you've been up to since leaving WMAES. We are eager to highlight your achievements and inspire current students.
Connect with Us: Reach out and reconnect. Your experiences can provide valuable insights and encouragement to our current students.

If you or someone you know is a WMAES alumnus, please contact us to be featured in our upcoming newsletters. Let's continue to build a strong and supportive WMAES community by sharing the amazing accomplishments of our graduates.

Thank you for being an essential part of our story!

WMAES Text Updates Opt-In

Please refer to the information below for everything you need to know to sign up for text updates from WMAES. We look forward to being able to utilize texting as a convenient means of providing links to our newsletters, reminders about upcoming dates, weather-related closing notifications, and more. As shown in the flyer below, simply text Y or Yes to 67587 from a number you have on file with the office to get signed up. Coming soon, we will also be sending a one time opt-in message to all numbers on file who have not opted in to provide the option of doing so at that time.

SMS Text Opt-In Flyer 67587 Eng and Esp.pdf

Parking Lot Reminders

Thank you to everyone who continues to drive with care and patience in our parking lot. Your attention to safety helps keep our students, staff, and families safe during busy arrival and dismissal times.

We do need to address one specific concern: When exiting the WMAES parking lot, drivers must turn either left or right onto Leonard Street NW from the appropriate turn lane. Driving straight across Leonard Street into the Leonard Gardens entrance is prohibited.

We have received reports of vehicles driving straight across Leonard Street into the Leonard Gardens entrance to turn around. This creates unsafe traffic movement, adds congestion, and impacts a neighboring property. It also violates traffic expectations, and law enforcement does monitor this.

We appreciate your prompt attention to making left or right turns only when exiting our driveway. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and respectful environment for our community and our neighbors.

As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure accessibility and convenience for all members of our school community, we would like to remind you about the importance of keeping our handicap parking spots available for those who truly need them.

Recently, we have experienced challenges with vehicles parking in these designated spots without the necessary handicap stickers or tags. This has made it difficult for individuals who rely on these spots for mobility and accessibility to use them when needed.

We kindly ask for your cooperation in ensuring that these spaces remain accessible to those who require them. If you do not have the appropriate handicap designation, please refrain from parking in these spots. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated and contributes to a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone.

more parking lot reminders

FIRE LANE: Please use the fire lane ONLY for immediate drop-off and pick-up of students. This area must remain clear for emergency vehicles at all times. We appreciate your cooperation in refraining from parking in this lane
HANDICAPPED PARKING SPOTS: We kindly ask all families to please keep our designated handicapped parking spots open for those who truly need them. These spaces are reserved by law and are essential for the safety and accessibility of our school community. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring that these spots remain available at all times.

Email wmaesoffice@choiceschools.com or call 616-791-7454

with questions.

Attention Student Drivers!

If you drive to campus, please remember to register your vehicle with the school office. Once registered, students will be assigned a designated parking space in the lot. This process helps us ensure a safe and organized parking area for everyone.

Each student who drives will be given

Parking Procedure Contract (this will need to be signed by the student and a parent/guardian)

Please call 616-791-7454 or email wmaesoffice@choiceschools.com with any questions

Standard Response Protocols at WMAES

At WMAES, safety is our top priority. To ensure that all members of our community are prepared for any situation, we have implemented Standard Response Protocols (SRP). These protocols are designed to provide a consistent and clear set of actions for students, teachers, and staff to follow in various emergency situations.

These protocols are practiced regularly through drills to ensure that everyone knows their role and can act quickly and efficiently in an emergency. This structured approach fosters a secure environment and minimizes confusion during actual emergencies.

Learn More

To better understand the importance and implementation of these protocols, we encourage you to watch this informative video from KISD. It provides a comprehensive overview of how SRPs are utilized to maintain safety in schools.

By adhering to these protocols, WMAES is committed to creating a secure and prepared environment for all students and staff. We appreciate the continued support of our community in maintaining a safe learning atmosphere.

Important ATTENDANCE Reminders

We would like to remind everyone of the importance of regular attendance and punctuality in setting students up for success.

The school day begins promptly at 8:00 AM, and students may enter as early as 7:45 AM. Arriving on time ensures a smooth start to the day, helps establish a strong routine, and maximizes essential instructional time—setting a positive tone for learning. Every moment in the classroom is an opportunity to grow, connect, and build essential skills.

We understand that occasional absences or tardiness may happen due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, but making consistent attendance a priority helps students stay engaged and confident in their learning. Regular attendance fosters a sense of belonging, builds positive habits, and ensures students don’t miss valuable instruction.

We appreciate your partnership in making daily attendance a priority! If you have any concerns or need assistance, please reach out—we are here to help.

Click Subscribe below at add our WMAES Family Calendar to any calendar app on the device of your choice. You can also click here to visit the calendar page and view information about subscribing.

Stay Connected with WMAES!

Please take a moment to add our school’s phone number to your contact list: 616-791-7454. This helps ensure that you recognize calls coming from West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science.

We also kindly ask that you make sure your phone is set to allow calls from the school. It’s important that we’re able to reach an adult family member during the school day if needed.

To make it even easier, you can use the QR code below to quickly add our contact info to your phone:

Join the WMAES Corkboard Facebook Group!

We are excited to invite all WMAES families to join our Facebook Group - WMAES Corkboard!

What is WMAES Corkboard? WMAES Corkboard was established by our fantastic Parent Team and is designed to be a productive place for WMAES families to share helpful information and updates.

Stay Informed, Connect with Other Parents, Share Resources

Click here to join the WMAES Corkboard Facebook Group!

Looking forward to seeing you there and working together to support our amazing school community!

Uniform Online Ordering

Purchase uniform apparel any time from the convenience of home with free shipping.

Online Uniform Store Link: WMAES Apparel

You can also enter the URL https://wmaesapparel.secure-decoration.com/ in any browser to access the store.

Join Our Amazing WMAES Team

We have a few remaining open positions at WMAES, and we would love to share information about these opportunities with our WMAES family members. If you or someone you know are interested in joining our amazing team and collaborative environment, more information about available positions can be found at the link provided below.

Click here to explore employment opportunities with WMAES

Stay Connected

Email: Teacher/Staff/Admin emails can be found on our website

Website: wma-es.com

Facebook: West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science

Instagram: @westmichiganacademyofenvirosci

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