Welcome to Wayne-Westland Innovative Academy

As we enter Week Four of the school year, I want to thank our students, families, and staff for the positive start we have had at Wayne-Westland Innovative Academy. Each week, we have shared important reminders through our weekly flyers, and this newsletter provides an opportunity to expand on those messages and keep our WWIA community informed, connected, and engaged.

This week, we continue to emphasize the importance of attendance and student engagement through the District’s Aim for 8 initiative. Every day a student is present is another opportunity to learn, build relationships, earn credits, and move closer to their goals. We are also continuing our school wide cell phone expectations, which are designed to minimize distractions and create a focused learning environment where students can make the most of their instructional time.

NEWSLETTER: Wayne-Westland Innovative Academy - September 14, 2026

At Wayne-Westland Community Schools, we know that every school day matters. That’s why we’ve launched our “Aim for 8” attendance campaign to encourage families to make regular school attendance a priority.

Our goal is simple: students should aim to have 8 or fewer absences for the entire school year. Consistent attendance helps students stay connected to their teachers, classmates, and learning—and gives them the best opportunity to succeed.

Wayne-Westland Wrap Up September 2026

Dear Wayne-Westland Community School District Community,

As we enter September, schools across the nation observe National Suicide Prevention Month, anchored by World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10. Caring for the mental health and safety of our communities is a collective responsibility, and keeping everyone informed is one of the most effective ways to do this.

Recognizing the warning signs of suicidal ideation allows us to step in early. Changes to look for include:

• Behavioral & Social: Withdrawing from friends, family, or favorite activities; giving away prized possessions; self-destructive choices; sudden changes in hygiene or sleep; or a sudden, unexpected boost in mood after a period of deep depression.
• Verbal & Cognitive: Expressing feelings of hopelessness, excessive guilt, or being a burden; talking or writing about death; making statements like "I can't take it anymore"; or struggling to concentrate due to a fixation on dark thoughts.
• Emotional & Situational: Extreme mood shifts, intense irritability, or processing severe stress from recent loss, breakup, bullying, or academic pressures.

As we prepare to welcome our students back for the 2026–27 school year, we want to inform families about an important change regarding cell phones and other personal electronic devices.

Michigan law and Wayne-Westland Community Schools Board Policy now require students to keep personal wireless devices put away during instructional time. This change aims to reduce distractions, increase learning, and create a classroom environment where students can focus on their education and connect with their teachers and classmates.