WMS Weekly Newsletter

Dear Wayland Middle School Caregivers,

I am thrilled to share the vibrant and joyful energy that has been buzzing through WMS in the first full week of school.

In our music classes, we heard the delightful sounds of students singing in rounds, a musical form in which multiple singers sing the same melody but start at different times. This form not only showcases our students’ musical talents but also fosters community and hones students’ listening skills. Our world language classrooms were brimming with excitement as students interviewed one another, building community and concurrently practicing their language skills. This interactive activity helps students build confidence in speaking the target language and promotes a sense of global citizenship and inclusivity.

These activities are not only educational but also immensely enjoyable, contributing to a lively and positive atmosphere within our school. This joyful noise is a testament to the passion and creativity of both our students and teachers. In each of my newsletters, I will share with you glimpses of the learning life of our school, the bright sides, as I like to call them.

On Thursday, September 19, you will have the opportunity to meet your student’s teachers at Back to School Night. Back to School Night is a valuable opportunity for you to connect with teachers and gain insight into the curriculum, enabling a collaborative approach to supporting and enhancing your 6th, 7th, and/or 8th grader’s learning experiences. Please see below for details pertaining to Back to School night.

I, along with the entire middle school staff, look forward to partnering with you throughout your student’s middle school experience,

Deborah

• Thursday, September 19: WMS Back to School Night, 7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
  Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 1: Principal’s Coffee 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m., WMS Cafeteria
  Come and meet the new administrative team! Details and RSVP below.
• Thursday, October 3: Rosh Hashanah - NO SCHOOL
• Monday, October 14: Indigenous People Day - NO SCHOOL
• Wednesday, October 23: School Picture Day
• Wednesday, October 23 & Wednesday, October 30: Caregiver Conferences

Our entire staff is looking forward to sharing our wonderful school with you during Back to School Night this Thursday, September 19, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Back to School Night is designed to give you an opportunity to meet your student's teachers and to provide a general overview of your student's year. If you have any specific academic or social questions about your student, please contact the appropriate teacher or counselor at a later time.

6th grade parents, please report directly to the cafeteria for a brief welcome from the Administrative Team followed by a presentation by the Wellness Department.

7th and 8th grade parents report directly to the theater for a presentation by the Wellness Department followed by a brief welcome from the Administrative Team.

From the auditorium or cafeteria, all parents will go to their student’s homeroom. Please come with your student’s homeroom teacher’s name and homeroom number. In homeroom, parents will receive a color coded copy of your student’s schedule and the school map. Parents will experience their student’s lived experience at WMS by following their schedule, visiting the teachers and classrooms where the learning happens.

The school doors will open at 6:30. Take time to visit the Boosters and PTO tables in the lobby when you arrive and say a quick hello to the Administrative Team, Deborah Romeo, Principal, Courtney Cramer, Assistant Principal, and Rebecca Speicher, Student Services Administrator, who will also be in the lobby.

Be prepared to purchase WMS swag for yourself or your student!!

Brie Ostreicher joins WMS as an Adjustment Counselor and brings with her years of experience providing therapeutic care to children and young adults.

Jackie Mait complements our existing counseling team and will be the 8th Grade Counselor. Jackie comes to us from Newton, MA where she worked with 8th graders, specifically supporting their transition from middle school to high school.

Sylvie Chammas joins our World Language Department as a 6th and 7th grade French Teacher. Sylvie is multilingual and is joining us after teaching in a French immersion program in a neighboring district.

Glenda Espinoza is joining WMS as an 8th grade Spanish Teacher. Glenda is multilingual and most recently served as the Department Chair of the Spanish Immersion Program in Framingham.

Nora Martyny is our new 7th and 8th grade Science Teacher. Nora brings experience as a lead instructor in an undergraduate biology lab at Northeastern University. She is also a registered nurse who served as a school nurse in a public school setting.

Alex Burgen-Tower, graduate of WMS, returns to our school community as the 6th grade Science Teacher. Alex most recently served as a science teacher in Arlington, MA.

Noreen D’Amico, School Nurse, is rejoining WMS after having served in different settings across the Wayland Public School system. Noreen joins Laurie Hojilo in the nursing team.

Mindy Tracy is rounding out our 7th and 8th grade Math Teacher Team for the 2024-2025 school year. Mindy’s background includes experience as a mechanical engineer as well as teaching in neighboring districts.

Lynn Song joins us as a Special Education Teacher, specializing in assessment for the 2024-2025 school year. She brings with her experience in literacy instruction as well as co-teaching in English Language Arts classrooms.

Please consider meeting with Deborah, Courtney and Rebecca on Tuesday, October 1, from 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to help us learn from you, WMS community members, about what is working well and what you consider to be areas of need to improve our school. We'll use this input to guide our focus and decisions as we move into our new roles.

Questions we'll ask to inform our learning are:

• What you feel is working well at WMS ? What about our school and community makes you feel proud?
• What do you consider our greatest areas of need to improve our school?
• How can we best serve your student(s) and your family in our roles?

Our team truly values your input and will work hard to take action on the input that you share. We recognize that meeting during the school day is not optimal for all caregivers. Please share your input and feedback in this Google Survey if you are unable to attend.

AM Wellness is a school club during which students can enjoy exercise and activity first thing in the morning. This year the club will be supervised by Ms. Mait and Mr. Williams. Activities typically include basketball and indoor soccer so only students who are interested in participating in these activities should attend. AM Wellness takes place Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. The doors to AM Wellness close at 8:20 a.m.

Conferences for parents and caregivers will occur after school on October 23 and October 30. More information will be forthcoming regarding these conferences

Artist: Andie Mardirosian

Grade: 6

Medium: Collage

Lead by:

Kelsey Sanclemente, LMHC

Wayland Youth and Family Services

Topics covered in Youth Together:

• Dealing with social challenges
• Dealing with anger, stress, sadness etc.
• Boosting self-confidence
• Building friendships
• Strengthening Conversation Skills

Tuesday afternoons from 3:20 - 4:15 p.m., room 109

Please reach out to Kelsey Sanclemente at ksanclemente@wayland.ma.us if you are interested in learning more!

Our annual PTO fall fundraiser, Gift Your Child, kicks off this week! At WMS, this is the sole PTO fundraiser we ask families to participate in during the year.

The PTO is fully funded by contributions from our community. By donating to the PTO, you’re supporting all that the PTO provides our students, staff, and community here at WMS.

Our goal is for 100% participation by our middle school families. Go HERE to donate. Thank you for your support of the WMS PTO!

Please click this link to see how your donations benefit our students!

Help Make Back to School Night Dinner for Teachers a Success!

The PTO will be hosting a staff dinner on Thursday, September 19 before the Back to School Night. Dinner is a great way to thank the staff for taking the time to present to us at Back-to-School Night, and it makes it easier for them to stay late that evening. Please see the sign up link below for donation items needed.

Join the WMS PTO Facebook Group!
The WMS PTO adds weekly updates in the WMS Weekly Newsletter, but further details, reminders, photos and videos are shared on Facebook. Stay in the loop!

Please save the date for the Boston Parent Council's MLK celebration luncheon. This event is open to our Wayland Public School community and is a fundraiser for the Wayland METCO program. All proceeds and donations benefit the Wayland METCO Scholarship Fund.

Registration and additional details will be included in the All School News link when available.