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Welcome to Kennedy Middle School!

Information for the 2024-2025 School Year

Welcome to KennedyMiddle School!Information for the 2024-2025 School Year

Administration

Kevin Gildea - Principal

email: kevingildea@walthampublicschools.org


Kate Sullivan - Assistant Principal

email: kathrynsullivan@walthampublicschools.org

for students with last names A-L


Amy Woogmaster - Assistant Principal

email: amywoogmaster@walthampublicschools.org

for students with last names M-Z


Call your child's assistant principal with any disciplinary issues or concerns.

Attendance - call 781-314-5670 if child is going to be absent or tardy

The district calendar for the 24-25 school year can be found here in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.

Health Services

Cindi Detzer BSN RN

cynthiadetzer@walthampublicschools.org


Margaret Richardson BSN RN

margaretrichardson@walthampublicschools.org


Phone: 781-314-5564 Fax: 781-314-5697


Call with any health related concerns, issues, or questions.

Support Staff

Guidance Counselors

Grade 6: Melissa Graham (melissagraham@walthampublicschools.org)

Grade 7: Gelen Zepeda (gelenzepeda@walthampublicschools.org)

Grade 8: Natalia Parrella (nataliaparrella@walthampublicschools.org)

Bridge Program: Keren Clark (kerenclark@walthampublicschools.org)


Call a counselor with any mental health related questions/concerns, issues with friends, etc.


School Resource Officer

Officer Kelly Komola (kellykomola@walthampublicschools.org)

As the School Resource Officer, Officer Komola is at the school from 7 AM - 3 PM as an extra support to ensure that the school is a safe place for all students to learn.


Evaluation Team Leader

Alexa Loura (alexaloura@walthampublicschools.org)

Contact with any special education questions/concerns

School Handbook

Daily Routines

The middle school runs on a 6 day schedule. The first day of school will be day 1, the next day a day 2, and so on. After day 6, the schedule rotates back to day 1. If school is canceled because of a snow day, we would skip that day in the schedule.


Morning Routine

The building opens at 7:40. Students can either go up to the cafeteria and get a free breakfast to eat, or they can go to the auditorium. The bell will ring at 7:50 for the school day to begin.


Afternoon Routine

The school day ends at 2:30. Students will leave their last class, go to their lockers, pack up their backpacks, and get ready to go home.


  • If students take a bus, they will exit the building using the back door on the second floor of the school, right by the cafeteria. There will be teachers outside to help students find what bus they are on.
  • If students are being picked up, they will exit the building using the doors by the auditorium. Parents/guardians will wait in their cars for the students to come out.
  • If students are walking home, they will exit the building using the main doors on the first floor.

Bus Routes

Page 3 of this PDF has Kennedy's bus routes. Anything highlighted in yellow is a change/update from last year.


If your child stays late, they can take a late bus home at 3:30pm.


Here are the late bus routes. There are only 4 late buses, and they make specific stops. It is important that your child knows the name of the bus route (not the #) and the stop they should get off at if they plan to ever take a late bus.

Monthly Lunch Menu

Monthly Lunch Menu
Lunch is free for all students.

Monthly lunch menu calendar is updated on the district food service website. The menu linked below is for September.

Middle School Schedule

Each student will see their MESH classes (Math, English, Science, and History) every day. Students will see their FAPA classes (Fine Arts Performing Arts) 2 days out of the 6 day cycle. If students take a foreign language, they will see that class 4 days out of the 6 day schedule.

Technology

Aspen (Online Gradebook)

Aspen is Waltham Public School's Student Information System (SIS). Aspen allows students, teachers, and parents to access data, including class schedules, school events, student grades, and more. All Parents/Guardians with an email address in Aspen are able to view current information in the Aspen Student Information System.


Account Setup - English

Account Setup - Spanish

Account Setup - Portuguese

Account Setup - Haitian-Creole


User Guide - English

User Guide - Spanish

User Guide - Portuguese

User Guide - Haitian-Creole

After School Activities

The Waltham Public Schools ensures that all students, regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, homelessness, or limited English proficiency, have equal access to the general education program and full range of any occupational/vocational education programs offered by the Waltham Public Schools.

STEM Club


As an extension of our school day, students in grades 6-8 will be engaged in hands-on STEM/STEAM activities and problem-solving using the eight Science and Engineering Practices. Students will have the opportunity to use 3D printers, fly drones, participate in design challenges, build and create using K'NEX and architectural design kits, and many other cool STEM activities!

Brandeis Enrichment

An after-school program for students in grades 6-8 that meets every Thursday at Brandeis University. A bus will pick up students and transport them to the Brandeis campus to help/tutor students. This is a fun time for the students to work together with team building activities, have a snack, and also work for an hour with an individual mentor. A great program for students who might be shy or lack confidence in learning or socializing. A permission slip is required and it is expected that students will bring homework.

Drama Club

The Drama Program at Kennedy offers performance opportunities after school in the Fall Play and the Spring Musical for all students grades 6-8. The Fall Play typically has auditions the first week of school, and the Spring Musical auditions are usually later on in December. Shows and Auditions are announced via morning announcements and on the website - so keep your eyes and ears pealed! Opportunities to work behind the scenes in Stage Crew come up a few weeks before each performance, and those are also announced on the website and morning announcements.

GSA

Open to all Kennedy students who want to support the LGBTQ community!

Latino Club

Includes fun activities and snacks, and plans events such as Kennedy's Culture Night.

Math Olympiad

This program is designed to give students the experience of working on challenging math problems that go beyond what they normally see in class. These problems will push students to develop their creativity, their reasoning, and their number skills.

Middle School Honors String Ensemble

Middle School Honors String Ensemble is for students in Grades 6-8. It meets every Tuesday from 3:00 - 4:30 and requires that students find their own transportation home. Experience in playing violin, viola, cello, and bass at audition required level as well as a string instrument and music.

National Junior Honor Society

NJHS is for students in Grade 8. NJHS meets once a month on a Thursday with dates to be determined. There will be an informational meeting in the Fall and an application is required. Students will be able to take the late bus home at the end of each meeting.

Student Council

Student Council is for any student in Grades 6-8 who want to make a difference in the school. Students will be able to take the late bus home.

Basketball

Boys and Girls Basketball is for any student in Grades 6-8. It is a Winter sport and practices are held everyday after-school. Participants need to sign up on FamilyID and make sure that they have an updated physical on file with the Nurse.

Field Hockey

Field Hockey is for students in Grades 6-8. Any experience level is welcome. It is a Fall Season sport and students need to have an updated physical on file with the Nurse. Families can sign up on FamilyID (see right panel for more information).

Soccer

Boys and Girls Soccer is for any student in Grades 6-8. It is a Fall sport and practices are held everyday after-school. Participants need to sign up on FamilyID and make sure that they have an updated physical on file with the Nurse.

Chess Club

Open to everyone - chess club meets on Fridays after school!

Girls On The Run

Girls On The Run will have a fall season from late September to mid November, and a spring season from March to early June. Practices are Tuesdays/Thursdays from 2:30-3:30, and you'll complete a 5k at the end of the season!

SLAC

Open to everyone - the Stay Late and Create Club meets on Tuesdays. You'll participate in a variety of activities from 3D printing design challenges to building structures.

Families in Need

For families who are in need of extra assistance, Kennedy is here to help. Please let us know if your family needs clothing, toiletries, or school supplies.

Gender Neutral Bathroom

There is a gender neutral bathroom available for all students who would prefer to use it. The gender neutral bathroom is located across from the Nurse’s Office on the first floor.

School Supply Lists

Amy Woogmaster
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