WPS District Updates
May 2024
SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE
Greetings WPS Community,
The sky was bright, and warmth was everywhere this past Friday, May 10th when we hosted the 6th Annual WPS Unified Games Day. We welcomed our friends from Billerica, Burlington and Austin Prep where many cheered on over 250 students participating from 13 different schools. At the heart of this annual event is the central mission– to promote inclusion and togetherness and, by all accounts, there was much success.
This event is only possible through the volunteerism and support of many including 65 student volunteers and community partners. Special thanks goes out to our amazing committee members all of whom are listed below along with our local police, fire and Town departments who help make this day possible.
Kind Regards,
Glenn Brand, Ed.D, Superintendent of Schools
Thank You for Joining Us at the 6th Annual Wilmington Unified Game Day
Congratulations to all of the student athletes!
A special thank you to our committee members and school liaisons for coordinating this wonderful event!
Committee Members & School Liaisons:
Mary Lou McDonough, Maura Tucker, Maura Kilbride, Michelle Tagliarino, Mary Palen, Andrea Armstrong Stern, Lisa Faretra, Ashley Rokobauer, Dennis Ingram, Officer Paul MacGilvray, Jordan Buckland, Dan Miller, Christine Murray, Rebecca Brown, Alaina Warren (high school), Stacey Benoit (middle school), Aimee Voleti (WIS), Samantha Onessimo (NIS), Nancy Heffernan (Woburn St.), Stacey Melin (Shawsheen), Gary Nicholson (Wildwood), and Alyssa Raso (Boutwell)
MSBA/Wildwood Project Updates
Onwards We Go…
The Wildwood School Building project reached an important milestone at the end of April as the Wildwood School Building Committee (WSBC) narrowed the many options to a few.
In making this decision, the WSBC advanced a short list of options to the MSBA for further exploration. As a friendly reminder, the WSBC is comprised of WPS staff, parents/guardians, and elected officials from the School Committee, Select Board, and Finance Committee.
The MSBA requires our project to narrow this list down to one (1) preferred option by the end of August – a short four months from now.
We have a brief informational video (link below) that will provide you with information on the project. I welcome you to take a few minutes to get up-to-speed on the project as well as share this link with family, friends and neighbors. For all additional information about the Wildwood Building Project, please visit the project page (link below).
As I have shared previously, this project holds the potential to impact far more than only our Wildwood students, staff and families – our community’s decision on this project holds the potential to impact all of our elementary schools throughout the Town for the next 60 years!
With Gratitude...
Free community Event
2024 Wildcat Summer Sports Clinics
During the summer, the Wilmington High School Athletic Department sponsors a series of sports clinics for children entering Grades 1-8. All clinics will be held at Wilmington High School unless otherwise specified. All clinics will be run by WHS Coaches, Alumni, and Student-Athletes. The focus of each clinic is the development of skills through activity-based drills and scrimmages. The ultimate goal of the clinics is to develop children who enjoy participating in athletics. (Note: Weeks 2 and 3 will be held at the Middle School.)
- Week 1: Baseball and Softball, 6/17-6/21, 9am-2pm, (no clinics 6/19). $200
- Week 2: (@ Middle School) Boys Basketball and Field Hockey, 6/24-6/28, 9am-2pm M-TH. 9am-12pm F. $200
- Week 3: (@ Middle School) Flag Football and Girls Basketball, 7/1-7/5, 9am-2pm, (No clinics on 7/4). $200
- Week 3: (@ Middle School) Boys + Girls Tennis, 7/1-7/5 (No clinics 7/4). 9a-12p. $150
- Week 4: Volleyball and Track, 7/8-7/12, 9am-2pm M-TH. 9am-12pm F. $200
- Week 5: Boys Soccer and Girls Soccer, 7/15-7/19, 9am-2pm M-TH. 9am-12pm F. $200
- Week 6: All Sports, Wrestling, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, 7/22-7/26, 9am-2pm M-TH. 9am-12pm F. $200
Register at:
https://students.arbitersports.com/programs/2024-wildcat-summer-sports-clinics
For questions, contact:
Dennis Ingram, Director of Athletics, dennis.ingram@wpsk12.com
Jon Amico, Athletic Assistant, 978-694-6065, jonathan.amico@wpsk12.com
Club/School/Department Highlights
Wilmington High Shool
WHS Diploma for Veteran Elmer Drew
During last months School Committee meeting, Veteran Elmer Drew was awarded a posthumous WHS Diploma. The diploma was presented to his family and accepted by his surviving nephew, Warren Drew. The meeting attendees encouraged folks to thank our veterans for their sacrifice for our country.
LtoR: Warren Drew, Glenn Brand, Lou Cimaglia IV
Students Continue the Work to Discover & Recognize our Hidden Veterans
The recent awarding of a posthumous diploma to World War II veteran Elmer Drew has motivated Mr. Jones and the remaining juniors in his World War II Pacific class to do further research into Wilmington's history. Using original historical artifacts from the 1940's, students are looking at attendance records to determine if there are more unknown heroes from Wilmington.
Wilmington Middle School
6th Grade Performance
The week before vacation, during WIN block, our 6th grade performing arts students took the opportunity to showcase their musical talents and celebrate their achievements with their classmates.
French Class Recognition
Félicitations (congratulations) to 8th grade French students Joshua Turner and Samuel Beaudoin!
Josh and Sam, along with their 8th grade French classmates, participated in the New England Francophone trivia contest, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French.
Josh and Sam received top scores in their grade AND in the region! Both students received prizes (as did Madame Lerner) for their outstanding performances.
District Art Show
Our students showcased some of their artistic talents at the WPS Art Show
Woburn Street Elementary School
At the end of April Ms. Owen and Ms. Pereira hosted the Woburn Street Favorite Poem Project. We had 22 students participate in this annual tradition. Students had to submit their application where Ms. Pereira & Ms. Owen had the difficult job of determining who would present. On April 30th students had the opportunity to share their poem in front of their peers and family members along with their reason as to why it is their favorite poem
WPS Summer 2024 Enrichment Courses
Course options include:
- Experienced FTC Robotics
- Robotics Programming
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Elementary STEM Exploration
- Python Programming
- High School Drama Workshop
- Middle School Drama Workshop
- Elementary School Drama Workshop
- Introduction to BBQ & Grilling (BBQ Ribs)
- Introduction to BBQ & Grilling (BBQ Chicken)
- Music & Movement
- Music & Drumming
Check out the flyer here for details on each course.
To Register: Click Here or Scan the QR Code
All Courses will be held at Wilmington High School
For Questions, Contact: Mike Jones (michael.jones@wpsk12.com) or Matt Hackett (matthew.hackett@wpsk12.com)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
For Mental Health Awareness Month, we have an opportunity to break the stigma around mental health in our district by talking openly, compassionately, and kindly to each other. No one should ever struggle alone.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI joins the mental health community to reaffirm our commitment to building our understanding of mental illness, increasing access to treatment and ensuring those who are struggling know they are not alone.
If you or someone you know wants to be connected to a mental health care provider, contact Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential mental health care coordination service provided by Wilmington Public Schools:
· Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
· Visit www.caresolace.com/wilmington and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help, use the resources around you, and never give up hope.
Upcoming Workshop
Leaders in Youth Mental Health Series (virtual) hosted by McLean Hospital
- 5/15/2024, 12 to 1pm, Understanding Pediatric Anxiety Disorders and OCD, presented by Meredith Elkins, Ph.D.& Maria Fraire, Ph.D.
Learning objectives:
The speakers are Meredith Elkins, Ph.D., Co-Director of McLean Anxiety Mastery Program (MAMP) & Maria Fraire, Ph.D., Director of the Child and Adolescent OCD Institute (OCDI-Jr). Their presentation will provide information on childhood anxiety and OCD, dispel common myths and discuss treatment recommendations.
To access this and any past webinars, please go to:
https://healthcare.partners.org/streaming/Live/McLean/McLean_SCS.html
Access to the 2023-2024 recorded presentations will end Friday, June 14th, 2024, and include the following topics:
- Addressing the National Emergency of Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Children and Teens
- Crabby Kids: What To Do When My Kid Starts Snapping
- Helping Families Navigate The Mental Health System
- Parenting in the Context of Anxiety: What Parents Need to Know to Support their Children and Themselves
- Understanding Transgender and Non-Binary Youth
- Partnering with Schools for Services and Supports
- Understanding Pediatric Anxiety Disorders and OCD
Local Employment Opportunities
Office of the Superintendent
Email: glenn.brand@wpsk12.com
Website: www.wpsk12.com
Location: 161 Church Street, Wilmington, MA 01887, USA
Phone: 978-694-6000