Family News

March 3rd, 2025

What Makes Westminster Special

Each year, our students put on a full Musical Production. In recent years, they have done Frozen and Moana. This year, the production is Shrek. Students from grades three and up, as well as graduates and staff, participate in the productions. These productions provide students with professional experiences, such as performing at Shea's and seeing professional shows like The Lion King. This exposure to the professional theater world is a unique and valuable aspect of our program. Drama is an excellent opportunity for students to find passions outside the classroom.

Re--Enrollment Packets Coming Home

All students have received a re-enrollment packet before the break, conveniently placed in a manilla envelope for easy identification in your child's backpack. If you have not received it, please contact your child's teacher, and we will ensure you get it. We were asking that you return those by last Friday, February 28th. If you have not returned the package, we will reach out to hold your student's space for next year. Please ensure you include any updated address, phone number, and emergency contacts. We want to make this process as smooth as possible for you.

For your currently enrolled students, you do not need to complete an online application; just return this packet. We want to reassure you that the re-enrollment process is straightforward and we are here to assist you if you have any questions or concerns.

Please reach out with questions or concerns.

Applications for the 2025-2026 School Year are open

Please share the link with anyone looking for an excellent school for their students next year. Westminster is doing great in our Academics. When compared to the K-8 Buffalo Schools, Westminster scored 1st in Science, 2nd in ELA, and 3rd in Math. We also did better than many other Charter Schools, such as CSAT, Elmwood Village Hertel, Buffalo United, Reach Academy, Charter School of Inquiry, and King Center, to name a few. The application link is below. If you have a rising Kindergartener please apply for them to secure their spot. If your child is currently enrolled you do no need to complete an application.

For every family you recommend who applies for next year you will be entered in a drawing for a $100 gift card.

https://forms.gle/sYyTWP8FzSbLJYESA

Bussing

Our commitment to enhancing accessibility, safety, and convenience for our students and families is unwavering. We are contacting you, our valued parents and families, to gather feedback about possibly adding bussing for the 2025-2026 school year. This new service is a step that would significantly impact our school day. Below, you will find important information regarding this new service and its effect on the daily school day schedule. At the bottom, you will find a link to take a survey about your thoughts on this change.

New Bussing Program Details

Bussing will be available to students who live .7 miles or farther away from the school, driving distance.
Buffalo Public Schools will provide bus service and follow designated routes with specific pick-up and drop-off locations and times for all students who qualify.
Once BPS registration procedures have been completed, families who qualify will receive additional information on bus routes and schedules over the summer.

Change in School Day Timing

To accommodate the new transportation service, the school day schedule will be adjusted as follows:

New Start Time: 7:00 am, students will be tardy at 7:25 am
New Dismissal Time: 2:00 pm

Pros & Cons of Bussing Implementation

Pros:

Provides a safe and reliable transportation option for students
Reduces morning and afternoon traffic congestion at the school
Eases transportation burdens for families who live farther away.
Enhances punctuality and attendance rates for students who are eligible for bussing.
BPS has a remote tracking system, so you can see exactly where the bus is on your phone.

Cons:

Adjustments to school start and end times may require schedule modifications for families.
Bussing availability may be limited based on geographic location and capacity.
Potential for longer travel times depending on the route.
The afterschool program will end at 4:30 instead of 5:30.
There will be no buses for students in any afterschool clubs or activities.
BPS continues to struggle to have enough drivers, which can result in delays.

Next Steps:

Complete the three-question survey by clicking here.

We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support and the time you are taking to provide us with the feedback we need as we implement changes to better serve our students and families. Your input is invaluable, and we are grateful for your partnership in this journey. Your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping our decisions.