Family News

March 10th, 2025

Half Day Monday March 10th, Pick Up 11:30, Parent Teacher Conferences 12:00-3:00

Bus Survey

The final decision about bussing for the 2024-2025 school year will be made Monday March 10th.

If you have not read the letter, or taken the survey please do so. This will mean a change in our school day. Buses will be dropping students off at 7:00 am and leaving at 2:00 pm. Only families that live more than .7 miles away from the school will be eligible for bussing. We want everyone to have a voice in this decision. Please read the information and take the survey.

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.

Here is the survey link.

What Makes Westminster Special

Unique Partnerships

Howard University (HU) chose Westminster for the second year in a row for their, to be part of their Alternative Spring Break’ program. This year the Howard University Alternative Spring Break (HUASB) program is celebrating 31 years of continued service. Since 1994, HUASB has offered service learning opportunities in marginalized communities around the nation and the world. HUASB has been committed to serving communities in need and involving students in meaningful service projects in order to develop the next generation of servant leaders. This year’s theme, “Nurturing our Community: Planting Seeds of Hope for the Future,” commemorates the decades of service in communities throughout the globe. WCCS welcomed these students from Howard University, one of the nation’s leading universities and most influential Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), into our school community. The HU students worked on various projects at WCCS – engaging kids at all grade levels this past week, hosting interactive college-readiness presentations for students in third through eighth grade, as well as hands-on reading activities for younger students in kindergarten through second grade. They also just spent time talking with our students, sharing the significance of HBCUs in the country, and what their pathway to Howard looked like.

Re--Enrollment Packets Coming Home

All students have returned their re-enrollment packets at this time. If you have not returned the packet someone form the school will be reaching out to check if you want us to keep your child's seat for next year. If you have it, but forgot to send it in, please do so this week.

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