WJSHS Newsletter
November 22, 2024
"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows."
- Sydney J. Harris
We are excited to share that Ware Jr. Sr. High School is preparing for our upcoming New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation visit in the spring of 2025. This process supports that the school continues to meet their goals and improvements to address school meets rigorous standards of excellence, allowing us to continuously improve and provide the highest quality education for your children.
What is NEASC Accreditation?
NEASC is an organization that evaluates schools across New England to ensure they meet high standards in teaching, learning, school culture, and leadership. Accreditation serves as a quality assurance process, providing an external review of our school’s strengths and identifying areas for growth. Schools that achieve NEASC accreditation are recognized for their commitment to fostering student success.
Why Does Accreditation Matter?
Accreditation ensures that our school culture reflects high expectations, supports academic excellence, and fosters a sense of belonging for every student. Through this process, we examine the rigor of our curriculum, ensuring that our students are challenged to reach their full potential while receiving the support they need to succeed. NEASC accreditation holds us accountable to the highest standards and drives us to create a school environment where students feel empowered, engaged, and ready for life beyond high school.
Please note, however, that NEASC accreditation does not directly impact the status of our diplomas. Diplomas are awarded based on state requirements, and this process is not dependent on our NEASC accreditation. While accreditation provides external validation of our school's quality, it does not affect the state certification of our diplomas.
Upcoming Training
The first step in this process will begin on November 25, when our leadership and staff will receive training to help them prepare for the NEASC accreditation visit. This training will give them a thorough understanding of the process, and we will be ready to share additional details with families soon after.
Your Role in the Process
The NEASC visiting team will evaluate all aspects of our school, including curriculum, instruction, student support, and community engagement. As part of this process, your input is essential. We will host a community forum that will be determined in the near future where families can share their perspectives and learn more about the accreditation process. Additionally, surveys will be sent out soon to gather your feedback.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure Ware Jr. Sr. High School remains a place where every student can succeed. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
College and Career Planning
We’re thrilled to share some incredible college acceptance news from this week's Massachusetts College Application Celebration!
- American International College: 5 students accepted!
- Bay Path University: 8 students accepted!
- Holyoke Community College: 35 students accepted!
- Springfield College: 8 students accepted!
- Springfield Technical Community College: 26 students accepted!
- Westfield State University: 8 students accepted!
- Western New England University: 12 students accepted!
- Worcester State University: 6 students accepted!
Together, our students received over $550,000 in scholarship offers!
A huge thank you to Mrs. Griffith and Mr. Coe for their hard work and dedication — this week's successes wouldn’t have been possible without their efforts.
We’re so proud of our students and grateful for everyone supporting their bright futures!
We invite Juniors, Seniors and their families to join us for a free Financial Aid 101 seminar.
Monday, December 9
6:00-8:00
WJSHS LIbrary
This seminar from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA.org) covers the basics of college financial aid, and is presented by Amy L. Proietti, from Greenfield Community College. Topics covered include: the application process, types of financial aid, determinants of student eligibility for aid funds, how colleges decide on financial aid offers, and evaluating aid offers. This will be an excellent presentation and a wonderful opportunity to learn and discuss the financial aid process.
If you have any questions, please contact the WJSHS Main Office at 967-6234.
Class of 2027 Fundraiser
The Class of 2027 invites you to take in the sites of the holiday season in New York City!
Saturday, December 14
$75 per person
Depart from WJSHS at 7:00 a.m.
Return to WJSHS at 9:30
To purchase your ticket, contact:
Troy Jurczyk at 413-333-8192
Christine Weissman at cweissman@ware.k12.ma.us
Athletics
Join us for the final football game of the season as
Ware hosts Quaboag on Thanksgiving morning at 10:00!
Winter Sports Registration for students in grades 7-12 is open.
Registration can be completed online no later than Friday, November 29.
Springfield Thunderbirds
Join us for another exciting Springfield Thunderbirds game on Saturday, November 30 at 4:05 and cheer on the WJSHS Chorus as they perform the National Anthem on Ice!
Discounted tickets are $20 with a portion of each ticket going back to our schools!
Click here to secure your seats no later than November 23.
Parent Teacher Student Spirit Association (PTSSA)
Calling all creative parents & students! We are looking for volunteers to help create decorations for Winter Carnival on Saturday, February 8!
The theme is Game Night and we are looking for themed decorations to display in the gym for the dance.
Please contact Carolanne McGrail at commcgrail@comcast.net.
Academic Calendar
Check Out Our School Website
Ware Junior Senior High School provides a safe, supportive environment of high expectations and mutual respect in which students are able to achieve academic success and develop into responsible, self-sufficient participants in a global society. wareps.org
School Contact Information
Ware Junior Senior High School
237 West Street
Ware, MA 01082
Phone: 413-967-6234
Fax: 413-967-9053
Dr. Michael Lovato, Superintendent
Scott Slattery, Associate Principal
Michael Fazio, Assistant Principal