April 27, 2025

Dear Weston Middle School Families:

Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) begin this week.  A separate email was sent out last Friday with all of the details.  This Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm our annual  Rising Freshman Forum program will be held in the Weston High School Auditorium.  All current 8th graders who plan to attend Weston High School in the fall should attend with at least one parent/guardian.  On Friday our eighth grade students will be on their  field trip to Philadelphia. Students need to arrive at school at 6 a.m.  

Course selection for current 5th, 6th and 7th grade students is now live through PowerSchool.  Mr. Walters sent a separate email with instructions last week.  The deadline to complete course selection for the 2025-26 school year is this Friday, May 2.  

The Wait Until 8th pledge—in which families commit to delay giving smartphones to kids until the end of 8th grade—is active in Weston. Over the last year, families at HES and WIS have signed the pledge, including about 30% of the current 5th grade class. Parent-organizers would love to continue the effort as we head to WMS.  More information has surfaced about the impact of smartphones and social media on children's mental health and development—Jonathan Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation" has presented findings on depression, anxiety, bullying and suicide rates. The benefits of delaying smartphones can be especially powerful for our rising middle schoolers as they face the emotional rollercoaster of puberty, social pressures, etc.  This is, of course, a personal choice for each family, but organizers are sharing information to make parents aware and to build solidarity. 

BOOK JOY is coming to WMS with the PTO's Scholastic Book Fair!  May 13-15, including during the Art Jam! ONLY E-Wallet and credit /debit cards will be accepted. A sign-up for parent volunteers will be forthcoming. Please set up an E-Wallet for your child here. This is the easiest way to process payment and make sure your child has funds to get books the day they attend the Book Fair!

Support West Fest and the Weston Middle School PTO! Be part of the fun and help make West Fest Music Festival a success! Your sponsorship helps fund the festival and supports important programs for our students at Weston Middle School. Choose your sponsorship level and make a difference today! Opportunities for Corporate Sponsorship and Family Sponsorship are available using the link below. We are excited for an AWESOME 2nd year of West Fest Music Festival featuring local bands, including student bands and talented parents! Please visit Fundraising for all the sponsorship opportunities. 

EcoFest @ Lachat Town Farm
May 4, 11 am - 3 pm

Join us at Lachat Town Farm for a fun-filled day celebrating sustainability at EcoFest 2025, a partnership between WPS Green Teams, Weston Sustainability Committee and Lachat Farm! Enjoy activities for the whole family, including: 
RAFFLE ALERT: Bring your redeemable bottles/cans (1 entry per 25 items) and celebrate Weston’s One-Millionth Bottle/Can for a chance to win $250! 
Activities Include: 
- Energize CT Mobile Activity Van
- Eco-Games, Crafts, Face Painting & more!
- Fly Casting Demos, Christine's Critters, & Nature Scavenger Hunt
Live Music from Local Student Musicians
Eco-Talks: Learn about electric lawn care, invasive species, sustainable gardening, and more!
Explore local eco-vendors, enjoy delicious food, and celebrate sustainability with your community. Don’t miss it!
Cost: FREE

ECOFEST FLYER_FINAL.pdf

Communication Protocol  As a reminder, please refer to this communication protocol when you have a question or concern that needs to be addressed.  We always try to resolve issues with the staff member who is closest to the situation.  If you need to report a student absence, please call our absence line:  203-221-6361

Important Upcoming Dates 

April 28, 29:  SBA Math Assessment
April 29:  Rising Freshman Forum WHS Auditorium 6:30 pm
April 30:  6th Grade Science Arbor Day presentation
May 1:  SBA Math Performance Task
May 2:    8th Grade trip to Philadelphia
May 5, 6:  SBA ELA Assessment
May 9:  6th Grade Field Trip to Sound Waters (Innovators)
May 12:  6th Grade Field Trip to Sound Waters (Inventors)
May 13-15:  WMS PTO Book Fair
May 13:  WMS Chorus Concert, WHS Auditorium, 7 pm
May 14:  WMS Band Concert, WHS Auditorium, 7 pm
May 15:  WMS Orchestra Concert, WHS Auditorium, 7 pm
May 15:  Art Jam, Project Challenge Fair
June 3,4:  8th Grade Algebra and Geometry Final Exams
June 6:  WMS Warrior Day (Students need to bring a bag lunch)  
June 9,10:  7th Grade Algebra Final Exam
June 10:  8th Grade Trip to Weston Field Club
June 16:  Last Day for Students.  8th Grade Breakfast.  10 am Dismissal.  10:30 am 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, WHS Gymnasium

Sincerely,

Daniel Doak
Principal