January 26, 2025
Dear WHS Students, Families, and Staff,
Thank you to our entire community for your support during the high school evacuation and early release on Thursday. I am so proud of our students and staff and the way they responded with such calm and respect. On a typical day an announcement of an early release would prompt cheers of joy. When it was announced that we’d be leaving early on Thursday from the middle school gyms, you could have heard a pin drop. This mature response from our students made all the difference in us being able to secure the school, evacuate, and then release students in an orderly fashion all within an hour and a half. We learned a number of lessons that day which will certainly inform our future planning for an event such as this, although I always hope it will not be needed. A huge thank you to our families for trusting us, staying home, and waiting for further information, that too made all the difference.
Over the next few weeks we have a couple of fun events planned. Our Student Government is planning another great pep rally while also running a food drive for Person2Person with our Winter Pep Rally and Soup-er Bowl assembly on Friday, February 7th. On Friday, February 14th we are also hosting “Weston’s Got Talent” as an assembly at the end of the day. This is a great opportunity for our students to showcase their incredible talents!
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
On Monday January 27th (tomorrow), Weston High School will be observing International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Students will have opportunities to hear from a Holocaust survivor, as well as the adult children of Holocaust survivors, a Rabbi from the Weston community, and a professor of Judaic Studies. Students will hear the recounting of stories of perseverance in the face of persecution and genocide. This is an excellent opportunity for students to personalize what they have learned about the Holocaust in their English and social studies classes. It will also give students the opportunity to reflect on the importance of being good citizens and upstanders in their daily lives. The course and grade level will determine the student experience. Students also have the opportunity to sign up individually to attend the session in the auditorium if they are not in a social studies class that is attending.
Seniors - Class of 2025
The senior class was emailed a link to order their cap and gown. Please remind your seniors to place their order if they haven’t already done so. Please do not order for your student before checking with them, we are receiving duplicate orders. They just have to click the link, create an account, and place the order. The cap and gown cost is covered by the class dues collected annually. The last day to do this is February 14th, 2025!
We are collecting pictures of the Class of 2025!!
We are looking for photos of senior groups (2 or more) from over the years, otherwise known as "throwback pictures" of when the seniors were in elementary or middle school. Pictures could be a field trip, for example.
CLICK HERE to upload photos by Wednesday, February 5. For description, enter "throwbacks."
Thank you! 2025 Weston HS Yearbook
9th Grade NWEA Testing
This week our 9th graders will continue to take the Northwest Education Alliance (NWEA) winter assessment in their English classes and in our Algebra 1 math classes. This is an opportunity for us to check their progress as they continue on their 9th grade journey.
25-26 Course Selection Process
This past Wednesday during PACT our students in grades 9-11 reviewed the course selection process. All handouts and information from that meeting can be found on the School Counseling page on our website. Our Program of Studies is now available for you to review and discuss. Please refer to the Course Selection Calendar for the timeline of the process. PowerSchool will open this Friday, January 31st for students to begin making their requests. Please choose wisely. As we shared with students, your course selection becomes a contract with the school. Students should select a reasonable schedule which they are able to healthily manage along with their commitments and responsibilities.
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PACT This Week
Students will be taking a survey to get feedback on their midterm experience and new schedule this year. This will help inform how we moved forward with our exam schedules. Juniors and Sophomores will continue their work on their Portrait of the Graduate portfolio, Seniors will be wrapping up their portfolio submissions and our Freshmen will be meeting with the Link Crew members.
Mock Trial Team
We are pleased to share that our Mock Trial students have advanced from an initial field of fifty-six teams across Connecticut to the playoff field of sixteen teams. Our Mock Trial teams will compete in the all-day playoffs in Bridgeport on Friday, February 7th. Being a student on a mock trial team means participating in a simulated courtroom experience where students take on the roles of attorneys, witnesses, and other legal professionals. They work collaboratively to analyze case materials, develop legal arguments, and present their cases in a competitive setting. Team members must research legal principles, practice public speaking, think critically, and respond to objections and unexpected challenges during trial proceedings. Mock trial competitions require students to demonstrate a deep understanding of courtroom procedures, effective communication skills, and the ability to think quickly under pressure. Best of luck, we know you’ve prepared so well!
Important Reminder!
A reminder about the delivery policy (taken directly from the student handbook). To reduce the number of visitors on our campus and ensure the safety of our students and staff, deliveries of any kind must be directly related to school business and approved by the building administration. Food deliveries will not be permitted on the Weston Public Schools campus. Failure to comply with this expectation will result in confiscation of the delivered item(s) and a 1-hour detention. Weston High School food services provide healthy, nutritious, and delicious lunch and morning snack options. We kindly ask our families to refrain from sending food and beverage deliveries to our students during the day.
Pickup & Dropoff
A reminder to please continue to use the access road for picking up and dropping off students. We also must keep the fire lanes clear on each side of the crosswalk, especially at the end of the day, with so many students pouring out of the building. We want to make sure we aren’t inhibiting anyone’s line of sight, especially our security guards, as they man the crosswalk. In addition, please make sure you do not use any parking lots to drop off students. I have recently received some feedback that parents are parking in student parking spots while dropping off their students. Please understand that this creates a lot of confusion in the parking lot AND makes the student whose space you park in late! Thank you to all who support our students' safe entrance and exit.
Communication Protocol
Please remember we have a Communication Protocol to help you navigate the common occurrences in the daily lives of students, families, and staff. For many of your concerns, this protocol will let you know how to proceed.
Previous Letters:
January 19, 2025
January 12, 2025
January 5, 2025
Upcoming Events:
January 30: School Climate Meeting
February 7: WHS Winter Pep Rally (during the school day)
February 12: 8th Grade Transition Night
February 14: WHS Talent Show (during the school day)
February 17-24 Mid-Winter Break
February 24 Professional Development - No School for students
March 13: Side By Side Band Concert (8th Grade Band & WHS Wind Ensemble)
As always, should you have any questions or concerns, please call the main office, and we can provide you with support to find the information or person you need to speak with.
Kindly,
Meghan
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