April 27, 2025
I hope everyone had a great weekend. Please be sure to read below about our cell phones plans and then keep reading for information about Senior Events, the Finals Schedule, and best of all our Spirit Week Dress Up Schedule! You can also find HERE the schedule for Friday’s Color Clash Pep Rally. I can’t believe it is May at the end of this week!
Cell Phones (an ongoing conversation)
We are continuing our conversations around cell phone use at Weston High School. For high schools, I don’t think there is a clear solution (some will disagree). I hear from students that they believe they are old enough and mature enough to make healthy decisions. We see this exhibited every day! And…every morning in our lobby you will see a large proportion of students individually on their cell phones, gaming, scrolling, chatting. We also know the toll that the introduction of smartphones and social media has taken on the mental health of teens and preteens. As the mother of two teenagers I also find value in students having their phones and planning independently, scheduling their own orthodontist appointment or connecting with their coaches and teammates about the practice schedule. I hear both sides and I recognize that we all have a problem separating ourselves from our phones, me included.
Our goal is to restore consistent Face to Face connections. See students walking the hallways with their heads up, interacting with each other and their teachers. Creating opportunities for better social connections, providing peace to hold onto what they just learned in their last class, rather than having it potentially replaced as soon as they walk out the classroom door by whatever Snapchat conversation or scroll fodder.
Prior to our April Break a group of WHS students, staff, and parents visited Wilton High School to see how they have implemented a cell-phone free environment using Yondr pouches. Now through the end of the school year we’re going to pilot a few options to test the waters on how we use our cell phones and what our response may need to be. We want to take a measured approach and take feedback from students and teachers as we continue to develop our practices for next year.
As we take this tiered approach we’re setting up the following plans:
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May 8th & 15th will be Away for the Day at WHS. We are asking students to voluntarily turn in their phone to the library and try really hard to keep it there for the day. When students turn in their phone they will get a button that demonstrates that they are trying to keep their phone away for the day. If they are successful they will be entered into a drawing for a gift card to one of their favorite eateries.
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May 23rd, 30th & June 6th we’re piloting a school-wide cell phone free Fridays. On these three (3) Fridays we are asking all students and staff to keep their cell phones away for the day. This means that they are not in the hallways, lobby, cafeteria as well as in our classrooms. We ask for families to support this and help students make plans so they don’t need their cell phones on those Fridays. Maybe students keep them home, or at least in their car (if they drive).
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June 9th-13th we’re going to pilot cell phone free Finals. Again, we are asking students to keep their phones at home, in their car, or just away in their backpack. The intention is to evaluate how we are using our time to stay focused, calmed, and prepared as we enter into our last assessments of the year.
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After each pilot we’ll take feedback from students and teachers to understand how it went, how they feel, and how we want to move forward.
Cell Phones in Schools (Resources)
Spirit Week
Next week is our Spring Spirit Week which culminates in our Color Clash Pep Rally on Friday May 2nd! To the right is the Dress Up Schedule for the week. Show your spirit!!
Student Government Elections
It's time to apply for Weston High School Student Government. Elections for the 2025-2026 WHS Student Government Board will be at the end of May, and the time to consider running for office is NOW. 
Students were emailed this week with the information below. If students would like to run for an officer position, you must complete EACH of the following steps:
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Attend ONE of the following interest meetings:
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Tuesday, April 29th from 2:30 - 2:50 PM in E2.
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Monday, May 5th during Take Ten (9:40 AM - 9:50 AM) in E2.
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Monday, May 12th during Take Ten (9:40 AM - 9:50 AM) in E2.
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Tuesday, May 13th from 2:30 -2:50 PM in E2.
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Fill out the electronic application here: (2025-2026 Student Government Application) no later than Tuesday, MAY 20th by 2:30 pm, no exceptions. Use this document (linked here) to learn more about the Student Government positions.
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Read the Code of Conduct necessary to apply, as outlined at the end of this email.
Finals Schedule June 2025
We have released our finals schedule after taking feedback from our new midterm schedule this year. We have adjusted our review days to include a half day review experience for students, followed by what we call FLEX time, where students can schedule themselves into extra help with their teachers in the specific classes they need more targeted help in. Buses will run at 11:45am during the review days and final exam days. Students may also take the bus home at 2:30 on the review days or finals days as the middle school buses continue to run. Please be aware that the last couple of days of school the middle school has early dismissals.
Challenge Success Virtual Workshop - Supporting Well-Balanced Students & A Healthy Approach to College Admissions
Mark your calendars! On Tuesday, May 13th from 6:30-8pm we will be hosting a virtual webinar hosted by Dr. Brandon Wiley from Challenge Success. As you know we have partnered with Challenge Success this year to analyze our programs and systems, continue to take feedback from students, staff, and families and continue to grow. Some of our work has resulted in an adjusted midterm and final schedule, informed our PACT program, and has helped us to set a commitment to focusing on grading and assessment practices next year, while supporting our conversations around cell phone use in schools. Dr. Wiley will also be sharing some or our data from the surveys we administered back in the fall and how that relates to our overall school planning and student wellness. I hope you will join us. More details to follow.
Class of 2025
Our Seniors are continuing to prepare for their internships and all of the activities that the end of their high school journey will bring. Please see the Senior End of the Year Activities calendar for all the events leading up to graduation. Seniors also received an email from Ms. Zanghi and Mr. Chappa, their class advisors, detailing the events and providing permission forms where necessary.
Class of 2025 Flowers for your Graduate
Weston High School is hosting a flower bouquet sale for the 2025 Graduation. Parents, grandparents, or friends of the graduate can place an order and pick up their flowers on the evening of Graduation from the flower booth onsite. Weston will receive 25% of pre-sale orders. Support your school one last time and purchase beautiful flowers for your graduate!
ECOFEST
Join us 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:
DOOR PRIZE 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! Will yours be Weston's Millionth Bottle or Can?
Kid Activities Include:
- Energize CT Mobile Activity Van
- Eco-Games, Crafts, Face Painting & more!
- Owl Release from Wildlife in Crisis, Fly Casting Demos, A Live Animal show with Christine's Critters, Hive observations with the farm’s Beekeeper Ryan Griffeth, Earth Day story walk, & a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Live Music from Local Student Musicians: BIRDSONG, The ELIOT THOMPSON BAND, and THE BREAKERS
Eco-Talks: Learn about electrified lawn care, invasive species, sustainable gardening, recycling tips and more!
Explore local eco-vendors, enjoy delicious food, and celebrate sustainability with your community. It's a perfect way to spend Sunday afternoon with the family. Don’t miss it!
Self Defense Training
Weston Human Services in partnership with the Weston Police Department is hosting a Girl’s Self-Defense Class for students in 6th-12th grade on May 8th. Click here for more information.
Camp College - Class of 2026
Camp College 2025 registration is now open. This summer college application workshop will be held August 5-7 at WHS from 8:30 am-2:30 pm each day. Counselors, Ms. Green, admissions representatives, and English teachers will work with rising seniors to help them complete their Common Application, prepare for electronic submission of school documents, fine-tune college essays and supplements, review WHS admissions policies and procedures, and more. This is a great time to make a significant dent in the application process before the school year ramps up.
The cost of this 3-day workshop is $300 and lunch will be provided daily. You may sign up by completing the attached registration form and making a check payable to WHS-CCC. Scholarships are available for students with demonstrated financial need. Please speak with your counselor if you think you might qualify.
The deadline to register is Friday, June 6. Please note that the program is capped at 80 students, and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis
To get the most out of the workshop students will be expected to attend all 3 days. If, for some reason, you must miss a day, you will still be responsible for the full registration fee. If you already have summer plans and cannot attend, seniors will still be able to get the help they need by scheduling individual appointments with their counselor and/or Ms. Green in the fall.
We look forward to seeing you this summer!
PTO Brick Fundraiser
Commemorate a student’s graduation or honor a teacher or administrator who has gone above and beyond. When you select a class during your purchase that class receives a portion of the proceeds which will help offset the cost of end of the year celebrations like Post-Grad Event for your class. Buy a Brick - Leave a Legacy. Click here to purchase or scan the QR code to the right.
Town of Weston Youth Commission - Looking for Students!!
Currently seeking a rising freshman, sophomore, junior and senior. Junior and senior positions are voting members of the commission. Freshman and sophomore positions are advisory only. The student members will be expected to report on the issues impacting them and their peers. The students will take an active role in program planning, advocacy, promotion of programs and providing student feedback. Monthly meetings are to be scheduled late afternoon/early evening. Time TBD. Meetings are held every month, August through June.
Weston’s Commision for Children and Youth is an advisory commission to the First Selectperson. Its mission is to enhance the well-being and positive development of Weston's youth. The commission's role is to support the Human Services Department with the planning and implementation of programs and resources, and to advocate on issues that impact Weston's youth and their families. The commission consists of nine (9) voting members including students. Students who are interested in being a part of this work should email me, Ms. Conetta (meghanconetta@westonps.org) and I will forward your name to Youth Services.
The Flamingo Fundraiser is Back!
We have confirmed reports that flocks of pink flamingos will soon be landing on lawns in the area to support the WHS PTO. These tall plastic pink flamingos travel in flocks and love to roost in yards.
Place an order for a flock of flamingos to be sent to your yard (or your friend's or neighbor's yard). $25 for 10 Flamingos $50 for 25 Flamingos. For an additional $5, you can add (Domingo), the blue flamingo, in the middle of the flock!
The flamingos will roost on the lawn for 2 days, before they migrate to another friend's lawn.
They will start flocking on Tuesday, 4/22 (weather permitting). The flamingos will only be in the Weston area for a few weeks. So catch them before they continue on their migratory path.
Click here to Join the Flock!
WHS PTO - Memorial Day 5K Road Race
On your mark, get set, sign up….It’s time to sign up for the 31st Annual Weston Memorial Day 5K Road Race sponsored by the Weston High School PTO and to be held on Saturday May 24. The USATF-certified course starts and ends at the Weston High School and takes the participants through the scenic and historic sections of Weston.
Register online click here. The discounted fee for pre registration is available until April 11th; the registration fee increases after that date. The fee for the Kid’s Fun Run is $10. The children’s Fun Run (1 mile) and Kids 110-yard dash will start at 7:45 AM, and the 5K race will begin at 8:30 AM.
NEW this year: The students at Weston High School will have a student-run booth, selling breakfast items and Gatorade. The funds are used for student-run initiatives at the High School. Please stop by their booth and help support our high school students.
There will be T-shirts awarded to those who sign up by April 25th, awards, mile splits and water stations. Runners and walkers are welcome.
Don't Miss This Opportunity to be a FAMILY SPONSOR for The Weston 5K Road Race, Walk and Kid’s Fun Run. Have your family’s name added to our race day logo prominently displayed on the front of our race t-shirts. Whether you are a participant or a race day supporter, don't miss this chance to support the WHS PTO! Click here.
Family Sponsorship $50
Add a T-Shirt for additional $15
*Limited Number of Names, *One name per contribution please, *Available until April 25, 2025
For more race information, contact Tammy Roberts & Ann Day, 5K/Road Race Co-Chairs, at weston5k@gmail.com.
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:
April 6, 2025
March 30, 2025
March 23, 2025
Upcoming Events:
April 29: Rising Freshman Forum
May 1: WHS Band Concert
May 6: WHS Orchestra Concert
May 7: WHS Choir Concert
May 15: Art Jam - National Arts Honor Society Induction
May 16: Junior/Senior Prom - Amber Room
June 5: Senior Class Trip - Six Flags, MA
June 10: WHS Awards Night
June 13: Senior Stroll
June 13: Graduation 6 pm
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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