What's Happening at Western?

Dear Western Middle School Families,

I would like to extend a warm welcome back to Western Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year! One priority for us at WMS this year is to ensure every child walks into school each day feeling valued, challenged, supported, and empowered. These four words will serve as a guide to everything we do at Western, and as we begin the new school year, our entire staff is energized and ready to welcome our returning students and our newest Wildcats to our community.

Over the summer, our custodial, office, and facilities teams have been hard at work preparing our building and grounds for the new year. Please join me in thanking them for all they do! A kind word from our students goes a long way in showing our appreciation for the many people who make Western run smoothly.

Moving forward, I will be sending a weekly communication at the end of each week. Please keep a look out for those messages.

Our students achieve their greatest success when schools and families work together. You know your child best, and I deeply value open communication, shared trust, and collaborative partnerships. I look forward to an incredible year of growth, learning, and success as we strive to ensure every student feels valued, challenged, supported, and empowered each day.

Warmly,

Matthew Laskowski

Principal, Western Middle School

#WestsideBestside

Si desea leer esta actualización en español u otro idioma, haga clic en "Traducir" ("Translate") en la parte superior del boletín (al lado de "Share" (Compartir)) y seleccione español o el idioma de su elección. Gracias.

• August 26 - Ice Pop Social (back left side of the building)

• 6th Grade 4:30-5:15

• 7th Grade 5:15-6:00

• 8th Grade 6:00-6:45

• August 27 - First day of school for 6th Grade (Early Release)

• August 28 - First day of school for 7th and 8th Grade (Full Day)

School begins at 8:15 am and ends at 3:00 pm. Students are permitted to enter the building at 7:55 am. Our most frequently used bell schedules can be found here.

• Arrival Time: Building doors open at 7:55 AM (20 minutes prior to our official school start time). Morning supervision begins at this time; please do not drop off students prior to 7:55 AM.

• Breakfast Service: Served daily from 7:55 AM to 8:15 AM. Students wishing to eat breakfast should head directly to the cafeteria upon arrival.

• Parent Drop-Off Location: Vehicle drop-off takes place at the front of the building at the main entrance. Please pull all the way forward along the curb and have students exit from the passenger side. Drop-off should be a quick and efficient process with students ready to exit.

• Bus Drop-Off Location: Buses will unload on the right side of the building (gymnasium side). This area is reserved strictly for bus traffic during morning arrival.

• Walkers: Students walking to school must use designated crosswalks and enter through the main entrance.

• Dismissal Time: Dismissal begins promptly at 3:00 PM on regular school days.

• Location Swap for Dismissal: Please note that parent pick-up and bus loading areas swap locations in the afternoon to optimize traffic flow.

• Parent Pick-Up Location: Afternoon pick-up takes place on the right side of the building (gymnasium side).

• Bus Pick-Up Location: Buses will load at the front of the building at the main entrance. Front parking lots and driveways are closed to personal vehicles during afternoon dismissal.

Please maintain a speed limit of 5 mph on school grounds during arrival and dismissal. Refrain from using cell phones while driving in loading zones.

The Aspen Portal is both a student information system as well as the district’s live gradebook for secondary schools. Every parent/guardian will have access to view their child’s up-to-date progress across their courses. Here are Aspen for Parents (English and Spanish) directions. These explain how to access and use Aspen, including how to set up notifications to help you better monitor your child’s performance. If you are unable to access Aspen, please email support@greenwich.k12.ct.us for help. We will share more on Aspen and what you can expect within your child’s portal as the year unfolds.

The beginning of the school year is also prime "sign and return forms" time. Please take a few moments to visit the Back To School page of the website to review all of the information and return the following forms with your signature.

• Code of Conduct Sign Off Sheet English - Spanish
• Acceptable Use Policy for Chromebooks

• Medical Information English - Informacion Medical
• Receipt of Parent Handbook - Spanish
• Press Publicity Permission / Denial Form - Presione Permiso De Publicidad / Dormulario de Denegado
• GPS Health Curriculum Letter / Opt Out Form - Spanish

Here is the link to the “Parent Pages” section of our website, the place you will find links to all the "must-have" information, including:

• 2026-27 Calendar
  
• After-School Club Catalog (coming soon!)
• Attendance Policy
• Bell Schedule
• Bus Routes
• Community Resources
• Fall Sports Calendar
• Homework Hubs
• Lunch Menu & My School Bucks
• Nurse Information
• Principal's Message
• What’s Happening at Western (Current & Archive)