What's Happening at Western
Some thoughts for the starting school year
10/17/25
Dear Western families,
Well, Mr. Brehm and I were clearly not good luck for the Penn State Nittany Lions last weekend, since they lost once again. Mr. Brehm tried to make lemonade out of lemons by saying at least we got to see the last game for Coach Franklin, as he was fired the next day. I would much rather have seen a Penn State win! You will see Mr. Brehm and I below in the picture meeting up during tailgating along with five former Western students. The three in the blue Penn State sweatshirts are my daughters and the other two girls are former WMS students who attend Penn State along with my daughter. Look how happy we all are before entering the stadium of doom!
You all continue to impress me in the morning with the drop-off procedures. On Monday when we had a delayed opening and very rainy weather, the movement of the line and the low number of cars pulling up late was a beautiful sight to see. It is almost as if you don't need Mr. Velleca out there waving you all along! I would like to give Mr. Velleca the recognition he deserves for being out there every day waving his arms and saying “Pull all the way up” more times than he wishes he had to say that. He helps keep the drop-off line running smoothly each day, and he does this with a smile on his face, whether it is sunny, rainy or cold. Please be kind to him and give him an extra smile and wave when you see him!
As I mentioned earlier in the year, our students like to find ridiculous trends online and then try them in school. Within the last few weeks, our students are making paper darts and throwing them up to the ceiling to get them to stick. I know…it sounds ridiculous. Even our typically well-behaved girls are involved as we have had paper darts pulled off the ceiling in the girls’ bathrooms. To make the darts, the students use the post-its YOU have bought and put lead in the tip to create the dart. They are actually quite sharp and can lead to students being injured. This is another trend that seems innocent, but when it is happening in school by numerous students it leads to disruption and a waste of time for adults who have to deal with it. All students were told that if we find out they are making or throwing these paper darts in school, it will result in an after-school detention and contact with their parents. Please discuss this with your child, and if you see any of these paper darts (picture below) in your child’s backpack or room, please have them throw them away and discourage them from making them.
While we love your kids dearly, they really know how to keep us on our toes and drive us a bit crazy at times, which I am sure they also do for you at home.
I hope you all have a nice weekend free of any paper-darts!
Sincerely,
Suzanne
- Monday, October 20th- Friday, October 31st: Western Book Drive
- Wednesday, October 22nd: EARLY RELEASE at 1:00 pm
- Friday, October 24th: Halloween Dance- 6:30-8:00pm in the gym
Picture Day Retake
Pictures and proofs will be sent home on Monday with your child. Proof cards have the instructions and codes needs to order your child's photo. If they were absent on picture day OR they would like to do a retake, they will be done on Monday, November 10th. For retakes, students should bring their package to exchange or proof card, this flyer and $5. If they were absent on picture day they do not have to bring anything with them.
Difference Maker 2.0
This year, only one staff member from each school will receive the Difference Maker Award each month. I am asking for our staff and parents to help in nominating staff for this award. If you or your child believe one or more staff members make a difference in our school community or in your own lives, please use this link to nominate them and explain why they are deserving of this award.
🎃 BOO! Guess what’s coming to town? 👻
The Diversity Committee is brewing up something spook-tacular to raise funds for International Night in the spring! 🕸️
Starting Monday, October 20th through Friday, October 24th, students can purchase BOO Grams before school from 7:55 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. in the front lobby! THAT'S NEXT WEEK!
What’s a BOO Gram? It’s a fang-tastic Halloween message with a sweet treat you can send to your friends or teachers! 🎃
Let’s spread kindness and spooky cheer — but remember, it’s totally okay if not everyone gets a BOO Gram. The real magic is in being thoughtful and inclusive of everyone! 💜🕷️
So grab your coins, ghouls, and goblins — it’s time to BOO your friends for a great cause! Please see below for what this fang-tastic BOO treat will look like 👻
Pink Week Success & Winning Principal
Our annual Pink Week was a success yet again. The WMS Volleyball Team and our community helped raise over $1600 for Breast Cancer Research and Awareness! We had some very generous students and parents, and we thank all of you who participated. We will be sure to share out next week which administrator was voted to attempt a serve at the “Dig Pink” volleyball game on Tuesday against Greenwich Country Day School.
Attention ALL 8th Grade Families!
The Annual 8th Grade Sudell Sprint Color Run will take place on Friday, November 14th. We will begin to take pre-sale orders on Monday. Be the first 7 students to pre order your t-shirt and win an ice cream cone! The Sudell Sprint Color Run 2025 t-shirt and participation is $25 per student. This is a tradition for our 8th graders and we want all to attend. If you are able to sponsor part of the cost for another student by donating more money, that is greatly appreciated. Please bring cash or a check made out to Western Middle School to Mrs. Jacowleff in room M6A to pre order your t-shirt. If you are unable to pay the full cost, please reach out our 8th grade Guidance Counselor, Ms. Moraiz to make her aware.
7th Grade Social Studies
This week in Ms. Traina's 7th grade social studies class, students learned about Ancient Mesopotamia and the creation of the first written language. Students learned how to write their name in Sumerian Cuneiform, and even made some for teachers!
Attendance Line
When your child will be absent, coming in late to school from an appointment, or needs to be dismissed early, please call the attendance line at (203) 531-5678 prior to 8:45 am and leave a message. Please be sure to include your child’s name, grade and the reason for their absence, tardy or dismissal.
Book Drive Starts Next Week
Please help our book drive be successful in support of the Greenwich Alliance for Education and the Boys and Girls Club. Donation boxes will be set up near our main office from Monday through October 31st for new or gently used books for infants to middle schoolers.
Western’s Upcoming Halloween Dance
Only one week left to find/create the perfect costume for our Halloween Dance! The dance will be from 6:30-8:00pm on Friday and costs $10. Students will be allowed to wear their costumes while enjoying music from a DJ. There will be a photo booth, pizza and drinks. I am resending the guidelines for costumes, which must be followed:
- Nothing too cumbersome that would seriously inhibit movement and cause any injury
- No additional skin showing than wouldn’t be permitted on any other day.
- No fake weapons or additional handheld items that can be used to poke or trip someone… keep the swords, scythes, magic wands, etc. at home.
- No facial coverings which conceal your child’s identity. We must be able to tell who we are looking at.
- All costumes must be on the children when they arrive at the dance…there will be no ‘dressing room’ time. This includes makeup, hair spray, etc. Nothing may be applied at school.
Western Yearbooks
You have until November 15th to get the early-bird price of $30 for your Western yearbook.. Use the QR link below to buy one.
After school activities
Continue to check out our after-school Club Catalog as more clubs are starting each week. Take a look with your child to see what they may want to get involved in. Remember, they are FREE!
