District Digest

📝 Message from the Superintendent

Yesterday, staff across the district gathered to engage in professional development programming focused on district-led strategic goals. This year, the goal of our district professional development days is applying the framework of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to increase student voice, agency and executive functioning skills. UDL is an educational framework for developing curriculum and learning environments that support the diverse needs of all learners. The afternoon centered on creating on-ramps for every student to take ownership of their learning.

On many of our Early Release Wednesdays, when students are dismissed early, the teacher day is extended to allow time for this type of professional development. Families can learn more about what our educators do for professional development here.

-Tim

PD in Action

🎉 Student Spotlight

Bulldog Buzz News Crew 🎥

Thurston's Bulldog Buzz, a broadcast shared each morning during the advisory block, is in its second year. The hard-working Bulldog Buzz news crew comes together each morning before school starts to record and share news and announcements. Students work with Librarian Canice Thynne to plan out the broadcast. Thanks for your top-notch reporting, news crew!

🍎 Staff Spotlight

Bill Berman, Executive Chef

Chef Bill brings creativity, passion, and a strong commitment to quality to our Food Services program every day. He consistently goes above and beyond to create meals students enjoy, while also fostering a positive, supportive environment for staff. His leadership and dedication make a meaningful impact on our team and our school community. Thank you, Bill!

📣 Call for Nominations

Student and Staff Spotlights

Submit a Nomination

Know a WPS student or staff member who's gone above and beyond? Nominate them for a future Spotlight in this newsletter! Click the button above to fill out a brief nomination form.

📚 Inside Our Schools

Fall Fun 🍁

Downey Kindergarteners enjoyed a field trip to Ward's Berry Farm.

Getting Silly 👟

Sheehan students Silly-Stringed Principal Mahoney as part of Fun Run festivities.

Unified Showdown 🏀

WHS Unified Basketball squared off against the Westwood Police in a friendly, fun match-up.

📫 News from the Coalition to Combat Hate Speech

Fall Update

We would like to share an update on the ongoing work of the Westwood Community Coalition to Combat Hate Speech following our dedicated summer work sessions and recent community efforts.

Our coalition subcommittees have been actively working to foster an inclusive, safe, and supportive environment across our town and schools. Here is a summary of our recent progress and active initiatives:

Transparency & Incident Response: We are working toward establishing a semi-annual Incident Dashboard to log data and archive official communications. Clear, step-by-step district response protocols are also being finalized to ensure full transparency with the community.
School & Curriculum Integration: Subcommittee members are collaborating with school department heads to conduct a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum audit. The team is also evaluating framework options such as M.A.S.S. IDEAS, No Place for Hate, Learning for Justice, and Investigating History.
Community Engagement: Following encouraging participation and interest from high school and 8th-grade students at Westwood Day, outreach is expanding to PTO leaders ("Westwood Speaks Up"). Additionally, a town-wide Community Response Team is forming to strengthen interdepartmental communication across Westwood.

Save the Date & Next Steps:

District Webpage & Dashboard: Finalizing dedicated online resources and incident response graphics this Fall.
PTO Presentations: Engaging PTOs throughout October and January.
Full Coalition Fall Community Meeting:

Date & Time: November 17, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Pine Hill Cafeteria
(All community members are invited as we convene to align on key messaging, themes, and upcoming programming.)

We are still welcoming members! If you're interested in joining, fill out this Google form to participate in the Coalition to Combat Hate Speech.

💡 Updates and Reminders

1. MCAS Portal ⌛

In August, we shared information about the new MCAS Family Portal provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. As a reminder, families can find their students' MCAS test results using this online tool.

Please see the attached instructions for accessing the portal.

2. Special Early Dismissal Times 11/25 🦃

November 25, 2026, the day before Thanksgiving, has special early dismissal times. The dismissals are as follows:

Middle School - 11:00 AM
Preschool - 11:15 AM
High School - 11:35 AM
Elementary Schools - 12:10 PM

3. WPS Mobile App 📲

Download the Westwood Public Schools app for free on the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Android https://aptg.co/TvMH6s
iPhone https://aptg.co/y9F6sz

Tip: Here are quick and easy instructions for configuring which school(s) you want to see in your mobile app feed.

4. Special Town Meeting Babysitting 10/26 🏫

Westwood High School National Honor Society students will be providing babysitting services for attendees of the Special Town Meeting on Monday, October 26. Please fill out this form to help us reserve space and ensure adequate student volunteer coverage.

5. School Calendar 2026-2027 📆

Bookmark the 2026-2027 school calendar to keep tabs on holidays and early releases.

🗓 Coming Up

Oct. 15: School Committee Office Hours (Sign up here) - 6:30 PM, WHS PD room
Oct. 28: Early Release Day
Nov. 4: Early Release Day
Nov. 5: WHS Fall Play - 7:30 PM
Nov. 7: WHS Fall Play - 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Nov. 11: No School - Holiday
Nov 17: Coalition to Combat Hate Speech Fall Meeting (All are welcome) - 6:30 PM, Pine Hill Cafeteria
Nov. 19: School Committee Meeting - 6:30 PM, WHS Little Theater
Nov. 20: 6th Grade Play - 7:00 PM
Nov. 21: 6th Grade Play - 2:00 PM
Nov. 25: Special Early Dismissal (Dismissal times posted above)
Nov. 26-27: No School - Holiday
Nov. 30: No School for Students (Professional Development Day)