Weymouth High School

Good Evening, WHS Community!

We had a very positive start to the school year! Our 9th grade students had a great first day and were welcomed with a “clap-in” as they entered their homerooms and class meetings. This tradition helps create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for our freshmen as they transition to high school.

All students also met with their grade-level deans to review schoolwide expectations, as well as expectations specific to their grade level.

The vibe throughout our classrooms, hallways, and cafeterias has been incredibly positive. We want to build on this momentum and carry it throughout the school year. Our staff will continue to prioritize building strong relationships as they get to know their students and create a sense of belonging for all.

We are continuing with our theme that being a Wildcat means more than just wearing our colors — it means being part of a community where everyone matters. Our theme, “We Belong. We Grow. We Excel.”, reflects the journey of every student and staff member.

• We Belong – Like a Wildcat pride, we are strongest when we stand together. Every student and staff member has a place here, and every voice matters.

• We Grow – In Weymouth, Wildcats challenge themselves and support one another to reach new heights, whether in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, or in the community.

• We Excel – With belonging as our foundation and growth as our mindset, Wildcats achieve excellence — not only in academics and activities, but in character and leadership.

Together, the Wildcats of Weymouth are building a school culture where connection, growth, and achievement go hand in hand. This year, our focus will be We Grow—because growth means being willing to try, reflect, learn from our experiences, and make changes along the way. When we grow together, we create a community where everyone feels they belong and can excel.

Cell Phone Expectations

As we continue to introduce The Commons app, we want to share more about how this tool would support our goal of creating a focused, connected, and engaging learning environment for all students. We recognize that changes to technology expectations can raise questions and concerns, and we appreciate the thoughtful feedback we have received from our students, families, and staff.

Why The Commons? Our goal is not simply to restrict phone use. It is about creating the conditions for students to be present, engaged, and ready to learn. We want classrooms to be spaces where students can focus on instruction, participate in meaningful conversations, build relationships, and fully engage with their learning without the constant distraction of personal devices.

The Commons is one tool that will help us support that goal by temporarily limiting access to distracting applications during the school day.

Privacy Matters We understand that families have important questions about privacy and how The Commons works. The Commons does not track student location, monitor the content of communications, or store students’ personal data. Its purpose is simply to limit access to distracting applications during school hours.

Our Current Cell Phone Expectations As we continue this work, our classrooms will remain cell phone-free spaces to support teaching, learning, student well-being, and an environment where students can be fully present. This expectation is consistent with the existing language in our student handbook.

All students are expected to store their cell phones in the designated phone holders located in every classroom during the school day. This includes keeping phones stored when students leave the classroom during class time; students will not take their phones with them when going to the bathroom.

Personal electronic devices, including laptops, iPads, recording devices, smart devices, and similar technology, are also not permitted for personal use during the school day. Students should use their school-issued Chromebook for academic purposes.

We invite you to review our The Commons FAQ – WHS for answers to frequently asked questions. We will also present information to the School Committee at this Thursday’s meeting and host a virtual parent information session on Thursday, September 23 at 6:30 PM. Additional information about the session will be shared soon. Here are some resources to view:

• The Commons – Privacy and Security

• Healthy Tech Habits at Home

Our goal is to work together with families, students, and staff to create a school environment where technology supports learning rather than competes with it. We appreciate your partnership as we take this step toward helping our students be present, connected, and ready to learn.

Safety

To ensure schools are prepared to proactively handle the threat of an intruder or active shooter, all administration and teachers have been trained in ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate). On Monday, 9/14, students and staff will participate in ALICE drills together to practice the tools and knowledge to respond and escape in the event of an active shooter. All training is done in conjunction with our partners at the Weymouth Police Department. These training sessions are done to prepare and not frighten anyone.

Communication is Key!

• Weekly Sunday Messages will keep families informed about school-wide events and updates.

• Deans will share information with students via email, social media, and/or Google Classroom.

• Teachers will reach out early in the year once schedules are finalized, typically by the midpoint of the term.

• Open House will be held on September 30 – more details to come!

• Make sure you are receiving all communications by confirming your contact information is accurate. Here is the link of how to do this through the parent portal. If there are multiple email addresses that need to be on file, we recommend double-checking that as well.

• Here is the link to Aspen X2 Family Portal. Another mode of communication that provides access for parents and guardians to access student information and academic data. Accounts are assigned and managed by WPS. Parents and caregivers have separate accounts from their students.

Flow of Communication

When a question or concern arises, please begin with the first contact listed-they are usually the best equipped to help. We kindly ask that you do not CC multiple contacts on your initial message, as this can lead to confusion and delay a response. If you do not receive a response within 2 business days, you are encouraged to reach out to the next contact listed. Please see our leadership team chart for your support.

1. Classroom Teacher (Academics) or Dean (All Other Concerns)

2. Department Head (after Teacher)

3. Principal / Associate Principal

4. Assistant Superintendent

5. Superintendent

Get Involved: Parent Council & School Council

• Parent Council meets the 3rd Wednesday of every other month at 7 PM, alternating between in-person (WHS Library) and virtual meetings.
  Our first meeting is in-person on October 21st.

• The School Council is a state-mandated body made up of staff, parents, and community members.
  It meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 2:30 PM, with the first meeting on October 14th.

• If you’re interested in joining either council, please reach out to me or Malissa Northup. Your participation makes a meaningful difference!

Student Drop Off/Pick-up/Student Drivers

These expectations are for the safety of all students whether they are walkers, being dropped off or picked up, and student drivers.

Student drop off

• If you are dropping off your student, please use the first loop closest to Pleasant St.

• Follow the traffic pattern provided by the traffic supervisor and administration that will be outside. We ask all families to pull all the way up in the first loop.

• The second loop in front of the school is for buses only.

Student pick-up

• Vehicles can not park on Pleasant Street for student pick up

• Absolutely NO cars will be allowed on campus from 1:50 - 2:20 pm

• If you are picking up your child, you must park in an available parking spot.

• Both loops in front of the school are for buses. Buses and vans are the priority to leave campus first.

• The best approach is to coordinate to meet your child at 2:30 on campus when buses are gone.

Student Drivers

• There will be a $110 fee this year for students to park on campus. All student drivers MUST register their car with security. Deans of eligible drivers will send out a form to be completed by student drivers.

• The student parking lot will be shut down until the buses and vans have exited the campus..

• Student parking is a privilege. Any unsafe driving will be addressed with students and could lead to suspension of driving on campus.

Weymouth High Theater Company presents "The SpongeBob Musical!"

We hope you will join us and be a part of this fantastic adventure. Auditions for cast members will begin on Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00pm in the Theater at Maria Weston Chapman. Signups for anyone interested in stage crew/technical crew/costumes/hair/makeup/etc. will also take place on Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00pm in the Theater at MWC.

Technology Reminder

All students are expected to bring their school-issued device to school fully charged each day. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us ensure students have the technology they need to support learning each day.

On September 11th, we pause as a community to remember a day that forever changed our country. We honor those we lost and those who showed extraordinary courage and compassion in the days that followed. As we reflect 25 years later, may we continue to build a community where everyone feels they belong—connected, supported, and united in caring for one another.

Enjoy the Labor Day Weekend, we will see everyone on Tuesday.

Have a great week!

Karen Monahan, Principal

Malissa Northup, Associate Principal

We Belong - We Grow - We Excel

• Monday, 9/7 - Labor Day. No School
• Monday, 9/14 - Clubs Begin
• Tuesday, 9/22 - School Picture Day for 9th and 10th grade students
• Wednesday, 9/23 - School Picture Day for 11th and only the 12th grade students who will not be submitting their own photo
• Wednesday, 9/30 - Open House and Club Fair

The following links provide resources for students and their families on critical issues.

• Mental Health Resources
• Vaping Educational Resources
• Cell Phone Resources
• AI Resources

• Notification of absence can be reported using our online attendance form. Parents/Guardian can report an absence, tardy or dismissal by clicking on the Attendance Link. The form is also available on the Weymouth Public Schools Website, clicking on schools and selecting Weymouth High School. Click the icon labeled Report Attendance.

• Dismissals require a minimum of a 2-hour notice prior to the desired dismissal time. We cannot accommodate immediate dismissals unless it is an emergency situation and your student's Dean has been contacted.

• Inaccurate or incomplete requests may not be processed.

• Parents/guardians can dismiss students at Door #36 with proper identification and MUST be listed in the student's contacts in Aspen.

• Dismissal hours are between 8:00 am and 1:45 pm. No dismissal will be processed after 1:45 pm.

• If a parent is dismissing a student at Door #36 for a 1:45 pm dismissal time, please arrive no later than 1:30 pm to allow security time to process.

• PSATs will be offered to sophomores and juniors on Saturday, October 17th at Weymouth High School. Students will need to arrive at 7:30am as doors lock at 8:00am. The exam should end at approximately 11:00am.
• Look for registration details in the next Sunday Message.

• Incoming juniors and seniors who are planning to take the SATs can register at www.collegeboard.org. New this year, the College Board reserves 40% of testing seats exclusively for WHS students for the October and May exams.
• Cost $68. Fee Waivers available.
• For more information click on Testing Dates and Deadlines.

• If you have not completed an application, please be sure to do it now.
• Any application submitted after the deadline may be placed on a wait list.
• Payments must be made in full by October 1, 2026. No bus ID will be distributed until payment has been made.
• Frequently Asked Question Regarding Bus Transportation

If interested in joining the Boys Cross Country Team please email Coach Cody Moran at cody.moran@weymouthps.org.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

We hope you will join us and be a part of this fantastic adventure. The WHTC are hosting their informational meeting on Thursday, September 3rd at 7:00pm in the Theater at Maria Weston Chapman. This meeting is open to all students that may wish to participate and their families. Auditions for cast members will begin on Tuesday, September 8th at 6:00pm in the Theater at Maria Weston Chapman. Signups for anyone interested in stage crew/technical crew/costumes/hair/makeup/etc. will also take place on Tuesday, September 8th at 6:00pm in the Theater at MWC.

• Please click on this LINK to view Assistance Programs for Heat and Utilities.
• Click on this LINK for helpful links for students, parents and families.