Family News

This week at WCCS

Tuesday - No School Election Day

Wednesday - Lockdown Drill

Thursday - Grade 7 Financial Literacy Field Trip, 2nd Grade Space Lab Field Trip

🦁 Safety First: Understanding School Lockdown Drills

At Westminster Community Charter School, the safety of our students and staff is always a top priority. Throughout the school year, we practice different emergency drills, including lockdown drills, to help everyone know what to do in an emergency.

What is a lockdown drill?

A lockdown drill is a practice exercise that teaches students and staff how to respond if there is a potential threat inside or near the school. During a lockdown drill, students remain in their classrooms or another safe location, doors are secured, and everyone follows established safety procedures.

Why do schools practice lockdown drills?

Just as we practice fire drills, lockdown drills help us prepare for emergencies. These drills allow us to:

Teach students how to follow safety directions.
Help students and staff respond calmly and quickly.
Practice our school's emergency procedures.
Identify areas where we can improve our safety practices.

What should parents know?

Lockdown drills are required by New York State and are conducted in a planned, age-appropriate manner. Students and staff are informed that the activity is a drill, not a real emergency. We do not use simulated violence or frightening scenarios.

Our goal is to help students feel prepared, not scared. Teachers and staff provide reassurance and support throughout the process.

How can families help?

Talk with your child about the importance of listening to teachers and following directions during safety drills. Remind them that practicing safety procedures is one of the ways we work together to keep everyone safe.

Thank you for partnering with us to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for every member of our Pride.

FRIST DRILL ON NOVEMBER 4TH

🥫 WCCS Community Food Drive

November 2–20, 2026

Help us support families in our community! Westminster Community Charter School is collecting canned goods and nonperishable food items from November 2 through November 20.

All donations will be given to the Salvation Army Food Bank on Westminster Avenue, right across the street from our school.

We encourage every family to participate by sending in a food item with their child. Every donation, big or small, helps our neighbors in need!

LIONS PRIDE

Lions are unique because they live together in groups called prides. Members of the pride depend on one another for protection, support, and survival. Each lion has a role, and the strength of the pride comes from its members working together and looking out for one another.

At Westminster Community Charter School, our Lions Pride works the same way. We are a community of students, staff, families, and partners who depend on and support one another. Every person belongs, every person matters, and every person contributes to the strength of our Pride.

Our three schoolwide expectations guide how we take care of ourselves and one another:

Be Safe – Make choices that protect yourself and others.
Be Respectful – Treat people, our school, and our community with kindness and respect.
Be Responsible – Take ownership of your choices, your learning, and your role in our Pride.

Just like a lion pride, we are strongest when we work together. When one member needs help, others provide support. When one member succeeds, the Pride celebrates. When each of us does our part, our entire community becomes stronger.

At Westminster, you are never just one Lion—you are part of the Pride.

🦁 Parent Tip of the Week: Keeping Our Students Safe

Student safety is everyone's responsibility! Talk with your child about the importance of following school rules, keeping hands and feet to themselves, using respectful language, and telling a trusted adult when something doesn't feel safe. Remind your child that reporting unsafe behavior is not tattling—it is helping keep everyone safe. By working together, we can make Westminster a safe and welcoming place for all students.

Busing Issues

School Transportation - Contact Buffalo Transportation for concerns or issues

All bus communication comes from the Buffalo Transportation department, please reach out direct to them with questions. Transportation Hotline: 716-816-4895, Depot numbers below:

200 Buses -716-874-0544

300 & 400 Buses - 716-835-5410

500 Buses - 716-826-4771

600 Buses -716-896-1171

700, 800 & 900 Buses -716-894-4778