WMS Weekly Newsletter

We are so excited for our Outdoor Classroom field trip next week!

Students should be dropped off AFTER our standard car pick up line at 7:45am. Students CAN NOT take the bus to school in the morning.

Please make sure your student comes with all their bags labeled with their FIRST and LAST name and homeroom teacher, masking tape and sharpie works best. They need to be able to carry everything they bring. If you pack the bedding in a trash bag, please bring a trash bag for the way home as well.

The temperature will vary between 55 to 28 degrees throughout the day. Students should be prepared to be outside all day and into the evening. Coats, hats, and gloves are encouraged as are long pants, extra socks, and closed toed shoes.

We will return to WMS for pick up after our standard car pick up line at 2:40pm. Please do not line up for pick up early as it will interfere with standard pick up.

Our school day starts at 7:30am. Your student needs to be in their homeroom, in their seat at 7:30am. They are considered tardy at 7:31am. If you do not notify the absence line, your students tardy is unexcused. The absence line can be reached at 603-845-1556 or at wmsattendance@windhamsd.org. You may also enter your students late arrival in PickUp Patrol.

PickUp Patrol is the preferred method to notify the school of any attendance changes.

For students interested in attending the 8th Grade Philadelphia trip, students with 30 or more unexcused tardies or 10 or more unexcused absences, are unable to participate in the trip.

Our doors open to students at 7:15am and close at 7:30am, any student arriving after 7:30am is considered tardy. If the office is not notified of the late arrival, it is considered unexcused. The car line can be long, so please plan accordingly. Students riding the bus are not marked tardy, even if the bus arrives late.

PickUp Patrol is the schools preferred method of notifying the school of any attendance changes.

Please make sure you are notifying the school if your student will be absent or tardy. Whenever a student is going to be absent or tardy a parent should notify the school by calling the absent line at (603)845-1556, sending an email by 8:30am to wmsattendance@windhamsd.org or entering it into PickUp Patrol.

If your student will be absent 3 or more days, they will need to come to the office to get an extended absence form or print the form below. This form needs to be signed by all of your students' teachers, the assistant principal and a parent/guardian. Please make sure your student is getting this form well in advance of the absence to allow time to obtain ALL signatures. You also need to put the absence into PickUp Patrol for the entire absence.

For students interested in attending the 8th Grade Philadelphia trip, students with 30 or more unexcused tardies and/or 10 or more unexcused absences, are unable to participate in the trip.

Only the office can enter an absence as excused, not teachers or administrators. Please make sure you are using the above options to notify us of your students absence.

Please bring in your leftover, uneaten Halloween candy to WMS between November 3rd and November 7th. The candy will be donated to overseas Troops.

Collection sites will be in the main lobby and Mrs. Noel’s room - 113.

We understand that some families may be affected by the upcoming changes to assistance programs beginning November 1, 2025. In the event of a prolonged shutdown, November’s SNAP food benefits may not be issued until federal funding is restored. Families participating in the SNAP program are considered Directly Certified and are unaffected by the shutdown through NSLP. Federal workers who are not being paid or have been laid off and need assistance should complete an application.

We want to remind families that applications for free or reduced price meals are available for any family who wishes to apply. Applications are sent to each household at the beginning of the school year and are available throughout the year at each school cafeteria, at the SAU office, and online.

• Monday, November 3--Wildcat A Day
• Tuesday, November 4--Teachers Workshop--No School
• Wednesday, November 5--Odd B Day
• Thursday, November 6--Even A Day
• Friday, November 7--Wildcat B Day

• Monday, November 10--Even A Day
• Tuesday, November 11--Veteran's Day--No School
• Wednesday, November 12--Odd B Day
• Thursday, November 13--Wildcat A Day
• Friday, November 14--Wildcat B Day

• Monday, November 17--Wildcat A Day
• Tuesday, November 18--Even B Day
• Wednesday, November 19--Odd A Day
• Thursday, November 20--Wildcat B Day
• Friday, November 21--Wildcat A Day

November 4--No School-Teachers Workshop

November 5--SchoolSoft Conference manger closes at 3:00pm--see more info below

November 5-7--7th Grade Outdoor Classroom Trip

November 10-14--Book Fair

November 11--No School-Veterans Day

November 12--Parent Teacher Conferences--3:00pm-7:00pm--see below for details

November 13--No Tech Day

November 13--Parent Teacher Conferences--3:00pm-6:00pm--see below for details

November 21--Trimester 1 closes--Report Cards available

November 26-28--Thanksgiving Break--No School

December 10--Early Release--Dismissal at 11:15am--At this time, Bus W4 and Bus W9 are unable to accommodate bus passes on Early Release Days. Please make alternate arrangements for your children on these days if they typically ride either of these buses. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to ensure safe and smooth transportation for all students.

December 10--Band Concert--6:30pm-8:30pm--Band Concert will be at Windham High School.

December 15--Choir Concert--6:30pm-8:30pm--Choir Concert will be at Windham High School.

December 24-January 2--Winter Break--No School

Calling all readers! The WMS Library will be hosting a book fair during the week of November 10 to 14. Students will be able to preview the book fair during the school day Friday and Monday. The fair will be open for students to purchase books in the morning before homeroom and during lunches. The fair will be open to families during conferences on Wednesday and Thursday. We will accept multiple payment methods including cash, credit card, check (made out to Windham Middle School) Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. We are looking forward to getting some great books into the hands of our students and families! Please contact Katy Smith with any questions.

Please note that Parent Teacher Conferences at Windham Middle School will take place:

• Wednesday, November 12 (3:00pm-7:00pm)

• Thursday, November 13 (3:00pm-6:00pm)

The SchoolSoft Scheduling System will open on Wednesday, October 29 at 8:00am and will close on Wednesday, November 5 at 3:00pm.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are a key part of our communication strategy regarding your child’s progress at school. Please plan on booking and attending a parent-teacher conference with the applicable teacher(s) for each child you have attending the school. In order to accommodate all families, please limit sign up to 2 teachers.

To check teachers’ schedules and book a conference you will need to access the Windham Middle School Conference Manager. To do this log into PowerSchool at PowerSchool Parent Portal and select the application launch icon (box with arrow in top right of screen), followed by the Conference Manger menu option.

For step-by-step illustrated directions accessing the Conference Manager, click following link: https://www.schoolsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/PowerSchool-CM-Login-Directions-.pdf

All resources are located in the HELP CENTER upper right near logout or by clicking here

https://www.schoolsoft.com/document-library/

It is that time of the year when we should all begin to prepare for the anticipation of winter weather. Visit our website for additional resources to ensure you receive the best communication possible from the school district.

SMS_Text_Opt-In_Flyer_67587.pdf

Please make sure you have submitted your student's updated physical and immunization records to the nurse. You can email them to kbell@windhamsd.org, have them faxed or have your student bring them in.

If your student is participating in a sport, you will need to upload a current physical to Final Forms and also provide a copy to Nurse Bell for your students records.

Material drop off- Please place clothing items, especially shoes, in a bag before coming to the school. Please make sure the item is clearly marked with your students name. A table will be located in the foyer for you to leave the item. Please fill out the red form on the table. Your student is responsible for checking the digital board.

No cell phones during the school day--students can only use your cell phones before or after school. Cell phones should be kept in students' locked lockers and not on their person.

Wired headphones are a supply request-- students should not be using Airpods or wireless headphones throughout the school day.

Beginning in the 2025 school year, New Hampshire has enacted a statewide “bell-to-bell” ban on student cell phone use from the first instructional bell to dismissal, except in very limited cases.

Although this is a new statewide policy, the Windham School District already had a cell phone, smart watch, tablets, or personal laptop policy in place for students in grades K–8. For our students, this will not be a change. Cell phones are expected to remain off and stored in student lockers for the entire school day.

We ask parents and guardians to please remind your child of this expectation so we can continue supporting a focused, distraction-free learning environment.

School begins promptly at 7:30am.

Students cannot be dropped off before 7:15 am. There is no supervision. Please do not arrive to drop off your student before 7:15am as staff needs access to parking.

Please be sure your child has a charged Chromebook and all items he/she may need for the day. We do not have loaners and they will be calling home to have their Chromebook brought to school.

Whenever a student is going to be absent or tardy a parent should notify the school by calling the absent line at (603)845-1556, entering it into PickUp Patrol or sending an email by 8:30am to wmsattendance@windhamsd.org. PickUp Patrol is the preferred method to notify the school of any attendance changes.

Absent or tardy without notification is considered unexcused.

For students interested in attending the 8th Grade Philadelphia trip, students with 30 or more unexcused tardies and/or 10 or more unexcused absences, are unable to participate in the trip.

Tardies- For tardy students, please email wmsattendance@windhamsd.org or enter it into PickUp Patrol if your student will be tardy. Parents will not come into the building for tardy students. Tardy without notification will be considered an unexcused tardy.

Dismissals-Please use PickUp Patrol to notify the school of a dismissal. Paper notes don't usually make it to the office, that is why we ask you enter it into PickUp Patrol. Parents will come in, show photo ID and we will call your student down. Students will sign themselves out on our Raptor Attendance system. We need written permission if someone not on your contact list is picking up your student. You can put their name in the note line in PickUp Patrol. We ask for no dismissals after 1:50 pm as the buses are arriving and we can not have cars in the bus lane. Please use PickUp Patrol. Please do not call ahead for pick up. We will call your student down when you arrive.

ATTENDANCE FOR AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES If you are participating in an after school sport, club or activity, you must be in school for at least a half day in order to participate.

From the handbook--"The halfway point for arrival/dismissal time is 11:15 AM and will be considered as such for any after school activities or sporting events. Students must be in for at least half a day in order to participate in these activities".

Student Handbook--https://wms.windhamsd.org/our_school/mission/student_handbook_2024-25

Material drop off- Please place clothing items, especially shoes, in a bag before coming to the school. Please make sure the item is clearly marked with your students name. A table will be located in the foyer for you to leave the item. Please fill out the red form on the table. Your student is responsible for checking the digital board.

Please do not drop your students off in the back of the building in the morning.

Please do not drop off or pick up students from the Heritage Hill access road. It is dangerous for our students.

For Athletic Information and Events please visit our website @ https://wms.windhamsd.org/about_wms/athletics/general_information

We are using the Raptor Kiosk for students who are tardy and dismissed and for all visitors to our building.

When you are being dismissed, you need to now stop in the main office to check yourself out at the Raptor Kiosk, parents will no longer be signing you out.

Visitors need to sign themselves in and out using the Raptor kiosk in the office.

If your child is interested in applying to private schools there are some important steps they need to follow to make sure the application is completed correctly and the school has the necessary information when sending required documents to the admissions offices.

See the below document for all information you need for applying to private schools.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail Mr. Moyer at kmoyer@windhamsd.org or go to the WMS Athletics page at https://windhamsdwms.ss18.sharpschool.com/about_wms/athletics/general_information

WMS will be using Final Forms to register students who want to try out for sports. Parents and students must complete their sections on Final Forms before trying out for a winter sport. Parents can follow the instructions below to register on Final Forms and then sign up their students for the sport they'd like to try out for in the winter. If you registered your student for a fall sport, you will need to ensure that a winter sport is listed for which they'd like to try out. You will not need to redo everything.

If a student makes a team, an up-to-date physical must also be submitted on Final Forms. These are due before the first game or meet of the season.

Tryouts for boys' basketball, girls' basketball, and cheer are listed below. The start date for wrestling is Monday, November 17th, from 2:30 to 4:00, with a pick-up time of 4:15. Wrestlers will practice on the first day. Please go to the WMS Athletics Page for more information about tryouts.

Girls Basketball, Monday 11/10/25, Wednesday 11/12/25, and Friday 11/14/25, 2:45-4:15, WMS Gym

Boys Basketball, Monday 11/10/25, Wednesday 11/12/25, and Friday 11/14/25, 4:30-6:00, WMS Gym

Cheer, Monday 11/10/25, Wednesday 11/12/25, Thursday 11/13/25, and Friday 11/14/25, 2:45-4:15, WCS Gym

Please let Mr. Moyer know if you have any questions.

WMS will be using Sports You to communicate with students and parents regarding sports updates. Students and parents can sign up for sports notifications by using the QR code below or following the instructions on the website.

We have moved online with our permission slips for after school clubs, activities and field trips. If you have not yet submitted a form for a specific club/activity, your student can not stay for that club/activity. These forms must be filled out for each club/activity your student is participating in. Below are the links to access the directions for using MyPowerHub. You will find the permission slips under Forms. Your student must have expressed interest and have given their name to the club advisor for the forms to be added. If you have any questions, please reach out to the main office.​

​Mobile App - Login and Overview

Desktop view - Login and Overview

A new M2M mentoring program will begin soon. If you are interested, please see either Mrs. Jodoin or Mrs. Johnson for an application and details. If you are selected Mentors will be going down to Golden Brook School to mentor the 3rd/ 4th graders once a month.

Applications are due back to Mrs. Jodoin or Mrs. Johnson by November 3rd.

​Is your student interested in joining the WMS Ski & Ride Club? Please use this Google Form for this years Ski Club. The form contains all of the dates and prices for each ski trip this year. Once you fill out the Google Form, a permission slip and the $10.00 Ski Club fee will be entered into your students PowerSchool. Please reach out with any questions.

Is your student looking for a quiet place to study and get your work done? Then join us at Homework Club!

Starts: Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Then Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays

Time: 2:40 – 3:15 pm

Where: Mrs. O’Neil’s room # 233

Students may come 1, 2 or all 3 days. Great opportunity to get homework completed in a quiet environment.

Please complete the below form on both sides and return to Mrs. O'Neil in room 233.

Interested in joining the Baking Club? It's not too late! Please email Mrs. Yandow or Mrs. Smith at syandow@windhamsd.org or ksmith@windhamsd.org to get a permission form sent to your parent's Powerschool Hub. Once this is complete, you can sign up in the Media Center for our future cooking dates (if spots are available)!

Sign up for a spot (in the Media Center) until 20 spots are filled. First come first serve.

Cooking Date: November 10th (Monday) 2:30-4:30

Sign up date: Tuesday November 4 - Friday November 7

Cooking Item: Hand Pies

Cooking Date: December 9th (Tuesday) 2:30-4:30

Sign up date: Tuesday December 2 - Friday December 5

Cooking Item: Sugar Cookie Decorating

(check back for January - June dates)

There are still openings in the SMILES Club and the Chess Club. If you are interested in either or both, please email Mrs. Noel at hnoel@windhamsd.org and information will be sent to the parents/guardians through PowerHub. Attached are the informational sheets with the club meeting dates.

For any questions about clubs or activities, please reach out to the teacher running the club or activity.

• Art Club-- ccolbeth@windhamsd.org or ciarrobino@windhamsd.org
• Book Beat--ksmith@windhamsd.org or cstonge@windhamsd.org
• Chess Club--hnoel@windhamsd.org
• Coed Volleyball--Winter--jbartlett@windhamsd.org
• Destination Imagination--ksmith@windhamsd.org
• Drama--mkosta@windhamsd.org or jmurphy@windham@windhamsd.org
• Game/Baking Club-- syandow@windhamsd.org or ksmith@windhamsd.org
• Homework Club--koneil@windhamsd.org or emoran@windhamsd.org
• Math League--jzannoni@windhamsd.org
• M2M--ljodoin@windhamsd.org or rjohnson@windhamsd.org
• Robotics--ktenhagen@windhamsd.org or kcapel@windhamsd.org
• Ski Club--Winter-scurry@windhamsd.org
• SMILES--hnoel@windhamsd.org
• Student Council--ksteward@windhamsd.org or emoran@windhamsd.org
• Tennis Club--Spring--tlamb@windhamsd.org

Registration forms are now available in MyPowerHub to complete. All students are required to submit updated and complete registration forms annually. Once you are logged in to MyPowerHub, please follow the instructions to start your registration process.

All student reports are available for viewing/printing in the PowerSchool PowerHub You can view current and previous reports in the portal.

If you encounter difficulties logging in or accessing PowerSchool or Schoology, please complete the Parent PowerSchool Account Support form or Schoology Account Support form for assistance.

MyPowerHub Notification Settings --MyPowerHub Guardian view - Login, Overview Tile and Notification Preferences

We are proud to introduce a new parent platform, MyPowerHub. This platform enables our district to utilize a centralized platform from PowerSchool, consolidating the flow of information from schools to parents and guardians. In MyPowerHub, parents/guardians can:

1. See their child’s progress in one place

2. See school, classroom, club, and district communications in one place

3. Get direct messages from teachers and staff

4. Submit forms

5. View fees

6. Sign up for parent/teacher conferences

7. View transportation information

You should have received a message from the district to log in to the platform to complete your yearly registration forms and to view the updated bus routes. If you have not logged into the platform yet, please follow the instructions below to log in before the start of the school year.

Instructions

Desktop view - Login and Overview

Mobile App - Login and Overview

View Bus Routes Instructions

Complete Registration Forms Instructions

What is the PowerSchool Mobile App and is it right for you?

The PowerSchool Mobile App is a great resource for keeping on top of your student’s grades and attendance. It is nowhere near as robust as the full web version of the PowerSchool

PowerHub.

See more information below.

Schoology is an online Learning Management System (LMS) that helps you stay informed about your student’s classes and assignments. Parents will have the ability to access their student’s coursework via a parent portal. Instructions for Parent Access are attached for your reference.

Schoology Notification Settings

Schoology Login Directions

We are thrilled to continue offering Tutor.com services to grades 4-12! This partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Education and Tutor.com provides unlimited access to the tutoring service – anytime, anywhere, from any internet-connected device. This means your child can get the academic support they need, even from the comfort of home. Our students can access Tutor.com through their Schoology course pages. Please click here for more information.

Bus Routes for the 2025-26 school year are now available in MyPowerHub! Please follow these instructions to view your child's routes.

Parents should plan for a buffer of 10-15 minutes between their estimated arrival times for the first two weeks to get a better sense of what will be a more accurate timeframe. If there are changes to your child’s route, the district will notify you separately, and the change will be visible in PowerSchool.

If you have any questions about the bus routes, please contact Kristina Greene at First Student Transportation at 1-603-377-8878 or by email at bus@windhamsd.org. For PowerSchool portal assistance, please complete this form.

First Student offers a mobile app that allows parents to view their child’s bus route in real-time. FirstView will track your child’s bus on its routes and allow you to set up a customizable geofence around your pick-up/drop-off location.

Policy ECAF: RECORDING DEVICES ON SCHOOL BUSES

Food Nutrition

LINQ Connect is the payment platform that our food nutrition services uses.

Nutrition Services Meal Pricing SY26:

https://www.windhamsd.org/our_district/superintendent_s_office/nutrition_services/meal_prices_and_details

The Free/Reduced Meals Application and Instructions

https://www.windhamsd.org/our_district/superintendent_s_office/nutrition_services/free_and_reduced_meal_program

Additional School Fees

The Windham School District has transitioned electronic payments for school fees (such as laptop fees, Chromebooks, etc.) to Vanco RevTrak.

If you plan to set up an electronic payment option through Vanco, please follow these instructions after logging into the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

Please remember that the electronic payment centers are set up for convenience. All parents still have the option to send in a check to pay for food nutrition and/or school-based fees at any time. Please contact your child’s school directly if you have questions.

If you have an outstanding Annual Chromebook Technology Fee balance, that overdue balance will be credited first. Please make sure you are up to date with all Annual Chromebook Technology Fee payments, you pay this fee every school year. If you are not up to date on your Annual Chromebook Technology Fee, you will be charged full price for any repairs until the balance is paid.

What is MTSS?

The Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) establishes a process for providing increasing levels of instructional frequency and intensity whereby the needs of all learners are identified and supported.

All students within the Windham School District are provided effective standards-based core instruction and best practices in a system that includes: universal screening, progress monitoring, data-driven decision-making, academic, social-emotional, and behavior supports, and researched based instruction and intervention.

For more information on MTSS, please view our available resources below.

WSD Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Informational Brochure

The dress code can be found in the Student Handbook which can be found here, Student Handbook.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a school volunteer!

All required training will be completed through our online system, Vector Training.

As a reminder, All “Designated Volunteers" are mandated to complete annual training required by the following RSAs; RSA 189:13(a); RSA 193:J(2); RSA 193:F(5); and RSA 189:13(a), XII.

The definition of a "Designated Volunteer" is defined in Policy: GBCD and is any volunteer who comes into our schools on a regular basis or to chaperone a field trip of any kind.

Volunteers who do not fall within the definition of a designated volunteer (i.e. volunteer for an occasional classroom party), only need to complete steps one and two outlined above.

All designated volunteers must complete the steps below in order to be approved for the Windham School District.

1. Submit Volunteer Form
2. Background Check/Fingerprinting (NEW VOLUNTEERS ONLY)
3. Please complete the online training through Vector Systems. The training login will automatically be sent to you from Windham School District (SAU #95) after you submit the volunteer form. If you are still waiting to receive the login information within one week of submitting the form, please contact the Human Resources department at hr@windhamsd.org.

PLEASE NOTE: IF YOUR FINGERPRINTS HAVE ALREADY CLEARED IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO REPEAT THE FINGERPRINTING PROCESS).

If you are thinking about participating in a field trip; you must have completed the steps outlined above.

If you are unsure if you are a designated volunteer, or if you have any questions, please contact the Human Resource department, hr@windhamsd.org.

Our volunteers are a critical component to the success of our school district and we appreciate and thank you for your time and commitment!

https://www.windhamsd.org/resources/parents/volunteer_information

Windham Middle School is seeking parent volunteers to become a part of our School Council. The purpose of this council is to provide communication with parents, teachers, and administration. The meetings are usually sounding boards for Principals for implementing changes or initiatives and to get the pulse of the school community. The meetings are advisory in nature and are not designed as a “work” group, but there may be some assignments that the group decides to do in order to increase communication. The meetings are held monthly after school in the Media Center from 2:40-4:00pm.

Please contact Mrs. Morrow, bmorrow@windhamsd.org or Mr. Gratton, jgratton@windhamsd.org if you are interested.

WMS will be implementing the One Trusted Adult Program with our students. One Trusted Adult offers research-based programs and professional development opportunities that teach the fundamentals needed to build strong connections and healthy boundaries with young people.

Our goal of the One Trusted Adult Program is to prevent our biggest worries and promote our biggest hopes for youth. We do that by looking to ensure that every young person has accessible boundaried, and caring trusted adults, and those trusted adults have the training and tools they need to build healthy and appropriate relationships.

ROAR

R-Respect

O-Opportunities

A-Achievement

R- Responsiblity

25/26 Student Handbook

25/26 Student Athlete Handbook

Communications Guide

Policies and Procedures

Parent Technology Resource Center

Instagram--https://www.instagram.com/windhamms/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WindhamMiddleSchool

Email: sgerstein@windhamsd.org
Website: https://wms.windhamsd.org/
Location: 112a Lowell Road, Windham, NH, USA
Phone: (603)845-1556

Windham Middle School Mission

Windham Middle School faculty, staff, and students foster a diverse learning community where creativity and curiosity are encouraged, and student growth and development are supported as all students strive to reach their potential as lifelong learners.

Windham Middle School Vision

The vision of the Windham Middle School is to establish a community of open-minded, curious, and engaged learners in which all members belong.

Find us at WindhamPTA.org and on Facebook. Stay informed by joining your child’s school Facebook PTA Volunteer Group page.

https://www.facebook.com/Windham-Middle-School-PTA-Volunteer-Group-Page-112467067714393

https://www.facebook.com/windhamnhpta

Browse and shop here: https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/...