Welcome to the 26–27 School Year!
A Family Guide to the Wright Academy

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Welcome to the 2026–2027 School Year!
Welcome, Wright Academy families!
Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning for another year, we’re excited to welcome you and have your family as part of our school community.
This guide includes important information, resources, and reminders to help your family prepare for a great start to the 2026–2027 school year.
Mark your Calendar!
Event Information
Early Release Days (Students Dismissed at 11:30AM)
September 23, 2026
December 9, 2026
February 10, 2027
March 17, 2027
Upcoming Dates
School Site Council: September 23, 2026 @ 2:45PM
Open House: September 23, 2026 @ 4PM
No School Days:
Refer to the Chelsea Public Schools District Calendar below for holidays, non-school days and vacations.
Know Before You Go
Daily School Hours
8:05 AM - 2:30PM
Wednesday (Early Dismissal)
8:05 AM - 1:40PM
Scheduled Early Release Days
Dismissal at 11:30AM
Get Ready for School
First Day of School Expectations for 5th Grade ONLY
We’re excited to welcome our incoming 5th graders to WSTA! The first day may feel new for both students and families, so here are a few important things to know:
Morning Arrival & Breakfast
- Breakfast begins at 7:30 AM. Families are welcome to walk their 5th grader into the building and may stay with them in the cafeteria if they would like.
- At 8:05 AM, the bell will ring and students will transition to the library. Teachers and staff will organize students by class before bringing them upstairs to their classrooms.
- At this point, parents and guardians will need to leave the building. Families will not be able to accompany students into the library or upstairs to the classrooms.
Dismissal – Wednesday Schedule
- On the first day, students will be dismissed at 1:40 PM.
- We strongly encourage families to make a clear dismissal plan with their student before the first day.
- Students are not individually handed off to parents or guardians at dismissal. When the dismissal bell rings, students are free to exit the building.
- Please decide ahead of time where and how you will meet your student after school.
IMPORTANT: Make a dismissal plan with your student before the first day!
With approximately 800 students leaving the building at dismissal, having a clear meeting place will help your student know exactly where to go.
First Day of School Expectations for Grades 6-8
Breakfast begins at 7:30 AM, and the school bell rings promptly at 8:05 AM. If your student is new to WSTA, please review the arrival and dismissal information with them ahead of time so they know what to expect.
Recommended School Supplies
Help your student start the school year prepared and ready to learn! We’ve put together a recommended supply list for students in Grades 5–7 with the basic materials they may need throughout the school year.
Please note that teachers may share additional classroom-specific supplies as needed.
5th Grade Supply List
The teachers provide a lot of materials for students. Here is a list of supplies that would be helpful for students to also bring to school.
Pencils (A few packs to last them the year)
Lead for their mechanical pencils
Small Pencil Sharpener
Erasers
Optional (Not required but helpful)
Folders
Notebooks
Paper towels
Tissues
Clorox wipes
6th Grade Supply List
Here is the recommended supply list for our 6th grade students. Please review the list below and send your student to school prepared with the supplies they will need for their classes.
General Supplies
- Mechanical Pencils — plenty for the entire year!
- Pens
- 2-pocket folder
- Notebook paper — lined, graph paper, or any paper for completing classwork
- Headphones — required for History; optional for Science
Science
- 2-pocket take-home folder
Math
- Paper — notebook paper, lined paper, graph paper, or any paper to complete math work
Optional Classroom Donations
Families who would like to donate supplies to their student's homeroom teacher are greatly appreciated! The following items are especially helpful:
- Tissues
- Hand sanitizer
- Pencils
- Clorox wipes
- Paper towels
- Febreze
- Lysol spray
- Affordable headphones
Thank you for helping our 6th graders start the school year prepared and ready to learn!
7th Grade Supply List
Below is the supply list for the upcoming school year. Please make sure your student comes prepared with the following supplies:
ELA: a marble notebook, a folder, box of pens
Science: 1 inch binder, paper, pencils
Writing: a folder, pens
Math: 1 inch binder, pencils
History: a spiral notebook, a folder, pens
Transportation Information
Transportation options can vary by student and grade level.
THE WRIGHT ACADEMY DOES NOT PROVIDE REGULAR YELLOW-BUS TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENTS.
Students who have transportation specifically indicated on their IEP due to special education needs or students participating in an eligible after-school program may have access to transportation services.
Families transitioning from elementary school should be aware that yellow-bus transportation does not automatically continue into middle school.
School Meals
Breakfast/Lunch Information.
Breakfast Times
Available from 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Lunch Times
Grades 5 & 6
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 11:40 AM–12:05 PM
- Wednesday: 11:27 AM–11:52 AM
Grades 7 & 8
- 11:00–11:25 AM every day, including Wednesdays.
Breakfast and lunch are provided free of charge to all students. Students are also welcome to bring a lunch from home if they prefer.
Chelsea Public Schools is a nut-free district. Please keep this in mind when packing a lunch or snack from home.
Breakfast begins at 7:30 AM. Families can visit the school meals website to view the Breakfast & Lunch Menus and stay up to date on meal options throughout the school year.
Stay Connected with ParentSquare
ParentSquare is the primary way WSTA communicates with families throughout the school year. We strongly encourage every family to download the ParentSquare app and keep notifications turned on.
Through the app, families can:
- 📩 Receive important school updates, announcements, reminders, and flyers
- 💬 Message teachers and communicate directly with school staff
- 📅 Stay informed about events and activities
- 📄 Access important school information and communications
Important School Policies
Student Phone Policy
Students are expected to keep their phones securely in their school-issued pouch at all times.
Violations include:
Using a phone during school
Damaging or losing the pouch
If a student violates the policy, the phone/pouch will be collected, and parents or guardians will be contacted. Repeated or serious violations may require a parent meeting, an Individual Electronics Plan, and a replacement fee of $30.
Thank you for helping us keep students focused and safe at school!
Tardy Policy
Tardy Policy
- School starts at 8:05AM
- Students arriving after 8:15 AM are marked tardy and must check in at the main office
Running late? Send Mrs. Glory or Ms. Garcia a message on Parent Square to let us know.
Early Dismissal Policy
If your student needs to be dismissed during the school day due to a family or medical emergency, please provide a written request.
The request must include:
- Specific dismissal time
- Reason for dismissal
- Phone number for verification
- Parent or legal guardian signature
You may also submit the request directly to Mrs. Glory or Ms. Garcia through ParentSquare.
Important: Students dismissed before 11:30 AM will be marked absent for the entire school day.
Uniform Policy
WSTA is a uniform school, and ALL students are expected to come to school in uniform every day. Our uniform helps promote school pride, unity, and a focus on learning.
✅ Tops: Plain or WSTA logo polos/t-shirts in Navy Blue, Light Blue, Maroon, or White
✅ Bottoms: Navy Blue, Gray or Black pants, sweatpants, skirts, jean shorts, or jeans (no rips or holes at appropriate length) - see dress code policy below.
✅ Outerwear: Sweaters, sweatshirts, or jackets in navy blue, light blue, maroon, white or black (plain or with WSTA logo)
🚫 Pajama pants, standalone leggings, biker shorts, crop tops, ripped jeans, and visible undergarments are not permitted. Hats/hoods may not be worn indoors unless for religious/cultural reasons.
Uniforms can be ordered through Stars Branding at 617-567-0000 or online at starsapparel.com.
1st Place Spiritwear Sales
Show Your WSTA Spirit!
Looking for WSTA spirit wear for the new school year? 1st Place Spiritwear has school-logo gear for students, families and staff!
This weekend only:
- Youth Tees: $17.99
- Adult Tees: $19.99
- Plus, up to 35% off other items in the store.
Spiritwear is optional and is a fun way for students and families to show their WSTA pride.
After School Care
After School Care
For Kids Only (FKO): offers an after-school program for Wright Academy students in Grades 5–6.
Students can attend every day after school.
The program is located at Wright Academy, 180 Walnut Street, but FKO is a separate organization and is not affiliated with Wright Academy or Chelsea Public Schools.
For information about enrollment, schedules, tuition or the program, please contact FKO directly.
Meet Ms. Garcia your Family Liaison
I serve as the Family Liaison for the Wright Academy in Chelsea Public Schools, where my role is centered on building strong, trusting connections between families, schools, and the broader community. I believe deeply in family empowerment—families have a voice, they should be heard, and they play an essential role as partners in their child’s education. I work closely with families, school staff, and community partners to ensure families feel informed, supported, and connected throughout their school experience.
My passion for this work comes from a belief that families are one of a child's first and most important teachers. When families are engaged, empowered, and included, schools become stronger and students are better positioned to succeed. Being able to support families, advocate for their voices, and help build meaningful partnerships is what makes this work so rewarding.
We're Here to Help
Who Can Help?
Our WSTA team is here to support students and families throughout the school year. Here are some of the key people and offices you may need to contact:
- Main Office: 617-466-5240
- School Nurse: 617-466-5211
- Family Liaison – Ms. Garcia: 617-466-5119
- Social Worker – Ms. Peña: 617-466-5221
- Social Worker – Ms. Fernandez: 617-466-5234
- School Counselor – Mr. Kennedy: 617-466-5208
- School Counselor – Ms. Duque: 617-466-5209
Not sure who to contact? Start with the Main Office or Family Liaison, and we’ll help connect you with the right person.
Get Involved & Stay Connected!
Get Involved & Stay Connected!
Have a Voice at WSTA: School Site Council
Want to have a say in what happens at WSTA? School Site Council (SSC) is an opportunity for families to work alongside school staff to help shape our school community. Families can share ideas, raise concerns, provide feedback, and help guide decisions that support our students and school.
You don’t need to be an expert or have experience in education—we want to hear from our families! If you’re interested in getting involved, keep an eye out for upcoming meeting dates and opportunities to join us.
Stay Connected with the WSTA!
Don’t have the ParentSquare app yet?
Download the app, turn on your notifications, and stay connected with important school updates, events, resources, and opportunities throughout the school year. Having trouble getting connected? I’m happy to help you set up the app and make sure you’re connected to the Wright Academy.
I’m Angie Garcia, your Family Liaison, and I’m here to support our families. Whether you have a question, need assistance, have an idea, or would like to get involved or volunteer, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always happy to help!
Wright Academy
180 Walnut St
Chelsea, MA 01960
📞 617-466-5119
📧 garciaa@chelseaschools.com