Center Stage

WCS Mission Statement:

The Windham Center School is a supportive community dedicated to student achievement, personal growth and empowering students to take ownership of their learning while showcasing their qualities that make them unique.

WCS Vision Statement:

The vision of the Windham Center School is to strive to foster confidence, curiosity, and resilience in our students' educational journey while inspiring lifelong learners guided by our core values of Responsibility, Opportunity, Achievement, and Respect.

Principal-B.J. Martin bmartin@windhamsd.org

Assistant Principal/504 Coordinator-Nadine Herard nherard@windhamsd.org

Director of Special Education-Kaite Carmody kcarmody@windhamsd.org

1. District Safety Night: On Thursday, October 15th, from 6:00-7:00 pm, we welcome the community to Golden Brook School for a district parent safety night. Our School Marshals, Eric O’Brien and Phil O’Loughlin will join Assistant Superintendent Dr. Hagerty to present the district’s Safety Response Protocols (SRPs) to parents and explain how we train staff and students.

2. Technology Parent Night: Last week, we invited parents to join us for an evening session to hear insights into the core digital tools, platforms, and technology our students and staff use, and to better understand how intentional technology use enhances student learning. If you couldn't attend, please visit our website for the presentation slides.

Each year, the School District is required to provide notice of our FERPA and New Hampshire Parents Bill of Rights policies. The policies are linked below with a brief description.

FERPA Policy - The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. It gives parents, and students once they reach 18, the right to access and review records, request corrections, and control the disclosure of personally identifiable information, with certain legal exceptions.

Rights under the FERPA Policy:

1. The rights of parents or eligible students to inspect and review the student’s education records within 14 days if the school is in receipt of a request for access; in accordance with Section F of Policy JRA.

2. The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. See full list of exceptions that allow disclosure in Section H of Policy JRA. One common exception which permits disclosure of PII from a student’s education without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.

A school official includes a person employed by the school or school district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving on the school board. A school official also may include a volunteer, contractor, or consultant who, while not employed by the school, performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, therapist or School Resource Officer; a parent or student volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

3. The right of a student’s parents or an eligible student to request the amendment of the student’s educational records which he/she believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of student rights; in accordance with the procedures in section G of Policy JRA

4. The right of any person to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education if the District violates FERPA; and

5. The Notice of Directory Information in Section C of this Policy JRA.

New Hampshire Parents Bill of Rights Policy - NH Parental Bill of Rights (RSA 189-B) establishes parents’ rights regarding their child’s education, curriculum, school records, and school activities and encourages parent involvement.

The Windham Police Department has informed us of an increase in the use of out-of-class electric vehicles (e-bikes) among our students.

A bicycle equipped with an electric motor that exceeds 750 watts (1 HP) and can reach speeds over 20 MPH is classified as an “Out of Class Electric Vehicle” (OCEV) according to federal and manufacturer definitions. It therefore falls under the same regulations as an Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle (OHRV) and cannot be used as transportation to and from school.

The Windham Police Department will monitor our school campuses, and parents will be contacted to pick up the e-bike or vehicle if it meets the OCEV criteria.

For more details on these state and federal guidelines, please review the attached brochure, which summarizes New Hampshire’s laws regarding e-bike usage.

We are looking for a few volunteers to help run the Scholastic Book Fairs in the library from October 26-30 and March 22-26. If you would like to help, please contact Joel Burdette, WCS Librarian at jburdette@windhamsd.org. This is an important library fundraiser and an opportunity for students to pick great new books to read.

Parent/Teacher Conference Sign Up will open on October 6th.

The PTA is a Parent/Teacher Association, which has been formed for the purpose of increasing and improving communication between home and school. The PTA meets once per month, runs book fairs during parent/teacher conferences, and runs many other important school events. Each fall, the PTA has its annual membership drive for new members and the election of officers. It is hoped that the parents of all of our students will become members and support our school projects.

Visit our PTA website at: http://www.windhampta.org/ for the most current PTA officers and Information.

The Jr. Book Beat Club will meet on September 29 and on one or two selected Tuesdays each month from 2:30 to 3:30 pm in the WCS Library. This book discussion group is open to interested 5th and 6th grade students. Members select a book together, read it outside of school, and meet to discuss. Please fill out the Book Club registration form for your child to participate and to read more details. This month’s book options are Tuck Everlasting and The Thief of Always.

Destination Imagination (DI) is an open-ended STEAM after-school activity that inspires students to imagine and innovate today, so they can become the creative leaders of tomorrow. Students take on the entire creative process from imagination to innovation. They learn vital life and career skills—creative thinking, critical thinking, public speaking, and collaborative problem-solving—that help them to feel empowered and set them up for future success. Fifth graders are considered to be at the elementary level for DI, while 6th graders compete at the middle school level. DI requires participation from a few parents (as team coach, competition appraiser, and competition volunteers). Center School teams will be competing in the NH Regionals in March 2027 (based on performances, teams may continue to compete through May 2027).

Please have your child watch the challenge videos found at this link to express which challenges he/she would be most interested in. Link: https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-experience/challenge-previews/

If you are interested in joining a team this year, please fill out the Google Form here.

Please note that completing this form does not guarantee a spot on a DI team. We have limited parent volunteers who have agreed to be a team coach so far. We will also try to align students who are interested in the same challenge. The availability of your child on a day when a coach and the advisor are available will also be a factor.

Questions: Please email Katy Parsons at kparsons@windhamsd.org

If your 5th or 6th Grader is interested in joining the WCS Robotics Group, the sign-up form opens Saturday, October 3rd at 9:00am. We meet each Monday after school from October 19th through May 10th. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Hemmer at rhemmer@windhamsd.org.

Drama Club - The WCS Drama Club is excited to announce our production of Newsies Jr.! Please register by Friday, September 25 by 3PM. We look forward to seeing you all at our first meeting on Monday, September 28th after school. There will be a quick (10 minute) parent meeting at pickup.

The Center School After-School Chorus is an engaging music program designed for 5th and 6th grade students who enjoy singing, performing, and making music together. The chorus meets every Thursday after school and runs until 3:30 p.m., providing students with an opportunity to develop their vocal skills, learn a variety of songs and musical styles, and build confidence through group performance. Whether students are experienced singers or simply excited to try something new, the chorus offers a fun and positive way to connect with classmates and share a love of music, directed under Mrs. Samuelson.

Please note: If you have already signed your student up, this club ends the week of November 16th (original date listed was November 10th)

Hello WCS Families,

We are happy to announce that Ski Club will occur again this year! We will be going to Pat’s Peak on Thursday nights in January for five fun-filled nights of skiing and snowboarding (January 7, 14, 21, 28 & Feb. 4). Students of all levels are welcome to sign up, as there are lessons at the mountain.

This year, sign-ups will be emailed out on October 25th at 9:00 AM (Sunday) to allow for early bird pricing and for all families to have an option to sign up. (To receive early pricing, registration must be paid in FULL on or before 11/15/26!) Sign-ups will be first-come, first-served and can be very competitive. When you go to sign up, you will need the names and numbers of TWO emergency contacts ready to be entered. If your child does not make the cut-off for the club, there will be a Google Form in the notes asking you to sign up for the waitlist. The waitlist will be timestamped from when the form is submitted to ensure a fair process for all 5th- and 6th-grade students.

If you are new to Ski Club, here is some overview information:

- Please be advised that participation in this club entails additional expenses, including bus transportation fees and a Pats Peak ski pass. Families may select from a variety of pass types, depending on their preferences and budget.

- All students must pay for their spot on the bus and get their pass from Pat’s Peak.

- Videos of how to purchase tickets and detailed information can be found on the Ski Club Page for students who join the Ski Club. You will not be entered early; only students who make it into the club will be on the page, so no one gets confused.

- This year, you can pay for the Ski Club bus digitally (PowerSchool) or by check payable to Windham Center School.

- Pat’s Peak passes must be purchased directly through Pat’s Peak. Please see the video and/or PDF directions for 2026/2027 ski club members on the Ski Club page (only available for those who get into the club).

- Students leave WCS at 1:45 pm and will be responsible for gathering information and work from their missed classes.

- Students will have lessons (if purchased) from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM and free skiing from 4:00 PM to 6:45 PM.

- Students who miss their check-in time (5:00 PM - 5:30 PM) cannot come the following week.

- Rental gear is available for anyone who needs it and can be purchased with their pass.

- Mrs. Schuurman and Mrs. Cronin will email chaperones to alert them if they can be chaperones for their chosen night. You will then get a pass from Mrs. Schuurman to ski/snowboard for the night.

-Mandatory Parent Meeting: If your child is in Ski Club for the first time and is accepted into the club, at least one parent/guardian must attend a required meeting on December 2nd at 5:30 PM. This meeting will cover all expectations, procedures, and important information for the club.

As always, if you have any questions, please email us at jschuurman@windhamsd.org and scronin@windhamsd.org.

Hello Center School Families!

I’m excited to share that Homework Club still has spots available for this school year! Homework Club is a great opportunity for students to have a quiet, supportive place after school to work on homework, complete assignments, ask questions, and get extra help when needed.

Homework Club will begin Monday, October 5th and will be held in Room 128 with Mrs. Schuurman (previously Ms. Lemay) on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:30–3:30 PM.

A quick note about the sign-up: I opened the Google Form a little earlier than originally planned, so if your family has already completed the form, you are all set! 😊 If your child would still like to join Homework Club, there are spots remaining, so please feel free to use the link below to sign up.

During Homework Club, students will have the opportunity to:

• Complete daily homework assignments

• Work on unfinished classwork or projects

• Ask questions and receive extra support in math, reading, or other subject areas

• Develop strong study habits and organizational skills in a structured environment

• Have a quiet space to focus and get things done before heading home

Homework Club has a maximum of 30 students due to space limitations. If the club fills, students will be placed on a waitlist. If you are interested but see that the form is full, please email me anyway! I will see what we can do to accommodate additional students if possible.

Homework Club Sign-Up Form

Please remember that transportation is not provided after Homework Club, so families will need to make pick-up arrangements in advance. Students should be picked up promptly at 3:30 PM.

Families of students who are accepted into Homework Club will receive updates and reminders through the Remind App. Remind information will be provided at the end of the Google Form once students have been accepted.

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at jschuurman@windhamsd.org.

I’m looking forward to another great year of helping our students feel confident, supported, and successful with their learning! 💙

Thank you,
Mrs. Jordan Schuurman

Do you enjoy solving challenging problems, thinking creatively, and finding different ways to approach a math challenge? Then Math Olympiads may be the club for you!

Math Olympiads is an after-school math competition club where students work together to solve challenging problems that require logic, creativity, perseverance, and strong problem-solving skills. Students do not need to have every answer immediately or be the fastest mathematician. Math Olympiads is about being curious, trying new strategies, learning from mistakes, and enjoying the process of problem solving.

Students interested in joining Math Olympiads will first participate in a tryout so I can learn more about how they approach challenging problems and think as mathematicians. Completing the sign-up form only registers students for the tryout and does not guarantee a spot on the team.

To sign up for the Math Olympiads tryout, please complete the Google Form linked here:
Try Out Link CLICK HERE

The form should be completed by the student interested in trying out. Parents/guardians should be involved to review the club information, meeting expectations, and schedule details, but the student should complete the questions independently. The goal of the form is for me to learn more about each student's own mathematical thinking, problem-solving approach, and interest in joining Math Olympiads.

Math Olympiads Tryout Information
Friday, October 16th
2:30–3:30 PM
Café

The Math Olympiads team will be limited to 24 students. Students selected for the team will participate in practice sessions and prepare for Math Olympiad competitions throughout the season.

Club Information:

Meetings: Every other week from November through March
After school (specific meeting dates will be shared with selected team members)

Students selected for the team should be prepared to:

• Attend bi-weekly meetings and actively participate

• Work collaboratively with teammates

• Challenge themselves with complex math problems

• Practice perseverance when problems are difficult

• Represent our school with a positive attitude

I am excited to see students take on new challenges, stretch their mathematical thinking, and discover that there is more than one way to solve a problem!

Tutor.com: 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.

The following events are not sponsored by the Windham School District.