The WTHS Weekly Newsletter

While students enjoyed a two-hour delayed opening on Tuesday, our staff spent the morning learning with Dr. Denis Sheeran!

The session explored creative lesson starters, purposeful small-group instruction, and interactive learning stations that get students talking, thinking, and collaborating. Teachers examined how short mini-lessons, targeted support, thoughtful questioning, and ongoing assessment can help meet students’ different learning needs.

Staff also reflected on their classroom practices and explored strategies they could use right away. This collaborative learning supports our schoolwide goals of strengthening instruction and increasing student achievement—helping every student become an active participant in learning!

When we learn together and leave with ideas we’re excited to try, our students benefit—that’s PD with a purpose and a little extra “spark” for the classroom!

• As students entered the classroom, they received a small container of modeling clay. Students were asked to mold their clay to resemble Benjamin Franklin’s famous 1754 political cartoon, "Join, or Die," before physically transforming their creations into a single, unified snake.

• This tactile activity acted as a conceptual bridge, helping students transition from the fragmented resistance of the French and Indian War era to the unified political action of the First Continental Congress (1774).

• A projection of Benjamin Franklin’s 1754 "Join, or Die" cartoon was displayed on the board for students to refer to. Students engaged in discussions as they worked in small groups, including:

Is a unified colony inherently stronger, or did individual colonial identities and local interests create friction when trying to act as 'one body'?

• Students translated an abstract historical concept—colonial unification—into a tangible visual and physical experience.

• This warm up activity set up an analytical framework for the day’s main lesson, posing the central question: To what extent was the First Continental Congress a true unification of the colonies versus a temporary alliance of convenience?

Written by Ms. McGuirl

In Ms. Verrecchio’s Honors and CP Public Speaking classes, students recently tackled the ultimate communication challenge: "Filler Word Friday."

Designed to hone the crucial skill of eliminating verbal crutches such as "um," "like," and "so," the lesson began with students learning actionable strategies for mindful, confident delivery.

To kick off the exercise, students created their own original speech topics and placed them in a bowl. One by one, speakers drew a random prompt, took 30 seconds to gather their thoughts, and took center stage for a one-minute impromptu speech.

The one rule: students could not use a single filler word. Classmates served as both an engaged audience and attentive judges; the moment a filler word was used, a classmate hit the buzzer, resetting the timer to 1:00 and forcing the speaker to start over from the beginning. With just three "lives" per turn, the exercise was intentionally designed to test students' limits and push them out of their comfort zones in a supportive environment.

By practicing these strategies under pressure, students walked away with speaking tools they will carry into future classroom presentations and real-world speaking opportunities.

Written by: Ms. Verrecchio

The lesson was: when we cheat, we lose. When we work together and stay focused, nothing can stop us.

Written by Ms. Hanford

We would like to give a special commendation to the students in 4th period study hall (F104) for their exceptional behavior during a recent medical emergency.

When an unexpected situation arose, the entire class acted with incredible maturity. Everyone followed directions swiftly, remained calm, and ensured that emergency protocols could be carried out smoothly. A special thank you goes to the students who immediately called out for help, ensuring school staff was alerted without delay.

We want to give extra recognition to 12th graders Nick Mealey and Adrianna Devine.

Nick and Adrianna went above and beyond with their quick thinking, poise, and standout efforts to directly assist their classmate in a critical moment. Their ability to take immediate action while keeping cool under pressure demonstrated true courage, leadership, and compassion for their peers.

Thank you to Nick, Adrianna, and the entire 4th period study hall class for looking out for one another and showing what it truly means to be a supportive school community. We are incredibly proud of you all!

Written by: Ms. McGuirl

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, our Spanish Honor Society students have been busy honoring the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latin American communities through a variety of exciting activities!

One of the highlights of our celebration was a teacher door-decorating contest, in which students voted for their favorite design. The winning door belonged to Ms. Gomez B107, whose door showcased the vibrant culture of Mexico! A special thank-you goes to Daelani, Brooklyn, Jadeyn, Jaida, Fatima, Nalle, Fajr, Kamyia and Angelise for dedicating many afternoons and countless hours after school to bring their creative ideas to life. Their hard work, artistic talent, and commitment to the organization are truly appreciated!

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Ms. Troncoso for celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with us by wearing a beautiful traditional dress from Mexico! Her participation helped highlight the beauty and significance of Mexican cultural traditions. We also want to thank Ms. SantaMaria, Ms. McCauley, and Ms. Pierre-Davis for participating in the door-decorating contest and joining our students in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Your enthusiasm helped us make this celebration even more special!

Our students have been making daily Hispanic Heritage Month announcements, sharing interesting facts and expressive phrases that highlight the rich cultures, traditions, and ways of life across Latin American countries. Through their research, our members bring these fun facts to life and share them with our school community in both Spanish and English, promoting cultural awareness and appreciation.

Our Spanish Honor Society members have also been busy sharing delicious Latin-inspired treats with the school community. Thank you to everyone who helped with our ¡Disfruta la fruta! A latin snack fruit sale featuring Mexican Tajín seasoning. We wraped up our Latin snacks with two flavorful favorites: walking tacos and Dorilocos on Thursday October 15th the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, a popular Mexican street-food snack known for its bold, tangy flavors!

We are also incredibly proud of our Spanish Honor Society students for choreographing their first-ever Hispanic Heritage Month dance performance, which debuted at the school pep rally! Their teamwork, dedication, and enthusiasm helped make this a memorable moment for our school community. Thank you to Daelani, Brooklyn, Tania, Jadeyn, Sherlyn and Angelise for choregraphing the routine and allowing other students to join in the dance and fun.

As we look ahead, we are excited about our upcoming bowling trip on November 12 after school! We encourage everyone to continue supporting the Spanish Honor Society as we celebrate culture, build connections, and create lasting memories together. Please see Ms. Gomez for additional information for the bowling trip.

Written by: Mrs. Gomez and Mrs. Duca

A friendly reminder that NJGPA retakes in English Language Arts and Mathematics will take place October 19–21 (actual dates of test). Seniors who are scheduled to take the test are reminded to get a good night's rest, bring their fully charged Chromebook and charger to their testing room. First period teachers will remind students of their testing room.

We encourage every student to approach the test with confidence. Believe in yourself, take your time, and do your best. We are cheering you on!

• Week of October 19 — Purposeful Small-Group Instruction: Administrators will look for intentional groupings based on students’ learning needs, differentiated instruction, and targeted teacher support and feedback.

• Week of October 26 — Creative Lesson Starters: Administrators will look for engaging opening activities that spark curiosity, activate prior knowledge, and connect students to the lesson’s purpose.

• Week of November 9 — Interactive Learning Stations: Administrators will look for purposeful station activities that promote active participation, meaningful collaboration, and opportunities to practice and apply learning.

• Week of November 16 — Student-to-Student High-Level Questioning: Administrators will look for students asking one another questions that deepen thinking, explaining their reasoning, and building on or respectfully challenging peers’ ideas.

Thank you for continuing to create responsive and engaging classroom environments where students receive the support they need, work productively with their peers, and take an active role in their learning.

This week, our juniors and seniors explored how to turn their voices into action during our Voter Registration Assembly! Students learned about the voter registration process, the importance of voting, and how staying informed helps them become active participants in their communities.

From the classroom to the voting booth, our Eagles are discovering that civic engagement starts with learning, asking questions, and getting involved. Their voices matter—and their futures are worth voting for!

Get ready for a spooktacular attendance challenge! From October 26–30, the first-period class with every student present for the entire week will win a special prize!

Every student matters, so encourage your classmates to be in school, arrive on time, and help your first-period class reach perfect attendance. The winning class will be announced during the morning announcements on Monday, November 2.

Be here, be on time, and help your class claim the prize!

It's time to come together for our annual Santa Saturday Fundraiser! Let's make this year's event our BEST one yet!

📅 Saturday, December 12, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 WTHS

🎓 Why It Matters!

Santa Saturday raises funds for Project Graduation for the Class of 2027, helping provide our graduating seniors with a safe, fun, and memorable celebration!

🎁 Come Out To Experience Santa Saturday

Activities include:

🎅 Santa Experience
🍪 Food & Refreshments
💌 Letters to Santa
🦌 Reindeer Food
🎨 Holiday Tattoos
✂️ Crafts & Activities
📖 Story Time
🎶 Holiday Music
🛍️ Vendor Stations
🎟️ Holiday Basket Raffle
🎄 Setup & Decorations
🧹 Cleanup & Breakdown
📋 Event Coordination

Let's spread some holiday cheer while supporting our seniors!

Thank you!!! 🎓❤️

Written by the HSA

A member of the WTHS Class of 2018, who is now attending Rutgers Law School, is giving back to the community where his journey began! He is excited to offer the Bright Futures Scholarship to his fellow Eagles, helping another student take the next step toward their dreams.

This opportunity is especially meaningful to him because of his Winslow roots, and he would be thrilled to see a fellow Eagle selected. We love seeing our graduates reach new heights while helping others spread their wings!

Seniors, your bright future could get a $1,000 boost! ALIANZA, the Latin Law Student Alliance at Rutgers Law School–Camden, is awarding two $1,000 Carmen M. Garcia Bright Futures Scholarships to Camden County high school seniors planning to attend college. Submit a short personal statement about your lived experiences by October 31, 2026. Recipients will be honored at the Defensores de la Justicia Banquet on November 11, 2026, at the Camden Aquarium.

Apply for the Bright Futures Scholarship here!

• October 22, 2026: NHS Application Due
• October 27, 2026: College Readiness Night 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• November 3, 2026: Staff In-Service - Closed for Students
• November 5 & 6, 2026: NJEA Convention - School Closed
• November 11, 2026: Veterans Day - School Closed
• November 12, 2026: Last Day of 1st Marking Period
• November 12, 2026: Coffee with the Counselors 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
• November 15, 2026 – December 18, 2026: Giving Tree Drive
• November 18, 2026: Report Card Mailing
• November 18, 2026: Elective Fair Middle School Visit 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• November 19, 2026: Early Dismissal for Students - Evening Parent Conferences
• November 23, 2026: Early Dismissal for Students - Afternoon Parent Conferences
• November 24, 2026: Early Dismissal for Students - Afternoon Parent Conferences
• November 25, 2026: Early Dismissal
• November 26 & 27: Thanksgiving Break - School Closed
• December 1: 2-Hr Delay for Students
• December 1: National Honor Society Induction Ceremony 6:00 PM
• December 10, 2026: Spanish Honor Society Induction Ceremony 6:00 PM
• December 12, 2026: Santa Saturday 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM (set up Friday, December 11, 2026 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
• December 15, 2026: Winter Concert 6:00 PM
• December 24 - January 1: Winter Recess - School Closed
• January 4: School Reopen
• January 15: Interim Report Cards Available in Genesis
• January 18: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - School Closed
• January 19: 2-Hr Delay for Students
• January 28: Last Day of 2nd Marking Period
• February 10: Report Card Mailing
• February 11, 2027: Transition Fair 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• February 12: Staff In-Service - Closed for Students
• February 15: President's Day - School Closed
• March 2: NJSLA/NJGPA Night 6:00 PM
• March 12: Interim Report Card
• March 22: 2-Hr Delay for Students
• March 23: Early Dismissal for Students - Evening Parent Conferences
• March 24: Early Dismissal for Students - Afternoon Parent Conferences
• March 25: Early Dismissal
• March 26 - April 2: Spring Break - School Closed
• April 5: School Reopen
• April 13: Last Day of 3rd Marking Period
• April 23: Report Card Mailing
• April 28: Honors Recital 9:00 AM
• May 13: Thespian Awards 6:00 PM
• May 18: Spring Concert 6:00 PM
• May 20: Director’s Cut 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• May 21: Interim Report Cards Available on Genesis
• May 25: Senior Awards 6:00 PM
• May 31: Memorial Day - School Closed
• June 8: Small Ensemble Concert 6:00 PM
• June 14, 15, 16: Early Dismissal for Students
• June 17: Senior Class Brunch 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• June 17: Early Dismissal for Students and Last Day of School
• June 18: Juneteenth - School Closed