TMS Bulldog Minute

Dear TMS Families,

On Wednesday, we had our first day of Student-Led Conferences. The next day for Student-Led Conferences is November 4th. If you have not scheduled a conference, please contact your child's advisor.

Also, on Friday, Progress Reports were posted in the ASPEN Portal. As a reminder, Progress Reports are intended to inform you on how your child(ren) are currently doing, and are not final grades. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher, team leaders, guidance counselor, or school administrator and we will be happy to assist you.

Finally, I want to give a special KUDOS this week to our TMS CARES Club for organizing the TMS Block Party and October Spirit Week. As a reminder the club is open to all students and with the goal of making our TMS community stronger through fun community events like these.

Best,

Mr. Redmon

Mon. Nov. 2nd- Day 10

Tues. Nov. 3rd- Day 1

Wed. Nov. 4th- Day 2 (Early Release)

Thurs. Nov. 5th- Day 3

Fri. Nov. 6th- Day 4

School will be dismissed at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, 11/25. There will be no lunch served on this day. If you would like your student(s) to pickup a bagged lunch, please email jdestito@westwood.k12.ma.us.

All attendance should be reported the Absence Line (781-326-7500 x2394) or the TMS office email (tmsoffice@westwood.k12.ma.us). All absences and/or late arrivals must be reported before 8am.

Please click here for the Attendance Guidelines and FAQ's

As a reminder, school hours are as follows:

7:45 a.m. - 2:22 p.m. Regular School Days

7:45 a.m. - 1:10 p.m. Early Release Wednesdays

Students are expected to be in their Advisory Block by 7:45 a.m. Students not in class by this time will be marked as tardy for the school day.

Please read the following information regarding illnesses and when it is safe to return to school

Policies for Communicable Diseases and Return to School

Please access all required parental consent forms below using these links:
26/27 Over-the-Counter Parental Consent Form

Daily Medication Administration Consent Form

Common Illness Guide

Health Office Contact Information

p: 781-326-7500, x 2334

f: 781-326-2709

Office Hours: 7:35 - 2:35

Office Hours on short Wednesdays: 7:35 - 1:10

For additional information, please visit the Health Office Page

In Massachusetts, public schools are required per Massachusetts General Laws to screen students periodically for the purpose of identifying health related concerns. The complete Westwood Public School Policy on Health Screening can be found here. The purpose of each screening is outlined here. Screenings are planned for Nov/Dec 2026.

For more information, and to opt-out of screenings please follow the below link:

Annual Screening Information and Opt-Out

November 4th - 1:30-3:30 & 6:00-8:00 PM

Please note: The late buses ONLY drops off at the listed designated locations.

Students in grade 6 will receive their Chromebooks during the first few days of school, provided that a parent or guardian has signed the Technology Contract for Students and Families as part of the Annual Aspen Verification Form process. Families will receive a link to access the annual verification form in mid-August.

Parents/guardians will receive an email in mid-August with information about registering for optional accidental Chromebook insurance for the 2026–2027 school year. This insurance is highly recommended and covers unlimited claims with no deductibles for damage caused by drops, spills, and similar accidents. Theft is also covered, though please note that loss and intentional damage are not included.

Parents/guardians will also receive an email inviting them to join the Deledao Parent Portal. This tool allows families to monitor their child’s at-home Chromebook use by providing weekly reports of browsing activity and the ability to apply additional content restrictions beyond those already set by the district. The Parent Portal is part of our broader effort to support safe and focused technology use both in and out of school.

In addition to the content filters enabled on your child’s device, teachers consistently reinforce expectations around responsible technology use. This includes encouraging school-appropriate, balanced use of technology as well as proper care of the Chromebook. You can help at home by reinforcing key habits: keeping the Chromebook securely on a table, avoiding areas with heavy foot traffic, and performing occasional quality checks for damage. We also recommend setting a nightly charging routine—ideally outside of the bedroom—to promote healthy screen habits and ensure the device is fully charged for the school day.

We kindly ask that you partner with us so that we can maintain a focused learning environment and minimize disruptions during the school day. Therefore, as a reminder, students are prohibited from using personal internet-enabled devices during the school day. Please refrain from texting your child during the school day. If your child requires academic, emotional, or otherwise assistance, they are encouraged to check in with a teacher, guidance counselor, the main office, or an administrator. If your child is not feeling well they should visit the school nurse to be assessed, and our school nurse will contact you accordingly. Finally, if you need to reach your child urgently, please contact the main office directly, and we will ensure they receive your message promptly.

We appreciate your support in maintaining our policy of keeping cell phones powered off and stored in lockers throughout the school day. For more information about our Technology and Internet-Enabled Devices Expectations, please see below.

Technology and Internet-Enabled Devices

Personal internet-enabled devices, such as cell phones, smart watches, and earbuds, are the responsibility of student owners, who must adhere to the school's expectations in order to foster a safe community where students are present and engaged.

Student use of internet-enabled devices is prohibited during the school day in all locations (morning locations, classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, recess field, bathrooms, etc.). If a parent needs to send a communication to their child during the school day, parents need to contact the school’s main office and leave a message with the administrative assistant. If a student needs to contact a parent during the school day, they can ask for permission to use the phone in the TMS Main Office.

Expectations/Guidelines:

1. Before entering the school building, students will power their devices OFF and remove headphones/earbuds.

2. Students will store their devices (cell phone, smart watch, etc.) in their lockers. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their locker is locked.

3. Students may only use their devices for educational purposes with faculty permission. Using camera, video, or audio features is restricted to approved educational activities. Unauthorized postings of any student, teacher, or faculty member will result in disciplinary action and may have legal consequences.

4. Students must ensure that their online behavior, comments, and postings, during or after school hours, adhere to TMS student expectations and do not violate our school bullying or harassment policies.

5. The administration may grant exceptions. Examples of exceptions include when a device is used to manage a student’s health care, when a device is used for educational purposes explicitly outlined in an IEP or 504 Plan, unique academically appropriate uses as determined by the classroom teacher, or other special circumstances explicitly approved by the administration.

Any student found in violation of these protocols will progress through the following tiered disciplinary actions:

1. First Offense: Warning: The student will be asked to turn the device off and must place their internet-enabled device(s) in their locker. Refusal to comply with the warning will result in additional disciplinary consequences.

2. Subsequent Offense(s): Teacher and Administrator Intervention: The classroom teacher will communicate concern regarding the use of cell phones in the classroom to the student’s home. The classroom teacher will also complete a behavior referral to administration for further follow up. Administration will meet with the student and will issue disciplinary follow up for unauthorized use of a cell phone in class. Administrator follow up and discipline for student cell phone use will be based on a review of the current student’s disciplinary history and past infractions, including repeated cell phone use violations.

3. Continued Offense(s): Device Confiscation: Repeated misuse of the device(s) may result in administration confiscating the student’s device(s). The administration will determine the long-term parameters (such as a phone plan, loss of privileges, parent conference and device pick up, etc.) for any student who repeatedly violates the policy.

TMS is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items, including personal internet-enabled devices in the custody of the main office due to the implementation of consequences. Lost, stolen, or damaged items may be reported to the Westwood Police Department.

Please click here to view the entire TMS Handbook.

Grade 6 - Megan White - mwhite@westwood.k12.ma.us

Grade 7 - Jamie Russo - jrusso@westwood.k12.ma.us

Grade 8 - Austin Bushey - abushey@westwood.k12.ma.us

The Thurston Welcome Club creates community events that bring students and families together. Families that are new to WPS, including Boston families in the METCO Program and families who have just moved to Westwood, can connect with veteran WPS families and each other in fun and interesting ways.

All students and families are invited to join us! To stay updated on our events and programming or to volunteer with the committee, please complete this form. Questions? Email thurstonwelcomeclub@westwood.k12.ma.us.

It is important that all families in our school feel a sense of belonging and community. One way we do this is by acknowledging important holidays, observances, and celebrations. Please let us know if there is an important holiday or observance that your family celebrates or recognizes that you would like us to be aware of. Learning about each other and the people in our community helps us build a more inclusive environment.

WPS Equity, Integration, and Community Partnerships Webpage

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a special time when we celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino people in the United States. During this month, people learn about traditions, music, food, and important leaders from many different countries. It’s a time to appreciate the rich cultures and stories that make our country special.

Sukkot is a joyful week-long Jewish holiday that celebrates the harvest and brings families, friends, and communities together. During this time, some people build a special hut called a sukkah, decorated with leaves and fruits, where they eat meals to remember how their ancestors lived in temporary shelters while traveling through the desert for 40 years after escaping slavery in Egypt. It’s a time to be thankful for food and to celebrate with loved ones.

Navratri is a special festival celebrated by many people in India and around the world. It lasts for nine nights and is a time to honor the goddess Durga, who represents strength and goodness. During Navratri, people dance, sing, pray, and celebrate with colorful clothes and decorations. It’s a joyful time to come together with family and friends and celebrate courage, happiness, and new beginnings.

Columbus Day is a holiday in October that remembers when Christopher Columbus, an explorer from Italy, came to the Americas in 1492. He sailed across the ocean with three ships, looking for a new way to get to Asia. Instead, he landed on islands near North America. People celebrate Columbus Day to remember his journey and the beginning of exploration between Europe and the Americas.

Indigenous Peoples' Day is a special day in October that honors the Native peoples who have lived in North America for thousands of years. It celebrates their history, cultures, and important contributions to the world. On this day, we learn about different Native American tribes, their traditions, and the ways they care for the land and their communities. It’s a time to show respect and appreciation for the first peoples of this land.

Halloween is a fun holiday celebrated on October 31st. On this day, kids dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating. People also enjoy carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns, telling spooky stories, and watching fun Halloween movies. Halloween started a long time ago to celebrate the end of the harvest season and to get ready for winter. Today, it’s a time for fun, imagination, and spending time with family and friends.

National Bullying Prevention Month is every October. It’s a time when we learn how to be kind and stop bullying. Bullying means being mean to someone over and over again. This special month started in 2006 to help kids and adults work together to make schools and communities safe and friendly for everyone. During this month, we remember to always be kind, stand up for friends who are being bullied, and tell a trusted adult if we see bullying.

Filipino American History Month is celebrated every October to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Filipino Americans. It began in 1992, thanks to Fred Cordova, who wanted people to recognize how Filipino Americans have helped shape the United States. During this month, we learn about their stories, hard work, and traditions. It’s a time to appreciate all they’ve done and see how they’ve helped shape our country’s story.

LGBT History Month is celebrated every October to remember the history and achievements of LGBT people. It started in 1994 when a teacher named Rodney Wilson wanted students to learn about their important stories. October was chosen because it includes National Coming Out Day, a special day when people celebrate being true to themselves. During this month, we celebrate kindness, fairness, and being proud of who we are.

Italian American Heritage and Culture Month is celebrated every October to honor the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the United States. It especially celebrates their important work in the arts, science, and culture. This month started in 1989 when a group of Italian American leaders wanted to help everyone learn about how Italian Americans have helped make the country special.

Administrative Assistant - Annie Barrucci - abarrucci@westwood.k12.ma.us

Assistant Principal - Nicole Haberman - nhaberman@westwood.k12.ma.us

Administrative Assistant - Jennifer Rudnick - jrudnick@westwood.k12.ma.us

Dean of Students - Erin Banty - ebanty@westwood.k12.ma.us