The Weekly Update

As we welcome November, we are reminded that the changing seasons bring adjustments to our daily schedules. This weekend marks the end of Daylight Saving Time, as we turned our clocks back one hour and return to Standard Time. While the extra hour of sleep is certainly a welcome bonus, the earlier sunsets remind us that the shorter days of late fall and winter are quickly approaching. With darkness arriving earlier in the afternoon, we encourage everyone to be especially mindful of safety during after-school activities, commutes, and evening routines.

At Leominster Public Schools, our commitment to providing a safe, welcoming, and enriching learning environment remains at the heart of everything we do. We value the continued partnership of our families, staff, and community in supporting the success and well-being of every student.

As always, we encourage you to stay connected with your child's school and follow our district's social media channels for important news, updates, and announcements. Thank you for being an essential part of the Leominster Public Schools community! ~ Superintendent Desmond

A friendly reminder that today we will set our clocks back one hour as we transition to standard time.

The Leominster Public School System is committed to challenging all students to achieve academic excellence. The intellectual, ethical and social development of students is the cornerstone of our academic program. In a student-centered, respectful and safe environment, we prepare students to be responsible and productive decision-making members of the local and global community.

Every Child. Every Classroom. Every Day.

We invite you to join us for the upcoming School Committee Meeting, which will take place on November 2, 2026 at Appleseed's Restaurant at CTEi, beginning at 6:00 PM . If you prefer to attend virtually, please send an email to lps-hotline@leominsterps.org to receive the necessary information

It is time to get your tickets to this year’s LHS musical, Newsies! This is a fun, family friendly show, and it is going to be a MASSIVE production - we have 60 kids in the cast between middle school and high school performing across the 4 shows, with another 30-40 backstage! This year, we are excited to announce that we have moved to an online ticket process. The switch to online ticketing a few years ago proved to be more efficient and helped us improve record keeping. Due to the fee structure of the company we are using, tickets will be cheaper online. The link to purchase tickets online is:

https://our.show/lhsnewsies

This site is now live.

The dates for the musical are November 20th at 7:00pm, November 21st at 2:00pm and 7:00pm, and November 22nd at 2:00pm in the Leominster High School Auditorium. Single tickets for the musical are available in the following categories:

Lower Orchestra Seating (Choose your seat in the front lower section of the auditorium) - $17

Upper Orchestra Seating (Choose your seat in the upper section of the auditorium) - $12

*Tickets will all be $3 more if bought in person.

To purchase in person tickets, bring in money to Ms. M in Room E310. Prices will be:

Lower Orchestra Seating (Choose your seat in the front lower section of the auditorium) - $20

Upper Orchestra Seating (Choose your seat in the upper section of the auditorium) - $15

*Checks can be made out to the Leominster High School Theatre Company

There will be no school for students on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Leominster Public School's staff will engage in a day of professional learning on November 3rd. Thank you for supporting our district's professional development initiatives.

The first quarter ends this week, which means it's crucial that all middle and high school students submit their outstanding assignments and projects promptly. This will allow us to ensure accurate grading for the end of the quarter.

School will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day. Veterans Day is dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the brave men and women who have served, and who continue to serve, in our armed forces. It’s a moment to reflect on their sacrifices and the freedoms they have secured for us.

Conferences are scheduled on November 23rd (night time) and November 24th (afternoon).

Please reach out to your child's school to schedule a conference with his/her teacher(s) when you receive the email or phone call from the school.

Why is this so important?

Checking in with teachers during conferences is crucial at all grade levels, K-12, for supporting student success, strengthening the teacher-family relationship, and staying informed about academic and social development. Here are key reasons why prioritizing check-ins with teachers is important:

1. Building Relationships and Partnership

• Conferences create an open line of communication between parents, teachers, and students. By discussing student progress and challenges together, everyone becomes an active partner in supporting the student.
• For younger students (K-5), this partnership reassures parents that teachers are nurturing a safe, engaging environment. For older students (6-12), it’s especially important in fostering accountability, encouraging self-advocacy, and supporting academic independence.

2. Individualized Insight and Support

• Teachers offer unique perspectives on each student's strengths, growth areas, learning style, and peer relationships. These insights often include details parents may not see at home, and they’re critical for supporting students holistically.
• Conferences allow time to discuss specific challenges (such as organization, attention, or social issues) and brainstorm tailored support strategies with teachers.

3. Strengthening Engagement and Academic Ownership

• By consistently checking in, parents and guardians show students that their education is valued, reinforcing the importance of regular effort and engagement in school.
• Conferences provide students a chance (especially in middle and high school) to reflect on their progress, discuss areas of concern, and take part in decision-making about their learning, which can positively influence their academic ownership and motivation.

Regular communication between parents, teachers, and students through conferences ensures everyone is aligned, proactive, and working collaboratively.

Did you know that chronic absenteeism refers to students missing an excessive amount of school days, typically defined as missing 10% or more of the academic year. This equates to missing approximately 2 days or more of school per month. Regular attendance is linked to academic achievement, as each day in school contributes to the knowledge and skills students need to thrive. It is essential that we work together to prioritize and promote daily school attendance.