West Bridgewater Wildcat PRIDE

Hello WB Students, Staff, and Families,

As we approach the Thanksgiving break, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation for the collaboration, support, and trust you show our schools each day. This time of year reminds us how grateful we are for our students, our staff, and the strong community that supports our school district. We wish you and your family a restful, joyful, and safe holiday filled with gratitude.

Mark Bodwell
Superintendent

The wildcats unified bocce team ended their season this week on a high note hosting a jamboree with students from New Bedford, Avon, and Westport. They played four round robin style matches with great game play from all of the wildcat athletes. Our next unified season will be middle school basketball starting the week we return to school from February vacation. Registration is now open on the MSHS athletics site and sixth grade students are invited to join! Shout out to our unified bocce athletes Damian Schmeer, Rory Lynn, Sebastian Barrows, Harper Lynn, Ian Myaskovsky, Sam Victoria, Sal Guardione, Christian O'Connor, Adri Guardione, and Zach Folger!

The Little Leo's Club is proud to present the Lions Club Peace Poster Contest Winners. The theme this year was "Together as one" where students were expected to show what happens when people work towards a common goal as one. Congratulations to our winners! Thank you to the Lions Club of West Bridgewater for entering us in this contest and for recognizing our students.

1st Place: Bob Connor

2nd Place: Sadie Hojnowski

3rd Place: Ava Maney

Great job WB Senior Class! - They made donations to the West Bridgewater Food Pantry! Nice work!

The West Bridgewater Police Department, West Bridgewater Fire Department, West Bridgewater Public Schools, and the West Bridgewater PTO are partnering up for our annual toy drive to gather toys and gift cards for local West Bridgewater families in need. (Ages of the children range from 5 to 17.) Last year, we assisted approximately 60 West Bridgewater children and families!

If you would like to donate, please drop a new unwrapped toy or gift card to the police or fire station lobby. Or if you have a school aged child, please have them bring the item to their school. There will be collection bins at each location.

Any questions, please contact Sgt. Pope at tpope@police.westbridgewater.gov or 508-586-2525 ext 5119.

The next Superintendent Coffee Hour will be on Friday, December 19th at 9:15 am at the Spring Street School. All are welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting. We will discuss what is going on in the district as well as provide the opportunity for the guests to ask questions. People can attend in person and there will also be a virtual link to join via a Google Meet. These meetings will be held once a month through the end of the year.

We would like to invite you to the next public meeting to discuss the project. This meeting will be at the Rose L MacDonald School at 6pm

We will be available to provide information and answer further questions regarding project costs, building design, and the educational program planned for the new school.

Here are some of the topics that will be addressed:

• Proposed water retention systems designed to reduce runoff (a representative from our civil engineering team will be present)

• Details of the 60-foot buffer, including anticipated tree removal and areas of preservation

• Height of the new building

• Efforts to minimize impact on the 50-foot wetland buffer

• Traffic considerations on Steppingstone Drive

• Location of the secondary septic system

• Concerns related to unauthorized vehicle drop-off activity on Goldie Road

Before the meeting, we will offer a guided tour of the existing school building for those who are interested. If you wish to participate in the tour, please arrive at 5:15 PM.

Do you have questions about the project? Do you want more information? Do you want answers to burning questions that you are having?

Starting in late October and continuing through the Town Meeting vote (end of January), Superintendent Bodwell will be hosting a 30-minute weekly drop-in session every Thursday at 8am to discuss any questions or concerns related to the Elementary School Building Project.

These sessions are open to parents and community members who would like to learn more or share feedback. You’re welcome to join in person or via Google Meet using the recurring link below:

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/izo-istp-gvp Please feel free to share this information with others who may be interested.

We’re proud to congratulate students who have been awarded the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. This scholarship, offered through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, recognizes academic excellence on the MCAS and provides monetary assistance toward college costs at any Massachusetts public college or university. Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off !

Congratulations to: Chidera Agomoh, Armani Baptista Pereira, Amber Besarick, Alyssa Catino, Anthony D'Agostino, Victoria DiMaggio, Benjamin Dowdall, Margaret Farrell, Jag Garces, Aquiles Gomes, Sean Hancock, Braelyn Holden, Tyler Holmes, Elayna Jenkinson, Cole LeCornec, Melody Little, Ariana Lone, Davi Lopes, Cameran Milka, Aiden Mussari, Colin O'Neil, Sean Petras, Anna Primack, Natalie Rapoza, Jacob Smith, Presley Soares & Philomena Spaur

The WBMSHS Drama Club is so excited to present its first mainstage show of the year: Arthur Miller's The Crucible. This iconic, Tony Award winning play tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials and asks questions of who can be trusted during times of mass hysteria. With an updated presentation and an all-star cast, this show is not to be missed! Recommended for ages 12+ due to frightening imagery and brief strong language.

Shows Friday 11/21 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 11/22 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in person at the MSHS office, at lunch starting 11/10, and at the door before the show. We're so excited to launch another wonderful season.

If you are looking for any of the past district newsletters from February 2022 to the present please click on the link below. We want to make sure you have access to all of them. If there is something you are looking for and cannot find just contact Superintendent Bodwell

Our kindergarteners in Mrs. Gauthier’s class spent the morning spreading kindness in a big way!

They collected food items for our schoolwide food drive and then took a little walk over to the Harvestwood donation box to drop everything off. We are so proud of their helping hands and generous hearts! Thank you to our families for supporting this important cause.

Our school will be hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive from November 1st-November 26th. We are excited to support the West Bridgewater Food Pantry, Inc this holiday season, and we appreciate any contributions you are able to make.

Donation Drop-Off Locations:
Students may bring donations to their PowerBlock.
Outside donations from family or community members may be dropped off in the Main Office.
Requested items:

• Canned vegetables
• Boxed mashed potatoes
• Boxed stuffing
• Boxed macaroni & cheese
• Cornbread mix
• Brownie mix
• Cake mix
• Frosting
• Napkins, plates, & utensils

Rock Your Socks on Friday, December 5th! WB SEPAC invites all students, staff, and families to join us in celebrating the International Day of Disabilities by wearing your brightest, most colorful, or mismatched socks to school!

Donations are welcome and help support WB SEPAC’s work with families and students with disabilities across the district. Cash, checks, or electronic payments are accepted — every contribution makes a difference. Let’s stand together, show our support, and rock our socks for a more inclusive WB community!

This information has also been shared with WB Families and Staff via email and posted on the district Facebook page. I will also continue to provide updates in the District Newsletter, at School Committee meetings, and at the monthly Superintendent Coffee Hour meetings. You and the entire community must have as much information as possible about the project.

General Information

• Grade Configuration: K–6

• Design Enrollment: 1,075 students

• Location: Behind the current Rose L. MacDonald School

• The MSBA reimbursement rate is 54.79%, which is the base rate (see FAQs for more information). This is the amount of funds that will be allocated by the state for the project.

• Building Layout:

  • Lower School (Grades K–3) in a two-story wing

  • Upper School (Grades 4–6) in a three-story wing

• Construction Plan: Two phases

  1. Shared spaces + Grades K–3

  2. Grades 4–6

• Site: The area has wetlands, but the project team and engineers are designing a plan that reduces environmental impact compared to current conditions.

• Project Team:

  • Architect: HMFH

  • Owner’s Project Manager: PMA

  Other notes:

• District offices and PreK will remain at Spring Street School.

• Teachers, administrators, and staff have toured multiple schools to guide planning.

• Ongoing meetings are happening with town boards, educators, and public safety officials to gather input.

Project Resources

• Project Website

• FAQs

• School Building Committee Presentations

• Project Team Information

• Current Elementary Buildings

• Subscribe for Updates

• Community Forum Materials

• MSBA Submittals

• Town Meeting & Ballot Vote: Late January 2026 (exact dates TBD).

Upcoming Videos

We will be creating short videos to help the community learn more about the project. These will be shared starting in mid-to-late October.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out:

mbodwell@wbridgewater.com

WBES@pmaconsultants.com (Owner’s Project Manager)

This is our Little Leos Club entry to the Lions Club International Leo Video Contest. This year's theme was #Heartofaleo. They are a group of seventy-seven 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Little Leo's and they love being part of the club. Please check out their video!

Holiday Greetings from the Wildcat Cafe!

Food Assistance/Resources

We wish to remind families that support is available for anyone experiencing food insecurity and we encourage families to take advantage of local programs and school resources that provide nutritious meals and food assistance throughout the year.

FREE School Meals- All students in the West Bridgewater School District have access to free breakfast and lunch each school day through Massachusetts’ Universal School Meals Program. These meals help ensure that all students are ready to learn. Click on WB Food Services to find lunch and breakfast menus.

Families seeking additional support can connect with the following other programs that provide groceries, meals, and nutritional assistance. The following is a list of resources:

West Bridgewater Food Pantry. 457 Rear, South Main Street, Unit #1. Offers curbside pick-up on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month. You must be a West Bridgewater resident. Register at www.wbfoodpantry.com or call (508)510-5274.

Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline- Call or text 1-800-645-8333. This multilingual hotline is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Project Bread staff can connect families to nearby food pantries, school meal programs, and SNAP application support. Project Bread FoodSource Hotline.

The Greater Boston Food Bank- Visit http://www.gbfb.org and hit the “Request Help with SNAP” button to fill out an application for assistance, or use it to search for local food assistance by ZIP code.

Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)- This program helps SNAP clients buy more fruits and vegetables for their household. Learn more at http://mass.gov/hip

Cafeteria Position available!

We have an opening for a part-time (12-15 hours/week) cafeteria helper at the MSHS. Food service experience is helpful but not necessary. Please call Ann Marie Grinder, Food Service Director, at (508)894-1220 or email agrinder@wbridgewater.com for more information.

Winter Science Academy at Bridgewater State University - Exciting News!

Registration for the Bridgewater State University Winter Science Academy is now open!

The Winter Science Academy is designed for students currently in grades 6–8 and offers hands-on, engaging science experiences led by BSU faculty and staff. The program takes place on the Bridgewater campus.

Program Details:

• Dates: February 17–20, 2026

• Audience: Students in grades 6–8

• Time: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM daily

• Location: Dana Mohler-Faria Science and Mathematics Center, Bridgewater State University

• The program fee of $250 is due at the time of registration and covers all class expenses including lab supplies and materials. The fee does not include lunch or transportation.

• Additional information about the program can be found on our website https://www.bridgew.edu/center/case/science-academy

3 Family Activities That Bring a Flurry of Excitement to Winter (taken from the National Inventors Hall of Fame)

Everyday STEM Trends in STEM

December 3, 2024

It’s easy to spend cooler months inside watching all your favorite shows and hiding under toasty blankets, but this season of opportunity is filled with family fun just waiting to be had! Whether you prefer to stay cool investigating snowflakes and spotting wildlife on icy trails or warm up inside with local trips and yummy recipes, there’s no shortage of seasonal activities. To inspire hands-on, STEM learning all winter, here are three great ideas to try together.

Bake a Delicious Treat to Share Did you know that you don’t have to go farther than your kitchen to practice math and science? It’s true! By following a recipe to bake something as common as a cookie, you’re bringing STEM skills to life. Try this recipe from the Food Network to make simple sugar cookies while working with fractions to measure out ingredients and watching chemistry make your dough rise in the oven. Don’t forget to be precise – even the smallest changes can make a big impact on the taste and texture of your cookies. To find out how unique ingredients serve a special purpose, check out this article. After your cookies cool, be sure to exercise your creativity by decorating them with frosting, sprinkles, melted chocolate or edible markers – and don’t forget to share your creation with family and friends!

Learn Something New About the World Around You Don’t give learning the cold shoulder this winter – spend time investigating your interests, curiosities and biggest questions! You might uncover a new goal or memorize a cool fact to impress your family when you make new discoveries. Take a family trip to your local library for books and free resources or, if your questions look like ours, start by exploring the topics below.

• How do they keep an ice-skating rink so smooth? The inventor of the Zamboni® machine knows!
  

• Why is every snowflake different? Science tells us there are many factors that shape a snowflake.
  

• Can I still see wildlife in the winter? It varies by area, but we have tips to help you explore!
  

• What should I read next? We love to snuggle up with a book – here are our recommendations.

Complete the Ultimate Winter STEM Bucket List For the adventurous family, you might want to create a bucket list of things to do, places to see or skills to learn by spring. Each week, you can try to fill out a category or check off an item to keep the fun going all season long. Use our interactive Winter Activity Checklist or sit down as a family with posterboard and craft supplies to come up with your own! Once you’re happy with your list, proudly display it in a visible area of your home to give your family more things to look forward to.

Congratulations to our Student Athletes on their strong performances in the Fall Season so far! Here's a quick recap as to how their seasons wrapped up.

• Boys Varsity Football: Qualified for the Elite Eight but lost to Clinton 6 to 18. They will host East Bridgewater on Thanksgiving to cap off the season.

• Girls Volleyball: Made it to the Elite Eight but fell short to East Bridgewater 1 set to 3.
  

• Girls Cross Country: Congratulations to Emma Pope for qualifying for the State Championship.
  

• Boys Cross Country: Congratulations to Alex Kelley for qualifying for the State Championship.
  

• Field Hockey: Ranked 9 in Division 4 Congratulations on making it to the round of 16 in the state tournament. They lost to Manchester Essex 4-1. Great Season!
  

• Girls Varsity Soccer: Ranked 26 in Division 4 Congratulations on making it to the round of 32 in the state tournament. They lost to Hampshire Regional Middle /High School 3-2. Great Season!
  

• Boys Varsity Soccer: Ranked 18 in Division 4 Congratulations on making it to the round of 32 in the state tournament. They lost to Ipswich 3-1. Great Season!

• Varsity Cheer: So proud of our varsity cheer team for doing absolutely amazing at their competition. They hit everything and gave it their all! Even though the outcome wasn't what they hoped for, they are going to use that as motivation to get ready for their winter competition! Good Luck WB!

• Boys Golf: Our Varsity Golf team wrapped up their season with an impressive 8-8 record. In a tight match against Fairhaven, the team came out on top, securing their spot in the MIAA Tournament. Great Job on a strong season!

• Unified Bocce: Our Unified Bocce Jamboree was on Monday, November 3 in the MSHS gym from 3:15-4:45. We had other towns come to participate and want to thank all of our fans in the stands who came out to support our group!

Tickets for our Thanksgiving Day Football game between West Bridgewater and East Bridgewater will be held on Thursday, 11/27 10AM at West Bridgewater

Go Fan tickets can be purchased at https://gofan.co/app/school/MA14770

You can also purchase cash tickets at the door- $5 -Students/Senior Citizens and $7 Adults

WBMSHS WINTER SPORTS SIGN UPS

If you're planning to participate in winter sports, you must sign up for arbiter sports. Winter Sports start on Monday December 1st. Do not miss out. The link is live! E-Mail Ms. Hammel with any questions.

Visit the Athletics Website: https://www.wbridgewaterschools.org/o/athletics to register and stay updated.

Sportsmanship Summit

The following student athletes attended the MIAA Sportsmanship Summit at Gillette on November 6th. They were able to meet with student athletes from around the state and guest speakers to focus on Sportsmanship. Great job Thomas Polidori, Jill Bouvier, Sophia Hulme, Ben Stapleton, Liam Crowell, Emma Pope and Sarah Diedrichsen.

Athletic Links:

To stay up to date on team schedules and the latest records, please visit our ArbiterLive. https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams/Schedule/7675970?activeEntityId=25160

If you’d like to show your Wildcat pride, personalized West Bridgewater gear is available through our official Sideline Store.
WEST BRIDGEWATER, Massachusetts - Sideline Store.

To watch Live Streamed Games click on the following Hudl Link.
https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ma/west-bridgewater/organization/20284/west-bridgewater-high-school

For photos, updates, and more, follow WBHS Athletics on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579342214395#

Let’s keep supporting our teams and showing what it means to be a Wildcat—on and off the field. Go WB!

The West Bridgewater Youth Football Mites capped off an incredible season as D6 Super Bowl Champions in the OCYFL, finishing with a strong 8–1–1 record. This hardworking group showed heart, hustle, and improvement every single week. Their dedication on and off the field made this championship season one to remember—congratulations, Mites!

Email: mbodwell@wbridgewater.com
Website: www.wbridgewaterschools.org
Location: 2 Spring Street, West Bridgewater, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 894-1230
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wbridgewaterschools