Family News

Now Accepting Applications for the 2026–2027 School Year (Grades K–8)

We are now accepting applications for students entering Kindergarten through Grade 8 for the 2026–2027 school year. Limited spots are available in Grades 1–8.

All students who are not currently enrolled must submit an application, including siblings of current students.

Lottery Preference is given to:

Siblings of currently enrolled students
Students residing in the 14215 zip code

We encourage you to share this information with your family and friends who may be interested in joining our school community.

Click here to apply.

Application

Scratch Kitchen

Over the past three years, we have revamped our food service program, partnering with Beyond Green Partners to bring this to life. Our goal is to have a food service program that implements sustainable food practices, emphasizes a comprehensive focus on implementing sustainable food practices within a kitchen setting, features locally sourced ingredients and scratch cooking, minimizes food waste, and educates staff on environmentally conscious culinary methods.

What sets us apart from most schools in Buffalo is our unique scratch kitchen. Led by a Chef Manager and an assistant cook, we prepare all our food from scratch, ensuring complete control over the quality and flavor of every dish.

A scratch kitchen is simply one in which the cook prepares all the food from scratch, making everything from the dough for pizza to the sauce on top. This means that the chef has complete control over the quality and flavor of every dish. It also means the food is more nutritious because we rely on fresh ingredients instead of processed foods, which can be high in sodium, added sugars, and saturated fats. More than 95% of the breakfasts and lunches are made from scratch, using only the freshest ingredients. We strive to use local vendors that support local farmers and businesses, which can help create local jobs and ensure fresh items. Another benefit is customizing our menu to match our students' cultural tastes. We have even worked with some parents to develop menu items. To include all of our students, we offer halal meals.

April 1 - STEM Night, Open House, Job Fair

April 3-10 - No School Spring Break

April 15 - Science Exam, Good For the Neighborhood 4:30-6:00

April 17 - End of Quarter 3

April 21 - PAC Meeting 5:00, Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83528350620?pwd=HPfQzAzIDjMozORJNmyP5bkeUaYYMJ.1

April 22-23 - ELA Exam

April 24 - Middle School Sneaker Dance (PAC)

April 28 - Graduation Pictures, Grade 8 and Kindergarten

May 5 - Multicultural Night, Recruitment Open House

May 5-6 - Math Exam

May 19 - PAC Meeting 5:00, Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83528350620?pwd=HPfQzAzIDjMozORJNmyP5bkeUaYYMJ.1

May 25 - No School Memorial Day

Get ready for a fun night of music, dancing, and fresh kicks!

📅 Date: April 24

⏰ Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM

📍 Location: WCCS Gym

💲 Tickets: $5, tickets can be purchase in the morning or at Lunch

🍿 Snack Bar: Items available for purchase

👥 Who Can Attend:

Current WCCS students in Grades 6–8 only

📌 Expectations:

Students must be in good standing
No more than 3 referrals between April 1 – April 23

👨‍👩‍👧 Supervision:

Parent chaperones will be present, if you are willing to volunteer please reach out

🎓 Purpose:

This event is a fundraiser supporting the 8th Grade Class Trip and Dinner Dance

❓ Questions?

See Ms. Gerchman

Please let us know why your child was absent and return this form to the school within three days.

A simple note or a DOJO message that included the following information:

Student’s First and Last name

MM/DD/YY of date(s) absent

Homeroom or Classroom #

Teacher name

Reason for absence:

☐ Illness

☐ Family Vacation

☐ Doctor or Dentist Appointment

☐ Religious Observance

☐ Transportation Issue

☐ Death in Family/Bereavement

☐ Other: ________________________________________________________________________________

Today’s Date __________________________

As we approach state testing in Science, ELA, and Math, we want to partner with you to help your child feel confident, prepared, and supported.

Testing Dates:

Science: April 15
ELA: April 22–23
Math: May 5–6
NYSESLAT May 4-22

Here are some simple and effective ways you can help at home:

1. Keep routines consistent -A good night's sleep and a calm morning routine make a big difference. Aim for consistent bedtimes and ensure your child arrives at school on time.

2. Encourage effort over perfection -Remind your child that doing their best is what matters most. Praise their effort, persistence, and positive attitude.

3. Create a calm space for practice-If your child has homework or practice materials, provide a quiet, distraction-free space and short, focused work times.

4. Ask them to explain their thinking- Have your child talk through how they solved a problem or understood a passage. This builds confidence and deepens understanding.

5. Limit stress and keep perspective -Reassure your child that these tests are just one way to show what they know. Your support and encouragement help reduce anxiety.

6. Promote healthy habits- Nutritious meals, hydration, and regular breaks from screens all support focus and stamina.

7. Stay positive- Your attitude matters. When students hear calm, confident messages at home, they carry that mindset into school.

We appreciate your partnership in supporting your child. Together, we can help them feel ready and confident for testing.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Sign up to Volunteer using this link.

https://forms.gle/BWy5c6GEiRomCo1C7

Chaperones

Any parent who wants to chaperone a field trip, must complete the volunteer application.

PAC Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:00 pm. The next meeting is on April 21.

The meeting is in person as well as on ZOOM, https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83528350620?pwd=HPfQzAzIDjMozORJNmyP5bkeUaYYMJ.1

Safety Drills

At our school, student safety is always our top priority. Throughout the year, we practice different types of safety drills—such as fire, shelter in place, and lockdown drills—so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. Each year we need to conduct:

Fire Drills - We have completed 6 successful drills.
Lock Down Drills
Early Release Drill
Shelter in place Drills

Please reassure your student that these drills are to practice, and nothing to be afraid of.

Lockdown Drills

A lockdown drill helps us practice what to do if we ever need to secure the building from a threat. This is most like a safety concern in the school building. During these drills, teachers guide students to move away from doors and windows, stay quiet, and wait calmly until it’s safe.

We take care to explain each drill in a calm, age-appropriate way so that students understand it’s a practice and not something to be afraid of. Our goal is to help everyone feel prepared and confident, not scared.

Thank you for talking with your child about the importance of these safety routines and reassuring them that these drills are simply one of the many ways we work together to keep our school safe.

We will be conducting Lockdown Drills 4/2,

I will send a reminder message and also let you know how the drill went after each event.

Connect with Us

Join us on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestminsterCCS

X: https://twitter.com/WestminsterCCS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westminsterccs/

Scan the code to join all three.

Check out our updated website: https://www.westminsterccs.org/

With your support, we look forward to building on our school’s 30-year history

of educating our community’s children. With your help, we can grow our pride!

Family News