What's Happening at Western

5/1/26

Dear Western families,

Welcome to May! You still wouldn’t know it by the weather, but at least it feels good to enter a new month. Your children all did a WONDERFUL job during the ELA SBA testing this week. They took the test very seriously, by taking their time and using the note-taking strategies our ELA teachers have taught them. Thank you to our wonderful PTA for providing nutritious snacks for testing. Surprisingly, the most requested snack during ELA testing were bananas. Who knew?? Next week we continue with Math testing on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and we expect the same performance from our students. I will update you on the most requested snack for math testing!

Today your children reflected on their 3rd quarter performance during Flex Day. They also participated in our AVID Awards to recognize students achieving or making growth in a variety of areas. Your child brought home a copy of their report card and their reflection is in their planner for you to review and sign. It is a good opportunity to discuss what they accomplished last quarter and set goals for the last quarter of school. That is correct- I said the last quarter of school. I will include some pictures from the awards ceremonies next week, since they just took place a few hours ago.

Our orchestra concert kicks off the spring concert season on Tuesday. Ms. Corey and the orchestra students are ready to impress you with the results of their hard work.

I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Sincerely,

Suzanne

Tuesday, May 5th- Thursday, May 7th: Math SBA Testing (see testing schedule below)
Tuesday, May 5th: Orchestra Spring Concert, 7:00 pm
Tuesday, May 12th: Band Spring Concert, 7:00 pm
Wednesday, May 13th: Chorus Spring Concert, 7:00 pm
Thursday, May 14th: 7th grade to Bronx Zoo

Here is how our softball, baseball and track teams fared this week:

Monday:

Softball vs. EMS- WIN

Tuesday:

Baseball vs EMS LOSS (It was a close one)

Track vs EMS- WIN

Friday

Baseball vs CMS- TBD

Track vs CMS- TBD

Keep it up next week Wildcats!

Upcoming Performing Arts Rehearsals

Only a few weeks left for orchestra, band and chorus rehearsals. Below are the ones for the upcoming week:

Monday, May 4th: Band, Orchestra & POPS Orchestra Rehearsals

Tuesday, May 5th: Orchestra Dress Rehearsal

Thursday, May 7th: Band & Chorus Rehearsals

Debate Team Success

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, 271 middle school debaters from 17 schools competed in the CT Middle School Debate League’s last tournament of this season. Students debated the prep-ahead motion: This House would make buses in New York City free; and the extemporaneous motions: This House, believes that grades in U.S. public elementary and middle schools should be Pass/ Fail.

In the Championship division, Juliette Otten finished in 6th Place, scoring an impressive 80 points in her 3 rounds for Best Speaker Award, & Nina Savel finishing in a tie for 20th out of 90 debaters.

Both our Championship & Open teams won a debate round, with Otten, Esquenazi, & Savel finishing 9th in total points as a team.

End of Year events

There will be a lot of fun events at the end of the year for our students. Besides the DC trip for 8th graders, each of our grades will go on a full-grade field to a fun location. In addition, our annual Field Day will now take place on June 17th. This is a full day of events for our students to celebrate the end of school in a fun, competitive way. You all know I am competitive, so that should be no surprise. The difference from elementary school is that parents do not attend. Sorry, but your teenagers would probably be embarrassed if you all showed up, anyway.

Support the Horizon’s Summer Program

Horizons at Brunswick is a program that provides an educational and fun (and free) summer program for boys in elementary and middle school to ensure the students maintain their academic skills and participate in meaningful summer activities. Western students benefits from this program more than any other middle school in town. They are having Horizon at Brunswick Giving Day from May 1st-15th, which seems more like Giving Weeks. We invite our community to support the Horizons program, as they rely solely on private philanthropy to support their programs. Please consider sharing this link to help fund the program for this summer and beyond.

This link will provide more information about the Horizon’s program, which is an amazing program..

GPS Withdrawals

We would rather you not leave us, but if your child will not be returning to Greenwich Public Schools next year, please fill out the GPS Withdrawal Form. While we hate to see you go, we do need to plan for next year as well as prepare for a smooth transition to your next school. If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school counselor or our Administrative Assistant, Taryn Weiss.

Nominate a Western Difference Maker

A reminder that this year only one staff member from each school will receive the Difference Maker Award each month. I am asking for our staff and parents to help in nominating staff for this award. If you or your child believe one or more staff members make a difference in our school community or in your own lives, please use this link to nominate them and explain why they are deserving of this award.

Parent Community Resources

Here is the Parent Community Resource document we created with MANY, MANY community resources to support parents and students at Western. Please take the time to review it in case you find yourself in need of some support for you, your child or family.

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