The Week Ahead 4/27

We have completed the move into B section! It was great to see so many of you today for the tours! There are a couple changes for Monday morning:

1) Upon arrival, all students will enter through the new main office doors between B and C buildings.

2) Students will receive a map with all of the locations of the classrooms in B section upon entering.

3) All rooms in Powerschool for all teachers and class periods will be updated before Monday morning.

4) Throughout the day, the only entrances that will be used is the main office door between B and C buildings for the main building and the left side of the Mobiles. Students will not be allowed into the building through any of the other doors.

5) Central office to the Webster Public Schools has moved into the right side of the Mobiles.

Did you forget to get your prom tickets before vacation week? There will be once last chance when we return on Monday, April 27th. Tickets will remain on sale through Wednesday, April 29th, before first period and after school ONLY, in the main office. This will be the last chance to get your tickets!

Coupons for tuxedos are attached below.

Looking for some new Bartlett Gear? BHS has partnered with Josten's to create a new way to order. Check out the Mascot Shop and get some new clothes for our Spirit Fridays!

Would you like to give a shout-out to a Bartlett High School faculty member who has made a difference in your student’s daily life? Is there someone at Bartlett who stands out to you? Or are you a student who would like to recognize a staff member who has had a positive impact on you?

Here’s your chance to show your appreciation! Please write a brief message below, and I will be sure to include it in the next newsletter.

Please remind your students that there food deliveries while at school from restaurants, DoorDash, GrubHub, etc. are not allowed. If these places arrive here at school, they will be turned away. For further clarification on this policy please refer to the handbook below.

Bikes and/or scooters (electric or not) cannot be stored inside of any of our school buildings at any time, regardless of the weather (during school or during after school athletics and/or clubs), to include inside of the double doors at all entrances and the back of the gym. There is a bike rack outside of the main office, and all students should be directed there to lock them up.

Teachers CANNOT send students out of class to get breakfast. Breakfast time is BEFORE first period, if students need/want breakfast, this MUST happen before they enter their first period class. If they are late to class, then they will need to go get a tardy pass from the main office. Teachers will no longer be allowing students to go to class and then leave to get breakfast and then come back when finished. Breakfast is available to students who are tardy until 7:45am, and must be eaten in the cafeteria.

Here is the link to this year's handbook. Please make sure to review this book with your student(s).

Days: Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (not offered on Tuesdays or half days)

Time - 2:15pm-2:45pm

Location - BHS Cafeteria

All high school students are to sit in the middle to back of the bus. High school students should not be sitting with middle school students in the front of the bus.

There are only 4 Saturday School sessions remaining this school year: May 2, May 9, May 16, and May 23. Resulting from the behaviors that have been occurring during previous sessions, there are a few changes as to how we will move forward.

1) Reasons a student will attend:

• Students/Families requesting additional assistance with academics
• Quarterly point make ups
• Specific administrative consequence

2) Protocols:

• Students will turn their cell phones off upon entering the building and turn them in to the staff member at the entrance. If students refuse, families will be called and they will be sent home immediately.
• Students will sit two to a table.

• Students will work on academic assignments the entire length of time, 8am-12pm. Students will need to bring their work with them, as teachers will not be able to provide it to individual students over the weekend.
• Students will bring their own chromebook and charger as there are no loaners to be given out.
• Students will not be allowed to watch videos on the chromebooks if they are not tied to an academic assignment. Misuse of the chromebook will result in families being called and the student being sent home immediately.
• IF A STUDENT IS UNABLE TO FOLLOW THESE PROTOCOLS, THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO COME BACK FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SESSIONS, IF THEY ARE THERE FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE CONSEQUENCE (WHICH WAS ALREADY AN ALTERNATIVE TO SUSPENSION), A FAMILY/ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD THE FOLLOWING WEEK TO DISCUSS FURTHER CONSEQUENCES.

Saturday Schools will no longer be given for tardies to school, detentions will be given for every tardy number 4 and 5, and then social probation for 7 days for every tardy starting at number 6 as done previously.

Saturday School is held at the Webster Middle School from 8am-12pm. Breakfast and a snack is provided. There is no bus provided to or from Saturday School this year.

The Basement in C Section is considered to be an Unauthorized Area at all times, unless you are directly with a staff member. If a student is found in the basement, a consequence of a Saturday School will be assigned immediately.

If you play a sport and need to access the basement to drop off athletic equipment, the only available time to do so is before school starts from 7:10am - 7:20am. If you do not make it between that time, you will be responsible for carrying your own equipment with you throughout the school day.

Students in the cafeteria during lunch block are not allowed upstairs. If they do go upstairs, they are in an unauthorized area. If a student is found in the upstairs without permission, a consequence of a Saturday School will be assigned immediately.

If a student in C section needs to use the bathroom from a classroom, during either first or second lunch blocks, they must put a pass in for the Second Floor bathrooms, not the first. They will not be allowed in the first floor bathrooms during this time.

If you are part of a club, you must remain academically and socially eligible to participate. If someone is no longer eligible, families will be contacted by the club advisor. Social probation has been added to the consequences for daily tardies. This may also affect the students eligibility to participate. If students reach their 6th (or higher) tardy, they will be placed on social probation for 7 days for each tardy. During this time of probation, they cannot attend any meetings or events during that period of time. An administrator will be reaching out to families of students who are placed on social probation due to tardiness to school.

School Guidelines

If a student is going to be absent, tardy, or dismissed on any given school day, the parent/guardian must call the main office at 508-943-8552 to report it. When calling, please state:

• Your student’s name

• Reason for absence/tardiness

• Phone number where you can be reached during the day in case a return call is necessary

A note documenting the reason for the absence, tardy, or dismissal must be sent into the main office within two (2) days of the conclusion of the absence or tardiness. However, please note that a phone call and/or note only verifies the student's absence; it does not excuse the absence. When an absence, tardiness, or dismissal can be anticipated, advance notice is requested.

Absent

From School

• If a parent/guardian has notified the school of their student’s absence, the student will be coded as “Absent” in PowerSchool

• Students who are absent from school on any given day are not permitted to participate in any school or extracurricular activities on that day.

From Class

• On the 5th+ absence from class, the teacher will engage in two-way communication with the parent/guardian to develop a plan to make-up academic deficits resulting from absences

• All missed assignments due to absences (not truancies) will be graded as a “0” (with the icons “missing” and “absent” both highlighted in Powerschool) until the assignment has been completed and submitted

• Students are required to make-up all missed assignments due to any absence (not truancy)

Truant

• Students who are absent from school without a documented reason (ex. doctor note, call from parent/guardian) will be considered truant

• Missed assignments due to truancy will receive a grade of zero (0) without the ability to make it up

Tardy

To School

• Tardiness will be excused only if you have a note of acceptable explanation, such as a dentist or doctor appointment. Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Tardiness to school is counted as time lost within the provisions of the Attendance Policy.

• Students are considered tardy if they are not in their 1st block classroom by 7:25am (Please note: Being in the school building by that time is not the same as being in class by that time)

• Tardy students are required to report to check in with the main office upon arrival

• Tardy students will be required to dispose of any purchased coffee/morning beverages upon arrival. If a student refuses to dispose of their beverage immediately, they will be issued a Saturday School

• Students that are chronically tardy to school (more than 3 times in a quarter) will be subject to progressive disciplinary action

To Class

• Promptness to class is as important as promptness to your job when you go to work. Good school citizens are never tardy to class because that interferes with their own education and disrupts the whole class. You have five minutes to pass between classes, and during that time you can reach any place in the school from any other place.

• If you are with a staff member or doing an errand that cannot be done at some other time, and if this results in your being late to class, please be sure that you get a pass from the staff member in charge before leaving that staff member. It is YOUR responsibility to get a pass whenever you are going to be late to class.

• Students who are not inside of the classroom when the bell rings are considered “tardy” to class.

Dismissal

• There are times when illness or personal family business of a serious nature occurs and you need to miss part of the school day. At that time, you may request an early dismissal. To obtain an early dismissal, bring a written request from your parent/guardian to the main office as soon as you arrive at school. All notes should include the first and last name of the student, phone numbers where the parent/guardian signing the note can be reached, time to be excused, reason for the request, and first and last name of the parent/guardian signing the note. Eighteen year olds must also have a pre-approved note from a parent/guardian. BHS reserves the right to verify all parent/guardian notes prior to approving student dismissals.

• Students will be called to the main office when being dismissed

• All students, who are dismissed for any reason, must sign the dismissal log before leaving school

• ALL individuals dismissing students will be expected to come into the building and present a valid picture ID before any student will be released from the school

• Students must be in school for 4 hours from the start of the school day to be considered present for the day. Students attending school for less than four hours will be considered “absent” from school that day.

• Students dismissed from school are ineligible to participate in athletics or extra-curricular activities on that day or the ensuing weekend should it occur on the day before a weekend.

• For eligibility purposes, with respect to athletics or extra-curricular activities, students dismissed for medical, dental, legal appointments, etc., must have the appointment verification documentation turned in to the office or to the coach or activity advisor upon their return to be eligible to participate (parental/guardian notes will not suffice)

• Any student clinically dismissed by the nurse due to illness may not return to school and is ineligible to participate in athletics or school activities

• If/when a student returns to school from a dismissal, they must sign back in on the dismissal log in the main office and produce their documentation for the time out of the building

• No student, except in emergencies, will be signed out after 1:30 pm

Tardy to School Progression of Consequences

When a student reaches the numbers below, the corresponding consequence will be assigned:

#3 - one call from the office

#4 and #5 - administrator detention (phone call will be made)

#6 and above - 7 days of Social Probation for each tardy (one call and email will be given) *social probation means that the student will not be able to attend anything after the 2pm bell at school, to include athletics and/or clubs during that time.

*If tardiness to school does not improve, and administrator will be reaching out to set up individual meetings to discuss further plans/consequences.

Regular Schedule

Scholarships have begun to be posted! Make sure to see Ms. K. Granger if you need any assistance when applying! All of the scholarships are listed in the document below.

Class of 2027, 2028, and 2029

Teachers have entered your recommendations into power school. Please review your recommendations and begin to put your requests in. We are asking that you select at least 50 credits for next school year with an additional 10 credits of alternative electives in case your first choices are unavailable. We have several new courses and options being offered this year. Please refer to the program of studies found here below!

Counselors will begin meeting individually with all students mid week, starting with our current juniors. If any parent would like to be part of the conversation please make sure to contact your students counselor.

Coming Soon!

We are in the process of scheduling an informational meeting to go over expectations, courses available, summer work, attendance and schedules for later this Spring. This is an event for parents and students.

Come see Webster's top talent at our Student Showcase this Friday, May 1st. Both Webster Middle School and Bartlett students will be presenting innovative projects, internships, and hands-on learning from the Innovation Career Pathways, PLTW Courses, and various other courses. Make sure to sign up below if you are coming or want to be a judge!

Looking for a way to spend those Bartlett Bucks?

Welcome to the PBIS School Store! It will be open all year long. Please see the items available to purchase with your Bartlett Bucks!

Orders placed by Wednesday at 2:00pm will be delivered by Friday of that week. Items placed Thursday and Friday will be delivered the following week. (Some items may be delayed based on stock availability - you will be notified by email of any items that we are unable to deliver by Friday)

You will need to pay for the items with Bartlett Bucks when they are delivered. If you do not have enough Bartlett Bucks on you at the time of delivery you will not receive the item.

Help us make the Senior Overnight a night to remember! We’re currently seeking donations to support this special event for our graduating seniors. We are looking for raffle items (gift cards, baskets, dorm room items, experiences, etc.) as well as food and beverage donations to keep students fueled and energized throughout the night.

Your generosity helps create a fun, safe, and memorable celebration for our seniors as they close out their high school journey. If you’re able to contribute, we truly appreciate your support—every donation makes a difference!

Please join us for an informational session regarding the senior trip to New York this Tuesday, April 28th at 6:00pm.

Please join us for an informational session regarding the senior trip to Puerto Rico this Tuesday, April 28th at 6:30pm.

"...And Now for Something New"

This Thursday, April 30th, 2026 @ 6:00 PM

BHS Auditorium

Tickets

The Bartlett Drama Club is proud to present an evening showcasing the actors, singers, dancers, and artists of Bartlett as they bring you memorable scenes and numbers from shows such as Ferris Buller's Day Off, Clue, Persephone, and Kiss Me, Kate in our newly refurbished Auditorium. Tickets are on sale for $5.00 per ticket (not including booking fee) with kids ages 5 and under free and can be purchased online using the link above or at the door the day of the show. Reserve your seats early!

All teams MUST enter and exit through the back of the gym after school, this includes all coaches and athletes. There should be absolutely no entry in or out of the C section hallway that is labeled as "Gym" on the outside door. Parents, please pick up your athletes at the back entrance to the gym after practices or games, not at the entrance closest to the BHS basketball courts.

If you are part of a sports team, you must remain academically and socially eligible to participate. If someone is no longer eligible, families will be contacted by the coach. Social probation has been added to the consequences for daily tardies. This may also affect the athletes eligibility to participate. If athletes reach their 6th (or higher) tardy, they will be placed on social probation for 7 days for each tardy. During this time of probation, they cannot attend any meetings, practices, or games during that period of time. An administrator will be reaching out to families of athletes who are placed on social probation due to tardiness to school.

Athletes MUST be supervised at all times when in the locker room hallway. If there is not a coach with them, then they will need to wait to go downstairs. All BHS athletes must use the bathrooms in the basement hallway, not the ones in the main part of the building once games and practices begin after school each day.

Please join me in celebrating all of our food services staff on May 1st for School Lunch Hero Day. Make sure to send a big thank you for all that they do when you see them on Friday!

See below for an opportunity to attend a webinar about keeping kids safe online. Members of the United States Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations Child Exploitation and Computer Forensics Group, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will be bringing a virtual webinar Keeping Kids Safe & Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Adults. The presentation will bring awareness to the dangers children face online today and educate adults on how to keep them safe. The flyer is attached and details, including registration link is below.

Keeping Kids Safe & Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Adults

Thursday, May 7, 2026 │6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Registration required – Log in begins at 6:00 pm

Registration: https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r3e7ec6dd39529e1d1509dc763f5668f8

Questions or difficulty registering?

Please contact Karen Legace at USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov

This presentation is for adults who wish to learn how to keep kids safe online. Content is inappropriate for young children. Please be aware of who can see your screen and hear your audio!

Webex platform has a maximum capacity of 1000 attendees. If we have reached registration capacity, please email USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov to be put on a waitlist for the next presentation.

The AP Summer Bridge Program helps students build the skills and confidence to tackle their AP courses in the fall. This program is FREE to ALL Massachusetts public and charter school students. The program runs until August 10th as students can register up until the last moment. The registration link is below.

The Guild of St. Agnes in Worcester is looking to hire 16 plus....see attached flyer

Check out the attached flyer for a paid virtual summer internship through WBLA! Students can gain real-world experience, build valuable skills, and earn money—all from home.

Spots are limited and fill quickly—the deadline to apply is May 8, 2026. Be sure to watch the short video and complete the registration form as soon as possible.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lJW1I9mFfuSJawdry8vhwz0t3e4EwTjo/view

Interested juniors and seniors can contact Ms. Bigelow for more information. There are limited spots, and students must have transportation to Whitinsville.

Hello from WPI!

We may be only a few weeks into 2026, but we wanted to take a moment to share information with you about WPI's pre-college summer programs. Below are highlights of the experiences we will be offering this year.

SESSION I : JULY 06 - 10 | SESSION II : JULY 13 - 17

SESSION III : JULY 20 - 24 | SESSION IV : JULY 27 - 31

Rising 6, 7 & 8th grade students who want to begin their exploration of a STEM topic are invited to attend Ignite. During this day program, students will select a topic of their choice to study in-depth alongside like-minded individuals. Courses run from 9:00 - 4:00pm (M - F). Registering for multiple weeks is encouraged; however, taking the same class in consecutive weeks is not permitted.

Learn more about Ignite via this link.

Registrations are open until April 30!

Register Now!

JUNE 22 - 26 | 9:00am - 4:00pm

Rising 9, 10 & 11th grade students are invited to attend Launch, a day program geared towards continuing to build on a strong foundation. Launch students select a STEM topic of their choice to explore in-depth for the full week. Courses are taught by WPI instructors, and include hands-on activities, demos, and discussions.

Check out all Launch offerings at wpi.edu/+launch.

Registration is live until April 30!

Register Now!

SESSION I : JULY 5 - 17

SESSION II : JULY 19 - 31

Rising 10, 11 & 12th graders are invited to attend our residential Frontiers program to dive deeper into two topics of their choice, a STEM or business major and a humanities, arts, or business minor. Frontiers students experience a taste of "college life" by learning in WPI classrooms and labs, living in our residence halls, eating in Morgan Dining Hall, and enjoying a variety of evening and weekend activities.

Learn more about Frontiers at wpi.edu/+frontiers.

Applications are open until April 30!

Apply Now!

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Office of Pre-Collegiate Outreach Programs

100 Institute Road

Worcester, MA, 01609, US

pop@wpi.edu | (508) 831 - 4900

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As parents of children who receive special education services, we know firsthand how overwhelming the journey can feel. Between learning new terminology, understanding our children’s rights, and navigating meetings and services, it’s easy to feel alone or unsure of where to turn for support. That is exactly why we invite you to join us at SEPAC.

The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) provides a space where parents and caregivers can come together to learn, share experiences, and support one another. It is a place where our voices matter. Through SEPAC, families gain valuable information about special education processes, available resources, and advocacy, helping us feel more confident and empowered when supporting our children.

SEPAC also creates a strong sense of community. Connecting with other families who understand both the challenges and the successes of raising children with diverse needs reminds us that we are not alone. Our meetings offer opportunities to ask questions, hear different perspectives, and work collaboratively with the school district to improve services for all students.

Most importantly, SEPAC gives parents a voice in shaping special education within our schools. By participating, we help ensure that the needs of our children are heard, respected, and considered. Whether you attend meetings regularly, occasionally, or simply stay informed, your involvement truly makes a difference.

We understand that life is busy, and attending meetings is not always convenient. To make participation more accessible, we offer both in-person meetings and Zoom options. SEPAC meets once a month, beginning at 6:00 PM with a general meeting, followed by a workshop at 6:30 PM. These workshops are designed to provide helpful information and guidance for families navigating special education.

We encourage any parent or caregiver of a child with special needs to consider joining SEPAC. Your voice, experiences, and insights are valuable—not just for your child, but for our entire school community. We also welcome your input as we plan for the future of SEPAC and want to know what our families need most.

If you would like more information or wish to be added to our mailing list for meeting reminders and important updates, please reach out to us at sepacwebster@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Sabrina Piche

Co-Chairman

Jennifer Gardner

Co-Chairman

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren South Central MA has several important meetings and events coming up.

Across the country, 2.5 million children are being raised by grandparents and kinship caregivers without parental involvement. For every 1 child in foster care, 19 are being raised by grandparents, often with limited resources, financial strain, emotional challenges, and the heavy responsibility of navigating trauma. And while these caregivers save federal and state agencies an estimated $10.5 billion annually, the support they receive remains minimal.

At Grandparents Raising Grandchildren South Central MA, we are committed to partnering with the strongest local agencies to make sure our caregivers never have to walk this journey alone. We offer peer support, guidance, practical resources, and a judgment‑free space where grandparents can breathe, share, and feel understood so they and their grandchildren can truly thrive.

Thanks to the continued support of PPAL, the Southbridge Family Resource Center, Seven Hills Foundation, and the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, we have a powerful lineup of meetings and events throughout May.

If you are a grandparent raising grandchildren or a kinship caregiver, I warmly invite you to join our GRG community. These are conversations and connections that only those living this life truly understand, and no one should have to navigate it alone.

SAVE THE DATES — BIG THINGS ARE HAPPENING!
Grandparents & Kinship Caregivers, we’ve got a full month of connection, support, and fun lined up — and you won’t want to miss a single one!

MAY GATHERINGS & SUPPORT SPACES

• May 7 & May 14, 2026 - Coffee, Cookies & Conversation

Southbridge Family Resource Center, 5 Optical Drive, Southbridge

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM, May 6 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

A warm, welcoming hour to connect, breathe, and share.

• May 6, 13, 20 & 27 - Real Talk Wednesdays

Southbridge Family Resource Center, 5 Optical Drive, Southbridge

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

For middle school & early high school youth

Movies • Games • Crafts • Snacks May Theme: Money Matters

• May 13, 2026 - The Mental Health IEP
  

Oxford High School Cafeteria, 100 Carbuncle Road, Oxford

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM A must‑attend session for caregivers navigating school supports.

JUNE HIGHLIGHT EVENT

• June 12, 2026 - Grandparents & Kinship Raising Kin Luau Cookout

Westville Lake, 125 Wallace Rd., Sturbridge, MA 01566 3:30 PM – 5:50 PM A summer celebration filled with food, community, and island‑style fun!

Kim Rockwood
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren South Central MA
54 Slater Street
Webster, MA 01570
(978) 413-8989