9/4/2026

Dear Western Families,

We have successfully completed our first full week of school! It has been a busy and productive few days as we focused on essential opening school logistics, including assigning lockers, participating in "getting to know each other" activities, and establishing our general rules and routines. We hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend. Please remember that there is no school this coming Monday in honor of Labor Day. See below for important dates and information.

Warmly,

Matthew Laskowski

Principal, Western Middle School

#WestsideBestside

Si desea leer esta actualización en español u otro idioma, haga clic en "Traducir" ("Translate") en la parte superior del boletín (al lado de "Share" (Compartir)) y seleccione español o el idioma de su elección. Gracias.

Important Dates

Monday, September 7: NO SCHOOL- Labor Day
Thursday, September 10: NWEA Math Testing, 9:54am-11:18am
Friday, September 11: Rosh Hashanah at Sundown, Schools Open
Friday, September 11, 2026: 25th Anniversary of 9/11 - Wear Red, White and Blue [Flyer]
Tuesday, September 15, 2026: NWEA ELA Testing, 9:54am-11:18am
Tuesday, September 15: 7th & 8th Grade Open House, 6:30pm

At Open House **DC Parent Meeting, Auditorium, 6:00pm

Wednesday, September 16, 2026: NWEA ELA Testing, 9:54am-11:18am
Monday, September 21: NO SCHOOL - Yom Kippur
Wednesday, September 23: 6th Grade Open House, 6:30pm

What's Happening Across Grade Levels

Grade 6

What a first week in 6th grade! Students have been learning their schedules and doing an amazing job transitioning from class to class. During the first few days of school, we have focused on building relationships, reviewing expectations, and helping students establish routines that will set them up for a successful, safe, and enjoyable year. On Wednesday students were very excited to begin using their lockers. Lockers will be used to house their lunch, jacket, and extra school supplies. Binders and backpacks are NOT to be put into lockers as those must travel with students throughout the day. Teachers are also beginning to assign homework as we begin our first units. Be sure to check in with your student to ensure they are completing the nightly homework by checking their planner with them and/or the team homework hub (BLUE TEAM/RED TEAM). The homework hub is a digital document where the teachers post their assignments as a backup for the planner. When a student is absent, they should email their teachers and check their team’s homework hub. Looking forward to another great week!

Grade 7

Beginning next week, be sure to check in with your student to ensure that they are completing the nightly homework by checking their planner with them and comparing the planner to their team’s homework hub (YELLOW TEAM/PURPLE TEAM). The homework hub is a digital document where the teachers post their assignments as a backup for the planner.

Registration is now open for Outdoor Classroom! Please use this link to register your child. Check your emails from Ms. Stabile and Ms. Onofrio. Payments will be collected separately once permission slips go out next week.

Grade 8

The 8th Grade is off to a great start! Our team of teachers has been very impressed with the students' overall behavior and work ethic. Parents, please continue to check in with your child to ensure they are completing their nightly homework. While teachers provide time in class for students to record assignments in their planners, please utilize the team’s homework hub (ORANGE TEAM/GREEN TEAM) as a backup and a quick reference guide for daily requirements.

Regarding the Washington DC Trip: If any 8th grader will NOT be attending the DC trip, please email Ms. Traina to let her know (Olivia_Traina@greenwich.k12.ct.us).

Back To School Night

7th & 8th Grade Open House will be Tuesday, September 15th. The DC Parent meeting will take place in the auditorium at 6pm, this is where all information will be shared regarding the Washington DC trip in May. Then Open House will begin at 6:30pm.

6th Grade Open House will be Wednesday, September 23rd starting at 6:30pm.

Notes from the Office

Attendance Line: If your child will be absent or arrive at school late, please call the Attendance Line at 203-531-5678 by 9:00am and leave a message with his/her name, grade, and the reason for their absence.

GPS Withdrawals: If you are receiving this email and your child is not attending Western Middle School this year, it is because you have not withdrawn. Please fill out the GPS Withdrawal Form as soon as possible.

Late Buses: Late buses will start on Tuesday, September 8th. They run a more simplified route and students can advise the bus driver where they need to get off. Late buses will leave WMS at 4:20pm. Routes can be found at: https://www.greenwichschools.org/departments/transportation

Filling In The Blanks

Filling in the Blanks is a local nonprofit that provides free meal bags on the weekends for school age children. If you feel your family would benefit from this service please register here. This information is kept confidential with FITB and the school. Once your child is registered they will drop off the meal bag in the Main Office and we will send it home with students on Fridays. Please see this flyer for additional information. If you have any questions you can reach out to Cindy Regouis at CRegouis@fillingintheblanks.org.

Athletics

Fall Sports Tryout Information

Tryouts will run from 3:00-4:30 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. All athletes must be cleared by the nurse in Final Forms to participate.

There are no late buses on Friday, so you have to pick up your child at 4:30 or they can walk home.

BOYS & GIRLS SOCCER - Please bring cleats and shin guards

Volleyball - Sneakers and knee pads if you have them, please don't go out and buy any equipment.

Tuesday 9/8- 6th Grade only
Thursday 9/10- 7th & 8th Grade only
Friday 9/11- FINAL tryout for those invited back + makeup (final cuts made that day)

FIELD HOCKEY - Cleats, Field Hockey sticks, shin guards, mouth piece, and eye wear.

Tryouts will be Tuesday 9/8, Thursday 9/10, Friday 9/11and Monday 9/14 from 3:00-4:15. Students trying out will need the following:

Field Hockey Stick
Shin guards
Goggles
Water bottle
Proper athletic attire
Sneakers

Extra Curricular Activities

After School Clubs & Activities

Clubs and after school activities will be starting shortly! Once we have compiled which will be taking place this year we will send out a club catalog - stay tuned.

One Act Theater Festival

The 2nd Annual One Act Theater Festival, "West Side One Acts," with New Lebanon is coming up in October! If you are interested in acting or directing a short play written by future Wildcats, please join the Google Classroom and attend the information meeting on 9/22. Any questions, please email Mrs. Kolar at johanna_kolar@greenwich.k12.ct.us.

YMCA Future Leaders Progamming

Below is a quick overview of the our two middle school initiatives:

Leaders Club | Grades 6–8

Leaders Club empowers students to become leaders through teamwork and community service. Leaders will develop interpersonal and leadership skills as they participate in student-led service projects, team building activities, and workshops. Students will also earn volunteer/service hours that may support school requirements, as well as connect with various community organizations and professionals to deepen learning and impact.

Youth & Government | Grades 6–8

Youth & Government gives middle school students a hands-on opportunity to explore the democratic process through research, mentorship, debate, and civic engagement.

Annual WMS Mums Sale

Click the link here (or see the preview to the right) to preliminary information regarding our annual 8th grade Mums sale to support our WMS Kindness Scholarship Fund.

Back To School Info & Forms to Return

The beginning of the school year is also prime "sign and return forms" time. Please take a few moments to visit the Back To School page of the website to review all of the information and return the following forms with your signature.

Code of Conduct Sign Off Sheet English - Spanish
Acceptable Use Policy for Chromebooks

Parent Pages

Here is the link to the “Parent Pages” section of our website, the place you will find links to all the "must-have" information, including:

2026-27 Calendar
After-School Club Catalog (coming soon!)
Attendance Policy
Bell Schedule
Bus Routes
Community Resources
Fall Sports Calendar
Homework Hubs
Lunch Menu & My School Bucks
Nurse Information
Principal's Message
What’s Happening at Western (Current & Archive)

9/4/2026 9/4/2026

Important Dates Important Dates

What's Happening Across Grade Levels What's Happening Across Grade Levels