January Weekly Update

🚀 Why Attendance is a "Power Habit"

It might seem like missing just one or two days a month isn't a big deal, but those absences add up quickly. Research shows that missing just 10% of the school year (about 2 days a month) can make it significantly harder for students to learn to read and keep up with math.

When students are here, they benefit from:

Direct Instruction: There is no substitute for the live "lightbulb moments" that happen during a lesson.

Social Connection: School is where students build friendships and learn how to collaborate.

Routine & Stability: A consistent morning routine helps reduce anxiety and builds a sense of security.

Did you know? By 9th grade, regular attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th-grade test scores!

Happy New Year to our dedicated students and families! As we return from the winter break, we have a golden opportunity to reset, refocus, and make the rest of the school year count.

With a few months left on the calendar, now is the time to build the momentum that leads to a successful finish. Here is our "Finish Strong" game plan for 2026:

📚 Trade the Scroll for a Story

We are challenging all students to adjust their nightly routine. Instead of spending those last few minutes of the day on a phone or tablet, we encourage 20 minutes of reading before bed.

• The Benefit: Reading reduces stress and improves sleep quality, whereas the "blue light" from phones can make it harder for the brain to rest.

• The Impact: Just 20 minutes a night exposes students to nearly 2 million words a year!

🗓️ Our Final Parent-Teacher Conferences February 10, 2026

Communication is the bridge to success. Our final parent-teacher conferences are just around the corner, and we would love to see 100% participation.

This is the perfect time to discuss:

1. Academic progress and goals for the spring.

2. Social-emotional growth.

3. Any specific support your child might need to reach the finish line.

🚩 Close the Gaps: Missing Assignments

Don't let missing work snowball! We want every student to feel confident as they head toward finals.

• Check the Portal: Parents and students, please take a moment this week to check for any "Incomplete" or missing assignments.

• Ask for Help: If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, please reach out. Your teachers are here to help you catch up—but we need you to take the first step and ask!

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." — Robert Collier

Let’s work together to make this semester our best one yet. Welcome back!

We are excited to share that the Shaw/Flynn campus has a new name: Uplands Discovery Campus! This new PK-8 school unites Shaw Heights and Flynn A Marzano Academy, offering students an innovative focus on Arts, STEM, and CTE programming.

Key Info for Families:

• Registration: Now open for the 2026-2027 school year!

• Location: All PK-8 students will be housed at the Shaw Heights building while we prepare for our 2028 grand opening.

• Included Schools: This enrollment applies to all current Flynn/Shaw students and rising 6th graders from Mesa and Harris Park.

Don't miss out on this exciting transition—complete your registration today!

🔗 Registration Link: wps.org/enroll/registration

1. Going to the Westminster Public Schools website.
2. Clicking on the "ENROLL" menu and then "Register Now."
3. Selecting the "IN DISTRICT REGISTRATION" button.
4. Clicking the yellow "REGISTER NOW FOR IN-DISTRICT RETURNING FAMILIES" button under the "Welcome back WPS families!" message.
5. Logging into your Infinite Campus Parent account using the username and password given at the beginning of the year.
6. Clicking the "Menu" button (which has the Infinite Campus logo).
7. Selecting the "Online Registration" option.
8. Reviewing the application and looking for the "COMPLETE" button to confirm it is finished.

Members of the Westminster Public Schools community are invited to attend a public presentation from our Future Together Facilities Initiative (FTFI). The committee will share its recommendations on January 13, at 6 pm at Westminster High School in the Joanna Ramsey Theater.

For over a year, the committee has worked to create recommendations about how to best use district resources and school buildings during a time of decreasing student enrollment, considering census data and the predicted costs of refurbishing or repairing existing buildings. The FTFI committee is made up of parents, teachers, operations and support staff, community members and members of the District Accountability Advisory Council.

We Welcome Attendance from:

- Current staff members working within our schools.

- Parents and guardians of students currently enrolled.

- Community members who may not have children in the schools but are invested in the future of our neighborhoods and educational spaces.

- Business owners as the economic drivers in our community.

After the presentation FTFI committee members will be available to answer questions or to listen to feedback. Interpretation will be provided.

Reminder: Update Your Contact Details Please log in to the Parent Portal this week to ensure your records are up to date. We specifically need current:

• Primary Home Address

• Cell & Work Phone Numbers

• Emergency Contact Names/Numbers