West Bridgewater Wildcat PRIDE

Hello WB Students, Staff, and Families,

Welcome to fall! The weather, and the leaves, are certainly starting to change. I hope that all of our students, staff, and families are having a great start to the school year. Thank you for your continued support of our schools.

Enjoy the October District Newsletter!

Mark Bodwell
Superintendent

Parents/Guardians and Families - This survey is designed to help us understand your views and experiences with the climate and culture in our schools and in our school district. We’re committed to creating a safe, supportive, and positive learning environment for all students, staff and families, and your feedback is invaluable in helping us meet that goal. Last year we sent out 3 surveys and wanted to consolidate down to one survey with 3 parts.

This years survey includes:

Part 1 - Climate and Culture Questions for building level and district level

Part 2 - Bullying Intervention and Prevention Plan

Part 3 - Annual Institutional Self Evaluation of Educational Programs

Please note:

• Your responses are anonymous. No identifying information, including email addresses, will be collected.
• You do not need to sign in to a Google Account to complete this survey.
• If you have more than one child in the district you may complete a survey for each child
• This survey will be active until November 14, 2025
• If you have any specific information you would like to discuss please contact the building principal or Superintendent Mark Bodwell at mbodwell@wbridgewater.com

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us! We appreciate it.

Mark Bodwell, Superintendent

Check out the newsletters for each of the 4 schools in WB! Lots of great information. If you have not yet had an opportunity to read these you will find lots of great information as well as many great pictures from each of the 4 schools!

Spring Street School https://secure.smore.com/n/bgnxy

Rose L MacDonald School https://app.smore.com/n/nzmxch

Howard School https://app.smore.com/n/4rfny

Middle/Senior High School https://app.smore.com/n/w0b3hm

Thank you PTO for the Book Vending Machines at the Rose L MacDonald School and at the Howard School. Our students are so excited to go "shopping" to get a book. We appreciate your collaboration and support of our students and staff!

Do you have questions about the project? Do you want more information?

Starting on Thursday October 23rd and continuing through the Town Meeting vote (end of January), I’ll be hosting a 30-minute weekly drop-in session every Thursday at 8am to discuss any questions or concerns related to the Elementary School Building Project.

These sessions are open to parents and community members who would like to learn more or share feedback. You’re welcome to join in person or via Google Meet using the recurring link below:

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/izo-istp-gvp

Please feel free to share this information with others who may be interested.

If you are looking for any of the past district newsletters from February 2022 to the present please click on the link below. We want to make sure you have access to all of them. If there is something you are looking for and cannot find just contact Superintendent Bodwell

It has been a wonderful start to the year meeting with my student Roundtable groups at the Rose L MacDonald School, Howard School, Middle School and High School students. We schedule meetings approximately once a month where I get to meet with them and hear about what is going well and what areas they would like to see improved in our schools. Thank you students for using your voice to help make our schools the best that they can be!

WB Athletic Letter Jackets - Congratulations to our student athletes who were honored at this morning’s breakfast! Each of them proudly received their letter jacket in recognition of their hard work and dedication to their teams. A huge thank you to the WB Boosters for their continued support of our athletes and for providing the jackets for our recipients. Thank you for all you do every year for our student-athletes and coaches. A special thanks to Ms. Hammel for helping to make this event happen. Check out the Boosters website https://sites.google.com/site/westbridgwaterboosters/

Check it out, "Wildcat Mental Health Matters" - Information from WBMSHS Adjustment Counselor Mrs. Sullivan and School Psychologist Dr. Cragin.

On Wednesday, October 1st, Miss Rudy and Ms. Sullivan held their first meeting of Wellness Wednesday during Power Block. Middle school students had the opportunity to sign up to participate to learn skills and strategies for dealing with stress and big emotions. Students also got to spend time with Harry, the therapy dog. It was a very successful first meeting!

This information has also been shared with WB Families and Staff via email and posted on the district Facebook page. I will also continue to provide updates in the District Newsletter, at School Committee meetings, and at the monthly Superintendent Coffee Hour meetings. You and the entire community must have as much information as possible about the project.

General Information

• Grade Configuration: K–6

• Design Enrollment: 1,075 students

• Location: Behind the current Rose L. MacDonald School

• The MSBA reimbursement rate is 54.79%, which is the base rate (see FAQs for more information). This is the amount of funds that will be allocated by the state for the project.

• Building Layout:

  • Lower School (Grades K–3) in a two-story wing

  • Upper School (Grades 4–6) in a three-story wing

• Construction Plan: Two phases

  1. Shared spaces + Grades K–3

  2. Grades 4–6

• Site: The area has wetlands, but the project team and engineers are designing a plan that reduces environmental impact compared to current conditions.

• Project Team:

  • Architect: HMFH

  • Owner’s Project Manager: PMA

  Other notes:

• District offices and PreK will remain at Spring Street School.

• Teachers, administrators, and staff have toured multiple schools to guide planning.

• Ongoing meetings are happening with town boards, educators, and public safety officials to gather input.

Project Resources

• Project Website

• FAQs

• School Building Committee Presentations

• Project Team Information

• Current Elementary Buildings

• Subscribe for Updates

• Community Forum Materials

• MSBA Submittals

Upcoming Meetings & Timeline

• Curriculum Nights: The Project team will attend Rose L. MacDonald and Spring Street events. We have already attended the MSHS and Howard nights

• School Building Committee Meetings: October 7 & October 21

• Schematic Design Program Submission: October 23 to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

• Community Forum: Tentatively scheduled for November 6.

• More Community Forums: December & January (in-person and online).

• Town Meeting & Ballot Vote: Late January 2026 (exact dates TBD).

Upcoming Videos

We will be creating short videos to help the community learn more about the project. These will be shared starting in mid-to-late October.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out:

mbodwell@wbridgewater.com

WBES@pmaconsultants.com (Owner’s Project Manager)

OUR NURSING STAFF:

• MSHS/LEAD NURSE

• Julie Diedrichsen 508-894-1220 x1305 or jdiedrichsen@wbridgewater.com

• HOWARD SCHOOL

• Sara Mando 508-894-1250 x3115 or smando@wbridgewater.com

• ROSE L. MACDONALD SCHOOL

• Priscilla Dennis 508-894-1240 x4102 or pdennis@wbridgewater.com

• SPRING STREET SCHOOL

• Carissa Monize 508-894-1230 x2122 or cmonize@wbridgewater.com

For more information about sick child guidelines, health related policies and state mandates, please visit the Health Services website at https://www.wbridgewaterschools.org/page/health-services

Here is the approved the 2025-2026 school calendar. It has been posted on the district website https://www.wbridgewaterschools.org/ . Below is the link

Friday, September 26th, the Guidance Department held their second annual college/career fair. It was a huge success with a total of 46 colleges, universities and companies in attendance. Students enjoyed asking questions and exploring future opportunities.

TRI-TOWN VETERANS’ DAY PARADE

10:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 11, 2025

WEST BRIDGEWATER

Parade Theme: For Their Service, We Are Grateful

AWARDS FOR:

• Best Float or Theme
• Best Marching Unit
• Judges’ Choice

PARADE ROUTE: N. Elm Street, left onto W. Center Street (Route 106), left onto N. Main Street (Route 28), to Town Hall Gazebo.

If you are interested in marching, contact the Town Clerk’s Office 508-894-1167 or the Veterans Agent’s Office 508-436-7211 by October 30, 2025.

Position available!

We have an opening for a part-time (12-15 hours/week) cafeteria helper at the MSHS. Food service experience helpful but not necessary. Please call Ann Marie Grinder at (508)894-1220 or email agrinder@wbridgewater.com for more information.

Monthly Menus - Click on WB Food Services to find lunch and breakfast menus. Both meals are free to all students!

Breakfast at School!- Did you know that the mid-morning snack at school is actually our breakfast program and is free for all students? Students are offered a variety of whole grain items along with fresh fruit, juice and milk.

Food Assistance- Project Bread Food Source Hotline , West Bridgewater Food Pantry.

Questions, concerns, suggestions? Contact Ann Marie Grinder, Food Service Director at agrinder@wbridgewater.com or (508)894-1220.

ATTENTION ALL WILDCAT FANS!

Back by Popular Demand

It’s time to order your 2025 Thanksgiving Commemorative T-Shirt!

The WB Gridiron Club is working with the EB Gridiron Club on a commemorative t-shirt for this year's High School Thanksgiving game.

This year's shirts is available in Short Sleeve and Long Sleeve

Shirts will be on sale through 10/26

Order Here: https://forms.gle/drsH4oHFA8o1Pm5t5

Once shirts are in we will arrange a pickup time for shirts sold to WB fans.

Don't Miss Out!

If you can not order through the link or have any questions email wbgridironclub@gmail.com

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce that their free Parenting Solutions Library is now available in Spanish. MPY is offering this valuable resource in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit organization located in Mansfield, Connecticut.

Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families, and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive. The video trainings are presented by experts with advanced degrees and present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change. Click here to access the MPY Parenting Solutions Library videos.

24 Free Home Parenting Video Presentations

• Inspire School Success for Elementary, Middle, and High School Students

• Parenting Principles for Progress Not Perfection

• Mental Health Knowledge and Skills

• Support Your Anxious Child Library

• ADHD and Autism: How to Help Your Child Thrive

Congratulations to our Student Athletes on their strong performances in the Fall Season so far! Here's a look at how our teams are performing:

• Boys Varsity Football: 4 Wins – 1 Loss
  
  

• Girls Volleyball: 10 Wins – 5 Losses
  
  

• Girls Cross Country: 2 Wins - 1 Loss
  
  

• Boys Cross Country: 3 Wins - O Losses
  
  

• Golf: 8 Wins – 8 Losses
  
  

• Field Hockey: 11 Wins – 2 Losses – 2 Ties
  
  

• Girls Varsity Soccer: 6 Wins – 7 Losses
  
  

• Boys Varsity Soccer: 8 Wins – 4 Losses
  
  

Let’s keep showing up and cheering them on as the season continues!

SAVE THE DATE: POWDER PUFF GAME & COW PLOP FUNDRAISER

Tuesday, October 21st, 2025

Come out to support our Powder Puff Athletes and Cheerleaders in this fun, school-spirited event!

Before the game, be sure to check out the Cow Plop Fundraiser—a unique way to support our teams and maybe even win a prize!

When: Tuesday, October 21st @3pm

Where: WBMSHS Baseball Field

Who: Anyone can buy a ticket! Tell your friends and family!

How to get your square: During school lunches, at WB Athletic games,

social media OR stop by the WBMSHS main office to purchase tickets!
Payment: Venmo or Cash (see Jenn Hammel or front office)

WBMSHS WINTER SPORTS SIGN UPS

If you're planning to participate in winter sports, you must sign up on Arbiter Sports. The link is live! E-Mail Ms. Hammel with any questions.

Visit the Athletics Website to register and stay updated.

Athletic Links:

To stay up to date on team schedules and the latest records, please visit our ArbiterLive. https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams/Schedule/7675970?activeEntityId=25160

The MIAA has released the initial version of the power rankings for Fall 2025 sports. Make sure to check out where our teams rank in the state by clicking on the link and then the sport.
Power Rankings | Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association

Power Rankings as of 10/16:

Volleyball - #6

FH - #8

Football - #3

B Soccer - #16

G Soccer - #27

If you’d like to show your Wildcat pride, personalized West Bridgewater gear is available through our official Sideline Store.
WEST BRIDGEWATER, Massachusetts - Sideline Store.

For photos, updates, and more, follow WBHS Athletics on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579342214395#

Let’s keep supporting our teams and showing what it means to be a Wildcat—on and off the field. Go WB!

Mark Bodwell, Superintendent of Schools

Email: mbodwell@wbridgewater.com
Website: www.wbridgewaterschools.org
Location: 2 Spring Street, West Bridgewater, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 894-1230
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wbridgewaterschools