WPS District Updates

Dear Wilmington Families, Staff, and Community,

As we welcome the month of December and the close of the calendar year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the many accomplishments and milestones our students, staff, and community have achieved together.

This year has been filled with inspiring moments—from the outstanding academic progress across all grade levels to the vibrant arts performances and athletic achievements that showcase the talents and dedication of our students. Our teachers and staff continue to work tirelessly to create a supportive and engaging learning environment, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

As we enter this holiday season, I encourage everyone to take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy meaningful moments with loved ones. It is also a season to reflect on the values of kindness, community, and gratitude that we strive to nurture throughout our schools. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue building on our successes with new initiatives and programs designed to enhance learning and foster inclusion for every student. Your continued partnership and support remain essential to our mission

Sharing a reminder that the Winter Break School Vacation runs from Monday, 12/22/2025 through Friday, 1/2/2026. On behalf of the entire district leadership team, I wish you a joyous holiday season and a happy, healthy new year.

Warm regards,

David Thomson, EdD, Interim Superintendent

Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ejeQNoYq98pM6haiGU1Vj?si=X28Q7QeGQ_KO3UjtMBLfBQ

4th Episode: This episode marks the beginning of a series where we will discuss the school improvement plans and work of our school councils at each level. We start with our Early Childhood centers, Wildwood and Boutwell, with their Principals Kristen Walsh and Kate Bissell.

3rd Episode: In this episode, we interview Principal Caira on the initiatives and improvements made at Wilmington Middle School over the last 3 years. These changes have improved the experiences for our middle school students, staff, and families. This is an in-depth follow-up to the AMLE survey data presented at the October 10th School Committee meeting.

Podcast can be found on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Grab your warmest coat and boots! According to the Farmers’ Almanac Winter 2025 – 2026 is shaping up to be a wild ride. Get ready to “chill, snow, repeat.” The season officially begins with the winter solstice on December 21, 2025, but the cold and snow might make an appearance early.

So we’re sharing a reminder about school closure alert notification system so we can keep folks up to date on rapidly changing school closure updates via text message, email and phone.

For Families:

• To receive phone and/or text messages from WPS, make sure to check your information in Aspen. To do this, click on the Family top tab, then the Contacts side tab for your child. Phone 1 and Phone 2 will be exported for both Contact 1 and Contact 2.
• To receive General calls like those for Snow Days, the number would need to be listed as Phone 1. (In the event of an Emergency, calls would go to both numbers.) To receive texts, the number can be in either Phone 1 or Phone 2.
• If you need to update the numbers, you can do so using the normal emergency form process.
• Additionally, to receive texts, you would also need to opt-in. This only needs to happen once. If you are not sure if you have already, it does not hurt anything to do so an additional time. To opt-in, text the word YES or Y to 67587.

Here’s the link to the Aspen Student/Family help page on the district website for emergency form instructions: https://www.wpsk12.com/our_district/technology/about_the_aspen_student_family_portal

If you have questions about the process above and/ or need assistance, please reach out to aspenhelp@wpsk12.com

Wilmington Public Schools is proud to join forces with the Wilmington Fire Department in their toy drive once again this holiday season. Through December 5, 2025, toy collection boxes will be available in your child's school lobby. We invite our school community to donate new, unwrapped toys during this period. All donations will directly support children and families within the WPS community, making a meaningful difference for our neighbors in need.

Thank you for your generosity and continued support in helping brighten the holidays for our local families!

Date/Time/Location:

• Tuesday, 12/16/2025 at 6:30pm, WHS, Large Group Instruction Room, 159 Church Street
• Tuesday, 1/20/2026 at 6:30pm, location TBD
• Tuesday, 2/24/2026 at 6:30pm, location TBD

Recordings of past meetings are available on www.wctv.org

Project details as well as past and current meeting documents are available on the project website.

Happy National Special Education Day!
Today, we honor the incredible dedication, compassion, and perseverance of special education professionals, students, and families. Your tireless efforts ensure that every child receives the support, understanding, and opportunities they deserve to reach their full potential.

Thank you for advocating, teaching, and believing in the power of inclusive education. Your impact changes lives every day.

Dear Wilmington Community,

Wishing all of our students, families, staff, and neighbors a joyful and restful holiday season. We are grateful for your continued support and partnership, and we look forward to a bright new year together.

With warm wishes,
The Principals of Wilmington Public Schools

Please join us in congratulating the members of the Academic Decathlon for their amazing performance on 11/22/2025 at Nipmuc Regional High School. The regional competition drew over 200 students representing 18 schools. There were two Wildcats who stood out among the day’s top performers. Emma Tarin received the most valuable Wildcat performance award. Freshman, Gabriella LaRosee received the most promising newcomer award.

The club will next prepare for the qualifying competition in February in hopes of earning a ticket to MIT and the state finals.

The Local Heroes Club recently completed its annual “Dear Soldier Letter” Project. The project allows for students to send thank you letters to local veterans and honor them for their service to our nation. It is a wonderful tradition that Mr. Carr and the Local Heroes Club are continuing. Last month, the Local Heroes Club hosted its 2nd annual Veteran's Day assembly. Jake Danieli (WHS Class of 2020, Marine Corps Veteran, and WHS Cross Country Coach) addressed students on his time in the Marines and the importance of service. He then conducted a question and answer session with the students.

Last month, students in Mr. Riley’s Criminal Justice classes visited a Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Shirley and participated in their Project Youth program. WHS students toured the facility and heard personal stories from four inmates serving life sentences. This valuable experience provided students with concrete examples of the consequences of poor decisions, a better understanding of the criminal justice system and an experience that they will never forget.

History of Wilmington classes recently welcomed retired police officer, local historian, and author Paul Chalifour to speak about Wilmington’s experience in times of war. His first presentation offered a broad look at service, sacrifice, and the importance of honoring veterans. In his second talk, he shared moving accounts of six Wilmington residents who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. Mr. Chalifour’s storytelling not only deepened students’ historical understanding with meaningful context, but also helped them develop a powerful personal connection to their community’s past.

Two of our senior students have partnered with We’re One Wilmington (WOW) to create a diaper drive called Every Baby Deserves Comfort. The students are passionate about helping others and believe this would be a meaningful way to support families in need within our community.

Please consider supporting this WHS Service Learning Project. The drop-off location is in the North Intermediate School lobby, located at 320 Salem Street. Donations will be accepted until 12/19/2025.

WMS is part of a Vocabulary Bowl. Currently, We're in 7th out of 38 middle and high schools and for middle schools we're in 3rd out of 15!

Veterans from right here in Wilmington visited our 7th-grade students to share their experiences in the military. Students learned about the different branches and ranks of service and had the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about what life is really like in the armed forces. We are so grateful to our local veterans for taking the time to speak with our students and for their service to our country.

A big félicitations (congratulations) to Cameron Jong for earning the highest score in all of the 8th grade French classes!

Last month, the Woburn Street School third graders from room C10, Ms. Tozza's class had the opportunity to enjoy a Wilmington Wildcats home football game. The class had a blast sitting together and cheering on the Wildcats throughout the game.

Last month in honor of Veteran’s Day, the Shawsheen students expressed their gratitude in a BIG way! Take a look at their Wall of Heroes Virtually — a heartfelt video created by students to honor and thank the veterans in their families. Each photo, message, and drawing tells a story of bravery, love, and pride.

Our Wildcats have poured their hearts into this tribute — reminding us that heroes don’t just wear capes… they wear uniforms! Check out the video (link below) and celebrate the Shawsheen spirit of respect, responsibility, and kindness as we salute our heroes together.

https://youtu.be/KQ6ilpCxCNk?si=pb8Toipc20NHVzML

The celebration continued at Shawsheen as the staff helped students write heartfelt letters, create beautiful stars, design amazing handprint flags, contribute to our Wall of Veterans, practice poems, sing songs, and so much more.

Below is a short clip (under two minutes) showing the decorations, the over 300 tributes displayed throughout the halls, and the song our students performed. Every year Principal King says to herself, “What did I get myself into?”, but then she sees the smiles, hears the gratitude from our local Veterans, and realize just how much it means to them. Many of them approached me and the students afterward to say how the group truly made their day. It makes every bit of work worth it — and Principal King thinks they may have started another Shawsheen tradition.

Thank you again to all for your dedication, creativity, and teamwork to continue to make Shawsheen such a special place.

Veterans Day Breakfast

For local events, activities, and clubs, feel free to check out our district Friday Flyers page throughout the school year at https://www.wpsk12.com/cms/one.aspx?pageId=26924989

When: Saturday, 12/6/2025, 4 to 7PM

Where: Wilmington Town Common

Description:

The Wilmington Celebration Committee will host the annual holiday tree lighting.

The event will include:

• Horse-drawn hayrides
• Complimentary Cookies (baked by Shawsheen Tech Culinary Arts students) and hot chocolate served by WHS Cheerleaders
• Glow sticks for children
• Ice sculpture sponsored by the Wilmington Tewksbury Chamber of Commerce and some of its member companies
• Wilmington Minutemen with lanterns
• Wilmington High School a cappella group, “Soundscape” leading Christmas Carols
• Wilmington Community Fund annual Wilmington-themed ornament sales inside the Fourth of July Building
• Members of the Wilmington Firefighters collecting unwrapped toys and donations for Wilmington children
• Clergy from parishes throughout the town presenting the story of Christmas
• Santa will also arrive promptly at 5:45PM to lead the countdown.

Event will be rain or shine. Photos with Santa will be available post-event.

When:

• Friday, 12/5/2025, 12 to 9PM
• Saturday, 12/6/2025, 10AM to 9PM
• Sunday, 12/7/2025, 9AM to 12PM

Where: Villanova Hall, 126 Middlesex Ave

Description:

We're One Wilmington will host a free, family-friendly event featuring a raffle of stunning holiday trees, wreaths, and baskets—a perfect way to kick off the holiday season and reconnect with friends and neighbors. Enjoy live holiday music, activities, and a bake sale with delicious treats. Plus, Santa Claus will be visiting on Friday evening from 5 to 8 PM, so bring your camera!

Admission is free. Raffle tickets will be available for sale. More information available at https://onewilmington.org/festival-of-trees/

When: Sunday, 12/7/2025, from 2 to 4PM.

Where: Wilmington’s Town Museum, 430 Salem Street

Description:

Come celebrate the season with us!

Join us for an afternoon of festive fun, including:

• Music
• Refreshments
• Holiday decorations & activities
• Free admission

Come join the Historical Commission celebrating the coming of winter and the beginning of many festivities. Enjoy the time with friends, locals, and feel free to dress in period clothes. Celebrate with music, refreshments, and holiday cheer!

When: Sunday, 12/7/2025, 8AM to 8PM

Where: Wilmington United Methodist Church, 87 Church Street

Description:

Join Jessica Labreque at Fellowship Hall for some holiday fun.

Sensory friendly activities will include:

• self-adhesive crafts
• sensory play stations
• face painting
• temporary tattoos
• pizza.

Santa will visit from 1-2PM. Plus a special visit from the WPD and WFD with their police cruiser and fire truck.

When:

• 12/10/2025 at 7PM
• 1/14/2027 at 7PM
• 2/11/2025 at 7PM

Where: Virtual, click here to register.

Description:

For parents and caregivers of children of all ages. Join this once-a-month book club via Zoom for busy parents and read one book over the course of a few months!

Current read: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. For a pdf flyer of this event, click here.

Wilmington Memorial Library Hours:

• Monday – Thursday: 9am to 8:30pm
• Friday – Saturday: 9am to 5pm
• Sunday: Closed

For more event details and library information, please visit their website at https://wilmlibrary.org/

When: Saturday, 12/13/2025, 10AM to 12PM

Where: Begins at Wilmington Town Common

Description:

Sole Sisters Running Club invites you to run or walk their USATF certified 5K course! Walkers and strollers are welcome. Those walking with little ones start behind the runners and walkers. Race swag is guaranteed for the first 200 registrants.
The event supports college scholarships for local high school graduates as well as local running programs. Check out their website for more details at https://www.solesisters01887.com/

When: Sunday, 12/14/2025, 3 to 5PM

Where: Wilmington Congregational Church, 220 Middlesex Ave.

Description:

Ring in the season with the brilliance of brass! The New England Brass Band returns to Wilmington with a program of inspiring Christmas music. From lively arrangements to serene and beautiful carols, this concert promises holiday cheer for audiences of all ages. Come enjoy an afternoon of festive music in the heart of Wilmington.

When: Thursday, 12/18/2025, 5:45 to 9pm

Where: 1469 Andover Street, Tewksbury (Dewing School)

Description:

A free throw contests for children ages 8 to 13 (age as of 4/1/2026). All are welcome to participate. For more information, visit www.elks.org/hoopshoot

To Apply: https://www.schoolspring.com/jobdetail?jobId=5259732

For Questions, Email: andrea.armstrong@wpsk12.com

• Thursday, 12/4/2025, K-5 Parent/Teacher Conferences (Early Release for K-5 Schools Only)
• Friday, 12/5/2025, PreK Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Monday, 12/22/25 to Friday, 1/2/26, Winter Break/No School
• Thursday 12/25/2025 & Thursday, 1/1/2026, Offices Closed

25/26 School Year Calendar

• The calendar is available as a Pdf to download from our district website calendar page at https://www.wpsk12.com/calendar

Website: www.wpsk12.com
Location: 161 Church Street, Wilmington, MA 01887, USA
Phone: 978-694-6000