Flynn Update

Dear Flynn Families,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! I am honored to begin my third year as principal of John E. Flynn a Marzano Academy and my 11th year serving as a building administrator in Westminster Public Schools.

For our returning families, thank you for your continued trust. For those who are new, we are excited to have you join our vibrant and hard-working school community. Flynn is a place where we believe every student can and will succeed, and together we work to make that happen every day.

A little about me: I live here in Westminster with my wife, our young son, and our two dogs. I previously served as an officer in the U.S. Army, an experience that strengthened my dedication to service, discipline, and doing what is right for those I lead. My educational philosophy is grounded in three things: building deep trust with our community, holding high expectations for all, and ensuring that every child feels safe, supported, and challenged to grow both academically and personally.

I am proud to serve alongside an exceptional team of educators who share these values and work tirelessly to help students thrive. I am equally proud of the strong partnership we have with our families, which is at the heart of what makes Flynn such a special place. This year, we will continue to pursue excellence while keeping relationships, respect, and student success at the center of everything we do.

Daily Dismissal Change: No More “Drive Line”

This year, we are returning to our pre-COVID dismissal procedures for the safety and efficiency of our students and families. Recent congestion on Lowell due to construction has created significant traffic backups, parents waiting for long periods for pick up, and safety concerns. Resuming our earlier dismissal procedures will help ease traffic flow, reduce risk, and ensure a quicker release for everyone.

· All teachers will walk their class outside at dismissal, using exterior classroom doors when possible to reduce hallway congestion.

· Teachers will supervise their classes at assigned outdoor locations until 2:50 PM.

· K–5 students will notify their teacher when they see their pick-up person before leaving.

· Middle school students (6–8) may leave campus or find their ride independently.

Dismissal times by grade:

· Pre-K: 2:10 PM from their exterior classroom door

· Kindergarten & Level 1: 2:30 PM near the silver fence (by the map)

· Levels 2–8: 2:40 PM

· Supervision ends at 2:50

Thank you for your understanding as we make this change to keep our community safe and dismissal running smoothly.

School Hours

Pre-K

• Monday: 7:45 AM – 12:50 PM
• Tuesday–Friday: 7:45 AM – 2:10 PM

Kindergarten–8th Grade

• Monday (Early Release): 7:25 AM – 1:30 PM
• Tuesday–Friday: 7:25 AM – 2:40 PM

First Days of School

Grades 1–8: Wednesday, August 13
Pre-K & Kindergarten: Thursday, August 14 (start one day later than the rest of the school)

Pre-K Information

• Pre-K students begin Thursday, August 14, one day after Grades 1–8.
• Families will be contacted directly by their child’s teacher with orientation details.
• Daily drop-off will be at the designated Pre-K doors.
• Dismissal is at 2:10 PM from the exterior classroom door.

Kindergarten Information

• Kindergarten students begin Thursday, August 14, one day after Grades 1–8.
• On the first day, parents will meet in the back of the school. There will be ample time for photos outside and long goodbyes before students head in. For the ease of transition, parents will remain outside-students adjust much more smoothly without parents in the classroom.

• Daily dismissal is at 2:30 PM near the silver fence (by the map).
• As many of you know, both of our Kindergarten teachers will be on maternity leave at different points during the school year. Ms. Kaileen Olivas will be filling in for Ms. Lizzy Hughes during her leave. That class will be in exceptional hands with Ms. Olivas, along with two new Kindergarten paraprofessionals joining our team this year. You’ll have the chance to meet all of them at Back to School Night.

Key Dates

• Back to School Open House – Monday, August 11 | 3:00–5:00 PM
• Parent-Teacher Conferences:
  • Fall: October 20 & 21 (with Scholastic Book Fair)
  • Spring: February 9 & 10

School Supplies

Our 2025–26 supply lists are ready! You can find them here:

Registration Reminder

Stay in the Loop

This monthly message is how I’ll share updates throughout the year. You can also check our Flynn website anytime—our calendar and announcements are always current.