Westport Middle School Newsletter
August 2022
Principal's Welcome
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! I am ecstatic to be working alongside the families and staff of Westport Middle School in supporting the educational, social, and emotional needs of students in Grades 5-8.
The mission of the Westport Middle School is to educate all students to become 21st century learners, to seek and value knowledge, and to emerge as productive citizens in a global community. I hold all students to high standards for their individual success and commitment to the school’s mission statement while fostering an inclusive Wildcat community. Education is a collaborative effort between families and the school community, and open communication is critical for a student’s success. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns regarding your child(ren).
On behalf of the entire Westport Middle School administration and staff, I wish everyone a happy and healthy school year. Go Wildcats!
Sincerely,
Laura Charette
Westport Middle School Principal
Principal - Laura Charette
Email: lcharette@westportschools.org
Website: www.westportschools.org
Location: 400 Old County Road, Westport, MA, USA
Phone: 774-309-3455
Twitter: @lcharetteWMS
Assistant Principal - Sean Persico
Email: spersico@westportschools.org
Website: www.westportschools.org
Location: 400 Old County Road, Westport, MA, USA
Phone: 774-309-3022
Guidance Department
Christina Borges - Grade 8 Guidance Counselor (cborges@westportschools.org)
Jennifer Borelli - Grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 School Adjustment Counselor (jborelli@westportschools.org)
New SAC - Grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 School Adjustment Counselor
Jackie Corey - Guidance Clerk (jcorey@westportschools.org)
Community Portal
PAPER COPIES OF PROGRESS REPORTS AND REPORT CARDS WILL NOT BE MAILED HOME.
If you need Community Portal access, please email jcorey@westportschools.org.
Student Drop Off and Pick Up
Bus and van riders will be dropped off and picked up at the Main Entrance of WMHS.
Morning Report Locations
Free breakfast is available each morning starting at 7 AM. Students in Grades 5-8 who choose to eat breakfast will have a designated space in the Cafeteria to do so.
Westport Middle School Bell Schedule
Westport Middle School Daily Rotation
Chromebook Information
- Students are expected to come to school each day with a FULLY charged Chromebook.
- Loaner Chromebooks and chargers will NOT be available this year.
- Students are responsible for keeping their Chromebooks and chargers in the condition in which they were received. Chromebooks should not be decorated or written on.
- Students and/or families are responsible for any damage costs related to Chromebooks. These costs are available through the Technology Department. Please email atomah@westportschools.org with any questions.
Attendance Information
Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 76, § 1 states that students can have only seven excused day session absences in any period of six months. Further, the law allows the School Committee to define “legitimate” reasons for absence. The Westport Community Schools Attendance Policy defines legitimate reasons for excusing absences as:
Student’s illness indicated by a doctor’s note;
a death in the immediate family;
observance of religious holidays;
appearance in court;
temporary relocation due to extreme emergencies such as fire, flood, or hospitalization of a parent;
business which cannot be reasonably transacted when school is not in session;
medical and dental appointments which cannot possibly be scheduled outside school hours
Grade 8 student’s visit to another high school (One excused per year)
Family vacations or non-school related sports competitions are not excused absences. Students are required to make-up any missed work for all absences, excused or unexcused.
Excused absences related to illness cannot exceed seven days in six months without specific medical evidence of incapacitation. All absences beyond seven day sessions in six months without such documentation are considered unexcused. Notification to state authorities of a parent’s failure to educate their children in the case of absences of more than seven (7) days within a six (6) month period (state law) will occur.
If your child is going to be absent, please call 774-309-3022 x1051.
WMHS Athletic Updates from AD Pacheco
Fall sports registration is open on FamilyID. The deadline to register is Monday, August 15th.
7th & 8th graders trying out for high school teams (field hockey, golf, soccer, volleyball) will begin on Monday, August 22nd. Middle school soccer tryouts will begin after school on Tuesday, August 30th. Specific tryout times will be posted on the athletics page of the website.
Upcoming August/September Events at WMS
Grade 5 Orientation/New Student Orientation
Please park on the west side of the building and enter through the Auditorium/Gymnasium doors; orientation will take place in the Auditorium. A tour will follow.
Wednesday, Aug 24, 2022, 06:00 PM
400 Old County Road, Westport, MA, USA
First Day of School
Tuesday, Aug 30, 2022, 07:30 AM
400 Old County Road, Westport, MA, USA
Student Assemblies
Grade 6 - 8:30 AM in the Auditorium
Grade 7 - 9:00 AM in the Auditorium
Grade 8 - 9:30 AM in the Auditorium
Tuesday, Aug 30, 2022, 08:00 AM
400 Old County Road, Westport, MA, USA
WMS Open House
Wednesday, Sep 7, 2022, 06:00 PM
400 Old County Road, Westport, MA, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
WMS Picture Day
Monday, Sep 12, 2022, 07:30 AM
WMHS Auditorium
WMS School Council Meeting
Thursday, Sep 22, 2022, 02:30 PM
400 Old County Road, Westport, MA, USA
Bullying Forum
The presentation will take place in the WMHS Auditorium. Students are welcome to attend as well.
There will be specific student presentations on bullying for students in Grades 5 and 7. The Grade 5 presentations will take place during the week of September 19. The Grade 7 presentations will take place the week of September 26.
Thursday, Sep 29, 2022, 06:00 PM
400 Old County Road, Westport, MA, USA
End of Summer Reminders
All parents/guardians and students should read the Student Handbook which can be accessed on the WMS website after School Committee Approval. Important information regarding attendance policies and the Code of Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook. All parents/guardians and students will need to use Docusign to sign off on receipt of the Student Handbook.
School Supply Lists for Grades 5-8 can be found below. SCHOOL SUPPLIES ARE PERSONAL SUPPLIES. STUDENTS SHOULD BRING IN WHAT THEY CAN COMFORTABLY CARRY ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. EXTRA SUPPLIES WILL REMAIN IN LOCKERS AND CAN BE ACCESSED AS NEEDED.