Deborah Romeo, Principal
Courtney Rowley, Assistant Principal
Rebecca Speicher, Assistant Principal of Student Services
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Greetings Wayland Middle School Caregivers,
Last week required an abundance of flexibility as we responded to the blizzard, school cancellations, and a super Wednesday. After a week of uncertainty, a return to predictable patterns can feel deeply calming, offering a sense of steadiness. We look forward to our full days and weeks of teaching and learning and will share with you the bright sides from our classrooms in future newsletters.
One bright side from the past several weeks is the important work done in TAG, our weekly advisory. In TAG, our teachers provided students with an opportunity to engage in a reflective process that honored student voice, deepened student understanding, and promoted self awareness. Specifically, our students reflected on critical student skills and also identified and reflected on what we are calling a “memorable piece of work”. Following a collaborative lesson focused on building student understanding of skills in the areas of time management, organization, and communication, students completed an individual reflection related to each of these areas. Students also chose a “memorable piece of work” and this week in TAG will explain what made the creation of this piece of work/performance so significant to them. These meaningful student reflections will be the foundation for spring conferences (please see Caregiver Conferences below for more details).
The WMS staff and I are thankful for your unwavering support of our students and of our school community. We hope to see you in the upcoming weeks whether it be at caregiver conferences or at one of the many performing arts opportunities that will take place in the month of March. As always, our doors are open. Whether you have questions, concerns, or simply want to share in the excitement of the school year, we encourage you to reach out.
Deborah, Courtney, and Rebecca
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Thursday, March 5th: Eighth Grade Caregiver Night 7:00 - 8:15 PM WHS Lecture Hall and Zoom (Details below)
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Monday, March 9th: Capoeira Performance sponsored by WMS Cultural Council
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Monday, March 9th: String Jam 7:00 PM WHS Field House
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Monday, March 9th - Friday, March 13: World Language Week
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Tuesday, March 10th: Band Fest 7:00 PM WHS Field House
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Wednesday, March 11th: Wayland Sings 7:00 PM WHS Field House
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Wednesday, March 18th: Caregiver Conferences 2:30-5:10 PM
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Friday, March 20th: 6th Grade Field Trip to Museum of Science
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Thursday, March 23rd: Sports Registration Closes (see below WMS Spring Sports are Here)
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Wednesday, March 25th: Caregiver Conferences 2:30-5:10 PM
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To the parents and caregivers of the 2030 graduating class; please find below a letter from Allyson Mizoguchi, Wayland High School Principal, regarding the transistion from middle school to high school.
Important information regarding the transition and what to expect is explained in the letter. Please review the letter at your earliest convenience.
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Coaches:
Baseball coach: Dante Parseghian - dante_parseghian@waylandps.org
Softball coach: Hip Rivera - hipolito_rivera@waylandps.org
Volleyball coach: Pam Kainz - pam_kainz@waylandps.org
Track & Field coaches: Ingride Francoeur - ingride_francoeur@waylandps.org and Jake Haspel - jacob_haspel@waylandps.org
Joining the team:
2. Submit a current physical to the school nurse or SNAP Portal.
3. Athletic fees ($125) are not due until tryouts are completed. (Track and Field does not have tryouts - fees should be paid at the time of registration).
4. Registration will close on March 23, 2026. Please make sure registration is complete and physicals are submitted in a timely fashion.
Tryouts
Tryouts for volleyball will begin on Monday 3/16.
Baseball, softball and track and field will begin on Monday 4/2
Tryouts for baseball and softball are tentatively scheduled to start on 4/2 - will depend on field conditions.
Please read below for more detailed information related to practice times, “game day” expectations, and transportation.
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Last week, all of our students participated in a lesson on Artificial Intelligence (AI). In it, we shared the following nuanced message about AI. “As we integrate new technologies into our classrooms, we recognize that artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for learning, creativity, and efficiency. However, responsible use of AI is essential to ensure academic integrity, critical thinking, and meaningful learning experiences.”
We also shared the following expectations related to AI use at WMS:
Academic Integrity Matters – Any work you submit must be your own. Using Artificial Intelligence to complete assignments without teacher approval is considered academic dishonesty.
Subject-Area Guidance is Key – Different subjects may have different rules for AI use. Always follow your teacher’s instructions regarding when and how AI can be used. If no instructions are provided, assume that AI is not to be used for your work.
We emphasized that our students have the right to grow as thinkers, writers, and ethical decision makers. Specifically, we shared that they have a right to:
🧠 Strengthen Their Critical Thinking Skills.
🗣️ Develop Their Genuine Voice
💪🏾 Build Their Academic Resilience
✍🏽 Deepen Their Memory Retention
🛡️ Protect Their Integrity
We encourage you to discuss with your student(s) what they learned from the AI lesson.
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The purpose of spring conferences this year is to discuss student skills across content areas and to celebrate student learning. Conferences will be driven by a reflection completed by each student related to specific student skills as well as the sharing of a “memorable piece of work”.
Student skills are critical to the development of successful and increasingly independent learners and as such, students benefit when educators and caregivers discuss students’ strengths and areas for growth in these skill areas. Student choice and reflection on a “memorable piece of work” creates a window into what motivates a student and what makes a student feel successful at school in an authentic way. It is important to note that “work” is broadly defined as a performance (in PE, drama, chorus, band, or orchestra) or a piece of work (an artistic creation, an assessment, a piece of writing, a project, etc) in order to honor all learning at school.
Conferences for caregivers will occur after school on March 18th and March 25th with conference time slots beginning at 2:30 and ending at 5:00 on both days.
On Thursday, March 12th, caregivers will receive a link to their student’s homeroom appointment calendar to sign up for one, ten-minute conference with their student’s homeroom partners on either March 18th or March 25th. Parents and caregivers will also have the option to have the conference in-person or virtually; if possible, we would love to see you at the middles school. All appointments and any changes must be done before 12pm on March 17th.
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When: March 10, April 14, and May 12, 2026
Where: First Parish, 225 Boston Post Road, Wayland – in person only
Who: For parents and other adults who live, work, worship or send their child(ren) to school in Wayland.
Cost: Free
Registration: Registration is required. Attendance at all four sessions is encouraged but not required. REGISTER
About: Ever find yourself avoiding a conversation because it feels too awkward, too charged, or too likely to go sideways? This four-session workshop is an invitation to do the opposite—with skill, confidence, and care.
Together, we’ll build practical tools for real-life and online conversations, especially with people whose experiences or perspectives differ from our own. In a supportive, low-stakes setting, you’ll practice showing up with curiosity, self-awareness, and empathy—even when things feel uncomfortable or you don’t agree.
The series will be led by jamele adams, a gifted educator, facilitator, and community peacemaker. Across four in-person sessions, participants will practice empathetic listening, learn from one another, and build trust and connection. Participants will also help shape the series by choosing the discussion topic for each session, ensuring the conversations reflect what matters most to the group.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll walk away with concrete, usable tools for engaging across differences—without losing connection or respect. Whether you’re deeply experienced in these conversations or just beginning, you’ll find a welcoming space to learn, reflect, and grow together—and to strengthen the fabric of the Wayland community.
This program is sponsored by the Wayland Public Schools and the Wayland Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (HRDEIC) and is made possible through the generous support of the Lydia Maria Child Fund of First Parish in Wayland.
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WaylandCAN is thrilled to invite you to a night with viral TED speaker and Ted Lasso writer, Dylan Marron!
Dylan is the creator and host of the acclaimed podcast Conversations with People Who Hate Me, a Webby Award–winning series praised by USA Today, The Guardian, Fast Company, and the Associated Press for its powerful exploration of empathy and human connection. His TED Talk, “Empathy Is Not Endorsement,” has been viewed millions of times worldwide, and he is currently a writer on the critically acclaimed series Ted Lasso.
This free, community-wide talk focuses on connecting across differences.
It will take place on March 30th at 7PM in the Wayland High School auditorium.
It's is open to all ages 11+ and will include **30 minutes of audience Q&A**.
****This is opportunity is being shared with the Greater Boston area and space is limited! **Sign up here and bring your middle and high school children - we're all in this together!****
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Thank you to all that have donated books for the book swap! Although the drive has ended, any books that would like another home at the middle school, continued donations are always welcome. |
Artist: Anthony Choi
Grade: 8
Medium: Graphite & Colored Pencil
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Contact:
Andrea Winkler - PTO President
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The PTO funded two amazing programs last week due to your generous donations to our Gift Your Child fundraiser.
Thank you to Jessica Greher Traue, PTO Parent Enrichment Chair, for all of her efforts in coordinating the informative webinar on digital safety and online well-being, hosted by EndTAB. We appreciate Jessica bringing this important discussion to WMS caregivers.
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We also thank Tonya Cunningham, PTO Treasurer, and Dr. Romeo for bringing Manny Nogueira, professional BMX athlete and motivational speaker to WMS last week. This high energy educational assembly was truly something special for students and staff. |
Stay up to date on school news, events and helpful reminders.
Look for “Wayland MS PTO” and request to join.
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