Deborah Romeo, Principal
Courtney Rowley, Assistant Principal
Rebecca Speicher, Assistant Principal of Student Services
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Greetings Wayland Middle School Caregivers,
As we turn the calendar to April, our students’ learning lives at school will include MCAS assessment days. Just as is true for any school day, it is important that students get a good night’s sleep preceding testing days and that students bring their chromebooks fully charged each day to school. This week, students will take the ELA MCAS on Tuesday and Thursday.
In addition to their charged chromebook, students should bring a water bottle and a snack. Eating healthy food before and during a test-taking situation can boost student energy and student brainpower. Suggested snacks include whole wheat pretzels, carrots, peppers, celery, apples, berries, a protein wrap (ie: sliced turkey, chicken, or cheese), frozen grapes, granola or trail mix (peanut free), or cheese and crackers. Students should bring snacks for their own consumption only - a small ziplock-sized bag will work.
As we planned for MCAS testing, we tried to be intentional in our decision to prioritize our students' overall well-being while creating an environment where students can focus and perform at their best. Following testing each day, students will participate in three classes and will also have scheduled outdoor time in the afternoon, giving students the opportunity to release any pent-up energy that may accumulate during the testing process.
Thank you, in advance, for all you do to support our students during the upcoming MCAS assessment windows. We can help our students by reminding them that they are well prepared and we only expect that they will do their best work. 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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Tuesday, April 7th and Thursday, April 9th: ELA MCAS Grades 6-8
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Monday, April 20th - Friday, April 24th: Spring Break NO SCHOOL
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Wednesday, April 29th: SUPER Wednesday. Dismissal at 12:20.
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Thursday, April 30th: Spanish Immersion Parent Council 6:30-7:15pm
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Friday, May 1st: Spring Play: The Day the Internet Died 7:00pm
**The last day of school for students is Tuesday, June 23, 2026 **
The Grade 8 Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
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The Day the Internet Died
By Ian McWethy and Jason Pizzarello
On a sunny day in the town of Bloomington, a devastating occurrence happens. No, it’s not famine, or floods, or loss of your basic rights. The internet has gone down! And it will continue to be down! For a week! A whole week! Pandemonium! In a world that is so dependent on the internet for shopping, mailing, and posting pictures of cute babies, how will society function? Not well as it turns out...
REHEARSALS:
M, T, Th & F 3:15 - 5:00, Last 2 weeks everyday until 5:30 pm
PERFORMANCES:
Friday, May 1st @ 7:00 PM
Wednesday, May 6th @ 3:30 PM
Saturday, May 9th All Day @ Stoughton MA
Part of the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guilds' Middle School Festival
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Please do not drop off students or pick up students in or near the handicapped parking spots near the front entrance of the school. These spots need to be fully accessible to our community members who use them.
In the morning, the drop off lane should be active at all times to prevent significant back ups. Please do not park in the lane alongside the school. If you arrive early and do not want to immediately drop your child off, please wait in the lower DPW lot.
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The 6th and 7th Grade Community Service Clubs are partnering with 8th grader Selin Yardibi and Project 351 to do a collection for CradlestoCrayons.
Please consider donating gently used clothing for ages newborn to twelve. There is a box in the lobby at WMS for all donations.
Thank you in advance for considering and donating!
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We have begun planning for the 2026-2027 school year.
For incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, if you have a request or would like to share any information with us about your child's placement for the next school year, you must do so NO LATER THAN Friday, May 1st by emailing Holly Nino ( holly_nino@waylandps.org).
Requests made after May 1st may not be honored as changing team placements after this date will impact other students.
A few notes:
- If you made a request in a prior year, please make a note to renew that request for the upcoming school year if it is still valid. For example, if there has been a conflict between your student and another student, please email us again. We do not carry over requests to the next school year.
- Given the complexity of scheduling, we can only honor requests to place a student with a specific peer or teacher if there is a significant reason provided by the caregiver.
- Placement of Twins or Triplets. Unless otherwise notified by a caregiver, we will place twins/triplets on the same cluster and separate them into different class sections
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An email from Wayland Public Schools Transportation Office was sent to parents/caregivers on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 for students in grades K-11 for Wayland bus routes (please check your Spam).
Please complete the registration form for each student, indicating whether that student will need school bus transportation for the 2026-2027 year. School Bus Registration closes on June 30, 2026.
Note: METCO and Kindergarten transportation registration will be communicated on a later date.
Questions??: please contact Wayland_Registration@waylandps.org
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Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 7-8:00 pm | Online Event
Evidence-based strategies to reduce power struggles, strengthen communication, and build emotional resilience in adolescents
Parenting tweens and teens can stir up frustration, self-doubt, and even memories of our own adolescence. It can feel like connection is slipping just when kids need us most. The good news: this stage doesn’t have to feel like a daily battle. You can help your tween/teen develop the skills they need to become healthy, happy adults.
Explore practical tools, heartfelt insights, and real-life experiences with pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart that are designed to help you pivot from nagging to nurturing, from feeling overwhelmed to feeling understood, and from correction to genuine connection—especially through the ups and downs of the tween and teen years.
In this event, parents and caregivers will:
- Learn how to shift from control to curiosity
- Understand how individuation shapes the parent-teen relationship
- Practice self-reflection in your parenting role
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Dear Families & Staff,
We would like to provide clarification regarding recent updates to the federal childhood immunization schedule. You may have seen recent reports indicating that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had modified its universal recommendations for several childhood vaccines.
There are currently no changes to the state-mandated vaccinations required to attend school in Massachusetts. In the United States, school immunization requirements are determined at the state and local level, not by the federal government. Students in Massachusetts must continue to provide documentation of required immunizations (unless a valid medical or religious exemption is on file). Wayland Public Schools remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of our students, staff, and community. We align our policies with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which continue to recommend a full range of vaccines to protect children from preventable diseases.
We encourage parents and caregivers to discuss their child’s immunization status with their pediatrician during their annual physical exam to ensure they are fully protected and in compliance with Massachusetts law.
Parents and caregivers who have questions regarding their child’s specific records or the state requirements may contact your school nurse.
For more information about school immunization requirements, please visit the Mass.gov School Immunizations page.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools healthy and safe.
Laurie Hojilo, WMS school nurse
Noreen D’Amico, WMS school nurse
Deborah Romeo, WMS principal
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Please find below the upcoming schedule for the MCAS testing in April and May for WMS students. |
Our School Council is focusing its efforts this year on creating joy, connection, and belonging. The Council is organizing a Multicultural Potluck that will take place on Thursday, May 21st.
Many thanks to our caregiver School Council members, Shaylanna Graham, Larina Mehta, Alexandra Ryan, Dina Sorour, Elizabeth Wuerz, and our staff School Council members Bethann Monahan and Pete Curran.
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When: 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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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: Drew Murawski
Grade: 6
Medium: Ink & Colored pencil
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Contact:
Andrea Winkler - PTO President
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Join our amazing group of volunteers! We are currently recruiting the following positions for the 2026-2027 school year. Stay tuned for more ways you can get involved.
Vice President
Assist the PTO President with a variety of duties as needed. This may include updating documents, working with class representatives and performing the duties of the President in their absence.
Staff Appreciation Team
Coordinate events throughout the year to celebrate and thank our staff.
6th Grade Class Representatives (3)
Work with the house leaders to organize a potluck dinner for the staff for Back to School Night and Math Night. Coordinate an ice cream sundae bar for students on Math Night. Help with other activities if needed (i.e field day).
7th Grade Parent Representatives
Work with the house leaders to organize a potluck dinner for the staff for Back to School Night. Work with the house leaders to organize the Holiday Helpers Thanksgiving gift basket drive. Help with other activities if needed (i.e. field day).
8th Grade Parent Representatives
Work with the house leaders to plan the 8th Grade end of school year dance including the food, entertainment and decor. Solicit volunteers to help with the set up and clean up.
WMS PTO website
Update content on the PTO section of the WMS website using WordPress.
Communications Team
Oversee communication efforts for all WMS events and news. This includes managing social media channels.
Fundraising Chair
Plan and organize the PTO Gift Your Child fundraiser. This includes mailing letters to all WMS families, presenting Gift Your Child at Back to School Night and creating marketing materials for social media and the Monday newsletter.
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Stay up to date on school news, events and helpful reminders.
Look for “Wayland MS PTO” and request to join.
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