Deborah Romeo, Principal
Courtney Rowley, Assistant Principal
Rebecca Speicher, Assistant Principal of Student Services
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Greetings Wayland Middle School Caregivers,
Our Bright Sides include important acknowledgements of our students' academic efforts that took place prior to the break. On March 11th, eighth graders participated in the 2026 National Latin Exam with 138,000 other Latin scholars from all 50 states and 26 countries around the world. Our eighth graders won a total of 12 gold medals and 4 silver medals with three perfect scores! Congratulations to our Latin scholars!
The next eight weeks will be filled with classroom based learning, performances, and activities that are both educational and celebratory in nature (see the detailed list below). We count on our students to do their part by following schoolwide expectations, listening to their teachers and being kind to their classmates, across all of these opportunities. Embedded in the list below are all of the spring performances by our students involved in drama, band, chorus, and orchestra. We hope that you will be able to join us for one of them.
Friday, May 1st: Spring Play: The Day the Internet Died 7:00pm
Friday, May 15th: 6th grade trip to APEX
Thursday, May 21st and Friday, May 22nd: 7th grade “Wonder Day” trips. Cape Cod day trip and Kayaking/Outdoor Picnic and Play (7th grade students participate on both days).
Friday, May 29th: 8th grade “Literary Day” including the production of Romeo and Juliet.
Tuesday, June 2nd: 8th grade “Boston Day” including the Boston Memorials and State House.
Wednesday, June 3rd: 8th grade “Worcester Day” including a WooSox game.
Thursday, June 4th: WMS Chorus Concert 7PM
Monday, June 8th: WMS Orchestra Concert 7PM
Tuesday, June 9th: WMS Band Concert 7PM
Friday, June 12th: 8th grade “Celebrating Our Successful Year” at Kimball Farms.
Thursday June 18th: Field Day for students in 6th and 7th grades (rain date Monday, June 22nd). 8th Grade Step Over Day at WHS.
Thursday, June 18th: PTO Sponsored 8th Grade Dance 7PM
Tuesday, June 23rd: 8th Grade Ceremony
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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Monday, April 27th: Postural Screening OPT-OUT Due
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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
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Tuesday, May 5th and Thursday, May 7th: Science MCAS for 8th Grade only
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Thusday, May 7th: WMS Information Night for Caregivers of Incoming 6th Graders (Caregivers Only) 7:00 - 8:15 PM WMS Auditorium
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Tuesday, May 12th and Thursday, May 14th: Math MCAS Grades 6-8
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Friday, May 16th: 6th grade field trip to APEX
**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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Is a comedic play about a small town that loses internet access for a week, forcing residents to cope with the sudden absence of search engines, social media, and online services, leading to hilarious chaos and a rediscovery of basic human interaction. |
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 from 6:00-7:30pm in the middle school cafeteria.
We're so excited to share favorite dishes from across our Wayland community. If you plan on attending, please complete this RSVP as soon as you are able. Please note: this is a family event so at least one caregiver should be present with children who attend.
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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Dear Caregivers,
We are reaching out to you about the upcoming Postural Screenings that will be taking place on April 28th, 30th and 31st. All students, in all grades, are required to receive an Annual Postural Screening (as per MDPH regulations) unless caregivers/guardians provide written notice to OPT-OUT of the POSTURAL SCREENING. This can be through email (Laurie_Hojlo@waylandps.org), fax (508-358-3816) or a hand-written note with your signature on it, brought to the health room.
The purpose of this is to screen for early signs of possible spinal problems in children grades 5-9. It is not a diagnostic service but a program to identify young people who should have further medical evaluation.
If your child has any unusual findings, you will be notified and asked to take the child to a physician for further evaluation as a precaution. The majority of students exhibit no findings. Students should wear whatever they are comfortable in, as long as we can view their entire back. This will permit more accurate observation of the back.The screenings will be done by R.N.s in a private area.
Most physician offices include a postural screening as part of an annual physical exam. This is something you can look for on your student’s annual physical exam report given to you. If you have already ‘opted out’ your student this year, you do not have to do so again. However, the deadline to opt out is April 27th.
Please feel free to contact the health office for any questions.
Thank you,
Noreen D’Amico, BSN, RN
Laurie Hojlo, BSN, RN
Community Health Nurse
Phone# 508-358-3809
Fax # 508-358-3816
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The course recommendations for students who are currently in grade 6 and students who are currently in grade 7 at WMS will be available for viewing in PowerSchool starting on Wednesday, April 29th after 12:00. Please see below for the screenshot of how to navigate PowerSchool for course recommendations.
For students currently in 6th grade, there will only be a math recommendation. For students currently in 7th grade, there will be a math recommendation and a science recommendation.
If a parent/caregiver wishes to request a change in the course recommendation please contact the curriculum leader for that department. The curriculum leader for math is Ms. Poulo
All course change requests initiated by parents/caregivers for current 6th and 7th graders are due on Wednesday, May 13th.
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Dear WMS Families,
As the weather warms up, we have seen a significant increase in the number of students using electric bikes and motorized scooters to travel to and from school and around Wayland. While we appreciate our students’ desire for independence and green transportation, we have serious concerns regarding their safety when using these devices.
Our primary goal is to ensure every student arrives and returns home safely. To that end, we would like to share some critical safety information and legal guidelines.
The Legal Essentials
It is important to understand that e-bikes are categorized by "Classes," and different rules apply to each:
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Sidewalks are for Pedestrians Only: It is illegal to ride e-bikes or motorized scooters on any sidewalk.
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The Rail Trail: Only Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes (which are capped at 20 mph and 750 watts) are permitted on the rail trail.
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Driver’s License Requirements: Any e-bike or scooter capable of exceeding 20 mph (Class 3) is legally considered a motorized vehicle. These require a valid driver’s license to operate.
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Illegal Modifications: Our partners in the Wayland Police Department have noted that many students are using "bypass switches" to allow their bikes to exceed legal speed limits. This not only violates the law but significantly increases the risk of a high-speed collision.
Safety Concerns in Our CommunityRecently, we have observed several alarming behaviors around Wayland and on school grounds:
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Traffic and Pedestrian Risks: Students have been seen weaving in and out of active traffic and riding on sidewalks.
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Lack of Protection: A high number of students are riding without helmets. Wearing helmets is the most effective way to prevent traumatic brain injury.
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Unauthorized Use: At school, we are seeing students "trying out" or swapping bikes and scooters with one another without parental consent. This creates a massive liability and safety risk.
Our Expectations
Due to the density of traffic during drop-off and pick-up, and the inherent risks mentioned above, we ask that students who ride these devices to school head straight to the bike racks and park them immediately upon arriving to campus. With the exception of arriving to, and departing from, campus, e-bikes and motorized scooters should not be used on school property during the school day and during school events.
We have seen a rise in accidents involving these devices in our neighboring towns, and we want to do everything in our power to prevent a similar tragedy here in Wayland. Please take a moment this evening to speak with your child about these rules and the importance of road safety.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students safe.
Best regards,
Deborah Romeo, WMS Principal
Shane Bowles, School Resource Officer, Wayland Police Department
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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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Students voted on a theme and Hollywood Lights was the winner!
The dance is time for students to come together with friends to celebrate 8th grade.
Please note that this is not a semi-formal, so we want students to dress as comfortable as they would like. The theme is for decorations only so we can create a fun setting for the students. There is no pressure to dance as there will be other activities to enjoy and the courtyard will also be open for socializing.
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Please find below the upcoming schedule for the MCAS testing in April and May for WMS students. |
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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When: 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: Vivian Gordon
Grade: 8
Medium: Pencil & Ink
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Contact:
Andrea Winkler - PTO President
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May 4th-8th is staff appreciation week, and we need your help! Please consider signing up here to contribute an item or a little time to help us say thank you to our wonderful Wayland Middle School staff for all they do for our kids. Here is our plan to celebrate our staff:
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Mon - Wed: Collect student thank you notes for staff during morning arrival
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Monday: Staff thank you gifts
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Wednesday: Spring staff appreciation breakfast
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Thursday: Student card display
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Friday: Gift card raffle!
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Join our amazing group of volunteers! We have several board and committee positions available. Whether you are a working or stay at home parent, we have volunteer roles that fit many schedules. Please get in touch with us at the email listed above.
Vice President
Assist the PTO President with a variety of duties as needed.This may include updating documents, working with class representatives, communicating with staff and performing the duties of the President in their absence.
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.
Communications Chair & Team Members
We’re looking for several volunteers to help with communications, please let us know if your skillset would be a good fit for one role:
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Chair - oversee communication efforts for WMS events and news. Focus is to manage the PTO calendar and updates for weekly newsletter (~1 hr per week)
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Graphic designer - Use PTO Canva account to update and create graphics to promote events (1-2 hrs per month)
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Social media - Schedule posts to communicate updates via WMS social channel (~1-2 hr per month)
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Website - Update contact list prior to new school year and be available for minor updates/questions
Caregiver Enrichment Chair
Organize quarterly caregiver facing discussions focused on student well being, parenting and school curriculum. Work with the WMS principal to identify topics and guest speakers.
Staff Appreciation Team
Coordinate events throughout the year to celebrate and thank our staff. Work under the direction of the Staff Appreciation Chair and with other team members.
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.
Wayside Gift Drive Coordinators- Work with Wayside Youth and Family Services and other WMS volunteers to establish an Amazon gift list for recipients residing at Wayside. Volunteers also participate in the gift wrapping event at Wayside in early December.
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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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