Courtney Rowley, Interim Principal
Rachel Scott, Interim Assistant Principal
Rebecca Speicher, Assistant Principal of Student Services
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This week, I had the joy of joining our sixth graders on a meaningful trip to Walden Pond to celebrate and honor the life, work, and teachings of Henry David Thoreau. There was something truly special about stepping away from our usual routines and immersing ourselves in the very landscape that inspired Thoreau’s timeless reflections on nature, simplicity, and intentional living.
From his writings, Thoreau observed: "It’s the beauty within us that makes it possible for us to recognize the beauty around us. The question is not what you look at but what you see."
Throughout our hike, our students embodied this spirit. As they navigated the trails, took in the autumn surroundings, and explored together, they were encouraged not just to look at nature, but to truly see it—and to embrace the journey every step of the way. Seeing our students pause to take in the quiet beauty around them, our moments of meditation and silent walking moments were a poignant reminder of the wonder and warmth they carry within themselves. Beyond the academic connections, the day offered rich opportunities for our students to build deeper relationships, challenge themselves on the trail, and create lasting memories together in their TAG groups. They reminded us all that some of the most powerful learning experiences happen when we step outside classroom walls and engage deeply with the world around us. A heartfelt thank you to our House leaders and chaperones whose thoughtful organization and infectious energy encouraged our students to savor every step of the trail.
What a wonderful day of learning, connection, and shared beauty for our sixth-grade community!
In partnership,
Courtney Rowley
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Thursday, October 15th: WMS PTO Community Meeting 7:30-8:30 PM
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Wednesday, October 21st: Fall Caregiver Conferences - by appointment
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Thursday, October 22nd: WMS Caregiver Coffee 8:30-9:30 AM
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Monday, October 26th - School Picture Day
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Wednesday, October 28th: Fall Caregiver Conferences - by appointment
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Friday, October 30th: End of Quarter 1
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Wednesday, November 11th: Veteran's Day - NO SCHOOL
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Wednesday, November 25th: Super Early Release at 12:20 PM
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Thursday, November 26th - Friday November 27th: Thanksgiving Break
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Wednesday, December 23, 2026 - Sunday, January 3, 2027- Winter Break
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Thursday, October 15th & Friday, October 16th: 7th Grade Sense of Wonder Days
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We are delighted to invite you to our first in-person Caregiver Coffee of the year at Wayland Middle School.
Right after morning drop-off, grab a warm coffee with us and join the WMS Admin team for a relaxed, welcoming start to your day. Generously sponsored by our fantastic PTO, this gathering is a great opportunity to connect with fellow caregivers and build community.
Our focus for this first session will be centering our school year on joy while helping you comfortably navigate middle school systems—including cluster models, Standards-Based Grading, and what to expect this year.
When: Thursday, October 22nd from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Where: Wayland Middle School
Hosted by: WMS Admin Team | Sponsored by: WMS PTO
Whether you have specific questions or just want to say hello, we would love to see you there!
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Our upcoming caregiver conferences will be held on two afternoons this month: October 21 and October 28. We are looking forward to another opportunity for connection and understanding with you and your child. Each caregiver conference will occur during a 10-minute time slot with your student’s Homeroom teachers. Caregivers will sign up in advance for a 10-minute slot of time. Next week you will receive instructions for signing up for a time slot. Conferences will be offered to occur either in-person or virtually (using Google Meet). During these conferences, Homeroom teachers will share information about your child’s hopes for the year. Importantly, Homeroom teachers will gather insights from you about your child’s strengths, areas of growth, and your perspective on this middle school year. Our staff is looking forward to meeting’ caregivers during these upcoming conferences! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s homeroom teachers or counselor. |
In Wayland Public Schools, we strive to foster a welcoming environment where every student feels seen and supported. Please be aware that our schools provide a designated quiet space for midday prayer and contemplative practice for students and staff.
How to Coordinate:
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Elementary Students: If your child will use the space, please email their classroom teacher.
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Middle & High School Students: Students may coordinate directly with their teachers.
Staff members are happy to show students where these rooms are located.
Designated Spaces:
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Claypit Hill: Meditation Room
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Happy Hollow: Meditation Room
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Loker: Upper Book Room
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Middle School: METCO Classroom
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High School: Music Practice Room (A150) during lunch blocks
Please note: These are multipurpose spaces and may occasionally be in use. In these rare instances, students may ask a staff member for assistance in locating an alternative quiet space.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we cultivate a sense of belonging for all of our students.
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Please ensure your middle schooler wears or brings a pair of athletic sneakers on their scheduled Wellness days. Proper sneakers are required for student safety and full participation in physical activities—shoes like Crocs, sandals, boots, or slides are not permitted. Thank you for your support in keeping our students safe and ready to move! |
Ahoy, mathematicians! Get ready to set sail on a math-filled adventure! On Wednesday, November 4, our middle school will transform into a pirate’s treasure map, where sixth-grade students and their caregivers can embark on an exciting quest filled with fun math challenges, games, puzzles, and prizes!
We're charting two different voyages, so choose the one that works best for your crew:
- 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
- 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
After a successful treasure hunt, drop anchor at our PTO-sponsored ice cream sundae bar for a sweet treat.
Keep your eyes on the horizon! More clues and details will be sailing your way soon through your student’s math class. We can’t wait to see you there, mateys!
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The PTO, Wayland Rec Department, and Wayland Youth & Family Services team up to organize middle school student socials throughout the school year. Next up is a fall social for 6th graders! Please see the following important details to register and participate.
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*IMPORTANT* Registration is required and the event capacity is limited to 130 spots. Registration opens here on Wayland Rec's site at 9am on Wed 10/14. Tickets are $20/child, though financial support is available. Some caregiver chaperones are required so we can open this event to as many 6th graders as possible, please register if you can help (no cost, but a CORI with Wayland Rec is required).
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Who: Wayland 6th graders
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When: 7-9pm on Friday, October 23
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Where: WHS Fieldhouse
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What: 6th graders are invited to mingle with friends, new and old, at this fun, fall festival with a variety of fall-themed games, music and pizza!
Stay tuned for additional student social events for other or all grades!
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WMS Picture Day is scheduled for Monday, October 26th.
If you would like to pre-order photos:
- Click the link www.haywardphotography.com then the blue “Prepay for Photo Day” button.
- Enter your school code to place your preorder: WMSF26
*The pre-order option (lower pricing) will be available through October 31st at 7:00am. We encourage you to order in advance to take advantage of the pre-order pricing and lower shipping and handling fees. Please note: If you do not order by the pre-order deadline, their child will receive a NO BUY proof card with instructions on how they can order at that point.
We’re still in need of a few volunteers to help Picture Day run smoothly. If you’re interested, please email Felicia Hyman at felicia.hyman@gmail.com. Spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
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Previously sent on 10.8.26
Dear Families,
On these beautiful fall days, 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 and the legal requirements surrounding these devices.Our primary goal is to ensure every student arrives and returns home safely. To that end, I 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: 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 Community
Over the past year or so, we have observed several alarming behaviors around Wayland and on school grounds:
- Traffic Risks: Students have been seen weaving in and out of active traffic.
- Lack of Protection: A number of students are riding without helmets, which is the most effective way to prevent traumatic brain injury.
- 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.
- School Property: On school property, we are seeing students riding their bikes and scooters around the school after school and interrupting some after school sports. This is a safety concern for our student athletes and coaches.
Our Recommendation
Due to the density of traffic during drop-off and pick-up, and the inherent risks mentioned above, we strongly encourage that e-bikes and motorized scooters not be used on school property.
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.
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Greetings from the theater!
Rehearsals for our fall play, Alice in Wonderland, are in full swing! Thank you to the students for your incredible creativity and focus up until this point, and to the caregivers for your flexibility and patience with scheduling. Here are a few updates:
- If you are a caregiver of a student in the play, please continue to check your email for rehearsal updates and remind your student to check Google classroom. I post daily reminders there.
- Rehearsals for performers take place Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday after school. Not every student is called every day.
- Tech meetings for designers and technicians take place Wednesdays after school. The whole tech team is called every Wednesday.
- We will need student and adult volunteers for our performances! Stay tuned for the next newsletter on how to get involved.
- Our performances are Thursday, November 5th @7pm and Friday, November 6th @7pm. See you there!
Best,
Ryan Watts
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Artist: Bodhi Isenburg
Grade: 8
Medium: Media
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Artist: Rose Garry
Grade: 8
Medium: Watercolor
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Our first PTO community meeting will be held at WMS (and via Zoom) at 7:30pm on October 15th. The meeting will include:
- Updates from the Superintendent and Interim Principal
- Spring caregiver survey takeaways and next steps being taken based on feedback
- Updates on PTO events, staff grant process and opportunities to get involved
- Any questions you may have
The full agenda can be found here.
Zoom information:
Meeting ID: 340 914 1968
Passcode: D9mn1q
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Our staff appreciation team will create a snack spread for staff to stay energized between caregiver conferences on 10/21 and 10/28. You can order items from our Amazon wish list or sign-up here to bring perishable food items. Thank you for contributing! |
We have a winner! Thank you to all of the caregivers who donated to the PTO’s fall fundraiser, Gift Your Child, at Back to School Night! Your contributions pushed us to 18% participation overall. Congratulations to Jodi for winning our Back to School night gift card drawing - enjoy your massage!
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