Weekly Update 11/23/25

WRMS Staff

Nov 23 2025 5:27 PM

Hello West Rocks!

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. What a week! We had three early dismissal days that we used for valuable professional learning for our staff. Thank you for your flexibility and planning. We have another 2-hour early dismissal this Wednesday before we leave for the Thanksgiving holiday! There is no school on Thursday and Friday.

Sport-a-Thon Highlights
Last week’s highlight was without a doubt the Sport-a-Thon! Thank you for bringing your Positivity, Accountability, Willingness, and commitment to Safety to this year’s event. It was an incredible community builder, and moments like these truly demonstrate the strength of our SEL work at West Rocks…students showed teamwork, encouragement, perseverance, and joy at every station.

We surpassed our fundraising goal and had a great time doing it! Check out the highlight video using the link below, along with photos and moments captured throughout the day.

Sport-a-Thon Highlight Video 2025

High School Choice for Grade 8
On Friday, our Grade 8 students had presentations from several high school options across the state, including Wright Tech, RCA, and the Agriscience Program. Earlier this month, students also heard from Norwalk High School and P-TECH.
Grade 8 families, please continue to look for updates from Mr. Boland and Dr. Golding about high school choice, timelines, and next steps.

Día de los Muertos Celebration
Thank you to our Dual Language Department for their beautiful annual celebration of Día de los Muertos, a holiday that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed and celebrates the belief that their spirits return to visit. Check out the image of the ofrenda (altar) that was displayed in our main lobby!

PAWS After-School Program
Congratulations to our PAWS After-School Program students who had artwork featured in the Social Justice Art Show in New Canaan. Their pieces were thoughtful, powerful, and a wonderful representation of our students’ voices. Check out a few of them in the images below!

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I just wanted to share my gratitude for our students, staff, and families who make West Rocks such a strong and caring community. This time of year reminds us of the importance of connection, kindness, and supporting one another. I wish all of our families a restful, joyful, and safe holiday break.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Adam Reynolds
Principal, West Rocks Middle School

SPORT-A-THON 2025

MATH BOOSTERS! AFTER SCHOOL

Failing to Nail Math? Stop the Struggle and Start Succeeding!

Is your student stuck in math confusion? Our flexible Math Booster Sessions are the turbo-boost they need to crush their next test and own the material! Students can attend for the full hour and a half across all three days or just drop by for targeted help. We meet in the Coaches' Room (195). Quick Reminder: Students must bring their own snack/fuel and have their own transportation sorted.

Ready for a grade-level glow-up?

Check out all the information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GiIQsHRHDvMUT9xEdYas_sGzwMkMKDlB/view?usp=sharing

GIFTED AND TALENTED

On a recent visit to West Rocks Middle School, Norwalk City Officials, along with the Norwalk Public Schools Deputy Superintendent and Facilities team, engaged our students in an insightful discussion about the proposed new building site for the school. This event provided a unique opportunity for students to share their perspectives while gleaning valuable insights about the development project, directly aligning with our Grade 8 GT curriculum project, "What Middle School is Like."

During the conversation, students utilized their Portrait of a Graduate Effective Communicator skills by actively listening and sharing their views with confidence. This hands-on experience not only fostered a partnership between students and officials but also established a pipeline connecting student interests with their future aspirations as ethical global citizens. We are excited to see how these interactions will inspire our students as they continue to grow as informed and engaged members of their community. A special thanks to Ms. Meade for her efforts to provide this opportunity to the students.

BOOK FAIR

It’s Book Fair Time!

The WRMS Library will run its Fall Book Fair from Monday, 12/1 to Friday, 12/5.

All students will have the opportunity to visit the Book Fair during their ELA classes.

If you would like to create an eWallet account for your child, please sign up through the Fair's homepage HERE. Questions? Contact Sandra Mackowski (mackowskis@norwalkps.org)

YEARBOOK

The Yearbook Club is working hard to create an incredible keep sake for our students. Please use the link below to submit photos!

https://photos.jostens.com/3CUHTK

Yearbooks will be $35 for a limited time! Online Orders Only- There will be no cash sales Please use the link below to order!

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1037145/West-Rocks-Middle-School/2026-Yearbook/20251008081516063150/CATALOG_SHOP/

TRAVEL BASKETBALL TRYOUTS

Tryouts for the Girls and Boys Basketball Teams will be held on December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Any students interested in trying out must submit a permission slip using the Google Form.

https://forms.gle/SGMdjvk5qnaaT74aA

RYTE FAMILY WORKOUT PROGRAM

The R.Y.T.E Family Workout Program is coming to West Rocks in December and January.

It offers a weekly, 60-minute physical activity program for youths led by licensed professionals. The program aims to aid in the prevention of childhood obesity and diabetes by providing families opportunities to be physically active and learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. It includes a calisthenics routine and a group exercise routine, culminating in an end-of-program celebration.

The program will meet on Mondays after school from 3-4pm in the West Rocks gym on December 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and January 5th, 12th, 26th, and February 2nd. There is a 24 student limit on a first come, first serve basis.

Please fill out the Google Form below if you would like to sign your child up for the R.Y.T.E. Family Workout Program.

https://forms.gle/1zMuPSWfX5BM6MF59

AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS

After School Clubs will begin the week of December 1st. Click on the link to the Google Form to see our Winter Club offerings and fill out the permission slip if your student would like to participate.

https://forms.gle/ZtaZfjkaJvxhYXeD8

We will also have a Ski and Snowboarding Club this Winter! More information and registration information for the Ski and Snowboarding soon.

Dates of the trips to Mt. Southington: Tuesdays January 20, 27, February 3, and 10.

VPA UPDATE

We are excited to announce a field trip opportunity for our 7th and 8th Grade VPA students this December! We have secured tickets for an 11:00 AM matinee performance of the Broadway musical Finding Neverland at the White Plains Performing Arts Center.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience the magic of live theater and see the story of J.M. Barrie and the inspiration for Peter Pan come to life on stage.

Here are the details for the trip:

What: Field Trip to see Finding Neverland: A New Broadway Musical
Where: White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPAC)
When: Wednesday, December 17th
Time: 11:00 AM Matinee (Bus departure is at 9am. Students will return around 3:15pm and should have their own transportation home.)
Cost: $80.00 per student (This price includes the show ticket and round-trip bus transportation.)

Important Information:

Lunch: All students attending must bring their own bag lunch and drink for the day.
Permission & Payment: To reserve your student's spot, you must complete the permission slip and submit payment. Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Permission Slip

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Golding. We are so excited to offer this special experience!

Save the Date for our upcoming Holiday Concerts!

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE

Every year, West Rock Middle School proudly organizes a community food drive dedicated to supporting families right here in our own community who are facing food insecurity during the holiday season.

We encourage all students to participate by bringing in non-perishable food items. These donations can include canned goods (vegetables, soup, fruit, tuna), dried pasta, rice, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, and other shelf-stable items. Please ensure all items are sealed and have not passed their expiration date.

Students should bring their non-perishable food items to school and turn them in to their respective homeroom teachers each morning. The collection period is now officially underway!

To add a bit of friendly competition and excitement to this important cause, we are holding a Homeroom Challenge! The homeroom that collects the most non-perishable food items by Friday, December 12th will be declared the winner. The winning homeroom will be rewarded with an amazing pizza party hosted during the school day! This is a great chance to work together as a class, help those in need, and enjoy a delicious celebration of your hard work.

Let's show the incredible generosity of the WRMS student body and make this year's food drive the most successful one yet! Every single item counts and makes a direct, meaningful difference to a family in our neighborhood.

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow West Rocks on Instagram: wrms_ct

Follow West Rocks on Facebook

PTA

Panther Pride is here!  

Our hoodies have officially arrived! All pre-orders have been delivered to your child’s homeroom teacher’s mailbox.

Didn’t get a chance to order? Don’t worry — we’ve still got spirit wear available!

T-Shirts & Hoodies → Available now! Orders will be delivered to your child’s homeroom teacher’s mailbox within 72 hours.

Order here: https://westrocks.ptboard.com/formvw?store=7084&form=2

Looking for more options? Shop through our on-demand vendor. Orders ship directly to you in about 3 weeks.

Shop here: https://spirithero.com/collections/west-23

It’s Not Too Late to Join the PTA!

Becoming a PTA member is simple—membership alone shows your support for our students, staff and school. There are NO requirements to volunteer or attend meetings—just sign up and show your Panther pride!

Membership is $12 and comes with perks!

Voting rights on the PTA budget and executive board