Weekly Update 1/24/26

WRMS Staff

Jan 24 2026 12:52 PM

Hello West Rocks!

As I shared yesterday, Mr. Jules Douge will be transitioning to serve as the Acting Principal of Silvermine Elementary School beginning next week. While this was a quick shift, it speaks to the strong work he has done here at West Rocks. We are grateful for the impact he has had on our students, staff, and families over the past two years, particularly in the areas of SEL, instruction, and school operations.

Because the transition is happening quickly, we will be scheduling a time in the very near future for Mr. Douge to return to West Rocks to visit with students and staff and provide some closure. At this time, we will not be filling his position, and our leadership team will work together to ensure continuity and support. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or would like to schedule time to talk through any transition-related concerns.

Quarter Update
Friday marked the first day of Quarter 3 and Semester 2. Please check in with your student about any new classes or schedule changes and note that final grades from Quarter 2 will be posted by the end of next week in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. If you have questions once grades are posted, we encourage you to reach out directly to the appropriate teacher.

Ski & Snowboard Club
Our Ski & Snowboard Club had a successful first trip to Mt. Southington on Tuesday! We had a great mix of first-time skiers and snowboarders alongside some seasoned veterans. Even with the cold temperatures, students had a fantastic time. Check out a few pictures above! Our next trip is this Tuesday, and we’re looking forward to another great night on the slopes.

Dodgeball Tournament
Thank you to our Grade 6 team and families for hosting a fun and successful Dodgeball Tournament. It was great to see so many families come out to support our students. Congratulations to this year’s champions, The Dodgefathers! We’re already looking forward to next year!

Student-Led Conferences: Looking Ahead
We continue to focus on preparing for Student-Led Conferences in March. Students will soon participate in another extended homeroom, where they will select pieces of work for their digital portfolios and reflect on why each artifact represents either growth or a showcase of learning. As we’ve just closed the quarter, this is a great time to ask your student how they’re doing and what they’ve chosen so far. Families should be on the lookout for conference sign-ups via ParentSquare later in February.

Weather Reminder
As we are expecting a major winter storm this weekend, please be sure to monitor our usual communication channels for any updates that may impact school on Monday and/or Tuesday.

LINK: NPS Weather Procedures

If school is canceled on Monday, we will reschedule Tuesday’s MLK Celebration for the following week. Stay safe, stay warm, and good luck digging out!

Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support.

Adam Reynolds
Principal, West Rocks Middle School

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Attendance Matters!
One of our continued priorities this year is making sure students attend school every day, as consistent attendance has a major impact on learning, confidence, and long-term success. The State of Connecticut defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10% or more of the school year, and even a few absences each month can add up quickly. Thank you for helping us support strong attendance habits. Families can report student absences by email to wrmsattendance@norwalkps.org.

GRADE 8 UPDATES

This week, our 8th-grade students stepped out of the classroom and into a profound chapter of history. In partnership with Voices of Hope, a Connecticut-based non-profit founded by the descendants of Holocaust survivors, students explored the Holocaust and the life and legacy of Anne Frank.

Voices of Hope, located in the Farmington/West Hartford area, is dedicated to fighting hatred and antisemitism through the power of storytelling. Their sponsorship allowed our students to visit the Anne Frank Exhibit at the Center for Jewish History in New York City, where they experienced:

The Secret Annex: A life-sized replica of the cramped quarters where Anne and her family hid for over two years.
A Living Legacy: An in-depth look at the life of Otto Frank, Anne’s father, who survived the Holocaust and dedicated his remaining years to sharing his daughter’s message of hope with the world.

Prior to the trip, we had a visit from the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. She shared her father’s story with students. We are proud of the empathy and maturity our 8th graders showed during this moving experience. Tuesday, January 27th is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The date will mark the 81st anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp.

Bridging Generations, this year’s theme, highlights the crucial role of the next generation in preserving the memory of the Holocaust and carrying it forward. It highlights the power of intergenerational dialogue – of listening to those who came before us and of sharing those stories with those who come after. In doing so, we don’t just preserve memory – we connect it to the present. By connecting with the family of survivors and visiting the exhibit, our students learned that history is not just a collection of dates, but a living responsibility.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 13, 2026!

We are excited to re-share details regarding our upcoming Spring trip to NYC to see Hamilton on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. This full-day experience includes a historical walking tour of Lower Manhattan, a visit to the 9/11 Memorial, and a Broadway performance, with a total cost of $300 covering all transportation, tours, and dinner. To help offset this cost, we have launched a personal calendar fundraiser where 85% of funds raised go directly toward your student’s trip balance. Please refer to the original message on Parent Square for the full itinerary, payment plan options, and your child’s unique fundraising link.

Grade 8 Yearbook Ads

Grade 8 families are invited to purchase personalized ads for their child in the yearbook. If you are interested in doing so, please visit the Jostens website to complete the process. You will have to create and account and follow the prompts.

NWEA TESTING

When students come to school for testing and their device is fully charged, they will have the chance to win some great prizes! Each student can earn a raffle ticket for having a Chromebook that is fully charged and ready for testing. After Math and ELA testing, we will choose our winners!

YEARBOOK

The Yearbook Club is working hard to create an incredible keepsake 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/

VPA UPDATES

We are excited to have our first grade 6 band concert on Wednesday, January 28! Everyone is welcome! Those families should be on the lookout for continued communication from our band director, Mrs. Jean.

Drama Club Ads

Families or local businesses interested in purchasing ad space in our Little Mermaid Playbill should complete this form and submit payment to Dr. Golding. The deadline for ads has been extended to Jan. 23rd.

Gifted and Talented Art Monster Studio Trip - LAST CALL!

We have a very special opportunity to take a graffiti class with Norwalk’s own, Five Fingaz, at his Art Monster studio! The trip will take place on January 29th. The cost will be $30 to participate and payment can be turned in during art class. Please refer to the Parent Square message from Ms. Fusarelli with the details. The permission form can be accessed here. There are a few spots remaining, so any student enrolled in GT Art, Mural Club, or had Art Semester 1 should reach out to Ms. Fusarelli at fusarellim@norwalkps.org if interested in attending.

WEST ROCKS ATHLETICS

Our travel basketball season Week #3 Update: Both our girls and boys played Ponus and Roton this week. The boys remain undefeated at 5-0. We would love to see a pack of Panther fans in the stands at our upcoming home games to cheer on our athletes. Our next home game is Thursday, Feb. 5th. For official game highlights and score updates throughout the season, be sure to follow our social media channels!

RYTE FAMILY WORKOUT PROGRAM

The R.Y.T.E Family Workout Program is coming to West Rocks!

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 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

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

Register: Sign up Google form

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow West Rocks on Instagram: wrms_ct

Follow West Rocks on Facebook

PTA

Staff Wishlists

Looking for a simple way to brighten a staff member’s day this holiday season? Many of our teachers and support staff have shared their Amazon Wishlists with us, and we’re passing them along for anyone who may want to help.

These lists include classroom needs and a few fun items that make their days a little easier. Participation is completely optional—just a small way to show appreciation for the incredible people who support our students all year long.

Click here to view staff wishlists and spread a little holiday cheer!