Weekly Update 12/7/25

WRMS Staff

Dec 7 2025 1:33 PM

Hello West Rocks!

We had another great week kicking off December!

Food Drive
Our annual Food Drive is in full swing, and we are collecting non-perishable items to support families in our community. Every can, box, or bag makes a difference, and we appreciate the generosity already coming through our doors. The homeroom with the most items will earn a pizza party! The last day to donate is this Friday, so please consider sending in an item or two if you are able.

Early Dismissal on Monday, December 8
We have an early dismissal tomorrow, Monday, December 8. Students will be dismissed at 12:50 PM, and our staff will participate in professional development during the afternoon.

Band and Chorus Performances
Congratulations to our Band on two outstanding performances this week! Our Chorus joined them at the SoNo Collection on Thursday, bringing beautiful music and joyful energy to the community. Thank you to all of the students and families who made the evening so special.

Check out the performance video using the link below, along with pictures posted above!

The WRMS Chorus and Band at the Sono Collection

Grade 8 Gifted and Talented Showcase
This week, our Grade 8 Gifted and Talented students shared their projects about what it means to be a middle school student. It was inspiring to hear their thoughtful reflections, creativity, and personal experiences. Their presentations showcased both their academic skills and their ability to communicate with confidence, and it was wonderful to welcome families into the building to experience it with us. Check out a few pictures above!

Cold Weather Reminder
As temperatures continue to drop, please make sure your student is dressed appropriately for outdoor recess, jackets, hats, and gloves are encouraged. We will continue to go outside whenever the weather permits.

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. Our counselors and administrators will continue reaching out to families when patterns emerge, and the district has begun sending notifications as students reach specific thresholds. Thank you for helping us support strong attendance habits.

Thank you for all your support, and have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Adam Reynolds
Principal, West Rocks Middle School

HOLIDAY MOVIE NIGHT

Join us for a Holiday Movie Night on Friday, December 12th! To attend, students must first turn in a signed permission slip to purchase a ticket for $10. We will have delicious and festive snacks available for sale during the event. Please ensure that students are picked up promptly at the end of the evening. Don't forget to cast your vote for the movie at the link below!

Permission Slip

Movie Voting

SOCIAL WORK TIP OF THE MONTH

"Mindful & Merry" ❄️

SEL Focus: Self-Management & Stress Relief

The holidays can be a fun but also busy time. Help your child manage stress by focusing on the present moment.

Tip: Try a "Mindful Minute." Find a quiet moment to sit with your child and practice mindful breathing. Inhale for three seconds, hold for three, and exhale for three. You can do this at the start of a busy day or when you're feeling overwhelmed. It's a simple tool that can be used anytime, anywhere!

Activity: Five Senses Scavenger Hunt

How-To: Take a short break (5-10 minutes). Have your child name:

5 things they can see.

4 things they can touch.

3 things they can hear.

2 things they can smell.

1 thing they can taste (maybe a sip of water or a quick snack).

Goal: This classic grounding technique brings them into the present moment and breaks the stress cycle.

GRADE 8 UPDATES

High School Choice

Please refer to the Parent Square posts from Dr. Golding regarding upcoming Open Houses and specific dates for the lottery. A friendly reminder that if your child wishes to attend their feeder high school (NHS or BMHS), they do not need to apply to the lottery. Questions about school choice and feeder schools can be directed to Mr. Boland (Grade 8 Counselor, bolandm@norwalkps.org) or Dr. Golding (Grade 8 Team Leader, goldings@norwalkps.org). Be on the lookout for more information about the application process this week in a separate post.

Movie Night

It is our turn to host this month’s movie night. We need donations of items to sell for concessions. Please sign-up HERE. It is critical that you sign-up if you plan to bring an item so that we can plan appropriately. All donations are greatly appreciated!

Grade 8 Music Students

Band, Chorus, and Orchestra students are invited to visit Norwalk HS on Monday, December 15th to view their holiday concert, Candlelight. Candlelight has been a Norwalk tradition for many years. This is a great opportunity for students to see and learn about the music program for 9th Grade. The trip is free of cost. Students will return to WRMS before lunch. In order to attend, families must complete the permission slip. Please reach out to your child’s music director or Dr. Golding with any questions.

PICTURE RETAKES

Picture Re-Takes will be Thursday, December 11th. Students that were absent for the Fall picture day will take their photo that morning. In addition, any family that ordered a photo package and would like to have your child re-take their picture can return their package to the photographer that morning for an exchange. The Picture Day ID is: EVTSW63CM if you would like to log into: mylifetouch.com to order online. Questions can be directed to Mrs. Amaral.

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/

A NOTE FROM OUR LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST

Thank you so much for supporting our Library Book Fair! Because of your generosity, the event was a huge success, with lots of smiling faces and books purchased for enjoyment. Thank you again for helping us inspire a love of reading in our students and school community.

Ms. Mackowski

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 began this week. 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

The WRMS Ski & Snowboard Club is gearing up for another great season!
We will be taking four Tuesday trips to Mt. Southington on January 20, January 27, February 3, and February 10. A coach bus will depart school prior to dismissal and return to West Rocks at approximately 9:15 PM. All students must ride the bus both to and from the mountain.

Registration, covering all four trips, will take place through the Mt. Southington website, and full details will be posted on the West Rocks website this week.

Please keep an eye out for an upcoming announcement with links and instructions!

VPA UPDATE

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.

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow West Rocks on Instagram: wrms_ct

Follow West Rocks on Facebook

PTA

Winter Auction Update

Our Winter Auction is underway and there’s still a ton of great items up for bid, like:

Restaurant gift cards
Local experiences
Museum passes
Hockey tickets
Beauty services
And even… Principal for a Day, Security for a Day, and Dean of Students for a Day!

Bidding runs through Thursday, December 11th.

Auction items will be available for pick-up on Friday, December 12th and Monday, December 15th.

You can view all items and place your bids here: https://app.givebacks.gives/wrmspta2025

Feel free to share the link with your family & friends—our auction is open to everyone!

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!