Weekly Update 10/5/25

Hello West Rocks! Happy October!

Maybe you’ve heard the exciting news…Norwalk Public Schools is proposing that a new West Rocks Middle School be built! We’re thrilled to share that West Rocks will host the Board of Education Town Hall this Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM in our auditorium. This is a great opportunity for families and community members to hear updates, ask questions, and learn more about the proposed project. Everyone is invited to our PTA meeting at 6pm then to join the Town Hall at 7:00pm! 

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weekend. As we begin the first full week of October, we’re proud of the positive momentum across our classrooms. Students are fully engaged in new content, collaborating with peers, and demonstrating Panther Pride each day.

October Awareness and  Celebrations
In addition to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, October marks the launch of our 8th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. This campaign unites our entire school community in recognition, education, and support for those impacted by breast cancer. We’ll be showing our solidarity through Pink Out Fridays all month long. Students and staff are encouraged to wear pink as a symbol of hope and awareness.

Academic Updates
This Tuesday, October 7, all 8th grade students will take the PSAT in their homerooms following a special testing schedule. The PSAT provides students with an early experience using the College Board platform and helps measure important skills in reading, writing, and math. This is a valuable opportunity for students to practice taking a nationally recognized assessment that will help prepare them for high school and future college readiness. Please encourage your child to get a good night’s sleep and arrive on time with a fully charged Chromebook.

Safety and Connection: Ride Along Program
We’re proud to begin the second year of our Ride Along Program! Through this initiative, staff members and security personnel rotate riding different buses throughout the year. The goal is to support safety, foster positive interactions, and build connections with students beyond the classroom. You can even ask your student if they saw a staff member or security guard riding along this week!

Be sure to continue to check the district calendar for important dates, holidays, and modified schedules.

Have a great Sunday!

Adam Reynolds
Principal, West Rocks Middle School

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

West Rocks’ Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Campaign

We are excited to announce the launch of our annual Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, dedicated to raising awareness, promoting early detection, and supporting those affected by breast cancer within our middle school community. This year's campaign will officially kick off on October 1st and will run throughout the entire month of October.

How to Get Involved:

There are many ways your family can participate and make a difference:

• Wear Pink on Fridays: Join us every Friday in October by wearing pink to show your support. We will begin this Friday, October 3rd.

• Purchase Pink Merchandise: Pink t-shirts and bracelets will be sold during lunch periods. All proceeds will go towards supporting breast cancer awareness initiatives.

• Participate in the Making Strides Walk: Our school will be participating in the Making Strides walk on October 19 at Sherwood Island. We encourage families and students to join our team or donate to cancer research by visiting: WRMS Pink Panthers 

We encourage everyone in our middle school community to participate in this vital campaign. Together, we can make a significant impact in the fight against breast cancer.

SOCIAL WORK TIP OF THE MONTH

SEL Focus: Self-Awareness

This month, let's help our kids understand and name their feelings. Emotions aren't always easy to handle, and sometimes they can feel a little "spooky." The first step is to recognize them.

Tip: Create a family "Feeling Check-In" chart. You can use sticky notes, a whiteboard, or even a simple piece of paper. Each evening, have everyone in the family jot down one or two words to describe how they felt that day and why. There are no "bad" feelings—just feelings! This can open the door to great conversations!

Activity: Mood Playlist

• How-To: Ask your child to create a playlist (on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.) for a few different moods: happy, angry, calm, sad, and energized.

• Goal: This helps them connect music to their emotional state.

• Discussion Starter: "Why does that song make you feel energized?" or "What kind of feeling do you usually need this song for?"

SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSITION FAIR

FOOD SERVICE

PLEASE CONSIDER COMPLETING THE APPLICATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AND REDUCED COST MEALS.

The Norwalk Public Schools Food Services website provides families with important information about school meals and nutrition programs. It serves as a central hub for resources, forms, and updates related to student food services across the district.

• This year, families will need to complete an application to be eligible for free and reduced cost meals. The State has provided time for this to occur, so students will be able to get meals at no charge through September. 

• For assistance, please feel free to reach out to the main office at West Rocks (203) 899-2970.

https://www.norwalkps.org/departments/food-services 

GRADE 7

GRADE 8

The Dual Language Department is sponsoring a trip for all 8th graders! We will be visiting two of our nation’s most famous landmarks: The Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Museum in New York.  The trip is open to ALL 8th grade students.  If you are interested please read the flyer and fill out the Statue of Liberty Field Trip  DL Permission Slip.  Please reach out to Sra. Chimento chimentos@norwalkps.org if you are interested in going.  

DRAMA CLUB

Students who are involved in the audition process for Drama Club can access materials on the Drama Club’s Google Classroom.  Audition videos were due yesterday. The calendar for the club can be found here and is up to date with callbacks and a family meeting. Families and students can subscribe to the calendar to have it embedded in their digital calendars. Families can direct questions to Dr. Golding at goldings@norwalkps.org

WRMS ATHLETICS

Our Flag Football and Floor Hockey Travel Teams kicked off their season this past week. Come out and cheer on our teams at our upcoming four home games. Students are only allowed to attend away games at other schools if they are accompanied by an adult. 

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow West Rocks on Instagram: wrms_ct

Follow West Rocks on Facebook

PTA

First PTA Meeting – Tuesday, October 7 at 6PM

 School Library (Zoom option available)

Join us for our first PTA meeting of the year!

 Dinner catered by Outback

 Earlier start time: 6:00PM (to allow families to attend the 7:00PM Town Hall about the exciting news that West Rocks will be getting a new building)

Topics include: Halloween Dance, Election Day Bake Sale, upcoming fundraisers, and grade leader updates

Join here: https://westrocks.ptboard.com/formvw?store=7084&form=1

 All are welcome — you do not need to be a member to attend.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83845712482?pwd=jEiUtqPcd8owGsylpbY20u1ik7xlbE.1 

Save the Date: Halloween Dance – October 24 Our Halloween Dance is scheduled for Friday, October 24 from 5–7 PM. Costumes are optional, but the fun is guaranteed! Tickets will go on sale online and during lunch the week of 10/20. A signed permission slip will be needed to purchase a ticket. 

We’re are collecting donations and looking for volunteers to help make the night a success. 

Donations can be dropped off to the main office marked PTA. 

Sign up here https://westrocks.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=ffeb5992-f4bf-4682-a7df-df8af0d78242~s.9223370277275259024 

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 

 Stay Connected

Don’t miss out on updates, events, and ways to get involved—follow us on social media!

• Facebook: facebook.com/WestRocksPTA
• Instagram: instagram.com/westrockspta

VISIT THE SCHOOL CALENDAR ON OUR WEBSITE

Visit our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram @wrms_ct