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WRMS Weekly Update 8/23/25

WRMS Weekly Update 8/23/25
WRMS Weekly Update 8/23/25
Sandra Mackowski

Hello West Rocks Students and Families!  

Monday, August 25 marks the first day of the 2025–26 school year! This past week, the West Rocks staff has been busy preparing to welcome our students. (See the photo above!) Together, we focused on social-emotional learning and our second year with RULER, explored ways to integrate technology and AI, and deepened our work with effective instruction and curriculum resources across all content areas.

2025-26 WRMS Student Handbook

All students will receive a 2025-2026 student handbook, and it will be reviewed on the first day of school. It outlines schoolwide expectations as well as the Norwalk Public Schools Code of Conduct. It outlines expectations for learning and behavior, as well as the dress code and cell phone policy. This information will be reviewed with students during the first few days of school and is available on our school website. 

This year, we remain committed to social-emotional learning and to creating a school environment where every feeling is acknowledged and respected. We’ll begin with our schoolwide charter, continue to practice using the Mood Meter to build emotional vocabulary, and add the “Meta Moment” as our next RULER tool to help students pause, reflect, and respond thoughtfully.

Shout out to our PTA for providing a great breakfast for our staff on Friday morning! Becoming a PTA Member is one of the easiest ways to support our school community. Membership is open to all parents, guardians, families and staff. Everyone is welcome! 

Have a great last weekend and we will see everyone bright and early on Monday! 

Adam Reynolds

Principal, West Rocks Middle School

PS. Please refer to the district calendar throughout the year. 

https://www.norwalkps.org/about/district-overview/official-district-calendar 

STUDENT SCHEDULES

Thank you for your patience as we work with PowerSchool on making sure that student schedules are visible. Please continue to check for your student’s homeroom. This can be viewed using the PowerSchool app or logging into the PowerSchool Parent or Student Portal. When you download the app, Norwalk’s district code is PRFS.

If you do not have access to PowerSchool, please contact the main office staff at West Rocks for your “access letter” which provides directions and the specific code for your account.

Students will report directly to their assigned homeroom on the first day of school, August 25. If students have not been able to access PowerSchool, we will direct them to the right room as they enter school. They will receive a hardcopy of their schedule in homeroom when they arrive on the first day.

SUMMER LEARNING

If your student has not completed their summer learning tasks (ELA and Math), be sure they focus for the last week of summer!

All information is posted on our website: https://wrms.norwalkps.org/academics/summer-learning-2025 

Remember, your summer packet is your FIRST ASSESSMENT GRADE for next year! Complete it and earn awesome rewards like cool West Rocks swag, extra recess, and even an ice cream party! 

CELL PHONE POLICY

Cell phones and social media use during the school day has increased significantly over the last few years. This has caused a loss of instructional time due to distraction, as well as conflicts between students as well as students with staff. There are many articles and research around the benefits of restricting access to cell phones for students. 

The Norwalk BOE's Policy 5030 (Use of Private Technology Devices by Students) restricts the use of cell phones and other personal devices when it distracts from teaching and learning as well as causes disruption. The BOE Cell Phone Policy can be viewed in its entirety using the district’s website and by using this link:  NPS BOE Cell Phone Policy 

All school staff will enforce this policy. 

Phones are expected to stay in a student’s locker during the school day and will be confiscated if they are out. Parents/guardians will need to pick up their child's device from school when this happens. There will be consequences for students that fail to comply with this school-wide expectation and district policy outlined in the Code of Conduct.  

Air pods and ear buds must also say in a student’s locker during the school day. If they are in a student’s ears, they will be confiscated, turned into the office, and a parent/guardian will need to pick them up.

As a school community, we believe that removing cell phones and air pods/ear buds as obstacles will help maintain a safe environment that promotes success and enables all students to improve academically and individually. 

Please talk with your child about this policy before the first day. Together, we can maintain our focus on learning.

ATTENDANCE

Doors open each morning at 7:55 am. Students have the opportunity to grab a quick breakfast, then they report directly to homeroom. They are dismissed from school at 2:50 pm.  

If students will not be in school, please send an email to wrmsattendance@norwalkps.org. 

If students need to be dismissed early, please send a note with your student to the main office in the morning. They will be given a pass and come to the security desk at the appropriate time. 

In the interest of student safety and to ensure an orderly school-wide dismissal procedure, the deadline for requesting an early dismissal is 2:30 PM. 

No students will be called from their classrooms for dismissal after this time. We appreciate your cooperation in helping our dismissal process run safely and efficiently.

2025-26 TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT

As we prepare for the new school year, we want to ensure a smooth and organized distribution of technology devices for our students. To receive a school-issued device, every student and their family must first complete our annual Technology Agreement.

  • This agreement outlines the proper use and care of school-provided devices and clarifies the family's financial responsibility in the event of damage or loss. You can access and complete the agreement online HERE.

Please complete this form as soon as possible. Students will be receiving their devices on Tuesday afternoon. Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us get ready for a successful year of digital learning. Questions regarding devices may be directed to Dr. Golding at goldings@norwalkps.org. 

 nt for all students as they will be a deterrent to students using vapes and vapor products. 

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL NURSE

For those whose students require mandated physicals for sports physicals, please see attached flyer. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vlWTx6hLXG0OUJFfXVk94dLiE1XERzrt/view?usp=sharing 

Thanks, Michelle Rybnick RN  (rybnickm@norwalkps.org)

TRANSPORTATION

Bus routes for the 2025-2026 school year are now posted on the Norwalk Public Schools website:

Please contact the Transportation Department for more information (203-854-4074). There is also information on the website about the bus tracking app and other frequently asked questions.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

Morning Arrival:

Students taking the bus will enter through the doors near the bus loop. Students should be at their bus stop on time.

For students being dropped off– 

  • The following groups use the parking lot in the back of the school by the Aiken Street entrance.

    1. Grade 6 students (all)

    2. Grade 7 students with homerooms on the first and second floors

  • The following groups use the front of the school entrance on the left side of the school. These students enter the science wing door. 

    1. Grade 8 students (all)

    2. Grade 7 students with homerooms on the lower level

Please be sure to follow the directions of the traffic officer and staff members to pull all the way through the lane to help traffic flow. Traffic is always slower the first week or so – thank you for your patience. 

Afternoon Dismissal: 

Students taking the bus will report to the front of the school and load their assigned bus. There will be staff outside each day to assist. All buses will be called by announcement and leave from the front of the building – it will be staggered.

All parents/guardians picking up students must wait in the back of the school by the Aiken Street doors at dismissal. All students that are walking or are being picked up are dismissed through those doors. It will be staggered. Please notice the cones and adhere to the regular traffic pattern. 

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA

We are maintaining our commitment to ensure ongoing communication between the school and families. The majority of information will be shared through the Parent Square app which can be downloaded in the App store and Google Play. As long as your email address is in our system and the information in PowerSchool is accurate, you will receive notifications, messages, as well as emails. Please contact the main office if you believe you are not receiving information. 

Please also use our website for information, the school calendar, documents…and more! (https://wrms.norwalkps.org/) The school’s webmaster is our library media specialist Ms. Sandy Mackowski. If you have a question or need assistance, please email Ms. Mackowski (mackowskis@norwalkps.org).

Please utilize the PowerSchool Parent Portal to monitor grades, attendance, and contact information for teachers. Access is available through the NPS website’s main page.  

Be sure to like our YouTube Channel! You can view our daily broadcasts of Panther News Each morning at 8:15am. It is a great way to stay informed about the events happening in the school community.

Follow West Rocks on Instagram: wrms_ct

Follow West Rocks on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/West-Rocks-Middle-School-100076430403630/

FOOD SERVICE

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 includes lunch menus. 

GRADE 6 ORIENTATION

We had a wonderful 6th grade orientation! Nearly 80% of our incoming students joined us to meet teachers and staff, find their homerooms, practice opening lockers, and get a preview of what the year ahead will be like. Thank you for helping make this event such a success!

CONTACT INFORMATION AND SUGGESTED SUPPLIES

Important Contact Information:

Principal – Dr. Adam Reynolds (reynoldsa@norwalkps.org)

Assistant Principal – Mrs. Beth Amaral (amarale@norwalkps.org)

Assistant Principal – Mr. Jules Douge (dougej@norwalkps.org)

Dean of Students – Mr. Paul Rodgers (rodgersp@norwalkps.org)

Grade 6 Team Leader – Dr. Demetria Walters (waltersd@norwalkps.org)

Grade 6 Counselor – Ms. Joanna DiCerbo (dicerboj@norwalkps.org)

Grade 7 Team Leader – Miss Rebecca Sabol (sabolr@norwalkps.org)

Grade 7 Counselor – Ms. Mary Simone (simonem@norwalkps.org)

Grade 8 Team Leader – Dr. Sara Golding (goldings@norwalkps.org)

Grade 8 Counselor – Mr. Mark Boland (bolandm@norwalkps.org)
 

WRMS Suggested Student Supply List 2025-2026

  • 2” or 2 ½” loose leaf binder (all other components should fit into this binder)

  • 4 pocket folders (different colors preferred) 

  • 1 three subject spiral bound notebook (college ruled or wide ruled)

  • “Post-it” notes (at least one pack)

  • “Pencil pouch” that attaches to binder

  • Pencil sharpener

  • Blue or black pens

  • Pencils (No. 2)

  • Colored pencils

  • Highlighters – multiple colors

  • Calculator – Ti-83 or Ti-84 optional (Teachers have calculators available.)

  • Reusable water bottle– Students will use the refilling stations located around the building. 

Other options: 

  • Hand sanitizer – Each classroom is equipped with a sanitizer dispenser that will be filled each day, but if families feel comfortable sending in personal sanitizer, it is an option. 

  • Black marble composition book, dividers, markers, glue stick…etc. 

PTA

Welcome Back Ice Cream Social - NEW DATE! Come kick off the new year with a sweet treat! Join us on Wednesday, August 27th from 5-8PM  at Sunny Daes (211 Main St, Norwalk) for our PTA Welcome Back Ice Cream Social! Bring a friend, stop by to say hi, and meet members of the PTA Board—we’ll even be raffling off a free West Rocks T-Shirt!
Don’t forget to mention West Rocks when you order—a portion of the proceeds will go right back to supporting our school. We can’t wait to see you there!

Stock the Staff Lounge!
Help us show some extra love to our amazing West Rocks Staff during the busy first week of school. We're collecting snacks, drinks and goodies to keep the lounge stocked and spirits high!

Ways to contribute:

  • Send items in with your student (Drop off to the main office with bag/box marked "PTA")
  • Arrange to drop off items - Contact Nadine Francis at westrockspta@gmail.com
  • Shop from our Amazon Wishlist
  • Make a donation via PayPal (@WRMSPTA) or Venmo (@WestRocksPTA)

Join the WRMS PTA! 
Becoming a PTA member is one of the easiest ways to support our school community. Membership is open to all parents, guardians, families, and staff—everyone is welcome! Annual dues are just $12 per person.

Your membership helps fund programs, events, and enrichment activities that benefit all of our students. Together, we can make a difference for West Rocks! 
Join here: https://westrocks.ptboard.com/formvw?store=7084&form=1

Spirit Wear Show your Panther Pride! We will have new spirit wear items this year! Our online store will be opening soon with a selection of t-shirts, hoodies, hats and more. In the meantime, we still have a limited number of t-shirts available from last year, ready for pick up or delivery. Order last year’s t-shirts here: https://westrocks.ptboard.com/formvw?store=7084&form=2

Upcoming Events

August 27 | 5-8 PM - Welcome Back Ice Cream Social @ Sunny Daes

September 17 | 5:30-7:30 PM - Panther Block Party @ WRMS

October 7 | 6:30 PM - PTA Meeting

 • Instagram: instagram.com/westrockspta

Give us a follow and help spread the word by sharing with other Panther families! 🐾✨

VISIT THE SCHOOL CALENDAR ON OUR WEBSITE

 

Visit our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram @wrms_ct