WMS PTO NEWSLETTER

Week of 3/16 - 3/20

Dear Wellesley Middle School Families,

It’s hard to believe we’re moving through March so quickly. There are a variety of events coming up including the French Fête (details below), Deutschfest, the mini-marathon, and teacher appreciation week. We look forward to each of these events and thank each of the volunteers for making them happen!

As a reminder, WMS is closed on Friday, March 20 in observance of Eid al-Fitr. Wishing an Eid Mubarak to all who celebrate!

Please don’t forget to visit the PTO website for more information and details on meetings, etc. wellesleymspto.org.

Julie Bryan & Miriam Gates

WMS PTO Co-Presidents
wellesleymspto.org

WMS THIS WEEK

Spirit Week!

Monday 3/16: Day 1
Tuesday 3/17: Day 2
Wednesday 3/18: Day 3
Thursday 3/19: Day 4
Friday 3/20: Day 5

School Closed - Eid al-Fitr

Links for information on dates and events that are further out:

LINK to Wellesley Middle School Events Calendar

LINK to Wellesley Public School Events Calendar

THIS WEEK

Friday, March 20: No School (Eid-al-Fitr)

No School (Eid-al-Fitr)

COMING SOON

Wednesday March 25, 2:30-3:30pm: French Fête

Please join us in helping with this wonderful cultural event co-hosted by our WMS French language classes, WMS parent volunteers and French students.

We still have some open slots for food donations and event help. This event takes place in the WMS Cafeteria and is attended each year by about 400 WMS students, where they enjoy traditional French cheeses and baked goods, entertainment, and games. All WMS students and faculty are welcome!

Please help with this event by Volunteering and Donating ~ to sign up please click here:

WMS 2026 French Fête: Parent Donations/Volunteers

We appreciate your participation and support!

Many thanks on behalf of Rebecca Blouwolff, French Language Teacher, Hafsa Abdelmoula, French Language Teacher, and the French Fête Celebration Committee.

Merci beaucoup to all who have volunteered and/or signed up to donate! What a fantastic effort!

Full link to the signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B4AAEA82DA7FC1-62623532-wms2026

March 26th - March 28th: Footloose the Musical - Youth Edition

WMS Drama presents Footloose the Musical: Youth Edition

Wellesley Middle School is proud to present its winter musical, Footloose! Based on the famous movie, this musical is packed with hit songs that are sure to get you dancing! Tickets are $10 for everyone at http://wellesleyps.org/performingarts

Join us in the WMS Auditorium:

Thursday, 3/26 at 4:30pm (Big City Cast)

Friday 3/27 at 7pm (Small Town Cast)

Saturday 3/28 at 2pm (Small Town Cast)

Saturday 3/28 at 7pm (Big City Cast)

May 1st: WMS PTO All-Members meeting with WMS Counselors

All parents are invited to join us on Friday, May 1st for a meeting with the WMS Counselors. Please join us in the WMS Cafeteria.

As we get closer to the meeting we will share a Zoom link if you are unable to attend in person.

June 5th: Final WMS PTO All-Members meeting

All parents are invited to join us on Friday, June 5th for the final PTO meeting of the year! Please join us in the WMS Cafeteria.

As we get closer to the meeting we will share a Zoom link if you are unable to attend in person.

8TH GRADE ACTIVITIES

Dear 8th Grade Parents & Caregivers,

The time is here to start planning a wonderful send off for our graduating class.

Our zoom call has been rescheduled to this coming MONDAY, 3/16 at 7:00PM to learn about 8th grade events:

Community Service Day/Boston Scavenger Hunt: June 9th and 12th
8th Grade Dance: Mid June
8th Grade Luncheon: Mid June
Moving Up Ceremony: Last day of school

1. On the zoom call we will describe the events and volunteer roles available this MONDAY, 3/16 from 7:00-7:30pm. Please use this link to join the call and leave your camera on if possible: https://mit.zoom.us/j/7091983122#success

2. The PTO is now collecting $75 per 8th grader to cover event costs. Funds go towards bus transportation, dance decorations, food/beverage, a class gift to WMS, and the graduation balloons/banner.

Donations may be made via our WMS PTO Venmo (@wellesleymspto - look under “Businesses”) or by mailing a check to:

WMS PTO

P.O. Box 81426

Wellesley Hills, MA 02481

*Please note your 8th graders name when donating

**If you would like to request financial assistance, please email wmsptoinfo@gmail.com

Thank you for donating to our 8th grade class events! We hope to see you MONDAY EVENING on Zoom!

Sincerely,

Your 8th Grade Committee

Doreen Barrett, Jamie DiCesare, Kim Ebeling, Jennifer Green, Linda Mai-Lee, Alina Nucera, Patricia Pierrotti, Lesley Prowda, Lara Sojka, Katie Sullivan

PTO UPDATES

WMS Metco Family Friends

Interested in being on the Metco Family Friends email list for invites to fun events for students and families this year?

Please reach out to PTO Metco liaisons Teri Ebersole (wattsteri@gmail.com), Alison Rose (alison.p.rose@gmail.com), or Ludvie Victor-Ackerman (lvackerman20@gmail.com) to opt-in to our email invites, learn more or to get involved. Future events may include Chik-fil-A and/or rollerskating. We'd love to hear from you!

WMS PTO Social Media

If you’re not already, please follow the WMS Instagram and Facebook pages!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wmspto.news/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellesleyms/

PTO Website: http://wellesleymspto.org/

PTO CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Seeking 2026-2027 Volunteers

Seeking 2026-2027 Volunteers: Please reach out for more information on how you can get involved with the PTO at wmsptoinfo@gmail.com if you’re interested in getting more involved in the upcoming year. There are many roles to fill - including low time commitment roles!

ANNUAL APPEAL FOR PTO DONATIONS - ONE AND DONE!

We appreciate all the families who have already donated. Remember, the PTO only asks for ONE SINGLE DONATION each year. Unlike elementary school, we have NO fundraising events and NO additional asks for teacher or staff gifts. We only ask for one donation (suggested at $125 per student), which covers all PTO-sponsored events and PTO-subsidized school activities. Throughout the year, we ask for your time in volunteering for various events, and may ask for small food and drink donations, but that’s it! 90% of the PTO budget comes from this single annual appeal (about 10% comes from Spirit Wear sales and the Book Fair). Your donation allows us to support all kinds of activities and grants, including:

Grants to support classroom enrichment (speakers, events, field trips and more!)
Holiday gifts for staff
Speaker fees
Creative Arts & Science grants
Classroom Enrichment
Mini Marathon
Turkey Promenade
After school festivals
Teacher and Staff appreciation events
End of Year gifts for teachers and staff
Snacks for faculty meetings

Here is the link to donate: WMS PTO Annual Appeal. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wellesley SEPAC Meeting

Please join the Wellesley SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) at its next membership meeting held on Monday March 16, 2026 at 9am in the Innovation Room at Hunnewell Elementary.

Community Panel Discussion: The Anxious Generation

The Anxious Generation, by Johnathan Haidt, explores the growing mental health crisis among today’s adolescents and young adults. In this compelling exploration, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that smartphones, social media, and a culture of overprotective parenting have led to the “great rewiring” of childhood – contributing to an epidemic of anxiety, depression, and social disconnection. Haidt offers well-researched insights and practical solutions for helping young people thrive in a digitally dominated world.

Thursday, March 19th, 2026 7:00-9:00pm: Community Panel Discussion

Bates PTO invites everyone to come together for a community discussion with fellow Wellesley parents, caregivers, and a very exciting panel to reflect on key insights from the book.

Sign-up HERE

*We also recognize that Thursday March 19^th is the beginning of Eid al-Fitr. If you would like to still be a part of the conversation but can not attend in person, please feel free to join via Zoom using this LINK.

2026-27 New Student Registration Is Open!

Registration for Fall 2026 is open for new students entering Grades K-12. Children 5 years of age on or before August 31, 2026 are eligible to register for Kindergarten. Please see the Student Registration page for information and document requirements.

Families are encouraged to register as soon as possible! Registered students will receive invitations to Kindergarten Orientation nights in April or May, depending on school, and Kindergarten Screening opportunities in May or June.

Marathon Runners Supporting WPS

Marathon Monday is fast approaching! Congratulations and best wishes to those who will be running the Boston Marathon for organizations that support the Wellesley Public Schools and their students: