Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year!

A Message From
Dr. Frank Hackett, Superintendent of Schools

Welcome back to all of our returning WPS students, and a special welcome to our newly enrolled students. We are ready and excited to see you!

We welcome our students back on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

This dedicated webpage has been created with back-to-school information you will find helpful - including, breakfast and lunch menus, bus information, 2024-2025 student handbooks, and more.

Quick Links

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • First Day of School: Thursday, September 5, 2024 (K-5)

    • K-5 Arrival: 7:35 AM

      • School doors will be open at 7:30am.

      • Students should not arrive at school before 7:30 am as there is limited supervision.

      • If your student requires support with arrival procedures, please contact your student’s teacher or the principal.

    • K-5 Dismissal: 1:55 PM

    • PreK Arrival: 8:25 AM

    • PreK Dismissal: End time varies by program

    • All playground areas are closed before school, during arrival and dismissal times.

    • Morning and afternoon entry and exits will be the the same.

    • Early Release: 10:55 AM

  • First Day of School: Thursday, September 5, 2024 (K-5)

    • K-5 Arrival: 8:05 AM

      • School doors will be open at 8:00am.

      • Students should not arrive at school before 8:00 am as there is limited supervision.

      • If your student requires support with arrival procedures, please contact your student’s teacher or the principal.

    • K-5 Dismissal: 2:25 PM

    • PreK Arrival: 8:55 AM

    • PreK Dismissal: End time varies by program

    • All playground areas are closed before school, during arrival and dismissal times.

    • Morning and afternoon entry and exits will be the the same.

    • K-5 Early Release: 11:25 AM

  • First Day of School: Thursday, September 5, 2024

    • Arrival: 8:25 AM

    • Dismissal: 3:12 PM

    • Morning and afternoon entry and exits will be the the same.

  • View summer reading requirements for:

  • Winchester Public Schools (WPS) has adopted ParentSquare as our district’s unified communications tool. Enrolled WPS families will receive school communications through their choice of email, text, phone or app notifications.

    Accounts for each parent or guardian are automatically generated based on your student’s registration preferences. WPS encourages families to access their accounts in ParentSquare and download the mobile app to update their preferences on when and how they are notified.

    Learn more at winchesterps.org/parentsquare

  • School Committee contacts, committee meetings and policies are available at winchesterps.org/school-committee

  • Please submit a request through our Family Helpdesk at

    winchesterps.org/family-helpdesk

Tips for Transitioning Back to School

From the WPS Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Coaches

Sleep:

It’s likely you’ve strayed from your school sleeping routine, which is what summer is for! We hope you’ve all had time to catch up on sleep and relax; however now is the time to ease back into your sleep routine. Each day leading up to the first day of school, try going to sleep and waking up a little bit earlier each day. This will make all the difference on the first day of school, it’s so hard to focus and learn if you’re exhausted all day!

Schedule:

Take a look at your new schedule and your classes, become familiar with it as much as you can and if you don’t know the location of a room or a teacher, don’t worry! There will be friendly teachers and faculty at every corner the first days of school to help you.

Be Kind to Yourself:

Transitions can be hard and they take some getting used to, but your brain will likely adjust much quicker than you think! Many students are feeling nervous even if they don't look like it. Everyone is starting a new school year together! Give yourself time to adjust, ask for help if you need it, and focus on one day at a time!

Talk About It:

Have some conversations with your child(ren) about the upcoming school year. Consider asking them how they feel about the new school year. Ask them what their hopes are for the new year and if they have anything they are thinking about or are worried about. Listening to what they are thinking and feeling can be validating and offer comfort. You can also consider reminding them what they have enjoyed about school in the past and things that they have to look forward to in the upcoming school year.

Routine:

While you’re adjusting your sleep cycle, try adding in a morning routine each day to also ease back into school. Consider having a discussion about routines with your child(ren), allowing them the opportunity to be part of developing the routines. Make a checklist that could look something like this:

  1. Eat breakfast.

  2. Brush your teeth.

  3. Get dressed.

  4. Grab your lunch.

  5. Double-check your backpack!

  6. Take a few deep breaths.

Get Excited:

Thinking about the new school year:

Everyone has their own thoughts and feelings about beginning a new school year. Regardless of what yours are, it can be helpful to think about some positive things about the upcoming school year. Consider asking yourself the following questions:

1. What is something I am looking forward to this school year?

2. What hope do I have for the new school year?

3. What is something I am interested in learning this year?

4. What goal do I have for myself this school year?

Do A Dry Run:

Especially if your child is anxious, go through the morning routine a day or two before. You can drive or walk by the school to help them reacclimate.

Additional Resource:

Back to School Transition Tips for Parents and Kids (link)

INTERFACE Referral Service

The William James College INTERFACE Referral Service works to increase awareness of mental health issues impacting children, families, and adults and to facilitate access to appropriate outpatient services. Visit their website for additional information and guides to help you throughout the process of seeking outpatient mental health services.

Through the Helpline (888-244-6843) that operates Monday-Friday from 9 AM- 5 PM, callers from the Town of Winchester will work with a Resource and Referral Counselor who will help them navigate the challenges of finding mental health services.