10/17/25

🍁Save the date!  We will plan to have our annual costume parade on 10/31 at 9:00! This day is also half day too! Students in kindergarten through 5th grade will march around the building (once) joined by our middle school marching band (grades 6-8). If your student has beliefs that prevent them from participating in this event, please let me know and we will plan an alternate activity for them or excuse an absence. The parade will begin at the bus lobby doors and take a right to circle the building before reentering at the same doors. I can't wait to hear what this year's band has in store for us this year! 

A reminder about costumes as we are a k to 8 school. Please keep in mind what is cool in 8th grade may be scary to our kindergarteners. Please don't send students to school with costumes that have excessive gore, fake weapons, or masks that cover faces. Inflatable costumes will be a struggle in the classroom so we ask that these be left at home as well unless a student plans to only wear it for the parade. This is one of my favorite TPS traditions! 

😊The Student Council is holding a TPS Fall Spirit Week the week of 10/27.  Check it out here, but also in the Electronic Blue Folder.  

✀ The PTA is looking for crafters that are willing to donate their crafts for the TPS Holiday Shop! The shop will be held the week of 12/15. If you have some crafts that you are willing to share, please reach out to Athena Bierfeldt at athenabierfeldt@gmail.com. 

🏀Mr. Ruppert has asked me to remind families that there is no afterschool basketball on 10/23 for middle schoolers!

🦋Lisa's Pollinator Garden and TPS were featured in "Wild Ones" Fall Journal. Check it out on pages 22-23!  Congratulations to Dot Odgren and her committee for this recognition!

🎥Hope Lives Here, a local non profit organization, has teamed up with students at WRHS. They are hosting a movie night tonight!  Join HLH at Wachusett for a frightfully fun movie night! Costumes are a must for all witches, superheroes and ghosts! We will be showing Hotel Transylvania in the crypt, I mean cafeteria at WRHS on October 17th. All guys and ghouls in grades K-5th are invited to join us...if you dare! Bring your blankets and camp chairs for this drive-in style movie event! We will have tricks and treats available for purchase (popcorn, candy, waters). Use this link to register.

More details are on the flyer in the Electronic Blue Folder. 

🎫A message from our 8th Grade Parent Group: 

Raffle tickets for the annual 8th grade fundraiser are on sale!  Please support TPS’s oldest students by buying tickets from your friendly neighborhood 8th grader.  One ticket for $5 or five for $20.

Any caregivers or community members that would like to donate raffle items, gift baskets or monetary gifts are welcome to do so and can reach out to the email addresses above!  

Proceeds pay for end of the year activities including yearbooks, field trip and dinner dance at Harrington Farm.  Please help us celebrate the graduating class of 2026.  Tickets will also be sold at the Trunk or Treat event and winners will be drawn that night as well (Oct 31st) and be notified Nov 1.

*This is an annual parent sponsored event.  All questions and concerns should be sent to the above email addresses, not TPS admin/ staff.

Have a great weekend!

                                                                    

Electronic Blue Folder

Looking Ahead: 

• Monday (10/20) - A Day
• Tuesday (10/21)  - B Day
• Wednesday (10/22) - C Day
• Thursday (10/23)- D Day
• Friday (10/24) - E Day 
• Celtics Day - Let's celebrate the season starting! Wear Celtics gear, green or your favorite basketball team gear! 

Mark your calendars for dates coming soon:

• Wednesday (10/29) - Evening Parent Conferences 5:00-7:30
• Thursday (10/30) - EARLY RELEASE
• Afternoon Parent Conferences 12:30-3:00
• Friday (10/31) - EARLY RELEASE
• Costume Parade @ 9:00

10/10/25

Happy Long Weekend! 

★Just a reminder that school begins at 8:25AM.  I've noticed the drop off line starts to get really long around 8:20. It might be a good idea to arrive earlier if you can!  Please don't be offended when I close the door at 8:25! 

😍Sometimes in all of the hustle and bustle, we forget that Thomas Prince truly is a uniquely special place.  I was reminded this week when our entire middle school spent a day at Boundless Adventures, taking chances, forming bonds, developing trust with one another, building community, and having fun.  How many other schools could take three grade levels on a trip and return to school closer than before? I am very appreciative of our middle school team for organizing this trip and making it happen for our middle school students.  I'm sure it will be an experience our middle schoolers will remember for a lifetime. I loved hearing their stories today sharing the brave things they tried and the moments they cheered on/encouraged their peers!  

😔This week, Ms. Awad, our new third grade teacher resigned. Families of students in her class were notified, but I wanted to let the community know as well.  We are truly sad to see Ms. Awad go, as she was a great addition to TPS! Students and staff will surely miss her! We wish her well as she tends to personal matters outside of school and wish her luck in all of her future endeavors! 

⭐Please check out the Electronic Blue Folder for a special message from the TPS PTA. They are holding a Membership Drive! Also mark your calendars for an informational PTA meeting on 10/14 at 6:00 on Zoom! All of these details can be found on the flyer in the folder! The PTA does so much for TPS and we are grateful for any support you can offer!

🎫A message/update from our 8th grade parent group:

Raffle tickets for the annual 8th grade fundraiser are on sale!  Please support TPS’s oldest students by buying tickets from your friendly neighborhood 8th grader.  

Any caregivers or community members that would like to donate raffle items, gift baskets or monetary gifts are welcome to do so and can reach out to the email addresses above!  

Students will also be at Hubbard’s Farm Stand tomorrow morning (10/11) from 9 am - 12 pm. One ticket for $5 or five for $20. Proceeds pay for end of the year activities including yearbooks, field trip and dinner dance at Harrington Farm.  Please help us celebrate the graduating class of 2026.  Tickets will also be sold at the Trunk or Treat event and winners will be drawn that night as well (Oct 31st). 

*This is an annual parent sponsored event.  All questions and concerns should be sent to the above email addresses, not TPS admin/ staff.

Have a nice long weekend!

                                                                    

Electronic Blue Folder

Looking Ahead: 

• Monday (10/13) - NO SCHOOL
• Tuesday (10/14)  - C Day
• PTA Zoom Meeting @ 6:00
• Wednesday (10/15) - D Day
• Thursday (10/16)- E Day
• Friday (10/17) - F Day 
• Kindergarten hike @ 12:00

10/3/25

🚒We had a routine fire drill today!  Staff and students did a great job exiting the building. It was a beautiful morning to be outside, too!  Thanks as always to the PFD and the PPD for being here for our school! 

👍Over the summer, with the help of the Town of Princeton and the DPW, we made some safety enhancements on our TPS campus.  A new gate was installed, complete with a lock, preventing cars from pulling onto the playground blacktop during school hours, after school programs and outdoor school events.  Two concrete planter barricades were recently installed in the front of the building this week, as a safety precaution to prevent vehicles from hitting the front of the building. I'd like to thank the Town of Princeton and the DPW for their help with keeping everyone safe!

⭐While on the topic of safety, we are working with students and staff to not open any outside doors even for people we know at any point in the day. I'd ask that when visiting the building you do the same. Please don't open or hold doors open for people, even in the main lobby. Mrs. Burgoyne (or whomever is covering the office will buzz visitors in). I thank you very much! Our Warriors' safety is our biggest priority!

🪴If you are willing or interested in helping to plant (or donate) some perennials in the concrete planters, please reach out!

🏀A Message from Mr. Ruppert regarding a TPS Basketball Open Gym for 6th through 8th grade!

Have you ever been interested in trying basketball or just want to get ready for the upcoming season?

Join the Afterschool Basketball Open Gym every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 to 4:30 PM run by History teacher and Basketball coach Alex Ruppert. This will start Tuesday October 14th and run until Thursday November 20th and is open to all middle school students (grades 6-8).

Whether you're an experienced player or just starting out, you'll get hands-on work focusing on core skills like:

• Dribbling and ball-handling drills

• Shooting form and technique

• Tough defense

• Crisp passing

We'll finish each session with scrimmages and games so you can put those skills into action on the court.

It's the perfect way to stay active, improve your skills, and play some basketball with friends. 

If interested, fill out THIS GOOGLE FORM and be sure to update your School Dismissal Manager to indicate your child will be staying for Basketball Open Gym!  

See you on the court! 

 

👀👂Message From the Health Office:

Height/Weight, Hearing, and Vision Screenings are scheduled for 10/7 and 10/8 at TPS. Please note what screenings will be conducted for your child's grade level below:

         Gr. K, 2, 3               vision, hearing, and weight

         Grades 1                vision, hearing, height, and weight for BMI

         Grade 4                  vision, height, and weight for BMI

         Grade 5                  vision, weight

         Grade 7                  vision, hearing height, and weight for BMI

You have the right to opt-out of the screenings. To opt-out, please complete this this form to opt out or communicate with the school nurse at karina_abbascia@wrsd.net or (978)464-5507. Thank you! 

 🎫A Note from our 8th Grade Parent Group: Raffle tickets for the annual 8th grade fundraiser go on sale tomorrow!  Please support TPS’s oldest students by buying tickets from your friendly neighborhood 8th grader.  Any caregivers or community members that would like to donate raffle items, gift baskets or monetary gifts are welcome to do so and can reach out to the email addresses above!  Students will also be at the Post Office tomorrow morning (10/4) from 8-11 am. One ticket for $5 or 5 for $20. Proceeds pay for end of the year activities including yearbooks, field trip and dinner dance at Harrington Farm.  Please help us celebrate the graduating class of 2026.  Tickets will also be sold at the Trunk or Treat event and winners will be drawn that night as well (Oct 31st). *This is an annual parent sponsored event.  All questions and concerns should be sent to the above email addresses, not TPS admin/ staff. The flyer is in the Electronic Blue Folder!

                                                                    

Electronic Blue Folder

Looking Ahead: 

• Monday (10/6) - D Day
• Tuesday (10/7)  - E Day
• Hearing/Vision Screening
• Wednesday (10/8) - F Day
• Hearing/Vision Screening
• Thursday (10/9) - A Day
• Friday (10/10) - B Day 
• TPS Warrior Pride Day!  Wear your TPS gear or red and black!
• Monday (10/13) - NO SCHOOL

9/26/25

 

💬I am hoping you all received my email on Wednesday and you were able to sign up for a Parent/Teacher Conference!  If not, here is the link for you to sign up! Conferences will be held on 10/29 5:00-7:30 and again on 10/30 12:30-3:00. 

☝Are you interested in volunteering?  The PTA is looking for new members AND volunteers!  A form
went home earlier this week sharing the various volunteer opportunities available. Didn't get it? Check out the Electronic Blue Folder!  Life is busy and we certainly understand that! Any little bit of volunteering helps, and I speak for the PTA (and myself) when I say, thanks! 

🏀 I am on the look out for a girl's basketball coach.  It seems there is enough player interest to possibly have a TPS girls middle school basketball team!  This is AMAZING and sooo exciting!  If you have interest, please reach out. I'd love to talk about the role, the program, and all that it entails. I would really love to be able to have a team this year.  Fingers crossed!

🚍Just a reminder to update your School Dismissal Manager for your child/children with any changes before 1:00.  These changes include PM transportation plans, as well as dismissals.  In the same vein, know that the busiest time in the main office is from 2:30-3:00.  If you are dismissing your child, you might want to do so before 2:30. We'd ask that you reach out with questions before that time if possible!  

💻Yesterday you received an email about the Panorama Student Survey.  This survey will be administered to students in grades 3-12 sometime between10/13 and 10/31.  If you'd like to know more about the Panorama Student Survey, you can find information on the Office of Student Support website. If you wish to opt your child out of the survey, you can do so on this form. 

➣Check out the Electronic Blue Folder for more information about winter basketball with the Rutland Rec!

🗓The October Family Calendar for school events and specials days is in the Electronic Blue Folder! Can you believe it is October next week!?!?

Have a great weekend!

                                                                    

Electronic Blue Folder

Looking Ahead: 

• Saturday (9/27) - PPD's Touch A Truck Event!
• Monday (9/29) - E Day
• Tuesday (9/30)  - F Day
• Wednesday (10/1) - A Day
• Thursday (10/2) - B Day
• Friday (10/3) - C Day 
• TPS Warrior Pride Day!  Wear your TPS gear or red and black!

Mark your calendars:

• 10/29 Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
• 10/30 Afternoon Parent/Teacher Conferences

9/19/25

 It was so wonderful to see so many families at Open House!  Thank you all for coming and spending the time to meet your Warrior's teacher and see their classroom! I know that Bren Bataclan also enjoyed meeting a lot of you! 

🎨As you probably know, Bren Bataclan was here this week for a mural residency! If his name sounds familiar, that's because he was here last spring painting a mural in our cafeteria. Thanks to the PTA, he was back this week, adding more life to our cafe with another amazing mural!  This time around his focus was on healthy habits, with a school supplies twist! The students even requested that Cruiser be added to the mural too! 

Bren met with all students on Monday to share about his love for art, but also to get student inspiration for the mural.  Every student in each grade level was tasked to create a drawing, which Bren then used to design the mural!  Each day during lunch the students had the opportunity to watch Bren at work, but also to engage with him about art, the mural, and more.  It was a fun week which culminated with a unveiling this morning. A  special thank you to Bren for being here not just once, but twice! He brought joy to our cafeteria and inspiration to our aspiring artists.  Thank you again to the PTA for bringing Bren back!

⚽Guess what?!  Mrs. Nelson and Mr. Baker have organized a TPS Soccer Club for grades 5-8! Starting on 9/24, this club will meet on Wednesdays after school and is free to TPS students!  Be sure to check out the flyer (picture to the left) in the Electronic Blue Folder for more details.  Here is the link to sign up! A HUGE thank you to both of them for bringing soccer to TPS (until we can organize a team next year)!

🏈Middle School Families, please see the message below from Mike Pratt, WRHS Principal.

This Friday, we’re excited to host West Springfield High School for our first home football game of the year. Friday night football is a wonderful tradition and a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together and support our high school athletes while enjoying what is always a spirited and positive atmosphere.

With a large crowd expected, and to ensure that this Friday’s event is enjoyable for everyone, WRHS will have high school administrators and members of the Holden Police Department on hand, as always, to help maintain a safe and positive environment.

We’d also like to remind everyone of our **no bag** and **no re-entry policies**. Additionally, we kindly ask for your assistance in supervising younger students by ensuring that those in grades 8 and below attend the game with a parent or guardian. This will help us create a community based environment that will promote a safe, respectful,  and enjoyable environment for all attendees.

Tickets can be purchased online in advance using THIS LINK. as no cash will be accepted at the gate for entry to the field.

Cash will, however, be accepted for admission to the tailgate section ONLY, but please note that tailgate admission does not provide access to Hal Lane Field. We are expecting a great crowd, so be sure to secure your tickets early and come out to support the team!

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Thank you for being part of the Wachusett community, and we look forward to seeing you at the game!

Mr. Pratt - Principal WRHS 

👉The WRSD SEPAC would like to invite you to their next general membership meeting. The details can be found below!  Also check out the Electronic Blue Folder for their flyer with more information, a link to their Facebook group, as well as their Instagram! 

Dear Wachusett Families, We hope you are all having a great start to the school year. WRSD's Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) invites you to join us at an upcoming meeting this fall. Please view our flyer to learn more about SEPAC.   Our next General Membership Meeting is on Wednesday, September 24th at 7:00 PM and will be held virtually. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect, share experiences, and collaborate on key topics impacting special education in our district. Date: Wednesday, September 24th  Time: 7:00 PM Location: Virtual - Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ofs-fdjz-gmx Or dial: ‪(US) +1 337-445-0298‬ PIN: ‪421 845 095‬# We will plan the schedule of our meetings for the year and review the results of our end of year survey.  Whether you’re new to SEPAC or a longtime member, your voice and participation are invaluable. We look forward to an engaging discussion and the chance to continue building a strong, supportive community together. In Community, 2025/2026 Wachusett Regional School District SEPAC Leadership   Laura Ybarra, Chair Lindsey Lukason, Vice Chair Dr. Katie Jones, Secretary Katie Antinarella, Treasurer

Have a wonderful weekend!

                                                                        

Electronic Blue Folder

Looking Ahead: 

• Monday (9/22) - F Day
• Tuesday (9/23)  - A Day
• Wednesday (9/24) - B Day
• Thursday (9/25) - C Day
• Friday (9/26) - D Day 

Mark your calendars (details to come):

• 10/29 Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
• 10/30 Afternoon Parent/Teacher Conferences

9/12/25

Happy Friday TPS Families!  As you know, it was our first full five day week! Everyone survived and left this afternoon with a smile on their face!  

📸Just a reminder to check out Instagram (@tpswarriors) for photos and updates from the classrooms!There are always so many amazing things happening day in and out in our classrooms.  Plus, there are some pretty adorable moments captured as well! 

🍎Open House is this week!  Like last year, parents and students are invited to come visit classrooms and meet their teachers.  Please refer to the schedule below to know when your child's teacher will be available in their classrooms.  This year we have a special addition of Bren Bataclan, the amazing artist who painted our cafeteria mural (thanks PTA!)! Bren will also be presenting to students and their families in the cafeteria for two half hour presentations! We are so grateful to the PTA for bringing Bren back to TPS and giving families a chance to meet and engage with Bren and his art! 

Here is the Open House Schedule: 

• Kindergarten - 5:00-6:00

• 1st Grade - 5:30-6:30

• 2nd Grade - 5:30-6:30

• 3rd Grade - 5:00-6:00

• 4th Grade - 6:00-7:00

• 5th Grade - 6:00-7:00

• 6th/7th/8th - 5:45-6:15 presentation in the cafe

• 6th/7th/8th - 6:15-6:45 visit rooms

• Specials - 5:45-6:45

• Special Education - 5:45-6:45

• Bren Bataclan's presentations in the cafe: 5:00-5:30 & 6:30-7:00

Library Lovers Wanted!  Want to get involved as a volunteer at TPS and help foster a love of reading? Join our crew of Library Volunteers!  Email jessie.trowbridge@gmail.com  to learn more! 

⭐I just wanted to let you know that Mr. Cormier is out on a medical leave (he is okay).  Cheryl Burgoyne is in subbing for him.  For the time being, please reach out to Cheryl (cheryl_burgoyne@wrsd.net) if you have questions/concerns and she will be able to help you!  

➤Check out the Electronic Blue Folder for Scouts updates! And mark your calendars for Touch a Truck on 9/27 sponsored by the Princeton Police!

 

I hope you have a great weekend and we'll look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

                                                                  

Electronic Blue Folder

Looking Ahead: 

• Monday (9/15) - A Day
• Bren Bataclan Assembly
• Tuesday (9/16)  - B Day
• Wednesday (9/17) - C Day
• Thursday (9/18) - D Day
• Open House 5:00-7:00 (see schedule above)
• Friday (9/19) - E Day 

Mark your calendars (details to come):

• 10/29 Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
• 10/30 Afternoon Parent/Teacher Conferences

9/5/25

I hope you all had a great long weekend!  Week two here at school was a great one! 

🚑I wanted to let you know that this afternoon I had to call an ambulance.  Students in the extended day program and cross country team may have seen the police and EMT/paramedic presence.  Please know that everyone is okay. 

😃I'd love to take the opportunity this week to share a little bit about our new special, STEAM!  I'm sure you are all aware that this is a new position at TPS (and also in the district).  STEAM, which stands for Science/Technology/Engineering/Art/Math, is now part of your child's specials rotation (in addition to music, PE, art and library). Miss Nowd is our new STEAM teacher! Project Lead the Way or PLTW will be thecurriulum used in her classes.   All of our Warriors will be working on STEAM skills, making real world connections, and learning to work collaboratively through problem solving and engineering lessons and activities. You can check out pltw.org  to gain a deeper understanding of all that it entails!  I have already seen such amazing student engagement and excitement in the STEAM lab classroom over the course of these last seven school days! Be sure to ask your Warrior about STEAM!

⭐The TPS PTA is looking for volunteers/members! If you are interested in being on the board or helping out in some way, please reach out to Athena Bierfeldt at athenabierfeldt@gmail.com.  

⮚Parents, if you are interested in serving on the TPS School Council, please reach out to me at bethanne_difonso@wrsd.net! 

💬Mrs. Califano, our ML teacher, wanted to make sure our TPS families were aware of the District's Department of ELE's website for resources and information! 

📅I added a September calendar to the Electronic Blue Folder with the specials rotation days and important TPS events!  

Have a great weekend!

                                                                  

Electronic Blue Folder

Looking Ahead: 

• Monday (9/8) - B Day
• Tuesday (9/9)  - C Day
• Wednesday (9/10) - D Day
• Thursday (9/11) - E Day
• Friday (9/12) - F Day 

Mark your calendars (details to come):

• 9/18 Open House!
• 10/29 Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
• 10/30 Afternoon Parent/Teacher Conferences