Tuesday, December 23, 2025

12/23/25

 Happy Vacation TPS Families!  Today's Wrap-Up is short! 

📦We had a blast this afternoon gathering as an entire school in the gym for the "Stack Attack Challenge". There were 9 teams of staff and students who had one minute to build the highest tower of cardboard boxes as possible. It sounds easy, but it wasn't! LOL.  Students used their Tommy Tickets to enter the raffle to participate.  It was a lot of fun.  Thank you to the families who helped us out with boxes!  

💰I wanted to make you aware that last week we had a shopper use some play money at the Holiday Shop. Unfortunately, it was not caught at the register. It's a teachable moment for us all and an opportunity to talk to your kids about money and finances! 


📅The January Family Calendar (with specials days) has been uploaded in the Electronic Blue Folder!

🎊Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday & Happy New Year! Enjoy the time spent with family and friends in the days ahead.  I'll look forward to seeing everyone in 2026 (on January 5th)!


                                                                



Looking Ahead:

  • Friday (1/2) Friday - NO SCHOOL
  • Monday (1/5) - A Day
  • Tuesday (1/6) - B Day
    • Girls Basketball Home Game @ 3:30
    • Boys Basketball Home Game @ 4:30
  • Wednesday (1/7) - C Day
  • Thursday (1/8) - D Day
    • Girls Basketball Home Game @ 3:30
    • Boys Basketball Home Game @ 4:30
  • Friday (1/9) - E Day
    • TPS Spirit Day (Wear your TPS Gear or red/black/white)



Friday, December 19, 2025

12/19/25

💖I'd like to thank the PTA and volunteers for an amazing week at the Holiday Shop.  I loved seeing all grade levels shopping for their loved ones and picking out just the right gifts.  I am sure the holidays will be filled with the smiles provided by your Warrior's thoughtfulness!  It was a lot of work to organize and set up the shop and the PTA deserves a HUGE thank you! 

The PTA does so much for TPS! My goal in the new year is to share with families just what they do!  I will share details on the recent Mini-Grant Recipients and how our Warriors benefit from their generosity and involvement in our school.  New members and meeting attendees are encouraged! Check out the TPS calendar online to find out when the next meeting takes place!  Your input and presence is really appreciated!


🏀This week, our boys and girls basketball teams opened their seasons against Central Tree Middle School and Mountview Middle School.  The competition was tough, but I could not have been prouder of all of the Warriors out on the court!   On Monday 12/22, we host Luther Burbank for our home opener. I'd love to pack the stands with fans and spirit for our teams! The boys play at 3:30 and the girls play at 4:30.  I know they'd love your support!  If your child in grades 5-8 is staying after for the game, please update School Dismissal Manager as "Basketball Game Spectator". Students in grades k-4 will need to attend with an adult. 

📁Do you know what the Electronic Blue Folder is? It occurred to me that we have many new families at TPS who might not know what it is or where to find it!  The Electronic Blue Folder is a digital "take home folder" that contains important information and recent notices from the school, local organizations, PTA and so on.  This electronic folder takes the place of sending home many paper copies of notices.  The link to the folder can be found at the bottom of every one of my weekly wrap-ups. 

📆Mark your calendars!  The middle school band and chorus concert will be held on February 3rd at WRHS. The graphic to the right has more information, however a larger version can also be found in the Electronic Blue Folder! These musicians and their teachers have been working hard - it's bound to be a great performance!

🎒During recent eighth grade visits to Wachusett Regional High School, students had the opportunity to explore some of the opportunities available to them as future Mountaineers. Wachusett offers a wide range of pathway options designed to help students discover interests, build skills, and prepare for college and career success.

These pathways align closely with MyCAP, helping students make intentional connections between their interests, coursework, and long term goals. From business and health sciences to engineering, computer science, education, the arts, and more, Wachusett provides flexible options that support both exploration and deeper specialization over time.

We encourage families to review this Pathways overview together and use it as a conversation starter about high school planning, future aspirations, and the many opportunities available within Wachusett. Check out the flyer in the Electronic Blue Folder!

Have a great weekend!


                                                                



Looking Ahead:

  • Monday (12/22) - E Day 
    • Cozy Day (Wear your favorite seasonal PJs!)
    • Boys Basketball Home Opener @ 3:30
    • Girls Basketball Home Opener @ 4:30
  • Tuesday (12/23) - F Day
    • Feelin' Festive Day (Wear something festive!)
    • PBIS Assembly for students and staff at 2:00
  • Wednesday 12/24 - Sunday 1/4 - Winter Break (Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!)
  • Monday (1/5) - A Day
  • Tuesday (1/6) - B Day
    • Girls Basketball Home Game @ 3:30
    • Boys Basketball Home Game @ 4:30
  • Wednesday (1/7) - C Day
  • Thursday (1/8) - D Day
    • Girls Basketball Home Game @ 3:30
    • Boys Basketball Home Game @ 4:30
  • Friday (1/9) - E Day
    • TPS Spirit Day (Wear your TPS Gear or red/black/white)


Friday, December 12, 2025

12/12/25

🛒Next week is the PTA's Holiday Shop!  Check out the schedule to see when your child will be shopping!  Please also check the Electronic Blue Folder for the flyer pictured below and a shopping budget list attached! Thank you to the PTA for organizing this! 

Also, please join them at their meeting on 12/15 at 6:00! We'll be setting up for the shop immediately following! 


😂On Tuesday we celebrated the 67th day of school with a "Six Seven" spirit day!  Some students and staff came to school in full six seven spirit! It was fun to see!  Students also participated in a fun six seven activity.  While the immensely popular phrase is so silly, we all enjoyed embracing it and having fun with the kids! 


🏥Nurse Karina had her baby over Thanksgiving break!  Congratulations Nurse Karina!  Lavinia Hand will be our substitute nurse until Karina returns in March.  We are so thankful to have someone covering our office who has been a consistent sub and has a great understanding of TPS and students!  Should you need to reach out to her, her email address is lavinia_hand@wrsd.net !

🧥The Lost and Found is full! Please stop by and check out the many items on the racks or ask your child to check!  I plan on donating items over vacation. 

🏀From WRHS: The Wachusett Girls' Basketball will be unveiling their 2024-2025 Championship Banner at our girls' basketball game vs. Leominster on Friday, January 9. Game time is 6:00 pm, and we will unveil the banner just prior to tip-off.  We are hoping for a packed gym to help our girls' celebrate this tremendous achievement! It will also be "Middle School Night"! Any student dressed in either Wachusett gear or their Middle School gear that comes to the game with a paid adult will receive free admission to the game! Check out the flyer in the Electronic Blue Folder for more details!

📦I am in search of large cardboard boxes for a TPS-wide assembly challenge. If you have any you'd like to part, let me know (bethanne_difonso@wrsd.net)!  It's a busy season for packages, so I thought perhaps I'd ask!

🕯 Happy first night of Hannukah (on Sunday) for our TPS Families who celebrate!

Have a wonderful weekend!

                                                                



Looking Ahead:

  • Monday (12/15) - F Day
    • PTA Meeting @ 6:00 w/ Holiday Shop set up to follow
  • Tuesday (12/16)  - A Day
    • Holiday Shop
    • 8th grade trip to WRHS
    • Boys (4:30) and Girls (3:30) Basketball Games @ Central Tree 
  • Wednesday (12/17) -  B Day
    • Holiday Shop
  • Thursday (12/18) - C day
    • Holiday Shop
    • Boys (4:30) and Girls (3:30) Basketball Games @ Mountview 
  • Friday (12/19) - D Day
    • TPS Spirit Day - Wear your TPS gear or red and black!
  • Monday (12/22) - Cozy Day (Wear your favorite seasonal PJs!)
  • Tuesday (12/23) - Feelin' Festive Day (Wear something festive!)

Friday, December 5, 2025

12/5/25

🚓The ALICE drill went well today! Students and staff did a great job!  This was our first drill of the year.  Due to the outside conditions we practiced barricading and locking down.   As the weather changes, we'll practice evacuating too.  Thank you to the PPD and the PFD for their support on these drills!

🎨The deadline for Square 1 Art has been extended until Monday!  Order by end of day TODAY to guarantee holiday delivery! 

                                                         

⭐Don't forget that Monday 12/8 is a half day for teacher professional development. Dismissal begins at 11:55.

📆Day 67 of school is now 12/9! We will make 12/9  our six seven spirit day! 

✅Report Cards for students in kindergarten through grade five go live this afternoon.  You should have received an email from the District regarding how to view the report card.  A PDF will be emailed to you, but you can also view it online (not the app) at https://wrsd.powerschool.com. Information on the report card (and how to interpret standard based grades) can be found in the Electronic Blue Folder!

🥼An update from the STEAM Classroom & Ms. Nowd!

Last week, to go along with our Structure and Function module, the kindergarten students started building houses made from a material from the book TheThree Little Pigs. The Big Bad Wolf is scheduled to stop by soon to help test out their structures! 

The 4th and 5th graders are exploring the senses as part of our module on the brain. This week we tested out our sense of touch and smell using mystery bags and scent packets. Do you think you could guess what you're feeling or smelling without being able to actually see it? They did a pretty impressive job!

🚪In case you missed my recent message about after school building access.  Due to staffing changes in the Extended Day, after school building access hours will be limited.  If your child is in a program (that is not extended day)/on a team which takes place after school, you will have to wait outside for your child to be released/dismissed.  Moving forward, the individual/coach in charge of the various after school programs/teams will be sure to communicate/reiterate this change to the families of their enrolled students. 

Have a great weekend!

                                                                



Looking Ahead: 

  • Monday (12/8) - A Day
    • Half Day/Early Release @ 11:55
  • Tuesday (12/9)  - B Day
    • Six Seven Spirit Day
  • Wednesday (12/10) - C Day
  • Thursday (12/11) - D day
  • Friday (12/12) - E Day

Friday, November 21, 2025

11/21/25


✋Today we started what will be a monthly tradition of "High Five Friday" with the Princeton Fire/EMS and Princeton Police Departments.  It was fun to see the students interacting with all of the public safety personnel!  I'm always so grateful for the support that both departments provide to TPS, as well as their involvement within the school.  We are so fortunate to have them!  Please don't worry on that one Friday morning each month when you see multiple emergency vehicles at school!  

🚑From the Nurse's Office:   This is a reminder that all students entering the 4th grade and 7th grade must have an updated physical and immunization record on file in the health office.  Please send these updated documents in as soon as they become available to you. Please call or e-mail the school nurse with any questions or concerns at 978-464-5507 or karina_abbascia@wrsd.net.

🚪Starting on Monday, building access after school hours will be limited.  If your child is in a program (that is not extended day) which takes place after school, you will have to wait outside for your child to be released/dismissed.  This change is happening as there will no longer be a staff member assigned in the lobby for extended day dismissal. This is the staff member that usually lets people in!  Moving forward, the individual in charge of the various after school programs will be sure to communicate/reiterate this change to the families of their enrolled students.  Extended day families will be hearing from Mrs. Nichols on the new process/procedure for picking up their child/ren! 

🎨A REMINDER message from Mrs. Finkler in Art!

Your children have been hard at work creating art for our annual Square1 artroom fundraiser.  Coming home to you soon will be your child's custom catalog for the Square 1 Art fundraiser. Get a head start, and start ordering keepsakes and gifts featuring your child's art online NOW, if you like! NEW - *Ship to Home FREE. (*Customer pays a small processing fee at checkout and order ships to home.)

Simply search for your child's art using Art Search, and enter state, school name, and your student's name. Your student's art and code will appear, and you may order!
Order by:  12/2/2025


📆I have uploaded the December specials rotation calendar in the Electronic Blue Folder! I cannot believe it will be December when we return from Thanksgiving Recess!

🦃This will be my last communication for November, so no Warrior Wrap-Up from me next week!  I wish all who celebrate a very Happy Thanksgiving! I hope these few days off are spent having fun and enjoying the company of family and friends!  

                                                             



Looking Ahead: 

  • Monday (11/24) - F Day
  • Tuesday (11/25)  - A Day
    • MS Turkey Trot
  • Wednesday (11/26) - No School (Thanksgiving Recess)
  • Thursday (11/27) - No School (Thanksgiving Recess)
  • Friday (11/28) -No School (Thanksgiving Recess)
  • Monday (12/1) - B Day
    • MS Boys/Girls Basketball Try Outs (boys 3:05-4:30 & girls 4:30-5:30)
  • Tuesday (12/2) - C Day
    • MS Boys/Girls Basketball Try Outs (boys 3:05-4:30 & girls 4:30-5:30)
  • Wednesday (12/3) - D Day
    • MS Boys/Girls Basketball Try Outs (boys 3:05-4:30 & girls 4:30-5:30)
  • Thursday (12/4) - E Day
  • Friday (12/5) - F Day
    • TPS Spirit Day!  Wear your TPS gear or red and black!
    • K-5 Report Cards issued
Mark your calendars! 
12/8 is the 67th day of school! We'll have a 6-7 Spirit Day!  

Friday, November 14, 2025

11/14/25

😊Good news to share!  Mr. Cormier will be returning on 11/24.  I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Cheryl Burgoyne for stepping in and doing an absolutely amazing job in the main office. Honestly, I'm not sure what I would have done without her! Until 11/24, please continue to reach out to her with questions or concerns about main office matters.  

🖳Mark your calendars for a PTA Meeting on Tuesday, November 18 at 6-7PM.  The meeting will be held in the TPS Library, but also online!  Here is the Zoom link to attend! 

🤖The FIRST Lego League Explore program is being run for children in grades 1 through 4 starting in early January. The meetings are once a week after school at TPS. The season is 10 meetings. The program introduces kids to STEM using Legos and Lego robotics. It focuses on creativity, fun and teamwork. Each year has a theme, this years theme is UNEARTHED. This season, the children will investigate the past as if they are team of archaeologists.  In each of the early meetings, we will learn about the theme, draw and share ideas about what was learned and build their ideas with Legos and Lego robots. Towards the end of the program, the children will work on a single team build and will present their build to their friends and family at the last meeting. 
This video is a nice overview of the FIRST programs. The Explore program uses regular Lego blocks and students are grouped by age so that the experienced can be tailored for their age group. 

Jennifer Stander will be coaching the Lego League teams. She is an Electrical Engineer working in the field of Robotics and also an Adjunct Professor at WPI teaching electrical and computer engineering design courses. To help the students reach their goals, it is important to have additional volunteers to help at the meetings. Team assignments will start on December 6th.  If you are interested in learning more, signing your child up and/or helping out at meetings, email Jennifer at legofirst@js.mxpark.com before this date.   Check out the Electronic Blue Folder for more info!

👉Middle School Families, don't forget that basketball sign ups are live!  This link is good for both boys and girls (even if it says otherwise).  We have a girls' basketball coach! I am soooo excited!!!! 
Also, a reminder that there is a dance next Friday! The information is below. 




                                                                  



Looking Ahead: 

  • Monday (11/17) - A Day
    • School Council at 3:15
  • Tuesday (11/18)  - B Day
    • PTA Meeting (@TPS and on Zoom) at 6:00
  • Wednesday (11/19) - C Day
  • Thursday (11/20) - D Day
  • Friday (11/21) - E Day
    • High Five Friday w/ the PFD and PPD
    • Middle School Dance 6:00-8:00 
Mark your calendars for dates ahead:
  • 11/26 - No School (Thanksgiving Recess)
  • 11/27 - No School (Thanksgiving Recess)
  • 11/28 - No School (Thanksgiving Recess)

Friday, November 7, 2025

11/7/25

⭐I'd like to thank the PTA and LeRoy from Viking Sports for organizing the Viking Challenge fundraiser and today's obstacle fun!  A lot of thought, effort and dedication goes into planning a fundraiser of this size, but also in getting the buy-in of  all of the stakeholders!  I'm so thankful to have such a supportive PTA here at TPS who are always looking for ways to bring opportunities and experiences to our school.  While there is still hope of meeting the goal (http://tps.pledgestar.com/), I thank you for any contribution you have made in supporting this fundraising effort.  The kids had a blast today!

🎨A message from Mrs. Finkler in Art!

Hello Family,
Your children have been hard at work creating art for our annual Square1 artroom fundraiser.  Coming home to you soon will be your child's custom catalog for the Square 1 Art fundraiser. Get a head start, and start ordering keepsakes and gifts featuring your child's art online NOW, if you like! NEW - *Ship to Home FREE. (*Customer pays a small processing fee at checkout and order ships to home.)

Simply search for your child's art using Art Search, and enter state, school name, and your student's name. Your student's art and code will appear, and you may order!

Order by:  12/2/2025

Upload additional art if you like, using Art Upload!
If you have questions, or need anything at all, contact customer service online.

Thank you for supporting our school!
Melissa Finkler
Square 1 Art fundraiser coordinator
Thomas Prince School

🏀Attention Middle School Families, Basketball sign ups are live!  Sign up at https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/thomas-prince-school.

💙November is Diabetes Awareness Month!  Let's wear blue on 11/14 to raise awareness and support our Warriors with Diabetes! 

✎Middle School report cards are available at 5:00 on the Powerschool Parent Portal. 


Have a great weekend! 

                                                                



Looking Ahead: 

  • Monday (11/10) - C Day
  • Tuesday (11/11)  - NO SCHOOL
  • Wednesday (11/12) - D Day
    • Picture Retakes Day
    • 8th Grade Music Invitational @ WRHS
  • Thursday (11/13) - E Day
  • Friday (11/14) - F Day 
    • Wear blue for Diabetes Awareness! 

12/23/25

 Happy Vacation TPS Families!  Today's Wrap-Up is short!  📦We had a blast this afternoon gathering as an entire school in the gym for t...