TPS Principal's Page: August 2025

😎Can you believe it's almost the first day of school? Man, this summer has flown by. I sure hope that you have found the time to relax, enjoy the warm (often hot) weather, maybe take some trips or go on adventures, and have some fun in the sun!

🍎The first day of school is August 26th for grades one through twelve. Our newest Warriors, kindergarten, will start on August 27th! Just in case you don't have a copy of the WRSD calendar for 2025-2026, here it is! Teacher assignments should be posted on August 19th in Powerschool. Bus information was posted on August 12th in Powerschool. Please reach out to Mr. Cormier or myself if you are not able to find this information.

🎒For our new TPS families, school drop off begins at 8:05 on the side of the building near the flag pole. Students arriving before 8:15 will have the choice to hang out in the cafeteria or visit the library. School officially begins at 8:25. Any arrivals after that time are marked as tardy. Parents will have to enter the building to sign their students in at the main office. School dismissal begins at 2:55. Parents who are picking up will join the line of cars on the side of the building near the flag pole!

🚌Kindergarten Families: On August 26th from 9:30-10:15, we invite you to come meet your teacher and see the classroom! Caregivers and kindergarten students may come (we will gather in the cafeteria), and walk together to the kindergarten classrooms. Once there, teachers will have a quick scavenger hunt to complete together, and then students can access table toys while the teachers go over a few last-minute things for the school year! Afterward, students are invited to go outside and enjoy the playground with their new friends. We ask that all families head to their cars by 10:15 so the playground can be used for recess.

🍔 School breakfast and lunch are free again this year!

🖍A reminder that school supplies are being purchased for your student(s) by the district! That means no trips to Staples, Target, or Walmart for school supplies are needed next week! Students will receive their materials the first week of school.

🛝Popsicles on the Playground, organized by the TPS PTA, has been scheduled for Wednesday 8/20 3:30-5:30 on the TPS Playground! This is a great opportunity for students to see their friends/classmates and enjoy a refreshing treat! I look forward to seeing everyone! Thank you PTA!

➤ I know many of you have reached out about extended day. The website still needs to be updated, but the information is the same. Services are available Monday-Friday beginning the first day of school and ending on the second to last day of school from 2:55 -5:30pm. All students must be registered prior to using this service. The program is closed on all school holidays, professional full and half days, snow days, and vacation weeks. When picking up your child(ren), you must sign them out in the main lobby. The cost is a flat rate of $15/student per day. There is no partial billing. There is a non-refundable yearly registration fee of $25 per family. Please fill out this form to enroll your student(s).

👟Fall sport offerings have been posted! Please use the links below to sign up your middle school student! Please note that only students in grades 6-8 can participate.

TPS Cross Country (Boys & Girls)

Girls Soccer (playing for/at Chocksett)

District-Wide 7th & 8th Grade Football

A note regarding football:

* This is for grades 7 & 8 only. Participants will provide a copy of a current physical exam which will be reviewed by the WRHS Nurse and WRHS Athletic Trainer. Paper copies of physicals will be forwarded to your individual school once school starts.

* Registration will be open until September 8th

*All necessary equipment will be provided.

*Upcoming Football Dates:

Aug. 19 - Equipment Issue at WRHS 6 PM - practice to follow until 7:45 PM

Aug. 20 - Practice at WRHS 6 - 7:45

Aug. 21 - Practice at WRHS 6 - 7:45

Aug. 26 - Practice at WRHS 6- 7:45

Aug. 27 - Practice at WRHS 6 - 7:45

Aug 28 - Practice at WRHS 6 - 7:45

⭐We have had a very busy summer here! It has been a busy summer of hiring, but I am excited to introduce the newest members of our TPS Staff! As you may have heard, Danielle Shaveet has left TPS to join the curriculum team at Central Office! I know I speak for all of us when I say TPS will not be the same without her. However, I know she will be an amazing addition to their team! In addition to Danielle taking on a new role, Christina Kristoff will now be the MTSS Interventionist for TPS and Naquag. I'm excited to see the impact Christina's work will have on our first and second graders!

Annnnnd now, let me introduce you to....

Welcome to John Okie, our new Interim Assistant Principal! John joins us with years of admin experience, most recently in Cambridge!

Welcome to Nicole Walker, our new Middle School Science Teacher! Nicole has been both a STEAM and Science teacher, most recently in the Quaboag district!

Welcome to Amanda Nichols, our new .4 special education teacher! Amanda will be working primarily with 6th grade and supporting the 1st grade caseload. Amanda has extensive special ed experience, most recently in Gardner.

Welcome to Robin Awad, our new third grade teacher! Robin's recent teaching experience was in Charlton as a long term sub for third grade, as well as previously in Southbridge as a third grade teacher.

Welcome to Jillian Nowd, our STEAM teacher! Jillian comes to us from Sterling, where she worked with special education students and developed a love for hands-on learning.

📣I'd like to give a huge shout out to our TPS Custodial Staff, Mr. Westerlind, Mr. Padilla and Mr. Hall, who have worked so very hard this summer to make our building look beautiful! It is no easy feat, and this summer's high temps made it even more challenging! TPS looks amazing and we are so thankful!

😁I look forward to seeing all of our TPS Warriors on August 26th & 27th! School in the summer without the hum of students learning and laughter in the hallways is a lonely place! Enjoy the next week!

Looking Ahead: