Stop & STEAM

🙌This morning the entire TPS community took pause to Stop & STEAM.  Organized by a committee of teachers led by Mrs. Chapalonis and Mrs. Robichaud, cross grade level buddies assembled together to design and build a device/structure.  Inspired by creatures in the "How to Catch a..." book series, students worked together to create some sort of "trap" that would catch leprechauns, garden fairies, tiny dinosaurs and more!  Student athlete volunteers from Framingham State joined in the fun, working with students, engaging in engineering design conversations and having fun! It was amazing to see what the students from k-8 were able to design and build.  I have no doubt they would be able to catch any creature with their ingenuity! There were a lot of pictures and videos taken. Unfortunately I couldn't fit all of the amazing pictures here on the blog. Be sure to check them out on the TPS Instragram (@tpswarriors)! 

🎒Every Spring seems to sneak up on me and with it...thoughts of next fall. We will be starting the placement process in the elementary school soon. As is the district policy and best practice, we solicit information from parents in the process. Please remember that we are not always able to honor requests, as our goal is to develop balanced classrooms and we have limited rooms to place kids. This year, we are accepting feedback on the placement process through this form. We will close the form on April 25th.

📲Since we are now in the busy season, just a kind reminder to make sure you are putting any dismissal changes into School Dismissal Manager. These changes could include, but are not limited to, Outsiders practice, theater club, chess club, track and field, Primitive Skills,  Legos, and more! We want to make sure we are sending your child to the right place! 

✋We would like to welcome Melissa Feller to TPS as our new part time Special Education Teacher.  Melissa comes to TPS with a range of experience and we are thrilled to have her joining us. Melissa is a dedicated literacy and learning specialist with a background as a certified speech-language pathologist. She has experience designing educational materials for reading and math, both in classrooms and online, for students in grades K-8. Currently working toward her PhD, Melissa focuses on understanding how students learn to read and how special education processes can be improved. She is passionate about using research to help all students, particularly those with learning differences, succeed, and enjoys working with parents to navigate the special education process. Melissa has worked in schools, private practice, teacher training programs, and educational publishing. She is also a mom to (one future) and two current TPS students.  Families of students who will work with Melissa will be notififed by Melissa and their current case manager. 

🖍Please read the following message from our very own Project 351 Ambassador, Jude Hebb!

Hello everyone! My name is Jude Hebb and I am an 8th grader at TPS. I was nominated to be the Project 351 Ambassador for the town of Princeton for 2025. Project 351 is an independent nonprofit organization that brings together eighth graders from every city and town in Massachusetts to build unity, cultivate kindness, and transform lives and communities through service. For our Spring Service Project, I will be hosting a clothing drive at TPS to benefit Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit organization which provides clothing and other essentials to children in need. It is their mission to end clothing insecurity and to supply children with items that ensure they feel safe, warm, comfortable, valued, and ready to learn and thrive. From March 31 to April 11, please consider donating new, like new, or gently used clothing to Cradles to Crayons. Let’s make a difference together! I appreciate your time and your consideration. I hope you all have a great weekend!  

Please check out the Electronic Blue Folder for the flyer pictured below!

🎭 Don't forget! TPS presents "The Outsiders" on April 3rd and April 4th at 6:00! You can find a flyer with more information in the Electronic Blue Folder! 

🐰A note from the WRHS DECA Advisor, Ryan Cody: "For the third straight year, our Wachusett DECA students are offering an Easter Egg Hunt hiding service.  To keep it simple, our students buy plastic Easter eggs and name brand candy, fill the eggs with said candy, then hide the eggs the night before Easter in your family's respective yards."  Please see the flyer with more information in the Electronic Blue Folder! 

Have a great weekend!

                                                             

Electronic Blue Folder

Looking Ahead: 

• Monday (3/31) A Day
• Bren Bataclan Assembly - Thanks PTA!
• Tuesday (4/1) B Day
• Wednesday (4/2) C Day
• Thursday (4/3) D Day
• The Outsiders Play @ 6:00
• Friday (4/4) A Day
• Red Sox Spirit Day! - Wear your Sox gear or favorite baseball team!
• The Outsiders Play @ 6:00

• Friday (4/11) Save the Date - PTA Glow Dance!

Caution: Entering the Busy Season

📕The Book Fair was a hit! Thank you again to Jessie Trowbridge, the Library Volunteers, and parent volunteers/PTA for making it happen!

⭐Reminder that report cards are posted for K-5 today through the Powerschool portal!  For more information about the report card, check the Electronic Blue Folder! 

👟Track & Field Participants: Reminder that physicals (completed in the last 13 months) must be submitted in order to participate. Please send them to Nurse Karina! 

💻Last week I shared that WRSD has a new Facebook page (Wachusett Regional School District). This week, I'd like to share the new page on the WRSD website!  Please check out the FY26 Budget Information page  for facts/data/explanations about this year's budget. All of this information will surely come in handy for the Town Meeting in May. 

🎭TPS presents "The Outsiders" on April 3rd and April 4th at 6:00!  While the performance is still a few weeks away, I thought you'd like to know so you can put it on your calendar now! You can find a PDF of the photo above in the electronic blue folder! 

🦋 Lisa's Pollinator Garden is holding a fundraiser.  You can order a t-shirt or assorted plants for the garden! Check out the flyer with more information and links to place orders in the electronic blue folder!  You can also see the latest news from the Pollinator Garden there as well! 

🎶Don't forget about the up coming Glow Dance on April 11th from 6:00-8:00! It's a perfect night for some family fun! Check out the TPS PTA Website to order your tickets! For more information, check the Electronic Blue Folder.  

🌎Be sure to check out the Town of Princeton Earth Month Clean Up (4/1-4/30)  flyer in the Electronic Blue Folder!

Electronic Blue Folder

Looking Ahead: 

• Monday (3/24) D Day
• Monty Tech Interview for 8th Graders
• Tuesday (3/25) A Day
• 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Concord Museum
• Wednesday (3/26) B Day
• WRHS visits 8th Graders for course selection
• Thursday (3/27) C Day
• Friday (3/28) D Day
• Wear your TPS gear or red today!

The Book Fair is here!

🕮Next week the Scholastic Book Fair will be set up for shopping. Each classroom will have time to visit and make purchases. Check out the picture of the flyer above for your child's day and time. Volunteers to help manage the register and organize shelves are still needed! If you are interested and available, please reach out to jessie.trowbridge@gmail.com to sign up! Community Shop Night will be on Thursday 3/20 4:30-7:00.  You can set up an e-wallet for your child by visiting this site. Check out the letter in the Electronic Blue Folder for more details!  Thank you to the Library Volunteers and PTA for organizing this experience for the students!

🐕The kids have been asking me lately about ordering Cruiser "merch". I know Ace shared it in the past, but I will share Officer Holly's email again for you! If you are interested in ordering a t-shirt or hoodie, send her an email at hdoyle@princetonpolice.org. 

🖳WRSD now has a Facebook Page!  Be sure to check out  District's Facebook page for updates, important information and to be in the know about all things WRSD!  

👛You may have heard about Prince Plaza. This is another PBIS Initiative here at school. For the past 2 years, we had Prince Plaza set up in a small office space where the students could go and shop using their Tommy Tickets.  This year, the Prince Plaza is on wheels!  With the help of the student council, the Prince Plaza is stocked weekly and can be wheeled to every classroom.  Not only are there fun little prizes for purchase, but there are some pretty amazing experiences, too.  I'm sure you have seen photos on Instagram of students cashing in their Tommy Tickets for opportunities like lunch with a teacher, basketball with the principal, lunch with Cruiser, bus announcing and more!  The students are excited to see the Prince Plaza arriving in their classrooms and to have the opportunity to shop with the Tommy TIckets they have earned! 

⭐Dear Middle School Families,

We are excited to invite you and your family to a special event at Wachusett High School on March 20th at 7pm! Come enjoy an evening of entertainment as some of our seniors take the stage to be hypnotized by Dan Candell, a renowned hypnotist. This family-friendly show is sure to have everyone laughing!

Event Details:

• Date: March 20th
• Time: 7:00pm
• Location: Wachusett High School Auditorium
• Tickets: $10 (Available for purchase at the door)

This event is brought to you by the Wachusett Mountaineers Booster Club, and promises to be a fun and unique experience for students, parents, and the whole family. It’s a great way to support our high school seniors while enjoying a light-hearted and safe atmosphere.

We hope to see you there for a night of laughter and entertainment! - Mike Pratt, WRHS Principal

Have a great weekend!

Electronic Blue Folder

Looking Ahead: 

• Monday (3/17) C Day
• Wear green today!
• Tuesday (3/18) D Day
• Book Fair
• Wednesday (3/19) A Day
• Half Day - dismissal at 11:55
• Book Fair
• Thursday (3/20) B Day
• Book Fair
• Community Shop Night @ the Book Fair 4:30-7:00
• Friday (3/21) C Day

 

Warm Welcome

This has been a great first week in my new role! I was greeted by students each morning with such sweet and throughtful comments and questions about being the principal.  When I visited classrooms I was welcomed with sweet principal greetings. It made this week so very special! I am still smiling. 

When I came to TPS, I came with the hopes of further developing the PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) structure that was in place.  For the next few weeks, I'd love to share more of what that looks on the day to day here!  Last year the PBIS Committee decided to celebrate students by electing "Warriors of the Month".  These students are recognized in each grade level for being a Warrior who has the qualities of being respectful, responsible and ready to learn. Each month their names are announced and their pictures are hung on our Warrior of the Month bulletin board located in the main hall. It's heartwarming to see classmates and peers celebrate the monthly nominees.  Next time you are in the building, check it out!  You can also find photos of the Warriors of the Month and other fun pictures posted on the TPS Instagram @tpswarriors ! 

Spring Pictures will take place on Thursday!  Check those backpacks for the order form!                                                                                    

Middle School Families, here is a word from WRHS: Join the WRHS French National Honor Society for a magical French Movie Night in the Black Box Theatre on Friday, March 21st! We’re bringing Paris to you with a special screening of Ratatouille (English subtitles included!). Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening of film, food, and French culture! RSVP here!

$5 admission at the door 

Free popcorn! 

FNHS Bake Sale – Delicious French treats! 

Crêpe Bar – Made fresh for you! 

A fun-filled night with friends & family! 

Electronic Blue Folder

Looking Ahead: 

• Monday (3/10) B Day
• School Committee Meeting (Budget Hearing) @ 6:00 at WRHS
• Tuesday (3/11) C Day
• Wednesday (3/12) D Day
• Thursday (3/13) A Day
• Spring Picture Day
• Friday (3/14) B Day
• Kindergarten Hike @ 12:45

Don't forget 3/19 is a half day! Dismissal starts at 11:55!

Time flies

Welcome to Eileen Donahue who will serve as our interim Assistant Princpal for the remainder of the year. Mrs. Donahue started on Wednesday this week and has already been visible and introduced herself to students and staff alike. She joins us as a veteran assistant princiapl most recently serving in an interim role up at WRHS. She was so well liked and respected there that we jumped at the opportunity to have her join us for the remainder of the year. 

For students in grades 5-8, Track and field sign-ups has been posted! Registration will remain open through the 21st with practices beginning on 3/31. 

A note from the Town Administrator: 

Community Heart and Soul Kick-Off Meeting

Please join us on Thursday, March 6th at 6:30 PM at the Thomas Prince School for the Community Heart and Sould Kick-off Meeting. The Community Heart and Soul project is a resident- driven processthat engages residents in identigying what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. This process provides municipal officials with a clear understanding of what matters most to their restidents and forges a partnership that builds on the first thing everyone has in common: they all live here. It's a way of coming together to make Princeton a better palce to live and visit. Please be a part of this important process that will help to inform fugure decisions about your community. To learn more about the Community Hear Sould process, please visit visit communityheartandsoul.org. Refreshment will be served! 

Electronic Folder

Night Sky Fest, 

Looking Ahead: 

• Tonight - MS Dance 6:00-8:00
• Monday (3/3) A Day
• Drama Club
• Tuesday (3/4) B Day
• Wednesday (3/5) C Day
• Thursday (3/6) D Day 
• Friday (3/7) A Day 

• Friday (4/11) Save the date - PTA Glow Dance

Vacation!

Dear TPS Families, 

I'd like to take a minute to let you know how very honored and excited I am to be assuming the interim principal role here at TPS. I am so happy for Ace and his new position, but I will surely miss his presence every day. I want you to know that I will continue to carry out everything we have worked towards over the last 2.5 years, from planning and celebrating moments of joy, building community, and keeping the focus student-centered. As you have probably seen through my posts on Instagram, I am always looking for opportunities to celebrate our students, the work they are doing in and out of the classroom, and the footprint they are leaving on our TPS community through sports, engineering, music and the arts. I am wholeheartedly invested in TPS and I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with you for the remainder of the school year. Please know, my door is always open! I hope you have a wonderful February break! 

BethAnne DiFonso

As we try to do, we wrapped up the week before vacation with a fun PBIS assembly! This morning, over 40 students and staff members participated in a school Castle Ball tournament! Students earned their way in by using Tommy Tickets to buy raffle tickets. Everyone had a blast. Congratulations to the TPS Castle Ball Champions: Mrs. McDonald, Nathan, Emma, Clara, and Nola!

The High School has asked me to share the following:

Girls that Code 

Interested in coding? 

Join Girls In CompSci, a free after-school program where you’ll learn the basics of coding and create your own games using Scratch! No experience is needed, and snacks are provided. The program is taught by AP Computer Science students and will be held at Wachusett Regional High School on Tuesdays and Fridays (March 4th to March 21st) from 5:00 - 6:15 PM.

Scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up!

Electronic Folder 

Girls that code, Winter Carnival, Polinator Garden Fundraiser, 

Looking Ahead: No school 2/17-2/21

• Monday (2/24) D Day
• Tuesday (2/25) A Day
• Wednesday (2/26) B Day
• Thursday (2/27) C Day
• Friday (2/28) D Day 
• SAFE presentations (7th, 5th, 4th, 2nd, 3rd) 
• MS Dance

Almost vacation!

Thanks to Mrs. Dolat, our reading challenge is off to a huge success! As of last Friday, 76 students in grade K-5 participated for the month of January. February is already up and running so ask your student if they are particpating. This month it opened up to Middle Schoolers as well! 

I'd like to recognize our 8th graders who audtioned and were accepted into the Central MA Junior District Band and Orchestra groups! Congratulations Josiah, AJ, and Cailyn! We're proud of you! 

The town office has asked me to share with you that they are recruiting students and residents to be involved in Community Heart and Soul. This is a resident-driven process that engages the entire population of the town in identifying what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. Developed and field-tested over a decade in partnerhsip with over 120 small citites and towns across America, Community Heart & Sould is a proven process for engaging a community in shaping its future. Stay tuend for a Community Introduction in March. The Project Organizer and Facilitator will be here to talk about the project and answer questions. We will have refreshments. You can reach out to Sherry Patch with any questions, townadministrator@town.princeton.ma. 

A note about Spring Track and Field is linked here an in the electronic folder. This is coaches lastseason before retiring. He has brought so many championships to TPS. But more importantnly, he has guided our students over the last three decades to be kind, resilient competitors! I'd encourage parents of students in 5th through 8th grades to see his letter. 

In March, the PTA will be hosting artist Bren Bataclan who will work with the students to create a new mural in the cafeteria! You can learn more about Bren in the video embedded below! We are excited to work with him and add some pop to the cafeteria! 

A note from the cafeteria: 

Mondays menu has changed

• Bacon Cheeseburger on Roll
• Onion Rings
• Baked Beans
• Alternate - Cereal Meal

Electronic Folder

Reading Challenge, MS Reading Challenge, 

Pollinator Garden, Track and Field, Pollinator Fundraiser, 

The week ahead: 

• Monday (2/10) C Day
• Tuesday (2/11) D Day
• Wednesday (2/12) A Day
• Thursday (2/13) B Day
• Friday (2/14) C Day 
• Valentines Day -wear something red or pink!
• School Resource Officers Day

• Monday (6/16) - New last day with 2 snowdays