November 25, 2025

Dear WPS School Community,

Last Thursday evening, members of our Elementary Literacy Team (ELT) and several elementary teachers who are piloting literacy programs this year delivered a comprehensive update to the School Committee on the progress of our literacy pilot programs. This presentation represents months of careful planning, implementation, and observation as we work to select the best literacy curriculum for district-wide adoption in the 2026-2027 school year. Both the EL Education and Arts & Letters curricula are being piloted across various grade levels, and we're seeing encouraging signs of student engagement, deeper learning, and meaningful academic discourse in our classrooms.

We're excited to share this presentation with our school community, as it showcases the thoughtful, collaborative approach we're taking to this important transition to an evidence-based literacy program. The update includes examples of student work, teacher and student feedback, insights from classroom visits by administrators, and details about the data we're collecting throughout this process. We should all be proud of the work our elementary teachers are putting into the pilot programs as we continue this journey together toward strengthening literacy instruction for all Winchester students.

I hope you and your families enjoy the November break! 

With thanks,

Frank Hackett, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

At the October and November Winchester's Special Education Parent Advisory Council (WinPAC) meetings, Assistant Director of Special Education Chris Campbell presented on the topic of transitions within Winchester Public Schools. Students experience many types of transitions throughout the district, including movements between school levels (preschool, elementary, middle, high school, and post-secondary); from grade to grade; into or out of specialized programming; between in-district and out-of-district placements; and when beginning or concluding an individualized education plan (IEP). Explore the slides here. We hope to see you at the next WinPAC meeting on December 15, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Meeting Link. We encourage you to explore WinPAC’s newly enhanced website.

Message from Marlena Ysalguez, Director of Special Education

Recently, district-wide WPS curriculum leaders across all content areas presented curriculum highlights to the Winchester Parents' Inter-school Council (PISC). Explore their presentation here. We look forward to our continued collaboration with PISC throughout the year!

Message from Jennifer Elineema, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Explore upcoming Town events here.

November Break Early Release | November 26, 2025

November Break | November 27–28, 2025

School Committee Meeting | December 4, 2025

Winchester's Special Education Parent Advisory Council (WinPAC)

Early Release: Professional Development | December 12, 2025

School Committee Meeting | December 18, 2025

Winter Break | December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026

Explore upcoming community events here.