Dear Winchester students and families,

I hope you are enjoying a happy and healthy summer.

The new school year begins next week, on Thursday, September 4. If you’re returning to your school, your teachers, specialists, and administrators are excited to reconnect with you! If you are new to your school or to Winchester Public Schools, welcome—we look forward to getting to know you!

Below, you will find district-wide updates to help you prepare for the new school year. Your school(s) and teachers will also continue to share information in the days and weeks ahead. Next week, please watch for another district-wide message requesting that parents and guardians electronically sign acknowledgements of our district policies for the 2025–26 school year.

Thank you, and happy back-to-school!


2025-26 School Calendar

Printable PDF | Live View


School Safety

The safety and security of our students, faculty and staff, and visitors is of the utmost importance. Winchester Public Schools continuously reviews its policies and procedures to ensure they are supported by the most recent research and data. Learn more here.


Health Policies and Forms

Each school year, health forms and updates are required for all students. Please take a moment to read this welcome letter from the WPS nursing team. We appreciate your efforts to ensure that your student’s health records and forms are completed in the SNAP Health Portal before the first day of school, Thursday, September 4, 2025. The welcome letter outlines the required steps. Thank you for your attention.


School Day Hours | Arrival and Dismissal Times

• PreK: Arrival: 8:55 a.m., Dismissal: Varies by program
• K-5: Arrival: 8:00 a.m., Dismissal: 2:25 p.m.
• Middle School, 6-8: Arrival: 8:25 a.m., Dismissal: 3:12 p.m.
• High School, 9-12: Arrival: 8:25 a.m., Dismissal: 3:12 p.m.

Classroom Assignments | Student Schedules

The Aspen Family Portal has been updated for the new school year. Classroom assignments and student schedules are now available there.


Transportation: Assignments and Schedules

The WPS Transportation team is committed to providing students with safe, efficient, and reliable transportation to and from school each day. Transportation schedules were sent to families on Monday, August 25. For more information, please visit this page. If you have questions, contact transportation@winchesterps.org. 


Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

This school year, the Massachusetts state budget will continue to fund universal free breakfast and lunch for all public school students. View school menus here. For information about free meals/milk and reduced-price meals served under the National School Lunch Program, please visit this page. If your family is seeking meal support beyond the school day, WPS encourages you to explore the Winchester Meals on Wheels program.


Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) Program: Grades 5-12

This is a reminder that students in grades 5–12 must participate in the WPS Bring-Your-Own-Device program. Learn more here. If you are unable to provide your student with a device, please see the information about requesting assistance from WPS.


District and School Communications

Stay up to date with the latest news and information from Winchester Public Schools—including district-wide updates, classroom and division-specific newsletters, event signups, and more—by downloading the ParentSquare app.

Explore the new WPS website, launched earlier this month, and check out this page dedicated to all things related to the new school year. You can also follow WPS on Instagram.


Facility Updates


As always, many hands have been hard at work preparing every school in the district for the upcoming year. This work has taken many forms—from teachers thoughtfully arranging classrooms to completing facility upgrades and updates, both large and small.

Winchester Preschool: Earlier this week, we launched the all-new Winchester Preschool within the new Lynch Elementary School.

Ambrose Elementary School: New roof completed; additional inclusive playground equipment installed, thanks to the Winchester Parent Advisory Council (WinPAC).

Lincoln Elementary School: New playground equipment installed; playground resurfaced.

Muraco Elementary School: All classrooms painted and provided with new flooring; library space converted into a dedicated cafeteria; new library created within a former classroom; additional inclusive playground equipment installed, thanks to the Winchester Parent Advisory Council (WinPAC).

Vinson-Owen Elementary School: Additional inclusive playground equipment installed, thanks to the Winchester Parent Advisory Council (WinPAC); playground resurfaced.

McCall Middle School: New roof project underway, to be completed this fall.

Winchester High School: New gymnasium project underway, to be completed in mid-October; corrosion inhibitor applied in the basement.

Earlier this week, hundreds of community members gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house (slideshow) at the new Lynch Elementary School! Explore the school through this gallery of photos taken by Lynch parent Jenna Brown.

We are excited for you to experience each of these spaces for yourself!


Preparations for the New School Year


Last week, we welcomed our new WPS educators with the New Teacher Orientation program at Winchester High School. We are excited to have these new teachers and staff joining the district. They bring enthusiasm and experience that will complement the many outstanding educators already here.

Earlier this week, district leaders gathered at Wright-Locke Farm for our Leadership Workshop, where we spent time building connections, strengthening relationships, and familiarizing ourselves with the planning methodology for this school year and beyond.


That’s it for now! I wish you a school year filled with curiosity, wonder, and accomplishment. Enjoy these remaining days of summer.

Sincerely,

Dr. Frank Hackett, Superintendent of Schools