JW Charger Chatter - October 2, 2026

Posted Date: 10/02/26 (02:44 PM)

October 2, 2026

Principal's Corner

Good afternoon, JW Families,

It’s been a great week in our school community! We had a productive Parent Council meeting on Wednesday and look forward to sharing some exciting opportunities and upcoming fundraising initiatives soon. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed their ideas!

This week, we also welcomed Valley Regional High School, whose representatives spoke with our Grade 8 students about the programs and opportunities they offer.

As a reminder, there will be no school on Friday, October 9, due to a professional development day. Have a wonderful weekend!

Carolyn Gbunblee

🍩 Munchkin Madness Day at JW 🍩

A big thank you to Dunkin’ in Deep River for donating Munchkins for our Munchkin Madness Day! Because of your generosity, every student was able to enjoy a little treat. Thank you as well to our JWMS Parent Council for organizing the event and making it happen. We appreciate all the time and effort you put into making fun things like this possible for our students!

Thank you for helping make Munchkin Madness such a YUMMY day!

🎃👻 JWMS Halloween Dance! 👻🎃

Get ready for a fun night at JW! The JW Student Leadership Council is hosting our Halloween Dance on Friday, October 16th from 7:00–8:30 PM in the JW Cafeteria. Tickets are $5.00. Tickets can be purchased online using the QR code listed or at school during lunch waves. The attached Dance Rules & Permission Slip must be reviewed, completed, and submitted for students to attend the dance, along with payment. This has also been sent out to parents via ParentSquare electronically as an option for completion. We hope to see our JW students there for a fun night of music, friends, and Halloween spirit!

Scan the QR code to purchase your ticket online! If an online ticket is purchased, your student will be provided with a physical ticket from JW.

Click Here for a paper copy of the JW Halloween Dance permission slip.

FCS

Mrs Free's FCS 8th grade students have been busy learning the craft of embroidery. They selected a drawing off the internet or designed one on their own, transferred it to fabric and used many different embroidery stitches to complete their design. Below you will find the several examples of the following stitches; Backstitch, chain stitch, woven rose, lazy daisy, running stitch, satin stitch and many more!

Students remarked how relaxing and satisfying embroidery is. Bravo!!!

Picture Retake Day — November 6

Picture Retake Day will be held on Friday, November 6th for students and staff who would like to have their school picture retaken.

If your student is interested in retakes, they do not need to purchase another package if they already did so on the original day. We ask that the student return their picture package on picture day to the photographer and get their photo taken.
If the student was not photographed on the original day and their parents would like to pre-purchase a package, they may do so with the new picture day code. Order pictures online at mylifetouch.com Re-take Event number: EVTNRNVBZ

JW Musical 🎭

Is your student interested in being part of the JW Musical? Our show was announced TODAY!! We are excited to be producing FOOTLOOSE as this year’s musical!!! Any students interested in being involved with cast and/or crew should sign up for the “JW Drama 2027” Google Classroom using the code: mbb7akem. This is not an official sign-up or full commitment to the show. It is simply to gain more info as it becomes available. Email Mrs. Traver at ltraver@reg4.k12.ct.us if you have any questions.

Region 4 Music Boosters❄️

Music Boosters Holiday Wreath & Greenery Fundraiser

Forms Distributed: Monday Oct. 5

Forms Due: Monday Oct. 19

Wreath Delivery: Tuesday Dec. 1 - ALL ORDERS at VRHS Backstage Entrance, 2:15pm - 5:30pm

Beautiful, fresh, evergreen Wreaths, Centerpieces, Porch Pots and more will be available for sale from the Music Boosters in support of our music programming. Your students will bring home sell sheets and order forms the week of Oct. 5. and will be delivered to VRHS Tuesday Dec. 2nd in time for holiday decorating. Plan your holiday decorating and gifts early this year!

John Winthrop Middle School Athletic Updates

Girls Soccer⚽: Huge props to our girls soccer team for winning both games this week. We are currently on a 3 game winning streak. The girls beat Hale Ray 7-1 on Monday with 2 goals each from Ashlyn Graham, Reagan Abel, and Ivy Bauer. Millie Phillips added in our 7th. Lillian Arsenault played a brilliant game in the midfield and broke up a lot of the Hale Ray attempts at attacking. The girls traveled to Portland on Thursday and beat Portland 4-0 behind 4 goals from Ashlyn Graham. Ashlyn is now up to 11 goals on the season. Everly Morrow has been a standout in goal and got her third clean sheet of the season! Ava Bauer has been an assisting machine and had 2 assists this week and is up to 3 on the year to go along with her goal. The girls are home versus Old Saybrook on Tuesday and travel to Old Lyme on Thursday. Keep up the hard work girls!

Boys Soccer⚽: Congratulations to the JW boys soccer team on winning both games this week! Winning back-to-back games was an impressive accomplishment. Thursday’s game was an all-around great team effort, and you boys should be proud of the way you played and worked together.

Next week brings two tough opponents: Old Saybrook on Tuesday and Lyme-Old Lyme on Thursday. Keep up the hard work, boys, and let's go JW!

Cross Country 🏃‍♂️: The boys and girls cross country teams had an amazing first home meet against Eliot. The boys won with a score of 21-40 and the girls also finished ahead of Eliot with a score of 18-45, finishing with 9 out of the top 10 spots. Everyone on both teams improved their pace over the last race, even though the course this week was longer (a full 2 miles!). Both teams will head to Portland next Thursday and look forward to continuing to improve.

JWMS Athletic Forms and Information

→ Tryout Policy and Commitment Letter

→ VRHS and JWMS Athletics - Fall Sports informational newsletter 2026-2027

→ JWMS Athletics Website

→ Region 4 Athletics Transportation Waiver / PAT Form\

Charger Fall Sports Schedule 2026-27

JW FALL SPORTS MEDIA DAY PHOTOS 📷

The Fall Media Photos are now available for purchase!

Visit → Steady Photography at https://my.photoday.com/g/PGTR36624

** Access Code: PGTR36624 **

Charger Sideline Store

Looking to show your Charger spirit this season? Check out the JWMS Sideline Store for a variety of gear and apparel available!

→ VRHS & JWMS Apparel Store

💙Get to Know Our JW Staff!💛

Meet our new 8th Grade ELA teacher, Rachel Barretta! We asked Ms. Barretta to share a little bit about herself and this is what she had to say:

What do you enjoy doing when you're not at school?

I enjoy painting, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is having the opportunity to support students and see their growth inside and outside of the classroom. Go Chargers!

What's something about you that might surprise your students or coworkers?

I love going on new adventures and trying new things, such as playing rugby and line dancing!

What book are you reading right now—or what's a book you would recommend?

I am currently reading, and would highly recommend, Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.

Do you have any pets? Tell us about them!

I have a total of 18 pets! I have one dog, one hamster, two cats, two birds, five chickens, and seven ducks!

Get Involved with the JWMS Parent Council!

The John Winthrop Middle School Parent Council is a great way for parents and families to stay connected, share ideas, and support our students and staff. We meet with Principal Carolyn Gbunblee to hear school updates, discuss ideas, and help plan activities throughout the year.

Meetings will be held from 6:00–7pm in the JWMS Media Center on:

December 2 • February 3 • April 7

We are excited to continue some of our favorite events while also welcoming new ideas and opportunities for our school community. There are many ways to help, including volunteering, organizing events, sponsoring activities, donating supplies, or simply sharing your ideas.

📎 Please read the attached PDF to learn more about the ways you can help and sign up to get involved!

To join our JW Parent Council, please email our JW Secretary, Adele McAndrew: amcandrew@reg4.k12.ct.us

Lyn Majors – Lead Parent Council lynmajors@comcast.net

Click Here to Get Involved at JW

Important Dates

October 9th - Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL
October 12th - NO SCHOOL, Columbus Day
October 15th - 8th Grade VOAG Presentation
October 16th - JW Halloween Dance
October 22nd & 23rd - Early Dismissal @ 12:12pm - Parent Conferences
October 26th - 8th Grade Vinal Presentation
October 27th - Town Hall Tuesday
November 6th - Picture Retake Day
November 25th - 27th - Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL

Lost & Found

Please remember to check our Lost & Found! Labeling jackets, lunchboxes, and other personal items makes it much easier for us to return them to students. Thank you for your help!

* Attendance Email *

Please email all attendance correspondence to:

jwmsattendance@reg4.k12.ct.us