Happy Friday William T. Rogers Learning Community,

We kicked things off on Monday with a building full of slightly sluggish students and staff recovering from the Super Bowl… and then decided to spice things up with a fire alarm in 10-degree weather. Nothing like watching middle schoolers confidently march outside in t-shirts and shorts to remind you that adolescence truly is a superpower. 

In all seriousness, I could not be more proud of how our faculty, staff, and students responded. Everyone adjusted quickly, remained calm, and demonstrated tremendous flexibility as we relocated to RJO. A very special thank you to our friends at RJO for welcoming us with open arms and helping us transition so smoothly. We are incredibly fortunate to be part of such a supportive school community.

Thank you as well to our families. We always aim to communicate as quickly and accurately as possible in situations like this, and we truly appreciate the calm and trust you showed. Please know that our top priority is always the safety and care of your children. Unless you hear directly from us requesting pickup, you can trust that your child is safe and being supervised.

I will gently note that a small number of students saw this as a creative opportunity to request early dismissal. In situations where we are coordinating logistics and ensuring order, that is the last thing we want to manage. Thank you for reinforcing that school procedures remain in place unless we communicate otherwise. Your partnership makes all the difference.

Now, after a week like that, we have certainly earned a break.

I am wishing all of our families a wonderful week off. I hope our students rest, recharge, and enjoy some well-deserved downtime. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for the next chapter; hopefully with slightly warmer temperatures!

Enjoy the week!

Sincerely,

Joe Pesqueira

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Next Week’s Events

• February 16-20: No School (Mid-Winter Break)

• February 25th: SEPTA Pizza Night (6:30pm WTR)

Upcoming Athletic Events

Updates and Reminders

• Backpack and Locker Expectations: Over the past several weeks, we have provided multiple reminders to students regarding proper backpack and locker use. These expectations have been clearly communicated during administrative assemblies and reinforced through school-wide announcements. Beginning when we return on February 23, any backpacks left outside of lockers will be brought to the Main Office.

  • The first occurrence will result in a warning

  • The second occurrence will result in a lunch detention

  • Backpacks left outside of lockers present multiple safety concerns, including tripping hazards and the increased risk of items being lost or stolen. 

  • In addition, students are expected to properly close their lockers. While some students have shared that using lockers feels like “too much work,” students do have sufficient time in the morning and between periods to access and secure their belongings.

  • We ask that you please speak with your child and reinforce these expectations at home. Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to keep our school safe and organized.

• SEPTA Pizza Night: Please click on the link for more information on SEPTA Pizza Night at WTR on 2/25 at 6:30pm!

• Ronald McDonald House Fundraiser: The PFA is excited to share some wonderful news We are once again teaming up with our Student Council and Administration Team to support a mission near and dear to the hearts of so many — the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. WTR will be collecting food and snack items to support families staying with their children during hospital visits. The Family Room provides a comforting space where families can take a break from the clinical environment and decompress without having to leave the hospital. Every donation helps make this space feel a little more like home. This year, our fundraiser will take place through grade-level donation drives, allowing each grade to participate during its designated collection window.

Grade-Level Donation Schedule

• 7th Grade: Donations collected from 7th Grade A-Blocks through February 26, with delivery shortly thereafter

• 6th Grade: Donations collected from February 23 – April 1

• 8th Grade: Donations collected from April 1 – May 13

  • Most Requested Donation Items

    • Chips (individually wrapped) & popcorn snacks

    • Nutella snack cups (with pretzel sticks or breadsticks)

    • Cheez-Its, Goldfish, Pirate’s Booty & trail mix

    • Hershey’s mini chocolates & Hershey’s Kisses

    • Fruit snacks, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Roll-Ups & Twizzlers

    • Nissin ramen noodle cups (chicken flavor preferred)

    • Mac & cheese cups, EZ Mac cups & individual cereal cups

    • Dum Dums lollipops & mini water bottles

    • Sour Patch Kids (large individually wrapped preferred; mini bags also accepted)

    • Granola bars, Rice Krispies Treats, cookies & Oreos

    • GoGoSqueez yogurt & fruit pouches

• For added convenience, an Amazon Wishlist is available for those who prefer the flexibility and ease of purchasing items online. Items may be shipped directly to the school. 

• Thank you, as always, for your generosity and continued support. Together, our WTR community can make a meaningful difference for families when they need it the most 

• 8th Grade Trip - To our 8th grade families, please review the message sent out regarding the 8th grade trip. Please note that due to a scheduling conflict the date on the calendar for the 8th grade trip has changed. The trip will now take place on May 29, 2026. 

News from the PFA!

 💖 PFA UPDATE 💖

Our kids had a WONDERFUL day celebrating P.S. I Love You Day! 💜 It was filled with kindness, positivity, and so many sweet reminders of how much we appreciate one another.

All sweet treats were delivered! A HUGE thank you so much for your continued support in helping us make days like this extra special for our students. We couldn’t do it without you! 💕

🇮🇪☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Parade Excitement! ☘️🇮🇪

We are excited to announce that we are once again putting a St. Patrick’s Day float in the parade! 🎉

We welcome anyone who would like to help assist in decorating the float We would love your creativity and helping hands! Please email WTRPFAcorpres@gmail.com for more information.

🍀Come out and walk with us! Depending on how many kids attend, there may be an opportunity to ride on the float this year. Any students who walk with us are eligible for community service hours, and a board member will be available to sign off.

Let’s show our school spirit and make it a parade to remember! ☘️💚

❤️🛍️School Boutique🛍️❤️

School Boutique returns on Friday, February 27 right after Break! We’re coming back fully restocked and ready to go! 🛍️✨ Think  gifts 💘, school supplies ✏️, candy 🍬, chocolate 🍫, seasonal locker goodies, Thrifty Books $2.00 each or 2 for $3.00 and MUCH more!

📅 Boutique Date:

💖 Friday, February 27th

🕛 During lunch periods

💜 With your help and continued support, proceeds from the Boutique will help fund Rec Room updates, HS Scholorships and 🥁end-of-year Summer Festival, in June 4th! ☀️🎉 

As always, teamwork makes the dream work 💪✨ and we’d love your help volunteering at the Boutique!

👉 Please sign up using the SignUpGenius link below:

🔗https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DAEA82BA3FBCE9-58630646-copy#/

Thank you for always supporting our school and making these events so special! 💕

 🎮✨ PFA RETRO REC ROOM REVAMP! ✨

        ‼️WE NEED YOUR HELP ‼️

The WTRMS PFA is giving the Kids Rec Room a fun, retro-inspired refresh while things are quiet! We are need of our amazing community to help bring it all to life! 🪩 

💛 Families & Local Businesses—Join the Fun! You can help by donating gently used items or shopping directly from our Amazon Wish List with items picked just for this space!

🕹️ We’re Collecting:

🎲 Board & card games

🎨 Crafts & creative supplies

📀 CDs & DVDs

♻️ Gently used, kid-friendly fun items

🛒 Want to make it easy?

Check out our Amazon Wish List to support the Rec Room update with just a click!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/12BU1GW244L8Z?ref_=wl_share

✨ Every donation helps create a colorful, welcoming space our kids will love.

🎉 Together, families + businesses can make this retro dream a reality!

Warmly,