General School Information

In accordance with the National Teachers of Mathematics Standards, the use of calculators is an integral part of the mathematics program. Students at all grade levels are strongly encouraged to purchase a scientific calculator. Any student unable to do so will be issued a calculator for use throughout the school year. All school-issued calculators must be returned at the end of the school year. Any calculator lost or damaged must be paid for by the student.

Students are permitted to bring a cell phone to school with parental permission; however, it must remain turned off and secured in the student’s locker for the duration of the school day. Use of other smart devices, such as smartwatches that allow communication between two or more parties, is also not permitted during the school day. Violations such as receiving/making phone calls, text messaging, using social media, or taking pictures/recording videos will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. 

Students who would like to utilize devices such as a Kindle or Nook to read novels and school-appropriate materials will be permitted to use them in the appropriate classes. These devices are being permitted to enhance the educational experience at the classroom teacher's discretion and will not be allowed to be utilized for any other purpose. Students and parents understand that personal items are brought to school at the student’s own risk, and the school district is not responsible for lost or stolen property.

WRMS believes that clubs and activities play a valuable and integral part in the development of the whole child and the relationship between teachers and students. Clubs and activities will run before and after school starting in October, and announcements will be made for a club fair in September. Students who wish to participate in intramural sports or the Fitness Club must submit a completed physical examination form and permit form before participating. The club adviser will distribute the appropriate forms.  We encourage students who wish to start a new club to approach administration. The list of current clubs below is subject to change:

Art Club 

AV Club

Best Buddies

Brain Busters

Cardinal Chorus

Chamber Ensemble

Chess Club 

Coding Club 

Continental Mathematics League 

Engineering Club 

Fishing Club

Fitness Club 

Got Games 

Jazz Band 

Morning Fitness Club

Morning Sports Club

JPDC (Dance Club)

Junior Performing Arts Club (JPAC) 

National Jr. Honor Society

Science Club 

Student Ambassadors 

Student Council

World Cultures Club 

Yearbook 

Many parental questions can be answered by directly contacting the teacher of the class or program. We ask that, when a situation arises, it first be addressed to the teacher or advisor in charge. Being proactive and following the chain of command below will guarantee a successful resolution. 

Instructional Matters: 

1. Teacher 

2. Case manager (if applicable) 

3. Guidance Counselor 

4. Assistant Principal 

5. Principal 

Discipline Matters: 

1. Teacher 

2. Dean of Students

3. Assistant Principal

4. Principal 

Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB): 

1. Building HIB Specialist (School Guidance Counselors) 

2. Assistant Principal 

3. Principal 

Contact Information: 

School: 201-664-5560 

HIB Specialist:  extension 6010

Staff emails can be found on the District Website, by clicking on the “Staff” tab. 

School field trips are designed to enhance your child's educational, social, and cultural experiences. Participation in field trips is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked for appropriate cause.

Participation is voluntary, and parents/guardians are responsible for any associated costs. Financial assistance may be available based on demonstrated need.

All field trips are supervised by school staff, and reasonable precautions will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of participating students. Students are required to depart from and return to school using district-provided transportation. Private transportation to or from a field trip is not permitted.

For safety and security reasons, it is important that the office knows where students are at all times during the school day. Therefore, if a student is not going to be in the assigned class, he/she must have a pass. Students are not permitted in the halls during class time unless accompanied by a teacher or having a pass signed by an authorized staff member. If a student needs to see a teacher, he/she must make arrangements in advance for a pass. If a student needs to use the bathroom during class, he/she must request a pass from the teacher. Bathroom passes are color coded based on which class they are coming from. Students must use the corresponding color bathroom pass. All teachers will maintain a hall pass that will be used for all student-initiated requests to leave class momentarily and return to the same class (nurse, main office, locker, etc.) to be filled out and signed every time a student leaves the classroom. 

Middle school students will be expected to complete more homework than elementary school students. They will also start to see long-term assignments that require more organization and planning skills that will be crucial in high school. 

The Westwood Regional Middle School staff believes that homework should

1. be meaningful and provide useful feedback to the teacher and students. There should be an emphasis on quality rather than quantity;

2. facilitate achievement -- students should allot sufficient time and concentration to complete homework while balancing extra-curricular commitments, which are also important;

3. be important enough to be discussed, corrected, or reflected upon promptly after its due date; 

4. foster a connection between home and school and encourage the team investment of the teacher, student, and parent/guardian.;

5. be completed in a calm, distraction-free environment where the student can be monitored; 

6. provide students the opportunity to practice skills learned in class without time constraints and teacher intervention; 

7. be the student’s responsibility to make up if missed or to seek teacher assistance if necessary; 

8. be structured in such a manner that students need to have an appropriate amount of time to complete the assignment(s). 

Support from the parent(s) or guardian(s) in the completion of homework is a vital part of the process for success. Each teacher will update their current homework assignments regularly. Students should check Google Classroom on a daily basis.

All students will be issued an initial lanyard and identification card they should wear. If an identification card and/or lanyard are lost, it must be replaced at the owner’s expense of $5 and $1, respectively. Students should visit the Main Office Secretary for assistance.

At the beginning of the school year each student will be assigned a locker in the hallway. These lockers are not to be shared or changed with any other student. The locker remains the property of the Westwood Regional School District and may be inspected by certified administrative staff at any time. Each student will be responsible for the lock that is distributed to use on the hallway locker. This lock will be used for their entire WRMS experience. Locks will be issued to incoming 6th-grade students and collected at the end of their 8th-grade year. There is a $5 charge for any lost locks. Locker combinations should not be shared with other students and lockers should be locked at all times.

When using a combination lock, it is very important to turn the tumbler at least one full turn after closing the lock. If the tumbler is not turned, the lock can sometimes be opened with a slight tug making it easy for someone to break into the locker. There will be a record of each combination for the hallway lockers in the Main Office if the combination is forgotten. Students are not permitted to bring their own locks to school. Each student must use the school-issued lock. Any lock not issued by the school that is found on a locker will be removed. Do not leave valuables in lockers. It is recommended that valuable items like expensive sneakers, electronics, etc. not be brought to school. Articles left in school lockers after the June dismissal will be kept in the office until June 30th, at which time they will be discarded or donated. Westwood Regional Middle School will not be held responsible for lost or stolen valuables.

Lost and found articles are placed in the Lost and Found rack in the Cafeteria and kept for a reasonable length of time. If they are not claimed, they will be disposed of or donated. Announcements concerning lost articles will not be read on the P.A. system. 

The lunchroom is an extension of the classroom. Therefore, it is expected that all students behave in a manner that reflects respect for their school, themselves, and the staff during lunch. All rules, expectations, and the Code of Conduct will apply in the lunchroom. Backpacks, Chromebooks, and other electronic devices are not permitted in the lunchroom. The Media Center may be available during lunch. 

Students can enter the building at 8:05 AM from the main entrance, bus loop, and/or the 2nd Avenue door closest to the cul-de-sac. It is important for students not to arrive before this time, as appropriate building supervision is not available. For security and safety purposes, there will be a staff member stationed at all entry points in the morning. When arranged with their teacher, students may attend morning extra help sessions. Exterior supervision will not be provided during this time. Students are expected to be in their first period class prior to the 8:15 AM bell. In order to alleviate potential congestion in the front of the school and in the parking lot, it is extremely important to “drop and go” to allow for the safe flow of traffic.

Dismissal is at 3:04 PM. Please discuss a pickup plan with your child that is safe and efficient as this is a very congested time in our parking lot. If you choose to pick up in the parking lot, it is requested that parents park in spots to await dismissal as opposed to parking in the thoroughfare. Furthermore, all drivers must observe and follow the one-way patterns of the parking lot. Parents are encouraged to explore pickup locations other than the WRMS parking lot such as the Middle School Field Lot, Second Ave cul-de-sac, Pine Street, or other surrounding streets that may be a block or two away from the school. Upon dismissal, students should promptly exit the building. Students may not cross the bus loop and are required to walk around. Parents/Guardians should drive very carefully in the parking lot, and refrain from blocking the crosswalk in the parking lot. 

We encourage students to ride their bikes and lock them in one of the several bike racks around the building. Students who ride their bikes are asked to walk their bikes while on school property. Remember, all students should be wearing a bike helmet, it is the law.

The mission of the Westwood Regional Middle School Parent School Organization is to enhance the educational experience of all Westwood Regional Middle School students by … 

1. sponsoring educational and community enrichment programs; 

2. enhancing communication between parents and school via weekly emails and maintaining our section of the website; 

3. providing staff and students with financial support toward the purchase of classroom or school supplies and/or equipment which is not available in the school budget; 

PSO Membership is open to all parents and guardians in both grades. Registration forms are sent out over the summer or can be downloaded from the website. Dues can be paid on-line, by check, or at Back-to-School Night. 

Students, staff, parents, and guardians are hereby notified that the district maintains a security system at the Westwood Regional Middle School. The system consists of cameras, video recording devices, and monitors at strategic locations throughout the facility. The primary purpose is the safety, protection, and well-being of the students and staff. However, students, staff, parents, and guardians are also notified that the school administration reserves the right to use this system to deter and remedy situations in which individuals are involved in activities that are in direct violation of the Code of Conduct/Discipline such as, but not limited to, vandalism, fighting, assaults, and loitering. The system will also be used to investigate any situation where a member of our school community may have caused or incurred harm or otherwise also acted within the limits of N.J.S.A. 18A:37-13 et seq. The contents of such records will be reviewed by district administration when appropriate within their discretion in order to mitigate any situation that arises and is the sole property of the district. It is important to note that this system records for 24 hours daily, but is not monitored by an individual at all times. 

Comprehensive Equity Plan

Under the direction of the District’s Affirmative Action Officer, a Comprehensive Equity Plan guides the district in matters of equity. The plan, approved by the Westwood Regional Board of Education and the N.J. Department of Education, is based on a needs assessment that identifies our compliance with state and federal requirements and laws, as well as areas needing corrective action. Affirmative action policies and procedures are located under Human Resources on the homepage of the district’s website.