January 2026 PA Newsletter

January 26th: Student Release Day, NO SCHOOL

January 27th- First Day of Spring Semester

January 28th - PA Shake Shack Fundraiser; WESS Blood Drive

February 3 - 12th Grade Parent Meeting

February 16-20 - Midwinter Recess, NO SCHOOL

February 23rd - PA Meeting

Principal's Message

Dear Amazing WESS Families,

January 4th marked my one-year anniversary at West End Secondary School. This milestone has led me to reflect on many of the accomplishments our community should be proud of over the past calendar year. Since starting at WESS, I, alongside the community, have focused on strengthening school culture, instructional coherence, and community trust. As a team, we worked to establish clear norms and expectations for students and staff in order to create a more consistent and supportive learning environment. This work would not have been possible without the openness, professionalism, and collaboration of our staff, students, and families, whose partnership guided each step of the process.

Instructionally, our work centered on collaboratively building sustainable systems to better support teaching and learning. With the support of teacher leaders and staff, we began developing a clear lane of support for students who need additional help in reading and writing through a thoughtful Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Together, we increased coaching, feedback, and observation cycles and launched monthly learning walks across grades 6–12 to strengthen instructional alignment and shared practice. We also worked collaboratively to codify grading policies, restorative justice responses, and the role of teacher leaders in supporting instruction throughout the building. This streamlined approach to collaboration led to WESS becoming a fully Credentialed school through the lens of EL Education. We are now one of only eight schools in New York and one of just 49 schools worldwide to hold this prestigious Full Credential.

I am deeply grateful to the WESS community for their trust, feedback, and commitment to the young people we support. Through transparent communication and shared problem-solving, we strengthened partnerships with families and clarified school-wide practices and expectations. While there is still important work ahead, I am proud of what we were able to accomplish together in one year and thankful for the collective effort that laid a strong foundation for continued growth.

In crew,
Andrew

WESS Pride

Sharing some heart-warming events from around the WESS Community!

On December 18th, the first ever WESS High School Jazz Band performed for seniors at the Riverside Center on the Upper West Side. Our amazing music teacher, Sarah Peskanov, led 13 students playing three songs as well as some solo pieces. Before sharing their music, students spent time talking with residents while paintings their nails or making gingerbread houses. It was a meaningful experience for everyone and we hope it becomes an annual tradition! Thanks to Sarah for putting our WESS core values of Creativity and Compassion on display!

PA Message

Dear Families,

We hope you had a lovely holiday season and are off to a good start to 2026.

With the first half of the school year nearly over, we’re excited for everything spring brings. From spring sports to the school play to prom, 8th grade Passages, and High School graduation, spring is full of excitement for our students.

Spring is full of events for our families as well. From parent education events to our annual fundraising gala and elections for the 2026-2027 Parent Association executive board, there are numerous ways to get involved. We hope every family will find a way to get feel engaged with the WESS community. If you have ideas, interests, or suggestions, or if you want to volunteer or stand for election, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

With gratitude and partnership,

Justin Fromm & Liz Sorem

WESS Parent Association Co-Presidents

papresidents@westendsecondary.com

WESS Business

Be sure to read Karyn's newsletter at the beginning of each week! Lots of helpful information, like:

Blood Drive: On Wednesday, January 28th WESS will be hosting a Blood Drive in conjunction with the New York Blood Center. As of right now, New York is considered to be in what's known as a Blood Emergency. If you are available to donate blood on 1/28/26, please sign up for a time slot here.

NYCB allows people ages 16+ to donate blood (16 year olds require familial permission). We will be distributing permission slips to our 10th, 11th, and 12th graders tomorrow to donate blood as well.

Attendance: All attendance inquiries should be directed to Shirley@westendsecondary.com.

504 Accommodation requests should be sent to 504accommodations@westendsecondary.com. Please remember that 504 plans must be submitted annually.

PA Business

February PA General Meeting

Please join us for our next WESS PA Meeting

West End Secondary School PA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: February 2026 WESS PA Meeting

Time: Feb 23, 2026 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2330558020?pwd=dHlDYkhBRWkrY0ZRMTJCdVpBWE0vQT09&omn=88309996255

Meeting ID: 233 055 8020

Passcode: HjrT7z

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One tap mobile

+16465588656,,2330558020#,,,,*578951# US (New York)

+16469313860,,2330558020#,,,,*578951# US

Join instructions

https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/88309996255/invitations?signature=AB0fCvMkrHmX6jOUcJG6lnSBK7Q5OKr108r8sNeZ_Uc

Give Back to WESS

Through your donations, the PA helps provide funding for areas that are not included in the school’s budget. These funds help to pay for professional development for our teachers, arts and athletics programs, science equipment and musical instruments, club activities and faculty advisors, teacher and staff appreciation events, student socials, parent coffees, parent education experiences, and more. None of these would be possible without your financial support!

We invite you to recommit to our shared mission by making a tax-deductible donation at whatever level you are able -- No gift is too small!

$25 to show your continued support
$250 to make a meaningful impact
$2,025 to lead the way in enriching every student’s experience

- every contribution adds up to make a real difference for our students and staff.

With gratitude,

Justin Fromm & Liz Sorem, PA Co-Presidents

On Behalf of the Fundraising Committee

And for those looking for other ways to give back:

WESS PA Shake Shack Fundraiser

Tell your family, friends and neighbors to visit the UWS Shake Shack (366 Columbus @ 77th Street) Wednesday, January 28th, and mention Donation Day at the register.

You can also use promo code DONATE on the Shack App, web, or kiosk at checkout and they will donate 25% of your total meal purchase to the WESS PA.

And for those of you looking for a winter activity...Dave & Buster'sFundraising Campaign for WESS!

Get ready for nonstop arcade action at Dave & Buster’s!

50% of every Power Card purchased through our fundraising page will be donated to WESS Parent Association until February 27th!

Redeem anytime at any participating Dave & Buster’s location for endless gaming fun with family and friends. Level up your next outing and support a great cause: grouprai.se/davebusters66296s

WAYS TO GIVE:

VENMO (Free, no fee) PA Treasurer Account: @wess-pa
Please indicate Recommitment Campaign in the Note. If prompted for a code, use: 2264

ZELLE(Free, no fee) WESS PA Zelle account may be located by using the e-mail: patreasurer@westendsecondary.com. A monthly payment selection is available and a great option.

PAYPAL (WESS will pay a small fee per credit card donation). Payees can opt for a monthly donation. Click on gift box icon below.

STOCK - If you’d like to donate stock click on the stock icon below or contact patreasurer@westendsecondary.com

CAN YOUR DONATION BE DOUBLED? Many employers participate in a corporate matching program. We are able to provide any necessary information. Just contact patreasurer@westendsecondary.com.

CHECKS are always welcomed and should be made out to theParents Association of West End Secondary School Inc. Please writeRecommitment Campaign in the memo area. Checks can be left in the PA box in the school office or mailed to:

West End Secondary School, 227 West 61st Street, New York, NY 10023

Attn: WESS PA / RE: Recommitment Campaign

What it is and how to use it

When a family joins the WESS community, they are automatically added to the PA Membership Toolkit database. Membership Toolkit (MT) is the program that the WESS Parent Association uses to stay in touch with WESS parents and provide you with important information via emails and newsletters like the one you're reading right now. The fact that you have received this newsletter means that you are in the MT database.

The MT database is based on but separate from the official contact information that you provided to WESS via the blue card when your student(s) enrolled. That information is for the WESS administration only and is NOT accessible to parents. So, in order to make it possible and easy for WESS parents (and students) to find and keep in touch with each other, the PA created a user-friendly directory at Membership Toolkit.

To access Membership Toolkit and, therefore, the directory, click here, click on "login," and follow the prompts based on whether you are a returning user or a new user. If you've never logged on to MT before, you are a new user. Simply create an account and then you will find your contact information already available. Once you have created an account, you can edit your contact information and customize your profile including what, if any, information is made public in the directory.

MT is available as both a desktop and app option. It’s a great idea to have both for your convenience.

Note: If ever your contact information should change, it’s most important to change it on the official DOE blue card through WESS but it’s equally smart to also update it at Membership Toolkit if you want WESS folks to be able to reach you.

If you have any questions or challenges using Membership Toolkit, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the WESS PA Communications Team.

SUBJECT: WESS PA January Newsletter