District News

School Committee members will be hosting office hours this spring, leading up to the Town Meetings and Ballot Votes. They will be available to answer questions about the FY27 Budget. 

Dana Allara - via Zoom Link - click here

Mondays: March 16, 23, 30, and April 6 @ 10:00 AM 

Members of the HWRHS National Honor Society will provide babysitting services during the Hamilton town meetings at Cutler School. 

A suggested donation of $10 per child is appreciated. Cash or check (made payable to the HWRSD) for each child will be accepted at the door. Any funds collected will be donated to the Acord Food Pantry. Please print, complete, and bring the Permission Slip with your child(ren).

Please sign up for the desired timeframe so we have an idea of attendance and can plan accordingly. Families must register in advance; no walk-ins. The deadline to sign up is Friday, April 10th, at noon. We will close registration early if we reach full capacity. Thank you for understanding.

Parents may send snacks as long as they are NUT-FREE. Water will be provided. If you have questions, please reach out to Julie Cahill-O’Shea, NHS Advisor at 978-468-0431 or j.cahill-oshea@hwschools.net

THE THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM!

Parent/Caregiver Kindergarten Information Night - Tuesday, March 10th @ 6:30 PM - Winthrop Elementary School 

We hope to see many of you on March 10th to learn more about kindergarten, the screening process, how to prepare for kindergarten, and to take a look at a typical day for a kindergartener. 

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Jen Caufield @ j.caufield@hwschools.net

The HWRHS High School Band is proud to present a performance of In C on Wednesday, March 4th, at 7:00 PM in the Ferrini Dramatics Center.

Composed in 1964 by Terry Riley, In C is a seminal work of minimalist music and one of the most influential compositions of the 20th century. The piece consists of 53 short, repetitive melodic phrases, all written in C major. What makes In C especially unique is that it is a “concert pitch” work; every instrument reads the same notes, allowing performers the freedom to move through the phrases at their own pace.

The result is a mesmerizing, layered soundscape that is at once hypnotic, communal, and subtly improvisational. Each performance is slightly different, shaped by the musicians in the moment, making this a truly dynamic and engaging concert experience.

Join us for an evening of innovative music as our talented high school musicians bring this groundbreaking composition to life. Admission is free.

The Hamilton-Wenham School District stands at a critical juncture regarding its elementary school infrastructure. This report synthesizes feedback from a diverse cross-section of residents, including parents of young children and long-term residents on fixed incomes, using the "Six Thinking Hats" framework to ensure a balanced analysis. There were two opportunities for community members to join the process: January 5th and January 29, 2026. Approximately 90 people attended, with a few attending both sessions. Read the full report HERE.

The findings reveal a central paradox: while there is near-universal agreement that the current facilities are in "terrible disrepair" and fail to meet 21st-century educational or ADA standards, there is profound community division regarding the scale and cost of the solution. Key findings include:

• Urgent Facility Needs: Infrastructure failures (heating, security, and accessibility) are no longer speculative; they are impacting daily operations.
• The Trust Deficit: A significant emotional barrier exists, with many residents feeling that previous processes were "predetermined" or lacked transparency.
• Financial Sensitivity: The projected tax impact is the primary "deal-breaker" for many, especially the senior population.
• Core Desires: Despite friction, there is a shared community value in "Top in State" educational quality and in improved, inclusive Special Education spaces.

This summary serves as a foundation for a strategy that should prioritize fiscal responsibility alongside educational excellence to secure the necessary public support.

🍎 We’re Hiring! Join Our School Nutrition Team 🍎
Our school district is looking for Food Service Workers to help serve healthy meals to our students.
✔ School-day hours
✔ No nights or weekends
✔ Great way to support your local community

Contact Eleni Burns @ e.burns@hwschools.net if you are interested in joining the team! 

• Food Service Worker - Miles River Middle School

• Food Service Worker - Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, 4 hours a day 

• Food Service Worker - Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, 5 hours a day