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Wilton Public Schools

Back to School Student and Family Handbook 2026

Posted Date: 08/10/26 (08:15 AM)
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2026-2027

Student and Family Handbook

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Welcome to the 2026–2027 School Year!

Welcome to another exciting school year in Wilton Public Schools! As we prepare for the first day of school, we are pleased to share our 2026–2027 Student and Family Handbook.

This year, we've redesigned the handbook to make it easier than ever to find the information you need. Instead of a traditional PDF, the handbook is now a web-based resource that provides quick access to important district information, policies, calendars, back-to-school resources, and frequently used family links - all in one convenient location.

We encourage you to bookmark the handbook and refer to it throughout the school year. Whether you're looking for school schedules, Parent Portal information, Student Rights and Responsibilities, weather updates, or district policies, this resource is designed to help you quickly find the information you need.
We look forward to partnering with you for a successful 2026–2027 school year. Thank you for being an important part of the Wilton Public Schools community!

Sincerely,
Kevin J. Smith, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
 

Back to School Information

Image with a W that says Parent Portal- Stay Connected Stay Informed

Parent Portal Opening Wednesday, August 19

  • Miller-Driscoll @ 8:00 a.m.
  • Cider Mill @ 9:00 a.m.
  • Middlebrook @ 10:00 a.m.
  • Wilton High School @ 12:00 p.m.
  • Bus Schedules will be available on August 19
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Meet the Teacher - Friday, August 21

Miller-Driscoll
  • PreK & Kindergarten 9:00 - 9:45 a.m.
  • Grades 1 & 2 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.

Cider Mill
  • Nod Hill & Kent 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Cannondale & Belden Hill 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
W with Middle School and High School Students text written out. Small circles containing wording, orientation,new students., walkthrough,

Walkthrough & Orientation Information

Middlebrook Walkthroughs - Friday, August 21
  • Grades 7 & 8 @ 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
  • Grade 6 @ 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Middlebrook Student Orientation - Monday, August 24
  • Grade 6 @ 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Wilton High School Orientations - Monday, August 24
  • Freshman @ 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
  • New Students Grades 10-12 @ 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
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Dates, Dates, Dates...

  • Middlebrook New Parent Coffee - Friday, August 21 @ 11:00 a.m.
  • College Funding Webinar - Thursday, October 8
  • Homecoming Game - October 10
  • College Career Fair - Wednesday, October 14
  • WHS Fall Play - November 5 - 7
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Open House Information

Miller-Driscoll - Wednesday, September 16
  • PreK & K @ 5:45 - 6:30 p.m.
  • Grades 1 & 2 @ 7:00 - 7:45 p.m.

Cider Mill - Thursday, September 10
  • Nod Hill & Kent @ 5:45 - 6:30 p.m.
  • Cannondale & Belden Hill @ 7:00 - 7:45 p.m.

Middlebrook
  • Thursday, September 15, Grade 6 @ 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, September 22, Grades 7 & 8 @ 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.

WHS - Thursday, September 24
  • Grades 9 - 12 @ 7:00 p.m.

Calendar Information

We are excited to share the calendars for both the upcoming school year and next year to help your family plan ahead. Additionally, under Connecticut statute Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-16l, our Board of Education is authorized to set a firm graduation date early in the academic year. We have officially set the graduation date for the Class of 2027 for Saturday, June 12, 2027.

Please review the attached documents for the complete schedule of holidays, early dismissals, and professional development days:

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WPS Information

Below please find links to help families navigate the school year, stay informed about daily operations, and actively participate in the school community. 


Weather and Closing School
Naturally, the primary consideration in the decision to close or to delay the opening of school is the safety of the students. And, as the students in the schools range from 5 to 18 years of age, we must be concerned with the youngest pupils who ride school buses as well as the most capable of driving teenagers.

Closing School: The actual process of making the decision to close school or to delay its opening begins with the constant monitoring of weather reports, usually beginning the night before. At 4:00 a.m. the Wilton Police Department is consulted on road conditions. After gathering the necessary information (schedule of clearing the roads, etc.), area superintendents conference together with a meteorologist to ascertain weather and road conditions in the surrounding areas. The decision to close must be made by 5:00 a.m. if it is possible to do so. The decision is made based on the best estimate of what will happen in the next four to twelve hours. If weather, road, and parking lot conditions are such that safety is a problem, school will be closed and the community will be messaged via the ParentSquare system. Status will be posted on the district website and reported to local television and radio stations as well.

Delayed Opening: The district will utilize the option of a 1-hour, 2-hour or 3-hour delay. Based on the timing of the storm, and/or road conditions the delayed opening options may improve and reduce the need to close school. 



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Student Rights and Responsibilities

Please review the guidelines below to understand your role in keeping our learning environment safe and respectful. While these links cover our core student rights and responsibilities, the full comprehensive list of official policies can be found on our board governance platform.

Religious Holidays and Observances

Wilton Public Schools (WPS) is committed to creating a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive learning environment for all students.
 
Religious Neutrality

  • WPS does not promote or discourage any religion or religious belief.
  • Students have the right to hold and express their own religious beliefs in ways that are consistent with school policies and do not disrupt learning.
  • Instruction about religion is presented for educational purposes, not for religious instruction or worship.
 
Teaching About Religion
Religion may be included in classroom instruction when it:

  • Supports the curriculum and learning standards.
  • Helps students understand history, literature, art, music, or culture.
  • Is presented objectively and respectfully.
  • Encourages understanding, tolerance, and respect for people of all faiths and beliefs.
 
Music, Art, and Performances

  • Religious music, literature, and artwork may be studied or performed because of their historical, cultural, or artistic value.
  • School performances should reflect a variety of traditions and cultures and should not promote any one religion.
  • When appropriate, teachers or program notes will explain the educational purpose of religious selections.
 
Classroom Activities and Seasonal Celebrations

  • Seasonal lessons and activities must have a clear educational purpose.
  • Religious symbols may be used as teaching tools but will not be displayed as permanent classroom decorations.
  • Seasonal decorations should reflect the diversity of our school community and emphasize cultural and educational understanding.
  • Classroom celebrations and activities should support learning and not significantly interrupt instructional time.
 
Parent/Guardian Requests

  • Parents/guardians may submit a written request to the principal for their child to be excused from activities or performances that conflict with their sincerely held religious beliefs.
  • Whenever possible, students will be provided with an appropriate alternative educational activity.
  • Schools will make reasonable efforts to provide advance notice of activities related to religious holidays or traditions.
 
Religious Holiday Observances

  • Absences for the observance of religious holidays are considered excused.
  • Students will be given a reasonable opportunity to make up missed work.
  • Whenever practical, schools will avoid scheduling major tests, presentations, or other significant academic activities on widely observed religious holidays.

WPS values the diversity of our school community and is committed to fostering an environment where all students and families feel respected, included, and supported.

2026-27 Religious Holidays and Vacation Periods

●    Labor Day: Monday, September 7
●    Rosh Hashanah: Begins the evening of September 11 and ends the evening of September 13
●    Yom Kippur: Begins the evening of September 20 and ends the evening of September 21
●    Diwali: November 8
●    Thanksgiving Recess: Begins November 25; return to school November 30
●    Hanukkah*: Begins the evening of December 4 and ends the evening of December 12
●    Holiday Break: December 23 (shortened day); return to school January 4
●    Christmas Eve/Christmas Day: December 24 – December 25
●    New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day: December 31 – January 1
●    Martin Luther King, Jr.: January 18
●    February Break: Begins February 15; return to school February 22
●    Ramadan*: Begins the evening of February 7 and ends the evening of March 8
●    Eid-al-Fitr: Begins the evening of March 8 and ends the evening of March 9
●    Good Friday: March 26
●    Easter: March 28
●    Spring Break: Begins April 12; return to school April 19
●    Passover*: Begins the evening of April 21 and ends the evening of April 29
●    Memorial Day: May 31
●    Juneteenth: June 19

*There is no homework or test prohibition during this period. That being said, we all must be mindful that many families observe these holidays. Being flexible and providing individual accommodations may be necessary for some students.
 

Contact information

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.
  • Superintendent's Office: (203) 762-3381 Extension 8318
  • denoviol@wiltonps.org