Message from Principal Armstrong

Dear Maywood Families,

As the school year comes to a close, I want to thank you for the support, partnership, and trust you have shown over the past three years. It has been a privilege to serve as principal of Maywood Middle School and to be part of such a caring, supportive community.

As I reflect on my time at Maywood, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. One of the greatest joys of working in a middle school is having the opportunity to watch your students grow into themselves. Over these years, I have seen our students gain confidence, become more independent, explore new interests, learn from mistakes, build friendships, and discover strengths they did not know they had.

I have been fortunate to see the Maywood Way in action every day. I have watched students show kindness, treat others with respect, work to be their best, and support one another through successes and challenges. Those same values are reflected in our families, staff, and broader community, and they have shaped the culture that makes Maywood such a special place.

None of this happens without strong family partnership. Whether you volunteered at school events, chaperoned field trips, shared your expertise with students, or supported activities and athletics, you have helped make Maywood a stronger community. Thank you for the many ways you also support students behind the scenes—ensuring they arrive ready to learn, checking in about how school is going, encouraging them through challenges, and reaching out when support is needed. While middle school students are practicing being more independent, they benefit greatly from your support. Keep asking questions, listening, and encouraging them—they still need you more than they may admit.

That spirit of partnership extends far beyond the school day. I am especially grateful for the leadership of PTSA President Lena Wiegering, our Maywood PTSA Board, and PTSA members. They have helped make events like Charger Success Night, Multicultural Night, the 8th Grade Dance, and the South End Thanksgiving Dinner Drive possible while also providing grants that support meaningful learning experiences for students and staff.

Because of the support of students, families, and staff, our school has continued to grow and evolve over the past several years. In response to community feedback, we have refined our bell schedule, expanded Charger Time and intervention supports, implemented a locker policy, lengthened passing periods, clarified personal electronic device expectations, added new athletic and activity opportunities, restarted our Spanish program, launched robotics, created Lunch Bunch and lunch activities, developed ouRspace, strengthened inclusive practices, and established the Maywood Community Microschool, which is now serving as a model as similar programs expand across the district.

Before we head into summer, I would like to share one more celebration. Our preliminary SBA results suggest that students have met our school improvement goal for ELA proficiency and achieved five-year highs in Grade 6 ELA, Grade 7 ELA, Grade 7 Math, and Grade 8 Math. These successes reflect the hard work of students, families, and staff working together. I hope you take pride in these accomplishments because they belong to all of us.

As we celebrate these successes, I also want to recognize the people who have helped make them possible. Maywood is fortunate to have an incredible staff who care deeply about students and work tirelessly each day to support their learning, growth, and well-being. Several staff members will be retiring or moving on to new adventures at the end of this year. Please join me in thanking Summer Blauvelt, Mike Calkins, Sergio Camacho, Ron Ciraulo, Daniel Moore, Mary Walker, Jane Watkins, Steve Wessel, and Andrea VanHorn. Each has made a lasting difference for students and families, and they will be greatly missed.

This year also marks a transition for both Assistant Principal John Gardiner and me as we move into new roles. John has dedicated many years of service to Maywood students, staff, and families, and I am deeply grateful for his leadership, partnership, and friendship.  While our roles are changing, Maywood will always be a special place to both of us. As South End parents and community members, we will remain connected to this community and look forward to seeing many of you at concerts, performances, athletic events, and other school activities in the years ahead. Please say hello if you see us—we will always enjoy hearing how your students are doing and celebrating their successes.

As Maywood begins its next chapter, I have great confidence in the future of this community. Principal Kathryn Coffin and Assistant Principal Kevin Adamo are joining an incredible community of students, families, and staff. I am confident they will continue building on the strong foundation already in place and help Maywood continue to grow and thrive.

I look forward to welcoming our 8th grade families at Promotion on Monday, June 15, from 9:00–10:00 a.m. in the Maywood gym as we celebrate this important milestone together. I wish all of our students and families a wonderful summer and all the best in the years ahead.

Go Chargers!

With gratitude,

Erin Armstrong
Principal
Maywood Middle School