WAKEFIELD — Public school students here head back to class Tuesday for the start of the 2025-26 academic year. The following message is from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Douglas Lyons and Assistant Superintendent of Schools Kara Mauro.
Good Afternoon,
We are so excited to welcome all of our students back for the start of a new school year on Tuesday, September 2, 2025! While our athletes, band members, and students
involved in extracurricular activities have already been busy throughout August, there is nothing quite like the energy and joy of having every student return to our schools in the
fall. The first days of school remind us why we do this work, because our classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds feel complete only when all of our students are back,
learning and growing together.
Teaching and learning did not stop this summer for our WPS students and staff!
● We ran a large and successful extended school year program to help our students limit skill regression and/or complete necessary course work over the summer months. Special thanks to Bev Elcewicz and everyone who worked in the extended year program.
● Wakefield Academy supported hundreds of students and families in their summer program which was fun and enriching. Special thanks to Estelle Burdick and the Academy Staff.
● We welcomed our incoming kindergarten students for our Early Literacy Academy at all four elementary schools. Teachers and paraeducators again made this a terrific week.
● Many of our teachers worked on creating, improving and advancing curriculum to support an even better experience for our students during the 25-26 school year.
Over the summer, our facilities teams worked tirelessly to ensure our schools are safe, welcoming, and ready for students. From fresh coats of wax on the floors and small
classroom updates to larger capital projects, these efforts make sure that every student has a positive environment to learn in.
We are pleased to share that we are welcoming Shannon Blacker as the Interim Assistant Director of Special Education and Erin Manzi as the Interim Principal of Doyle Early Childhood Center. We also welcome 16 new faculty members to the WPS Community:
DOLBEARE SCHOOL
Kelsey Callahan, Jackie Eighmey and Hannah Wahl
GALVIN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Jack Leary, Livia Bernhardt, Katie Worden, Sharon Drozen, Elizabeth Curran and Krystal Morin
WAKEFIELD MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
Josie Stapleton, Elizabeth Virgin, Nicole Difonte and Brianna Alves
WOODVILLE SCHOOL
Kaytlin Encarnacao, Giulia Fiorentino and Alana Galatas
Their talents and passion will add to our collective efforts, and I know you will extend to them the warm support that defines our district.
As the year begins, we are grateful for your continued support and partnership with the families, WPS faculty, and staff. Together, we will make this year one that is filled with
achievement, creativity, and joy. We cannot wait to see our students walk through the doors on opening day ready to learn, connect with friends and have a terrific year.
Thank you,
Doug Lyons and Kara Mauro