Subject: WHS Updates – November 21, 2025
Dear Waterford High School Families,
I hope this email finds you well. Here are some reminders and updates about what is scheduled for the next few weeks:
• Thanksgiving Week: WHS will only be in school on Monday and Tuesday next week to give families plenty of time to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in a relaxed manner. If you are traveling out of the area, we wish you a safe trip, and if you are staying in the area, let’s all hope for good weather for Thanksgiving Day.
• Thanksgiving Football Game: The annual “Battle of the Bay” football game against East Lyme will be taking place at 10:00AM on Thursday, November 27 at Waterford High School. This tradition is a wonderful opportunity to come together and support our student-athletes while celebrating the spirit of our communities. For more information about this event, please click on the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14kAJO7JEFljCu1zm8LFm2j9R_a6Q33Tc/view?usp=sharing
• Roundtable Theatre Presents: Juno and the Paycock, an Irish tragicomedy by Sean O’Casey. Recommended for ages 12 and up due to themes of poverty and war, performances will be held on the stage of the WHS Auditorium from November 21–22 at 7:30PM. Tickets are $15 general admission and $10 for students and senior citizens, available through GoFan. All seats are on stage, and seating is limited. Accessible seating can be arranged by contacting the director, Patrick Barry at pbarry@waterfordschools.org. See information below on the production and tickets:
o Friday, November 21 - 7:30pm
o Saturday, November 22 - 7:30pm
• WHS 5K Turkey Trot: WHS Lancer Leadership Council is holding its annual 5K Turkey Trot on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 9:30AM at Great Neck. A WHS Turkey Trot race shirt and two Basket Raffle tickets will be given to all pre-registered runners. Please register at https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Waterford/WHS5KTurkeyTrot.
• Yearbook: The 2026 yearbook is officially for sale. To purchase your copy at a discounted rate be sure to go to www.buytheyearbook.com before December 5, 2025. Our school code is 16545832601. Please email jbono@waterfordschools.org with any concerns.
• Artisan Fair: WHS is hosting an Artisan Fair in the Fieldhouse on Sunday, December 7 from 10AM-3PM. Proceeds from the event go to support our very hard-working Lancer Leadership Council and all the events they help put on here at the high school. Please mark your calendar for a day filled with shopping, crafts for kids, pictures with Santa, and gift wrapping.
• Holiday Music Concert: Celebrate the season at the WHS Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 10, at 7:30PM in the high school auditorium. Enjoy performances by the Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Chorus, Chamber Choir, and Chamber and String Orchestras. It’s always a wonderful evening of music, and we hope you can join us for this free concert. If you are unable to attend, the event will also be available via livestream.
https://www.youtube.com/live/E7bnJnd-5wQ
• PJ Day for the Kids: Since 2011, schools, businesses and civic groups across the state have worn PJs in support of kids at Connecticut Children's who wear their PJs for long periods of time while enduring treatment. To support this statewide initiative, WHS is accepting donations of $1.00 or more in exchange for the privilege of wearing PJs for the day on Friday, December 12. Become part of this fun and impactful event that has raised over $4.7 million dollars, funding vital childhood cancer research, clinical trials and care at Connecticut Children’s. You can donate using the link below or at the main entrances of the school:
https://give.connecticutchildrens.org/fundraiser/6819949
• Message from Women’s Empowerment: The Women’s Empowerment Club is hosting a Winter Clothing Drive to support families in need this season. They are collecting gently used winter clothing for men, women, and children, which will be donated to Waterford Youth Services. Donation boxes are located in the lobby outside the first and second-floor offices. Items accepted include coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and other warm clothing.
• Message from Safe Grad: Shop at Five Below between November 28 and December 5 and support Safe Grad! Simply show the attached flyer at checkout, and 10% of your purchase will be donated back to Safe Grad. Donate Here to the Class of 2026 Safe Grad in the easiest way, while making a HUGE impact! Finally, we will be celebrating the season with our very own table at the WHS Artisan Fair on Sunday, December 7 from 10AM-3PM selling this year’s MOST WANTED stocking stuffer – a gift of savings! The coupon card pays for itself with just one of the many local businesses offered withing the card. Purchases also accepted online: Coupon Cards Fundraiser WHSSGO.
• All Parents Welcome: Our next Parents Advisory Coffee meeting of the school year is on Wednesday, December 17, from 7:30-8:30AM in the Library Reading Room. Please join the WHS administrative team for an hour’s conversation and coffee. We will share some information about the school year and some of our upcoming events, and as always, we will set aside some time for any questions you may have. All are welcome and we hope to see you there!
With Lancer Pride, Kirk
Samuelson
WHS Principal