Branford Public Schools
Francis Walsh Intermediate School Branford, CT

  Mission Statement  

The Francis Walsh Intermediate School staff, along with the entire educational community, provides a safe, nurturing, child-centered learning environment which encourages students to reach their full intellectual, social and emotional potential.  Every effort is made to assist each youngster in acquiring the skills, knowledge, values, and attitudes necessary to become informed and responsible citizens in an ever changing culturally diverse society.  Opportunities are created to encourage students to make good choices.  Life-long learning is stressed through careful lesson plan design and the various educational experiences to which students are exposed.  At Walsh, a family atmosphere is promoted through open communication among students, school personnel and parents. Community service is a cornerstone of our effort to provide students with the opportunity to develop healthy relationships which help them understand and appreciate the individual differences of people in school and throughout our town and region.  Respect, empathy, honesty, tolerance and cooperation are modeled, nurtured and encouraged.  The role of a middle school curriculum is to emphasize the development of strong basic skills, while encouraging serious exploration and enjoyment of various subject areas.  In addition to team subject areas which include Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Language, students will participate in other activities such as Art, Home Economics, Music, Physical Education, Project Adventure,  Health, Math and Language Arts Enrichment, Developmental Guidance, Technology Education and Media Literacy.  All teams will participate in a community service learning project and character building activities of their choice.  A variety of instructional materials and teaching methods are used to present the curriculum in ways that best accommodate individual learning styles.  Educators, students, families, and the community work together to successfully bridge students’ transition from the elementary level to the high school. 

  About The School  

History of the school

Francis Walsh Intermediate school was built in 1972 and was originally called Branford Intermediate School. It was built in the open school style, characterized by classrooms with no walls, open space, and emphasis on community, sharing, and character. While these characteristics still ring true today, a number of classroom walls have been built throughout the years.

Health Program

In order to promote, protect, maintain and improve pupil health, the following procedures are utilized:

1. Physical examinations are required for all students entering Connecticut schools for the sixth and tenth grades.
2. All students are required to show evidence of immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella.
3. The following screenings take place during the school year: Vision screening on all fifth, sixth and eighth graders. Hearing screening on all fifth and eighth graders. Postural screening on all fifth and eighth graders. Tine testing, for tuberculosis, is offered to all eighth graders, with parent permission.
4. The school nurse may give medication ONLY with a written order from the doctor and the parent or guardian. The medical permission form is to be used for this purpose. Please note the following: STUDENTS MAY NOT CARRY MEDICATIONS TO SCHOOL. MEDICATIONS MUST BE GIVEN TO THE NURSE BY THE PARENT OR A RESPONSIBLE ADULT. Medication includes Tylenol and all over the counter drugs as well as prescription drugs. Medication must be in the original prescription bottle with the student's name, name of the drug, strength, dosage, frequency, physician's or dentist's name and date of original prescription. Over the counter drugs must be in the original package labeled with the student's name. All medication must be kept in the nurse's office except for those students authorized to self-administer and self-carry.

School Based Health Center

We are fortunate to have a School Based Health Center which is a fully licensed health clinic designed to address the physical and emotional needs of adolescents. All students at WIS are eligible to enroll and receive services free of charge. A pediatric nurse practitioner, a social worker and consulting pediatrician work as a team to provide medical and mental health services. The center is open on all school days with coverage available after school hours. For additional information please call the School Based Health Center at 315-3533.