Canal School

Last night the Westbrook School Committee approved a request to adjust the school calendar. The last day of school for the year will be on Friday, June 13 with dismissal at 10:15am at WMS, 10:25am at WHS, and 11:25am at the elementary schools.

Dear friends, This evening, I will nominate Dr. Christina Boursaw as the next principal of Westbrook Middle School, replacing Laurie Wood who will retire at the end of the school year after 10 years at WMS. Dr. Boursaw currently serves as principal at Gilbert Elementary School, a K-6 school in Augusta where she was honored as 2024 Distinguished Elementary/Middle School Principal by the Maine Principals’ Association. Prior to moving to Maine, she was an elementary and middle school administrator and teacher in Redlands and Beaumont, California. She also served as her district’s Human Resources director and Title IX coordinator, published several articles on teaching, and wrote K-8 units of study integrating literacy and math with Next Generation Science Standards. Christina has mentored aspiring and novice principals, developed mentor programs for teachers, and supported professional development through workshops and coaching. She prioritizes building relationships and dialogue, creating welcoming and inclusive environments for all students, staff, and families, and is eager to get to know our Westbrook community. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Christina Boursaw to Westbrook Middle School! Take care, Peter Lancia, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools

Dear families, This week, May 5-9, is Staff Appreciation Week. We honor our entire staff - teachers, support staff, and administrators - throughout the week and thank them for everything they do to support our students and the community. In Westbrook, we value strong relationships and our staff members are all dedicated to making connections that lead to the success of every student, every day. Please join me in recognizing them for their hard work! I encourage you to take a moment to send school staff a note or give them a call to say thank you. Connect with your school PTO to see how you can help with their activities to celebrate staff. Encourage your child to draw a picture for them, write them a poem, say thank you, or give them an extra smile. Small gestures of kindness mean the world them. We are fortunate to know and learn among such talented educators in Westbrook! Let’s tell them how much they mean to us! Take care, Dr. Peter Lancia, Superintendent of Schools

Read the April Teaching and Learning district newsletter! https://westbrooksdme.edurooms.com/engage/westbrook-school-department/newsletters/april-teaching-and-learning-newsletter

Tonight's event at WMS, "Raising Humans in a Digital World", has been postponed. The speaker's flight to Maine was cancelled. We are working to reschedule for September and will share the new date as soon as it's confirmed.

We hope you enjoy reading the March Teaching and Learning Newsletter! https://westbrooksdme.edurooms.com/engage/westbrook-school-department/newsletters/march-2025-teaching-and-learning-newsletter

Read this month's Teaching and Learning Newsletter at the following link: https://westbrooksdme.edurooms.com/engage/westbrook-school-department/newsletters/february-2025-teaching-and-learning-newsletter

Due to weather conditions, all schools in Westbrook will be closed today, Thursday, February 13. It is an old fashioned snow day with no remote learning. There will be no before or after school activities and athletics, no meetings, and no pre-K classes. Be safe in the storm!

The timing of today’s storm is now predicted to be heavier a bit earlier so it would be safer to close school for the day. So, all Westbrook Schools will be closed today Thursday, February 6. It is an old fashioned snow day with no remote learning. All PreK classes and before and after school activities are cancelled, including athletic events and practices. Be safe in the storm!

Westbrook Schools will have an EARLY DISMISSAL tomorrow, February 6. WMS will dismiss at 10:15am, WHS at 10:25am, and Elementary Schools at 11:20am. Lunch will be available before dismissal. PreK classes and after school activities will be cancelled, including all athletic events and the after school LEARNS program. We want to get everyone home before the snow piles up and the roads are challenging. If the timing of the storm changes significantly and it would be safer to cancel for the day, I will send an update in the morning. Otherwise, we will plan on an Early Dismissal on Thursday. Be safe in the storm!

Due to weather, road, and sidewalk conditions, we will have a 2 hour delayed start of school today, Monday February 3. That means that schools will open two hours after the regular start time and buses will pick up kids 2 hours after their usual time. There are no before school activities and PK classes are cancelled. So get a little extra sleep and be careful coming to school today!

Our Community Conversation on Budget Development will be held virtually on Zoom instead of in person tomorrow, February 1. Snow is forecast for overnight and early tomorrow morning. Road conditions may be challenging and our school lots and walkways may not yet be cleared since it is a Saturday. To join, please click on the link below at 8:30am and we will explain how participants can enter sessions. Hope to see you there! https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82668939028

Reminder: The Community Conversation about how the annual school budget is developed is TONIGHT at Saccarappa School. Spaghetti supper begins at 5 and presentations begin at 5:30.

Due to the snowy weather, there will be a two hour delayed start of school today. That means that schools will open two hours after their usual time and buses will pick up students two hours after their regular times. There are no before school programs and PreK classes are cancelled. We will still have our regular Wednesday early release at the usual times. Again, we will have a two hour delayed start of school in Westbrook today. Take your time and be safe coming to school today!

The Explore the Stars event scheduled for this evening at WMS has been postponed due to predicted cloud cover and low temperatures. A new date will be announced soon.

Please plan to attend one of the upcoming Community Conversations on how the school budget is developed. Thursday, January 30 at 5:30pm (with a spaghetti supper at 5pm) at Saccarappa School or Saturday, February 1 at 9:00am (with a pancake breakfast at 8:30am) at Westbrook High School. See you there!

Wintery weather is in the forecast and weather conditions may cause us to delay the start of school or cancel school. I will send an automated phone call, text message, and email announcing our plans, typically between 5-5:30am. We will also post information on channel 6, 8, and 13, the school department website, and the school department social media. Please see the attached letter from September explaining the full plan for winter weather. https://5il.co/327iy

Reminder: Children’s author Kelly Starling Lyons will be speaking at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center this evening at 6:00pm. Doors open at 5:45. The first 50 students to arrive will receive a free book signed by the author!

We want to hear from you! We are beginning to develop the school budget proposal for 2025-26. Please participate in our Community Survey to share your thoughts. Follow the link: https://forms.gle/dACvVibJqAtke4x2A. You may also complete the survey on our website. Thank you!

We want to hear from you! We are beginning to develop the school budget proposal for 2025-26. Please participate in the attached Community Survey to share your thoughts. Thank you!