Westbrook High School

Reminder: School/Family Conferences are Thursday, 11/16. We will run a normal school day, dismissing at 2:25pm. Conferences will run from 3-6:30pm. If you missed scheduling conferences, there is no guarantee any spaces are still available, but you can try to book last minute at: ptcfast.com/schools/Westbrook_High_School_2. You can also reach out to teachers directly. Our staff is always eager to connect with families around student progress.

Reminder: Thursday (11/9) is an abbreviated school day. Targeted Conferences begin at 11am. Students will be dismissed at 10:10am for a grab-and-go lunch. There is no school on Friday (11/10) in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.

I am writing to let you know that we are planning to reopen all schools in Westbrook on Monday, October 30 with a regular schedule. We will do so with a heightened sense of awareness and security and, as an added precaution, the Westbrook Police Department will provide additional presence at our schools. We are ready to support all of our students with counselors, social workers, and student services staff throughout the day. I will let you know if developments over the weekend cause our plans to change. Otherwise, Monday will be a day of school. Please continue to keep the people of Lewiston, the victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers. As a Westbrook community, we will support and comfort our children and each other over the days and weeks ahead as our hearts begin to heal. Take care and be strong.

Schools in Westbrook will be CLOSED again today, Friday, October 27. This is out of an abundance of caution as law enforcement agencies continue to investigate and search for the person responsible for the tragedy in Lewiston. A number of our staff also live in the Lewiston area and continue to be sheltered in place. Please keep everyone impacted by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers. I will be in touch over the weekend as we all hope to return to school on Monday. Take care and be strong.

While we would like to quickly return to normalcy, it is still too early to definitively say whether or not we will be able to be at school tomorrow. The search for the suspect in the Lewiston tragedy continues but there have been promising developments this evening. If the suspect is not apprehended by morning, schools will be closed again on Friday. If the suspect has been found or is in custody by morning, schools will be open on Friday. I will send a communication early tomorrow morning to let you know if school will be closed or open. Either way, please know that we are here to support our students, families, and staff as we all heal from this horrific event. Please see your email, our website, and our Facebook page for more information. Take care and be strong.

Quick update: We continue to monitor the search that is underway for the suspect in the Lewiston tragedy. I have been in contact with WPD and other area schools throughout the day. It is too early to say if we will be in school on Friday. I hope to make that decision this evening and will send another message later.

Dear friends, My heart is breaking over the tragic events in Lewiston last evening. I’m sure we are all struggling to make sense of such a horrible tragedy so close to home. Please join me in keeping the people of Lewiston in your thoughts and prayers. Our hearts go out to the victims and those who were injured, their families and friends, and others impacted by this traumatic event, including members of our own community. Because the person of interest has not been apprehended as of this morning and out of an abundance of caution, all schools in Westbrook will be CLOSED on Thursday, October 26. There will be no before or after school activities at this time and Central Office will be closed. Violence of this nature is difficult for anyone to understand. Children may be especially shaken by this event and may have questions and concerns. I encourage you to talk with your children about their thoughts and feelings and about school safety. Please reassure them that their schools are secure places where they are cared for every day. The Maine Department of Education has provided some suggestions for supporting children: Preschool and early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their schools and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Concrete examples of safety, like having locked doors and adult supervision, can provide comfort. Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their schools and communities. They may need assistance processing the incident. Discuss efforts of their schools, police, and community to ensure their safety. Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe communities and schools, communicating any personal safety concerns to parents/guardians/trusted adults, school administrators, and police officers, and accessing support for emotional needs. Additionally, online resources from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the National Association of School Psychologists may be helpful. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988. Please reach out to me, your school principals, and student service providers if we can help in supporting your children and your families. Additional police officers will be present at our schools on Thursday as well. We are fortunate to be part of the Westbrook community where we pull together and take care of each other, especially in times of crisis and tragedy. Take care, and stay strong. Peter Lancia Superintendent of Schools

Dear friends, Please know that the Westbrook Schools are aware of the horrific events in Lewiston this evening. I have been in communication with the Westbrook Police all evening and will continue to monitor the situation. The suspect is still at large, armed, and dangerous. I will provide more information in the morning if this tragedy will impact school and how we will be ready to support students and staff in the coming days Take care, and please join me in keeping the people of Lewiston in your thoughts and prayers. Peter Lancia, Superintendent of Schools

Congrats to the WHS Football team on a huge win Friday night at Deering! The win earned the Blazes a home playoff game! It will be a rematch against the Rams this Friday at Historic Olmstead Field at 7pm. Come cheer on the Blazes! Congrats to Volleyball and Boys Soccer, who made the playoffs this season. Unfortunately for both teams, the dream ended in the first round, but that does not sour a sweet season. Go Blue!

Hello, Parents and Guardians of the class of 2024! We have less than a month to go for your student to send in their senior photos and write-up for the yearbook. They have received many emails throughout the summer and fall and have been reminded in person as well. The deadline is November 18th. We know that many parents are the ones who submit their child's photos, so we are asking for your help. Below you will find all the information for submitting their photos as well as the write-up info and requirements. If you have any questions please let us know. All photos and write-ups should be sent to whsyearbook@westbrookschools.org Thanks for your support!

Remember to say "Boo!" to the flu. WHS is hosting a flu clinic on Thursday, 10/19. Register by Tuesday, 10/17. Scan the QR code on the flyer for more info and to register.

The WHS Homecoming Dance is this Saturday from 7pm to 10pm in the high school gymnasium. In order to attend, students must fill out a dance conduct form and purchase a ticket for $10 during lunch this week. See Mr. Francoeur in Room 113 with any questions.

The WHS Homecoming Football game is this Friday at 6pm at Historic Olmstead Field! The Blazes will play host to the Marshwood Hawks, as we look to improve to 3-3 on the season. The team is coming off a huge win over Gorham last week, defeating the Rams 40-14. Come out and support the blue!

The WHS Marching Band and Color Guard has been hard at work on their fall program, Salvage. They rehearse every Monday and Thursday after school in the staff lot, and it has been a lot of fun seeing and hearing the growth each week. Visit their website for all the performance dates and other info. https://sites.google.com/a/westbrookschools.org/westbrook-high-school-instrumental-music/

Save the Date! WHS Open House is on Thursday, September 28, from 5:30 to 7:00pm. Come one, come all! We will begin in the Auditorium, and then families will have the opportunity to see the school, meet the pros, and learn about programs.

Congrats to WHS Volleyball on their first win of the season last night vs. Maranacook! Way to go Blazes!!!

Don't forget! Wednesday, 9/6, is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 1:25pm.

***The WHS Marching Band & Color Guard performance has been moved to tonight!!! The show is in the WHS Staff Parking Lot at 7pm. ***Class of '23 Banners are available to be picked up tonight from 6:30-8pm at the WHS Staff Parking Lot. Come get your banner and stay for the show!

"Salvage" is here!!! The WHS Marching Band & Color Guard is set to perform their fall program, entitled Salvage, next Friday, 8/25, @7pm in the WHS Staff Parking Lot. (In case of rain predictions, Thursday, 8/24, @7pm is the alternate date.) Come out and see what all the buzz is about. Additionally, WHS graduates from the Class of '23 can pick up their banners from William Clarke Drive beginning at 6:30pm on the evening of the show. Banners will be available for pick up in the WHS Staff Parking Lot until 8pm.

Fall Sports are officially underway at WHS! Today marks the first day of preseason for Soccer, Football, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Golf, Cross Country, and Cheer. Additionally, the WHS Marching Band and Color Guard kick off their 2023 campaign. There is a lot of buzz around the school this week as we gear up for another exciting fall of Athletics and Activities. Go Blazes!