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!
The week of January 21 is exam week. Testing days will consist of two 90 minute exam periods plus a makeup period each day. Next week, teachers will continue sharing review packets and study guides to prepare for exams. Families, please encourage students to get started early in terms of their preparation. It is far better to prep a little bit over a sustained period of time, than to try to squeeze it all into the last day or two before the test.
December 20, 2024
Dear families,
We are writing to let you know that Westbrook Police are investigating a situation in which several WHS students were named in threatening messages written by another student. This was reported by students to school administrators who immediately contacted WPD and began working collaboratively, following our emergency response procedures. The student has been taken into protective custody. As part of WPD procedure, a Weapons Restriction Order was obtained against the student; however no weapons were found with the student. Families of the students named in the message are being contacted. Support is available through our student services team. WPD has informed us that there is no imminent danger to any individuals or to our school community.
We appreciate the quick and responsible action of our students, administrators, and WPD who work together every day to keep our schools and community safe.
Sincerely,
Peter Lancia, Ph. D
Superintendent of Schools
Capt. Steve Goldberg
Westbrook Police Department
The Westbrook Schools are proud to host Francie Latour from the Wee The People Organization on January 21, 2025, at Canal School. Francie's topic is The ABCs of Racism: Fostering Conversations and Action about Race and Justice with Kids. See the attached flyer for details.
On Saturday Dec 14 at the WMS Gym, Westbrook Music Dept is again hosting the Opus One Big Band for an evening of Swing/Jazz.
There will be concert seating, a large dance floor, and a Silent Auction, all to benefit the Chamber Singers' 2025 Spring Performance Tour* to Historic Boston.
The evening will provide great entertainment and tons of opportunities to find unique items and services at an incredible savings. If you cannot attend in person, please consider buying tickets as a gift.
6:00pm doors open for Silent Auction and Group Swing Dance Lesson
6:30pm music starts and runs till 8:30pm
8:15 Auction closes
Advance tickets: Adults $10; Students $5
The WHS Trivia Team was back in action this week in Lewiston. Only 8 schools remained going into this past Monday’s matchups. Maine Public Television is not releasing scores until the contests air, so let the anticipation build as we wait to follow the Blazes make their a run at being State Champs. The first place team will receive a $1,000 gift to their school's Project Graduation, with the runner-up being awarded $500. Episodes will be taped from November through January and begin airing in March. Stay tuned!
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
WHS Drama Club Alert!!!
Please come out this weekend and see "Caught in the Act," the WHS Sock n' Buskin Drama Club's fall show. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm. The cast and crew has been hard at work all fall and are ready to deliver a smash hit! Tickets will be sold at the door.
Adults: a modest cost
Students: even cheaper
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!
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!
Westbrook Schools has planned a number of community engagement events, including author talks, digital awareness and technology workshops, and many others. The first event is this Friday evening at the WPAC! We have the opportunity to hear Kelly Starling Lyons, author of the "Ty Travels" series, speak and answer questions. See the attached flyer for more information.
Congratulations to the WHS Marching Band & Color Guard! This Saturday there will be a parade in recognition of their participation at a national event in Pennsylvania, where among all 11 schools in their category they earned a bronze medal! Way to go, Band and Guard! The parade begins at 12pm at the corner of Bridge and Main and finishing just before Walker Memorial Library. Don't miss it!
Quiz Show – For the first time, WHS is sending a trivia team to compete in High School Quiz Show: Maine, the Maine Public Television competition that pits four-person squads from high schools around the state against one another in a tournament format. Only sixteen schools’ teams qualified to take part. The winning team will receive a $1,000 gift to their school's Project Graduation, with the runner-up being awarded a $500 gift. Episodes will be taped from November through January and begin airing in March. Stay tuned!
Today students will register for our Mock Election, which is scheduled for Election Day (Tuesday, November 5) during ACE. A huge shoutout to our Social Studies Department for organizing this event and fostering civic engagement.
Fall Flu Clinic at WHS: Northern Light Health will be onsite on October 17th from 8-10am to administer flu and COVID vaccine to all who want them. Please see the school nurse this week to sign up.
Reminder: There is no school for students this Friday, October 11. It is our annual October Professional Development day, so that our staff can continue to click at the highest level. In order for our teachers to keep being the best, we need to continually work at it. Hopefully students have a restful long weekend.
Activity Fair Wrap-up: Thank you to all of the club advisors and representatives who set up and stood at tables during last week’s Activity Fair. It was a whirlwind ACE period, but students had a chance to check out some of the amazing club experiences on offer and learn a little something about each one. Families, please remind students to get involved! There is a club, sport, or activity for just about everyone. And if there is something we do not offer, students can always start a new club.
It's Homecoming Week at WHS! Students and staff are participating in Spirit Week festivities each day – Pajama Day (Monday), Twin Day (Tuesday), Western Day (Wednesday), Cultural/Traditional Dress Day (Thursday), and Class Colors (Friday). Home athletic contests this week are Boys Soccer vs. Deering (Tuesday @4pm), Golf vs. TA (Tuesday @3:30), Volleyball vs. Noble (Thursday @5:30), Girls Soccer vs. Cheverus (Thursday @5:30), Field Hockey vs. Marshwood (Friday @5:30). The Homecoming Football Game is Friday at 6pm vs. Cheverus. The Homecoming Dance is Saturday from 7-10pm at WHS.
Come to the WHS Open House this Thursday at 5:30! You will have a chance to meet teachers, learn about programs, and see the building. There will also be ice cream! Westbrook High School has so many amazing things to offer – this is your chance to learn about them all!
Class of 2024 graduates and families! The senior banners have been delivered to WHS (...for real this time!). Please come pick up your banner at the high school. They will be available for pickup Tuesday, 9/27, from 9-11am and 3-6:30pm. A huge "Thank you!" to our Project Grad parents for coming to WHS to hand them out. We will decide on additional dates/times based on turnout tomorrow. We want to unite you with your banner, if you want it.