Our school calendar for 2025-26 has been approved and can be reviewed by clicking on this link: https://5il.co/39pei
REMINDER - Orientation for families of incoming Kindergarten students is this evening, February 27 at 6pm at each of our three elementary schools. School staff are excited to welcome first time and returning families with information about the Kindergarten program and the registration process.
Click here to view the recordings of our Community Conversations! Learn more about the district and our focus on budgeting based on the following: Our Employees, Learning for All, WSD Extra-Curriculars, and Understanding School Funding. Link: https://westbrooksdme.sites.thrillshare.com/page/community-conversations-2025
WSD Art Department is proud to announce this year's Youth Art Month submissions! Students were nominated by their art teachers at each Westbrook school for their outstanding artistic achievements.
Youth Art Month (YAM) is a national celebration of art and art education, observed each March. Schools across the country participate in showcasing student artwork, often in collaboration with local art museums and civic organizations.
This year, student artwork will be featured at the Portland Museum of Art from February 26–March 30, 2025, displayed in the Lower Ground Floor of the PMA and showcased digitally.
Congratulations to our talented student artists and incredible art teachers!
Westbrook High School:
Jose Bonilla Vasquez, Grade 10
Lach, Rossa, Grade 12
Westbrook Middle School:
Lucia N. Andre, Grade 8
Jordan Burns, Grade 5
Canal Elementary School:
Gloria Pedro, Grade 4
Congin Elementary School:
Luke Westover, Grade 3
Saccarappa Elementary School:
Zoya Abid, Grade 4
We are thrilled to celebrate these talented young artists and the dedication of their teachers in fostering creativity. Be sure to visit the Portland Museum of Art and support our students' incredible work! 🎨✨
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!
Wonderful night at WHS supporting Westbrook Chamber Singers Cabaret! Excellent dinner and entertainment!
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 click on this link to read a letter from Dr. Lancia. If you have any questions, please reach out. https://5il.co/363p5
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!
Happy New Year! Read the January Teaching and Learning Newsletter.
https://westbrooksdme.edurooms.com/engage/westbrook-school-department/newsletters/january-2025-teaching-and-learning-newsletter
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
Follow this link to read the December issue of the Teaching and Learning newsletter. december-2024-teaching-and-learning-newsletter.
🎨Last week, nearly 200 Westbrook High School students from a variety of academic subjects visited the Bates Mill in Lewiston to experience Robert Shetterly’s Americans Who Tell the Truth exhibit—a once-in-a-lifetime display featuring 270 powerful portraits. This cross-curricular field trip was made possible through a collaborative effort between the WHS Art Department and teachers from various subjects.
On February 26th, Robert Shetterly himself will be visiting WHS. He’ll be bringing up to 20 portraits from his remarkable collection for a special one-day workshop event.
This project could not have happened without the support of the Warren Foundation and UNUM's Social Justice Grant—we are so grateful for their generosity. A very special shout-out to our Art staff member Yagmur Gunel for connecting us with this meaningful project.
