Westbrook School Department

WRVC Awards night is underway at the WPAC! Great opening remarks from Director Gloria Noyes. "If you have a trade, you have it made!"

I am pleased to announce that I will nominate Ms. Kimberlee Bennett as the new Assistant Director at WRVC at the next meeting of the Westbrook School Committee. Ms. Bennett currently serves as Assistant Director at the Biddeford Regional Center for Technology. Previously, she served as Assistant Principal at South Portland High School and as a special education teacher in Gorham, Connecticut, and Fryeburg. She earned her bachelor’s degree at U Maine Farmington and her master’s degree at University of Southern Maine. She was named 2019 Maine Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year and one of Maine Magazine’s “10 Most Intriguing Mainers” in 2018. Kim has presented workshops on CTE for the Maine Principals’ Association and, as an avid kayaker, she is the author of Paddling Southern Maine and is a frequent featured speaker at LL Bean. Please join me in welcoming Kim Bennett to WRVC!

Good luck to our students competing in Special Olympics today!!

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

Due to a recent accident on Brown Street which caused a power outage in the area, including at Congin School, traffic around Bridge and Cumberland Streets may be impacted and some of our buses may be running a bit late. Please use caution in this area this afternoon. Thank you for your patience.

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

THANK YOU to the Westbrook Masons for sponsoring the annual Books for Bikes program at Canal, Congin, and Saccarappa. They did so in collaboration with the Westbrook Kiwanis and Ernie's Bike Shop. Every time a student reads a book, they enter a drawing for a new bike and helmet. 20 bikes and helmets were given away at EACH school! We appreciate all the reading and the generosity of our community for providing such beautiful bikes.

Congratulations to the new member of the WHS Chapter of the National Honor Society who were inducted on Monday evening. They exemplify the qualities of character, service, leadership, and scholarship.

Monday's Meet and Greet with the first candidate for WMS principal has been cancelled because the candidate withdrew their application. We will still have the schedule Meet and Greets as scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Dear WMS Families, The search for the next principal at WMS is underway. There have been first-round interviews with candidates and three have been selected as semi-finalists. These candidates will be coming to WMS to meet with students, staff, and families next week as part of their second interview. I invite you to meet the candidates and offer your feedback. Candidate A: Monday, April 28, 4pm; Candidate B: Tuesday, April 29, 4pm; Candidate C: Wednesday, April 30, 3pm. Please check in at the main office when you arrive. Take care, and I hope you are enjoying Spring vacation. Dr. Peter Lancia, Superintendent of Schools

The WHS Art Department is proud to present the annual Spring Exhibition. Join us May 5–7 from 3–5 PM on the 3rd floor art wing to experience the amazing work students have been creating. The department will also be inducting five outstanding student artists into the National Art Honor Society.

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

Reminder: We will have an Early Dismissal of Thursday, April 17 for School/Family Conferences. Westbrook Middle School will dismiss at 10:15am, Westbrook High School will dismiss at 10:25am, and Canal, Congin, and Saccarappa Schools will dismiss at 11:30am.

Please take a moment to respond to this brief survey to have input into the search process for the next WMS principal. We value your voice! Thank you! https://forms.gle/9LSi16WeoMfkSFbXA

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.

It’s Spring Art Show Season in the Westbrook School Department! We are excited to showcase the incredible work and creative growth of our students across all schools. Join us in celebrating your student artists at these upcoming events: 🎨 Spring Art Show Schedule Saccarappa Art Show & UA Night April 10 | 5:00–6:00 PM Canal Art Show & UA Night May 6 | 5:00–6:00 PM Congin Art Show & UA Night May 14 | 5:00–6:00 PM Westbrook Middle School UA Night April 17 | WMS Gymnasium Westbrook High School Art Show May 5–9 (on display throughout the week) 🎉 National Art Honor Society (NAHS) Induction: May 7 GT Art Exhibition (Grades K–4) May 25 – June 13 Walker Memorial Library – Children's Section

Dear friends, It is with a heavy heart that I write to let you know about the passing of one of our Westbrook High School students. Dillon Bean, age 17, passed away unexpectedly due to a medical emergency on Friday. He was a well-loved student who had many friends throughout the school and community. His sense of humor, his smile, and his positive attitude will be missed. Our student services team is available to support students at WHS as needed. Please join me in keeping Dillon’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during such a difficult time. Sincerely, Peter Lancia, Ph. D. Superintendent of Schools

After school and evening activities and practices, including the late bus, are cancelled today due to the weather. However the WCC LEARNS program will be open as scheduled.

As I am sure you are aware, WRVC Director Todd Fields retired in January. A search for a permanent replacement has begun and we would like your input. Please complete the attached questionnaire by Friday, March 21. Thank you! https://forms.gle/CxZyctqec5tMocDNA