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
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
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
