April 2025 volume 11 number 9
Westbrook School Department
Dear Friends,
In the Westbrook Schools, we value the voices of all students. We have intentionally provided opportunities for students to be heard and seen, to share opinions and feedback, to show pride in themselves and their schools. Recently, I was part of two meetings which demonstrated this.
As part of the search process for the new Middle School Principal, Dr. O'Donnell and I met with a group of students and asked them to describe the qualities they desired in their new principal as well as things that they were proud of at WMS. The students spoke so eloquently and clearly, giving honest and mature opinions. They listened to each other, responded to each other with positive affirmation, and laid out solid recommendations that will assist the Search Committee during the interview process.
About 20 students attended a recent City Council meeting at which School Committee members and I presented the FY26 school budget. The two student representatives to the Council, Brandon M. and Joyce B. spoke in favor of the school budget and questioned reductions as they would impact students. Another student, Zai P., spoke about her experience in our schools. They were comfortable sharing their stories, thoughtful in expressing their opinions, and clearly demonstrating our school's Vision of the Graduate.
I am thankful that our environment in the Westbrook Schools provides space for students to do this and I am so proud of them and their engagement. We will continue to expand opportunities for students to be seen and heard which we all value.
Dr. Peter Lancia, Superintendent of Schools
Congratulations Mary Emerson!
Our School Nutrition Director Mary Emerson has been named Maine School Nutrition Director of the Year! She was honored at the WHS cafeteria on Monday, April 14 by the Maine School Nutrition Association. Mary has been with the Westbrook Schools since 2018. She has brought innovative approaches to school nutrition, including diversifying school lunch choices, introducing more local fish and farm-to-table products, providing more culturally appealing meals, and ensuring that our kitchens are Halal certified. She has expanded summer meal programs, fresh fruits and vegetables, and after-school snacks, collaborated with The Locker Project and Full Plates, Full Potential to provide initiatives that feed students, worked with Food Corps members to engage more students in trying new foods, and managed the years of the pandemic to ensure the students had meals at home. The Westbrook School Nutrition Staff works well as a team and provides excellent food for our students as well as a warm family environment in our cafeterias. Congratulations Mary and our entire staff!
FY26 Budget
On April 15, the Westbrook School Committee approved (on second reading) the FY26 school budget. It was presented to the City Council who will hold a first reading on both municipal and school budgets on April 28 with a final vote on May 5. These are public meetings that are held in person at WHS room 114, on Zoom, and on Facebook.
The FY26 budget process was challenging this year. After many meetings and very difficult decisions, the budget was adopted in the amount of $53,350,529 which is a 5.66% increase in spending. The bulk of the increase is due to increased personnel costs (salaries and benefits) and the addition of several new positions in special education, the multilingual learner program, and the payroll office. This is a "preservation budget" in that we have preserved programming, although with reductions to discretionary funds including books and supplies, staff reorganization, and requests for additional staff that are not being funded. Lots of information about the school budget can be found on the district's website.
There has been a good deal of public involvement in this year's budget process. Thank you to our community members, staff, and students who have attended meetings, viewed meeting videos, sent emails, and asked questions. Your participation has been valuable! We especially appreciated students who have learned not only about the budget process but also about civic responsibility. I am grateful that so many people have been part of the process.
The public will vote on the school budget in the annual School Budget Referendum on Tuesday, June 10. In addition to the budget, voters will be asked to vote on whether or not to continue voting on the school budget in the future. Be informed and please vote! We welcome questions and feedback about the school budget. Please contact your School Committee members, Dr. Lancia, or Dr. Mazjanis at any time.
Portland Stage Company and Readers' Theater at Saccarappa
Performers from Portland Stage Company held workshops at Saccarappa School recently where they performed readers' theater for the students. In addition to the whole-school presentation, students in grades 1-3 participated in additional workshops to learn more about the art of performing and engaging with literature. Thank you to librarian Mrs. Tanguay and Portland Stage for bringing this to our school!
Un Espectáculo de Flamenco
WHS Spanish Teachers Señora Ryan and Señora Epelde brought upper level Spanish language students on a field trip to attend a traditional Flamenco performance in Portland recently. They invited WMS Spanish students and their teacher Señora Alvarez to come with them. What a great connection across our school and a magnificent performance.
WELCOME
I am pleased to announce that two outstanding educators have been hired in administrative positions in Westbrook beginning on July 1.
Gloria Noyes will be Director of WRVC! She has served as Interim Director since January and as Assistant Director since August 2020. Prior to that, she served as a school administrator in Falmouth, MSAD 15, and Portland, and taught fifth grade at Congin School and Westbrook Middle School. She holds a BA from University of Maine at Farmington and an MSEd from University of Southern Maine and was also honored as Maine Teacher of the Year in 2010. Gloria has a great passion for learning and a deep care for all students and staff. As Assistant Director, she was instrumental in launching the Cosmetology program at WRVC and implementing the system of Integrated Credits. She has embraced Career and Technical Education and is excited to work with the staff, Regional Advisory Committee, students, and colleagues in Westbrook and the other sending schools to write an exciting next chapter at WRVC.
Mark Campbell will be Director of Athletics and Activities at Westbrook High School! He currently serves as Director of Special Education in the Falmouth Public Schools. He previously served as Assistant Director, Team Leader, and teacher at Falmouth High School. He has considerable coaching experience in school and community settings including Track and Field at Falmouth High School, the Westbrook Community Center, and West Springfield High School. He earned a BA from Frostburg State University and a MA from Kaplan University. Mark is the father of children in our schools and is an active member of the community. He has a deep commitment to all students and a keen focus on supporting them through our programs. He is eager to build upon our solid foundation and guide the growth of our athletics and extracurricular activities at WHS and across the district.
Please join me in congratulating Gloria and Mark on their nominations, and welcoming them into their new roles in the Westbrook Schools.
Research at Congin School
Ms. Doherty's Third Graders at Congin School completed a biography unit in which they researched a famous contemporary person, learned facts, and reported them in poster format. Their illustration were in the style of the very popular Who Was... series of books which have very distinctive covers. Nice work third graders!
WMS at The Ecology School in Saco
6th Grade students took part in a 3-day field experience at the Ecology School in in Saco. In the program, students explored the connections between ecosystems, noticed patterns in the world around them, and witnessed natural processes such as cycles, change and disturbance at work. They participated in presnetation by the school's staff and experienced nature first-hand with many hands-on learning activities. There was time for relaxation and recreation too! For many, it was their first overnight experience. Our students were able to participate through a generous scholarship from The Ecology School as well as our local field trrip funds. Thank you to the staff who organized and chaperoned the trip and to the students who did an amazing job!
The Westbrook School Department provides interpreter services. If you would like to request an interpreter for a meeting or require translation of a school form or document, call the Administrative Offices at 207-854-0800. Additionally, Reach My Teach, the Westbrook Schools website, and this newsletter may be read in multiple languages. Simply select your preferred language in settings and content will be translated.
Equity & Opportunity: WMS Culture Week
WMS recently celebrated Culture Week during which students, staff, and families honored their own heritage and learned about their friends and neighbors. Every day began with morning announcements read in multiple languages. There were performances and special events, including a drumming performance by local resident Namory Keita. Lunch choices included tahini kofta, street tacos and esquites, jollof rice, kimchi, okra, and pizza. Maine Day celebrated our own state's heritage and students dressed in the colors of the flag of their country of origin. Trivia games, literature and art, and the very well attended (and delicious) Heritage Pot Luck dinner were highlights of the week. Thank you to students and staff who orgaized this annual tradition celebrating our students who are proud to share their traditions.
Westbrook Early Childhood Educators Recognized
Four Westbrook Educators were recently featured in the "Professional Spotlight" in recognition of Early Childhood Education Week. They are:
Darlene Bruns and Robin Linscott from our Pathways in Education program at WRVC. Darlene and Robin teach teenagers in the program who aspire to careers in early care and education. They also manage the You 'N Me Nursery School, a program for three and four year olds which is our lab setting for the program.
Hannah Gundersdorf and Mackenzie Fittswood, Kindergarten teachers at Canal School. Hannah and Mackenzie offer a rich experience for their students and collaborate with other Kindergarten teachers across the district to support our youngest learners.
They joined several dozen colleagues throughout the state who were nominated by peers for their dedication to and advocacy for early childhood education. This recognition was sponsored by Maine Dept. of Education and DHHS - Early Care and Education Division. Read about all of those featured on the Maine DOE website.
Teaching and Learning in Westbrook
What is the Maine Science Assessment?
Students in grades 5, 8, and the third year of Hugh School are required to take the Maine Science Assessment which addresses the Maine Science and Engineering Standards, which follow the national Next Generation Science Standards. The assessment focuses on performance level expectations based on three-dimensional learning that incorporates science & engineering practices and cross-cutting concepts with disciplinary core ideas. 11th graders completed the assessments in early April. Other grades will complete the assessment in May. Students begin to study science in Kindergarten through weekly STEAM classes that provide inquiry based applications of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. STEAM classes continue in Middle School as well as formal science classes which follow the Maine Science Standards. Classes at WHS offer students experiences in life, physical, and Earth and space sciences as well as engineering, robotics, and environmental sciences. All classes incorporate hands on, practical applications of content. Students are very engaged in science at all grade levels. Science classes continue to be among the most popular at WHS and students indicate strong interest in the sciences in college and in future careers.
There will be an EARLY DISMISSAL on Thursday, April 17 due to School-Family Conferences.
WMS will dismiss at 10:15am, WHS at 10:25am, and the Elementary Schools at 11:30am.
SPRING VACATION BEGINS ON FRIDAY APRIL 18!
School resumes on April 28. Have a wonderful vacation!
