January 2025 volume 11 number 6
Westbrook School Department
WRVC students installed roof trusses at the house they are building.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Dear Friends,
A new year is always full of promise and hope, goals to accomplish and things to look forward to. There are always new stories to tell. I wish everyone great joy in the new year.
It will certainly be a busy start to 2025! At WHS, mid-term exams are beginning this month and our seniors are finishing college applications. About 46% have already been accepted through Early Decision!The Northern Stars Planetarium Flat Screen Night Sky Tour will be coming to WPAC on Tuesday, January 28th during the school day for all students in grades K-6. This engaging and educational show will offer our students an incredible opportunity to explore the wonders of the night sky. In addition, there will be an evening Star Party that starts at 5:30 PM at WMS on the backfield for families to enjoy. Congin Cougars are practicing mindfulness as their focus of the month with positive thoughts and daily affirmation. Our school leaders are working to develop the FY26 budget proposal which will be presented to the school department's Finance Committee in early March. Community members are invited to two opportunities to learn about the budget development process on January 30 and February 1 at Community Conversations. Our winter athletic teams are fully engaged including our Unified Basketball athletes who are ready to begin their season. Kids will be reading a lot of books in school and at home area organizations are helping us encourage our kids to read through special incentives including bikes from the Westbrook Masons and pancakes from Bre Lu Cafe. 38 of our amazing high school musicians were accepted to and are practicing for annual honors festivals (31 at District One, 4 at All State, and 3 at All State Jazz.) Our Adult Ed programs continue to thrive including our English language partnership with Luke's Lobster and the commercial sewing class that launched this year.
These are just a few things happening, and there are many more. Please stay connected to our schools through our website, social media, and this newsletter as well as school publications. Our schools have so many stories to tell and we want our community to hear and experience them all.
Take care,
Dr. Peter Lancia, Superintendent of Schools
Congratulations WRVC Director Todd Fields
After 36 years in Westbrook as a teacher, Assistant Director, and Director at Westbrook Regional Vocational Center, Todd Fields will be retiring on January 31, 2025. His 39 year career is remarkable. Todd taught drafting at WRVC and was honored as 2000 Maine Teacher of the Year. He earned a Masters in Educational Leadership and became an administrator, leading WRVC as one of the premier and most respected Career and Technical Education centers in Maine and New England. He has been involved at the State level in advising CTE program development and served for many years on accreditation teams with NEASC, evaluating CTE schools throughout New England. Todd oversaw the expansion of CTE programming in response to expanding industry needs, including innovative content in existing programs and entirely new programs. He introduced early college and dual enrollment credits with areas colleges, apprenticeships and field internships, and the current system of cross credits in core content areas to provide students with more opportunities. He initiated "toolships" as part of the annual award recognitions in which area businesses provide tools and equipment for students starting out in their industries. He has always been a fierce advocate of CTE and worked with staff to recruit students at all area high schools. As he often says, 'If you've got a a trade, you've got it made." He made WRVC shine, promoting the school, its programs, and above all its students by opening the Center to community groups, tours, and real-work community based projects. He is quick to compliment his students for their skill and their demeanor. Todd served as president of the Westbrook School Administrators' Association and has been a valued colleague on the Leadership Team. He has also driven the school department's float in the annual Together Days parade! Todd will be missed. Let's all take a moment to thank him and congratulate him on his legendary career in Westbrook.
Assistant Director Gloria Noyes will assume the role as Interim Director for the remainder of the school year. She has been at WRVC for five years, was an administrator in other area districts, and taught in Westbrook for many years. Her experience, work ethic, kindness, and passion for learning will help sustain our programs at WRVC throughout the rest of the year. A search for a permanent director will begin this spring.
Culture Sculpture at WMS
Seventh and eighth students have built sculptures representing different cultures and countries, decorating the surfaces based on their research about food, traditions, designs, clothing, etc. It was important the finished sculpture truly represented their country/culture. Their products have been gorgeous and are on display in the WMS lobby!
Want to Join a Book Club?
Let's read Raising Humans in a Digital World by Diana Graber.
In today's fast-paced, technology-driven society, navigating the complexities of raising children in a digital world has become more crucial than ever. With screens becoming an integral part of our daily lives, parents and educators alike seek guidance on fostering healthy digital habits in children from K-12. Raising Humans in a Digital World offers practical advice, research-based insights, and thoughtful discussions about the challenges and opportunities technology presents to our youth. For more information about the Book Club or to join, please complete the survey link here: Survey Link
We believe that by coming together as a community, we can better understand the impact of technology on our children's development and learn strategies to support them in becoming responsible digital citizens.
Holiday Concerts
Our amazing music program hosted a number of concerts and performances in December including their annual WMS and WHS band and chorus concerts. As a special event this year, WHS history teacher David Ennis performed a rendition of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, accompanied by the band. Several students performed with the Opus One Big Band at a fundraising event for the WHS Chamber Singers in December. The students also went on the road for special concerts at the elementary schools before vacation. Thank you to our talented students for entertaining so many people with your talent and to our amazing teachers for making this all possible.
COOKIES AT CONGIN
In December, first grade teacher Ms. Armstrong invited families to school to decorate cookies with their students. What a great (and delicious) time!
LIVING HISTORY
In December, Mr. Morgan and Mr. Ennis brought their WHS history students to Norton Farm in Falmouth, a farm that predates the American Revolution. The trip tied together a unit on Seabiscuit and the Great Depression, along with Norton Farm's deep historical roots, and brought to life elements of the past that students have been studying in class. Our students are incredibly fortunate to have passionate teachers who provide opportunities to connect with meaningful, real world experiences. This is further evidence that a WHS education goes far beyond the classroom and fosters lifelong learning.
Students Visit Shetterly Exhibit Ahead of WHS Visit
Recently, 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 art teacher Yagmur Gunel for connecting us with this meaningful project.
Equity and Opportunity in our Schools
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. After you are connected, please say the requested language and provide your name and telephone number. A staff person will return your call with an interpreter.
Also, 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.
The Importance of Regular Attendance
School attendance is essential for school success. When students are absent, they miss important lessons that cannot be replicated as make-up or homework. Learning and social experiences contribute to a child's whole development. Good attendance also increases engagement with school. Students who attend regularly are more likely to be involved in activities, music, and athletics as well. While we encourage students to attend every day, there are reasons why they cannot including:
Sickness. If a child has a fever, has been vomiting, is generally feeling unwell, or if a medical provider has advised them to rest, they should stay home. In general, students who are fever free without medication, vomiting, or physically ill for at least 24-hours are encouraged to come to school. If families have questions whether or not a child should come to school, please call the school nurse.
Appointments. While we encourage families to make medical or other appointments outside of the school day, this cannot always be avoided.
Family and Religious Obligations. Students may be absent due to families and community traditions.
Travel. While we discourage travel outside of school vacations and weekends, it is sometimes necessary for a variety of reasons.
Please contact your school office whenever your child will be absent from or late to school. Currently, our average daily attendance rate is 91%. That's good, but it can be better. Let's work together to create strong attendance among all students.
WHS Athletics
Be sure to visit the Westbrook Athletic Department homepage to he part of our athletic programs. Crowds at home games this year have been bigger than ever.
Did you know that many home games can be viewed by live-streamed and video on demand through the NFHS network? Click HERE to learn more.
In the Community
Teaching and Learning in Westbrook
What is WIDA ACCESS?
Every year, all students in our multilingual programs participate in the WIDA ACCESS assessment. This is a test of English language proficiency. All schools in Maine administer the assessment in a computer-based format for grades 1-12, in paper-based format for kindergarten, and is also available in paper-based format as an accommodation, if indicated on the student's Individualized Education Plan. ACCESS assesses each of the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing. It also measures language proficiency within different content areas, including reading, math, and science. It follows the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework (2020) which, along with Maine's Learning Standards, forms the foundation for ESOL programs in the state of Maine and are an essential part of the core instructional program for students who are multilingual learners. We use ACCESS data in developing our Lau Plan (multilingual learning plan), determine levels of support, and allocate resources for services of multilingual learners. It also documents when students are able to discontinue multilingual support services when they reach a certain proficiency level. In 2024, 34 students (7% of our multilingual learners) met the exit criteria for our program based on their ACCESS score and are doing well in mainstreamed classes. We are very proud of their progress! Thank you to our students, teachers, and Director of Multilingual Programs director Regina Clement for organizing this annual assessment period.
SACCARAPPA LIGHT TOUR
The Saccarappa PTO recently sponsored a special family Bus Tour along Main Street to see the holiday lights. Everyone enjoyed the lights as well as the stop at Riverbank Park for Hot Chocolate. Thanks to the students and families who attended, our PTO and school staff, and our transportation department for driving.
Stormy Weather Plans
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. I will also post information on channel 6, 8, and 13, on the school department website, and on the school department social media.
When we delay the start of school by 2 hours, Canal, Congin, and Saccarappa School will begin the school day at 10:40am; Westbrook Middle School will begin at 9:35am; and Westbrook High School and WRVC will begin at 9:50am. Breakfast will be served at schools when students arrive. On days when there is a delayed start, Pre-K Classes will be cancelled.
The first two times we have to cancel school will be traditional snow days with all schools closed, no remote learning, no before and after school care, and no before and after school activities. After those first two days, we will consider remote learning days as an option.
Let’s hope that weather interruptions will be minimal this year. Thank you for supporting our plan to keep everyone safe during stormy days.
NO SCHOOL
Monday, January 20 is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!
