Teaching and Learning

June 2025 volume 11 number 11

Dear Friends,

As the school year draws to a close, we have had many great opportunities to celebrate, recognize accomplishments, and look forward to the future. The Class of 2025 graduated on Saturday, June 7 after a week of wonderful festivities. Over $450,000 was awarded in scholarships during Class Night, a record for WHS. The annual Senior Parade brought students to all of our schools so they could walk the halls of their old schools one last time in their caps and gowns, reminiscing about the past with former teachers and staff and inspiring our younger kids by their accomplishments. Banners of Senior Portraits hung along William Clarke Drive once again this year, thanks to donations from the project Graduation Committee, in a beautiful tradition that involves the whole community. Graduation itself was stellar. Class co-Presidents Gracia K. and Brandon M, welcomed everyone and a full ensemble of musicians and singers led The Star Spangled Banner under the direction of Suzanne Proulx. School Committee Vice-Chair Katy Rice offered congratulations from the community. Student speakers included Honor Essayist Finn G., Highest Achieving WRVC Student Hasib A., Salutatorian Naomi C., and Valedictorian Hanna C. who presented a song, Home, in lieu of a speech. Co-Principal Patric Colgan offered remarks in English, Portuguese, French, and Arabic, and I reminded the graduates of the importance of staying connected with their community. As co-principal Cari Sbardella announced their names, diplomas were then presented to the 144 graduating students along with a rose and lots of hugs, fist bumps, and very proud cheers. After the celebration, students participated in Project Graduation. We are so proud of our seniors! We wish them the very best as they move on to their next adventures!

Some accomplishments of the Class of 2025:

• 30 students achieved the Seal of BiLiteracy

• 8 students received a STEM Endorsed Diploma

• 22 students received a Visual and Performing Arts endorsed diploma

• 2 students received a Future Teachers' Academy endorsed diploma

• 27 students were in National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and National Vocational Honors Society

• 13 students earned Highest Honors, 9 students earned High Honors, and 7 students earned Honors

• 86% of our seniors intend to pursue higher education in the fall, an increase over the last few years. Top college choices are the University of Southern Maine, Southern Maine Community College, St. Joseph's College, and the University of Maine.

We are very proud of our seniors and their accomplishments!

Graduating students at WRVC were honored at the annual Awards Night on May 22. $52,800 was awarded in scholarships and "toolships" which provide support for continuing education and tools with which to begin a career in the trade. Thank you to our very generous benefactors! A special congratulations to Hasib A., the highest achieving WHS senior at WRVC and to Kyle C., the MACTE Student of the Year. Recently retired director Todd Fields was also recognized at the event.

Our 8th graders celebrated their promotion to High School on June 12 and our 4th graders recognized their transition to middle school with celebrations at Canal, Congin, and Saccarappa. End of year picnics, field days, dances, and Congin School's 50th birthday party helped wrap up this special school year. Thanks for joining us as we are thankful for a successful school year and kick off the summer!

School offices will be closed beginning July 1. They will reopen on Monday, August 11. Families registering students for school may contact registrar June Lentz whose office is open throughout the summer. Her contact is lentzj@westbrookschools.org or 207-854-0800. Also, the Administrative Offices are open Monday through Thursday, 7am-3pm, but closed on Fridays. Staff will be working remotely on Fridays to save on energy costs but will be available by phone.

I wish you all a wonderful summer, one filled with time to relax along with many fun adventures, lots of good books, and memorable times with family and friends!

Take care,

Dr. Peter Lancia, Superintendent of Schools

Congratulations Class of 2025

Westbrook Adult Education Graduation

Our Adult Education Graduation was held on June 10 at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center. 40 adult students earned diplomas. Additionally students were recognized for completing programs and earning certifications, licenses, and workforce skills: 13 students in our CNA program, 10 in our PSS program, 11 in our Common Threads industrial sewing program, and 11 in our Core Office Skills business program. 1 student also achieved Level 6 (highest level) of English language proficiency in our Multilingual Literacy program. CNA student AnnMarie I. addressed the guests and spoke about the importance of hard work and accomplishments in adult education. Congratulations to all of our students! We are very proud of you! Additionally, several staff were recognized as "unsung heroes" of adult education and retiring instructor Shelley Goad was recognized for her years of service. Thank you to all of our amazing staff - Director Jen Brooks and staff Katy Dube, Alice Shea, Shila Cook, and our teachers - for taking care of our students as they pursue their hopes and dreams

Grade 8 Promotion

Our eighth graders were honored at the annual WMS Promotion Celebration and Dance on June 12. Principal Laurie Wood, Assistant Principal Pattie DiMaria, School Counselor Megan Grimshaw, and teachers presented several awards for honor roll, HOWLS, and service along with completion certificates. Congratulations as they move on to High School as the class of 2029!

Thank you to everyone who voted in the June 10 School Budget referendum. The FY26 Budget passed with 59% in favor. There was an increase in engagement with the budget process, connecting with schools, and supporting the increasingly complex needs of our students. There was also increased collaboration between city and school leadership and between the City Council and School Committee to develop both the school and municipal budget. We appreciate how everyone worked together in the best interest of children! The second question on the ballot asked if people would like to continue voting on the budget. The response was yes, so we will continue to vote on school budgets in future years.

Welcome New Administrators

Kimberlee Bennett will be joining WRVC as the new Assistant Director, replacing Gloria Noyes who has been named Director. Kim currently serves as Assistant Director at the Biddeford Center of Technology, a CTE center that serves high schools in York County. 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.

Lisa Krunkala will be joining Saccarappa School as Assistant Principal, replacing Bonnie Hicks who is retiring. A graduate of Westbrook High School, Lisa has been in the district since 1999. She has served as an Ed Tech III at Canal School, a Special Education Teacher at Saccarappa School, a Special Education Teacher and Department Leader at Westbrook High School, the Special Programs Coordinator at Spring Harbor Academy and State Client Coordinator for the school department, and currently as Assistant Director of Special Services. Lisa earned her BS in Elementary Education at the University of Maine and her MSEd in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Maine.

Jessica Hamel has been hired as the new Assistant Director of Multilingual Programs. This is a new position and responds to the continuous growth of our program. Jess has taught at Saccarappa School since 2013, the last 7 years as a teacher of multilingual learners. She has served as Communities of Practice / PLC Leader, Running Club Advisor, and was honored as 2018 Saccarappa Teacher of the Year. She earned a BS in Elementary Education at UNE, a MSEd at USM in ESOL, and a second Masters at USM in Educational Leadership. She is eager to join Director Regina Clement in supporting our dynamic and growing multilingual program.

Congratulations Retirees

A number of employees are retiring at the end of the school year (including a few who retired during the past school year.) Their dedication and talent will be missed!

• Diane Baker, Special Education Teacher at WMS

• Linda Bois, Third Grade Teacher at Saccarappa, retired in October

• Debra Cloutier-Baggs, School Counselor at WHS

• Marianne Colling, Instructional Coach at Saccarappa

• Rachel Conley, Bus Driver

• James Crawford, Ed Tech III at WHS

• Davis Ennis, Social Studies Teacher at WHS

• Todd Fields, Director at WRVC, retired in January

• Kelli Fogg, Director of Special Services

• Michael Heath, Physical Education Teacher at WMS

• Bonnie Hicks, Assistant Principal at Saccarappa

• Carmela Iaconeta, School Nutrition Helper at WMS

• Beth Murphy, Athletic and Activities Director at WHS

• Geanerean Pecoraro, Grade 5 teacher at WMS

• Doug Stalling, Van Driver

• Denise Watts, Administrative Assistant in Transportation and Driver

• Laurie Wood, Principal at WMS