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Weekly Update for WHS 5/1/2026

Greetings, Westbrook High School Community,

Please see the following updates for WHS.

Choices Matter

Yesterday, Westbrook High School hosted a powerful 90-minute Choices Matter assembly featuring Paralympian Steve Emt, who shared a deeply personal story about how one bad choice changed the course of his life and the lives of others. This Connecticut Highway Safety Office program focuses on impaired driving, peer pressure, and personal responsibility; with prom just around the corner, the timing could not have been more meaningful. I want to extend a huge thank you to Amy Gallagher for planning and coordinating this impactful event for our students.

Blood Drive

For the third year in a row, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) has held blood drives at Westbrook High School. The Red Cross was present today, and we held another successful drive. Students and staff made life saving decisions to donate one of our most precious resources. Thank you to Mrs. Bancroft, the Red Cross and FCCLA club for putting this on.

Testing

AP exam administration starts on Monday. The 2026 AP Exams will be administered from May 4–8 and May 11–15. If your student has any questions about testing logistics or what to expect before, during and after testing, they should contact WHS school counselor Rachel Kurek.

AI In Our Schools - Community Forum

Join us on Monday, May 18 at 6:00 PM in the Westbrook High School Auditorium for an evening event hosted by Westbrook Public Schools and the Board of Education. National AI in Education expert and ChatEDU podcast host Matt Mervis will help families understand the current state of AI and its impact on how we live, learn, and work. All are welcome.

PTSO & Project Graduation

The PTSO and Project Graduation Board would like to make you aware of some upcoming events:

APRIL 20-MAY 11: Project Grad Online Auction

MAY 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week!

MAY 4: PTSO Meeting @ 6:45 PM

MAY 9: Westbrook’s Garden Club Market & Project Grad Bake Sale @ Town Hall

MAY 13: Westbrook Lobster Fundraiser - Eat at Westbrook Lobster and support our seniors

MAY 19: Trivia Night (New Date) WMS Cafe @ 5:30 PM

JUNE 7: Baccalaureate @ 2 PM at St. Mark's Church (for senior families)

Yearbooks

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to purchase a yearbook. Follow this link to secure one for your student before they sell out.

Prom

Prom will be held on Friday, May 22 at Woodwinds in Branford from 6:30–10:00 PM. Tickets are $80 and must be purchased directly from Mrs. Hoppes in Room 221 at a prearranged time. Students should not leave cash on her desk. A formal receipt will be provided at the time of purchase. Payment may be made by cash or check; checks should be made payable to the WHS Activity Fund with "Prom" noted on the memo line.

To attend, students must have a completed permission slip, be current on their dues, and have no outstanding obligations. Please check with Mrs. Gallagher if you have any questions regarding student obligations.

National Decision Day

From WHS school counselor Rachel Kurek: Today, we proudly celebrated National Decision Day with our senior class. Members of Westbrook High School's Class of 2026 shared their post-secondary plans, whether heading to college, entering a trade, joining the military, or beginning their careers. To mark the occasion, the entire senior class came together for a group photo, proudly wearing gear or holding signs that represent their next steps. We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and excited to see all they will accomplish beyond high school!

Greater WHS Community Announcements

The Town of Westbrook is planning a series of America 250 events in 2026 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Please see the town’s America 250 webpage for more information.

The Weeks Ahead (Note: Subject to change)

Date	Event
May 4-15	AP Testing
May 13	Small Ensembles Concert 7:30 PM
May 14	Large Ensembles Concert 7:30 PM
May 18	AI In Our Schools - Community Forum
May 21	Senior Trip/Early Dismissal
May 22	No School for Students
May 22	Prom @ Woodwinds
May 25	Memorial Day - No School - Parade 10 AM
June 3	Music Booster Meeting 6:30 PM - WHS
June 9	Underclassmen Awards Night
June 10	Senior Awards & Scholarships Night
June 12	Senior Breakfast @ The Elks
June 12	Graduation
June 17	Early Dismissal Day
June 18	Last Day of School - Early Dismissal

Athletics

Spring athletics are in full stride as teams continue to compete, adjust, and find their rhythm as the season progresses. It has been exciting to see student-athletes rise to the challenges of game play, support one another, and represent Westbrook with pride across all levels.

Across our programs, there has been a strong focus on teamwork, accountability, and continued improvement. Our athletes are doing an excellent job balancing competition with leadership, sportsmanship, and commitment to their teams.

Thank you to our coaches for their continued dedication and to our families for their ongoing support. We are looking forward to another competitive and rewarding week ahead for Westbrook athletics.

Important Athletic Department Update

The April 24 boys tennis match vs. Grasso Tech has been rescheduled to Monday, May 4 at 3:45 PM (away at Washington Park).

Girls Tennis Pink Match
Join us for our upcoming Pink Match as our Girls Tennis team competes while raising money for the Smilow Cancer Center.

Date: Monday, May 4, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM
Location: Westbrook High School Tennis Courts

A donation table with baked goods will be available as a thank you for your support, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the Smilow Cancer Center.

We hope to see you there in support of a great cause!

Senior Spring Athlete Celebration Dates:

Boys Tennis: Wednesday, May 6 vs. Old Saybrook at 5:45 PM (Senior celebrations begin at 5:15 PM)
Girls Tennis: Monday, May 18 vs. Cromwell at 4:00 PM (Senior celebrations begin at 2:45 PM)
Boys Baseball: Tuesday, May 19 vs. Platt Tech at 6:00 PM (Senior celebrations begin at approximately 5:30 PM)
Softball: Wednesday, May 20 vs. East Hampton High School at 4:00 PM (Senior celebrations begin at 3:45 PM)

Westbrook Spring Athletic Stores Now Open

We are excited to share that our Spring Athletic Stores are now open and will remain available through May 29th.

The Westbrook Sideline Store offers a wide variety of general Westbrook apparel that is not sport-specific. Orders from the Sideline Store are processed quickly, with items typically shipping within a few days and delivered directly to your home.

Westbrook Sideline Store:
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/connecticut/westbrook/westbrook-spirit-wear

In addition, sport-specific team stores are available for a limited time. These items will also be shipped directly to your home within days of placing your order. Please note that all team stores will close on May 29th, and ordering windows will not be extended.

Middle School Stores:
Softball: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/WBMSSB26
Baseball: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/WBMSBB26
Track & Field: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/WBMSTRK26
Unified Sports: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/WBUNIFIED

High School Stores:
Boys Tennis: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/WBHSBTN26
Girls Tennis: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/WBHSGT26
Track & Field: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/WBHSTRK26
OSW Softball: https://bit.ly/47Yn5vZ
Unified Sports: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/WBUNIFIED

These stores are a great opportunity to show your Westbrook pride and support our athletic programs!

WHS Spring Sports Game Schedules (subject to change—please check regularly)

Baseball Schedule
Softball Schedule
Boys Tennis Schedule
Girls Tennis Schedule
Outdoor Track and Field Schedule (same for girls and boys)

Important Links

Contact Information

Caitlin Eichler
PK–12 Director of Athletics, Physical Education, and Health
ceichler@westbrookctschools.org
860-399-7099

Emily Gorki
Athletic Trainer
egorki@westbrookctschools.org
860-399-7099

Thank you for your continued support of Westbrook Public Schools as we aim to deliver an exceptional education that empowers every student to explore their passion and purpose. Enjoy your break!

Sincerely,

Matt Talmadge

WHS/WMS Principal

Westbrook High School

Where We Are & What's Next - AI in Our Schools and Community

Westbrook Public Schools and Westbrook Board of Education invite you to attend a presentation about AI (artificial intelligence), and how this technlogy impacts how we live, learn, and work together. Matt Mervis, National AI in Education expert and host of the award-winning ChatEDU podcast, will discuss what parents and community members should know about the current state of AI and what's on deck for the future. Please join us on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the Westbrook High School auditorium for this informative session.
- BOE AI Presentation 2026 V2.pdf
Westbrook Public Schools

Weekly Update for WHS - 4/24/2026

Greetings, Westbrook High School Community,

Please see the following updates for WHS.

Quarter 3 Grades

Quarter 3 grades are finalized in Powerschool. You are encouraged to sign in and view grades online if you have not already done so. Teachers take the time to enter valuable comments that will give you a better understanding of your student’s performance and progress in each subject. Contact Lisa Anderson (landerson@westbrookctschools.org or (860) 399-6214) if you experience any issues getting into PowerSchool.

Celebrating our Administrative Professionals

Speaking of Mrs. Anderson, administrative professionals are often the unsung heroes of our schools, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. We get to celebrate them this week, for it is Administrative Professionals’ Week. At Westbrook High School, we are incredibly fortunate to have Maggie Vincent, Lisa Anderson and Yoya Kapelli (brand new attendance and athletics secretary this year!) running the show. Their dedication, expertise and warm presence make a profound difference every day. From managing complex requests and communications to providing support for students, families, and staff, they handle countless responsibilities with remarkable efficiency and kindness. Their problem-solving abilities and unwavering commitment to our school community are invaluable. We deeply appreciate our administrative professionals!

Quiz Bowl

Quiz Bowl advisor, Craig O-Connor Hall, is excited to announce that the Westbrook Quiz Bowl team beat North Branford recently to complete their first ever undefeated season! Westbrook has won the Shoreline League regular season championship and will be the #1 seed in the tournament that will take place on June 4. Way to go, Quiz Bowl team!

Testing

Believe it or not, AP exam administration starts in only 7 school days. The 2026 AP Exams will be administered in schools over two weeks in May: May 4–8 and May 11–15. If your student has any questions about testing logistics or what to expect before, during and after testing, they should contact counselor Rachel Kurek next week.

PTSO & Project Graduation

The PTSO and Project Graduation Board would like to make you aware of some important dates coming up. Please take a look at the following dates. For more information, see the School Messenger we sent out yesterday. Our seniors, teachers and school appreciate your support.

APRIL 14-27: Be Spring Cleaners and Support our Seniors! Stewards Ace Hardware in Clinton fundraiser

APRIL 20-MAY 11: Project Grad Online Auction

MAY 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week!

MAY 4: PTSO Meeting @ 6:45

MAY 9: Westbrook’s Garden Club Market & Project Grad Bake Sale @ Town Hall

MAY 13: Westbrook Lobster Fundraiser - Eat at Westbrook Lobster and support our seniors

MAY 19: Trivia Night (New Date) WMS Cafe @ 5:30

JUNE 7: Baccalaureate @2pm at St. Mark's Church (for senior families)

Advisory

During advisory today, students participated in a special career readiness session led by local business and industry partners. Guests shared information about their careers and workplaces, then guided students through real-world scenarios focused on important “durable skills” such as communication, professionalism, initiative, and decision-making.

Students discussed each scenario, considering positive and negative outcomes and how they might respond in similar situations. This interactive experience helped students better understand workplace expectations and build skills that are essential for future success.

Carefully designed by College/Career Coordinator Leslie Carson, this opportunity aligned with our Portrait of a Graduate goals and supported students in developing the habits and mindsets needed for college, careers, and beyond. Thank you to Leslie for planning this and to our community members for making this so very meaningful and “real.”

The Weeks Ahead (Note: Subject to change)

Date	Event
May 1	FCCLA Spring Blood Drive
May 4-15	AP Testing
May 13	Small Ensembles Concert 7:30 PM
May 14	Large Ensembles Concert 7:30 PM
May 21	Senior Trip/Early Dismissal
May 22	No School for Students
May 22	Prom @ Woodwinds
May 25	Memorial Day - No School - Parade 10 AM
June 9	Underclassmen Awards Night
June 10	Senior Awards & Scholarships Night
June 12	Senior Breakfast @ The Elks
June 12	Graduation
June 17	Early Dismissal Day
June 18	Last Day of School - Early Dismissal

Athletics

Spring athletics are approaching the midpoint of the regular season, and it has been great to see our teams in full competition mode. Student-athletes have done an excellent job building on their early-season preparation and continuing to grow as they work toward both individual and team goals. The effort, sportsmanship, and commitment across all programs remain outstanding.

Congratulations to Kyle Leandri on earning his 100th varsity career hit on Wednesday versus Hale-Ray, an outstanding accomplishment and a testament to his hard work and dedication.

As we move through the heart of the season, we are looking forward to more consistent weather and continued opportunities for our teams to compete, improve, and represent Westbrook with pride. Thank you to our coaches, student-athletes, and families for your continued support and dedication.

We look forward to another great week of Westbrook spring athletics.

Senior Spring Athlete Celebration Dates:

Boys Tennis: Wednesday, May 6 vs. Old Saybrook at 5:45 PM (Senior celebrations begin at 5:15 PM)
Girls Tennis: Monday, May 18 vs. Cromwell at 4:00 PM (Senior celebrations begin at 2:45 PM)
Boys Baseball: Tuesday, May 19 vs. Platt Tech at 6:00 PM (Senior celebrations begin at approximately 5:30 PM)
Softball: Wednesday, May 20 vs. East Hampton High School at 4:00 PM (Senior celebrations begin at 3:45 PM)

WHS Spring Sports Game Schedules (subject to change—please check regularly)

Baseball Schedule
Softball Schedule
Boys Tennis Schedule
Girls Tennis Schedule
Outdoor Track and Field Schedule (same for girls and boys)

Important Links

Contact Information

Caitlin Eichler
PK–12 Director of Athletics, Physical Education, and Health
ceichler@westbrookctschools.org
860-399-7099

Emily Gorki
Athletic Trainer
egorki@westbrookctschools.org
860-399-6214

Thank you for your continued support of Westbrook Public Schools as we aim to deliver an exceptional education that empowers every student to explore their passion and purpose. Enjoy your break!

Sincerely,

Matt Talmadge

WHS/WMS Principal

Westbrook High School

Shoreline Arts Alliance Partners with Schools From Local Area

Shoreline Arts Alliance Partners with Schools From Lyme-Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook to Host the First Annual Shoreline Arts Alliance Unified Arts Showcase

On Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., Shoreline Arts Alliance will host the first annual Shoreline Arts Alliance Unified Arts Showcase at Flat Rock Gallery in Westbrook, Connecticut. This formal gallery event is the celebration of a year-long partnership with area schools to create the first Shoreline Arts Alliance Unified Arts Showcase in the State of Connecticut. Students from Lyme-Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook have been creating works of art through Unified Arts classes and afterschool clubs throughout the 2025-2026 school year. Once a month, students and staff from all three school districts have met to work collaboratively on art projects, to strengthen community connections and friendships, and to develop their passion and skills as young artists. Each school has created a town-shaped puzzle piece of art that will be displayed together at the showcase, highlighting the community and regional friendship of these three school districts. This will serve as a state-wide model that will grow into a larger map as the puzzle pieces of more towns are connected in the coming years. In the years ahead, this event will continue to grow to include school districts throughout the State of Connecticut.

Lyme-Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook have a long history of working closely together in the well established CAS-CIAC Unified Sports Program- bringing students with and without special needs together across the State of Connecticut to compete in athletic events and to strengthen community commitment to belonging and inclusion for all students. This year, school staff from these three towns met with Shoreline Arts Alliance Director, Eric Dillner, to collaborate on the idea to expand these regional opportunities beyond just athletics and to create a showcase and formal gallery art show to support young aspiring artists. Mr. Dillner shared his thoughts about the expanded partnership for a Unified Arts collaborative: “I’m excited to launch this initiative, highlighting Shoreline Arts Alliance’s mission to build inclusive, supportive arts communities—proving the arts can transform lives and are for everyone.” Since 1980, Shoreline Arts Alliance has been enriching the state of Connecticut and serving 24 shoreline towns as a Designated Regional State Arts Organization of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. These communities encourage, empower, and develop talented artists—transforming their lives in the process.

Dr. Kristina Martineau, Westbrook Superintendent of Schools, shared her excitement about the new program: “Our teachers in all three school districts have worked hard to create an amazing experience for our students to grow as artists together and as individuals. Our dedicated educators have spent countless hours of their time planning and leading regional events and school based activities throughout the year to teach our students how to grow as artists. And the kids have had so much fun together through it all. It has been an incredible experience and the art work our students have created this year is truly an inspiration. I am most excited to see the town inspired puzzle pieces that will be unveiled at the gallery opening event in May. I am grateful for the partnership with Shoreline Arts Alliance to support this vision of a regional unified arts model and for organizing and hosting what will be a memorable, impactful, and inspiring showcase of young artists from Lyme-Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook.”

Old Saybrook Public Schools Director of Student Services Sarah Smalley shared her thoughts about the strong regional partnership and the importance of continuing to strengthen opportunities for all students: “Collaborative opportunities for our students across our districts allow for the expansion of social networks organically. The ability to connect in art and community is a one of a kind experience and Old Saybrook is lucky to have neighboring districts work together to provide these occasions. Adding this event to an already rich catalog of Unified opportunities helps further our collective missions of meaningful inclusion and experiences.”
- Westbrook Press Release- Shoreline Unified Arts Showcase.pdf
Westbrook Public Schools

Weekly Update for 4/10/2026

WHS

April 10, 2026

Greetings, Westbrook High School Community,

It has been a busy week at WHS. We are all ready for a break! If you are able to take some time off this coming week, I hope you enjoy and stay healthy.

State Testing

It is state testing time in the public schools. Congratulations to our juniors who just took the SAT this past Tuesday. That test had been looming over them, and I am certain that there is relief now that it is done. Many students are gearing up for AP exams currently; they start next month. Please reach out to Rachel Kurek if you want specific information about upcoming AP test dates and details.

Concert Season

Concert season is upon us. If you have a student involved in the music program, please communicate with Mrs. Floyd and/or Mr. Gerhardt if there are questions about expectations, attire or anything else. Performances are celebratory events that showcase learning; let’s make sure students are present, prepared, on time and resolving any issues long before the dates of the concerts. See below for said dates and times.

The Weeks Ahead (Note: Subject to change)

Date	Event
April 13 - 17	Spring Break
April 23	PTO Trivia Night (tentative)
May 1	FCCLA Spring Blood Drive
May 4-15	AP Testing
May 13	Small Ensembles Concert 7:30 PM
May 14	Large Ensembles Concert 7:30 PM
May 21	Senior Trip/Early Dismissal
May 22	No School for Students
May 22	Prom @ Woodwinds
May 25	Memorial Day - No School - Parade 10 AM
June 9	Underclassmen Awards Night
June 10	Senior Awards & Scholarships Night
June 12	Senior Breakfast @ The Elks
June 12	Graduation
June 17	Early Dismissal Day
June 18	Last Day of School - Early Dismissal

Athletics

Spring athletics continue to move forward as teams have now begun regular season competition. It has been exciting to see our student-athletes transition from early-season preparation into game action while continuing to work toward both their individual and team goals. The effort, sportsmanship, and commitment across all programs have been outstanding.

As we move further into the season, we continue to look forward to warmer weather and more opportunities for our teams to compete and grow. Thank you to our coaches, student-athletes, and families for your continued support and dedication.

We look forward to another great week of Westbrook spring athletics.

Upcoming Winter Sports Awards

Please join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of our winter teams:

WHS Indoor Track & Field Awards- Date Change!
Tuesday, April 21
6:30 PM
WHS Library

WHS Spring Sports Game Schedules (subject to change—please check regularly)

Baseball Schedule
Softball Schedule
Boys Tennis Schedule
Girls Tennis Schedule
Outdoor Track and Field Schedule (same for girls and boys)

Important Links

Contact Information

Caitlin Eichler
PK–12 Director of Athletics, Physical Education, and Health
ceichler@westbrookctschools.org
860-399-7099

Emily Gorki
Athletic Trainer
egorki@westbrookctschools.org
860-399-6214

Thank you for your continued support of Westbrook Public Schools as we aim to deliver an exceptional education that empowers every student to explore their passion and purpose. Enjoy your break!

Sincerely,

Matt Talmadge

WHS/WMS Principal

Westbrook High School

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