Westbrook High School

Recent News from Westbrook High School

• New Sunscreen Law

  July 1 presents us with many new laws.  Of those that are effective on July 1, the laws briefly described below, referencing sunscreen and access to HIV prevention drugs, impact the health and well-being of our school-aged children.

  https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-new-laws-connecticut-july-2019-20190701-djf4skoikzfs7jwnwscb3kopo4-story.html

  Sunscreen for school children

  Students who are 6 and older will now be allowed to carry and apply sunscreen before outdoor activities at school ⁠— provided they have a written note from a parent or guardian. Prior law treated sunscreen the same as other over-the-counter medications, meaning it required a doctor’s note and had to be administered by the school nurse. “Use of sunscreen at a young age is a critical and necessary component of skin cancer prevention,” the SUNucate Coalition, which advocated in favor of the bill, wrote to legislators. Connecticut joins 22 other states that have similar laws, according to the group.

  Youth access to HIV prevention drugs

  Minors will no longer need parental consent to obtain HIV prevention medication, commonly referred to as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, and sold under the brand name Truvada. State law already allowed minors to be treated for HIV or AIDS without their parents being notified. Youth ages 13-24 account for 22 percent of all new HIV infections in the U.S., according to Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan,  one of the bill’s chief sponsors. If youth are required to receive parental consent to obtain PrEP “we are effectively requiring that they choose between their right to privacy and their right to medical treatment,” Rep. Jeff Currey, an East Hartford Democrat and another co-sponsor of the bill, wrote in testimony submitted to state legislators.

  Westbrook Public Schools

• Health and Safety Tip

  Dear Westbrook Families:

  A very recent sighting of a small bat in the lower parking lot of Daisy Ingraham reminds us that there are simple steps to follow to be safe when any small or large animals or birds are found to be out of their habitat, sick or infirmed.  The first step is never to approach or touch any unfamiliar animal or bird and to report its presence to the authorities. While we have had no reports of any children or parents touching the bat in the parking lot, the potential for any safety concerns prompts us to share the information that our medical professionals would advise.  For more information regarding keeping yourself or your children safe when in the vicinity of any unfamiliar animals during the day or at night, please click on the link recommended by our medical professionals .  Thank you.

  https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html  

   

  Patricia A. Ciccone

  Superintendent

  860-399-6432

  Westbrook Public Schools

• Performing Arts Trip to New York City

  This past weekend, 49 WHS performing arts students traveled to New York City for three days of arts and culture. Among the highlights were an organ demonstration at St. John the Divine Cathedral, Mozart's Requiem performed by the NY Philharmonic at Lincoln Center, the 9/11 Museum and Freedom Tower Observatory, "Dear Evan Hansen" on Broadway, and a backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall.  View the photo gallery at https://whs.westbrookctschools.org/2019_music_trip?fbclid=IwAR1_Wm4-lSWUC3-iv47lQRdJ-_wezz8tRtlw-QSgCD1A1b6Wu8bLR_0bneI.

  

  Westbrook High School

• 2019-2020 Calendar

  The 2019-2020 School Year Calendar has been published.  It is available at https://www.westbrookctschools.org/20192020_school_year_calendar or by clicking the "2019-2020 School Year Calendar" link in the calendar menu on the district website.

  

  Westbrook Public Schools

• Information Regarding Internet Video Concerns 2/28/2019

   Dear Westbrook Families:

  Today several children expressed concern as a result of feeling uncomfortable and scared after having seen or heard about an Internet pop up or video called the “Momo Challenge.”

  Some children’s videos and cartoons online, especially those visible on YouTube Kids, have been infiltrated with a scary-looking creature.  This animated creature has exaggerated features and is at times reportedly encouraging watchers to do harm to themselves or others. This appears to school officials to be the most recent in a series of these unfortunate animations and grotesque creatures that surface from time to time.

  We want to provide all of our families with this information to alert everyone to the recommended precautions.  Brought to our attention today, we have listened to our students and have reassured them that they are safe in school and at home.  We have encouraged them to tell an adult, immediately, if something is uncomfortable or scary to them and we appreciate that many have followed this process.  We hope you will encourage the same in your homes.

  We also want to assure families that our students are constantly monitored while online at school and no instances of scary pop-ups have been reported in our school locations.  However, students are talking about this phenomenon and we are asking all families to be vigilant in following these recommended steps while your children are on any online devices at home.

  • Provide proper supervision.
  • Limit their Internet access to child or age-appropriate material.
  • Limit the amount of screen time.

  We are certain that by working together, we can keep children safe and knowledgeable while managing their use of technology.  As always, if you have further questions or concerns, you can contact your child’s school administrator.

  Westbrook Public Schools