Recent News from Westbrook High School

Hello there,

Please click on the link to read the WHS Weekly  Parent Update for June 6th.

http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

Thank you.

Please visit our page dedicated to the proposed shared leadership structure for Westbrook Middle School and Westbrook High School by using the link listed below:

https://www.westbrookctschools.org/proposed_shared_leadership_structure_for_wms_and_whs

Seniors receiving awards and scholarships will receive an invitation to participate in an awards ceremony on June 11th at 6:30 pm.

Underclassmen receiving awards will receive an invitation to participate in an awards ceremony on June 10th at 6:30 pm.

Hello there,

Please click on the link to read the WHS Weekly Parent Update for May 23rd.

http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

Thank you.

On May 28th at 6:00 p.m., the Westbrook Board of Education will host a community conversation about artificial intelligence- what it is and the real world impact on our day to day lives as the technology becomes more available and accessible.

We welcome back Westbrook High School graduate, Mr. Lon Seidman (Class of 1994), a consumer technology journalist, who will lead and facilitate the conversation about AI for our community. 

This event is free and open to our Westbrook staff, parents and guardians, and community members. This is an opportunity for our community to learn about artificial intelligence and to begin community conversations through that learning process.

Congratulations to Ryan Engels, WHS Class of 2023, who was awarded the Spirer/Dueker Student Humanitarian Achievement Award from the University of Connecticut Student Life Awards.  This award recognizes an undergraduate for outstanding contributions to public service.  A committed advocate for civic engagement, Ryan has demonstrated a deep dedication to public service at the local, state, and federal levels.  As the Founder and Executive Director of the Connecticut Youth Political Advocacy Center (CYPAC), he leads efforts to expand youth access to government and policymaking.  Under his leadership, CYPAC has grown to over 100 members and launched many impactful initiatives, such as a mentorship program connecting students with public officials, a statewide internship database, the development of voter education resources, and the establishment of legislative priorities. 

Beyond his nonprofit work, Ryan serves as a Senator in the Undergraduate Student Government and as President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at UConn.  He has also interned in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Connecticut General Assembly, and the Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State, working on legislative research, constituent advocacy, and election processes.

Ryan remains actively involved in Westbrook, where at 18, he became the town’s youngest Commissioner, serving for two years on the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission.  He also influenced policy as a Youth Outreach Advisor to the Coastal Resiliency Committee, addressing climate challenges in coastal communities and ensuring young voices had a seat at the table. 

Ryan is a sophomore at the University of Connecticut, majoring in political science with a minor in geography. 

Hello there,

Please click on the link to read the WHS Weekly Parent Update for May 9th.

http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

Thank you.

Hello there,

Please click on the link to read the WHS Weekly Parent Update for May 2nd.

http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

Thank you.

Hello there,

Please click on the link to read the WHS Weekly Parent Update for April 11th.

http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

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Hello there,

Please click on the link to read the WHS Weekly Parent Update for April 4th.

http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

Thank you.

Hello there,

Please click on the link to read the WHS Weekly Parent Update for March 28th.

http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

Thank you.

On Saturday evening at Oxford Academy,  the Light On Westbrook Photography Exhibition took place. Photographers from near and far, amateurs and professional photographers, all came together to support our local Meal Project for Westbrook  Youth. Westbrook Public Schools had many entries, and this year we had 2 student winners! 

Hello there,

Please click on the link to read the WHS Weekly Parent Update for March 21st.

 http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

Thank you.

Hello there,

Please click on the link to read the WHS Weekly Parent Update for March 7th.

http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

Thank you.

Hello there,

Please click on the link to read the WHS Weekly Parent Update for February 28th.

 http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

Thank you.

Westbrook Public Schools is proud to announce that Westbrook Middle School has been named a Spotlight School by the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS). This prestigious designation recognizes the school’s ongoing commitment to excellence in middle school education and its effective, innovative strategies in meeting the needs of young adolescents in Westbrook.

“We are thrilled to receive the Spotlight School designation from NELMS,” said Matt Talmadge, Principal of Westbrook Middle School. “This recognition is a direct reflection of the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of our talented staff, students, and the entire Westbrook community. It affirms our ongoing efforts to create a dynamic, supportive learning environment where all students can thrive.”

The Spotlight School designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate significant progress in providing an effective, innovative, and inclusive middle school education. Westbrook Middle School earned the recognition through evidence gathered during a recent site visit by the NELMS evaluation team, who observed a school culture dedicated to creative learning experiences, effective collaboration, and a deep understanding of the developmental needs of young adolescents.

WMS students (above) and WMS staff (below)-  excited and proud to share their recognition as a NELMS Spotlight School with the Westbrook community!

Key highlights from the NELMS review include:

Creative and Innovative Learning Experiences: Westbrook Middle School offers engaging programs such as the Logic Block, where students participate in purposeful social, emotional, and team-building activities. The WIN Block provides both intervention and enrichment opportunities, ensuring every student is supported in their learning journey. The school also hosts an annual Discovery Project, with this year’s topic focusing on "Agents of Change."

Student Voice and Engagement: A student panel during the site visit demonstrated that students at Westbrook feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings about their school, underscoring the school’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment.

Restorative Practices in Discipline: Westbrook Middle School's approach to discipline is rooted in restorative practices, helping to foster positive student relationships and personal growth.

Outstanding Attendance: The school boasts an impressive attendance rate of over 95%. Westbrook’s administration, teachers and support team work together to ensure students are present and engaged and that families stay informed about both their child’s attendance and the importance of regular, daily attendance.

Formative Assessment and Continuous Improvement: Westbrook utilizes STAR testing three times a year, providing valuable formative assessment data to guide instructional and curricular decisions.  

Portrait of a Graduate: The skills and attributes of the district’s Portrait of a Graduate are prominently displayed throughout the school, ensuring that students are aware of and can articulate the competencies and values that guide their educational journey.  

Dr. Kristina Martineau, Superintendent of Westbrook Public Schools, says of the middle school’s recognition as one of a select number of top middle schools in New England to receive this NELMS Spotlight School distinction: “There is a strong culture of and pervasive, tireless commitment to high quality instruction each and every day in all classrooms for all students that is more than just educational rhetoric, data, and annual public reports.  Our educators are actively engaged in ongoing, collaborative development of exceptional educational experiences to improve individual, grade level, and content area learning opportunities for all students- meeting regularly in teams to make sure every one of the students in our care are provided with the best support and enrichment to maximize potential and success.  There is a clear and undeniable culture of ‘we take care of every single child and one another’ to grow together and to succeed together as a school community at high levels.  There is not only a shared and collective sense of student and educator success, but one of deep care, joy, and inspiration to be our best selves and to lift up others to achieve the same. This has a direct and positive impact on climate and supports a strong sense of belonging and community for all. The Westbrook school community and the Westbrook Board of Education are so proud of the excellent work happening at Westbrook Middle School in service to the children of Westbrook.”

Westbrook High School Theatre will be performing "Puffs" on March 7 and March 8.  Visit https://cur8.com/23633/project/129358 to buy tickets!

Hello there,

Please click on the link to read the WHS Weekly Parent Update for February 21st.

http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

Thank you.

Nominations and applications are now open for the Westbrook Hall of Fame Award. Westbrook
Public Schools is looking to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates as a
model for our current and future students. We are proud of our graduates and look forward to
sharing and honoring their accomplishments with our community as well as with our graduating
Class of 2025 as they consider their own future after graduation and how they will contribute to
their profession and community.

Please consider nominating a Westbrook High School alumnus who has excelled in their career,
vocation, business, community service, sport, performing arts, or other interests that would serve
as a model for our students to aspire to on their own journeys in the future after high school
graduation.

Anyone may nominate a Westbrook High School graduate who has graduated at least ten years
prior to the nomination. All nominations will be reviewed by the Westbrook High School
Knights Hall of Fame Committee. One alumnus will be selected each year and will be publicly
recognized at the graduation ceremony at Westbrook High School on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Nominations may be made in one of the following ways:

1. Email Dr. Kristina J. Martineau, Superintendent of Schools, at
kmartineau@westbrookctschools.org with the following information: name of
candidate, year of graduation, candidate’s contact information, your name and contact
information, and the reason why you believe this candidate should be recognized as an
alumnus who has excelled in career, vocation, business, community service, sport,
performing arts, etc.

2. Complete the online application form that can be found here.

Nominations due no later than Friday, March 14, 2025 to be considered for June 2025
recognition.