Westbrook Public Schools is now offering voluntary student accident insurance. For more information, review the attached documents or visit http://www.k12studentinsurance.com/.
Westbrook Public Schools is pleased to announce that Westbrook Middle School was ranked #1 in Middlesex County by Niche. The primary indicator in the Niche school rankings data is student performance in mathematics and English language arts as measured by the Connecticut Smarter Balanced Assessment. These are assessments that are administered annually each spring and a snapshot measure of student progress in grade level standards. The spring assessment results from 2022 and 2023 revealed strong student growth and achievement in both reading and math. Westbrook Middle School was acknowledged by the CT Department of Education as a CT School of Distinction for both high performance and high growth for all students in mathematics for the 2022-2023 school year. CSDE School of Distinction designations have not been announced for 2023-2024 (expected November 2024).
Not yet factored into the recent ranking is the continued improvement in reading and math for all students evident in the most recent state assessment data from the 2023-2024 school year. Of particular note is the growth and high achievement in grades 7 and 8.
In Spring 2024, 83.8% of Westbrook students in grade 8 and 74.5% of Westbrook students in grade 7 met or exceeded state benchmarks in English language arts. In comparison, 49.1% of Connecticut students in grade 8 and 49.5% of Connecticut students in grade 7 met or exceeded state benchmarks. In mathematics, 81.1% of Westbrook students in grade 8 and 80.4% of Westbrook students in grade 7 met or exceeded state benchmarks. In comparison, 38.2% of Connecticut students in grade 8 and 41.5% of Connecticut students in grade 7 met or exceeded state benchmarks in mathematics.
Westbrook Middle School Principal Matthew Talmadge shared, “Over the past 4 years, Westbrook has doubled down on fidelity of curriculum implementation, utilization of best instructional practices, authentic literacy in all subject areas and targeted intervention for struggling learners. Teachers understand that student growth is the big picture, and that moving the achievement needle forward requires all hands on deck and an intense focus on all of the little student pictures that create the mosaic. Teachers are making informed educational decisions with consistency and the result for Westbrook Middle School’s students has been steady growth.”
Dear Westbrook Families,
Welcome back! Today was an amazing and positive start to the new school year! This morning, we welcomed 576 students PK-12 to the start of the new 2024-2025 school year. District-wide, we also welcomed 35 new families to our community and 60 new students to our schools.
Press Release from Dr. Kristina J. Martineau, Westbrook Superintendent of Schools
Westbrook Public Schools is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Westbrook High School (WHS) Hall of Fame Award to honor WHS graduates who have excelled in their careers and serve as role models for the children of Westbrook and future generations of graduates.
This year, the new WHS Hall of Fame Committee reviewed more than 30 nominations from its school and alumni community. After careful consideration, the committee selected two distinguished graduates who are both role models through their success in their chosen careers: Ms. Bernadette Carver (Class of 1977) and Ms. Heather Vogell (Class of 1992). Carver was also selected for her extensive and ongoing commitment to community service in Westbrook.
The 2024 WHS Hall of Fame honorees were recognized by the Westbrook superintendent of schools, Dr. Kristina Martineau, at the WHS Class of 2024 graduation ceremony on June 14.
Bernadette A. (Pagano) Carver—WHS Class of 1977
Ms. Carver began her career with Essex Savings Bank as a high school junior through an internship program. After high school, Carver attended The Stone School of Business in New Haven and completed the accounting program, graduating early with honors. In 1978, she accepted a job with Essex Saving Bank as a teller and has been with the bank for 45 years, holding many positions, including high level leadership and management positions. Currently, she holds the position of vice president, corporate secretary & compliance officer. She was instrumental in implementing the Operations and Lending departments at the bank. While working at the bank, Carver also attended the Connecticut School of Finance and Management and The National School of Banking.
Carver has always been very loyal and involved in her community. Her current involvements include the Bankers Compliance Association of Connecticut, Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, Exchange Club of Old Saybrook/Westbrook, Westbrook Daisy Dash, Beach Jam for Cancer Patient Care, Shoreline Soup Kitchen, and Connecticut River Museum. Carver has been an active volunteer in the community of Westbrook in many ways, with the Westbrook tree lighting, Westbrook Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and Vista Life Innovations to name just a few. As a result of her loyalty and service to her small town and surrounding areas, she is a pillar in these communities, earning an award from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County as a “Behind the Scenes Unsung Hero.”
Heather Vogell—WHS Class of 1992
Ms. Vogell is an investigative reporter at Pro Publica, an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. Vogell has had a highly successful and award-winning career in journalism. She has exposed abuse at group homes for the developmentally disabled and high schools which push out low achievers to raise their graduation rates. A series she co-authored, “Cheating Our Children,” which examined suspicious test scores in public schools across the nation, was a 2013 finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting. She has also received several other prizes.
After attending WHS, Vogell attended Georgetown University, where she received a BA in English. Vogell continued her education and earned two graduate degrees from prestigious programs in her field: an MS degree in journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a second MS degree in public administration from the CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice Inspector General program.
Nominations for the 2025 Westbrook Hall of Fame Award will open in the fall of 2024. Honorees will be selected in the spring of 2025 and then be recognized at the WHS Class of 2025 graduation ceremony in June.
October 25, 2024
In The Loop
Greetings Westbrook Families,
Welcome to the next edition of In The Loop. 75% of our students broke our dress code/hat policy on Tuesday, 71 appointments were made with teachers this week, 11 visitors from Mountain Workshop darkened our doors, 5 spectacular spirit days were celebrated and 1 pep rally to remember took place this past week. Stick around, and I’ll Loop you in.
Hats for Hope
Stephanie Parsons, our Student Council coordinator, planned a hat day last Tuesday as a part of our spirit week. It was not, however, just any old hat day. The Student Council hosted a Hats for Hope event at WMS. The hope was that students and staff would wear hats on Tuesday and donate a dollar to the Tommy Fund. This organization helps children who are battling cancer. The Tommy Fund was created in 1953 to support a boy named Tommy Mozdzierz from New Britain, CT. In addition to Hats for Hope, students got to go Hawaiian, represent their culture, dress up as twins and don their school-themed apparel for spirit week. I want to thank Ms. Parsons for encouraging all of us to support Hats for Hope and for planning a fun-filled spirit week.
Conferences
71 appointments were made to meet with our teachers last Tuesday and Thursday. We are proud to partner with you in providing a quality educational experience for your children. 71 conference appointments demonstrates that you value the partnership as well. Thank you for taking the time to come in or meet with us virtually. We will have another official opportunity to do this again in mid-March, but please know that the door of communication with teachers is always open. Please reach out to any one of them to discuss your child’s progress.
Mountain Workshop
Mountain Workshop pulled out all the stops on Tuesday. We had brilliant weather for three consecutive hours of problem-solving, creative thinking, collaboration and fun. Students were engaged in all variety of activities designed to push them out of their comfort zones and into their zones of proximal development. We had near perfect attendance last Tuesday, and growing minds and bodies were tested and tired as they left school that day. The 11 visitors from Mountain Workshop made sure of that!
Athletics
As we near the conclusion of the fall sports season, our athletes continue to demonstrate remarkable effort and talent. The boys' soccer team will have their last home game on October 29th, while the field hockey team is set to play their final home game on November 1st.
We invite you to stay connected with all the thrilling action by following the Westbrook Athletics Facebook Page and Instagram Page (@wpsknights). There, you can view photos capturing the excitement. Don’t miss out on any of the fun—let's rally behind our teams as they strive for success in these final days of the season!
WMS Celebration of Fall Athletes and Teams
We are excited to invite all fall athletes—girls soccer, boys soccer, field hockey, and Unified Sports—to a special celebration on Thursday, November 14, from 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM in the WMS Cafeteria. This event is a fantastic opportunity to recognize the hard work and achievements of our athletes, and we’ll be serving pizza to make it even more enjoyable. Coaches will share memorable moments from the season, present certificates to all athletes, and highlight special team awards. Students will have the option to take the late bus home at 3:45 PM. We hope to see every fall athlete on the 14th as we come together to celebrate their accomplishments.
Winter Sports Registration is Open
As the leaves change and the days grow shorter, we are excited to transition into the winter sports season. We invite you to sign up your students for Boys and Girls Basketball & Unified Sports by Friday, November 22nd. For those interested in Intramural Volleyball, please register by Friday, January 31st to ensure your child is ready for the first day of practice.
Important Reminder: Students must have a physical on file with the nurse, dated within the last 13 months, to participate in interscholastic sports or intramurals. Don’t let your child miss out on the action this winter.
Winter Registration Links:
Let’s make this winter season a memorable one for our Knights!
WMS Music
Music concerts will look a little different in December and May. This year, we will have a 6th - 8th grade band concert and a 6th - 8th grade chorus concert in both the winter and spring. Eighth grade students will have an additional combined concert with the High School in March. The following concert dates are mandatory for chorus and band students. If your child is doing both band and chorus they will need to be at both concerts.
Chorus Concert Dates
Grades 6 - 8
Winter Concert - Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Spring Concert - Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Band Concert Dates
Grade 6 - 8
Winter Concert - Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Spring Concert - Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Additional 8th Grade - Both Band and Chorus
Combined WMS/WHS Concert - Wed., March 12, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
upDates
October 30 - Coast Guard Band Field Trip for Sixth Graders
November 1 - End of Quarter 1
November 5 - No School for Students
November 11 - Veterans Day Ceremony on the Town Green
November 27 - 29 - Thanksgiving Recess
That just about does it for the October 21 - October 25 Loop. Before I sign off, the Westbrook Public Library has something to keep the kids entertained on November 5. Take a look at these flyers (flyer 1 & flyer 2) if you are interested. Additionally, Westbrook Social Services and Edd’s Place are combining to offer Thanksgiving meals. For families who RSVP prior to November 13, a delicious Thanksgiving feast will be provided to Westbrook Families. See this flyer to learn more.
This week’s pictures feature students collaborating during Mountain Workshop, having a little fun on Hat Day and problem solving in science class. Oh, yes – Eighth grade parents – From time to time, I like to kick in a few throwback pics from earlier middle school days. Your kids do not always like to see them, but you might. Click here to see this week’s photos. Sorry, but you will have to wait until next week to see the Pep Rally photos. Students only get one chance at a middle school education. At Westbrook Middle School, we aim to make it the best education possible. Consider yourself Looped in.
Sincerely,
Matt Talmadge
Principal
Westbrook Middle School
