Celebrating the service of our veterans!
Join us to celebrate the service of our veterans. See the attached flyer for more details.
Regular BOE Mtg
BOE Meeting
BOE Meeting
Regular BOE Mtg
Regular BOE Mtg
BOE Meeting
BOE Meeting
BOE Meeting
BOE Meeting
BOE Meeting
WHS Library
BOE Meeting
BOE Meeting
BOE Meeting
BOE Meeting
BOE Meeting
BOE Meeting
BOE Meeting
Join us to celebrate the service of our veterans. See the attached flyer for more details.
The Westbrook Board of Education welcomed the school district's new staff members to the district during the BoE meeting on 9/9/2025.
Bus routes are available in PowerSchool. Sign in at https://powerschool.westbrookctschools.org/public to view them.
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
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.”
October 31, 2025
Weekly Update for WMS
Good afternoon, Westbrook Middle School students, parents, and guardians. I have received some feedback about my Weekly Updates. I have been asked to separate the WMS and WHS updates
DESSA
Westbrook Public Schools administers the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) three times per year to assess the demonstrated social/emotional skills of students. The primary objective of the DESSA is to assess your child’s current skill set and pinpoint areas for potential growth and development. Subsequently, our educators will utilize various instructional methods tailored to address these identified skill gaps, including Second Step lessons at Daisy Ingraham; Character Strong, Logic Block and School Wide Reads at WMS; and Advisory sessions at WHS, all designed with a dedicated emphasis on nurturing the attributes outlined in our Portrait of a Graduate framework. Follow this link to read a letter written by Corey Ehrlich (PK-12 SEL and Wellness Coordinator) that describes this assessment and how the schools use data from the DESSA.
U.S. News and World Report
Westbrook Middle School continues to climb in the U.S. News and World Report annual rankings. WMS has moved up to #15 in Connecticut (#1 in Middlesex County). It is important to remember that this is a measure of student and school success based upon their metrics. There are many factors that define “successful” schools that are not measured by their data. Regardless, it is always nice to be recognized as an elite school in the state by a reputable organization. Click here to learn more.
Pasta Dinner
Here is a note from Mrs. Selmont about the upcoming Pasta Dinner:
It’s Pasta Dinner Time! Please join us on Thursday evening, November 6th, from 5:00-7:00pm for a night of great food, friends, family, and fun! Some of the Westbrook Middle School teachers will be serving pasta, meatballs, salad, bread, and delicious desserts! We are in need of volunteers that afternoon and evening. Click this Sign-Up Genius link to help. Once again, tickets will be sold for some amazing raffle baskets– a definite highlight for the kids, so raffle basket donations are extremely helpful! Please note that students must be accompanied by an adult. Thank you in advance, and we look forward to seeing you on November 6th! See this flyer for more information.
What the Dickens!?
The seventh graders are reading A Christmas Carol, the beloved 19th century novella by Charles Dickens. In addition to being exposed to quality classic literature, seventh graders also have an opportunity to travel to see the musical adaptation of Dickens’ literary work. Here is an email from Mrs. Fredrickson and the seventh grade team with the details:
In this link, you will find information about the seventh-grade field trip to see A Christmas Carol at the Hartford Stage on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The permission slips and the payment deadline of Friday, November 14 were reviewed during English classes this morning. Hard copies of the letter and permission slip were distributed to students. Here is a copy of the permission slip in case it went missing. If you have any questions about the field trip, please email Abby Fredrickson at afredrickson@westbrookctschools.org.
Thank you,
The Grade 7 Team
CLUBS
As fall sports wrap up, students may be looking to join a club or two (or more!). This information was sent out previously, but the iron is hot, so I’ll strike it with this reminder about club meeting days and times:
Mondays:
Art Club - with Mrs. Colagiovanni
Math Olympiads - Mrs. Maselli
Homework Club - Mondays with Mrs. Goad
Tuesdays:
Game Club - with Ms. Super and Mr. Irons
Robotics Club - with Mr. DeRose
Homework Club -with Mrs. Maselli
Student Council - with Ms. Parsons — Second Tuesday of the Month (generally). Check with Ms. Parsons for specifics regarding meeting times.
Some Wednesdays:
Homework club - check in with Mrs. Maselli for select days
Thursdays:
Yearbook Club - with Mrs. Fredrickson
Daily:
AV Production - with Ms. Runkle (please let HR teacher know if you will be attending)
Drama Club - check in with Ms. Floyd for exact days, starts late November/early December
WMS Upcoming Dates to Remember
|
October 31 |
End of Quarter 1 |
|
November 3 |
Start of Quarter 2 |
|
November 4 |
Election Day - Teacher PD - No Students |
|
November 6 |
Pasta Dinner from 5 - 7PM in the WMS Cafeteria |
|
November 7 |
New Student and Staff Breakfast at 7:30 AM - WMS Library |
|
November 11 |
Veterans Day on the Town Green at 11 AM |
|
November 26 - 28 |
No School - Thanksgiving Break |
ATHLETICS
Most middle school fall sports have officially wrapped up! We’re proud of all our student-athletes and coaches for a great season. Intramural Tennis and Unified Sports are still in session. Intramural Tennis will conclude on Wednesday, November 5, while Unified Sports will continue through the end of the school year.
To celebrate everyone’s hard work, we’ll be hosting a Fall Sports Pizza Party for athletes and coaches on Friday, November 7, from 2:30–3:30 PM. While late buses are typically not available on Fridays, two late buses have been reserved for athletes who need transportation.
Westbrook Middle School Athletic Programs Currently in Session:
|
Program |
Coaches |
Start Date |
Schedule |
Notes |
|
Intramural Tennis |
Paul Garrity |
Sept 8 |
Mon & Wed, 2:30–3:40 PM |
Late bus available |
|
Unified Sports |
Dan Jennings (Head), Nicole Archambault (Asst.) |
Sept 23 |
Tuesdays, 2:30–3:40 PM |
Games at 3:00 PM, late bus available |
WMS Winter Sports Registration Now Open:
Students must have a current physical (dated within the last 13 months) on file with the school nurse to participate in interscholastic sports or intramurals.
Winter Registration Links:
Boys Basketball
Practice Starts: Monday, December 1
Games Begin: Tuesday, December 16
Head Coach: Doug Spingola | Assistant Coach: TBD
Practices:
Girls Basketball
Practice Starts: Monday, December 1
Games Begin: Tuesday, December 16
Head Coach: Cameron Marshall | Assistant Coach: TBD
Practices:
Intramural Volleyball
Starts: Monday, February 16
Head Coach: Bill Gombos | Assistant Coach: Heidi Joslyn
Schedule: February 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27 and March 2, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20
Unified Sports
Continues through the Winter and Spring— a great opportunity for inclusive teamwork and fun!
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
Sincerely,
Matt Talmadge - Principal