It’s that time of year again. School is back in session, and the Harbor News has the information on what’s new in Westbrook.

This year’s first day of school for Westbrook Public School students was Aug. 29. Westbrook Superintendent Dr. Kristina Martineau said the school system has about 35 new families and 60 new students this school year.

Martineau outlined the new changes to the school district this year.

At Daisy Ingraham Elementary School, for the first time in nearly 20 years, fifth graders are roaming the halls.

“Our fourth- and fifth-grade classes will change classes and learn in a more departmentalized model that is a hybrid model appropriate for older elementary school students as they engage more deeply in content area subjects and to help prepare them for the middle school transition to 6th grade,” Marineau explained.

The fourth and fifth graders will also have a chance to take classes in robotics and computer science while all students will have a new reading program that was piloted last year.

“We now have a full-time reading and TESOL [Teaching English as a Second Language] specialist prek-2 and a full-time reading and TESOL specialist for grades 3-5 in addition to a prek-2 math and computer science specialist and a grade 3-5 math and computer science specialist to support student learning and growth in these critical foundational areas,” Martineau said.

As for physical changes to the school, there is new flooring in the third- and fifth-grade wing, while similar work will be conducted in the pre-k to second-grade wing next year. The HVAC system is also being updated to blow cool air as well.

Martineau also added that Daisey held a Community Resource Fair that connected families with the various services offered by the town and school.

“It was a huge success and very well attended by our families and community partners,” Martineau said.

At Westbrook Middle School, the school is establishing a new WIN period. “WIN is an acronym that stands for What I Need. These daily periods of time will be utilized to further support the individual child’s academic growth in an identified skill or skills. This time can be devoted to providing additional time for students to master/reinforce or enhance/enrich their skills through personalized, targeted learning goals focused on grade-level or above grade-level standards,” Martineau explained.

The WIN period will also allow for students to attend services like speech, occupational therapy, or counseling without disturbing core class time. “Because WIN runs opposite a supplemental music period, it allows many students to have music daily, eliminates the need for pull-out lessons, and provides the opportunity for some students to participate in both band and chorus,” Martineau said.

Besides the WIN program, multi-language learners will have the ability to take bilingual core classes. “Students new to the district and to the English language will have the opportunity to take MLL Math, MLL Humanities, and MLL Science with both a certified teacher and bilingual tutor,” Martineau said.

At Westbrook High School, new courses include AP Computer Science A (in addition to AP Computer Science Principles), AP Chemistry, UConn ECE Medical Terminology, UConn ECE Introduction to Allied Health Professions, and UConn ECE Popular Music and Diversity.

Additionally, the school is expanding a program started a few years ago by opening a new welding area later in September.

“We are excited that our new welding and fabrication is near completion, and we will host a grand opening later this month to showcase the facility. Over the last two years, we have been working hard to renovate and expand an aging metals workshop to transform it into an industry-standard welding lab with industry-grade welding stations, plasma cutters, pipe benders, and more,” Martineau said.

The schools have worked with Electric Boat in bringing the goal to reality, and Martinea called the company “incredibly supportive.”

“We believe it is a state and national model for public education for traditional, comprehensive small high schools. It will benefit generations of Westbrook High School students and community members exploring welding as a career path during a time when the skill is in high demand and well paid in Southeastern Connecticut,” Martineau said.

Furthermore, the culinary kitchen classroom is being updated to include food service and hospitality industry quality equipment, cooking stations, and instructional materials.

“Many of our students aspire to work in the food service and tourism industry, including hospitality management,” Martineau said.

More information about the Westbrook school system can be found online at www.westbrookctschools.org.

“We are looking forward to an amazing new school year for our students in Westbrook! We are also always open to and encourage input from our families and community on ways we can improve the learning environment and increase opportunities for all of our students,” said Martineau.