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Principal’s Weekly Message for the week of November 10, 2025
Principal’s Weekly Message for the week of November 10, 2025
Principal Rinaldi

The Principal’s Weekly Message 

Dear Westhill Parents,
What an incredible week we had! I want to extend a huge thank you to all our students, staff, and parent volunteers for making our Spirit Week and Pep Rally such a resounding success. The level of school pride and positive energy was truly inspiring. Seeing so many students enthusiastically participate in the themed days and cheer on their teams at the rally was a highlight for our entire community. These events remind us of the strong, vibrant spirit here at Westhill High School.

🗓️ Important Schedule & Academic Updates

Following up on last week's message, please note:

  • First Marking Period Grades: The first marking period officially ended today, Friday, November 7th. Please encourage your child to check PowerSchool regularly for final grades and to discuss any outstanding academic needs with their teachers regarding the first marking period and going forward as we begin quarter 2 on Monday
  • No School – Veteran's Day: An important reminder that there will be no school for students on Tuesday, November 11th, in observance of Veteran's Day. School will resume its normal schedule on Wednesday, November 12th. Please take a moment on this day to honor the sacrifices of our veterans.

Thank you for your continued support of our school and our students. We look forward to another productive week ahead.
Sincerely,
Principal Rinaldi and your Westhill High School administrators.

Need more information regarding Stamford Public Schools? Please access the link below: https://www.stamfordpublicschools.org/about-us/family-guide

Student Restrooms:

Please be assured that there are ample restrooms available to our students throughout the day. For safety reasons however student restrooms are locked at the end of each school day and then reopened by security once the next school day begins. For safety reasons during our lunch waves student restrooms located near classrooms are closed off to students while restrooms adjacent to our cafeterias are open for use. If your child should express any concern regarding the availability of student restrooms, please reach out to your child’s grade level assistant principal for assistance.

 

Superintendent’s Message:

https://www.stamfordpublicschools.org/about-us/leadership-team/weekly-message-from-the-superintendent

 

From the Office of Peter Rinaldi, Assistant Principal Grade 9: 

Grade 9: Please remember to check your child’s attendance on PowerSchool. The majority of freshmen who earn a GPA above 3.0 miss fewer than 5 days of school per semester!

 

From the Office of Rob Ayala, Assistant Principal Grade 12:

AP Exam - Registration and Payment

  • Registration for exams must be completed through the CollegeBoard site. 
    • The default setting for students enrolled in an AP course is “Taking the Test”
  • Payment is completed through TotalRegistration.net 
    • If you believe you may qualify for a fee waiver, an application must be completed 
    • Please complete the Household Income Survey Application (English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Ukrainian) to determine if your child is eligible for a reduced fee for Advanced Placement, SAT, and ACT exam fees, and college application fees. The form may also be completed in PowerSchool. Information is kept confidential. After completing the application, qualifying families will receive a Fee Reduction Waiver Letter sent via U.S. Mail to the address listed in PowerSchool. 
  • This should be done, as soon as possible so that your application can be evaluated in time to register without a late fee.

 

Nicole Morse and Tanya Small Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Specialist (MTSS):

As we start a new quarter, please remember to upload notes anytime your child is sick. This avoids the chance of receiving an AGR. Doctors notes are preferred but you can find out more information about our attendance policy and documentation process on the westhill website. 

 

 

Christine Wheeler, Department Leader for English:

American writer Cynthia Ozick once said, “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” This week, the English Department would like to express our appreciation to all the veterans who have served our country. Thank you all for your service! 

 

 

Camille Quattrocchi, Department Leader for Health, Physical Education & JROTC:

All students are required to take 1 credit of Physical Education and 1 credit of Health Education in order to graduate. Students will also participate in the required State of CT Physical Fitness Assessment during 9th grade. In addition our department offers many engaging electives for students. To see all our course offerings and descriptions select Health and Physical Education under course descriptions. Program of Studies -- Stamford High and Westhill High

PE classes will take place outside providing weather conditions are acceptable so dress appropriately. In addition, laced sneakers are required for participation in all Physical Education classes to ensure safety. No Crocs, slides, flip-flops, slippers, boots, UGGS, bare feet or anything that is not a laced sneaker will be permitted.

Healthcare Pathway - For more information on the Healthcare Pathway Health Science - Stamford Public Schools or contact Camille Quattrocchi

Public Safety Pathway - For more information on the Public Safety Pathway Public Safety - Stamford Public Schools or contact Stanley Lamour

JROTC - For more information on JROTC Westhill JROTC or contact William Weber or Arlindo Almeida

Westhill Intramural Activities will begin Monday September 8th and run through the spring (final week will be communicated in May). 

AM Team Sports - Soccer and Basketball Mondays-Fridays from 6:40AM-7:20AM. Students must enter through the rear door to the main gym across from the stadium. You can not enter through the building. Sneakers are required to participate and students must sign in with staff.

PM Fitness Center - Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:20-3:20 PM - report to the Fitness Center, room 2. Sneakers are required to participate and students must sign in with staff.

Any questions contact Camille Quattrocchi

 

Robin Konrad, Department Leader for Visual and Performing Arts:

Several of us have Instagram accounts. Check out what is happening in our classrooms by following us!

  • Mrs. Tamara Dilworth @artwithmrsd
  • Mr. Mathew DiGiovanna @mr.digiart
  • Mrs. Robin Konrad @rkonart
  • Ms. Nina Zachary @mszwhsart
  • Mrs. Ronet Noe @artnoewesthill

 

Lisa Forbes, Department Leader for Social Studies: 

Westhill will hold its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 12th at 8:00AM.  Are there any Veterans who would like to join us? If so, contact Dr. Forbes lforbes@stamfordpublicschools.org

Thank you to all that served!

Thank You Veterans

Ashley Katz, Department Leader for School Counselors:

Stamford household income form - fill this out and email to Audrey Way at AWay@stamfordct.gov to see if you qualify for a fee waiver for AP exams

 

Free FAFSA & AACTUS support from CONNTAC for SENIORS!!!

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) event, featuring a speech bubble with the FAFSA logo and text describing the event details, which take place on Mondays from 9:30-10:30 in the Career Center, where free help is available for filling out FAFSA or AACTUS forms.

SENIOR INTERNSHIP
 

The 2026 Senior Internship Experience  Application will be open from 10/1/25 to 1/5/26. 

 

Wendy Bosco, Department Leader for Science:

IMPORTANT SCIENCE REMINDER: All students are required to take 3 credits of science in order to graduate. To see all our course offerings and descriptions select Science under course descriptions in the Program of Studies -- Stamford High and Westhill High. Make sure there’s a (1.) PURPLE “WHS” square next to the course description (see image below FOR AN EXAMPLE), and please check the (2.) “prerequisites”.  

All students are required to take 3 credits of science in order to graduate.

FUN SCIENCE UPDATE: All freshmen in Semester 1 Integrated Science went to Soundwaters this quarter (see image below) , and will be seeing how their experiences relate to the upcoming chemistry and carbon cycle units!

All freshmen in Semester 1 Integrated Science went to Soundwaters this quarter
All freshmen in Semester 1 Integrated Science went to Soundwaters this quarter
All freshmen in Semester 1 Integrated Science went to Soundwaters this quarter

 

Jon Russo, Stamford Agriscience Program Coordinator:

 

Kim Kumar, Department Leader for Business: 

Quarter 1 Grades & Quarter 2 Start

Heads up, students! While Quarter 1 ends this Friday, please note that final grades will not be posted in PowerSchool until Friday, November 21st.

Quarter 2 kicks off this Monday, November 10th! Get ready—the CTE department is starting many new courses designed to prepare you for your future career and college goals.

Don't Miss the Financial Reality Fair!

Mark your calendars! We're hosting a Financial Reality Fair at Westhill High School on Wednesday, December 3rd. This is an incredibly valuable event—we strongly encourage all students to participate and learn critical money management skills.



 

Ann Herz, Department Leader for World Language:

Mrs.Manetta’s French and Italian classes share their ideas about friendship and poetry in French and Italian.

Mrs.Manetta’s French and Italian classes share their ideas about friendship and poetry in French and Italian.

 

 

Michael Capriotti, Department Leader for Mathematics:

  • At the end of every quarter the district will be administering quarterly math assessments in the Integrated Math 1, Integrated Math 2, and Integrated Math 3 district math courses.  I would like to thank our math teachers as well as our hard working Westhill students for taking part in the first round of the implementation of this process this new academic year.  Please encourage your student to check powerschool and to check in with his/her math teacher as grades become finalized for Quarter 1 over the next week or so.

 

Steven Angelo, Department Leader for Special Education:

  • I would like to shout out our specialized programming teachers for successfully running many functional and real life activities for our students. Our CORE programing began running their morning cafe making breakfast sandwiches and delivering them around the school. Our Family Foods students are off to a great start with the Viking Cafe making and delivering delicious lunches!! 
  • I would also like to remind parents and guardians about the importance of consent forms for initial evaluations and triennial reviews. These forms allow our team to determine eligibility for special education. Special Education teachers will send home or email home any forms that are unsigned. 
  • If you have any questions you can reach out to me at sangelo@stamfordpublicschools.org 

 


Have a Great Week Vikings!

For the most up-to-date version of the Principal’s Newsletter: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQ_ss1NfowhvFTlKJ9C2_KeoYDg8ca4QlxFcUVH1lwljlqg-XOmTdrjc_lXOkk5uVqcxInKetMZbdNZ/pub