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Principal’s Weekly Message for the week of January 26, 2026
Principal’s Weekly Message for the week of January 26, 2026
Principal Rinaldi

Dear Westhill High School Families,

Welcome to the second half of the school year!

We have officially crossed the finish line of the First Semester. I want to commend our students and staff for their hard work during last week’s push to complete assessments and projects. With the midway point behind us, we now turn our attention forward.

Monday, January 26, marks the first day of the 3rd Marking Period and the 2nd Semester.

A Fresh Start

The beginning of a new semester is a unique opportunity—it is a "clean slate."

  • For students who excelled in Semester 1: Carry that momentum forward. Your study habits and dedication are paying off.
  • For students who faced challenges: This is your reset button. Past grades are finalized, and next week you start with a 100% average in your new marking period. Take this moment to reflect on what strategies worked, which didn't, and how you can engage differently 2nd semester.

Logistics: Schedules and Classes

By now, all students should have checked PowerSchool to view their Semester 2 schedules.

  • New Classes: Please be aware that room numbers and teachers for semester-long electives may have changed.
  • Guidance: If there are any critical errors in a student's schedule (e.g., a missing period or a duplicate class), please have your student visit their school counselor immediately during the affected period.

Closing out Semester 1 Grades

While we move into new coursework, our faculty is currently working diligently to grade final assignments and calculate Semester 1 grades.

  • Timeline: Please be patient as teachers finalize these records. We will notify families once report cards are officially stored and available for viewing in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

Beat the "Winter Blues"

We know that late January and February can be the most challenging months regarding attendance and energy levels due to the winter weather. However, instruction remains rigorous. We encourage families to help students maintain consistent attendance and arrive on time. Being present is the first step to success.

New Student Lunch Schedule

Please see Assistant Principal Ayala’s section below for very important information regarding a new student lunch schedule beginning next week.

Here’s to a strong start to the new semester Vikings! Let’s make the second half of the year even better than the first!

Sincerely,

Principal Rinaldi and your Westhill 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 Claudia Obas, Assistant Principal Grade 10: 

 

From the Office of Amparo Fabre, Assistant Principal, Multi-Language:

ML Department:

Starting on January 12th the LAS Links testing will be administered to all Multilingual Learners (MLs). This test measures a student's English Language Proficiency.  Students are tested on four domains (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking). This test will assist in determining which ML services students will require for the 2026-2027 school year. 

ML students who are enrolled in ESL will be taking the test during their scheduled ESL class.  The remaining ML students will be scheduled to take the test during the school day in Room 222 starting on January 26.  All stakeholders will be notified in advance of when students will be scheduled to take the test.  Students will be assigned Minga passes and their attendance in PowerSchool will reflect that they were taking a test. 

LAS Links testing is to be completed by Friday, March 6.  If you have any questions or concerns about the testing, please contact Denise Grant at 203-977-5635 or email dgrant@stamfordpublicschools.org

 

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

New Lunch Waves Schedule: Beginning Monday, January 26th, with the start of the spring semester, Westhill will be adjusting our daily schedule to change from 4 lunch waves to 3 lunch waves. This will not affect the amount of time that students are scheduled to be in classes during the day. The link below reflects the updated bell schedules which go into effect on Monday.

 

Nuevo horario de almuerzos: A partir del lunes 26 de enero, con el inicio del semestre de primavera, Westhill ajustará su horario diario de 4 a 3 turnos de almuerzo. Esto no afectará el tiempo que los estudiantes tienen programado asistir a clases durante el día. El enlace a continuación muestra los horarios de timbre actualizados, que entran en vigor el lunes.

 

2025-26 Westhill Bell Schedules - Printable



 

9/19/25  

Class of 2026 - Senior Class Fundraiser through Snap Raise join.snap.app

 

Senior Parking - The form for obtaining parking permits is open. Students and parents should complete the required form in order to apply for a permit. 

 

Open Campus - Open Campus will begin on Monday, September 15th.

This is a privilege reserved for grades 11 and 12 students only. The privilege may be revoked by administration due to a change in policy or based on attendance, academic standing , or discipline issues.

  • In order to apply for the Open Campus privilege, both parents and students must complete the form in Power School
  • Open Campus may only be accessed during a scheduled Study Hall. Students may not leave campus during lunch unless that lunch is during a scheduled study hall.

 

Testing:

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 https://user.totalregistration.net/AP/70751
    • 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 notes with the date of the absence and a parent signature are accepted.

You can find out more information about our attendance policy and documentation process on the westhill website.

 

We want to ensure that all student absences are recorded accurately and in accordance with school and state attendance policies. To help with this, we are sharing a clear explanation of the difference between excused and unexcused absences, what documentation is required, and what may happen if documentation is not submitted. 

 

The information below explains:

 

  • How absences are marked as excused
  • What types of documentation are needed
  • Important timelines for submitting notes
  • What happens when absences are not properly documented

 

Please take a moment to review the information carefully, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.



 

Mrs. Tanya Small

MTSS

Westhill High School

 

EXCUSED vs. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

STEP 1: REPORT THE ABSENCE

  • Parents/Guardians must submit written documentation 
  • Documentation is due within 10 school days of the student’s return 
  • High school students must complete the online absence form and upload documents when required
  • Note: Missing the deadline may result in an unexcused absence

 

ABSENCES 1–9

An absence may be excused if:

  • A parent/guardian approves the absence and
  • Documentation is submitted on time

Acceptable documentation includes:

  • Parent/guardian note
  • Court documentation
  • School nurse or medical note
  • IEP or 504-related documentation
  • Note: Each absence requires separate documentation

 

ABSENCES 10 & BEYOND (STATE LAW)

Starting with the 10th absence, absences are excused ONLY for the reasons below with proper documentation:

  • Student Illness – Medical provider note required
  • Religious Holiday – Parent/guardian note
  • Mental Health Wellness Days – Max 2 per year, not consecutive
  • Death in the Family / Emergency – Parent documentation 
  • Court-Mandated Appointments – Official court documents required
  • Lack of Transportation – When provided by another district 
  • School Activities – Field trips, athletics, meetings 
  • Extraordinary Educational Opportunities – Must be pre-approved
  • Note: Family vacations do not qualify

 

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

An absence is unexcused if:

  • Documentation is not submitted within 10 days
  • The reason does not meet excused criteria
  • The absence is not related to a disciplinary action

 

IMPORTANT REMINDER

  • Attendance matters
  • Submit notes on time
  • Contact the school with questions or concerns

 

Questions? Please reach out to the main office or MTSS team.


 

Christine Wheeler, Department Leader for English:

Friday marks the end of Quarter 3 and the end of all English core Semester 1 classes.  The English Department would like to remind all of our S1 students to return their books next week.  Books can be returned to Ms. Wheeler in room 220 any period.  Books can also be returned to Mr. Hurwitz in room 601 during Period 1 or Mrs. Marchesani in room 213 during Period 3.  

 

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

 

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!!!


 

Kim Kumar, Department Leader for Business: 

The Academy of Finance program is accepting applications from rising sophomores. Please see any business teacher or your counselor for an application. The application and information is also available on Westhill High School website. 

 

https://www.westhillweb.com/academics/academy-of-finance 

 

Ann Herz, Department Leader for World Language:

Mrs. Andersen’s classes studied el cine latino.

classes studied el cine latino.

 

Jon Russo, Stamford Agriscience Program Coordinator:

  • Do you have an 8th grade student with an interest in agriculture? The Stamford Regional Agriscience Program at Westhill High School is recruiting for the 2026-2027 school year! Watch our Recruitment Video, follow @StamfordFFA on Instagram, attend our Plant Sales for a Tour, and apply now to be considered in our next round of applications. We're growing places, are you?

 

 


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