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Principal’s Weekly Message for the week of: March 9, 2026
Principal Rinaldi

Dear Westhill Families,

As we march forward into the month (Pun intended 😊), we have several important updates regarding our transition plans and upcoming school events.

Construction Update: The Final Countdown

With the snow hopefully behind us, the reality of our April 1st campus footprint shift is becoming more of a reality. We are now just over three weeks away from significant changes to our campus layout.

  • Site Preparation: Very soon you may notice increased activity near the periphery of the parking lots. Fencing materials are being staged, and preliminary markings for the new construction zones are being finalized.
  • Parking Permits & Transitions: A reminder that starting April 1st, on-campus student parking will be prohibited to accommodate the new building footprint. If your student currently drives, please ensure they have a confirmed plan for off-campus parking or are prepared to take their assigned bus.
  • Neighborly Conduct: As more students will soon be transition to off-campus parking, we ask that you remind them to be respectful of our neighbors’ driveways and to adhere strictly to all City of Stamford parking signage to avoid ticketing or towing.

Academic & Student Life

We are just about in the "home stretch" of the third quarter. This is a critical time for students to stay on top of their assignments.

  • Mid-Quarter Check-in: Now is the time to log into PowerSchool. Please check on your student’s progress and reach out to their teachers with any questions or concerns.
  • Student Course Selection: Course selection for the 2026-2027 school year is underway. Please be sure to involve yourself in this critically important process and reach out to your child’s school counselor with any questions.
  • SAT School Day: Preparations continue to be underway for SAT School Day on Wednesday, March 18. Please be on the lookout for more information next week.

Viking Spirit & Successes

Our students continue to shine both in and out of the classroom:

  • Northstar Playmakers: Rehearsals for our spring musical Seussical are in full swing! Check for showtimes and get your tickets in advance on Westhill’s website.
  • Winter Post-Season: Congratulations to all our winter sports teams who are now wrapping up the regular season. We are incredibly Westhill & P.R.O.U.D. of all of you!
  • Black History Month Celebration: Congratulations to all of our students who participated in Westhill’s INCREDIBLE Black History Month celebration this week! Special thanks as always to our very own Mrs. Gloria “Ms. T” Whitaker for leading this effort year after year!

 

Have a restful and productive weekend, Vikings!

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: 

The 2026-2027 course request window will be open through Friday, March 20th

Requests must be made through the web version of Powerschool - not the app. The web version of powerschool can be accessed from the westhill website: 

https://sis.stamfordpublicschools.org

If you don't know your Powerschool password you can see Ms. Letson in the media center or your school counselor. 

Instructions on how to select courses were emailed to all students by Ms. Katz

Course descriptions can be found in the 2026-2027 program of studies which is on the westhill website


 

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

4 x 4 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT - Friday, March 13th

4 x 4 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT - Friday, March 13th

Sean Otterspoor

Do you have what it takes to rule the court? Next Friday, March 13th, the Class of 2027 is hosting a 4x4 Tournament in the Main Gym! You can pre-register now! 

  • When: Friday, March 13th @ 2:30 PM
  • Where: Main Gym
  • Roles: Players & Referees needed!

Registration:

  • $10 Preregistration
  • $15 At the door

Bring cash!
We’re selling concessions right outside the gym.

 

To participate in the tournament, please complete the online registration via the links. To finalize your entry, please visit Room 310 or 608 to submit your registration fee.

Players sign up here | Referees sign up here

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

SAT School Day - Device Checks:

SAT School Day is coming! On Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026, all 11th grade students will be scheduled to take the SAT. Any students who are absent that day will be scheduled for a make up exam.

To prepare for the exam, 11th grade students will have their electronic devices checked for test compatibility during the period of March 4 - Mar 6, 2026 Times for device checks will be shared with students and teachers.

¡Se acerca el Día del SAT! El miércoles 18 de marzo de 2026, todos los estudiantes de 11.º grado presentarán el examen SAT. Los estudiantes que falten ese día tendrán que tomar un examen de recuperación.

Para prepararse para el examen, se revisará la compatibilidad de los dispositivos electrónicos de los estudiantes de 11.º grado entre el 4 y el 6 de marzo de 2026. Se informará a los estudiantes y profesores sobre las horas de revisión.

 

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

Climate Survey

Please take a moment to fill out our district Climate Survey. This information gives important data to lead our school forward. https://surveys.panoramaed.com/stamfordps/FamilySpring2026/surveys

 

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

Lisa Forbes, Department Leader for Social Studies:

Course selection for next year is starting soon.  Below are links with information about Social Studies courses:

AP Courses:https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses

UConn ECE:https://ece.uconn.edu/

Overview: Copy of Course descriptions for Parents 26

Happy Selecting!

 

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 

English 

Spanish

2026 Course selection will take place from March 5th to March 20th.

Course request guide in English

 Course request guide in Spanish

 

Jon Russo, Stamford Agriscience Program Coordinator:

  • THE AGRISCIENCE PROGRAM IS STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

  • Do you have an 8th or 9th 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?

 

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:

In their technology unit, Mrs. Murray’s AP Spanish students studied the use of cell phones and the dependence on them that has developed.

Mrs. Murray’s AP Spanish students studied the use of cell phones

 


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