The Westerly High School Social Studies Department  offers a wide variety of courses representing most of the social sciences. Students are required to successfully complete three courses in Social Studies in order to graduate. These courses cover World History, US History and Civics. Through these required courses, students are expected to read, write, think and speak like a historian. Before they graduate, the WHS student will be able to construct a history by interpreting artifacts from the past, as well as identify and explain differences in historical interpretation.  They will also know their rights and responsibilities of a citizen living in a democracy. Though not required, most students take at least one Social Studies elective. Some of these courses prepare students to take the Advanced Placement test. The department also maintains articulation agreements with local colleges and universities that award our students college credit upon completion of their courses at WHS.

                                                                                              Anthony Lementowicz, Department Chairperson

Department Announcements

February is Black History Month!

A number of resources have been curated to learn about and celebrate Black History Month in Rhode Island.

The RI Department of Education has a variery of resources related to African American History.

The RI Secretary of State's Office has a number of resources related to Black History in RI.

The RI Historical Society offers a number of lesson plans. 

League of Women Voters of South County Essay Contest Honoring Women's History Month March 2023

Open to 9th grade students in social studies classes from Chariho, Exeter-West Greenwich, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Prout, South Kingstown, and Westerly High Schools, and 9th grade Home School students. $100 award to top winner in each high school.

CONTEST DETAILS:  

Choose a woman in American History who has made a positive impact on society. Explain why you chose her, what she did and how she changed society. The essay should be original and no more than 500 words. Submit the essay on this Google Form. Deadline to submit essay - Midnight, February 18, 2023. Essays will be judged by League of Women Voters members.

Winner/s will be chosen based on the following criteria:

Historical accuracy

Inspirational slant 

Readability

Writer’s voice

The award/s will be presented on March 1, 2023 at your school.

With permission, essays will be published and shared widely during Women’s HIstory Month, March 2023.

The South County League of Women Voters Wants YOU!

The League of Women Voters of South County would like you to consider joining their organization. Their mission is to encourage informed and active participation in government.  The very first high school member of the league is from Westerly High School, and the group would love to have more students get involved. Here is a link to their website to learn more: http://www.lwvri.org/LWV_South_County.html  

If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to contact Nina Rossomando at lwvscri@gmail.com.

WESTERLY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND BABCOCK-SMITH HOUSE MUSEUM HISTORY AWARD

An annual award up to $500.00 will be given to a person or persons, grade 5 through adulthood, who furthers the mission of researching, studying, and/or preserving local history in our community. Secondary consideration will be given to someone who exhibits a passion for history unrelated to the

local community. Applications are available online at babcocksmithhouse.org or westerlyhistoricalsociety.org. Application or nomination must be submitted by April 1 by direct mail to Westerly Historical Society, PO Box 91, Westerly, RI 02891 or by email to whspresident@gmail.com.