Westbrook Portrait of a Graduate

During the 2021-2022 school year, the school community and the community of Westbrook collaborated to share their perspectives and values about educational priorities for all students in Westbrook Public Schools.  At the June 2022 Westbrook Board of Education meeting, the Board approved the Westbrook Portrait of a Graduate.  It is with great excitement to share our final work and to communicate our appreciation to all who assisted in the development of this important vision for our students. We are proud of the inclusive nature of our community discourse and confident that this vision represents well the educational values and beliefs of the Westbrook community for the youth of Westbrook.  The Westbrook Portrait of a Graduate includes five priority attributes that describe the Westbrook High School graduate: critical problem-solver, creative thinker, effective communicator, perseverant, socially aware, and responsible decision maker.

 Student in graduation cap and gown 

Critical Problem Solver

A Westbrook graduate who is a critical problem-solver systematically and strategically resolves a variety of complex issues.

A graduate who is a critical problem-solver:

  • identifies a complex issue or situation
  • considers context

  • investigates multiple solutions and perspectives

  • communicates the process and supporting evidence

  • implements the best path forward


Creative Thinker

A Westbrook graduate who is a creative thinker explores existing ideas, products, or designs to innovate and create in imaginative or novel ways.

A graduate who is a creative thinker:

  • explores possibilities

  • examines information from various viewpoints

  • generates and/or brainstorms ideas

  • experiments in unexpected ways


Effective Communicator

A Westbrook graduate who is an effective communicator conveys a clear message while being respectful, receptive, and responsive to the input of others.

A graduate who is an effective communicator:

  • collaborates with appropriate stakeholders  

  • communicates clearly, concisely, and accurately 

  • recognizes audience awareness

  • considers and acknowledges diverse viewpoints

  • displays proficiency across modes of communication


Perseverant

A Westbrook graduate who is perseverant holds oneself responsible to reflect, revise, and grow through critical feedback and setbacks regardless of the challenges encountered. 

A graduate who is perseverant:

  • adapts to changing circumstances

  • demonstrates resilience to overcome failure, obstacles, and uncertainty

  • reflects upon and responds to feedback

  • motivates oneself intrinsically


Socially Aware

A Westbrook graduate who is socially aware recognizes and understands the feelings of diverse individuals and groups with the ability to show compassion when considering norms for behaviors in a variety of settings.

A graduate who is socially aware:

  • considers and respects others’ perspectives 

  • demonstrates empathy  

  • identifies diverse social norms 

  • reacts appropriately in a variety of settings 


Responsible Decision Maker

A Westbrook graduate who is a responsible decision maker demonstrates awareness of self and others as one considers responsible choices and consequences while making decisions to benefit self and community. 

A graduate who is a responsible decision maker:

  • holds oneself accountable 

  • considers ethical standards and safety concerns

  • reflects on personal, family, and community well-being 

  • communicates decisions clearly and effectively 

  • makes judgements after analyzing data and facts

News and Announcements

  • Friday Parent Update December 1st

    Hello Everyone,

    Please click on the link to read the Friday Parent Update December 1st.

    http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

    Thank you.

    Westbrook High School
  • Westbrook Middle School Named 2023 ESPN Honor Roll School

    Early in 2023, Westbrook Middle School was recognized by Special Olympics North America as a nationally recognized Unified Champion School.  Special Olympics is dedicated to promoting inclusion through participation in athletics experiences. Unified Sports brings people with and without intellectual disabilities together in the spirit of teamwork and social bonding.  Their philosophy is that by practicing and competing together, the path to friendship and understanding will be paved.  

    Under the leadership of Daniel Jennings, Special Education teacher and Unified Sports head coach, and Westbrook Dean of Students Amy Gallagher, Westbrook Middle School (WMS) applied to be a Special Olympics Unified Sports Champion School in 2022.  The application process was rigorous, and WMS had to demonstrate that they met the ten rigorous national standards of excellence stipulated by the Special Olympics.  In April of 2023, WMS received notification from Special Olympics North America that our school's application to the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools National Recognition Program had been approved.  When asked what being a Unified Sports Champion School meant to WMS Dean of Students Amy Gallagher, she stated, “It feels good for the nation to be made aware of what we’ve known for a long time. Our school community is inclusive, connected, and making a difference in the lives of so many students. We are very proud to be recognized as a Champion school and try to live up to that standard every day.”

    According to the National School Recognition Program, WMS received national banner recognition and noted that WMS has built “... an inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement and respect for all members of the student body and staff. A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 national standards of excellence. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.”  Upon recognition, Director of Special Services, Fran Lagace emailed Coach Jennings and said, “Great work! The benefits for the kids goes way beyond the banner. It has really improved the culture and climate for students and staff.”

    In mid-October, WMS was once again recognized as a leader in Unified Sports by ESPN.  Westbrook was named a 2023 ESPN Honor Roll School.  WMS was one of ten schools in the Northeast region and the only school in Connecticut to be awarded this prestigious honor.  In a recent announcement by ESPN, Westbrook’s Unified program along with the other Honor Roll Schools were thanked for building more inclusive schools and a more inclusive world.  Mr. Jennings has been leading the charge with regard to inclusion and belonging at Westbrook Middle School for years.  When he learned that his program had been named a 2023 ESPN Honor Roll School, he said, “This is an incredible honor! I am very proud of our Unified Sports program, and how it continues to positively shape our inclusive school community. Unified Sports plays a major role in contributing to everyone’s sense of belonging in Westbrook Middle School. Way to go Unified Knights!!”

    Westbrook Middle School Principal Matt Talmadge commented, “So many stakeholders have come together to make this a reality.  Coach Jennings and athletic director Gallagher leveraged the support from both the Connecticut Association of Schools and our director of special services as they worked with our students and families to bring the true spirit of inclusion to life through Unified Sports.  They made a difference in our community, and that is what it is all about.”  

    Dr. Kristina Martineau, Superintendent of Westbrook Public Schools added, “Unified Sports fosters social inclusion and youth leadership.  That powerful combination is highly valued for all of our students.   Our growing Unified Sports program continues to make a tremendous impact increasing positivity and belonging in both the Westbrook Public Schools and the Westbrook community at large. We are proud of our teacher leaders for making this happen for our community and so proud of all of our students involved in this important program.” 

    Mr. Robert Hale, the Director of Unified Sports at Special Olympics Connecticut, leads the team that organizes the school-based Unified Sports program for Connecticut. This program is sponsored cooperatively by Special Olympics Connecticut and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Association.  Mr. Hale personally came to Westbrook Middle School on October 27, 2023 to present a banner to Westbrook Middle School during their annual fall pep rally.  The banner and presentation by Mr. Hale allowed the entire school community to celebrate being named a Unified Champion School as well as a 2023 ESPN Honor Roll School.

    Westbrook Middle School
  • PowerSchool Maintenance 11/22/2023 - 8:00am to 12:00pm

    PowerSchool will be updated between 8:00am and 12:00pm this Wednesday, November 22nd. Access to PowerSchool Admin, PowerTeacher, and PowerSchool's public portal for students and parents will be unavailable.

    As always, scheduled maintenance and updates and known outages are posted at https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/technology_maintenance__scheduled_downtime

    Technology
  • Friday Parent Update November 10th

    Hello there,

    Please click on the link to read the Friday Parent Update November 10th.

    http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

    Thank you.

    Westbrook High School
  • Westbrook Celebrates Veterans Day

    Westbrook Middle School and Westbrook High School celebrated veterans of the armed services this morning during a ceremony in the high school.  View the slideshow below created to honor the veterans associated with the schools through relationships with students, faculty, and staff.

    Veterans Day Slideshow:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkpVWINoBwU

    Westbrook High School
  • New Student Software Approval

    N2Y has been approved for use in the classroom. For the most up-to-date list of available software, visit https://www.westbrookctschools.org/groups/5665/technology/privacy_information.

    Technology
  • Friday Parent Update November 3rd

    Hello there,

    Please click on the link to read the Friday Parent Update November 3rd.

    http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

    Thank you.

    Westbrook High School
  • Westbrook Veterans Day Ceremony

    The Westbrook Veterans Day Ceremony will take place on the Westbrook Town Green at 11:00am on November 10th.   Many students from Westbrook Schools will make contributions to the ceremony such as personal reflections, singing, and concert band performances.  Review the attached flyer for a breakdown of the event.

    Westbrook Public Schools
  • Friday Parent Update October 27th

    Hello there,

    Please click on the link to read the Friday Parent Update October 27th.

    http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

    Thank you.

    Westbrook High School
  • Friday Parent Update October 20th

    Hello there,

    Please click on the link to read the Friday Parent Update October 20th.

     http://whs.westbrookctschools.org/friday_parent_updates

    Thank you.

    Westbrook High School
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District Events

  • WMS Math Olympiads

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WMS Rm 115

    WMS Art Club

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WMS Library

    WMS Homework Club

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WMS 116

    WMS Musical Auditions

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WMS Library

    WMS Game Club

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WMS Library

    WMS Homework Club

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WMS Guidance

    WMS Vivid Club

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WMS 116

    WMS Musical Auditions

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WMS Rm 113

    WMS Student Council Meetings

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WHS Room 226 (Culinary Room)

    Music Boosters Meeting

    Westbrook High School
  • WMS Rm 203

    WMS Newspaper Club-Literary Magazine

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WMS 116

    WMS Musical Auditions

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WMS Math Olympiads

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WMS Rm 115

    WMS Art Club

    Westbrook Middle School
  • WMS Library

    WMS Homework Club

    Westbrook Middle School
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Superintendent

Woman sitting at deskContact Information

Dr. Kristina J. Martineau
Superintendent

kmartineau@westbrookctschools.org

860-399-6432

 

 

Superintendent's Newsletters

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