Westbrook Public Schools

News and Announcements

• Covid 19 Case- Daisy Ingraham Elementary School

  January 15, 2021

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

  We were notified of an individual at Daisy Ingraham Elementary School who has tested positive for Covid-19.  This individual last attended school in-person on January 12th.  After conferring with our local health department, we have determined that a small number of students and staff will quarantine in line with CT Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines.  All families and staff members impacted by this case have already been contacted.

  As a reminder, if you or a family member start to exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, are exposed to a positive case, or are awaiting test results, please inform the school nurse as soon as possible.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for guidance and clarification. Most importantly, please self-quarantine and choose remote learning until these concerns and questions are resolved. 

  As always, student and staff health, safety and wellness are our highest priorities. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

  Sincerely, 

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

  Superintendent of Schools

  Covid Info

• Positive Covid 19 case at Westbrook Middle School

  January 12, 2021

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

  Early this morning, we received notification that an individual at Westbrook Middle School tested positive for Covid-19. This individual was last present in person at Westbrook Middle School on Friday, January 8th. After a comprehensive review of close contacts in collaboration with our local health department, we have determined that this case requires 11 staff members and 13 students to quarantine. All students and staff required to quarantine have been contacted and provided with instructions per CDC and Connecticut guidelines for schools.

  Due to the impact on staffing at the middle school, Westbrook Middle School will continue to operate in full remote learning mode for the remainder of this week and return to in-person operations on Tuesday, January 19th.

  Westbrook High School and Daisy Ingraham Elementary School are not impacted by this case and will remain in full in-person learning mode.

  We will continue to monitor this case and provide updates as needed.

  As always, thank you for your continued support and understanding. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

  Sincerely,

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

  Covid Info

• Westbrook Middle School Moves to Remote Learning - 1/12/2021

  January 12, 2021

  Due to a positive Covid-19 case at the middle school that was reported early this morning, the time needed to conduct contact tracing, and potential impact to staffing capacity due to quarantine, we have determined that all Westbrook Middle School students and staff will participate in remote learning today, Tuesday, January 12th.  I will follow-up with a communication later this morning with more details as we evaluate this case and its impact.  

  Kristina J. Martineau

  Superintendent of School

  Covid Info

• Covid-19 Case Update 1/6/2021

  January 6, 2021

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

  We were informed that two individuals at Westbrook High Schools have tested positive for Covid-19.  These individuals have not attended in-person learning since early November.  There are no known exposures or contacts associated with Westbrook Public Schools associated with these cases.  

  We were also notified of an individual at Daisy Ingraham Elementary School who has tested positive for Covid-19.  This individual attended school in-person on January 4th.  After conferring with our local health department, we have determined that a small number of students and staff will quarantine out of an abundance of caution and in line with CT Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines.  All families and staff members impacted by this case have already been contacted.

  As a reminder, if you or a family member start to exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, are exposed to a positive case, or are awaiting test results, please inform the school nurse as soon as possible.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for guidance and clarification. Most importantly, please self-quarantine and choose remote learning until these concerns and questions are resolved. 

  As always, student and staff health, safety and wellness are our highest priorities. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

  Sincerely, 

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

  Covid Info

• PowerSchool Version Update

  PowerSchool will be unavailable while we perform a version update starting on 12/30 at 9:00am.

  At 2:30pm on 12/30, updates were completed.

  Technology

• Covid-19 Case Update 12/29/2020

  December 29, 2020

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

  We were informed that an individual at Westbrook Middle School has tested positive for Covid-19.  This individual was last in the school on December 23rd. After consulting with our local health director, we have determined, out of an abundance of caution, that two other individuals should quarantine per CDC and CT DPH guidelines. These individuals have already been contacted and no other action is needed at this time.

  We will continue to monitor cases of Covid-19 and update you as we receive new information. 

  We ask that you continue to encourage your children to practice good hand-washing hygiene, wear face masks, and to practice social distancing per CDC guidelines. As a reminder, if you or a family member start to exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, shortness of breath, coughing, new loss of taste or smell, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, for example), please reach out to your physician and inform your child’s school nurse. If you would like further information on COVID-19, please go to the Westbrook Public Schools website at www.westbrookctschools.org.

  Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

  Covid Info

• Covid-19 Update 12/28/2020

  December 28, 2020

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

  This afternoon, we were informed that an individual at Daisy Ingraham Elementary School has tested positive for Covid-19.  This individual last attended Daisy in person on December 23rd.  This case is the result of a household exposure event. We have conferred with our local health director and determined that this new case does not require any student or staff at Daisy Ingraham Elementary School to quarantine.

  Additionally, we received a report of another individual associated with Daisy who also tested positive for Covid-19.  This case is also the result of an unrelated household exposure event. This individual was last in person at Daisy Ingraham Elementary School on Friday, December 18th. No students or staff members need to quarantine as a result of this case.

  We ask that you continue to encourage your children to practice good hand-washing hygiene, wear face masks, and to practice social distancing per CDC guidelines. As a reminder, if you or a family member start to exhibit symptoms of the COVID-19 (fever, shortness of breath, coughing, new loss of taste or smell, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, for example), please reach out to your physician and inform your child’s school nurse. If you would like further information on COVID-19, please go to the Westbrook Public Schools website at www.westbrookctschools.org.

  Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

  Covid Info

• Winter Edition of the Knightly News

  Check out the latest version of the Knightly News!

  • Newspaper winter issue 2020.pdf

  Westbrook High School

• Covid-19 Case Update

  Sunday, December 20, 2020

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

  We were informed that an individual at Westbrook High School has tested positive for Covid-19.  This individual was last present at Westbrook High School on Tuesday, December 15th.  As always, we work closely with the Westbrook Health Department to identify close contacts and quarantine requirements.  We have determined that a quarantine period is required for high school students who may been in close contact with this individual.  All students and their families impacted by this particular case have already been contacted and instructed to quarantine.

  As always, we appreciate your efforts and support during this challenging time.  

  Sincerely, 

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

  Covid Info

• Remote Learning Survey

  Monday, December 14, 2020

   

  Dear Westbrook Students, Parents, and Guardians,

   

  After an extended period of time in remote learning mode this fall, I am writing to you now to ask for your feedback to help us to plan in the event we return to remote, e-learning this school year.  Please consider taking a few minutes to share with us your thoughts, experiences, and suggestions to help us to provide the best experience possible in remote learning.

   

  Also, some of our students continue to participate remotely while schools are in-person.  The perspective of our students and families who remain in remote learning mode is also very important to us.

   

  Thank you in advance for your time in completing this survey and your input to help us in future planning.  Please complete one survey per child.  The survey will close on Monday, December 21, 2020.

   

  Daisy Ingraham Elementary School

  Westbrook Middle School

  Westbrook High School

   

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of School

  Westbrook Public Schools

• Westbrook High School Theatre

  Westbrook High School Theatre will be presenting War of the Worlds: A Totally Teen Online Theatrical Event" and "A Virtual Whodunnit" beginning December 11th.  Visit https://whs.westbrookctschools.org for the link to watch at 6:00pm on Friday, December 11!

  Westbrook High School

• Covid-19 Update

  December 9, 2020

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

  This afternoon, we were informed that a student at Westbrook Middle School has tested positive for Covid-19. This was a household spread event.  Due to the household exposure, this student has been in quarantine per guidance from our local health director and CDC guidelines. This student did not attend in-person learning this week and there are no known exposures or contacts associated with Westbrook Public Schools. No further action is required at this time.

  I will continue to update you if we receive information regarding positive cases of Covid-19 and any potential impact on our day to day operations due to staff shortages and quarantine requirements.

  As always, we appreciate your efforts during this challenging time.

  Sincerely, 

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

   

  Covid Info

• Covid-19 Case Update

  December 9, 2020

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

  We were informed that a student at Westbrook Middle School has tested positive for Covid-19.  This student has not attended in-person learning this week. Per guidance from our local health director and CDC guidelines, this student will quarantine for 14 days.  There are no known exposures or contacts associated with Westbrook Public Schools.  No further action is required at this time.

  I will continue to update you if we receive information regarding positive cases of Covid-19 and any potential impact on our day to day operations due to staff shortages and quarantine requirements.

  We ask that you continue to encourage your children to practice good hand-washing hygiene, wear face masks, and to practice social distancing per CDC guidelines. As a reminder, if you or a family member start to exhibit symptoms of the COVID-19, please reach out to your physician and inform your child’s school nurse as soon as possible. If you would like further information on COVID-19, please go to the Westbrook Public Schools website at www.westbrookctschools.org.

  As always, student and staff health, safety, and wellness are our highest priorities. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

  Sincerely, 

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

   

  Covid Info

• Covid-19 Update 12/7/2020

  December 7, 2020

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

  We were informed that a student at Daisy Ingraham Elementary School has tested positive for Covid-19.  This case is associated with a household exposure and the student has been quarantined while awaiting official test results. Per guidance from our local health director and CDC guidelines, this student will continue to quarantine.  There are no known exposures or contacts associated with Westbrook Public Schools.  No further action is required at this time.

  I will continue to update you if we receive information regarding positive cases of Covid-19 and any potential impact on our day to day operations due to staff shortages and quarantine requirements.

  We ask that you continue to encourage your children to practice good hand-washing hygiene, wear face masks, and to practice social distancing per CDC guidelines. As a reminder, if you or a family member start to exhibit symptoms of the COVID-19, please reach out to your physician and inform your child’s school nurse as soon as possible. If you would like further information on COVID-19, please go to the Westbrook Public Schools website at www.westbrookctschools.org.

  As always, student and staff health, safety and wellness are our highest priorities. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

  Sincerely, 

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

  Covid Info

• In-Person Mode and Follow-Up Communication

  Sunday, December 6, 2020

  Dear Parents and Guardians,

  As we transition back to full, in-person instruction on Monday, December 7th in all three schools, please know that we continue to follow the most updated CDC guidelines and Connecticut Department of Public Health recommendations, including cleaning protocols, social distancing, health self screening, and face mask requirements to keep our students and staff safe in our schools. We are ready and eager to welcome our students and staff back to our schools tomorrow and look forward to seeing them in-person.

  We understand that some families may choose to continue remote, e-learning for a variety of reasons, including family decisions associated with self quarantine prior to the winter holidays.  Remote, e-learning remains an option to all families during this time.  If you decide to pursue this option, we ask that you communicate directly to your child’s school principal and encourage you to reach out if you have any additional needs.  In the spirit of continuous improvement and a commitment to supporting all of our students to feel connected and supported during this challenging time, our principals will be sending out a survey this week to hear from you about how remote, e-learning experiences can be improved for our students. 

  Also, on Tuesday, December 8th, the Connecticut Department of Education will host a Virtual Town Hall Event for Parents and Families: Supporting Children in Remote Learning during Covid-19  (Spanish language version of the event flyer hyperlinked here).

  We will continually review and evaluate the mode of school (in person vs. remote) to keep our students and staff safe.  We will work closely on a daily basis with our Westbrook Department of Health and communicate any updated information or changes that might impact school operations as soon as possible.

  Thank you again for your understanding and flexibility.  As always, we appreciate your support and feedback.

  Sincerely,

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

  Covid Info

• Return to Full In Person Learning Monday 12/7/2020

  Thursday, December 3, 2020

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,

  Over the last several weeks, all three schools have been operating in remote, e-learning mode as a result of an increase of Covid-19 cases in the Westbrook community identified by the Connecticut Department of Health in the widely publicized Connecticut Covid-19 Data Tracker and in conjunction with published guidance from the Connecticut Department of Public Health in the Town-Level Covid Response Framework.  Most recent guidance from Governor Lamont, the Connecticut Department of Education, and the Connecticut Department of Public Health encourages superintendents and local health department officials to reconsider this framework in conjunction with internal health metrics directly related to student and staff cases of Covid-19 and potential staff shortages as a result of quarantines.  

  After reviewing the latest Covid-19 community case report, internal school data related to active Covid-19 cases, and staffing capacity with Westbrook Health Director Zachary Faiella, we have decided to return to school for full, in person learning at all schools beginning Monday, December 7, 2020.  

  We appreciate your continued patience and support. It is our priority to operate our schools in person as much as possible this year, but we will always carefully consider external and internal health metrics to ensure we do so in the safest way possible for our students and staff. We understand the hardship and inconvenience that the uncertainty and shifts in school modes causes for our families, staff, and community.  We will continue to update you with the latest information and to notify you of changes to school modes as soon as possible.

  Sincerely

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

  Covid Info

• Communication from Kristina J. Martineau, Supt.

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

  We were informed that a staff member at Westbrook Middle School has tested positive for COVID-19. This staff member has been working remotely since our transition to distance learning and there are no known exposures or close contacts associated with Westbrook Public Schools. The individual has been instructed by their local health department to quarantine per CDC guidelines. This information was also shared with our Westbrook Health Director, Zach Faiella. 

  I will continue to update you if we receive information regarding positive cases of Covid-19 and any potential impact on our day to day operations due to staff shortages and quarantine requirements.

  We ask that you continue to encourage your children to practice good hand-washing hygiene, wear face masks, and to practice social distancing per CDC guidelines. As a reminder, if you or a family member start to exhibit symptoms of the COVID-19, please reach out to your physician and inform your child’s school nurse as soon as possible. If you would like further information on COVID-19, please go to the Westbrook Public Schools website at www.westbrookctschools.org.

  As always, student and staff health, safety and wellness are our highest priorities. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

  Sincerely, 

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

  Covid Info

• Confirmed Covid-19 Case of Individual Associated with Westbrook Middle School

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

  This afternoon, we were informed that a student at Westbrook Middle School has tested positive for COVID-19. The student has been instructed by the Westbrook Health Department to quarantine per CDC guidelines.  As always, we continue to work closely with our Westbrook Health Director, Zach Faiella, to conduct tracing of close contacts and to determine next steps. If further information develops that impacts school operations beyond what is communicated here, I will send out a follow-up communication as soon as possible. 

  We ask that you continue to encourage your children to practice good hand-washing hygiene, wear face masks, and to practice social distancing per CDC guidelines. As a reminder, if you or a family member start to exhibit symptoms of the COVID-19 (fever, shortness of breath, coughing, new loss of taste or smell, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, for example), please reach out to your physician and inform your child’s school nurse. If you would like further information on COVID-19, please go to the Westbrook Public Schools website at www.westbrookctschools.org.

  As always, student and staff health, safety and wellness are our highest priorities. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

  Sincerely, 

  Kristina J. Martineau, Ed.D.

  Superintendent of Schools

  Covid Info

• Remote Instruction Continued

  Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,
  I trust this email finds you comfortably full and relaxed after yesterday’s Thanksgiving feast. I hope you continue with a safe and enjoyable weekend.
  
  When we return on Monday, Westbrook Public Schools will remain in remote instruction. The conditions for opening the schools will continue to be evaluated by Health Director Zack Faiella and Superintendent Kristina Martineau based on our health data and appropriate staffing.
  
  It has been an honor to serve the Westbrook school community for the past five months. As Dr. Martineau starts her tenure on Tuesday,  December 1st, I wish you all the very best as you move forward in this most unusual year. 
  
  This is a great school district.
  
  Sincerely,
  Patricia Charles
  Interim Superintendent

  Covid Info

• The Knightly News

  Read the Fall edition of the "Knightly News", the Westbrook High School student newspaper.

  • Newspaper 8 5x11 1.pdf

  Westbrook High School