Westport Public Schools Launches Climate Survey

WESTPORT, CT — Westport Public Schools is launching a climate survey to gather feedback in the following key areas: Positive Emotional Climate, Instructional Climate, Students’ Positive Relationships and Discipline, and Student Outcomes.

The survey will be administered during the two-week period of April 21 through May 2, and student participation is voluntary. Parents and guardians can opt out at their choosing.

"The survey should take approximately 7-10 minutes to complete," wrote Anthony Buono, Ph.D., Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, and Michael Rizzo, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services, in a message. "When completing the survey it is vital that your responses represent an overall holistic view of experiences rather than any single point in time. All responses are anonymous (individual responses are not seen). There are no names attached to the survey, and all data will be reported in terms of the way groups of people respond to items."

Below is the text of the message to parents and guardians about the survey:

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This year we’ve partnered with Hanover Research to provide a valid and reliable school climate survey across key areas: Positive Emotional Climate, Instructional Climate, Students’ Positive Relationships and Discipline, and Student Outcomes. We are asking all parents/guardians to fill out the survey as a means of identifying opportunities to improve the learning environment and school experiences. In addition to parents/guardians, surveys will be completed by students in grades 3-12, as well as all staff members, enabling us to hear from a broad range of our school community.

The survey should take approximately 7-10 minutes to complete. When completing the survey it is vital that your responses represent an overall holistic view of experiences rather than any single point in time. All responses are anonymous (individual responses are not seen). There are no names attached to the survey, and all data will be reported in terms of the way groups of people respond to items.

The Climate Survey will be administered during the two week period of April, 21, 2025 -May 2, 2025. At that time, you will receive a link to the survey.

Your child’s participation in this survey is also voluntary. If you do not want your child to participate in this survey, your child will not be negatively impacted. There is also an option for your child to complete a paper and pencil version of the survey. If you do not wish to have your child participate or would prefer they take the paper pencil version, please follow the appropriate link below to submit your request by April 18th at 4:00 pm:

I do not want my child to participate in this survey (grades 3-12 only)
I request that my child takes a paper pencil version of the survey (grades 3-12 only)

If you would like to view the survey questions, they can be found on our district homepage or by following this link:

2025 Westport Public Schools Climate and Culture Survey - Grades 9-12
2025 Westport Public Schools Climate and Culture Survey - Grades 3-8

If you have any other questions regarding the survey, please contact Dr. Valerie Babich, Coordinator of Psychological Services, at 203-341-1237 or vbabich@westportps.org.

Hanover Research will compile the results and conduct a thorough data analysis. When this process is completed, Hanover Research will provide a detailed report of the results. These findings will be analyzed by the school’s representative leadership team, and will be used to inform future school planning initiatives. We hope you will join us in this effort to make our school an even better place to learn.

Thank you for your support in helping us gather this valuable information.

Sincerely,

Anthony Buono, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning

Michael Rizzo
Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services