Sue Figy, who has cochaired the Westfield Public Schools Thanksgiving meal drive with Ralph Figy and Jimmy and Eileen Jachym for at least 13 years, said the group ended up with meals for 232 families.
“It was a banner year for donations. People were so phenomenal this year; we never had as many donations as we did this year,” Figy said. Monetary donations were used to purchase gift cards to be given out for Christmas and for families facing difficulties and emergency situations throughout the year.
“Those who were unable to cook due to their living situation were given gift cards,” Figy said, adding through the drive, they learned of 45 homeless families in the district. All of the families are identified by their schools and kept confidential. “We never know the names,” she said.
Among the standouts in giving to the drive was the Student Government Association at Westfield State University, who presented a check for $5,012.84 from two years of fundraising.
Figy also mentioned retired teacher Ann-Marie Buell and her husband, Michael Buell, who answered the call and donated 50 turkeys this year. Also giving generously were Westfield Gas & Electric, Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, J.L. Raymaakers & Sons and ROAR, Advance Manufacturing, Westfield Bank, who sponsored 50 turkeys; Rick Sullivan and Lisa Oleksak Sullivan, who gave ingredients for 232 green bean casseroles; Janet and David Mayhew and Dr. Stanley Konefal, who provided a huge amount of gift cards and volunteers for packing and delivering.
Many donors sponsored a part of the meal. Among them were Dr. Jane F. Martone DDS, Kristen and Rob Levesque, Judy Puer, Dr. Jim McCann, chiropractic, Kathy Wallis -McCann, Coldwell Banker Realtors Bobbi Pitkin, Kathy Mochak, Mary Ann Irwin, Rita Slaskinski, Maureen Tsatsos and Shirley Sbriscia; Attorney Richard Sullivan III of Lyon & Fitzpatrick LLP; Mary Quesnel, Mortgage Movement; and Linda Wortman, Coldwell Banker; and A Signature Fence. Bags were provided by Westfield Gas and Electric, Polish National Credit Union and The Westfield Bank.
Figy talked about the volunteers who came and helped put together the meals in bags, an effort which began on Thursday with picking up the food, and bagging on Friday. She said she went for the produce, picking up 1,250 pounds of potatoes, apples, and food from Shop Rite, with help from Brian Sullivan.
On Friday, everything was made ready for delivery to the schools. “We had great helpers. We were done packing all the bags and delivering the bags by 11 a.m.,” she said, singling out the students from Westfield High School.
She also pointed to the effort by Josh Adams of Firtion-Adams, who picked up all the turkeys at North Elm Butcher Block, beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, and delivered them all to the schools in time for the Thanksgiving meal.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/11/banner-year-for-westfield-public-schools-thanksgiving-meal-drive.html
“It was a banner year for donations. People were so phenomenal this year; we never had as many donations as we did this year,” Figy said. Monetary donations were used to purchase gift cards to be given out for Christmas and for families facing difficulties and emergency situations throughout the year.
“Those who were unable to cook due to their living situation were given gift cards,” Figy said, adding through the drive, they learned of 45 homeless families in the district. All of the families are identified by their schools and kept confidential. “We never know the names,” she said.
Among the standouts in giving to the drive was the Student Government Association at Westfield State University, who presented a check for $5,012.84 from two years of fundraising.
Figy also mentioned retired teacher Ann-Marie Buell and her husband, Michael Buell, who answered the call and donated 50 turkeys this year. Also giving generously were Westfield Gas & Electric, Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, J.L. Raymaakers & Sons and ROAR, Advance Manufacturing, Westfield Bank, who sponsored 50 turkeys; Rick Sullivan and Lisa Oleksak Sullivan, who gave ingredients for 232 green bean casseroles; Janet and David Mayhew and Dr. Stanley Konefal, who provided a huge amount of gift cards and volunteers for packing and delivering.
Many donors sponsored a part of the meal. Among them were Dr. Jane F. Martone DDS, Kristen and Rob Levesque, Judy Puer, Dr. Jim McCann, chiropractic, Kathy Wallis -McCann, Coldwell Banker Realtors Bobbi Pitkin, Kathy Mochak, Mary Ann Irwin, Rita Slaskinski, Maureen Tsatsos and Shirley Sbriscia; Attorney Richard Sullivan III of Lyon & Fitzpatrick LLP; Mary Quesnel, Mortgage Movement; and Linda Wortman, Coldwell Banker; and A Signature Fence. Bags were provided by Westfield Gas and Electric, Polish National Credit Union and The Westfield Bank.
Figy talked about the volunteers who came and helped put together the meals in bags, an effort which began on Thursday with picking up the food, and bagging on Friday. She said she went for the produce, picking up 1,250 pounds of potatoes, apples, and food from Shop Rite, with help from Brian Sullivan.
On Friday, everything was made ready for delivery to the schools. “We had great helpers. We were done packing all the bags and delivering the bags by 11 a.m.,” she said, singling out the students from Westfield High School.
She also pointed to the effort by Josh Adams of Firtion-Adams, who picked up all the turkeys at North Elm Butcher Block, beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, and delivered them all to the schools in time for the Thanksgiving meal.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/11/banner-year-for-westfield-public-schools-thanksgiving-meal-drive.html
Westfield Public Schools Reminder: There will be no school from Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28 for Thanksgiving Break. We hope all of our students, families, and staff enjoy a safe, restful, and happy holiday! Schools will reopen on Monday, December 1.
If you missed yesterday's brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. This week, six Westfield High School students talked about their internship experiences in our elementary, intermediate, and middle schools. We also shared some wisdom as we recognized Future Teachers of America Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry1CWvpi5mY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry1CWvpi5mY
Join us for lunch this Friday, November 21, from 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. for Tiger's Pride Restaurant's Annual Thanksgiving Buffet. Please call 413-564-3123 to make a reservation. Thank you for supporting our students.
Have you ever wondered how big our solar system really is?
Westfield High School students, Kaitlynn and Krystyna Goulette, have developed a walkable, scale model of the solar system, and are pleased to announce that its official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on November 29th!
Students and families are invited to attend; it’ll be out of this world! 💫
Westfield High School students, Kaitlynn and Krystyna Goulette, have developed a walkable, scale model of the solar system, and are pleased to announce that its official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on November 29th!
Students and families are invited to attend; it’ll be out of this world! 💫
Student success starts with showing up! Daily attendance helps build strong habits, lasting friendships, and academic achievement. Let’s work together to make every day count! #attendancematters
PRESS RELEASE – MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Language Acquisition will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Westfield Public School District the week of December 1, 2025.
During the week of December 1, 2025, the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Westfield Public School District. The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s ELE program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners; what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English learner education program. Survey results will be reviewed by OLA and they will contribute to the monitoring report.
Parents and other individuals may call Samantha Kodak, Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3584 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the Westfield Public School District with a report with information about areas in which the Westfield Public School District meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the Westfield Public School District requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.
During the week of December 1, 2025, the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Westfield Public School District. The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s ELE program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners; what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English learner education program. Survey results will be reviewed by OLA and they will contribute to the monitoring report.
Parents and other individuals may call Samantha Kodak, Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3584 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the Westfield Public School District with a report with information about areas in which the Westfield Public School District meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the Westfield Public School District requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.
Stop by Tiger's Pride Restaurant at Westfield Technical Academy on Thursday, November 13 from 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. for a delicious lunch prepared by our talented students. Thank you for your support!
"When students show up, they grow academically and socially."
A reminder that schools will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veteran's Day. Thank you.
Catch this week's new "Superintendent's Spotlight" by clicking on the link below. In this episode, we talked all about Paper Mill Elementary School with Principal Mike Atkins. Staff and students from WTA's Culinary Arts Program also helped us to celebrate National Nachos Day with some delicious homemade nachos. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfGkj3ueNWQ
A moving Veterans Day assembly in the auditorium of Westfield Intermediate School honored the veterans who attended, several of whom were sitting with their children and grandchildren who attended the school, by name and service, and gave one sixth grader in particular the opportunity to praise his grandfather.
The assembly began with a color guard and the chorus singing the national anthem. Navy veteran Gary Fontaine narrated the meaning of the 13 folds of the American flag as Cindy LaCoste and Cathy Martin folded a flag on stage.
Principal Greg Miller introduced students Alexander Rivera and Oliver Szlachetka who spoke about the history and meaning of Veterans Day. “This day is about showing respect and gratitude,” they said.
Miller then announced that the winner of the American Legion Post 124 essay contest for sixth graders on what it means to be a hero was Lennox Carmichael, who he then invited onstage to read his essay in honor of his grandfather Bill Dupre.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/11/veterans-assembly-at-westfield-intermediate-school-honors-those-who-served.html
The assembly began with a color guard and the chorus singing the national anthem. Navy veteran Gary Fontaine narrated the meaning of the 13 folds of the American flag as Cindy LaCoste and Cathy Martin folded a flag on stage.
Principal Greg Miller introduced students Alexander Rivera and Oliver Szlachetka who spoke about the history and meaning of Veterans Day. “This day is about showing respect and gratitude,” they said.
Miller then announced that the winner of the American Legion Post 124 essay contest for sixth graders on what it means to be a hero was Lennox Carmichael, who he then invited onstage to read his essay in honor of his grandfather Bill Dupre.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/11/veterans-assembly-at-westfield-intermediate-school-honors-those-who-served.html
Join us for lunch this Friday, November 7, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Westfield Technical Academy's Tiger's Pride Restaurant. For more information, please call 413-564-3123. Thank you for supporting our students!
Munger Hill Elementary Principal Stacy Burgess and teacher Jennifer Kubic gave a presentation on ST Math with the help of district ST Math mascot JiJi. Burgess said ST Math is a visual instruction program that uses game-based puzzles, starting with language free puzzles in the early grades that eventually connects to traditional math.
Kubic said the program challenges students not to learn by rote memorization, but to work through the puzzles to solve them, building perseverance and critical thinking. She said students receive immediate feedback with the help of JiJi. “When JiJi crosses the screen, students know they got it right,” she said, adding that the school’s goal is to get to 80 percent math by the end of the year for the fourth year in a row.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/11/on-eve-of-election-school-committee-conducts-business-as-usual.html
Kubic said the program challenges students not to learn by rote memorization, but to work through the puzzles to solve them, building perseverance and critical thinking. She said students receive immediate feedback with the help of JiJi. “When JiJi crosses the screen, students know they got it right,” she said, adding that the school’s goal is to get to 80 percent math by the end of the year for the fourth year in a row.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/11/on-eve-of-election-school-committee-conducts-business-as-usual.html
Please click here for the latest newsletter from Southampton Road Elementary School. Thank you! https://app.smore.com/n/396sp#bos7sn8u58
"As a student, I’ve realized that when I’m in school every day, I don’t just keep up—I get ahead. Attendance is key to staying connected with friends, teachers, and my future." #EveryDayCounts
Please click here for the latest newsletter from Westfield River Elementary School. Thank you. https://secure.smore.com/n/ahkqm
Click on the link below for a brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, our guests included Westfield Middle School Principal Jesse McMillan and four student members of the WMS Principal's Leadership Council. Staff and students from WTA's Culinary Arts Department also helped us to celebrate National Candy Corn Day with some delicious pumpkin spice cupcakes. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_F79_RU-EQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_F79_RU-EQ
If you missed last week's "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. In this episode, we talked all about STEM week and the fun educational activities that our students were able to experience. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl2pXdHWvp8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl2pXdHWvp8
Excitement was in the air during Westfield Public School’s STEM Week, Oct. 20-24, when a lot of special activities were planned for students from prekindergarten to Westfield High School.
Westfield River Preschool teacher Aimee Blair said, “When one my students walked into the classroom in the morning this week and saw science on the schedule they shouted, ‘We get to be scientists today!’”
The week started on Oct. 20 with Project Lead the Way teachers and leaders from elementary through high school attending the annual Project Lead the Way fall conference, where educators from across the state gathered to collaborate and share best practices in supporting students in the hands-on STEM Curriculum.
“My favorite part about STEM Week is that it highlights what we’re already doing every day in our schools. STEM is woven into our curriculum at every grade level, starting as early as preschool. What we’re doing in Westfield Schools truly reflects this year’s theme ‘STEM Starts Now’ because we believe it’s never too early to start building curiosity and problem-solving skills,” said STEM coach Lindsey Ayers.
“What makes STEM Week special is that it gives us a chance to shine a light on the great teaching and learning that happens in our district every day. We had a couple of opportunities this week to bring together students from elementary and high schools, which is always so exciting for both the older kids and the younger kids — those events were the biggest highlight for me. And I got to meet JiJi,” said Chrissy Smith, WPS’s new supervisor of science, technology and engineering.
“What I love most about STEM Week is the opportunity to celebrate STEM in our schools. Our students are curious and collaborative, and it’s wonderful to see their joy in problem-solving. It’s inspiring to watch students, from preschool to high school, explore new ideas, ask questions, and discover the excitement of innovation together,” said Kate Perez, WPS supervisor of mathematics.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/10/students-get-to-be-scientists-during-stem-week-in-westfield.html
Westfield River Preschool teacher Aimee Blair said, “When one my students walked into the classroom in the morning this week and saw science on the schedule they shouted, ‘We get to be scientists today!’”
The week started on Oct. 20 with Project Lead the Way teachers and leaders from elementary through high school attending the annual Project Lead the Way fall conference, where educators from across the state gathered to collaborate and share best practices in supporting students in the hands-on STEM Curriculum.
“My favorite part about STEM Week is that it highlights what we’re already doing every day in our schools. STEM is woven into our curriculum at every grade level, starting as early as preschool. What we’re doing in Westfield Schools truly reflects this year’s theme ‘STEM Starts Now’ because we believe it’s never too early to start building curiosity and problem-solving skills,” said STEM coach Lindsey Ayers.
“What makes STEM Week special is that it gives us a chance to shine a light on the great teaching and learning that happens in our district every day. We had a couple of opportunities this week to bring together students from elementary and high schools, which is always so exciting for both the older kids and the younger kids — those events were the biggest highlight for me. And I got to meet JiJi,” said Chrissy Smith, WPS’s new supervisor of science, technology and engineering.
“What I love most about STEM Week is the opportunity to celebrate STEM in our schools. Our students are curious and collaborative, and it’s wonderful to see their joy in problem-solving. It’s inspiring to watch students, from preschool to high school, explore new ideas, ask questions, and discover the excitement of innovation together,” said Kate Perez, WPS supervisor of mathematics.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/10/students-get-to-be-scientists-during-stem-week-in-westfield.html