Westfield Public Schools

On April 4th each year, National School Librarian Day recognizes the professionals who keep the school library in working order. School librarians spend long hours keeping the library organized. They are also dedicated to helping our children find the resources they need to keep learning. School librarians are the people who create an environment where students can learn every day of the year. Their work is an impressive accomplishment. The school librarians provide guidance and expose our youth not only to texts, print media, and literature but to digital resources and technology, too. These resources also connect them to libraries around the world. A school librarian’s ability to manage scores of media and a school full of students with numerous projects and schedules astounds us. Happy National School Librarian Day!

Tune in on Thursday, April 6 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we will talk with Westfield Public Schools staff about our Kindergarten Home Visit Program. We will also celebrate National Twinkies Day with help from Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts students. Thanks for watching!

If you missed Saturday's "Big Spring Sing", click on the link below. Thank you to WCPC's Ken Stomski for recording and editing the video for the show. The students sounded phenomenal! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PnoYX-Znf4

Join us at Westfield High School today at 2:00 p.m. for the Annual Big Spring Sing. Chorus students from Elementary School through High School will be performing for our listening pleasure. Thank you for supporting our students!

Westfield police officers took time out during the day on March 29 to read to first graders in all six elementary schools in the city about their work keeping people safe. Police Lt. Eric Hall, who runs the community services unit, reached out to the School Department several months ago about having the officers come in. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/03/police-officers-read-about-safety-to-first-graders-at-westfield-schools.html

If you missed the latest episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week, we talked with WPS Community Outreach Coordinator Lesley Lambert about upcoming events, including the WPS Student Art Display at the Westfield Athenaeum in April, Credit for Life on April 14, and the return of Into the Arts on April 28 and 29. The WTA Culinary Arts Department also helped us celebrate National Turkey Neck Soup Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJJ85eJJI74

Tune in on Thursday, March 30 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we will talk with Westfield Public School's Community Outreach Coordinator, Lesley Lambert, about upcoming events including Into the Arts and Credit for Life. We will also talk about our Volunteers in Public Schools Program. Thanks for watching!

Jay Mankita and Susan McGinn of Playful Engineers spent two weeks this month at Franklin Avenue Elementary School, showing second and third graders how to build simple machines from household items. “We were fortunate to get a STARS grant from the Mass. Cultural Council to bring Jay to Franklin,” said Franklin Avenue Principal Chris Tolpa. This is the school’s second grant with Playful Engineers. The first was two years ago during the COVID-19 shutdown. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/03/ex-entertainer-teaches-westfield-elementary-pupils-to-be-playful-engineers.html

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week, we talked with staff from Franklin Avenue Elementary School and Westfield State University about STEM activities with students at Franklin Avenue Elementary. We also had some fun with World Math Day! Thanks for watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCAdvgFrlcw

Westfield High School Principal Charles Jendrysik told the School Committee on Monday night that he was excited to be there to talk about the school’s transition services for 18- to 22-year-olds, located in the Central Baptist Church at 115 Elm St., one of the three buildings he supervises along with the main campus and Pathways alternative program. “We also have some students here today who will talk about their experiences,” Jendrysik said. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/03/young-adults-in-westfield-transition-program-speak-about-learning-life-skills.html

Tune in on Thursday, March 23 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we will talk with Principal Chris Tolpa all about Franklin Avenue Elementary School. We will also recognize World Math Day. Thanks for watching!

While a Pope Francis student from Russell won the grand prize award at the Region IV Science Fair at Western New England University on March 10, Westfield High School students also fared very well, with one first place award, one second place, and six third place winners. Milana Camilleri, a junior at Westfield High School, won a first-place award in biology. Congratulations! https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/03/russell-westfield-students-win-awards-at-regional-science-fair-qualify-to-advance.html

The Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA) hosted it's fourth annual Career Expo and Job Fair Thursday morning at Westfield State University. Students from Westfield High School, Westfield Technical Academy, and St. Mary's High School were able to meet and interact with staff from over 70 businesses about careers, career opportunities, and part time employment. After the event, students were treated to lunch at WSU's Dining Commons. Thank you to the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce and MassHire Holyoke for helping our district plan this wonderful event, to Westfield State University for hosting us and providing lunch for our students, to all the business that participated, and to Westfield Gas and Electric for their assistance with transportation costs. #AchievingExcellenceTogether

Westfield is now under a Winter Storm Warning and power outages are being reported in the city. As a result of this updated information, Westfield Public Schools will be closed today. Please stay safe. Thank you.

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week, we interviewed Westfield High School Chorus Instructor Korey Bruno and members of the WHS Show Choir. The students performed for us as well and they were fantastic! Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts students also helped us celebrate National Meatball Day with some homemade meatballs in sauce that were outstanding. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRdbK9GD_qI

IT'S TIME!! Who likes C-A-S-H-?!?!...Who likes supporting our Westfield Public Schools?!!? WFE is holding its 1st Annual Cash Calendar Raffle Fundraiser for the month of April!! Purchase your Calendar anytime throughout the month of March and get 30 chances to win yourself some CASH! Simply scan the QR code on this post, make your $20 payment and you're ALL SET! BUT WAIT!.....There's more! 😉 The first 25 Calendars purchased will automatically be entered to win a $10 Dunkin' Gift Card AND 1 (one) Love Mich Cozy. Not feeling the QR purchase option? No worries! Physical Calendars will be available to purchase for cash by contacting westfield.foundation2013@gmail.com and at locations throughout Westfield. Details on the list of locations to follow shortly! ALL of the proceeds from the purchase of Calendar Raffles go DIRECTLY to supporting ALL of the Westfield Public Schools within the Westfield, MA district! Head over to www.westfieldfoundation.org to purchase, for information on the Grants we award, and to contact us with any questions.

Join us on Thursday, March 9 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, our guests are Mrs. Korey Bruno and the Westfield High School show Choir. The Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts Department will also help us celebrate National Meatball Day. Thanks for watching!

Stop in for lunch at Westfield Technical Academy's Tiger's Pride Restaurant Wednesday, March 8 and Thursday, March 9 from 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. On Thursday, March 9, customers will be treated to live entertainment with the Westfield High School Show Choir. Please call 413-564-3123 for more information. Thank you for supporting our students!

Registration for the Third Annual Math Acceleration Academy is now open! This is an opportunity for students in Grades 3-10 to improve their math skills, learn problem-solving methods, raise their MCAS scores, and HAVE SOME FUN! Click on the link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegOhkhc0QBETYIptb5FhA9jFuGCL1R02Fxffk_fanOOeHvYw/viewform?usp=sf_link

SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) is currently accepting nominations of educators and support personnel who go the extra mile to serve the Westfield District Schools’ special education community and inspire others to do the same. The Recognition of Excellence in Supporting Special Education is an important way for the community to thank those who through dedication, creativity, patience, and determination help students receiving special education to experience success.