Westfield Public Schools

Bram Moreinis, a new computer science teacher at Westfield High School, has brought with him a tech internship program he developed during his teaching career called “Free Web Clinic,” in which students develop websites for small businesses and community-based organizations. The WHS Free Web Clinic is a work-based learning project within the school’s computer science program of studies, where students design and manage individual and group projects. The Web Clinic team will use professional tools and work patterns, learning together and collaborating to build or upgrade websites for clients. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/01/westfield-high-school-class-seeks-clients-for-free-website-design-service.html

At a meeting of the new elementary school building committee on Jan. 9, Co-Chair Tammy Tefft, Owner’s Project Manager Dan Pallotta and architect Bert Gardner addressed several questions that have been raised about the project. First, Pallotta gave an overview. He said construction has passed the 50% mark, which he called a “milestone,” and said, “it looks awesome.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/01/westfield-committee-addresses-elementary-school-project-questions-concerns.html

Fathema Jaleel and Riley Westcott will join more than 300 other 8th graders this weekend in this year’s class of “unsung heroes” for a statewide youth-led community service program. Tomorrow, they will attend a day of Project 351 activities in Boston to kick off a transformative year of service and leadership. A nonprofit organization, Project 351inspires students through the ethic of service and values of kindness, compassion, humility and gratitude. Jaleel is a student at the Westfield Middle School while Westcott attends Southwick Regional School. They’re among a group of “quiet leaders” selected from eighth graders in nearly every one of the state’s 351 towns and cities. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/01/middle-schoolers-in-westfield-southwick-to-join-state-peers-in-year-of-service.html

Westfield, MA Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Thank you.

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week we spoke with CEO Andrea Allard all about the YMCA of Greater Westfield. We also took some time to recognize "international thank you" day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWw9QQu0qRM

Please click on the link below for a message from Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler about the importance of daily student attendance. Thank you for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhK_T6PREMM

Good morning. With all of the rain we received last night, Southampton Road School is experiencing some significant flooding in several hallways, the main office area, and conference room. As a result, Southampton Road School is closed today, Wednesday, January 10. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you.

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" yesterday morning, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with members of the New Elementary School Building Team about the status of the project to date. We also shared exclusive video footage of the interior and exterior of the building so far. Thank you for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGACvn3amfU

There are many things you can do for income, those are jobs. But to do something meaningful, that you have a passion for, that’s a career, and if you’re looking for something like that then your local school district might have a position for you. Stefan Czaporowski, the Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools, joins Patrick Berry to talk about the many career opportunities you can find in our schools. https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/find-a-career-with-meaning-in-your-local-school-district/?fbclid=IwAR0gY8TE9BVDtOxqetT4sKtUt4cWEGsBaf4j5GvA1cfYAogljsi55aJ5r0s

The inaugural ceremony for elected officials will take place at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in the Westfield High School auditorium, 177 Montgomery Road. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/12/city-officials-to-be-sworn-in-tuesday-at-ceremony-in-westfield-high-school.html

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing the winners of the second annual, “Name A Snowplow” contest for statewide elementary and middle school students in Massachusetts. The winning plow names are Flower Plower, Edward Blizzardhands, Glacier Gobbler, Polar Pathmaker, Snow B Wan Kenobi, The Snolar Express, Sleetwood Mac, Snow Place Like Home, Snow-hemian Rhapsody, The Mayplower, Snow Monstah, Fast and Flurryous. This contest received entries from public school classrooms from across Massachusetts. The contest chose names for 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during this 2023/2024 winter season. The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to help recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during the winter season.  “Keeping our roads across Massachusetts clear and safe every winter is a tough job. We are glad to see educators engage their students in a fun competition that pays tribute to this essential public service,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “I want to congratulate the winning classrooms and look forward to seeing all of the snowplows in the field.”     “This is a fun way for schools across the state to connect with the crews who perform vital road work every year during New England’s harsh winters,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Congratulations to the winners, and our appreciation to everyone who participated.” District 2 Franklin Avenue Elementary Westfield 1st, McKenna Mortimer Glacier Gobbler Congratulations McKenna! https://www.mass.gov/news/massdot-announces-the-winners-of-the-name-a-snowplow-contest-0

At the School Committee meeting on Dec. 18, Westfield Intermediate School Principal Gregory Miller introduced some of the students in the newly formed peer leadership club to talk about their school. Miller said the idea for the club came from reading interventionist Joann Roselli, the peer leadership club adviser, who asked what could be done for the students who have been achieving academically, doing the right thing in the classroom and who show a lot of potential for leadership. He said teachers in the school selected 25 sixth graders to form the club to learn some leadership skills and use them to help other students in the school. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/12/westfield-intermediate-school-showcases-student-leadership-team-activities.html

Once a month, a group of dog owners bring their pets to Westfield Middle School. They’re not ordinary dogs, but specially trained therapy dogs. These exceptional four-legged visitors spend about two hours every third Friday with seventh and eighth graders. They’ve been trained to work as therapy dogs by volunteers from the local chapter of the Love on a Leash program. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/12/lab-partners-dog-visits-make-tough-days-better-for-westfield-middle-schoolers.html

If you missed the Holiday Concert by the Westfield High School Chorus last Wednesday, please click on the link below. Happy Holidays! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WizZaQmUCKI

Our Holiday Recess will start on Monday, December 25. Schools will reopen on Tuesday, January 2. Happy Holidays from all of us at the Westfield Public Schools!

The Westfield Virtual School’s sixth, seventh and eighth grade students met in person for the first time this school year for a Science Slam on Dec. 15 in the school’s office suite in the Westwood Building on North Elm Street. Five stations were set up for hands-on experiments relating to subjects being studied in the school’s curriculum. In the Spit & Taco station for example, students studied the chemical reactions when food gets digested by adding drops of amylase, water and benodic solution to a taco solution, and judging the results. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/12/westfield-virtual-school-hosts-in-person-science-slam.html

At Diane Mayhew’s last meeting after a 12-year run on the School Committee on Dec. 18, her husband Dennis Mayhew started the honors with a salute to his wife during public participation. Dennis Mayhew said he was being joined virtually on Channel 15 by their three children, Patrick, Shannon and Lauren, “all very successful products of the Westfield school system,” along with their families and “six awesome grandchildren.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/12/diane-mayhew-ends-12-year-run-on-westfield-school-committee.html

Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence.

The Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center was buzzing with excitement on Dec. 14, when the three- and four-year-olds came back to school in the evening with their families in tow to meet Santa and get a present, play some games and take a cookie on the way out. Fort Meadow Principal Jonathan Scagel was standing at the door to the school in a Santa hat, welcoming families. He said there was a big turnout for the PTO-sponsored event in the gym, which also had crafts, games and a scavenger hunt. ' https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/12/fort-meadow-pto-presents-cookies-with-santa.html

Click below for the latest newsletter on the Franklin Ave/Abner Gibbs Replacement School Project: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Construction-on-the-new-Elementary-School-continues--December-2023-Newsletter.html?soid=1127583543316&aid=liwzqD2cYms