Westfield’s public schools have formed a partnership with Ignite! Reading, a one-on-one tutoring program for students who are learning how to read.
Curriculum Director Susan Dargie and Director of Assessment Christine Shea implemented a pilot of the program on March 13 in Highland Elementary School and Franklin Avenue Elementary School. Altogether, 74 kindergarten to second graders in Highland and Franklin Avenue are participating in the pilot.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/05/westfield-partners-with-virtual-tutoring-company-for-elementary-reading-help.html
Join us on Thursday, May 25, an hour early, from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 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 Food Services Director Rachel Kania about Westfield EATS, our school breakfast and lunch programs. Thanks for watching!
If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" yesterday, please click on the link below. This week, we spoke with Principal Alexandra Clines about Munger Hill Elementary School. Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts students also helped us recognize "I Love Reese's Day". Thanks for watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCXBxI4WJ9I
Eleven seniors at Westfield High School are the finalists for this year’s Bronze Tablet.
The Bronze Tablet is awarded annually at the Senior Assembly to that member of the graduating class “who has done the most for the welfare, good name, and progress of Westfield High School.” That student’s name is permanently engraved on a bronze tablet and added to the plaque, which stands prominently in the main entrance to the school near the auditorium. The winner is determined each year by a vote of the senior class from a list of students nominated by the faculty. A student must receive three nominations from faculty members in order to qualify for the student ballot.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/05/finalists-honored-to-be-nominated-for-westfield-high-schools-bronze-tablet.html
Tune in on Thursday, May 18 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 Munger Hill Elementary School Principal Alexandra Clines and Instructional Technology Specialist Valerie Tettemer about their Book Creator Program and more. We will also take some time to recognize "I love Reese's Day". Thanks for watching!
If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we spoke with State Representative Kelly Pease bout the current happenings in the State Legislature, and we also talked about National Mental Health Awareness. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB1ii-HuoaQ
Episode 2 of the Westfield Technical Academy's Chef Showdown is here! This episode features a 7-way Burger Battle and was edited by Graphics Junior Lindsey D! This one will make you hungry, so beware! Thanks to Autumn Mist Farm, Feeding Hills, MA and Hampton Ponds Market for supplying the students with a variety of ingredients for this challenge!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xQACMOEAyo&t=3s
Westfield High School Band Director Patrick Kennedy and Choral Director Korey Bruno are riding high this week on the successes of their programs at separate music festivals over the weekend, and neither could resist bragging about their students a little bit.
Bruno said the choirs left early Thursday morning bound for Williamsburg, Virginia, for their annual spring competition with 21 students and seven adults, including Ken Stomski of Ken’s Den on WSKB radio and Westfield Community Television, who documented the trip with video and still photos.
https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/05/westfield-choir-band-mop-up-competition-at-high-school-music-festivals.html
Tune in on Thursday, May 11 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 State Representative Kelly Pease about recent happenings at the Massachusetts State House. We will also take some time to recognize "National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day". Thanks for watching!
Children’s Mental Health Week is dedicated to increasing public awareness about the triumphs and challenges in children’s mental health and emphasizing the importance of family and youth involvement in the children’s mental health movement!
If you missed last week's new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. We had some fun with Star Wars Day while talking about the Westfield Virtual School with Principal Thomas Osborn. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6tIDavBEiw
Presenting Episode 1 of the "2023 Westfield Technical Academy's Chef Showdown". This was all planned, shot and edited by Mr. Forni's WTA Arts and Communications students, and features 14 students from Chef Rogers' WTA Culinary shop. A huge thank you to Autumn Mist Farm, Feeding Hills, MA and Hampton Ponds Market in Westfield for supporting this project. Incredible work by all!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niMd0Azjr_U
Please click here to watch the Fort Meadow School Video presented at last night's School Committee meeting.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V4vcuV8Ftg6rPrwkCspZKrvP6oB4nCzM/view?usp=sharing
It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Thank you to all our teachers for their hard work and dedication to the students in our schools.
Tune in on Thursday, May 4 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 Dr. Thomas Osborn all about our Westfield Virtual School. We will also take some time to recognize "Star Wars Day". Thanks for watching!
Westfield Technical Academy honored 10 students who received their certifications as nursing assistants at a pinning and candle lighting ceremony on April 26.
Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski welcomed family and friends, and said CNAs have one of the most important roles in health care, every day improving people’s lives and impacting entire families.
https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/04/westfield-technical-academy-honors-grads-of-certified-nursing-assistant-program.html
If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week we spoke with Daniel Palotta, Project Manager, about the new construction process for our district's new elementary school. With assistance from our staff and students at Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Program, we also recognized "National Prime Rib Day". Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HNFUVnKQzE
On May 4, 2023, Westfield Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will hold the 2023 Shining Star Ceremony in Tiger’s Pride at Westfield Technical Academy at 6:30 pm. Nominations for Shining Star recipients are for those 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. This 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.
The special education department appreciates the hard work and dedication of educators and support personnel for all that they do for our students. We also appreciate all of your support in ensuring that your children succeed
When Christy Roselli, a third-grade teacher at Munger Hill Elementary School, told her students that a local salon and spa wanted to display their art about the Earth, they were over the moon. The images they created for Earth Month in April have been featured at Puffer’s Salon & Day Spa and received rave reviews.
“The kids were honored to show their artwork. They felt like celebrities because they were chosen to do this,” said Roselli.
Judy Puffer, who owns the salon, reached out to Roselli to see if her students would like to have their Earth Month art shown in the spa. Roselli responded with a resounding yes.
Puffer donated the supplies, and the kids went to work using colored pencils, markers, watercolor paint and crayons in a myriad of colors to express green messages. The children created images depicting recycling, walking instead of driving, how to save electricity, reducing garbage and other green messages.
The children gave Puffer a sneak peek at the art when she visited their classroom. She was pleased with what she saw and excited to display the images in her salon.
“I had each student explain what their poster is about and how they could make a difference. What most impressed me was their depiction of the message, how each of them has their own take on it,” she said.
Puffer has had many Earth Month events since she opened her business in 1999, but this is the first time she’s worked with schoolchildren. The project allowed students to express themselves, revealing thoughtful messages about how they would embrace and save the planet.
“We talked about this is their planet. They’re the future generation, so it really is everyone’s responsibility to do their part, no matter how small. We talked about picking up even one little piece of trash. If everyone did that, what a difference it would make,” said Roselli.
Puffer is amplifying each child’s messages by exposing the pieces to hundreds of her clients.
“The artwork is amazing and so cute. I put everything on the wall so guests could enjoy them, and the pieces have brought smiles to so many people,” said Puffer.
Puffer thinks the project was a great way to engage children, to get their attention and motivate them to do their part to help the world. Part of their mission now is to carry the message home to their families, enlisting them to take action to benefit the environment.
“The children could make a difference by talking with their families about not littering or running water needlessly. I hope they have those conversations, that the message goes a little bit farther than just the classroom, and kids are pretty good about that,” said Puffer.
Roselli said the project also sows the seeds of caring for the planet in these students for when they grow to adulthood.
“I hope this is something they had fun with and will remember doing when they grow up,” said Roselli. “This is one way we can reach the younger generation because they’re the ones who will inherit the Earth from us.”
https://www.thereminder.com/LOCALNEWS/westfield/colorful-posters-made-by-youngsters-share-green-me/
Tune in on Thursday, April 27 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 Dan Palotta about our new elementary school construction project. Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts students will also helps us to celebrate National Prime Rib Day. Thanks for watching!
