Westfield Public Schools

Television meteorologist Ashley Baylor visited Franklin Avenue Elementary School on Wednesday to read her book “Storms and Snow, Skis and Sox! New England’s Weather Truly Rocks!” to third graders in Jennifer Thielen’s and Lauren Martins’ classes. Baylor told the students she developed her love of weather when she was 9 years old and living in Charleston, South Carolina, as Hurricane Andrew hit Florida, and the outer bands of the storm flooded the street she was on. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/meteorologist-visits-third-graders-to-share-love-of-new-england-weather-sports.html

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is inviting students, parents, education professionals, and community members to participate in a survey that will provide feedback on the MCAS program and help inform improvements. The Department is seeking stakeholders’ input in several areas, including communications and support, data and reporting, and release of test questions. The survey will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27. Please contact mcas@doe.mass.edu with any questions. https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7072286/Future-Directions-MCAS-General-Survey

Behavioral Health Network Inc., which merged with the Carson Center eight years ago, has opened a new BHN WellBeing Center with expanded hours, expanded service, and walk-in care in its offices at 77 Mill St. in Westfield. The BHN WellBeing Center, along with one that opened at 417 Liberty St. in Springfield, are part of a statewide network of Community Behavioral Health Centers, or CBHCs, and are intended to shorten wait times for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment with MassHealth and Health New England insurances. The hours for walk-in care at both locations are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those seeking care can also call 413-301-WELL (413-301-9355) to be connected to services or visit bhninc.org for more information. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/walk-in-behavioral-health-care-clinic-opens-in-westfield.html

Tune in on Thursday, January 19 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for the next episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week we will be talking with Principal Stacy Burgess all about Paper Mill Elementary School. Thanks for watching!

Families of next year’s kindergarten class are encouraged to attend the Countdown to Kindergarten on Wednesday, Feb. 8, in the Westfield Middle School cafeteria at 30 W. Silver St., Westfield. The event begins at 6 p.m. but families can drop in anytime until 7:30 p.m. The snow date is Feb. 15. “We’re really trying to get the word out,” said Christine Shea, director of assessment and accountability for Westfield schools. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/01/westfield-schools-will-make-kindergarten-registration-a-family-fun-event.html

WPS is Hiring! Be a part of Westfield Public Schools! We are hiring multiple positions across the district including substitute teachers, substitute nurses, classroom and 1:1 paraprofessionals, school custodians, and many more opportunities that can be found on our district website at www.schoolsofwestfield.org.

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week, we talked with Principal Cieplik and three grade 4 students all about the great things happening at Southampton Road Elementary School. We also learned about New Year traditions in other parts of the world on "Stick to your New Years' Resolution Day". Thanks for listening and watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csYGROpQwN8

An inspirational School Committee meeting on Jan. 9 began with the third and fourth grade chorus of Highland Elementary School, led by music teacher Emily Baker, singing “Red Bird” by Theresa Jenkins and “The Dream Keeper” by Rollo Dilworth, based on poetry by Langston Hughes. In her introduction, Highland Principal Jill Phelan said the chorus has 66 members this year, the largest ever for the school. She said one-third of the members were represented at the meeting. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/westfield-students-inspire-board-with-choral-performance-veterans-tribute.html

The Department of Mental Health has launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 languages. The help line can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services. Please click on the link below for more information. https://www.masshelpline.com/

Join us on Thursday, January 12 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for the next episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week we will be talking with Principal Mary Cieplik all about Southampton Road Elementary School. Thanks for watching!

Reminder: Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 16 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Thank you.

The 24th annual High School Science and Engineering Fair on Feb. 9 in the Westfield High School gymnasium is a day to celebrate the science and engineering cycles and hard work of students at both WHS and Westfield Technical Academy. Judges are being sought to score projects and engage with high school students as they share the results of their work. Judging takes place from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 9, beginning with registration and orientation. Lunch will be provided by WHS culinary students at the end of the fair. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/westfield-seeks-volunteers-to-judge-projects-at-high-school-science-fair-feb-9.html

The United States Attorney’s Office is hosting a virtual Internet safety presentation for parents the evening of Wednesday, January 18th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. The presentation, entitled Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents will bring awareness to the dangers of the internet, including gaming and social media platforms that predators use to groom children with the intent of exploiting them sexually online or for an in-person meeting. The presentation will focus on prevention by educating parents and community members how to help keep children safe online. We will be covering the following topics: Social Media 101 & Digital Footprint Cyberbullying Sexting Gaming Victim Support Protecting Against Online Predation Who should attend: Parents, guardians, local police departments, school administrators, youth program leaders and anyone who would like to learn how to keep children safe from online dangers. The presentation is free. Registration is required. The link to register is included on the attached flyer and is also included here: REGISTRATION DETAILS Please register at the following link: (via Chrome browser)) Event address for attendees: https://usao.webex.com/usao/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec3d8ccd61ccdd26ee39d8c6ffd5c57aa Password: PSC1 Questions or difficulty registering? Please contact Karen Legace @ USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week we talked with MIAA Coach of the year Tyler Wingate, New Westfield High School Assistant Principals Dr. Tonia Bonner and Mr. Andrew Joseph, as well as staff and students from the WHS Preschool Program. In our last segment, a very talented Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts student demonstrated how to make homemade whipped cream in recognition of National Whipped Cream Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDP778HeVUU

Join us this morning from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for the next episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week we will be talking with Principal Chuck Jendrysik about Westfield High School. Thanks for watching!

Countdown to Kindergarten for the 2023-2024 School Year: Wednesday, February 8, 2023 Drop in between 6 - 7:30 p.m. Westfield Middle School 30 West Silver Street (snow date: February 15, 2023)

Please note that our regularly scheduled School Committee Meeting on January 3, 2023, has been postponed until Monday, January 9, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you.

Just before school broke for the holidays, Westfield Virtual School students enjoyed an in-person school-wide gathering at the school’s offices on the fourth floor of the Westwood Building on North Elm Street in Westfield. Students from all grade levels and their families were welcomed to participate and create gingerbread houses, said school secretary Nicole Argiro. While learning time on a normal school day is done remotely, students at Westfield Virtual School have social opportunities with their peers multiple times every month, Argiro said. https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/12/westfield-virtual-school-started-holiday-season-with-in-person-gathering.html

The children in the Children’s Corner Laboratory Preschool in Westfield High School decorated cookies and gingerbread houses and had a surprise visitor, all before the holiday break. Classroom teacher Torrie Hodovanec said she collaborated with the high school culinary teacher Ekaterina Nesmelova and her students in the classroom next door who prepared cookie dough for the children to cut out into shapes. https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/12/holiday-festivities-wrap-up-2022-for-the-childrens-corner-preschool-at-whs.html

If you missed last week's Westfield High School Holiday Chorus show, click on the link below. The students sounded amazing! thanks for watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffuh39wADVQ