Westfield Public Schools

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.

If you missed the latest episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week, we spoke with Band Director Pat Kennedy about the upcoming POPS Concert at WHS. We also spoke with our School Business Administrator about the budget process and our Director of Transportation about bussing. At the end of the show, we were treated to a delicious Banana Crem Pie made by another one of our talented WTA Culinary Arts students on National Banana Cream Pie Day! Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiAhIlSjGo4

Tune in on Thursday, March 2 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, Band Director Pat Kennedy stops by to talk about the 70th POPS concert at Westfield High School. We also talk with our School Business Administrator and Director of Transportation about the district budget and school transportation. Thanks for watching!

Families, educators, school leaders, and public education advocates across the country are joining together in celebrating public schools, Feb. 27–Mar. 3; a week designated to highlight and show support for our local public schools. Public Schools Week 2023 (#PSW23) is part of a larger campaign—#HerefortheKids—one that brings together families, educators, and community members to shine a light on local public schools and share the stories of the positive things happening in classrooms and school buildings nationwide. The teaching and learning in our local K-12 public schools positively impacts students and families, the neighborhoods, and communities they live in, and our nation as a whole. With commitment, creativity, and critical thinking, educators and school leaders continue to provide welcoming and engaging learning opportunities for our children. #Hereforthe Kids #AchievingExcellenceTogether

During his first month and a half as Westfield Middle School’s new principal, Jesse McMillan said his entire focus has been on listening, learning and building relationships with the school community in order to inform plans for the 2023-24 school year. He has started meeting with district administrators, other principals, and groups of staff, and recently held his first meeting with the entire staff. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/westfield-middle-schools-principal-is-listening-learning-after-mid-year-arrival.html

Click on the link below to watch the latest episode of "On the Mark" featuring staff and students from the Communications Department at Westfield Technical Academy. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lY_RnI9lLE

If you missed the live performance of "Long Live the King" by the Westfield High School Chorus, click on the link below to view it through WCPC Channel 15. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJvL3aF-UAE

If you missed "Rock on Westfield" this morning, click on the link below. This week, Harry Rock interview Westfield High School Chorus Instructor Korey Bruno and the students in the WHS Show Choir. The show also features some terrific student performances. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddPEfdk6RKY

Westfield Technical Academy students brought back a tradition on Feb. 17 when they visited Abner Gibbs Elementary School to read stories and demonstrate hands-on activities related to their chosen trades, something they haven’t been able to do since before coronavirus pandemic. The event was part of WTA’s celebration of Career Technical Education Week. WTA Career Technical Director Peter Taloumis and School Librarian Sarah Scott organized the event and selected the books with the help of Abner Gibbs Principal Erika Masciadrelli and school secretary Erinn Tirrell. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/westfield-tech-students-share-their-trades-at-abner-gibbs-elementary-school.html

Next week is Winter Vacation! There is no school for students starting Monday, February 20 through Friday, February 24. Students return to school on Monday, February 27. Have fun and be safe! Thank you.

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with Assistant Principal Kevin Daley and School Counselor Carol Groom about Career Technical Education Week at Westfield Technical Academy. We also learned a lot about almonds on National Almond Day. Thanks for watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DqmA_v8l7A

High School Science and Engineering Fair organizers have announced the students and their projects that qualified to enter the Region I Science Fair on March 10 at Western New England University. Top projects included first place winner, Luke Bulan’s project, “Investing in a Cheap and Comfortable Yet Effective Phototherapy Blanket For Babies.” https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/top-high-school-science-fair-projects-qualify-for-regionals.html

A reception at Tiger’s Pride on Valentine’s Day gave friends and colleagues from Westfield Technical Academy and the Westfield Police Department a chance to recognize retiring School Resource Officer Tracy Ploof, and to wish him well after 20 years of helping to keep the peace at the school, and 30 years with the city police. “The word spread to other retirees from the Police Department and Westfield Technical Academy. It was a really good turnout, a lot of people popped in,” said WTA Adjustment and Substance Abuse Counselor Kristine Hupfer, who organized the event along with Lt. Eric Hall of the Westfield Police Community Services Unit. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/westfield-tech-police-community-thank-retiring-school-resource-officer.html

Close to 100 families attended the Westfield School Department’s Countdown to Kindergarten event on Feb. 8 to kick off kindergarten registration for the fall. The event is a collaboration with Westfield’s Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant and coordinator Paula Hebert-Pike. Families that attended were given an opportunity to meet the principals and staff from the city’s elementary schools, learn about the district’s literacy and STEM initiatives, all about school transportation, and to see sample school lunch menus. All attendees received kindergarten goody bags and tips about getting their children ready to start school. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/nearly-100-families-attend-westfield-kindergarten-registration-fair.html

The registration portal for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year is now open. Please visit the Westfield Public Schools website at www.schoolsofwestfield.org for more information. Thank you!

Tune in on Thursday, February 16 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a special Career Technical Education episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we will be talking with Assistant Principal Kevin Daley and School Counselor Carol Groom all about Westfield Technical Academy. Thanks for watching!

For the first time in three years, Into the Arts is BACK! We are excited to share that this celebration of all the arts in Westfield Public Schools will return this April 28th and 29th!

Five veteran teachers and one teacher new to the profession were named 2023 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award winners in Westfield this week. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski surprised the winners at their schools on Feb. 7. Winners have demonstrated exemplary teaching practices and have had a strong impact on their students; they’ve inspired and motivated others, engaged their students’ families, and gone above and beyond in the classroom and school community. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/westfield-superintendent-surprises-6-educators-with-excellence-in-teaching-award.html

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with staff, students, and judges that participated in the annual Westfield Public Schools Science, Technology, and Engineering Fair. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZKK_bY2Tbg

Tune in on Thursday, February 9 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a crossover episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight" and "Tiger Talk". This week, we will be broadcasting live from Westfield High School during our Annual High School Science Fair. We will be talking with staff, students, and judges about the incredible projects from students at WHS and WTA. Thanks for watching!