Westfield Public Schools

This week on Superintendent's Spotlight, we talked with our Central Registration Department staff about our "Countdown to Kindergarten Registration Event" that is being held at Westfield River Elementary School on February 4 at 6:00 p.m. Staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy also helped us to celebrate National Pie Day with freshly made Banana Cream and Strawberry Vanilla Cream Pies. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOxlv6tMJeY

A statewide service program known as Project 351 is giving four local 8th graders the opportunity to participate in a year-long journey of service, civic engagement and leadership. Through their work with this nonprofit, Diana DeSanto, Olivia Gagne and Daniiel Morrissey — from Southwick Regional School in the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District — along with Ella Golec from Westfield Middle School will learn how to help find solutions for a more just, inclusive and equitable world as “ambassadors” to Project 351. The program’s goal is to inspire students through the ethic of service and values of kindness, compassion, humility and gratitude, The four 13-year-olds are among a new class of 8th graders who will engage in a youth-led community service program, including three projects in their own communities. Selected to represent their communities and their schools, these ambassadors from the state’s 351 towns and cities will travel to Boston on Jan. 25 to launch a transformative year of service and leadership. This kickoff event will include a day of celebration and service projects in the state’s capital. The Project 351 model — the only one of its kind in the country — is embarking on its 15th year of community service that honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll are expected to meet with the ambassadors — also known as “unsung heroes” because of their unselfish work in helping to lead social change. Golec is an avid WMS athlete who understands the importance of teamwork — which will help her as a Project 351 ambassador. “It’ll be a good opportunity to meet new people and help communities,” said the Westfield native who was chosen from among the 358 students in her class. “There will be lots of other students like me who want to be leaders. Project 351 will connect me with people who can push me into becoming a better leader.” When the principal called her to his office to tell her about becoming the ambassador, Golec thought she might be in trouble. “I was surprised when he told me about Project 351. I had no idea what it was,” she said. At home, she and her mother explored the Project 351 website.” When I saw pictures of teenagers doing many hands-on projects together, I realized what a great opportunity it will be. I enjoy working with partners at my school, so I’m looking forward the most to working with other people.” https://thereminder.com/local-news/hampden-county/southwick/southwick-westfield-students-selected-for-leadership-project/

Westfield Public Schools invited the community to visit their brand-new, state-of-the-art elementary school on Saturday. This project has been in the works since 2008 and is finally ready for the community to enjoy. “The way this building is designed is just for the future,” said Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools Stefan Czaporowski. “It’s incredible, with the safety of students in mind, and also for our community.” The impressive building included an innovation lab, gymnasium, library, and art and music rooms, all with new equipment. And the hallway design has a hidden meaning. A painted river runs through it and represents how the school got its name. The Pre-K through 4th grade school was named after the Westfield River that runs right behind it. The new name signifies the merging of Franklin Avenue and Abner Gibbs Elementary into one. This merge is a big change, but one that Westfield River Principal Jill Phelan says has been seamless and rewarding to see. “It’s so incredible to be here and be able to have everybody under one roof so that we can enjoy the space,” Phelan said. Students have been in the school since January 6, but on Saturday families, elected officials, and community members got to join them to see all this new community resource has to offer. And Superintendent Czaporowski said there’s more on the way. Phase two of the design will include the demolition of the old Franklin Avenue schools and the addition of green spaces, fields, a playground, and additional parking. A true community endeavor, this school can now help build the next generation of innovative leaders. https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/westfield-river-elementary-school-invites-community-in-to-see-new-state-of-the-art-facilities/

Click on the link below to watch the latest edition of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we spoke with Westfield High School Chorus Director Korey Bruno and students in the Show Choir about their upcoming events and performances. The students also performed songs from Disney movies in recognition of Walt Disney Day. And Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts staff and students helped us to celebrate Walt Disney with Mickey Mouse Churros. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEUmoF6q7Zw

Director of Curriculum Susan Dargie and Westfield Middle School Principal Jesse McMillan presented for approval to the School Committee a new grant program called BRYT -- Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition, that will now start at WMS this winter. BRYT is an in-school intervention for students that have fallen behind due to a significant mental health or medical disruption. Staffed by a full-time school adjustment counselor-clinician, who McMillan said will be highly qualified, and a part-time academic teaching assistant to be hired through the grant, BRYT is an 8-to-12-week intervention designed to provide intensive individual support for students who need it. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/01/school-committee-approves-bryt-intervention-grant-for-westfield-middle-school.html

Click on the link below for yesterday's brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we spoke with staff and students from Westfield High School's Criminal Justice Program about their coursework and career interests. The students were outstanding! Thanks for watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRGVS8ikPWc

Dear Families and Community Members, Westfield Public Schools received notification from PowerSchool that we have not been affected by the cybersecurity incident they became aware of on January 7, 2025 that occurred on December 28, 2024. Westfield’s IT Department and the WPS Data Department have done internal checks, and have not found any data inconsistencies or concerns. Please reach out to Christine Shea if you have any questions at christine.shea@schoolsofwestfield.org or (413) 642-9320. Stefan Czaporowski Superintendent

Westfield Public Schools is pleased to announce an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the brand-new state of the art Westfield River Elementary School on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. There will be a short ceremony followed by the chance to tour the building. No RSVP is needed. We hope to see you there. Sincerely, Stefan Czaporowski Superintendent of Schools Westfield Public Schools

Please see an important update from the Westfield Public School's Health Office by clicking on the link below. Thank you.

The Westfield Public School District is seeking judges for Westfield’s Science and Engineering Fair. High school students participating in the fair, which will take place this year in the Westfield High School gymnasium on Jan. 30, have gone on to win awards at regional, state and international science and engineering competitions. Lauren Cadigan, supervisor of Science, Technology, and Engineering, said the expertise and insights of judges from the community are invaluable in evaluating and celebrating the students’ innovative projects. For more information, please contact Lauren Cadigan at lauren.cadigan@schoolsofwestfield.org. Thank you. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/12/judges-sought-for-westfields-science-and-engineering-fair-jan-30.html

Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2015. Classes resume on Thursday, January 2 for all students except those attending Franklin Avenue and Abner Gibbs Elementary Schools. Classes will resume for Abner and Franklin students at Westfield River Elementary School on Monday, January 6. Happy New Year from the Westfield Public Schools!

Yesterday on "Superintendent's Spotlight", we talked with Tammy Tefft from the City of Westfield and Bert Gardner from Caolo and Bienik all about the new Westfield River Elementary School that will be opening for students on January 6, 2025. Our live broadcast from the school's media center was made possible by staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Arts and Communications Department. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acew-zW-qGY

Students will be on a Holiday Break from Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1. Classes resume on Thursday, January 2 for all students except those attending Franklin Avenue and Abner Gibbs Elementary Schools. Classes will resume for Abner and Franklin students at Westfield River Elementary School on Monday, January 6. Happy Holidays from the Westfield Public Schools!

Carmel Steger, president of the Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail met up with local author Robert Madison at the Westfield Technical Academy library last week to present a copy of his book to the school. Madison, who lives in Feeding Hills, is the author of “The New Haven and Northampton Canal Greenway: Bike and Rail Trails Following the Historic Canal”, a rails-to-trails book whose roots originated from the longest canal system in New England. The book was published in 2016, and a copy is now in the library of every school in Westfield, thanks to the Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/12/area-authors-history-of-the-rail-trail-is-donated-to-westfield-school-libraries.html

When one thinks of Santa Claus it’s usually of a jolly, round man with a heart as big as his belly sporting a curly white beard, with twinkling eyes, and a red suit trimmed with white fur wearing black, shiny boots, not a clean-cut man dressed in blue delivering bulging garbage bags. But on Thursday, a group of police officers and student cadets played the same role as Santa – delivering Christmas cheer throughout the city to many of its public-school students. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/12/westfield-police-officers-and-cadets-were-spreading-christmas-cheer-thursday.html

If you missed this morning's brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. This week, we spoke with staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Horticulture Technology Program about their field and some of the projects that they have completed in the local community. We also recognized National Poinsettia Day. In fact, the Horticulture Department will be selling poinsettias and other holiday arrangements on Friday, December 13 from 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. outside of Tiger's Pride Restaurant by the Gymnasium. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQZkvOtQUmE

Before the Show Choir began its program at the Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center on Dec. 9, Director Korey Bruno introduced her students to the preschoolers. “My name is Mrs. Bruno, and I brought some of my favorite students to sing Christmas songs,” she said. Accompanying her were Autumn Estee, Amber Turner, Shresta Rai, Lanah Woody, Samantha Doiron, Ethan David, J.J. Bonilla, Luke Bulan and Aaron Boyd. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/12/westfield-high-show-choir-shares-holiday-spirit-with-preschoolers.html

Special thanks to Matt Della and the Student Government Association at Westfield State University. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who contributed to this year’s Thanksgiving Food Drive. In particular, your generosity and commitment of $3,015.00 made a remarkable difference, and because of your kindness, over 200 families received full Thanksgiving dinners this holiday season. The outpouring of support from the students at Westfield State University highlights the true spirit of giving and reinforces the values we strive to uphold in our schools. Thanks to your generous donation, families in need were able to come together and celebrate with a warm meal. As we reflect on the blessings of this season, we are reminded of the power of community. Thank you for making this year’s food drive such a resounding success! It was so wonderful to meet so many of the students at the Butcher Block on a very cold, very early morning as you presented your "huge" check. All of the students and advisors were so polite, so friendly, and so kind, it really put us in the holiday spirit. I am attaching pictures that captured the wonderful way to cap off this year’s drive. To say that we were overwhelmed with your generosity, is an understatement.

School Committee Vice Chair Timothy O’Connor took time at the start of its Dec. 2 meeting to honor Westfield High School Hockey Coach C. B. “Moose” Matthews, who retired quietly a few years ago after a 30-year career. “It’s a privilege for me personally and professionally on behalf of the Westfield School Committee to be honoring Moose Matthews here this evening, for all he accomplished for the Westfield Public Schools as hockey coach of the Westfield Bombers,” O’Connor said. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/12/westfield-school-committee-honors-retired-coach.html

Please click on the image below for important information regarding school delays and closures in the event of inclement weather. Thank you.