Westfield Public Schools

This week is National School Counseling Week. This week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Please join us in thanking our school counselors across the district for their dedication to their professions and to our students. Thank you!

Our offices are closed today due to the winter storm bringing snow, sleet, and freezing rain. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you.

The SEPAC meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. is canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you.

Due to the impending winter storm, particularly the timing and the prediction of freezing rain tomorrow afternoon, Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Thank you.

The Westfield Historical Commission and Westfield Technical Academy’s Construction Dept. are teaming up to create historic house plaques, in a program initiated by Ward 3 Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane. She said 20 to 30 other communities in Massachusetts have a similar program. Matthews-Kane brought mockups made by department head Matthew Gomes to the meeting on Jan. 27 and said he will be doing it as a service project with the students. “He’s really excited about it,” she said. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/02/commission-teams-up-with-wta-construction-tech-on-historic-house-plaques.html

Westfield Public Schools is holding its ‘Countdown to Kindergarten’ information and registration night for all upcoming kindergartners across the city. The informational event will take place in the new Westfield River Elementary School on 133 Franklin Street on Tuesday, Feb. 4, with a snow date on Feb. 6. Families of prospective kindergartners may attend anytime between 6 and 7:30 p.m., and may bring the kids. Even if children are in preschool now, families can get a lot of information about kindergarten in the district at the event, said WPS Director of Assessment and Accountability Christine Shea. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/02/westfield-families-can-register-new-kindergartners-at-fun-family-event-on-feb-4.html

Good morning. Due to current weather conditions, Westfield Publlic Schools has a two-hour delayed start today, Monday, February 3, 2025. Thank you.

Eager to share their work at the Westfield Public Schools Science and Engineering Fair on Jan. 29, students from Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy featured projects involving mechanical, digital, biological and psychological components to community judges from many fields and disciplines. At the end of the day, the top three projects were named along with 14 others that will advance to the Western Mass Regional Fair in March. Westfield High School sophomore Giovanni Santaniello enjoyed talking about the solar beach umbrella he created for his chemistry honors class. He said the idea came to him when he was on the beach and his phone died with no way to power it back up, to put together a beach umbrella with solar panels. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/02/scientists-engineers-and-artists-shine-at-whs-science-engineering-fair.html

The Young Singers of Greater Westfield will be starting back up February 13th. We rehearse at the Catherine Dower Center for the Arts at Westfield State University from 6:00-7:30 pm on Thursday nights. All students grade 4-8 are welcome to join us! click on the image below for the registration form. Thank you!

Imaginary Friends is a project devised by a group of puppeteers, theatre practitioners, and amusement park entertainers from all over the Northeast. Our team has presented thousands of performances to audiences in many styles of puppetry, both live and film. Now, we are bringing our passion for diverse storytelling and live entertainment to Westfield, Massachusetts. Come and meet our Imaginary Friends!

Science, Technology and Engineering Supervisor Lauren Cadigan has announced that the Healthcare Pathway at Westfield High School will be introducing a new phlebotomy course for certification through Holyoke Community College. The class will be taught on Wednesdays beginning Jan. 29 during after school hours by WHS teacher Karen Saunders, a certified phlebotomist before starting a teaching career. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/01/whs-expands-career-pathway-offerings-to-students.html

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.