If you missed the latest "Superintendent's Spotlight" from this morning, click on the link below. This week, we talked about our Upcoming "Countdown to Kindergarten" Event at Westfield Middle School on February 6 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. We also took some time to test our knowledge of the Sunshine State on National Florida Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL8wj5ERW2E
Westfield’s public schools are hosting a “Countdown to Kindergarten” information and registration night in the Westfield Middle School cafeteria, 30 West Silver St., on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Families of prospective kindergartners may attend anytime between 6 and 7:30 p.m., and may bring the kids. The snow date is Feb. 8.
Assessment and Accountability Director Christine Shea said the district’s goal is to get as many kindergartners registered as possible, to help plan for the 2024-25 school year.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/01/westfield-families-can-register-new-kindergartners-at-feb-6-family-event.html
Elementary school teachers in Westfield are looking to partner with professionals in the community to enhance their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum this spring through the Adopt-a-Classroom program.
Lindsey Ayers, the district’s pre-kindergarten through fourth grade STEM coach, said the students have upcoming challenges in their Project Lead the Way curriculum related to robotics, coding, computer systems and simulations.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/01/westfield-elementary-schools-seek-partners-for-real-world-science-lessons.html
There will be a 2 hour delay this morning, Wednesday, January 17th due to icy conditions on side roads, sidewalks, and school parking lots.
Westfield Public School elementary teachers are looking to partner with professionals in the community to enhance our STEM Curriculum. The topics are described below by grade level. We envision your role with students being related to providing feedback to students based on their prototype designs. We will work with you to create a plan that works!
If you are interested in Adopting a Classroom focusing on one of the projects above, please send inquiries to: Lindsey Ayers, PK-4 STEM Coach @ l.ayers@schoolsofwestfield.org. Thank you!
At a meeting of the new elementary school building committee on Jan. 9, Co-Chair Tammy Tefft, Owner’s Project Manager Dan Pallotta and architect Bert Gardner addressed several questions that have been raised about the project.
First, Pallotta gave an overview. He said construction has passed the 50% mark, which he called a “milestone,” and said, “it looks awesome.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/01/westfield-committee-addresses-elementary-school-project-questions-concerns.html
Westfield, MA Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Thank you.
If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week we spoke with CEO Andrea Allard all about the YMCA of Greater Westfield. We also took some time to recognize "international thank you" day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWw9QQu0qRM
Please click on the link below for a message from Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler about the importance of daily student attendance. Thank you for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhK_T6PREMM
Due to continued icy conditions, Westfield Public Schools will have a two-hour delayed start today. Be safe!
If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" yesterday morning, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with members of the New Elementary School Building Team about the status of the project to date. We also shared exclusive video footage of the interior and exterior of the building so far. Thank you for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGACvn3amfU
There are many things you can do for income, those are jobs. But to do something meaningful, that you have a passion for, that’s a career, and if you’re looking for something like that then your local school district might have a position for you.
Stefan Czaporowski, the Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools, joins Patrick Berry to talk about the many career opportunities you can find in our schools.
https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/find-a-career-with-meaning-in-your-local-school-district/?fbclid=IwAR0gY8TE9BVDtOxqetT4sKtUt4cWEGsBaf4j5GvA1cfYAogljsi55aJ5r0s
Our Holiday Recess will start on Monday, December 25. Schools will reopen on Tuesday, January 2. Happy Holidays from all of us at the Westfield Public Schools!
Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence.
Click below for the latest newsletter on the Franklin Ave/Abner Gibbs Replacement School Project:
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Construction-on-the-new-Elementary-School-continues--December-2023-Newsletter.html?soid=1127583543316&aid=liwzqD2cYms
December 2023 SOARING News!
If you missed the latest episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight" yesterday, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with Abner Gibbs Elementary School Principal Erika Masciadrelli and School Adjustment Counselor Amy Crowley about the great things happening at Abner Gibbs. Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts students also helped us to celebrate National Mousse Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TJZw1YCZ94
School principals and business leaders brainstormed about how they can help students prepare for careers at the Nov. 28 meeting of the Westfield Education to Business Alliance.
Area businesses have been working with teachers to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities and share information about career opportunities in their fields through the Adopt a Classroom program.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/11/westfield-school-business-leaders-brainstorm-on-how-to-link-students-to-careers.html
Holi-daze
Presented by Mad Science of Western New England and sponsored by Westfield Public Schools
Date: Tuesday, December 12th, 2023
Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: Munger Hill Elementary School
33 Mallard Ln. Westfield, MA 01085
Please email Sarah Kotarski at
s.kotarski@schoolsofwestfield.org
to register
The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce’s Share the Warmth Coat Drive to benefit the children in Westfield public schools from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 will continue through Dec. 15.
In the spirit of giving, the Chamber is asking for new or gently used winter coats of all sizes. Hats, snow pants, boots, gloves, mittens and scarves are also welcome, along with donations of new socks and new undergarments.
Drop-off locations, all of which are in Westfield, include the Chamber office at 16 N. Elm St.; the Westfield schools office at 94 N. Elm St., Suite 101; Amelia Park Arena, 21 S. Broad St.; Shortstop Bar & Grill, 99 Springfield Rd.; Anytime Fitness, 415 E. Main St.; Results in Wellness, 93 Springfield Rd., Suite B; Richard’s Jewelers, 146 E. Main St.; Cannabis Connection, 40 Westfield Industrial Park Rd.; Betts Plumbing & Heating Supply, 14 Coleman Ave.; Westfield Bank, 300 Southampton Rd.; Rehab Resolutions, 1111 Elm St.; and Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport’s terminal building at 110 Airport Rd.
School Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said he is thankful that the Chamber’s new director Amanda Waterfield and Chamber members are still supporting the coat drive.
“I love that the Chamber wants to continue doing this with us, and how the community comes together to support our students. This is the seventh year we’ve been doing this, and we never end up with leftover clothing,” Czaporowski said.
The coats and other winter clothing go to whatever school has pupils who need them. He said a lot of the clothing goes to the elementary kids, and adult sizes go to the clothing closets at both high schools.
Czaporowski said the schools added snow pants to their wish list this year, because it is one of the items that students often don’t have.
“I used to love making igloos. When I would go sit in my igloo, I loved having snow pants,” he said.
Czaporowski said schools are seeing the effects of price inflation on some families’ ability to purchase warm clothes for their students. He said the schools will accept both new and gently used clothing, because sometimes kids grow out of their clothes so quickly they do not show a lot of wear. The schools are asking that any undergarments and socks that are donated be new.
The clothing is also offered to new families that come to Westfield, some from milder climates. Czaporowski said when a new student comes in, the topic of adequate winter clothing is worked into the conversation.
“It’s also good for our recent immigrants to Westfield,” he said.
The final collection will take place at the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Holiday Breakfast, 7-9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at East Mountain Country Club, 1458 E. Mountain Rd. Czaporowski said the Westfield High School Chorus will perform holiday tunes at the breakfast.
For more information or to sign up for the breakfast, visit www.westfieldbiz.org or call 413-568-1618.
https://www.thereminder.com/Localnews/westfield/westfield-schools-coat-drive-continues-through-mid/