Westfield Public Schools and the Westfield Police Department Release Drill Dates
Westfield Public Schools continues to update our school district’s comprehensive safety plan in conjunction with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments. A team of Westfield Administrators and other staff members representing every level from elementary to high school, has been working collaboratively with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments to make sure our students, staff, and families have a current, research-based, and educationally sound emergency operations plan.
As part of our continued work with Westfield Police Department and our ongoing training for students and staff, our city departments working together will conduct lockdown drills in our schools the week of March 9-12 utilizing the enhanced lockdown procedures known as A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate).
If you have any questions regarding our drills please contact Mr. Christopher Rogers, Director of Operations and Safety for the Westfield Public Schools at 413-572-6495 or c.rogers@schoolsofwestfield.org. Thank you!
Westfield Public Schools continues to update our school district’s comprehensive safety plan in conjunction with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments. A team of Westfield Administrators and other staff members representing every level from elementary to high school, has been working collaboratively with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments to make sure our students, staff, and families have a current, research-based, and educationally sound emergency operations plan.
As part of our continued work with Westfield Police Department and our ongoing training for students and staff, our city departments working together will conduct lockdown drills in our schools the week of March 9-12 utilizing the enhanced lockdown procedures known as A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate).
If you have any questions regarding our drills please contact Mr. Christopher Rogers, Director of Operations and Safety for the Westfield Public Schools at 413-572-6495 or c.rogers@schoolsofwestfield.org. Thank you!
Reminder: There will be no school for students from February 16–February 20 due to Winter Vacation. Have a wonderful break and stay safe!
“Being present every day is the first step toward achievement.” #AchievingExcellenceTogether
We are pleased to announce that Westfield Public Schools will offer tuition-free preschool for Westfield residents for the 2026-2027 school year. If your child will be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2026 and you are interested in having your child attend WPS preschool, please complete this interest form. If you have more than one child eligible for preschool, please complete a separate form for each child.
All 3 year old preschool classrooms will be held from Monday through Friday for 2.5 hours, either in the morning or afternoon. The morning program will run from 9:15 am to 11:45 am and the afternoon program will run from 12:45 pm to 3:15 pm.
All 4 year old preschool classrooms will be held from Monday through Friday from 9:15 am to 3:15 pm each day.
This form will remain open through Friday, March 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Families will be notified on or before Thursday, April 2, 2026 if their child has been selected.
Please contact Jonathan Scagel, Preschool Program Supervisor, at (jonathan.scagel@schoolsofwestfield.org) with any questions.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XmEKoihDwnMvWVCE3mxwJUkcHZNwrvGU-Us8IP2kQIU/edit?usp=sharing
All 3 year old preschool classrooms will be held from Monday through Friday for 2.5 hours, either in the morning or afternoon. The morning program will run from 9:15 am to 11:45 am and the afternoon program will run from 12:45 pm to 3:15 pm.
All 4 year old preschool classrooms will be held from Monday through Friday from 9:15 am to 3:15 pm each day.
This form will remain open through Friday, March 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Families will be notified on or before Thursday, April 2, 2026 if their child has been selected.
Please contact Jonathan Scagel, Preschool Program Supervisor, at (jonathan.scagel@schoolsofwestfield.org) with any questions.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XmEKoihDwnMvWVCE3mxwJUkcHZNwrvGU-Us8IP2kQIU/edit?usp=sharing
National School Counseling Week 2026 (Feb. 2-6), sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the essential contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Take a moment to thank your school counselor(s). #AchievingExcellenceTogether
A reminder that all Elementary School Students will be released at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Thank you.
Westfield families with preschool-aged children, whether they’re in preschool or not, are invited to come to the 2026 Countdown to Kindergarten event on Tuesday, Feb. 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Westfield River Elementary School, 133 Franklin St. A snow date has been scheduled for Feb. 5.
The event is for students who will be attending any of the five elementary schools in the district. The principals and some of their staff from each of the schools will be present to meet families.
Christine Shea, director of assessment and accountability for Westfield Public Schools, said the Countdown to Kindergarten is a great opportunity for families to get their questions answered and all the information they need to register their child for kindergarten, a process they can get help starting at the Countdown to Kindergarten. Children must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 to register for kindergarten.
“Parents have found it really helpful to get their questions answered, get help with online registration, meet principals and staff from their schools and learn about the program,” Shea said.
If families plan to register at the countdown, they may bring the required paperwork with them, listed online at www.schoolsofwestfield.org under “Registration.” They can also just come and begin the process and bring what they have. If families register ahead of time, they will receive information about kindergarten screening, as well as play dates held over the summer, Shea said.
Every child who attends will also receive a backpack filled with school supplies and a t-shirt with their graduation year on it. “I think we’re up to 2039,” Shea said.
The district transportation director will be there to answer questions, and there will be a school bus parked for the kids to explore. Also on hand will be the district’s literacy and math coaches to answer questions about academics; lead nurse Fawne St. Pierre will answer questions about immunizations and health records, and Food Services will have sample menus and snacks.
Shea said many of the district’s community partners, including the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, the Boys & Girls Club, and the YMCA, will talk about before and after-school programs. Seven Hills will be there to help with vouchers and the application process.
CFCE director Paula Hebert-Pike will give information on area play groups, and the Westfield Athenaeum will share information on children’s library programs.
Riverside Counseling, which has a partnership with Westfield Public Schools, will be available to talk about mental health questions.
Anyone with questions about the Countdown to Kindergarten may reach out to Sarah Kotarski at s.kotarski@schoolsofwestfield.org or at 413-572-6439.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/01/countdown-to-kindergarten-on-feb-3-is-a-nice-information-night-for-young-families.html
The event is for students who will be attending any of the five elementary schools in the district. The principals and some of their staff from each of the schools will be present to meet families.
Christine Shea, director of assessment and accountability for Westfield Public Schools, said the Countdown to Kindergarten is a great opportunity for families to get their questions answered and all the information they need to register their child for kindergarten, a process they can get help starting at the Countdown to Kindergarten. Children must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 to register for kindergarten.
“Parents have found it really helpful to get their questions answered, get help with online registration, meet principals and staff from their schools and learn about the program,” Shea said.
If families plan to register at the countdown, they may bring the required paperwork with them, listed online at www.schoolsofwestfield.org under “Registration.” They can also just come and begin the process and bring what they have. If families register ahead of time, they will receive information about kindergarten screening, as well as play dates held over the summer, Shea said.
Every child who attends will also receive a backpack filled with school supplies and a t-shirt with their graduation year on it. “I think we’re up to 2039,” Shea said.
The district transportation director will be there to answer questions, and there will be a school bus parked for the kids to explore. Also on hand will be the district’s literacy and math coaches to answer questions about academics; lead nurse Fawne St. Pierre will answer questions about immunizations and health records, and Food Services will have sample menus and snacks.
Shea said many of the district’s community partners, including the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, the Boys & Girls Club, and the YMCA, will talk about before and after-school programs. Seven Hills will be there to help with vouchers and the application process.
CFCE director Paula Hebert-Pike will give information on area play groups, and the Westfield Athenaeum will share information on children’s library programs.
Riverside Counseling, which has a partnership with Westfield Public Schools, will be available to talk about mental health questions.
Anyone with questions about the Countdown to Kindergarten may reach out to Sarah Kotarski at s.kotarski@schoolsofwestfield.org or at 413-572-6439.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/01/countdown-to-kindergarten-on-feb-3-is-a-nice-information-night-for-young-families.html
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts will be hosting a Webex Webinar Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents. The webinar will take place on the evening of Tuesday, February 3rd at 6:30 pm in a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations Digital Forensics/Child Exploitation/Cyber Crime Unit. The registration flyer is attached. Advanced registration is required, and the capacity of the Webex webinar platform is 1000. In the event we reach capacity, those who are unable to register can email USAMA.PSCOutreach@usa.doj.gov to be put on the list for the next webinar.
Registration can be done either via the attached flyer or the link below.
Webinar topic: Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents
Date and time: Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 6:30 PM | (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Register link:
https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r83f7d49f6565b65bce8bb420f1cfef7c
Registration can be done either via the attached flyer or the link below.
Webinar topic: Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents
Date and time: Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 6:30 PM | (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Register link:
https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r83f7d49f6565b65bce8bb420f1cfef7c
A reminder that Westfield Public Schools are closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday. Thank you.
This week, on "Superintendent's Spotlight", we talked about our "Countdown to Kindergarten" event being held on February 3 at 6:00 p.m. at Westfield River Elementary School. Staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Department also stopped by to help us celebrate National Strawberry Ice Cream Day. Thanks for watching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp3evPWLEGA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp3evPWLEGA
Regular school attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. When students come to school each day they learn new skills, stay connected with teachers and classmates, and access the supports they need to thrive. Chronic absenteeism can make it hard to catch up — but every day missed is also an opportunity to improve. Let’s work together — families, teachers, and neighbors — to make sure every student can be present, safe, and ready to learn. #AchievingExcellenceTogether
Due to the current weather conditions, Westfield Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delay schedule today, Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Please drive safely. Thank you.
🌟 Show up. Learn. Grow. Repeat. Every day in school = one step closer to your goals! #EveryDayCounts
A reminder that today, December 23, is an early release day for students.
• High Schools: 11:00 a.m. dismissal
• Middle & Intermediate Schools: 11:30 a.m. dismissal
• Elementary Schools: 12:15 p.m. dismissal
Thank you!
• High Schools: 11:00 a.m. dismissal
• Middle & Intermediate Schools: 11:30 a.m. dismissal
• Elementary Schools: 12:15 p.m. dismissal
Thank you!
Please click here for the District's Second Quarterly newsletter for the 2025-2026 School year. Thank you!
https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/documents/district/district-newsletters/2025-2026/quarter-2/23361217
https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/documents/district/district-newsletters/2025-2026/quarter-2/23361217
🌟 Show up. Learn. Grow. Repeat. Every day in school = one step closer to your goals! #EveryDayCounts
Click on the link below to watch yesterday's brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we spoke with staff and second grade students from Highland Elementary School about their latest PLTW - Project Lead The Way assignment. Staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Program joined the show to help us recognize National Cookie Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYRzg_KDQrQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYRzg_KDQrQ
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Language Acquisition will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Westfield Public School District’s English learner education program the week of Dec. 1.
The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners, what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.
Christine Shea, director of assessment and accountability for Westfield Public Schools, said there are currently 409 English learners in the school district, 27 of whom opt out of ESL instruction, and 119 former EL students, who no longer require ESL instruction. Shea said these students are monitored for four years to ensure they’re succeeding academically.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English learner education program. Survey results will be reviewed and will contribute to the monitoring report.
The district will also be doing a full day of interviews with classroom teachers at all levels, English as a second language teachers, administrators and a parent focus group.
Parents and other individuals may call Samantha Kodak, Office of Language Acquisition Review chairperson, at (781) 338-3584 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements. “They do these every six years - it’s very in-depth,” Shea said.
Through the survey and the focus group, Shea said she hopes to learn if there are things that families are looking for that they are not doing. “It’s a learning experience for us. We always feel there are ways to improve,” she said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/12/dese-to-conduct-review-of-westfields-english-learner-education-program-this-week.html
The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners, what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.
Christine Shea, director of assessment and accountability for Westfield Public Schools, said there are currently 409 English learners in the school district, 27 of whom opt out of ESL instruction, and 119 former EL students, who no longer require ESL instruction. Shea said these students are monitored for four years to ensure they’re succeeding academically.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English learner education program. Survey results will be reviewed and will contribute to the monitoring report.
The district will also be doing a full day of interviews with classroom teachers at all levels, English as a second language teachers, administrators and a parent focus group.
Parents and other individuals may call Samantha Kodak, Office of Language Acquisition Review chairperson, at (781) 338-3584 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements. “They do these every six years - it’s very in-depth,” Shea said.
Through the survey and the focus group, Shea said she hopes to learn if there are things that families are looking for that they are not doing. “It’s a learning experience for us. We always feel there are ways to improve,” she said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/12/dese-to-conduct-review-of-westfields-english-learner-education-program-this-week.html
Due to today’s conditions, all afterschool and evening programs and activities are canceled for Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Please stay safe and take care.
Showing up to school does more than earn attendance points — it builds confidence, strengthens relationships, and creates routines that prepare students for life. When students are present, learning happens, friendships grow, and futures open up. Families and community: your support makes the difference. #AchievingExcellenceTogether
