Behavioral Health Network Inc., which merged with the Carson Center eight years ago, has opened a new BHN WellBeing Center with expanded hours, expanded service, and walk-in care in its offices at 77 Mill St. in Westfield.
The BHN WellBeing Center, along with one that opened at 417 Liberty St. in Springfield, are part of a statewide network of Community Behavioral Health Centers, or CBHCs, and are intended to shorten wait times for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment with MassHealth and Health New England insurances.
The hours for walk-in care at both locations are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those seeking care can also call 413-301-WELL (413-301-9355) to be connected to services or visit bhninc.org for more information.
https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/walk-in-behavioral-health-care-clinic-opens-in-westfield.html
Families of next year’s kindergarten class are encouraged to attend the Countdown to Kindergarten on Wednesday, Feb. 8, in the Westfield Middle School cafeteria at 30 W. Silver St., Westfield. The event begins at 6 p.m. but families can drop in anytime until 7:30 p.m. The snow date is Feb. 15.
“We’re really trying to get the word out,” said Christine Shea, director of assessment and accountability for Westfield schools.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/01/westfield-schools-will-make-kindergarten-registration-a-family-fun-event.html
WPS is Hiring!
Be a part of Westfield Public Schools! We are hiring multiple positions across the district including substitute teachers, substitute nurses, classroom and 1:1 paraprofessionals, school custodians, and many more opportunities that can be found on our district website at www.schoolsofwestfield.org.
An inspirational School Committee meeting on Jan. 9 began with the third and fourth grade chorus of Highland Elementary School, led by music teacher Emily Baker, singing “Red Bird” by Theresa Jenkins and “The Dream Keeper” by Rollo Dilworth, based on poetry by Langston Hughes.
In her introduction, Highland Principal Jill Phelan said the chorus has 66 members this year, the largest ever for the school. She said one-third of the members were represented at the meeting.
https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/westfield-students-inspire-board-with-choral-performance-veterans-tribute.html
The Department of Mental Health has launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 languages. The help line can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services. Please click on the link below for more information.
https://www.masshelpline.com/
Reminder: Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 16 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Thank you.
Please note that our regularly scheduled School Committee Meeting on January 3, 2023, has been postponed until Monday, January 9, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you.
Happy Holidays from Highland School! Have a wonderful, restful break with friends and family! We will see you next year!
There will be no school for students starting Monday, December 26, 2022 - Monday, January 2, 2023, for the Holiday Recess. Schools will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Happy Holidays from all of us in the Westfield Public Schools!
Please take a look at all of these items in our lost and found. If you recognize anything, please reach out and let us know so we can get your items back.
Please click on the images below to read the second District Quarterly Newsletter of this school year. Happy Holidays from all of us in the Westfield Public Schools!
The Westfield Public Schools saw the Food Pantry's request for help and quickly created a "festive dress down day" to raise some money. All the schools and administration combined raised $1,089 for the pantry and had some fun while doing it. Here are a few pictures from the Intermediate school.
Candy Bar Bingo was a huge hit! Thank you to our amazing PTO for hosting such a fun event and to all of our awesome families who came out to play! Congratulations to all of the winners!
Our Highland Huskies were visited by the WHS Show Choir on December 1st. They treated our students to some fun holiday songs! What a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season. Thank you to the students and their director Mrs. Bruno for an amazing performance!
If you missed last week's "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. In this episode, our District Instructional Leadership Team explains our Multi-Tiered System of student Support. We also recognized National Play Monopoly Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Owb4DOsO4Y
The Westfield School Department’s Thanksgiving meal drive went into overdrive this year, with co-chairs Sue and Ralph Figy and Eileen and Jimmy Jachym ordering and delivering turkeys and all the fixings to a record-breaking 230 families this year, 80 more than anticipated.
Ralph Figy said the district coordinated with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield, which is providing 100 meals for area families. The school volunteers put together 230 meals, so that between them 330 families would receive meals.
https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/11/thanksgiving-effort-goes-into-overdrive-to-help-families-in-westfield.html
Share the Warmth Coat drive is ON!
From now until Dec. 14th, visit any of our participating members locations to make a donation to benefit Westfield Public School students.
Over the last two weeks, all of our third grade classes have had the opportunity to visit the Dewey House. The Dewey House is an introduction to colonial history for our students. During their time at the Dewey House, students had the opportunity to participate in hands-on learning experiences, engaging them in understanding a bit about what life was like in Colonial America.
With the weather turning cold and stormy this week, School Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski is getting ready for another season of deciding when to call a snow day.
It is not a call that he makes by himself, however.
“We look at the weather forecast, which is a pretty good guide, although not always 100% accurate,” he said. “We check with the Maintenance Department, the Westfield Police Department, [school Transportation Director] Pam Kortarski, who checks with the bus company, and area superintendents,” Czaporowski said. ”We try to make the call as early as possible to not inconvenience families.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/11/many-factors-influence-snow-day-call-westfield-school-superintendent-says.html
Tune in this Thursday, November 17, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for the next episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we are talking with our Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Director of Special Education, and our Director of Assessment and Accountability about our Multi-Tiered system of Support. Thanks for watching!
