It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Thank you to all our teachers for their hard work and dedication to the students in our schools.
On May 4, 2023, Westfield Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will hold the 2023 Shining Star Ceremony in Tiger’s Pride at Westfield Technical Academy at 6:30 pm. Nominations for Shining Star recipients are for those educators and support personnel who go the extra mile to serve the Westfield District Schools’ special education community and inspire others to do the same. This Recognition of Excellence in Supporting Special Education is an important way for the community to thank those who through dedication, creativity, patience, and
determination help students receiving special education to experience success.
The special education department appreciates the hard work and dedication of educators and support personnel for all that they do for our students. We also appreciate all of your support in ensuring that your children succeed
When Christy Roselli, a third-grade teacher at Munger Hill Elementary School, told her students that a local salon and spa wanted to display their art about the Earth, they were over the moon. The images they created for Earth Month in April have been featured at Puffer’s Salon & Day Spa and received rave reviews.
“The kids were honored to show their artwork. They felt like celebrities because they were chosen to do this,” said Roselli.
Judy Puffer, who owns the salon, reached out to Roselli to see if her students would like to have their Earth Month art shown in the spa. Roselli responded with a resounding yes.
Puffer donated the supplies, and the kids went to work using colored pencils, markers, watercolor paint and crayons in a myriad of colors to express green messages. The children created images depicting recycling, walking instead of driving, how to save electricity, reducing garbage and other green messages.
The children gave Puffer a sneak peek at the art when she visited their classroom. She was pleased with what she saw and excited to display the images in her salon.
“I had each student explain what their poster is about and how they could make a difference. What most impressed me was their depiction of the message, how each of them has their own take on it,” she said.
Puffer has had many Earth Month events since she opened her business in 1999, but this is the first time she’s worked with schoolchildren. The project allowed students to express themselves, revealing thoughtful messages about how they would embrace and save the planet.
“We talked about this is their planet. They’re the future generation, so it really is everyone’s responsibility to do their part, no matter how small. We talked about picking up even one little piece of trash. If everyone did that, what a difference it would make,” said Roselli.
Puffer is amplifying each child’s messages by exposing the pieces to hundreds of her clients.
“The artwork is amazing and so cute. I put everything on the wall so guests could enjoy them, and the pieces have brought smiles to so many people,” said Puffer.
Puffer thinks the project was a great way to engage children, to get their attention and motivate them to do their part to help the world. Part of their mission now is to carry the message home to their families, enlisting them to take action to benefit the environment.
“The children could make a difference by talking with their families about not littering or running water needlessly. I hope they have those conversations, that the message goes a little bit farther than just the classroom, and kids are pretty good about that,” said Puffer.
Roselli said the project also sows the seeds of caring for the planet in these students for when they grow to adulthood.
“I hope this is something they had fun with and will remember doing when they grow up,” said Roselli. “This is one way we can reach the younger generation because they’re the ones who will inherit the Earth from us.”
https://www.thereminder.com/LOCALNEWS/westfield/colorful-posters-made-by-youngsters-share-green-me/
Mrs. Roselli's third grade class partnered with Judy Puffer of Puffer's Salon and Day Spa in Westfield to talk about Earth Day and learn ways to keep the Earth happy and healthy! They created posters that are on display at the salon. What a great learning experience for our students!
If you missed this week's episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. Abner Gibbs Kindergarten Teacher Kelley Maher talks about our Kindergarten Home Visiting Program and the students in Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts program introduce us to Fried Twinkies on National Twinkies Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4ddUKcDC90
Tune in on Thursday, April 6 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we will talk with Westfield Public Schools staff about our Kindergarten Home Visit Program. We will also celebrate National Twinkies Day with help from Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts students. Thanks for watching!
If you missed Saturday's "Big Spring Sing", click on the link below. Thank you to WCPC's Ken Stomski for recording and editing the video for the show. The students sounded phenomenal!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PnoYX-Znf4
Join us at Westfield High School today at 2:00 p.m. for the Annual Big Spring Sing. Chorus students from Elementary School through High School will be performing for our listening pleasure. Thank you for supporting our students!
Westfield police officers took time out during the day on March 29 to read to first graders in all six elementary schools in the city about their work keeping people safe.
Police Lt. Eric Hall, who runs the community services unit, reached out to the School Department several months ago about having the officers come in.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/03/police-officers-read-about-safety-to-first-graders-at-westfield-schools.html
Do you know about our ST Math 100% Club? Our student work hard in ST Math daily and the program engages them by using visual learning to teach math concepts. Each week we celebrate our classrooms and how hard they are working, and we love to recognize our students who complete 100% of their puzzle goal.
We have a display in the foyer of our Mountain Lions who have made the 100% Club, so be sure to check it out next time you are in the building!
Congratulations to the following students who are in the 100% Club!
Kindergarten: Beckett F., Julian B., Noelle C, Abbey D, Zacharias P, Parker C
First Grade: Gabriel G, Hazel L, Illia O, Pavlo S, Cooper C, Bryant T, David B, Kenzie B, Adlee M
Second Grade: Lillith R, Senam A, Daryna T,Elliana Z, A.J. C, Delilah F, Caleb G, Benjamin L
Third Grade: Veer P, Josean O, Lennox C, Temperance F, Amelia L, Mairin S
Fourth Grade: Christopher A, Delaney G, Clara P, Elina T, Sophia C, Jackson D, Kalan L, Berat A, Evie C, Lily L
Congratulations to our ST Math Champions!
Westfield is now under a Winter Storm Warning and power outages are being reported in the city. As a result of this updated information, Westfield Public Schools will be closed today. Please stay safe. Thank you.
Based on the latest weather forecast, Westfield Public Schools will have an Early Release Day on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. High Schools will dismiss at 11:00 a.m., Middle, Intermediate, and Virtual Schools at 11:30 a.m., and Elementary Schools at 12:15 p.m. Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center will be closed. Should weather conditions deteriorate tomorrow morning, a message canceling the day will be sent out as early as possible. Thank you.
IT'S TIME!! Who likes C-A-S-H-?!?!...Who likes supporting our Westfield Public Schools?!!?
WFE is holding its 1st Annual Cash Calendar Raffle Fundraiser for the month of April!! Purchase your Calendar anytime throughout the month of March and get 30 chances to win yourself some CASH! Simply scan the QR code on this post, make your $20 payment and you're ALL SET!
BUT WAIT!.....There's more! 😉 The first 25 Calendars purchased will automatically be entered to win a $10 Dunkin' Gift Card AND 1 (one) Love Mich Cozy.
Not feeling the QR purchase option? No worries! Physical Calendars will be available to purchase for cash by contacting westfield.foundation2013@gmail.com and at locations throughout Westfield. Details on the list of locations to follow shortly!
ALL of the proceeds from the purchase of Calendar Raffles go DIRECTLY to supporting ALL of the Westfield Public Schools within the Westfield, MA district!
Head over to www.westfieldfoundation.org to purchase, for information on the Grants we award, and to contact us with any questions.
Registration for the Third Annual Math Acceleration Academy is now open! This is an opportunity for students in Grades 3-10 to improve their math skills, learn problem-solving methods, raise their MCAS scores, and HAVE SOME FUN! Click on the link to register:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegOhkhc0QBETYIptb5FhA9jFuGCL1R02Fxffk_fanOOeHvYw/viewform?usp=sf_link
SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) is currently accepting nominations of educators and support personnel who go the extra mile to serve the Westfield District Schools’ special education community and inspire others to do the same.
The Recognition of Excellence in Supporting Special Education is an important way for the community to thank those who through dedication, creativity, patience, and determination help students receiving special education to experience success.
Happy March! Please take note of these important dates
March 10 (Friday): No school for students
March 13 (Monday): Second trimester ends
March 13 and 14 (Monday and Tuesday): PTO book fair
March 17 (Friday): Wear Green Day! Report cards available for parents at 3:30pm
Tune in on Thursday, March 2 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, Band Director Pat Kennedy stops by to talk about the 70th POPS concert at Westfield High School. We also talk with our School Business Administrator and Director of Transportation about the district budget and school transportation. Thanks for watching!
Families, educators, school leaders, and public education advocates across the country are joining together in celebrating public schools, Feb. 27–Mar. 3; a week designated to highlight and show support for our local public schools.
Public Schools Week 2023 (#PSW23) is part of a larger campaign—#HerefortheKids—one that brings together families, educators, and community members to shine a light on local public schools and share the stories of the positive things happening in classrooms and school buildings nationwide. The teaching and learning in our local K-12 public schools positively impacts students and families, the neighborhoods, and communities they live in, and our nation as a whole. With commitment, creativity, and critical thinking, educators and school leaders continue to provide welcoming and engaging learning opportunities for our children.
#Hereforthe Kids #AchievingExcellenceTogether
Next week is Winter Vacation! There is no school for students starting Monday, February 20 through Friday, February 24. Students return to school on Monday, February 27. Have fun and be safe! Thank you.
Wishing all of our families a happy and safe winter break! We'll see you on February 27th!
