Westfield High School

Over the weekend, Westfield High School senior Jillian Battles completed her mission of filling 800 “Bags for Bravery” for active troops and veterans with everything from personal care items and throw blankets, to notebooks, pens, pencils and playing cards to a wide range of snacks. This is the fourth year in a row that Jillian, with the help of her mother Jen Battles, area businesses and community volunteers filled the 800 bags. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/11/jillian-battles-fills-800-bags-for-troops-4th-year-in-a-row.html

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce its new MPY Parenting Solutions Library. The MPY Parenting Solutions Library is offered at no charge, in partnership with Peace at Home Parenting Solutions, a non- profit. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive. The video trainings are presented by experts with advanced degrees and present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change.

NEW On The Mark and Superintendent's Spotlight 11/06/24 from Westfield Community Programming, 89.5fm/WSKB, Agawam Media and Southwick Community TV. Students at Westfield High School can earn college credits at Westfield State University. Mark G. Auerbach and Stefan Czaporowski talk with students and teachers in the program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsVNs__x2r4

If you didn't catch last week's brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. In this episode, we talk all about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) in the Westfield Public Schools in recognition of STEAM Day on Friday, November 8. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obteUQOd684

REMINDER: Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Monday, November 11, in observance of Veteran's Day. Thank you.

Our next SEPAC meeting will be held this Thursday, November 7, at 7:00 p.m. Please click on the image for additional information. Thank you.

A reminder that there is no school for students next Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Thank you.

Did you know that both Staff and Students have premium access to Book Creator, a digital tool that allows students to create and read digital books. To learn more and to read their November Newsletter click here: https://bookcreator.com/resources/newsletter/november-24/ You can log in by clicking "Log in" and then sign in with google to start creating!

Students in preschool to high school were all-hands-on during STEM Week in the Westfield public schools, Oct. 21-25. Kindergarten to fifth grade teachers launched Project Lead the Way modules across all grade levels around topics including energy, structure and function, forces and interactions, and matter. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/10/westfield-stem-week-engages-pre-k-to-teens-with-demonstrations-career-talks.html

Click on the image below to view that latest newsletter from the WPS Health Services Department. Thank you!

Teens testified to the value of programs that expose Westfield High School students to college courses and college life on Wednesday, just before a press conference where state officials announced their commitment to “early college” programs. State Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega and acting Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Russell Johnston sat down with Mayor Michael McCabe, School Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and a panel of students participating in the program known as Westfield Promise. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/10/teens-tout-westfield-state-university-partnership-as-model-for-opportunity.html

Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler and local education officials held a round table discussion with students to find out how the state’s higher education system is enhancing students’ academic experience. Students at Westfield High School said the program called Westfield Promise has broadened their knowledge. This program allows students to earn up to 18 college credits in high school while also giving them a sneak peek at college life. At this meeting students and education officials were able to discuss how higher education courses have helped students and discuss ways to improve it. Some of those ways include increasing exposure and access to higher education for K-12 students improving equity in financial aid and enhancing support for historically underserved and underrepresented students. “It’s key all of these students are engaged in early college programming. You can see these students are on a track to being served well and this program works,” said Patrick Tutwiler, the secretary of education. Senator John Velis, a former Westfield high school student said programs like this are essential for the growth and development of the students. “Kids in many instances don’t find out what they want to do until it is too late. One of the reasons I am convinced that is the case is because they are not exposed to that information so what these classes do is figure out earlier if you like something or if you don’t,” said Velis. https://www.wwlp.com/news/education-officials-discuss-higher-education-system/

This morning on WCPC Channel 15 and WSKB 89.5 FM, the Westfield High School Show Choir was featured on "On the Mark". Host Mark Auerbach spoke with the students about their musical and career interests and more. The students also previewed some of the music from their upcoming show on Thursday, October 17 at 6:00 p.m. at Westfield High School. Tickets for the Fallfest can be purchased at Degray's Service or by calling Westfield High School at 413-572-6463. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM4xY42LFCM

Westfield on Weekends’ PumpkinFest will return from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 19 on the athletic fields behind Amelia Park off South Broad Street. “A goal of any community event that brings people together is just that, bringing people together to interact in a world which is so online, so divisive sometimes,” said WOW President Bob Plasse. “It is so important for us to offer opportunities for us to play together and actually to work on a project and collaborate together.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/10/pumpkinfest-set-to-return-with-madison-curbelo-performance-food-trucks.html

Click on the link below for the latest edition of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we talked about the new IEP and more with our Special Education Leadership Team. We also celebrated National Angel Food Cake Day with staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Department. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np4jTwSqU8k

Click on the image below for more information about the 16th Annual Westfield Scout Expo being held on Saturday, November 9. Thank you!

October is National Principals Month, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the amazing principals who lead our schools. Their dedication, passion, and commitment shape the educational experiences of our students and foster positive school cultures. Every day, our principals inspire teachers, staff, and students to strive for their best. They navigate challenges with grace and create environments where every student can thrive. This month, join us in recognizing and thanking these remarkable leaders. To our wonderful principals, thank you for all that you do. Your leadership and tireless efforts make a profound difference. Let’s all take a moment to #ThankAPrincipal and show our appreciation for their invaluable contributions to our schools and communities.

Students are “all in” the new criminal justice vocational program at Westfield High School. Asked what she likes best about it, senior Kamaria Eddington said, “It’s all hands-on — how we’re all so ‘in it.’” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/10/criminal-justice-students-all-in-for-westfield-high-career-education-program.html

October is WHS College Month! College Night: 10/16 6-7pm @ WHS Auditorium https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/o/whs/article/1791445 Join us for an informative session on the latest trends in college admissions. College Fair: 10/22 9:15 - 10:50am @ WHS Gym https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/o/whs/article/1791585 Discover a world of opportunities, meet representatives from 100 esteemed universities, and gain valuable insights to shape your academic path and future career.

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 October 15-18 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.