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.
Rain in the forecast may have stopped some people from attending the Big E on Sept. 26, as the fair only managed 48,078 admissions, far short of the pleasant-weather standard.
But on Salute to Westfield Day, it couldn’t keep several city residents from making the short trip to the West Springfield fairground to see their exposition favorites, like the Avenue of States.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/09/westfield-residents-enjoy-food-business-sightseeing-on-citys-day-at-big-e.html
If you missed the latest "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with school nurse Liz Flaherty and Athletic Director Greg Vouros about concussions since National Concussion Awareness Day is on Friday, September 20. In this episode, we learn about symptoms, long term effects, concussion protocols in our athletic programs, and more. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BGXHNp4zB8
School administrators and a handful of varsity tennis players were the first to walk the tennis courts at Westfield High School on Friday morning, Sept. 6, after the students cut the ribbon on the new facility.
The courts were designed by SLR International Corp. and built by Mountain View Landscapes in Chicopee, which specializes in sports facility construction. Present at the ribbon cutting were architect Kevin Fuselier of SLR, and Sean Corrigan from Mountain View.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/09/growing-tennis-teams-at-westfield-high-school-cut-ribbon-on-1m-new-courts.html
If you missed the season premiere of Superintendent's Spotlight this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we chatted with Principal Charles Jendrysik about some of the capital projects at Westfield High School over the last year, free SAT prep classes, and more. We also celebrated National Cheese Pizza Day with staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Program. Superintendent's Spotlight airs weekly on Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, wstfieldtv.org, and WCPC TV Channel 15. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXxK14ZjIGw
A Westfield High School student has been putting together care bags for both western Massachusetts troops and veterans for the last few years and, for her senior year, she’s at it again and is adding a little extra effort.
“Getting to hear each and every one of their stories, the ones that have kids that they’re leaving at home, and I just wanted to make that somewhat easier for them,” said Westfield High Senior Jillian Battles.
Since eighth grade, Battles has been determined to give Massachusetts veterans and soldiers deployed overseas care bags to make sure they are well taken care of. For each of the last three years, she has put together 800 of those for the same groups in western Massachusetts as part of her ‘Bags for Bravery’ project. Now, in her senior year, she’s picking up where she left off.
“They’re not really appreciated as much as they should be and so, me as one person just being able to do what I do and then get my school involved, get the community involved and bring all this to light, and to be able to give them the recognition they deserve is truly what matters the most,” Battles noted.
Battles told Western Mass News that there are several items needed for these bags, including throw blankets, warm socks, hand sanitizer, macaroni and cheese cups, and granola bars. While not many donations have been collected this early in the school year, Battles is increasing her effort this weekend with ‘Picklefor Patriots,’ a pickleball tournament that will give her a head start in collecting money to buy items that would fill the bags.
“Even if they’re not playing, anybody can stop by and bring a donation off of my wish list and they get a free raffle ticket. It’s a good cause and I’m really hoping that will get people out.”
Coming from a military family herself, Battles has shown her will to be there for those who are serving or have served in our armed forces and she said the battle will continue, especially when she attends college next year.
“Western New England (University) already expressed their support, so I’m super excited for that. I know eventually I’d like to be a doctor, so med school might get a little tricky, but I have no plans on stopping any time soon,” Battles explained.
‘Pickle for Patriots’ will be Saturday at the Westfield Municipal Pickleball Courts. As for donations overall, Battles said they will be accepted until October 31.
https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/09/05/westfield-student-holding-pickleball-tournament-help-support-care-packages/