Westfield Public Schools is hiring:
Speech and Language Pathologists
Special Education Teachers
ESL Teachers
Paraprofessionals
Click on the link below to view our current openings. Thank you!
https://www.schoolspring.com/jobs?employer=11953&fbclid=IwAR1GNsNa8Kvxp-JJN--3K6AuBq0q3d6vHQUsWwUIrmfgXYI1N6IrLcygiMg
One hundred forty soon to be fifth graders from elementary schools across the city attended the Westfield Intermediate School’s summer transition program during the mornings of Aug. 7-10. Principal Greg Miller said the class coming in at 368 students is much bigger than the 315 rising sixth graders. Next year the school will have 683 students.
“It’s exciting for us. It’s the first time all of the students in the district come together,” Miller said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/08/incoming-fifth-graders-work-to-unlock-their-future-at-transition-camp.html
Christine Shea, Westfield public schools’ director of assessment and accountability, said 152 new English language learners moved into the district this past year.
English language learners are students whose native language is not English and who are not yet able to complete ordinary classroom work in English. According to state and federal laws, each school district must arrange for them to receive instruction from certified ELL teachers trained specifically to work with students still learning English.
Most of the new families in Westfield are coming from Ukraine, a total of 102 students this past year, some from the same families. Other students are from Russia, Moldova and Turkey, and 15 are from Afghanistan, families that are still trickling out after the end of the U.S. occupation. There are also several families from Ecuador that recently arrived.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/07/families-from-ukraine-afghanistan-among-english-learners-in-westfield-schools.html
With school ending today, the Westfield Athenaeum is offering a fun program with prizes that is aimed at helping children and teens stay engaged with reading over the summer months.
The Athenaeum’s annual Summer Reading Challenge program has reading challenges for all ages, complete with different levels of activities. One program is for children up to grade 6, and a second one is for teens from grades 7-12. There’s even a reading challenge for adults who want to join their kids in summer reading. All participants are challenged to read at least 20 minutes a day.
Reading challenges run from June 26 to Aug. 12 — at least 1,000 minutes of reading, total. Signups are being taken at westath.beanstack.org/reader365. The Athenaeum uses a program called Beanstack, which allows participants to sign up, track their reading and earn extra raffle tickets toward prizes online instead of using a paper log.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/06/summer-reading-programs-for-youth-adults-begin-next-week-at-westfield-athenaeum.html
A reminder that Westfield Public Schools are closed on Monday, June 19. Tuesday, June 20 is the last day of school, and it is an early release day. High school students will be dismissed at 11:00 a.m., Middle and Intermediate school students at 11:30 a.m., and Elementary school students at 12:15 a.m. Thank you.
Did you know students in grades 4,7, and 10 are required to submit a physical exam within 30 days of school entry. Students in grades K-12 are also required to be fully immunized against certain diseases. Please click on the image for more information.
On Friday morning, Westfield Intermediate School fifth graders Sophia Weingert and Grace Biswa, and sixth grader Caileigh Martinez, their reading teacher JoAnn Roselli and Principal Gregory Miller took a special trip to Chrissy G’s Bakery on Elm Street to celebrate the girls’ winning cupcake designs.
Roselli explained that recently she assigned her students the task of writing in enough detail so that a baker could create a themed cupcake from their description. She showed them Chrissy G’s website and explained that she would email their designs to the bakery.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/06/westfield-students-see-their-cupcake-concepts-come-to-life-at-chrissy-gs.html
If you missed this morning's episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. This week, we spoke with Senator John Velis about the mental health crisis and what he is proposing to increase services for students. We also celebrated National Doughnut Day with some treats from Mrs. Murphy's. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_zpfDQZVi0
On Wednesday, June 14 from 5-7pm, 6th grade students are invited to a celebration in our cafeteria. Music, games, and a slideshow of WIS memories are some of the things we have planned. Tickets will be on sale next week for the cost of 4 Polar Points and must be purchased in advance.
If you missed the latest episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. On last week's show, we talked with Food Services Director Rachel Kania about all our school breakfast and lunch program. We also talked about some famous people named George on National George Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XjU0WMpDBM
Westfield Public Schools Quarterly Newsletter is out now, you can read it by clicking here: https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/o/wps/page/district-newsletter for updates from our various departments and important dates and events coming up.
Join us on Thursday, May 25, an hour early, from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 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 Food Services Director Rachel Kania about Westfield EATS, our school breakfast and lunch programs. Thanks for watching!
Please join us for our concerts this week. The WIS Band is tonight at 6pm, and the WIS Chorus is Wednesday at 6pm. Both concerts are taking place in the auditorium. We hope to see you there!
Tune in on Thursday, May 11 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 State Representative Kelly Pease about recent happenings at the Massachusetts State House. We will also take some time to recognize "National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day". Thanks for watching!
Children’s Mental Health Week is dedicated to increasing public awareness about the triumphs and challenges in children’s mental health and emphasizing the importance of family and youth involvement in the children’s mental health movement!
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
Hello WIS Families,
Sixth grade students will be taking the ELA MCAS on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. To do their best on the test, students should get plenty of rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and be in homeroom on time to start the day. Students are not allowed to be in possession of cell phones and smart watches during test sessions. Please remind your child of this. As always, thanks for your support!
Greg Miller, Principal
On April 4th each year, National School Librarian Day recognizes the professionals who keep the school library in working order. School librarians spend long hours keeping the library organized. They are also dedicated to helping our children find the resources they need to keep learning. School librarians are the people who create an environment where students can learn every day of the year. Their work is an impressive accomplishment.
The school librarians provide guidance and expose our youth not only to texts, print media, and literature but to digital resources and technology, too. These resources also connect them to libraries around the world. A school librarian’s ability to manage scores of media and a school full of students with numerous projects and schedules astounds us.
Happy National School Librarian Day!
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