Westfield Intermediate School

As there is a growing need for counselors in the state, Westfield Public Schools works in partnership with River Valley Counseling and Rick’s Place to provide additional emotional support for students. The River Valley Counseling provides four to five clinicians that will come into the school buildings for entire days. This meets the need of about 52 referrals that came in this month so far. Currently, there are about 36 counselors that focus on social and emotional learning, plus academics and careers. With River Valley Counseling’s partnership with the school district, adjustment counselors are allotted more time to work with more students in small groups, enter classrooms, and do social-emotional learning with a whole class. As a result of the pandemic, students’ mental health has become more evident in a school setting. “If a student isn’t in a good place mentally then it is a barrier to learning. They really may have something else going on and can’t focus on instruction,” said Westfield Public Schools superintendent, Stefan Czaporowski. “We need to really help them to be prepared and successful in a school environment.” For adolescents and families that may have lost a loved one due to the pandemic or another cause, Rick’s Place helps with their grief. “The counseling students receive can continue through school vacations and through the summer to carry the progress forward,” adds the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Susan Dargie. However, counseling often takes years to have its desired effect. River Valley Counseling continuation through summer and vacations would be at the request of parents. Students can also be seen in the clinic. Typically, a student who is referred to River Valley Counseling is already seeing an adjustment counselor, which brings additional support. Sometimes family counseling can also be a result. “Vast majority of our students are having their needs addressed, but I always think we could do better. Counselor-to-student ratio is a strength of ours,” expressed Czaporowski. “When we think about educating students, we are educating the whole student and we can’t separate out a child’s brain from their emotions and from their social skills and needs,” said Dargie. “So, we have to look at the big picture.” For the school to completely replenish from the pandemic, it can take five to 10 years, according to Cazaporowksi, but is certain the vast majority of students will be ok. A future BRYT program may also be another future development for Westfield Public Schools. This will allow more support for students that may be coming out of hospitalization. “Meeting the need that is needed at that time,” said Dargie. “We often have students who are really struggling to maintain in the classroom, they really can’t be in that general setting,” explained Dargie. “A program like this would be another space where there is an educator there, but there is also a clinician” (hospitalized for their own safety). With these services, the school district has hopes the mental and academic needs of students will be met. https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/westfield-public-schools-therapy-service-partnerships-help-adjustment-counselors-work-with-more-students/

Today marks the start of STEM Week. Many classes at WIS are participating in activities that are intended to boost the interest, awareness, and ability for all learners to envision themselves in STEM education and employment opportunities. This year's theme for the statewide STEM Week is "See Yourself in STEM."

The first WIS PTO meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 12 at 6pm. These meetings will be held virtually. Please call the school or email Mr. Miller for more information or the invite to the virtual meeting. We hope to see you there!

What’s more synonymous with Halloween than a festively carved pumpkin, all aglow with candlelight? Hundreds of kids and their families will get the chance to test those creative skills at this year’s PumpkinFest, slated for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, rain or shine, on the athletic fields behind Amelia Park off South Broad Street in Westfield. Now in its sixth year, the event is organized by Westfield on Weekends, and according to Co-President Bob Plasse, more than 100 people volunteer their time to make this event happen. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/10/westfield-pumpkinfest-promises-fun-for-whole-community-next-weekend.html

The October Family Newsletter was emailed to the school community yesterday. If you have not received the email, and it is not in your Spam folder, contact the office to make sure you have an accurate email address on file. The Newsletter is also accessible under Documents on this website. Thanks!

Fundraiser Update - The deadline to submit orders for the Meadow Farms fundraiser has been extended to October 7.

Also, Thursday is the deadline to have the fundraiser returned to school and tickets for Westfield Day at the Big E will be going home with students on Wednesday.

Hello WIS Community! This is a reminder that Wednesday is Picture Day.

Please join us on Thursday for the WIS Open House. Food trucks will be serving food for purchase starting at 5:30pm, and classrooms will be open for visiting from 6-7:30pm. I hope to see you then!

Each year, thousands of schools and youth organizations nationwide participate in Start With Hello Week, a national call-to-action week dedicated to making new social connections and creating a sense of belonging among youth. WIS is participating in Start with Hello Week during the week of September 19-23. There will be announcements, activities, and themes for colors of clothing each day. Monday is red, Tuesday, is blue, Wednesday is green, Thursday is mulit-color and rainbow to showcase diversity and uniqueness, and Friday is blue and gold for WIS school colors.

The United States Attorney’s Office is hosting a virtual Internet safety presentation for parents the evening of Tuesday, September 20th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. The presentation, entitled Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents will bring awareness to the dangers of the internet, including gaming and social media platforms that predators use to groom children with the intent of exploiting them sexually online or for an in-person meeting. The presentation will focus on prevention by educating parents and community members how to help keep children safe online. Theye will be covering the following topics: Social Media 101 & Digital Footprint Cyberbullying Sexting Gaming Victim Support Protecting Against Online Predation The presentation is free. Registration is required. The link to register is included on the attached flyer.

A flyer containing information and a calendar of meetings from Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC).

Be a part of our Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA). Please click on the link below for more information. https://sites.google.com/schoolsofwestfield.org/we2ba/home. If you are interested in partnering with one of our teachers for an Adopt a Classroom opportunity, please scan the QR code.

What a great week we had here at WIS! In these first 4 school days, we have worked on routines, procedures, and establishing expectations school-wide and within each classroom. Students have learned that at WIS, we strive to be Accountable, Safe, and Kind (ASK). Neighborhoods, made up of 4 teams each, met with Assistant Principals Mrs. Piper and Mr. Czuchra to review what ASK looks like in hallways, classrooms, bathrooms, cafeteria, recess, and busses. Students will earn Polar Points when they demonstrate ASK behavior, which can be used to buy items and rewards. Finally, please mark your calendars for Open House on September 22 from 6-7:30pm and Picture Day on September 28. More information will be coming regarding Open House. Enjoy the Labor Day weekend!

Westfield Public Schools is thrilled to announce our new app for mobile phones! Stay up to date with access to real-time sports scores, the daily cafeteria menu, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency notifications. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9OKq6xGPe0 You can download the app for free on both Google Play or the Apple App Store. Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3f8hysa Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/3qO1Nc1

Only 16 days left until school starts on Tuesday, August 30, for all students in grades 1-12. Pre-K and Kindergarten students will start school on Tuesday, September 6.

Cub Scouts Information Session May 16, 2022 6 - 7 PM More information on the flyer.

Westfield Public School Registration is now OPEN!

WIS School Spirit Wear is for sale online now through October 18th! Gear will be in school ready to distribute to students by Thanksgiving. Store Link https://westfieldintermediateschoolpopup.itemorder.com/sale

Start with Hello The school will be hosting a "Start With Hello" week the week of September 20th, as part of the Sandy Hook Promise Initiative. The week will work to emphasize the importance of connection and relationships, kindness, acceptance, diversity, and inclusion. Each day of the week will have a different focus and theme for dress code (optional), as well as short video clips and classroom and/or school-wide activities to enhance students' learning of the qualities above. More information can be found here: https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/our-programs/start-with-hello/ The themes are as follows: Monday 9/20: Promise to Start with HELLO (wear red clothing) Tuesday 9/21: Promise to Reach Out and Help (wear blue clothing) Wednesday 9/22: Promise to be Kind (wear green clothing) Thursday 9/23: Promise to Embrace Diversity and Accept Differences (wear rainbow clothing) Friday 9/24: Promise to Connect (WIS colors/gear - navy blue, white and/or gold)