Tune in this Thursday, November 3, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for the next episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we are talking with our Director of Special Education and Special Education Supervisors about programming in our district. Thanks for watching!
The Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA) marked its sixth anniversary during a morning meeting at the Westfield Gas & Electric Operations Center on Thursday.
Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said the organization, which provides opportunities for the business community and the schools to collaborate, survived COVID-19 and remote meetings, and is still thriving.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/10/westfield-school-business-alliance-still-thriving-as-it-marks-6th-anniversary.html
If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week, we spoke with staff members from the Westfield YMCA about their programming and their collaboration with Westfield, MA Public Schools. We also recognized National Civics Day. Thanks for watching #NationalCivicsDay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru7n9ccxzuo
With October 31st coming quickly, many students have been asking if it is acceptable to wear costumes. While WIS is not celebrating Halloween, if a student wishes to dress in a costume, it must be in accordance with our school dress code and not contain masks, face paint, or weapons. Blood, gore, violence, and anything distracting to learning are not allowed. Thank you!
📣Calling all Teachers, Staff, and PTOs of the Westfield Public School District:
Our 2022/23 Grant Application is posted on our website, and officially OPEN for submission!! We are so excited to be back from the COVID shutdown and are thrilled that we are able to offer this program once again.🍎✏️🎓📚
Grants of up to $1,500 will be awarded to fund dynamic classroom and curriculum projects. Grants will be considered in all disciplines including the arts, sciences, reading and writing, physical education and social competency.
The link to the Grant Application is below. Should you have any questions, we are here to help! Contact us via e-mail at: westfield.foundation2013@gmail.com
We are looking forward to receiving your awesome and unique ideas for our students!
https://www.westfieldfoundation.org/grant-application
More than 30 storefronts are expected to participate in the annual downtown trick-or-treat Friday, Oct. 28, 4-5 p.m.
Signs provided by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield will be displayed in the windows of participating merchants along Elm and Main streets, declaring “Trick-or-Treaters Welcome Here.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/10/downtown-merchants-are-ready-for-trick-or-treating.html
An Enhanced Lockdown Drill will be taking place at WIS this week using ALICE protocols. Please see the post under News for more information.
Tune in this Thursday, October 27, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for the next episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we are talking with Andrea Allard about the Westfield YMCA. Thanks for watching!
As part of our ongoing efforts to increase communication with our school community, the district is publishing a quarterly newsletter that will contain updates, important dates, and other information. Please click on the images to view our first newsletter of the school year. Thank you.
Turkey Trot 2022 sponsored by the WIS Builder's Club is scheduled for November 9. Please be on the lookout for the registration form. It is a fun event to benefit The Food Pantry of Westfield.
WPS is Hiring!
Be a part of Westfield Public Schools! We are hiring multiple positions across the district including substitute teachers, substitute nurses, classroom and 1:1 paraprofessionals, and many more opportunities that can be found on our district website at https://www.schoolspring.com/jobs/?employer=11953
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!