The Gandara Family Resource Center graciously donated backpacks that have some school supplies. If interested, please contact Principal McMillan!
Show up. Learn. Grow. Repeat. Every day in school = one step closer to your goals! #EveryDayCounts
Assistant Principal Opening!
Please see attached detour plans for the roadway sealing work scheduled for tomorrow (10/17) on East Silver Street and the Broad/East/West Silver intersection. Detour 1 is expected to happen between 9am-noon, with Detour 2 happening between noon-2 p.m. Thank you. -Principal McMillan
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 21-24 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.
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 21-24 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.
Attendance = Learning + Friendships + Future Success
Order your yearbook today!
Please support our annual book fair! The fair will also be open during Open House, which is this Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. Please contact our librarian, Sarah Scott, with any questions! Click here for more info: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/westfieldmiddleschool1
Strong attendance today creates brighter opportunities tomorrow.
Happy Fall! Please click here to view October's "The Howler" from Principal McMillan: https://secure.smore.com/n/e83uq
We're excited to invite all families to our upcoming Open House next Wednesday, October 8th from 6-7 p.m.! This is a wonderful opportunity to visit our school and see what makes our community special. Drop in anytime during the scheduled hours – come and go as you please! We encourage you to bring your student along so they can give you a personal tour and show you around the school. It's a great chance to see their classrooms, meet teachers, and experience a typical day through their eyes.
Feel free to join us early or stay a little later for our annual food trucks! We hope to see you there!
Feel free to join us early or stay a little later for our annual food trucks! We hope to see you there!
Westfield Middle School Principal Jesse McMillan and representatives of Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition an in-school intervention program for students facing mental health or medical disruptions, gave a five-month overview of its implementation at WMS to Mayor Michael McCabe, Sen. John Velis, Rep. Mike Finn, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, members of the School Committee and other area officials on Oct. 1.
Also speaking was Paul Hyry-Dermith, BRYT national director and Zemora Tevah, district/school support specialist, both of whom worked closely with WMS in setting up BRYT at WMS, funded by a grant from the Department of Mental Health.
In introducing the program, WMS Principal Jesse McMillan said there is a significant increase in mental health needs among students. He said for the WMS population of 700 seventh- and eighth-grade students, there are tier invention programs for the student population at large and programs such as RISE for students with special needs. He said before BRYT, there was not a lot of support for students with mental health challenges.
BRYT, a program of the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health, transforms how schools support students and families who have experienced a mental health disruption.
The BRYT model provides support for staffing, student selection, a support plan and a separate space. McMillan said WMS was fortunate to have a room available that could be dedicated to the program that has a separate entrance, bathroom, academic and counseling space.
McMillan said in the five short months of its implementation, there have been success stories in which students who had access to the BRYT supports have now transitioned back into academic teams. “I am proud of my staff,” he said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/10/bryt-intervention-program-is-making-a-difference-at-westfield-middle-school.html
Also speaking was Paul Hyry-Dermith, BRYT national director and Zemora Tevah, district/school support specialist, both of whom worked closely with WMS in setting up BRYT at WMS, funded by a grant from the Department of Mental Health.
In introducing the program, WMS Principal Jesse McMillan said there is a significant increase in mental health needs among students. He said for the WMS population of 700 seventh- and eighth-grade students, there are tier invention programs for the student population at large and programs such as RISE for students with special needs. He said before BRYT, there was not a lot of support for students with mental health challenges.
BRYT, a program of the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health, transforms how schools support students and families who have experienced a mental health disruption.
The BRYT model provides support for staffing, student selection, a support plan and a separate space. McMillan said WMS was fortunate to have a room available that could be dedicated to the program that has a separate entrance, bathroom, academic and counseling space.
McMillan said in the five short months of its implementation, there have been success stories in which students who had access to the BRYT supports have now transitioned back into academic teams. “I am proud of my staff,” he said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/10/bryt-intervention-program-is-making-a-difference-at-westfield-middle-school.html
Hey students — showing up is your superpower. Each day you’re in class you level up your skills, meet friends, and get closer to your dreams. Be here. Be curious. Be unstoppable. #AchievingExcellenceTogether
Please support the WMS Builders' Club Food Drive!
Happy Friday!
Today in Ms. Beaupre’s class, our 8th graders became reaction detectives! 🔍 Students discussed what happens when a bath bomb is added to water, describing where the bubbles come from and where the solid goes.
The City Council will be voting on Sept. 17 to accept almost $900,000 for infrastructure improvements to the Middle School parking lot after a years-long effort; a climate resilience grant of $810,200 from the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program through the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, and a matching gift donation of $70,000 from the Westfield River Watershed Association.
Westfield Middle School Principal Jesse McMillan said the MVP grant was awarded on the second try. “I’m excited that we’ve had this funding awarded to us. We applied last year and did not receive the funding,” he said, adding that he met with then City Engineer Allison McMordie and helped to revamp the application, adding letters from students and teachers.
McMillan said the reworked application included traffic flow design for safety, including large crosswalks where there are none, the addition of several parking spaces in the rear of the building, and one way traffic through the area. He said a large percentage of the seventh and eighth grade students at WMS are walkers and bikers.
Another feature of the parking area will be smaller access to Amelia Park. “We want people to go around and not use Westfield Middle School as the entrance and exit,” McMillan said.
McMillan said the second application also included a more detailed educational component, which Vinskey said was received favorably by the state due to its high-profile location, and opportunity to educate the students and the public about nature-based solutions.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/09/city-receives-890k-in-grants-to-improve-wms-parking-infrastructure.html
Westfield Middle School Principal Jesse McMillan said the MVP grant was awarded on the second try. “I’m excited that we’ve had this funding awarded to us. We applied last year and did not receive the funding,” he said, adding that he met with then City Engineer Allison McMordie and helped to revamp the application, adding letters from students and teachers.
McMillan said the reworked application included traffic flow design for safety, including large crosswalks where there are none, the addition of several parking spaces in the rear of the building, and one way traffic through the area. He said a large percentage of the seventh and eighth grade students at WMS are walkers and bikers.
Another feature of the parking area will be smaller access to Amelia Park. “We want people to go around and not use Westfield Middle School as the entrance and exit,” McMillan said.
McMillan said the second application also included a more detailed educational component, which Vinskey said was received favorably by the state due to its high-profile location, and opportunity to educate the students and the public about nature-based solutions.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/09/city-receives-890k-in-grants-to-improve-wms-parking-infrastructure.html
✨ Consistent attendance = consistent success! ✨
Every day in school is a chance to learn, grow, and connect. When students show up, they set themselves up for achievement today and opportunities tomorrow. Let’s make attendance a priority—it’s the first step toward reaching every goal! 📚✅ #AttendanceMatters #EveryDayCounts
Every day in school is a chance to learn, grow, and connect. When students show up, they set themselves up for achievement today and opportunities tomorrow. Let’s make attendance a priority—it’s the first step toward reaching every goal! 📚✅ #AttendanceMatters #EveryDayCounts
More than 20 people, some virtually, attended the first Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) meeting of the school year on Sept. 11 in the Westfield River Elementary library to meet Gregory Rosenthal, Westfield’s new administrator of special services and student support services.
Most recently, Rosenthal, who started on July 1, was the director of special education and student services for the Douglas Public Schools. Prior to that role, he had a similar one with the Northbridge Public Schools. He has also worked as a special education teacher and administrator in public schools and out-of-district private special education schools.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/09/parents-turn-out-to-meet-new-special-education-administrator.html
Most recently, Rosenthal, who started on July 1, was the director of special education and student services for the Douglas Public Schools. Prior to that role, he had a similar one with the Northbridge Public Schools. He has also worked as a special education teacher and administrator in public schools and out-of-district private special education schools.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/09/parents-turn-out-to-meet-new-special-education-administrator.html
Hello, WMS Families! Happy Friday! As I shared with students today, I am seeking 1 student from each PACK in 7th grade and 8th grade to represent their team on the Principal's Council this year! If they are interested, please encourage them to apply using the following link: https://forms.gle/6q2QwJ27N1JveAcFA. Applications are due by the end of the day next Friday, September 19th. Please see the attachment for more information. -Mr. McMillan
